surprise, the chimera slightly bowed in response.
"Well, aren't you a clever one?" she said
amusingly.
Roy scratched the chimera behind the ears with
a smile. He then turned back to his First
Lieutenant. "Do you have something for me?"
Riza nodded and handed over some paperwork.
As the Colonel read through it, she explained.
"There have been reports of attacks on the nearby
villages and small towns. Eye-witnesses and
investigators believe it to be the work of
chimeras."
Roy nodded understandingly. "Have there been
any casualties?"
"Several... The higher-ups want us to see who's
behind this mess, and to stop the attacks before
they worsen." Riza narrowed her eyes. "I'm
pretty sure it was Reese who did this..." She
motioned with her head to Fox, who was busy eating,
yet still listening. "Do you think...?"
Roy caught on. "That she was one of the chimeras
attacking the community? Probably..." He scratched
his chin. "But that doesn't explain her disposition,
or the fact that she was traveling alone last night."
Maes, who had been quiet the whole time, chimed in.
"Do you think she escaped from Reese?" He actually
had a serious look on his face.
Roy looked to Fox. "That could be the case. If
only she could tell us what's going on... this would
be a whole lot easier."
Fox looked up at him with head cocked to the side.
If only I could... but... No, I can't...
"I'm going there right away." Roy stood up, finished
with his meal. "Riza, Maes, this could be dangerous.
Come if you want to, but since these are chimera we
could be up against..."
"Of course we're going. I can't let you get into
such a dangerous situation without help," Riza cut
in. She looked firmly at her superior. "I'm going,
like it or not."
Maes laughed. "You can't have all the action now,
sir. And she's right. Hey, maybe we should take our
little friend with us." He looked to the fox chimera.
"She could give us clues about this whole thing."
Roy looked flustered at Riza, but nodded. "You're
right. And good call, Hughes. We should bring her
along. Okay, gather everything you'll be needing
for the mission. I'll meet you at the flag pole in
one hour."
"Sir!" both of them responded. Maes and Riza took off
immediately to their quarters to prepare.
Roy looked to Fox. "We should get ready too." He
fed her a couple more pain pills and started to lead
her back to his private quarters.
Fox, however, had something she needed to do first.
She whimpered and yipped at Roy, pawing at his legs.
"Hmm? What is it?" The Colonel seemed confused. He
didn't understand what she wanted.
Frustrated, the fox chimera growled and hunched over,
tail erect.
Roy nearly had a conniption. "Wait! Don't!" Quickly,
he half-dragged, half-led her outside.
Fox smiled to herself. He finally got it. She dug a
small hole, relieved herself, and covered her business.
She trotted back to Roy, who was waiting nearby, and
was led to his bedroom.