The beasts and birds in the dense forest around a certain canyon in the vast primeval woods had long been scared away by the fierce battle. The blazing sun beat down on the earth. The forest was deathly quiet; even the sound of wind in the leaves seemed to have disappeared. Only one unit was silently advancing, eyes alert, steps slow, no one speaking, adding a touch of eeriness to this silent battlefield.
The canyon entrance had already been blasted into a mess by missiles, leaving a huge crater. Other than that, no one was in sight. Trenches and foxholes had been filled in by the dirt thrown up by the explosions; only vague outlines remained. The unit walked to the edge of the trenches and stared warily at the scene, all of them growing excited, as if they were seeing the arrival of victory.
