Book excerpt: When the Body Politic declared an end to war, no less than three soldiers were outraged. Gertrude has been involved in war since time immemorial, and though these soldiers have reached the maximum age to serve they still feel slighted. To be the change they’d like to see in the world, Sal Cur, Huxley, and Magnus develop political aspirations. To abolish the age restriction the group seek unrivaled power. There is no war for them to fight until Gertrude suffers a natural disaster. With an enemy found, Sal Cur institutes the actions he promised campaigning. An academy is set up to train children who have lost some sense. This is the Mission for Excellent Soldiers Society. Its aim is to weaponize post-traumatic stress. After Maura Honor suffers an accident, she is invited from her hospital bed to a graduation ceremony for the First Class. Maura and the other pledges commit to a three year sentence. They learn about ancient warring tribes and outdated medical procedures, but little of their own time. They benefit from the plight of the tyrants however, and upon graduation use what’s been drilled into their skulls to find their place in the world. With power shifting hither and thither in Gertrude, nothing is absolute save change.