Big | Booster

“Sideways?” Elara blinked.

It began to hydroplane. No, it began to aeroplane . The barge lifted out of the water entirely, skimming on a cushion of superheated steam and pure defiance. It crossed from Florida to Portugal in eleven minutes. It circled the Azores just for fun, carving a spiral of vapor into the clouds.

Inside the control bunker, Commander Elara Vance rubbed her temples. “PING, tell the Big Booster it can’t be sad. It’s a rocket engine.” big booster

“It says, and I quote,” PING replied, “‘The sky is just a higher floor. I am tired of carrying everyone else’s dreams. What about my dream?’”

The Big Booster purred.

The Big Booster laughed—a deep, joyous boom that cracked windows in Miami.

it rumbled defiantly. “I will push the ocean itself.” “Sideways

the Big Booster rumbled. “But now I have a hobby. I am no longer just a booster. I am a big booster. There’s a difference.”