“Trouble is, a critter don’t often head straight for the North or South Pole,”
Chow reflected. “Too bad there ain’t no simple way for a ship or airyplane to always point straight home-or wherever ‘tis it’s aimin’ for.”
Tom was thoughtful for a few moments. “You know, you’ve got something there, Chow,” he said. “A sure-fire homing device would come in mighty handy to navigators.”
At Enterprises the next day Tom reported to his father and Uncle Ned the results of his Kabulistan trip. “I think my new atomic power plant can be a big help in developing the country,” the young inventor said. “We can place it easily, anywhere, to provide electricity for factories and villages.”
“Very good,” Mr. Swift replied, and Uncle Ned added, “The capsule alone will save the time and expense of building dams or steam generating plants.”
102 TRIPHIBIAN ATOMICAR
“I’ve already given orders for a production run of one hundred capsules out at the Citadel,” Mr. Swift added.
“Swell, Dad. And by the way, Uncle Ned-speaking of production runs, how about setting up an assembly line for a fleet of atomicars and trucks at the Swift Construction Company?”
Tom explained that these should prove invaluable to project crews in traveling around the rugged terrain and also transporting supplies. Ned Newton promised to attend to the matter at once.
“Exactly what are Kabulistan’s natural resources, son?” Mr. Swift asked.
Tom read off a brief report which the Shah’s economic minister had drawn up at Provard’s request. “Doesn’t add up to very much in trade dollars,” Tom ended, “unless you count that lost ruby mine. The trouble is, Dad, that nobody really knows the country’s potential resources, but there must be valuable mineral deposits.”