Грань будущего
Chapter 3
"ThenthisisallbecauseIscrewedupthelasttime?"
"TheMimicsmusthavedecidedthiswastheonlywaytheycouldwin.That’sall."
"But…thebase,"Isaid."Howdidtheyevengethere?"
"TheycameinlanduptheMississippitoattackIllinoisonce.They’reaquaticcreatures.It’snotsurprisingtheyfoundawaythroughaquarantinelinecreatedbyabunchofland-dwellinghumans."Ritawascalm.
"Iguess."
"Leavetheworryingtothebrass.Foryouandme,thisjustmeanswefighthereinsteadofKotoiushi."
Ritaheldoutherhand.Iclaspeditandshehelpedmetomyfeet.Herfingerswerecallusedatthebases-rubmarksfromtheJacketcontactplates.Thepalmofthehandshe’dbeenholdingthefryingpanwithwasmuchwarmerthanmyown.Icouldfeelthetightapprehensioninmychestbegintoebb.
"AJacketjockey’sjobistokilleveryMimicinsight.Right?"
"Yeah.Yeah,that’sright."
"We’llgototheU.S.hangarfirst.I’llputonmyJacket.We’llgetweaponsforbothofus.I’llcoveryouonourwaytotheJapanesehangar.Gotit?"
"Gotit."
"Thenwehuntdowntheserverandkillit.Endtheloop.Afterthat,justneedtomopupwhatever’sleft."Istoppedshaking.Ritaflashedanironcladgrin."Notimeforourmorningcupo’joe."
"Justgottafinishthisbeforeitgetscold,"Isaid,reachingforacup.
"Thatanattemptathumor?"
"Itwasworthatry."
"Thatwouldbenicethough.Coffeenevertastesthesamewhenyoureheatit.
