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—"