“What do you think happened to them? We were on the attack at that back entrance sixty seconds after that bomb hit.” She was gazing frantically at Sasha’s face. “Are you all right?” She didn’t wait for an answer. “Yes, I can see you are.” She gestured toward the students. “We’ve got it under control. There are two trucks parked in the jungle a couple minutes west of here that will take you all to the border. Now get out of this tent. It could catch fire any minute from sparks from that blast. Korgan’s drones hit his target right on the nose, but there’s a wind and it’s blowing in this direction.”

“I can help.”

“You’ve already done your job. I want you in that first truck out of here.” As she saw Sasha open her lips to argue, she said impatiently. “If you want to help, go to the trucks and do a count to make sure we haven’t missed anyone. You’re the only one who can do that.”

Now wasn’t the time to argue. Alisa was right: She was familiar with all the students and could identify them. The last thing Sasha wanted was to leave even one of those girls behind. She turned and ran for the trucks.

The air was full of smoke, and she could hear the flames crackling and the screams of the soldiers from the area where the drone had dropped the bomb. Don’t think of them, she told herself. Think only of what had been done to those girls.

Then she pushed through the brush and reached the trucks. The enclosed back of the first truck was almost completely occupied, and she brushed aside the soldier who was trying to help her into it. “No.” Do what she had been sent here to do, she told herself. She looked carefully at the faces of the girls. Remember every one…

Then she ran to the rear of the second truck. Only half full, but there were still students streaming from the prisoner tent. She could see Alisa and her team moving quickly, efficiently, guiding the last of the students toward the trucks. As they came toward her Sasha’s gaze scanned the new arrivals’ faces to identify them. Laurel. Kela. Solange. Natasia. Christine—

She suddenly stopped short

Natasia.

Natasia was at the head of the pack coming toward her, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

But where was Jeanne?

Sasha ran toward Natasia and grabbed her arm. “Where’s Jeanne? I told you to bring her.”

“Let me go. I have to get out of here.” She jerked away. “I tried to get her out. She wouldn’t come.” She ran toward the truck. “I’ll tell one of those soldiers to go back for her.”