When the idea had first been advanced, there had been doubt among some of the Legends.
Eve had been the first to voice objections. ''Aside from making ourselves sitting targets'' she began ''why should these people risk their lives getting involved in a fight that has nothing to do with them?''
Hers was a view shared by Rip, Martin an Jax. Carter and Kendra were also leaning that way. Nora wasn't sure, although Ray appeared enthusiastic.
''They're Survivalists who never got a chance to beat off a Communist invasion'' Joanne pointed out. ''This is their big chance. 'Doubts lingered, not really being dispelled until they saw how many people had taken up the invitations that Joanne and Mick had made in person and over the phone. And what they'd brought with them - Martin, for one, wondered how some of these people would cope if they had to give statements to the police.
X
And now they came, on the same route that the first ground troops had followed. Lance, looking down in shock, estimated there were the best part of a hundred of them. They were well-armed, and they knew what they were doing, as they moved from cover to cover, firing as they worked their way downwards. Savage had begun to suffer losses and, good as they were, she knew her own troops would become casualties too.
A good General does not sacrifice her men unnecessarily.
She sent out an open frequency broadcast to her people and Savages. ''Head up valley. We'll pick you up.'' It would be a squeeze, but they could pack in any who didn't get killed on the way to the nearest possible landing site. ''Take her down - over there!'' she ordered Dronon, pointing. Then she whirled to face the back of the flight deck. ''As soon as it lands, you go!''
He nodded. He hardly ever spoke, although he could. She took satisfaction from the fact he could give her some of the revenge she craved.
X
Savage wanted to protest, to at least make an assault on the house the Legends were occupying, but that had been an open broadcast and Tandy now appeared to be leading a fair number towards the evacuation site. He felt a momentary satisfaction when he saw that man fall.
Then he heard Cassandra cry out.
X
''They're behind us.'' Len was moving towards the back of the house, even as he gave the warning. Sara was only a moment behind him, while Rip, Eve and Nora competed for third position.
Ten Nazis, led by a female officer, were crossing Joanne's back garden, a place which didn't give them much cover. In seconds, they were being fired on from the back windows of the property. Three of them went down before the others started to dodge out of view, firing as they went. One of them got lucky.
''Eve!'' Rip shouted as his fellow Time Master suddenly collapsed to the floor. He dropped to his knees beside her.
Sara, at the next window, risked glancing round. It took her only a second to see that Eve was dead, a head shot.
Rip gave an incoherent cry, then raced towards the front door. He began shooting when he was barely outside.
Len cursed, but like everyone else, charged after him.
The retreat was in progress, with Lance's troops covering their less experienced colleagues. Len was glad to see that Joanne's friends weren't risking themselves more than necessary to keep the evacuation going. Then he froze, seeing what was coming from the direction of the enemy ship.
