Chapter 8

Upon arrival on the surface she was, to her dismay, separated from the others and Kicho. General Politico was waiting for her and had also been watching her on the surveillance systems and was very pleased with her. He took her into his ready room as they set off for what could only be described as 'home base'. They entered a casual room. It was at the very top of the new ship that they had transferred to. It had a beautiful view of the ocean and there was water as far as the eye could see. Pan found herself lost in the beauty of the ocean, but shook herself back to awareness as her general sat in his comfy chair.

"I am very impressed with your first away exercise. Very well done Pan Son. You are from hence forth, promoted to the same position as he other Hurricanes. A Lieutenant. That is how impressed I am with you. And Lieutenant Son?"

"Yes sir?" Pan saluted her General.

"At ease and welcome to the RRA. We are perfectionalists here missy. And so far you are what we like in our army. Tough, powerful, tactical and very intelligent. In short, perfect. We like perfect soldiers. As long as you are as you appear to be, you will go far in this army. Now go to the others. Tell Lieutenant Mode to take care of you by orders of the general. Understand?"

"Yes sir! And thank you sir!" Pan gave General Politico one last respective salute and left to find the other men. She found them in the canteen, stuffing their faces. Her stomach growled to tell her that she was also hungry, so she got herself a tray of food like the others. She went to sit with them but got a few death stares. She stopped and felt a friendly tap on the shoulder from behind. She turned to see Kicho, smiling as usual.

"That's the 'majors' table. Only us Majors can go there. I will sit with you over here of you like?"

"Yeah, sure. Thank you."

"No problem." Kicho led her to an empty table at the back of the hall and they sat down. "So, what did Politico have to say to you?"

"Well." She finished off her potatoes and smiled up at the awaiting Kicho. "He praised me for a job well done. And to ask a mister Mode to take care of me."

"I promise I will."

"Oh, your Mode?"

"Yeah, Major Kicho Mode at your service. And I will take care of you." He smirked and leaned closer to her. "Of course, that is if I get that coffee that I was promised."

"I don't see a problem with that, tomorrow."

"Not this again. come on." He reached over the table and held her hands, making her blush. "I am sure you could have a coffee with me tonight?"

"I really need my rest, before I got off coffee." She smirked and he just laughed.

"You're a tough one to beat you know that. Yet I am still fascinated with you."

"Why thank you. I will go to my room now please."

"Very well." They left their trays and Pan followed him out the hall. The ship luckily docked just as they left the room, so Kicho led her off the ship and into the complex. The walls were a plain steel silver and in large square sheets. it looked like a nuclear testing complex or a Sci-Fi scene from a horror film. After an elevator ride, a flight of stairs and many, many corridors, they came to a large room. It was empty but had large tables and a few posters on the walls.

"This is the social room. Were we 'relax'. It isn't much, but it is better than nothing. Right here we are." Kicho pointed to a set of large doors and turned to face her. "Through those doors are the dorm rooms. If there is a vacant sign on it, its yours. Just take the sign down after you take it or the maids won't clean it for you. Have a nice rest miss."

"That's Lieutenant Son to you, Major Mode."

"Very well. Good night."

"Good night." She strode towards the doors, swaying her hips and making Kicho bit his fist to stop himself from growling.

She pushed the doors open and saw more doors on each side of the corridor. They were far apart and suggested rooms to her. She walked down the corridor and couldn't see any vacant signs. She finally saw one and pushed the door open. She scratched the vacant sign off the door and memorised the door number. She smiled as she saw her bag was waiting for her next to the bed. The room was very dull, plain white walls, cold grey floor and a white ceiling. The bed was a single with a single white pillow and a red bed cover. There was a tall but slim wardrobe and had draws under two large doors. She proceeded to unpack her things and saw the wardrobe was already filled with black army suits and clothes for her. Even boots were provided for her. Thank Kami she had her own underwear. She found a bible in the top draw of the draws and pulled it out. She laid back on the bed and opened it. She relaxed and read at least the first main section to it before she closed her eyes, slipping into the darkness of slumber.