Tom Swift Jr #35, Chapter 20: Deadline

Bud Barclay, Irene Goddard, and Tom Swift Jr. were hiding in the deserted basement of the Brungarian base. Several hours earlier they had managed to steal an unused radio transmitter from another area of the complex. Once Tom got it to work they used it to contact a Navy destroyer that was stationed off the coast of Brungaria. The trio had been waiting anxiously for news from New York City on the fate of the Swift power plant. When that news finally came they were crushed.

“I guess that’s the end of it,” Bud said sadly. “I was really hoping we would be able to reach him in time. It looks like we were just too late.”

“Not necessarily,” Tom said slowly. “Irene, tell me a little bit more about this laboratory.”

“Sure,” Irene replied. “Xanthus’ notes had quite a lot of information about this lab. It seems that when he stole your father’s reactor designs he built a duplicate here so he could study it. Once his research was completed he shut it down and the Brungarians started building a commercial-sized plant elsewhere. His test reactor still exists, but it’s been mothballed.”

“Then we might still have a chance!” Tom exclaimed. “Xanthus must have built a duplicate computer. All we need to do is fly it to New York. After all he built copies of my nuclear jets, didn’t he?”

“He did,” Irene replied. “But we don’t have much time left. Your Dad said we have less than two hours until the reactor goes critical. The Falcon-class jet could never make it in time. The Eagle-class jet could make the trip in around 45 minutes, but that doesn’t leave us very long at all to find the computer, load it on board the jet, and leave – and keep in mind we’re surrounded by hostile Brungarians. And don’t forget that the power plant in New York doesn’t have a runway! You’ll have to figure out a way to safely drop it from the air, since there won’t be time to land somewhere else and then transport it.”

“Then we’d better get started!” Tom said.

The room housing the reactor was not hard to find. Like its sister unit at the Institute, the reactor was an enormous machine that had been installed in a very spacious room. This room, however, was very clean. There were no pipes or wires anywhere, nor was there any electrical cabling to be seen. The reactor itself had been disconnected and the control equipment sat quietly along the sides of the room, covered in white sheets.

Tom removed the sheets from the units and looked them over critically. A minute later he spoke up. “Xanthus sabotaged the electronic brain that controlled the reaction itself, correct?”

“Yes,” Irene replied. “That’s the one.”

“Then I think I’ve found it!” Tom pointed to a cabinet about ten feet long and five feet high. The cabinet was studded with lights, controls, and signs written in Brungarian. “I don’t recognize the writing but I do recognize the layout. This is what we’re looking for.”

Bud’s eyes grew wide. “That looks big and heavy, skipper. How are you planning on moving that to the plane? I think someone would notice if we tried to hide it under our shirts and walk out nonchalantly.”

“But what if we build a wooden crate around it?” Tom asked. “And I bet we’ve got enough sheets here to make a good makeshift parachute so we can drop it from the sky while the plane is still in the air. All I need are some tools.”

“We should probably add some radiation symbols to the side of the box,” Irene suggested. “That would keep anyone from looking too closely.”

“What can I do?” Bud asked.

“Help Irene look around for their storage closet,” Tom ordered. “I’m hoping that when they closed this facility down they just packed everything up and put it in a room somewhere. Since all of this machinery is still here that gives me hope that other things may be here as well. While you’re doing that I’ll start dismantling this unit and getting it ready for shipping. I don’t want anything to break while it’s in transit!”

“Then let’s get started!” Irene replied. After a tense search Bud and Irene found a staircase that led to a sub-basement. Inside the room were rows and rows of wooden crates, filled with all sorts of equipment.

“Tom can use the wood to build his own shipping container,” Bud remarked. “We’ve even got packing materials to go with it! Now we just need to find some tools for him to use.”

Once the tools were located they rushed the supplies upstairs. It took several trips to carry up enough wood, but Tom at last had everything he needed. They feverishly hurried to construct the crate. The hardest part proved to be getting the computer into the box. Tom had to remove most of the computer’s internal parts before the trio was able to lift it. As he was reassembling the unit in the crate he turned to look at Irene. “Are you sure we need to bring the entire unit? Can’t we just find the one piece that Xanthus sabotaged and bring that?”

Irene shook her head. “He didn’t do it that way, Tom. Xanthus had to redesign the entire unit to make it do what he wanted. It’s not a matter of just fixing one piece.”

“And Dad never noticed?” Tom said incredulously.

“Your Dad subcontracted the construction work,” Irene pointed out. “Before he built his commercial plant he tried to establish an industrial process for making the components so he could quickly build more as orders came in. When he got the unit in I’m sure he tested it but I doubt he took it entirely apart. Your Dad had no reason to suspect that it might have been sabotaged.”

“I guess,” Tom said, sighing. “So how do we carry this to the plane?”

“Easy!” Irene replied. “We do it the same way they got it down here in the first place. The elevator is easily big enough for a forklift, and I’m sure there’s one around here somewhere. We just need to find it.”

“I haven’t seen one down here anywhere,” Tom said.

“I’ve seen one!” Bud exclaimed. “It was in the hangar. They were using a forklift to move things around while they were cleaning it. I bet it’s still up there!”

Tom snapped his fingers. “Then let’s split up. Bud, you and Irene go get the forklift. I’ll make my way to the hyperplane and get it warmed up. You can then bring the forklift back here, load up the crate, and bring it to the plane. Then we can take off and head for home.”

“I have a better idea,” Irene said. “Bud and I both know how to fly that plane, but you don’t. I’ll go get the hyperplane and you and Bud can work on moving the computer to the jet. I’ll have the plane ready by the time you get there.”

Tom looked surprised. “When did you learn how to fly the jet?”

“Back in California, when Bud and I were waiting on you to bring our weapons supply,” Irene replied. “I had to do something while I was waiting.”

“Ok!” Tom said. “Then let’s go.”

Tom, Bud, and Irene made their way to the elevator. Irene got off on the third floor. Tom and Bud needed to go up one more floor to find the forklift, so Irene bid them farewell and headed off. By now she knew the general layout of the base and had a vague idea where the hangar’s sub-floor was located.

Before she left the deserted laboratory Irene had adopted a disguise. Inside one of the crates she found a stained lab coat, which she put on and daubed with grease and dirt. As she walked out of the elevator she clutched a wrench in one hand and a box of tools in another. Both groups of people had a valid ID card – Tom’s came from the guard Bud had captured outside the base, and Irene’s came from the guard that Bud had imprisoned inside the cell. Once again Irene found herself hoping that no one would look at her too closely.

When Irene got to the hangar’s lower level she saw that it was bustling with activity. She stood still for a moment and watched as workers carried supplies around. A few guards loitered at one side of the hangar, chatting.

Of course! Irene thought to herself. With the upper level of the hangar destroyed they’re relocating what they can to the lower level. This is going to be their primary base of operations until the upper level is repaired, and that could take weeks. I should have thought of that!

Gathering all of her nerve, Irene forced herself to act calm as she walked across the hangar toward Xanthus’ copy of the Eagle. She hoped desperately that in the maze of activity around her no one would pay her any particular attention. As she drew near the jet she started thinking about how to get it out of the hangar. In the far end of the room was an elevator designed to lift jets to the upper level. To the right was a room with a bank of controls. Irene guessed that the elevator was operated from there.

This is going to be a bit tricky, she thought. I’m going to have to turn on the jet and taxi it over to the elevator, and then someone will have to operate the controls and raise it to the upper floor. At least the jet is coated with bulletproof Tomasite! It’s a sure thing they’re going to start shooting at us. Or maybe not – the plane does have a nuclear reactor on board, after all. But how am I going to get everyone out of the hangar?

And then she had an idea.

* * * * *

Tom and Bud stood in one corner of the ruined hangar. Steam was still rising from the heated metal floor, and broken girders dangled from the ceiling. The charred remains of several jets could still be seen in a few places. The entire area was in a state of chaos. Work crews were busy cleaning up the debris, but Tom could see they had their work cut out for them.

“Wow,” Bud said. “This place is a mess! At least gasoline isn’t still spraying everywhere.”

“There’s a forklift!” Tom remarked. He pointed over to one side, where a worker was using it in an attempt to lift a charred engine off the ground.

“Yeah, but it’s in use,” Bud pointed out.

“I don’t see any others,” Tom replied.

“Then we’ll take that one,” Bud said confidently. To Tom’s amazement Bud walked right over to the forklift. He shouted something at the worker and waved his gun at him, making it clear that he wanted the worker to get out of the forklift. The Brungarian looked surprised but he obeyed. Bud got inside and drove it over to Tom, who got on board. The two then maneuvered it inside the base and toward the elevator.

“Nice going back there!” Tom remarked.

Bud grinned. “It’s like Al Capone used to say. You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone!”

“I guess so!” Tom laughed. “I’m sure that guard uniform you’ve got on had nothing to do with it!”

They passed by a number of people on their way to the elevator, but no one stopped them. One glance from Bud convinced them to mind their own business! After they reached the elevator it did not take them long to load up the crate and bring it to the third floor.

“How much time do we have?” Tom asked.

Bud glanced at his watch. “About an hour.”

Tom grimaced. “That’s not good. This is taking much too long.”

To their surprise, Irene was waiting for them just outside the lower level of the hangar. Bud stopped the forklift and Irene climbed on board.

“Is the jet ready?” Tom asked.

“Kind of,” Irene replied. “There’s been a slight change of plans. Let me handle this.”

Irene took over the controls of the forklift and drove it into the hangar. When she got inside she drove over to the nearest worker and shouted at him in Spanish for a few minutes. The worker got a panicked look on his face and began screaming at everyone else in the room. The response was immediate! Within moments people streamed out of the room. The guards started to walk toward her, but Irene waved her ID at them and pointed to the exit. The room was soon empty.

“Wow!” Tom exclaimed, as Irene drove the forklift over to the jet. The plane’s cargo door was already open. “I’m impressed! What did you tell them?”

Irene smiled. “I just said that the hyperplane had been damaged in the fire and needed immediate repairs. I also told them that the crate was filled with highly radioactive materials, and they needed to leave immediately if they didn’t want to die.”

“That’ll work!” Bud said approvingly.

“But not for long,” Irene warned. She drove the forklift into the jet and parked it inside the plane’s cargo area. “When I turn this jet on they’re going to come running back to see what’s going on. And we can’t get out of here until someone works the elevator controls and lifts the plane to the upper level. Can you do that, Tom?”

“Sure,” Tom replied. “Just taxi the plane over to the elevator and I’ll raise you up. But how will I get back on board?”

“There’s a flight of stairs behind the control room,” Irene explained.

“Thanks!” Tom left, leaving Bud and Irene alone.

As Irene closed the cargo door she turned to Bud. “I hate to do this, but I need you to do me a favor. I need you to go with Tom and stop him from boarding this plane.”

Bud’s eyes widened in surprise. “Seriously?”

Irene nodded. “There’s a Falcon-class jet right over there, and like this one it is coated with Tomasite. I need you and Tom to take that jet home. The elevator can only lift one jet at a time, so you’re going to have to act fast. Do you think you can make it without getting shot?”

“I guess,” Bud said slowly. “But what do I tell Tom?”

“Tell him anything,” Irene replied. “Tell him that we can’t leave nuclear jets in the hands of Brungarians. Tell him that they owe him a jet. Make something up. But make sure he doesn’t try to board the hyperplane! I’m counting on you, Bud.”

“Consider it done,” Bud said confidently.

As he turned to leave Irene called out after him. “You’ll make sure nothing happens to him, won’t you?”

“Of course,” Bud called back. “Don’t even worry about it.”

After Bud left Irene climbed into the cockpit and fired up the Sampson nuclear engine. You can do this, Irene, she thought to herself. Just don’t think about it. You’ve got to keep it together! Millions of lives are riding on this.

* * * * *

“Bud!” Tom exclaimed in surprise, as his friend walked into the control room. “Why aren’t you on the hyperplane?”

“There’s been a change of plans,” Bud said. He pointed to another jet in the hangar. “It turns out you and I need to take that jet home.”

“Not a bad idea!” Tom said approvingly. “That’s the only other nuclear jet I see down here. I like the idea of not leaving my technology like that in their hands. Good thinking!”

A moment later the nuclear hyperplane roared to life! Irene taxied it over to the elevator. As soon as the plane was in position Tom threw the switch. The elevator began slowly rising.

“I’ll go grab the other jet,” Bud said. “Meet me upstairs, will you?”

“Sure thing!” Tom agreed. A moment later the hyperplane was out of sight. Once Tom saw that it was no longer on the elevator he lowered it so that Bud could board it.

Good luck, Irene! he thought to himself. He glanced at his watch and grimaced. I sure hope you can make it in time. We’re cutting it awfully close.

As Bud taxied the second nuclear jet into position Tom heard the sound of gunfire. He glanced out the window and saw that guards were streaming out of the doors. Several of them were firing automatic weapons at the plane, but so far no one had noticed Tom. He hit the switch to raise the elevator and ran out the back door and up the stairs. He could hear shouts from down below and the sound of pursuing footsteps, but he kept on running.

By the time he made it upstairs the jet was in position. Tom ran toward it as fast as he could. As he neared the jet he heard more gunfire. The guards were chasing him!

Tom frantically climbed on board as Bud taxied the jet onto the runway. As soon as they were outside he slammed on the throttle and the jet roared to life. The Brungarians continued to shoot at the jet, but the bullets bounced off harmlessly.

Once they were in the sky Tom breathed a sigh of relief. “I can’t believe it! I just can’t believe we did it. Nice going, Bud!”

“Thanks,” Bud replied. He quickly got the plane up to its cruising altitude and brought its speed up to Mach 3. “It looks like old Xanthus didn’t steal all of your secrets,” Bud remarked. “Evidently he didn’t get the Mach 5 blueprints.”

“No, he wouldn’t have,” Tom said thoughtfully. “That’s probably why the Brungarians wanted someone to steal our jets from the California plant. After all, the raid on the Institute happened before I even perfected the Falcon design. I hadn’t even discovered the radiation problem yet.”

Suddenly his eyes grew wide. Bud glanced at his friend. “Is something wrong?”

“You could say that,” Tom said slowly. He started to panic. “I’ll bet anything this jet is based on the early version of my Sampson engine. That version leaked radiation! I figured out how to fix it, but not before my plans were stolen. Without extensive testing Xanthus would never have known the jet had a problem.”

Bud looked frightened. “You mean this plane is leaking radiation? Should I be worried?”

Tom shook his head as fear clutched his heart. He felt like his world was coming to an end. It was all he could do to force himself to talk. He knew he was about to come unglued, and there was nothing he could do about it. “We’ll make it back to Shopton just fine. We won’t be exposed long enough for it to matter. But Irene is in a different situation. At the speed she’s going the radiation levels are going to be fatal. I don’t think she’ll even survive the trip there!”