Hi everyone! Before you read, two brief things:

Yes, this is a new chapter. I hope that, because this is the summer, I can write a few more chapters in the next few months and get them up here without there being a length of, what, seven months in between? I have no intentions of abandoning this project.

I've also begun adding proper titles to chapters. I decided to do this to perhaps bring to your attention significant elements within chapters that have a greater influence on the overall plot… so consider the titles' relation to the chapters from now on.

Enjoy!

Chapter Eleven – A Night Out

The Rusty Anchor was, despite its status as the only tavern on Metru Nui (or rather, the only sanitary bar on Metru Nui), not exactly the most popular place for Great Spirits to have a drink. It had a long-standing reputation as the sole blemish on what was believed to be an otherwise spotless island, home to every despicable act one could think of.

Of course, that didn't stop everyone, and for eager new recruits (mostly the male ones), the Rusty Anchor held a certain allure. It was the place recommended (although only subtly) by captains whose charges had either been valiant in battle or had difficulty proving themselves. Many Alpha-division Spirits were known to patronize the tavern, offering discreet gifts of widgets under assumed names. Without the Rusty Anchor, many knew, there would be no outlet for the growing restlessness many recruits began to feel after a few months away from Metru-Nui.

Sakron could remember his first visit like it was yesterday…

-

"Are you sure this is okay?" Sakron looked at Captain Riven and glanced at his surroundings with clear anxiety. They were seated at the bar, and while what was visible in the dim light of the Rusty Anchor made him squirm, he had a feeling that what was hidden in the darkness was far more terrifying.

"Relax, Ronnie," Riven said, slapping him on the back. "Everyone goes here."

"Thanks, Ish," he said to the Po-Matoran tending the bar as he handed them two drinks; Riven had thanked Ish numerous times since the two had entered an hour ago. "You ever had Visorak Spit before, Ronnie?"

"I hope not," he said. "It sounds awful."

"Yeah, well, that's what they all say. Try it."

Ronnie took a deep sip of the murky green liquid in the glass before him and nearly spat it out. Riven grinned with approval.

"That's my boy. At least you didn't spit it out—that shows you've got nerve."

He paused. "You ever have a girlfriend, Ronnie?"

"Once…"

"And?"

"What do you mean, 'and'?"

"You poor thing. Here, let's see if I can help. Excuse me, miss, would you—"

The rest of the evening had long since vanished beneath the murky tides of memory, but if Captain Riven had intended what Sakron believed he had intended, Riven had accomplished his goal.

-

"Hey there, Ronnie!"

Sakron flinched as Charonus pulled up a seat beside him at the bar.

"You don't mind if I call you that, do you? I just thought of it on the way over."

"Not at all," Sakron said. "How did you know I was here?"

"I didn't, actually. Just wandered in. It's a regular haunt of mine."

"Mine too." Sakron paused.

"You want a drink or something?"

"Sounds good. I'll order."

"Oh, that won't be necessar—"

"Two Visorak Spits, please."

Sakron raised an eyebrow as Ish placed two glasses before them. "Are you sure you want this? It's pretty strong."

Charonus laughed. "Don't be ridiculous. I've had this hundreds of times before."

He drained his glass in one gulp and sat back. "Mata-Nui, that's good. Never gets old."

"No," Sakron said, taking a careful sip. "So, Charonus..."

"Yes?"

"How did you become involved in this? Coming to Metru-Nui and all."

"Well," he said, a little slurred, "I was born in the Water Archipelago. Started out as a navigator, actually."

"Really?" Sakron furrowed his brow. "You don't say…"

Charonus grinned. "It seems I have a particular talent for getting people where they need to go."

"You're from the Water Archipelago, right? Do you know Eladre, by any chance?"

"No. Who's he?"

"Actually, it's a she."

"Whoops, sorry. I get that wrong all the time…"

"No problem. Listen, I was thinking about something, just before you came here actually, and I was wondering if…"

"Yes?"

"Well, you see, I'm part of this team— well, we're not really a team; we could probably be fine without each other, so we're more of a group— working on a special project."

"And?"

"Well, you said you're a navigator and all, and we do work all over the Empire, so it'd be useful to have someone with your skills on board."

"Meaning…?"

"I'd really appreciate it if you'd join us."

"How many is 'us'?"

"Me and two others."

"Male or female?"

"Both female. Why?"

"Oh, nothing. I was just wondering if I wouldn't be intruding on your turf."

Sakron turned a deep red. Charonus laughed and slapped him on the back.

"Hey, hey, it's okay. I didn't mean it that way, you know. I'd be happy to join."

"Sounds great. When can you start?"

"Tomorrow, if necessary."

"Perfect! I'll have someone give you directions either tomorrow morning. I'm looking forward to this."

"Me too, Ronnie. Me too."

The two shook hands as Charonus turned to leave.

"See you tomorrow," he said, grinning.

"You too," Sakron said, trying to understand why, as the Rusty Anchor's door closed effortlessly shut behind his new friend's hulking frame, he had such a heavy heart.

Having another guy around the office would be a good thing.

Wouldn't it?