“Good.” Sergeant Buckholz leaned forward, and his voice changed subtly. “This isn’t an easy life, Diego. We go where the Protectorate needs us to go. We’ve had peace for many years, which is why most people think they want to join. Free education, land, money, glory . . . whatever drives kids these days. But the truth of the matter is, training can be just as dangerous as real combat. You could die in an accident, in combat, in school—”

“Or in an all...