Chapter 1
Eustasia 13 – Inner-city
Cade was sitting in a booth in the far-right corner of the pub, from where he had a perfect view of both the entrance and the bar. Roy’s was a popular spot in the inner city of Eustasia and was always crowded. Every bounty hunter, scumbag, and lowlife could be found filling the place.
Cade was of the first kind. He was supposed to meet a client here tonight and had only grabbed one drink, patiently nursing it. The pub was dimly lit by a bluish glow emanating from the corners of the ceiling. It was furnished with a steel bar topped with wood, ragged old steel booths with leather padding and wooden tables, and steel stools lined up at the bar.
Cade was starting to get impatient. He reached into the inside pocket of his coat and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter—lasting remnants of the old world. He drew out a smoke, flicked the lighter open, and lit it, taking a long drag while bouncing his leg restlessly. A glance at his watch told him it was almost half past eleven. The meeting had been set for 10:45. What could be taking his client so long? He thought. He decided to give it another twenty minutes. Then he’d return to his ship.
Cade had his eyes closed, smoking his cigarette and listening to the music playing on the pub’s sound system. A mellow trumpet accompanied by low strings and a quiet drumbeat. As he concentrated on the melody, he heard a questioning women’s voice.
“Mr. Crowly?”
His alias. He took the cigarette out of his mouth and exhaled some smoke before opening his eyes. Infront of him stood a redheaded woman, probably in the late twenties or early thirties, slender figure with accents in all the right places. Not what he expected.
“Generals gathered in their masses.”
he replied, his line of the code to insure it is indeed his client.
“Crazy but that’s how it goes,”
She replied. He looked at her and smiled then waved her to have a seat.
“So, you require my services?”
