Грань будущего

           Spiderwebfracturesspreadthroughthewindowglass,asand-coloredjavelinstickingfromthemiddleoftheweb.Deeppurpleliquidcrystalseepedfromthecracksandontothefloorbelow.

           Toolate,sirensbegantoblareacrossthebase.Threeplumesofsmokeroseoutsidethewindow.Thewateroffthecoasthadturnedalividgreen.

           "An-anattack?"Myvoicewasshaking.Probablymybodytoo.Inall159loopstherehadneverbeenasurpriseattack.ThebattlewassupposedtostartafterwelandedonKotoiushiIsland.

           Asecondandthirdroundimpactedthewindow.Theentireglasspanebulgedinwardbutsomehowheld.Crackscrisscrossedthewindow.Pinpricksoflightswambeforemyeyes.

           Ritahadgottentoherfeetandwascalmlyreturningthefryingpantothetopoftheportablegasstove.Shekilledtheflamewithapracticedhand.

           "Thisglassisreallysomething.Youneverknowifit’salljusttalk,"Ritamused.

           "Wehavetohitback-no,I’vegottofindthesergeant-wait,ourJackets!"

           "Youshouldstartbycalmingdown."

           "But,what’shappening!"Ihadn’tmeanttoshout,butcouldn’thelpit.Noneofthiswasinthescript.I’dbeenloopedsolongthattheideaofnoveleventsterrifiedme.ThatthenoveleventinquestionhappenedtoinvolveMimicjavelinsexplodingagainstthewindowsoftheroomIwasstandingindidn’thelp.

           "TheMimicsusetheloopstowinthewar.You’renottheonlyonewhorememberswhat’shappenedineachloop."