Грань будущего

           TheAmericandetectivewhowassupposedtobeanexpertontheOrientwasdiscussingthefinerpointsofgreentea,justlikeIremembered.Iftodaywasthedaybeforethebattle,whenhadIreadthebook?Nothingwasmakinganysense.

           "Listen.There’snothin’totomorrow’soperation."

           Iblinked."Nothin’toit,huh?"

           "Justgetyourselfhomewithoutshootinganyoneintheback,andyou’llbefine."

           Igruntedinreply.

           Yonabarucurledhishandintoagunandpointedhisindexfingerathishead."I’mserious.Sweatittoomuch,you’llturnintoafeedhead-enduplosingyourmindbeforetheyevengetachancetoblowyourbrainsout."

           TheguyI’dreplacedhadgonealittlehaywire,sotheypulledhimfromthefrontlines.Theysayhestartedpickingupcommfeedsabouthowhumanitywasdoomed.NotthekindofshityouwantheavilyarmedUDFJacketjockeyslisteningto.Wemightnotloseasmanytothataswedototheenemy,butit’snotprettyeitherway.Inbattle,unlessyou’resoundofbodyandmind,you’realiability.I’donlyjustarrivedonthefrontlines-hadn’tevenseenanyaction-andalreadyIwashavinghallucinations.Whoknowswhatwarninglightsweregoingoffinmyhead.

           "Youaskme,anyonecomeoutofbattlenotactin’alittlefunnyhasascreworthreeloose."Yonabarugrinned.

           "Hey,noscarin’thefreshmeat,"Iprotested.Iwasn’tactuallyscared,butIwasgrowingincreasinglyconfused.

           "JustlookatFerrell!Onlywaytomakeitistolosewhateveritisthatmakesyouhuman.