Chapter 16
AFTER A SHORT nap on the couch, Kira awoke with a clear mind, feeling
refreshed. The air and unique energy on Valta always had a revitalizing
effect, and it was only after a decade away that she realized just how much
she’d missed it.
She took a shower to wash off the travel residue and changed into a dress.
A girly dress—with a flower print. She hadn’t worn anything but a military
uniform or powered armor in… she couldn’t even remember how long.
Kira blow-dried and styled her short hair. It wasn’t until she saw herself
in the dress that she missed the long hair she’d sported in her pre-Guard days.
But long, flowing hair had no place in uniform when she needed to cram her
head into tight helmets. Her pixie cut was pushing the boundaries of
regulation as it was.
Maybe one day… she thought wistfully. Whoa, where did that come
from?
Being back home wasn’t off to a good start.
She hurriedly finished dressing and stepped outside to get some fresh air