—How would you do that?

—By telling them the truth about the war. By explaining what is at stake for the Soviet Union, their main adversary.

—What is at stake?

—They have a chance here, in Afghanistan, to deal a blow to the Soviet military machine without provoking a nuclear war. The Soviet military authorities know this to be true. Nothing scares them more. They are counting on American indifference to a country so far away from them. They are hoping that the experience of Vietnam will make them too cautious to realize the potential of this conflict. I will make the Americans understand that this is an opportunity they cannot afford to miss.

Leo had been a war hero, risking his life countless times to defend the Soviet Union against the advance of Fascist troops. Now he was betraying that homeland, putting Soviet troops in danger, but he had not fought in order that his country might bomb villages and burn farmland.

The council members came together, discussing the idea, murmurs of their conversation echoing around the cave. The other young soldiers remained silent, neutral, as they had been throughout the process, never expressing an opinion. Leo could not look at Nara. She was face down, her clothes ripped. There were cuts on her legs. He was not sure if she was conscious. Finally the council returned their attention to Leo, trying to understandefection ideologically.

—We find the idea hard to understand. Why would you bring shame upon yourself? You would be a traitor.

—My motivation is no concern to you.

—We must believe that you are sincere.

—Ask Fahad Mohammad. He saw me attack my superior officer with a knife. I wounded him. I am already a traitor.

—That could be a trick.

—To what end? Ask the man who saw what happened if he thinks my actions were trickery.

The council turned to Fahad Mohammad.

—What do you think?

—If it is a trick, I do not understand it.

A careful reply, but not an endorsement, and Leo needed to work harder to convince his audience.

—I will do what I promise. I will defect. Tell me what you think of my proposal.

—It interests us.

Leo pressed his case.

—You need American support. You need their weapons, new guns, not the ancient rifles that can’t fire straight. Not the rusty pistols you carry on your belts. You need missiles. You need a way of damaging the helicopters and jets.

The elder nodded, musing on the idea.

—How would you achieve this? The Americans will not trust you.

—Take us across the border, into Pakistan. I know that you are receiving support from the Pakistani secret police. They must have contacts within the CIA.

—They might.

—Then you have the means to contact the CIA. You can use the Pakistanis to set up a meeting.

—And then what? How can we trust the word of a traitor?