No cue had been necessary from their commander this time.’ The entire company was on its feet saluting its victorious champion. Still holding the jubilant smile that seemed to pass her ears, Super Gnat returned the salute with a flourish of her weapon that ended in an exaggerated mock curtsey. At that, the Legionnaires broke their stiff poses and swarmed out of the stands to surround their teammate.
“All right, Gnat!”
“Way to go!”
The first to reach her was the tall, misshapen nonhuman Legionnaire whose mere presence made the Red Eagles uneasy. In a move that could only be genuine affection, he snatched her into the air in a huge bear hug that was at once enthusiastic and gentle, then, without setting her down, shifted his grip and held her aloft to the cheers of the rest of the company.
“Sorry about that, sir.”
The terse apology pulled O’Donnel’s attention back from the other end of the gym.
“Don’t worry about it, Davidson,” he said firmly, lightly punching that notable on the arm. “Nobody wins all the time. Looks like it’s up to me to try to settle up.”
“Yes, sir,” the corporal said, shooting a glance down the floor to where the Legionnaires were still celebrating. “Do you think you can do it? They may be goofballs, but they’re tricky as hell.”
The major nodded his agreement of the corporal’s assessment.
“To tell you the truth, Corporal, I don’t know. Ask me again in about ten minutes.”
Davidson flashed him a quick smile.
“Right. Good luck, sir.”
“Our next and final bout …” The director’s mike boomed through the loudspeakers, and he paused to wait for the Legionnaires to quiet down and take their seats again before continuing.