I slowly opened the door to the Sunbucks Cafe secretly hoping no one was there. I checked my uniform. I had rookie written all over me. My uniform was way too pressed and my badge was way too shiny. Why am I here, I asked myself. I hate coffee. I hate coffee worse than donuts. Maybe I will just get a warm cup of cocoa. Nobody will laugh at me for drinking hot chocolate. Who am I kidding? They will all laugh. They will all point at me and chant, "'Seymore drinks hot chocolate. Seymore drinks hot chocolate."
I stop and shake myself out of my paranoia. Remember the therapy, Seymore. Nobody is going to care one iota who you are, much less laugh at you for something as stupid as drinking hot chocolate in a coffee store.
I walk a few steps into the cafe. I count about a dozen officers huddled in pairs, talking to each other in hushed tones. No one even looks up to see me. That's good. Be as inconspicuous as possible. I find a small table stationed as close to the front door as possible. With all the subtlety I can muster, I take my seat.
At least, I tried to take my seat. I misjudged the height of the chair and ended up pushing that stool halfway across the cafe, metal legs screeching against tile floor. I fall down, banging my head against the glass window, knowing that my worst fears are realized. Every eye in Sunbucks is upon me. Officers rush upon me offering aid. Dazed and groggy from the blow to my head, I relunctantly accept their assistance.
The largest man I have ever seen in my life reaches down and picks me up like I was made out of paper mache. He dusts me off, pats my back and asks me my name.
I try to talk but the words refuse to come out. They are going to laugh, I know it. The officer checks the back of my head and asks if I'm alright. I finally spit out a response that I'm fine. With a weak grin, I apologize for the accident.
"No need to apologize, young man," he bellows. "Let me get you something to drink. What'll you have?"
I try to swallow the lump in my throat. With a voice barely above a whisper, I respond, "Hot chocolate, sir."
He gestures over to the counter, and in a loud booming voice, commands the waitress, "Get a cup of hot chocolate over to this...What did you say your name was, boy?"
I cringe, "Seymore, sir. Seymore Justice."
"Get our newest recruit, Seymore Justice, a cup of hot chocolate."
I wait for the inevitable laughter that always follows my name, but there is none. Everyone has genuine looks of concern on their faces; care for my well-being. Slowly, I start to feel more confortable about my career. Maybe these people are different. Maybe they are more mature. Maybe I can start to be myself and these people will like me for who I am.
I receive my hot chocolate and for the first time, unleash a wide smile. I thank the huge officer for his help and shake hands with the rest of my fellow police that are there. I walk toward the door to leave thinking that I made a good decision to join the LPI. I could see these people actually being my friends. They care about me.
I walk out the door confident in my future, secure in who I am. Just as the door was about to shut behind me, I hear one of the officers say, "Seymore?" The whole store erupted. I had to run two full blocks before the sound of laughter finally died away.
After a grueling shift to where his Patriot had seen better days, Marsh decided a good ol mug of coffee would hit the spot. Upon hearing the laughter coming from inside the Sunbucks, Marsh could see someone running towards him, a fellow Recruit Officer, Seymore Justice. I gave him a wave hello but he seemed to focused or maybe still in shock, I noticed a big bump on his forehead. Anywho, I continued to see what all the fuss was about, I entered the Sunbucks and some of the officers there were re-enacting Seymore's blunder, laughing histerically, I then understood how he got that bump!
Not wanting to disturb the officers who were re-enacting the scene, I decided to take a seat at an empty table alongside the window.
"What can I get ya" the waitress shouted
"Umm I'll have a Co..." I was about to say when I was interrupted
"Coffee and a doughnut" she said as she turned around "why do I even ask"
As she brough back my order, I could feel the eyes of the officers upon me, waiting on my exact move. I took a careful gulp of the black coffee only to spit it out immediately, choking in disgust! The officers in the Sunbucks burst out in laughter again, "Haha another one bites the dust" an officer said!
"What the hell was that" I replied, still spitting up.
"That was dirty engine oil" said another officer "We like hazing young recruits, makes them tougher"
"Hmphf tougher" I said, standing up and showing them my muscles!! "It dont get any tougher"
"We'll see, I hope your combat flight experience at West Point pays off kid, you got promoted to Officer, your in a Libby now, combat is inevitable!!" the offcier said with steel eyes
I quickly fell back down in my chair, deep in thought, wondering what awaits me out there, knowing that now I will have to engage, no more fleeing in my Patriot!!
Life sank in and the Sunbucks got quiet quick, until that is, the waitress arrived with my real order, real coffee and a doughnut.
"Its not Tim Hortons but it will do"
Smack, a doughnut launched from across the room nails me in the head.
Preston Marlow walks in and walks up to the counter.
What'll it be, Preston? The cashier asks. The usual.
Preston receives his coffee and sits down by himself at a table in the corner of the shop.
He grabs a newspaper and starts to read random stories as he sips at his coffee.
"Its getting hectic up there, have you been to the blockade of Texas/Bering/Hudson yet, was there today and I'll tell ya, those Rheinlanders just dont get it!!"
Marsh takes a sip out of his coffee and then bites into his boston creme.
J.D. Masket is sitting in a comfortable looking chair in the corner of sunbucks. He appears to be writing something on a piece of paper, laughing under his breath. Not an unusual sight in sunbucks, infact there are several others writing, or at least pretending to.
Masket finishes his coffee and walks out, leaving behind the paper he was writing on.
It reads:
"Chief Myers doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants."
"Chief Myers is currently suing NBC, as Law and Order are the trademarked names of his right and left legs."
"There is no 'ctrl' key on Chief Myers' computer, because Chief Myers is ALWAYS in control."
"Chief Myers is the reason Waldo is hiding."
"Chief Myers can slam a revolving door."
"Chief Myers doesn't wear a watch, HE decides what time it is."
"Chief Myers can divide by zero."
"When the boogeyman goes to sleep each night, he checks his closet for Chief Myers."
Joshua Walker walks into the cafe he's heard so much about, not being a huge fan of Coffee & Donuts he had kept his distance from the place for quite a while. He orders up a Latte, adds in as much cream, milk, and sugar as he can to get the bitter taste of the coffee as diluted as possible. He decides to skip on the donuts, they would just get his ship's console sticky. Taking a swig of his coffee (grimacing in disgust) he lets his eyes wander. "There's Chief Meyers, probably talking about some silly comic strip about tigers and 6 year olds..." He notices a piece of paper nearby and takes a glance. "Chief Meyers can slam a revolving door? He decides what time it is?" Sounds like someones gunning for a promotion. He tosses the nearly still full coffee into a waste bin and goes over to converse with the other recruits....
Amy McTavish staggered through the door still wearing her flight gear.
As she staggered past the other officers to the counter they could smell the distinct aroma of burning Patriot. "Coffee. Strongest you've got." She says.
After making it to a table in a corner, she drinks the coffe in one, then puts her head on the table and dozes off.
It had been a hell of a job getting away from the battle in an escape pod.
The good memory she had of the day was that she lasted longer against the outcasts then Deputy O'Brian.
' Wrote:Come on, everyone!
Hark, the Bounty Hunters si-ing,
Death to all the pirate kings...
Goals: To be interviewed by Chris Hansen on Dateline NBC.
Hull O'Brian enters Sunbucks after battle, still in his flight suit and covered in sweat.
"Bartender, one shot of tequila and a frappachino."
"Sure Hull, coming right up"
Hull turns around, and spies the jukebox back near the pool table.
Hull goes back to it, plugs it back into the wall, and watches it boot up.
"Whats wrong with the Jukebox?" Asks O'Brain
"It wont auto update the music selections anymore, I called the repair man" Replied the Bar tender.
"All machine are alike. Troubleshooting rule #1, kick it" Hull gives the Machine a good swift kick with his flight boots.
The Jukebox resets, and starts working again.
Hull pulls out a few credits and puts them into the jukebox and makes his selection.
He goes back to his shot of tequila and announces " I dedicate this to the scum we wiped out today that was attacking the LN ships. You think the LPI is weak and worthless? Then you've got another thing coming! (/nk, click on it)"
Hull pounds back his tequila and smiles. It had been a great day.....
Formerly known as LPI Police Chief Hull O'Brien.
Creator of Sgt. V. Price, 207th Precinct out of Chula Vista Station
Jerry Shaw, after a battle with an outcast armada heads to Sunbucks for some relaxation after a hard and long day. He fidnds himself a table in the corner (his personal favourite because he has a full view of what's going on) and makes himself comfortable. Shortly after the waitress arrives
-What can I get you today, Jerry
- I need something to hel me cool down and relax... bring me a Mojito.
-Alright - it will be ready in a sec.
While he waits, he lights up a cigarette and makes himself as comfortable as he can ever get in a chair.
The waitress arrives with his drink:
-Here you go - enjoy!
Jerry gets on with drinking his cocktail, in which he seem to take much pleasure.
He finishes his drink and prepares to leave and get some sleep after the exhausting day when he spots a considerably beautiful woman exiting the cafe. He tells to himself: