Грань будущего
Chapter 2
Let’salljointhear-my!
Let’salljointhear-my!
Let’salljointhear-my!
Andkillourselvessomethings!
I’dwatchedallthis159times.ButsinceI’dbeencaughtintheloop,Ihardlynoticedathingabouttheworldoutsidemyownheadthatdidn’tdirectlypertaintomywayoutofhere.Isatquietlyinasmall,graycafeteria,devoidofsound,methodicallyshovelingtastelessfoodintomymouth.
Eveniftomorrow’sbattlewentwell,someofthesoldiersherewouldn’tbecomingback.Ifitwentpoorly,evenfewerwouldreturn.Everybodyknewit.TheArmoredInfantrywasSantaClaus,andbattlewasourChristmas.WhatelsefortheelvestodoonChristmasEvebutlettheirhairdownanddrinkalittleeggnog.
RitaVrataskiwassittingacrossfromme,eatingthesamelunchforthe160thtime.Sheexaminedher160thumeboshi.
"Whatisthis?"
"Umeboshi.It’sume-peoplecallitaplum,butit’smorelikeanapricot-driedinthesun,andthenpickled.Youeatit."
"What’sittastelike?"
"Foodislikewar.Youhavetoexperienceitforyourself."
Shepokedatittwoorthreetimeswithherchopsticks,thenthrewcautiontothewindandputthewholethinginhermouth.Thesournesshitherlikeabodyblowfromaheavyweightfighterandshedoubledover,grabbingatherthroatandchest.Icouldseethemusclestwitchinginherback.
"Likeit?"
Ritaworkedhermouthwithoutlookingup.Hernecktensed.Somethingwentflyingoutofhermouth-aperfectlycleanpitskiddedtoahaltonhertray.
