Грань будущего

           Neverthrowwateronanoilfire,keeptheknifepointedawayfromyourcarotidartery,don’tuseratpoisonwhentherecipecallsforparmesancheese.

           ToRita,warwasnodifferent.

           TheMimics’attacksweresimpleminded.TheyremindedRitaoftheswineshe’draisedbackinPittsfield.SoldierswouldsingleoutaMimictoattack,butMimicsdidthingstheotherwayaround.Likeabroomsweepingdustoffthefloor,Mimicsattackedentiregroupsofsoldiersatonce.Aslongasyouknewhowtoavoidthebroom,nomatterhowmanytimestheMimicsattacked,youwouldn’tgetsweptaway.ThesecrettofightingtheMimicswasn’tavoidingdanger,itwasrunningheadlongintoit.

           Tryityourselfnexttime.It’seasy.

           Thatwasusuallyenoughtogetthemtoleaveheralone.They’dshrugandstumbleaway,dumbfounded.

           Rita,who’donlyjustturnedsixteen,didn’tunderstandwhyshewassogiftedinbattle.She’dhavebeenhappierhavingaknackatbakingmeatpies,orknowingjustwhereasowwantedscratching,butapparentlyGodhadasenseofhumor.HemusthavenoticedherdozingduringthesermonsallthoseSundaysherparentshadtakenhertochurch.

           SpecialForceswasaplaceforindividualists,forpeoplewithauthorityproblems.Everyoneinthesquadwassupposedlyaviciousmurdererwho’dbeengiventhechoicebetweenthearmyandthenoose.Theywereguyswho’dassoonshootapersonastalktohim,andtheydidn’tdiscriminatebetweenfriendliesandMimicswhentheywerelettingflywith20mmrounds.