Mario Montana leads a family of chemists who discover a method to harness the electrical power of hydrogen, locked in a molecule of water, thereby providing an alternative fuel that supplants the need for oil as the world's main energy source. The net result of this discovery leads to the development of new engines, particularly those for the automotive industry. More importantly, however, is its impact on oil and all the countries, states, and industries that deal with the production and use of oil. The geo-political intrigue and industrial espionage that surrounds this new fuel source brings fear to the OPEC countries that their position in the world market place could collapse. Manipulations of the market for higher profits by OPEC and the oil companies are now threatened. The governments of the world, and virtually all industries up to this point have relied on a continuous supply of oil. Automotive companies are concerned because their research and development, centered on hybrid fuel cells, is threatened by the fuel cells developed by Montana Chemicals. The concerns, in general, are such that they extend up the industrial-political ladder resulting in the Congress becoming involved along with the Department of Energy, the EPA, and finally the President of the United States. Clearly, the world's needs for energy is constantly expanding while its main source of fuel, oil, has a finite life. In contrast, relatively speaking, water has an inexhaustible life span on this planet. The process of discovery and how successful the family is, led by Serge Montana, in promoting this new alternative fuel source demonstrates the use of The Second Rule.
