Appleton, Victor – Tom Swift Jr 05 – And His Atomic Earth Blaster

Tom’s heart pounded, but he managed to reply calmly, “I’ll do my best to make sure the expedition succeeds, Uncle Ned!”

Tom realized that success of his venture would necessarily mean the loss of the blaster, which would disintegrate upon striking the earth’s molten core. But this loss would be only a fraction of the value of the endless source of pure iron obtained!

Bud brought up the question of clothing. “I suppose we’ll all have to go around in fur parkas down there,” he remarked.

“We’ll need more than fur suits,” Tom replied.

56 TOM SWIFT AND HIS ATOMIC BLASTER

“Any clothing we wear will have to be radiation-proof.”

Bud frowned in disbelief and asked, “Won’t the atomic pile inside your blaster be sheathed in Tomasite?” He referred to the amazing new plastic invented by Mr. Swift, which, although very light in weight, absorbed gamma rays more effectively than either lead or concrete. Mrs. Swift had named it in honor of both father and son.

“Sure,” Tom replied, “but suppose we have to tear down the machine for repairs. And don’t forget that the dirt and rock will be converted into gas by atomic energy inside the blaster. Consequently the fumes rising up to the surface will be slightly radioactive, too.”

Mr. Swift offered a suggestion. “I think the answer to that problem is to have your clothing impregnated with Tomasite,” he said.

A rapping of knuckles sounded on the office door. In answer to Mr. Swift’s “Come in!” Chow Winkler waddled into the room, pushing a lunch cart loaded with steaming dishes of food. The Texan grinned.