"All right, carry on," said Strong.
Tom reached over the huge control board that extended around him for
some two feet on three sides. He placed a nervous finger on a small
button, waited for the gauge below to register with a swing of the hand,
and then released it. "All pressures steady, sir."
"What next?"
"Check the crew, sir--all departments--" replied Tom.
"Carry on," said Strong.
Tom reached out and pulled a microphone toward him.
"All hands! Station check!" said Tom, and then was startled to hear a
metallic voice answer him.
"Power deck, ready for blast-off!" And then another voice: "Radar deck,
ready for blast-off!"
Tom leaned back in the pilot's seat and turned to the captain. "All
stations ready, sir."
"Good! What next?" asked Strong.
"Ask spaceport tower for blast-off clearance--"
Strong nodded. Tom turned back to the microphone, and without looking,
punched a button in front of him.
"Rocket cruiser--" He paused and turned back to Strong. "What name do I
give, sir?"
Strong smiled. "_Noah's Ark_--"
"Rocket cruiser _Noah's Ark_ to spaceport control! Request blast-off
clearance and orbit."
Once again a thin metallic voice answered him and gave the necessary
instructions.
On and on, through every possible command, condition or decision that
would be placed in front of him, Tom guided his imaginary ship on its
imaginary flight through space.
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