Critical Mass

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Codinium-234, originated by Thermal Technologies Group during the nuclear power plant crunch of the early eighties, proved more powerful than ever expected. It ran cleaner, produced fewer byproducts, and seemed economically sound. After crating a nuclear fuel empire, TTG appeared untouchable, until Dr. Emma Francis, a Chief Research physicist working with Princeton's Tokamac fusion reactor, becomes curious about codinium-234 after reading an inter-office TTG memo. She conducts her own tests on codinium and discovers quite by accident, its catastrophic tendencies. Preparing a scientific paper, Emma tries blowing the whistle, and while every attempt at publishing fails, Dr. Francis is besieged by constant death threats. Out of fear and frustration, she sends a letter to William Walker, a Commissioner on the NRD's Board. Walker immediately sends San Kendrick's of Division Six to investigate the claim, and with her help, he discovers her research associate, Richard Ellery murdered in an upstairs bedroom of his Princeton house. His private office and computer files are ransacked and destroyed. When they try to leave, a squad of assassins is waiting.