Aciec Aeternam (etarnal Battlefield) Chapter Four
Chapter Four!
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Thanks!
Carlo AKA Faukx
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Chapter four: 'Official Arrival'
Malcom was waiting at the DC Spaceport, he was ordered by Faukx to pick up the permanent official that was going to 'keep watch' over the officers and crew and file reports to the high council. He was waiting for half an hour now and still no sign of the official, he was late. Malcom was absentmindedly tapping his feet on the metal platform, he was hungry, thirsty and it was too damn hot in his official coat standing in the full sun. He didn't like all this official business but did not complain because he was ordered to. He also didn't like the thought of being watched by some official, almost everyone on earth knew who was in charge on their ship and what history they shared. This official was bound to know more of those things and that was exactly the reason why they send them an official, but then again, they did place them on their new ship. So either they actually trusted some of them or nobody else is stupid enough to go on suicide missions with a ship that big.
After another ten minutes a big hover car arrived, a door opened and a male lion stepped out of the car. He was wearing official military clothing and Malcom could see some insignias on his coat that he was the fur he was waiting for. Behind the lion was a male fox, he too was wearing official military clothing and Malcom was asking himself who he was, for he did not wear the insignias the lion was wearing. Malcom saluted when the lion and the fox were near him, they both returned the salute. "Lieutenant Grandforth at your service Sirs, I'm here to accompany you to the Acies Aeternam Sirs." He said to them and extended his hand to shake the lions paw. The lion took it with a strong paw, "Lieutenant Andrews, glad you could wait for us, there was a small holdup, excuse us for that" Andrews said. He motioned to the fox next to him "This is Corporal Adkins, my secretary, he will be accompany us to help me on the ship." Adkins only nodded with a stern face, Malcom nodded back. Adkins was small and looked timid, but then again, so did al foxes. Andrews on the other hand was of normal male lion posture, broad shoulders, long flowing manes, strong look on his face. He looked like the man that knew what had to be done. Adkins motioned to some other furs near the car, they came carrying luggage to a small personnel carrier behind Malcom. Adkins followed them inside. "Shall we?" Malcom said and motioned to the spacecraft with a paw. Andrews nodded and followed, the furs that had brought Andrews and Adkins their luggage to the ship saluted and returned to the hover car.
Malcom walked to a comlink on the wall and pressed a button. "We are ready to depart, ready when you are" Malcom said. "Aye sir!" A voice sounded trough the comlink. Andrews and Adkins were waiting for Malcom, he motioned them to follow him and he walked onto small room with six seats and a table in the middle. Malcom took his place near the head of the table, so did Adkins, Andrews sat on the end of the table with Malcom on his left hand and Adkins on his right. "So I guess that Faukx has been informed that Adkins accompanies you Sir?" Malcom asked in a polite voice, Andrews shacked his head. "There was no time to inform him in such a short notice, he has been placed at my service just this morning. But I'm sure there is enough place on the ship for one more fur." Malcom nodded. "No problem then, if you would excuse me for a moment I will contact him to inform they ready another room." Malcom said, Andrews nodded, Adkins only looked at him with stern eye's like he was already inspecting him or trying to look into his mind. Malcom stood up and walked to the small bridge of the ship and contacted Faukx of this unexpected turn of events. "We will arrive in about 20 minutes Sir." The pilot said, Malcom nodded and returned, both furs turned their heads to Malcom when he entered. "I assume things will be arranged accordingly?" Andrews asked. "Yes Sir, no problem there. We will arrive in about twenty minutes, until that time, make yourself comfortable." Malcom answered, he looked at the fox, his eyes were following him until Malcom finally sat down. There was an awkward silence, luckily Andrews broke this silence. "I take it that Faukx will be waiting for us to guide us around the ship?" He asked, Malcom nodded in acknowledgement. "Yes Sir, tough it would take more than a day to see the whole ship he will show you the most important parts of the ship. After that he will show you your cabins and accompany you and the other officers to the dining hall." Andrews nodded his approval, even Adkins seemed to brighten up after the word dining hall. "So Sir, could I ask you how you plan to inspect such a huge ship?" Malcom asked, he was getting quite uncomfortable with someone staring at him all the time. Andrews smiled, this seemed to spark his interest. "But of course, this is how I planned it..." Andrews spoke the rest of the trip about his plans, Malcom tried to look utmost interested, which was hard for him because he couldn't care less about this subject, but at least he had something to keep himself busy with until this flight was over. Adkins only stared at him.
Faukx and Misha were standing in the docking bay waiting for the ship to arrive, of course it took a little longer because of the delay and when he heard that there was a second fur arriving he let some furs make room in a cabin near the one for Andrews. After some wait the ship arrived in the docking bay and landed neatly on its place. The hatch opened and Malcom led Andrews and Adkins to Faukx and Misha. They saluted and Faukx and Misha returned the salute. "Pleasure to welcome you two on this ship Lieutenant Andrews" Faukx said with a smile and presented his paw to Andrews. The two lions shacked their paws. "pleasure is all mine Captain" Andrews returned. "And you must be Corporal Adkins am I right?" Faukx asked the fox and offered his hand to him. Adkins took Faukx his paw and shook it gently. "Yes Sir, Pleasure meet you Sir." He said, this was the first time Malcom heard him talk. The fox still had a stern look on his face but his light voice floated through the hangar. "I assume you would like to see the ship, we have a lot of ground to cover so we best had to begin right? I'll have your luggage brought to your cabins, I'll show them to you later, Shall we?" Faukx said motioning for them to come with them. The group of four walked to the exit, Malcom did not follow them. Adkins looked back to see where Malcom was. "Aren't you coming with us Lieutenant?" He asked Malcom. The other three looked back as well. "I'm afraid my duty's take me elsewhere, but I will be joining you all at the dining hall this evening" Malcom said, he was surprised that the fox actually talked to him. "Well, we will see you this evening then Lieutenant" Adkins said, he smiled and walked away with the rest. Leaving Malcom behind dumbstruck. Malcom waited a few minutes and then walked to wherever he was needed, this was beginning to look like a strange day.