Rocket Fox: Part Two

Bounty hunters are a lonely class of individuals. Many are loners, often seen as social outcasts, rarely regarded with any respect, and called upon only when situations were desperate. These were not the things Senia Felix felt she was like. She was very personable, having built a very good relationship with her superior officers during cadet training, and well liked by her comrades. Everyone who trained with her, and even those who were her commanding officers, from the Drill Sergeant that pushed them to grab the last inch right down to the base cook, knew Senia’s heart was set on the Royal Air Corps. They’d be able to tell she was disappointed, there was no way she could hide that from her mates.

She tried not to think about it as the transport shuttle docked at the Chattingham training base. Vulpine hopefuls from all over Vulpinia would come to this base for training, most with dreams of entering the famed Air Corps. It was a contrast to the peaceful surroundings, the rolling hills and soft meadows that surrounded the base and lead into the small village of Chattingham. The village itself was very rustic, holding onto age old tradition, while the base had the latest technology, from pristine air fields to the standard space dock for transport to one of three orbital platforms that surrounded Vulpinia.

Senia looked up as the shuttle’s engines began to slow and the ship itself began to bank for approach. She gazed out over the base, saw the village in the distance and the rolling hills that faded into the horizon. Autumn was not far away as the leaves had already begun to turn, displaying the vibrant colours of the season. She looked to the tarmac and caught sight of some of her mates. Clarfax Billings, a sturdy tactical cadet, he’d make a fine squadron leader some day. Hardy Maynard, an excellent pilot who knew her way around an engine. Philburt Collinsworth, a jittery young kit, but a good eye and a quick wit. There were a few more that began to crowd around, they all knew Senia had been called away to the Authority orbital shipyards.

“Thtiff upper lip,” Senia said softly to herself as she took a deep breath. The shuttle landed with a slight thump, and the sound of the engines began to wind down slowly. She rose to her feet, carefully adjusted her uniform and slung her duffle bag over her left shoulder. With cap in hand, she began to step off the transport shuttle and tried to force a small smile as she saw her mates waiting for her. But as she crossed the tarmac, the look on Hardy’s face spoke volumes. The promising pilot could be seen shaking her head and sighing as Senia approached the group. “And that reaction upon my return to bathe ith for what exactly, Corporal?”

“I can tell that things didna go so well for ya, Left-tenant,” Hardy replied in her soft spoken tone. She flipped back a lock of hair to rest neatly between her ears, a reminder that she needed to get a hair cut. She actually looked quite dashing with her bright red hair accenting the orange and white of her fur. “What exactly did they say to ya? If ya dunna mind me askin’.”

Senia looked to each face in the small crowd that had gathered and took a deep breath. “Come on,” she finally said softly. “Let’th go to the barrackth.” The four Vulpine strode off to their usual confines, the main barracks that had been their home since they graduated from the Royal Military College in the nearby district of Warrenshire. The barracks didn’t just remind them that they were a part of something larger than life, but that they were a part of a family with each member willing to lay their life down for the others.

The barracks themselves weren’t anything extravagant, but they did have a somewhat homey feel to them. There were the neatly laid out bunks where each cadet slept, along with enough room for a locker so a modest amount of personal items could be stored. A small area near the bunks had been cleared away to make room for a seating area, complete with a small wood burning stove so that the cadets could make tea should they wish it. As the four cadets walked into their barracks, luck should have it, tea was being served.

Natalie Bascombe, an older, heavy set Vulpine, with a charming smile and twinkling eyes, was pouring a few cups already for some of the newer cadets who would be attending full classes in the fall. She looked up as the four entered, cooing softly as she saw Senia.

“Now there’s a smart lass in uniform,” she said with a smile as she placed the tea pot back onto its trivet on the tea service. “A sharp look, Left-tenant. Remind me o’ me own uniform b’fore I joined the 103^rd.” Natalie wasn’t just a caretaker around the barracks, she was a veteran of the Great Lupine Land War of 3572, New Calendar, and she was an alumni of the Chattingham Airfield Academy. “Ah, but I do see a long face that go with it. C’mon now, all o’ ye sit down for a cup o’ tea. You’re just in time. Malcolm, get a couple more chairs, will ye?” she called out to one of the junior cadets who nodded and quickly retrieved a few extra chairs.

Senia, along with her friends, took seats around the long table. The junior cadets watched them carefully, a few in awe because these four had gone through their training, and were ready to take the next step. The one that would see them walk onto an airfield and become members of the famed pilots of the Royal Vulpine Authority. Natalie went about setting tea cups in front of each newcomer and poured tea for each. While it was a little late for tea, this was an exception. New cadets were being shown their quarters and graduating cadets were preparing to receive their orders to join the ranks of the Royal Vulpine Authority.

Finally, Natalie took a seat after pouring herself a cup of tea. She sighed happily, and turned to Senia. “Now. Senia. If ye don’t mind us droppin’ formalities,” Natalie said as she picked up her tea cup. “I know there’s a story b’hind that look on yer face. T’day was the day o’ your evaluation, weren’t it?” Senia only nodded as she looked to Natalie. “Well, how did it go?” Natalie said encouragingly.

Senia took a sip of her tea, thought back to the final evaluation, and finally took a deep breath. “The tribunal thayth I have talentth that the Authority needth.” She took another sip, quietly asking for one of the junior cadets to pass her a scone before she continued. “Unfortunately, none of the thkillth required for fighter pilot bathic will be put to any good.” The others whispered lightly, wondering exactly what Senia meant by those comments, but the left-tenant herself quickly put any speculation to rest. “I will not be joining the 76^th Air Corps after all.”

“So,” Philburt said quietly, slowly making himself heard over his own thoughts. “Maybe. I don’t know. Maybe they’ll assign you to the 103^rd. That’s not so bad. I hope to join the 103^rd,” Philburt informed everyone. “It’s tradition. My mother was in the 103^rd,” he said, hoping to answer anyone who might have a question for his wish for placement.

Natalie turned to Philburt and smiled. “If I recall, ye mother an’ me served t’gether Philly,” Natalie said as she lightly teased him. Philburt smiled and looked down to his tea. His mother was well liked, and any time he could hear a story about her activities during the Great Lupine Land War, he was always eager to listen. “So, Senia,” Natalie said as she turned back to Felix, encouraging her to continue.

“My orderth,” Senia continued in a quiet voice. “Are to board the cargo ship Cartal the day after tomorrow. From there, I will join with the RVA Huntsman.”

“Oh, that’s a deep space exploration ship,” one of the cadets said aloud. The others looked to him for a moment, and he got the feeling he needlessly interrupted the conversation. One of the other cadets, a Pantheran, gently nudged him. “Sorry. I just thought you might be assigned with some scientific research ship.”

Senia nodded, but continued in her rather quiet voice. “The Huntsman will be making one thtop on her way to thtudy a nebula, about four light yearth from our thtar thythtem. Pau Theta II colony.” The others around the table considered this information, knowing full well what was on Pau Theta II colony.

“That’s the maximum security prison,” the Pantheran cadet said, looking directly at Senia. She nodded in reply. “Main Authority headquarters is there as well.”

“That’th right,” Senia said with a nod. “I’ll be thtationed there, and be given any detail for any criminal that will require capture.” She sighed lightly and finished her tea, setting down her cup as she spoke again. “If you’ll excuthe me, I have to prepare a few thingth. I wanted to get that out of the way before the graduating group had our final dinner tonight.” The others nodded slowly as Senia rose to her feet. She looked to Hardy and Clarfax and forced a small smile. Her friends tried to smile back, but deep down they knew that Senia was only putting up a brave front.

As Senia walked the hallway that lead to the officers quarters, Natalie watched her for a moment, then looked to Hardy and Clarfax. There was a deep friendship there, Natalie could tell. Possibly a dream that the three would continue serving together as fighter pilots. Finally she sighed and said what the others were only thinking. “Well, that’s just not right at all.”

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