Звездный десант

Chapter 12

           "

           "Whynot?True,wemakepickup.Butwedoitunderdifferent

           circumstancesfromawet-navybattle,andbyorderstothemanmakingpickup.Butpickupisneveranexcuseforbreakingoffbattleinthepresenceoftheenemy.Thisboy’sfamilytriedforacenturyandahalftogethisconvictionreversed.Noluck,ofcourse.Therewasdoubtaboutsomecircumstancesbutnodoubtthathehadlefthispostduringbattlewithoutorders.True,hewasgreenasgrassbuthewasluckynottobehanged."ColonelNielssenfixedmewithacoldeye."Mr.Ricocouldthishappentoyou?"

           Igulped."Ihopenot,sir."

           "Letmetellyouhowitcouldonthisvery‘prenticecruise.Suppose

           youareinamultiple-shipoperation,withafullregimentinthedrop.Officersdropfirst,ofcourse.Thereareadvantagestothisanddisadvantages,butwedoitforreasonsofmorale;notroopereverhitsthegroundonahostileplanetwithoutanofficer.AssumetheBugsknowthisandtheymay.Supposetheyworkupsometricktowipeoutthosewhohitthegroundfirst...butnotgoodenoughtowipeoutthewholedrop.Nowsuppose,sinceyouareasupernumerary,youhavetotakeanyvacantcapsuleinsteadofbeingfiredwiththefirstwave.Wheredoesthatleaveyou?"

           "Uh,I’mnotsure,sir."

           "Youhavejustinheritedcommandofaregiment.Whatareyougoingtodo?Withyourcommand,Mister?TalkfasttheBugswon’twait!"

           "Uh...

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