The next day was the first test of the sonic lance. The lance had been set up in a field, just outside the town, pointing towards a large boulder. A crowd, which included Olga, Sarah Jane, Lynda, Sam, and others, had gathered and watched as Garth and Tesla made the final checks. "Looks good," Garth said after a few moments.
"So, we're ready?" Tesla asked.
"Ready as we'll ever be. You can tell them to beam the power through now."
Tesla then spoke into a walkie-talkie, and instructed the warehouse to transmit the needed power. As he and Garth watched, the lights on the sonic lance came on.
"That should be enough," Garth said, after about five minutes. "Here goes nothing." He switched on the lance and a steady hum began, which grew gradually louder. The boulder, which the lance was aimed at, began to shake and crumble. Within moments, the boulder shattered to pieces.
There was applause from the watching crowd.
"I think we can consider this a successful test," Garth said as he switched off the lance.
"It worked," Olga said as she came up to him. "You use this to make tunnel through mountains now?"
"Well, we'll have to do a few more tests, Olga. However, that is the goal."
"I'm impressed," Sarah Jane said as she joined them. "Nice to see you using your skills for good, not greed."
"Trust me, Sarah, the man you met on Peladon no longer exists," Garth said.
"I believe you," Sarah Jane replied. "Believe it or not. So, what's the next step?"
"We test the lance on something bigger," Garth said. "And see how that comes out. If all goes well, I believe we can start our tunnel in a day or so."