Звездный десант

           Besides,itwasalotlessnerve-rackingtogetaplatoonthatwaythanbysuddencatastropheinbattle.

           Itookmyjobveryseriously,foritwasmyplatoon—theT.O.saidso.ButIhadnotyetlearnedtodelegateauthorityand,foraboutaweek,Iwasaroundtroopers’countrymuchmorethanisgoodforateam.Blackiecalledmeintohisstateroom."Son,whatinNeddoyouthinkyouaredoing?"

           IansweredstifflythatIwastryingtogetmyplatoonreadyforaction.

           "So?Well,that’snotwhatyouareaccomplishing.Youarestirringthemlikeanestofwildbees.WhythedeucedoyouthinkIturnedovertoyouthebestsergeantintheFleet?Ifyouwillgotoyourstateroom,hangyourselfonahook,andstaythere!...until‘PrepareforAction’issounded,he’llhandthatplatoonovertoyoutunedlikeaviolin."

           "AstheCaptainpleases,sir,"Iagreedglumly.

           "Andthat’sanotherthing--Ican’tstandanofficerwhoactslikeaconfoundedkaydet.Forgetthatsillythird-persontalkaroundme—saveitforgeneralsandtheSkipper.Quitbracingyourshouldersandclickingyourheels.Officersaresupposedtolookrelaxed,son."

           "Yes,sir."

           "Andletthatbethelasttimeyousay‘sir’tomeforonesolidweek.Sameforsaluting.Getthatgrimkaydetlookoffyourfaceandhangasmileonit."

           "Yes,s—Okay."

           "That’sbetter.Leanagainstthebulkhead.Scratchyourself.Yawn.