The 13th Star: An Action Adventure Sci-F Apocalyptic Novel by Adam Peled

into our
     ranks.”
    “All of us? What do you mean?” Rettoul couldn’t follow the chief of staff, who sighed as if explaining it for the thousandth time and was about to lose his patience.
    “Zoi, the dandy and chatterbox, is here. He’s a successful man who did a very good job in his service and was praised, but
     he can’t seem to close his mouth. Apart from him, Berez the Terrible is also here. When they saw him in the uniform department,
     they were scared stiff, since he’s about the size of an aircraft hangar. I don’t remember how I found a uniform that fit him
     at the beginning of his training. I didn’t believe he’d become anything. What a challenge he was. I didn’t intervene because
     I wanted to see what this big guy could get out of himself in his military service. You know what, Rettoul? He surprised me.
     There’s something special about this giant.
    “The last one, who arrived yesterday, is Thor. What a mess you men made after that event in the den! You probably don’t know
     it, but since then the eyes of all the political and military leaders have been on you. And what can I tell you? You succeeded!
     None of you knew you would be tested, and you proved that you’re human beings first and only then soldiers. I’m glad you came, too, or I probably would’ve sent for you. Welcome back to our ranks.”
    Rettoul was amazed. He’d expect finding his friends here, too—nor the praise, which included a blessing of success. His eyes
     shone as he saluted and offered his hand to shake. The commander gave him a big smile. He didn’t know it was possible for
     the army commander to look that happy.
    “Well, let’s summarize. You and your friends are welcome here. Check with my secretary and she’ll connect you with the chief
     warden. Your gang was locked up on base after they made a terrible mess that doesn’t befit their rank. Never mind—it might
     be the result of recent years. I really don’t know. But they’re all good guys.”
    The chief of staff paused. “You are dismissed.”
    Leaving the great office, Rettoul didn’t know how to feel. He understood his friends had rioted, but didn’t know to what extent.
     Since the commander had imprisoned them, they must’ve ravaged the place. But maybe the army commander wanted to test them.
     In recent years, Rettoul had heard of the feats and work of the chief of staff and he knew he could also do dirty things. But all this didn’t change the fact that he was
     glad to have the meeting.
    The chief prison warden led Rettoul to the cell. As an observer, the men might have been four friends relaxing in the home
     of a pal—not behind bars. One teased each other, the third lay on his back, apparently thinking, and the fourth was reading
     a newspaper. Rettoul grinned, his soul immediately recharged. The quartet reminded him of the period when they were cadets.
    “Have you calmed down?” he asked.
    Everyone exclaimed together, “Rettoul!”
    The chief warden opened the lock and the ecstatic men jumped on Rettoul, knocking him over.
    “Wow, you haven’t changed! And that uniform makes you look more and more like a general,” said Thor.
    “You haven’t changed either—maybe lost a little weight,” retorted Rettoul. He looked around at them kindly. “Hey, guys. I
     understand you’re not bored—because you’re busy driving everyone crazy!”
    “Everyone?” said Mattoui. “Nah. That’s a total exaggeration. But you wouldn’t believe the uniformed animals wandering around
     out there!”
    “I believe you, I believe you. I went home and saw things I never thought I would see—not in my home, or anywhere else. I’m
     so glad to see all of you. You have no idea how much I missed you the last few years, and the last month particularly.”
    “You’ve become a diplomatic general,” Berez exclaimed excitedly. “What now? Have you come to bail us out, or what?”
    “I came to take you in hand. We’re off to the