The rain had stopped early in the morning, leaving the prisoner of war camp to start its day under a gloomy drizzly sky. The twin fences, warning wire and guard towers dripped depressingly onto the

graveled ground as the prisoners straggled out for morning formation and count in their brown coats.

The Alliance commandant strode to the center of the formation. "Attention to orders. It has been

announced today by Alliance Central Military Command that the war is over. You will be released

soon. Remain calm and in good order. Joint Repatriation Teams will arrive within a few days. Carry on. Dismissed."

A single voice shouted from somewhere in the rear of the formation, "Who won?", but the insolent

tone was faked. Everybody here knew the answer.

****

It hadn't been a few days, it was closer to two months.

"Next!"

The POW stepped up in his tattered uniform. He hadn't been athletic while on active duty, and in his time in the prison camp, had gotten round, and grown a big mustache.

"Name, rank, serial number, and date of capture?"

"Washburne, Hoban, flight lieutenant." He reeled off the numbers.

"You've been in here a long time, lieutenant."

"Yessir."

"Don't have much to say, do you?"

"Laconic, sir."

"All right, here's your packet . Read 'em and sign ."

There were a lot of papers. Discharge from the Independent Military Sevices, Recognition of Honorable Service. Pardon for Rebellion against the Alliance. Amnesty against Crimes Committed During Wartime. Final Settlement and Rejection of Claims against the Parliament. He signed, and returned the duplicate copies.

"Very good, here's your reparations payment."

It wasn't much. Payment for some months of active service, and so many years as a POW, paid at the rate of Recruit Private. A voucher good for one fare on any space vessel, paid by the Alliance Parliament, 200 platinum in cash.

"Good luck, son." He ignored the outstretched hand ,and turned and marched out the gate. By the time he reached the end of the road