Space Angels: Ignition

The General's Antics

August 27 of year 3742 A.E.

A great deal of murmuring filled the wide and usually crowded area of the main lobby aboard the magnificent spacecraft, the ISS Coriannis.

“Is…he…really…that hard…to deal…with?”

Ang lobby-ing ito, na sya ring lugar kung saan matatagpuan ang main control unit, ay ang pinaka malaki at pinaka sentral na area sa higanteng bakal na lumulutang sa kalalim-laliman ng Sector 37 Galaxy.

“Sabi…kaya daw…nya…pumatay…Antleon…isang…kamay.”

Second would be the East and West wing which contains the living compartments, pati na rin ang dalawang fighting arenas na idinisenyo para sa magkahiwalay na kasarian.

“I…heard…killed…Sandshaker…eyes…closed.”

And the smallest, ang hovering jungle na nasa Timog,  ay isang specially designed simulated environment used to train the frail at downright filthy, as he worded it, na mga cadets, para sa aktual na mga explorations sa labas. But its the sheer size and versatility that made the main lobby the highlight spot over the ship’s many areas, almost like its own tourist attraction.

Not that there are any tourists on board, dahil kung meron man, sisiguraduhin nya na its either: hindi ito makakalabas ng buhay o: hindi ito makakalabas ng buhay hanggat hindi dinidilaan ang kanyang shock-absorbent boots, na inissue pa ng 37th Federal Galactic Infantry, specifically to be used by any military personnel.

As far as the guy's concerned, it’s a fair treatment.

Oh, and speak of the devil, tumigil ang tunog ng mga yabag ng sapatos at ang tila mala-bubuyog na pagbubulungan ng pumasok na sya galing sa northwest hallway,. 7th Fleet Commander General. Mondo “Mondjee” Jakurai towers his impressive height of 1.92 meters over a much smaller cadet, na siya namang dahilan upang ika-himatay ng huli.

The old coot loves his dramatic entrances.

Inilibot nya ang kanyang paningin sa kabuuan ng lobby. His battle-scarred eyes scanning each of the newcomers’ features.

He stood on a raised platform that made sure to overlook the crowded mass.

It was slightly smaller than a stage but was no doubt perfect for giving a hardcore speech.

“Listen here all ye filtheborne maggots, I’m sure most of you are already aware kung sino ang nasa harapan nyo kaya etoh lang ang masasabi ko; hindi ako bumisita dito para mag babysit ng mga pain-in-the-ass na highschool students! Kaya ngayon pa lang, do yerselves a favor at tumalon na kayo sa inyong mga tiyak na kamatayan sa labas ng ship na ito!”

Pananakot ng matanda habang tila nanlilisik ang mga mata. Silence crept the walls, and for a moment lahat ng atensyon ay nagawi sa direksyon ng heneral. No doubt a whole lot of them were confounded, some tried to avoid the bloke's laser-pointer vision, and a third of the portion ay halatang ayaw maging parte ng susunod na senaryong magaganap.

“IKAW!”

Itinuro nya ang isang payat at mukang sakitin na lalaki na may suot na low ridge glasses at mas compact na version ng isang IEVA spacesuit.

He had a tall and thin frame which was still visible even from his slightly puffy spacesuit.

His Adam’s apple bulged from his thin neck as if it could pop out anytime, he had short, charcoal hair, a narrow, almost triangular face and a high-bridged nose.

Pero ang mas grabe dito, meron siyang kakawa-kawawang postura na hindi agad namang hindi nagustuhan ng heneral.

“Step the damn forward cadet!” He ordered.
 
“O-Opo sith–”

Ang nanginginig at garalgal na boses ng binata ay syang naging dahilan para makagat nya ang kanyang dila, to which some of the other cadets found to be quite amusing enough for a few hearty chuckles, much to the old geezer’s dismay.

“Did I say t’was time for a comedy routine? May nakakatawa ba??” May pagka-iritang buntong ng heneral, na agad namang nagpatigil sa mga tumatawa.

His veins were throbbing in his temple, like one of those anime things. He redirected his attention to the frailty boy in front, “What’s the name of ye, shrimp?” Tanong ulit ni Mondjee, breaking the awkward silence.