10/03/2026 14:33

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***That evening before dismissal for supper, Dao addressed the platoon inranks. His role was reconnaissance, not conquest; he'd landed to get knowledge. Burnt Woods was now the administrative capital of what was left of therepublic of Smolen. Thenthe cadre unit would train the white regiments.

71Gulthar Kro had settled into the Smoleni 3rd Ranger Battalion morecomfortably than in any family or group he'd ever been part of. The voice was deep and had no edge. They trained forsix years; I trained for one. Thisevening he would rebalance himself-enter a trance and regain neutrality onthe subject.