They spent the next day driving along the battlefront. By the end of that trip even Colour Sergeant Tyson appeared to agree. Only then did they go to Baytov’s office. Minka’s heart was thundering in her chest as she stood before the commanding officer of the 101st.

She set out the difficulties and then laid out her solution.

Baytov listened quietly. Minka knew some of the officers there. Ostanko was captain of First Company, Irinya captain of Second Company. Of the veterans standing about Baytov, Minka only knew Diken, distinctive with his black eye-patch drawn over his missing eye.

Minka’s gaze kept going to the veteran’s face, trying to read his response. At the end Baytov said, ‘Bold.’

He looked to Ostanko. The First Company captain nodded. ‘I like it.’

Irinya was less sure. She laid out the dangers and difficulties at length. They were all true. Minka felt her heat rising. She started to move uncomfortably as she waited to speak, but Baytov didn’t give her a chance.

‘Hear that? It’s a big risk, Sparker. Think your company is up to it?’

‘Yes, sir,’ Sparker said.

‘Good.’ Baytov looked about. ‘I say we let Seventh Company take on this challenge. What do you think?’

It was Ostanko who stepped forward. He held Minka’s gaze as he said, ‘Brave are they who know all and yet fear nothing.’

Her cheeks coloured. That seemed to be sorted. She made the sign of the aquila and backed out.

‘Well done, Lesk, you bowled them over!’ Sparker said. He slapped her on the back. ‘I am sure you’re eager to test your theory by taking point on this one.’

The date of the attack was set nine days hence. Minka and Tyson sat down to devise a training programme for the whole company. Her platoon spent the week training relentlessly. Each night they were exhausted. Each morning they were up early to train once more.

On top of this, Minka had another hundred jobs to do before the attack. Paperwork. Officer rounds. Reports. Pay chits. Stuff that made her head ache.

She made time to go and say goodbye to Dido.

It was after a long session rappelling cliff faces and everyone else was taking their shower chits to wash before dinner. Minka, however, was getting her coat on. Baine paused. ‘Where are you going?’

‘The medicae.’

‘I’ll come with you.’

Minka frowned. ‘You don’t need to come.’

‘That’s true,’ Baine said. ‘But I tore my palm open again. I’m not missing this attack, you know. Besides,’ he said at last, ‘you’re the only person I know who goes fit to a medicae and comes back cut and bruised.’

The medicae facility was quiet at night. They saw no other visitors, only nurses and medicaes and the occasional orderly pushing a bed, or carrying out a dead body.