"That's been in the back of my mind for some time. Yes. I'm for that. But if the Survey ship can't land—"
"I believe I can land it regardless," said Massy doggedly. "I can find out, anyhow. I'll need to try things. I'll need help ... work done. But I want your promise that if I can get the ship to ground you'll conspire with her skipper and arrange for them to go on living."
Herndon looked at him.
"Some new stuff—in a way," said Massy uncomfortably. "I'll have to stay aground to work it. It's also part of the bargain that I shall. And, of course, your sister can't know about it, or she can't be fooled into living."
Herndon's expression changed a little.
"What'll you do? Of course it's a bargain."
"I'll need some metals we haven't smelted so far," said Massy. "Potassium if I can get it, sodium if I can't, and at worst I'll settle for zinc. Cesium would be best, but we've found no traces of it."
Herndon said thoughtfully:
"No-o-o. I think I can get you sodium and potassium, from rocks. I'm afraid no zinc. How much?"
"Grams," said Massy. "Trivial quantities. And I'll need a miniature landing-grid built. Very miniature."