Fortunately, Melissa Mao didn't seem to have that sort of problem. In fact, the major was something of a big sister to her, despite the difference in their ranks. Melissa didn't stand for ceremony, and was an utter professional, but was also the same person who would tease her about boys and dating. Of course, there was plenty of material there, given the fact that her prospective romances didn't work out all too well. But then, given the fact that she was shy, and had to chose between guys who could be 'scary tough', politically connected men who only though her worthy due to her position, and leches, she was stuck with a limited group to pick from.
Still, even with the sort of treatment that would lend itself to, Tessa knew that Melissa was just the sort of friend that she needed at the moment. Non-demanding, and completely open, she was the sort of person who could get one so caught up in the 'fun' that she couldn't even remember that she had stress and responsibilities. That would happen as soon as they'd get together, and would only be delayed by how long it would take for her to find her friend. Given that they were on a space station, and there weren't all that many places to keep from being spotted, that normally didn't take too long.
Not that she expected Melissa to be all that hard to find in the first place.
Cheng Zhi was not the sort of person who one would expect to simply be lost to some sort of governmental rhetoric. He did not buy the 'party line', and did not simply follow rules out of some misguided loyalty to the state. It just wasn't in his nature, as he'd never seen any reason for blind acceptance of things that had come from propaganda and self interest.
That was why he passed a long gaze upon the subordinates standing near him without showing any fervor himself. "Then the security systems have not been challenged."
"That is correct, sir," replied a young woman dressed in a perfectly pressed People's Army uniform. "The Americans haven't tried to intrude on any of the work that we do here."
"That is a matter of concern...."
"Sir?"
"I would expect some attempt to sneak into our systems at the very least. It is the usual thing. They do it to us, and we do it to them. But for them to leave us completely alone...."
"It is odd."
"Precisely. But as they aren't attempting to intercept our probe at the moment, we can not do anything. It is going well, is it not?"
She nodded. "As of the last check, all systems were working normally."
"That is good. The general does good work."
"He had hoped that our fellows would think that way. And General Tsao is pleased that his forces have helped his fellow general's efforts, thus being a credit to himself and his... lineage."
"Which is welcome information," Cheng commented, but did not admit that he thought it would be best if Tsao was shot for his constant focus on family lines, not because it made him something of a throwback to pre-Revolution days, but due to the fact that the man was an idiot.
"HEY! Watch the hands, buster!" snapped an authoritative, and very annoyed voice loud enough to be heard outside of the bar.
Tessa stopped short and saw a man come flying out of the drinking establishment, but not under his own power. Instead, he was obviously sailing along with the force of a punch, and, if what he seemed to be doing with his hands was right, it looked like he'd deserved it.
And it confirmed that she'd found the person that she was looking for.
Stepping lightly inside, she moved past all the patrons until she came across one of the staff. "Oh...."
"I'm sorry, but someone so young is...." he began... and then let his eyes go wide open. "Captain Testarossa?!"
"Hello again."
"You looking for her again?"
"She didn't bring me this time."
"Ah. I understand. Well, she is...."
"Right here," Melissa Mao drawled, chugging a little from her beer bottle before grinning at the young officer. "Come here to admonish me for beating up junior soldiers?"
"Actually.... No. I came here to see if you had some free time," Tessa answered.
"Oh? For what?"
"For some relaxing...."
The sergeant major's eyes widened slightly. "For real?"
"Of course."
"Yes! C'mon kiddo! We're going to show you a good time!"
"I hope so."
"I know so!" Melissa declared, while:
(Posted Wed, 25 Oct 2006 02:38)
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