Звездный десант

           Atleasttheleapfrogadvancewasoverwithoncewestartedtoencircle;Icouldquitcountingandconcentrateonspeed.Itwasgettingtobelesshealthytobeanywhere,evenmovingfast.Wehadstartedwiththeenormousadvantageofsurprise,reachedthegroundwithoutbeinghit(atleastIhopednobodyhadbeenhitcomingin),andhadbeenrampaginginamongtheminafashionthatletusfireatwillwithoutfearofhittingeachotherwhiletheystoodabigchanceofhittingtheirownpeopleinshootingatus—iftheycouldfindustoshootat,atall.(I’mnogames-theoryexpertbutIdoubtifanycomputercouldhaveanalyzedwhatweweredoingintimetopredictwherewewouldbenext.)

           Neverthelessthehomedefenseswerebeginningtofightback,co-ordinatedornot.Itookacoupleofnearmisseswithexplosives,closeenoughtorattlemyteetheveninsidearmorandonceIwasbrushedbysomesortofbeamthatmademyhairstandonendandhalfparalyzedmeforamoment—asifIhadhitmyfunnybone,butallover.Ifthesuithadn’talreadybeentoldtojump,IguessIwouldn’thavegotoutofthere.

           Thingslikethatmakeyoupausetowonderwhyyouevertookupsoldiering—onlyIwastoobusytopauseforanything.Twice,jumpingblindoverbuildings,Ilandedrightinthemiddleofagroupofthem—jumpedatoncewhilefanningwildlyaroundmewiththehandflamer.

           Spurredonthisway,Iclosedabouthalfofmyshareofthegap,maybefourmiles,inminimumtimebutwithoutdoingmuchmorethancasualdamage.