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The confrontation was ineers and SOF men clustered around the ri away loose dirt fro metallic object

In a few minutes he pulled it free and very carefully passed it up to Lily

The flippancy was gone now as she examined the ancient relic

"Fourth-century sith definite Roman characteristics," she announced "Neatly intact with little corrosion"

"May I?" asked Hollis

She held it out to hiently clasped his hand around the hilt and lifted the blade above his head "Just think," he murionary" Then he graciously passed it to Cranston "How'd you like to fight a battle with this instead of an automatic firearm?"

"I'd prefer a bullet any day," Cranston said thoughtfully, "to being hacked to shreds"

As soon as the Engineers left on the short drive back to their encampment, Pitt turned to Hollis

"My coe I only detected three out of your whole team"

"It was eerie," said Lily, "knowing you were all around us but not visible"

Hollis looked genuinely ele or forest This was a good field exercise for semi-arid terrain"

"An excellent job," added Sandecker, pu Hollis's hand

"Let's hope General Chandler buys the good Captain's report," said Giordino

"If he bothers to hear it," Pitt replied "The General's ent business is to stop half athe Library's art and knowledge He doesn't have time to fool with us"

"What about the Rooes back in Sam's museum collection"