Chapter 1: Discharged

Five years later...

Having served eleven years of my life in the army and having reached the rank of Colonel, I am tired of fighting a war where I am only being paid between $76,784 to $135,936 per year.

At the age of 32, I have seen too much to view that amount of money for my service as more than a cheap compensation. I still have nightmares about that night five years ago. The old man's death by gunshots wounds wasn't the worst that I had to witness that night. Shortly after I had found the old man, a couple of mercs had found the body of his defiled granddaughter roasting over a bonfire.

-The smell of human flesh, as well as the deformed body of a young girl kissed by flames, are both thinks I most likely never will forget.- I think clutching the talisman around my neck, right next to my military issued dog tracks. Feeling the weels of the troop transport make contact with native soil, the sudden pressure rips me straight out of my depressing thoughts.

-Home.-

After a short turn to the left, the plain comes to a sudden stop. Taking my bag from under my seat I leave the vehicle via the slowly descending gangway.

Putting on my aviator sunglasses I fling my back over my shoulder and march straight to the nearest terminal. Going up some stairs leading into the airport, I am unable to resist the allure of the duty-free shop or it's accompanying restaurant.

Finding my way straight to the bar I order an ice cold lemonade as well as a stake with fried potatoes.

-Goodbye military issued meals.- I think tasting my first luxury of freedom. Enjoying and savoring the moment, I am unable to register anything beyond the confines of my dinner plate, including a stunning beauty that suddenly is sitting next to me.

___________

Rising star Sarah James, model, actress, singer, and songwriter is part of the circus called fame since her teenage years. Growing up in the show business, moving according to her schedule and living out of her suitcase has become her second nature or some kinda habit.

Having been in an arranged relationship of her movie studio until recently, Sarah is for the first time in her life force to have a private life.

Unable to continue her vacation at her mother's ranch because of paparazzi lurking around the estate, she just dressed casually in a short skirt and a hoody and took the first flight back to civilization.

Following her first impulse to eat at the first restaurant she could find, she is instantly captivated by the soldier at the bar. With his wide shoulder and narrow hips, this meat-eating man ignites a primal feminine interested in her.

-Aren't I supposed to be a pure lesbian?- She thinks when sitting down next to this mountain of testosterone.

Taking a sneak peek at the man via the mirror behind the bar Sarahs mind turns mushy. Strong afro American features clash with elegant Asian ones to form a unique masculine beauty.

''Hey there sailor. Care for a drink?'' Asks Sarah the soldier next to her, but gets no reaction. Fixated on his meal the man totally stunned her with his lack of communication.

-Is something wrong with my look?- Sarah asks herself checking her look in the mirror she just used to spy on the man next to her. Just before she can check her makeup in detail the barkeeper sees her and freezes as if seeing a deity.

-Can't be to bad.- She thinks to recognize the normal male reaction to her from the barkeeper.

''Care for a drink? Sailor?'' Sarah asks again, this time poking her unresponsive neighbor.

________

Upon being suddenly poked in the side, instincts trained for a decades kick in. Swiftly moving I take my sudden attacker hostage by gripping the poking hand and pulling it against the enemies back.

Only after having secured my target do I realize that I am not in the desert, jungle or similarly hostile environment but for home. The enemy also isn't some stinking freedom fighter or saint, but a slender woman.

-Shit. Do I also have PTSD?- I ask myself, losing my grip on the woman.

''Sorry. Purely a reflex. Let me pay you a drink?'' I say apologies to the poor woman I just falsely attacked.

''It's okay. As a sailor, you must have seen a lot...'' The woman, not the least bit emotional tells me from under her hood. I am so much impressed by her, that I nearly forget her insult.

-Sailor? Me a sailor?! Are you kidding me?- I shout mentally but keeping my cool by saying. ''For that, we can call it even.''

''Hm? What have I said wrong?'' The woman asks me in a too innocent to be faked voice, but I am already ignoring her and focus on eating my remaining potatoes.

''Miss James. I am sorry to correct you, but the gentleman in uniform is clearly not part of the navy but the army. Navy wears blue and the army green.'' I hear the barkeeper explain to the woman who clearly knows nothing about the military.

''Ah, now I get it!'' Exclaims the woman in a sweet childish voice, shifting my attention from food to her. Using the mirror behind the bar, I am stunned by what I see. Very intriguing lips, well-proportioned breasts, eyes, and overall face are hidden beneath her old hoody.

-If not for the hoody, I could describe her as the embodiment of male fantasy, my fantasy.- I think to give her a second look.

''You know what?'' I ask in the woman's direction, just as she is about to order something from the bartender.

''What?'' The woman asks me sweet, but annoyed.

''For calling me a sailor two times, you have to gift me a whiskey as an apology,'' I told her sarcastically, making my best impression of a man dying of thirst.

''Ahahaha. You are funny!'' The woman tells me, unconsciously leaning in my direction while holding her tummy.

''I know. Colonel Henry King.'' I introduce myself, holding out my right hand.

Taking it the woman, a bit started at first, takes my hand and introduces herself with a bright radiant smile. ''Sarah James, currently unemployed.''

''Funny same as me...'' I tell her looking at my clock showing me 11:55. ''... in 5 minutes.''

''Aren't you a Colonel?'' Sarah asks me, still giving me a stunning smile, while unconsciously moving closer to me.

Consciously also moving closer at her, I lean in, breathing in her clean womanly body odor, before whispering slowly into her ear. ''I am already practically decommissioned.''

_______

Henrys clear, deep words shoot straight into Sarah's heart, provoking a pleasant shudder run through her.

Despite seeing his eyes check out her cleavage, no lustful expression can be seen on his face, which makes Sarah a bit surprised.

Leaning back the Colonel asks her: ''Ex-military?''

Instinctively clutching the dog tack hanging between her breast, Sarah silently tells him the truth, surprising herself as well as the barkeeper with her honesty. ''They are my dads. He died in Vietnam. They are kind of my lucky charms.''

Changing the topic the soldier asks her: ''I am sorry to hear that. Wanna see my lucky charm for the last five years?''

''Definitely.'' Answers Sarah instantly happy to change the topic.

With a node Henry unbuttons the top two buttons of his dress shirt and grabs into it, pulling out his own dog tracks and what looks like a steel ring.

Just before the soldier can explain the meaning of the ring, Sarahs cellphone rings, reminding her of her schedule. Fully destroying the lovey-dovey mood between each other by jumping up from her chair Sarah excuses herself by saying: ''Shit. Sorry, have to go. It was nice to meet you, Henry... Call you... You should wear that ring.''