"Pavel," he yelled in Russian, "have the starter trolleys been engaged yet?"
"Da," came the reply.
"Then prepare Daedalus I for power-up and get the hell out. We're go for rpm."
"What do you mean? The tow trucks haven't even been—"
"Forget the tow trucks. It's going to be afterburners, right here. Get the rest of your people in the clear."
Afterburners were rings of nozzles that sprayed fuel into the superheated exhaust gases of a jet engine, creating a burst of power. In military aircraft they were used to produce surges in thrust during takeoff and dogfights.
"Afterburners! In the hangar. Yuri, all the hydrogen storage tanks could blow. You'd destroy Daedalus II. Just incinerate it."
"That's the idea." He was already mounting the steps of the Personnel Module, not looking back. "There's only going to be one plane left. The one I take."
"The computer." Eva had started up the steps, but then she froze and turned back, handing Vance the Uzi. "I have to get it."
"There's no time." He reached for the weapon, its muzzle still hot. "We've got—"