Звездный десант

           andhadjusthadaparticularlylongandcomplicatedBugnightmare.ButIwasnotatO.C.S.;IwasinatemporarysickbayofthetransportArgonne,andIreallyhadhadaplatoonofmyownfornearlytwelvehours.

           ButnowIwasjustonemorepatient,sufferingfromnitrousoxidepoisoningandoverexposuretoradiationthroughbeingoutofarmorforoveranhourbeforebeingretrieved,plusbrokenribsandaknockintheheadwhichhadputmeoutofaction.

           ItwasalongtimebeforeIgoteverythingstraightaboutOperationRoyaltyandsomeofitI’llneverknow.WhyBrumbytookhissectionunderground,forexample.BrumbyisdeadandNaidiboughtthefarmnexttohisandI’msimplygladthattheybothgottheirchevronsandwerewearingthemthatdayonPlanetPwhennothingwentaccordingtoplan.

           Ididlearn,eventually,whymyplatoonsergeantdecidedtogodownintothatBugtown.HehadheardmyreporttoCaptainBlackstonethatthe"majorbreakthrough"wasactuallyafeint,madewithworkerssentuptobeslaughtered.WhenrealwarriorBugsbrokeoutwherehewas,hehadconcluded(correctlyandminutessoonerthanStaffreachedthesameconclusion)thattheBugsweremakingadesperationpush,ortheywouldnotexpendtheirworkerssimplytodrawourfire.