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“Happy to help a Marine”

“You’re American”

“Not all of us are snot-nosed brats My name’s Juan This is Max”

“You recognized ht arle atop a globe laid over an anchor

Juan did notice the tattoo, but he had also read up on Parsons before venturing out to the Lazy Goanna Although Parsons had been born in Australia, his American mother had taken him to California when he was ten years old after his father died He had been a Marine for five years, serving two tours in Afghanistan, before transferring to the Navy and beco Craft Air Cushion vehicles were giant hovercraft used to ferry tanks and personnel to shore during amphibious assaults

“We’re both veterans,” Juan said, which was close to the truth “Navy”

“Well, I appreciate the backup,” Parsons said, sitting back on his stool “Let me buy you tabbies a drink”

—

After swapping sea stories over three rounds, Juan and Max were laughing with Parsons like they were old pals Juan even showed hi and made up a story about how he’d lost it in Iraq

“How long have you been in this town?” Juan asked, finally getting around to his job now that they’d gotten friendly with him

“Nhulunbuy?” Parsons said “Oh, about a year now Alloy Bauxite needed a hovercraft pilot, and I was the only one in these parts who could fly an SRN4 Not too much different from an LCAC” He pronounced it “L-Cack”

“Where did they find a Mountbatten-class transport like that?”

“Ah, you know your hovercraft They bought a scrapper that used to cross the English Channel and refurbished it Even upgraded the controls so I could fly it without a navigator or flight engineer”

“She’s a beauty,” Juan said “Too bad you have to be working so close to Christmas”

“I can’t complain,” Parsons said “You wouldn’t believe what they pay h that swamp Besides, tomorrow’s my last run and then I’m off for the holidays