Ruby imitated her mother, gathered her courage, and placed her hand on the device's handle.
This truly required focus and courage, especially when azure currents tore through the air and flashed past her. Ruby even felt her long hair beginning to curl. The smell of ozone filled her nostrils, while the sweat-damp skin beneath her bodysuit started to tingle. Strands of platinum-blond hair stuck to her forehead and neck.
In such circumstances, anyone would worry about being struck by the current. Ruby was no exception.
Her excessive focus and fear kept her from listening to what General Hale had said. Before she could understand what "don't be too polite" meant, General Hale pulled the handle—an activation switch. The air began to vibrate, and more currents crawled across the device's surface. Ruby felt a suction force pin her hand firmly to the handle. Something surged through the cable and into her body, then seized her and dragged her into the sky. As though breaking through the sound barrier, she plunged into silver-white clouds. A roar crashed down from above her head to her heels. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself swallowed by darkness. Panic seemed like acid injected into her nostrils and tear glands. Terrified, she stretched out her arms and felt around, stumbling forward with cautious steps.
Before her eyes could adjust to the darkness, she heard a voice from nearby.
"Mom?" She turned toward the sound, a little surprised and delighted.
"Stay where you are."
There was a note of reproach in General Hale's voice, as though she was dissatisfied with Ruby's fear.
With the aid of strange blue-glowing symbols on the walls, Ruby noticed that she and her mother were in a fairly small room. The smells of ozone and burnt rubber had vanished, as