Chapter 30

Derk's POV

"Arriving at base in five minutes," the pilot said.

I stretched my back. Huh, we're almost there already. That was fast. I popped my neck and stood up. Here we go. Let's see how everyone reacts. I stepped into the center of the ship. Heh, they might get so mad that the Colonel will have to transfer me.

After waiting a couple more minutes I was beamed to the ground. Looking up I saw the shuttle flying away. I walked forward, toward my advancing squad. I saw Miesha, Caps, Bone, and Valen, each holding a different expression. Miesha, a happy ecstatic look. Bone and Caps both having quite blank faces. And then Valen, a seemingly furious look. Pff, he just wants an excuse to be angry with me.

"Derk, I see that you've returned," Caps acknowledged, reaching me.

"Yup, here I am alive and breathing," I said, raising my hands to the sides.

"Pff, look at you. So smug. Not very fitting for a ghost who can't even protect his comrade," Valen spat, folding his arms. I laughed, stepping forward, inches from his face.

"Oh, what is it Valen?" I asked, pretending to be concerned. "Ya sad Cus is dead? Awww, ya gonna cry?"

"Aye you watch your mouth!" Valen shouted, defensively. "You dare talk about an Orange Terran Ghost like that?!"
"Oh sure, "Orange Terran Ghost" right?" I responded, angrily. "Don't pretend you don't know."

"Okay that's enough!" Caps said, stepping between us. "How many times Derk?"

"Pff, I'd say," Valen said, annoyed.

"Oi! You 'ave no woom ta talk!" Miesha defended, backing me up.

"Okay okay, everyone shut up! We had a great victory today, with minimal casualties. There's no reason we need to be arguing," Caps said, eyeing Valen.

"Huh, yeah right. Minimal casualties," Valen huffed.

"The victory today overshadows Cus's life a hundred times and you know it. We lost a good man, but in the end the result was much greater," Caps said. "This is a war and death is to be expected. It's over and done with. Let's move on and enjoy our success while it lasts."

Valen huffed, turned away and marched off toward the barracks. I laughed out loud and turned to my squad.

"Pff, this guy," I said flicking my hand in his direction. "Just can't be happy can he?"

"Huh, you got dat vight," Miesha said, nodding in agreement. "He's always upset. Vell, at least vhen your around Derk."
"Hmm, true. But the guy's going to have to get used it eventually," I responded shrugging.

"Hey you guys shouldn't talk that way about another ghost," Skullbone said defensively.

"Oh relax Bone. I'm sure you've talked behind my back too," I said, making my way to the portables. "Hey Miesha come here. I wanna know where my room is."

"Oh, vell it doesn't veally matter. There are plenty of vrooms," he said following me. I opened up the door and walked down the small hallway.

"So where can I set my stuff?" I asked, opening a door at the end of the hall.

"Er that vun is fine," Miesha said, shrugging.

"Hm, that was easy," I said, walking inside. I glanced around searching for a place to take my suit off. Finding a metal platform in the back I made my way over to it and stepped onto the cold steel plate, resting my back on the wall.

I stood straight up and put my arms out. Long robotic arms extruded from the wall and unsinged my armor. Each piece was removed and placed inside a large glass case inside the wall. They continued for a couple more seconds until I stood shirtless.

"Hm, I like the new features. It goes a lot quicker than it used to," I said, glancing over myself.

"Oh I know, vight? And in such a smaller area too," he said, standing in the door way. I pulled out my receptacle, containing all my stuff. I opened up a folder and searched through my clothes. Finally finding an undershirt, I scanned it out onto the bed. Putting my receptacle away I put on the clothing.

"Aww man, I vish I 'ad one of those," Miesha gawked.

"What do ya mean you don't have one?" I asked, lifting up the receptacle. "During your free time have a medivac take you down to the Forewall Sector. They have entire planets meant for buying and selling. Or if you want better value head down to one of the Mercenary Quadrants. Their stuff is pretty reliable."

"But if you're really rich you can look up Dr. Death and Destruction. Those two sell everything under the sun and for amazing quality. Their just… expensive," I said, moving passed him and out into the hall.

"Heh, vhere do you learn dis stuff?" he asked following.

"Eh, you just gotta know the right people to talk to," I replied, walking out side. "Hey, I don't know about you, but I feel like celebrating."

I stopped and turned to Miesha.

"Oh, vell I guess," he replied, shrugging.

"Huh yeah, that's a great idea," I said, agreeing with myself. "We could go down to one of the Vireal Taverns. Ha let's do it!"

"Wow wow hold on. Vhat the heck is a Vireal Tavern?" Miesha asked, confused. I turned toward him and rolled my eyes.

"Really? Do you ever get out?" I asked. "Vireal Taverns are a very large network of… well places to hang out. They have built in gyms where most of the popular music artists play; they serve drinks. There are places to sleep. I don't know, it's confusing."

"So, vhat do you mean "network"?"

"They have a free teleporting system that will transport you between each bar," I replied. "It's just a place to party."

"Huh a place to party, yeah right," a voice said from behind. I turned to see who had spoken, noticing Caps standing folding his arms against the portable.

"Alright what's with the sore attitude?" I asked irritated.

"You and I both know that those places aren't just for partying, Derk," Caps said. "There is a lot of Mercenaries that go there looking for trouble. And the last thing we need is you two getting the Orange Terran tangled up with them."

I huffed. "Caps, were not children. I'm sure we can take care of ourselves."

"Yeah Caps, Mercenaries tend to keep to demselves. Plus, I think it'd be a lot of fun."

"Well it's not like you'll listen to anything I say, so whatever, but if anything happens, you guys are the ones to blame," Caps turned and started off toward the barracks. "Oh and one more thing. If you get a call for mission, you'd better get your butts down here pronto."

I rolled my eyes. Yeah yeah yeah, like I don't know that.

"Okay let's go," I said, slapping Miesha in the shoulder. We headed toward the Starport in a hurry. I wanted to get out of the camp as fast as we could.

"So how exactly are we going to get someone to take us?" Miesha asked, as we approached the building.

"Oh come on Miesha, anybody in this camp needs an excuse to leave. I'm sure it won't be hard," I said, approaching a group of pilots standing around. "And if all else fails, what's wrong with a little bribery?"

"Eh okay, vhat ever you say Derk."

"Hey hey, what up!" I greeted, stepping into the group. "Anyone here drive a vac?"

"Yeah, Crunch and Pec do," a ripped black man said, nodding his head over to the left. "What does it matter?"

"Hmm, well me and Miesha over here need a ride up to the nearest Tavern," I said, looking over at the two scrawny medivac pilots. One was slightly taller than the other, but both looked fairly similar. Must be brothers. "You bros wanna take us?"

"Whose orders?" The black pilot asked.

"Huh, look man, not to be a Jerk, but I wasn't asking you," I said, stepping closer. "Let the man speak for himself."

"Look if you wanna start somethin'—" he started.

"Hey look, its fine; I see no reason not to take them," the medivac pilot said, fidgety "Just… let's not make a scene."

"I agree," Miesha said, jumping in.

"Alright then, all's good," I said. "Shall we go then?"

Without another word the medivac pilot led us over to a ship and signaled for us to get in.

"So where did you guys say you wanted to go?" he asked looking back at us.

"Take us to the nearest Vireal Tavern," I said, stepping inside the vessel. "Should be somewhere in the Yougth Sector."

"Rodger that," he replied, powering up the engine. We then lifted from the ground and flew out the hole in the ceiling.

"I guess we could've invited the others huh," I said, taking a seat on the metal bench.

"Eh, yeah I guess… but none of them would've wanted to come," Miesha said, sitting across from me. "Well except for Cus he woul—"

Miesha stopped. It was silent for a minute. Aw, I have to say something.

"Look man, I'm sorry about not being real… well… real remorseful about Cus. I didn't know him very well and I've seen enough death that I get used to it. I've forgotten what it was like to be a private," I said, attempting to make him feel better.

"Eh vell I don't blame you," he replied, shrugging his shoulders. "And he vus a little annoying. Cus vus just vun of dose guys you 'ave to just get to know."

"Yeah, but I still could've been a little more… regretful," I replied, trying my best to cheer him up.

"Eh I suppose," he responded, leaning over. We sat in silence a little while longer, until the pilots voice came on over the intercom.

"Hey you two back there. I've been able to locate a Tavern, but it isn't in the Yougth Sector. Is that okay?" he asked, approaching a large blue planet.

"Yeah that's fine," I said, resting my arms on my knees. We flew in closer to the atmosphere and came to a halt.

"Okay, preparing for teleportation," the pilot said, clicking buttons above his head. "Alright all systems are green. Here we go."

The familiar sensation of my body being spread apart set in as we disappeared into space. The nerves in my arms and legs began flooding back as we came into view of the landing area. The aircraft came to a halt on the ground as I approached the pilot.

"Okay so some things I gotta run through real fast. If we get a call from our outpost ordering us back, I'm going to need an instant ride out of here. And sense I'm not up here on a mission, you are not obligated to stay here. Do you mind chillin' here incase I need a quick evac?" I said, resting my arms on the window, looking into the cockpit.

"Look I don't think—"

"Now wait a second, your deeds won't go unrewarded, or for that matter unnoticed," I said, trying to convince him. I didn't want to have to rush to get a ride back. It was extremely unprofessional. The pilot sat nervously in his seat. Hmm still unconvinced are we.

I pulled out my receptacle and scanned out a holographic image displaying my rank and position.

Position: High Class Ghost Operative Derk Treeton

Rank: Special Forces "Assassin"

The pilot's face went from uncertainty too shock in a matter of seconds. He gave me a completely different look. Personally, I wasn't surprised.

"Like I said, it won't go unnoticed."

"F-f-forgive me sir," he said saluting. "I had no idea. I will remain here until further orders."

"Good," I replied, stepping away from the window. Technically he doesn't have to follow my orders; well not yet anyway… buuut I think I'll take advantage of his lack of knowledge anyway… just this once. I moved out of the back of the medivac, Miesha following behind.

"Holy cow, I knew you vere a higher class than us but I didn't know you vere that skilled," Miesha said, seemingly shocked. I stopped and turned to face him.

"Caps didn't tell you guys?" I asked, confused.

"No, vee had no idea."

"Huh, well that explains why Valen's always being a pain in the butt," I said, turning back to the large brown tavern.

"If you are so high classed then vhy are you hanging around vith recruits like us?" Miesha asked.

"I don't know, ask Plank," I lied, knowing very well why I am here. Apparently Plank still thinks I am recovering from the Selethicks problem… Ugh how long is he going to keep me here? He knows that I am plenty better when I'm working with Tenny. Why is he punishing me like this?

We stepped inside the saloon and made our way to the counter. A lizard stood behind it, washing the stand. Whatever, I'll worry about Plank later. But right now I am here to relax. Come on Derk. Let loose. Have some fun.

"I'll take an Orshed Flare," I said, to the reptile. He turned around and picked up a round shaped glass and filled it with an orange sizzling steaming liquid. "What do you want? I'll pay," I said, nudging Miesha's arm.

"Uh," he responded, clearly confused. The large lizard set my drink on the counter and rested his reptilian eyes on Miesha.

"Hurry up Terran, we don't have all day," the reptile growled, in a deep voice.

"Uh, okay, um I'll take a vwater," Miesha replied. The lizard cocked his head to the side and gave him a very dull look.

"Really?" he asked, bleakly. Miesha gave a half smile and shrugged. "Hey Trent, go get a water from the back."

"Why, I just filled the dog's bowl this morning?" a voice yelled back.

"It's not the dog Trent, some human want's it," the bartender replied. I laughed and slapped my companion on the side.

"Water huh," I said, teasing him. "You could've chosen just about anything in the world and you picked water."

"Aw vell I don't know vhat they have," he responded, shrugging. I laughed again and then looked around the room. There were nice chairs and round tables set up. A small group of lion sized cats conversed at the back corner of the room; while on the opposite side were a couple mercenaries with laptops.

I looked over to my left, seeing two glass doors leading into the gym. I could hear the loud base thumping from the room. From what I could see from where I was sitting, it looked like the gym was nearly half full.

"Hmm, see Miesha. I told you this place was to party," I said, taking a sip of my drink.

"Holy cow is that vhere the noise is coming from?" he asked, taking his water from the bartender.

"Yup," I replied, taking another drink.

"It looks like there's a vwar going on in there?"

"Eh you could say that," I replied, stretching my back.

"Vere not veally going in dere are vee?" Miesha asked, tipping his glass toward the gym.

"Well not right this second. I have to finish my Flare," I said, nudging Miesha's arm. "Come on, let's get away from the counter."

I lead the way over to a table and sat down.

"Now you have to promise me something," I said, motioning toward the chair. Miesha sat, nodding for me to continue. "Anything that happens here, stays in here. Make sense?"

"Uh," Miesha said, giving me an odd look. "Yeah I think so."

I smiled.

"Good," I said, downing the last of my drink. "I was hoping you'd say that."

Hey everyone! Here is you guys another chapter. Enjoy!

Also really quickly I want to make sure you guys know that I make up a lot of crap in this thing. Stuff like what guns are called, the whole Tavern thing, the planets, how to get in and out of a suit, basically everything but the races and units. Just thought I'd say that.

...I suppose this could be a disclaimer huh.

Edit: Hello again. Sorry about this but I changed a couple things that are pretty important. I changed the name of the Taverns. They are now called Vireal Taverns. I also changed the name of one of the sectors. It is now called the Forewall sector. I believe that's all I changed.