LightofBattle by Leandros

as she chanted it in her thoughts.
    “You will do fine. I can see the truth of your ability to adapt to a new name, just like you adapted to your rank designations.”
    She crossed her arms under her breasts and huffed. To her surprise, he was staring at her chest.
    Jiska smirked and casually asked, “Which one of us takes the bunk first?”
    He licked his lips and swallowed. “You are welcome to it.”
    She got to her feet. “Good. I need a shower.”
    As she walked off the command deck, she coaxed her Masuo into crafting a higher heel. She was four inches taller and moving with surprising ease by the time she left the scope of Deskin’s vision. She could feel him staring at her butt the entire time.
    She entered Deskin’s quarters, and her suit shifted into a tank and shorts set, similar to the ones she wore when she was in service to Urgat. She lifted a data pad and keyed in Correnor. The data that she managed to glean was interesting, and she wondered how Deskin was going to deal with an aggressive matriarchal society. This was going to be fascinating to watch.
    It took Deskin half an hour of intense negotiation just to get landing clearance on Jurk Six. Finally, Jiska spoke up and the clearance was forthcoming.
    Deskin looked at her. “How did you do that?”
    She arched her brows, knowing that he couldn’t see them under the mask. “Didn’t you do your research?”
    “What research?”
    “Women run the Correnor society. If you don’t want to get your ass handed to you, you might want to remember that.”
    Deskin grimaced. “I suppose I should be thankful that I have a woman as dedicated to my safety as you are. This might make things easier—or perhaps not.”
    He brought their shuttle in for a landing and slipped on his robes. Blink settled herself in her heels, checked her hidden blades and the placement of the armour panels now in her Masuo. She was ready to face whatever the Correnor could throw at them.
    Behind Deskin, she watched as the shuttle door opened and he walked out into the bright light of the three suns. Blink heard the weapons being aimed at him and walked out to save his ass.
    The moment she appeared, the female guard of the Correnor put their weapons up. “Lady. You are welcome in our houses.”
    Blink inclined her head and stepped forward to greet the captain of the guard. “Thank you for the welcome, Captain. I am Blink, bodyguard to Negotiator Fewnor.”
    The captain inclined her head and extended her arm. Blink met the grip with her features calm and blandly friendly.
    “Why do you wear a mask, Blink?”
    Blink smiled—she knew that this was going to be a common question. “It is to protect the ones I love and to protect myself. I am a hunted woman, and the more I can slow down my being located, the better for me.”
    “Thank you for your candor.”
    “Honesty is best when it can be employed. Now, may we discuss the matter of the Alliance team?”
    The captain smiled and the crowd of guards parted. “This way. Our headwoman is waiting to meet with you.”
    Blink took Deskin’s arm and led him through the gathered women. He was attuned to the situation, and he did not fight her grip.
    The headwoman was matronly and had a no-nonsense manner about her. She stood with her pale yellow skin and dark hair gleaming in the bright daylight. “So, you are what the Alliance sends to negotiate for the lives of their people?”
    Blink bowed respectfully. “No, Madam. He is what the Alliance sends to negotiate for the lives of their people. I am what they send to bring him home in one piece. Headwoman, this is Negotiator Fewnor.”
    Deskin strode forward and bowed low. “Headwoman, I have come to ask under what terms would you part with the Alliance personnel who trespassed on your world?”
    The woman took a seat at a weather-beaten table and poured three cups of wine. “Negotiator, bodyguard, have a seat. If you can outdrink me, I will let you take them home without further delay. If