"We've seen how dangerous the rebels are," you say, "and Free Lhasa is familiar ground to them. We need to hit them hard and hit them fast."
"But we're understrength," Taiwo retorts, "and we'll be walking into a trap."
"But we've seen how the rebels fight enough times," you counter, "and they haven't defeated us yet."
"So just charge into the guns and hope for the best?" Taiwo snorts.
You know that the rebels have a certain predictability to their tactics, but as you try and explain it you find that you just can't make your point clearly. Other officers start to weigh in with their opinions, and the tactical discussion goes back and forth for a few minutes. Finally, Commander Celi holds up her hand for silence.
"First Lieutenant Magar is correct," she says, in a tone that permits no disagreement. "We will sweep the area in force and let Fleet deliver the medicine."
The briefing continues with specific tasks outlined for each platoon, and a discussion of lead versus supporting roles. It's decided that your platoon, as badly mauled as Taiwo's but with the more junior officer, will be kept back in reserve while the others advance on the primary mission. You know there's no point in arguing this assignment and you simply nod in acceptance.
"Platoons One through Four are going to be doing some simulator training this afternoon," Celi says, "to familiarize them with the urban terrain they'll be in tomorrow."
"And Fifth Platoon, ma'am?" you ask.
"They'll be doing mission inventory and support," she says. In other words, you realize, you'll be loading the five drop ships with all the gear needed for tomorrow. Neither glamorous nor fun, but it's what the reserve platoon does. Your mind is working on how you might make such pedestrian tasks more interesting when Celi leans in closer. "But I have a special task for you, Sublieutenant Vasanta."
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Part of your officer qualification is prisoner interrogation," she says, folding her arms, "and we have a few new prisoners captured yesterday on a raid. I want you to pull what you can from this rebel officer."
She hands you a tablet with a photo and basic information on it. You struggle to keep your face impassive: the prisoner is Major Zhang.
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