Звездный десант

           Hewaslyinginhisbunk,readingabook,SpaceRangersagainsttheGalaxy--aprettygoodyarn,exceptthatIdoubtifamilitaryoutfiteverhadsomanyadventuresandsofewgoof-offs.Theshiphadagoodlibrary.

           "Ace.Gottoseeyou."

           Heglancedup."So?Ijustlefttheship,I’moffduty."

           "I’vegottoseeyounow.Putyourbookdown."

           "What’ssoachingurgent?I’vegottofinishthischapter."

           "Oh,comeoffit,Ace.Ifyoucan’twait,I’lltellyouhowitcomesout."

           "YoudoandI’llclobberyou."Butheputthebookdown,satup,andlistened.

           Isaid,"Ace,aboutthismatterofthesectionorganization—you’reseniortome,yououghttobeassistantsectionleader."

           "Oh,soit’sthatagain!"

           "Yep.IthinkyouandIoughttogoseeJohnsonandgethimtofixitupwithJelly."

           "Youdo,eh?"

           "Yes,Ido.That’showit’sgottobe."

           "So?Look,Shortie,letmeputyoustraight.Igotnothingagainstyouatall.Matteroffact,youwereonthebouncethatdaywehadtopickupDizzy;I’llhandyouthat.Butifyouwantasquad,yougodiguponeofyourown.Don’tgoeyingmine.Why,myboyswouldn’tevenpeelpotatoesforyou."

           "That’syourfinalword?"

           "That’smyfirst,last,andonlyword."

           Isighed."Ithoughtitwouldbe.ButIhadtomakesure.