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Chapter 19Palpable tension. Emotion and fear so thick throughout a room that it feels likesomething you can squeeze.Palpable tension filled the base the next morning. From ever soldier’s step toevery scientist’s face, everything felt a bit rushed and serious from the day before.For Gabe, well, he was just in awe of the whole spectacle. He dreamt of being ina war movie, standing amidst the soldiers as they prepared for battle. But now that it wasreal, fear drowned out whatever excitement he had. Yet Ellie seemed the least changed.She held her serious expression – that’s what Gabe called it - the one she used whenever she had to fight or deal with an enemy. And this was something she seemed good atholding.Walking next to them, Agent Redd and Grandpa held a serious discussion.“We’re routing all available power to you, Dr. Lavei.”“That’s not nearly enough. We’ll need double that to operate this.” Grandpa was pointing to a schematic of what looked like a giant TV screen to Gabe. He nudged Ellie, but only received a shrug in reply.“So much technology, so little innovation,” muttered Grandpa.Every scientist in the vicinity raised an eyebrow and an objection. “What aboutthis facility?” “I’m sure you could make the internet.” “Or even touch our computing power.” “Don’t suppose you’ve been in space.”
 
“I have been traveling between worlds and seen different planets, using somethingsmaller than your cell phone. Why, the power source in this would be plenty to power your entire internet.”“That’s impossible. The laws of physics don’t allow for a battery like that.”“Who said anything about battery? It has a fusion reactor.”This brought all motion in the room to a grinding halt. “Excuse me?” asked ascientist. “Are you telling me that there’s a nuclear reactor in this room with us.”“The answer would be yes,” said Agent Redd abruptly. “I knew it all the time,and it is quite safe. The radiation it emits in a day is equivalent to a few minutes in thesun.”“And blocked by a thin layer of clothing,” added Grandpa. “Oh the wonders of helium-3 fusion. All the kick with less of the world wrecking radiation – you should tryusing it sometime. Or perhaps you would if you faced the same consequences.”“Well, maybe if we had a little more helium-3 on Earth. And what do you mean?Radiation’s dangerous.”Grandpa blinked and closed his lips, as if trapping a word from escaping from histongue. Agent Redd turned to Grandpa and asked, “Is helium-3 common on your world?”“I wouldn’t say common, but there is a substantial amount.”“Then perhaps when this conflict is over, we can enter a more beneficialrelationship.”…
 
Even with the tension in the room, Agent Redd seemed as friendly as could be.And though pleasant, this unnerved everyone in the room, from Gabe to even thescientists.A soldier took their pictures and handed security badges to Gabe and Ellie.“You’ll need these to get around here.”Ellie looked at her badge and asked Gabe. “What does this say?”“Uh, Ellie Lavei. That’s your name, right?”“Oh, yes. Sorry, although I speak English alright, my reading is really quite poor.”Gabe’s face was covered in surprise.“Are you alright?”“Yeah, I’m just surprised that I can do something better than you. I mean, you’relike Superman, and I’m just some dumb kid.”“You are a little better than you think. And I am certain that this is not the only place where you exceed me.” Then Ellie flashed Gabe a little smile and walked away.They were led into a conference room where they spent the day recreating Kalia.By the next morning, they had a map of the bridge, the square, and Sansebei.“Did you see any defenses?” asked a General.“No, but there were dozens of troops and a number of cannons. That’s probablyyour biggest threat.”“I must disagree,” said Ellie. “The greatest threat lies under their jungles.Soldiers can hide there for weeks without detection. Gabe here was able to evade their troops in the trees.”
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