“We’ll do our best,” was all she said as they sped through the hall, searching for any sort of confrontation.
The sounds of war grew louder as they neared the end of the hallway and when they turned the corner, they found their team struggling to maintain a barricade against an intimidating steel door. The various soldiers were pressing their bodies against it while agents on the other side did the same, a sort of horrifying tug of war between Averlin and Utrana. On the other side of the room, seven bodies lay on mats, their chests heaving, gunshot wounds winking at Francis from their flesh. Poppy was flitting from person to person, her brow furrowed as she pulled out bullets, administered shots, stitched and applied bandages.
Francis did his best to act as if she were just another member on his team, hurrying over to help with the door as he readjusted the gun in his hand. He pressed against the door, his face stern as he thought of what to do. When the enemy agents slammed against the door again, enough to open it slightly, Francis retrieved the acidic bomb, quickly throwing into the other room, wherever the aim he could manage let him, before forcing the door shut again.
The cries from the other side gave their team pause, but the pressure lessened on their side as the Utrana agents gradually fell silent.
Francis gave a sigh of relief, but didn't step away from the door, his brow furrowed as he ran a hand through his hair.
The pressure loosened and the team breathed a sigh of relief. “Pack up,” Penelope commanded. “We’re moving.”
Francis sighed, standing straight again. He approached Poppy, his expression serious. "Is everything okay?"
It took Poppy a moment to hear him, but when she looked up, she sighed in relief and stood up, kissing his cheek. “Yeah. It’s alright. I was worried about you.”
He nodded, unfazed by the fact that two did not survive. "Alright. Are they going to need help with moving?"
“Some of them will,” she said after a moment. “Harris can probably walk, but slowly. Bella should be okay. The last three will need help.”
She shook her head immediately. “No, I don’t want you to be without a gun. We can get more people to help.”
