To be decided

Chapter 2

3 months earlier

"Attention" barked General Riggs, his boots slapping on the tarmac as he marched forward. All the warriors tensed, becoming stick figures, arms at their sides. They stood in one line, next to the pine forest looming over the army shelters and tents.
The air chilled as Riggs inspected his new soldiers. Stance, uniform and posture. Some new faces, and some old ones, many of whom travelled up the ranks with him. Men he loathed and men he admired. His eyes flitted from one to the next. A stark shiver running down each man he stared at. Whispers of breath swirling in the air.
Until he got to a woman. The only woman in General Riggs's new soldier unit. A rare sight indeed.
He scanned her up and down. A figure he wasn't used to inspecting in his troops. Not the typical muscle rippled lad, rather gentle curve at her hip and dips at her waist. Sure enough there were women in the army. But never, never, this high up.
He'd now been staring at her 10x longer than usual.
"Is there a problem General?" A calm voice sifted.
His shocked eyes returned back to her face. A face that would be hard to forget with plump lips, delicate pointy cheekbones and sparkling eyes.
"Yes. Yes there is"
He spied the makeup shade of plum smudged across her lips, eyelashes batting with mascara, cheeks blushed rouge, skin glowing with coverage and tint and finally her hair. Thick, silky, blonde curls trickled to just below her shoulder. Not even tied up.
"Sorry, what is the problem general"
Once again he'd been astonished by her presence and had lost track of time. Caught staring.
"Your makeup" he coughed. " not standard regulation and your hair, it's not tied back"
"So" she replied smoothly, not even flinching. It was hard for the soldiers to suppress their gapes. Only managing sneaky side glances.
He had to set a precedent. He couldn't lose respect among the ranks. And she was diminishing said standard right as they spoke.
He stepped closer, intensifying eye contact. She didn't break.
"The rules. You. Are. Not. Allowed"
"Who says"
"Me. Now go see Captain about your insubordination and see what he gives you as punishment. If he doesn't sack you"
She didn't look one bit terrified.
"Of course General" she nodded then marched off.
Two minutes later the Captain stormed out with her. She smirked, blonde hair swishing behind. The captain was a small man, shrivelled from decades or some might joke centuries of work. Unlike every other soldier in battle camp A, the Captain wore a pin striped suit, anchored down with his battle accolades.
"May I have a word General. You may get back in line dear," he gestured to her.

"Why did you not send her to lower ranks? She was disobeying orders. Makes me look bad in front of the others"
"Stop whining, General. I don't like giving special treatment, but she's the best of the best. Let her wear makeup she's a woman for good sake"
"I don't care what or who she is, she isn't conforming. Please take her elsewhere, give her to someone else"
"Surely you of all people Riggs can handle A WOMAN. I'm entrusting you to straighten her out. She's a brilliant fighter, but not great at listening to orders"
"Let her leave her makeup how she wants. You can boss her around the rest how you want. To a degree" he gave a stern look.

From then on Riggs vowed to discipline her himself if she ever, ever, went out of line.

"Yes Captain" Riggs replied, "But, I have a few questions. Where is she sleeping? How will she fight amongst my men? She's a twig amongst logs."

"Trust me" the Captain chuckled "She will be just fine amongst your men. And as for the sleeping situation I assigned her to your sleeping chambers"
Riggs gave a death stare that made the Captain, his superior shiver.
"Just kidding."
Riggs sighed deeply. Face returning to a more neutral expression.
"She has her own private quarters, so don't worry about that. Just train her Riggs, let her learn restraint and discipline. And perhaps knock that ego of hers down a little. She's a good fighter, and she knows it"
"Of course Captain"
Riggs stalked back to his men (and woman).