Snippet #1698717

Aaron rejoiced when he heard exactly what he thought he would hear. Then he was believed to be mad? He always thought that people with small minds would judge him that way. But what is insanity? Strange behavior to the eyes of society, perhaps? But then, if society dictates what is madness ... In a world where everyone is insane ... How to prove that you are the only sane one?

Aaron shook his head when hearing about the masks. He ostensibly began to polish the macabre fireproof armor helmet. Its color was dark brown, almost black, made of the same material as the rest of the armor, able to withstand high temperatures without heating up. The helmet was composed of two parts: there was the helmet itself, protecting the entire head and the face and docked with the chest armor, and there was the mask. The mask was placed over the helmet, and it was far more sophisticated than it seemed. It had an antenna, which collected all the information that reached the screen that was projected in front of Blake's face. This screen gave Blake an advantage, for it projected a peripheral and telescopic vision of what laid ahead, besides projecting Aaron’s vital signs. The three bright red crystals embedded in the face of the mask were purely decorative, but when Betty was spitting fury the crystals sparkled, and when Blake wore the mask it seemed that he was not human but a monster, coming from hell to seek souls and bring them back to the deep pits where he came from.

While he polished the crystals Aaron thought about what Eve had said. She was right. Even Blake had masks.

Then his commander leaned over and whispered to Aaron. At this point Aaron couldn’t help opening a smile on his face. The idea was tempting ... Way too tempting to pass up. He turned to Eve, who was also smiling in a macabre way, and that made Blake laugh. The young soldiers at the end of the cafeteria looked back quietly, and even the waitress who served Blake came back to see what was happening. It was a guttural, cruel and sadistic laugh, and made Aaron feel really alive.

The huge soldier then carefully placed the sophisticated helmet down and stood up, causing the chair to squeak reliefed. He was still laughing, and with a smile on the face Blake muttered to Eve:

"Now we understand each other."

Then Blake made an effort to get serious, and his effort was pathetic, which caused a grimace on his face. He saluted, and as he had done this very few times in his life, the gesture came out with a comic and ironic tone. Then he said aloud for all to hear:

"Soldier Aaron Blake reporting for duty, ma’am! Where can I be of use? "And by adding that last question Aaron's eyes sparkled.