James clapped his hands together, "awesome, you rock lady," he said, smiling broadly. "Come on Mary, things are looking up!" 

He looked over at the soldier, and considered trolling hi-

There was a sudden crunching noise, and James looked around. "Huh?" He couldn't see anyone. "You guys hear that?"

He reached down and picked up his tyre iron. You could never be too careful, and though what he heard was probably nothing, it was worth checking out. He advanced around the cacti, looking this way and that. It could have been a dead man, but they usually made racket when they were advancing - all groans and moans. He didn't hear any. 

"Anyone there? Come out. We wont hurt you," he paused to give the soldier a quick glance. "Well, I wont hurt you."