Isabella agrees to raise morale

Isabella hesitated.

"What exactly do you have in mind?"

General Serrano smiled.

"Follow me. I will explain on the way."

They made their way back towards a large, drab building, the sun now high overhead. The air was stifling, and Isabella was sweating under her dress. The fabric clung to her curves, accentuating her ample breasts and wide hips, and the humidity made her black hair hang limp around her shoulders.

Stepping into the building, Isabella realised it was the mess hall, with rows of tables and benches, and a kitchen at one end. In the center of the room, there was a pole with a small platform attached, and a single chair sat next to it.

A handful of soldiers were sitting around, eating their lunches.

"Here, our men eat their meals and enjoy certain recreational activities." General Serrano explained. "I had some of my men build the stage so that we can hold performances here. Of course, they are mostly used to local whores or captured guerillas, certainly not a beautiful, refined young lady like yourself."

Isabella's jaw dropped. He couldn't be serious.

"General, are you implying that you want me to dance on that stage? And, perhaps, do other things as well?"

"No, Presidente. I am not implying anything. You need to give your men a reason to follow you. Right now, the only thing that matters is what they see in you. Your beauty, your grace, your confidence. If you cannot display those, then the men will never respect you."

He was right. Her beauty, her body, was the one thing she had going for her, the one thing that set her apart from the men. But dancing in front of a bunch of horny soldiers, doing who knows what else? It was demeaning, degrading. She would never be able to look her men in the eye again.

But was it worth it? If it kept the country from slipping into a bloody civil war, then maybe, just maybe, she could live with herself.

"Fine, I will do it."

"Excellent, Presidente. The men will not forget this for a long time."

"Attention!" General Serrano turned and barked.

The men sprang to attention and saluted sharply, their eyes widening as they caught sight of Isabella.

"Men, you stand before Presidente Isabella, the new Commander-in-Chief of Montesoro. Her father was murdered by guerillas last night. Now, I understand you boys are raring to go and lay waste to her enemies. However, you need to wait until the order is given. Until then, the Presidente recognises your dedication, and she is willing to grant you a small show of her appreciation."

The men were grinning now, their eyes filled with a hunger that sent a shiver down Isabella's spine.

"Men, this is the one and only time you will ever have a woman such as the Presidente serve you. You are not to touch her, and should any of you dare to lay a finger on her, you will be shot. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir!" the soldiers bellowed in unison.

"Now go spread the message and gather the men. I want full strength by 1230, or else everyone's doing drills instead of watching this beautiful woman give us a show."

The soldiers quickly dispersed, leaving only Isabella and Serrano alone in the mess hall.

"What do you think, Presidente? Still think it's worth it to protect some jungle rats?"

Isabella nodded slowly, trying to keep her composure.

"Then take your place on the stage and prepare yourself. The men will be here shortly."

[Military+10]