Asimov's Science Fiction: July 2013 by Penny Publications Page A

participate?"
    Berezovsky shook his head. "This is the only one, and access is tightly controlled. Even my secretary does not know the nature of this program.
    "Is it not unusual enough, Captain, for a very few, very young men to show such extraordinary potential that they bypass much of the routine preparation for positions of great responsibility? So long as we produce only one, sometimes two, Teryoshas a year, and they are posted far apart from one another in different offices of the government, it
is
unusual but not alarming—and only adds to the sub-academy's prestige. But imagine if the program was to expand, and sudden savants ascended across the country? The upheaval... there would be no hope of secrecy after that."
    Miroslav sensed a tiny opening. "Perhaps it would be better if I withdrew, then, to leave room for a better candidate."
    Berezovsky frowned. "You would toss out your patronage with the rubbish? Unthinkable. Do you think you would prefer to be a wounded veteran instead of a whole and hearty soldier?"
    Miroslav shrugged. "What is a warrior without his wounds?" he asked.
    Berezovsky stood, his countenance as hard as if it were carved from stone. "Stronger," he said, and gestured for Miroslav to follow him out of the off ice.
    Anastasiya was at her desk, radiant in a bright yellow blouse. "Miss Kozyreva, Captain Ponomarenko has selected Cadet Ortoff for early graduation. We are going to administer his final test. Please see that we are not disturbed."
    Anastasiya nodded, but as Berezovsky strode by she looked Miroslav in the eye.Sadness worse than he had seen at Pasha's funeral shadowed her face. She mouthed, "Don't," and glanced quickly at the administrator to ensure he hadn't seen. She reached out and took Miroslav's good hand, and the blood in his heart suddenly felt hot and thick; she squeezed his hand and shook her head, then released him and turned away.
    Miroslav limped down the corridor, leaning hard on his walking stick, wondering how many times Anastasiya had seen officials leave with Berezovsky to administer a test, only to have them die in the process. She was always a smart girl.
    She had reached out to him. Had she forgiven him? Or had she never condemned him? Had he done that to himself?
    In a few hours the Miroslav she knew would be gone. Would she, could she care for a not-Miroslav, a Slava in a permanent disguise? Could he
be
the same Miroslav in his Teryosha body, or would he be another Rostropovich, a fearless fool who would get others killed? Would he end up with a real boy's body but a wooden heart?
    Cadet Ortoff was waiting for them in the infirmary. Berezovsky greeted him with expansive praise, spoke of his exemplary performance and the very special test that would now be administered that, if he passed, would qualify him to graduate early. Berezovsky went on and on, but Miroslav did not listen: he watched the cadet's smile widen, his chest swell. Ortoff had no idea his future was about to be given to Miroslav.
    Berezovsky clapped the young man on the back and ushered him into the ward. Miroslav followed, with each step coming to a new decision.
    Once through the doorway, Miroslav brought his cane down on Berezovsky's head.
    The administrator turned, shock in his eyes, and a quick blow to the temple broke the ferrule off the cane but knocked the administrator out completely.
    Cadet Ortoff, after the initial shock, took a step as if to defend Berezovsky. Miroslav put the broken tip of his cane in the cadet's chest, and said, "By my authority as an officer, you will say nothing of this. Do you understand? I have just saved your life."
    It was clear that Cadet Ortoff did not understand, but also that he would not defy this mad captain. Miroslav called through the open doorway, "Nurse Godina! I need you."
    The old nurse bustled in from the anteroom and stopped short, surprise switching in an instant to professional detachment as she hurried to Berezovsky's side. "What have you done?" she