"Come on, you spacers," Corporal Swenson growled.
He moved off, followed by the spacers. After a moment Captain Welnicki trailed along.
The enemy base lay on high ground across a small stream. One large unfinished building of slagged earth stood near the tender. The land was uneven and wooded. The roar of the sea came faintly through night air as Swenson briefed his spacers.
"Sleep if you can," he ended. "I'll watch."
"I want to scout in closer, corporal," the captain said.
"Not past the stream, if you please, captain. We spotted infra-pickups over there. That's why Chong wants daylight and cover fire."
Minutes after he crossed the stream the captain's throat communicator prickled. It was Chong.
"Swenson tells me you're prowling, captain. Don't tell me where you are cause I'm scared to know. But freeze there. That's a military order in the field."
"Aye aye, sergeant," the captain said glumly.
He slept fitfully on the hard ground. Long time until dawn like thunder ... Corporal Swenson stunned, command of the spacers devolving upon Captain Welnicki ... ask no quarter, give none ... red dawn streaks now, an omen ... LISTEN: footsteps in the brush!