Second Lieutenant Hartwig set his shoulders squarely as he faced the ranks of women.
"The exercises will be held at the Spaceport Play Area," he said crisply. "That's not quite four miles from here. The tests will last about two hours, so if we make good time we can be back here before three."
"What about lunch?" asked a small voice.
"We'll get our lunch at the Play Area. It won't be anything much, sandwiches mostly. As I say, we must be back here at three, so you ladies can take your outer-space question period. That's the last phase of the contest, except for Show Night tomorrow, of course."
"How do we get there?" asked the redhead, in the front rank.
"We walk," the lieutenant said grimly.
"Walk?" A chorus of disapproval came from the girls, mixed with some resigned groans.
"That's right," said the lieutenant. "It's not as far as you think, and there'll be field wagons for those who are too tired to walk back after the tests. I needn't tell you," he added, "that walking back might count against your score. But it's your privilege."
"Nice guy," said the redhead bitterly, out of the side of her mouth. The blonde, Janie, who had dated him on their first night, looked hurt. "He seemed nice," she said. "He was so sweet about things—"
"Let's cut out the chatter," said the young officer. "Pretend you're in the Army now, girls. No talking in ranks, and let's have some semblance of marching order."