Звездный десант

           Inanycasewehadnoinstructorswoundedorkilledbyriflefire.Notraineeswerekilled,either,byriflebullets;thedeathswereallfromotherweaponsorthings—someofwhichcouldturnaroundandbiteyouifyoudidn’tdothingsbythebook.Well,oneboydidmanagetobreakhisnecktakingcovertooenthusiasticallywhentheyfirststartedshootingathim—butnobullettouchedhim.

           However,byachainreaction,thismatterofriflebulletsandtakingcoverbroughtmetomylowestebbatCampCurrie.InthefirstplaceIhadbeenbustedoutofmybootchevrons,notoverwhatIdidbutoversomethingoneofmysquaddidwhenIwasn’tevenaround...whichIpointedout.Bronskitoldmetobuttonmylip.SoIwenttoseeZimaboutit.HetoldmecoldlythatIwasresponsibleforwhatmymendid,regardless...andtackedonsixhoursofextradutybesidesbustingmeforhavingspokentohimaboutitwithoutBronski’spermission.ThenIgotaletterthatupsetmealot;mymotherfinallywrotetome.ThenIsprainedashoulderinmyfirstdrillwithpoweredarmor(they’vegotthosepracticesuitsriggedsothattheinstructorcancausecasualtiesinthesuitatwill,byradiocontrol;Igotdumpedandhurtmyshoulder)andthisputmeonlightdutywithtoomuchtimetothinkatatimewhenIhadmanyreasons,itseemedtome,tofeelsorryformyself.

           Becauseof"lightduty"Iwasorderlythatdayinthebattalioncommander’soffice.Iwaseageratfirst,forIhadneverbeentherebeforeandwantedtomakeagoodimpression.