“You heard her story,” Novus said. “Every one of your ‘Girls’ Own’ has a story like that. Some father or brother or uncle that they’ve turned on, in defiance of the laws of God and man, to run off and play at soldiers. And I have to stand here and watch as my battalion, which I chose to stand with when the war came, is perverted by this . . . this ridiculous farce. If I had my way, I’d tell the lot of them they could go home, if their families will still take them, or stay here and be whores. At least then they’d be good for something.” He sneered. “They seem well on their way to that already.”

He ran out of breath, and stood there for a moment, panting.

“Is that all?” Winter said, keeping her voice mild with an effort.

“You’re the one I don’t understand, sir,” Novus said. “These volunteers don’t know anything about war. But you’re a man, and you were a real soldier, in Khandar. How can you lead these girls out there knowing what’ll happen to them? They’ll be overrun the first time they meet the enemy, and those of them that don’t eat cold steel will spend the rest of the war sucking Hamveltai cock at knifepoint.” He eyed her dubiously. “Are you just too afraid of the general to speak up, is that it? If you had any balls at all, you’d resign rather than lead this freak show.”

Winter wanted to laughed and cry all at once. She swallowed hard. “Very well. Your point is taken, Lieutenant. And what do you suggest I do with you now?”

“I’ll tell you exactly what you’re going to do,” Novus said. “Nothing. Because you know as well as I do that I’m right, and every man in the Royals agrees with me. Captain Sevran’s a coward, but if you lay a finger on me, the whole damned battalion will be on my side. We’ll see what your girls are worth then.”

For just a moment, Winter was back in Khandar, with Sergeant Davis looming over her with his great scarred fists raised. Her breath caught, but when she blinked, the image was gone. Novus was no Davis, had none of the sergeant’s strength or brutality. Looking at him now, she could see he was scared, talking big because he knew he’d backed himself into a corner.

“Thank you for being frank with me, Lieutenant,” Winter said. “I’ll consider what you’ve said. You’re dismissed.”

Fear turned to triumph in Novus’ eyes. “Oh yes. Consider it.” He shook his head. “You are a fucking coward, aren’t you? I can see that now. I should have known it all along. Go ahead, then. Lead us to disaster. Once your girls get slaughtered, we’ll be there to pick up the pieces.”

He turned on his heel and stalked away. Winter sucked in a long breath and blew it out again.