Teasing the Adjutant Was Quite a Delight

Tovens looked at his adjutant with amusement, then beckoned. "Come closer."

The adjutant stepped forward until he was only a pace away from Tovens.

"Closer."

The adjutant edged forward another few inches. This time, he had none of his earlier crisp decisiveness.

"Is this how you obey orders? I told you to come closer!"

The adjutant was now barely more than ten centimeters from Tovens. He stood ramrod straight, his gaze fixed on the banner of the Vostroyan Rough Riders hanging on the wall.

Tovens rose from his chair and circled his adjutant once. Then he reached for the adjutant's ear, trying to pinch that small, rounded earlobe.

With a smack, the adjutant caught Tovens's arm.

Hah, this guy's got quite a grip. Tovens thought to himself.

"Sir." The adjutant changed the way he addressed Tovens. "I have the right to report your improper conduct to the Commissariat."

Tovens smiled and withdrew his hand, seemingly yielding to his adjutant's threat.

But Tovens had plenty of ways to tease this adjutant of his.

"Adjutant, what time is it now?"

"Rest period, Commander."

"Then why are you still wearing your cap and respirator? Do you have some objection to my orders?"

The adjutant sighed, removing both his cap and the mask that covered half his face. Then, half helplessly and half resignedly, she replied, "No objection, Commander."

Her complete features and voice, no longer distorted by the mask, revealed her to be a woman. Though she wore her hair cropped short, it only added a capable, gallant air to her bearing.

Female soldiers were not uncommon in the Astra Militarum, but within the Voskayan Rough Riders, Tovens's adjutant was the only female soldier.

Adjutant Talina came from a minor noble family in Voskaya Upper Hive. According to an ancient recruitment tradition, every