Грань будущего

           Rotatingninetydegreesonmyass,Isprangoutofbedandopenedmyeyes.Iblinked.Myvisionblurred.Theroomwasdifferent.Theprimeminister’sheadwasn’tstaringoutatmefromatoptheswimsuitmodel.BythetimeInoticed,itwastoolate;myfootmissedaplatformthatwasn’tthereandmyinertiasentmetumblingfromthebed.Myheadslammedintoatile-coveredfloor,andIfinallyrealizedwhereIwas.

           Sunlightshonethroughlayersofblast-resistantglassandspilledacrossthevast,airyroom.AnartificialbreezefromthepurifierpouredovermybodyasIlaysprawledonthefloor.Thethickwallsandglasscompletelyblockedoutthesoundsofthebasethatwereusuallysoloudinmyears.

           IwasintheSkyLounge.Inabaseofexposedsteelandkhaki-colored,fire-retardantwood,thiswastheoneandonlyproperlyappointedroom.Originallyanofficers’meetingroomthatdoubledasareceptionhall,thenightviewofUchibothroughitsmultilayeredglasswouldhavefetchedagoodprice.

           Asniceastheviewwas,itwasalousyplacetowakeup,unlessyouwereamountaingoatoradedicatedhermitwithaloveofheights.OryoucouldbeYonabaru.I’dheardhehadsomesecretspotuphereonefloorhigherthaneventheofficerswereallowedtogo."Hislovenest,"wecalledit.

           Morelikealoveaerie.

           LookingoutacrosstheoceanIcouldseethegentlecurveofthehorizon.Uchibobeachwasdimlyvisiblethroughthemorningmist.Trianglesofwavesrose,turnedtofoam,andfadedbackintothesea.