| From: | Michael Orion Jackson <orion@****.CC.UTEXAS.EDU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Nuclear Power/Weapons |
| Date: | Tue, 14 Apr 1998 23:01:27 -0500 |
about the subject out of curiosity...
1) Fission power plants typically _don't_ produce the right kind
of uranium to make a bomb out of (so-called "breeder" reactors can be made
specially to produce weapons-grade material in addition to power). The
radioactives used in most power plants aren't anywhere near the 98+%
purity required for weapons making.
2) Fusion plants make helium and what-not. Definitely not a
primary stage nuclear material. Also, the tend to make their housing
radioactive after a few years because they kick of stray neutrons from the
reactions. (Note, this is with current technology...arguably it would have
to change by 2050 to be in use at all outside of a research lab because
current fusion plants require more energy to operate than they produce.)
This has several adventure hooks for people wishing to run a
fairly high-powered "change-the-world" campaign. For example: right now
(speaking from the viewpoint of the 2050s) the balance of power is roughly
equal between the UCAS/CAS and the NANs. The "western" powers have a
large conventional military, and the "natives" have the power of the Ghost
Dance and other "large" magics at their disposal. Now imagine how
enthused UCAS would be if they found out that Siuox (sp?) or Pueblo were
building a breeder reactor? Enter team of disposable, deniable runners...
(and brush up on those demolitions rules...)
Another adventure would involve old US-era nuclear devices
accidentally left behind in the hurried last pull-out of US forces... A
three way race to find it between the UCAS, the sec forces of the country
in question, the various factions in the underworld, and the (hapless)
runners... The ultimate hot potato, yes? (insert evil gm grin).
*****************Michael Orion Jackson******************
***********TAMS Class of 96/UT Class of 2000************
*********************Random Quote:**********************
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*Having kidney failure is like mountain climbing.*******
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