He had just finished dressing in his field fatigues when Roger quietly tapped on his door. Samuel opened it. "Coming!" he announced, grabbing his cap and field jacket. The others were already in the hall; the regular party plus five more cadets to make a full count of twelve. They headed for supply, not one of Samuel's favorite places.
Supply Officer White and him had gotten off to a bad start. He still remembered the day he'd been called from class down to supply and informed his personal effects had arrived.
"I am sadly disappointed," the supply officer snapped, "to find contraband among your belongings."
"Contraband?" Samuel had asked.
The supply officer brought up a tray from beneath the counter which held three t shirts, and four audio discs. He held up one of the t shirts. It said "Legalize It And Breathe It In."
"Oh!" Samuel remarked with a grin, "They're nothing, sir, just..well, you know, kids expressing themselves."
The officer put down the t shirt he was holding and picked up another one. It read "Do It With Anyone You Like, Anytime, Anywhere!"
Samuel shrugged. The officer picked up one of the audio discs. "Quite a group," he remarked, "Call themselves The Hood, don't they? Very interesting sounding songs! 'If She Says No, Bang Her, Bang Her, Bang Her.' 'It's Not A Party Unless There's Smoke,' 'She'll Go Down If You Give Her Dope'? I suppose you'll say this raunch is just self expression. I call it purely sick! Such self expression is not allowed on the Academy grounds, and cadets do not wear such expressions on their free time. Such young men OR young ladies would not be acceptable as members of The Academy."
He picked up the tray and held it out to Samuel. "Follow me!" he snapped.
Samuel followed him through the corridors until they came to one of the heat and power systems. The officer went right to the furnace door and opened it. He merely stood looking at Samuel. Samuel shrugged, walked over to the door, and one by one threw the offensive items into the furnace. When he was done Officer White shut the door, took the tray and snapped "You may return to your duties cadet! The rest of your belongings will be delivered to your room."
Samuel gave a sharp salute, and departed. His classmates greeted him with smiles, having a very good idea what had happened.
As he came up to the issue desk Samuel's thoughts returned to the present.
"Well," Officer White remarked, "Cadet Star! Surprised to see you here! Stand by."
A moment later he returned with Samuel's rifle, which he laid on the counter. He then produced a bandolier holding four clips of ammunition and four grenades.
"Rifle!" the supply officer snapped, picking up a clip board. "Four clips of ammunition, three anti personnel, 60 rounds, one armor piercing. Twenty rounds one smoke grenade , two anti personnel grenades."
He lifted a field pack down from the shelf behind him. "One field pack," he continued, "containing one private shelter, one sleeping bag, one field mattress, two days' field rations, and emergency supplies. Sign here, cadet!"
"Armor piercing?" Samuel muttered as he signed the requisition. He then put on the bandolier, slipped on the field pack, and grabbed up his rifle, then stood waiting for the others. They were soon equipped, boarded a truck, and whisked to the North Dock. A hover craft was waiting that took them to a secluded beach where a bread delivery van was waiting. Besides the driver there were two deputy sherriffs with their German Shepards. "This is Officer Green," Roger announced, "Officer Harpo, Sandy, and Sniffer. They're our legal representation. Follow their orders under all circumstances. James T., Harry West, Arthur, Henry, Star, you're with me. The rest are with Gregory. You will go with Officer Harpo. We'll go with Green. Let's load up, and have some breakfast!"
"Sounds like a great idea!" somebody put in.
They positioned themselves in the back of the van then as they rode off delicious Arab bread and rolls were passed around, with plenty of Postum and juice to wash it down.
"Compliments of the local bakery!" Roger announced. "They also supply our cover vehicles that let us get into positions undetected. Enjoy the ride, gentlemen! For the next two days you're going to be doing alot of walking!"

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