chemical pellets that made it rain or at least increased the chances of precipi - tation such that it was often misty and muddy below and nearby. Manipulat - ing the weather actually helped her comrades, HQ argued, as it served to de - grade the enemy sensors but also made life miserable. HQ did not admit this practice was learned from the enemy, either. She knew the enemy was the likely source; they were extremely clever and manipulating the weather was just that. THE FOOD TUBES
Mildred recalled that the same peculiar sea-skimming monstrous ekranoplan flying ship that had brought her to the atoll was later damaged somehow, un - able to fly. Then enemy drones hit it, leaving a hulk like a dead, grotesque sea monster near the beach. The be - leaguered and industrious subbies with help from the penal unit managed to salvage a few items, most important of them wooden crates of food tubes clearly marked “For aircrew and mid-Ti- er or above. Improper consumption is prohibited!” which apparently, they had
ignored. The garrison survivors hunted the plentiful small, oily-skinned red- dish truculent boars that roamed the island, and augmented their meager rations with what passed for gourmet treats to them, things they had never enjoyed in their lives – nor would again. After eating kelp balls and porridge, it must have been remarkable to their dull palates, she mused. Mildred found a very brief audio clip from the mem-bead in which someone mentioned [Audio File-03] “Ruthenian pears! Ruthenian PEARS!” excitedly as if getting something very special on Victory Day. Mildred remembered the food tubes she enjoyed as they flew to the atoll, for example, contained some Ruthenian pear jam, meant for the pain de guerre biscuits that usually came along and provided a pleasant snack. Although it sounded ludicrous, she thought the tuna bisque also tasted surprisingly good, with a peppery base,
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