The S.S Delinquent

Chapter 11 & 12

Chapter Eleven

   Cadet Lockhart lead the rowdy group down the corridor, closely followed by Matchsticks hot on his heels. He seemed to want to keep a close eye on his former cadet comrade at all times, as if he didn't trust him as far as he could throw him. They clearly disliked each other intensely.

   Tatts was still a little unsure about which way to go, as it was all still very new to her. She walked at the back of the group with Pinkie to ensure that they didn't lose anyone who became too distracted by the novelty of not being locked up anymore.

   The sight of a small group of young offenders and alien orphans out on a walkabout around the ship was completely unheard of. They were drawing quite a crowd of civilian workers, who were openly staring and whispering about them.

   Techno Freak was doing his best to hide behind his much smaller companions, but he was so embarrassed looking and awkward it was comical. Snot was being cursed because he was leaving a slimy trail over the floor that had been just cleaned.

   Squid Boy marched along proudly like he was in a parade in his specialist suit, which kept his skin hydrated at all times and helped him breathe. He had not worn it for several years with being locked up in his tank, it still worked alright although made funny squelching sounds.

   Pinkie of course was lapping up all the male attention from the crowd, which was making Lippy very uncomfortable and twitchy. Chunk was not a very quick walker and was struggling to keep up with them all, it sounded like all his joints were grinding down and making them cringe.

   The Bad Boyz had completely surrounded Rat Features, blocking him on all sides as they walked down the corridor. They were probably trying to suss him out to see where his loyalties lay, hoping he was on the side of his fellow humans instead of their half alien leader.

   Thankfully, Rat Features was too lazy and had the sense not to bother with Knuckles and his band of idiots. He was more concerned about looking after Lippy and getting a kitchen of his own to work in, rather than causing Tatts any trouble.

   Tatts grinned from ear to ear when she overheard Rat Features putting the stupid Bad Boyz in their place, confirming that he was firmly on her side. By informing them that 'If it wasn't for Tatts, there would be no ticket out of the Orphanage in the first place'.

   Cadet Lockhart stopped outside a large metal door and waited for all the young offenders and alien orphans to catch up again. He did a quick head count to make sure that nobody had made a bid for freedom, before ushering everyone inside Lucifer's cabin.

   It was a bit of a squeeze inside with the squadron of cadets who were already waiting patiently. It probably would have been a better idea to hold this meeting in a classroom where there would have been more space for everyone.

   Tatts and her crew couldn't help but notice that the cadets were looking at them in undisguised disgust. They obviously hadn't known that they were going to be getting extra help on their mission from a bunch of criminals.

   Although many of them quickly changed their tunes when they spotted the girls were going to be on their team. Girls and boys trained separately in The Cadet Academy, they only joined forces once they were fully trained and less likely to be distracted so easily.

   Pinkie smiled devilishly as her eyes flickered with hunger, she was eyeing the cadets up as potential meals and licking her lips. Those poor boys didn't know what they were letting themselves in for with chasing after her!

   Lippy cringed and shrank bank to hide behind Rat Features. Who was only to glad to sling his arm around her shoulders, pretending that they were a couple to warn the other boys off. It wouldn't surprise Tatts if they did end up together in the end.