The air in the medical clinic was heavy, a mixture of antiseptic, sweat, and the faint metallic tang of blood. Commander Kovacs leaned against the wall near the door, arms crossed, his expression a mix of exhaustion and disbelief. He couldn’t keep his thoughts straight. His men had survived.
The battle was over, at least for now. But it was what, or rather, who, had saved them that had thrown him entirely off balance.
Kaian lay unconscious on one of the clinic's cots, his face pale, but his chest rising and falling steadily. The doctor finished his examination and turned to address Commander Kovacs and Chiva, who hadn’t moved from her position by Kaian’s side since they had arrived.
“He’s just exhausted,” the doctor said, his tone firm but filled with an underlying wonder.
“It seems
