Chapter 192 Hair Leashes And Classified Shenanigans
Linsley's expression was flat, his grip unwavering. "The Superpower God's human incarnation shouldn't be complaining about something as trivial as this. Suck it up and deal with it."
Aurielle stared at him, her mouth opening and closing in mock outrage. "Excuse me? Just because I'm the Superpower God doesn't mean I'm immune to the indignity of having my hair used as a leash!"
She tugged at his grip, her tone turning sarcastic. "Do you plan to drag me around by it? What's next? A collar?"
Linsley's tone was equally sharp. "If that's what it takes to keep you from running off, don't tempt me."
His eyes narrowed as he leaned closer, his voice low but firm. "Don't even think about leaving. I'm not letting you out of my sight, and you're going to stay with me—where I can keep an eye on you."
Aurielle blinked, a slow smile spreading across her face as she tilted her head, her hair still firmly in his grasp. "Oh? Is that a confession, Linsley? Do you really hate the sight of me leaving so much? How romantic."
Linsley's jaw tightened, but he didn't rise to her bait. "Romantic, my ass. You're the Diviner World's last line of defense, and I'm not about to let you play games when the entire universe is on the line."
Aurielle huffed, crossing her arms. "You're no fun, you know that? Always so serious. Fine, I'll go with you. But could you let go of my hair now? Or do you plan to carry me around like a prize?"
Linsley released her without a word, watching as she smoothed her hair with exaggerated care. She muttered something under her breath about inconsiderate men, but her amused grin betrayed her true feelings.
"Well then," she said cheerfully, gesturing ahead. "Lead the way, oh mighty Lieutenant General. Let's see just how thrilling your headquarters can be."
Linsley didn't respond, striding toward their destination without sparing her another glance. Aurielle followed, her steps light and carefree, a playful energy radiating from her as if the earlier scene had only added to her entertainment.
When they reached a quiet, empty corridor, Linsley halted. His hand moved swiftly, reaching into the air as if grasping at nothing.
A faint shimmer appeared, and moments later, a sleek metallic object materialized in his hand—a gun, but unlike any ordinary firearm. Intricate engravings shimmered across its surface, their glow pulsating faintly like a heartbeat.
Aurielle tilted her head, curiosity dancing in her eyes. "A gun, huh? Didn't take you for the type to shoot first and ask questions later."
Linsley gave her a sharp glance, his voice cold. "It's not a weapon. It's a tool."
He aimed the barrel at the air before them, and with a pull of the trigger, a loud hum reverberated through the corridor.
The space before them twisted and bent unnaturally, forming a swirling portal of vivid blues and whites, its edges crackling with an almost electric energy.
Aurielle clapped her hands softly, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Oh, I see. You've got a little gift for bending reality. How charming. Is this your personal magic trick, or is there more where that came from?"
"Get through it," Linsley said curtly, stepping toward the portal.
Aurielle sauntered closer, inspecting the portal as if considering whether to step inside. "You know, you could have just walked like everyone else. But no, you had to pull out your fancy 'Unlimited Gun Works' routine."
Linsley's patience visibly thinned. "It's faster. Move."
Aurielle shrugged, stepping through with an exaggerated flourish, her laughter echoing faintly as she disappeared into the portal.
…
The portal opened into a brightly lit room with clean, polished surfaces and an organized, militaristic aesthetic. Rows of desks lined with computers hummed faintly, their monitors displaying streams of data and images.
Soldiers in uniform straightened at the sound of Linsley's boots hitting the tiled floor, snapping crisp salutes in his direction.
Their disciplined demeanor faltered, however, as their eyes landed on Aurielle, who stepped through the portal with an exaggerated twirl, her lively expression in stark contrast to the room's somber atmosphere.
"At ease," Linsley barked, his tone commanding and leaving no room for hesitation.
The soldiers relaxed their stances but couldn't stop themselves from sneaking glances at Aurielle, their expressions a mix of curiosity and wariness.
One of the braver soldiers hesitated before clearing his throat. "Sir, if I may… Who is she?"
Aurielle beamed at the question, clasping her hands behind her back. "Oh, I'm just his shadow, tagging along for the fun."
Linsley shot her a sharp look, silencing her with his glare before addressing the soldier. "She's classified. Focus on your tasks."
The soldier stiffened and nodded, though the curiosity lingered in his eyes.
Linsley strode past the rows of desks without another word, heading toward the quieter corridors that led to his office.
Aurielle trailed after him, her presence like a ripple of chaos in the otherwise orderly environment.
The murmurs among the soldiers were almost audible despite their attempts to whisper.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om
Linsley was a familiar figure—respected for his competence, feared for his no-nonsense demeanor—but the sight of him accompanied by someone so carefree was unsettling.
Aurielle leaned closer to Linsley, her voice pitched just loud enough to carry. "You're quite the celebrity. I bet they've never seen you with such charming company."
He didn't reply, quickening his pace as the mechanical hum of the facility replaced the distant chatter of the soldiers.
The harsh fluorescent lighting reflected faintly off the plain walls of the corridor.
Aurielle's footsteps were soft, but her words were anything but subtle. "You know," she began, her tone teasing, "you'd make fewer enemies if you smiled once in a while. Maybe even said hi to your subordinates instead of glaring at them like they owe you money."
"I don't need their approval," Linsley said curtly. "Or yours."
Aurielle smirked, pretending to gasp in mock offense. "Commander Linsley, was that… sass? I'm impressed. There might be hope for you yet."
Linsley ignored her as they reached his office door, a sturdy, reinforced design that reflected both security and formality. He unlocked it with a practiced swipe of his ID card, and the door clicked open smoothly, revealing the room beyond.
Inside, the office retained its spacious yet reserved design. The large mahogany desk sat at the center, its surface almost bare save for a meticulously organized stack of documents and a streamlined communication terminal.
To one side, the tall windows let in streams of natural light, illuminating the dark wood tones and subtle metal accents that gave the room a balance between functionality and authority.
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Shelves lined one wall, holding binders of classified reports, operational maps, and strategic reference materials. The only decoration in the otherwise austere space was a single, understated painting that added a note of solemnity.
Linsley strode to the desk without a word, pulling out the chair and sitting down. His focus shifted immediately to the stack of reports awaiting his attention.
Flipping open the top folder, he began scanning its contents with precision, a pen in hand to highlight key points.
Aurielle followed him in, her steps light as she surveyed the space. She wandered toward the windows, the sunlight catching her golden-blonde hair.
With a mock sigh, she turned to face him. "Nice place. Though it's a bit… stiff, don't you think? Maybe a splash of color? Or a plant? Something to prove you're not a robot in disguise."
"You're not here to critique the décor," Linsley replied curtly, not lifting his eyes from the report.
Aurielle leaned casually against the desk, peering over his shoulder.
Her violet eyes sparkled with mischief as she teased, "Then what am I here for? You're the one who dragged me along, remember?"
"You're here because I don't trust you wandering freely," Linsley said bluntly, pausing to glance at her with an unyielding stare. "I need to figure out exactly what you're after before you cause more chaos."
Her smile widened, her voice dripping with mock innocence. "Chaos? Me? I'm just here for the ride. Besides, it's not like I asked for that fancy gun show back there. But hey, it was entertaining."
Linsley's eyes narrowed.
Before he could respond, a sharp knock came at the door, accompanied by a muffled voice. "Lieutenant General Sinclair, a priority message just came in from Central Command."
With a resigned sigh, Linsley set the folder down carefully, ensuring it remained perfectly aligned on the desk. "Understood. I'll be there shortly," he called out, his voice clipped but composed.
Rising from his seat, he turned toward Aurielle, his tone firm and unwavering. "Stay here. Don't touch anything."
Aurielle raised her hands in mock surrender, her violet eyes gleaming with mischief. "Aye, aye, Commander," she quipped, her grin widening.
Linsley gave her one last warning glance before striding toward the door.
As it clicked shut behind him, the room fell into a heavy silence, the faint hum of the air conditioning the only sound.
For a brief moment, Aurielle remained motionless, her expression unreadable.
Then, slowly, her gaze shifted to the desk, lingering on the neatly arranged files stacked with military precision. Her playful grin returned, deepening as curiosity lit her features.
"Well, well," she murmured, her voice barely audible as she reached for the nearest folder. "Let's see what secrets you've been keeping, Linsley."