Ein langer Weg .. ( a long way)

[Schattenkralle92]

Freeport 8, Sigma-15
November 27, 835 A.S.

Lutz woke up in the medical ward at Freeport 8, a Zoner station in Sigma 15. Apparently, a passing Zoner convoy had received his distress call and witnessed his unwanted exit from his ship. Friendly and helpful as most Zoner pilots are, they had picked him up and handed him over to the medical staff at Freeport 8. After dutifully paying the 500 SC treatment fee, Lutz made his way to the canteen to find a much-needed drink and, if possible, a ride back to Hamburg.

The bar at the free port was a hub of activity. Large and spacious, with many alcoves where the tables were located, hidden from prying eyes to allow for less legal business.
A large window front offered a view of the adjacent Crow Nebula. Countless people milled about at the tables, in the aisles, and at the bar. Bounty hunters, merchants, freighter pilots, and even pirates were represented. Despite this explosive mix of people, everything was peaceful and everyone treated each other with polite indifference. No one dared to violate the Zoners' declaration of neutrality and thus possibly be excluded from the diverse offerings of the freeports.

Lutz knew only too well that many parties depended on supplies from these free ports. He also knew that the best information could be obtained from the bartenders, so he made his way to the bar. A young man with brown hair, probably in his late 30s, was in the process of pouring a few drinks. Lutz raised his right hand to signal that he also wanted to be served. The man nodded briefly and finished pouring before making his way over to Lutz.
“What can I get you?” he asked in a polite but not particularly friendly tone.
“I need a strong drink, for starters.”
The man nodded again, reached up to a hidden shelf, and pulled out a blue bottle. '"Liberty Ale Quantum" he said briefly, but Lutz just grimaced.
“Uh, no thanks, do you have anything else?”
The man nodded and put the bottle back on the shelf. He took out another one, which looked similar to a Sidewinder-Fang, and quickly poured a glass.
He kindly pushed it over to Lutz, who took a somewhat hesitant sip.
Surprised by the pleasant, almost slightly sweet taste, he took another larger sip before putting the glass down and resuming his conversation with the bartender.
“I also need a ride to Hamburg. Any ideas?” he asked, then drained his glass.
"Hamburg, hmm, we Zoners don't have any business there. You could ask some of the Junker pilots over there. They usually only fly to New Berlin, but maybe one of them has something to do in Liberty and will be passing through Hamburg.
Then there's that pain in the neck. The guy in the fancy suit at the back left of the table. He always has a small entourage with him. He's always whining about how the bars in Hamburg are so much better equipped and whatnot. Seems like he's from there, so maybe I'll get lucky and he'll disappear back there."

Lutz nodded understandingly, placed his finger on the neurolink, and paid for his drink before setting off in search of this nuisance. As described by the bartender, his potential ride, dressed in a fine three-piece light brown suit, did not appear to be alone in the canteen. With his back to Lutz, a stocky older gentleman sat at the same table and the two were engaged in lively conversation. The older man's voice sounded unexpectedly familiar to Lutz, but he quickly dismissed the thought to concentrate on his actual goal. When he had approached the table to within half a meter, he spoke up.
“Please excuse me for interrupting, but...”
Before he could finish his sentence, the older man spun around and stood up. Lutz now looked him straight in the face. A deep scar under his left eye, bushy light brown eyebrows, and a hooked nose.
“It can't be. Karl? Is that you?” Lutz asked incredulously.
It took a few seconds, but then the man's stony face changed into a delighted smile.
“Lutz? Lutz Berger? Man, I haven't seen you since Dresden! What are you doing here at the freeport?”
“I ended up here by chance, or should I say I was stranded here.”
“Why don't you join us for a moment?” replied the man in the light brown suit, who soon introduced himself as Emil.

---

With the start of the wildfire . . . its the end of an empire
In the death of a desire . . . its the end of an empire
again . . . again . . . again . . .
At the edge of the hellfire . . . its the end of an empire
In the line of the gunfire . . . its the end of an empire
again . . . again . . . again . . .
Through space and time . . . you can't escape this paradigm
At the close of a lifetime . . . its the end of an empire
this time
Another ending that's beginning to unfold . . . its the end of the Rheinland empire

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BUND|Schattenkralle -|- BUND|BTs-Steinbrecher -|- BUND|BFr-Schiller -|- John.Lugan