Chapter 109
Battle is a joyous thing.
We love each other so much in battle.
If we see that our cause is just and our kinsmen fight boldly,
Tears come into our eyes. A sweet joy rises in our hearts,
In the feeling of honest loyalty to each other,
And seeing our friend so bravely exposing his body to danger
In order to fulfill the commandment of our creator,
We resolve to go forward and die or live with him
On account of this love.
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—Jean de Breuil, 1465
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MIKHAIL
It's a short run, but the ground from here to the shuttle is lit by artificial lights, completely exposed, without a whit of cover or place to duck into a shadow. I glance toward the airfield where sixteen identical shuttles all sleep peacefully on the tarmac like squat, square grey beetles. Those shuttles are much m
