In the Mess Hall, there weren't any other ducks around. Most of them had Dinner already, other had work to do before having a meal. The McMallard twins sat at a table patiently, and Canard paced in a spot. Meanwhile, Danielle was given a cup of water to quench her thirst. The water was cool and sweet, just what her throat needed. She hummed with content.

"Dammit, where's Bluefoot?" Canard grunted, searching around. Danielle took the opportunity to sit down on a nearby bench. She saw Canard mad before and she didn't like it.
"Excuse my asking, but why are you so mad at him?" she quietly asked, both hands gripping her cup tightly.

"That guy's a stupid hot shot! He thinks he knows his stuff, but really there's always someone cleaning up his mess." Canard ran his fingers through his hair. "I swear, if the Saurians don't kill him, I will!"
The door opened and there stood a duck who had white feathers and silver, shaggy hair. His uniform was really untidy. Seeing the captain, he gave a sloppy salute. "Hey, how's it going sir?"

Canard, eyes narrowing, walked up to Bluefoot and inches from his face. "Private Bluefoot, were you assigned the Northeast perimeter for search and rescue?"
Bluefoot, eyes only widening slightly, stood up a little straighter instinctively. "Uh, yes sir."
"Report."
"Er-what?"
"Report on what you found."
Bluefoot looked pale under the feathers. "Uh, yes sir. T-the Northeast section was all clear. No survivors."

The feathers on Canard's neck rose with his anger. "Then how on Puckworld do you explain her?!" Bluefoot glanced toward the female duck. Forgetting he was in the presence of the Captain, Bluefoot smoothed his hair back and said. "Hey, what's a pretty duck like you doing in a place like this?"
Danielle was shocked. He shouldn't be acting like that! He's talking to the captain for crying out loud!

With a growl, Canard outright shoved the drake, making the latter stumble to find his footing. "I found her in the Northeast perimeter, Bluefoot, and she'd been there for days!" When Bluefoot opened his mouth to retort, Canard interrupted him. "And there could be others, private! What if some kids got left behind, huh?! We're in a war here, and Every. Life. Matters!"

Bluefoot did not respond, aside from his wide eyes staring at the captain. Canard took a deep breath, looking away long enough to calm down. "If I find out that you are derelict in one more task private, I will see to it that you will no longer be welcome on this base. Is that clear?"

"C-crystal clear, sir!" Bluefoot sat down at a table. "And I thought that Derek guy was uptight..." He mumbled. Hearing him, Danielle gasped.
"Did you just say 'Derek'?!"

Bluefoot shrugged. "Yeah."

Danielle stood up. "Well? How was he?! Were they okay?!"

Thom and Marcel looked at each other. Did she have others with her. Canard looked up in curiosity. Who's Derek? Danielle seems very anxious about him. Wait, is he Danielle's...? Does she already have a boyfriend? Or even a life mate? No, that can't be it. ...Right?

The girl duck was in no mood for games, however Bluefoot didn't seem to acknowledge her concerns and tried to flirt with her. "Are my brother and his family safe?" She asked trying to keep calm.

"Oh, he's her brother..." Canard couldn't help but think. But at the same time, with the way Bluefoot spoke to Danielle, Canard felt his blood boil in anger.

"Relax sweetie,' Bluefoot boasted 'I made sure that family was safe and sound. But, no need to thank me, all in a day's work for-"

This annoyed every one in the room, especially Danielle. After what she had been through, she wasn't about to tolerate this nonsense. Her family are somewhere else, and this guy was bragging about himself, when he should be telling her where they are. Canard was about to tell him off, when...

"ENOUGH!"

All four drakes froze in shock. Did that come out of Danielle? It sure sounded like it. But she seemed so shy... Said female was looking down, and taking a breath.

"Tell me where they are." Danielle said in a low voice. Bluefoot recovered from the shock. But what he said next was very, very, stupid.

"I was gonna tell you, but you interrupted-"

He was cut off when Danielle's hand shot up and snatched him by the collar of his uniform. Danielle had a look on her face, and if looks could kill, Bluefoot would be pushing up daisies.

"My family! Where are they?!" She demanded.

"Jeez, what's your problem?!" Bluefoot brought his hands up in a show of surrender.
Canard, still slightly shell-shocked at Danielle's sudden change in attitude, stepped forward. "All right, that's enough, ease up." He carefully placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her back from the private.

Bluefoot, still looking at Danielle like she was crazy, smoothed out his shirt as she stepped away.
"Where. Are. They?" Danielle growled out again.

"They went south, like everyone else did," Bluefoot answered her spitefully. He looked over to Canard. "Am I free to go, now?"
Canard glared at him. "Word of advice, Bluefoot; never ask your superior if you can leave. We will tell you when you are no longer needed." He paused, glancing back at the mess hall. "Report for kitchen duty 0500. You're dismissed."

Bluefoot walked out the mess hall. "That's what you get for being a jerk!" Marcel shouted at him. "Let it go Marc' Thom replied 'let it go."

After he left, Danielle felt awful. She lowered her head and whispered to herself, "Idiot! Idiot!"

"Hey now, relax." Canard takes her shoulders. "While I admit, that behavior wasn't necessary." Danielle sniffled. "I-I'm sorry! I shouldn't have snapped, I just want to know if my family are alright!"

"Hey, it's fine. I'm sure they're just fine," Canard soothed. He shot a glare where Bluefoot had left in a huff. "You had every right to be angry. We're in a war, and when ducks don't do their jobs ... others lose their lives." He sighed, looking back to her and with his hands still on her shoulders. "We'll find a way to get you back to them, all right?"

"All right." Danielle sighed. Canard's communicator went off. "Captain Thunderbeak! Report to the Briefing room! We got information on the Saurian's delivery routines!" "On my way!" Canard closed up his communicator. "Sorry Danielle, I got to go. McMallards, take her to the Medical bay."

"Sir! Yes sir!" The twins saluted.

Canard gave her a brief smile before walking out of the mess hall. Danielle turned to the twin drakes, honestly surprised that they were still there. They had been so quiet during the most of the exchange."Why are we going to the Medical bay?" she asked more reservedly, crossing her arms over herself.

Marcel motioned with his head for her to follow, Thom following suit. "My guess is your experience." Danielle, trailing after the two brothers, frowned. "What about my experience?"
"We're in desperate need of combat medics," Thom answered her this time. "Sounds like you'll fit right in."

"Oh! I-I don't t-think I can do that." Danielle replied, nervously.