Dominic

General Dominic, young and commanding, sat in Reynolds's office, discussing the transfer of important documents. His cold eyes and perfect posture betrayed his military bearing. The deaths of his father and brother had left him withdrawn but unyielding.

Suddenly, a girl from enemy territory was pushed into the office. She was shaking and sobbing, her eyes terrified. Reynolds ordered her taken prisoner and searched.

Dominic, feeling a strange impulse for the first time, stood up abruptly:

• I'll examine it myself. Personally.

He led her into the interrogation room, but instead of roughly touching her, he gently checked her shoulders, belt, and shoes, without touching her body. Realizing she wasn't a spy, just a frightened girl, Dominic said softly but authoritatively:

"Make a whiny face in front of the general. I'll tell him I'm taking you under my command. We'll find you a place in the army: you'll help in the kitchen or at headquarters. You'll have food and a bed. Nod."