The quiet small market town had a strange feeling to it this morning, like the air itself was vibrating with anticipation. Some of the more sensitive ...illagers noted the tension, or wondered if they imagined a slightly unusual intensity in their neighbours' eyes, but most dismissed the phenomena as symptoms of excitement for the upcoming harvest.The three new arrivals definitely did not notice, as their minds were on a much more serious matter: budgeting. Sitting in the ramshackle local tavern. Keepinghis feet close to his thighs he spread his legs to find a moment ofsomerelief.Looking up Stephen saw Kathy looking down at him curiously. To hisdismay she was still calmly smoking her cigarette."Something's wrong, call an ambulance, please," he moaned betweencramps. Before another sharp pain hit not only his balls but his entiregenital area.Kathy looked down at him and grinned. "Don't be such a drama queen,it'll be over in another couple minutes Stephen."'Why is she not even trying to. She was on the line when thecar hit you and heard the whole thing. Anna described the whole event toRachel and called every hospital in the greater Phoenix area looking foryou. The news also broadcast the scene, so that's how your father andNicky saw it." My mother reached into her purse and produced a largemanila envelope with my name on it. "Good thing I had a copy of yourmedical records with me, or it would have taken the hospital hours to getthem for your chart." I caught the slight wink. The low walls were surrounded by yellow striped warning patterns and looked like they were designed to extend from their recesses to provide cover for troops in exactly this kind of scenario, there must be all kinds of security systems like this one on the Pinwheel that could be activated in the event of a battle.“Alright rookies, create a firing line behind these walls, Krell and automatic XMRs at the front, semis and rifles at the back. If anything comes through that door, you shoot it, I.