Chapter Three: Alex
Alex stared at his face in a Blue Meanie cocktail, as he sat in the Blauwe Blome bar. It didn't take long for Amos to run off with someone, leaving him to his lonesome. He absorbed himself in thought, waiting for the drink to work.
His mind went to the pirates the Rocinante wiped out. A cold sensation filled the pit of his stomach. Blood was on his hands. It was a difficult thing to accept.
He tried imagining the faces of the deceased. Considered what made them resort to crime. They had friends, lovers, families. And now they would never see each other again.
He brought the rim of the glass to his lips and took a sip. The next thing he felt was homesickness. A longing for his ex-wife Talissa. A bout of nostalgia overcame him, for the relationship's early days, when life was simple. He put the glass down with a clink, thinking about the future.
Maybe he'd work out more, lose some pounds. Perhaps do something about his thinning hair. Did he even want to stay with the ship? Holden was becoming a tyrant. Alex wondered if he could stand up to him if necessary...
"One Red Lotus please," a soft voice said next to him, in a familiar twang.
Alex turned his head to see the most beautiful woman he could remember (Rocinante's X.O. excepted of course). He straightened and sucked in his gut, desperately trying to look good. He wasn't used to being near someone so attractive. This was his chance.
The woman's golden brown fingers wrapped around the stem of her glass. Her oval, ruby red lips took a sip of the drink. Her free hand tucked an errant lock of black hair into place. When she turned to Alex, she glanced at him behind slender, chocolate brown eyes.
"Howdy," she greeted.
"Breach Candy," Alex blurted, suddenly feeling very embarrassed. "I mean, I can tell you're from Londres Nova too."
"I hope I recovered," he thought. "Damn it Kamal."
"You knew it. What gave me away?" she asked, smiling.
"Everything."
The woman laughed softly. "Name's Tan Lim, pleased to meet you."
"Alex Kamal, always happy to meet a fellow Martian."
"You work on Tycho?"
"I'm a...contract worker," Alex said. "Shuttle pilot."
"Really? I'm a pilot too. Fly with the independent light freighter Arsia Mons."
"Looks like we've got some things in common Tan."
"Yes, we certainly do. When I saw you sitting there, I couldn't help notice the long face. Everything alright?"
She looked genuinely concerned. Alex found it flattering. Someone he had just met, painfully out of his league, cared about him. Alex made light of it, giving an exaggerated you know how it is sigh at her.
"Long shift," he explained. "Love flyin'. But after so many milk runs, tends to tire you out."
"Right?" Tan replied, grinning.
About an hour later, and a couple more drinks, Alex and Tan became fast friends. He found himself wishing the night wouldn't end. His hopes were dashed when he caught Tan glancing at the clock on her terminal.
"Look at the time," she said. "Getting late. Got to ship out tomorrow. The freighter stops at Tycho often. Think we can do this again soon?"
"Bet on it. I'm here all the time, what with the contract work. I'll look for your ship in the registry. The Arsia Mons right?"
"That's the one."
Alex hoped for her number. He almost thought to ask, but didn't want to seem desperate. Better she offer it first, he figured. Alex felt his heart skip a beat as she gently touched his arm.
"Till next time, Alex."
"Next time Tan. Take care out there."
"You too," she said, as she left.
"Yes!" he gasped, suddenly feeling a little embarrassed. He looked around; no one seemed to notice. But in that moment, he wouldn't have cared. The bartender came to collect the glassware, when something caught his eye.
A golden coin sat on the tabletop. He picked it up an studied it. The letters MCRN wrapped around the top half. The words Fourth Transport Flotilla wrapped around the bottom. In the center was an outline of a Martian Navy cargo ship. The Martian Congressional Republic flag was engraved on the reverse side. The disc was perfectly smooth except for a small nick. It was a challenge coin, Alex realized.
Alex's first thought was she must have forgotten it. He pocketed the coin, paid his tab and rushed out of the bar. He looked in every direction, but she was nowhere to be found. He swore to himself. But there was still hope. He vowed to hold onto it. Alex saw many familiar faces in his visits to Tycho. He was confidant they'd cross paths again, and then he'd return the token...