Usual legal bit – Not making any profit here, nor am I seeking to undermine or steal from the good people who do own the characters and concepts behind this series.
Brenten put the Castigator on the bench for a moment as he pulled his trunk body armour over his head. 'Al, don't take this the wrong way, but….'
'Yes Sir?'
'Young Leona Ozaki spends more time obsessing over Anna and Uni Puma than thinking about you.' He laid a paternal hand on the smaller man's shoulder. 'Get hurt, fall for her, make mistakes and be irrational, sure, life's about that kind of thing, but no woman is worth killing yourself over, not even that one.'
Al smiled wanly and his big green eyes looked pained. 'I think I already made that mistake Sir, and look where it got me.'
They both laughed easily at that, then Al winced and Brenten steadied the still recovering youth. 'True, but as the Rev would have it 'Heaven helps those who help themselves.' You're a good looking kid, you don't have to settle for Sophie, but don't get so set on Leona you let a true chance at happiness pass you by.'
Al nodded thoughtfully, then realised Brenten had left already. He hurried, realising his senior officer had used up his good-will stores for the day and was ready to explode some criminals.