The atom curtain

"The Atom Curtain" by Nick Boddie Williams is a science fiction story set in a future where America has been cut off from the world by a dangerous wall of atomic energy. The main character, Emmett O'Hara, is a brave pilot who finally breaks through this barrier after a long priod of isolation. He wants to learn the truth about what happened to America. His adventure takes him into Atomic America, where he confronts the ruling group known as the "Twelve Old Men," whom he accuses of hiding secrets. In sharing his discoveries with a reporter, he reveals a new side to humanity, which causes others to question their understanding of civilization. O'Hara sparks a sense of adventure and makes us think about what it means to be human and the dangers of technology.