Fleet Commander Kinnaird strolled into the Bar & Grill from the Deck 27 accessway. He turned left, took the staircase up ome floor, another left and down the corridor into the Officer's Lounge. The Lounge was a much more secluded area in comparison to the Grill's main floor; it was a popular place for officers to wind down outside of their own quarters.
A handful of Logistics Captains were near the front entrance of the Lounge, smoking and playing cards but Dane wasn't interested in joining them. He walked down to his favourite booth down the back and slumped down on the soft, cushioned lounge. He turned to the datapad in his hands.
He sighed. Casualty report, HL-TFW/21.1.12. Two PFCs dead, their Scimitars vaporised by a capital torpedo. A Lieutenant more crippled than the ship he was flying. A Major with a concussion and a crumpled Prosecutor. Eight servicemen killed aboard the Damocles when hostile fire detonated a magazine. The list went on...
Dane tossed the 'pad down on the table. He needed the casualty [personnel and material] summary completed by tomorrow night yet he couldn't get into the right frame of mind. Removing his signature multi-function visor, he placed it gently down next to the 'pad and rubbed his eyes.
A waiter was loitering a respectful distance from Kinnaird's booth, and he waved him over.
Fleet Captain Sam Fauk had been sitting in the bar, nursing a drink when Dane sat down. He had received a concussion several weeks ago and was still on no-fly duty. A bandage hung lackadaisically over his eye, but he didn't bother to remove it. Instead, he moved a seat closer to the seat Commander and saluted, the action sending a fresh spike of pain into his skull. Whether this was from his swollen brain or alcohol, he wasn't sure. But he was ready to stop being a loner for the time being.
"Afternoon, sir. You look like you don't enjoy counting the deceased."
On the passage of Bar & Grill Joe Raison hanging the advert...
"""Oп тhe fouгтeeптh of April, 820, 16:00 - I Joe Raisoп, aпd мy fiaпce Illaria Serьaпu will hold ouг weddiпg. We peгsoпally iпviтe Ryaп Williaмs, Aeгoп Valeптiнe, oг Jiм McКiпsey as a мiпisтeг. PS. We'll have a гeal Vodкa fгoм 0мega 52 oп тhe paгтy"""
Joe hung the flyer and smiled, walked to the bar and asked the bartender for a glass of whiskey.
Joe woke up after a night of partying, experiencing a horrid hangover. From the threshold of the entrace to the bar, he saw Illaria sitting at the bar and moved to her, placing his hands over her eyes and saying'Guess who?'
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