Auk slowly rotated below them, an unending expanse of ice and fissures. After so many millennia of settlement the planet had developed a thin atmosphere with a rudimentary weather system. Like a gauzy veil, the wispy clouds encircled the planet a mere kilometer above the surface. Tatsuhiro watched Cáel's face as she took in the sight, noting the tiniest hints of longing.
"Have you been to Auk before?"
A half smile pulled at her lips.
"Several times, but only for brief visits. I am curious to see what changes have occured since my last trip." Her eyes were glued to the screen, as they descended through the shroud of the atmosphere and into the landing canyon.
Ice walls loomed ever taller over them, then from below light spilled out as a hatch as wide as three shuttles opened. Water cascaded around them, filling the veiw screen with thick vapor and distorted twinkling lights. The pilot was flying blind now, speaking rapidly to the control tower. Their descent temporarily halted, then they felt the shuttle rotate until it found the proper sequence of lights and ponderously moved towards the landing cradle. With the precision that only a Legion pilot could boast, their pilot landed them directly within the scuffed yellow painted target square without so much as a bump.
"My compliments to the pilot." Cáel called unstrapping and standing.
"Thank you, Colonel." If he was pleased with the compliment he didn't show it, but Tatsuhiro heard the pride in his tone.
"Um. What should I do with the jeffy?" Kenji asked, and both officers looked to see the armadillo contently perched on his shoulder, leaning into the crook of his neck.
"Nothing. It seems happy enough there." Cáel grinned at Tatsuhiro's bemused expression. "Just don't bow too quickly."
"Yes, ma'am." Gingerly at first, then with growing confidence in the armadillo's secure placement, Kenji followed after. Cáel lead the way, off the shuttle and through the billowing clouds of chilly spray.
The staging area was loud with the echoing sound of men and machines and the ever present cascading of water over the edge of the hydroslip. Cáel moved swiftly through the maze of vehicles and clouds, forcing the Marines to trot to keep up. They made their way through three vapor locks, the last one blowing furnace hot air on them, drying their armor and curling the fly away hairs around Cáel's head. Finally they stepped out onto the grand avenue.
The difference was night and day.
The wide avenue was lined with trees, their spreading branches and leaves rustling gently in the warm breeze that carried with it the scents of a thousand different flowers, all growing from the window boxes that lined the windows of the edifices that made up the avenue. High above the vaulted ceiling held back not ice, but a thick layer of water, which eased the thick ice sheet over the city. All three of them filled their lungs with the clean air, so different from the recycled and purified air aboard the Audacious.
"We lucked out. It's still spring here." Cáel commented, stepping down and leading the way through the busy avenue. Humans and Kru alike hurried about their business, and the Marines were aware of more than a few startled glances, but any eye contact was met with a shy smile. Here, it seemed, their presence was a welcome oddity, and Tatsuhiro felt relief more keenly than he had realized he would.
The Marines moved at the pace Cáel set for them, leisurely enough for men used to hours long forced marches, but presently Tatsuhiro became aware of impatience in Cáel's posture.
"Colonel."
"Just Cáel, please, Taisa."
"Cáel then. Are we late?"
"No. Why do you ask?"
"You seem to be in a hurry."
Cáel adjusted her pace so they were walking abreast.
"Forgive me, Taisa. I'm merely wanting to get this over with."
"You don't enjoy these meetings?" Tatsuhiro's expression was neutral, but his tone teasing.
"I will take a week of all out melee over a visit with the taifeadta," she asserted stoutly. "And I have every reason to believe you would do the same after you've attended enough of these."
Behind them, Kenji chuckled softly.
"You still back there, Senshi?" Cáel queried, grinning broadly.
"Yes ma'am." Kenji smiled.
"Good. Ask the fellow skulking behind you to introduce himself."
Both Marines snapped about face, and the man following them took a startled step back. He was a tallish blond, perhaps in his forties, and sported a rather spectacular scar on the left side of his face.
"Please identify yourself." Kenji requested politely. Unnerved the man swallowed.
"C-colonel Cáel...?" He stammered.
"Wrong answer. I know the Colonel personally, you are not she." Kenji frowned at him.
"I believe that was a call for rescue, Senshi." Cáel stepped around him, then tilted her head. "MacClesfield? What are you doing here? I thought you were still raising hackles on Sentinel."
Macclesfield smiled sheepishly, and held out his hand to her. Cáel seized his hand and shook.
"Got reassigned when I got my promotion, Maggie's happier ta be nearer ta family here." He babbled, looking relieved.
"She and babies doing well?"
"Oh, aye, Colonel." He beamed. "Eldest is off ta flight Academia next month."
"Well, congratulations." She grinned. "I'll be sure to look you up the next time I'm in the area. Apologies, but I have to get these to gentlemen to the taifeadta conference."
"I get it, run fast, run silent, Colonel." He smiled understanding and gave her hand one last shake before turning and bowing, clumsily, to the Marines. "Good day ta ya, gents."
Tatsuhiro bobbed his head in response, then glanced at Cáel.
"What did he pass you?"
Cáel grinned at him. "Wouldn't you like to know."
Tatsuhiro, unsuccessfully, tried to coax further information from Cáel for the remainder of walk. She steadfastly refused to be baited, and, upon arrival to the amphitheatre, waded into a crowd of people, leaving him and Kenji waiting in the lobby.
"I didn't see anything exchange hands, Taisa." Kenji admitted quietly, as they waited.
"You weren't meant to. It was a very good pass, I didn't see it as much as guess that it occurred." Tatsuhiro explained. "The Colonel confirmed it for me."
"What made you think it occured?"
"The conversation was a little too scripted. They were exchanging code." Tatsuhiro tried not to feel annoyed.
"Taisa? Senshi? Can you hear me?" Cáel's voice filtered through the vox.
"Yes, Colonel."
"They're ready for you. Please go through the double doors. "
