The protection officer shook his head resolutely, ‘No sir…not a word…we have signed the official secrets act.’
The admiral chuckled once more, rubbing his eyes in tiredness, ‘Very well…Trevakians are all vegetarians…your Royal Marines are now on the most nutritionally valued vegetarian diet we could devise…the flavours based on your internet are exquisite as you will soon experience!’ He burst out laughing at the wide shocked eyes before him, glimpsing them in the rear view mirror, ‘You will soon sample our offerings gentlemen…’
The wide, dull grey lower outer door slowly swung upwards, low lights illuminating the grass and trees outside as the protection officers stared on in awe, mechanical whirring from the electronics and motors as stairs lowered slowly. The Jaguar driver shook his head as he saw the two lines of immaculate blue uniforms against either silver glimmering wall inside, his eyes straining in disbelief as the fields or Osterley Park extended on either side of the open doorway, the remainder of the ship invisible.
As the stairs came to rest against the gravel beneath and the upper door rose completely, seventy boots slammed together inside, an honour guard of ships’ crew welcoming their commanding officer back to his ship, clenched right fists rising in unison to their left chests in salute.
Admiral Karladen straightened his tunic, removing an officer’s cap from his epaulette and placing it meticulously on his head. He smiled warmly at the emotional attachment to the cloaked vessel, remembering his command seat and bridge crew fondly that he had not seen for some time, the six special protection officers behind still staring on in wide eyed amazement, their pupils retracting in the light.
Two familiar silhouettes approached along the dimly lit corridor, the crew on either side staring ahead blankly as Karladen’s eyes moistened, two fingers rising to pinch the bridge of his nose as he climbed one step, his voice trembling as he nodded in recognition to the two figures that reached the top of the stairs, ‘Permission to come aboard, gentlemen?’ His tired, flushed face grinned as he stiffened, the right fist rising to his left chest, ‘Sky Commander Petaski and Vice Admiral Chergui, I presume?’
Chergui stepped into the low inner door lights, his slim body stiffening and saluting, ‘Admiral…it is our pleasure to welcome you back…’
He stepped aside as a beaming Petaski nudged the Vice-Admiral playfully, ‘Admiral Karladen…please come aboard sir…the bridge crew have refreshments waiting and we have a confidential urgent briefing for you to attend.’ He coughed as Chergui stifled a grin, ‘The Vice Admiral only reached us early yesterday…he seems tired from his long trip…perhaps not as young as he used to be.’
Karladen shook his head, climbing the steps and grinning as he glimpsed Chergui attempt to conceal a glare, ‘Petaski…you rogue, have you forgot I have read your file…you scoundrels were both at flight school together. I want none of your nonsense and want to know what is the true picture…’ He hesitated, turning and gesturing for the armed protection officers behind to follow, ‘Please extend every hospitality to my bodyguards…’ He reached the summit of the steps, his lower lip trembling as he stared along the two lines of loyal staff, some struggling to conceal smiles, his voice rising, ‘I am happy to return to a loyal crew…thank you for your welcome.’
Having walked between two lines of vessel staff stood to attention, the group then progressed past lines of uniformed marines, the last seventy Trevakian armed guards of the ship slamming boots together as their commander approached, many failing to hide grins of anticipation, a love and respect of the decorated, long serving commander high.
Reaching the end of the lines, Admiral Karladen had slowed, his eyes straining as he recognised a figure stood to attention several metres ahead, the commander coughing as he approached, smiling widely, ‘Our public relations officer is still here? Dryden, how are you? Busy as ever I presume?’
The younger officer grinned, staring straight ahead as he stiffened, ‘Welcome back admiral. I am now coordinating our wounded in the many hospitals all across London. The humans have kindly provided me with a police escort so I can visit all our personnel...many are improving although we still have several serious cases. I have also assigned two engineers and technicians to share our medical technology and we have hosted many of the more critical human cases here on our own ship…their local air ambulance lands near here regularly and we arranging for one fully equipped medical bed to be deployed to each London hospital.’
The officer nodded as the admiral’s hand rose, patting his shoulder fondly, the commander smiling encouragingly, ‘Excellent news…keep up the good work, I can see another commendation for you in the near future.’ The admiral slapped the officer’s upper arm, ‘We shall have a meeting soon…perhaps in the morning, then you can update me further?’ Karladen grinned in warm recollection, ‘A breakfast briefing just like the old days…just the two of us…perhaps a local café as I have a few intriguing earth dishes to show you?’
Dryden smiled further, ‘It would be my pleasure admiral…’
Admiral Karladen hesitated, turning and indicating towards the armed protection officers, ‘Would you perhaps have some time to entertain our guests…show them around and provide a meal in the mess hall?’
Dryden nodded willingly, ‘Certainly, consider it done commander.’
Climbing the shining steel steps to the bridge, Admiral Karladen’s eyes welled moist with emotion, the last doors sweeping aside after a short corridor, the bridge supervising officer abruptly rising as she barked an order, ‘Ensigns! Our commander has returned!’
Drawing a sharp breath, the admiral stared fondly across the blue low lit bridge, sixteen staff rising stiffly, their boots slamming together as fists rose to left chests in recognition, tears forming in the admiral’s eyes as he replicated the gesture, nodding appreciation emotionally and raising his hands for them to sit back.
Stepping forward
