on-line. You need to get out more.'
'I could put mosquitoes in a scenario if I wanted.'
'You could. But have you ever?'
'Well, no.'
'And without experiencing real bugs sucking your Mood and going splat
when you slap them, you wouldn't be able' to do it accurately. And
even then, it would only be an imitation, and not the real thing.'
'But isn't this all just an illusion?' He waved one hand to encompass
the wooded hillside.
'Wrong religion, white boy. Try the Hindus or the existentialists.
Buddhists aren't into denying reality. We like to get down and roll
around in it.'
'What about that old man persona of yours on the net?'
'A tool, that's all. Got me past a lot of preconceptions, and made my
patients relax. Besides, an illusion is by definition not real, so
altering it one way or the other doesn't make it any more or less real,
now does it?'
He chuckled. Boy, he liked being with her.
'So how much farther is it to this secret place of yours?'
'Not far. Couple more miles.'
He gave out a theatrical groan.
'You didn't tell me I was going to have to hike halfway around the
planet (Carrying a house on my back. This better be worth the
(walk.'
'Oh, it will be. Guaranteed satisfaction or your money back.'
Well, that sounded promising. He slapped at another mosquito, and was
inclined to agree with Soji's father on at least one point, despite
what she'd said.
Quantico, Virginia
When John Howard walked into the range, he heard, 'Tens-hull General in
the house! Morning, Brigadier.'
Howard fought the grin, but lost. Amid the familiar tang of burned
gunpowder. Sergeant Julio Fernandez stood at ramrod attention, a
perfect salute in place. Any crisper and he would have crinkled.
'No such thing as a brigadier anymore, you know that.'
'It has a nice ring, sir[' 'At ease, Lieutenant.' Howard said. He
returned the salute.
'Not funny, John.'
'Hey, I can do it, you know. Me being a general now instead of a
colonel. What do you think. Gunny?'
Behind Julio, the grinned.
'Oh, yes, sir, I believe Sergeant Fernandez is excellent officer
material, sir. Never has earned his money.'
'I get promoted, first thing I'll do is fire your sorry ass,' Fernandez
said.
'You'll be out whitewashing rocks on the parade ground eighteen hours a
day.'
Gunny laughed.
'Long arms or sidearms today, sir?'
Howard said, 'I believe the sergeant needs a lesson in how to shoot his
