To speak is to open minds. To lead is to open hearts.

    "You wanted to see me, General?" I ask, standing at the ready as soon as I enter the General's quarters. This could go either really well or really poor, and considering the stunt I pulled back in the caves, I'm betting on the latter. I interrupted a commander, which is unheard of. Then, I disobeyed their orders and encouraged others to do so as well. Yep, I'm in for it.  

    "Yes. Desta, come here." She speaks, barely glancing up. I walk over to where she beckons. She is standing on one side of a holo-table. The table itself is grey with a blue top, but the image is in more colors. I see two cliffs, both a shade of brown. In between them lies a narrow path. The only entrances to the path are at the ends of the cliffs. A large red mass is on the path, and two small blue masses are on either side of the cliffs. I understand at once: she's working on war tactics. "What would you do in this situation, Desta?" She asks, "Our forces are here," she points to one of the blue masses, "And here. The enemy outnumbers us ten to one. However, they are down on the path, and we are up on the cliffs."

    I see the obvious answer. Cut them off on both sides of the chasm and surround them. We may suffer some losses, but they would surely see some sense and surrender. I start to open my mouth, then I see the expectant look in her eyes. It can't be that simple. She's testing me. I look closer. The cliffs look unstable. I look around for a certain spot

    "Hit this cliff with a rocket launcher. Right here," I point, "That should cause an avalanche and take them out." I share. Astrid doesn't change the look of expectation. Did I say something wrong? That move would win us the battle.

    "Not a very honorable move, soldier," She frowns.

    "Honor doesn't win battles, cunning does."

    "But are we trying to win the battle, or win the people?" This time, it's my turn to frown. I search her expression to see if I can find the answer she wants, but she hides it well. One false move, and I may spring a trap.

     "The people, General, but more people rally behind a winning force than an honorable force." I say. She stops questioning, satisfied with my answer. Astrid clicks a few buttons on the holotable and the image dissipates. She sits, and motions for me to have a seat on the opposite side of the table. I oblige.

    "I assume you know the real reason why you're here, Desta."

    "Yes, General," I reply. Here it comes.

    "You assumed the role of your superior officer. You commanded your fellow soldiers. You disrupted the order." She states in a surprisingly calm voice.

    "Yes, General."

    "Yet, in doing so, you saved the life of another one of your superior officers."

    "I was just doing my job, General," I answer. Maybe I'm not in trouble. Astrid puts a hand on her head and sighs.

    "This is a difficult situation you've put me in, soldier. Marina's calling for you to be court marshalled." She says. I'm struck by awe. Marina would do that? I stick my hand in my pocket and finger the small piece of leather I keep in there. My fingers trace over the familiar groove of the letters, matumaini. Hope.

    "But I think you did more than just save a life in there, soldier. You gave the people what they needed: Unity. You brought them together." I smile with relief. I should have known Astrid would see reason.

    "All I did was remind them of what we're fighting for, General."

    "Sometimes, that's all the people need. They need someone to motivate them, to keep them going, to show them what's right. We have too many fighters in this war, not enough leaders. Desta, you're a good soldier, but I'm afraid things can't stay that way. " She says. My eyes widen in surprise. What's going on here?

    "Which is why, with the consent of the Pack, you will be taking on the new role as a captain. Congratulations, soldier." I can hardly contain my excitement. Me? A captain?

    "Thank you, General! You won't regret it!" I shake her hand and move to the door.

    "Desta, wait." Astrid stops me. I turn back around.

    "Yes, General?"

    "If the Pack doesn't deem you fit to lead, I'm going to have to give Marina what she wants." She says with a sigh. "I'm afraid my hands are tied. Either you get this role, or you're out." I nod. The stakes are higher, but I'm sure I can do it. I have to. I've been fighting for too long to hit rock bottom again. I walk out the door and hear it slide shut behind me. I turn to the right to go back to my room, and run straight into the last person I want to see. Marina.

    "Commander," I nod politely. She smirks.

    "Hello, pretty boy. Did you have a nice little chat with the general? Win her over with tea and biscuits?" Marina says mockingly.

    "Listen Commander, if this is about what happened in the tunnels, let me apologize. I meant no harm."

    "Apologize? You made a fool out of me! Listen, pretty boy, You can keep all your dainty little words and mannerisms, but leave the leadership to the real soldiers." I clench my teeth. How dare she? But to get upset wouldn't end well. I take a deep breath and try again.

    "Marina, I was trying to help. Tristan was going to die back there. I had to do something."

    "Oh, you're the one who cares about Tristan? Where have you been for the past two days when he's been, I don't know, battling for his life? I don't recall you sitting in the med bay with him. I don't remember hearing overly passionate speeches about a world that's never going to come. I don't recall hearing your loud, obnoxious voice waking him. Stop pretending to care about him and own up to your actions. You don't deserve to be rewarded. You messed up, pretty boy. I make a pretty bad enemy." She spits. Marina turns on her heel and walks away unsteadily, leaving me to contemplate her words. She's right, I haven't visited Tristan once since we got back. Then again, we're hardly friends. I'm not even sure if we're close enough to be acquaintances. I trusted that he would be safe in the hands of the medics. In the hands of Taria. What was I really doing in the caves, saving Tristan, or saving Taria? There's no way she could be a spy. I rub my palm along my forehead. There's too much going on for me to sort my thoughts.

    A captain, I think, I'm going to be a captain.

    This lone thought keeps me going as I walk through the long hallways with nothing but my racing thoughts. There's one problem with this logic. There's a roadblock between me and my promotion: Marina. And I'm sure she will stop at nothing to make sure I don't get this spot.