As the helicopter ascended past the clouds, Stheno and Euryale’s faces lit with awe, the pair leaning down to observe the thick, cotton-like layer below.

  “This is much higher than we can ever fly,” Stheno remarked as she reached out to the clouds.

  Jim glanced at Euryale. “What’s the highest you two can go?”

  “Almost to the tops of the mountains, but not quite beyond that,” she replied, still mesmerized by the scenery.

  “Can you carry people when you fly?” Jim asked.

  Euryale nodded. “Yes—we carried sister when she was little. But not for too long, and we can’t fly as high with the added weight. Flying takes a lot of effort.”

  Veronica smiled. “You two enjoying the view?”

  “I love it,” Stheno said. She pursed her lips in thought for a moment, then looked at Maddie. “Do you fly often nowadays?”

  Maddie sighed wistfully. “Not as often as I’d like to.”

  The helicopter descended, dipping below the clouds to reveal familiar ground. The sprawling lights of Fort Bogart shone in the distance. Both sisters angled their gazes to fixate on the illuminated city below.

  Stheno examined the fort’s geography, smiling as she took in the city resting atop its plateau. “It sits so high up from the ocean!”

  “With lights as bright as day!” Euryale added.

  The shape of the fort grew in size as the helicopter swiftly approached. The layout below had grown dull and boring to Jim, but seeing the sisters' excitement reminded him of how impressive it all was. How far he’d come. The landing pad loomed closer, its guiding lights a beacon flickering against the surrounding dark rocks.

  They touched down, frame swaying as the engines spun down. Jim and Veronica exited first, assisting the sisters as they adjusted to the vehicle’s slight tremor. Maddie disembarked last, reaching immediately for Jim’s hand.

  As Jim surveyed the area, his eyes landed on a long red carpet already rolled out before them—just as it had been when Maddie first arrived.

  The familiar procession of senior base personnel approached, led by Colonel Maddock. Major Chang and Captain Slater flanked him, their formal expressions contrasting with the presence of Vik and Terry, who strode beside them, proud and tall.

  Jim smiled and turned back to the two sisters. “Come on, you two. Let’s go meet the higher-ups here.”

  The sisters gazed around in astonishment, eyes darting from one unfamiliar sight to the next—the towering structures, the dark, drab vehicles, the disciplined soldiers marching about.

  Jim noticed them looking up and about. “Higher-ups are the people I report to, over there.”

  They exchanged quick glances before heading toward the approaching group.

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  As they neared, the usual formalities began. Colonel Maddock introduced himself first, standing tall with an air of authority, followed by the rest. The sisters listened with courteous attention before offering quiet nods of acknowledgment. Jim noticed the sidelong glances from the entourage—eyes that traveled up and down the sisters' forms, lingering a moment too long before snapping back to propriety.

  Stheno’s gaze was fixed on Captain Slater the entire time, and an intrigued smile curled her lips.

  She stepped towards him gracefully, her fiery red eyes shimmering with interest. “I didn’t quite catch your name,” she purred, baring her fangs and tilting her head ever so slightly as she batted her eyes at him. As she spoke, she extended her right leg, the slit in her gown parting just enough to reveal the curve of her thigh.

  Captain Slater raised an eyebrow, momentarily taken aback. He recovered and offered a charming grin. “I’m Captain Daniel Slater—but you can call me Dan.”

  The two exchanged a lingering look, an unspoken understanding. “Well, hello, Dan,” She cooed. “May I ask you something?”

  “You most certainly may, Your Loveliness,” Slater replied, his voice laced with ardor.

  “Oh! How charming.” Stheno beamed, satisfied. She leaned back a bit, her mouth and eyes open. “Hmmm, I was wondering if you might give me a personal tour of this facility. If it isn’t too much trouble?”

  Everyone else stood transfixed at the exchange. Maddock and Chang exchanged uncertain glances.

  Slater smiled, turned and presented his elbow to her. “Why, it would be no trouble at all.”

  Stheno’s eyes flicked to his stance curiously. “And what is this gesture?”

  “It’s how we invite someone to walk with us,” Slater explained. “You may place your arm in mine, if you like.”

  Stheno slipped her arm through the crook of his, holding on as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her red eyes gleamed as they clung to him.

  “Shall we go then?” Slater asked.

  Stheno purred, squeezing his arms they started forward. “Lead the way… Dan,”

  Just as they walked away, Slater stopped, looking back over his shoulder.

  “Oh, um, and Lieutenant.?”

  “Yes, sir?” Jim responded.

  “Do see to it that, uh…” Slater snapped his fingers a few times, eyes shifting to the second sister.

  “Euryale?” Jim quickly supplied.

  “Yes, her. See to it that she’s taken care of—accommodations and such. You got it, Jim?”

  Jim nodded. “Yes, sir, right away.”

  “Good,” Slater said with a pleased nod. He resumed his stroll with Stheno, their conversation fading to excited murmurs as they disappeared into the heart of the base.

  Jim turned to Maddie, eyes wide with disbelief. “What did I just witness?”

  Maddie shook her head, equally stunned. “I don’t know. I’ve never seen her like this before.”

  Still in shock, the pair, with Veronica following suit, slowly turned their heads toward Euryale.

  She raised her hands defensively. “Don’t look at me! That’s the first time I’ve ever seen her act like that. I’m usually the one who starts trouble.” She folded her arms. “Is that how you two were when you first met?”

  Jim’s face flushed as he stumbled over his words. “What? No! Our meeting was, uh… much more…”

  “Eventful,” Maddie finished for him, her tone tinged with levity.

  Euryale arched an eyebrow. “Eventful? What, did you two make love immediately?”

  The trio burst into laughter.

  “Well, she did jump on me,” Jim admitted with a grin.

  Euryale groaned and rubbed her temple. “All right, you people are very strange! Sister, you never told me about this sort of thing happening here.”

  Jim tried to stifle his laughter. “No, no, Euryale, it’s nothing like that, really!”

  Maddie smiled and placed a reassuring hand on Euryale’s shoulder. “It’s all right, we’ll tell you more about it. Come—let’s get you settled in first.”

  Euryale sighed, glancing between them warily. “I don’t know… I’m a little worried now.”