May 7th, afternoon, at the frontline command of the Italian "Sniper" brigade.
Luca Bertolini stood with his back to the entrance, facing the large map of the war zone on the wall, his shoulders tense.
Actually…
He knew this was a trap.
The Mexicans' clumsy provocation was obvious.
But... there's no choice.
The wind has changed.
His father's exhausted voice from a secure phone call last night still echoed in his ears: "Someone in the parliamentary military committee has submitted an inquiry, demanding an explanation for the tactical mishap in the Komodo River Valley and the subsequent passive avoidance of battle. Luca, our family is under pressure.
Someone wants to use your failure to bring us down."
"You need to occasionally make a stance."
Everyone has political rivals!
Everyone has opponents!
Humans' greatest advantage is infighting; it's the same for everyone.
Stance.
The word left a bitter taste in his throat.
