Freeport 6

[Yaoquizque]

Gaby sighed when he realized the two boys were seriously thinking to leave the bar before the two bottles of Gallic wine went empty.
- "Damn, 'dose younglings don't know anymore how ta drink, i tell ye!" He told to Joe.

He then took a sip from his glass, noticing Korbah was monitoring Howard's movement.
- "Come on 'lads! Don't tell me yerr refusing ta help me te finish 'dose fine bottles, uh?" Gaby maked his cool face.
- "Not like you need their help anyway..." said ironically Saaz.
- "Shaddap Saaz" He then grinned at Joe "Ye know wha'. Ye could ask to 'dose guards 'dere to stop 'em before they leave tha bar! Reason : not 'nuff alcohol in tha blood stream or somethin'"

Joe chuckled
- "I'd rather ask them to boot you out of here, so that my poor customers can relax without being annoyed by an old bandit like you..." He then smiled "Also... That would allow me to finish that fine wine alone...."

The two men bursted out laughing.
- "Okay ye got me ol' fella" Gaby filled Joe's glass.

A woman wearing a scientist suit entered in the bar and looked around.
- "Damn i knew i would find you all here..."

Gaby grinned.
- "Oh 'lo 'der 'lass. Come join us! We're havin' funnies"
The lady sighed.
- "Gabriel... The TC² capacitors are almost dead. I doubt they will last more than a couple of weeks. We need to change them"
Gaby played a bit with his glass, taking a bored face.
- "Well, 'dat's too bad, Neena. I don't have money ta change 'em anyway..." He whispered to Joe "'dose 'lasses. Always money money money" He chuckled.
- "Oh course you don't... All the money we made during the last two months went away to buy this Gallic... beverage.." She pulled face.

Neena grinned softly "Speaking of which... I think Hype is actually trying to lockpick that crate you got on your cabin..." She made a worried face "I'm afraid he will succeed to open it very soon..."
Gaby maked an anxious face "Wha'? Really now?! Damnit!" He raised quickly and started to run out of the bar, shouting "My wine! My bloody wine! I will kill him!"

Saaz and Joe sneered.
After a a few seconds, Gaby came back and took one bottle of wine in the table. "Forgot 'dat" He then ran again out of the bar.

Neena watched him leaving then shook her head "Stupid idiot..."

She sat and ordered a tea, taking a look at Saaz. "The hell are you doing here Saaz? I thought you were better than that" She then stared at Korbah who was smiling and shivered.

Saaz coughed "Trust me, my dear... That was against my will" He then noticed everyone was staring at her.
"Erm gentlemen, let me introduce our scientist on the TC² : Neena"

She looked at them all "'lo..."

Joe smiled and took her hand, kissing it. "Well, glad to meet you, dear lady"
She rolled her eyes "Another drunk friend of Gabriel i see. Back off!"

A waiter came with her tea and she started to sip it slowly...

---

[Ash]

"Give me your hand"

The man had been talking with the men at their table for a while and was now shaking each one's hand in turn.
Each man now smiled and turned to each other nodding in agreement.

"When can we expect the.."

"You'l find your new toys waiting for you in your hotel rooms. Enjoy chaps."

The suited man stood and buttoned his waistcoat. He polished off his glass of whisky, nodded at each of the curious men before he headed for the door. On the way out he caught a glimpse of a number of ruffians talking about gaians and drinks. He caught one's eye and smiled, he stopped, walked over to the table and placed a small card on it, nodded at each man in turn and strolled towards the door.

As he turned the corner out of the bar the men across the room all muttered excitedly amongst themselves. Within moments they'd finished their drinks, collected their belongings and hurried towards the door.

The card the man had left was almost unremarkable, on the upside of eggshell white card was an embossed crest that resembled a coat of arms. And on the reverse side a neural net address.

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