Звездный десант
Chapter 12
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"Whynot?True,wemakepickup.Butwedoitunderdifferent
circumstancesfromawet-navybattle,andbyorderstothemanmakingpickup.Butpickupisneveranexcuseforbreakingoffbattleinthepresenceoftheenemy.Thisboy’sfamilytriedforacenturyandahalftogethisconvictionreversed.Noluck,ofcourse.Therewasdoubtaboutsomecircumstancesbutnodoubtthathehadlefthispostduringbattlewithoutorders.True,hewasgreenasgrass—buthewasluckynottobehanged."ColonelNielssenfixedmewithacoldeye."Mr.Rico—couldthishappentoyou?"
Igulped."Ihopenot,sir."
"Letmetellyouhowitcouldonthisvery‘prenticecruise.Suppose
youareinamultiple-shipoperation,withafullregimentinthedrop.Officersdropfirst,ofcourse.Thereareadvantagestothisanddisadvantages,butwedoitforreasonsofmorale;notroopereverhitsthegroundonahostileplanetwithoutanofficer.AssumetheBugsknowthis—andtheymay.Supposetheyworkupsometricktowipeoutthosewhohitthegroundfirst...butnotgoodenoughtowipeoutthewholedrop.Nowsuppose,sinceyouareasupernumerary,youhavetotakeanyvacantcapsuleinsteadofbeingfiredwiththefirstwave.Wheredoesthatleaveyou?"
"Uh,I’mnotsure,sir."
"Youhavejustinheritedcommandofaregiment.Whatareyougoingtodo?Withyourcommand,Mister?Talkfast—theBugswon’twait!"
"Uh...
