Page 41 of Clive Cussler's Quantum Tempest

“That’s even better than we’d expected,” Juan said.

The vast improvement in theOregon’s magnetohydrodynamic propulsion system during the Malaysian refit resulted in radically increased power, performance, and capabilities throughout the ship.

They had begun their propulsion refit by turning back to one ofJuan’s favorite subjects at Caltech, computational fluid dynamics. The calculations and resulting design changes wouldn’t have been possible without theOregon’s Cray supercomputer.

The first change they made was to alter the geometry of the system’s flow channels to minimize turbulence and maximize flow efficiencies. They also added cascading accelerators to optimize thrust.

They also introduced a pulsed power supply, which created rapid high-intensity bursts of power rather than merely a continuous electromagnetic field.

In addition, they significantly upgraded the system’s high-frequency electromagnetic coils. This created an even more powerful plasma field that ionized seawater and stripped away free electrons with far greater efficiency and speed resulting in a massively larger electric current than the previous system.

All of the extra electrical energy was either directed to theOregon’s massive Jet Ski–styled impellers to drive the great vessel or stored in the towering new banks of supercapacitors, which powered several systems including—and especially—the new laser-point defense and electromagnetic pulse cannons.

To further help improve speed in the water, changes were made to theOregon’s hull. Frictional drag was reduced by applying dimpled superhydrophobic coatings that reduced energy loss in the wake. The bulbous bow configuration was improved to enhance flow and reduce wave resistance at higher speeds, and the stern was streamlined to minimize wake and drag.

To take advantage of the new higher speeds and power, Max and Juan added movable flaps—like airplane ailerons and elevators—as well as additional interceptors and trim tabs to optimize the hull’s angle of attack in the water, while simultaneously reducing resistance and increasing speed.

“Not crazy about those cannons redlining,” Max said.

“What do you think happened? Thermal overload in the power supply unit?”

“Could also be the pulse antennas short-circuiting, or feedbackloops in the fire-control circuits. Murph and Stoney are better equipped to answer the weapons stuff than me.”

“Have Eric nose around to see what he can find.”

“I’ll get him on that right away.”

Hali Kasim’s voice boomed through the speakers overhead. “Chairman, Mr.Overholt is on the line for you.”

“Put him through on speaker, Hali.”

“Aye.”

?

“Juan, my boy. Good of you to take my call,” Overholt said. His affection was genuine, extending all the way back to the days when he had been Juan’s CIA handler. Since leaving the Company, Juan had formed the Corporation with Overholt’s blessing. The CIA hired theOregonwhen the federal government couldn’t or wouldn’t take on certain missions.

“You’re online with Max Hanley,” Juan said.

“Mr.Hanley, I trust you are hale and hearty.”

“Fit as a fiddle. Yourself?”

“I’ve been roped into my first pickleball tournament. A charity event. I shall never live it down.”

“The pickleball or the charity?”

“Perhaps both. My brother-in-law is a docent for the Rotary Egg Beater Museum in Lick Fork, West Virginia. They’ve run perilously short of funds.”

“I can’t imagine why,” Hanley said with a chuckle.

“My understanding is that you are still located in the Pacific near the coast of Mexico.”

“Just departed Lázaro Cárdenas with a load of consumer packaged goods for a delivery in El Salvador,” Cabrillo said. “After we pick up Raven and Linc we’re heading out for our annual crew vacation.”

“Is there any chance you could alter your plans?”

“I dunno. My crew’s pretty worn-out. What’s on your mind?”