Звездный десант

           I’vehearditcalleda"strategicvictory"—butIwasthereandIclaimwetookaterriblelicking.

           Sixweekslater(andfeelingaboutsixtyyearsolder)atFleetBaseonSanctuaryIboardedanothergroundboatandreportedfordutytoShip’sSergeantJelalintheRodgerYoung.Iwaswearing,inmypiercedleftearlobe,abrokenskullwithonebone.AlJenkinswaswithmeandwaswearingoneexactlylikeit(Kittennevermadeitoutofthetube).ThefewsurvivingWildcatsweredistributedelsewherearoundtheFleet;wehadlosthalfourstrength,about,inthecollisionbetweentheValleyForgeandtheYpres;thatdisastrousmessonthegroundhadrunourcasualtiesupover80percentandthepowers-that-bedecidedthatitwasimpossibletoputtheoutfitbacktogetherwiththesurvivors—closeitout,puttherecordsinthearchives,andwaituntilthescarshadhealedbeforereactivatingCompanyK(Wildcats)withnewfacesbutoldtraditions.

           Besides,therewerealotofemptyfilestofillinotheroutfits.SergeantJelalwelcomeduswarmly,toldusthatwewerejoiningasmartoutfit,"bestintheFleet,"inatautship,anddidn’tseemtonoticeourearskulls.LaterthatdayhetookusforwardtomeettheLieutenant,whosmiledrathershylyandgaveusafatherlylittletalk.InoticedthatAlJenkinswasn’twearinghisgoldskull.NeitherwasI—becauseIhadalreadynoticedthatnobodyinRasczak’sRoughnecksworetheskulls.