Звездный десант

           Whatwilltheyneed?"

           "HowshouldIknow?IfMajorLandrywantsyoutotakeoffyourskinanddanceinyourbones,doit!"

           "Yes,sir.MajorLandry."

           Irelayedthewordandsetupabodyguardbysub-areas.ThenImetthemastheyarrivedbecauseIwascurious;Ihadneverseenaspecialtalentatwork.Theylandedinsidemyrightflankrearandgotout.MajorLandryandtwoofficerswerewearingarmorandhandflamersbutthetalenthadnoarmorandnoweapons—justanoxygenmask.Hewasdressedinafatigueuniformwithoutinsigniaandheseemedterriblyboredbyeverything.Iwasnotintroducedtohim.Helookedlikeasixteen-yearoldboy...untilIgotcloseandsawanetworkofwrinklesaroundhiswearyeyes.

           Ashegotouthetookoffhisbreathingmask.Iwashorrified,soIspoketoMajorLandry,helmettohelmetwithoutradio."Major—theairaroundhereis‘hot.’Besidesthat,we’vebeenwarnedthat—"

           "Pipedown,"saidtheMajor."Heknowsit."

           Ishutup.Thetalentstrolledashortdistance,turnedandpulledhislowerlip.Hiseyeswereclosedandheseemedlostinthought.

           Heopenedthemandsaidfretfully,"Howcanonebeexpectedtoworkwithallthosesillypeoplejumpingaround?"

           MajorLandrysaidcrisply,"Groundyourplatoon.