The colonel was seated at the teacher’s desk. He removed a well-worn Tokarev pistol from his holster and placed it on the desktop. “I am only going to ask you this once,” he said. “Was Captain N’Truri there?”

“I…I don’t know,” the private stammered. “There were so many people, and it was so confusing…”

“Was…Captain…N’Truri…there?” the colonel repeated, drawing out each word before clipping it off.

“I…I think…”

The colonel picked up the pistol and cocked it. “I’m not going to ask again.”

“Yes,” the private cried, anguished. “I saw Captain N’Truri at the site of the ambush. He was leading the troops that attacked us.”

“Ah,” the colonel said thoughtfully. “Thank you very much, private.” He raised his pistol and shot his man through the head.

“Get that mess cleaned up, and get me more troops. We’re going hunting.”