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“Ja.” “Was it not you who came up with the formula E Equals M-C-Squared?” “It was I.” “Well, this process revolves around your creation. Feel free to confirm the following with your own experiments: when this uranium isotope is struck by a neutron, it splits into two separate nuclei, each with about half the number of protons and neutrons as the original nucleus. This is because the uranium nucleus is not very stable, and will split with the added mass, much like a large water droplet will do when another drop is placed on top of it. Do you follow?” Most of the heads in the semicircle nodded. “Good. What is important is that, in the process, some of the mass of uranium is converted into energy. Tremendous amounts of energy.” “Exactly how much energy?” Einstein asked with a hard stare at the board. “At least one hundred million electron volts, and probably more, Doctor Einstein. What is equally important is that, in addition to this energy, at least two more neutrons are released to repeat the process and hit other nuclei, which release more energy and more neutrons. All this very quickly adds up to a tremendous explosion.” Now Einstein’s hard stare was directed at the man in a gray uniform holding a piece of chalk. “If what you say is true, Herr Hitler, if this particle you call the ‘neutron’ does indeed exist and it can be harnessed to make what you call an ‘atomic bomb,’ what will be the end result? The destruction of each and every city of each and every nation that dares to oppose you?” Halstead stared back with equal hardness. “Nonsense, Doctor. This weapon will be used for the defense of the Reich, to give Germany a bargaining chip at the table of international politics, to give her the power to become a great and glorious nation once more.” |