Звездный десант

           Intheafternoonswewerecadetsand"gentlemen,"andrecitedonandwerelecturedconcerninganendlesslistofsubjects:math,science,galactography,xenology,hypnopedia,logistics,strategyandtactics,communications,militarylaw,terrainreading,specialweapons,psychologyofleadership,anythingfromthecareandfeedingofprivatestowhyXerxeslostthebigone.Mostespeciallyhowtobeaone-mancatastropheyourselfwhilekeepingtrackoffiftyothermen,nursingthem,lovingthem,leadingthem,savingthem—butneverbabyingthem.Wehadbeds,whichweusedalltoolittle;wehadroomsandshowersandinsideplumbing;andeachfourcandidateshadacivilianservant,tomakeourbedsandcleanourroomsandshineourshoesandlayoutouruniformsandrunerrands.Thisservicewasnotintendedasaluxuryandwasnot;itspurposewastogivethestudentmoretimetoaccomplishtheplainlyimpossiblebyrelievinghimofthingsanygraduateofBasiccanalreadydoperfectly.

           Sixdaysshaltthouworkanddoallthouartable,Thesevenththesameandpoundonthecable.

           OrtheArmyversionends:--andcleanoutthestable,whichshowsyouhowmanycenturiesthissortofthinghasbeengoingon.IwishIcouldcatchjustoneofthosecivilianswhothinkweloafandputthemthroughonemonthofO.C.S.

           IntheeveningsandalldaySundayswestudieduntiloureyesburnedandourearsached—thenslept(ifweslept)withahypnopedicspeakerdroningawayunderthepillow.