“What is this?” Jiehong asked.

Zan nodded, not knowing what else he should do. “I dunno,” he said.

“You guys find the colonel. I have to link up with my scouting team,” Whiskey said.

With Whiskey gone, the boys got to work scouring the local mass of soldiers.

“How can you say that? The Expanse is our enemy! Not a system to look up to!” one man shouted to another man; “I don’t think the rebels are unwarranted. For too long, has the leadership of our country been content to throw everyone under the carriage. And why? For the benefit of the landlords!” another man yelled; groups of men took part as well, with some groups even having makeshift banners to show their identification. Zan could not tell right away about what they were fighting about, though it seemed about family size vis-à-vis.rural vs. urban socio-politics. Not like Zan knew anything about that, but still. The Colonel presided over the verbal arguing. He stood at a podium with a gavel. He would bang the gavel whenever his men got out of hand. Zan did not know how long this discussion lasted, but way too long, in his opinion.

When the discussion calmed down, and his responsibilities ended, Winters came to the youths who showed him such bravery in the past. “Sorry about the political discussion,” Winters said to the boys. “Sometimes being out in the field is the best way to air our differences with one another. Away from gentile society, a man can be a man. Show what he really values. I believe it strengthens bonds between battle-buddies, but maybe I am wrong?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Jiehong said. “It was interesting to get so many different adult perspectives on issues. Is it normal for banners and brawls to be part of the discussion?”

“Very normal! People take their political affiliations seriously! When you guys get older, you’ll learn all about that,” the Colonel said.

“No doubt. Can we get that briefing, though?” Zan asked.

“Asking for a briefing. Again, you guys — naturally made soldiers! Maybe politics won’t be your forte after all! Follow me to the command tent.”

The colonel took Zan and Jiehong to the war tent. It was a large tarp structure with a couple of dozen people inside. Everyone was busy consulting charts, maps, and reviewing data on the enemy. No one paid them any heed walking inside.

The colonel led them over to a part of the tent filled with massive sitting pillows. “Grab a seat,” the Colonel said.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Zan sat on a large red pillow smelling of herbs.

Before them lay a scale model of the villa and its surrounding land. Different colored mini-flags dotted the landscape.

“Before we get into this,” the Colonel began. “Please update me on this new contraption of yours, Zan.”

Zan didn’t need any additional probing. He knew what the colonel meant. “So, the thing on my head is called a ‘command center system.’ A ‘command center’ being our Order’s base of operations. Jiehong and I’s handlers say it is a powerful organizational warfare suite. They’ve said the device will change the way I see and interact with the world, which will give me a leg up in war. Until I see battle, I don’t really know what that means…” Zan said, ending on a shrug.

The colonel made lots of ‘noises of consideration.’ Ooos! and ahhhs! while Zan spoke. When Zan finished speaking, the colonel made lots of ‘gestures of consideration,’ such as rubbing his chin and looking lopsidedly at parts of the room as he mused.

“Okay,” the Colonel said, finally going through his verbal and physical tics. “I know what we will do, Zan. It is ideal for everyone. We are here to break the enemy’s siege of the viceroy’s villa. We then rescue the embattled lord and get out of here. Nothing more than that, so no heroics on defeating the enemy host, which vastly outnumbers us. Our purpose here is strategic. Your role in this battle will be to lead one of the infiltration squads heading into the villa.”

“An infiltration squad? Are you sure…?” Jiehong said, his breath taken by the honor. “Not like I am complaining. No!” A laugh to show his warmth to the plan escaped Jiehong’s lips.

“I am sure. Both you and Zan have proven yourselves in combat. Not only on the bridge, where you showed dedication to how the royal army does things, but in previous encounters as well. If you folk hadn’t rescued me from the camp, had we never destroyed that automotron construction site, maybe I would be more hesitant to grant you such a role in a battle. But our fates are not different. I have seen you two in actions. I know your capabilities. And with Whiskey to boot, the final element of my plan has come together.”

“Plan? Sir? Whiskey?” Zan asked.

“I cannot join your squad. I must direct this host during the main engagement. But with you, Jiehong, and Whiskey together, I can trust you’ll fight well. Whiskey has her own troops. Jiehong, I will give you a small score of men loyal to me. These men will answer to your command as long as it makes operational sense — show them anything less than pure leadership and they might just take command from you!” The colonel laughed. “Seriously, though. Don’t overthink it. You’ll do fine. Which brings me to Zan. You, lad.

How does being an independent commander sound?”

“It sounds cool… what is it, though?” Zan said.

“Mostly what it says on the surface. You are a commander, but independent. You only take orders from those directly above you. You can order anyone directly below you so as long as it does not interfere with operational capacity. And before you ask, 'operational capacity' means anything essential to the mission. Anyone on the battlefield will know what that means and know whether they can help you, as an independent commander."

Zan thought the issue over, but he really had no objections. He only had questions.

Questions, though, which brimmed within Zan's mind, he knew better than to ask a million of... "How does it sound?" Zan repeated. "I love it."