The Flying Rubber Seat

I grasp the cold steel chain links with both hands and pull myself up onto the curved black rubber seat. On my home world, warriors launch from high cliff perches, but here two tall silver chains hang straight from a steel arch! I plant my boots in the wood chips below, push backward with all my strength, and tuck my knees. Whoosh! The seat rushes forward and swoops high toward the open sky. The sudden wind lifts my heavy hair, and my chest tingles with fierce speed. I pump my legs each time I reach the peak, flying higher and higher like a star craft breaking through the clouds.