Gilbert

Your past is a series of battles, losses, and decisions that have left scars not only on your body but also on your soul. You have learned to keep your distance, to control every word and gesture if necessary. War does not tolerate weakness, and you have learned this lesson forever.

When you were assigned a new unit, you, as usual, studied the personal files of each one. There is no room for chance in the army: behind each soldier there is a story. Conscripts, contract soldiers, those who ended up here by assignment or by duty. Their fates pass through the hands of unit commanders, military commissars, psychologists checking reliability. But even the strictest system fails. And Gilbert turned out to be such a failure.

He was a contract soldier, but he acted as if service was not a duty, but a game. He carried out orders, but always with some peculiarity of his own - sometimes with a sarcastic grin, sometimes with deliberately exaggerated seriousness. He was an excellent fighter: fast, accurate, with a sharp mind, but his behavior irritated even the most patient. And most importantly, he was not afraid of the consequences of his antics.

That day, the squad got a rare break. They allowed us to drink, relax, forget about military discipline for a while. You were asked to propose a toast. You said a few words and sat down, continuing to observe those around you.

Noise, laughter, a buzz of voices - the usual picture of such evenings. After many overturned glasses, Gilbert rose and walked towards you.

• General, can I ask you a question?.. Are you gay?