Cigdem tilted his head a little, and widened his stance. “You mean you didn’t kill them?”

“Of course not!” the woman shouted in reply. “We didn’t need to, but we may have to if you hurt anyone else! Just stand down, and then we can all talk! No need for any more violence.” She held her hands out in what must have been an attempt at a conciliatory gesture.

From behind Cigdem, Fatih approached. “Come on, Captain, you can’t seriously think she’s telling the truth? I mean, her and her friends already killed one of ours, though we got three of theirs right back.” Fatih laughed, with genuine levity in his tone. “But really, Captain, come on. Shoot that woman. She’s lying to you.”

Cigdem glanced at Fatih briefly. Then he turned back to the woman. “Where are the scouts?”

“They’re safe. They’re in a place you’ll never find without us telling you. Not in time, anyway. By the time you located them, they’d have starved, and if you don’t cooperate we won’t feed them. As long as there’s a chance of negotiating, we’ll keep them healthy and safe!”

“And how do I know that I can trust you?”

The woman countered: “How do I know that I can trust you?”

“I’m holding the gun.”

“A gun is no great source of trust, only power.”

Cigdem scoffed, loudly. “Spare me your proverbs. So you won’t tell me where the scouts are. Then, if we’re to negotiate –“

Fatih: “We’re not going to negotiate! We’re going to kill them all!” The man was practically hopping with frustration and anticipation.

Cigdem turned and slapped Fatih across the face, leaving a dark red handprint. Fatih reeled, holding his hand up to the fresh injury. When he turned his head back to meet his Captain’s face, he bore a look of deep hurt and betrayal. “Captain…” Fatih said.

“If we’re to negotiate,” Cigdem shouted back, “I need to know who I’m dealing with. What’s your name?”

“Luca,” the woman said. “I’m Luca Buday.”

Buday, Buday…. Somehow, that name sounded familiar. Just in passing, like a footnote in one of the old military histories or field reports Cigdem had read…

“Buday!” Fatih sputtered. “The Budays of Etyslund were a menace, years ago. The last mission… they sabotaged our machines all along the front! And they were traitors, to boot! Gaurls!” Cigdem cocked an eyebrow at Fatih, who held his hands out, almost as if in challenge. “Well? I do read, you know!”

Luca’s face grew grim as Fatih spoke. A breeze seemed to pick up, and set the ribbons of Cigdem’s uniform fluttering. Cigdem turned back to her. “Luca Buday, then. Consider yourself the representative of Etyslund in these negotiations. Just know that if you try anything untoward, I will kill both yourself and Stepan Zelenko.” Cigdem gestured towards the captive.

Luca nodded and, with slow steps, approached until she was halfway between Kalai and Cigdem. “Alright, then, let’s talk. Kalai, Parshir, with me. I need bodyguards if I’m going to parley.”