Silence fell over the scene for several seconds. Major General Watt Lahr continued speaking in the same calm tone. "He was organizing a second line of defense at Command Post No. 4 in District D, but the Imperial Army discovered his position and subjected it to a targeted bombardment and siege. While organizing the command post's personnel to retreat and break through, he was sniped from long range by the enemy. It must have been the work of a psychic. That's what his company commander told me."
Perhaps because the chief of staff's tone was simply too calm, Long Yuan thought for a moment that he'd misheard. Several seconds passed before he was sure of what he'd heard. Then his mind went blank, his thoughts swallowed up by grief.
He couldn't help thinking back to when he'd first arrived at the Ring of Miracles to take up his post. Commander Sayeo had clapped him on the shoulder, his smile full of hope and expectation, even a little naive. And so that unremarkable, rather bandit-like face had seemed especially kindly, reminding Long Yuan of Coach Haskins, who'd led his school's skyball team.
...If he hadn't been discovered to have psychic talent and taken on as a student by the Psychic Research Society, he probably would have become an excellent skyball player under Coach Haskins's guidance.
As for Major General Marlowe, she seemed to have anticipated the terrible news. She merely lowered her eyes in sorrow and let out a soft sigh. "I see. Singh is dead? He died advancing. That was his style."
Chief of Staff Lahr nodded.
Major General Marlowe said, "But in the end, he never got to see the movie he acted in!"
Long Yuan felt his nose sting. He remembered Commander Sayeo telling everyone that his special