Грань будущего

           Theydidn’tknowthatthelinedividingthetwo,theborderlandpiledhighwithcorpses,wastheeasiestplacetosurvive.Thefearthatpermeatedeveryfiberofmybeingwasrelentless,itwascruel,anditwasmybesthopeforgettingthroughthis.

           ThatwastheonlywaytofighttheMimics.Ididn’tknowshitaboutanyotherwars,andfrankly,Ididn’tcareto.Myenemywashumanity’senemy.Therestdidn’tmatter.

           Thefearneverleftme.Mybodytrembledwithit.WhenIsensedthepresenceofanenemyjustoutsidemyfieldofvision,Icouldfeelitcrawlingalongmyspine.Whohadtoldmethatfearhadawayofseepingintoyourbody?Haditbeentheplatoonleader?OrwasitFerrell?MaybeitwassomethingI’dheardduringtraining.

           Butevenasthefearracksmybody,itsoothesme,comfortsme.Soldierswhogetwashedawayinarushofadrenalinedon’tsurvive.Inwar,fearisthewomanyourmotherwarnedyouabout.Youknewshewasnogoodforyou,butyoucouldn’tshakeher.Youhadtofindawaytogetalong,becauseshewasn’tgoinganywhere.

           The17thCompanyofthe3rdBattalion,12thRegiment,301stArmoredInfantryDivisionwascannonfodder.Ifthefrontalassaultsucceeded,theMimicsfleeingthesiegewouldwashoveruslikeatorrentofwatersurgingthroughadrygully.Ifitfailed,we’dbealoneplatooninthemiddleofaseaofhostiles.Eitherwayouroddsofsurvivalwereslim.Theplatooncommanderknewit,andSergeantFerrellknewit.