On the Admiration, one of the soldiers turned to the officer.
"They're clean, sir," he said. The meerkat captain of the Admiration smiled.
"Very well," replied the officer. "Kera and Barry, you stay here and guard this place. The rest of you continue the search."
"Yes sir." Two of the soldiers stood back, guns ready just in case, while the others marched up the metal stairway to the catwalk and headed over to the door at the other side to the next door. They walked through, finding the crew quarters. Max the pilot stood in the corridor, leaning against the wall.
"Well hello there, boys. How may I help you," he said with a warm smile. Readouts flickered over the inside of the helmets.
"He's innocent," said one of the soldiers.
"Well ofcourse I am," said Max, as he imperceptibly relaxed. The soldiers pushed past him opening doors to find cluttered bedrooms. They invaded each room, kicking walls, upturning beds. One of these bedrooms was full of guns and ammo, draped over the walls and steel floor. A soldier turned to Max.
"Pilot, explain this," he said, gesturing to the room. Max knew who's room it was, and sighed.
"That would be Alain's. The poor boy loved his guns," he replied.
"Where is Alain?" the soldier asked.
"Back on the planet. He's dead," said Max, keeping his pleasant smile on, but it wasn't so genuine anymore. The soldiers looked at eachother. One of them stood forward.
"We're sorry for your loss, but we might have to take the guns," he said.
"Whatever you say," Max said with a salute.
A door opened further down the corridor, and Tina walked out.
"Hey Max, what's up?" she asked.
"Well, them soldiers are here and are just checking the rooms for a fugitive." Tina stretched.
"Yeah but we don't have a fugitive," she said.
"Well there's no harm in a little check," he replied. Tina sighed.
"Alright well, let me just go clean my room." A soldier stepped out into the corridor.
"Sorry but you can't do that. We'll check your room as is." They trudged out of Alain's bedroom and forced Tina to press to the wall to let them pass. They opened her door and waded into a sea of her clothes. The gunnery station had been removed and hidden in the engine room. The soldiers kicked the walls and the bed. They pulled the bed away and kicked the walls behind that, finding a hollow section. Tina looked to Max; anxiety bubbling under her skin. They pulled away the wall panel and found her Lynx boyfriend. Their helmets flashed red. He looked up at them and whispered a sigh as they raised their guns. Tina yelped in fear and tried to run to pull them away. Max grabbed her, held her back as she hissed and thrashed. One of the soldiers pulled him out and frogmarched him out of the room. "Daray Mabaton, by the power of the Galactic Authorities, you are under arrest for treason and mass murder. Don't make a fuss or a lot more people will die because of you." The lynx walked with his head low. Max pushed Tina against the wall as the soldiers marched past. His large body holding her down as she scratched and bit and screamed.
They walked out into the cargo bay. The Meerkat's face drained, his fist clenched. The officers hands did the same, but his face was lighting up and a smile crept up with the realisation of what his soldiers had found.
Over in hyperspace, aboard Vee, Asia walked over to the edge of the room, next to Tabby.
"How you feeling?" he asked.
"How am I feelin'? I'm feelin' awesome, man. Wouldn't you?" she smiled.
Topic: Everflame (Finished) (Read 36353 times)