underofficer

Also hanging on the wall was a portrait of Stavrakios: a tough-looking, bandy-legged man who, but for his gilded armor, seemed more like a veteran underofficer than an Avtokrator.

Bridge of the Separator Turtledove, Harry 2005

He was an underofficer; he wanted to, and had the right to, make his voice heard.

Advance and Retreat Turtledove, Harry 2002

With what might have been a smile, the underofficer said, "How can any man know what another man is thinking?"

Advance and Retreat Turtledove, Harry 2002

"He doesn't look very happy, does he?" the underofficer said in a low voice.

Advance and Retreat Turtledove, Harry 2002

Other than that, nothing in army life that Gremio had seen fazed the underofficer.

Advance and Retreat Turtledove, Harry 2002

Thinking along with him—as the underofficer so often did—Sergeant Thisbe asked, "What if they're hammering us at the far end of the line?"

Advance and Retreat Turtledove, Harry 2002

On the other hand, the company would lose far and away its best underofficer if he did.

Advance and Retreat Turtledove, Harry 2002

"This whole business of being an underofficer seems like more trouble than it's worth," he said.

Advance and Retreat Turtledove, Harry 2002

But he'd been a common soldier longer than he'd been an underofficer.

Advance and Retreat Turtledove, Harry 2002

Everybody laughed: even Werferth, whose dignity as an underofficer was menaced; even Sidroc, who still despised Ceorl whenever the two of them weren't fighting the Unkerlanters.

Rulers of the Darkness Turtledove, Harry 2002