"What?" asked Connel.
"The cooling pumps, sir," said Astro. "They may not be able to handle a load as hot as this. We might blow up."
Connel considered this a moment. "Do what you can, Astro. I have absolute faith in you."
"Aye, aye, sir," said Astro. "And thank you. If this wagon holds together, I'll get her off."
Connel turned to Tom who stood ready at the control panel.
"All set, sir," said Tom. "Roger's given me a clear trajectory forward and up. All we need is Astro's push!"
"Unless Astro can build enough pressure in those cooling pumps to handle the overload of reactant fuel, we're done for. We'll get off this moon in pieces!"
"Power deck to control deck."
"Come in, Astro," said Tom.
"Almost ready, Tom," said Astro. "Maximum pressure is eight hundred and we're up to seven seventy now."