Save me, please...

Chapter 3

The dining hall was really just a glorified canteen. Most of the facility that Conrad had seen so far appeared to be underground. The canteen was no exception. The large room was divided between the inhabitants of the facility, the scientists taking up most of the left side of the room while the remainder was divided between techies, pilots and an alarming amount of soldiers.
Conrad immediately spotted Dr. Anderson at a table to the far left and started to walk towards the vacant seat next to her.
"Conrad? Conrad Peterson?" asked yet another familiar female voice. He turned around and came face to face with none other than his very own high school sweetheart.
"Regina?"
The tanned blonde took a step closer.
"So you really did get your doctorate..." she said, her voice having the distinct note of awe. A note that made Conrad uncomfortable. Conrad quickly took in her white tank top, combat boots, khaki pants and last but not least, dog tags.
"Wow, you really joined the military," Conrad countered, feigning praise. She joined straight after dumping him for a "real man", a man who she had been cheating on Conrad with. The silence that followed his statement was palpably awkward.
"Conrad," she started, her features softening, "I-"
"Doctor Peterson," Conrad heard, turning to see Dr. Anderson waving him over.
"Sorry, that's my cue," he said almost believing the apologetic tone he created. Regina looked almost disappointed when he walked away from her.
Sitting down next to Dr. Anderson at the researchers' table, Conrad whispered a quiet thanks to her.
"You looked like you needed some rescuing. Say, how do you know Officer Collens?"
Conrad blanched at the idea if having to explain the situation to his ex-professor so decided to play it of a little lighter.
"We dated in high school." And were engaged for a year. He quickly turned the conversation back towards Dr. Anderson.
"How do you know her?" he asked.
"Sometimes she is stationed as security in the lab," she answered quickly. "Sore topic?" she asked, noticing as the look on Conrad's face turned slightly sour.
"We had a bad break up. I don't really want to discuss this if you don't mind, Doctor And-"
"Please," she interrupted, "call me Bethany, or if you prefer, Beth."
Conrad immediately felt uncomfortable and a little unsettled.
Why was Dr. Anderson suddenly being so...nice?