The Blood Money - Freeport One Edition -

[Squad]

Zero to amicable in 3.6 seconds, and I got a drink out of it.

Johnson raised the glass to his lips and took a small sip before dipping his fingertips in the alcohol. He stuffed them under his bandages, letting it burn at the curled edges of the wound.

"I'm not sure how much use I am to anyone in this shape, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't appreciate your offer. Never owed anyone much of anything before. Made my own way on my own time in my own fashion."

He readjusted the dressing on his abdomen, the blood-soaked cotton sticking to his skin and tugging at it with all of its might.

"Things change, it seems. I used to collect debts from less-than-stand-up type folks in the Edge Worlds. I suppose you do the same, but if you've got a crew behind you, I assume you've found more of those people than I ever did."

Johnson pulled out a white, chalk-looking rod.

"Mireen let me have this to seal the wound on a temporary basis. Two weeks out in space was probably a bit much. If you don't mind letting me take care of this whole . . . situation, I'll do you and your company the same good will you've done me. Since you seem to know more than I've ever told anyone about that ship of mine, make some use of her in the meantime if you can. She’s taken care of me as well as could be asked."

He put the rod back under his bandage.

“Mr. Blue, let’s see where our lives take us from here and whose lives get taken on the way.”

Johnson finished his drink in a few visibly taxing swigs.

First one I’ve actually been able to finish in a month. Cheers.

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