Chapter 76 The Bargain Of Seeds And Stone

• The officer’s quarters smelled faintly of disinfectant and damp wool. Old charts and faded mission reports lined the walls, their corners curling from humidity. The single heater in the room hummed faintly, barely holding back the chill.
• Lucy stood straight near the center, hands folded neatly in front of her. Daren was beside her — silent, solid, a quiet shadow in worn fatigues.
• Across the desk sat Captain Rafe Ildren, his sharp eyes scanning the two of them like inventory.