High in the upper city barracks, far from the parties and skanks, the joyless glacier of the 8SR trains with her lieutenant Terrace who is still trying her best to understand the events of something like 74 days ago.

"Why would the queen let a guy like that in our regiment?" Terrace asks while swinging a long weaponized chain at an unarmed Wraith.

"It's not our place to question her." The chain flies at her! It makes contact and takes on a life of it's own as it leaves Terrace's hand and wraps around Wraith's face and body. She remains calm as it constricts, forcing her legs together and arms to her sides. "I can see why she would have an interest in his fighting style."

"He failed her test and wouldn't even fight you. What could he possibly have to offer?"

"He sent me to the MD for three days with one hit so I suppose we will find out. Tighter." The chain listens and begins to dig into her skin.

"It was a lucky shot." scoffs Terrace.

"Luck implies that I didn't allow him to hit me. Do you take me for a novice?"

"Of course not, ma'am ... I apologize." her eyes dart to the ground.

"At ease. He also recovered before I did. Tighter." Her body trembles as she maintains her balance.

"What! Isn't he still down there?"

"Initially ... he was awake and ready to leave ... on the first day. They kept him longer."

"Still doesn't mean much if you ask me."

"I didn't. Tighter." The few bits of her unarmored flesh poke through the tiny gaps in the chain. "Also ... he is notably anatomically appealing."

"Fucking what? You like him?"

"Tighter." Her armor squeaks, breaking and shifting out of place from the pressure. A faint grunt escapes her chain covered mouth.

"No fucking way. You're messing with me." She chuckles nervously. "Nice tr-" Her sentence is cut short by the sound of the barracks doors opening. Tegan walks in with the noise of 666 Day raging behind him until it's muffled out by the door closing. "This is a private training exercise, civilian. Leave."

"Been told I'm not a civilian anymore. I'm looking for Colonel Wraith." he says while scanning the room without making eye contact with Terrace. "Her sister said she'd be here."

"Wait." Terrace squints at him as he approaches. "Oh, it's you. Well the colonel isn't here."

"Welcome to the 8SR, Private Tegan." says Wraith from her cocoon. "You certainly took your time getting back from the MD."

"There she is!" He points to her and looks at Terrace. "I get why you mighta had some trouble spotting her. Don't sweat it." He walks past her, totally not giving a shit about her scowl. "I like the new look, very metal."

"I don't believe these chains are made of metal."

"Huh? Oh ha, no. I meant metal. Like y'know ...?" He throws up the horns and sticks his tongue out.

"State your business. My lieutenant was correct to inform you of this being a private training exercise."

"Good! I just so happen to be a private now. Let's train."

"Clever. If only your reflexes were as quick as your wit."

"Well hopefully you can get me up to speed. Been having trouble keeping up with you running through my mind all day."

"Then I suggest you stop trying to catch me and focus on improving your ribcage defense."

"Oh? Worried you might break my heart?"

"I am concerned you might waste more of our time recovering from future injuries."

"He's wasting our time right now!" Terrace inserts herself into the conversation.

"I agree. Release me." The chain falls limp along with several shattered pieces of armor. She strips down to her uniform. Her skin is raw and bruised, lined with indentations. "Take my armor to be repaired on your way out. Dismissed."

"Get going, private." Terrace's smile is as condescending as her tone.

"I was talking to you, lieutenant. The private obviously doesn't know where to take my armor."

"I'd be happy to show him."

"Unnecessary. You have your orders."

"I insist."

"Terrace!"

"Fine." The chain wraps up Wraith's armor and returns to Terrace's hand.

"Nice meeting you." says Tegan.

"Shut up." snaps Terrace as she takes her leave.

"Your friend is a cunt." he says turning to Wraith with a smile.

"She is your superior and a loyal soldier. Mind your words, private."

"Uggh, please don't make me listen to her. That bitch is so dry I could feel my dick turning into beef jerky just standing next to her."

"Keep the state of your genitals to yourself. Now if you wish to be reassigned I can inquire about openings in the 3SR."

"Who's in charge of that?"

"General Andi Stavros, my father."

"Starve? No thanks."

"In that case be more respectful to your current superiors." The right side of her mouth slightly turns upward in what could almost be described as a smirk. "At least until you leave or outrank them. Come along." She motions for him to follow as she heads to her personal quarters.

They enter a well lit, sterile room filled with racks of various weapons leading to a grand balcony overlooking the city.

"Nice place."

"It serves my needs efficiently."

"Ok, do you ever not talk like a robot?"

"I am a colonel representing our queen's military and therefore must maintain a professional demeanor." she says while looking for a fresh uniform to change into.

"Right ... see you coulda just said no." he laughs.

"Would you prefer I provide shorter responses? Perhaps you are more accustomed to less intellectual women who prioritize physical desire." She begins to disrobe in front of Tegan. "You are an incubus after all."

"Is that your way of calling me a fuckboy?" he says while staring at Wraith walk around in her tight undershirt and shorts that leave little to the imagination. She has the well toned body of a warrior that compliments her curves. Her uniform and armor definitely hide her impressive breasts and Tegan takes a moment to admire them as she ties her hair into a bun to do some light stretches.

"It's not my intention to insult you." she says touching her toes at a profile, deliberately showing off the curve of her firm yet round ass and the patterns of corset piercings on her back.

"What ... are your intentions?" he asks as she faces him and touches her toes again before performing a perfect front walkover, resting the back of her left foot on his right shoulder.

"I intend to train you as per your request." Her face remains as calm as ever. Their eyes meet as she places her hands on her raised leg and stretches forward. "I expect nothing less than excellence from my soldiers."

"I'm ready for excellence." He can feel her put the weight of her leg down on his shoulder and he takes her lead, allowing her to push him onto his hands and knees. Her hands slide up her leg to her waist as she assumes a very classic dominant pose.

"So you understand the importance of eliminating all distractions?" she asks looking down at him.

"Oh, you got my full attention."

"I am glad we have come to an understanding." She uses his shoulder to step over him and walk into another room. It only takes a moment for her to reemerge fully dressed. She passes Tegan without a word but gestures for him to follow her onto the balcony and waits.

"So I totally got thrown for a loop just now." He stands next to her, leaning on the railing to help conceal his erection. "Beautiful."

"I find the cityscape breathtaking."

"I considered trying my luck with a 'I was talking about you' kinda line but it doesn't seem like you go for that corny shit."

"A keen observation." Another micro smirk graces her lips. "However, I am not above receiving a compliment ... whether or not it is corny shit."

"Look at that! Didn't think your vocabulary included bad words."

"We are not on duty so formalities are unnecessary. I may find your attempts to woo me entertaining for the time being."

"In that case," He clears his throat, stands up straight and faces Wraith. “you should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how.”

"My schedule may hinder any potential kissing."

"It's a quote from Gone With the Wind."

"Earth media I assume. Do you know more?"

"So it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We’re gonna have to work at this every day but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day. ~The Notebook."

"That sounds like my parents."

"I am here and I am looking at her. And she is so beautiful. I can see it. This one moment when you know you're not a sad story. You are alive and you stand up and see the lights on the buildings and everything that makes you wonder. ~The Perks of Being a Wallflower."

"I like that one."

"Suddenly, a familiar song. And you're off your chair in one exquisite movement ... wondering, searching, sniffing the wind like a dapple deer. Has God heard your little prayer? Will Cinderella dance again? And then, suddenly, the crowds part and there he is: sleek, stylish ... radiant with charisma. Bizarrely, he's on the telephone. But then, so are you. And then he comes towards you ... the moves of a jungle cat. Although you-"

"Quiet. It's starting."

"Aww, that's one of my favs. What's starting?"

"Listen." The entire city is silent. All the floating lights dim as the streets once buzzing with raves and fornication are now suspended in anticipation for the grand finale of 666 Day. They wait for their queen ... and a song that emanates from the darkness. With a voice rivaling her own immortal beauty ... she sings.

"Threw you the obvious
And you flew with it on your back
A name in your recollection
Down among a million same."

Tegan mouths along with the words but doesn't make a sound.

"Difficult not to feel a little bit
Disappointed and passed over
When I look right through
To see you naked but oblivious
And you don't see me

But I threw you the obvious
Just to see if there's more behind
The eyes of a fallen angel
Eyes of a tragedy."

It's not that her song is loud. It's as if she's standing right in front of you, singing directly to you, just for you. You don't speak. You don't breathe. You don't move. The only thing you want to hear ... is her.

Wraith takes a moment to look at Tegan from the corner of her eyes. His eyes are closed as he continues to silently sing along. She almost smiles ... but doesn't. Instead she closes her eyes and silently sings as well.