Page 2 of I Dated a Retired Hero

Litha held her towel and said, “Right. Where do I start?”

They escorted her out of the reactor and into a vehicle that had a contained space. It was an arrest vehicle.

They drove off with her wrapped in a towel and rocking on the seat as they headed for the research arm of the university. It looked like her parents didn’t have to spend anything on her education. She was being tucked right into the best education centre in the area, and all she had to do was not leak radiation over the students. How hard could that be?

* * * *

Twenty-one years later

Litha sat through the first two rounds of interviews and was now facing the final boss.

“So, I see you are an active.” Zera smiled at her.

“Yes. I don’t let it get in my way when I work.”

“That is admirable. You were on one of the teams?”

“Yes, the stellar team, on special missions only.”

“You have been in space?”

“Yes. I specialized in meteor and asteroid interception. I did three tours and am now retired and ready to focus on textiles for difficult activations.”

“Oh, yes. I selected you for this round because of that. Z-Corp has a sterling reputation. It is so good that we are opening a branch in Aksalla that focuses on tech development. If you are willing to relocate, we can get you a work permit.”

“So, living in Aksalla?”

“Yes.”

“Are there restrictions on where I can live?”

Zera smiled. “No. That position pays one hundred fifty thousand.”

“Oh. Who would I be working with.”

“Dr. Kritz is our main developer, but his focus is biotech. The textile department would be entirely under you. Raises are regular, and bonuses for rapid response are common.”

“I see.” She nodded. “May I have a day to think it over?”

“Certainly, but if you are hungry, why don’t we talk it over over lunch?” Zera stood.

“Uh. Sure.” Litha looked at the woman who was younger than she was.

They got up, and Zera gave her a quick tour before going to the executive dining room. They were midway into a roast chicken dinner when a defender came in. Litha blinked.

Zera looked at him and sighed. “You wrecked another one?”

Litha looked past the purple skin to the torn uniform. “What is that, carbon base?”

Zera smiled. “New polymer. Torun, this is Dr. Litha. Litha, this is Torun.”

She was staring at the fraying edge of the cut and got up to examine the damage to the fibres. She heard a voice from above her. “Does this pass for foreplay?”

She muttered, “No, but if you don’t want your grape hide at risk, I will get to analyze the damage and components.”

Zera snickered. “So, Litha, where do you want me to send this contract?”

“Can I take a sample of the suit?”

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