The shire sidled it's way towards the MacDuff, the mooring arm extending on the side, ready to clamp on. It touched onto the MacDuff airlock silently, the only noise a slight hiss as the lock pressurised. As the doors slid open, a few Bowex employees filed through, pushing hovercarts loaded with equipment of all sorts. Moving it into the bay area, and offloading it to set up, they where already attracting quite a crowd. Then, they noticed the man in the wheelchair, a grubby, greasy rag and wrench hanging from his belt. Max rolled through the air lock in his wheelchair, still preferring this relic of the past rather than a hover-chair or mechanical supports on his legs. He rolled towards the growing crowd
A'ight, a'ight. Nothen te see 'ere. Would one o' yeh kind lads go get Admiral.. Bloom was it? He should be expectin oos.
Max placed an ID chip in the officers hand
There's a good lad
He turned back to his employees
Alright, lets get this together before high an' migh'y gets down here. We don' want no problems, even if this is a prototype...
The officer placed the ID chip in his scanner. After a short green glow appeared from the scanner he turned to the bulkhead next to the airlock and nodded his head. An officer stepped from the side of a stacked container as did his two colleagues that were leaning against it.
High and mighty? Well, that remains to be seen if you ask me.
As he stepped forward he slowly raised his head... it was admiral Bloom.
There are other ways to distinguish oneself than with might and rank. Ingenuity perhaps, I believe that that is a field that we share.
Bloom stepped up to Wolf's chair and extended his hand.
Pleasure to meet you mister Wolf, I didn't expect you to bring everything with you so soon. However I'm glad that you did.
Max shook his hand firmly, looking back at the equipment
In Bowex, there's one way of doing a job. Thats quickly, efficiently, and right first time. Thus, I came prepared. Oh, and meh names Max. Don' be afrai' teh use it. Mr Wolf was me father.
He shouted something at one of the employees, shocking them
I swear, ye wan' anything done right, ye do it yerself... Now, once it's setup, I can show you some of the details of it, but I'd assume you'll prefer to question me firs'? Details an' all. If so, lead the way, I'll foller yeh.
Bloom turned a quarter to his right and stopped. He gave his men in front of him a warm smile and the audience dispersed before one of the bodyguards gave the order.
It is not always easy to get things done once there is an audience. Same goes for once we are further inside, we will talk more there. Do not adress too many staff on the way. I'd rather not have them gossiping as much as they do already.
The group stepped onto a personell lift and made their way out towards the nearest corridor. On their way the occasional salute was heard and answered with a short nod or a calm good day. Four hallways further Bloom walked past one of two black armed guards and turned back around. After the guard had saluted he looked down at Max, frowning. Bloom scraped his throat:
Our guest.
Y-yes sah.
The guard turned around and pushed one button of the console next to the reinforced door. On Blooms belt and on the guards a small grey box gave two dull green flashes and the door opened.
The lights inside were already on and further back two men facing computer screens were seemingly playing a video game. The group stepped inside. With the fading light of the corridor a woman stepped out from her desk on the left. Blooms attention was already grasped by the screens.
Status Vickers?
Three dewn, one more to goew sah. The boys are wrapping up as we speak. I ... uhm ... didn't thank you would be back so soon sah. All is undah control?
Bloom nodded his head, agreeing with his coordinator's statement. He turned to Max
I apologize for the silence on the way Max. This is a secondary control center where we can speak more freely.