Chapter 100 - Veronas Past (1/2)

Gray received instructions from the girls that Major Valen was ready and they were just giving him some pep talks. Gray was honestly afraid to ask for more details on that so instead asked Verona where and when to meet up with Major Valen.

"Major Valen? Who is that?"

Gray cursed himself and had to think of something quick.

"He's my superior officer, but I imagine we'll run into him eventually." This technically wasn't a lie, so while it did sound strange, Verona was not suspicious.

"If you say so, might be interesting to meet someone that can order your lazy butt around even if it's only in a game!" Verona said with a smile.

"I'm not THAT lazy! At least... not anymore..."

"I can't say for sure since I don't see you much on here, but given how loyal your friends are I'd say you're at least working hard enough to earn their trust." Verona said while patting Gray's arm.

Gray blushed slightly and then felt himself shudder as he felt intense killing intent coming from nearby. Looking at the officer's quarters, he saw Yurika peeking at him through the window, her teal twin tails appeared to be bristling and her eyes were red. Next to her, Major Valen stood glaring at Gray, he didn't look angry at all, and that frightened Gray as much as Yurika did.

Gray gulped and started to sweat, Verona turned to look where Gray had looked before and only saw Major Valen smiling nicely and waving at her.

"Oh, there is Gene!" Verona said

"Yeah, well, now is as good a time as ever, I'll take you to our Diamond-Tier rec room and you can meet up with Gene there, it's usually empty at this time of day."

"Ok, I didn't know Gene was a Diamond-Tier."

"He's not, but he has... special status here so he can get in without being escorted by a Diamond-Tier"

"Ok, I'll find somewhere comfortable to relax... um... I do have one question though Gray... Would you consider Gene to be a friend of yours?"

Gray thought about it for a moment, he didn't hate Major Valen, actually felt grateful towards him. From the information and help he gave him earlier with how to setup an independent mercenary group, the advice given, and even his straightforward personality, Gray did like him.

"Yeah, I'd consider him a friend."

"That's good... can you wait close by then just in case?"

Gray was a little confused "Just in case what? Are you afraid he's going to attack you or something?"

Verona laughed "Oh no, not at all! Gene is a giant pussycat, I want you there for him though."

Gray merely nodded and didn't ask for more detail as her saying that was quite ominous to him.

Gray sent out a message to Yurika that said to send Major Valen over to the Diamond-Tier rec room in a minute or two.

Gray paid for Verona and himself to enter the lounge and the door opened up for them.

Seeing Gray pay without even asking her, Verona then pinched Gray's cheek and said, "Glad to see your parents raised you to be polite, but you should also consider the other woman's feelings, I like to at least get a chance to offer to pay for things sometimes."

"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind then. Remember though, I'm sometimes selfish and I like to take or do what I want." Gray said with a grin.

"Hmm, so since you never tried to take me, does that mean you don't want me?" Verona said teasingly with a seductive smile. She then turned away from Gray before he could respond and added "I'll be over here, sit somewhere out of listening range please."

Verona walked over to the lounge area and sat on a couch with her legs crossed, resting casually.

Gray finally recovered from his stupor and decided to head over to the bar. He has used it once before, but the whole bar experience he found was lacking here as it needed a few more people and a human bartender.

Gray thought to himself "Well, at least the AI bartender doesn't need to be tipped and never gets the drinks wrong, not that it's hard to get a plain fountain drink wrong."

Major Valen appeared in the entryway and walked down the stairs onto the main floor of the rec room. Verona waved to him and called out "Over here Gene!"

Major Valen smiled warmly at her, this creeped Gray out a little as Gray watched him approach her. The only smile Gray had ever seen on Major Valen was the kind one gives when trying to hide their anger.