“But Mamochka, where are you going?”

Corporal Oksana Denisovna Tupelov sighed, turned back from the door, scooped her daughter into her arms and held her close. Then she knelt, put the child down at arms’ length and met the wide blue eyes with what she hoped was a convincingly stern gaze.

“I told you, Ilyushka, I have to go to the base. Babu will take care of you all day, and we will have dinner together.”

Two year old Ilyena screwed her eyes closed and took a deep breath, but the tantrum was diverted by the arrival of none other than Babu herself. The older woman skillfully swept up the child, inserted a still-warm shortbread cookie into grateful hands and mouth, and balanced the girl on her hip.

“Don’t worry about us, we will have a fine time exploring the new quarters. Our task today is to find just the right place for a blanket castle, isn’t that right?” This last directly to the child.

Oksana sighed again. “Thank you again for coming with us, Mother. I can’t be late to the first day of training.”

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Babu cocked her head and raised an eyebrow. “You seem a bit nervous about this training. What exactly are they teaching you again?”

“Eh, it’s the Army — all I know is it was very selective, very secret, and it’s only conducted at this base. But it comes with our own quarters, and they promised I would earn my stripes if I complete the first phase. And no shipping out for combat, we stay here. With the rest of the world going to hell, that seemed like a good deal to me.”

“Well then you’d best not waste time talking to an old woman. Off with you! We’ll be fine.”

Oksana took a last look around the room, the grandmother and child flanked by unadorned walls, Army-issue furniture, and a clutter of open boxes. The first morning light was glowing through the open window, softening the harsh shadows cast by a single bulb overhead. But the scent of fresh cookies, as much as the presence of her family, made it feel already more a home than any open barracks ever could.

She met her daughter’s gaze once more. “You might as well learn this now, little one. We do what we must. But I promise to come back, and Babu will keep you safe until then.”

She turned to her mother. “I’ll see you both tonight. Wish me luck.”

“Feh. Luck is for children. We came all the way out to this God-forsaken place. Go show them what my daughter can do.”