I look for Warner but he has already taken his place at the edge of the courtyard; it's obvious he's done this many times before. He pulls a small square of perforated metal out of his pocket and presses it to his lips; when he speaks, his voice carries over the crowd like it's been amplified.

"Sector 45."

One word. One number.

"Juliette, come here, please." 2 fingers bend in 2 places to beckon me forward.

Warner slips his arm around me. His gun is too close to my body."I hope you'll all greet her with the same sort of kindness," Warner says.

The soldiers drop their fists all at once, all at exactly the same time.

"Good."

The soldiers rise and rest their right fists on their chests again.

"The second matter at hand is even more pleasant than the first," Warner continues, though he seems to take no pleasure in saying it. "Delalieu has a report for us."

He glances at me for the first time and I have no idea how to read him.

"Delalieu," he says, still looking at me. "You may step forward."

His voice warbles when he speaks. "Sir." Warner nods in the balding man's direction.

Delalieu speaks,"We have a charge against Private 45B-76423. Fletcher, Seamus."

"Fletcher." One word from Warner and several hundred necks snap in the same direction. Fletcher steps out of line. Delalieu speaks again. "Private Fletcher was found.. to Sector 45 citizens. It is not known whether he betrayed sensitive information."

Warner levels his gaze at the gingerbread man. "Do you deny these accusations, soldier?" His voice cracks when he speaks. "No, sir." Warner nods.

And shoots him in the forehead.

Warner has to yank me free from the spot where I'm glued to the ground. And involuntarily, I cling to him. My hands, holding onto his forearm with a force that I didn't know I have.

Warner tucks his gun back into his jacket pocket. "Sector 45, you are dismissed."

Every soldier falls on one knee.