Грань будущего

           TheDiethadalreadydebatedthepossibilityofhandingoverthetransportofwarmaterielinnoncombatzonestotheprivatesector.Peoplejokedthatatthisrate,itwouldn’tbelongbeforethey’doutsourcethefightingtociviliansandbedonewiththewholething.

           I’dheardthatRachelwasmoreofanutritionistthanacook.TheonlyreasonIrecognizedherwasthatYonabaruhadbeenchasingherskirtbeforehehookedupwithhiscurrentsqueeze.Apparentlyshedidn’tlikeguyswhoweretooforward,whichprettymuchruledoutYonabaru.

           Ismirkedatthethoughtandamountainofpotatoesslammedintome.Desperately,Istuckoutmyrightfoottocatchmybalance,butIslippedononeofthepotatoesandwentsprawlingonmyass.Anavalancheofspudspummeledmyface,oneafteranother,theeagerjabsofarookieboxeronhiswaytotheworldheavyweightchampionship.Themetalcartdeliveredthefinishingblow,ahardrightstraighttomytemple.

           Icollapsedtothegroundwithathudsufficientlyresoundingtogiveafuel-airgrenadearunforitsmoney.ItwasawhilebeforeIcouldevenbreathe.

           "Areyouallright?"

           Igroaned.AtleastitlookedlikenoneofthepotatoeshadhitRachel.

           "I…Ithinkso."

           "Sorryaboutthat.Ican’treallyseewhereI’mgoingwhenI’mpushingthisthing."

           "Nah,it’snotyourfault.Ijumpedoutrightinfrontofyou."

           "Hey,don’tIknowyou?"Rachelpeereddownatpoorflattenedmewithhergreeneyes.

           Asheepishgrinspreadacrossmyface.