“I won’t allow it to happen,” she continues. “Unfortunately, I had to paint you as a hero to get high command to ignore the whole thing. It wasn’t hard. With no warning your platoon almost destroyed an enemy strike force five times your number. And you . . . well, that was a pretty bit of fighting.”

“A hero, huh? Am I supposed to be grateful?” I am taken aback, my breast swelling with conflicting emotions.

She snorts. “Yes, in fact. You are. But I’ll give you a few weeks to come around to it.” She stands up, adjusting her uniform and giving me a tight-lipped smile. “In the meantime, I expect you to enjoy the hospitality here and get better. The remnants of your platoon are expected to be healed and ready for duty within eight weeks.”

This declaration is like a punch to the gut. I should have expected it, but . . . “You’re going to split us up?” After all we’ve been through, I don’t think I can bear to be assigned to a whole new platoon.

Marie shakes her head. “No. You’ll be joining my platoon.”

More conflicting emotions. “Even Bellara?” I can’t imagine that anyone in the military command would allow two Changers and a Smiling Tom in a single platoon.

“Even Bellara,” Marie confirms. “I have use for such an experienced group. I’ll make sure you don’t go to waste. That is, if the war is still going once you’ve healed.”

I am looking at the wall now, feeling distant and confused, but this last sentence brings my head around. “What do you mean, if the war is still going?”

Marie comes around to the other side of the bed. Her face draws close to mine, and I see suddenly that the coldness is a mask. Her expression softens, her eyes mellowing. “I don’t believe in half measures, Teado. I agreed to that mission, including Gift Horse, because the stakes are higher than they’ve ever been. We may have ended the war.”

My breath catches in my throat. I am instantly suspicious, because I’ve heard promises of peace since I was a child. “From the capture of one base?” I ask.

“It was a vital piece of the enemy’s attack corridor in this region.” Marie glances toward the door, and her voice is merely a whisper. “No one wants war anymore, Teado. The capture of the air base shows we still have some bite, and that gives us leverage. Talks have already begun.” She stands up, clearing her throat. “But you haven’t heard any of that.”

I do not respond. I am stunned. Peace, in my lifetime? Could it really be possible? I want to ask more questions, but Marie exits as quickly as she arrived. I am left open-mouthed, flapping like a fish, when Bellara enters the room.