Звездный десант

           Hassan—"

           "Sir?"

           "ThesepipswerewornbyCaptainTerenceO’Kellyonhis‘prenticecruise.Doesitsuityoutowearthem?"

           "Sir?"TheAssassin’svoicesqueakedandIthoughtthebiglunkwasgoingtobreakintotears."Yes,sir!"

           "Comehere."ColonelNielssenpinnedthemon,thensaid,"Wearthemasgallantlyashedid...butbringthemback.Understandme?"

           "Yes,sir.I’lldomybest."

           "I’msureyouwill.There’sanaircarwaitingontheroofandyourboatboostsintwenty-eightminutes.Carryoutyourorders,sir!"

           TheAssassinsalutedandleft;theCommandantturnedandpickedoutanotherbox."Mr.Byrd,areyousuperstitious?"

           "No,sir."

           "Really?Iam,quite.Itakeityouwouldnotobjecttowearingpipswhichhavebeenwornbyfiveofficers,allofwhomwerekilledinaction?"

           Birdiebarelyhesitated."No,sir."

           "Good.Becausethesefiveofficersaccumulatedseventeencitations,fromtheTerranMedaltotheWoundedLion.Comehere.Thepipwiththebrowndiscolorationmustalwaysbewornonyourleftshoulder—anddon’ttrytobuffitoff!Justtrynottogettheotheronemarkedinthesamefashion.Unlessnecessary,andyou’llknowwhenitisnecessary.Hereisalistofformerwearers.Youhavethirtyminutesuntilyourtransportationleaves.BounceuptoMemorialHallandlookuptherecordofeach."

           "Yes,sir.