June 10 2005 Los Angeles, UEG

Lisa Hayes puffed, she was sitting at her bedroom desk for a couple of hours trying to finish her speech for the graduation ceremony that would take place at the end of the month but she couldn't concentrate for more than five minutes.
-Principal Maynard will regret having chosen me- she thought, and then smiled amusedly as she pulled back her arms and her head. She stayed in that position for a few seconds enjoying the tension in her neck and shoulder muscles. That smile that flashed fleetingly over her face and made her eyes shine was no longer an occasional guest in her life. For about three months Lisa's whole life had changed. Yes...she continued to study and was still among the best in her class, but her afternoons and evenings were no longer grey and predictable, a chain of days all the same. Even school mornings were suddenly flooded with colors And Lisa was the prism that reflected those colors. If her father had been with her in California, she thought, her life would be perfect. She started playing with a pink pencil and pass it distractedly over her face, and at that moment her phone vibrated softly.
-Karl!
The girl set the device on the video call, not before she had undone her ponytail and quickly put her hair on her shoulders, soon a languid smile appeared between her lips.
And he, on the other side of the screen, smiled. He was walking in the sun while talking, Lisa could see that he was at the base: Karl crossed the track sideways around the entrance:

-And... after 14 hours on duty, finally out. I think I lost bout 10 years of my life!
Lisa was vibrating with joy. She was looking at his sweet, brown eyes, with dark eyelashes. She could feel her heart burning, she wished she was there to throw her arms around his neck, kiss him... feel Karl's body pressing against hers and...

She blushed violently.
-You there Lisa? Are you listening to me?
-ehmm yes... what were you saying!?
-I was wondering... if you'd like to join me for dinner.
Lisa sulked
- At dinner? You know I can't be late at night...
- And you know I keep only seeing you on the screen I'm gonna go through withdrawal... You'd have an almost-sergeant on your conscience, you know?
-What do you say, Karl? Are you getting a promotion? -
-Yes, that's it... but it's classified information -

laughed the young man as he got into his car

And I'm absolutely willing to do anything to celebrate with you Miss Hayes.
-Anything? Oh Karl I can't wait for my father to get back to California and for you to meet him, I wish I'd stop making all these plans to go out in the afternoon and... I mean, to see you...
-Don't worry, Lis. I get it. I'm just wondering if...
-What? - She answered in a worried tone
- What would the Admiral say about his daughter, with a guy like me.
-I'm sure he's gonna like you, very much! I'm sure he will!
Karl made a puzzled expression, rolling his eyes at the sky.
-I'm telling you, Karl, my father and I have the same temper!

Corporal Riber Fruhuling thought nebulously about how the time had flown since that afternoon, three months earlier, when he had met by chance Elizabeth, the daughter of the terrible Admiral Hayes. He already knew the Admiral's story, who didn't? Yet as he shook hands with that shy 17-year-old girl, he felt his heart tight, a confused emotion, a mixture of nostalgia and tenderness. He didn't believe in lightning strikes and these kinds of connections, yet that girl was imprinted on him with a disconcerting force. He thought that it was because of the attack on his mother, he had been obsessed with that horrible accident for days. It had happened three years earlier, he had just joined the army. The Australian UEG base , where one of the underground Grand Cannons was secretly being perfected, had been partially attacked and destroyed. The cannon was badly damaged. And then next the assassination attempt on the Admiral and his family during a representative trip to Melbourne. By an incredibly fortuitous coincidence Donald Hayes was not in the institutional car that had been stuffed with TNT by the Anti-Unification forces. It was just his wife and an escort of seven people who had been blown up with her. The Admiral's daughter, Elizabeth, had stayed in Adelaide for a school seminar. And so, Sarah Hayes had died a heartbreaking death. Karl remembered the feeling of terror that had gripped him as he watched the news in the Academy, where he had entered only six months earlier. "And so... this is war," he thought terrified. He didn't want to feel terror, he didn't want to feel disgust, but those were the only feelings that shook his conscience. He had signed up for the military to continue his studies. It was his only way to get his engineering degree in that newly unified new world and he had ended up thinking that the war might never come to his side. On the day of the attack, he bitterly realized how close, palpable the danger was. Danger and pain spared no one, not even Admiral Hayes' daughter.
Karl still wondered confusedly whether his interest was not due to that, yet it could not simply be tenderness for a girl who had lost her mother so violently, who had been through so many trials at such a young age.

The corporal had been rash, well, the facts were telling. But the urgency of the imminent war and the danger of the continue close ups on civilians had made all the young soldiers reckless, little inclined to reflection: those days were restless. And though Karl was a fairly sensible guy, he was not yet 22 years old... Blood was pumping in his veins tho, despite all this. During his licenses or around the city he had a rather defile attitude, little inclined to put himself at the center of attention. Nevertheless, he knew that girls noticed him and that women on the base often looked at him. He was a tall, dark-haired guy with warm, elongated hazel eyes with long eyelashes. He had a naturally refined manner that immediately struck Serena Seymour when they met during a reception. She had managed to get herself officially introduced by her father that same evening, but Riber Fruhling had gone no further than a simple chat. Serena was certainly a wonderful girl, but she was underage. Why now, all of a sudden, had he come to ask her to help him meet Lisa Hayes? Maybe because he felt she wanted the same? That she wanted to see him again, talk to him... maybe kiss him? He closed his eyes. Was he in love? His heart began to beat fast in his ears. He knew nothing gonna be easy.
Lisa Hayes, like every time she planned to meet Karl Riber at a time other than the stolen minutes on her way out of school, entered a state of analysis worthy of a federal agent. Although she hated the idea of lying her father, she decided she would tell him everything only when he returned to California. The fact was that three months had just flown by, and the Admiral was not one for big video chats. Lisa wasn't naive enough not to know that her very steps was monitored and that Mrs. Ross, the housekeeper, and Lieutenant Miro were always watching her. Plus, there were eight armed guards staking out the Hayes' estate day and night. At some point, she had also begun to think that her father's employees had suddenly become her accomplices, since her father had never ever hinted with her at any speech other than her homework or the graduation ceremony. Lisa had told him quickly that he had recently made friends with Serena and a couple of other girls, and the Admiral had been pleased but hadn't gone into it. If Lisa had wanted to, she would have found the whole thing rather strange, the Admiral was not what you would call a distracted person. But Lisa didn't want to think, she just didn't want to gamble her luck. Luck ... yes, she was really lucky having met a girl like Serena: smart, beautiful, popular : the daughter of the Deputy Governor of the City Ron Seymour. But above all she was a cheerful girl who knew how to have fun. For three months they had become inseparable, and the homework at her house had become the best hours of her life. She'd never had any friends, real friends.
-So Lisa don't you have any social profile? -Mmh? She asked her one night
-You joke, my father would never let me having one... not after... "not after my mother was murdered" she would have say: but she couldn't speak those words.
-I see... so... let's put it this way: if Corporal Riber Fruhuling wanted to contact you... he'd better write you a letter and send you a courier?! Is that so? - replied Serena
Lisa blushed violently
-What up Serena what are you saying?!
-What I'm saying! Serena let herself fall on the bed in a languid pose
-I happened to know him first, you remember? - she said theatrically.
Lisa began to tremble involuntarily
-but of course... I...
-Youuuuuu! - continued Serena- you said he's cute! You like him!
-No I... I didn't say that...
-Yes you did!- Serena got up on her knees on the bed grabbing a pillow and hurling it at full speed at Lisa's skull. She took the heat.
-I'm telling you, yes! You love him!
-Serena, stop it! Lisa was on the verge of tears and Serena noticed it because she suddenly burst out laughing and fell back on the bed.
-oh, Lis, you're so sweet! You're gonna kill me laughing!
Lisa was undecided whether to be relieved or outraged.

Serena took her smartphone and waved it in front of her nose.
-You're really silly, come here! I have here a piece of information, highly... classified... information...
On Serena's chat line that was a photo that only showed a three-quarter face covered by a military beret.
-He text me this morning!
Serena was squinting her eyes out laughing. She was having a good time at Lisa's expense that didn't know what to think.
-Come on gimme that phone!
- What manners Miss Hayes! You should be a little more delicate!
-Serena please! stop making fun of me!
Lisa stood up offended... she took a few steps towards the window and looked out. She was dying of curiosity but would never give in.
-Come on Lisa! -
Serena had caught up to her backs and grabbed her shoulder. She reached up to her ear
- Don't get mad, and then I'm the one who should be mad at you! She whispered
Lisa turned around and found herself facing her friend's smiling blue eyes
- You? With me? What did I do?
-well look... -I'd say you impressed a guy... Serena put the phone in front of Lisa's eyes - read it yourself... you hit him! - she went on with her voice set- straight to the heart!
Lisa couldn't believe her ears. Was she making fun of her? Did Corporal Riber really ask for her?
-Oh Lisa that's great!
Serena grabbed her by the shoulders and hugged her...
-I'm so happy for you! she whispered in her ears as she held her tight.
Lisa was baffled. She couldn't believe any of that. That an older boy like Riber was asking about her. That a guy might like her... but especially him! That Serena was a dear friend and that she was as happy for her as if she was for herself. It was all unbelievable. Her heart was grateful. She responded to the hug with all the joy she had.

She and Riber. The two of them had met many times during those few months, always with Serena's complicity who organized some meets. They had often met on her way out of school in the afternoon, while Lieutenant Miro waited inside the Mercedes and Lisa tried to hide behind a column in the entrance. But more than anything else, the friendship between the two was based on phone calls. Very long video calls in which the two young people told each other their short lives. Lisa had been able to talk about her mother's death, about the attack. The hasty escape to California, and even bout her childhood in Japan, surely the best days of her life.

-And now! -Because we all come from different places, you have to tell me something in your own language! - had said Serena standing solemnly up on the sunny patio of her home.

The water in the pool shimmered in the afternoon sun sending gleams breaking through the large windows of the porch. A group of young people sat on deckchairs or cross-legged on the floor, sipping iced tea and beer. Among them in informal clothes there were Karl Riber and his comrade Alex Louan, then some school friends, and few guys with whom Serena played tennis. Of course it was Lisa.
-So, Corporal Riber, why don't you start?
Riber smiled compassed
-What you want me to say? I speak English.
-Yes, but you're German... or not?
-Just my last name. I can't speak any language! I speak ours badly enough too!
The crew laughed carelessly at the jokes that crossed each other. Even glances kept meeting, especially Lisa and Karl ones.
-Then... it's Lisa Hayes's turn! Tell us some of Aussie jokes about, some cow herd slang or... whatever!
Lisa almost choked on the drink she was sipping.
-But I don't know any Australian herd jokes! ... I'm Japanese!
All the guys turned around to look at her: her very white skin, her chest and neck covered in blushes of redness, her golden brown hair, with some blonde locks lightened by the sun, her green eyes. Everything could be except a Japanese girl. A general laughter infected everyone and vibrated in the hot air.

-Oh Lisa! You're so sweet! what are you talking about? - laughed Serena

-I was born in Japan, that's true! - said Lisa shyly - it's the language of my childhood, well, if you ask me where I'm from, I'd say... from Japan!

Riber stared intensely at her for long moments

-Oh but that's so cool! Why don't you say something in Japanese!?

The only thing I can say in Japanese is... Only you! - Serena started humming a song that was very popular at the time, and soon everyone joined in and sang

-Kimi ni sasayaku, Memories! Futarinonatsumonogatari! Only You, gin no bīchi de... precious love! Nureta suhada dakishime namida o umi ni kaesu no sa... Just Only You*!

That's right! - said Corporal Louan, I never understood what the hell he's saying, but damn if it's not a song that gets you...

-Come on Lisa... Why don't you translate the text for us?

Lisa looked down at the floor, involuntarily moving one knee.

-Well... It's... a simple love song.

Her eyes met those of Karl who smiled tenderly at her. Her heart was making somersaults inside his chest, she felt blushing and couldn't pick up the thread of the conversation.

- I think at the end of the day - Riber said - it really doesn't matter where each of us came from... now the world is united under one flag!

Lisa gasped to hear again the words her father had spoken a short time before.

-Oh that's how a military man talks! -Serena jumped on and joined hands in her theatrical style.

-I do believe that the army will save us!

-I don't know what we're supposed to be saved from! -puffed out by one of the tennis boys – maybe... aliens?

Riber and Louan shared a glance with a confused expression, but it was al lost in laughter.

-Why don't we dance? Oh please can we, Serena? - proposed one of the girls.

Nostalgic music soon filled the valley as the sky tinged with red and violet shades and gently brushed the citrus trees that surrounded the mansion. A very long barbed wire fence surrounded by radar flanked the park, but the guys could not see it, because it was submerged by the trees. They couldn't even see the armed guards lurking behind the balustrades and a drone circling discreetly in the sky just above their heads. The kids were dancing and laughing and fooling around, drinking a little bit. Everything was perfect.

Lisa soon found herself standing on the sidelines under a tree full of fruit so shiny to look fake. The sunlight on the patio was bright orange. She was wearing a simple white linen dress with small embroideries that soon had taken the shades of gold. Karl Riber was in front of her and his eyes seemed to absorb that light, sending back a thousand flashes. He wanted pick a lock of that long, honey-colored hair and feel it slipping through his fingers, yet he couldnt even lift his hand. Lisa had leaned against the trunk of the tree and waited for his word. But he said nothing. He looked at her.

-Do I have something on my face? -She asked him in a whisper

Karl awoke as if from a dream

-No... I... no, no, absolutely. It's a beautiful evening. You are... - he swallowed - You look beautiful tonight.

-Lisaa! Hey, Lisa! -The girls were calling her from the porch

-Lisa Hayes, where are you?

She suddenly moved away from the trunk of the tree, unwittingly approaching Karl managing overtake him but he took her by the wrist gently. She turned three-quarters of the way, their bodies touched each other.

-Wait...

She lifted her face and their eyes collided, producing a thousand discharges of light that flew everywhere.

Lisa's heart was beating incredibly fast in the veins of that wrist he was still holding and she felt she couldn't take much more of all the commotion that was numbing her legs and increasing her breathing.

-So... is this love? - she caught herself thinking confusedly

Karl had tilted his face sideways and still hesitated, she stood still, waiting. She had never been so close to a person as to feel his breath. Their lips brushed, and she saw in his eyes a thousand golden bubbles swimming in the light .He continued to hold her wrist but soon his fingers opened to slip into hers, he caressed her hand as he closed his eyes: and then their open lips met. A long moment in which everything was decided. Karl caressed her cheek as he walked away from her flushed face, with an indecipherable expression that she would never forget. Then Lisa smiled, and so did he, soon their hands clasped urgently. Karl grabbed her by the waist and kissed her again, this time holding her against his body and making her head spin. She squeezed his shoulder inside that dizziness. It was the first time a boy touched her and it was the first time she touched a boy. Their tongues met, making them shiver to the tip of their hair: everything was incredibly suspended in time.

-Lisa, Karl! Where are you?- The voices came from afar, from another dimension.

The two looked at each other in the eye again and Lisa smiled again with joy.

-...Maybe... we'd better go.

-The goddamn curfew! Lisa puffed up again, standing up and wandering around the room barefoot and listless. How much longer is it going to last? Would it last forever? Since President Niven was assassinated and after these new elections in the UGE, even California... all the United States previously spared from guerrilla, had been subject to attacks, uprisings and protests that had resulted in bloodshed military scramble and police intervention. Lisa didn't want to admit to herself that she was beginning to hate this. But how could she hate what her father saw as life itself? She sadly smiled as she remembered the big farmhouse in Australia, the huge park that surrounded it. How she and her mother took long walks with the pets until sunset, how she layed on the grass rubbing her face on the ground, feeling the beats of nature, a connection she had forgotten. Suddenly he slipped down the corridor and ran barefoot down the stairs, fast along the hallway, opening the heavy wooden door and jumping the steps two by two until she came out onto the tiled patio flooded with light.

-Miss Hayes! Where you going? - the housekeeper shouted from one of the rooms inside-

-Miss Hayes!

-I'm in the garden! -She answered without stopping running, and the further away she went from the square and the more she stepped on the grass that lay in front of her, the more she felt the need to run, stronger and stronger, the air lashed her cheeks, the hot wind burned her eyes, she ran as fast as she could, to the limit, until the breath was drained until the house was far behind her. She was panting with her hands on her knees, shortness of breath, her hair clinging to her face. She looked up to the horizon behind the fence, and could see the ocean. She crawled on all fours on the ground and then let herself go without forces with her face on the grass, crushing herself with all the strength she had on the soft carpet dotted with small clovers and country flowers that had escaped the gardener's scythe. She breathed hard with his nose into the ground, a lonely tear slipped from one eye.

-Mom... - whispered silently

Lisa stood there for a few minutes, motionless, until she realized that the ground beneath her was vibrating. She lifted her face halfway up and saw that her left hand on the grass was moving, it wasn't her shaking, all the air around her was pierced by an indescribable rumble, closer and closer, like a drill, like the heavy step of a train, but the vibration was coming from the air. She rose to her knees. The branchees of the trees in the avenue vibrated at the same rhythm as her knees, causing the birds to flutter, and suddenly a giant shadow obscured the sun.

- An earthquake...?

Lisa stood up terrified and with no time to realize her red cotton dress rose in a whirlwin together with her hair that intertwined like inside a turbine, making her believe that in a moment that tornado would have lifted her off the ground.

The shadow had blinked her vision and after interminable seconds she saw an immense plane flying low above her head, emitting an unbearable roar. Behind that first one, two planes, and behind them four more and then many others: huge warplanes decorated with colours that Lisa had never seen before, they rushed into the fraction of a second one behind the other, obscuring the sunlight, releasing their thrusters that lit the clear sky like neon discharges. Lisa couldn't hold back a huge scream and, trying to keep her dress at bay, she began to run under the planes, at first little unsteady then faster and faster, feeling carried away by their speed, really feeling like flying: But soon even the last formation overcame the short stretch that the girl was crossing with all the strength she had, she raised her arms, turning on herself and jumping high, screaming for no reason until the last fighter disappeared behind the horizon, making foam the surface of the sea.

Lisa had never ever seen anything such amazing in her entire life, she felt the urgency to tell it to someone to describe somehow what she was feeling. She couldn't wait any longer. She had to tell her father that she loved Karl and that she had seen those huge fighter planes migrating east, she just didn't know why.

She tried to call the Admiral, who answered after several rings.

-Lisa! Is something wrong?

- Dad...uh ... What up? No, I was wondering, I... just want to hear from you.

-Mmh I am really busy now but... we can talk later, tonight

Lisa took a long breath and the Admiral could see his daughter's flushed cheeks and messed-up hair through the screen.

-It's all right, Lisa? Is it that you were running or something?

-Uh, actually, yeah, right now, here in the park.

The admiral got a blurred look in his eyes.

-Look Dad...- Lisa instinctively came up to the screen and almost pinched her nose on the display.

-Watashi ga mita subarashī mono o mita!**- she continued in a sigh

-Nani o mita?

-Sugu ni koko ni... Watashi wa mimashita... Sentōki no kyodaina sentai wa, sukunakutomo watashi wa omou ni, hotondo zujō o hikuku tonda!

-Lisa... sentoki?

-Matawa gun'yō-ki.. maybe?

Admiral Hayes's face, who had frowned just before, relaxed...

-and tell me what they were like?

-Oh, I've never seen anything like that... huge, huge jets! Decorated with skull and bones

Lisa laughed excitedly

-Did you like them, hmm?

-Oh it was amazing. Anata wa korera no hikōki o shiki suru to omoimasu ka? Anata wa Papa?

-uh ehh sort of Lisa! But you calling me for asking that?

-Uh sure! And...

Lisa took a deep breath feeling it was time to talk, now or never.

And Papa I... I wanted to ask your permission to go out for dinner... I...

-Do you want to go out at dinner?

-I'll get the driver, dad, and before curfew I'll be home, I promise, please, please!

Admiral Hayes quickly looked at the digital clock on his desk. He wanted to stay and talk to his daughter, especially as her behaviour made him restless. But a meeting with the UEG board would begin in four minutes. He looked out the window, the snow was coming down from the sky in big rags, everything was completely white and blank.

-Tell me, Lisa, is it hot up there in the hills?

-Pretty hot dad, it's June! So! what are you saying? Will you let me go?

-You're going out with friends from school?

Lisa hesitated for a moment, she wanted to tell him that, actually no, that she was on a date with a boy and that she had fallen for him, but suddenly it all seemed ridiculous and she nodded her head...

-Friends from school.

Lisa threw the phone on the bed growling with frustration. She put her hands on her head and cursed her situation. Why did everything have to be so difficult? She knew her father had become so obsessive after the bombing, and sure, she admitted she was right. But Lisa didn't know how to tell him that now she wanted... what did she want? She just wanted to live. She lay on the floor trying to come up with a plan: eliminate Lieutenant Miro? Maybe Karl had a gun or some anaesthetic drug or one of those truncheons that shocks you. She broke into a silent laugh, "Maybe I can buy his silence?" Of course not... the Admiral would have paid him a lot more than Lisa could have ever scraped out of his cards. But what if...

In the end, as usual, the solution came from the outside.

-I can't believe your father won't let you date a guy, you're 17, you're a senior for God's sake! -

Lisa narrowed her eyes ajar with sadness.

- Serena I... after my mother died my dad is, well... he's scared.

Serena smiled tenderly

- I'm sorry honey, you're right. And then he's an important person, I mean... but look, we're all so unlucky, all of us. This curfew already keeps us from living through the night. The last time I went out in the dark was at least four years ago. Where to? To the drive-in with my mom and her new boyfriend! Then it was all gone, goodbye nights out! But it's ok we gonna have fun in the sun!

Serena could really take everything on the bright side.

The two girls climbed into Serena's sports car while Lieutenant Miro manoeuvred the Mercedes and followed them discreetly from a distance.

-I'm sure your driver is a real henchman," said the girl.

- I'm sorry - replied Lisa - I'm forever in your debt.

-Don't worry, Lis, but promise me you'll talk to your dad! Oh! I mean, we gonna graduate in two weeks! I can't believe it! And at the ceremony I guess he'll be there, and Riber too! They'll finally get to know each other. Besides, I want to meet the admiral too!

Serena kept talking cheerfully as she drove down the interstate to the uptown L.A. neighbourhoods. The two girls tied up in front of a new fusion restaurant. Serena left her keys with the valet and elegantly stepped out of the car.

-And now, she said in one wink - your lieutenant henchman will have a lovely evening admiring the parking lot!

The two girls laughed, because Serena had booked a private room that overlooked a garden terrace.

-And from up there even if Lieutenant Miro can't keep an eye on you...Hey soldiers!

The two girls came up in their shorts and high-heeled sandals. They both wore loose hair on their shoulders and elegant, flared tops.

Alex Louan smiled while he looked at them coming.

-Who d've thought we'd end up dating such rich, sophisticated girls? -he said by pushing Karl Riber with one elbow.

He smiled in ecstasy at seeing Lisa so enchanting as she walked into the lobby leading to the terrace.

-you can say that

- and especially minors !- Alex continued with a sneer

- Hey cut it out, man. You know my intentions are serious.

-Yes, of course, that's what you'll tell the Admiral too, right?

Karl's face went dark for a moment, but in the meantime the two girls had already joined them. Karl shook hands with them both.

-You look beautiful tonight, ladies.

-Very beautiful - echoed Louan

Lisa shook a lock of hair from her shoulders, a gesture she learned from Serena and that had now become a habit.

The four young people spent the evening talking about their lives, their past, but above all about the future that all four hoped would be better than the present.

-Oh, I can't believe we're finally graduating in a few days!- Said Serena with a drama gesture.

- I'm going to Brown, and this mean girl is gonna sign for the army...I can't believe we're never gonna see you again Lisa!

-We always got these cute stuff- she smiled as she lifted her smartphone in her hand.- I'll call you every day!

-And you gentlemen soldiers? - Serena went on- You'll be rotting at Kern's base for how many years?

Riber burst out laughing

-Oh no... at least not me! I'm going to graduate next year... Aerospace engineering and then... I'll be get assigned to a research center

-You mean you're going to end up in space? -Mm-hmm? -Serena naively said- and you, Alex?

-Yeah, me too. I mean, I don't think I'm gonna end up in space, and neither does Karl. We're gonna take care of air traffic.

-Speak for yourself- Riber reply casting an intense gaze in the direction of Lisa.

-I want to work in research- he went on, talking to her- I want... I'd like to get into Robotechnology.

-Is that that top secret stuff that everybody's talking bout but nobody knows exactly what it is? -said Serena drinking her glass of wine- my dad doesn't talk about anything else in the house and then when someone asks him questions... which is when I ask him a question he changes topic immediately! It must be so boring. I guess they're making drones more and more intuitive so they can keep an eye on us aaaall the time.

-It's not exactly like that - tried to say Alex Louan, but Serena shut him up with a hand gesture- oh nevermind, hey soldier why don't you take me to the bar for another drink? -Alex stood up immediately in a martial pose and almost dropped the chair.

Serena burst out laughing - at my orders! She said flirty

-She is just overwhelming! Said Karl making Lisa smile

-She's amazing. I think I'm gonna miss her so much

Karl stretched his hand on the table until he touched her own lying motionless on the tablecloth.

-Are you sure you want to join the army?

Lisa looked at him with a questioning look

-I always knew I'd be in the military ...

Karl looked at her intensely - You don't have to, you know...

Lisa took her hand off his and carried them both in her lap.

-You're saying that because you don't think I'm up to it? I'm not?.

Karl looked at her surprised...

-No...oh no Lisa, in reverse! You're so smart, you could do anything. You could get into the best universities in the country... I mean in the UGE.

Lisa smiled and relaxed a little. She put her hands over her hair again.

-Thanks... Karl, But you know, I've been deciding that for a long time, and you're military too.

Riber's forehead frowned for a moment and he didn't speak. Then as he settled his thoughts, he reached out again, this time taking a lock of Lisa's long hair. He slipped it between his fingers.

She blushed at his closeness

- We're at war, Lis, and although everyone pretends we're not, well, it's the truth. In a minute now, everything could fall apart. There's no place safer, and it just doesn't seem like the right time to join the Army, that's all.

Lisa opened her eyes wide with surprise, and stared at Karl's, who went pretty mesmerized by that look.

-You mean... d'you regret being in the military?

Karl would have say yes, say that if he could go back in time he would never have made this rash decision. That he hated war, that he was afraid... that everything he had imagined for himself was slowly disappearing from his hands. But he was afraid of disappointing her, he was afraid of not being enough for her.

He took her hand again and now she responded to his grip.

-No I don't regret it.

He tried to smile-it's just... that I care about you... I really care about you Lisa,

His voice was trembling and Lisa's heart was beating so fast, he was sincere, she wondered if she could love him like that too.

-Will you come to my graduation ceremony, Karl? She said hopefully.

-On the 30th of June! Sure! I already asked for a license. I wouldn't miss your final speech for the world.

Lisa was glowing with joy

-And my father's gonna be there! I can't wait for you two to meet. I'm so excited!

-Hey you two!?

Serena and Alex waved their arms for them far from the terrace balustrade

-Come here! There's a amazing view!

Lisa and Sergeant Riber walked away from the table, hand in hand towards the blinding light that enveloped their friends. The sun was setting in front of their smiling faces and if it hadn't been for two military helicopters flying a few miles away over the hills, they could have plaine heard the chirping of the birds on the trees.

Admiral Donald Hayes scrolled the images on his monitor with his right hand while, with the other hand he continuously pushed the back of a pen on his desk. The photos and videos showed Lisa and Serena Seymour in the car, and then again the two girls in the company of the two soldiers on the terrace of the restaurant, smiling and chatting. Then again Riber holding a lock of Lisa's hair between his fingers. The admiral toasted himself, sending his gaze from the pictures.

-Sir, are you listening to me?

The voice on the phone was Miro's one.

-Yes, Lieutenant. So... Riber Fruhling was promoted to sergeant. Well, I guess his promotion was already planned.

-Miss Hayes and Miss Seymour are leaving the restaurant now. -Admiral Hayes?

-Good, Miro, bring her back, and call me when you get home. And... thank you.

- At Orders, sir. Miro closed the call, called back the drone which glided back and closing up in a tiny box on his hand. The driver started the Mercedes and Lisa climbed into the back seat with a sigh. The evening had ended too soon, as always when she spent time with Karl.

Admiral Donald Hayes kept looking at the pictures of Lisa on that sun-drenched terrace. He had never seen her wearing those kind of clothes, and above all, he had never seen her smile like that. He focused deeply on the figure of Riber studying every detail of him. His gaze flashed with hatred.

Hi everyone! What up with quarantine in your country? Hope all gets ok. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

Some notes:

*the song the guys are singing at Serena's is called Neverending Summer, a song released in 1984 by Kiyotaka Sugiyama and Omega Tribe

**I heard Lisa and Admiral Hayes speaking in japanese, sometimes: here is the translation

She's telling telling him that she has just seen a squadron of fighter planes. The Admiral asks her if they are military planes. Lisa says she's pretty sure and asks her father if he commands these fighters.

Thank you for reading! soon a new chapter

Mao