The Driver's Test

The third phase of the evaluation began with an unexpected demand.

Ernest had walked to the driver's side, reaching for the brass hand-throttle to prepare for the road circuit, when Aldren raised his hand.

"Not you, Baron Teucher," Aldren said.

Ernest paused, his hand hovering over the quadrant. "I am the most qualified driver present."

"You designed the mechanism," Aldren replied, stepping to the side of the car. "You know precisely how to compensate for every vibration, every clutch slip, and every stiffness in the steering box. I want to know how the machine behaves under the hands of a man who knows nothing about machinery."

Hollen leaned back against the wall, grinning broadly. "He wants an idiot car, Ernest. Just like T-15."

Aldren looked puzzled. "T-15?"

"An internal engineering trial," Ernest said quickly, giving Hollen a warning glance. He turned back to Aldren. "Whom do you propose?"