Spying

"Something is wrong with Inna?" Alexis and Lily were sitting on some boxes, stored in the corner of the hangar, the woman in question was not here as she was working all night and now went to sleep.

"Yes, I sent her to the city now and when to get some supplies, but normally she gets back as soon as she is done. Lately she started getting back late and also going there on her days-off, even when there is no need to".

"What’s so strange here? Everybody likes to have fun from time to time".

"I know her for a few years already. She would rather stay in a hangar working with planes than go to a city. Typical girly pastimes just bore her".

"You think she got a boyfriend?"

"Exactly! I need to know for sure! Will you help me, Alexis?"

"Um, but why? You can go by yourself".

"If I go by myself, a bunch of guys will flock around me and it will spoil the plan. I need someone to repel them. I know you are also free a day after tomorrow and Inna will go to the city for supplies, so it is a perfect opportunity".

"Ok-ok, as much as it pains me, unless there is an emergency, I will assist you".

"Deal when!", Lily smiled and left.

Next day they found Inna arguing with Kates mechanic about something.

"I tell you: there is definitely an issue with the main amplifying crystal. We need to check for cracks, melts or chips there", Inna was removing the protection plate on one of the Kate's fighter amplifiers.

"But the issue was specifically with wind spells. We need to check the air crystal instead", the other girl, who’s name Alexis was always forgetting, said.

"Each main crystal's zone channels specific magic from individual magic crystals. If the issue was with them, spells would have been disrupted, not just weakened".

"But the pattern in this case is still different normally…"

"What is the matter, ladies? What are you arguing about?", a voice was heard from behind the Alexis.

"Commander Wheeler! We are just discussing the possible issue with the left magic amplifier here. I am sure it is with the main crystal while Jane insists it is the air one. Wind spells get sporadic weaker blasts".

«Oh, so she is called Jane. I should remember it», Alexis, intrigued, got closer.

"I would agree with comrade Waypass here. Had the same issue a few times while maintaining older «FI-16s»".

"You worked as a mechanic, commander?", Jane was surprised by the news.

"Yes, I actually finished mechanic courses first and worked as one for a few years before switching to piloting. Hey, do you have a spare robe?", one of the servicemen nodded and led Alex to the changing room. He got back in a few minutes dressed in a mechanic robe and went to Kate's fighter, "Let me take a look".

He looked at the amplifier for a few minutes.

"Guessed it! See, this small area on the main crystal melted due to overheat. The best way would have been to replace the crystal, but we do not have spares in the storage. Polishing it in shape should mitigate the issue, but I suggest checking the cooling system also and replace it as soon as we get a new shipment".

"Yes, sir! Thank you for your expertise!", both girls nodded.

"Not at all, ladies. Have a nice day ahead!", Alex smiled and left to the changing room.

"Isn’t he charming?!", Jane was really enamoured with the commander.

"Yeah, I think so…", and Inna also had a strange look on her face.

Next morning Alexis, dressed in civilian clothes, waited on the edge of the village.

"Not the most appropriate clothes, comrade Gruel", Lily, dressed in a fancy yellow dress, looked at his brown jacket, trousers, hunters cap and high boots.

"Maybe, but perfect for the road. Let’s go, my steed awaits", he took her hand and led her to a SUV standing on the road.

"«BAP-64», pretty fancy from you".

"I may not look like it, but I have even more kills than you do, so high command was pretty eager to gift me one for my service. Lets go".

It took them about two hours to get to the Benthorn City. The roads were in a bad shape due to a regular bombing, but the car was meant for bad roads. They left the car near the railway station.

"Inna's train should get here in about 15 minutes. Lets find a good place to spy on her", Lily led Alexis to the square near the station and they sat on a bench in the shade of trees.

The place had a good view on the station main entrance but enough cover not to be spotted. A few minutes later Inna, dressed in a plain blouse, trousers and boots, left the station.

"Lets follow her, keep your distance", Lily stood up as soon as Inna was far enough but still in their field of view.

"Yes, yes", Alexis lazily followed her.

First she went to the local hospital. Alexis intended to go in, but Lily stopped him.

"No need to check, her relative works here, she probably just went to get some hydrogen peroxide I asked for".

They waited in shade near the entrance. Indeed, Inna spoke with some woman in the uniform in foyer, took a package from her, and left.

Then she went to a local clothing shop. She looked at a nice blue dress on a stand for some time. The shop assistant asked her if she wants to try it on. Inna hesitated for a bit but agreed and went into the dressing room. Meanwhile, Lily was trying different fancy hats on the other side of the shop.

«Damn, she is really pretty. I have other things to think of during the missions but once you get in this peaceful environment… No wonder she has a lot of fans», Alexis was just sitting there looking at her.

"That is it, comrade Gruel", - Lily noticed his look, "falling in love with me? I thought I already turned you down".

"Who knows… and it is just Alexis, we are not on duty today".

"Don’t get your hopes up, Alexis... By the way, it’s time to go, Inna bought the dress and is leaving".

They left the shop and followed the woman further.

"She definitely got a boyfriend!", Lily was sitting at the table in the small cafe across the street from a fancy shoe store Inna went in.

"Maybe. But we are having a dance party next week. It is not that strange for her to get prettied up for the event", Alexis sat across her.

Two cups of coffee and some cakes were sitting on the table. There were some food shortages close to the front, but this place was far enough to face them, so people could still enjoy such small pleasures.

"I think that’s enough intel for now. Let us finish our coffee and get back", Lily turned to Alexis.

"Why don’t we walk a bit more? The weather is pretty nice today".

"It’s not a date, comrade…"

"How about visiting a flower shop at least?"

"I’m in, lets pay the bill and go!"

Next evening they spotted Inna and the other mechanic girl near the commanders office.

They were staring daggers at each other, but neither tried to go first.

"So that’s how it is…",  Alexis sight. "I feel bad for both of them".

"Why so?", Lily, who stand near him, asked.

"You’ll see. Lets go!", he approached the women and asked, "What’s the matter? If you have business with the commander, come in".

When he opened the door, they saw commander Wheeler happily chatting with a pretty woman with a black hair, slightly humped nose and green eyes. She wore a business suit and familiarly sat on the corner of the commanders table.

"Alec, you almost got wounded on the last mission. Be more careful…", the woman spotted the visitors, jumped on the flor and straightened her clothes. "Hello, Lex, long time no see!"

"Oh, hello, comrades, do you have some business with me? I presume not all of you are familiar with her. This is my fiancée, Mary".