The Mercenary's Code

[Zapp]

I was sipping the local brew in an unmentionable bar. The lighting was dim, and the figures inhabiting the bar were even shadier. There was not one, not two, but three bouncers: one to keep the bartender safe, one to check weapons at the door, and another to just look menacing. If it wasn't for their crude imitation of law and order, the place would be chaos. I was happy enough to keep my head low and not do anything. You see, a man doesn't survive long on the edge when he presses down too hard: he'll end up cutting himself.

A young man of no little trepidation was glancing at me askance. I couldn't tell if it was envy or suspicion. My hand twitched to the holster that had no gun. Reflex. It had saved my life more than once. The young man approached.

"I ummm..." he stammered, looking around. Fixed his eyes on the table slightly in front of me. "Heard you're a mercenary."

I relaxed. A little bit. A very little bit. Then I nodded.

"I want to become a merc too," he said, almost sweating. I sighed. Looked skyward, and saw a few stains on the ceiling. Blood stains? Doesn't matter.

I nodded to the empty seat across from me, and raised a hand to the bartender. He brought another drink. I gruffly asked what he wanted.

"I'd like to know how to get started..."

I told him to stop acting so nervous. Mercenaries can't afford to look nervous. He immediately tried to still his features.

"Now," I said. Little inflection. Words aren't my strong suit. "First thing, you'll want to follow the Mercenary's Code."

"Mercenary's... Code?" He seemed puzzled. I simply nodded.

"Yes. The Mercenary's Code. The unwritten laws that almost all mercenaries live by."

"Which are?"

I looked him in the eye. Told him to make eye contact. He forced his eyes off the table and into my unwavering gaze. "Always make eye contact. They'll see you as weak if you don't."

"Is that one of the laws?"

"No. It's a simple fact of life."

He quieted and fidgeted some, his gaze wandering. I put my glass on the table. Hard.

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