“You’ll catch on,” the commander said, relaxing into a smile. “In fact, if you’re willing, I’d appreciate it if you’d give a demonstration for the whole company sometime, and maybe even a few lessons if you’re …” He broke off suddenly, his eyes narrowing with a passing thought. “By the way,” he said with forced casualness, “before we get too far off the subject, may I ask what prompted this little demonstration just now?”
“I-I was saying that the k-the gentleman here seemed a bit young to be a Legionnaire, sir.”
The commander ran a quick, appraising eye over the youth.
“Nonsense,” he said firmly. “He may look young, soldier, but he’s the same age you are. Isn’t that right?”
“He is?”
“Isn’t that right?”
“Oh … yes, sir!”
“Because if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be able to stand duty with us in a casino. Understood?”
“Yes, sir. Understood, sir.”
“Very good.” The commander nodded. “Be sure to spread the word to the others.”
“Right away, sir.” The Legionnaire saluted and fled to the cover of his original group.
“Sorry if that’s a problem,” Doc said, “but Junior here’s been traveling with me ever since his mom died. We hire out as a team, sort of a package deal. The lieutenant there said she wasn’t sure she could take us, but I thought she had cleared it with you before she gave us the final call.”
Something flitted across the commander’s face, but was gone before it really registered.
“Nothing we can’t work out.” He smiled. “Besides, he seems as solid as any of our regular troops, though that may not seem like a compliment to some. Anyway, glad to have him aboard … and the same goes for all of you, for that matter. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to circulate a bit.”