Грань будущего

           "So…you’reintheArmoredInfantrytoo?"

           "JapaneseCorps."

           "Thisisn’teasyformetosay-Idon’twanttoberude-buttryingtoimitateRitawillonlygetyouhurt."

           "Thatmeanyouwon’tloanittome?"

           "Ifyoureallythinkyou’llneedit,Iwill.It’sjustahunkofmetal-wehaveplentyofspares.WhenRitafirstaskedmeforone,Ihadthemcutfromthewingsofadecommissionedbomber."

           "Sowhythereluctance?"

           "Well,becausefrankly,you’llbekilled."

           "Withorwithoutit,I’lldiesomeday."

           "Ican’tchangeyourmind?"

           "Notlikely."

           Shastagrewquiet.Thewrenchhunginherhandlikeanoldrag,andhereyeslostfocus.Alockofunkempthairstucktothesweatandgreasesmearedacrossherforehead."IwasstationedinNorthAfricabefore,"shesaid."Thebestsoldierofthebestplatoondownthereaskedmeforthesamethingasyou.Itriedtowarnhim,buttherewerepoliticsinvolved,thingsgotcomplicated,soIlethimhaveit."

           "Andhedied?"

           "No,helived.Barely.Buthissoldieringdayswereover.IfonlyIcouldhavefoundsomewaytostophim."

           "Youshouldn’tblameyourself.Youdidn’tmaketheMimicsattack."

           "That’sjustit,hewasn’tinjuredfightingtheMimics.Doyouknowwhatinertiais?"

           "I’vegotahighschooldiploma."

           "Eachofthosebattleaxesweighs200kilograms.AJacket’s370kilogramgripcanholdontoit,sure,butevenwithenhancedstrengththat’satremendousamountofinertia.Hebrokehisbackswingingtheaxe.