In the control room, he shoved the girl into an acceleration seat, glanced at the gauges and showed her how to open her helmet.
"Leave the suit on," he ordered, getting in the first word while she was still shaking her head. "It will help a little on the takeoff."
"Takeoff!" shrilled Betty. "What do you think you're going to do? I just want to use the radio or TV!"
"That tractor will get here in a minute or two. They might cut your conversation kind of short. Now shut up and let me look over these dials!"
He ran a practiced eye over the board, reading the condition of the ship. It pleased him. Everything was ready for a takeoff into an economy orbit for Earth. He busied himself making a few adjustments, doing his best to ignore the protests from his partner in crime. He warned her the trip might be long.
"I told you not to come," he said at last. "Now sit back!"
He sat down and pushed a button to start the igniting process.