"I know why you're here," said Kotenko, offering Chandler a black Russian cigar. "You must take into consideration that this was only a scale model."
"But it had full power," Chandler argued.
"The initial descent was held to fifty miles an hour." Kotenko lit Chandler's cigar. "A fast start and we would have done it with power to spare. And remember that we haven't licked the heat problem. The test drill was softened by friction heat."
"You still couldn't have made it to the center of Rhea, let alone to the core of the Earth," Chandler said.
"It can be done," Kotenko insisted, "and without resorting to your X-factor."
"I've requested a special meeting of the World Council together with the committee to clear the way for using the X-factor."
"I'll oppose it. Since I am in full charge of constructing the drill, my words will bear some weight."
"I doubt if you will object," Chandler said. "I've just received a report from the State Department. They have good reason to believe that your government will back the release of one capsule."
Kotenko stared at Chandler. Finally he rotated his cigar in his fingers and studied the burning end. "Then I'll resign."
"No, you won't. Your government wouldn't permit it." He smiled at the Russian. "And neither would I. You're too valuable a man."