Ira and Meow swept the camp one last time before returning to the mess, where everyone had agreed to meet up.
“Any luck?” Sveta asked.
Ira shook her head. “No sign at all.”
“What if she comes back and wants to talk?” Tanya fretted, pacing frantically. “I can’t leave before she returns!”
Ira sighed. Tanya might have to do just that. They’d received the news just hours ago: Tanya and all of her fellow radio officers were being sent to the front tonight.
“I’m sure she’ll be back soon,” Ira said, but internally, she had a weight in her stomach that wouldn’t go away.
“I can’t not go,” Tanya said. “They need us at the front!”
As if on cue, several officers swept in. “Lieutenant Tsareva, you’re needed. Come.”
In anguish, hands clutched, Tanya looked between the officers and Ira. Her lip t
