Page 14 of Subchief Flander

“If that means I'm not sure what I want, maybe you're right. It's not like he's shown any interest or at least not anything that counts for much.” Hel said.

You guys will have time to figure things out after this assignment.

“From what I've seen, this assignment won't be done anytime soon.”

"I'm sure you've heard I made a deal with the emperor. They are going to protect and rebuild Purgatory. It will be one of the few protected planets allowed to self-govern," Kasey observed.

“Are you sure you can trust him?”

“What choice do we have? Right now, the planet is not a fit place to live. Our people are dying and need help.”

Maybe it was not what she wanted to hear, but it was the truth. They might be exchanging one enemy for another because this alliance would be hard to keep in check. The emperor was known for back sliding and looking for ways to get by with things. How could Kasey control that situation? Hel didn't think she could. Ashe knew they were trying to find peace, but right now, all she saw in population centers on the planet was chaos.

They finished testing the drones and went through some of the plans, and then Hel headed to her room. She changed clothes for supper and wanted to meet the rest of the squad at the cafeteria.

“We were beginning to wonder if you would show up," Timson observed.

“I heard you got a real easy job," Jaird said.

“Are you going to take a turn at the refuse chute?” Ronner asked.

Only Tanen stayed silent and said nothing. She ignored them and sat down and began to eat noticing that Flander was not there yet. Today, most warriors were eating burgers and fries. The meal was rumored to be an old earth dish, but she figured it wasn't served like this. These buns were small, and the burgers were huge. Those fries were fresh cut, and this meal was one of her favorites. She wasn't the only one and that was why they served it once a week.

“Don't you got nothing to say?” Jaird asked.

“Aren't you busy eating? I'm surprised that as much as you like to eat, you guys are busy talking," Hel observed.

“They were too busy being nosy," Flander said as he sat at the table.

“Just curious, Boss," Timson mentioned.

“It's not a warrior's place to be curious. We do the job without complaint and only worry about our assigned job," Flander instructed.

“That's bullshit, man," Ronner declared.

"No, that's part of being in the military," Flander admitted.

Obviously, he was waiting for everyone to leave so he could talk to her, so she waited, too. She was curious about what he wanted to say, especially in light of what her sister had just told her.

“I'd like to take you to supper tomorrow at the officer’s cafeteria," Flander explained.

If a person was going out on a date and had either the money or the rank, it was the only place available in this area. There were none other for entertainment or food.

“Okay." Why had she said that? Maybe it was because she'd been caught off guard that he had even asked.

“I'll pick you up at your room," Flander said. She assumed he meant at the usual time.

He hurried away, and she wondered if that was because he feared she would change her mind. Once she had given her word, she wouldn't go back on it. Maybe she was still curious about what he might have to say? Was it even possible that her sister was right and Flander wanted her in a permanent way? It was hard to imagine, but nothing was impossible, and she might find out more tomorrow night. She couldn't deny that she still found him the most handsome warrior she had ever seen. Throw in smart, capable, and a true leader, and the fact that he'd never reacted to her had really hurt.

Could she turn back the clock to a time she didn’t resent his lack of interest? Maybe because if she was honest, she still wanted him. She understood why he couldn't act on any interest before she was eighteen, but couldn't he explain that to her? All she had felt was rejected, and at sixteen, that was hard to handle. Hel decided to wait and see what happened. Maybe he would just tell her he wanted to be friends and hope she didn't expect anything. It was also possible he wanted just a quick roll in the hay, but she didn't think so. He'd always told them not to mess with other squad members. She always felt that talk came up because she had joined the squad, and before, she didn't think there were any other women in it. Not that it was unusual for male warriors to sleep together until they found their mates.

Another problem that came to mind was she had nothing pretty to wear. She'd ask her sister, but Kasey wanted to know everything, and she wasn't sure she wanted to tell her. Hel could go to the store onboard and find something that would work. It wasn't like she had ever spent any of the money she had beenpaid because there was no place worth spending it most of the time. Hel had to admit it would be exciting to dress up like a girl for a change.

Hel finished her makeup, did her hair, and put on the dress she found at the ship's market. It was sexy and a huge surprise because usually there was nothing like it in the market. Even though she didn't buy much there, she checked monthly to see if anything worthwhile would be there. Something like this dress never was. It was red, tight, and showed off her long legs and flat stomach, and dipped in the front to show off her full breasts. She hoped that it would knock Flander for a loop.

There was a knock at the door, so she opened it, and there he stood. She'd never seen him like that before. He was dressed in human clothing. His black jeans were tight as hell, and a silky black shirt unbuttoned at the top with only his boots, the type he usually wore. Her mouth watered. She just wanted to jump him. Hel didn't know why. She'd never been with a man before and didn't know what to do. She felt the heat between her legs. She was wet and knew he could smell it. Looking at his groin, she saw he was reacting too. Good! But she intended to make him work for it.

Hel was ready. Flander opened the door so she could exit, then closed it behind her. He followed her because she knew the way to the officer’s area. When she entered, everyone stared. She had to admit that it made her feel beautiful. She had never felt that way before. It was a feeling that she could get used to. Flander moved in front of her, leading her to a remote seating area in the corner. It would give them some privacy.

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