"Even if he doesn't know any more than we do, he should know I've been there," Cassie says. "Seems the kind of thing we ought to bring to a god's attention."

She caresses her sidearm.

"God, I wish we could find some real ammo for this thing. I don't want you to go back out there without a working piece."

She smiles. "I mean, I'm pretty sure my C.O. back home wouldn't mind if you took this with you."