Звездный десант

           "

           "Youtoldusnottoattackwhentheybreakout.Iftheybreakout.Whatarewetodo?Arewejustspectators?"

           Therewasalongishdelay,fifteenortwentyseconds,andhemayhaveconsulted"upstairs."Atlasthesaid,"Mr.Rico,youarenottoattackatornearEasterTen.Anywhereelse—theideaistohuntBugs."

           "Yes,sir."Iagreedhappily."WehuntBugs."

           "Johnnie!"hesaidsharply."IfyougohuntingmedalsinsteadofBugsandIfindout--you’regoingtohaveamightysad-lookingFormThirty-One!"

           "Captain,"Isaidearnestly,"Idon’teverwanttowinamedal.TheideaistohuntBugs."

           "Right.Nowquitbotheringme."

           Icalledmyplatoonsergeant,explainedthenewlimitsunderwhichwewouldwork,toldhimtopassthewordalongandtomakesurethateachman’ssuitwasfreshlycharged,airandpower.

           "We’vejustfinishedthat,sir.Isuggestthatwerelievethemenwithyou."Henamedthreereliefs.

           Thiswasreasonable,asmygroundlistenershadhadnotimetorecharge.Butthereliefshenamedwereallscouts.

           SilentlyIcussedmyselfforutterstupidity.Ascout’ssuitisasfastasacommandsuit,twicethespeedofamarauder.Ihadbeenhavinganaggingfeelingofsomethingleftundone,andhadcheckeditofftothenervousnessIalwaysfeelaroundBugs.

           NowIknew.