The War of Endless Night

"I don't know... I just don't know..." the Captain muttered.

"Captain's dithering again," said Private Nightlight to Sergeant LED.

"That's the problem with these compact fluorescents," LED said, nodding. "Always back and forth, back and forth. They've got all kinds of toxic issues right under that cold facade they put up, too. It's how they're raised, I think."

"ENOUGH TALK!" came a shriek from behind. "ONWARD TO GLORIOUS DEATH!" Someone hurtled past them. There was a whistle and a pop.

"Incandescent went over the wall, Sarge."

"Can't say I'm surprised. He's been on the edge of burning out for weeks."

Passing Time in the Livewoods

The chorus of tinny screams woke me. "What are you doing, Rikko?"

The mercenary glanced at me across the fire. "Eating the talking berries." He held up a handful. They sobbed pitifully and begged me to save them.

"Why are you upset?" I asked them. "You're supposed to be eaten. That's the point of berries."

Rikko plucked up a single berry, sucked away the sweet flesh, and carefully ground the seed to splinters between his fingernails. The berries in his other hand wailed. He grinned with red-stained teeth.

I stared for a moment, then rolled over and struggled to sleep.