"I don't have any illusions about my ability to magically stop the fighting altogether," you admit, "but I can influence my commanders to keep the fighting away from civilian populations—if your forces do the same."
"Our job is to protect our people," Zhang replies, "not endanger them."
"Then let's keep this conflict between soldiers. Every time civilians become casualties, the chance of negotiations succeeding becomes less."
"We can do that," Zhang says, "if you can."
A distant boom suddenly rattles the room. You glance around in surprise. Zhang is on his feet.
"Is that an attack?" you ask.
"I think our discussion will have to wait, Sublieutenant Vasanta," he says, opening the door.
He gives the Sergeant orders to escort you to the lock-up quickly, and then to report to his station. Zhang disappears back into his quarters as the Sergeant takes you by the shoulder and hurries you along the tunnel. There is one other soldier with you, and you can see rebels running everywhere. Up ahead, the red glow of the hangar becomes visible, and you can just make out the lights of an airship as it sets down.
There's a blinding flash as an explosion roars through the hangar. The Sergeant's body is thrown against yours and you topple backward onto the ground. A wave of heat washes over you, followed seconds later by a powerful backdraft down the tunnel. Dust chokes the air, and you realize you can't hear anything.
The Sergeant's broken body lies on the ground next to you. With it as a shield and with your armor still intact, you realize you were spared the full force of the blast. On instinct you grab for the keys on his belt and struggle to get your handcuffs off. You still can't hear anything, but you see the first stirring of movement in the operations room behind you.
You grab the Sergeant's—your—assault rifle and leap to your feet. Time to disappear.
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