Tap!
Through the curtain of rain, John boarded the launch back to port. The first thing he saw inside was Wendy, who had been quietly waiting for him.
She froze at the sight of him soaked to the skin, then hurriedly handed him a warm towel. After signaling Bababo Yi to get the launch moving, she asked John in a low voice, "Captain, how did it go? Did you succeed?"
"The initial contact went well enough."
John wiped the rain from his face, took off his military cap and coat, and hung them on a rack. Then he looked at Wendy's earnest face and smiled. "She accepted the badge and agreed to cooperate."
"Yes!"
Wendy's excitement was almost overflowing. She looked as though she might break into a tap dance at any moment.
A wicked grin tugged at John's lips, though he kept his expression casual. "Oh, right, Wendy. This cooperation is important to Faoken Territory's future development. So I'm sending you to represent me in the three-day trade talks with Lady Liana in the Ostan Duchy."
"What?!"
The moment Wendy learned she was being sent away on business, her face fell.
She had planned to wait until the funeral was over, then find some excuse to coax the captain into going shopping with her. They could buy whatever caught their eye and spend a perfect weekend together.
Now it looked as though those plans were ruined.
"What do you mean, 'what'? That's an order. Understood?"
Wendy glared at him resentfully, but seeing his squad leader brought low left John feeling wonderfully refreshed.
Even the freshly brewed coffee in his hand, thick as mud, tasted remarkably sweet when he took a sip.
After all, he still remembered how that blockhead's drill charge had broken three of his ribs last time.