Mika startled when some guy hollered about being alive and kicking, swiveling around on her stool toward the noise. Everything got quiet for a second then a few chuckles broke out and they turned back to their drinks. Amazing how it is so easy to feel alone in a crowd. Mika had never been extremely outgoing and Boris's death had driven her further into her shell. She envied how easily others struck up conversations and flirted with each other. She stared into the empty hot chocolate mug, turned it slowly around three times then looked up at Bugsy. He came right over as though he'd been waiting for her to ask for something, beaming a broad smile. "Make me a White Russian?" she asked him. He nodded and hurried off.
"Eve? She's great, one hell of a driver, and tough as nails. That's her over there at the back of the bar, in her own little world." Chris stared at her from across the bar for a minute until the sound of Artie clearing his throat snapped him out of it. "What about you old man? Any action in the party truck?" Chris made eye contact with the only female passenger of truck one, the one he'd never met before, and exchanged a breif but warm smile. "Who's that?"
Steward limped past Chris giving him pat on the shoulder as he headed towards the bar, as he reached the bar he noticed Eve sitting alone "Mind if i join you?" he asked with a smile
"Mind if I join you?" Steward asked pulling Eve away from her thoughts. Eve gave a small smile, “go ahead.” She looked towards Chris a final time before looking Steward up and down. “For a man whose had an axe in his chest, I have to say you‘re doing very well. I take it your not a fan of bed rest?”
"What about you old man? Any action in the party truck?" Chris made eye contact with the only female passenger of truck one, the one he'd never met before, and exchanged a breif but warm smile. "Who's that?" A smile crept up on Artie's face as he took a gander at the Skarren woman who just ordered what looked to be an alcoholic beverage. He didn't see anyone around her, figuring in a few moments he'd like to change that. He turned to speak to Chris. "Oh, that's uhh... uhh..." he realized he hadn't exchanged names with her. "Damn, I didn't get her name." He shook his head at the bonehead move he had committed. "That was pretty stupid, huh?"
Hawke drank his whiskey enjoying the taste of the smooth blend. “You’ll run into Jeremiah for sure on that train. They’ll be some protection. And I’ll have that convoy of your prepared.” Greyson said. “Reaver’s nasty bugger’s.” Hawke replied. “Well once you’ve destroyed that frakking drill we can concentrate a full scale attack on the freaking evil son’s of bitches.” “And the blood.” Hawke said savouring another swig of the whisky clearing his glass with the last swig. Greyson finished his glass and poured another two. “The blood haven’t crossed into allied turf. And after the drill destruction the tribe’s will all be one.” Greyson explained. “The drill won’t get rid of the Drekk you know. Not at once.” Hawke butted in. “No but the attack shortly after well that will do some harm.” Greyson said. Hawke drank the last of his glass and stood from his seat. “Well as always Lieutenant it’s been a pleasure sharing your whiskey. But I will join my unit in the tavern.” Hawke said. “Hawke have a good one. And for christ’s sake relax a little will you. It’s been three years now.” Hawke stopped at the door. “And I still remember as though it was yesterday.” Greyson rose from his seat. “Yeah know they call him old one eye now don’t yeah.” Greyson explained. Hawke let a half smile grace his face. “Yeah and it’s me who took that frakker’s eye. I intend on taking more than an I on our next meeting.” Hawke said opening the door then closed it and left. ***** Hawke walked into the dimly lit Tavern a Cigar resting on his lips and his unit relaxing and drinking. Hawke stepped up to the bar and everyone fell silent. The bar keep approached him from behind the bar. “Got a poison.” He asked. Hawke lit his cigar the light from his zippo momentarily lit up the shadows across his face. Hawke flipped the zipp back in his pocket and inhaled and exhaled. The smoke rose around him. “Yeah whiskey.” Hawke replied. “Certainly.” The bar keep said placing a glass on the oak bar and getting a bottle. He unscrewed the lid and was about to tip the bottle when Hawke grabbed his wrist. “I’ll keep the bottle.” He said the cigar resting on his lips. The bar keep smiled and stepped back letting Hawke pour some of the whiskey into his glass. Hawke turned to his unit who still remained silent watching him. “Drink till you drop. Because tomorrow we go on the train. And I’m told that’s heading into Reaver occupied land.” Hawke drank his whiskey in on gulp slammed the glass down poured another. “Hey. Cap’n I’ll drink to that.” David called out.
Who was that, now? There was a handsome guy with Artie and they appeared to be friends. Handsome shot her a smile and she returned it automatically. The two of them went back to talking and Bugsy brought her drink. She turned and thanked him, taking a cautious sip. Perfect. Maybe she'd get a little buzzed. Seemed to be the order of the evening. Then Hawke arrived and told them what would be happening when they left here. She felt some of her newfound good feeling ebb away. Reavers were never good news. As everyone went slowly back to their conversations she knocked off some of her White Russion. Alcohol eased the emotions a little.
Lewis Patted Chris on the shoulder as he limped past. Chris was going to offer to help but he knew Lewis would only become angry at any implication that he was less than one-hundred percent. He watched as he took an empty seat next to Eve at the bar. Chris frowned. Now what's this all about?, Chris thought to himself. He better not be trying to get any sympathy kisses. "Oh, that's uhh... uhh...Damn, I didn't get her name. That was pretty stupid, huh?" Artie said. Chris was still distracted at what was going on at the end of the bar. "What?, yeah dumb mistake man, one you should go rectify, I'll be right back." Chris grabbed his drink and stood as Hawke started his brief.
Sadie wondered if she should have ordered alcohol when Hawke made his announcement. But no, she decided on reflection – the cocoa was tasty, and if they were headed into Reaver territory tomorrow she wanted a clear head, not a hangover. Speaking of which, it seemed certain members of the group were determined to drink themselves into a stupor. Part of her wanted to join them, part of her was irritated – she’d be the one saving their asses tomorrow. Catching sight of Chris a little way off, she smiled and gave a mock two-fingered salute before turning back to her drink. She glanced at Gask beside her as she took another sip, and then realised. Reaver territory. It would be all too familiar for him. “You gonna be okay?” she asked quietly.
Hawke stepped up to Mika. “Don’t fear death Mika. If it comes I promise you will not suffer.” He said swigging on his whiskey. Smoke surrounding him. Hawke pulled out a char and sat at a table watching his team. Mika seemed as lonely as he did. And no doubt she felt it for the same reason’s has he did. He refilled his glass again. Sadie he noticed was keeping her head clear. He understood why. A soldier always needed a clear head and a hangover would do her know good. Lewis however was not going out of the Tavern sober. Drake would probably be as drunk. Hawke smiled for a moment. Whatever uncertainness tomorrow was to bring at least they had tonight.
“go ahead.” She replied, looking Steward up and down "For a man whose had an axe in his chest, I have to say you‘re doing very well. I take it your not a fan of bed rest?” He laughed as he sat down "Exacly.... Even if i did; how am i supposed to sleep with these loud horny buggers" he indicated a thumb over his shoulders. "Whats a pretty lady like you doing all on your lone-some?" He asked in a curiouse tone "ermmm... there's more to you than meets my two eyeballs" raising his right eyebrow "Whats ya story? or dont wanna talk about it?"
Arthur was alone again as Chris stormed off. He looked to get another word with the Skarren woman he chatted up in the truck, but Hawke beat him to it. Artie was again at the wrong place at the wrong time. He shook his head and stayed at his seat to finish his drink. "Oh, Artie Boy, you gotta move faster for the things you want" he said to himself. His shot went down much smoother as he regained his bar legs. He was finally able to light a cigarette and enjoy it. He leaned back and looked at the various women scattered about, wondering if a dance was out of the question. It was for his first choice. How could he compete with the Captain? That wasn't going to happen at this moment. He absorbed eye candy for a good five minutes, and got up for a second to use the restroom.
Helena sat next to him and ordered something to drink. Spencer himself finished off his whiskey and slid the cup towards the barkeep. He moved to refill it. "Don't bother." Spencer said solidly. The man cocked an eyebrow at him before taking the glass away. A little alcohol, to warm up and relax a little, was one thing. But to get himself drunk, like many of his teammates apparently planned, was a bad idea. Anything could happen, even here. And to be caught incapacitated if something did happen would be to invite death.
"What’s a pretty lady like you doing all on your lone-some?" He asked in a curious tone "ermmm... there's more to you than meets my two eyeballs" raising his right eyebrow "What’s ya story? or don’t wanna talk about it?" Eve smiled at him there was an easy way to avoid this and there was no lie involved, “I‘ve had suppressive theory even if I wanted to tell you I couldn‘t, Apparently there is good reason for it, I think I‘m half crazy.” She grinned looking back towards Chris once again. “I think the most of it that I can remember has fallen on Chris‘s shoulders. I‘ll understand now if you‘re not interested in telling me your story.”
Omar followed after Steward, unfolding a wheelchair behind him. "'Sake Lewis, at least sit in the damn chair. If you mess up my -- and let me stress the word -- godlike feat of bringing you back from the very brink of death with only a few common first aid supplies, I'm going to be pissed. I want to show your scars off to the Cambridge medical convention when we get back. Finally get some respect around there... I can't do it if you rip your stitchwork and hemorrhage to death." He grinned broadly at the others. "I wonder how many lives I've saved so far. I bet it's most of you by now. Heh, you just don't get that kind of validation working with embryos..."
Chris stopped himself before he could get to Eve and Lewis. What was really bothering him? It wasn't as if Eve was is girlfriend or anything. The chances that she felt the same way about him as he felt about her were pretty slim. Besides, Lewis took an axe in the chest for them, he earned the right to talk to whomever he wanted. Chris downed his drink, turned around and walked back toward Arthur, he noticed Sadie give him a salute, he smiled and returned it as he made his way over to her. "Ah, i see you can walk again."
Before Gask replied – if he was going to – Chris walked over with a smile and a return salute, though there was a tightness round his eyes that suggested to Sadie something was bothering him. Despite that he spoke lightly, “Ah, I see you can walk again.” “I never couldn’t,” Sadie replied, twisting round on the bar stool to face him. “Not that I don’t appreciate your gallantry, of course.” She took a sip of her cocoa then added, “I see you’re all warmed up now.” Looking up at him, she saw over his shoulder the woman Orlock from his truck – Eve, she thought her name was – walking over. The woman’s eyes were nailed to Chris, though she spared them to give Sadie a glare that took her by surprise. A grin curved Sadie’s mouth and she said teasingly to Chris, “And it looks like you’re about to get warmer.”
The Tavern door burst open and a large brute of a man stepped in. Snow still covered his shoulder’s he was an Orlock from a convoy that just pulled into Elwood station. He looked around the group who stared at him from his entrance. Behind him two more Orlock’s stood. “You the Mission team.” He asked. Yeah.” Said Gaston rising from his seat a glass of lager in his hand. “We just come from Everset off the Everest peak’s. We ran into Reaver’s. Bastards took out half my convoy.” The oarlock said. “We know we’re heading into Reaver’s.” Gaston replied. “Yeah. Well yeah all so gonna run into Jeremiah Elder.” The oarlock said. “Frak. Oh frak no.” Gaston said allowed. Hawke rose. “Jeremiah you sure it was him.” Hawke said through gritted teeth. “Frakker took most of my crew. Think I’m gonna forget.” The Orlock said. Hawke looked at his unit. “Jeremiah is the Reaver’s heart. He’s a bastard of a living being and an animal. His reaver’s tribe are the worst of the worst.” Gaston said before Hawke could speak. “So tomorrow we will show Jeremiah we are not gonna run.” Hawke said allowed. The Orlock’s took a bottle and left the bar. Gaston sat with Hawke at the table.
“I‘ve had suppressive theory even if I wanted to tell you I couldn‘t, Apparently there is good reason for it, I think I‘m half crazy.” Steward chuckled at this cover up“I think the most of it that I can remember has fallen on Chris‘s shoulders. I‘ll understand now if you‘re not interested in telling me your story.” Lewis looked confused at the last comment but didn't bother going any further. "Well, i told you my story in the convoy, and now i have the scars to show," he grinned "You tell me your story and i will tell ya the rest of mine, but for now i think somebody is getting abit jealouse" he said with a smirk pointing right at Chris. He winked at Eve and stood up. "Come on cheer-up Eve'y babe" he said while placing his fingers under her chin and tilting her head up. He gave her a warm smile "Oh by the way, ever need someone too take ya anger out on, you can always count on me" she gave him a confused look "ya sleeves slipped" he winked at her. "OOOOIII CHIRS!, QUITE GIVING ME DAGGERS AND GET YA FILTHY ASS HERE, YA DIRTY TOERAG!"
Artie returned from the restroom to see Chris being called to the table with the Orlock lady and another man. Artie's mind was on a woman. He looked at his left hand, the wedding band on his third finger, and the pinky half off. He stood around the corner, out of the watch of everyone else as he removed his band. If any lady besides the Skarren decided to talk to him, which wasn't so far-fetched, they wouldn't put him on the chopping block because of his mistake. The ring was now removed, and as he looked up, Hawke was at a table with Alec. That crafty casper made his way through. This is one helluva trip indeed. He walked back into the party and acquired another shot.
All comments directed towards Gask seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. He only stared down at his glass of vodka, swirling around the ice idly. Reavers were next. Hawke had said it, another Orlock had said it. What made it worse was that Jeremiah Elder would be with them. Fire loomed up from almost everywhere at once. Gask could see his father trying to get the truck going again, but it was useless. "Adam," shouted Gask's father as the flames licked at his clothes. "Get everyone out of here now!" Then there was only fire and blood. The next thing Gask clearly remembered was staring up into the twisted grin of Jeremiah Elder. "I think we will keep this one as a pet," Elder had laughed. Such a terrifying sound. Suddenly Gask found himself in the bar again, Sadie looking up at him strangely. "I...I need a walk I think." Without really explaining anything, Gask made his way through the group of people towards Hawke, catching his attention with a tap on the shoulder. Hawke rounded on him and raised a brow. "Just so you know...when we come across Elder, I will be the one that skins the bastard alive." Without another word to anyone, Gask walked out of the bar.
I admire your discipline. Me, I'm here to drive. We ain't driving, I plan to have some fun. Don't you ever have any fun? What is that saying?...'eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you will die.'" Helena smiled and tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder.
