Грань будущего

           Asensitive,caringindiv’duallikemyselfain’tcutoutforfightin’,andthat’sthetruth."

           "Idon’tseeanythingwrongwiththesergeant."

           "Ain’taquestionofrightorwrong.It’sabouthavingaheartmadeoftungstenandmusclessobigtheycutoffthebloodtoyourbrain."

           "Iwouldn’tgothatfar."

           "Nextyou’llbetellin’usthatMadWargaritaisjustanothergruntliketherestofus."

           "Yeah,well,thethingwithheris-"andsotheconversationwenton,backandforthlikewealwaysdid.OurbadmouthingofRitawasjusthittingitsstridewhenthesergeantshowedup.

           SergeantFerrellBartolomehadbeenaroundlongerthananyoneelseinourplatoon.He’dlivedthroughsomanybattles,hewasmorethansoldier,hewasthegluethatkeptourcompanytogether.Theysaidifyoustuckhiminacentrifuge,he’dcomeout70percentbigbrother,20percentball-bustingdrillsergeant,and10percentsteel-reinforcedcarbon.Hescowledatme,thenlookedatYonabaru,whowashastilybundlingupourliquorconfessions.Hisscowldeepened."YouthesoldierwhobrokeintothePX?"

           "Yeah,that’sme,"myfriendconfessedwithoutatraceofguilt.

           Themenonthesurroundingbedsduckedundertheirsheetswithallthespeedofcockroachesscatteringinthelight,pornmagazinesandplayingcardsforgotten.They’dseenthelookonthesergeant’sface.

           Iclearedmythroat."Didsecurity,uh…runintosomekindoftrouble?"

           Ferrell’sforeheadknottedasthoughhewerebalancingastackofarmoredplatingonhishead.