Phule’s Company by Robert Asprin

“Um … the trouble here is that they don’t look like they’ve been through anything,” the reporter commented tactfully.

The two Legionnaires had already showered and changed, and except for their damp hair there was no trace of their recent ordeal.

“No problem,” Do-Wop insisted hastily. “We can just duck up and change back into our other uniforms and-“

“Better still,” Brandy said levelly, eyeing the holophotographer, whose good looks had not escaped her notice, “we could just go across the street to the park and take a quick dip in the fountain to wet ourselves down. I’m not sure the public wants to see how really dirty we get on the course.”

The holophotographer ran an appraising look over the top sergeant’s generous figure and nudged the reporter with his elbow.

“That’ll do just fine,” he declared. “Shall we go?”

As the group headed out of the hotel, Phule snagged the photographer and drew him aside.

“Umm … Sidney? We both know that Jennie there has enough enthusiasm to carry a whole brigade along with her once she gets rolling. I’m counting on you to keep a bit more level head on your shoulders.”

“What do you mean … ?”

“Let’s just say it would be wise for you to check with the various Legionnaires before taking, much less publishing, holos of them. Some of them joined the Legion to leave their past behind them.”

“Really?” The photographer started to look around, but Phule wasn’t finished.

“And if they didn’t shove your gear down your throat when you tried to take the pictures, I’d be inclined to take a personal interest in your career, as long as it lasted. Do we understand each other?”