Steel Walls and Dirt Drops by Alan Black Read Free Book Online

people.”
    “Yes, sir. I have not been able to meet with all of my people yet, just my seconds. However, according to my organizational chart, we are sufficiently staffed for most medical problems. Does Dr. Dimms have a staffing problem that precludes inter-service medical attention? I am sure my people could lend a hand.”
    “No , quite the opposite,” Britaine flashed a brilliant smile at her. “Puke has got an excellent staff. We find that on the Kiirkegaard it works best for Puke to handle mainly FAC crews, plus a few other select officers like yourself as ranking commander of your forces. He has a competent staff to handle the rest of the officers and crew. It helps to split the duties up for more specialized care.”
    Britaine stepped to the hatch of his office and bellowed, “Spacer, coffee in here.” He turned back to Misha and said, “Or would you prefer another beverage? No? Well, if I recall Third Cans mostly carried his own drink.”
    Misha heard sniggers from one or two of the officers in the room, but she decided to ignore it. Inter-service rivalry was as old as military service itself. However, she was surprised to see more than one officer roll their eyes or make a face behind Britaine’s back. She wondered if the facial expressions were directed at Britaine or because he mentioned Cans. It made her feel more confident to think that Britaine might not be as well liked by all of his crew as everyone pretended.
    Britaine smiled. “From what I have heard of you, Misha , you are just the gal to whip his old bunch of mud crawlers into shape. About your seconds, you will find your predecessor was a bit lax about them. It seems he let them run loose. Please don’t get me wrong. I am not about to tell you how to command your people. That is your business.”
    She said, “Third Cans may have been a bit lax about a few things, sir, but, I can assure you my seconds and I will get things in order well before we drop planetary.” Before she could say anything else a master sergeant brought in a tray with coffee and condiments.
    Britaine said to the man, “Spacer , why didn’t you bring us some donuts or cookies from the officer’s mess? I know they have them. And get a haircut, too. Dammit, man! At least try to look good even if you aren’t any good at your job.”
    Misha was aghast , but kept her face neutral. Spacer was a generalized name for the lower third of the nine enlisted ranks. It was never used on a sergeant or above. Sergeant was a title reserved for the middle three ranks. Proper military courtesy was to call a master sergeant by his full title of master sergeant, a senior master sergeant was a senior master or simply senior, and the top enlisted rank was the chief master sergeant or chief, an exalted and rarefied position. Calling a master sergeant a spacer was an insult that any enlisted man would not let pass if voiced by another enlisted. Misha could see no change of expression in the master sergeant’s demeanor. She wondered, “Surely the colonel knows the rankings of his own service.”
    Britaine continued, “Now, Misha. Your seconds are sort of like our enlisted noncoms or sergeants. So, I would appreciate it if you kept them out of officer’s country unless they are on official business.”
    Misha said, “Sir, I am sure you know we consider all APES to be enlisted. We don’t have officers at any command level.”
    “Tut tut, Misha, we know that is the APES official propaganda, but we also all know differently, don’t we? The cream always rises to the top. And on the Kiirkegaard, we like to separate the cream from the milk.”
    “Excuse me, sir. But-”
    Britaine interrupted with a smile, “Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it soon enough. Besides, I don’t think you will be deployed here very long. We can get to your engagement orders quickly. As I said before, Third Cans was a bit lax. I believe we did not start off on the right foot here, Misha.” He gave her