Richard J. Ronayne

Novella

Phenix Publishing Ltd

Nation-X Project

Dozens of my stories are currently being illustrated for release by Phenix Publishing Ltd for their Nation-X project, a multi-year project for 4-8000 word educational novellas.

This series was designed for young adults and high schoolers across Chinese and American schools, harnessing anthropomorphism to help digest mature, dark or joyful topics, whilst reflecting life, and exploring real social issues in an exciting and educational way.

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The Lawson Criterion
By Richard Joseph Ronayne

CHAPTER 1: Purple Rain
In the darkly lit office of Corvus Machine Works, Ted Chantek was at the pinnacle moment of eight months of almost non-stop work. He had forsaken all social obligations, sleeping only two hours a night at his desk and making up the rest with intermittent power naps. He had pushed himself to his mental and physical limits to realize his most important invention: the Deuterium Fusion Tokamak Reactor. 
The Bornean orangutan took one last moment to stroke his curved horns as he mentally calculated through all his work in one last attempt to confirm his theories. With a contented nod, he finally input the ignition commands as the donut-shaped carbon chamber filled with plasma until it reached a crescendo of magnificent heat, smashing the two deuterium nuclei together in a beautiful spectacle of purple flames. 
The fusion reaction created helium and neutrons. The helium fed back into the reaction as new fuel to sustain the reaction, while the neutrons were captured, heating the coolant water outside the chamber walls creating steam power.  
Then, after five point two seconds, the spectacle ended, and everything went dark once again. Ted checked his data as it filled his computer screens. Success. He had poured 100 megajoules into the chamber to commence the fusion reaction and produced 159 megajoules of energy from it.  
This was the first time in history that fusion had produced more than it cost, which had the potential to change the world. A bigger permanent version of his demo reactor would be able to sustain the reaction indefinitely, providing the world with safe, clean, and free infinite energy. 
He allowed himself a rare moment of emotional outburst as he turned around to share the news with his colleagues, remembering, as he stared into the empty dark office, that he was the only one who had not gone home several hours ago. Shrugging his shoulders, he returned to work to ready his morning presentation of the data to his boss and fellow genius inventor who owned Corvus Machine Works, the world-famous panther, Ed Corvus himself. 
Ed Corvus arrived in the morning the next day and patrolled the offices to check in on the researchers and inventors that worked for him. He found Ted slumped over his desk, having one of his famous power naps. Ed had a contingent of his top researchers following him, taking notes at Ed’s behest. Ed gestured for them all to shush as he grabbed a pen and threw it at Ted, who jumped awake, knocking everything over on his desk as everybody laughed. 
“Morning Ted, or is it the afternoon for you now? Perhaps even the evening? Would you like me to arrange dinner for you?” Ed mocked as everyone continued laughing. 
Ted sighed as he put his desk back the way he liked it. He was used to being ridiculed by others for being unusual. “Good morning, Mr. Corvus. If you have a moment, I’d like to announce that I completed the test of my Deuterium Fusion Tokamak Reactor. If you look at the data I’ve compiled, you’ll see that it was a great success.” Tim excitedly held out a huge wad of reports. 
“Your what? I thought you were working on the electric motor that was assigned to you?” Ed dismissed. 
“No, sir. Eight months ago, you said that nobody would be able to improve on your proposed deuterium and tritium-powered Inertial Confinement Fusion Reactor. If you recall, I said that I believed that I’d be able to improve it greatly. Then you laughed at me and offered me one million NXD if I could. Well, I’ve succeeded, sir. I removed the high-energy demanding lasers that your design used to create the fusion, and I found a way to remove the dangerous and extremely rare tritium isotope from the equation. My design is infinitely more efficient. Check through the data in these papers. You’ll see that my design succeeded in perfecting the Lawson Criterion and achieving positive energy output for the first time in history.” He looked around the room and saw everyone staring at each other. 
“We’ve talked about this before, Ted. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ed said, stepping forward, taking the documents, and immediately disinterestedly passing them to someone else. 
Ted frowned in confusion. “The Lawson Criterion is the accepted concept that compares the rate of energy being generated by fusion reactions within the fusion fuel to the rate of energy losses to the environment. When the rate of production is higher than the rate of loss, and enough of that energy is captured by the system, the system is said to be ignited.” 
“Shut up, Ted,” Ed interrupted. “I know what the Lawson Criterion is. I’m Nation-X’s greatest living genius. I was saying that I don’t know what conversation you’re referring to, and I’m disappointed that you haven’t been doing the work assigned to you.” 
“The electric motor? I completed that as well, months ago, sir,” Ted defended. 
“Then where’s the data for it?” 
“I sent it to your office when I finished it,” Ted explained, confused why they were discussing something so trivial. 
One of Ed’s entourages checked through a compiled list of works waiting to be reviewed and confirmed that Ted’s electric motor work was received months ago, but Ed had not yet reviewed it. 
“I see. Well, I am very busy. I’ll review it when I have time and get back to you. Someone, please provide Ted with his next assignment,” Ed dismissed and started to walk away. 
“But Mr. Corvus. My reward?” Ted shouted after him. 
Ed stopped and turned to face Ted. “I don’t remember that conversation, Mr. Chantek, but it seems to me that it was a joke. I was making a joke, which is a social engagement for humor. I wouldn’t expect you to comprehend something so complicated.” 
Ted gripped his fists to repress his growing anger. “That isn’t fair. I’ve slaved on this world-changing technology for eight months because you challenged me to, for a reward that would have finally allowed me to start my own company.” 
“Your own company? Oh, my dear Ted. You’ll never rival Corvus Machine Works. You’re better off here. I tell you what, if this design of yours proves to be as ground-breaking as you say it is, I’ll raise your pay by fifty NXD an hour. How does that sound? Not quite one million NXD, though, is it, folks?” Ed jeered as everyone erupted into laughter except Ted. 
“Mr. Corvus, I find you to be a hobbyist inventor who has no understanding of humor without the expense of others and that you live in utter disregard of the most elementary rules of hygiene. Your methods are wholly inefficient in the extreme. I’m sorry to witness your misguided works, knowing that just a little theory and calculation would save you ninety percent of your labors. I officially resign and happily say goodbye to the Corvus Machine Works!” Ted calmly announced. He stormed out of the building to momentary cheers from his colleagues before a furious glance from Ed silenced them. 
CHAPTER 2: Poker Face
After leaving Corvus Machine Works, things were difficult for Ted, but he regretted nothing. He pushed himself as hard as he always did, picking up any and all work he could find to save up to build an improved version of his Deuterium Fusion Tokamak Reactor. Everything he worked on at Corvus Machine Works belonged to the company, so he had to start from scratch. 
After doing all sorts of menial jobs to earn funds to continue his true work, he met Jason Clifton, a businessman who owned Clifton Electrical. They became close friends quickly, and eventually, after a long game of poker, Ted brought Jason up to his room and showed him his designs. 
Jason’s comprehensive understanding of energy aided him in fully understanding the full scope of Ted’s vision. “Just one of these could power all of Nation-X, Ted. For free—forever!” 
“I know. I just need someone to help me build it. I’m an inventor, so I don’t have much skill in business. I honestly don’t even know where to begin such a large-scale operation,” Ted admitted. 
“Well, it’s a good thing that you brought me onboard. My company has a lot of experience with building reactors for power plants of all kinds. First, we’ll build a company for you. Then you need to plan the costs and secure a location. You’ll need permission from the government, who will hopefully want to help such a noble endeavor. That’ll be tricky, as they’ll want to scrutinize every detail to ensure it’s safe, so you’ll also need a patent to protect it. After, it’s a matter of navigating through bureaucracy throughout the whole construction, until you finally turn the darned thing on and provide free limitless energy to the entire world. It will eliminate war, famine, homelessness, pollution, and ninety percent of the cost for space exploration.”
“Oh, just all of that then? I guess we’d better get started, business partner,” Ted said smiling, holding out a hand to help Jason back up. 
Jason took his hand, shaking it in agreement. “One step at a time. What do you think about the Chantek Electric Company? It’s not catchy or flashy, but it leaves no room for doubt about your purpose.” 
“I like it. You know I’m not a showman. And, if it fails spectacularly, your company will be safe, and for that, I’m pleased,” Ted said, realizing it was nice sometimes to engage socially. 
They spent the rest of the evening furiously working out the details of their business, and by morning, it was published to the government to acknowledge their license. They patented their designs before being called to a meeting within the Ministry of Science and Technology offices. 
Miles Keys sat at the center as the head of the panel created to hear Ted’s application for governmental commission. He was also joined by Frank Todd, the Governor of Northeastland, and Matteo Leap, a business consultant for the government. 
“We’ve read through your application, Mr. Chantek, and it’s very exciting,” Miles said gently. "I must explain, though, that we’ve been met with a similar application from another business. We’ve put off our decision to hear you out and have some questions answered.”
“Corvus Machine Works has already been here?” Ted demanded. 
“We’re not at liberty to say. Please respect the right of anonymity that we grant all clients. Now, I personally prefer your design and have already cast my vote here for your application. My fellow panelists, however, are not as scientifically educated as I am and have several questions that require answering. Please, Mr. Leap,” Miles officiated. 
“Thank you, Minister,” Matteo said and turned his attention to Ted. “Mr. Chantek, my concerns with your design are financial. Your company is unheard of and unproved in its ability to achieve an industrial project of this scale, while our other application is from a company we have worked with many times. Though your application is immediately cheaper, if there is an unforeseen issue in the project’s development, your young company will not be able to carry the financial burden of overcoming such an issue. The government will have to provide the funds for unforeseen hurdles, while the other competitor has guaranteed to carry that financial burden in such an event. How do you propose to resolve such a clear investment problem?”
Ted went through a range of emotions very quickly, as immediate frustration turned to anger at Ed’s tactics. Then he swiftly calculated that he had indeed been outmaneuvered. Ed was indeed a clever businessman; Ted had to concede that if this were a game of chess, he had no obvious defense against such a move. He turned to Jason, who clearly had no idea how to answer either, but then Ted recalled how they’d become friends. Maybe this wasn’t a game of chess but a game of poker. “I’m so confident of my design and its worth of your investment, Mr. Leap, that I will offer, in the instance of a financially crippling obstacle, myself and everything I have. The government will consolidate my company and my patents as collateral. You can go ahead with the project on your own. Ultimately, I only wish to see my design be made a reality.” 
Matteo raised an eyebrow, impressed by the surprising counteroffer. He nodded to the other panelists, seemingly content with the answer. 
Frank Todd spoke next. “Very tempting, and perhaps very foolish, Mr. Chantek. My concerns are about how your company will manage the sole energy supply to all of Nation-X. If your design does what you say, then you will eliminate all other energy supply industries overnight. You’ll have a monopoly on the most important resource in Planet-X. Why should we put such immense power in your hand?” 
“I do not propose to hold that power, Governor. My efforts are of scientific diplomacy—the use of scientific collaboration to address and resolve common problems and to build constructive partnerships in the name of peace for the good of everyone. Regulatory management of an unlimited free global energy supply must be upheld by collective or individual interests in league with the common good of all of Nation-X,” Ted proudly answered.
“Free! Free energy? Are you mad?” Frank spat out. “You want us to invest money in this project without any purpose of profit. You are mad. I will stop at nothing to destroy this ridiculous proposal.” Frank looked around the room and then, with eyes as cold as stone, said, “My vote is cast against this lunatic!”


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