ched him blanch and felt the dying man's grip tighten on his arm。
〃Colonel； hang on…〃
〃Catherine。。。Johnny。。。Minmei！〃 Wolff gasped； and died。
Scott shut the dead man's eyes； stood up； and saluted。 In the distance he could see Lunk and Annie bounding toward the Alpha in the van。 Alongside them rode Lancer on a Cyclone he had probably picked up at the base。
Scott looked over his shoulder at Rook and Rand； they looked back at him blankly； drained of emotion。 Scott wondered whether they felt the same confusion he did。 Gazing down at Wolff's body； gazing out at the smoldering remains of half a dozen Invid ships； he asked himself how this war could ever be won。
Or if indeed a war like this could ever have winners。
He thought about the long road ahead of them…his team； his family。 Would it be as bloodstained a journey as these past few months？ Marlene； he said to himself； reflexively reaching for the holo…locket around his neck。
To go through all this and yet never be able to win back your life！