Звездный десант
Chapter 12
IguessthehighpointinmywholecadetcoursewasavisitfromEnsign
Ibanez,sheofthedarkeyes,juniorwatchofficerandpilot-under-instructionoftheCorvetteTransportMannerheim.Carmencitashowedup,lookingincrediblypertinNavydresswhitesandaboutthesizeofapaperweight,whilemyclasswaslinedupforeveningmealmuster--walkeddownthelineandyoucouldheareyeballsclickasshepassed—walkedstraightuptothedutyofficerandaskedformebynameinaclear,penetratingvoice.
Thedutyofficer,CaptainChandar,waswidelybelievednevertohavesmiledathisownmother,buthesmileddownatlittleCarmen,straininghisfaceoutofshape,andadmittedmyexistence...whereuponshewavedherlongblacklashesathim,explainedthathershipwasabouttoboostandcouldshepleasetakemeouttodinner?
AndIfoundmyselfinpossessionofahighlyirregularandtotallyunprecedentedthree-hourpass.ItmaybethattheNavyhasdevelopedhypnosistechniquesthattheyhavenotyetgottenaroundtopassingontotheArmy.OrhersecretweaponmaybeolderthanthatandnotusablebyM.I.InanycaseInotonlyhadawonderfultimebutmyprestigewithmyclassmates,nonetoohighuntilthen,climbedtoamazingheights.
Itwasagloriouseveningandwellworthflunkingtwoclassesthenextday.
