Rina burst through the doors of the base, trying to keep her breathing steady like she hadn't just sprinted across half the district.Cool. Calm. Captain.Like she totally meant to show up two minutes before briefing.
The office buzzed with the usual morning chatter keyboards clacking, radios murmuring, soldiers in and out with reports.But before she could fully gather herself
"Morning, Captain. Rough start?"
A familiar hand extended a hot cup of coffee toward her.Briggs. Her right hand.Smug grin on his face like he knew exactly how her morning went down.
Rina took the cup, gripping it like it held the meaning of life."Lifesaver, Briggs. Absolute lifesaver."
He chuckled, leaning back in his chair."You can thank me by not making me do your paperwork later."
She took a sip bitter, strong, perfect.Fuel for the immortal pretending to be human.
"Deal," she smirked.But they both knew she'd dump a stack of forms on his desk by noon anyway.