The Core

by Robert Emerald Fountain


Unobtainium

Twilight and the Young Six boarded a train to the San Palomino Desert and then walked to a large laboratory building. Neighsay greeted them outside and asked what brought them to his remote area.

"We are here to ask about your project. Are you aware of the calamities that have been occurring recently?", Twilight responded.

Neighsay said that he had noticed the disasters and led everyone to a tall mountain. He had everyone put on ear protectors and dark goggles. He then powered up a giant laser array and fired it at the side of the mountain. A short time later when the dust settled, everyone took off their protection to see that the spinning lasers had drilled a hole cleanly through the mountain.

"Very impressive method to cut through the crust.", Yona said excitedly.

"Follow me inside and I will show you what I have chosen to use for the skin.", Neighsay responded.

He showed them a metal box that he had placed on a concrete block. Placing two breezies inside, he put a top on the box and powered up a smaller laser array. The lasers cut through the concrete and the steel plate behind it, but nothing happened to the metal box. When the box was opened, the two breezies flew out. Everyone was stunned at what had just happened.

"What do you call this material?", Smolder asked Neighsay.

"Its real name is extremely long. I call it Unobtainium."

He led them to the largest area of his lab and told how the unobtainium would convert heat and pressure into energy. Gallus asked how long it would take before the ship was ready, and Neighsay said it would be close to ten years.

"What would it take to get the ship ready in three months?", Twilight asked.

"Fifty billion bits.", Neighsay laughed.

"Will you take a check?", Twilight asked him calmly.

Neighsay could not believe his ears.