"Chief, is this yours?" Samus asked quietly. He lowered himself onto his haunches and inspected the chip she held her hand. He flipped it over in her palm gently before returning his gaze to meet hers.
"No," he began, "but it looks like a memory card for a computer or camera."
"I was thinking that too." She replied, eyeing the chip curiously. She closed her hand around the square object.
His gaze returned to the hunched figure of Killinger. His nose was bleeding profusely; he was surprised he had even survived. A punch from a Spartan could kill a brute. His fist must have just grazed him, enough to still do some serious damage.
He watched as Samus ruffled her hair, her fingers still moist. "I'm going to go to the gunnery; need to blow off some steam." He watched as she pushed herself from the ground, "make sure he doesn't go anywhere." She said as she disappears into her room.
"What am I going to do with you?" John mumbled, his head now turned to face Killinger. The Commander let out a blood-gurgling moan and pawed at the air momentarily, before finally resting his hand down in still peace. John looked to the accumulated drops of water making a trail towards Samus's door. He smiled.
After quickly propping Killinger up against the wall, Samus emerged fully garbed in her armor. Her eerie, green visor glowed enigmatically as she walked past.
Maybe he could blow off some steam too, and by that, he meant a good, stiff drink.
----
"Damn, Samus, you've hit every target!" The young Demolition Trooper exclaimed. She liked him, he was always awkward and willing to make conversation. Removing her helmet to wipe the sweat from her brow, she decided to leave it off. It was too damn hot in the gunnery, or perhaps her cooling unit needed some repair. Whichever it was, she was boiling.
"Your turn." She said to the DT, whose name she didn't know; yet. "Hey, kid, what's your name?" She asked as he picked up his standard-issued Marine assault-rifle.
"Kid?" He retorted, his shots almost hitting the targets.
She laughed, "I had to protect your ass back on the Pirate Homeworld."
"Yeah, well, we're not very-well trained for combat situations," he managed to hit the target furthest away from him, "we make things go 'BOOM'!"
She laughed again.
"It's Dave," one more target down, "but the guys call me Super Dave."
"What's so super about you?" She challenged.
He dropped his weapon on the floor, picked up his water bottle, and removed his helmet. He plunked himself down beside Samus, his mouth spread back to reveal a wide grin.
"I was the only one in DT-Training who didn't blow anything up they weren't supposed to; I was the 'go to' guy for missions."
She could see him eyeing up her arm cannon.
"Want to try it out?" She asked.
The way his eyes lit up made her smile. She unlocked the clamps holding the gun in place and removed her fingers from the trigger-holder. She dropped it onto his lap.
"Holy Christ, this thing is heavy!" He exclaimed.
"Wait!" She exclaimed as he almost slipped his hand in the open-cavity. Typing in the codes so the gun would register his DNA, she slipped the cannon over his right forearm. The normal 'sucking' noise of the clamps could be heard as they attached onto his armor. "The normal beam-trigger is used with your fore-finger," he had to use his other arm to support the gun as he fired. "Spread your fingers apart," she instructed.
The gun's mechanics opened up, revealing the wave-beam. "Always shoot with your trigger-finger, the only thing that moves is your hand position." Again, he fired.
"Oooo--this one is neat!" He exclaimed.
"Fold your middle and ring finger towards your wrist."
Again, the cannon opened-up, revealing the ice-beam.
After he had exhausted himself with the heavy weapon, he removed his arm.
"Thanks, Samus." He said, placing the gun on her lap.
"Welcome," she replied.
Damn, she was thirsty. She remembered Johnson telling her about the lounge he had visited, Chora's Den, or something.
"Hey, uh--Super Dave, care to join me for a drink?" She asked.
"Sorry, I don't handle my liquor well." He said with a small smile.
He was cute, she had to admit.
OooO
The lounge, in question, was radiating with ambience and the smell of cologne. No doubt the men here were military officers, or business men trying to strike a deal. Soft jazz was quietly playing through-out the room, and in the smoker's lounge, she noticed.
Samus hoisted herself up onto one of the barstools. She inspected the counter, the walls, and the bar-tender before ordering--even in her state of semi-skepticism.
"Whiskey sour, huge."
The man beside her chuckled. How could she have not noticed him? She shrugged it off and waited for her drink. The man--in question--didn't look like he belonged on a Dreadnaught. A pair of raggedy, old jeans rested on his lower body. A loose-fitting, olive coloured dress shirt was messily tucked into his pants. His head was hung low, his eyes affixed on the television in the corner.
The bar-tender, who was an older looking gentlemen, slid her drink towards her. She flipped him a credit. He nodded his thanks and returned to wiping down the counter.
"Whiskey sour, huh?" The man beside her asked. He was still watching the screen. She nodded, but stopped mid-way, upon realizing he probably couldn't see the action.
He took a swig of his drink. She could make out brown eyes for a split-second, but his features remained hidden. Was he socially awkward? He seemed to be very keen on hiding is appearance. She scratched at her knee and took a tentative sip of her drink.
It's been a while since she tasted authentic, Earth bourbon.
"I was surprised too," the man said quietly "authentic whiskey is rare these days."
His voice was gruff, but quiet, seeing as he was right beside her. It sounded oddly familiar, but then again, it was just a voice--she had listened to quite a few of those in her time.
"I'm John, by the way."
------
AN - I know this was a short chapter, but I thought I would give you a little taste before the biggy, which will be chapter 13.
Hohoho, what will happen next? There will be a big plot advancement, so don't worry!
Also, it will be a while before Samus pieces everything together.
TRIVIA - Tell me what game 'Chora's Den' belongs to.
~ Chestnut
