Since we used Julia's legal routes, all of us didn't feel the tension of getting caught. Although if I were to point out something, that'll be the forgery of legal documents that's gonna get us caught.
We prepared everything on our end, while we let Julia take care of Nico. And just to be sure we hid Nico in one of our smuggling compartments hidden under the ship's engine.
As our ship entered the planet's atmosphere we received a notification from the Space Port Authority personnel. As per routine, we gave out all the necessary information they needed from ship callsign, crew names, and purpose of visit. Everything went normally until the SPA, you know what it means, sent out fighter planes that escorted our ships.
C.H.R.I.S. notified us with every data regarding our escort ships. Strife prepared our ship's weapons system and placed his hand over the thrust controls.
"Strife, don't." Julia calmly warned him.
Strife eased in and disarmed. We received a transmission from one of our escort ships.
"Calling in ship model GN-05, registered name Swift. Please allow yourselves to be escorted to a designated landing pad and prepare to be boarded. I repeat, please allow yourselves to be escorted to a designated landing pad and prepare to be boarded."
"This is Celestine La Flaga, captain of Swift. We acknowledge. Please lead the way."
The escort ship led us to a designated spot, there we saw at least two military vehicles and about seven uniformed officers. To anyone this could make them piss themselves but to us it's barely an inconvenience. As we got closer we began to see their faces up close. Some of them looked like humans with animal ears while others were beastman in distinct species of animals.
There were dogs, cats, and even reptiles. If I could really describe everything, it's like looking at a small meet-up group preparing for a furry convention.
We landed the ship and I moved out to prepare all the necessary documents. I opened the door and there were five military officers who stood still, there were two dogmen, and three tiger eared people.
They did the triangle formation so we knew who's in charge. Celestine handed out the papers and told her the cover story. The rest of us except Strife, who was still doing the final phases of shutting down, came at the center to present ourselves.
"Alright, I've checked all the documents, everything's fine so far. Now my crew here will just do a quick inspection on your ship." The man in charge told Celestine.
Celestine flashed that innocent smile, and so did Julia. Strife vacated his chair as the inspection team drew close. Only the four men moved around the ship, the lead didn't do anything but just looked at us with a stare of comfort and intimidation.
"Why the tight security? Last time we're here this wasn't implemented, so what gives?" I asked the leader, minding my tone.
"Direct orders from the duke. I assume you knew what happened to the royal family, correct?" The leader asked us.
"Yes, but before you could continue, is it okay if we could film your thoughts and reactions?" Julia asked as her journalist buttons turned on.
"Sorry but we have strict orders from the duke to decline interviews."
"How about something off the record?" Julia offered an alternative, the leader came closer to us as if to make sure his subordinates weren't listening.
"Right now our entire government is split in half over the incident. There are others who side with the duke, who blames the Seak for the royal family's death, and those who are sceptical with the truth."
There was a brief pause in our exchange. I saw it in the eyes of the inspection leader that he wasn't sure of what to answer.
Then all we heard was a brief silence of the inspecting officer's footsteps, and what they're opening in our ship. One of the officers rushed to us. His face was pale and sweating.
"Sir, I tried to inspect their engine room but it's locked." I could hear the distress in his voice.
The hair on my back raised. The engine room is where we hid Nico, if one of them came in and just caught a whiff of Nico's scent, it'll be over.
Before we could think of someone to send out, the rest of the inspection crew came down. They reported that everything was already searched with no irregularities. The only place left is the engine room.
"Can we inspect your engine room?" The leader asked.
Celestine nodded and asked Strife to lead the way. And that was a good idea, I'm not saying he smells. But Strife's musk along with the burning fuels could be good enough to hide Nico's scent.
We also joined the inspection crew to the engine room. As they searched the place high and low it was like looking at your parents searching for porn in your room.
We kept a clear bluff that we're not hiding anything illegal in our ship. As one of the inspection crew moved right above the grate where we kept Nico. Julia and Strife moved their bodies forward. Celestine stopped both of them by her stern gaze.
The crew above the crate sniffed the air. That's when almost everyone panicked. Did he smell Nico? Does this need to end in a fight? Those were the questions I began to ask myself.
Before he could call out his superior officer, we all heard a strong booming voice. There was a strength in that voice, I could also sense a bit of compassion.
"Is this GN-05, Swift?" the voice asked, this time I could tell that it's from a woman.
And I was correct. A woman in a military uniform, with long black hair came by the engine room door. From the looks of it she's a general.
Her slit iris and long pointed ears were intimidating. Everyone of the inspection crew stood in attention.
"Who are these people?" The general asked the inspection leader.
"They are reporters ma'am."
The general looked at all of us. She surveyed everyone and asked who's the captain. Celestine raised her hand and they both exchanged pleasantries.
"Thank you and you're dismissed..." The general said in a monotone voice.
The leader of the inspection team froze. With only that phrase these men looked as if they had failed in life. They wanted to ask why but regardless they walked out of the ship.
The woman looked at us. Her glare was enough to prove her strength, but we didn't get initiated. The four of us looked her dead in the eye with no fear in sight.
"I am The Secretary of Planetary Defense, General Carrie Satsuki."
Her self introduction added another point in her intimidation. Any novice smuggler would surrender on the spot, but we held our ground.
She gave a smile of either relief or mockery. General Satsukil then walked towards the grate where we hid Nico and turned back. Our expression stayed stoic, then she smiled warm heartedly as she began to lift out the grate cover revealing Nico.
All of our eyes widen. The next thing we knew is that all of us except Julia trained our guns at the general. General Satsuki saw us and without even feeling scared she smiled ear to ear.
"I see why you're so confident with these people, princess." General Satsuki told Nico.
"You told me that if ever I'm in an unfamiliar position, familiarize then utilize. I've read about them and from what I've read, they're one of the best." Nico replied casually.
"Very well. Welcome back princess" General Satsuki smiled and so did Nico.