Звездный десант

           Iwenttomyroomandstartedpacking,asIwasshippingoutearlyinthemorning—packingtosendstuffhome,Imean;WeisshadcautionedmenottotakealonganythingbutfamilyphotographsandpossiblyamusicalinstrumentifIplayedone(whichIdidn’t).Carlhadshippedoutthreedaysearlier,havinggottentheR&Dassignmenthewanted.Iwasjustasglad,ashewouldhavebeenjusttooconfoundedunderstandingaboutthebilletIhaddrawn.LittleCarmenhadshippedout,too,withtherankofcadetmidshipman(probationary)—shewasgoingtobeapilot,allright,ifshecouldcutit...andIsuspectedthatshecould.

           MytemporaryroomiecameinwhileIwaspacking."Gotyourorders?"heasked.

           "Yup."

           "What?"

           "MobileInfantry."

           "TheInfantry?Oh,youpoorstupidclown!Ifeelsorryforyou,Ireallydo."

           Istraightenedupandsaidangrily,"Shutup!TheMobileInfantryisthebestoutfitintheArmy—itistheArmy!Therestofyoujerksarejustalongtohandusthesaw—wedothework."

           Helaughed."You’llfindout!"

           "Youwantamouthfulofknuckles?"