Manhattan Bar and Lounge

[Jeremy Hunter]

Q 19 year old kid walked into the bar, sat down, and ordered a New York Steak. He pulled out a flask and drank. The smell of Old Earth Root Beer wafed out. THere was something different about him. He talk little and didnt socalize. He listened. The bartender eyed him and noticed the sidearm. It was a sidearm that he knew was in service to only one faction...and the bartender didnt bother to say anything. Best to keep quiet and leave the kid alone. As he turned, Commander Zack Archer, recently promoted second-on-command of Task Force Iota, entered and sat down next to the stranger. Moments later another kid entered. he was dressed like a trader, and as he walked, the bartender heard a Texas drawl. The boy sat down with Zack and the stranger. He sighed. And listened.

Jeremy, I cant keep saying "Who?" "What?" "Where?". Stop coming here.!"
"Zack, I came here to make sure you and Gwyn saw eachother again. Not much else to do on this job."
"Come on ya'll, lets just eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we dont see one anthor!"

Archer shook his head. Jeremy and Tobias were crazy. But they were his best friends.

"Ok. Fine. Jeremy, the moment you get to your ship, go black and dont talk."
"Yessir."

The kid with the Texas drawl laughed as the threesome started to have a good time. The bartender shook his head. Couple of teens. The stranger without the drawl waled up and threw down some credits.

"That should cover it" the boy leaned in closer You never saw me."
The kid slouched out of the bar. The other two downed thier drinks and paid. The bartender looked out to see a Percheron, an Upholder, and...It couldnt be. Out of the Hold of the Percheron, an Order VHF called 'Nephthys' launched, then disappeared from sight. It had gone blacker than the night. The bartender shook his head. He never saw it

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May you ever walk in the Light, Shizune.