"You're tampering with government property," Chandler said, primarily to orientate the confused guards.
"I am not going to permit the drill to go down there with the X-factor," Kotenko said firmly.
"It'll never get beyond the thousand-mile level," Chandler warned, moving toward the shadowy figure.
"I am armed," Kotenko warned.
Chandler stopped. Marta, clad in an overcoat, came down the stairs. Several others followed.
"Those techs will never do it now that they know the situation," Chandler said, moving still closer.
"My dear Dr. Chandler, they are citizens of the Soviet. They will do as I say."
"Put down your gun," the soldier at Chandler's side ordered.
"I have already set up the drill for descent," Kotenko said. His shadow hand touched a black lever on a portable field control unit. "As soon as the X-factor capsule is withdrawn, down it goes."