Well, that's not an opinion that's going to change any time soon, then. The reaction was reflexive. Beyond training and into something like brainwashing, which he'd noted before but had hoped by no there was some chance it might not hold with enough insistence. Does it matter to him? Not really. It's a shame, but if the soldier is going to insist, then he'll let it be.

"Pick that up," he says, nodding to the butt. "My agreement with Rastus. He doesn't want litter sitting around."