Morgan slung the rifle over her shoulder, and snuck a peek behind her. Caught you! she thought, as his eyes slid away, and she spotted the flush on his cheeks. She looked away, smiling that wide grin Christian hated, and blushing a bit herself. She exchanged grins with Park, and the stocky Asian woman laughed out loud. He was so real, and so handsome. Her father would have disapproved, if he weren't an Alliance Soldier. Father would forgive him, for that. Whatever he needed forgiving for. Flirting with Sebastian Morgan’s First Born might be enough. Jianta de guai! With his eyes and smile, there was a lot anyone would forgive him.

If it weren't for all the war and killing, you'd think it was school. It was just another drill. Another run through dry and miserable scrub, looking for the enemy. Another day of shooting and waiting, and wreaking havoc on little worlds with seemingly no visible worth. Still, they were young, and war or no war, they were alive.

James was supposed to be heading for maneuvers with his squad, perfecting tracking and elimination drills. In reality, he was taking every chance he could to catch glimpses of a dark red-haired beauty in the APC to his left. James had only been with the unit for a few weeks, having signed-up as soon as the Alliance would take him. He glanced again at her, then returned to the task at hand.

Park nudged her, hissing, "He's looking again." She adjusted her chinstrap, moving her helmet backward slightly. They never seemed to fit just right. Her dark eyes twinkled, "He's in Maxwell's unit. They're being stationed on Orpheus with us." Morgan looked again, and this time, he smiled at her.

Finally. Took her long enough to see me. Now if only I can get her name. "Locklear!" his squad leader whispered as strongly as he could and still be whispering.

"Yeah? I mean yes sir?" James responded, snapping out of his trance.

"Quit flirting and look for the gorramn Independents. They could have massacred the entire unit by the time your