Shira bolted upright, groped for her gear, and was out of the door in moments. She ran to her place in the assembly yard. In the light barely enough for her to make out the face next to her, she listened to the murmor of assembling troops.

Devon stood in front of the medics and held up his hands for attention. As the whispered conversations among the medics died, he cleared his throat.

"Medics," Devon began. "We will follow our soldiers to an area where we hope to intercept the enemy. As soon as the violence begins, I will order you to aid the wounded as it is safe. If the battle goes well, the army may continue on an offensive course, possibly into enemy lands. But for now, we'll be in our territory. Don't damage private property if you can help it. Don't kid around." Devon looked out at his medics from under steady eyelashes. "This is serious work. The safety of other men and the freedom of our country may depend on this battle. Anyone disobeying orders or deserting will be taken under arrest. As you all know, the punishment for deserting, treason, or sabotage is death by hanging. Anyone resisting arrest will be shot on the spot."

The assembly yard murmured with low speech and the calls of roll, but the medics stood in silent attention. Shira's hand clutching the strap of her pack began to ache. "I'll take roll in a moment. As you reply, show me your white medic armband. That's the only thing that'll promise you some safety on the battlefield. But remember that you're not immune to stray bullets, and that the enemy will shoot at anyone, medic or no, that looks to be a threat." Shira dug into her pack, reached aorund the bedroll and tin mess kit, and pulled out the scrap of white that was to protect her. As she struggled to tie it on with only her right hand, the names of the roll flowed around her.

"Shira!!"

Shira straightened. "Present!"

The murmur continued. Dawn broke and Shira's legs ached from standing. Then the camp fell to silence with the crescendo of one bugle. The sound of marching feet rose across the assembly yard.