A few minutes later, as the midget power plant reached its maximum working pressure, Tom added, “Now I’ll start reducing the chamber pressure.”
His eyes darted back and forth among several dials on the control panel as he slowly turned the hydraulic valve. The others watched tensely.
At last Tom gave a cry of triumph. “The pressure in the chamber is now normal atmospheric,” he announced. “The capsule casing is sustaining the full pressure of the atomic reaction!”
The test continued smoothly, with the cell churning out its maximum electrical output.
Bud slapped the young inventor on the back. “Good work, pal! Your new Durastress plastic is a wonder!”
When the test was over, Tom cautiously disassembled the power capsule and inspected the casing. Even under X-ray examination, it showed no cracks or signs of failure.
Ort and the girls congratulated Tom, and Sandy added, “Now you can go ahead with your atomicar project!”
“I’ll radio Enterprises and have the car flown out tonight,” Tom replied.
Dinner that evening at Ort’s adobe cottage-studio turned out to be a celebration for Tom. The red-haired painter’s boast about his cooking 68 TRIPHIBIAN ATOMICAR
proved to be more than justified. Even Bud was won over by Ort’s delicious tortillas, fritters, and the crisp charcoal-broiled steaks.
“Good thing Chow isn’t here,” Bud said, grinning, “or he’d be turning green with envy!”
“I’ll be surprised,” said Tom, “if you don’t turn green after the way you stoked up!”
The next day Ort and the others witnessed the atomicar’s first test run under atomic power. Tom was jubilant over its smooth performance.