Звездный десант

           YouwillservetenhoursextradutyeachSunday,thetimetobeadjustedtopermityoutoattenddivineservicesifyousoelect."

           (Ithought:Ohmy!Hethrewthebook.)

           CaptainFrankelwenton:"Hendrick,theonlyreasonyouaregettingoffsolightlyisthatIamnotpermittedtogiveyouanymorethanthatwithoutconveningacourt-martial...andIdon’twanttospoilyourcompany’srecord.Dismissed."Hedroppedhiseyesbacktothepapersonhisdesk,theincidentalreadyforgotten—

           andHendrickyelled,"Youdidn’thearmysideofit!"

           TheCaptainlookedup."Oh.Sorry.Youhaveaside?"

           "YoudarnrightIdo!SergeantZim’sgotitinforme!He’sbeenridingme,ridingme,ridingme,alldaylongfromthetimeIgothere!He—"

           "That’shisjob,"theCaptainsaidcoldly."Doyoudenythetwochargesagainstyou?"

           "No,but—Hedidn’ttellyouIwaslyingonananthill!"

           Frankellookeddisgusted."Oh.Soyouwouldgetyourselfkilledandperhapsyourteammatesaswellbecauseofafewlittleants?"

           "Not‘justafew’—therewerehundredsof‘em.Stingers."

           "So?Youngman,letmeputyoustraight.Haditbeenanestofrattlesnakesyouwouldstillhavebeenexpected—andrequired—tofreeze."Frankelpaused."Haveyouanythingatalltosayinyourowndefense?"

           Hendrick’smouthwasopen."Icertainlydo!Hehitme!Helaidhandsonme!Thewholebunchof‘emarealwaysstruttingaroundwiththosesillybatons,whackin’youacrossthefanny,punchin’youbetweentheshouldersandtellin’youtobraceupandIputupwithit.