Toledo Lounge

[majoj]

Commander Duke walked in with a slight limp. His shades on, despite the dim light and the bandage on his right eye, and a cigarette in the corner of his mouth.
What will it be today, sir? the bartender inquired.
I have a powerful lust for some gin, if you don't mind...
The bartender poured the clear liquid into a shot glass and slid it over the polished bar in Duke's general direction. He reached down to catch his drink, but it flew past his hand, only to be stopped by the bartender himself.
Depth perception's gone to hell, eh Raoul? What happened to you anyway, you look like a train wreck.
Duke took a puff from his cigarette, grabbed it with one hand, the other firmly gripping the shot glass. He lifted it, took a whiff of that lovely scent, and drained it. His mouth twisted into a grin, he turned his head to the bartender while the smoke was escaping through his teeth and nostrils.
Someone should learn not to drop mines on their own comrades' heads.
Well, I see your spirits are safe and sound still, so it couldn't be that bad.
Yeah, most of the cockpit and the front fuselage remained intact, and the blast sent me spinning and flying.
Zoner patrol that picked me up said they saw a comet heading towards the Freeport, but when they closed in to blow it up, they recognized the torso of my fighter...
The bartender laughed, and grabbed the bottle again.
One more, to the minefields and keen Zoner eyesight!
Duke killed another shot, and felt that warm sensation spreading through his guts. After a couple more drinks to the increasingly bizarre causes, the ashtray was half-full, while the bottle was half empty.
Allright, time to scram. Those reports won't finish themse-
He turned around, and almost crashed into the young Tyler Critius behind him.
Commander, I came here to sa-
*sshh* You came here to apologize?
Yes sir.
Very well. Apology accepted, under one condition.
Thank you very much sir, I'll happily do anything you ask!
Allright, then stand still.
With a single motion of his right hand, he swept through the air and slapped the poor Critius on his hace. He staggered back a few steps, but kept standing still. One side of his face had an imprint of a palm clearly visible. Duke stretched his right arm again, this time not wanting to harm, but in a gesture of peace. Tyler cautiously accepted the hand, and gripped it firmly. Now we're even. I don't want to hear another word about what happened today, allright? Both men smiled, and Raoul began to walk out towards the main door.
See you in space, Tyler, and next time, don't go berserk when dropping mines...

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