Everything remains as it never was

[etiainen]

Druce enters a small, quiet bar in a less-busy corridor. He's not quite sure how he knew that it is there, since he doesn't recall ever being there, so he reckons he must have known the route somewhat subconsciously. Jonah walks inside right behind him, answering all his questions. He doesn't answer or react just yet, as he's trying to force his brain into unlocking whatever there's secluded upon hearing each piece of Jonah's information, storing it into some kind of mental buffer, going through each piece one at a time...

"Th' usual...", he utters to the barkeep, not sure if he has had any usual beverage, apart from the green liquid Jonah mentioned...He starts regretting it inside slightly since he can't really remember what it was, but the barkeep brings 2 flagons with something golden-coloured inside them. He takes a sip from his flagon...it was mead, he remembers, and realizes how much he has missed the taste of it. They both take their flagons and sit down at the table near the less-lit corner of the bar.

"Second in command? ... Security officer? Well...that's gonna need some time ta get used ta...", he ponders quietly, ...a gunboat an' a bomber? Hmm, goin' ta need someone ta help me remember how ta fly those buggers properly, I nearly dove into th' two suns on my way inta Edinborough...", he chuckles and looks at Jonah sitting opposite to him with a semi-amused, semi-worried face. He looks into his flagon, the lights from the roof of the bar dancing in the tiny waves on the surface of the mead ...Jonah, how long was I gone? I dinnae remember anythin' except fer some --- "


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The dripping rain gently carresses the leaves of the trees, its mother-clouds concealing the starlight, keeping it all for themselves... An occasional noise of a distant animal can be heard, but it's the only sound daring to interrupt the melody of the raindrops dancing on the leaves and the wet soil... Druce looks around, searching for any movement amidst the infinite darkness he's part of. He pulls out a communicator, its light blinding at first, but becoming more comfortable as his eyes slowly accomodate and focus on the sole source of artificial light. The screen shows a map of the surrounding area, portraying an endless forest area... He stares at the screen for a few minutes without movement, barely breathing. As he is putting it back into the pocket...

*BEEP!* One motion source detected. Location northward. Estimated distance nine hundred meters, and decreasing rapidly...

*BEEP!* seven hundred and fifty meters... It's moving in fast... Druce puts the communicator back into his pocket...

*BEEP!* six hundred meters. Druce pulls out a small device from his pocket and presses a button. The device flashes a dark-violet light into his eyes, immediately accomodating them to the dark environment.

*BEEP!* four hundred *BEEP!* two hundred and fifty meters. Druce puts the device back and places his right arm on the handle of his blade clipped to his suit.

*BEEP!* One hundred meters. It's almost here!

...

The radar stops beeping. It has stopped. Druce remains motionless, standing in a defensive position, staring into the dark void in front of him. He waits for one minute...two...three...he knows it's there...

*BEEP!* Alert! Two additional motion sources detected. *BEEP!* Locations north, southwest, east. Distance fifty meters

*BEEP!*

*BEEP!*

*BEEP!*

*BEEP!*


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AAAAARGH!!!!!!, Druce cries out as he grabs his head-ache tormented head. He tries standing up, but blinded by the pain, he stumbles to the side and falls off of his chair. He tries opening his eyes, but all he can see through the pulsating pain is the side of the floor he is lying on and a glimpse of Jonah terrified and standing above him. He can barely make out the words of Jonah calling for help as he slowly drifts out of consciousness.







[color=#99FF99][font=Book Antiqua]..........Druce...........time to wake up...........

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