“I saved her,” Ghost said. “Long time ago, I saved her from the Army of God. When they cut off her hand.”

“Best not to think about that. She ain’t with us. She ain’t a brother,” Ocho said. “Don’t spend your nevermind worrying about civvies. They ain’t us.”

“We were all civvies.”

Ocho tapped his cheek. “We ain’t now. We’re above them. Don’t put yourself down on their level, soldier. We’re UPF. You stand tall.”

“Sure.”

“I mean it, soldier,” Ocho said. “You’re something now. We brought you up, ’cause we could tell you were special. Now you got a place and you got brothers who will throw down for you. Don’t go throwing that off for some castoff war maggot.”

He was about to say more, but he was interrupted by the arrival of Lieutenant Sayle.

“Sergeant,” Sayle motioned for Ocho. “You’re needed. Bring the recruit.” He waved at Ghost.

Ocho slapped Ghost on the back. “Come on, soldier. Time to get back to work.”

They followed the lieutenant down a marbled hall and were stopped by a pair of Eagle Guards. “Drop your weapons,” one of them said.

“Say again?” Ocho asked.

“Leave your guns here.”

Ocho tightened his grip on his rifle. “I don’t disarm for no one.”

“Disarm, Sergeant,” Sayle said, his voice hard. “It’s for a purpose.” He surrendered his own sidearm as well.

Reluctantly, Ocho stripped off his rifle and bandoliers and motioned for Ghost to do the same.

As soon as they were disarmed, they were led down another hall, past more Eagle Guards, and then into a huge room, full of columns and soldiers and chalkboards. The murmur of strategy surrounded them.

Ocho realized that they were in the heart of the UPF’s war room. From here, all orders issued. The lieutenant led them between the carved columns that held up the vaulted roof. They came around a column and Ocho gasped.

Colonel Glenn Stern stood before him, smiling. Ocho jumped to attention and saluted, jabbing Ghost to do the same. The Colonel returned the salute with a quick nod.

“Sergeant,” he said, “I’ve heard good things about you from the lieutenant.” Ocho stammered thanks but the Colonel’s gaze had fallen on Ghost.

“This is the one?”

“Yes, sir,” the LT said.

“Good.” The Colonel motioned for them to follow. They navigated amongst more columns, threading between them to the far side of the room. Ghost sucked in his breath. “Hold him, Sergeant,” Sayle ordered.

Ocho looked from Stern to the girl before them, uncertain.

“Hold him!” the lieutenant shouted, and Ocho did as he was told. He grabbed Ghost’s shoulder as the LT did the same on the other side.

Ghost started to struggle.

“Don’t,” Ocho warned. “LT’s got a plan.”