The old version wasn’t working, so I revamped it.
POP.
Well, no. It was more like SUDDEN STILLBORN AGONY THAT CREATED A CAPACITY FOR PAIN I HAD NEVER KNOWN BEFORE. That’s not right, either, so we might as well go with “Pop.” At least it’s short.
The pain as my head bounced off the floor, though? That was absolutely “Ow.” I knew what it was like to unbalance, windmill, and fall face-first to the ground. I’d done it before, so no surprises there! Nothing was broken, either, which was good. I’d broken a finger, once, and I never wanted to do that again.
You broke a finger? I blinked, mostly at the sudden, intrusive thought. When?
Before I could think about it more, I was pulled to my feet by… why, that was Sgt. Louis, obviously. Head of my squad, tough as nails, I’d follow him anywhere. I was worried he’d say something, but he just gave me a brusque look-over before checking over my squad-mates. They all looked fine, but maybe I had too before I fell down. Squad Gamma of Platoon Red of 3rd Company was a crack group, I knew. The best the UN Peace Force could field.
We’d need to be, I knew. Our Final Assault on Dr. Methuselah’s secret base was still waiting on the signal; a coordinated attack was our only hope against the doctor’s fanatical minions. Even then, our only options were success, or death. The fate of the world depended on what we’d do here today —
A buzzer intruded on my thoughts. It was time to go. Time to fight, and die, but never retreat. This was the Final Assault. The fate of the world depended on what we’d do here today.