Some survivors wanted to leave at once. Others refused to move without a clear safety measure.
The people with injured relatives wanted a shelter. The infected people who could smell blood wanted to leave before they lost control.
Beatrice struck her staff against the road.
The sound cut through the argument.
"Stop," she said. "Arguing here wastes the precious time we have."
The group became quiet, but the disagreement remained on their faces.
Beatrice looked at Rovan again.
He knew she would not abandon the search for her father. She knew he would not leave her alone.
Neither of them could force the survivors to accept the danger of returning to the inner city.
A man stepped out of the smoke before she found an answer.
He wore the dark uniform of a Human Empire general. Dust covered the long coat, but the gold marks on the shoulders remained visible.
A narrow cut crossed one side of his face.
Beatrice recognized him.
"General Kael?"
