His words were cut off by another incoming round. Mack had an idea, but wished he hadn’t. “Lieutenant, my squad’s closest to the hill. What if t...e platoon lays down covering fire long enough for us to shag ass over there? If it’s just the weapons crew, odds are they’ll ‘di di’ when they see us coming.” What he didn’t need to say, what both he and the Lieutenant knew, was that if the crew didn’t leave and the position was defended, the squad could be in a world of hurt. Lieutenant Lester. I fell to theground again. They grabbed an arm a piece and dragged me to the X rack.I felt defeated again. The guards cuffed each wrist to the x rack. Facingthe wall, I struggled to get free. With my back toward Leather Mistress,I felt a sharp pain across my back. My back felt like it was on fire. Iscreamed in pain. Leather Mistress uses a leather whip on me to strikeme.Leather Mistress said, "I wasn't planning to hit you,but your defianceneeds to be beat out of you. Scream all you want, it. ’ ‘Not without something hot in your belly,’ George said. He turned and opened a wide mouth Thermos and handed it to the stranger. ‘It isn’t much, but it’s hot and tasty. It’s stew…, made it myself. When you’re done eating it, there’s coffee and it’s hot and fresh.’ Just at that moment, he heard the ‘ding’ of the driveway bell. ‘Excuse me, be right back,’ George said. There in the driveway was an old truck that had pulled up, steam was rolling out of the front. The driver was panicked.. Neither of us had seen Mu'awiyah exit the office. He was either still with Zaim, which would be unexpected, or had left by another door. I risked giving Haytham a "good luck" gesture with my head as he passed near me. He kept his eyes averted but gave me a discreet gesture of gratitude with his hand in return. And then I was alone.All three of us had spent six hours yesterday riding the Lion. The questions were strange, unexpected, full of mathematical puzzles mixed in with morality questions..