Blurry. Absolutely everything is blurry as you open your eyes. And your head. It hurts. You are not strange to the feeling.
Your grip around the shot glass loosens, noticing you did not manage to gulp it down at once. How many of those came before? There is a bartender droid -Libertonian design- standing in front of you. Interesting, where could you be right now? Wait, it's still too early to even think about that. Your head hurts, remember?
Darkness. You open your eyes again. Looks like you passed out again. Your head does not hurt that much, and your eyesight becomes sharp a little faster than before. Your shot glass was now completely refilled. Why not try gulping it down now? You don't seem to be the one paying the bill.
You recover your hearing sense. Jazz music. You can see the "robotender" attending other people in the booths. Those people could be from anywhere in Sirius. Could be this be a Freeport? The stool you are sitting on is far too comfortable to leave, even if there are several booths and tables free. Nobody is going to argue your decision, you are Finn McCool after all.
Oh my, but who's the guy on your side? You feel startled but recover immediately after, scanning the individual who sneaked next to you. He's gulping a shot of scotch. Kusari-born, mid 40's, white hair, green suit with dragon patterns. Damn, that's so Kusari'ish. He notices your apparent perplexity and bows his head lightly at you before proceeding to introduce himself, flashing a grin.
"Oh, excuse me for my manners, mister McCool. One never knows when you might wake up after this hell of a party we had last night. I'm Hideo Iwakura, Kusari enterpreneur."
You don't perceive the usual Kusari customs coming from him, no 'sama', 'san' or other japanese expressions. Better this way. But what did he just say? Partying for the whole night? Was it breakfast time now?
Food? Finn's mind immediately went to food. He was more than pleased to have a full shot glass in front of him. But still his groggy mind was trying to piece together the events that led him here. Nope, too painful. The more he tried to paint a clear picture in his head, the more it felt like a Bison-Transport smashed into him. Multiple times. He couldn't really remember the last time he was THIS drunk. Not that he exerted much effort to try to remember said time.
"Mistha... hnn... Mister Iwankurry is it? I feel like the twin suns of Kappa just fried my brain. I can't remembuh... ugh. I can't remember anything about this party, but damn do I feel it."
Finn put his elbows on the table, and rested his head in his hands, his middle fingers slowly rubbing his temples to try to relieve the dizziness and pain. Again he tried to remember any events, or even the last thing he remembered.
"If only you were able to spell my name correctly, mister McCool, perhaps this conversation would become fruitful."
He let a chuckle out after. Alright, this guy knows humor.
"Perhaps we should order some food? Suit yourself, the robotender will be here in a bit."
You could reach to hear him ordering some "crabcake" as the droid stood by their table. This guy is the most anti-Kusari thing you would have ever witnessed. Still good, no Kusari customs to deal with.
"Now, now. I'm not here to simply sit idle and share a meal with you, mister McCool. My Company has devoted huge efforts and funding into research. And the scope of the R&D deparment focuses on the mysteries and wonders of the Omicrons, if you catch my drift..."
Couldn't this conversation happen later in the day or something? Your head still hurts! Fortunately, a bottle of water was placed on the table together with a glass. Maybe you should drink several of them and see if you feel better.
"...But of course, I'm talking to you based on the rumours I have heard about you and your career, mister McCool. Oh please, I've become too excited about this. If you hydrate yourself, you might be able to pay some attention."
Iwakura interlaced his fingers, looking at your painful facial expression as if he was pitying you. But if you chose to drink, you had the feeling it would really make you feel better.
"As I was saying... I would be interested in knowing a bit more than the vague background I've gathered about you."
Finn, in his confused and rather hungover-like state, looked at him perplexed. Surely he should know that in a state like this, anyone including Finn wouldn't be capable of a rather serious conversation. Granted Finn recalled numerous times he was able to coherently engage in conversations while intoxicated beyond levels fit for a normal person, but this felt different.
With great effort, Finn poured himself a glass of water and gulped it down. Pouring himself another glass and sipping this one, he turned back to this Iwankurry fellow.
"Research in the Omicrons? I mean, there are a wide array of possible research tropi... topics that you could be looking at. Anyway, what do you want to know about me? What rumors have you heard? Hell, at this point you could probably provide me with better info that I can right now!"
He chuckled, then quickly turned to the other side and puked onto the floor. Slowly sitting back up, he turned back to finish his train of thought.
"Ugh. Sorry 'bout that. Umm, let's see. More about me? I was born in the Dublin system, got fed up with all the 'Miners deserve this!' and 'down with whoever at the time pisses us off!', so ventured out and became a Zoner. Rather pleasant for the most part. Bounced around, and eventually started my own research team that grew to a pretty big organization! Ended up being the head of the Confederation of Freeports, then..."
He gave a look of confusion, more so than normal. Looking around trying to force his mind to fill the empty void of memories, he sat there perplexed.
"You know, I don't remember. Damn it must have been some party. I have no recollection of anything recently. And... where exactly am I? This place doesn't look familiar, and I've frequented many bars and clubs around Sirius."
Hideo seemed to frown at the sole thought of "Iwankurry" in your mind. Wait, how would that be possible? Maybe he's dissimulating his dizziness better than you. Damn Kusari people...
"Now that's... extremely interesting, mister McCool. Not only I have the honor to meet a researcher, but also the head of the Confederation! I can now understand the need of this 'quality time'. I really, really know how it feels to forget about work by throwing a hell of party."
Now it wasn't a droid walking around anymore, but an actual human bartender whose looks reminds of the most classic ones working at Manhattan's spaceport bars. The man snorted at the smell of the crabcake he was about to serve to Hideo. Most delicious. But for now pay attention to him, would you kindly?
"You are right, the Omicrons offer plenty of choices when it comes to developing something really useful for humankind out of the research conducted there. Whatever artifacts, buildings and things that these... aliens left behind aeons ago still pose a challenge for people like you and me, mister McCool."
Now you can bet this is where it gets creepier.
"My Company has several items and on-going projects esteeming from them that may require of additional, experienced manpower. I can't really disclose the nature of the items right now due to 'top secret stuff' and bla-bla-bla. But I'm sure a man like is always up to overcome whatever challenge he's offered. And money of course! Don't you dare to think I'm some kind of beggar!"
Be honest, did you even listen to him at all? Or you're feeling better than before? That crabcake he's about to take a bite from looks tasty, hmm. Hideo offered you a fork.
"Oh but, where did I leave my manners? Don't you want to order some food, mister McCool? This crabcake tastes awesome, feel free to try this one. And then tell me about your thoughts on my proposal."
While still unable to recall the events that led up to this position Finn found himself in, his mind was becoming clear enough to recognize that things were not adding up, both within his surroundings as well as his internal monologue. As he started to concentrate on what was going on, it hit Finn.
He had prior instances of such happening. He looked down at his plate, then at the plate of crabcakes next to him.
"Not sure I want any crabcakes right now actually. Water I will take. Should I call over the roboserver, or wait... it's the 'human' server? I can never tell in this state of mind. Regardless, the study of ancient technology and how it can be best utilized in this day and age is always fascinating to me, as is the challenge of such work. To study beings not of our own is always on the forefront of a scientists mind. Either finding ways to incorporate their technology, or learning more about their culture. Though something tells me your research is not about learning cultures..."
He chuckled internally as he said that. Turning himself to face Iwankurry directly, he smiled.
Rude guy, aren't you? What are you even talking about? Hideo kept munching the crabcake as he listened to you, casting a sigh after he finished the first bite.
"Beg your pardon, mister McCool? I'm not sure if I my proposal insulted you. If you feel uneasy about monetizing the final product coming from any kind of research... well, I can respect that kind of morale, but I'm a enterpreneur."
He gestured with his hand so that the robotender appeared again, offering water to Finn once again.
"Or if you prefer some time for meditation and recovery, I will let you be. I didn't intend on being too disruptive about this business proposal. And I'll finish this crabcake meanwhile, of course."
He ate another bit of the crabcake, focusing his efforts on feeling its taste before gulping it down.
"I'm nobody to prohibit you from declining and leaving though. Feel free as a Zoner out of House space!"
Finn chuckled, though was still uneasy. He wasn't used to being called rude, but... was he called rude? Was his mind recovering from last night's escapades that he was imagining this all in his head?
No... no, he knew this. He'd felt this type of "invasion" before. Subtle thoughts, subtle hints at his surroundings. Still not 100% sure though, he motioned the server over.
"Steak please. Medium rare, with a glass of Dubliner Whiskey and a single ice cube please. Oh, and that glass of water too. Yeah, thank you."
Shaking his head, he turned his attention to Iwankurry.
"Apologies if I came across as rude. I'm still trying to get my mind straight after last night. Anyway, we're on the same page. Research can't continue without proper funding, whether from investors or from the prior profits of the final products that have come before. Just because you believe in something, does not mean you can not receive payment for such. I'll always be on the forefront of research and new discoveries as long as I can help it, but getting paid to do something you enjoy is an added benefit, and one I won't refuse. Now, can someone please explain to me why I can't remember anything about last night, or even where I am?"
"It's amusing, right? The places we can wake up in suddenly. And here I thought those times would be over as we aged. I'm partly as clueless as you are, but I've been told we're in... America Freeport. Right next to Liberty border."
He let the silence help with the next bite. He didn't sip from the glass of water since their conversation had begun. Damn, this guy feels like a box full of surprises, hah?
"Whatever, judging on your opinion about research and monetizing, I'm inclined to think we are almost... on the same page, mister McCool. Trust me when I say that I'm sure you will like our on-going projects. It's just up to signing a few papers, or a toast, if you prefer."
Hideo motioned at the robotender, ordering a cup of sake to match Finn's whiskey for the sake of aiming for the toast. Finn's order was served together with the sake minutes later, leaving him enough time for further meditation.
"Feeling better now, mister McCool? Perhaps you may want to sip some water before we celebrate your possible addition to the Company with this meal and a toast after?"
America Freeport. Finn laughed in his head, knowing no such place existed. Perhaps that was the game being played though, knowing that he was once head of the Confederation of Freeports. But what game? Finn already alluded to knowing something was out of the norm. Why keep teasing and playing with him? What was the goal in all this? And why has Iwankurry not once took a sip of water...?
"Thank you, but Whiskey is all I need to quench my thirst. It's the Dubliner in me."
Finn watched Iwankurry's expression, curious if he would reveal any indication of displeasure from turning down the water presented to him.
"Now, what company do you represent, and what is my role in all of this as an addition to said company?."