Strong Arm Tactics Read Online Free Page A

he observed the thin stream of water dribbling out of the showerhead, like the output of an incontinent dog. He felt the water; at least it wasn’t cold. The heating elements still functioned correctly. He’d have to see about getting a plumber out here to check the pipes and the pressure feed. He stepped into the stall and pulled the curtain closed.
    The only non-regulation thing he had in his possession was a card the size of a credit chit attached with a glue-square to the skin over his sternum. Before he turned into the weak spray of water, he examined the card. It was the only thing he owned that he didn’t dare let out of his possession at any time.
    O O O
    Wolfe dried himself off and shouldered into the singlet that went under his uniform, making sure the card was still firmly attached to his skin. He started when the adjutant came into the room behind him and cleared his throat. Wolfe hastily lowered his undershirt and shrugged into his blue-gray fatigue jacket.
    “They’re ready for inspection, sir,” the adjutant said, saluting smartly, and swung around again, heading out the door.
    Wolfe brushed imaginary dust off his insignia. Just before he stepped outside he felt the middle of his chest to make sure the card was secure.
    ***

Chapter 2
    Raucous conversation dropped into silence as soon as they opened the door. X-Ray Company leaped off unmade bunks, aged chairs and battered star chests to attention as Wolfe came in behind the Thielind.
    He did the inspection walk again. This time it felt more real than it had on the parade ground. It was just dawning on him: he had a command—all right, the crappiest one in the space service, but it was all his. He had to swallow the grin he felt pinning back the corners of his mouth. Here was the beginning of his rise to the top. He’d show those doubters that he was more than just his father’s son. Here was the beginning of the change for good that he could make in the universe. With a proprietary swagger he sauntered down the center of the long room.
    Like his quarters, the barracks was bog-standard. The biggest difference between this place and the barracks he’d last occupied, as a second lieutenant, had to be the wear and tear. Everything here must be hand-me-downs dating back decades, maybe even centuries. The lavatory facilities he could see through the open door bore the patina of ages, the porcelain riddled with small cracks and the chrome worn off the metal spigots. Hovel, Sweet Hovel , he thought, but it’s mine, all mine.
    At least no one felt crowded. With a unit this small there was no need for tiered bunks. Everyone had a single bed, spaced from the ones on either side by upright lockers that also gave the sleeper a measure of privacy.
    And now, to get to know the spacers who inhabited this dormitory. It wasn’t going to be easy. The faces sized Wolfe up as he walked up and down the center aisle. Their expressions said they weren’t impressed by what they saw.
    “At ease,” he ordered, looking around at them. He gave them a smile, hoping it didn’t look nervous or insincere. “This is a casual visit. You all probably know this is my first command. The first-lieutenant bars are fresh off the card. I haven’t got any bad habits to unlearn.”
    “Too bad,” someone snickered low under his breath. A low titter of laughter ran through the room. Wolfe decided to pretend he didn’t hear it.
    “I know a lot of you have been together for a long time. You’ll have to adapt to my style, but I’ve got to learn about you if we’re to work effectively together.”
    Dead silence. Wolfe shrugged. The words hadn’t sounded sincere or convincing even to him. He wished he had gone ahead and written down the brilliant remarks he had conceived when he first learned he was getting a command. Those would’ve rocked ’em in the aisles. Instead, they looked at him as though he’d just piddled on the floor. Maybe he ought to—that would get their