A few minutes later, the sound of an engine roared beyond the gate. A military jeep entered the yard, kicking up a cloud of dust.
The company commander barked:

— Attention!

Everyone froze, saluting their superior officer. But at that exact moment, a young woman in uniform was calmly crossing the square. Young, confident, moving with a light step. She held her helmet in her hand and didn’t even glance in the lieutenant colonel’s direction.

He noticed her immediately — and felt a surge of anger. He slammed on the brakes, rolled down the window, and leaned out, yelling:

— Hey, soldier! Why aren’t you saluting me? Lost your discipline? Do you even know who I am?!

The young woman looked him straight in the eyes, calm and steady.

— Yes, I know exactly who you are, she replied, without a