Грань будущего

           Withoutwarning,abombfellfromthesky.Thelaser-guidedprecisionmunitionsmashedthebedrock,diggingdeepintotheearthbeforedetonating.TheMimicstumbledintothecrater.

           AcrimsonJacketappearedamidthedownpourofearthandclay.Tungstencarbideslashedawayatflailinglimbsandthosethick,froggytorsos.Afterafewminutes,nothingwasleftmoving.Nothingalienanyway.

           Staticfilledmyears,thenhervoicecamethrough."Sorrytokeepyouwaiting."TheFullMetalBitchstood,heftinganenormousbattleaxe,amidoursand-coloredplatoon.Hergunmetalredarmorglistenedinthesun.

           Iliftedmyhandsoshecouldpickmeoutofthecrowd."Wejustgothereourselves."

           "What’stheFullMetalBitchdoin’here?"YonabaruforgotallabouttakingcoverandstaredstupidlyatherJacket.Iwouldhavepaidgoodmoneyforalookathisface.

           RitaaddressedFerrell."Ineedtotalktowhoever’sinchargeofthisplatoon.Patchmein."

           FerrellopenedachannelbetweenRitaandthelieutenant."You’regoodtogo."

           "ThisisRitaVrataski.Ihavearequestfortheofficerinchargeofthe3rdPlatoonofthe17thCompany,3rdBattalion,12thRegiment,301stArmoredInfantryDivision.IneedtoborrowKeijiKiriya.Thatallrightwithyou?"

           Shedidn’tstateherrankordivision.Inamilitaryculturewheretheskywaswhatevercoloryourrankingofficersaiditwas,onlytheValkyriewasfreetooperateoutsidethechainofcommand.