An Unbroken Promise

“I want them to go with me,” Adria said in a voice that betrayed how terrified she was of using the word want. It felt weird in her mouth, like something hinged on that word, and she had no idea what. Commander Shade of the Fifth Legion sighed. “ They are not ready.” Adria stepped forward, putting a fist to her chest. “I’ll be responsible for them.” She paused, waiting for a response, but got none. “I’ve trained with them nearly my whole life. We know each other. I know how to communicate with them.” Commander Shade turned to her sharply. “They will be a distraction to you.” Adria blinked at Commander Shade, her brain trying to process why her commanding officer emphasized those words. “No, they won’t. It’s just like any other drill. We work well together.” Shade clenched her fists and looked away. “Fine- If I must say it plainly- Cassie will cause you problems. She’s jealous of your success- and most likely will sabotage the mission.” Adria’s face set in determination. “You’re not giving her enough credit. She just wants to prove herself.” Shade sighed. “Fine. You take her, and we’ll see which one of us was right. You’re the one putting your reputation on the line.” She hesitated, then added, “The reputation you’ve spent your whole life developing- potentially squandering all that work and talent.” All Adria heard was approval. “Thanks!” She ran off with a smile. Commander Shade sighed and watched her hopes and dreams run off. “f**k,” she muttered to herself. *** Adria was in full planning mode, with charts and maps. Her squad stood before her, ready to take orders. “Ok. Megan, Cody, and Ralph- you three will take the east.” Megan c****d an eyebrow at Adria. “What about Cassie? Isn’t she coming too?” Adria was practically gleaming. “Yes. She is. She has a special assignment.” Cassie could not stop the slight rumble of a purr that started in her chest. No one commented. They had learned the hard way not to. Cassie was one of the abandoned beings on their planet when the war first started, making her different from the rest of them. Beings from other planets shared certain features with different animals. Cassie was mostly feline. She had cute furry ears that sat on the top of her head and tail that always went would whenever she was anxious or excited. Megan folded her arms. “I’m sure she does. Any chance we all get to know what that assignment is?” Adria stood up and handed a stack of papers to Megan. “No. It’s a mission that’s on a need-to-know basis, and you do not need to know.” She smiled. “Good luck, guys. Have fun, and enjoy the opportunity for real combat.” Megan sighed and pushed Cody and Ralph toward the exit. She glanced back over her shoulder to offer a quick, “Oh no, Adria, you enjoy yourselves- and try not to get distracted.”  They left. Adria tapped the floor with her toe, her smile gone. “What do you think she meant by that?” Cassie’s purr got stronger as she jumped on the table in front of Adria, her tail twitching with anticipation like she was about to pounce. “Forget her. What’s my special assignment?” Adria let a lopsided smile cross her face as she pulled up a pair of keys. “You’re driving my tank.” Cassie’s eyes dilated, and she nearly fell off the table. “Oh- you know what I like.” She regained herself for a moment, looking Adria in the eye. “So, you got Commander Shade to approve this?” She took the keys from Adria. Adria shrugged. “She approved your going- reluctantly- but not specifically this assignment. She doesn’t need to know. She’s left the planning of the whole mission to me, and I deem this important to the mission so-” Cassie shivered with excitement. “You know, for a goody-two-shoes, you’re kind of devious.” She leaned in, eyes half-lidded. “I guess I’m- rubbing off on you.” Adria giggled and pushed Cassie’s shoulder playfully. “You wish.”  She grabbed her jacket from the back of the chair. “Now come on.  I’ve got to show you the controls before we leave.” She darted for the door and Cassie lept of the table to follow. Cassie tossed the keys in her hand and looked up at the blonde rushing off down the corridors of their Camp. She felt a warmth that was reserved only for when she was around Adria. It was addicting. She wanted to curl into it and stay there forever. *** The tank controls were simple enough, and Cassie was a quick study with Adria showing her the various buttons and levers.  Once the mission got started, and Adria was sure that Cassie had control of the machine, she sat back and focused on her communicator pad. “What? You going to look at that thing through the whole battle?” Cassie said as she navigated the machine forward past the trees of the Willowing Woods. Adria shrugged. “Most of the work has already been done. I planned the supply routes. I ordered the ammunition and the extra armor for the soldiers. I’ve given everyone their orders and conditional orders if things go wrong.” She hit a few buttons on the screen and added, “I could be anywhere and watch the progress, make changes to the plan. The fact that I’m here in person is really just a courtesy to show everyone that I’m not a coward.” Cassie nudged Adria’s shoulder with a smile. “That’s up for debate.” Adria shoved back with a smile. “Shut up and drive.” The playful contact, and the feel of the machine under her fingertips, caused her chest to erupt in a rumbling purr. Adria smiled widely. “Oh, you’re enjoying this are you?” “Now you shut up.” “You had better not let that happen around other people, or they're going to think you like me.” Cassie stuck out her tongue, and Adria stuck hers out in response before they both erupted in laughter. The good time was cut off by a voice from the Squad Captain badge Adria wore. She turned away and talked into it and hit a few buttons on her communicator pad. “Odd. This seems to be going easier than expected. You’d think, with Tetrium being in such a strategic spot between the Devarian and Westia that they’d- I don't know- beef up security a little.” She tapped her finger on the communicator.  “I may have overplanned this.” “That wouldn’t be a surprise.” She put the communicator down and looked out the window at what looked like civilians running away from them. “I think our intelligence must have been wrong. I haven’t seen a report of a single witch since we got here.” Cassie scoffed. “Eh, don’t worry about it. All Commander Shade cares about is success. All you have to do is win. It doesn’t matter how hard or easy it is.” Adria forced a smile. “You’re right. Displacing a whole civilian population is nothing compared to the order we’ll bring to this place. It’s for the greater good.” Cassie stopped smiling at that. “You know, it’s one thing to say that stuff when Commander Shade or the others are around. You don’t have to pull that with me- not now when we’re finally alone.” Adria’s eyebrows raised as she looked toward Cassie. “What do you mean?” Cassie pulled a lever to increase the power as they slowly crushed a house. “The whole ‘greater good’ thing.” Adria blinked. Cassie sighed. “You don’t have to pretend this is some kind of righteous war.” Adria’s look turned to horror. “You don’t believe in the mission?” “And you do?” Adria stared straight forward at that. “Well- yeah. We’re supposed to, right?” They both braced as the machine came down off the pile of rubble. Cassie offered, “Supposed to in the same way the prisoners are supposed to get rehabilitated.” Adria gasped. “Are you implying that they’re not being educated in how to be more orderly?” “I mean, if you consider labor camps to be more orderly- then sure.” Adria put her communicator down on her lap. “So- you think they’re lying to us?” Cassie let out a laugh. “Yeah- duh. Commander Shade’s been messing with our heads since we were kids. Lying and manipulation are her specialties.” Her laughter died, and her smile was gone. “Did you seriously not even think about this until now?” Adria shifted uncomfortably in the tank chair. “I don't know.” “Well, don’t think about it too much, or it’ll make you sad, and you know how I hate having to hold your hand when you get weepy.” Adria pushed Cassie playfully, a smile creeping back on her lips. “Oh, I’m sure you just hate that.” Cassie giggled and focused back on driving the tank. *** The celebrations died down late, and before Cassie could catch up with Adria, Commander Shade had taken her by the shoulder and led her away.  Cassie knew where she was going. Adria had a fancy new Squad Captain room that she’d be staying in from now on. The full weight of that fact didn't hit Cassie until the squad was back in their bunks with Adria’s bed empty for the first time in their lives. Cassie laid still on the top bunk, but her tail kept moving like it was an extension of her thoughts. Megan groaned. “Stop thumbing your tail, or I swear I will cut it off.” Cassie grabbed her tail and held it but moved to stare down at Megan. “Brave of you to threaten me.” “Adria’s not around to protect you anymore,” Megan said casually, shifting to turn her back to Cassie. “You’d better watch your back.” The threat should have been hollow, but the truth of it nipped at Cassie’s sanity. The empty bunk below her was only furthering her slight panic. She had never relied on Adria to protect her. Adria did that out of her own dumb sense of superiority. Still, it heightened her absence. She slid off the bunk in a practiced motion and whispered, “Fine. Don’t go ratting on me if we get inspected.” With that, she was out of the barracks and headed toward the Squad Captain quarters hall. “Where do you think you are going?” Cassie stopped in her tracks as she felt the first stings of Commander Shade’s black magic on the tips of her fingers, toes, and the tip of her tail.  She didn’t even bother turning around. “Just going to pee. Is that a crime?” Commander Shade moved to face Cassie, her dark presence growing. “I assumed this would be too much of a temptation for you. Follow me, soldier.”  She turned. Cassie felt the magic leave her, and she snarled as she followed. “I am re-assigning you.” “What!” “Quite now. Some people are trying to sleep.”  Commander Shade stopped at her office door, opened it with a wave, and motioned for Cassie to follow her in. Inside, a huge woman with white hair and pincers for hands stood up and fumbled into an awkward salute and a stupidly naive smile. Commander Shade, casually, gestured to her. “This is Squad Captain Selene. You are being re-assigned to her squad.” Cassie’s mouth fell open, speechless. Selene beamed and lurched forward to throw her arms around Cassie, lifting her into the air. “Oh! Kitty!” “Put me down!” Selene put her down quickly but continued smiling. “Sorry. I get a little carried away.” Commander Shade watched the exchange, breathed in, and added, “I do hope you find Selene’s company to be satisfactory.” Cassie pulled away from the large woman and glared at Commander Shade. “What was that?” Selene interrupted. “Oh, we’ll have a great time. Tomorrow I’ll show you my little slice of the Camp. You’ll love it.” Cassie’s eyes went big, and her tail fluffed. She mentally forced it back. “I do hope you focus on this new and exciting friendship instead of dwelling on others.”  Commander Shade’s voice was full of amused malice. Cassie could have maimed her right there and then. She wasn’t dumb. She could read between the lines. She looked at Selene for what she was, Commander Shade’s mock replacement of Adria, meant to placate her. Honestly, it wasn’t even that bad of an idea- if it had worked. Commander Shade turned to Selene. “Why don’t you show Cassie your room tonight? It will help you complete your mission.” Cassie hated every word, every syllable that woman uttered. Selene picked up on none of it. She was blushing and smiling. “Oh, sure! Absolutely! I’ll do that now.” I hate you, Cassie mouthed to Commander Shade as Selene scooped her up and carried her out into the hall. “You will really like my room. I mean, there’s almost nothing in it, but it’s nice.” Cassie was glad no one was around to see this. She didn’t need people thinking of her in terms of being carried. “What exactly is your mission?” Selene’s smile disappeared for a moment, then was back. “That she needed someone to look out for you- save you from yourself.” Cassie rolled her eyes and started struggling against the hold. “Put me down! I can walk, you know.” “Sorry! You’re just so small and pickupable!” Selene put her down and kept the march toward her room. “Don’t you think it’s a bit odd to show me your room this late at night?” Cassie felt sick to her stomach just thinking about it. “Uh- I’m not tired so- now's as good as any time, right?” Cassie rubbed her head. This woman was a dumbass. Ah- that explains why Commander Shade picked her. f**k. That woman knew her too well.  Selene went on. “Besides, Commander Shade told me not to let you out of my sight.” “For how long?” Selene blinked. She tapped her pincer to her lip. “Let me see- I don’t remember. I’m not sure she said how long.” “Why am I not surprised by that.” Cassie followed her brain working for how best to get out of this. “So- where am I supposed to sleep?” “Uh- I haven’t thought that far ahead on this. I kind of just was excited to have a mission.” Cassie almost felt bad for the woman. Almost.  They reached the Squad Captain Quarters, and Selene stopped at a door, opened it, and beamed as she stepped aside to let Cassie in. Cassie, reluctantly, went inside. Her tail flicked back and forth as she realized, in an instant, she could smell Adria. She was close, like she was almost in the room. She paused, realizing the scent was coming from the air duct. Her room must be near. Great. This was going to be torture.  “Here’s my bed, and my bedside table- and here are my things.” Selene, awkwardly, pointed to all these things before she finally ran out. She blushed and scratched her neck with her pincer. “I guess it’s not much, but it’s mine.” she beamed back at Cassie. “I’ll sleep on the floor, and you can sleep on the bed. I don’t mind.” Cassie took a long slow breath and turned to Selene. She did her best impression of the way Commander Shade talked when she was at peak manipulation tone.  “Look, I’m not sleeping in your room. It’s- inappropriate. What would people think?” Selene’s face went bright red, almost as dark as the color of her armor. “Oh gosh. I didn’t think of that.” “We wouldn’t want the rumor mill to start churning about who’s sleeping in whose room, would we?” Cassie’s read on Selene was dead on. The woman looked to be a complete mess at the idea. “I- I guess that’s a good point.” “So, thank you for showing me your room. If you’re my new Squad Captain- I’ll see you tomorrow for orientation. How’s that?” She added a wink for good measure. Selene, still a blushing mess, just nodded. Cassie went to the door. “Before I go-” She looked back. “There was a new Squad Captain. I wanted to stop by her room and- congratulate her on her win at Tetrium.” Selene had just then started gathering herself. “Oh, that’s nice of you.” “Do you happen to know where her room is?” “End of this hall on the left. The only empty room we had since- I forgot her name- since we lost the last Squad Captain.” Cassie gave the woman her best smile. It was a charming smile. It did its job. The woman was helpless. “Thank you.”  She ducked out and made sure the door was closed after her. She quickly went through the hall to the last door on her left. She extended her claws and tapped them on the door in a way that would let Adria know exactly who was on the other side. A moment later, the door opened, and Adria met her with a smile but quickly checked both sides of the hall before grabbing Cassie into the room. She gently closed the door behind them. “I knew you’d come!” Cassie couldn’t stop the smile on her face. “Of course, you dummy. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” She turned to look at the room and gave out an impressed whistle. “Look at these digs. Enough room to-” She tried to think of something Adria might want. “I don’t know- have a desk or something.” Adria could barely contain her excitement. “I have my own bathroom! And shower! Come here.” She grabbed Cassie’s hand and pulled her to the bathroom in the corner. She flipped on the light and watched Cassie’s reaction. Cassie stared in wonder. “Wow. It’s got tile and a mirror. Your own sink. I guess you won’t be using the community showers anymore.” She touched it all, a slight pang creeping in her gut. She crushed it as she forced a smile and turned to Adria.  Adria was giddy. “And the bed is huge!” Cassie got pulled back into the room, with Adria gesturing toward the bed excitedly, and it caused her to feel something- which was always suspicious. She couldn’t quite place the sensation, but it made her thinking slow. “A shame you’re only one person.” She nearly hit herself when she realized she said it out loud. Adria’s smile was gone. “Yeah, it’s already been really lonely in here.” She did that thing when she got insecure where she rubbed her elbow. “I’m going to miss you guys-” She paused. “Well, I’m not going to miss Megan’s snoring- or Cody’s night terrors- but you know what I mean.”  With a look of resignation, she sat down on the bed. Cassie’s tail was going wild, and she reached back to grab it before Adria noticed. “Well, that’s the price of moving up I guess. I’m sure one of the other Squad Captains would- I don’t know- hang out with your or something.” She sat down on the bed, not remotely touching Adria, but close enough that she could if she wanted to. Adria shrugged. “I mean, a few have already offered- which is weird, right?” Cassie suppressed a growl. She repressed the urge to maim anyone who would go near her Adria. “You’re everyone’s favorite. You’re the brilliant tactician who won us a foothold in the whispering woods. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hang out with you?”  She avoided Adria’s eyes as she said it. Adria smiled at the obvious attempt to cheer her up. “You think you could- I don’t know- stay with me tonight?” Cassie looked back at Adria, eyes wide. Adria didn’t look away. She had a hopeful expression on her face. “I’ll never sleep with it so quiet in here. Call it a favor to the Camp to make sure one of their Squad Captains gets a good night's sleep.” And then she did it. She gave Cassie that stupid soft smile that made Cassie’s defenses just crumble. Not that she had any defenses against Adria. Cassie’s tail flicked next to the bed, ever so slightly touching Adria’s leg. Stupid tail. She hoped Adria didn’t notice. “Yeah, if you’re such a loser, that you need it.” “I’ll set the alarm to get you up before sunrise.” Cassie winced. She hated getting up early, but if that was the price to pay- then so be it. “Sure.” Adria beamed, and then curfew hit.  At the scheduled time, the lights went out, leaving only the faint glow in the room that the whole Devarion had. Adria’s eyes needed to adjust in the lowered light, but Cassie’s didn’t. Cassie took the time to just look at her, letting herself think for a moment how amazing it was to be here with her. She saw Adria blink, and then smile, which meant she could see her staring now. Cassie moved like liquid into a ball at the foot of Adria’s bed, as they had always done. Adria found her eyes lingering on Cassie’s curled-up form. “You know- it’s going to get cold.” Her throat felt dry, just to say it. “And it’s not like anyone is going to see us, I mean you being vulnerable.” Cassie lifted her head at that, looking at Adria in the dark. Adria forced a smile and pulled her blue blanket back. “It will be warmer up here with me.” Cassie swallowed and moved slowly just in case this offer was a trick. She got to the pillow and laid down, and slowly blinked at Adria. Adria looked frozen at that but instinctively slow blinked back. She climbed in next to her, and pulled the blanket over them both while they faced each other. They were past the first hurdle of the night, and Adria smiled at herself for thinking of it. “This will be better- for both of us.” “Right.” Adria could hear the familiar rumbling of Cassie’s purr. She could never admit to how happy it made her. “You’re a dork,” she said playfully, hitting Cassie’s shoulder. Cassie smiled, feeling the rumble in her chest go up two notches. “Ah! You’re making it worse. Just shut up and go to sleep!” Adria stuck her tongue out. “You're a literal child.” Adria could hear the smile in Cassie’s voice and smiled to herself as she closed her eyes and snuggled into her pillow. She could never admit how much she liked the sound of Cassie’s purr. This was the closest she had been to it while trying to sleep, and she was pleasantly surprised by how fast it lured her into sweet slumbering oblivion. *** Adria woke up to the mechanical beeping of the Camp standard-issue alarm clock and hit it without thinking. The reason she couldn't think about the alarm was because she woke up with Cassie’s legs and hers tangled up under the sheets, and her brain could feel nothing else- think about nothing else.  It took her a long, hard moment to realize she needed to wake Cassie up. She shifted to turn to her and felt herself go a little breathless as she saw Cassie, fast asleep, hair tousled around her face, breathing slowly and peacefully. Oh, she did not want to do that. If she were completely honest with herself, she’d rather stay there looking at Cassie asleep forever. “Cassie,” She said while moving her arm to shake Cassie’s shoulder. “Time to get up and go.” Cassie moved, half-awake, in that semifluid way she always did when she was not fully conscious. Her legs entwined with Adria’s more, and her arms reached out to pull herself into Adria’s side, her claws extended slightly to latch onto Adria’s clothes, and just barely prick her skin, just like they used to when she was young. For a moment, Adria relaxed into it before she remembered what would happen if Cassie was late. “You don’t have long. Maybe ten minutes. You don't want Commander Shade walking in without you there.” Cassie’s eyes shot open, and her face went through a myriad of different reactions before landing on displeasure. “She can suck it.” “Cassie-” “Fine! Fine-” With reluctance, she started to untangle herself. Adria watched carefully to see if there would be any response in Cassie to finding their legs so intertwined. They had always had moments of closeness when they could manage it, but nothing like this. She kind of expected a freakout. She watched Cassie yawn, stretched, roll over, and she realized slowly, that everything was fine. Cassie wasn’t going to act like that was weird, so neither was she. She couldn't explain how warm that made her feel.  “I’m sorry you have to leave.” “You would, dummy.” It was said with a slight smile as she climbed up and off the bed. Adria rolled over to watch Cassie do her typical morning stretch, standing up and putting her arms above her head, and arching her back, her tail flicking back and forth. It was majestic.   Cassie looked over her shoulder, eyes half-lidded, and winked. “Enjoying the view?” “Shut up!” Adria grabbed the extra pillow and tossed it so it hit Cassie square in the back. Cassie erupted in giggles at the reaction and went to the door. The moment her hand touched the handle, the giggling and the smile was gone. Adria’s smile was also gone, as they both seemed to realize the moment that door opened, the regular world, its rules, and problems, would come flooding in. Cassie looked up to Adria with a forced smile. “No worries. I’ll be fine. If I’m alive by curfew, I’ll see if I can’t come back and keep you company.” Adria took in a breath and gave Cassie a small hopeful smile. That smile made Cassie weak. She forced herself to go through the door, but not without checking the hall first.  She had to move fast.  Adria, and her stupid little morning leg tangles that Cassie wanted to stay in forever, meant she was later than she intended. She had to book it- which meant running- and for her, it meant running on all fours. She skidded into the locker room, just as Megan, Cody, and Ralph were finishing up standing at attention. Megan glared at her as she quickly took her spot at the far end of the line. “Have fun at your sleepover?” Cassie just smiled and quipped back, “Jealous?” Before Megan could react, Commander Shade came in for the morning inspection.  *** Selene reported to Commander Shade’s office as soon as she was summoned, and again awkwardly saluted. “Here as requested your- second-in-command-ness.”  She gave an awkward smile that completed the package. Commander Shade focused her attention on the Squad Captain. “I want a report about your assignment with Cassie.” Selene stood straight. “Oh- right.” “Did everything go as planned?” Selene wasn’t sure exactly what the plan was. She just knew she had gotten really embarrassed as a girl she liked suggested people might talk if they slept in the same room together. Remembering that made her feel butterflies in her stomach.  She blushed again, turning a dark red. Commander Shade saw that reaction and drew her own conclusions. She relaxed a little. “Good. Keep up the good work. Distract her as much as you can.” Selene was not following the conversation, but she knew better than to contradict Lord Herman’s second-in-command. “Yes sir- I mean ma’am!”