"We don't need the drives for a ground-test," Smith reminded him. "Cut to main lift units and let's try her out!"
"Wilco." He switched off the drive knob and the twelve auxiliary lifter switches. "Stand by to rise!"
The sighing wind was gone from the tail. He gripped the lifter knob in his fingertips and, turning his head, stared out at the dark floor of the workshop below.
He turned the knob, cautiously.
The ship rocked gently, then lifted. The floor dropped away beneath them.
"Watch it!" Smitty warned tersely.
The ship paused, then seemed to settle.
They floated serenely, twenty feet above the workshop floor. The heavy rafters of the roof loomed close over the transparent blister.
Smitty cleared his throat, nervously. "I think that's high enough!" he exclaimed.
Morrow permitted himself a fleeting grin, then began to inch the knob back toward its stop. "Stand by for descent!" he warned.