Tanderon by Sharon Green

Author:Sharon Green [Green, Sharon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

"I've already got a date," I said with my own disgust. "I've got an admirer." Then I brightened. "Isn't it too bad that between extra duty and the course at 2, I won't be able to make it."

"Guess again," he said with a nasty grin. "All the other normal little girls will be there, so you will too. Or at least you'd better be there. No more trouble, remember?"

"Tell me something," I said, looking him over in a pleasant way. "Are you a born sadist, or did you have to practice?"

"It's all native talent," he commented with something of a grin, giving his attention to the paperwork again. "Beat it."

This time I made it through the door, but after pulling it shut behind me I took only one more step before almost tripping over Freddy. He checked me out with his eyes as if he were trying to guess my weight, and when he seemed satisfied that I was still in one piece he grinned.

"For a while there we thought we'd have to call in a referee," he said, leaning one hand against the wall near me. "The problem was no one was willing to get between you two. How did it go?"

"Doesn't he ever miss getting his own way?" I asked, glancing back toward the closed door. "I'd hate to work for him as a regular thing."

"That's our C.O.," Freddy agreed with a laugh. "Do you need a shoulder to cry on?"

"At least one," I answered with a smile. "Will you walk me home?"

"Sure," he said, showing a matching smile as he took my arm. We left the building and walked slowly down the darkened street without talking, and I used the opportunity to consider my problem. I had a ready-made solution for the proctors, and Pete couldn't say he hadn't asked for it. Telling me to tell them "anything but the truth" was a mistake Ringer never would have made, but then Ringer knew how I operated. Maybe I could still have some fun even if I did have to be a good little cadet from now on. Then I sighed and turned to Freddy.

"Why didn't Pete ever make general?" I asked. "It couldn't be that he isn't qualified."

"It couldn't be and isn't," Freddy confirmed with a nod. "He's turned down the promotion more times than other people have it offered to them because if he makes general they'll pull him out of here. Since he has no intention of going, he stays a colonel."

I hesitated a minute, then looked directly at him.

"Why didn't you tell me you'd spoken to Pete about me? It might have kept my big mouth closed earlier outside the mess hall."

"You're not the easiest gal to tell things to," he responded with a shrug, rubbing briefly at my cheek with the side of his finger. "And besides that, it wasn't worth talking about. I like to report success, not failure."

"Success?" I echoed, giving him a vague look. "What's that? I haven't run across it in so long, I don't even think I can spell it anymore.

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