Chapter 31-1

The willingness with which our young people

Are likely to serve in any war, no matter

How justified, shall be directly proportional

To how they perceive veterans of early wars

Were treated and appreciated by our nation.

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—George Washington

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PAREESA

Every spring, the Hiddekel River rose and deluged the Ubaid's fields. Usually this happened over a period of many weeks, but during the night, the river had risen to within cubits of the northern gate and churned the water into an unappetizing, brownish-yellow sludge. Pareesa stared with dismay as a tree trunk large enough to carve into a boat floated up to her feet where, only yesterday, there had been a path.

"Alright, you lazy bunch of dogs!" Pareesa shouted at the B-Team. "Our practice area just got flooded out."

The B-Team grumbled ……