[ WP ] You worked alone for many years ; finally , you 've achieved commercial nuclear fusion

One more try before lunch, I thought to myself. Maybe by the end of they day I can get the geometry of the magnetic field just right. It was surprising how the changes were improving efficiency. 
 
 Once the unit started humming I could see the plasma ebbing and flowing in the magnetic field on the computer monitor. Then it just seemed to click, the plasma was staying in a steady shape and the power intakes dropped. Shit, did the adjustments throw off all the work on my power intake controls? 
 
 Just as my hand reached the shutdown button I saw it. The power generation had remained intact, it was a self sustaining reaction. 
 
 It felt like the eerie calm before the storm, sitting in the near silence in the room broken only by the humming of the unit. Had I done it? All these years working alone, being kicked out of the faculty, losing my wife - was the payoff finally here? 
 
 The next three hours were a blur, I had to record everything. Then I had to restart the unit and recreate the reaction. I may not have eaten but by 9pm I was sure, my goal had finally been achieved. My whole life had built up to this moment and I had changed the course of humanity! 
 
 Looking at the phone I realized I had never thought this far ahead. My eye was always on the fusion, not so much on the aftermath. Who would I call first? 
 
 My ex-wife, I would love to see the look on her face. Or Gary, I bet he would regret taking me off the team. Maybe Fred who had helped me gather all my supplies. 
 
 As I picked up the phone I knew it would be Gary. He had humiliated me and now it was my turn. I worked for 7 years at the university before he forced me out, convincing everyone fusion was impossible, a waste of time. 
 
 The line connected “ Hello? ” 
 
 “ Hey Gary, is Brian Stein calling. ” 
 
 “ Hey Brian, how long has it been since we talked, 3 years? Hope you're doing well. ” 
 
 I could feel my mouth curl into a smile. “ I'm doing better than well Gary, I did it! I created a stable fusion reaction, without any help with funding, all on my own. ” 
 
 “ You're still working on that? Brian, I hope everything is ok. ” 
 
 “ I'm more then working on it, I'm finished! I just thought I would give you the heads up before it hits the paper's. And to tell you I told you so. ” 
 
 There was a long pause on the other line and I could just imagine the look on Gary ’ s face. But when the voice came back on the line Gary didn ’ t sound frustrated or angry… he sounded scared. 
 
 “ Brian... If what you are saying is true then watch out for yourself. It was n't me that wanted you out, my hand was forced. Take care of yourself. ” 
 
... click 
 
 The trembling in Gary ’ s voice and the sudden silence sent a chill through my body. I heard loud knocking on the door and a voice telling me to open up. As I turned towards the door my elation slowly turned to fear.
