Story Surgeon

  “Alba & Maurice” By Story Surgeon For Iron Age Media’s Jan. 24, 2024 Prompt - “The Mechanic” “As you can see,” said Alba, “The reaction is not only stable, but produces an output of nearly five times that of a normal engine, without the coal residue or similar byproducts.” The top-hatted figures said nothing. “I’m glad you asked!” He said, pointing to another of the top-hatted figures who stood beside him.  Dutifully, it lowered a large lamp-like apparatus from the ceiling, which leaked purplish smoke.  Alba lifted his enormous scaly head and took a deep, strong breath, drawing in the smoke and blowing it back out his mouth. “As you can see, the crystalline center releases only aetheric gasses, which are completely neutral and do not interact with biological systems.  If left to themselves, they simply…” He gestured with one claw to the smoke, which seemed to just vanish in sparkles.  “...Vanish, leaving no environmental impact, even in the largest quantities, and provid