Sam's doing his best to just push through; his time in the Air Force taught him that you have to put action first and take time to mourn the lost later. If not, there's a good chance you'll be one of them. This isn't a combat zone, but old habits are hard to break (even after years of therapy).

"Overwhelming's a good way to put it." He laughs, a little bitterly, and strokes his dragon's head with a finger. "I'm used to some heavy stuff, but this...this sort of takes the cake."

"Pleased to meet you, Yuri," he adds. "I'm Sam."