Starfist: Kingdom's Swords
Chapter One
Big Barb's, the combination bar, bordello, and ship's chandlers that
served as third platoon's headquarters when the men were on liberty
in Bronnysund, was jumping.
To start the evening out, Gunnery Sergeant Charlie Bass, along with
Joe Dean, Rock Claypoole, and some others, had shoved three tables
together in what they called the banquet room and ordered beer.
Hours had passed, during which the other members of third platoon
had trooped in by ones and twos, each new arrival greeted by loud
cheers and hardy backslapping. Eventually almost the entire platoon
was crowded around the tables, drinking, eating, and singing, as
Bass held court at one end. Sitting nearby was Lance Corporal Chan,
the unofficial honoree of the evening. Chan would soon be the newest
corporal in third platoon, and Bass and the other NCOs were flexing
their arms and clenching their fists in anticipation of the
pinning-on ceremony. Chan sipped his beer happily, eagerly
anticipating the sore shoulders that would plague him for a week
after Captain Conorado pinned on the new chevrons.
Owen the woo perch ... read full excerpt from: Starfist: Kingdom's Sword ebook
