Aloj figured it must be nearing 5:00 in the afternoon as they again assembled by the main tent. There were several tents---seven or eight in all---stretching right and left in a ragged row across this upper level of the camp, but as far as he could see, most events of importance happened at this one. The only thing that set it off in any way was the little wooden table that sat in front of it. The table was scarred, the legs uneven, and the brown paint was worn through on the top. Aloj thought it looked like the same table that Captain Maric had used that morning in the village. The presence of the table here gave him an ominous, uneasy feeling, as if he was always going to be standing in front of some battered table while the man behind it disposed of his life.498Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBvLsCcVCs
Then, while Aloj was still trying to get his chin back and his legs straight, the flap of the tent popped open and Captain Maric emerged and seated himself behind the table. Immediately three or four other officers appeared as if out of nowhere to stand on either side of the captain.
Aloj was a little surprised to see the captain. They had seen him climb into one of the trucks and drive away when they were on the road to the fortress this morning, and since then so much had happened that the captain had simple ceased to exist for him. It was like watching a kind of magic act now to see him arrange some papers on the table and then come around to the front of it to stand facing them.
"Baznja!" bawled a sergeant.
They snapped into positions something like that of true soldiers.
"I see you have already begun your training." The captain's voice was not loud, but it had a curious, carrying quality, and he seemed to be speaking to each man individually. "Sergeant Oluja has given me a good report of your drill this afternoon. He tells me that you new recruits are learning fast." He paused and this time his eyes coasted carefully over Aloj, Tokar, Kszar, and some others. Aloj made sure his face was blank and his eyes never left those of the captain. It was impossible to believe that Sergeant Oluja could have said anything favorable about them, but maybe tomorrow a miracle would happen and some of them would learn the difference between the commands and which feet were left and right.
The captain continued: "It is my greatest regret that we can allow you so little time in which to be trained. But we are---after all---Bordurians. That means in order to begin our struggle for the survival of our people, and then to win that struggle, we have to assemble an army and train it under the most adverse conditions. We do not have large bases and unlimited equipment or plenty of time to practice maneuvers. We have to hide in the woods, accept harsh living conditions, and make use of the most basic tools. Today Sergeant Oluja has been teaching you how to wage a military offensive by using silent hand signals. He tells me that you have done well. Tonight"---he paused and his eyes raked across their faces---"tonight you will be issued your guns."
The captain fell silent. The old soldiers were silent too and unmoving, but all at once Aloj felt his belly turn cold and sweat break out across his shoulders. A gun? Somebody is going to hand me a gun? Holy Mother of God---I only just learned to harvest wheat with a reaper without cutting myself two years ago. I can't even use a slingshot or throw stones and hit anything---I'm a kid---a kid----a dumb kid....
"We understand....." The captain spoke again, and his voice suddenly seemed somewhat ragged, as if he were hoarse from a bad cold or from talking too much. "We understand..." Again his eyes looked into them, although this time Aloj was conscious of some kind of curtain that seemed suddenly to have fallen between the officer and the soldiers. "We understand how difficult it is for you to learn so much in so short a time. Some of you have done very well. Some are a bit slower. Those of you who have had some training must therefore devote every moment you can find to teaching all you know to the knew men. Practice the moves. Rehearse the signals. When you receive your guns, practice loading and unloading the magazines, aiming, carrying. You will be issued your rifles and get a demonstration now. Without ammunition, of course. Only the experienced men carry ammunition. You will keep your rifle with you tonight, until drill is finished. By tomorrow I expect you to know how to load and unload it in the dark without making any noise."498Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5WcBKSZp7
He paused for a moment as Sergeant Oluja approached, handed some papers to the captain, and then fell back to stand behind him. In that moment Aloj turned with a startled look at Tokar. "They're going to give us guns?" he whispered. "How do they know we won't...."
But Tokar signaled "shut up," and just beyond Tokar, like a black moon rising, Aloj saw Davor leaning ever so slightly forward to look at him.498Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvn3Nm95p3K
That's how, he thought.498Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEWGA0GaKcR
