This book is the those in the military or those who have a deep understanding of the miliary.  Lots of gun terms and military acronyms.  especially the second story.  I think you have experienced those situations in order to gain an appreciate for what is trying to be conveyed.

The story starts with Sgt Rock up in the sky, and through the story we see lots of flashbacks.   At some point his patrol finds Circe.  She is a white (pale) face woman wrapped in red cloth.  She also drips water (fluid?) as she walks but does not seem wet or come from water.   She takes Rock up into the sky and gives him a science lesson about the layers of atmosphere.  She must be educated in order to know these things, but it doesn’t make sense why she explains it.  She then drops Rock to burn up in the atmosphere after giving him a message.

The next scene, the are back on the plane and I’m not sure what is going on with some Senator.  Why is his arm still bandaged? Why did he end up in the plane?  Maybe we will find out soon?

C –  Don