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Geer takes off at a run

“Should I call it in?” Petersen asks

“No The radio squawks” She sees Joe and Guttierezhardware half-re hatch She helps him hand it down and then takes a box of areat belt of ammo over his shoulders like a shawl

“It ain’t great,” Geer reports back, breathless froet behind a couple trees and dig in”

“Okay, get Joe and Guttierez set up there, and I’ll drag Strand over while—”

Cat and Jack co on to their hel, “Krauts!”

Guns fire and bullets whiz by

“How far back?” Rio demands

“Three seconds!” Cat yells

“Jack, help o! Geer! Preeling’s co to you!”

More firing, and this tirabs the shoulder of Strand’s flight suit, Jack grabs the other, and they drag him back

And Strand starts singing “White Christmas” in a low but audible voice

As if spurred on by the singing, the firing becomes much more determined A bullet plucks at Jack’s sleeve Another one cuts a furrow across Strand’s chest

“Shit!” Rio yells “Strand”

“and children listen, to hear sleigh bells in the snow”