Babu took slow, measured steps toward the soldier, his hands raised in a gesture of peace. "Come on," he said, his voice calm and measured. "Mila came here of her own free will! We didn't capture her!"
The soldier leveled his gun at Babu, his expression stony. "Put your hands up and get down on your knees," he ordered.
Babu protested, "It's just a big misunderstanding--"
But Hiroshi cut him off, his tone resigned. "Panda. You're wasting your breath. They're here to follow orders. They won't listen to you or me."
I nodded in agreement. "Hiroshi is right. Let's do what they say for now."
With a heavy heart, I lowered myself to the ground and raised my hands as the soldiers commanded. Babu and Hiroshi followed suit, but it was clear from the frustration etched on their faces that they were chafing under the indignity of being treated like criminals.
