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           BeyondthosewaveslaytheislandtheMimicshadmadetheirspawninggrounds.Foramoment,IthoughtIsawaboltofbrightgreenshootthroughthesurf.Iblinkedmyeyes.Ithadonlybeenaglintofsunlightonthewater.

           "Youcertainlysleptwelllastnight."Ritastoodoverme,havingwalkedinfromtheotherroom.

           Ilookedupslowlyfromthetilefloor."Feelslikeit’sbeenyears."

           "Years?"

           "SinceIhadagoodnight’ssleep.I’dforgottenhowgooditis."

           "That’scrazytime-looptalk."

           "Youshouldknow."

           Ritagaveawaveofherhandinsympathy.

           Oursavior,theFullMetalBitch,lookedmorerelaxedthismorningthanIhadeverseenher.Hereyesweresofterinthecoolmorninglight,andthesunlightmadeherrust-coloredhairgloworange.Shegavemethesortoflookshemightgivetoapuppywho’dfollowedherhome.ShewasplacidasaZenmonk.Shewasbeautiful.

           Theroomsuddenlygrewtoobright,andInarrowedmyeyesagainsttheglare."What’sthatsmell?"

           Anunusualodormingledwiththecleanaircomingfromthefilter.Itwasn’tnecessarilyabadsmell,butIwouldn’thavegonesofarastocallitpleasant.Toopungentforfood,toosavoryforperfume.Quitefrankly,Ididn’tknowwhatthehellitwas.

           "AllIdidwasopenthebag.You’vegotasharpnose."

           "Intrainingtheytoldustobewaryofanyunusualodors,sinceitcouldmeantherewasaproblemwiththeJacketfilter-notthatI’minaJacketrightnow."

           "I’venevermetanyonewhoconfusedfoodwithchemicalweaponsbefore,"Ritasaid.