"
"I liked serving with all of you, too," Rip replied. "I watched the way
you all behaved when the space flap was getting tough, and it made me
proud to be a Planeteer."
Maj. Joe Barris came in. He was carrying an envelope in his hand.
"Hello, Rip. How are you, Koa? Am I interrupting a private talk?"
"No, Major," Koa replied. "We're just passing the time. Want me to
leave?"
"Stay here," Barris said. "This concerns you, too. I've been reassigned.
My eight years on the platform are up, and that's all an instructor gets.
Now I'm off for space on another job."
Rip knew that instructors were assigned for eight-year periods. And he
knew that the major's specialty was the Planeteer science of exploration,
a specialty which required him to be an expert in biology, zoology,
anthropology, navigation and astrogation, and land fighting--not to
mention a half dozen lesser things. Only ten Planeteers rated expert in
exploration, and all were captains or majors.
"Where are you going?" Rip asked. "Off to explore something?"
"That's it." Major Barris smiled. "Remember once I said that when they
gave me the job of cleaning up the goopies on Ganymede, I'd ask for you
as a platoon leader?"
Rip stared.
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