Dr. Halden wrote for longer than she had after his previous answers.
When she finished, she moved to the next assessment sheet.
"Two neighboring sectors have recently ended a conflict that lasted nearly nine years," Dr. Halden said. "The agreement was negotiated by a High Commander who now oversees the forces keeping the two sides apart. She is the only military authority both sides still recognize. Without her, neither side trusts the other enough to maintain the agreement."
"So the peace depends on her," Zaeryn said.
"More than it should," Dr. Halden agreed. "But for the moment, yes."
"What started the conflict?" Zaeryn asked.
"A group of civilians was massacred near the border," Dr. Halden answered. "The attack was blamed on a patrol from the neighboring sector. Retaliation followed, and within days, both sectors were fighting."
Dr. Halden paused before continuing.
