The Starfield Farming Sovereign (Elizabeth Schofield) novel Chapter 398

Chapter 398 A Hearty Meal

His remark drew a smattering of warm, low laughter.

The atmosphere lifted noticeably. The soldiers continued walking alongside Elizabeth, savoring the grap in their hands with a careful, almost reverent appreciation, trading looks of quiet astonishment among themselves.

The prec

ained intact, but the invisible wall between them and her had quietly dissolve

with a broad smile, plucking a grape for herself. They really are the most wonderful Thought. Absolutely adorable.

hatter trailing behind them, the group arrived at the farm’s temporary cafeteria.

expansion built from prefab panels and reinforced glass. The building was a long, square, unadorned and functional, yet sprawling across a fair bit of ground.

e height of the lunch rush. People streamed in and out of several entrances, and the smells

g through the air had thickened into something far richer and more complex.

ne sweet scent of carbs. The sharp, car cooked vegetables. And layered over their stomach growi on command

For soldiers who had spent mo cooking, vibrant and unapole

Taste buds that had on

More than a few

across some f

Elizabeth

the sid

the

te of frying oil. The clean, bright breath of flash-

mered fruit tea that curled into the nose and made hit like a wall of flavor.

ating efficient but monotonous rations, this kind of was almost lethally attractive.

grapes now found themselves under a fresh assault.

wners with soft, traitorous growls. Embarrassed looks flickered rassment lay something stronger. Anticipation.

orus of stomach complaints. She ushered them warmly through mess. “Perfect timing. You’ve hit lunch. The farm’s food is quite n fields. Fresh and delicious. Eat up, drink up, enjoy yourselves.”

the food smells grew nearly overwhelming.

bright, filled with dozens of long tables and benches. Simple, but scrubbed

were occupied.

orkers in coveralls, faces still streaked with the sweat of the morning shift

as who looked like they’d come from the processing plant.

were younger men and women in cleaner clothes. Administrative or technical staff,

ate while chatting quietly, their expres

ved and content.

Chapter 398 A Hearty Meal

45 Pear

A handful of short lines had formed at the serving counters, where a few cafeteria ladies in white ladled out food with cheerful efficiency.

aprons

Beside them, behind a bank of heated glass cases, sat an array of steaming trays.

There were poutine poppers, golden potato nuggets swimming in thick, brown gravy.

Boiled vegetables, crisp and bright green.

Golden, crunchy onion rings piled high.

And towering mounds of mac and cheese alongside freshly baked bread, still releasing wisps of steam.

Next to those sat a large tureen of seafood chowder, flecked with white and pink.

The variety of dishes was more than most of these soldiers from modest backgrounds had ever seen in a single cafeteria line.

Just looking at it made their mouths water.

The soldiers stopped at the entrance, momentarily stunned.

The scene before them was noisy, alive with the unpolished vibrancy of everyday working people. It couldn’t have been more different from a military mess, which was efficient, silent, and regimented.

But that difference didn’t unsettle them. Instead, it stirred a warmth-a grounded, unpretentious comfort.

Baxter quickly pulled the squad together, lowering his voice. “Maintain order. Wait your turn in line. Keep it quiet. Don’t disturb the farm staff while they’re eating.”

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