Rocket Fox: Part Five
Hardy Maynard placed her duffel bag on the tarmac where all the other parcels and luggage was stored. Clarfax Billings had brought along a small ruck sack, filled to the brim with scientific journals, data pads and other odds and ends, and set his own beside hers. Hardy looked to Clarfax with a smile.
“We’re not gonna be studyin’ some comet, Clary,” she teased lightly.
“I know,” he replied sheepishly. “But you never know what the General wants to talk to us about. There maybe information that she’d like to see.”
“I think she has all the information,” Hardy said as she patted Clarfax’s shoulder. “She’s the one who asked us up there, remember.” She took one look around the tarmac, as though looking for someone. “We’re five minutes before boarding, I hope Philly managed to get Senia up and tell her.”
“We could have gone ourselves.”
“Aye, true,” Hardy nodded. “But the General gave us a list of items we needed to go over, we didn’t have time. I wonder what she meant when she mentioned that bit ’bout ablative armour plating an’ the neutronium hyper drive.”
“Not sure,” Clarfax said with a shrug as he took out a data pad and leaned on one of the luggage carriers. “I’ve heard rumours, but nothing I could confirm. Something about an experimental aircraft that could put the Maverick Class fighters in moth balls.”
“I just hope we get ta see Senia b’fore we launch,” Hardy said with a sigh. As she said it, she began to hear a voice calling out. She looked around for a moment, and finally spied three figures running across the tarmac. “Ah, there she is. Philly woke her up. An’, look like Jadda got ta have a visit too.”
“Think she broke into Senia’s quarters?”
“Oh, that I’ve no doubt,” Hardy said with a chuckle and waved to the three as they approached. “Glad yer up, Senia. We didn’t have much time.”
The three slowed down as they approached Hardy and Clarfax, each catching their breath before speaking. Senia was the first to do so. “Thith ith awfully thudden,” she finally managed. “A call from General Gerring?”
“We were as surprised as you are,” Clarfax said as he pushed off the luggage carrier. “The General gave us a list of items to brush up on.” Clarfax held up his data pad, displaying different armour configurations and fuel capabilities.
Senia looked it over for a moment, then looked between Hardy and Clarfax. “What’s it all mean?”
“Oh, I’ve been tryin’ ta figure that out all morning,” Hardy said with a sigh. “Only thing I can come up with is the General wants us as test pilots.” She took a deep breath and sighed. “Not exactly the 76th, but I guess we don’t always get the assignments we want.” She looked to Jadda and smiled lightly. “Broke inta her quarters.”
“They haven’t made a lock I can’t pick,” she replied with a grin.
“How long is your meeting?” Senia asked, sounding like this was a final good bye between the three friends. “Are you going to make it to dinner tonight?”
“We’re not sure how long it’s going to be,” Clarfax replied with a shrug, turning to watch the luggage carrier as it was loaded onto the passenger transport. “I don’t think it should be too long. But if there’s a change in schedule, we’ll send you a wave. If we can’t make it tonight, I’m sure we’ll be able to have lunch tomorrow. You’ll be there in the morning before you have to join with the Huntsman.”
“I know,” Senia replied with a nod as she sighed. “I wath jutht hoping we could all thpend one latht night together before shipping out to our rethpective dutieth.”
“You never know what the future is going to hold,” Jadda spoke up. “My father always said, sometimes we don’t get the things we dream of or want the most in life. So that just means we have to alter the dream. Take what we’re given, and prove to everyone else that we’re good enough to do anything.” The others nodded lightly to Jadda’s comment. It made sense, really. So far, the only member of this small group of friends that was close to realizing his dream was Philburt. Word had it, he’d be joining the 103rd soon enough.
The five of them were brought back to reality as a voice came over the loudspeakers, calling out for final boarding. “Last call for all passengers being shuttled to the high orbital platform on the Vulpinia Shipyards. Please begin boarding.”
“That’s us,” Hardy said with a heavy sigh and looked to Senia. “We’ll send you a wave if there’s a change in plans.” She smiled softly and then amended her comment. “We’ll send ya a wave either way.” She stepped forward and gave Senia a tight hug. “This isn’t good bye, Senia. Never know what t’morrow brings.” Hardy stepped back as Clarfax stepped forward to give Senia a hug. They weren’t saying good bye, more like good luck. They’d see each other again soon enough.
As the two disappeared into the shuttle craft, Senia, Jadda and Philburt walked back into the enclosure to watch as the shuttle powered up it’s engines and began to lift off. Senia gave a wave, hoping that Hardy and Clarfax were watching from one of the view ports. She sighed heavily and forced a smile. “At least if they can’t come to dinner tonight, we can still have one last meal t’gether.”
