Startled, Roger turned and stammered, "Ah—nothing—nothing."
Looking around, Astro commented, "This place looks almost as good as that power deck."
"Of course," said Roger, "they could have placed that astrogation prism a little closer to the chart table. Now I'll have to get up every time I want to take sights on stars!"
"Don't you ever get tired of complaining?" asked Astro.
"Ah—rocket off," snarled Roger.
"Hey, you guys," yelled Tom from below, "better get down here! Captain Strong's coming aboard."
Climbing back down the ladder to the control deck, Astro leaned over his shoulder and asked Roger, "Do you really think he'll let us take this baby up for a hop, Manning?"
"Get your head out of that cloud, Astro. You'll pull about three weeks of dry runs before this baby gets five inches off the ground."
"I wouldn't be too sure of that, Manning!" Strong's voice boomed out as he climbed up through the control-deck hatch. The three boys immediately snapped to attention.
Strong walked around the control deck, fingering the controls lightly.