Full Metal Bitch

           Abrilliantsuntracedcrispshadowsontheground.Theairwassocleanyoucouldhavegottenaclearsnipershotfromkilometersaway.Abovethefield,the17thCompany’sflagsnappedinamoistsoutherlybreezeblowingoffthePacific.

           Theseaairheldascentthatsnakeditswaydownyournoseandtickledyourtongueonitswaytoyourthroat.Ritaknittedherbrow.Itwasn’tthestenchofaMimic.Moreliketheslightlyfishyfragranceyougotfromthosebowlsofnuocmamsauce.

           Wartimetensionsandtheconstantthreatofdeathaside,theFarEastreallywasn’tsobad.Thecoastline,sodifficulttodefend,affordedbeautifulsunsets.Theairandwaterwereclean.IfRita,whohadaboutonetenththerefinementandcultureofanaverageindividual,thoughtitwaswonderfulhere,anactualtouristmighthaveconsidereditparadise.Iftherewereonemarkagainstit,itwasthecloyinghumidity.

           Theweatherthatnightwouldbeperfectforanairstrike.Oncethesunhadset,bombersladenwithGPS-guidedmunitionswouldtaketotheskyinswarmstoblasttheislandintoalifelessmoonscapebeforethenextmorning’sgroundassault.Thebeautifulatollandthefloraandfaunathatcalledithomewouldallsharethesamefateastheenemy,ifeverythingwentaccordingtoplan.

           "Beautifulday,don’tyouthink,MajorVrataski?"Anoldfilmcameradangledfromtheman’sthickneck,aredwoodtrunkbycomparisontotheaverageJacketjockey’sbeech-tree.Ritacasuallyignoredhim.

           "Greatlighting.