Звездный десант

           Theythenwanttorunthewar—likeapassengertryingtograbthecontrolsawayfromthepilotinanemergency.

           However,nobodyaskedmyopinionatthetime;Iwastold.QuiteasidefromtheimpossibilityofdraggingthetroopshomeinviewofourtreatyobligationsandwhatitwoulddotothecolonyplanetsintheFederationandtoourallies,wewereawfullybusydoingsomethingelse,towit:carryingthewartotheBugs.IsupposeInoticedthedestructionofB.A.muchlessthanmostciviliansdid.WewerealreadyacoupleofparsecsawayunderCherenkovdriveandthenewsdidn’treachusuntilwegotitfromanothershipafterwecameoutofdrive.

           Irememberthinking,"Gosh,that’sterrible!"andfeelingsorryfortheonePortenointheship.ButB.A.wasn’tmyhomeandTerrawasalongwayoffandIwasverybusy,astheattackonKlendathu,theBugs’homeplanet,wasmountedimmediatelyafterthatandwespentthetimetorendezvousstrappedinourbunks,dopedandunconscious,withtheinternal-gravityfieldoftheValleyForgeoff,tosavepowerandgivegreaterspeed.

           ThelossofBuenosAiresdidmeanagreatdealtome;itchangedmylifeenormously,butthisIdidnotknowuntilmanymonthslater.

           WhenitcametimetodropontoKlendathu,IwasassignedtoPFCDutchBamburgerasasupernumerary.Hemanagedtoconcealhispleasureatthenewsandassoonastheplatoonsergeantwasoutofearshot,hesaid,"Listen,boot,youstickclosebehindmeandstayoutofmyway.