Ultimately, Lt. Chandler said, "This is a little ridiculous. I'm going to switch over to their channel. Rap if you want me." He sat transfixed for several minutes. "Ah, it's all Russian. Jabbering away. I can't tell a thing that's going on."
In the airless void of the moon, the blast itself would be silent. A moth's wing of dust would, perhaps, rise and settle beyond the horizon: no more.
"Static?"
"Nope."
"We'll get static on these things."
A small infinity seemed to pass very slowly.
Major Winship shifted restlessly. "My reefer's gone on the fritz." Perspiration was trickling down his face.
"Let's all go in," said the fourth American, Capt. Lawler. "It's probably over by now."
"I'll try again," Major Winship said and switched to the emergency channel. "Base Gagarin? Base Gagarin?"
"Is Pinov. Help?"