Звездный десант

           Idon’twanthimbackinhisoldjobwithsomebodypromotedoverhishead;he’dlikelyturnsourandI’dhaveanevenworsesoftspot.Ifhecan’thaveanotherchevron,heoughttogotorepple-deppleforcadre.Thenhewon’tbehumiliatedandhegetsafairshaketomakesergeantinanotherteam—insteadofadeadendhere."

           "Really?"Blackiedidnotquitesneer."Afterthatmasterlyanalysis,applyyourpowersofdeductionandtellmewhyLieutenantSilvafailedtotransferhimthreeweeksagowhenwearrivedaroundSanctuary."

           Ihadwonderedaboutthat.Thetimetotransferamanistheearliestpossibleinstantafteryoudecidetolethimgo—andwithoutwarning;it’sbetterforthemanandtheteam—sosaysthebook.Isaidslowly,"WasLieutenantSilvaalreadyillatthattime,Captain?"

           "No."

           Thepiecesmatched."Captain,IrecommendedBrumbyforimmediatepromotion."

           Hiseyebrowsshotup."Aminuteagoyouwereabouttodumphimasuseless."

           "Uh,notquite.Isaidithadtobeoneortheother--butIdidn’tknowwhich.NowIknow."

           "Continue."

           "Uh,thisassumesthatLieutenantSilvaisanefficientofficer—"

           "Hummmph!Mister,foryourinformation,‘Quick’Silvahasanunbrokenstringof‘Excellent—RecommendedforPromotion’onhisFormThirty-One."

           "ButIknewthathewasgood,"Iplowedon,"becauseIinheritedagoodplatoon.