Sam

"Hey there, Marina. No such luck, I'm afraid." He tried to stretch the weariness from his shoulders. "Nothing but grass and sky, just like yesterday, just like tomorrow. Nobody wants this place yet. We're way behind the line."

Marina shrugged. "I know. But if a supply train came through here... not that they would; there's easier paths, and they stick to 'em... but if someone came through and found us, it'd be worse than boring. It'd be BUSY. And if we're really unlucky, fighting." She reached over and rubbed his shoulder muscles. "And we don't want that. Busy would be, you know. Bad."

Sam relaxed into her massage. "At least we're on relaxed shifts. Two entries, four guards, plenty of time off. I don't even have to farm. And there are... perks..." Marina's massage became slightly more forceful. "But I should eat."

"You're welcome to join me," she said. "Dav and Tera and Mei are inside. We could make a night of it." Sam stirred at the suggestion. "Dav and Mei are on fourth, but they've already gotten sleep."* They both got up and headed into the mess to join their comrades.

*((The West Colo post, as with many of the units descended from the Winter Corps, maintains a four shift rotation during relaxed times. A trooper is on duty one of every four eight hour shifts, but is expected to be able to report for additional duty as needed. Each trooper is always on the same numbered shift, but that shift takes place at different times of day. Most troops tend to sleep the full shift opposite their work shift, and nap during their off shifts. It works out well enough because they're all living underground anyway.))