Грань будущего

           Toallayherfears,aJapanesetechhadexplainedthattheglasswasinterwovenwithcarbonfibers,givingitstrengthonparwiththeshellofaJacket.Ifthestuffwassogreat,Ritawonderedwhyitdidn’tseemtoworkthatwellonthefrontlines.Atleasthereshewasalone.Thenextdayshemighthavetowatchoneofherfriendsdie.Shedidn’twanttohavetolookthemintheeye.

           AsoftknockrousedRitafromherthoughts.Theglassattheentrancetotheloungewasalsoembeddedwithliquidcrystal.Itwassettoopaquewiththerest.

           "Idon’tappreciatedistractionswithinminusthirtyhours.Justleavemealone."

           Therewasnoreply.Shesensedanoddpresencefromtheothersideofthedoor.Itfeltlikeasmallanimalbeinghuntedbyapackofwolves,orawomanbeingstalkeddownadarkalley.ItcouldonlybeShasta.

           Ritapressedthebutton.TheglassclearedtorevealthepetiteNativeAmericanwomanstandingatthedoor.FirstLieutenantShastaRayllewasolderthanRitaand,technically,outrankedher,buttheValkyriedidn’thavetobendoverbackwardforanyengineer.Still,RitafoundShasta’sdeferenceandpolitesseendearing.

           Thud.

           Shastabumpedherforeheadagainsttheglass.She’dmistakenthesuddenlytransparentglassforanopendoorwayandwalkedrightintoit.Shewasholdingsomethinginthehandshepressedtoherhead.Shecrouchedontheground,tremblinglikealeaf.Itwashardtobelievethebraininthatheadcouldbesobrilliant.Thenagain,maybethat’showgeniuseswere.