New Recruit
I'd been dumped by 1st Squad and somehow ended up dragged into 3rd Squad. This place was... well, it had some discipline, but...
"Sis...! Look, I'm lifting a 300kg barbell...!"
"Not bad. You've bulked up a lot."
What can I say? It felt like performing monkeys. And sis? What the hell. If everyone's just gonna call her whatever they want, why even have a squad leader position or give her the rank of captain? Every squad's got its own vibe. No way all squads are like this. If 1st Squad's playing house, is this the delinquent squad? But Carmen the delinquent only hangs with these sleazy old dudes? This must be hell. Still, the atmosphere's pretty good. 1st Squad, you see, can't sit still the second a mission pops up. Total workaholics. I can't stand that suffocating vibe. At least lately, Nova-chan's started opening up to me a bit—thank goodness. She still doesn't talk to me first, but neither do the others. Nova-chan at least doesn't avoid me!
"Our little miss is working hard too."
I'd been quietly chopping veggies, minimizing my presence, when a creepy hand reached out. Touch my ass and you're dead—it's precious. I twisted away just a bit. The 35-year-old granny's hand grazed it. My purity remains intact.
"I've noticed before, but you've got great eyes."
"Unlike what Captain Carmen expected, I'm Dr. Licht's 'closest confidante.' This is nothing."
"Hehe, sure sure."
What was that laugh? She took my serious declaration as some kid's cute tantrum.
"Anyway, I still have so many questions for you, baby~"
This woman's shameless. Where'd that sturdy leader vibe from earlier go? I prefer the serious side. Show me that.
"I may be cute and pretty, but I'm not 'baby.'"
How's that for serious? I even snorted like it was hilarious. But why's this granny suddenly tilting her head? Did I overstep?
"Ha, seriously, I can't hold back."
Whatever it is, please just hold it in this once. Her pupils dilated, veins bulged, muscles twisted unnaturally. Shit, launch sequence. Gotta do something quick! Judging by the tensed muscles, first shot's... the hand! Can't block brute force. I learned that last time. The captain's probably past 5.0 stage. Why? Pure physicals—Carmen outmuscles Carlos. Gotta be strengthening type. Her slender frame hides stupidly tough muscles. But strength isn't everything. Just flow with it. I smacked her wrist lightly to slip the grip, then slid inside. Like she was waiting, Carmen flung her arms wide. Figured since I dove deep, I couldn't escape her hug. Dream on. This body's perks are speed and flexibility. I twisted, climbed her like a vine, circled behind. Prodded the pulsing spot with my finger.
"I win."
No idea when this became a contest, but Nera-chan total victory. Wow, I beat the captain. I'm 3rd Squad leader now!
"Ooh, if that hadn't been your finger on the artery just now, it could've been dangerous."
Yeah yeah, worthy captain. The weak deny defeat; the strong know their flaws bone-deep. I admit it, Carmen—you're top-tier.
"But... strut like that, and bad guys'll eat you up?"
Bad guys? Thud. Caught off-guard, she grabbed my hand. Then it hit me. I have to keep running to win; she just needs one grab. Captured, I got yanked into her bosom. This setup feels familiar. Hours of granny chatter incoming. Total loss...
"Seeing cute, pretty Inspector Nera smile makes me happy too?"
Did I smile? I touched my face. Not grinning noticeably?
"I wasn't smiling."
"Oh dear, what to do? That checking-yourself attitude is what's cute."
Weird~ Keeps sounding like 'clumsy' instead of cute.
"And to correct you, you did smile. Like this~ Your mouth curved up."
Carmen grabbed my lip corner, yanking it up. Laugh bell or whatever? Ugh, not in the mood! Let go! I thrashed wildly, but she beamed.
"More importantly, treating me this casual means we're friends now, right?"
No way! Total misunderstanding!
"1st Squad won't be back for a while, so let's chat slow. Little miss. Kids~ You cool with that~?"
"Of course, sis!"
"Looking forward to the new inspector's stories!"
Why so hyped? They'd charge into hell if she said so. Call it Carmen Fan Club, not 3rd Squad?
"First off... got a boyfriend?"
Girls' talk out of nowhere. Tough level already...
*****
Heard tons. "You seem well-educated," "As a woman, you're naive, but that shows you were raised sheltered," etc. Total nonsense from start to finish. I never learned shit growing up? Hard to tell if it's small talk or real. And naive as a woman? I always keep tidy. No skirts, always pants. Nothing to see even if you want!
Anyway, Carmen's endless chatter and her rabid fandom—who'd revive from death for her words—were exhausting. Body's fine, but mind's ready to check out. Back to tent for sleep. I flicked on my dim flashlight and headed out. Didn't need it—night vision built-in, spots everything clear! Yeah, like that newbie slouched sadly behind the dark tent. Why's he like that? Not military enough? Or is that normal? I'd crack too if ordered on ops day one. And landing in 3rd Squad? Fan club calling captain "sis"—how stay sane? Sigh... No service like this usually, but for my eval, special today. Newbie, you're blessed.
"What's up?"
Approached, tossed it casually—like genuine curiosity. YouTube small talk mastery in 3 mins. Newbie jolted, stared. Oh, he was hiding?
"Ah, hi."
Answers at least. I stared. Hasn't answered yet.
"Just... a bit... scared."
Scared guy's lurking here? Thrill-seeker? Ruined your fun?
"Scared of what?"
"Just... y'know. Thought I was ready, but seeing cadavers up close... heart's pounding. Tried hiding it, but couldn't. Slipped out quiet."
Good, not a masochist. Hmm... bottles it up till boom. Without me, he'd stew forever, sob someday. Carmen's not flawless captain. Without my chat, he'd snap big-time.
"Aren't you... scared, Inspector?"
Big puppy eyes. No treats falling, awkward. Damn... what to say? Fake cool line.
"Scared? With all these strong enforcers around?"
Newbie's eyes widened.
"You're strong, Inspector. Right. Just pulled trigger a few times coming here. Not sure it helped."
Doesn't know his luck. Know what? Dumping everything on newbies is worst. If he'd shone today, I'd doubt sector's survival tomorrow.
"So what if it didn't? Others say anything?"
"No..."
"Then no problem."
Newbie gaped, sunk by my logic.
"Yeah. Thanks. Can head back now."
Bowed, left. Nice. Saved a life. Hope this spreads for my eval.
Big deed done—craving bed. But wait for squad's polite. Such a pain.
*****
Carlos checked the massive ground hole, then turned. No cadaver there now, and better absent. Night raid by something that huge? Nightmare.
"Captain, that size... definitely past 5.0 stage, right?"
"Near certain. Never seen a 4.0 stage that big."
"Agree, ultra-high threat."
"Where'd it flee? Not into sector surveillance, right...?"
Rira asked Carlos, anxious.
"No worry. Some beacons lost, but net's intact."
"Active zone outside surveillance."
"Yeah, lucky..."
Rira sighed relief, hand on chest. Carlos watched.
"Rira, like always—no pushing. We get your pain, how it torments. Take stabilizer, rest."
"Yeah... right."
Soon after, faint light ahead—flickering flame. Approached cautiously: campfire in tent center. Beside it, Nera asleep, tired of waiting.
'Waited all night?'
Not impressed. More weird—why sudden saint? Dishonorable discharge worry? Tested hypothesis, shook head.
'Nah.'
Not long acquainted, but not that type. Simplest: whim. Does whatever she wants, unknown motives. This too—meaningless. But... nice whim. Set aside past; return gesture if shown. Carlos gently picked sleeping Nera. Careful—she hates men's touch, reason unknown. Opened tent, laid her softly, blanketed frail form. Outside, Rira stared. Nova asleep, tent zipped.
"Have to go that far?"
Innocent question? Uneasy tone.
"Moves for squad, she's squad. That's it."
Rira pouted but dropped it. Swallowed pill with water, entered tent. Silent camp—Carlos first watch. Campfire warm; folding chair nearby. Sat neatly, eyed palm. Still warm. Clenched, opened fist—then gripped tight.