Madeline practically flew down the stairs, tearing open the door into the mess hall. She saw the marine dead at the door and silently cursed. "Another good loyal man down." She thought and knocked on the door to the meat locker.
"I'm in here!" came the responding cry.
"Stand clear!" She ordered. With the key gone, there was only one way that door was coming down. A good karate style kick sent it crashing into the locker. Ryeback emerged from the gloom, looking none the worse for wear.
"Nice kick ma'am. Don't believe we've met." He said.
Ignoring his lack of protocol for the time being, Madeline straightened. "Lieutenant Commander 1st Class Madeline Abigail Franklin." She replied.
"Chief Petty Officer, Cook, Casey Ryeback." He replied, saluting.
She returned it. "Ryeback, Ryeback." She murmured. "I've heard that name before."
"And I'm sure it's nothing good." He grunted. "I heard gunshots and I know they were gunshots. What happened?"
"Krill." She replied, voice tight with barely contained anger. "The band he invited on board are terrorists he's conspiring with. They-they killed the Tactical officer and the captain. The crew was evacuated and locked in the foscle but a few escaped. I can't risk exposing them yet until I've got a better appraisal of our situation."
"And you want me to help." He asked.
"You have a dislike for Krill. So do I." She replied. She took the pistol off the dead marine and tossed it to him.
He pocketed it. "Right, let's go then." He said.
"I believe I outrank you Chief." She replied.
"My apologies, lead the way ma'am." He said.
Her own pistol drawn and cocked left the meat locker behind. Allowing himself a small grin, Ryeback followed.