Work Text:
The Investigation Reaches Its Climax
by Irena Adler
In spite of Ray-Ray's offer, Nena didn't end up getting to launch the rocket. Ray-Ray decided, with the rocket's surprise passenger, he couldn't be absolutely sure of the stability and told everyone to move an extra distance away. He connected something to the rocket base then unrolled a long set of wires. At the end of the wires was a switch box of some sort. Don put his hand on Nena's shoulder, both in apology that she couldn't launch the rocket and to make sure she didn't decide to get any closer.
Looking behind him at his eager audience, Ray-Ray grinned, looking like a small child about to show off his really cool toy. He turned back towards the rocket and shouted a countdown.
"Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven! Six! Five! Four! Three! Two! One! Zero!"
At zero, Ray-Ray hit the Go switch.
There was a brief hush then the blue and yellow rocket burst into life, rising from the launch rig.
It was quieter than Don expected, and the rocket shot smoothly into the air, trailing white smoke. A cheer went up around him.
Don watched it rise into the bright sky. He squinted, his eyes watering, as he tried to follow its path.
Voices chattered around him.
"Ooh!"
"There it goes!"
"Wow!"
"Cool!"
"Quite remarkable!"
"I've got goose bumps!"
"C'mon, go, go!"
"Wow, do you have FAA clearance?"
"How high is it gonna go?"
"Just what's the horsepower on that thing?"
"How do you calculate the thrust ratio?"
"Look at her go! That doll didn't make her wobble one bit!"
"I can't find it!"
"It's right there!"
"No, that's a bird."
"But it's blue!"
"You should add a second stage motor."
"When does it reach apex?"
"Is it turning?"
"Where is it?"
"Oh no," Nena shrieked. "It's gonna crash!"