Xiao Yan returned to his dorm and inspected himself in the mirror. The combat uniform completely hugged his figure, outlining the contours of his body. He could see the line of his muscles becoming more developed, their definition visible through the fabric. His is no longer such a weak chicken, but Winn said this wouldn't do. Compared to the other soldiers his body doesn't have near the vitality. He sullenly removed his combat uniform and after showering put on his student attire. He stood In front of the mirror adjusting his collar. Looking at the buttons he thought for a moment and then buttoned them up to his neck. He ran his fingers through his bangs. They were much longer than when he had first arrived.
Ugh. What is he thinking? This isn't an interview it is a stripper party. Maybe when he arrives at the restaurant he will find he is the only one in uniform.
Xiao Yan took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself to enter the restaurant. The entire space was darkened and the air was saturated in various alcohols. The window where food was usually distributed was being used as the bar.
All of the tables were pushed against the wall and some snacks were available, but mostly mixed drinks. Only a tenth of the special forces were retired so there were hundreds of commandos and researchers in training. Blues played in the background, occasionally interrupted by the shrill clashing of cymbals. Major Gordon was holding onto Jessica's hand as they danced. She pressed herself firmly into his arms and suggestively ran her knees over his calf, a smile tilting her mouth suggestively.
Xiao Yann looked around and saw Winn standing with a big smirk on his face and a glass in hand. Mark looked completely uninterested in the party until Liv tapped him on the shoulder, then the big man started grinning goofily. Xiao was about to step toward them when he was suddenly hugged from behind. The other person's head was pressed against his back and a exaggeratedly forlorn voice whined, "You are such a bastard."
Surprised, Xiao turned to grab their hand and grinned. "I'm sorry Casey."
"Sorry means nothing. I tried to contact you so many times. And did you ever reply?!"
"Don't be offended it was only because I have been too exhausted. I fall asleep as soon as I get back to my dorm."
Casey snorted "You don't seem too tired when there is a strip tease party! You never change!"
"Yeah..." Xiao Yan smiled sheepishly, but his eyes subconsciously searched the crowd. He didn't see Heine anywhere. Xiao Yan sighed sadly in his heart. Maya had miscalculated. Why would he think that Heine Burton would eve show up at such an event?
The blues music suddenly shifted to a fast paced electronic selection and the transition caused some energy to surge within Xiao Yan. The surrounding officers began whistling and whooping.
Someone dragged a chair to the center of the room and positioned it behind Gordon.
Jessica pushed him into the seat and immediately pulled his shirt open, causing excited shouts and groans to fill the room.
Xiao could not help but laugh, he didn't expect the serious General Gordon to be so easy going.
Jessica swung her hips to the music and eased off her uniform.
Everyone started going crazy, the shouts getting louder and more boisterous.
Xiao had to admire Gordon's fortitude. Soon Jessica was wearing only underwear and sitting atop him. He simply watched with the appreciation as one would have for an elegant opera
The song finishes and Jessica gets up as the light brighten. Everyone looks toward Gordon's pants to evaluate his reaction to Jessica's teasing. Their expectations were instantly deflated when they saw that Gordon did not react down there at all. Everyone's face fell in disappointment.
Someone shouted, " Major General likes men, of course he wouldn't have a response to Jessica!"
Everyone chimed in and said: "General, what type of man do you like!"
"If I say it, will that person come and perform for me?" Gordon apparently has no limits.
Casey and Xiao Yan look around the crowd, Xiao is eager to push forward and better see the general, but Casey blocks him from moving. Casey has never liked Xiao Yan's penchant for this type of entertainment.
"It is Lieutenant Ervel!" a quartermaster shouted. "Anytime you go to the Central Academy of Sciences it is to have tea Ervel."
It started as a joke but it rolled into something else rapidly
"Go! Go to the Central Academy of Sciences and get him!" Maya shouted happily.
Xiao Yan's face darkened, if he knew that these people were coming for him he would lock himself in his room.
"Wait a minute, is the striptease for Ervel or Gordon? Who is performing?" Mark once again displayed his dense wiring.
"Hey how can Gordon get him to strip down? Ervel being here would only be a novelty!" Winn chimed in.
The conversations of the special forces are moving into a sleazy direction. Several researchers looked at each other, their faces flushed with embarrassment.
"Haha, if you have the ability get Ervel here, then I have the ability get him to strip!" Major Gordon moved back and forth on the back of the chair while Jessica leaned against Gordon Major.
Winn suddenly shouted. "Everyone knows what a repressed and refined temperment Ervel has."
The restaurant burst into laughter. The researchers look on agitated, Ervel was their leader. It wasn't right for these special forces soldiers to make such off color jokes. They felt their dignity as a researcher was compromised. In their collective outrage they turned to leave, but before they reached the door they were stopped by a few soldiers.
"You... What are you trying to do?"
"Such a passionate dance party, it is no fun if people leave."
Someone lined up a row of chairs in the middle of the room. Several researchers protested ad struggled as they were pushed into the chairs. Obviously the special forces were looking to get some entertainment from the horrified researchers. Who wants to seriously protest hundreds of special forces commandoes? Xiao looks on, unwilling to get involved and risk losing a layer of flesh.
Casey carefully watches the events unfold and forcefully clamps onto Xiao's wrist, dragging him away from the crowd. Xiao Yan understood his concern and followed him to the corner of the room.
"What are you going to do?!" The flustered researchers yelled as they were forced into the chairs.
"We're going to report you to military services!" Their protests and threats were ignored.
A soldier sat atop one of the researchers. His fingers bushed his cheeks suggestively. "What are you so worried about? We don't want to kill you! You poor guys are cooped up in the lab all day, you should open your mind up to new things. Introduce some stimulation into your narrow view!"
Gordon pushed Jessica off of him and leaned forward, watching the terrified researchers.
"You should enjoy such service from our special forces. You won't get to see them dancing just any day. Now remember to tell Ervel and give my respects."
General Gordon has shown them exactly what kind of atmosphere he can command.
Xiao wrinkles his brow... the special forces dancing? He thought there were only a few women in the whole task force, let alone at this party. Looking around, he doesn't see another female other than Liv and Jessica.
Then several male soldiers in their uniforms sauntered toward the row of chairs with a sly smirk on their faces.
In his heart Xiao felt for the researchers. He saw Maya's devious expression, he may have a big heart but Maya didn't know when to stop.
Gordon returned to the crowd, eagerly anticipating the show. Suddenly he yelled through the throng of people.
"Has anyone seen Xiao Yan? How can we proved such a lovely service and not allow him to enjoy it?"
Xiao Yan shuddered and pressed his body against the wall, attempting to shrink into the corner.
Agh! General Gordon what have I done to you, for you to mess with me like this?
Everyone looked around for Xiao Yan. Although he didn't hold rank, he was well known from his missions with Heine Burton's team.
Right now, Xiao Yan wished he had invented a drug that could render him invisible.
Suddenly someone wrapped their arm around his waist and hoisted him up, smacking his ass.
"Got him! He was hiding over here!"
Xiao Yan eyes widened and he glared at the person ferociously.
Maya!
His angry eyes did not deter Maya in the slightest. he simply laughed and walked toward the center of the restaurant
'Xiao!" Casey's immense strength rivaled Maya's in the moment. He pulled at Xiao's arm as Maya gripped his waist. He was afraid, that if they didn't stop, his body was about to be torn in two.
"Let him go! Play your stripper games with yourselves. Why do you have to drag us into it." Casey was furious.
Several more special forces joined in and easily broke Casey's hold on Xiao Yan.
"I say, Lieutenant Casey, did you feel sore that Major General invited Xiao Yan and not you?! Don't worry, the next round is your turn!"
"Maya! You crazy bastard! Xiao Yan doesn't like this! You let him go!"
Casey was getting farther and farther from Xiao Yan, and the volume of the music increased as he approached the chairs. Xiao Yan suddenly had a feeling that his head was to burst apart.
"Maya, don't play! I really don't like this!" Xiao Yan hissed angrily at Maya.
Maya put Xiao Yan on the chair and leaned over him. "You really don't want to find out how much patience the colonel has for you?"
As he got up, Xiao Yan grabbed Maya. "He's not even here!"
Maya smiled mysteriously and released his hand, abandoning him with no sense of loyalty.
The raging dance music began to thrum, and as the drums began, the researchers on the seats stiffened their shoulders to face the enemy. The special forces in the military uniforms swayed with the music.
The researcher beside Xiao grabbed his arm and held his breath.
They all lowered their heads and made up their minds to not watch the performance.
Winn shouted, "Hey! We're dancing just for you, don't close your eyes!"
Everyone laughed again.
Xiao Yan gritted his teeth. Maya, I'll remember this! I will make sure to take it out on your hair!
The special forces are in front of them and one soldier lifted Xiao's lowered chin, forcing him to look up. He blew in his face and then ran his fingers through his hair before unbuttoning his collar.
Xiao Yan really regrets his choice in clothing. He shouldn't have listened to Wen's shit. This was why he wanted him to wear his student uniform. If he were in his combat uniform, they wouldn't be able to remove it.
"Baby, why don't you follow Gordon's lead and relax into it?" The soldier suggestively bantered with him.
Xiao Yan looked up with an odd gleam in his eye. The man across from him was not amazingly handsome, in fact he had a face that could easily be lost in a crowd, but Xiao remembers him from being part of Heine's team. His name was Ptole. Xiao found himself immediately calmed. Even if Heine's men were crazy, they won't cross the line.
Actually, if he thinks carefully, it's just stripping. When he was younger and crazy about going to bars, he had never been to a strip club. He never would have gone for something like this.
Now, he was able to appreciate his facial hair, his enthusiasm and the imagination of it all. How could this turn bad? Look at everyone else, they are Gordon's men and they are enjoying themselves. Not to mention the special forces were performing for him, what an amazing and novel experience.
This is something most wouldn't see in their whole life!
As the dancer approached him Xiao's eyes widened, taking the image in closer. The front of the man's body was wrapped in an officer's uniform, it didn't cling as tightly as a combat uniform but there was a feeling of professional taboo that was incredible alluring. The movements of his arms, the shift of his knees, his interaction with Xiao, even the rhythm of his feet had a totally different feel than Jessica's dance. There was a power pulsating through him, and Xiao found his heart keeping beat. Instantly the previously plain man in front of him blossomed into a beauty, his attractiveness undeniable. As his eyes fixed on Xiao, he found himself as accepting of it as Gordon was.
Ptole tore open his collar exposing his clavicle and most of his chest, the stripping movements followed the music and the sultry slapping kept the researchers eyes tightly shut against the sound. Xiao thought that if this guy was a woman she would pout seductively and offer her mouth.
It really is a learning experience!
Xiao Yan began to nod with the beat, his enthusiasm attracting the attention of the other special forces. They jumped in front of them and danced, jokingly pulling at his tight collar, even picking him up and bouncing with him in their arms. In less than three minutes, his front buttons flew off and his belt disappeared. His pants were barely clinging to his hips. The dancer leaned in very close to Xiao Yan...very very very close. They focused on only him. The other researchers looked at Xiao as their salvation.
By the end of the song he was entirely surrounded by special forces. This group of men, who lived their live at the ruthless bidding of blood and blade, were sitting on Xiao and teasing him. His chin was tilted up and wine was poured down his throat. Then he was picked up again, he began to blush as the vulgar movements and he was drowned in wine. The more flushed he was, the more excited the guys became. Ptole took Xiao from the chair and spun him around until he almost vomited.
"Hey, maybe we'll be on a mission together next time." Ptole smiled sweetly at him, laughing heartily at the suggestive undertone to their environment.
Xiao Yan was grabbed and lifted by another guy and rocked slowly, the movement became exaggeratedly slow, looking increasingly obscene. The alcohol started to move through his veins and he felt as though he were floating.
Through Casey's eyes, Xiao Yan had become a meal for the special forces who were all reaching for him. His angry shouts were drowned out by the noise from the music. General Gordon brought Jessica over to him and lowered his head to hide his amused expression at Casey's appalled outrage.
"Colonel, you're too serious. Look at Xiao Yan, he's having fun with everyone."
"Knock it off?" Casey's anger rose. "All it takes is one of them losing their restraint for moment and Xiao Yan could lose his life."
"If they lacked restrain they wouldn't have been able to enter the special task force." The voice of Major General Gordon sounded like ice hitting fire, a slight sizzle punctuated it.
Suddenly Maya parted the crowd and picked up the wobbly Xiao Yan. "Hey! Okay brother. You're feeling too good. It's time to go, otherwise these guys will end up covered in vomit."
The special forces around Xiao Yan laughed and then dispersed.
Maya picked up Xiao Yan and Mark followed behind him and shouted, "Hey! This guy is going to die knowing you're holding him like that, he'll wake up to either fight or fuck you!"
Everyone burst into a raucous laughter.
"Then he must fight me!"
As Maya passed by Casey, he winked at the furious researcher. Casey went to move forward but was blocked from getting to Xiao. He wanted to push through, but was worried he would become the attraction in another run of the strip show
The door to the restaurant slid open and the air was no longer saturated with alcohol. Xiao opened his eyes and saw Maya's face. Although he was still very dizzy, his mind was relatively clear.
"Let me... down..."
"Are you sure you know where you're going?" Maya asked, laughing.
"Better than being carried like this." Xiao is insistent.
Maya set Xiao Yan down and he instantly collapsed, his wobbly legs giving out beneath him.
"Haha. Your face is all red, your uniform is torn, your legs are soft; you look like I just took you to bed."
Maya easily pulled Xiao Yan up and helped him slowly walk down the corridor.
"This does not seem to be ... ... the direction of my room ... ..." Xiao Yan frowned.
"Oh, it seems like I should give you a few more drinks." Maya said enigmatically.
Xiao Yan wants to turn around, but is held by Maya's shoulder and continues to move forward.
"I want to vomit ..." Xiao Yan's stomach churns and he claps a hand over his mouth.
"Hold it in. There is a bathroom in the training room here. You can vomit there."
Maya walked up to the door to the training room. The minute it slid open, Xiao rushed in. The problem was the layout was completely different from the room he was used to and he stumbled around unable to find the bathroom. Eventually he just vomited where he stood.
"Hey! Ah! Come on." Maya grabbed Xiao by the collar and pulled him toward the bathroom.
Xiao Yan lowered his head and again vomited up the contents of his stomach.
"What's going on." A distinctively deep and cold voice pierced the air and drove into Xiao's skull.
His shoulders instantly stiffened and Maya turned around.
"Ah Boss are you still here?"
Heine Burton was wearing a special eyepiece for shooting, his hair was combed back further accentuating his chiseled features. He stood in the doorway with a gun in each hand. His expression was as indifferent as ever.
"Oh... Xiao Yan drank too much at Gordon's birthday party." Maya pulled at Xiao Yan as he took two steps and stood firm.
Heine stared Maya and Xiao admired Maya's determination. Most people would be unable to bear the penetrating and oppressive eyes of Heine Burton.
"He is drunk, got confused in the hall and headed in the wrong direction. He wandered into the training room and had to vomit...so..."
Xiao admiration of Maya dissolved into a feeling of betrayal. I went in the wrong direction? I picked this training room? Can't you stop me? Xiao Yan regrets for the second time that night that he hasn't been researching a substance that could make him instantly invisible. No matter the size of the needle he has to use, he is willing to bear it at this moment.
"Clean it up." Heine says nothing more. He turns back to the target and continues to shoot.
The heaviness in the air suddenly relieves and Xiao Yan exhaled deeply, his breath blowing onto Maya.
"Ugh Hey, you just vomited everywhere. Keep it to yourself and clean up."
"I can't move..." Xiao Yan leaned against the wall of the bathroom and slid down. His eyes communicated his feelings clearly-- "The Colonel didn't even look at me."
Maya sighed in exasperation and took out a cleaning device. He clamped his nose and cleaned up Xiao's vomit. Heine was still shooting, his results in the simulation are unbeatable. Suddenly Maya's com rang. It was Jessica. She ordered him back to the party and chastised him for neglecting his duty to protect the General. Maya looked awkwardly over at Heine, who was adjusting the settings of the simulation.
Rubbing at his nose, Maya walked back into the bathroom and squatted in front of the drowsy Xiao Yan.
"Hey brother, you can't sleep in the bathroom."
Xiao Yan snorted softly.
Maya sighed and stood up to see Heine was behind him. He had completed the simulation in less than a minute.
"Uh,..Boss...Jessica ordered me to return..."
Heine returns the gun to its rightful place and turned around. "Do you know what you have done?"
Maya's form slumped slightly and his stoic expression melted away to chagrin.
"I know."
"Say it!"
*********I know! I know! I am already proofing the next chapter to get it up as soon as possible. I figure everyone will curse me with the fire of a thousand suns if I left you hanging here, so I will get the next one up soon. It is a good one too!!! There will probably be a delay after that since I don't have my computer. I also post the beginning of Bully In The Foxhole, it reads as a bit of a short at the beginning and then time jumps afterward. ********