“Mal? You got any ammunition left?” Vinnie asked.

“Some. Not much.” Mal glanced over the top of the dugout. “Why? You thinkin’ we’re gonna need it soon?”

“They’re somewhat pissed at us,” Vinnie laughed. “Don’t think they’re gonna leave it be at this, do you?”

Mal grinned. “Probably right. Are you out?”

“Pretty much. I could use the gun like a club, but somehow I don’t think that’s gonna work for long.”

Mal reached into the pocket of his brown coat. “Here.” He handed over two clips. “We share.”

“Thanks, Mal.”

“And it’s still Sergeant to you, Private.”

Vinnie laughed again. “We don’t get out of here it won’t really matter, will it?”

“And when we do I’ll put you on report for insubordination.”

“Fine. Then you can put me up against a wall and shoot me.”

A slew of bullets whined overhead. “That is a distinct possibility,” Mal agreed. “ Tzao gao , why can’t they just go play somewhere else?”

“You were the one said we should come through here,” Vinnie pointed out. “I told you it was a bad idea.”

“You still volunteered.”

“Yeah, but that’s ‘cos I'm stupid. What’s your excuse?”

Before Mal could formulate a suitable putdown, a figure rose up behind them, hefting something onto its shoulder. There was a burst of sound and a flash, then a deep rumble. The ground shuddered.

“Are you intending to sit on your backside all day, sir?” Zoe asked, looking down at them, still with the missile launcher poised.

“You are one beautiful woman,“ Vinnie said, looking her up and down.

She stared at him. “And I intend to stay that way, so I'm heading back. Are you coming?”

Mal grinned. “Lead on, Corporal.”

Zoe shook her head in despair at them. One of these days she wouldn’t be there to bail them out, and then where would they be? She turned on her heel and walked away.

“Think she’s angry with us?” Vinnie asked.

“Can’t be angry with me,” Mal pointed out. “I outrank her.”

“Oh. Must be just me then.”

They dropped behind a small wall and foun