The story is about a group of scientists who are working in a secret government facility known as the Project. The main character, Lewis, is a scientist who becomes disillusioned with the project's goals and decides to escape. He convinces his colleagues, including Betty Seton, Brogarth, and Nemerov, to join him. The story begins with Lewis feeling trapped and suffocated by the secrecy and isolation of the Project. He feels that science is being stifled by security regulations and that he is no longer a part of the world. He decides to take action and convinces his colleagues to help him escape. As they make their way out of the facility, they encounter guards who are trying to stop them. Lewis fights off the guards and helps his colleagues escape. They then make their way to the Monster, a massive machine that is capable of producing deadly radioactivity. Lewis uses the Monster to destroy the facility and create a diversion. The group then makes their way out of the desert in a jeep, with the Monster following behind them. Along the way, they encounter an old prospector who helps them find their way back to civilization. As they drive away from the Project, Lewis reflects on the events that have transpired. He realizes that he has been living in a bubble and that the world outside is very different from what he had imagined. He also realizes that science is not just about discovery, but also about freedom and the ability to think critically. The story ends with Lewis and his colleagues driving off into the distance, with the Monster lying dead behind them. The prospector's comment about the war being called off two years ago adds a sense of irony to the story, as it suggests that the Project was likely a response to a perceived threat that no longer exists. Overall, the story is a commentary on the dangers of secrecy and the importance of freedom in science. It also explores themes of disillusionment and the search for meaning in a world that is rapidly changing.
By Bryce Walton · First published 1984 · Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Crime