30th May, Early morning: Watering riflemen

The sergeant's voice dripped poison.

"'Cause if you cross me, my lad, you'll certainly find yourself up to your next in it!"

So saying he let go of Starling's crossbelts with a shove, sending the pioneer staggering back a few paces.

Starling caught his footing, annoyed with himself that he was surprised by the sergeant's strength. It was a rare man who could shove the Pioneer like that.

"Ain't done nothin' that crosses nobody," he snapped resentfully.

"Then you'd better watch where you tread, my lad, just in case you do."

And so saying Hakeswill backed away, lumbering off into the trees witha filthy chuckle. He'd remember the pioneer and the other soldiers for certain, and so added them to his mental list of men vulnerable to blackmail. It woudl be useful, should any further opportunity arise, to have them in mind.

Right. Starling said nothing as the sergeant departed. Vile bastard, him. He all but reeked of trouble.

Dammit. With a grunt, Starling looked around. He'd best clear off out of here, before anything else happened.