All Over the Place

Quicker

Nice buzz after the picnic. Though the substances
were frowned on, they’re not yet forbidden. And picnic was
a thing that Associate Alphonse found in a book.

“You eat outside!”

“Who'd wanna do that?”

“Never mind, again, all your fussy conformity,” he laughed when we finished
the cold chicken. “You hafta try new things even when they're old things.”

“Ancient, more like. Who ever heard of eating things cold? Disgusting!”

Conversation ended when an unmanned miniature rocket docked amid
the trees and called my name.

Seconds later I found myself in the war zone.

“I'm still half-drunk.”

“You're lucky.” That from the mission leader. “And all of you watch yourself.
The policy of bringing soldiers back to life doesn't operate in this sector.
Once dead, you're dead. Quite frankly, we'll soon be.”

“Modern life sucks!” I couldn't help spitting out.

“You can say what you wish because nothing you say makes any difference.
This is what freedom has always meant. Now, do you want the last word?
Is that important to you?”

“No.”