Encounter in Strife

Chapter 3: Eyes on You

 
 
 
Lt. Col. Nara is seated in the control room and is fixated on the landmarks of Salvania. The control room was stationed at the center of the base camp, managed by the intelligence division, and was filled with monitors, communication tools, papers, and maps.
 
"Tell the four companies to allocate snipers in every direction. They must stay on guard 24/7. It will be done with 2 pairs in 4 intervals."
Drake ordered.

After that, he went straight to Zula's home.
 

***
Zula was watching on her laptop when someone entered through the door. She left it open to welcome anyone with health concerns.
 
"Oh, lieutenant colonel, welcome, what can I do for you?" Zula asked as she paused what she was watching.
 
"Six of my men were unable to attend their routine checkups due to valid reasons, so I came here to ask if you could do a physical examination on them."

Lt. Col. Nara said as he monitored the interior of the house. He was astounded by how people managed to build a structure on a plateau in the middle of nowhere.
 
"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel, I can do it right away or whenever you need me to."
 
He looked to Zula and introduced himself: "Drake, Drake Nara."
 
Zula was uncomfortable with his gaze and lost the words to speak.
 
After a while, she finally introduced herself as well.
"I'm Z-Zula. Ehmmm." She said as she initiated a handshake.

Drake didn't hesitate to reach for it. Zula can't look straight into his eyes, so she just grinned while looking at their hands.
 

'Her hand is warm but not feminine. Her fingers are slender and fair, but I can feel some minor bruising and calluses.'
Drake was lost in his thoughts when Zula let go of his hand.
 

"Wait for a little while; I'm going to call them right now," Drake said and left before he could think of any more nonsense.
 

***
Six men showed up afterwards, each carrying a piece of paper.
 
"Hi, ma'am Zula," one of the soldiers said, whom Zula immediately recognized as Ryan's.

"Oh, hi, welcome. Have a seat," Zula responded while pointing at the wooden seats in front of her table.
 
"Kindly give me your papers." The soldiers followed and gave her their medical records.
 
As she calls their names one by one, they will sit in front of her. She then takes their blood pressure, height, and weight and examines them from head to toe.
 

***

That night, Zula was again watching her favorite show while drinking a cup of milk when Drake entered the room.
 
"My men said you treated them well," he complemented as he made himself comfortable in a chair while staring at Zula.
 
"Here comes that stare again," thought Zula, trying to act as normal as possible.
 
"Well, every medical staff member must treat people with care. Anyway, coffe?" She asked
.
"Sure,"
 
Zula smiled and then went to the kitchen. When she came back, she was holding a tray with brownies and a cup of milk on it. She put the tray on the table and sat in front of her guest.
 

While looking at Drake, Zula shrugged at the thought that he looks like the cruel and heartless commander who doesn't smile and only wants his orders to be followed, not even caring for his soldiers.
 
 
Drake, on the other hand, while taking a sip of the milk Zula prepared, is admiring how exquisite and wonderful her scarlet hair is, long and straight.

 
"So, I've always been wondering if you could share with me why military troops are deployed here? I mean, there are innocent people here, and if there's a threat in this place, it's better if we could warn them of the danger. I know it must be confidential, but is there something that the villagers must be wary of?" Zula asked intently.
 

"Yeah, actually, this area is currently unsafe, but don't worry; the tribe's safety is our priority, and soldiers are already deployed to take care of them. My men are also making a fortress in case the unexpected happens."