Звездный десант
Chapter 14
"
Ifeltmyselfbeginningtoshake.ItwasareliefwhenIcouldcallthemtoattentionagainandadd:"Bysections...portandstarboard...preparefordrop!"
IwasallrightthenwhileIinspectedeachmanintohiscocoondownoneside,withJimmieandtheplatoonsergeanttakingtheother.ThenwebuttonedJimmieintotheNo.3center-linecapsule.Oncehisfacewascoveredup,theshakesreallyhitme.
Myplatoonsergeantputhisarmaroundmyarmoredshoulders."Justlikeadrill,Son."
"Iknowit,Father."Istoppedshakingatonce."It’sthewaiting,that’sall."
"Iknow.Fourminutes.Shallwegetbuttonedup,sir?"
"Rightaway,Father."Igavehimaquickhug,lettheNavydropcrewsealusin.Theshakesdidn’tstartupagain.ShortlyIwasabletoreport:
"Bridge!Rico’sRoughnecks...readyfordrop!"
"Thirty-oneseconds,Lieutenant."Sheadded,"Goodluck,boys!Thistimewetake‘em!"
"Right,Captain."
"Check.Nowsomemusicwhileyouwait?"Sheswitchediton:
"TotheeverlastinggloryoftheInfantry—"
