“You use the same engine for ascent as for descent. You refuel on the surface, from an unmanned tanker.”

Geena, looking at the blurred little sketch, said uneasily, “Where’s the cabin?”

That wolf grin again. “What cabin?” And Frank sketched on two stick figures with space helmets, side by side, standing on the platform, holding onto some kind of rail. “We call it the open cockpit design.”

“Jesus,” Jays breathed.

“Well, we had to keep the weight down,” Frank said. “It was a strong, closed design.” He sighed. “But we never got to build it, of course. And we couldn’t do it now in a couple of weeks. So I guess we can’t use any of this.” He made to crumple the napkin, but Geena covered his hand to stop him.

“Hold it. What about the Shoemakers? Henry’s unmanned sample-return probes. Two flight models and a fully functional test model, now sitting in a white room at JPL, unused, cancelled, requirements deleted.

Frank put her through another of those long silences of his. Then he said, “In fact, the Shoemaker design borrowed from some of the conceptual work we did on the manned lander. Building the structure around the tanks, for instance. But now — shit, you’re talking about using the Shoemakers to put humans on the surface?”

“Why not? Those sample-return packages must be heavy. The mass estimates are—”

“Comparable.” Frank pulled his lip thoughtfully.

“But,” Jays said, “those robot probes are designed to land themselves. What’s the pilot going to do?”

Geena took a deep breath. Here I go breaking another piece of NASA conditioning. “Jays, it doesn’t matter. Not for this mission. If this would work, if the Shoemakers would get us there, we should accept giving up control.”

“Oh, sure. And would you fly this thing?” Jays asked. “Would you risk your ass on some hacked-over piece of shit that was meant to be unmanned, ride it down in your space suit, without even piloting it, for Christ’s sake?”

Geena thought it over. Realistically, if I push this through, then this isn’t an academic question. It really could be me. With no abort options or training or — She forced a grin. “Hell, yes. Wouldn’t you?”

Jays was thoughtful. “I don’t know,” he said at last. “That’s the honest truth. I don’t know. And I’ve been there.”

“We could probably give you some control,” said Frank. “I’m not too familiar with the Shoemaker’s specs… some kind of override option during the final powered descent. Just in case you found yourself coming down on a crater wall or some such. But—” He shook his head. “I got to tell you I don’t see any way we could get those crates man-rated. Not in the timescales you’re talking about.”

“Well, I accept that,” Geena said. “Here’s another break with the culture. This isn’t going to be a safe mission.”