"Fire tube one and balance."
Jon snapped a switch. A dull rumbling began and the ship seemed to strain as the first tube started functioning, although at minimum strength. He carefully watched a dial to see that it was working smoothly.
Finally, "Tube one firing."
In like manner tubes four, two and then three were started and tested, and finally reported firing evenly. The ship seemed more than ever straining, as though anxious to get into the air and into free space—but remained on the ground.
"Up landing props."
Jon touched another stud, and they could feel the motor lifting the landing props into their slots in the hull.
"Take off."
The roar deepened as Jon increased the amounts of fuel being fed into the tubes. The ship lifted effortlessly, easily, into the air.
"Check acceleration pressure."
"Normal to speed."