[He shakes his head.] We tried to save them. Our healers-- ah, medics-- made an antidote, but everyone was too far gone. The best we could do was pass on the cure in case this happened again, and... and grant them a swift death.

[He keeps his gaze forward, hoping his bangs hide enough of his expression that he doesn't have to explain himself.]

It could have been us. I think, sometimes, people forget that.