Murphy swung his rifle, aiming through the sights. It was a tank. They had no hand grenades, and it was impossible to knock one out with a rifle. But, he reminded himself, he had explained to Hank. It was a soldier's job to fight, even with rocks if necessary. _No._ It was one of their tanks! "Let's go! Maybe they'll give us a ride!" They climbed out of the foxhole. Murphy ran toward the tank, raising his arms above his head--not a gesture of surrender, but a means of recognition. Antarians could walk on their hind legs but their physiology did not allow them to raise their forelegs above their heads as men could. At night, when nothing could be seen clearly, it was the most effective password. The tank stopped. A voice came at them through the darkness, "What the hell do you want?" "Got room for two more?" Murphy inquired. "Give us a ride out. We're low on ammunition." A moment's hesitation; then, "Get in." Climbing into the tank was like climbing into a dark well. When the lid closed behind them, there was _no_ light. The darkness annoyed Murphy, but he realized it was necessary. There were no slits for the crew to see through: slits allowed bullets, radiation, and poison gas to enter a tank. The crew observed through periscopes that fitted tight against their faces; they were trained to work in the dark. It was a long, rough ride through the night. Murphy listened to the crew members, the roar of the motor. Now and then there was the sharp bark of the tank's cannon, and even through four inches of steel and lead he heard the roar of shock waves from distant atomic explosions. Hank whispered, "That wasn't right, was it? I mean, leaving like that and--" "Ever hear of 'strategic withdrawal'?" Murphy asked. "We'll live to fight another day." Murphy slept at times. One time, after being awakened by a nearby explosion, one of the tank crew asked him his name and what unit he was with. He said he would radio their unit and ask if their CO had orders for them. Murphy gave his name and unit, then fell asleep again. Sometime during the night, he felt a hand shaking him. "You lucky stiffs," a voice in the darkness said. "Your CO says you're to return to Earth on the next ship." * * * * *