Звездный десант

           SergeantZimwhirledtofacehim,whilekickingoutandgettingHeinrichinthebelly—andthenMeyerwassailingthroughtheair,hislungehelpedalongwithaheartyassistfromZim.

           ButallIamsureofisthatthefightstartedandthenthereweretwoGermanboyssleepingpeacefully,almostendtoend,onefacedownandonefaceup,andZimwasstandingoverthem,notevenbreathinghard."Jones,"hesaid."No,Jonesleft,didn’the?Mahmud!Let’shavethewaterbucket,thenstickthembackintotheirsockets.Who’sgotmytoothpick?"

           Afewmomentslaterthetwowereconscious,wet,andbackinranks.Zimlookedatusandinquiredgently,"Anybodyelse?Orshallwegetonwithsetting-upexercises?"

           Ididn’texpectanybodyelseandIdoubtifhedid.Butfromdownontheleftflank,wheretheshortieshungout,aboysteppedoutofranks,camefrontandcenter.Zimlookeddownathim."Justyou?Ordoyouwanttopickapartner?"

           "Justmyself,sir."

           "Asyousay.Name?"

           "Shujumi,sir."

           Zim’seyeswidened."AnyrelationtoColonelShujumi?"

           "Ihavethehonortobehisson,sir."

           "Ahso!Well!BlackBelt?"

           "No,sir.Notyet."

           "I’mgladyouqualifiedthat.Well,Shujumi,arewegoingtousecontestrules,orshallIsendfortheambulance?"

           "Asyouwish,sir.ButIthink,ifImaybepermittedanopinion,thatcontestruleswouldbemoreprudent."

           "Idon’tknowjusthowyoumeanthat,butIagree."Zimtossedhisbadgeofauthorityaside,then,sohelpme,theybackedoff,facedeachother,andbowed.