diff --git a/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/melnorm/melnorm.c b/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/melnorm/melnorm.c
index faf6e7806..570f35805 100644
--- a/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/melnorm/melnorm.c
+++ b/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/melnorm/melnorm.c
@@ -230,10 +230,7 @@ ShipWorth (void)
 	return (worth);
 }
 
-static COUNT rescue_fuel = 0;
-
-/* We're relying on this large, #define-dependent-size structure to be
-   automatically initialized to 0 across the board here. */
+static COUNT rescue_fuel;
 static SIS_STATE SIS_copy;
 
 static BOOLEAN
@@ -394,7 +391,8 @@ StripShip (COUNT fuel_required)
 		else
 		{
 			NPCPhrase (RESCUE_OFFER);
-			if ((rescue_fuel = fuel_required) == capacity)
+			rescue_fuel = fuel_required;
+			if (rescue_fuel == capacity)
 				NPCPhrase (RESCUE_TANKS);
 			else
 				NPCPhrase (RESCUE_HOME);
diff --git a/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/mycon/myconc.c b/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/mycon/myconc.c
index a05917c0f..fac917f8d 100644
--- a/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/mycon/myconc.c
+++ b/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/mycon/myconc.c
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ static LOCDATA mycon_desc =
 	{ {0, 0}, 0, 0, 0, 0 }, /* AlienTextTemplate - starts blank */
 };
 
-static BYTE MadeChoice = 0;
+static BYTE MadeChoice;
 
 static void
 DoRamble (RESPONSE_REF R)
@@ -623,6 +623,8 @@ init_mycon_comm (void)
 	mycon_desc.AlienTextTemplate.align = ALIGN_CENTER;
 	mycon_desc.AlienTextWidth = SIS_TEXT_WIDTH - 16;
 
+	MadeChoice = 0;
+
 	if (LOBYTE (GLOBAL (CurrentActivity)) != WON_LAST_BATTLE)
 	{
 		SET_GAME_STATE (BATTLE_SEGUE, 1);
diff --git a/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/slyland/slyland.c b/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/slyland/slyland.c
index 3385d2555..84b986b50 100644
--- a/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/slyland/slyland.c
+++ b/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/slyland/slyland.c
@@ -111,11 +111,11 @@ static LOCDATA slylandro_desc =
 	{ {0, 0}, 0, 0, 0, 0 }, /* AlienTextTemplate - starts blank */
 };
 
-static RESPONSE_REF threat = 0,
-						something_wrong = 0,
-						we_are_us = 0,
-						why_attack = 0,
-						bye = 0;
+static RESPONSE_REF threat,
+			something_wrong,
+			we_are_us,
+			why_attack,
+			bye;
 
 static void
 CombatIsInevitable (RESPONSE_REF R)
diff --git a/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/starbas/starbas.c b/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/starbas/starbas.c
index 6a85b65b2..f5c261476 100644
--- a/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/starbas/starbas.c
+++ b/sc2/src/sc2code/comm/starbas/starbas.c
@@ -233,10 +233,10 @@ static void NeedInfo (RESPONSE_REF R);
 static void TellHistory (RESPONSE_REF R);
 static void AlienRaces (RESPONSE_REF R);
 
-static BYTE stack0 = 0,
-				stack1 = 0,
-				stack2 = 0,
-				stack3 = 0;
+static BYTE stack0,
+			stack1,
+			stack2,
+			stack3;
 
 static void
 AllianceInfo (RESPONSE_REF R)