"It has a gravity drive, giving it many times its normal weight." Marta Neilson had moved up to Chandler's elbow. "It simply sinks toward the center of the Earth like a pebble sinking in a pond of water."
"What is your reaction to Senator Caldwell's remark that the administration is at last returning all of the nation's gold into a hole in the ground?"
Chandler laughed. "Don't get me mixed up in politics."
"Are you disturbed by the Interplanetary Council of Churches' charge that any attempt to stop the glacier is defying the will of God?"
"Nor religion, either, please."
"Then maybe you'll discuss your own field," the reporter said. "Are you aware of the petition signed by thousands of African and Middle Eastern scientists?"
"I've read about it," Chandler admitted.
"Do you feel that taking an X-bomb into the center of the Earth is completely safe?"
"Nothing is completely safe." Chandler pointed to the reporter's feet. "The ground may give way under your feet right now, but I'd bet my life that it won't."
The reporter studied the ground under his feet, then scribbled a few words on his paper. A moment later, he spotted Kotenko and excused himself.