The Third Breed

The Lord

High council lord Joseph Kaperski was a man at a young age of thirty five years old he was already a high ranking officer because of his exploits. Hair was a neat side cut with a long pony tail, only allowed for people in his position, his dark eyes were that of a soft look, having dark puffy under area from lack of sleep and wrinkles were already forming on his once young face.

He had a look of disgust while tapping his fingers on the desk, brows furrowed as he read the paper issuing the retreat. He had already made a call to confirm what Lance had said and yet he was still unsure of a lot of things.

Lance, Ariel and Max were all together in the same room, the two standing in attention as their companion stayed behind not knowing the courtesies needed. They were still awaiting what the man had to say in regards with their issues.

Lord Joseph stood up, hands on his back he turned and looked out the window behind him.

“Dullahan.”

“Sir,” Lance answers in full attention.

“I remember that name, your Lancelot’s son aren’t you?” the man turns to him.

Lance tried to keep his face straight upon hearing his fathers name. “Yes sir.”

The man’s face suddenly turned straight as he returned to his chair. “And you joined the Moonlight scout’s because?”

It took him a while to answer as he need to swallow a lump on his throat. “My mother was previously the head of the Moonlight scouts sir.”

The man’s face was suddenly full of curiosity. “You mean, Arien Luna!”

“Uhm, yes, sir.” He wasn’t really comfortable talking about his parents or his lineage specially during his duty.

“That makes you one of Lord Arthur’s grandchildren then,” The man’s face somewhat was friendly again.

“Yes sir.”

“I see,” Lord Joseph scratched his chin thinking. “Then what do you think of this, sudden order for retreat?” the man points at the paper.

“I’m against it sir, after all the resources and lives we’ve sacrificed to get here, I’d say it’s a really stupid Idea to suddenly abort the mission.” Lance says his lips formed a straight line.

He didn’t care much about what was happening within the higher society, all he wanted was to make sure that there was actually a future for them. And having to stop the scouting mission would mean the end of it all.

“And what do you think is the reason for that?” The man gave him an assessing look.

He took a deep breath. “Another stupid conflict within the colony, sir?” he said unsure but it was what he thought would be the reason for it.

The man let out a chuckle. “That’s a very good answer, almost on point, but still a bit off,” tapping his fingers on the letter he gave out a sigh.“You see, this conflict is not as stupid as you think. But it’s best we leave it aside for now and focus on what matters right now.” Giving out a smile he looks at all three of them.

“Yes sir.” Lance nods.

The man turns to their companion. “So, Max. It seems we owe you a big favor for saving us. Though it was supposed to be the other way around.” He just waves his head, finding the reality of things quite funny. “Will you be willing to consider being a part of our colony?” He clasped his hands together while looking straight.

Lance and Ariel could not help but watch as their friend kept a poker face all while talking to the man.

“I’m still thinking about it.” Max says voice low as if it he wasn’t interested at all.

“I see, do you have a last name perhaps? So, that we may at least put you in our records as someone who needs to be regarded with honors.” Lord Joseph took out a metallic golden box from the table’s drawer and a notebook. He started writing something after taking out a quill and some ink.

“What’s a last name?” Max turn to face him.

“It’s a name that’s usually carried in your family, from your parents.” Lance states trying to explain it the best he could.

Max then faces the man again who seemed quite amused. “I don’t have one.” he said in his usual manner.

“Then why don’t we choose one for you.” Lord Joseph let out a grin, taking out a book then started searching.

“Okay,” Max just shrugged.

The man taps his fingers on a certain word that caught his interest. “Seeing as how you fought so bravely and quite in a very manly manner, how about Arseniko. It fits you very nicely.” He raises his head to look at their friend.

“Okay.” Max nods.

“Then that’s settled then, from now on you will be known as Max Arseniko.” Lord Joseph starts writing it down on the piece of paper, when he finished he took out a seal from the metallic golden box and pressed it tightly unto the paper, then signs over the markings.

After neatly folding it and putting it in an envelope he gives it to Max who had a questioning look while taking it.

“Thank you sir, does this mean he will be recognized within the colony if he ever decides to go with us.” Lance asks, assuring their friends legality.

“With my authority and blessing, yes. It’s the least I could do after he saved my men and the camp,” Lord Joseph says then starts writing another letter. “I’ll also take care of his other documentations.” The man gives them his genuine smile.

Lance and Ariel couldn’t hide their happiness and appreciation, knowing the process of things he knew it would have taken them quite some time if he did it in the normal way.

“So, what about the orders for retreat sir?” Lance asks, remembering how they needed to go back to the colony as per orders.

He was bent on staying there and if he had another person of authority such as Lord Joseph allow it, he was sure he won’t be reprimanded for it.

“I’d rather not believe that, seeing as it was an order without proper process, I doubt they’d be able to carry it out like they said.” The man states being back to his normal straight face.

“But then, what was the schedule for?” Lance couldn’t help but frown.

“That’s the reason why you’re here.” he raised his clasped hand to his mouth, staring blankly for a few seconds. “I want you to go and check what happened to the previous group that left.”

“You mean the ones who were staying here at the camp sir?” Ariel says.

“Yes, I made a call a while ago to check, and it seems they haven’t returned to the colony.”

“But it’s already been a week sir,”

“I know. That’s why I want to keep this for now, I’d like a small team to go and search for them. I want to know exactly what happened and why they suddenly left. So, are you willing to take this mission? Seeing as your team is quite capable already.” The man looks at their friend who was still busy staring at the letter.

“Max, are you okay with this, leaving the camp and looking for some people,” Lance asks not wanting to force anything on their friend.

Max looks at him and smiles. “Okay.”

“We will owe you a great dept for doing this Max, and I will make sure you are well compensated for it.” Lord Joseph states.

“Okay.” Max nods again at the man in quite a serious manner.

“I’d like you to go first thing after tomorrow. I’ll also have two of my best men go with you, if it’s alright.”

“We appreciate the help sir,” Lance salutes and then does his closed fist gesture. Ariel does the same and Max looks at the two of them but bows down at the man after a while, trying to copy them.

Lord Joseph gives them an approving nod. “You’re dismissed.” Before waving them off.

All three of them leave the office, Lance was quite confused and a bit nervous of what was happening right now.

“What’s going on Lance?” Ariel was walking on his left still trying to at least understand what just happened.

“I don’t know either, but I think we’re about to find out.” He answers. He had a hunch of the reason why they were suddenly being called back, but now he was starting to worry if it was something much worse.

“I never knew you had such high connections, I mean your parents are both elites,” Ariel suddenly walked slower, hands in his pocket and head lowered.

Lance knew this would happen that’s why he never mentioned it to anyone. “Don’t let it get to you, were a team remember.” He puts his arms around his shoulder then gives him a nudge.

“Lance, what do I do with this?” Max shakes the letter in front of him.

“Can I have a look?” He gives out his hand to take the letter.

Max passes it to him without a second thought. He quickly opens the envelope and browses the contents of the letter, Ariel was also beside him reading along.

“Whoa, did he just give you a one star silver rank,” Ariel’s eyes grew wide as he held his head from seeing it.

“That’s not all, he’s now officially registered as a Haribon scouts reserve.” Lance couldn’t help but smile and point at the statement within the document.

It was quite a high rank, specially for an outsider like Max. He didn’t even knew it was possible until now. He was quite pleased with the outcome of things, seeing that they’re savior and friend had a place in their society and a very nice one at that.

“Hooray for Max, now you won’t have to worry about anything when we go to the colony,” Ariel jumps up in a cheer.

“That is if he still wants to,” Lance turns to their friend, giving him a smile.

“Will you two be there?” Max was still feeling unsure and wary.

“After this mission is over, we will be,” Ariel states giving their friend a pat on the back.

Max finally smiles and nods.“Okay.”

“Then this calls for a celebration then,” Ariel hops around and then starts doing his silly victory dance.

“Definitely.” He and Max let out a laugh as they moved along.

“Are we going to have cake?” Max eyes were glittering with anticipation.

Somehow their friend considers Ariel’s victory dance an action that they were going to have his favorite food.

“As many as you like Max, as many as you like,” Ariel pats the mans back assuring that they were going to eat a lot again.

“Remember your full name Max, and make sure to keep this with you always. We still need to get you a proper identification card and I’m pretty sure it’ll take a while for the documents to be fully registered. So, make sure to hold on to this like your life depended on it,” Lance gives back the white envelope containing the mans documents.

“Alright.” Max smiles and looks at it with light in his eyes.

“I’ll get you a water proof pouch for it later, but for now.” Lance takes a deep breath, grabbing hold on the doors knob.

This was the exact thing he wanted to do before, but because of the sudden turn of events it was ruined, doing it for the second time he made sure that their friend would see the what he thought was great about their society.

“We welcome you to the South Pearl camp Max,” He states opening the door of the commanders mansion.

They were greeted with several scouts moving around doing their stuff. Some were repairing broken down parts of the building, the quadrone even passed by them carrying some wood and cement. But what made Max smile with amazement was that the whole place looked so lively with all the lights turned on, even though it was already night time.