Single Mother of a Werewolf Baby novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51: First Satellite Launch

Fiona, Adrian, Selene, Eleanor, and Freya sat in hushed anticipation in the cozy movie room of the Raynor Estate. The lights were dimmed, casting a soft golden hue across the room. All eyes turned to the massive projector screen stretching across the front wall. With a gentle flicker, the screen came to life.

It was split into two segments.

On the left was a live feed from the command center... a room buzzing with tension and brilliance. Scientists and engineers, dressed in lab coats and headsets, gathered around glowing monitors. Their faces were tight with concentration, their fingers flying over keyboards.

On the right, the launchpad glowed under the cover of night. There stood the rocket... tall, imposing, and proud. A metallic tower of ambition. The satellite, settled deep within the payload fairing, was hidden from view... but its presence was undeniable.

Freya broke the silence with wide, curious eyes. "Mommy, what are they all doing there?"

Eleanor smiled, brushing a hand through her daughter’s hair. "Can you see the rocket on the right side of the screen? They’re about to launch that rocket."

Freya’s eyes lit up with wonder. "Is it your rocket?"

Eleanor chuckled. "Not just mine. I worked really hard to make this happen, but your Great Grandma provided all the funding. So, let’s say... it’s ours."

Freya gasped. "Is it super expensive?"

"Super costly," Eleanor confirmed with a nod.

"Then is my Great Grandma... super rich?"

"Yes," Eleanor laughed. "Super-duper rich."

Fiona, who had quietly been sipping tea and minding her business, groaned as the conversation turned to her. "Why are you two bickering about money right now? Watch the launch... it’s starting soon!"

Freya leaned toward her with a playful grin. "Great Grandma, you’re rich. I want more presents."

Fiona huffed in fake annoyance. "Okay, okay. We’ll talk presents later."

Suddenly, a crisp voice crackled through the surround speakers, pulling everyone’s attention back to the screen:

"T-minus ten minutes and counting. All systems are go."

Eleanor leaned forward in her seat, gripping the edge of her chair without even realizing it. Around her, the others shifted slightly... alert now. Sensing the change in atmosphere, Freya too went quiet, her little hands tucked into her lap.

On the right screen, the camera panned slowly along the base of the rocket. Wisps of vapor curled from its sides, white and spectral against the cold lighting of the launch tower. The rocket was still, unmoving, yet thrumming with potential.

Inside the command center, engineers adjusted their headsets. Numbers streamed across their screens, data flashing like constellations in motion. Every second mattered.

The mission director’s voice came next... calm and authoritative, like a man balancing fire on his palm.

"Payload secured. Communications link green. Final telemetry checks underway."

Another voice followed, equally professional.

"Weather is nominal. Wind shear levels within acceptable range."

A second video feed flickered on, showing a birds-eye view from above. From this distance, the rocket looked even more enormous... dwarfing the steel framework like a sleeping titan.

Eleanor sucked in a sharp breath. Her chest felt tight, and her palms were clammy.

"Five minutes," another voice sounded.

The room fell into absolute silence.

No one spoke. No one moved. It was as though time itself paused for this moment of suspended possibility.

"Final countdown initiated. All personnel, switch to launch protocol."

The right screen panned back for a full view of the launchpad. Steam began to pour out from beneath the rocket, clouds swelling at its base. Lights along the pad changed... from red to orange. Orange to blinding white.

Inside the command center, a red indicator blinked on the master console.

"T-minus sixty seconds."

Eleanor’s pulse thudded in her ears. She could feel it... pounding like war drums. Everyone else sat frozen in the same trance.

"Guidance is internal. Auto-sequence start."

"Fuel pressure stable. LOX levels green."

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