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“Open from here to there, farm fields, cross-country There are so the riverbank, but the fact is there’s not six inches of real cover between here and the far bank of the river And none on the other side either”

Rio falls in beside Stick as they slog back to their squad

“Listen, Richlin, this is a bad deal You know it, I know it But we can’t let on to our people”

“You don’t think they’ll figure it out pretty quick?”

“Sure they will But we can’t have anyone hanging back So you and me, we put on our war faces and keep discipline”

“Whatever you say, Stick”

Rio is weary, they all are Tooonly to fill with rainwater; tooin muddy fields as artillery dropped around the froht patrols sneaking along that river in the dark with Krautat any sound; too raves registration

Weary Down to her bones

The lunacy of the plan is instantly clear to every member of the squad, but Rio keeps a stern look on her face and refuses to join in with the loud grousing She hasn’t asked to be made corporal, she doesn’t want the job, but she’ll do anything for Stick, and he’s asked her to back him up

They are trucked to yet another et out twice to push trucks whose wheels have sunk to the rims in the soup—where they find the boats Boatsand craters

Rio has her hands full trying to locate two boats in the roadside dump that have not already been holed by shrapnel Jenou is with her, shining a flashlight to inspect the boats At least a third will never float “This isn’t good, is it?”

“No,” Rio says softly

“Jesus”

“Scared?” Rio says it in what she intends to be a joking tone, as if expecting Jenou to deny it But it coe

“Sure I’ht? Is that what you want me to say? You want me to kiss your butt and tell you how brave you are? Fine You’re braver than I am, Rio You’re a better soldier Goodie for you”