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The inside of the cruiser was astonishingly comfortable compared to what it looked like from the outside. The bland gray color of raw steel on the outside contrasted with the light brown coloring of the inner walls. The forward most of the cabin held Warlord Fennis' personal area consisting of a large metal desk on one side with the back wall, opposite of where the driver would be, covered by a workstation that included a communication board as well as a personal terminal. The other wall had storage shelving and two lockers for the warlords personal attire and combat uniforms, including his dress uniform for ceremonial visits. The mid section of the cabin was dedicated to Fennis' guards needs. Weapon racks, ammo storage, replacement parts for the heavy armor, a small medical area for wound treatment, and the seating for the guards themselves which had three seats on each side of the cabin. The rear section was modular to accommodate a variety of different occasions whether the space be needed for storage, or as it was currently crafted for carrying more passengers on one side and a large horizontal cylinder on the other. Jerec and the four other squad members were in seats that attached directly to slots in the walls of the rear area staring at the cylinder that contained their squad leader. A sensory deprivation unit as the warlord had called it, kept Kaltos from knowing what was happening outside of it. It had taken every ounce of restraint Jerec had to keep himself from intervening as he had watched Fennis' guards insert his friend into that tube and restrain him into the netting within it. The only slight satisfaction Jerec could hold to was that it showed just how much Fennis feared Kaltos' abilities that he would go to such lengths to make sure Kaltos wouldn't be able to get anywhere near Fennis. The cylinder was airtight with a ventilation system attached to the front of the tube and could only be opened from the rear when the ramp was down. With the ramp closed snug against the cover to the opening it was impossible to get the opening off. Jerec had gone through several possible rescue scenarios in his head, but all meant going through the six guards and Fennis himself. Not to mention he wasn't even sure his own squad mates would help or hinder him. They were all good wolfen as well as soldiers, but they didn't have the time together like he and Kal did. The longest other serving squad member barely had six months with the squad. He just couldn't assume any of them would rise against a renown warlord like Fennis. The warlord himself sat in a large high backed chair that had obviously been custom crafted to fit his large frame. Thick red cushioning covered the chair from head to seat to give the warlord maximum comfort while traveling. Numerous commendation award parchments and medals covered the walls in Fennis' personal area as well, it sickened Jerec at how engrossed in himself Fennis was. The arrogance displayed in this cruiser was everything a warlord was supposed to not be, they were supposed to be pinnacles of what every Feron was to strive for in a leader, not a sycophant unto their own glory. Jerec needed a word with the warlord, now. When he stood up from his seat the guard nearest him jumped up and thrust his scabbarded sword end into Jerec's chest, "Where do you think your going?" This guard stood a hand shorter than Jerec, approximately as tall as Kal he thought. "I need a word with the warlord." Fennis, obviously aware of the commotion, spoke up, "Let the Lancer through Gorum, he obviously has something he needs to get off his chest." Jerec glared at the guard as he stepped aside to let Jerec through. Jerec walked past the guard and glanced his shoulder into the guards, knocking him off balance. "Enough with the posturing Lancer, we are all Feron here. No need to start a fight you can't finish." the warlord quipped as Jerec approached. Fennis shoved a tall stool toward Jerec with his leg for him to sit on. "You think that one would be any kind of a problem for me? Haven't we had that conversation already?" Jerec said as he sat on the stool. "Its not him you would have to worry about, the moment you made a move on him the others would have been on top of you before you made a second move. I trained my guards personally Lancer, they are the best Feron unit outside the Warmaster's own private force." Fennis said with a wry smile. "I think Warlord Pian might have a disagreement with that summation Warlord. Her stalker unit has had the best fighting ratio for some time now." Jerec interjected. A scowl crossed Fennis' face at the mention of another warlord. "Pfft, Pian's little stalker unit has never been tested by anything other than those pathetic felines up north. Hardly what I would call anything to brag about. Now, these six here," as he motioned towards his guards, who were all watching Jerec intently not being comfortable with their master being so close to someone so openly hostile to the warlord, "are put into open combat against each other on a regular basis. And trust me lancer, they don't go easy on each other. If I felt any one of them wasn't performing at their highest level they'd have me to deal with, and I know my reputation is well know to you seeing as how you restrained yourself back in that forest." The warlord leaned back in his opulent chair before continuing his bragging, "I'd put any one of them against three of Pian's stalkers any day, Lancer." "You keep calling me by the rank I previously held of Lancer, why?" Jerec questioned. The warlord shrugged his shoulders slightly, "Once a Lancer, always a Lancer. I read the profiles of all of your squad. Besides, its obvious in the way you carry yourself that you have never given up the way of the heavy soldier. Brute strength is what gets us through battle and brings us the glory and respect we deserve. Even Warmaster Fay'ad's personal contingent is made of mostly Lancers." The warlord turned his chair around and pressed a button on the console now in front of him. Jerec's entire military profile filled the screen directly in front of Fennis while he continued the conversation, "Do you miss it, Jerec Forith? Being a Lancer, imposing your will on your enemy and crushing them under your feet? Or has time without the tools of our ways softened you too much?" Jerec bristled at such an insult, "If you think me soft Warlord, maybe when we reach Swordhaven we can find some time for the arena, I'd be happy to thin your guards ranks a little." The large chair spun back around, an evil grin on the warlords face, "Now that is the attitude of a true Lancer, never backing down or accepting an insult. But be careful wolfen, if I do find the time I just may take you up on that offer. I'd love to see an experienced campaign Lancer take on one of my own." Jerec started to get up from his stool when the warlord motioned him to sit back down. "We can sit here all day trading barbs, but I think you came to me for other reasons, am I correct?" Jerec composed himself in order to concentrate on his real issue at the moment. Exchanges like the one that he just allowed himself to be pulled into will get him nowhere. "I think that goes without question. My concern at the moment is the unnecessary incarceration of my squad leader." The warlord leaned back in his chair again, "Kaltos Darksbane is currently under arrest for the crime of treason for disobeying a direct order from Warmaster Fay'ad. His incarceration as you call it is not only warranted but commanded by the Warmaster himself. Warmaster Fay'ad is not a fan of treason against his will." Jerec quickly responded with, "They surrendered...", "Irrelevant, Lancer. An order from the Warmaster supersedes any standing order, you know this." "We had no idea the order came from him, we were under the impression the order had come from you. Because of that when they surrendered," at that the warlord cut Jerec off, "That surrender was bullshit and you know it! You can't sit here and tell me that with the ultimate element of surprise along with our superior Feron skills, led by one of our tribes enhanced soldiers nonetheless, none of you was able to score a kill? Much less even wound any of them except for Darksbane placing one precision hit in a way that suspiciously looks intentional to wound but not kill. It seems to me you and Darksbane tried to find a way out of carrying out the order for some reason or another. That is why Darksbane is under arrest and being transported in such fashion. His punishment has already begun. Be thankful the responsibility is all his and doesn't fall on the rest of you as well." Jerec stiffened upright, "I'd gladly share any punishment being given out alongside Kaltos." "I can see that you would, you are starting to make that abundantly clear. That is also why I'm glad you decided to speak with me. You and Darksbane have served together for a while now haven't you? Four years is a long time out in the field, especially in battle. You get to know your comrades quite well when each others lives depends on everyone doing their duty. You must know Darksbane quite well by now. Tell me, why would he disregard an order?" Fennis asked. Jerec wasn't falling for it, he knew if he made it known he was aware they were disobeying an order he would be complicit in the treason. He wouldn't give Fennis the satisfaction of placing him under arrest as well. Better to stay out of entrapment for the moment in case an opportunity did suddenly present itself to get him and Kaltos out of their current predicament. The Warlord noticed the contemplation on Jerec's face, "Have no fear Lancer, the Warmaster is unconcerned with the rest of your squad. He is solely focused on Darksbane and his betrayal, he could care less if your entire squad was involved. This is not him questioning you, I am merely curious." Jerec stared the warlord hard in the eyes, noticing the gold yellow coloring were the same as his own before being satisfied the warlord was being genuine. "I doubt one such as yourself who is devout to your 'duty' would ever understand, but the answer is actually quite simple. The order was wrong. Nothing more, nothing less. Just wrong on all levels." The warlord looked puzzled, and asked, "Could you explain exactly what about the order was 'wrong'? I don't see the relevance." Jerec replied, "Gladly. To start, we are wolfen and wolfen don't kill needlessly. That is something that is ingrained within us since birth. Yes, some have been able to suppress that instinct," leveling his eyes at the warlord, "but some of us still hold to that instinct so as not to cause another catastrophe like the fall of the kingdom. Secondly, it would have led to all out war between the other tribes and Feron. Kaltos and I are both aware of the current political landscape of the wolflands. We know that killing that squad would, or rather I should say, will now cause the other tribes to unite against us. We could not have that on our conscience as being the ones responsible for such an event, directly or indirectly." The warlord, still leaning back in his chair, started stroking the under side of his chin, contemplating Jerec's words. "Conscience is a notion soldiers would do better without. It serves no purpose on the battlefield other than to muddle a soldier's mind, possibly causing them to hesitate when they should act." Jerec shook his head, "And that is what separates leaders like Kaltos from those such as yourself. Look ahead to this coming war that is all but inevitable, how many Feron will die in the fighting? How many of our brothers and sister Feron must die in a needless war, against other wolfen no less. Did you or the Warmaster ever consider that, or were you caught up in your own potential glorification of yourselves that other Feron lives became meaningless? Trust me, Kaltos has no concern for the other tribes, but when it comes to other Feron, especially Feron troops, he wants no one to die without good reason." Fennis had finally stopped stroking his lower jaw, "That would be the first redeeming thing to me I have heard you speak about Darksbane. And as far as what plans the Warmaster has you would have to ask him yourself, he has made nothing of them known to me except those orders which he personally gave to me. I'll be generous and give you a little insight into what has transpired to lead us to where we are now. A while back the Warmaster gave me instructions to keep an ear out for situations like you and your squad ran into where another tribe's soldiers had found their way into Feron lands. I was then to get into immediate contact with the Warmaster. So when I heard of Darksbane's report of an Avarash patrol doing just so I contacted him as ordered. I'll admit even I was taken aback slightly, briefly mind you, at the order I was given to relay. But then I became excited to get to know that our ways were to be finally tested against the ultimate opponent in other wolfen. I was a little disappointed that it would have to be Avarash, but still it would have given us at least something to gauge our combat abilities against. To then hear that they had surrendered so quickly raised both my ire and my suspicions. I reported the result to the Warmaster, and believe me that to say he became enraged would be an understatement. He gave me full reign in how to bring Darksbane back to him, restricting me in nothing I wanted to do. The only warning he gave me was that with Darksbane being an enhanced soldier I would probably want to take all precautions conceivable. The thought of mine at the time after hearing that from the Warmaster was that we might have a rogue enhanced soldier on the loose. So when making contact with Darksbane I took zero risks in him having a chance to revolt. Unofficially, I was hoping for a chance to see Darksbane in action. With all the stories I've heard of his exploits I wanted to know if they were true or just propaganda. But, of course that didn't happen. As you well saw he gave me no resistance, making it easy for me to reign him in." Anger started rising in Jerec again and he had to speak through his teeth to say, "All you had to do was tell him he was to report to the Warmaster, and he would have complied." "Maybe," the warlord replied, "but then again I had no idea of what his plans were at that time and couldn't take any chances. Put yourself in my boots at that time, would you have done any different than I did? Would you take any chances when trying to handle a potential enemy you had no knowledge of? I don't think you would have." Jerec leaned back as far as he could, thinking it over. He couldn't argue the logic in the warlords thinking. "I hate to say it, but I understand what you were trying to accomplish. But the severity of the lengths you went to, I would have at least given Kaltos the chance to surrender instead of ambushing him." Fennis laughed at Jerec, "I'm not known for my kindness Lancer, I give my enemies no leeway." The warlord raised up out of his chair, moving forward and clasping Jerec on the shoulder, "At least you can admit to understanding my point of view." Jerec stood up as well, "And what of the Avarash squad? Was that necessary, you probably just started a war." "Also the Warmaster's orders, no witnesses, no survivors except their leader who is to be turned over to the Warmaster as well." "What will become of the Avarash leader?" Jerec asked while looking toward the medical area of the cruiser that now held Sirion's unconscious body. "You are asking the wrong person. Even if I did know, I probably wouldn't tell you anyway. Best for you not to dwell on it I think." Fennis said as he leaned against the desk attached to the wall. Jerec turned his back to the warlord and started back to the seat he previously occupied in the rear of the cabin before stopping suddenly. Without turning around he asked, "Any chance I could convince you to at least release him from that tank?" Fennis didn't even bat an eye before answering, "I believe you already know the answer to that question, so I won't even bother." Jerec nodded his head and returned to his seat and prepared for the long trip to Swordhaven. Conscious awareness came slowly to Kaltos. His head was spinning when he started to feel the pain on the right side of his face and his left side torso. The warlord's kicks had been devastatingly brutal. He wouldn't be surprised if he had some fractures in both areas. As he became fully aware he felt as if he was floating for a few seconds before feeling the netting he was attached to that kept him from any hard surface. Opening his eyes he was surprised to only be greeted by pitch blackness. He could feel his eyes were open, but nothing was there. "Am I blind?" Kaltos asked out loud, hearing his own muffled voice through the muzzle. No answer came from anywhere. No noise of any kind to be exact. So weird, Kaltos thought, I can hear my own voice but absolutely nothing else. And what's with the muzzle, were they afraid I was going to bite someone? That goddamned Fennis was the one who attacked me. Anger welled in him. Pulling against the restraints on his hands he could feel the tightness to his body that was caused by the full restraints that tied him from hands to toes. The chains had been wrapped around his waist and locked together then down to the shackles on his feet, so that all he could do was wiggle around in the netting that held him. The situation was completely unnerving being so helpless. He then felt his anxiety skyrocketing and started to reactively go into breathing techniques to control his nerves. 'Calm yourself, Kaltos. Don't let fear control you, think.' He knew he needed to come up with a plan. 'Asses the situation. Well, for now I'm completely immobilized and without sight. Hands and feet restrained completely. Can I get them off?' He started feeling around his body as much as he could, trying to find any tools to work with or if he could loosen any part of the restraints. 'No good, whoever put on the restraints knew what they were doing. I also appear to be stripped to my under layer of clothes, no tools anywhere that I can reach.' "Fuckin' Fennis is gonna pay for this shit if I ever get the chance, there will be no mercy for that cowardly fuck." He swore to himself out loud. "Do you hear me Fennis!? You are a dead wolf walking!" he screamed at the top of his lungs. Still nothing except silence and the sound of his own blood in his ears. Calming himself once again, he could feel his heartbeat slow. Calmness was the only thing that could help him for now. Trying to ignore the pain in his side and face Kaltos let his mind wander back to his past and how he got to where he was now. He couldn't remember much of being a child or his parents, as he had been selected at eight years old to be part of the Fenrir Program that was to create the first wave of enhanced Feron soldiers. He was told how honored his parents had been that he was selected, but that meant nothing to him then as he was taken straight from his classroom at the junior academy to Swordhaven to be introduced for the first time to the newly risen Warmaster Fay'ad. Lined up with the other young wolfen who were all around the same age as he was, Kaltos had remembered now that he was the smallest among them. Twenty seven of them had began in the Fenrir project, by the time the genetic enhancements were finished there were only fourteen left. No one had known what happened to those that disappeared, and no one dared ask. Although it was presumed they hadn't survived the ordeal, there were times even Kaltos didn't think he was going to survive the painful transformations of his biological systems. Next had come the surgical enhancements that strengthen the bones and created more dense musculature to support the heavier bone throughout the body. By the time the surgeries were done three more young wolfen had disappeared as well. Eleven had made it to actual training that pushed their new bodies past the limits that a normal soldier could achieve. Even at such young ages they were faster, stronger, and far more durable than any Feron that had come before them. But they had all learned quickly that physical ability didn't mean anything without real training or experience. They were all put through brutal training exercises against some of the best soldiers Feron had. At age eighteen Kaltos and the rest were allowed to graduate with the rest of the regular Feron cadets from the regular academy. That was the first and last time he had been able to see his parents as well. He was made aware of who his parents were by none other than the Warmaster himself, telling Kaltos "Look at them there, look at how proud you have made your parents and family this day my boy." Kaltos hadn't even recognized them, having not seen them in ten years. He saw the small group of four wolfen, his father was a large wolfen in a Feron officer's uniform who appeared to have a bum leg by the way he leaned on a cane with his left hand. The large wolfen's expression was blank, almost as if he didn't even want to be there, but was nonetheless staring straight at Kaltos. Next to him was an all black female with a beaming smile across her face. She was holding his father's right elbow and waving at Kaltos with her right hand. After her was a younger male with dark gray fur like his fathers who was wearing a soldiers uniform as well, his brother Kairos. Complete disdain was the only way to describe the look on Kairos' face, almost as if Kaltos' existence had somehow insulted him. And next to him was a small black coated female that was waving vigorously at Kaltos. "Warmaster, who is that, if I may ask?" Kaltos questioned respectfully. The Warmaster looked at the family and turned his head to Kaltos, "That's right, you wouldn't know your sister now would you? She was born shortly after you came to Swordhaven from what I can recollect. A promising young cadet in the communications field of expertise. We have high hopes for her as well." Kaltos was stunned, "A sister? I never knew." Kaltos wanted to know more, "Warmaster, now that graduation is over, may I speak with my family?" What appeared to be slight disappointment crossed the Warmaster's face when he said, "I'm sorry Kaltos, but that won't be possible. You are to immediately ship out to the northern mountains. There is work to be done there, where your real training will begin. As a matter of fact, as much as I enjoy our discussions, you are supposed to be heading to station seventeen now instead of here conversing with me. The rest of your Fenrir compatriots are probably already there, I wouldn't want to receive a report of your delinquency on your first day out of training. Now get going young one, and make your Warmaster and the rest of Feron proud." Kaltos never even got to know his sister's name, he still didn't know. He never got to see or hear from his parents either since then. Kairos, on the other hand, he wished he hadn't had the misfortune to meet again. After his first year in the north battling the felines he was given a short leave to use as he wanted. Kaltos had made connections that were able to find out that Kairos was also fighting in the northern campaign in a separate unit on the far side of the mountains from where Kaltos was located. He had used the leave to travel to the area Kairos was stationed at to see his brother. It couldn't have gone worse for Kaltos though. "As far as I'm concerned you're nothing to me except another green recruit." were the first words Kairos had said to him. "We are both Darksbane's from the same parents, what's your problem Kairos? We haven't seen each other since I was eight, and this is how you greet me after I came here specifically to see you?" Kairos sat down against a transport vehicle,"Yeah, ten years in that cushy special academy of yours, just to come out of it with no real experience and yet get your own squad to command. Well, you want to know where I've been those ten years? After graduating, I came directly out here and have been fighting ever since. And what have I got to show for it? Nothing, that's what. Not a commendation, no promotion, nothing. And here you show up all pretty in your officer uniform, without having earned it I say. Precious pet of the Warmaster thinks he deserves my respect, eh? Go earn it then, brother. Get your squad moved up here to the front and fight day in and day out. Suffer the pains we regular troops have and prove your worth, then we will talk. Until then just piss off." Kaltos stared sternfully at his brother, "So that's what you think I was doing all this time? Living it up at the academy like some out of touch snob? You are sorely mistaken." He was about to lift his shirt sleeves and show his brother the surgical scars to prove Kairos wrong about having it easy when his brother spoke, "You seem to think I care for some reason, well I don't. I couldn't give a shit less, Kaltos." At that Kairos acted as if Kaltos wasn't even there, and he knew there was no more discussion to be had. Kaltos started to walk away but stopped. "At least tell me what our sister's name is would you?" Kairos never even looked at him, "Leave her out of this, and don't ask again." That was the last he had seen or heard from any of his blood-kin. And as far as Kaltos was concerned, if that's how they all felt, then he hoped it was the last time ever. Two more years he had spent in the north after that. Training, fighting, and killing were all he worried about. Warlord Pian had been the Commander in charge of the entire northern campaigns, and she took special interest in the Fenrir enhanced soldiers. Especially Kaltos, as he too used the vibro-sword that Pian was a master with. She took him under her wing as a disciple to make him, in her words, the greatest sword user in Feron. He remembered the punishing beatings he got from her exercises in dueling with the sword. Tall and slender, yet powerful to boot, her speed made it nearly impossible to land a blow against her. Her dark gray fur, that was so dark it almost had a bluish tint to it, blended into the color of her light armor so well that it was nearly impossible to tell where the armor began and her body started, making precision hits nearly impossible. Her fluid movements would also draw her opponents eyes away from where she was intending to strike, giving her an almost unnatural advantage in battle. Her striking good looks didn't hurt her either. She was known for using what some would call 'seductive glances' to throw off any male attackers, putting them off guard. Kaltos fell for none of that mess, a fight was a fight. Even still, it took the entirety of those two years and his enhanced abilities for him to finally reach a level where he could fight her to a stalemate most times, stressing 'most times.' He never was able to actually beat her, but he could wear her down to a point where neither of them could go on from sheer exhaustion. Just as with his last duel with her that he remembered now, "Damn you, Kaltos. No one has ever pushed me so far that I can't go on, except you." She had said with as sultry an inflection as she could muster through her panting. "Don't try your seductions on me, master. They have never worked before, and I won't let them now." He said with his knee on the ground and clutching his sword hilt with the swords point in the hard frozen ground of the mountain top where Pian's camp was located. Soft laughing came from the warlord before she spoke again, "Trust me young one, if I was actually trying to seduce you I'd have you wrapped all around me, as I had my way with you, by now." An audible growl emanated from Kaltos' throat as she continued, "How old are you now Kaltos, out of your teens yet?" He knew she was trying to goad him into some kind of a wild attack that she would counter to get a winning strike out of by teasing him about his youth. He wasn't falling for it. "Still too you young for you my elderly master." He said trying to get a rise out of her with the same trick. The warlord narrowed her soft blue eyes on her young disciple, "Elderly? We'll see about that, child." Even with her tiredness she was able to gather enough strength to lunge at Kaltos. He was barely able to divert her sword away at the last second, as she careened past him. He then jumped directly away from her, completely out of energy. Pian too had used up the last of her energy and just kept lying face down on the ground. Kaltos fell to the ground as well, completely spent. They were both panting as heavily as their bodies would let them, trying to recover from the duel. Pian turned over on her back, "I believe I have nothing left to teach you, Kaltos. From here on out I bestow the honorific of swordmaster to your profile." She started to laugh as she realized she fell for her own trick, "That's the first time since I was but a student that anyone has used that trick against me. Why didn't you counter it?" Attempting to sit up through the exhaustion Kaltos quipped, "If I had the energy to, believe me I would have Warlord." He saw that she noticed how he intentionally used her military title instead of calling her master. She had seemed satisfied with it to him, then so would he. "You never answered my question, squad leader Darksbane, exactly how old are you now?" Why would that matter now, Kaltos thought. "Twenty-one, Warlord." Kaltos informed her. "Hmmm, not a pup anymore, but not quite an adult either." the warlord pondered. Kaltos was a little taken aback at such a statement. Had she not just made him an official swordmaster? He was also no mere recruit that hasn't seen battle either. "Three years in campaign would make anyone into an adult in my opinion, Warlord." Pian was able to sit up and get into a crossed legged position. "I didn't ask for your opinion now did I Squad Leader? You have much still to learn as far as being a soldier goes. Some things cannot be taught, but rather must be learned through experience." She then looked Kaltos directly in his green eyes, savoring the view. "Always respect experience over skill, Kaltos. Experience will get you through the rough times far easier than skill can cut through your opponents forces. Use whoever you have to with whatever experience they have to keep as many Feron alive as possible. Never forget that as a leader it is your responsibility to get your wolves back home whenever possible." She then turned her head towards the mountain sides where the army she led was camped. "That is my last lesson for you." She said. Kaltos stood up and gave her an honor salute with his right arm across his chest. "I will endeavor to always make you proud, Warlord Pian." And with that Kaltos walked away from his former master for the last time. As well as being a last goodbye. Just the next day he received orders to return to Swordhaven with his squad for reassignment immediately, they had even sent a cruiser for his entire squad. He had begged the Captain in charge to stop off at Warlord Pian's encampment as he wanted to confront Pian to see if it was her doing, but the transportation officer was having none of it. The only place he was going was away from where he wanted to be. Kaltos spent the entire trip arguing with whoever he could about such an abrupt departure without even the smallest inkling of why. The captain of the cruiser had to threaten Kaltos several times with a shock dart just to get him to calm down. The captain was lucky he never actually did though, for as soon as Kaltos was able afterward he would have placed the used dart in unthinkable places on the captain. Such was the mood he had been in that day. Upon arrival to Swordhaven, Kaltos was still in a foul mood. Right up until he saw who was waiting for them at the station. A wolfen dressed in full ceremonial garb that could clearly only be that of a warlord. No others would be allowed such a ostentatious uniform. After disembarking their cruiser Kaltos and his squad gave the customary honor salute, which the rather elegant looking wolfen returned as he approached them. "I am Warlord Inferen, it is a pleasure to meet you all." Kaltos dropped to one knee in the ceremonial fashion of greeting, the others of his squad following suit. "You honor us with your presence, Warlord. How may we serve you?" Kaltos offered. "Thank you, I presume you are Kaltos Darksbane then? I have heard much about you young one, much indeed. Warlord Pian speaks nothing but great things about you. I was even reading your profile this morning, is it true you have achieved the rank of swordmaster already?" The voice of this Warlord Inferen was almost melodious in how he talked, obviously high born of the noble ranks of Feron. Properly groomed and dressed over every inch of his being with his fully light gray fur giving a commanding air around him. Even his ornate blue dress uniform with white trims seemed as if it had been newly made and never before worn. The regality that this warlord embodied was almost unbearable for Kaltos, but something about him made Kaltos innately want to trust this Inferen. "I only just received that recognition three days ago, Warlord. It took me years of training under my master Warlord Pian to achieve such an honor. It was only because of her expert tutelage that I could reach such a goal." The warlord motioned for Kaltos and his men to rise, "Please my friends, off your knees. And Kaltos, you needn't be so formal with me. I know my high bred way of talking and acting makes most uncomfortable, but we are all soldiers of Feron here. I don't demand such niceties from my comrades in arms. As well I'm sure Pian would probably smack you for talking like that about her." The warlord laughed at that last part. He then turned to his side and raised his arm toward the station proper asking, "This way if you please." Kaltos and his squad followed his lead as the warlord walked beside him. "Unfortunately you will not be under my command for your next assignment, but rather under Warlord Fennis' command. Regretfully Warlord Fennis is not currently present as he is off on a mission given to him personally by the Warmaster. I'll be guiding you only temporarily until such time as he is again available." Again Kaltos couldn't help but reply in proper fashion when talking to Inferen. "It is an honor to serve under any Warlord as the Warmaster commands." How fateful those words now seemed. His squad had only a few days under the watch of Inferen, mostly briefings on the current state of border affairs and their new duties to keep Feron's borders safe from incursions from both Sahah and Avarash alike. Increasing incidents of skirmishes had been taking its toll on the Warmaster's nerves it seemed, and he now wanted his enhanced Fenrir project's finest combing the woods for intruders. There were to be three other squads led by Fenrir graduates as well as his own randomly patrolling both borders, with the Sahah to the west, and the Avarash to the southeast. The squads would be rotated to the different borders at Commands discretion, so as not to let any of the squads get too comfortable in any one area, keeping their senses fresh. The Sahah border would be the most likely for trouble as they were masters of sneak attacks. The Avarash on the other hand would not be a problem he was told. If only Inferen could've known how that would turn out maybe Kaltos wouldn't have been in the mess he was in now.