Alexa - Legionnaire : Training an Assassin: Prequel to Alexa - The Series by Arno Joubert Page B

“It seems that you are an official world record holder in freestyle diving, Lieutenant.”
    The men gathered around her, shaking her hand and slapping her on the shoulders. Kristian stuck out his hand towards her. She grabbed it, and he shook it vigorously.
    “Well done, mon amie , you never cease to amaze me,“ he said, his blue eyes shimmering as he smiled.
    She grinned back at him and laughed. “Get used to it.”  

     

Alexa looked up from her dive charts as someone rapped softly on her door. “In,” she called.
    The door opened and Kristian peered around the corner. “Major Batet wants to see us in his office.” He chuckled. “I guess it’s about our competition we had yesterday.”
    Alexa pulled herself from her seat and strode towards Kristian. “Right now?”
    He nodded, holding the door open for her. They made their way through the compound towards Batet’s office. “Should we be worried?” she asked, glancing sideways at Le Roux as they walked.
    He twirled his Kepi around his finger. “Nah, apparently he’s taking heat from one of his superiors. It’ll probably be a rap over the knuckles, nothing more.”
    “Shit, it’s probably Laiveaux.” Alexa pulled her uniform straight as she stopped in front of the major’s door. Kristian frowned.
    She knocked once then entered, Kristian closing the door behind them. They marched to his desk and stood to attention. “Major.”
    Batet was holding a telephone receiver in front of him, making a talking gesture with his hands. He cupped the mouthpiece. “Your excursion has upset a certain General Laiveaux at HQ.”
    He put the phone to his ear. “Yes, yes I do understand, General. Yes I will. No, never, General. Yes, right away, General.”
    He held the telephone out to Alexa. “He wants to speak to you, Lieutenant.”
    She took the phone and gingerly put it to her ear. “General?”
    Laiveaux spoke in English. “Alexa, my girl, are you all right? Do you know how concerned Bruce and I have been about you? What is this rubbish with diving records and stuff? We send you to the most remote station in the League and still you manage to put yourself in harm’s way.”
    Alexa frowned at Batet. The major shrugged, the corner of his mouth pulled up in a smile. She placed the receiver back on her ear.  
    Laiveaux hadn't stopped talking. “Do you not understand I worry about your safety every day?” His words came out in a French drawl, the word “safety” pronounced “saffe-tee.”
    “Sorry, General. It won’t happen again,” Alexa said, trying her best to suppress a smile.
    “You promise me now. You put your hand on your heart, and you swear to me you won’t try a stupid stunt like that again.”
    “I promise.”  
    “Let me talk to Batet.”  
    She handed the phone back to the major.  
    He took it with a sigh, making the yapping gesture with his hand. “Yes, General, I’ll tell her. Right away.” He took the phone from his ear and whispered to Alexa. “He says you need to swear, in front of me.”
    Alexa sighed and put her fist to her chest. “I swear.”  
    Batet cradled the receiver between his shoulder and ear while opening his drawer. He pawed around and dug out a silver hip flask. “Yes, General, I saw the official depth on her dive watch. No, it won’t come out, General.” Batet rolled his eyes. “We’ll keep the news as tight as a hornet’s ass.”  
    He took a swig from the flask and shook his hand, like he was in trouble. “Yes. Yes, sir, I do understand the gravity of the situation.” He sighed again, moving his head from side to side, willing the conversation to be over.   “Yes, I do apologize for my disrespectful tone. Yes, General. Very well. Good-bye. Yes, good-bye.” Batet slammed the phone down and shook his head. “You truly did get a bone stuck up that mongrel’s ass.”  
    Alexa and Kristian glanced at each other, trying to hide their smiles.
    “A world record, eh?” Batet said, offering the flask