They tramped on through the permanent dusk of the jungle. The scouts did a fine job clearing creepers and undergrowth so they could march unimpeded. From time to time they swapped positions. No one had any experience tracking wildlife, but they’d planned to wander in a wide circle around the camp. If they got anywhere near the elephant, they’d hear it. If not, something else would present itself—a wild boar, a deer. They were definitely not returning empty-handed.

Lifeng walked in front of Xiongmin in confident strides. He was fascinated by her blunt-cut hair, swishing like a curtain over her pale neck, just touching her collar. Her backpack was as large as his, stuffed with first-aid equipment and water, plus a radio in case of emergency. He’d been surprised at first to see the women shouldering such burdens, but when he gallantly offered to help, they just laughed. We’re all equal here, they said, don’t think you can do anything we can’t.

He was still dreamily considering this, and other girls he’d known, when the front scout shouted a warning. Lifeng immediately flung herself against a tree, fading into its outline, only her rifle sticking out. Xiongmin was slower, uncertain which direction the danger was coming from. Everyone else seemed instinctively to know where to go, and someone pulled him urgently into a crouch. A half second of absolute stillness, and then he could see it: a Thai soldier in the uniform of the Royal Army, straightening up, eyes thin and alert, arm halfway to his holster.

At a shouted command, they fired. Xiongmin was closest, and managed to graze his arm, leaving a trail of blood through his shredded sleeve. The other shots went wide, thudding against the trees. He tried again, but nothing happened. His rifle was jammed. Screaming in frustration, he pumped the chamber frantically as the Thai man cocked his pistol, which was pointed right at him. Was this death? He felt very calm, dropping the rifle and reaching for his knife, but before he could even get it out a bullet had torn through the soldier’s neck. He gasped, eyes bulging, like someone choking in a cartoon. Blood rushed from the torn artery, much more than you’d have thought possible.

Lifeng took a step forward, looking stunned. She’d fired the fatal shot. The entire episode had taken no time at all, and she probably hadn’t even consciously decided what to do—their training was good enough for instinct to take over at moments like this. All she’d seen was a comrade in danger. Just like that, she was a killer.

Xiongmin thanked her brusquely—no time for more. One soldier meant the possibility of a battalion nearby. They’d have to abandon the hunt. Quickly, they searched the dead soldier. Food, water, a map and the pistol. Not a bad haul.