Free Tom Swift and His Triphibian Atomicar by Victor Appleton II Page B

of fun!" Hanson declared. "So let’s have the basics of this neutronamo of yours."
    Tom explained how, in principle, accumulated positive and negative charges produced through the controlled decomposition of neutrons would induce a powerful current flow. "The new isotope plays an important role," he stated. "It’s the source of our neutrons."
    With the basic conceptual problems overcome by Freegler’s equations, Tom and Arv had soon put together a test prototype, which they proceeded to test and tweak over several days. "I’m satisfied that the neutronamo is the way to go," grinned the young inventor at last. "I think it’s time to head back home."
    Departing at dusk the majestic Sky Queen zoomed northeast, a shielded canister of the new isotope cradled securely in the skyship’s hangar-hold.
    In the lounge Sandy asked Cousin Ed if he would be continuing on to Mexico from Shopton. "Not right away, cuz. I’ll be visiting Mom and my stepdad in Vermont, then Dad and my stepmom in Providence. And then― " His eyes twinkled with mystery! "Then I have a new destination."
    "Oh really, Ed? Where?" Bashalli asked.
    "Place called Kabulistan."
    "Kabulistan!" cried Sandy. "Oh Ed, take me along, won’t you? We can solve the ruby mine mystery!"
    "As a matter of fact, I have a notion to look into it—that’s why I changed my plans." His face assumed an exaggerated expression of regret. "But as for you—alas! Your esteemed brother tells me you have a few responsibilities to take care of in Shopton."
    Sandy gave a sigh. "My esteemed brother can be a stodgy spoilsport. And he worries about me too much."
    After a restful night at home in Shopton, Tom plunged into the redesign of the atomicar with great and infectious enthusiasm. He was just concluding a late lunch when Arv Hanson dropped by with a detailed model of the new body shell in his hands.
    Tom whistled in admiration. "What a beauty, Arv! This will be a big help in putting together the full-sized version for the demonstration model. And by the way ... " continued the youth with a sheepish look. "Can I count on you to ride herd on the project? With Hank away, you’re the only one I’d trust to take on a hurry-up engineering job like this." Hank Sterling, Enterprises’ chief engineer and a close friend, was taking a long, much-postponed vacation with his family.
    "You can count on me, boss. It’s just a question of whether I can do it. What sort of turnaround are you looking for?"
    "As fast as you and the fabrication shop can deliver the goods. George Dilling is― "
    "Yeah, I know. No blueprints, eh?" Arv considered a moment. "Well, give us forty-eight hours if you want a real slick paint job."
    "Good enough," Tom said gratefully. "We’ll mount it over the weekend, and I’ll tell George he can set up a press conference and demonstration for Monday morning!"
    As soon as Arv left the laboratory, Tom plunged into a flurry of activity that spread to many offices at Swift Enterprises. Press releases had to be prepared, invitations sent to all media news services and automotive editors, and a test track laid out, with a viewing stand for the spectators. Tom arranged to set up the track on one of the runways at the Swift Construction Company on the other side of the town.
    On Monday morning Swift Construction hummed with excitement. A throng of newscasters, press photographers, and television camera techs crowded the stand as Tom displayed the futuristic new scarlet atomicar, its sleek dome gleaming in the sun, and explained its operation and propulsion principles.
    "Sorry that I can’t reveal the details of my atomic power plant just yet," Tom told them. "However, it provides a smooth flow of power to a small electric motor at each wheel, without any need for a bulky or complicated transmission."
    Tom proceeded to describe each feature of the advanced vehicle. The name of the present model, he concluded, was the Silent Streak .
    The visitors elbowed each other to get in their