Guardians: Alethia Chapter 2: Scruffy Looking....
Story by Akutenshi Ishimura on SoFurry
Chapter two of the beta read for Guardians: Alethia!
Check out the prequel Guardians: Downfall! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08G8LF5XW?pf_rd_r=B6ZV9YEPE58CF9YQZN18&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=2e246edf-14db-4a31-9783-093e7f31ca3c&pd_rd_w=NRBzp&pd_rd_wg=VChKS&ref_=pd_gw_unk
Chapter 2: Scruffy Looking...
Date: March 26, 2778
Location: Shield World Alethia, onboard Private Commercial Vessel Lady of The Skies, Bridge
The smell of cheap whiskey was heavy in the air, touch screens showing all manner of readings, a high-backed chair faced away from the door, towards a viewscreen. The sound of ice cubes being sloshed against glass contrasted the trill of the consoles as a view of the Science Fleet, and an unseen being gave a low whistle as the great beast that was the Serenity came into view alongside the escorts she eclipsed with ease. They rattled their glass before taking another drink, "Gods damn she is massive." They said, their voice, raspy and weathered.
"Let's not get any ideas, Harry." A female Human with red hair, her left eye green and her right eye an obsidian color with fair skin and well toned body, wearing what seemed to be a skin tight black suit with various silver plate on it almost like a harness, turned from Navigation station. "You know Osman would have your tail if you so much as scratched the paint on that ship."
Harry chuckled as he took another swig from his glass. "Yeah, the old hag can bill me for it."
The female scoffed at that and turned back to her station. "I'm not going to help you, 'cause you won't learn if I do."
Harry laughed loudly, "I don't want to learn Kit, I'd choose to live." He replied. Kit shook her head as they quickly approached the fleet's position. He examined the bridge and smiled to himself, the trapezoid shape of it with a holographic display behind the chair with consoles around it.
"Still don't like how Osman has us under her thumb." Said a Male Red Squirrel Pelzigan wearing rather filthy coveralls with numerous stains and tools inside its pockets. His golden eyes squinting from the holographic display towards Harry.
"Hey, she does pay well, Ship Rat." Harry responded. "And so far business has been good."
"So it would seem, since we have come under her emply, I have gotten so many new toys to tinker with mounted on our little nest, why just the other day-" Ship Rat started.
"We know, we had to stop you from talking that poor nurse's ear off last time you messed with one of those new 'toys'! How are those burns, by the way?" Interrupted Kit.
Ship Rat huffed at her, "None of your Shiyoa Business, young lady!" He snapped.
Kit hit the console and turned to him, "Excuse me?!" She shouted.
Ship Rat's eyes widened and he shrunk a bit, "And you are a very fine young lady, Kit." He responded.
She glared at him then turned back to the console "Damn right I'm a fine lady." She responded.
"Ok kids, let's not wreck the ship now." interrupted Harry. "We just got those nice pretty upgrades installed."
He swiveled his chair to face the crew, revealing a dark grey wolf with a silvering muzzle, a pair of icy blue eyes, wearing a storied, faded black long coat with a well-loved rhoboid insignia on the left side of his collar with an "x" through the middle, effectively splitting it into four, smaller bronze rhombuses, a red shirt, and pants that appear to once have belonged to a dress uniform. "Any word from the fleet?" He asked.
Kit put in several commands into her console, then looked at Harry. "Yup, they're asking for clearance codes." She said.
Harry leaned back into his chair, "Send the codes Osman gave us." He replied.
Kit did so, then said, "Admiral Fischer is hailing us."
"Put it through, time to deal with the new boss." Harry said as he sighed. He turned back to the viewscreen where Admiral Fischers face appeared on screen.
"Lady of The Skies, this is Admiral Fischer of the Serenity. Admiral Harper told me all about you." Admiral Fischer said.
Harry scoffed, "Well then, why'd you ask for those codes?" He asked.
Admiral Fischer's eyes narrowed at him, "Standard procedure, you should be use to this by now with who has your leash." He responded.
Harry rested into his chair with his chin in his right paw. "Fair point." He grumbled in response.
Admiral Fischer smirked at that, "Clearance for docking is granted, head to Bay Five located underneath towards the Bow. I'll have Captain Atkins meet you there." He said as the viewscreen flicked back to the fleet.
Harry let out a low growl of annoyance as he nodded towards Kit. The Lady of The Skies maneuvered herself to go underneath the Serenity where a large hangar door opened up revealing the insides of the ship. They decelerated and allowed the automated docking system to guide the spoon shaped ship with four large engine nacelles in the back with a trench in front of where the bridge was. Upon entering and stopping, a shield appeared beneath the ship and a pair of large bulkheads closed beneath it. A walkway extended towards the air lock. Harry was feeling rather uneasy about this new task.
Him and Kit made their way towards the air lock, and upon opening saw a burly Tiger with green eyes stood with his arms behind his back wearing a grey Captains Uniform with the UGSM logo on the left shoulder and the rank of Captain on his right shoulder. "Harry Silvermane, I'm Captain Atkins. Welcome aboard the Serenity." Said the Tiger, his voice low and deep.
"She is a very pretty ship Captain, nice to finally see her personally." Harry responded.
Captain Atkins wrinkled his nose as the smell of cheap whisky hit him full force. "Drink much? Perhaps I can show you to the Officers Lounge and introduce you to my friend Spitting Hydra." He said as he examined Harry.
Harry smiled at that, "Well, first business then a drink if the offer is true." He responded. Captain Atkins chuckled at that and motioned for Harry to follow him.