can you take your wounded with you?"
"Affirmative, Sneak Play."
"Pull out, Slugger. Get clear as soon as possible. Inform me when you reach—" she crouched over her map card "—Victor-Four. Confirm copy."
"Sneak Play, Slugger confirms. Pull back to Victor-Four and advise."
"Luck, Slugger." She switched channels on her radio chest pack. "Romeo One, Sneak Play. Still with us?"
"Sneak Play, Romeo One. Glad to hear your voice. What can we do?"
"Stand by, Romeo One. We'll have targets for you—" She broke off as Staff Sergeant Ernest Caldwell tumbled into the pit with her. The other two survivors of his forward air control team were with him. "Romeo One, our FAC just turned up. I'm handing off to him." The rattle of incoming small arms roared higher. "I'm going to be busy." She turned to Caldwell as she reached for her blaster once more. "When Slugger gets clear, I want those woods hit with everything they've got, Sergeant. Burn them out."
"Yes,