Man of Many MindsEvans, E. Everett (Edward Everett)
Science
Man of Many Minds
Evans, E. Everett (Edward Everett)
Extraterrestrial beings -- Fiction; Science fiction, American
The examining instructor, a man much larger and heavier than Hanlon's
five feet eleven inches and one hundred and seventy-five pounds, rushed
down from the platform. He grabbed at the cadet's arms, but Hanlon
swivelled away, then stepped back in and struck at the officer.
That was mutiny! It was unthinkable for a cadet to strike an officer,
under any circumstances or provocation.
The teacher, however, snared the cadet in a neo-judo hold that no
neophyte, however skilled or strong could break. He dragged the
struggling Hanlon up to the rostrum and, with his elbow, activated the
intercom.
"Ask the commandant to come to room 12-B. A cadet, caught cheating at
examinations, has mutinied."
Still holding the struggling, angry Hanlon, the instructor-officer
excoriated his victim for such breach of cadet honor. Hanlon, meanwhile,
yelled insults and oaths. He twisted and squirmed as though trying to
escape, although he had quickly realized he was now being held in a
loose though apparently-valid grip he could have broken easily had he so
desired.
Yet during all this Hanlon was receiving from the officer's mind the
distinct impression that the latter hated what he was doing, yet was
approving the way the new SS man was playing his part. Further, Hanlon
sensed he was being welcomed into the fellowship of those unknown SS men
to whom he was now brother.
Soon Admiral Rogers, followed by two hulking space marines, came running
into the room.
"What's going on here?" he barked.
Quickly the teacher repeated his charges, while Hanlon yelled denials
and vituperations at the moronic imbecile who dared accuse him of such
treachery.
"I'm ashamed of you, Hanlon!" the admiral said coldly. "We had high
hopes for you, as I told you when I interviewed you about your initial
assignment."
"Then why don't you listen to me instead of taking the word of this
slime-snake who calls himself an instructor? Bah! He oughta be digging
ditches!"
"That'll do!" Disgust showed on the admiral's face as he gestured to the
marines, who jumped forward and grabbed Hanlon's arms, twisting them
behind his back and handcuffing them.
"George Hanlon, you are hereby officially dismissed from the
Inter-Stellar Corps' Cadet School!"
So saying, Admiral Rogers ripped all identifying symbols from Hanlon's
uniform, then turned again to the marines. "Take him outside the
Reservation."
They hauled Hanlon, still shrieking and cursing, out of the room, out of
the building, across the park, and to the gate of the Corps' property.
There his handcuffs were removed, and the sneering marines literally and
not-too-gently booted him into the street, where he sprawled face
downward in a muddy puddle.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account