Kukoc space port is not the best place in the Remoluc Quadrant to be stranded, but considering the size of the storm surrounding the Gentry’s personal life - any port would do right now. Gentry sat with his back to the bar, drink in hand, staring at the travelers, pilots and assorted riff-raff move through the dank establishment. A police droid hovered silently through bar, its telephoto eye scanning the bar populace.
Well, Gentry thought slugging back the last of his drink back, if its any time to test the remade face - now’s the time.
The droid cruised down the line of people and creatures that huddled against the bar, slowly scanning them with its one oversized photolens. Gentry looked deep into the center of the electronic eye as the droid floated past him. The droid’s iris constricted and expanded with the flickering lights.
Come on, baby - show me what you are thinking. Gentry raised an eyebrow as the droid continued scanning his face from its hover point about 8 feet from the floor. Gentry braced for the phaser stun. The droid floated on, emotionlessly inspecting the rest of the bar populace.
Cool. Gentry turned back to the bar and ordered another drink. “Keep!” Gentry ordered. “Give me double Anaconda.”
The bar-drone slid down the tracking rail and proceeded to gurgle a bluish drink in to a short fat glass. Gentry stuck his credit stick into the payment slot on the drone. The drone beeped its acceptance of the transaction and released the drink onto the bar.
As Gentry reached for his drink, his arm was intercepted with a very large and furry paw. The paw pinned his arm to the surface of the bar. Claws snapped out from the end of the pads, locking into the wood top of the bar. Gentry felt the barrel of a small caliber blaster press into the small of his back.
“Don’t move.” A voice hissed behind him.
Gentry moved his eyes around without turning his head, trying to assess the situation. A yellow Fysstl glared down at him from his right. Its paw pressed harder onto Gentry’s pinned arm.
“Ouch!” Gentry complained. “What in the hell do you want?” Gentry turned his head to the right and checked out the fur-based enforcer. Gentry noted that the Fysstl had a motling of red on its chest. Young’n, Gentry thought. Still going through the Pys-gar.
The Fysstl slapped Gentry’s head with its free paw, “He said don’t move.” It growled.
Dam’it, Gentry’s head started to throb and the tendons in his neck ached from the force of the blow. He turned his head back to facing the bar. His two or three drinks sat just out reach from his ten to fifteen fingers. Gentry blinked his eyes are few times and the room returned to single vision mode. Gentry felt the gun press into his back harder.
“You move again and I’ll let her rip your head off.” the hissing voice threatened.
“Fine.” Gentry let his shoulders slump while dots of color still filtered his vision. “What do you want?”
“The money you owe us.” Gentry could feel the voice’s breath heat the back of his neck.
“I don’t owe anybody any money.” Gentry replied.
Gentry felt a hard kick at the back of his knee. The pain shot up his thigh and the leg buckled. If his arm weren’t pinned, Gentry would have fallen to the floor. Gentry reached for the leg with his free arm, crying out. “Gwad dam’it! What was that for?”
“Lying.” the voice replied.
Gentry struggled to right himself, pulling himself up using the bar and his free arm.
“TAKE THAT OUTSIDE!!!” A voice boomed from the side of the bar room. Gentry looked in the direction of the voice and saw the Falstaff-sized bouncer move from his post at the end of the bar.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Gentry responded. “These thugs are harassing me.”
The bouncer moved closer to the trio. “I don’t care if you guys are planning to rehearse the latest holo-play. Get the hell out of the bar.”
“Come with us or I drill you a new orifice.” The hissing voice ordered softly behind Gentry.
“I want my drink before I go anywhere.” Gentry straightened up defiantly.
The bouncer strode forward towards the group. The Fysstl grabbed the drink and emptied the beverage on to Gentry’s head. The alcohol burned into Gentry’s eyes blinding him. Gentry could feel the Fysstl release his arm and push him roughly in a direction towards the exit. Gentry could hear the hissing voice respond to the approaching bouncer.
“We were just leaving.”
Gentry stumbled blindly forward, propelled via pushes and shoves. Gentry bruised his thighs and shins as he was allowed to run into tables and chairs. Gentry hesitated as he felt they neared the exit.
“Hey,” he called out. “I can’t see the stairs.”
The Fysstl answered him by slamming her large paw into Gentry’s back hurling him out into empty space. Gentry grunted loudly as he landed with a thud on the placticeen street. As he tried to get to his knees, still blinded by the alcohol burning his eyes, Gentry felt a boot connect with the back of his lowered head, knocking him out.
* * * * * * * * *
Voices floated in and out of Gentry’s head. Gentry tried not to move, the pain in his head, back and leg throbbed in the background just waiting for an excuse to complain louder. The voices appeared to be arguing. The hissing voice came into focus first. The second voice was obviously the Fysstl.
“What do you mean the DNA test came back negative? The fingerprints said this was the guy. The computer said there was a facial match.”
“This is not the guy! Why would the DNA test lie? Look we found scar tissue during the body scan - he’s obviously had a re-map of his face and could afford new prints.”
“Dam it, Sheri. We can’t afford this set back. Untied him and kick him out of the ship.”
Gentry could feel the floor vibrate as the Fysstl strode over to him and unceremoniously ripped the restraints from his legs and dragged him to his feet. Gentry’s head complained loudly and was soon joined in the chorus of pain by his back, and leg. Gentry tired to remain limp, his hands still bound behind him, hoping that that up coming landing would be less rough than anticipated.
“Wait!” the hissing voice called.
Gentry halted in mid-drag as the Fysstl stopped for more directions.
“Drug him, then dump him. We don’t want him finding his way back here.”
Dam’it. Thought Gentry through his mental haze. I don’t need that crap in my veins after all this. His body screamed at him to be rational about all this sudden movement. Gentry twisted sharply to break the paw’s grasp. As he spun he opened his eyes to target the nearest corridor and escape route. Gentry tried to get his legs underneath him and bolt from the Fysstl’s now loosened grip.
* * * * * * * * *
“Mr. Marshall? The Board will see you now.” The feminine voice lilted out of the air.Gentry looked up sharply. A small bluish orb floated silently close by, bobbing slightly from the air vents over head. Damn things are too quite, he thought. “Thanks.” He replied - stood, grabbed his case and followed the droid down the hallway. “You know, its too bad there’s no body to go along with that gorgeous voice.”
The orb spun on its axis, while still moving down the hallway, gave Gentry the once over and spun back.
Gentry smiled to himself. The orb lead Gentry through a series of hallways to a set of double oak doors. Two marble lion statues guarded the doorway. Gentry’s stomach turned slightly. Scan me here too? He thought. Boys these guys are either very serious or very paranoid - or both.
The doors opened and the droid disappeared inside. Gentry followed.
