The calculated chance of any Aludran transport pilot in the first wave of paratroop landings on Omar surviving the operation was zero. The rest of each plane's crew was ordered to bail out along with the paratroops, and each unit's priestess given orders to present the Medal of Gallantry to the pilot before she jumped.

Captain Jenette Mira managed to drag her plane to a tiny civilian runway on the island of Mirrai, and in doing so became the only Aludran in history to be awarded the Medal of Gallantry for an act not involving her death.

Her daughter Nicola wasn't afraid, though. She'd drawn a picture of her mommy coming home, and she was sure that was how it worked.

Incidentally, the Medal of Gallantry is actually made from very dull-looking iron from the hull of Aludra's first ironclad warship normally treated to encourage corrosion. The idea is that it will corrode to nothing and become part of the recipient's remains, so when the righteous dead are raised to live in the new world they will rise wearing their medals for all to see.