"All right, we'll table this angle for a few minutes. Just what makes this notion of yours so important, Mr. Reed?"
"Sir," said Reed, "the maximum range for our most efficient spacecraft is only a bit over seventeen light-years to the point of no return. My suggestion deals with a means of extending that range a hundred times. Perhaps more. If it were my decision, sir, anything that even hinted at extending the cruising range would receive a maximum-urgency priority."
"In other words, you feel that anything we can do to extend our operations is the most important thing in the whole Space Service?"
"Well, sir, perhaps not the most important, but—"
"Your modesty is gratifying. I presume this modesty would prevent you from accepting any more than the Letter of Commendation from the Office of the Secretary?"
"I don't understand, sir."
"You don't? Mr. Reed, was your desire to improve the efficiency of Operations a simple desire to improve the Service—or did you hope that this brilliant suggestion would, perhaps, provide you with a better assignment?"
"I still do not understand."
"Oh, you don't? Mr. Reed, why did you join the Space Service in the first place?"