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Andres is having his problems- but not with the enemy. He made it
through their lines with ease. His problem is with Republican soldiers
at their checkpoint.
He can\'t convince them that he\'s on their side and that he\'s
carrying an important message for General Golz. Of course, they
can\'t be blamed for being skeptical, for enforcing a sensible degree
of security. But that\'s not what they\'re really doing. One soldier
suggests tossing a bomb at him as \"the soundest way to deal with the
whole thing.\"
Andres has encountered some of the radical anarchists fighting for
the Republic. In a sense they\'re little boys playing at war. As long
as they destroy something or somebody (it makes little difference
what), they feel they\'ve accomplished something.
By mouthing some anarchist slogans, Andres manages to get to them
without being shot. The bomb advocate then becomes maudlin, embraces
Andres, and says he\'s \"very content\" that nothing happened to his
\"brother.\"
After more bumbling scrutiny, the officer agrees to lead the way
to the commander. After Andres has been walking behind him in the dark
for several minutes, the officer belatedly decides it might be a
good idea to take the gun from Andres, whom he still doesn\'t
completely trust. With such soldiers on the side of the Republic, no
wonder Jordan is depressed.
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