具体描述
THE SILENT FORCE is a mainstream science fiction novel. At its center is a brilliant nuclear physicist, Jack Hart, who designs a miniature linear accelerator. His research takes a startling turn when the accelerator fails to effect nuclear particles in a cyclotron but creates a powerful force field instead. Jack learns to focus and project this immense power and then sets about to determine just how strong it is. He surreptitiously applies the force field to US military ICBM launches at White Sands, a hurricane off the coast of Florida and a volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens (predating its 1980 explosion). These experiements are so successful that Jack believes his force field may prevent nuclear fission and, therefore, nuclear war. He learns that India is about to explode a nuclear device, so he makes plans to secretly reach the Thar Desert, the site of the Indian test. There he will risk his life to determine whether the silent force can prevent a nuclear detonation.
Jack's development and testing of the force field generator is challenged by obstacles and dangers at every turn: a suspicious colleague, the CIA, arrest, a thief, failure to obtain a passport/visa, abduction by an underworld arms cartel and rescue by a double agent. Jack evades US and underworld agents to reach the Thar Desert where he secretly gains access to the nuclear test site. The consequence of pitting the force field against a nuclear explosion is more stunning than any man-made or natural phenomenon, predicted or imagined.
Romantic leavening is introduced when Jack meets a young woman, Jan Derby, on his way to India. They feel a strong yet unsettling attraction for each other and vow to meet again when Jack returns from his mission. Subsequently, Jane becomes a vital part of Jack's life.
