Another explosion! Another! The tower seemed to lean forward—the steel was melting—running away in little streams—
She moved to his side.
He put his arm around her. His free hand moved among the controls on the table.
Below them, in the heart of the tower of concrete and steel, a bull-throated roar started building up, started howling as energies beyond computation were set in motion.
"Don't be afraid," he whispered. "I think it won't hurt very long."
She was still smiling.