by Huckster

Created on: April 26, 2008

Crossing Dimensions

The fusion reactor ran at three quarters capacity as Tal kept a close watch on the gauges. With the system functioning flawlessly, he increased the level of deuterium plasma. As it had done the day before, the energy output increased a dozen times, and the reactor hadn't reached full capacity yet. Another successful experiment.

Though happy with their achievement, Tal doubted that they could efficiently and safely reach their goal within a week. He tapped his foot as he noted the readings on his pocket terminal.

Shandra approached from the left of the reactor, holding her own terminal. Though maintaining her formal stance, she beamed. For the last three years she assisted him with his research.
Her talent in nuclear physics and her boldness to theorize the impossible had drawn Tal's attention. When he obtained the funds to begin the lab test of his compact fusion energy concept, he invited her to join the project. Shandra had been an asset to him ever since.

"It's at 90 percent," she said. "The output is 450 kilowatts with only a four watt input!"

"Yes. That's two perfect runs. If we can squeeze it to 100 percent by the end of the week, I'll request the funding for the field tests."

"My figures show that if we can get it to 100 percent, it should put out two megawatts. There should be enough residual heat so the input can be reduced to two watts."

Tal wondered about her claim of reaching two megawatts. He rechecked the magnetic containment field gauge.

"That may just be our stumbling block." He tapped the face of the digital readout. "The field will have be strengthened by 50 percent before I'd feel comfortable trying to get two megawatts of output."

"Even if we double the overall input to the reactor, the success of reaching two megawatts would make it the most efficient micro reactor ever constructed." Shandra stared at the panels on the left side of the room. "But I'll see if I can boost the power to the containment field by tweaking the inverter."

Tal shook his head slowly. "I don't want anything pushing limits. We have to make this thing practical if we expect to"

"Yes, I know."

A pounding on the door echoed through the laboratory. Tal turned as two men thrust the door open. Reporters with too much ambition marched toward them. Tal sighed and set his terminal on the control console.

"Why don't you shut the system down while I tackle these characters."

Shandra nodded and went to the panels on the left side of the chamber.

The two men marched up to Tal

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