Andrea snorted.  “Bunch of PvP animals.  Everybody knows the best way to play is PvE, and for the Alliance!”

Bjurstrom tilted his head, looking behind Allistor.  “Uh… you guys know a bear followed you down here?”

Helen grinned. “That’s Fuzzy - he’s bonded to Allistor.”  Fuzzy nodded his head, the green goblin doll’s arms waggling.

“Is that a frog in its mouth?” Goodrich squinted at the bear cub.

“Nope.  Goblin.” Allistor laughed when they raised their weapons.  “Stuffed Goblin.  Any of you guys remember Fibble?”

“Ha!  I do,” Bjurstrom said. “The bear’s got good taste.”

Andrea said, “You geeks wouldn’t know good taste if it bit you on the ass.”

The four men joked around with their sergeant for a bit longer, clearly happy to see her.  Then at her command, they led her deeper into the complex.  After several turns, they came upon a mess hall, where another half dozen men and women were gathered.

When Andrea walked in, they all shot to their feet, standing at attention.  She patted her hands at the air, saying, “At ease, at ease.  Those days are over, I’m afraid.  Unless you’ve had contact with our command?  Or any command?”  She waited for one of them to reply, but there was only the shaking of heads and hopeless looks.

“Right!  So then we’re on our own.” She looked at each of the group one by one.  Then she pointed to Allistor.  “This is the new boss - Baron Allistor.  He’s gonna help us all survive for the next year and beyond.”

Pointing to an airman near the other door, she said, “Amaye!  Get on the intercom.  I want everybody still alive down here in this mess hall in ten minutes.  NO exceptions.”

The young airmen saluted and practically sprinted out the door.

Turning to the others, she said, “Get comfortable.  It sounds like the scuttlebutt has informed you all that the world operates like a game system now.  When the others arrive, Allistor’s gonna spend some time filling you in on the details.   In the meantime, who’s cooking around here now?”

A voice from the back called out, “That’s me, Sarge.  I’m still here.”

Andrea smiled, grabbing Allistor and pulling him toward the back of the room and the kitchen.  “Thorne!  Good to see you.  Fire up the grill.  Allistor here has bits of giant snake monster that you can throw a little salt and pepper on and grill up for lunch.  I’m sure you guys are a little tired of MREs?”

“Right on!  Any chance you’ve got any bacon, too?” Thorne asked hopefully.

“I’m afraid not, at least not on me.  But once this place is cleared and claimed, I can get you some.  And maybe we can capture some pigs to raise for a steady supply.”  He nearly jumped as a round of applause burst out behind him.