Ch. 9 Bone Up, Petite

Ch. 9 Bone Up, Petite

"Wh-what do you mean I can't go?" Pvt. Albrecht spluttered.

Stecchin stared with all the steel she could muster at her young protégé, which wasn't easy to do since he was much taller.

"It's just as I told you, Private. You do not have the security clearance for this mission. Therefore, you will stay with the Captain and perform your duties here."

"B-But I…" Albrecht paused, catching himself. He cleared his throat and stood at attention.

"Permission to speak freely, Ma'am," he asked. Stecchin nodded.

"Sergeant-Major Stecchin, I'm certain you are aware of the possible ramifications of this mission, should it be successful. The benefits would be overwhelming!"

"I quite agree, Private," Stecchin replied. "This is possibly the most important mission Pumpkin Scissors will ever have."

"Moreover, Sergeant-Major," Albrecht continued in earnest, "It would change the course of history for both of our nations, effectively ending any and all friction between us." His lanky frame almost vibrated with excitement. "My unit would be entering into enemy territory! As I am from the top of my class in the Academy, with excellent marks in all subjects, I cannot stand idly by and just watch as history happens right in front of me! I must be a part of it! Uh, Ma'am," he ended with a sheepish grin.

Stecchin lifted her chin even higher, though inwardly she was grinning. "I understand your enthusiasm, Private, and I have no doubt that you are both bright and capable. However, you just don't have enough field experience yet. And if you think that's unfair, just remember that our former XO, the Lady Malvin, was graduating at the top of her class the very day the armistice was signed. She trained for a war that no longer exists."

"Yes, Ma'am," he said, adjusting his square spectacles. "Yet in spite of the Thin Ice Treaty, Lady Malvin continued to be on active duty and had a very successful military career, did she not?"

"And so will you, Private," Stecchin chided gently. "The Pumpkin Scissors will continue even after this mission is over, whether or not we succeed. You will have plenty to do while helping Captain Hunks."

Albrecht gritted his teeth. "Sergeant-Major, please! I'm afraid I must insist!"

"And I'm afraid that's enough, Private! This is not up for debate! Is that clear?"

Albrecht's face flushed red with anger, but he swallowed it back. "Yes, Ma'am."

"Good," Stecchin replied. In a gentler tone, she said, "Conrad, I understand, really I do. You're a student of history and we are living in a time where the even the smallest victories can become epic. But these protocols are in place for a reason. The safety of our unit must be preserved! Do you know that I myself have never discharged a weapon outside of target practice? Up until a year or two ago, I didn't even consider myself a real soldier, because I'd never been on a battlefield. If I had gone to Rodelia as a private, I'd probably be dead now!"

Albrecht sighed and said nothing, looking straight ahead.

"Remember, Private," Stecchin added, "the battle at home is just as important, if not more so. War relief is a struggle that has its own challenges. Our nation is still recovering, and will continue to do so for years to come. That isn't something to take lightly."

"No, Ma'am."

"All right, you're dismissed."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Stecchin watched the private walk away, his posture stiff as a ramrod. She sighed and shook her head.

"I think you handled that pretty well," she heard Oreldo say.

"Well, I just want to keep him safe," Stecchin began and gasped. She spun around. "What? Oreldo?! Don't sneak up on me like that! How long-"

Oreldo grinned. "Long enough to want knock down that beanpole an inch or two!"

"Oh, I know!" Stecchin cried. "I think he grew another inch while he was just standing there!"

Oreldo chuckled. "Poor kid," he mused. "Talk about growing pains. What is it now, five inches in 3 months? You should see him in the mess hall! He'll eat us out of house and home! If he keeps this up, he might give the Corporal a run for his money."

"Yeah, wouldn't that be something?" Stecchin giggled, but quickly sobered as she always did when thinking about Oland. Caught unguarded, her eyes suddenly misted over.

They looked at one another and it was Oreldo's turn to sigh. "Aw, I'm sorry, Lily. I miss him, too."

"No, it's all right," she said with a sad smile. "Bringing him up like this keeps him alive for me. I have to believe he's alive out there, somewhere."

Oreldo waved a dismissive hand. "Sure, he's fine. The Corporal is the toughest S.O.B. I've ever met!"

"Really?" Stecchin asked, remembering how he sat in the infirmary when she patched him up. Depressed as he was, he sat so still for her. Looking back on it, she realized his demeanor was the same as when he was surrounded by his feral cats. "Even though he seemed so…I don't know, gentle?"

"I mean, yeah, he was kind to animals and stuff, but who else is crazy enough to shoot a tank with a handgun?" Oreldo eyed her. "Well, you saw him in Rodelia. He was sick, but you can just imagine that strength, that determination in a firefight! With bullets whizzing by your face, explosions close enough to knock out your hearing, and so on." Oreldo shrugged. "He's a soldier, and soldiers know how to survive. On top of that, he knows how much we care about him. He won't give up that easily. And neither should we!"

"Right!" Stecchin said, effervescent as ever. "Ooh, I so wish we could go knocking on their palace door and say, 'All right! Hand him over!' I can't wait until we get over there!"

Oreldo tilted his head back and laughed. "Now that's the Sergeant-Major I know!"

"What?" Stecchin asked. "What do you mean?"

Oreldo coughed a laugh and looked away. Stecchin blinked and wondered in the red in his cheeks was from the mild hangover, or…was the lieutenant actually blushing? Oreldo? Blushing?!

"Well," he said with a shrug, "It's just that…I know how hard you've been working. These past years, you've really buckled down. You could probably go up in rank if you wanted to, you know."

Now it was Stecchin's turn to look away. She shook her head vehemently.

"No," she said, her tone fierce, "I'm not ready yet. I'm a soldier, too. I should act like one, and not just be the Captain's secretary."

Oreldo looked her over, his expression serious. He stepped closer.

"You're ready," he said softly. "At least, I think you are. I mean, what else do you need to do?"

Stecchin looked up at him and felt her cheeks grow warm.

"W-well," she flubbed, "I…I just don't want to be helpless again, that's all."

Oreldo smiled and looked her over again, much slower this time.

"You goofball," he muttered. "I don't even know how to respond to that."

He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. Stecchin gulped. The man could charm the pants off of anyone without even trying.

"I mean," Oreldo continued, "I want to say that you're anything but helpless! That you're brave, and you're always happy, and you never give up, no matter what."

Stecchin's mouth became an O. She'd never heard Oreldo talk this way, and certainly never about herself!

"On the other hand," he added, "I want to say what's wrong with needing my help? I mean, how else is a guy going to impress a girl?"

He suddenly realized what he'd just said and looked up at her. Stecchin's eyes were as wide as dinner plates. The silence seemed to stretch for eons.

"Uh…" he said, completely embarrassed, "That is…I-I was just…you know, speaking in relative terms!"

"R-right," Stecchin said.

The awkward silence continued for several more moments. Finally, they both cleared their throats.

"Well," he said, "I should get going."

"Yeah, she replied, "I-I should…probably see if Mercury needs anything."

"Okay," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. He watched as she turned to go and cursed himself.

Well, that was about as smooth as sandpaper, he thought. What the hell is wrong with me?! Why did I say that?!

He almost left when he saw she was still standing in the doorway with her back to him.

"Lieutenant?" she said, tentative. She slowly turned her head but couldn't look at him. A tiny smile played about her lips. "Um…what if…what if a girl wants to…get stronger so she can…impress a guy?"

Oreldo's felt his jaw drop open, but the Sergeant-Major scurried away without waiting for a reply.