I'm pretty sure of where this is headed, at least I have a destination in mind. again: feedback on any and all improvements that could be made -- grammar, dialogue changes, pace of plot, are all appreciated to help me rank up my story level.

Chapter 2:

He squirmed in the large chair he had been pushed in as the silence spread around him. The figure sitting before him hadn’t lifted it’s head from the paper work that stood in mounds across the desk, so he took the time to admire the room. Of course, there where still the two guards, stationed at the door, their hands holding the hilt of their blades, ready at a moments notice. The walls where filled to the brim with books, most of which where scattered about the room, small flaps of paper sticking from between their pages. He looked again at the figure that scribbled furiously at the document before it, studying the scrap metal helmet and armor, along with the apparently tanned leather gloves. He quickly snapped his head away as the figure looked up and, judging by the sparkle of its eyes, smiled at him. “I’m glad you made it back Roth.” The Lord General spoke in a pleasant tone, but what struck him was the pitch itself. “I am myself, ma’am, but why speak to me?”

“please, call me Skylark, and I’m glad you asked. I have heard some interes-“ “Skylark, ma’am? Like the ship?” “…I will look past that, but yes, exactly as our pride and joy, now, about your escape from the clockworks… how?” “I-I’m not exactly sure myself ma-er, Skylark…” “The doctors say you where walking deactivated.” “Ma’am?” “Dead, offline, main systems down, gone. In short, Roth, you left Cradle behind.” “I… I don’t know ma’am. The last I remember are these big gaping shadows that just followed my group everywhere and…” Roth stopped himself from his sudden intake of breath as he bit back tears. “… My squad.” “You found Candlestick Keep then; we’ve been trying to get it cycled out, too many good nights falling to those Grimalkin.”
Roth thought he heard a shriek from far off, holding back against a massive shudder, he didn’t notice the red mist forming in the corner of the room. “I’m sorry Roth, your squad is just another squad to sign the forms on, we haven’t seen any of them since whatever happened down there.” Skylark watched his expression closely, noticing the streaks of red that passed through his eyes, and the wiring dotting his face. “You had any Crystal Energy packs Roth?” “No ma’am I…” his voice trailed off as he watched the mist in the corner condense into a knight-like figure, holding his head and leaning against the wall. A slow voice echoed throughout his head, I… Remember… “Roth? Are you ok?” Skylark turned in her chair, following Roth’s haunted eyes to the empty spot in the corner of her study. “Bash? Zeal? Maybe Roth here needs a little more time to rest?” His eyes still fixed on the corner, the two guards picked Roth up by his arms and carried him through the room. The red knight continued to cradle his head in the corner as memories flooded through is mind, all clamoring for release, pulling him apart.