'Hey!' I snap at both of them. 'Let's drop this topic, shall we?'
It's at mat point that Poal walks over, face scrunched up into a vicious snarl.
'He's done it again/ he says through gritted teeth.
'Rollis?' I ask, already knowing the answer, pushing myself to my feet. Poal nods and I follow him towards the far end of the prison chamber, where he and what's left of Kronin's old platoon usually eat now. Kronin is sitting there looking dejected.
'I shall steal from the plate of decadence to feed the mouths of the powerless/ the mad lieutenant says.
That's the sermons of Sebastian Thor. I know that one/ puts in Poal, standing just behind my right shoulder.
"Where's Rollis?' I demand.
One of the men lounging on the ground nods his head to the right and I see the traitor sat with his back to the cell wall about ten metres away. Trust them to leave it up to me. Most of them hate Rollis, just like I do. They're just scared the treacherous bastard is going to do something to them if they stand up to him, and the Colonel's wrath is another factor. Well, I won't stand for it, having to breathe the same air as him makes me want to rip his lungs out. I march up to stand in front of the scumbag. He's got a half-full bowl in his lap.
I stand there with my hands on my hips. I'm shaking with anger, I detest this man so much.
'Slow eater, aren't you?' I hiss at Rollis. He looks slowly up at me with his tiny black eyes.
'lust because I'm more civilised than you animals, I don't have to put up with these insults/ he says languidly, putting the dish to one side.
*You took Kronin's food again.' A statement, not a question.
'I asked him if he would share his ration with me/ he says with a sly smile. 'He didn't say no/
'He said: "And the bounties of the Emperor shall go to those who have worked hard in his service"/ Poal interjects from behind me. 'Sounds like a big "frag off" if you ask me/