Nivka kept low, carrying the kid close to herself. She got on radio, and contacted her squad.

  "Corporal Gerith, we are inbound back to the fob. 1 times civvie accompanying. Be advised, contact met. How copy?"

  "Copy that sarge, we'll ready the carpet." Gerith said. "Anything else?"

  "Ya. We're going to get hit in the night, 100%. Make preparations for a nice welcome. And tell the armored boys to get something to eat and some sleep."

  "Ay sarge. I'll get on it, over."

  Orders given, she kept vigilant as they moved through the alleys. Things went smoothly, and they soon exited and were back at the fob.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "Medic to me." She called over coms. Soon enough, the squads medic showed up, baggy eyed ans smelling of black coffee.

  "Yes Sargent, you called?" He asked.

  "Take a look at the kid will ya? Then stick by her. Check her hands though, she may have fractured one on my arms." Nivka said.

  "The hell did she do that? You squeeze to hard or...?" The medic asked.

  "The fuck? No, she was fighting us, dipshit. Hell, kicked one guy till we subdued her. She just listened to her mother get fuckin killed. Also, insinuating I hurt a child is gonna make ME hurt YOU. GOT IT LANCE CORPORAL?" She barked?

  The medic straightened up, now wide awake and looking over her shoulder, and loudly said. "YES SARGENT, SORRY SARGENT."

  "Good, get moving, now. Or your on last watch tonight."

  He nodded, then hurried to the kid. Gerith sidled up to her, and she glanced at him. "Limit his coffee, and make him sleep. We need him fresh. Stick a private to the kid till we get her out."

  "Ay, sarge. Supply hog is in 20, and the tank crew is doin as asked. Also told 6th about what probably awaits us."

  "Good. I'm going to try and get as much from supply as I physically can. It's looking to be a long night." She says.

  Gerith nods, and moves away, and she gets on her platoon radio. She had to try and wrangle every spare bit she could. She could see it, the signs. 12 years did that to a person, she supposed. Also kept her alive, when things go south.