Звездный десант
Chapter 13
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ForthenexttwoweeksIwasneversobusy—noteveninbootcamp.Workingasanordnance&armormechabouttenhoursadaywasnotallthatIdid.Math,ofcourse—andnowaytoduckitwiththeSkippertutoringme.Meals--sayanhourandahalfaday.Plusthemechanicsofstayingalive--shaving,showering,puttingbuttonsinuniformsandtryingtochasedowntheNavymaster-at-arms,gethimtounlockthelaundrytolocatecleanuniformstenminutesbeforeinspection.(ItisanunwrittenlawoftheNavythatfacilitiesmustalwaysbelockedwhentheyaremostneeded.)
Guardmount,parade,inspections,aminimumofplatoonroutine,tookanotherhouraday.Butbesides,Iwas"George."Everyoutfithasa"George."He’sthemostjuniorofficerandhastheextrajobs--athleticsofficer,mailcensor,refereeforcompetitions,schoolofficer,correspondencecoursesofficer,prosecutorcourts-martial,treasurerofthewelfaremutualloanfund,custodianofregisteredpublications,storesofficer,troopers’messofficer,etceteraadendlessnauseam.
RustyGrahamhadbeen"George"untilhehappilyturneditovertome.Hewasn’tsohappywhenIinsistedonasightinventoryoneverythingforwhichIhadtosign.HesuggestedthatifIdidn’thavesenseenoughtoacceptacommissionedofficer’ssignedinventorythenperhapsadirectorderwouldchangemytune.
