Joe Haldeman - Future Weapons of War

“It’s not time yet,” Jenny assured her. “Any day now, any way now, I shall be released—but I’m hoping not before lunchtime.”

“You sound a lot saner than you did yesterday,” Jackie observed.

“I was always sane,” Jenny assured her. “It’s the world that’s mad. I saw Lieutenant Lunsford again, but he didn’t seem to enjoy it. He’s glad he’s a dad, I think, but that doesn’t mean he wants to complete the mission. Isn’t it always the way?”

“Great to hear you so cheerful,” Jackie said. “Must go now. Get them to call me the minute the dam bursts.”

“I will,” Jenny assured her. Then she called Steve. Miraculously, he answered too.

“It’s okay,” she told him. “The kid’s healthy, and I’m in safe hands. Expect to be an uncle some time in the next twenty-four hours.”

“What the hell was all that stuff about the army picking you up?” Steve wanted to know.

“I’ve joined up. I can’t explain why—it’s a need-to-know sort of thing. I’m okay, though. As well as can be expected, and maybe better. I’ll call when I can. Bye.”

She put the phone under her pillow, wondering how long it would be before they served lunch, and whether they’d let her have elevenses between. She was, after all, eating for two—and there was a war on.

Reprint Edition November 25, 2008

ISBN: 1-4165-5519-6