“There’s two ways you can think of females in wartime, son. One is to get obsessed and let them take your mind off your work, and that gets you killed. The other is to focus on them as what you’re really fighting for, and draw strength from knowing they’re going to be there for you when you get home.” He tapped Darman’s cheek a few times with the flat of his hand, firm but paternal. “You know which you’re going to choose, don’t you, Dar?”

