“Listen, sweetheart, this isn’t your business. Go back to filing papers before you get hurt.” The words hung in the air. Victoria felt that familiar, cold calm settle in her chest. It was the same feeling she got right before a breach. It was the focus that kept her alive in the field.
“Filing papers,” she mused. “That’s interesting. What makes you think my job is just moving folders around?” Tank laughed, a deep sound that made the trays on the table rattle. “Look at you! You’re barely five feet tall!”
“You sit in an office, write reports, and think you’re a big deal. This is the real world, and you’re not built for it.” Rock nodded in agreement. “Get out of here while you still can. Things are about to get messy, and you don’t want to be in the way.” Victoria looked at Miller and his friends; she saw the flicker of hope in their eyes, quickly replaced by fear for her. They wanted someone to help, but they didn’t think this small woman stood a chance.
“I appreciate the concern for my safety,” Victoria said, her voice perfectly level as she looked at Rock. “But let me clarify: was that a threat?” Snake stepped in, sensing the situation was shifting. His instincts were telling him something was off about this woman. “No threats, ma’am,” he said smoothly. “Just stating facts. It’s survival of the fittest. The weak break, and the strong take what they want.”
“Survival of the fittest,” the Lieutenant repeated. “So, you honestly believe you’re the apex predators in this room?” “You bet,” Tank said, puffing out his chest. “We run this place. These losers can’t handle the pressure.”
“They don’t have the guts for this job, and we’re just helping them realize it before they get someone killed in a real fight.” Victoria nodded slowly, as if considering his point. The mess hall had gone completely silent. Even the kitchen staff were watching through the service windows. “You know,” Victoria said, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. “I’ve always wondered about guys like you. When you brag about being ‘strong,’ do you mean you’re actually capable? Or just that you’re good at picking on people smaller than you?”
