I am not confident writing fiction or poetry. So, my entry here will be a story.
By the year 2034, a combination of events and trends had merged to make nuclear power the default energy source for much of the world. Firstly, an increasing number of less developed countries had rallied behind Iran to demand that the nuclear powers must fulfil their own obligations under the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty and share nuclear technology for peaceful uses. This was strengthened by the rising sea levels which it was increasingly clear would affect all parts of the world negatively. The tensions caused by climate refugees led to small scale conflicts that made it difficult for countries to agree to share facilities and thus many countries insisted on building solo generating plants that they could control. Finally, resentment against historical colonial countries and the multinational companies headquartered there had enabled countries to take control of their mines, thus loosening restrictions over uranium trade and production.
In all this turmoil, Nigeria and its northern neighbor, Niger Republic had been forced by their circumstances to cooperate. The Atlantic Ocean had eaten away large swathes of Nigeria's coast. Given its reliance on declining crude oil sales, it had moved quickly (which was unusual), to strike a deal with the uranium exporting Niger Republic to build a plant at Lokoja and share the power. Niger had accepted because while it had uranium, it had insufficient water and (more importantly) money, to build a plant on its own. While there were a few Nigeriennes in the staff, most of the employees were Nigerians and that was the cause of the problem.
Niger Republic did not see itself as the junior partner as it provided the uranium, without which, the entire plant was just another building. Nigeria viewed this intransigence with irritated amusement, considering Niger's demands that the plant have dual heads as ludicrous and unnecessary. Further, considering that 95% of the staff were Nigerians, working in Nigeria, it was only logical that the person in charge be one who understands and is understood by the majority of the staff. Further, the plant and power evacuation lines were built with Nigerian money and title to that was not something it was willing to share. Niger did not agree and kept pressing its claims because power is nothing without control.
The piece before mine was by Jet Poop. I score it a 5. It quickly caught my attention and held it to the end. An engaging story.