Obviously proud and honored that Jonathon decided to come to the celebration Lincoln took another sip of "Mother's Finest". All who were there enjoyed themselves, and it was a good opportunity to forget the troubles of the world and relax with their comrades. Lincoln, a tough man as he was, couldn't help himself to shed a tear of happiness, seeing as he found a new family after thinking he reached bottom, he was now a proud man, able to support his wife, and an upcoming family. A proud man with many friends. He looked at Jonathon having a fine time with his boys and grabbed his shoulder.
"Sir, I hope you won't resent me for saying this, but you are a damn fine man! Thank you for all you have given me! Cheers!" - Lincoln finished and raised a glass to Jonathon, "Do not worry, I will not resent it. But what is said in the bar stays in the bar." - Jonathon said what made Lincoln worry about swearing in front of his boss, until Jonathon laughed clearly showing he is a man who likes a good joke.
Lincoln stood up, obviously asking for people's attention, and all who were there looked at him, Lincoln hand gestured for the music to stop and spoke, "Well, friends, brothers, I wish to say something. Thank you all for coming, it means a lot to me, and to all of us. May we have many more nights like this! But as a wise man said once, what happens in the bar, stays in the bar!" - All laughed when Lincoln finished, but he was not yet done, "I would also like to take this opportunity to praise our leader here. He is doing a mighty fine job in keeping us alive and in order, and doing the right thing. And he deserves a heck of a yehaw boys! YEHAAWWWWW!" - Lincoln screamed and all followed his lead. Jonathon was clearly proud of his boys.
Will finally managed to stand up from the bathroom floor. This time he really overdid it on the drinks. He somehow managed to get back to the bar. He sat down, pulled the bartender by the arm muttered..
"Give me a glass of water.."
The bartender was surprised as hell, he even wanted to laugh but then realized it was a bad idea to laugh at Will, especially when he was drunk. Will turned around and saw Lincoln who was getting ready to say something..
"Is that a bloody tear in his eye?" he thought to himself.."Oh bloody hell that fool is actually crying. I should go over there and smack him a few times, so he actually has a reason to cry about" Will muttered.
He listened to what Lincoln had to say anyway, and after his little speech, yelled "Yeeehaaaw" with all the other boys...
Hell he was drunk anyway, and he likes to yell...what did you expect?
The bartender brought the glass of water and Will tried to drink it without vomiting..
The gathering was over, and all that remained in the bar at the peak of dawn were a few cleaning ladies doing their morning chores. Aside them, Lincoln was sitting in the far corner, alone, deep with his thoughts, not concerned by the things surrounding him, nor the cleaners staring at him. Drunk he seemed to them, drunk or mad, but little were they concerned with him being either, so they just muttered amongst themselves, cursing the early hours they have to spend cleaning.
Lincoln shook his head, trying to get past the alcohol that was in his system, and trying to ease his mind of the thoughts that troubled him. Slowly he stood up, and began walking towards the bar's exit, saluting to the ladies there. His wife greeted him at the door to their cabin, clearly being awake the whole night and not liking his late coming home one bit. But she did not argue, yet she embraced him in her arms, showing the affection she felt for him, and knowing that he is suffering.
They both sat on the bed in the bedroom, soft cotton sheets touching their bodies as they lay next to each other. She glanced his hair and slowly turned his head with her hand, kissing him gently, "So what shall you do love? I know it is hard, but he is your father nonetheless." - She once again stroke his hair and kissed him on the cheek with her soft red lips, "I know, I know." - Lincoln answered her as he returned the kiss and sat on the bed, with his head between his hands.
The night was long, and the two slept side by side like all nights since they came to Ouray. While Lincoln was stroking his love's hair, and embracing her in his arms, his mind could fine no rest. He simply lay there, with eyes focused on the ceiling, and his thoughts wandering off, thinking about the previous day and the things that happened. He slowly pulled his arm under Inez's head, leaving her to be embraced by the gentle touch of the cotton sheets, and he walked towards the desk. A datapad was placed on the table, so for who knows what time he pressed the play button, and sat on the chair listening.
"Linc, son, it's dad. I know I said that you shall never call me that, but....I was wrong. I miss you son, and it is due to undesirable circumstances that I write to you. I wish something prettier made me write you, instead of this. Son, I got in some trouble, and I need your help badly. Please, meet me on Manhattan. I've sent you the docking codes, they should work still. Please, we are depending on you."
As much as Lincoln hated the fact that they are his parents, who disowned him when he ran into financial problems, they were still his parents, and the love for them cannot be undone. A decision has been made, that cannot be postponed anymore. He stood up from his chair and walked towards the sink, constantly looking at his love sleeping with no troubles, and he wanted it to stay that way. He took a sip of water directly from the sink, and washed his face. Slow silent footsteps were heard as Lincoln approached Inez, and kissed her on the cheek, parting with her with tears in his eyes. A note he left on his pillow. He did not know if he will return soon, or will he return at all. But Inez is to be taken care of, Lincoln already arranged that with Jonathon who said she will have all the things she needs until he returns. The walk to the hangar was a quiet one, and those 5 minutes seemed like a life age to Lincoln. He sat in the cockpit of his Eagle, and sat a course for Manhattan.
"Unknown vessel unknown vessel, this is Manhattan Control, please submit your identification and docking codes." - As soon as the voice of the control was heard Lincoln submitted the codes, avoiding any voice contact from him. Fear was present, and mistakes cannot be made. The landing proceeded with no troubles, perhaps even to perfect for a known Xeno. But his mind was off somewhere else for him to be caring about it. It took Lincoln some time to reach his house, where he was given birth, and raised until he was 14, his home. His father told him they shall meet him here, and Lincoln saw nothing wrong with it. As he entered the house after nearly three years of being away, all seemed the same, and it seemed as he was here only 3 days ago, not years. Lincoln looked around, "I'm here. I'm home!" - He shouted, and no response came, but only two figures walked in front of him. His parents, both covered in tears, "We are sorry son, but we had no other choice." - They both talked through tears leaving Lincoln abashed, but soon it all became clear to him as a voice was heard behind him. The door closed, and he closed his eyes and lowered his head.
"Mr. Knoxx, if will you please come with us. We have all the exits covered, there is no where for you to run. Place your hands over your head...." - The voice of the police was slowly fading, as Lincoln only focused on his parents and their betrayal, and no tears that they cry will make up for it.
The last meetings at the ouray Inn were months ago. Ouray INN was a dusty and dirty place. Noone enjoyed having a drink here, anymore.
As Anette stepped into the Inn, guarded by three weaponed Xeno Guards and a few men in chains. The woodden chairs were lying on the floor, the counter was dirty... all over a disgusting place to be.
'Lets get to work then'... she smiled.
"Guys, this is the place where it's going to happen. My 18th birthday! "
The Guards opened the prisoners handcuffs.
"You, Hacker! Get that radio workin'! I wanna hear music!"
She pointed at a corner where an old Jukebox didn't look like it wanted to play music ever again.
"Junkers, prove me wrong, saying you're useless! Clean that floor so that i can use it as a mirror! I Want it ALL cleaned up!"
The men started their work without a word.
"James, Michael!" she walked towards the guards "They move too slow or stop workin', kill 'em!"
She wen't behind the counter. 'Geez what a mess. This might take forever!'
After 6 hours, her back hurted so bad already, she had to take a break. "Get them outta my face!" she said to the guards. "'N make sure they're not dying tonight, i need them one more time!"
After cleaning the last few glasses and the fridge, she went to the Jukebox. The shot corpse of the Hacker was lying next to it. "Damn you, lousy nerd. And i wanted to hear music!" she kicked the Jukebox as it suddenly startet to play a song. "YEEEHAAAW" Anette was happy. She went out of the Inn. Almost dancing she went to Ourays control room and started an announcement.
"Xenos of Ouray! It's Partytime! Spread the word of my 18th birthday, comin' up next week! I want you to get as much alcohol as you can carry and i want food! Only the best is good enough! We'll have the biggest party of all times and make this rock shakin'! Now get to work brothers, go and grab as much as you can! 'N don't forget the tobacco!"
The Pitviper banked sharply to avoid a rather large asteroid. Colorado was a dangerous place in more ways than others. The large rock that had been hollowed out and weaponized set its weapon systems on his ship. Jararaca frowned, mentally willing the fighter to weave and wiggle its bladed wings.
"So. What's bringin' y'all here, Spook?" A gruff voice spoke over the comm channels.
"I heard there was a party and all. Not to mention I used to be one of y'all. The Good Pain in the flesh. Hypothetically...." He smiled inwardly, knowing this might go south.
"Alright. Y'all can dock. Just don't be causin' no trouble, y'hear?"
"No worries, bro, I hear." With that, a docking port opened up and the Pitviper slid inside in a fluidic manner. A space had been cleared for his alien fighter. How nice. The familiar scene of Eagles being hastily repaired and various fumes of noxious manners was a sight for sore eyes. He inhaled sharply, reveling in the nostalgia.
The fighter's cockpit split open like an elaborate flower blooming in the morning sun. Except these petals were crafted from metals that no human could possibly understand. Not to mention they were bladed to a horrific extent. His seat extended down, allowing him to dismount the form-fitting cradle.
His taloned feet clicked against the floor as he set down, his armored form straightening as he gazed about. People stared at him for a moment, taking in his alien and psychotic appearance. He simply ignored them, heading off down the hallways towards the Ouray Inn. He remembered visiting it a few times, much more preferring his room and his personal bar more than that public place.
His gauntlet came up, pulling the fanged respirator down around his neck. His face was still the same, aside from the paling skin. Same scars, same features, same serious expression. He finally made it to the door, pushing it open and looking inside. The first words from his mouth after he took in the sight were, "Y'all got any metal chairs? And made in Liberty?"
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
"No, only wood. Doesn't it look great?" Coral glanced at her strange looking guest.
"You looked better with that mask hon'. Anyway, thanks for the help out there! Now.. could you help me with that Coffee mashine? It's way too heavy and i want it right here on the counter."
The mashine looked really weird. There were coppern and silvern parts, aswell as something that looked like a turret bracket. "It's working! Trust me!" Anette's face was sweaty and dirty. She looked rather like a mechanic, then someone who'd like to open an Inn.
"We're currently getting food, alcohol and stuff from our foreign "friends" who always love to support us." she smiled. "And when we're done, the Party will be great. Probably the biggest Party in Ouray history! EVEN BIGGER!
We already have a lot of food, there was even a transport with real meat from Stuttgart. We got it all!" she laughed and stood up.
"You look thirsty my friend. Wanna have a drink? We just got a new delivery of our 'Mother's finest' right from Refugio! That'll blow your socks of i promise. Or.. do you want something... less? I got Water too! Or.. Milk."
Coral started to laugh when she looked at her guests face. No.. she really didn't expect a phantom to drink milk.
"Now, make your choice and then help me with that coffee machine, will ya?"
He frowned at the small woman hurrying about. "No steel. Then where the hell am I supposed to sit?" His arms came up and folded across his chest, covering the psychotic sigils that adorned it. Man she could talk. Now there was a coffee machine? And things to drink? Foreign material!
"Hold up right there, hon, but y'all said foreign food? Back in my day, a Xeno'd rather die than put that trash in his mouth. It's Liberty made or it ain't. Those're the two things in life."
He quickly walked over, picking up the coffee machine with one hand and lifting it up to the counter with inhuman strength. He set it down, straightening it perfectly. "And as for that help up in space? I like helpin' my former comrades. Don' need no inclinaton to shoot what the Xenos are shootin' at. And my face? Well, a man cain't change his beauty. I'm handsome considerin' those I work around."
With a smile, he stepped back, getting a view of the coffee machine's position from all angles. "Perfect." He then turned to her. "I'll have a Liberty Ale."
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
"Liberty Ale, huh?" Coral raises an eyebrow. "You're not drinkin' as hard as you fight man, but i'm fine with that." she pulls a Liberty Ale out of the fridge, opens it and hands it over. "I doubt you need a glass, huh?"
"Well and about the food, you're right. Though all we can get goes to the Soup Kitchens at Pittsburgh and Denver where we feed the homeless and poor. We're eatin' what's left, and if it's some Synth Paste made in Kusari, well so be it. Also hey, it's my 18th birthday! I can finally drink and fly a ship!" She laughs and downs a glass of Mother's Finest at one gulp.
Then she turns around and starts to mop the floor.
"I'll have a look if we have some scrap metal left to make a chair for you. Although i have to admit that's kinda weird man. Everyone loves wood. Apparently you don't huh? Since we're always surrounded by steel, titan alloys and stone, we love something... something natural. Ya.. guess that's why."
Coral glances at her guests bottle and starts to play with her hair while daydreaming.
"There isn't a chance to fly your ship once, huh?"
Sheesh. What a chatter box. As she handed him the ale, he got rather lost in his own thoughts as he downed the entire bottle in one gulp. He looked back at her when she had just said, "Scrap metal" and began following her from there. His silver eyes tracked her motions with a rather predatory nature.
She then looked back at him, toying with her hair and asking, "There isn't a chance to fly your ship once, huh?"
He sniffed, straightening his stance even more so, his armor and his already tall figure standing at eight odd feet. "Well. Y'all cain't fly it. It'd explode if y'all did. Don' ask why." He set down the empty bottle on the bar, still looking at her.
"As for the metal? Y'all think that some old wood's gonna' support three hundred fifty or so pounds of armored Phantom? Nah. And I'd rather not step out of it. Don' ask why."
He then turned, placing his back on the bar. The old handcrafted wood creaked under his weight. "Eighteen y'say? I remember bein' that young. I had graduated high school on Denver. Lookin' for a tuition at a University. Good times..."
He brought his arms up, resting his elbows to either side of him as he stared rather thoughtfully at the ceiling.
"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THESCIENCEIS LEAKING OUT!"
Coral catched herself, glancing at the Phantom's eyes. Silver.. how unusual. Not blue, nor grey, they were silver and bright shining like diamonds. Coral felt a little turned on. Though she wasn't sure if he wouldn't attack her on it's next best occasion. That's why she kept a little distance to him.
She was really amazed by his body suit. Not because of the fact that he would probably kill the whole Ourays crew without even getting a scratch, but because it was really good looking. She smiled. I want one of that!
While still daydreaming she made a few notes for the prison's quartermaster. 'Get those junkers to build some stable steel chairs'.
"What if we strip one of your ships and put the Eagle's technology in it? Would it still.. explode?"
She smiled. She liked the creatures ship and she wanted it as much as the suit.
Her Eagle was ugly. It looked like one of those ships you see floating through space every now and then. She lost a Gunslot on her last fight, the crew wasn't able to fix that as fast as she wanted. It had just met way too many battles. There were holes with the diameter of a human's head on her wings, her thruster only worked on occasion, not to mention about the radio. She really needed a new one. If they wasn't that expensive. Coral sighed.
Why did she just leave Manhattan. Her father, the LPI. Everything seemed so long ago. She was a Xeno for almost a year now. Coral stared at the counters desk while daydreaming.