Memory 31: Static

When he opens his eyes, the world is upside-down.

The city is laid out far below him, a perfect miniature, and down there in the streets, something's on fire. There are still people running for cover, but from this height they look no bigger than ants.

Hurricane licks at his lips – tastes blood.

"Pull it together," he mutters to himself, even though he's not sure what he's meant to be pulling it together from. He remembers deploying to Nagasaki. He remembers the trip out, and Nemesis next to him in the back of the supply truck, stealing his Pretz right out of the box. He remembers suiting up in an unfamiliar hangar, Yoshioka's habitual presence nothing but a voice on a radio, this time.

And then… nothing. He doesn't remember anything at all until just now, when he opened his eyes.

Probably a concussion, if the throbbing in his head is any indication.

"Hey, guys?" he says, into the comms.

There's no response – just a harsh burst of feedback and then static.
( Continue )