> "There's really no other way of getting into that "fusion" area of the plot." There is at least one more way that doesn't fall into either of the categories

> "There's really no other way of getting into that "fusion" area of the plot." There is at least one more way that doesn't fall into either of the categories you described, which is dense plasma focus. Essentially you let the plasma collapse in on itself in a controlled way, and this collapsing plasma provides enough condensed energy for the fusion reaction to occur. This isn't just a theoretical approach either, multiple fusion reactors have been built that follow this approach. I kind of think of it as judo, instead of fighting against the plasma with magnetic containment, you work with its natural tendencies to produce the effect you want.