Two soldiers meet on a combat field , but they are identical twins who were spread at birth .

“ Is that your best shot? ” The soldier said through gritted, blood-drenched teeth, throwing up a mock wry smile. Another fist came from within the darkness, making the wet sound of its blow. Red rivers ran down his face and arms, to tampered wrists, which were bound with rope to a chair, standing solitary in the beamed light. 
 
 “ You know we can just do this all day, or you can tell us where your snipers are stationed. ” A low voice came from behind a red ring and a plume of smoke. 
 
 “ Again. ” It commanded, and a blow followed. 
 
 “ You know, my mother used to talk about men like you.. ” The soldier remarked. “ She used to tell me, you know, in the lavender fields.. that a person would be judged by how they treat those who are worse off than them. What sort of man does that make you? ” The soldier responded. 
 
 Another blow was mid-swing, when a raised hand came up. “ STOP! ” He shouted. 
 
 The face of an officer stepped into the light, the black lacquer of his uniform glinting and highlighting the edges of his form. 
 
 “ What was your mother's name? ” The officer asked, blowing another cloud of smoke. 
 
 The soldier laughed. “ Are you serious? You're going to make some sort of sick joke about my mother now? Get bent. ” 
 
 “ Was her name.. Laura? ” The officer said, looking into the withered face of the captive. 
 
 His eyes scanned the officer quickly, moving to the name-tag on his uniform. It read “ EPELSTEIN. ” 
 
 “ Hah, guess again you mongoloid. ” The soldier said defiantly. 
 
 The officer walked over to the captive, and grabbed his uniformed sleeve, where the same name was imprinted beneath his rank: “ EPELSTEIN ”. He bore a startling resemblance to the officer, now illuminated beneath the light. 
 
 “ How many stars were on the ceiling of your bedroom? ” The officer asked. 
 
 He looked around a bit in disbelief, and then gazed back at the officer. “ Thirteen. There were thirteen stars. What's it to you? ” He responded. 
 
 “ If I should.. I would find my brother, beneath the thirteen stars that point.. ” The officer said, kneeling down. 
 
 “ North. ” The soldier replied, as his eyes slowly began to well up with tears. 
 
 “ Let this man go. Immediately. ” The officer cried to the others, rising to his feet. 
 
 “ But sir- he is a traitor of the Glorious Republic- ” they began. 
 
 “ *NOW! * ”
