Грань будущего

           SomepeoplecalledRitaamilitarygenius,andshewasn’tallthatdifferentfromeveryoneelse.Theonlythingaboutherthatwasespeciallyuniquewasherabilitytofocus.Shasta’sthoughtswereprobablyconsumedbywhateveritwassheheldinherhand,justasRita’swerebythecomingbattle.

           Ritaopenedthedoorhalfway.Shasta’sglasseswerestillaskewfromtheimpactwiththeglass.Sheadjustedthemasshestood.

           "I’msorrytobotheryou.ButtherewassomethingIjusthadtoshowyou.I’mreally,reallysorry."Shastaloweredherheadandbumpeditagainstthedoorthatstillblockedhalfoftheentryway.Thistimeshehitthecorner.

           Thud.

           "Ow."Shastasquattedonthegroundagain.

           "Noneedtoapologize.You’realwayswelcome,Lieutenant.Withoutyou,whowouldlookaftermyJacket?"

           Shastasprangtoherfeet,eyesmoistwithtears.

           "Youcalledmelieutenantagain!CallmeShasta,please."

           "But,Lieutenant-"

           "Shasta!Ijustwanteveryonetotalktomelikeanormalperson."

           "Allright,allright.Shasta."

           "That’sbetter."

           Ritasmiled."So…whatwasityouwantedtoshowme?"

           "Right,"Shastasaid."Lookatthis.Youwon’tbelieveit."

           Shastaopenedherhand.Ritalookedintentlyatthestrangeobjectrestinginhertinypalm.Onlyslightlylargerthana9mmbullet,itwasintricatelyshapedandpaintedbrightred.Ritahadheardofpeoplewhopaintedthetipsoftheirbulletsaseparatecolortodistinguishbetweentypesofammunition,butnevertheentirecasing.

           Shepickeditup.