The morning sun greeted the urban fringe with brightness and life, yet the streets were deathly silent, filled with a monotonic atmosphere of dread and despair.
Hans strode along the empty streets, wondering if the liveliness of the previous world would ever return.
As he entered the small clinic, he came across one of his female Medics, Clara.
"Ah, Commander," she said, startled. "Good morning. May I know what the Commander needs?"
"The residents." Hans gestured toward the beds. "How are their conditions?"
"Some will require days to recover." Clara shook her head. "The children and the young adults may need a week or two."
"The infection must be quite serious," he remarked.
"Yes. We couldn't save all of the patients." She gripped her suit. "The rest were euthanized. I am very sorry, Commander."
"Don't be too formal with me," Hans said. "It should be my carelessness asking for forgiveness, not you or anyone else."
