I remember that still moment when near father and son gazed into each other's eyes. Leeland's gray eyes were filled with so many emotions I could hardly understand; yet I had quite a few feelings milling around inside of me as well. Leeland seemed as though he could almost say, 'What the heck..' Then he really DID say it. His voice trailed off and his beak said something inaudible. I looked down at my blood-stained feathers. Then it hit me. This looked perfectly clear that I'd killed the general. I knew full well that I hadn't, but Leeland and his armed companions didn't know so. I didn't have words to explain. I just sat there in a pool of blood with an expression similar to what it'd be if a guy was caught stealing candy in his underwear late at night. Leeland found words sooner than I did, "What have..you done?" he asked, his eyes wide. I shrugged. Was that all I could do in my defense? That was pitiful! "I uh..this isn't..I just..after all?" I stuttered. Leeland sighed, shaking his head in distress, "Oh Fahlcon..those hours in the battle station..they DID do something to your head boy.." he muttered. What did he mean? Did he think I'd lost my marbles? I'd matured. I'd gotton hard-hearted a scoche, but I'd never dream of killing a guy in broad daylight! Leeland rested his head on his flipper. A penguin beside him holding what I recognised as a 57 Magnum in his flippers turned to him and asked, "What are your orders sir?" Leeland hesitated to reply. I debated begging for mercy, but something held me back. Who knows what. Leeland lifted his head and nodded slowly, "Bind him up." he motioned, "Take him back to the camp when your done." The two soldiers nodded. The next thing I knew my flipper's were bound behind my back and with a slight shove to start me off on my way the three of us followed Leeland towards the base. I for one was actually glad that there were two guys supporting me on either side. I think I would have collapsed otherwise. I felt like barfing, fainting, and going from here to heaven all at once. I walked in a daze, my eyes fixed on my feet taking each slow, shaky stride. Where they were leading me, could seal my fate entirely; and I knew it.