"One of the Brother casualties lived long enough to talk." She explained, including Chang's conviction about Shannon's identity—leaving out only Degas' youthful indiscretion—watching the Colonel's face.
After a brief silence, Bradford nodded. "I've heard similar opinions, though I'm not sure I believe them either. In that case, your team may choose."
"Anyone else with an Inquisitor's badge is automatically at the top of the Brothers' target list," Bain pointed out. "Me, I'll take any advantage I can get to balance that. Though if we keep on at this rate, we may all go broke buying gloves."
"Requisition them as team equipment," Bradford said. "Team Flame has already put one in for candles."
"I like the idea," Odeon said thoughtfully. "Anyone on a Strike Team, not just the Inquisitors, is going to be a prime target as soon as we go public. So I agree with Dave—we might as well take the advantages with the dangers."
"I didn't join Special Ops or the Strike Force for safety and security," Degas agreed. "I'm for it."
"Same here," "And I also," came simultaneously from Pritchett and Chang.
"I'd say that settles that," Cortin said, gratified. "Shall we eat, gentles?"
That suggestion got hearty approval, and the men served themselves while Cortin gave her mug of broth a disgruntled look.
"Looking forward to some solid food?" Bradford asked, grinning. "Oh, I've cleared Ivan for this experiment, since I could see how close you two got while he was training you."