The Leider's Audience Chamber, Wildebeest Digger Colony,

African Continent

Silence filled the room, pressing against the walls as if there wasn't enough space to accommodate it. Jinx took an unwilling step back, tensing her legs in an effort to stop herself running out the door.

The Leider stood at the end of the room, regarding their group as if coming across a strange species of insect on a leisurely walk through the savanna and being both surprised and intrigued by his discovery.

He wore a white robe, open to his navel. Tiny metal rings cinched it to the floor. It had no sleeves, just a sharp, jutting shoulder that extended a few centimeters past his bulging deltoid. Instead of lapels, it had a wide hem embroidered in white with geometrical symbols. His yellow hair, bound in an intricate braid, dangled over his shoulder, reaching his waist. The Leider wore no jewellery or ornamentation except for the silver clasp binding his braid.

Jinx swallowed. She released the breath she'd been holding, inhaling incense-tainted air until her lungs tickled. Beside her, Pearce shifted and behind her, clothing rustled. She glanced over her shoulder and stiffened when she saw the men behind them had fallen to their knees.

"Stay frosty, you idiots!" she hissed, flicking her fingers at them.

They stared at her, faces a confused tangle of fear, awe and respect. For whom she didn't know, but they jerked up as if their muscles were caught between conflicting orders. At least Scott had the decency to look abashed. When she turned back, the Leider was staring at her.

The sensation of his eyes on her was terrible. Her skin crawled as if trying to get away from his gaze. He turned, taking the three steps up to the dais with the most graceful of movements. He settled on the golden throne as if with the knowledge that it its sole purpose was to bear his weight.

The man twitched his fingers and crazy-guy scuttled over to him, dipping his head by the Leider's side to listen to whatever inaudible command he was given.

He straightened. "The Leider commands you to announce yourselves."

The spell broke.

Jinx jutted her chin out as she turned to share a heated stare with Pearce.

"Jinx..." he whispered, but she ignored him.

"Commands?" she snapped.

The Leider gave her the most slothful smile she'd ever seen.

"Sergeant Quinn, Olifant Squad, Rooivalk Colony," Quinn said, his voice loud and rushed.

"Sergeant Hodges, Olifant Squad, Rooivalk Colony."

"Sergeant Pearce, Luiperd Squad, Rooivalk Colony," Pearce said, his voice just as loud.

Jinx bristled, but took a deep breath and said, in a much lower voice, "Sergeant Jinx, Luiperd Squad, Rooivalk Colony."

Behind them, the eight privates bleated out their names. Silence slid in, strangling sound. The Leider's eyes hadn't left Jinx. A blush worked its way up her neck as his stare continued. The Leider's hand twitched again. Crazy-eyes leaned close, drew back, and pointed at Jinx.

She flinched.

"You may leave," the sycophant announced.

"What?" she managed, after clearing her throat. The Leider's smile didn't move a fraction. "What did you say?"

"We have no need of women. You may leave," the scrawny man said.

Blood sang in her ears, rushing to accommodate the increased pump of the heart thudding against her ribs.

"I... I'm not... I won't just..." Her tongue was some strange thing in her mouth, not moving like it should, betraying her confusion, her intense embarrassment.

Pearce stepped forward. "She was selected as one of the representatives of this convoy, Leider. You risk contravening your agreement with Rooivalk if you insist she leaves."

Relief opened her lungs again, allowing precious oxygen inside her. But when the man lounging on the throne spoke, her chest became banded with steel again.

"What am I to do with a woman?" the Leider asked.

His voice was melodious, lilting, with a pleasant twang. She could listen to it forever. Wait, what? She gave her head a quick shake.

"She's a sergeant in the Rooivalk military, Leider," Pearce said.

The Leider's hand curled up, his fingers resting against his chin as he first studied first Pearce and then Jinx. His gaze slid over her, resting on every embarrassing area she had. She forced herself not to shift, staring at him until his gaze returned to her eyes.

"Our women are dressed more appropriately than she. Less clothing. Much less. Perhaps, if she makes the necessary changes, I might allow her to remain."

Jinx's hand twitched as her fingers traced the grip of her Glock. If she shot him would she die immediately, or only after days of torture?

"Leider, with all due respect—" Pearce began.

Jinx's hand shot out, crashing over Pearce's chest as she stepped forward. Fuck this shit.

"Your women can wear whatever the hell they want, Leider. Try and get to me to change, and I'll put you on the ground so fast your head will spin."

She wasn't actually sure that she could take him, but right then, with that amount of adrenalin coursing through her, she was definitely willing to try.

The Leider studied her a moment longer.

His smile evaporated as he addressed Pearce. "Am I to correctly assume that General Standers briefed this consignment of—" the Leider glanced at Jinx "—men with regard to their duties while stationed here at Wildebeest?"

"Yes, sir," Pearce replied.

Jinx glared at Pearce, but he ignored her. Addressing him as sir. What was wrong with the man? The Leider affected not to notice her glower either. Him and Pearce continued their private conversation.

"Then you are aware that you will be assisting in recruiting a new standing army for Wildebeest?"

"Yes, sir."

"You have experience in training soldiers?"

"We do, sir."

"Her, too?" The Leider lifted his eyebrow in Jinx's direction.

Her mouth pulled to the side. "Yes, me too."

"Very well." The Leider got to his feet.

Light gleamed from his exposed skin, whether slick from oil or sweat it was impossible to say. He gave them one last, disinterested glance, and strode out through the door without another word.

"... the fuck?" Quinn ventured.

Crazy-man rushed to them, frowning. "Not a good first impression, no, no, no. Not at all."

"Listen, buddy—" Pearce began, but Jinx interrupted him.

"Where are we staying?"

The man looked up at her, surprised, and then nodded. "Yes, go to your rooms. The Leider will calm. He will calm. And then you come again."

"He wasn't calm?" she heard Quinn enquire of no one in particular as the man led them out.

She elbowed one of the privates out of the way when he tried pushing in front of her. The skin between her shoulder blades prickled. Jinx spun around, her eyes going to the dark rectangle behind the still open door. Was he standing there, staring at them? At her? The thought made goosebumps break out over her arms. She hastily turned back.

"I suppose if they wanted to kill us, they would have done it already," Pearce whispered, glancing up at her.

"Somehow that's not as comforting as it should be," she replied.

Jinx shrugged her shoulders as she left the audience chamber. She could still feel the Leider's invisible stare.

. . .