To reunions, [ Carver echoes. His tolerance for alcohol is shit right now. He's going to be stupid drunk when this is done, surely a sin. But maybe this is a lesser one, on balance. He takes another drink and tilts his head back, breathing out slow. ]

We all served in Korengal. Some of us started this thing in the mess hall, where we'd hang out when everyone else was getting their mail. Called it the orphan club. 'cause we didn't have anyone else.

[ He hefts the glass, shaking his head. ]

Anchetta cheats at cards, but he's the smartest fucker I've ever met. Choi whittles dice. Mancea got fucked up jumping out of planes when he was younger, but he can still hold his own. We don't worry about him going out, even though he's an old man.

[ They're all dead now, he thinks. Everyone but Shaw. ]