I lean back slightly, watching with dry amusement. Claw is busy catching up with the bartender, who I gather he's met before. Shinyso is, of course, looking for trouble. I know what the next question is before it is asked.
"So what happened then?"
I shrug. "Nothing much. We headed out to the Idelo sector ... snuck in under their scanners. No work, but Shonar found someone willing to use his skills. I hear Evaluator's still kicking around with him, too."
I have quite a crowd around me, but they start to drift away to listen to some other tale. The War Tavern's dimly lit surroundings are, as always, provocative to storytelling. Most of the patrons I recognize.
The next question draws me back. "What happened to Zanzibar and whatisname, Jerrana?"
"I'm not really sure," I confess. "I think they did get married. I think Phoebe was disappointed; she had quite the interest in him for a while."
I glance around. One of the rabbits talking to Shinyso meets my gaze and grins; I recognize him as Defalcon, an old friend. Off in a corner, where Saturn once sat, I see Crystal Summer talking to Zazz Darkfist. Behind the bar, Ducky whacks the other bartended, Night Fire. I glance at the spot where Shinyso slew the lynx mercenary.
"So where are the others?"
"Omega is still with the Sarav, teaching them spy techniques. I hear Emerald Dragon keeps getting herself reelected as their leader, even though Raxizil has been freed," I comment distantly. "Alpha sticks around him. Zazz is back as a bounty hunter, and Nightshade's still assassinating. Kovu's hooked up with Kaz for a while, they're off making trouble. I think Blacksheep's still on Carrotus, no idea what she's up to. Wild Angel's back as an informant. She was pretty torn up about Jassiv." I pause, remembering the cold, young blue rabbit and his sacrifice. Three months after the fact, his, Grath's and Scimitar's deaths still sting like an open wound. It will heal.
After a few more questions, I am alone. I can see a few ace pilots clustered in a corner, making passes with their hands as they recount some distant battle. I could join them, but I won't. For now, I sit, lost in my memories. Jassiv, Kroys, Scimitar, Shonar, Evaluator, Sharrakamov ... all the odd characters I've met in my career.
Shinyso gets up, saying something final to Defalcon and Crystal. He stalks over to my table, and Claw glances over, finishing his conversation with Night Fire. Ducky smiles at me, and I return the grin. Zazz waves, and Defalcon walks over.
"Well, I'll see you around," he says casually. "Where are you headed next?"
"Titan IV, in the Skorpti system," I reply. "Got a job proposition. We'll see how it works out."
Two pilots who I've seen before, one with a ship called Scorpion and the other the pilot of the Shadow Viper, nod to me as they pass. Defalcon flashes me a quick grin, which I return, and says, "good luck. Hope you survive this one," and I laugh. Claw walks over.
"Are you ready to leave yet?" he says with false irritation. I snort in way of answer, and Shinyso smirks at both of us. I stand up and sarcastically gesture for Claw to lead the way before following as we head for the door. We make a great team.
It's been a long day. With a final grin and a wave to those in the War Tavern, I leave. They know I'll be back.
Hey, the adventure's just begun!

The End

*cries* It's OVER ...

... And I claim page 8. YES!!!!!

*Sadness*

But your story really is awesome
Maybe I'll start writing something like Rad is doing with 'Conqueror'...

Eval

Go ahead ... this one is longer than Conquerer, tho. 2 pages longer, in fact.

And yes, sadness ...

Well, in July I'll have lots of free time

Eval

Well, I'll probably have a new story on here by tomorrow, so you won't be bored.

BLAST! I was camping here for a while waiting for somebody to post >.>...

All is well...


I'll lie to myself and say all is well, when it's quite obvious...

*sniffles* It's over...

But it ROCKED! And I get a cameo! Dunananana!!!! WHy thankee CT

Well if your new story takes joiners, my profile is in the 'Everyone's character' thread, on the second page. Haha, I put in request before everyone.

I surpose I should update my stories soon... they seem to be drifting... drifting backwards off the page...

In any case, an excellent ending to an excellent story. Good job, CT. I hope to read more by your good self sometime in the near future.

*slips Copper a twenty for Crystal's cameo*

Lol, thanks Defal. Hey, I found a poem I wrote before I ever finished the story, and it fit perfectly with Pirelann's dilemma. So here it is.

Power's Snare

I searched for a place that possesses no name
Many before me had sought for the same.
I wait for a time that has not yet been
I am haunted by ghosts that will never be seen.

I seek passage through the impassable places
I have calmed the implacable guardian faces.
In silence, time passes; I wait and learn
Ageless, I bide as the seasons turn.

Stony seas and liquid ground
The world has been turned upside down.
Black flames flicker in a brillian night
Sound turns to silence, shadow to light.

Burning eyes in a restless sky
Fish trade places with those who fly.
Somehow stable in this unstable land
Snared by my power, unchanging I stand.

Black lightning lances through transparent red seas
Trapped underwater by locks with no keys.
Equally imprisoned, I do not sleep
Persistantly watching, my vigil I keep.

Light washes over the shifting day sky
Nothing is right and there's no reason why.
Rivers flow backwards, the wind becomes still
The sun turns black and stones fall uphill.

Silver ribbons wind through the lightless day
When freedom is coming I cannot say.
I have gone too far, too much I sought
In a prison of my own making I have been caught.

Helpless I wait, powerless in this trap
Patiently waiting for my tether to snap.
Throughout the ages my plans I have spun
For I merely wait for when my time will come.

~Coppertop

Well, I finally visit the war tavern after it's over.

Excellent.

;P

For all who didn't know, "Shinyso" was my character from the JMMB.