I shiver, once.... For a split second, I'm no longer just watching the Tallies...		I'm one of them.

*Typical English-to-Pashto software translation.

		I'm all right, Captain... Been holding my breath. A little light-headed...

	No effects from the gas... I think I'm gonna be okay.

		Good to hear. How's the sniper?

	Got an ETA for that?

	Lieutenant Miller... Follow me....

	Miller, what's your status?

	What happened?

	Where's my rifle?

	I don't remember surrendering.

	Your prisoner?

	I'm beyond food.

	Where's my rifle?

	Gone.

	Listen - I don't know how you slipped through our perimeter, but we're evacuating the combat zone in a few minutes.

	I'm not going anywhere.

		You can run behind me, or I'll carry you again. You got about sixty seconds to....

		decide....

	You're a prisoner of war now.

	Your rights under the Geneva Convention will be read to you when we return to base.

	That's okay. I don't remember asking you.

	Here. You look like you haven't eaten in a while. This'll boost your energy.

	Delirious. Possibly wounded. Needs medical attention.

		Roger that.

	Okay Miller, we've got a signal lock on your helmet.

	Woo yeah! Killer Miller, The Stone Cold "C"!

	Get your Spectacle on.

		We love you, Celicia!

	Roger copy. Spectacle activated.

	Love you too, dawgs.

	You should be able to see through every active bot in a one klick radius. Shuffled survey, radial sweep.

	Use voice command to focus on your current position.

		Roger that. I'm looking at myself. All systems go.

	It's freaky... Like seeing yourself as a character in a third person shooter.

	I think you mean first person shooter, lieutenant.

	Yo, whatever.

		All right, Miller. Scope out to aerial. You'll see your position with two escape routes, one in red, one in blue.

	Roger that. Which one do I take?

	Whichever one we can secure first.

	Five minutes. Easter Bunny's coming around for a second pass. When I give the word, we lay down laser cover and you're gonna haul ass. Six-oh second window.

	No BS, Miller - Can you handle that?

			Yes sir. I can handle that.

	In fact... I've got a real good feeling about this.

	Don't get too happy, Lieutenant. You've got over 100 Tallies swarming on your position.

	Captain...?

	What is it, Miller?

	We're fighting an enemy who doesn't even wear helmets.... Isn't that weird?

	Uh... never really gave it much thought, Miller. Stand by.

	Miller, are you there?

	Heads up, Lieutenant. We got another situation developing.

	Shoot me..

	What are they doing, Lieutenant?

	Another AI fuckup?

	Aww shit.

	Oh jesus... Lieutenant... who is this woman?

	Captain?

	Uh... Captain Markov? You read me?

	All right. Time to get to the bottom of this.

	!ZAWAR*:

* "!" = alveo-palatal click, similar to that used in the Khoessan languages of Africa; adapted to oral computer navigation language (readiness signal)

	ID device, serial: hotel bravo sierra 874132-niner-651- niner-0305 zulu alpha. //Hut!*

	She's dying, Lieutenant.

	Who are you?

	This was to be her final night. Her night of glory.

	We didn't bring her this far so that you could take that away from her.