They walked.
Not toward anywhere specific. Just moving, the corridor quiet, and Calder kept pace beside Noah with the energy of someone who had been carrying something for a long time and had finally decided to put it down.
He spoke quietly. Not whispering. Just small.
"My men," he said first. "Three of them are still on that planet. Still alive as far as I know." He looked straight ahead. "That's why I couldn't say anything in there."
"Okay," Noah said. "Talk."
Calder exhaled. "We were maybe three weeks in. Everything was normal. Aid delivery went smooth, assessment was going well, her people were cooperative." He paused. "Then the communication came from EDF central command."
"What communication."
