Article 174661 of talk.bizarre:
Path: chaph.usc.edu!usc!phakt.usc.edu!not-for-mail
From: pechever@phakt.usc.edu (Heckler)
Newsgroups: talk.bizarre
Subject: Arcanum 28 (The Soldier)
Date: 1 Nov 1993 02:25:57 -0800
Organization: Pheromone-Infested Tessellated Hypersphere
Lines: 45
Sender: pechever@phakt.usc.edu
Distribution: world
Message-ID: <2b2o7l$r5m@phakt.usc.edu>
NNTP-Posting-Host: phakt.usc.edu
Summary: victory in defeat, defeat in victory
Keywords: tarot cards your romany grandmother didn't tell you about
X-Mad-Props-To: Sting, for 'Russians'

"Get out there, Hastings."

"No."

The sergeant's fist made a dull sound when it smacked into the young PFC's
stomach.  Hastings got to his feet slowly, then said, "You don't understand,
sarge, I'll die if I go out there--"

The sergeant went for the face, this time, and continued the attack until
Hastings lay panting and bruised in a corner of the French cave while the rest
of the company looked on uncomfortably.

"Get _out_ there, Hastings, or so help me I'll trigger you where you stand."

"That won't do you any good and you know it.  I have to cooperate for the
talent to work; you'll just waste a trigger while giving them time to dig in
that much deeper."

Again, the sergeant raised an arm as if to strike him, but lowered it with a
look of disgust and frustration on his face.  "All right, then, Hastings, why
won't you go?"

"It'll kill me."

"No it won't, you twit; the meds vetted you for that kind of thing."

"They didn't do it right, sarge.  The med was in a hurry; she was shipping out
that afternoon, and she just wanted to be done and out of there.  I had some
med training--I _know_ she messed up--"

"Sure, Hastings.  Did you seriously think that line would work?  Get your 
yellow butt out on that field before I drag you out."

"But--"

"Out!"

			-	*	-

They sent Hastings' ashes home in an envelope.

heckler
-- 
"I have my submissive days.  (leer) This isn't one of them."
					- SO quote file