Kinsman waved the bottle of tequila at him. "Cultural relations, boss. We're studying the effect of tequila consump- tion on the gross national product of Mexico."
"Our good neighbor to the south," Colt added. "Tequila?" Tenny strode swiftly to Kinsman, bent down, and yanked the bottle from his hand. He sniffed at it, then tasted it. "Dammitall, this is tequila!"
"What'd you expect?" Kinsman asked. "Hydrazme?" Tenny shook his head, a frown on his swarthy features.
"I can't let you men drink a whole bottle of tequila. You'll be in no shape for duty tomorrow morning."
"I have an idea!" Colt said brightly. "Why'n't you help us finish it up? Might save our lives."
"And our immortal souls," Kinsman muttered.
"To say nothing of our immoral careers," Colt added.
"That's immortal, not immoral."
"You have your career, I'll have my career."
Tenny scowled at them both. "If you think you can manage to shut the door, I'll do my best to help you out." Within moments Tenny was sitting on the bare wooden floor between the two lieutenants, his back propped against the bunk.
"Did you know," Kinsman was asking him, "that ol' Frank and I were born and raised within a few miles of each other? Right in Philadelphia. Both of us." 35
"Only my neighborhood wasn't as classy as his," Colt said. "Not as many Quakers where I grew up. Kinsman's a Quaker, y'know . . ."
"Used to be. When I was a child. Not anymore. Now I'm an officer and a gentleman. No more Quaker. No more family ties."
Tenny let them ramble for a while, but he finally said, "Frank—you're gonna get your ass kicked outta here if you can't get along with the others."
"If / can't . . ."
"Murdock was puking into a wastebasket when he heard what happened at the pool tonight. He's got a very weak stomach and his first instinct was to transfer you to Green- land. Maybe farther."
"Sonofabitch."
Turning to Kinsman, Major Tenny asked, "You really want to be his partner?"
Kinsman nodded. Gently. His head was already hurting,
"Okay," said Tenny. "Frank, you've got a buddy. You're not alone. And you've got me. I think you're the best damned flier I've ever laid eyes on. Now keep your temper under control and your mouth zipped and you'll be okay. Got it?"
