The white-haired girl became more submissive, keeping her head down and stepping back. The soldiers stepped around her, though 2nd Lt. Valiant patted her shoulder, careful to avoid scratching her.
"Oh, yeah," Maj. Lockheed said, "Hawker and Seversky's chimeras sorta escaped. No idea where they are now. Seversky's are probably feral, since they practically tore him apart, but Hawker thinks they're being commanded by her group because they haven't been found yet. Not even leaving the usual trail of corpses and broken doors."
There was a pause during which the major threw open another set of double doors. The smell of food rushed out of the room, and Morgan could see rows of long tables and a few people eating off of trays. Her mind, which had just been ready to analyse what Maj. Lockheed had just said, immediately focused on the food. Meat, especially. Her stomach growled and she began salivating.
"Escaped?" 2nd Lt. Avro's voice rose slightly in pitch. "How many?"
"Dunno. Six, maybe, since they're not idiots who keep ten chimeras to a cell so they can all agree you're evil and turn against you." Maj. Lockheed turned around to face the former (current?) prisoners. "You guys, just sit at a table. These two will get your food. You shouldn't do it yourself. Stay in a group and don't steal anyone else's food, since half of them will kill you for trying."
"How many ferals?" 2nd Lt. Valiant demanded.
"No idea. They just looked at the slashes on Seversky and his bodyguard, but it might've just been revenge or insane people." She stepped aside to let the chimeras through, and the chimeric soldiers followed her lead. She examined the two second lieutenants, looking thoughtful. "Go get food. That's an order." She glanced out the door. "Yeah, those two can go along with you and you'll have enough people to carry them."
Morgan stepped inside the cafeteria, looking around and quickly analysing everyone in the room. A small group of scientists, around seven or eight people in lab coats, sat in a group in the middle. They were leaning forward and not eating, and though their mouths were moving Morgan heard nothing. Another smaller group of scientists, these ones older-looking, ate calmly, near a wall. A few pairs and trios of soldiers ate, scattered around the room. There were also two groups of people not in uniforms, both containing members too young to be in the military. Then there were the loners: a tall, thin man sitting at the back corner and sipping from a cup; a child of perhaps thirteen eating messily, wiping bread across the brown puddle on the table in front of him; a long-haired man with a few bowls stacked up beside him, though he was still eating; and a bored-looking soldier with two short stacks of paper piled up beside him, instead of any food.
There were many empty seats, and several places Morgan's group could sit without being too close to anyone else. The rows of tables where the two non-uniformed groups sat were empty, as were the tables close to the door.
Morgan glanced behind her, wondering why the soldiers weren't moving. Perhaps they were waiting for everyone to get inside? The two warrant officers slung their rifles over their backs, and Morgan noticed 2nd Lt. Valiant's claws were shrinking. The chimeras were changing back into human form--and several soldiers were staring.
Morgan made the quick decision to walk over to the closest table to the cafeteria people giving out food at the back. If they sat down there, surely, it would mean they got their food faster. That it was far from the soldiers and scientists was incidental. The closest person was the tall man, away from his scattered crumbs, and at the next row over there was a group of non-uniformed people, none of them looking too happy.
Hopefully the others would follow--she'd have to move otherwise, and that would be slightly embarrassing.
-
"Yeah," 2nd Lt. Mitchell said. "Your transformation never really changes. The most you can do is get used to it." He frowned. "Clothes, too. Some research alchemists have been developing clothes for different chimera body shapes, but they can't do much for you except give you stuff that burns clean." He picked up his jacket. "Let's go get some food. I'll show you to the cafeteria." He looked at the chimera who was no longer pressing himself against the wall. "You too." There was a pause. He glanced at Brandon and scowled. "You'll have to transform back first. Rest of us are going."
He led the two out the door, into a larger hall, where Jin would see several doors guarded by soldiers and a large set of double-doors at one end of the hall. 2nd Lt. Mitchell didn't lead her anywhere near those, though, instead bringing them the other way and around a few turns. Some soldiers they passed gave the three an odd look. He walked rather quickly, just slow enough so Jin could keep up.
"Hey," the boy beside her muttered. Sweat was dripping down his face, and he looked pale. "How did it feel?"
While they went to eat, Dr. Blackburn holstered his gun. "I trust you can handle him by yourself, Second Lieutenant Master," he said. "You only need a partial to defeat him."
"I can beat him easy," 2nd Lt. Master said, "but I can't guarantee he'll live. You're not coming?"
"I am going to speak with Doctor Junkers," the doctor said. "Take this one to eat when he can walk there and is ready to obey." His lips twitched. "He doesn't have to transform back, but don't shelter him if that's his choice." Then he, too, left.
2nd Lt. Master looked down at Brandon, shoving his hands into his pockets, and waited.
