Gone & Missing

[Toaster]

Beige glanced up at the bar’s ceiling, thinking about how to proceed. The Omicrons were vast and easy to get lost in. If he did not find a clue as to where Olivia was here, odds were he would never find her. He heaved a weary sigh.

Suspended from the ceiling, he saw a number of displays, showing grainy news broadcasts from across the Edge and the houses beyond. An idea struck him and he leapt off of his stool, clambering onto the bartop. The barman spun around and shouted, but the mercenary just gave him a playful wink and grinned.

Turning to face the establishment’s patrons, he flicked a finger across his wristlink. The image of Olivia appeared upon the screens above his head, broadcast clearly to everyone in the bar.

“Hey, everyone!” Beige called out gleefully. Heads turned. “I’m looking for this lovely lady! If anyone’s seen her or knows where she might be, I need to know!”

He gazed out over the few occupied seats and booths, scanning the faces for any trace of recognition. Most only looked irritated by the loud distraction. Some stared back blankly, completely disinterested. Others laughed quietly at his antics. The hopeful smile began to fade from Beige’s face when his eyes locked onto the booth farthest from him. A lone spacer sat within, glaring at him wild-eyed. As soon as their eyes met, the man hurriedly looked away.

“Bingo,” Beige whispered and hopped down from the countertop. Olivia’s image vanished from the displays, replaced again by the news broadcasts. Grabbing his two shot glasses, he sauntered over to the table and its sole occupant, plopping casually onto the bench across from him. The glasses struck the tabletop with a muffled cling.

“Hey there, buddy,” Beige greeted the stranger with a big smile. “Sitting here alone?”

The man glanced up at him, nervously shifting in his seat.

“Yeah,” he managed to mutter.

Beige leaned forward and shoved one of his drinks under the man’s nose.

“Not anymore!” He cried happily. Then he leaned back, threw one arm over his bench’s backrest and crossed a leg over the other, appearing as laid back and relaxed as possible. The stranger cautiously nodded a thank you and sniffed at the drink.

“Now,” Beige began, “I feel like you might know something about the woman I’m looking for.”

The man’s already pale face went stark white and he shifted again, as though trying to scoot as far away from the mercenary as possible.

“Buddy,” Beige went on in a chiding tone. “You’ll tell me what you know.”

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Olivia Sable