Звездный десант

           IateaboutfourtimeswhatInormallydoandwasheditdownwithmugaftermugofcoffeewithcreamandlotsofsugar—Iwouldhaveeatenasharkwithoutstoppingtoskinhim.

           JenkinsshowedupwithCorporalBronskibehindhimasIwasstartingonseconds.TheystoppedforamomentatatablewhereZimwaseatingalone,thenJenkinsslumpedontoavacantstoolbymine.Helookedmightyseedy-pale,exhausted,andhisbreathrasping.Isaid,"Here,letmepouryousomecoffee."

           Heshookhishead.

           "Youbettereat,"Iinsisted."Somescrambledeggs—they’llgodowneasily."

           "Can’teat.Oh,thatdirty,dirtyso-and-so."HebegancussingoutZiminalow,almostexpressionlessmonotone."AllIaskedhimwastoletmegoliedownandskipbreakfast.Bronskiwouldn’tletme—saidIhadtoseethecompanycommander.SoIdidandItoldhimIwassick,Itoldhim.Hejustfeltmycheekandcountedmypulseandtoldmesickcallwasnineo’clock.Wouldn’tletmegobacktomytent.Oh,thatrat!I’llcatchhimonadarknight,Iwill."

           Ispoonedoutsomeeggsforhimanywayandpouredcoffee.Presentlyhebegantoeat.SergeantZimgotuptoleavewhilemostofuswerestilleating,andstoppedbyourtable."Jenkins."

           "Uh?Yes,sir."

           "Atoh-nine-hundredmusterforsickcallandseethedoctor."

           Jenkins’jawmusclestwitched.Heansweredslowly,"Idon’tneedanypills—sir.I’llgetby."

           "Oh-nine-hundred.That’sanorder."Heleft.

           Jenkinsstartedhismonotonouschantagain