like me.”
“Oh, stop! He betrayed you! You’re not a slut. You’re the victim. And I wouldn’t give these guys here a free pass. There are plenty of pigs to go around.”
“I know, I know. And I wouldn’t date a squadron guy, but it is a big ship. Maybe one exception,” Shane offered with a smile.
“Who?”
“Trench is cute.” Wonder Woman shrugged and smiled as she said it.
“Oh, no! You need to give him a wide berth, girlie. He’s interested in only one thing.”
“Don’t worry. I wouldn’t start an office romance… but those muscles! Are you interested in him?”
“No way! He’s the lead pig! He doesn’t respect you, and you are just a notch in his belt. Besides, the Firebird guys are like brothers, and they call me a dude with hair. But Trench — and Coach, too — are two guys I avoid.”
“Why don’t you like him?” Shane asked.
“Because he thinks he’s God’s gift and that all women are his playthings — to be abused, verbally and otherwise.”
“Did he…?”
“Omigosh, no! Look, he’s nice to you now. Hell, every swingin’ dick on the ship is nice to you, but you are a piece of meat to him. He’s a Neanderthal and doesn’t think any of us chicks should be here, even the XO.”
Troubled, Shane looked away. “I just want to do my job and be respected for it.”
Macho rolled her eyes. “Do you think those guys in the metro office give the snot-nosed male intel officers personal tours of the tower? Or horse-faces like me? Fuck no. Your face looks like Miss America, and your body looks like Miss July. They are guys, young virile guys, and they’re after you. And if you don’t watch yourself, you’re going to get hurt.”
Stung, Shane said nothing, and an uneasy silence filled the stateroom. Shane checked for something on her desk, and Macho went back to her email, both still conscious of the exchange.
“I’m sorry,” Shane said.
“Hey, I’m sorry. It’s just that I want to protect you. Girls come aboard and are the flavor-of-the-month until the next one shows up. You’re showing your chops as an intel officer and gaining credibility around here, and that’s hard to do with these a-holes. The non-pilot males have it much harder. If they shrink away from the needling, they’re treated like shit. At least you have their attention. I’m not sure how much listening they’re doing, but you have their attention. Keep giving good briefings and it will sink in.”
Shane smiled in appreciation. “I think your face is pretty.”
Macho exhaled and smiled back. “Thanks,” she replied, grateful — as any woman living on the gray warship would be — for a rare personal compliment.