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order you ’cause technically I don’t know that you got this stuff, but if you expect to survive after we hit the bridge, it will be because we have covering fire from that big gun.” The sergeant stood up and walked over to the hanging canvas that served as a doorway. Before he walked out he turned and said, “In case you decide to get the gun, we’ll rendezvous on the other side of the lines, five miles east of Saint-Germain on the ridge above the railroad tracks at oh-four-thirty sharp. It’s below the ruins of an old chalet.”
    Sergeant Williams paused and looked at the men and saw their resentful faces. He was silent for a moment before he continued speaking. “I know you men have been keeping and using enemy equipment to make up for shortages in supplies. It’s a violation of the code but as long as it wasn’t done in my face, I did my best to look the other way. I know that the Negro troops are at the bottom of the totem pole when it comes to getting supplies and leave time, and the first to be called upon when there’s a dangerous mission or latrine duty. It ain’t no secret, we don’t get first crack at the ammunition and we don’t get issued the newest weapons. But it seems to me that you boys found the answer to that problem. I noticed that all four of you carry the German rapid-fire gun in addition to your army-issue Springfields. I have to say, I admire your ingenuity. Use that ingenuity to bring that Vickers.” Turning on his heel, he left the bunker.
    Slick was the first to speak. “I swear I’m gon’ kill that motherfucker! He been ridin’ me ever since Fort Dodge. He’s just a Tom for Mr. Charlie! I can’t stand him!”
    “It sounds to me like the sarge thinks that this time it may be our butts,” Professor said, putting away his diary. “I mean, it sounds like even he thinks it’s a suicide mission.”
    “Who gives a shit what he thinks?” Slick declared angrily.
    “I do,” answered LeRoi. “I think we better get out of here as soon as possible, get over to where we stashed the gun, and figure out how to take it apart.”
    “I’m with you,” Professor agreed.
    “Wait a minute! Wait a minute!” Slick interjected. “You just gon’ bring the gun like he asked? Whatchoo thinking? I got that stuff sold. It’s like money in the bank.”
    “I’m more interested in living than having money,” LeRoi answered.
    “Me too,” Professor added.
    “Now, it took all of us to get the gun and the ammo stored. How you plan to move it with just the two of you?” Slick asked with a smug look.
    “Is it just the two of us?” LeRoi asked, looking at Big Ed.
    “Nope,” Big Ed said. “I’m going with you, LT.”
    “Whoa! Wait a minute, Big Ed. You and me supposed to be tight. If I don’t go, you don’t go. What’s going on here?”
    “You been outvoted, Slick,” LeRoi interjected with a slight edge on his voice. “Make up your mind whether you coming with us or not, ’cause we got to get out of here now.”
    Slick said nothing. He merely stood watching as his three companions continued packing their equipment and readying their kits for light travel. As guns were being checked, Slick blurted out, “I got an idea. How about if we go ahead and leave camp as if we’re going to pick up the Vickers, but we get delayed by a German patrol and never show up? We miss the suicide mission. Ain’t that an idea?”
    “I mean to be on that ridge at four-thirty sharp,” answered LeRoi. “With or without the gun. I ain’t got no family now but my squad and my platoon and I ain’t ever gon’ let down family who’s depending on me! I know what it feels like! So believe me, if I don’t bring the Vickers with me, there’ll be a damn good reason and it won’t be something I made up.” He stood up. “You ready to hit it?” he asked Big Ed and Professor.
    “Alright! Alright, I’m coming,” Slick said reluctantly. “I don’t see how come you all so patriotic all of a sudden.”