Changes

== Project X ==

== Project X ==

[[Project X]], the infamous [[weapon of mass destruction]] built by the [[State Science Institute]], was located in [[Iowa]] about a hundred miles west of the Bridge. Thus the Bridge was at the eastern limit of the Xylophone's range.

[[Project X]], the infamous [[weapon of mass destruction]] built by the [[State Science Institute]], was located in Harmony City, [[Iowa]] about a hundred miles northwest of the Bridge. Thus the Bridge was at the southeastern limit of the Xylophone's range.

In the last fall of the strike, [[Robert Stadler]], the (nominal) Director of the Institute, drove west into Iowa in a vain attempt to seize Project X for himself and rule it as his private feudal domain. But when he arrived, he found a renegade [[militia]], led by [[Cuffy Meigs]], in control. The two men struggled physically over the controls, and in the process Meigs yanked one lever too many.

In the last winter of the strike, [[Robert Stadler]], the (nominal) Director of the Institute, crossed the Taggart Bridge into Iowa in a vain attempt to seize Project X for himself and rule it as his private feudal domain. But when he arrived, he found a renegade [[militia]], led by [[Cuffy Meigs]], in control. The two men struggled physically over the controls, and in the process Meigs yanked one lever too many.

The Xylophone's [[sound]] rays struck out in all directions and flattened everything within the hundred-mile range. The Taggart Bridge was cut in half. With the western half went the first six cars of a fast freight train.

The Xylophone's [[sound]] rays struck out in all directions and flattened everything within the hundred-mile range. The Taggart Bridge was cut in half. With the northwestern half went the first six cars of a fast freight train.

News of its collapse spread swiftly. [[Dagny Taggart]] witnessed the aftermath in [[New York City]]. Nearly every resident loaded his belongings onto the roof of his automobile and attempted to drive out of the city—for without reliable railroad service, no city could survive long, especially New York.

News of its collapse spread swiftly. [[Dagny Taggart]] witnessed the aftermath in [[New York City]]. Nearly every resident loaded his belongings onto the roof of his automobile and attempted to drive out of the city—for without reliable railroad service, no city could survive long, especially New York.