THE RECRUIT

SENTH: Snake

Classified Imperial Base
100 KM, NORTH
Daro
LST: 07:17:32 // DAY: 17
Taipan

The sky ignites in brilliant oranges and yellows. The sun turning the storm clouds bright pinks and purples. The light glints off the water dripping from the cave mouth like shards of transperisteel falling from the heavens.

"So, that's what it looks like," Taipan whispers to herself. Mentor used to tell her bedtime stories of worlds beyond Sycorax. The detailed descriptions of rolling hills were vivid in her mind but they fell short of seeing it with her eyes. I miss you, Mentor.

Mech is wrapped up in the blanket she had used. His back is to her, shoulder rising and falling still sleeping. Throughout the night he shifted as if he had woken up but went back to sleep. His helmet sealed him in his own world cutting her out. She couldn't tell if he was peacefully sleeping or fighting nightmares. At one point he looked like another dead soldier, unmoving in his armor coffin.

The caf, or the sugar, had kept her awake. She could still hear the mountain settling. She could've sworn she could also feel something scurrying underground through the soles of her boots. Her heartbeats still racing. What the fierfek is in that stuff? She thinks to herself rolling out her neck.

She takes care not to make a sound as she walks over to Mech and kneels next to him. She reaches out to shake his shoulder but retracts her hand. Unsure how to wake him, she lays down with her back against his figuring she won't startle him this way.

He groans and rolls over. His arm wrapping around her abdomen.

She blinks. That's not how I was expecting this to go. She places a hand on Mech's hoping that will wake him up.

He hums and pulls her closer.

Taipan stifles a laugh. For a moment, she considers going to sleep. Just five minutes. She closes her eyes soaking up the warmth of his chest against her back even through their armor plates.

"Mech," she says quietly, knowing they probably should get back to base.

He doesn't say anything.

"Mech," she says again a little louder.

The commando shifts behind her. "Hm?"

"I think the sun is rising," she says.

"M-mhm." He wiggles closer and nestles his face into the crook of her neck. He is still wearing his helmet and it is cold.

Taipan snorts. He has no idea.

Mech shifts again. "What? What's going on?"

Taipan rolls onto her back. Her eyes staring into the T-visor. "You were fast asleep."

"Well, there's asleep and then there's faking being asleep," Mech says groggily, propping his head on his elbow. His voice scratchy through the external audio, "This is a welcoming sight to wake up to."

Taipan shrugs. Have to admit this is nice, actually. She reaches up and carefully takes off Mech's helmet with a hiss. A little smile crosses his face.

Mech's knuckles caress her cheek. "This isn't a dream is it?"

"Nope," she says, slightly leaning into his hand.

A sly expression twists his lips into a full smile. "Fraternizing with your Commanding Officer."

"Be lucky I didn't wake you at the end of my blade," Taipan says narrowing her eyes.

"Now, no need for hostility," Mech says laying on his back yawning and scrubs at his eyes.

"Hostile?" Taipan says starting to sit up.