The Imam was well aware of these physical facts but was more concerned with the reliability of the device. "What if it doesn’t work as planned?"
Dr. Fathi was now offended. His professional integrity and credibility were challenged. He looked on the verge of a bursting a blood vessel "This unique design was delivered to us by a Russian defector, tested by our most advanced computer simulation modeling and verified by a Chinese expert of nuclear devices. Of course, we couldn't carry out any real full-scale tests. First and foremost, our fissile material is sufficient for just one device — the little sphere you see here represents almost our entire stock. Second, even if we had enough material our chances of getting away with a full scale test without it being detected are infinitesimally close to zero. Last but not least is the logistical problem involved in carrying out such a test — the construction of a site, the measurement equipment and the expenses — in effect prohibit this. So Honorable Imam, I can assure you that we did the best we could under the circumstances and I am confident that it will work as expected."
The Imam was not impressed by this emotional outburst. He said "Dr. Fathi, you know that if this device is ever deployed and fulfills the expectations of the Supreme Leader and the Iranian people you will be a national hero. Of course, the scientific and technological success will be usurped by many others from the Supreme Leader, through General Aslawi and many others. If it fails you alone will be held responsible and I needn't elaborate on the fate that you and your family and your team and their families will suffer. So make sure that when you declare that the mission was accomplished and the nuclear device is ready that it will perform according to our high expectations."
Dr. Fathi had expected gratitude and appreciation for his accomplishments not a sermon. He just stood there speechless while some of his senior associates who were within earshot turned pale. Finally he recovered and said "Honorable Imam Mourtashef, please follow me to the small conference room and allow me to explain in more detail what we had accomplished in such a short time with such a small group". Fathi was thinking of Churchill's accolade "Never was so much owed by so many to so few" attributed to the fighter pilots that fought and won "The Battle of Britain" against the Nazi Luftwaffe in 1940. This is what he had expected to hear from the Imam not the reprimand he had just received. Once everyone was seated around the conference table Fathi presented the almost insurmountable problems his team had overcome in less than three years. He kept glancing at the Imam's expression trying to decipher what was going on in his mind. By the time he was through with his presentation, sweat was pouring down the collar of his lab coat and his face was flushed.
The Imam still looked unimpressed and asked "Dr. Fathi, I think I have gained a better understanding of the problems you faced and solved. What I now need to know, assuming that the device is indeed reliable, is the size and weight of the complete device. I would also like to know if it safe to transport it and if there are any problems involved that may affect its performance. How rugged is it? Is it sensitive to changes of air pressure? Is it sensitive to humidity? Can you assure me that it will work after being shaken? Is it affected by external radiation, radio signals, radar? What about temperature variations?"
Dr. Fathi knew that these questions were really crucial and he had no way of answering them with certainty. He had no shred of science based evidence but he was aware that any hesitation on his part now could be his death sentence. So with all the self-confidence he could muster he said "Our design was approved by experts, as I have mentioned. The physical and chemical parameters of the device have been meticulously tested by our people. The triggering mechanism was copied from blueprints that were supplied to us by our experienced allies from Pakistan and North Korea. The chemical explosives that produce the implosion that is necessary for initiating the nuclear detonation were manufactured under strict secrecy by our own military industry. They also provided test certificates that show that they worked according to specifications. In short, I am confident that it will work."
The Imam realized that Fathi's long answer evaded his questions. He gave the scientist one of the stares that could turn a full grown man into a rag doll and motioned for Fathi to continue, but get to the point. Dr. Fathi was visibly shaken and stuttered "We have worked out that the device could fit into a large suitcase or trunk and would weigh a few hundred kilograms. You must remember that the atomic bombs that were used in World War II were much larger and heavier. I can assure you that the device will not be sensitive to changes in air pressure or to exposure to humidity for several days. It will withstand quite vigorous shaking but there can be no guarantee that very severe vibrations would not affect its performance. It will be shielded from external radio signals and electromagnetic radiation — this will add a little to its weight but is a precaution that we have undertaken." He glanced at the Imam and for the first time since he entered the laboratory felt that he was getting through to him.
The Imam rose, nodded briefly and left the laboratory and made his way up from the basement to the street level. He exited Evin Prison and instructed his driver to take him directly to the office of the Senior Assistant to the Supreme Leader.
The Senior Assistant was expecting the Imam in order to get an update on the state of affairs in Dr. Fathi's secret laboratory. The Imam said "I am reasonably satisfied that the nuclear device is almost ready but I must also express my reservations about its reliability after being transported to the intended target. It would have to be handled with kid gloves and we have to devise a way of minimizing its exposure to electromagnetic radiation, vibrations or extreme temperature variations during transportation".
The Senior Assistant agreed and said "This means that we have to refine the plan that you have proposed".
The Imam thought about this for a moment and then commented "I'll have to meet again with the representative of Mossad and "consent" to arrange some kind of hostage exchange".
The Senior Assistant said "We'd better inform General Aslawi about these new developments. I am sure that the general will not be happy about the terms of the hostage release. He would have preferred that we make a tough stance and force the Israelis to meet all the demands we had drawn when we started this hostage taking campaign". He continued to remind the Imam, not that he needed the reminder, that they had several demands regarding the Israeli nuclear research centers and its nuclear policy.
The Imam who was a shrewd dealer said "The important thing now is to appear to be flexible, just as we did when the nuclear deal was negotiated with the Six Powers. We would start with a long list of negotiation points but slowly relent and agree to terms the Israelis can willingly accept. They are so conceited and sure of their own brilliance that we can easily convince them that they had outsmarted us. Then, we have to get the hostages on a plane bound to Tel-Aviv, and of course have our nuclear device on it as well. When the Prime Minister of Israel, his cabinet ministers, members of the ruling elite of the Zionist state and the senior officers of the Israeli army, Mossad and ISA come to meet the released hostages the device will go off. Not only will the head of the hateful entity be chopped off but the outskirts of Tel-Aviv will go up in smoke and the area contaminated for generations will make life there unbearable. This will be coordinated with our fond friends of Hamas in Gaza and our Hezbollah lackeys in Lebanon who will launch rocket attacks on the south and north of Israel, respectively. We also expect our Palestinian supporters in the Occupied West Bank to start an armed rebellion against the colonialists that live among them and return control over Jerusalem to Islamic rule. Of course, we won't tell them exactly what to expect as this would surely leak to the Israeli Security Agency. We'll just tell them to wait for a signal that will appear to look like an act of Allah."