За разломом орла

           Menandwomenrippedoutoftime,cutadriftfromfamiliesandloversbyanaccidentofanalientechnologyweusebutbarelycomprehend. 

           "Yes,"Isay."We’rebeyondtheRift." 

           Suzyscreams,knittingherfaceintoamaskofangeranddenial. Myhandiscoldaroundthehypodermic. Iconsiderusingit. 

           *** 

           AnewrepairestimatefromKolding. Five,sixdays. 

           ThistimeIdidn’tevenargue. Ijustshruggedandwalkedout,andwonderedhowlongitwouldbenexttime. 

           ThateveningIsatdownatthesametablewhereGretaandIhadmetoverbreakfast. Thediningareahadbeenwelllitbefore,butnowtheonlyilluminationcamefromthetablelampsandthesubduedlightingpanelssetintothepaving. Inthedistance,aglassmannequincycledfromemptytabletoemptytable,playing"Asturias"onaglassguitar. Therewerenootherpatronsdiningtonight. 

           Ididn’thavelongtowaitforGreta. 

           "I’msorryI’mlate,Thom." 

           Iturnedtoherassheapproachedthetable. Ilikedthewayshewalkedinthelowgravityofthestation,thewaythesubduedlightingtracedthearcofherhipsandwaist. Sheeasedintoherseatandleanedtowardmeinthemannerofaconspirator. Thelamponthetablethrewredshadowsandgoldhighlightsacrossherface.Ittooktenyearsoffherage. 

           "Youaren’tlate,"Isaid."Andanyway,Ihadtheview." 

           "It’sanimprovement,isn’tit?" 

           "Thatwouldn’tbesayingmuch,"Isaidwithasmile. "Butyes,it’sdefinitelyanimprovement." 

           "Icouldsitouthereallnightandjustlookatit.