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This was some improvement in the way things were going. The older Haer was scowling at him. "Confound it, what are you doing with no more rank than captain? On the face of it, you're an old hand, a highly experienced veteran." An old pro, we call ourselves, Joe said to himself. Old pros, we call ourselves, among ourselves. Aloud, he said, "I was born a Mid-Lower, sir."
When he'd returned to his chair, he said, "Why did you join up with Baron Haer, Max?" The other shrugged it off. "The usual. The excitement. The idea of all those fans watching me on Telly. The share of common stock I'll get. And, you never know, maybe a promotion in caste. I wouldn't mind making Upper-Lower."
Joe had been able to take immediate delivery of one kilted uniform. Now, inside his quarters, he began stripping out of his jacket. Somewhat to his surprise, the small man he had selected earlier in the day to be his batman entered from an inner room, also resplendent in the Haer uniform and obviously happily so.
The infantry officer the younger Haer had introduced as Lieutenant Colonel Warren, of Stonewall Cogswell's staff, said idly, "Ambitions? Does the captain have ambitions? How in Zen can a Middle have ambitions, Balt?" He stared at Joe Mauser superciliously, but then scowled. "Haven't I seen you somewhere before?" Joe said evenly, "Yes, sir.
Either that or they're inexperienced Low-Lowers, too stupid to realize they're sticking their necks out. Not one man in ten is a veteran. And when things begin to pickle, you want veterans." Baron Malcolm Haer sat back in his chair and stared coldly at Captain Joe Mauser.
A Nathan Forrest fracas, sir. A matter of getting there fustest with the mostest." Balt Haer said amusedly. "Thanks for your opinion, captain. Fortunately, our staff has already come largely to the same conclusions. Undoubtedly, they'll be glad to hear your wide experience bears them out." Joe said evenly, "It's a rather obvious conclusion, of course."
But seriously, Captain Mauser, what do you think the chances of Vacuum Tube Transport are in this fracas?" Joe looked into the camera lens, earnestly. "The best, of course, or I wouldn't have signed up with Baron Haer, Freddy. Justice triumphs, and anybody who is familiar with the issues in this fracas, knows that Baron Haer is on the side of true right."
"You first used your glider in that fracas for father and Vacuum Tube Transport. Now that the commission has ruled against gliders, Balt, now head of the family, has been both fined and expelled from Category Military for life. It hasn't exactly improved his liking for you." Joe hadn't heard of it, however, he had little sympathy for Balt Haer, nor interest in him.
Joe Mauser's eyes shifted around the room, taking in the other four, who were now looking at him. Bait Haer rapped, "These members of my staff are all trusted Haer employees, Captain Mauser. They are not fly-by-night freelancers hired for a week or two." Joe said, "Yes, sir. But it's been my experience that one person can hold a secret.
Sjung mer, sjung mer, det haer sa godt En stund fa glaemma verldens hvimmel Och lyss till samklang ur en oeppnad himmel, Om ock foer en minut i droemma blott: Sjung mer, sjung mer, det goer mit hjaerta godt. Your voice, how beautiful, how wonderful!
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