U.S.S.A HellField

Chapter Part 15 Battlescars

That was very unlike her to say, she had a stronger sense of confidence now that used to only show through at times before, I was afraid I'd never have to give her a motivating speech again. I stood up to get a better look at what that light was, I didn't have my helmet on to help see at a distance. After I took a few steps, the shining light disappeared as quickly as it appeared, it had to be from about 200 meters away. I put my helmet on and zoomed in on that position. There was nothing there, it was like a mirage, or I was going crazy. "You saw it right? I'm not seeing things?"  I pointed where I saw it. She squinted into the distance. - "I did see something, but it might just be sunlight reflecting off some scrap metal." She didn't seem to be the least bit worried, what happened to her being territorial?

-"Well whatever it was, it's gone now. I'm surprised you're not worried."  I said, walking back to her. - "Why would I be worried, with you here with me?"  Alice said, lying in her bed with a content smile. - "I appreciate the compliment, but Just because we're a bit different now, doesn't mean we should stop worrying about threats."  I sat down next to her and drank some water from my canteen.  Alice turned around, the blanket falling to her stomach, revealing her chest. I didn't mean to stare, but it was so strange that her nipples were gone again. Her eyes met mine, she raised an eyebrow at me. - " Does something have your attention?"  I choked on my water after she said that. - "Uh yeah, sorry I'm staring, but most women can't make their nipples appear and disappear at will."  She gave a look of amusement. - "By all means look! I was wondering how long it would take for you to notice. My body seems to have limited metamorphic abilities. That means I can increase or decrease my musculature and skin, or in the case, you noticed, make my nips and genitals disappear and reappear like an erotic magician."  She finished with a nervous laugh.

- "That's a weird way to put it but apt. So are you ready for another job?"  I asked while feeling the worn fabric of her blanket in my hand. - "After last night, I don't think I have it in me too."  She said with a wink. - "I think you are taking the term flattery will get you anywhere a little too literally. On another note, you need a new blanket and bed."  She poked her finger through a hole in the fabric. - "You're right."  She sighed. "But yeah, we should go into town and buy a new bed and some blankets then get that job done."  I got up and put my helmet and gauntlets on. - "Sounds like a plan, we should get ready to go soon. Morning sunshine"  I reached my hand out to help her up. - "It's a little unfair you get to see me naked most of the time, have you gotten any closer to getting that armor off,"  She asked, poking at one of the armor plates. - "When I figure out how to get out of it, you can see me as much as you want, sound good."  She shook my hand with a smile like we just made a deal. - "Pleasure doing business." She said with an adorable smile.

We set out to BloodRust for some more supplies and then we'd go to meet that merchant for the security job, something I at least had some experience with. Alice seemed a lot more comfortable on the drive there, she and Metis spoke a lot about all the old ruins we drove past and what the civilization that built them was like. There were all kinds of different alien animals we all pointed out to each other, I saw a wolf/lynx mix creature that was eating a carcass on the side of the road. Alice spotted a strange lanky animal with several sets of arms standing in the grass, it had a long snout-like protrusion like an anteater, that opened wide, revealing rows of carnivorous teeth, I wanted nothing to do with that. 20 minutes later we reached BloodRust.      We both stepped out of the buggy, Alice had dressed in her new robe before we got out. "Are there any other clothes or gear you need?"  I asked her while getting the chest out from the back. - "I could use some armor, something I can fight in and not have ruined every time someone doesn't like the way I look."  I hadn't checked on how much armor here costs to buy or have custom fitted, it was worth taking a look. - "Sure, we can check that out."  I locked all the doors to the vehicle, then we went into town without any issues from the guards.