Chapter 37

Derk's POV

I pulled down on a lever, sending the small aircraft downward. It landed perfectly on the ground, letting out a blast of steam from the accelerators. I opened the hatch and stepped out. A broad shouldered man approached. I stiffened, remembering him very clearly.

"Derk! My favorite shooting buddy!" Ben said, opening his arms in invitation. I relaxed my shoulders and nodded my head.

"Ben," I acknowledged, Shira following from behind.

"Aw and whose this?" he said, stepping toward her. "Your new girlfriend? Young isn't she."

"No Ben," I said, watching her blush. I rolled my eyes. Why should I expect any less? "In fact I'm quite surprised you don't recognize her. Um… Plank's daughter perhaps?"

Ben only smiled. "Ha ha, of course I recognize her."

"You haven't even seen her until now, have you?" I asked, trying to get on his nerves. He ignored me and changed the subject.

"So, what can I do for you?" he asked, turning back to me.

"Nothing," I said, keeping it simple. "I'm just dropping my stuff off."

"What for?" Ben asked, curiously.

"None of your business," I said, making my way to the ghost academy. I nodded to Shira, gesturing her to follow. Ben lost interest and walked away. I stepped inside the building and around to a room. Opening the door, I strode in. I walked over to the metal plate in the corner and stood on top of it. The machines did their thing and took off my armor.

I approached the machine's monitor, and selected "keep inventory". Punching in a password I made my way across the room. Pulling out my receptacle, I scanned an undershirt out. I put it on casually and walked out the door. Shira stood, leaning on one leg, waiting.

"Do you really think that guy thought I was your girlfriend?" She asked, catching me off guard. I stopped and turned to her. Looking at Shira with a confused face I asked:

"Yeah, what does it matter?" She shrugged, but didn't say anything. "Hm, alright."

We continued back to the ship, while I put my weapons in the receptacle; all of them, but my knife. We climbed into the cockpit and lifted off. It wasn't long until we hit the atmosphere.

"So where are we headed now?" Shira asked, clearly more comfortable.

"Well, I see no reason not to delay so we'll head straight into Mercenary Territory," I said hitting a couple buttons on the console. "Unfortunately we can't just warp to Namco so we have to fly there manually. I can't warp outside of certain areas, so we'll have to warp right next to the ending zone. Luckily there is a bar there where we can and get a drink. I'm dead thirsty.

"But anyways, after our pit stop we'll be forced to move through Mercenary Territory, Blue Zerg Territory and we'll finally be there."

"So… this may be a bit… stupid, but I've always wondered. Warping, Teleporting, what's the difference?" Shira asked. I laughed to myself, but decided I wouldn't make fun of her.

"Warping is long distances, however you can only warp to certain zones, as I said earlier. Teleporting, you can go wherever you want, but distances are restricted. You wouldn't want to blow yourself up. But if you were able to get your hands on a ship from Dr. Death, then… well let's just say you have a very powerful piece of equipment on your hands," I said, day dreaming of teleporting all over the universe. After a minute I shook my head out of the fantasy and concentrated on warping. "Anyways, we gotta get going. I don't want to spend too much time on a road trip so let's get to it."

I opened up the console and selected the area I wanted. Pulling on the large handle, I launched our ship into space. After a couple minutes of distortion, we leveled out. Adjusting the ship, I looked up, seeing a large green planet in front of us. I propelled the ship forward and locked onto the coordinates of the Tavern. I checked the monitor and maneuvered the ship in the right direction.

We headed down to the planets crust, quickly increasing speed. I didn't want to waste any time. The environment looked like one of a forest, with a large circle of trees missing. Right in the center was a large building surrounded by other ships.

"Man, this place must be popular," I said, seeing Shira move uneasy to the side. We landed and headed inside. The place was covered in a large variety of races. Orc-like beings stood to the side, while giant harry gorillas laughed together in the back. A large Chandelier hung from the roof and a second floor could be seen with more tables. It almost looked like the people on the second floor could reach out and touch the giant light.

I approached the counter, admiring the beautiful wooden floor. The place was very fancy and it looked like there were rooms down the back hall. Hmm the gym must be a separate building. Usually they're connected.

"Hey, what could I get you," a pretty girl of a race I didn't know acknowledged. She had small bat-like ears and blonde fur. Her face looked human, but the membrane skin connecting her arms to her side said different. I nodded.

"A Flare thanks," I said, turning to Shira. "What do you want?"

"Oh uh, no thanks," she said, surprised.

"Get her a Flare too," I said, leaning my elbow on the counter. She smiled and nodded.

"Do you want foam with that?" She asked.

"No," I said.

"Does she—"

"No," I replied. The girl nodded again and turned around to get them.

"I really didn't need anything," Shira said, attempting to be polite.

"Heh, yeah ya do. Trust me this isn't going to be a vacation, so you want to get enough happiness while you can," I said, taking the drinks from the waitress. "It could get rough."

I handed Shira her drink and waved her out of the building.

"We definitely have to remember that place," I said, getting into the ship. "It was a lot nicer than most."

I lifted up the aircraft and we flew out of orbit. I pointed the ship in the direction we needed to go, but hit the idol button. I wanted a moment to appreciate my drink. I leaned back in my seat. Stretching my back, I brought the flare to my mouth.

"Thank you," Shira said, taking a drink.

"Yeah no problem," I replied, setting the flare down in the cup holder. "You ready for this?"

She shrugged.

"Yeah sure."

I laughed and put the ship into gear. "Okay we need to make one more stop, but it's on the way."

"Where?" Shira asked, curious.

"Eh, you'll see," I replied, remaining secretive. "Alright, from here until we get out of Blue Zerg territory, we'll be flying manually."

"Uh, how long is this going to take?"

"Hm, not sure," I responded, moving the aircraft forward. "Hopefully we'll be there in a couple days. That is if we keep moving."

"Ugh, you mean to say that I'm going to be stuck in this ship for two days?" Shira groaned.

"Hm, well it shouldn't be too bad, I mean considering you're probably use to sitting around doing nothing," I said, laughing loudly.

"Hey, no need to be a jerk," she responded, folding her arms. I didn't say anything else, but sat smiling, still amused.

"At least I don't run around in an undershirt all day," Shira said.

"Pff why wouldn't I? When I'm not wearing an undershirt, I'm stuck in that hot suit," I responded, bringing the ship over an asteroid.

"Aw, but I got you there. The other day I was reading a book on the making of Orange Terran suits, and it clearly stated that you have air conditioning," Shira said, smiling.

"Okay, that's not exactly how it works," I said, shaking my head.

"Well then you better explain it to me."

"Pff, it'd take me all day," I responded, truthfully.

"Hey, we got time," she said, shrugging. I shook my head and changed the subject.

"Yeah yeah whatever, so besides reading air conditioning manuals what does a girl like you do in the norm of the day?" I asked.

"I read."

"No crap," I replied. "What else."

"I don't know there isn't much to do," Shira said, thinking. "But it doesn't matter, all we've been doing is talking about me. What do you do with your free time?"

"Free time?" I asked. "Hmm, never heard of it."

"Oh shut up, and spit it out," she said, slugging my shoulder. "I had to."

"Well, if I must," I said, thinking. Hmm, free time. "Let's just say every chance I get, I like to drop by the Taverns."

"Yeah that's cool. Oh, speaking of Taverns, when are we going to go?" Shira asked, seemingly excited. "Is that where you're taking me now?"

I smiled, "Perhaps."

Shira gasped.

"So we are!"

"Hey, don't get your hopes up. We won't be there for very long," I said, picking up speed. "In fact whether you care to believe it or not, we are going there for a reason."

"Yeah of course we're going for a reason. You're going to show me how to party right?" Shira said, moving her shoulders in a dancing motion.

"Ha ha, yeah maybe in the next life after the Xel'naga have taken over," I said, laughing.

"Oh come on, do you really want me to spend my entire life deprived?" She said, lightly pushing my shoulder.

"Eh, in all reality I could care less," I joked.

"Pff, you're such a jerk," Shira said, sitting back in her seat. We sat in silence again. It didn't take long for Shira to get bored and break the peaceful setting. "Does this thing have a radio?"

"I don't know," I said, not even looking down to check. Shira moved her hand across the panel, searching for some sort of play switch. "Hey now don't get pushing buttons. I don't want you triggering some self-destruct mechanism."

"Oh relax; I'm not going to get us killed by hitting a button."

"I don't share your confidence," I said, moving the ship in closer to an oncoming planet. "Alright, alright, stop messing. We're almost there."

She stopped what she was doing and looked up excitedly.

"Okay so this place we're going in next is different from what you've seen," I said, bringing us into the atmosphere. "You have to remember we are now officially in Mercenary Territory. So you have to be conservative; which I'm sure you won't have a problem with."

Shira dropped her shoulders in disappointment.

"So we aren't here for fun?"

"No not necessarily," I said, landing the aircraft on the ground, in front of a dark looking building. "But hey, who knows, maybe we'll start a shoot out and get some action."

Shira's expression went from disappointed to worried. She remained silent as we stepped out of the aircraft.

"Perhaps I should stay he—"

"No, from here on out you need to stay very close to me," I said, now becoming serious. Okay Derk, remember your objective. We aren't here to fight. My mind already seemed preparing for a skirmish.

We approached the large wooden building. On the outside it looked quite unwelcoming. Wooden panels were falling off, and all the windows were completely black. Most likely designed to keep out party animals. A Tavern like this was made for a different purpose.

I pushed the door open and stepped inside, Shira on my heels. The place had very dim lighting and was filled with people in leather jackets and tattoos. I looked around for what I was here for. A cloaked figure sat to the side of the bar. I walked up to the man, receptacle in hand. The hooded creature raised its head, revealing a very scarred skeleton face. Red slits were the only sign of eyes.

"Excuse me sir, I am here to buy," I said, sitting across from him. He opened his mouth to speak, and a quiet, yet demonic voice echoed.

"Aw, here to buy a gun I presume," the skeleton said.

"As a matter a fact I am," I replied, nodding.

"Do you know of which company you're dealing with?" he asked.

"Yes I am fully aware," I replied, confident.

"So you have the coin," the monster responded.

"If we are speaking in minerals, then yes."

"Aww, minerals," he said. "That will do just fine."

"Good, I was hoping."

"And did you want to speak with them personally?" the skeleton asked, reaching in his cloak.

"No, that won't be necessary. I will browse what you have here," I said, setting my receptacle down.

"If that is what you wish," the creature said, handing me a triangular device. I twisted the top of the pyramid and pushed down. Holographic images opened up out of the center and in front of my view. I waved my hand through them, sending one back in the device, while opening up another.

It took a minute, but I finally found hand held weapons. There were many different kinds of guns, but I was searching for one in particular. After browsing for several minutes I came across a mysterious looking weapon. It wrapped around the wrist and extruded from under the thumb. This way you could flip it out, point and shoot in one quick motion. It was like a hidden gun.

I looked down at the price and my eyes almost fell out of their sockets. It was fifteen hundred just for the gun itself. That wasn't even considering the ammo. If they were for sell, I could buy an Orange Terran C-20 Sniper rifle with that. I sighed. This is what I get for buying from Doctor Death. I nodded to the skeleton.

"I'll take this one," I said. "And the ammo for it."

The monster smiled. "That'd be seventeen hundred minerals friend."

I took my receptacle off of the table and handed it to him.

"Take only the amount you need. You steal from me, you steal from the Orange Terran," I said, watching him connect his receptacle with mine.

"Of course," he replied, transferring the minerals from mine to his. He showed the screen to me, to confirm the amount he took. I nodded, taking back my device. He took the pyramid from me and selected the gun. It scanned out the weapon and ammo onto the table. "Pleasure doing business with you."

"Anytime," I said, taking my items and leaving the bar. Before getting in the vehicle I opened up the ammo box. Inside of it were oddly shaped bullets. The middle was thinner than a dime, while the top was rounded off and the back pointed.

"Hey, I thought we weren't supposed to tell them who we were with," Shira said interrupting my thoughts.

"Eh it was a risky move," I said, barely acknowledging her.

I looked the gun over. The barrel wasn't very long and seemed to go between the gap of your index finger and thumb. Then it curled around the back of the thumb and around the wrist. I tried to fit my hand through the whole, but before I could try, the twisted part of the gun began moving like a snake tail. It curled around my wrist and then formed stiff again. The barrel now sat comfortably under my thumb just where I had predicted it would.

"Hmm fancy," I said, turning it over in my hand. Shira remained silent. I grabbed a couple bullets and pushed them against the side of the weapon. A flap of metal opened up and pulled the ammo in. The gun appeared to only hold three at most. "Heh, cool."

I pointed the barrel toward a tree and pushed a button with my thumb. A loud bang ruptured the air. White smoke blanketed my face. After the steam had subsided I walked toward the tree, seeing a large chunk blown off, with a clean hole going through the tree.

"Wow," I said, looking at the firearm. "And hardly any kickback. The Doctors never disappoint me."

I rubbed the tail making it move again. I took off the weapon and handed it to Shira.

"Here ya go," I said. "Don't kill yourself."

Hey everyone! Not much to say. Didn't take long on updating so make sure you read the one before this. According to my views some of you end up skipping chapters. I enjoyed writing this so... I hope you enjoy reading! DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!