The woman, dark-haired and young, stood clutching her child in the attitude of a protective Madonna. But for the field, the German soldier, and the mother and child, there was nothing to be seen. A moment frozen in time. The soldier, legs spread and planted in perfect firing form, without the slightest sign of hesitation, had aimed his rifle and fired at her head. He must have fired because the woman's bare feet were lifted an inch or two above the ground. The woman still shielded the tiny child..... Apparently he had opted not to try to kill them both with a single bullet, though it might have been done with a shot through her back. This way was surer. Brunner looked closer. Was there a hint of doubt in the soldier's face? No. He had only closed his eyes in reflex to the gun's recoil. Equivocation, splitting hairs. It didn't matter in the least. The terror and death of the innocents were the same. He began to feel sick again, and his task was not yet completed. "Acknowledge," he said, almost swooning. The terminal read clearly: DEMOCRATIC GERMAN NON-MILITARY PERSONNEL Enter There was no horror left inside him, and yet still the prayer was heard, repeating its endless cadence. NOT HER, OR IF IT MUST BE HER THAT SOMEHOW SHE DIED QUICKLY. NO PLEASE, TAKE ME INSTEAD. Till in his delirium he spoke to the soldier, and pleaded with him not to shoot. He had to hold one hand with the other to make it work, but on his third attempt punched in correctly: Ara Heidi Brunner, DOB 12/10/89. The networked computers responded. Brunner, Ara Heidi- 12/10/89 CC#: 320-557-877-666 Sex: Female Eyes: Blue Hair: Black Height: 5'6" Weight: 110 lbs Born Badenberg JCFv Schiller Educated Berlin University Masters Degree Environmental Science Married Olaf Augustine Brunner 6/20/10 Residence Black Forest Province Currently Assigned NorthWest Geological Title Agricultural Technician Current Status * Having thus filled the display box the lighted asterisk began to flash, waiting for the signal to advance. Here Brunner hesitated, as his lips tried to mumble some words. "You have to be alive, I won't let you." Or was it, "Our father full of grace if I mean anything to you dear God if my efforts mean anything." He pushed the continuity icon. Detained Non-Essential Personnel Designated Prison Planet Dracus IIa Late Change Retained Under Order Gen. (Classified) Current Location (Classified) And it was indeed his lucky day. For whether she lived or died, she was not there.