Звездный десант

           WhatdoyouthinkI’vebeenwishingthepasthour?WhatdoyouthinkIwasafraidoffromthemomentIsawyoucomeinheresportingashiner?Ididmybesttobrushitoffwithadministrativepunishmentandtheyoungfoolwouldn’tletwellenoughalone.ButIneverthoughthewouldbecrazyenoughtoblurtoutthathehadhungoneonyou—he’sstupid;youshouldhaveeasedhimoutoftheoutfitweeksago...insteadofnursinghimalonguntilhegotintotrouble.Butblurtitouthedid,tome,infrontofwitnesses,forcingmetotakeofofficialnoticeofit—andthatlickedus.Nowaytogetitofftherecord,nowaytoavoidacourt...justgothroughthewholedrearymessandtakeourmedicine,andwindupwithonemorecivilianwho’llbeagainstustherestofhisdays.Becausehehastobeflogged;neitheryounorIcantakeitforhim,eventhoughthefaultwasours.Becausetheregimenthastoseewhathappenswhennine-oh-eight-ohisviolated.Ourfault...buthislumps."

           "Myfault,Captain.That’swhyIwanttobetransferred.Uh,sir,Ithinkit’sbestfortheoutfit."

           "Youdo,eh?ButIdecidewhat’sbestformybattalion,notyou,Sergeant.Charlie,whodoyouthinkpulledyournameoutofthehat?Andwhy?Thinkbacktwelveyears.Youwereacorporal,remember?Wherewereyou?"

           "Here,asyouknowquitewell,Captain.Righthereonthissamegodforsakenprairie—andIwishIhadnevercomebacktoit!"

           "Don’tweall.ButithappenstobethemostimportantandthemostdelicateworkintheArmy—turningunspankedyoungcubsintosoldiers.