These are the young scientists of Livermore Laboratory -- physics & math geniuses conducting the most far-reaching nuclear experiments since the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos. Their work on the development of "third generation" weapons with powerful beams meant to flash through the heavens at the speed of light destroying enemy missiles inspired President Reagan's "Star Wars" proposal. The author takes us into their world as they labor to bring this vision to fruition. Theirs is an eerie "skunk works" where all-night bouts of research are conducted with the most sophisticated instruments on earth.