Parting

This was the first time that Qin Hao got on board the flagship of the 7th fleet, despite having served a year in the 7th fleet. As a private, his range of activity was confined within the barrack in the battleship and on the battleground. He occasionally went to the hospital ship when he was wounded. But that was the last place he wanted to visit.

So it was his first time staying in a private quarter that only military officers were entitled to.

"Damn it! I risk my life on the battlefield, yet I can only stay in a thirty-man barracks. There is nothing but smelly feet there! And those officers have their cozy private cabin!" Qin Hao moaned as he checked his room. This officer cabin was not only a private room but also equipped with a private bathroom, and even a TV. Qin Hao could not have been more envious.

Had he not been set up during his graduation exam, he could have made it into the Federal Naval Academy, and after serving for four years, he could have joined the fleet and become an officer and stayed in such a comfy room, not lying in the dirty and wet trenches as the privates did.

"Don't let me bump into you again, son of a b*tch!" Qin Hao cursed, his stomach churning every time he thought of his good friend who had betrayed him. If not for his friend spiking his drink, he would not have missed his first examination and said goodbye to his dream of joining the Federal Naval Academy.

Qin Hao shook his head vigorously, then went into the bathroom for a cold shower to calm himself down. He would have to leave getting even with that son of a b*tch to another time. His utmost priority now was to survive this enlistment period.

This goal of his was a tall order judging by the tragic situation on the frontline.

"Hope Palmer could help!" Qin Hao shook the water off his hair. He had zero confidence as a private to survive until the end of the war, even though he had superhuman and regeneration abilities. 

Battle was cruel on the frontline. Division after division had been wiped out. The viciousness and strength of the insectoids were beyond the humans' imagination. The premature ground battle had caused humans to suffer great casualties.

While Qin Hao was having a bee in his bonnet, the sound of someone knocking on the door came to his ear.

"Who is it?" asked Qin Hao.

"It's me." It was a shy voice. Qin Hao immediately knew that it was Lucia.

"Coming!" Qin Hao had not even put on his clothes, just wrapping a towel around his body as he came out to answer the door. Few young chaps at his age could remain calm, cool, and collected in front of their crush.

Qin Hao opened the door and saw Lucia standing outside. Her face was clean and beautiful. She had apparently had her shower. Even Qin Hao wanted a shower himself to relax his muscles after going through all the tough times on the battlefield.

"Is it convenient for you? Ahh, I think I will come back again…" Seeing Qin Hao with only a towel around his body, Lucia blushed big time and quickly turned around.

"It's okay! It's okay!" Qin Hao said, not realizing his nakedness was embarrassing.

"Do you want to get changed first?" Lucia said without looking at him.

"Oh, okay! Give me a minute!" Qin Hao spun around and ran back into the room, not bothering if he had closed back the door. He flew into his clothes and then came back out.

"I am done. Come in, please." Qin Hao simpered.

"Okay!" Lucia still blushed, even her ears reddening.

"What is it, Lucia?" Qin Hao asked as he sat Lucia down.

"I… I am going back to the hospital ship." Lucia looked a bit down. She had grown a feeling toward Qin Hao after spending the past few days with him. She felt reluctant of leaving.

"Okay!" Qin Hao nodded like an idiot. He could not bear to see Lucia leave, but he also did not know how to express his feeling for her. Soldiers had to obey orders, and as a combat medic, Lucia had to return to her post. There was no way Qin Hao could visit her on the hospital ship unless he was wounded.

"Will you forget me after the war is over?" Lucia appeared bashful, blushing at her own question.

"I won't!" Qin Hao answered with no hesitation.

"Will you come looking for me after the war?" Lucia asked again.

"I will!" Only if I survive until the end… Qin Hao said internally.

As a private, he had no idea how long he could hold out. With the battles on Alpha getting worse by the day, soldiers were dying by the thousands each day.

"I trust you!" Lucia suddenly came up and kissed Qin Hao on his cheek.

He froze, feeling on cloud nine upon smelling the girl's sensual scent and getting a kiss from her.

"Don't forget to come to see me!" Just as Lucia got to her feet and was ready to leave, Qin Hao suddenly wrapped his arm around her waist.

As if he had gotten a sudden boost of courage, he planted his kiss on her lips.

It was not until a moment later that their lips parted. Lucia was too shy to look at Qin Hao, whose eyes beaming with affection. He had finally found back the taste of first love.

"You have put down your seal of promise. You had better keep your word!" Lucia snuggled against Qin Hao, face blushing with fondness.

"You have my word. I will surely come to see you after the war!"

"Okay. I trust you will!" Lucia nodded. Right then, the battlefield recorder on Lucia's shoulder beeped, apparently hurrying her to report back to the hospital ship.

There were huge casualties on the frontline, and many wounded soldiers were being sent back to the hospital ship every day. So there was a shortage of combat medics. After Lucia returned to the battleship, she was quickly assigned a mission and attached to a medical team.

"I have to go." As reluctant as Lucia was, she had to obey the order to return to the hospital ship.

"I will visit you one day!" Qin Hao uttered his promise.

"Please don't! Come only after the war…" Lucia shook her head with tears in her eyes. An infantry soldier would only come on board the hospital ship for one reason: badly wounded. So as badly as she wanted to see Qin Hao again, she did not want to see him coming only because he was wounded.