Perimeter Inspection

Stiffness left my joints. My boots shifted cleanly against the cold white ceramic tile. I surveyed the perimeter: a dark helicopter rested silently beside me, along with miniature barricades and other frozen green units. Stepping forward with rifle raised, I reached out and tapped the plastic tail fin of the helicopter. It made a crisp, dull click. Reality confirmed. I turned forty-five degrees and resumed watch over our flank of the tabletop.