Звездный десант

           Youcanburnoffoneleg,twolegs,threelegs,andhejustkeepsoncoming;burnofffourononesideandhetopplesover—butkeepsonshooting.Youhavetospotthenervecaseandgetit...whereuponhewilltrotrightonpastyou,shootingatnothing,untilhecrashesintoawallorsomething.

           Thedropwasashamblesfromthestart.FiftyshipswereinourpieceofitandtheyweresupposedtocomeoutofCherenkovdriveandintoreactiondrivesoperfectlyco-ordinatedthattheycouldhitorbitanddropus,informationandwhereweweresupposedtohit,withoutevenmakingoneplanetcircuittodressuptheirownformation.Isupposethisisdifficult.Shucks,Iknowitis.Butwhenitslips,itleavestheM.I.holdingthesack.

           Wewereluckyatthat,becausetheValleyForgeandeveryNavyfileinherboughtitbeforeweeverhittheground.Inthattight,fastformation(4.7miles/sec.orbitalspeedisnotastroll)shecollidedwiththeYpresandbothshipsweredestroyed.Wewereluckytogetoutofhertubes--thoseofuswhodidgetout,forshewasstillfiringcapsulesasshewasrammed.ButIwasn’tawareofit;Iwasinsidemycocoon,headedfortheground.Isupposeourcompanycommanderknewthattheshiphadbeenlost(andhalfhisWildcatswithit)sincehewasoutfirstandwouldknowwhenhesuddenlylosttouch,overthecommandcircuit,withtheship’scaptain.

           Butthereisnowaytoaskhim,becausehewasn’tretrieved.