There were six men in the room when we entered. It was a sparsely furnished room. A large monitor on the far wall and a large table in the middle ringed with chairs. One person was standing and he gestured us inside. The other five had their backs to us.

The man standing was undoubtedly Wild Bill. About in his early forties and chiseled good looks with a minor scar on this forehead, close cropped hair and a bushy moustache.

One of the seated men turned to greet us. His smile faded immediately as his face turned red. He leapt to his feet as he drew his pistol. Another man reacted the same. Murphy pulled me behind him.

The first man shouted, “It’s her! That terrorist bitch who killed my men!”

I screamed. I really need to get a handle on my girlishness.

Wild Bill shouted, “Stand down! Stand down!” Everyone was standing now, hands on their weapons.

The second man to stand, still holding his weapon scowled in anger. “What’s that bitch doing here? I thought she was to be executed!”

Wild Bill again shouted. “Stand down. Everybody calm the fuck down.” Pointing at me, he said, “That’s not her.”

Still holding his weapon, the first man who stood, Captain Ryeback I think, said, “What do you mean that’s not her?”

Wild Bill glared and said, “Secure your weapon, Ryeback. No. That’s not her. That’s her shell, but it’s not her. Everyone stand for the lady. This is Lieutenant Simmons.” Murphy pulled me back out in front of him. As they all stood, I felt very small.

Pointing at me, Wild Bill said, “The lieutenant left half his body on the planet to bring us the documents that the Council is now using to finally convince themselves we have a war on our hands, as well as disrupting enemy communications.” He stepped around the table and extended his hand towards me. “Damn fine work, lieutenant.”

I hesitated to take his hand. With a worried expression I blurted, “I’m not having sex with you.”

Wild Bill laughed heartily. “This is indeed disappointing, lieutenant. I do enjoy a good screamer. But that’s not why you’re here. Why would you think that?”

I looked at my feet. “When I was being fitted for a uniform, the woman in the exchange seemed to suggest that I …uh…”

Wild Bill shook his head. “I do apologize, Lieutenant Simmons. That’s fall out from the my birthday last year when my officers brought in some dancing girls – just for dancing – and had taken them to get fitted for uniforms. I’ll have a talk with them. Have a seat.”

I sat in the chair next to Murphy as everyone else sat down as well. Two of the captains in the meeting I’d never seen before. As an ensign, I was under Captain Morris. Since it was his army, Wild Bill used naval ranks for officers. I could never figure out why he used colonel for his own rank. He could have used general, admiral, king…whatever he wanted.

The wall monitor lit up as Wild Bill said, “Let’s get down to business. Lieutenant Simmons, as I’m sure Captain Murphy probably already told you, I had dropped you from our ranks. As a child, it would be a huge liability to retain you on a combat force. The media and our enemies would have a field day with that.”

Interrupting, I protested, “But I’m not really sixteen, Colonel.”

Shaking his head, Wild Bill said, “Doesn’t matter. The truth is always the first casualty with the media. But anyway, there’s a loophole we can exploit. To save your brain, we had no choice but to use the body of a terrorist girl that was scheduled for execution. We can actually use this to our advantage.”

A picture appeared on the wall display. The picture had been taken with a telephoto lens. The picture was of two teens. A boy and a girl.

Wild Bill pointed at the picture. “I’m sure you all recognize the girl in this picture. She is now Lieutenant Simmons. At the time of this picture, just six months ago, she was a local girl named Rose. She was recently a resident of the shelter for homeless children of the planet’s capitol. The boy is named Jack. We have no history of him at all. He didn’t show up until the Delcrons landed forces here. We suspect he’s a spy and a saboteur. He’s managed to enlist several of the children at the shelter to the Delcron cause. The most important one is Rose, was basically his girlfriend. He obviously doesn’t really care about her as he sent her on a suicide mission to kill our marines.”

I just sat there, unsure of what to think. “This kid sent his girlfriend, someone he cares about on a mission that could have and well, did get her killed? How could he do that?”

Wild Bill nodded. “That’s what we need to find out. We have no direct ties between him and the terrorist activities that are plaguing the capitol. But these activities only started after he showed up at the shelter. The shelter tells us he’s a quiet, nice boy around eighteen years old. He makes friends quickly. And Rose was a well liked and trusted girl. She’d bring the troops food, snacks, drinks, whatever. Everyone was shocked when she destroyed those barracks. According to the shelter, Rose and Jack were spending a lot of time together. Occasionally, they’d leave the shelter together.”

I asked, “I don’t understand. Why not just bring him in for questioning? Bring in a bunch of kids so it doesn’t look like he’s being singled out.”

Captain Ryeback snorted. “You don’t think we haven’t? We’re either on the wrong track, or he has a very disciplined mind. We can’t use extreme interrogation methods on a child even if he’s eighteen. We’d lose our license from the UCP.”

Wild Bill sat on the edge of the table. “And this is where you come in, Simmons. You’re his girlfriend, or so he thinks. He might share information with you accidently.”

I fidgeted with my hands. “I don’t want to be someone’s girlfriend.”

Wild Bill shrugged. “Understandable. But we’ll just leave you at the shelter. You’ll still have to deal with Jack but you’ll be out of the war.”

I glared at Wild Bill. “That’s it? I’m stuck being a girlfriend either way.”

Murphy asked, “What do you expect us to do? Col. Williams sells the image of a wild and crazy bunch of mercenaries, but if we don’t follow the UCP rules and regs, we get our license revoked. Like it or not, you’re sixteen years old and there’s not one damned thing we can do about it. You can volunteer to be an undercover agent. You stay in the game. You retain your rank and you go with us when we leave.”

I frowned at Murphy. “Is that the best offer you can make?”

Wild Bill shrugged. “Under the circumstances. I don’t know if this helps any, but before we stuck your brain into that host, we did a physical examination and you’ll be happy to know you’re still a virgin.”

“Not really,” I said dourly.

Wild Bill said, “What’s your decision, lieutenant? Just remember, as our spy, we won’t abandon you. In fact, in a week or so, we’ll send Murphy down to replace the current UCP garrison commander. We suspect he’s been compromised.”

I scowled at Wild Bill. “I’m not left with much choice. I’ll do it.”

Wild Bill grinned. “Good girl! Murphy was sure we could count on you. But be advised, Simmons. Despite your training and rank, you are no longer authorized to handle military weapons. That’s not to say you can’t defend yourself. Good luck, Rose.” He saluted me.

Murphy stood up and said, “Let’s go, Simmons.”

As we walked out of the meeting room, I turned to Murphy and said, “I’m scared.”

He flashed me an odd look. “Scared of what? You’re not going into a combat zone.”

I huffed and said, “I’m scared of boys.”

Murphy chuckled. “Naw. I bet you’re going to love boys. Have you seen yourself? Boys are going to love you.”

I folded my arms and glared at the floor. “You’re not helping.”

“Regardless, come with me to my quarters,” said Murphy. “You need to change into the clothes Rose was wearing when we captured her.”

“I hope you washed it,” I said wrinkling up my nose.

“That’s a negative, girl,” said Murphy. “You have to look just like she did at the time of capture.”

A few hours later after I had gotten some sleep, Murphy led me down to the hanger deck. I climbed into the passenger seat. Captain Murphy said, “The pilot will set you down east of the children’s shelter. Just follow the road. It should be mostly safe, so don’t mind the burned out buildings.”

I looked up at Murphy. “But at this time, it’s still dark down there!”

Murphy shook his head. “How stealthy are you going to look being delivered in broad daylight in one of Wild Bill’s scout ships? Just hunker down until daylight. You remember your cover story?”

I looked at him as if he was crazy. “Are you crazy? Who has the photographic memory here?”

Murphy shook his head. “Just be careful, keep your knees together and let us know what you find out.”

I nodded. “I’ll do my best, Murph.”

Murphy tapped the pilot’s helmet twice and the canopy started to lower. The pilot guided his craft over to a launch tube. Moments later we were shot out of the tube on a landing curve to the planet’s surface.

Most of the night surface was dark with only a few spots of light. So most of the planet is uninhabited. Why is blood and treasure being spilt for this rock? Both sides want to add it as a member system. I guess the extremely high mineral content is one reason.

The pilot set the scout’s skids in the dirt by an abandoned farmhouse outside of the capitol. “I’ve scanned thirty klicks perimeter. It’s all clear, miss.” He popped the canopy. “Take care and thanks for flying Wild Bill’s space taxi service.” He then chuckled.

“Thanks for the lift,” I said as I tapped his helmet twice. I stepped back a few feet. Dust swirled around as he fired his thrusters and he jetted back up into the sky. The sky was totally brilliant with stars. The only light at all was star light. I sat and leaned up against the farmhouse wall. I’ll just wait here until daybreak. I was not looking forward to this assignment.

I must have fallen asleep as I woke up, but chilled and stiff as red streaks spread across the dawn sky. I wiped the dirt from my black pants. I wasn’t exactly the height of fashion. I also had on a white shirt a black pattern printed on it. I had on boots. They were pretty nice. I wondered where Rose got them. I’m sure she didn’t get them from the shelter.

In the brightening sky, I could see a dirt road leading in both directions from the farmhouse. I needed to head west, and as the sun rises in the east, I knew which way I should go.

It didn’t take long to arrive at the outskirts of the capitol. The streets were paved and there was actual vehicular traffic. Several buildings had lights on. You almost wouldn’t know there was a war going on.

I carefully picked my way between buildings. I had a vague idea where the shelter was. The morning was getting bright. I felt vulnerable being alone as a girl. What few people I saw greeted me pleasantly enough.

As I got closer to the shelter, there were kids out playing around the street. There was a park across from the shelter with kids playing. In stark contrast to the kids playing, several soldiers patrolled the streets.

As I started to round the corner of a building, my arm was suddenly grabbed and I was spun around. A shocked looking boy held my arm. “Rose!”

“Jack,” I said as I recognized him.

I was pushed against the wall as his lips pressed into mine. I started to push him back, but remembered he’s supposed to be my boyfriend. I put my arm around his neck and kissed him back. His lips were soft and so full of passion. I know it’s crazy as I’ve only been a girl for a day, but I really enjoyed being kissed by this boy. I tried to remind myself he’s a killer, but I couldn’t bring myself to believe it.

He pulled himself away from me and just stared at me. “Oh Rose! I was so afraid you were dead or captured when you didn’t come back.”

I grinned at Jack. “I’m hard to catch.”

Jack grinned back at me and then leaned in to kiss me again. I just melted.