Wintrow

A long hallway appeared before Leaf. The red neon glow illiuminated his path forward. He began walking. He noticed the music increased in decibles as he approached. Halfway to the end, a woman appeared in holographic form.

“Welcome to the Nexus. I’m Jill, your hostess to the underground.” Her voice was altered by a modulator or perhaps a translator, and like the coat-check girl, she wore the same lether skirt and white top with purple-dyed hair. “For the safety of all guests and employees, please refrain from any physical force, yelling, unwanted contact, or speaking languages that are not known by both parties within the Nexus Hall. There are no weapons allowed. If you wish to engage in trade, combat, or pleasure, please use one of the approved lounges surrounding the main hall. As always, we wish you a pleasant stay.” The holographic woman disappeared and the double doors opened.

The Nexus Hall shined bright neon lights; music reverberated; and, Humanians, Malkidians, Lorathians, Ventaluians, and Horapalians partied the night together under the dancing lights of a hovering giagantic holographic display of the Milky Way Galaxy. At the center of Nexus, Leaf saw an oval bar top with glass tables, leather chairs, and waitresses walking the hall.

Leaf thought the center bar was best to sit and wait while he searched for his Tarnathian mark. He made his way over, passing party goers who conversations drifted through his ears like a syphony of aligned purpose. Perfume floated beneth his nostrils- each more unique and desireable than the last as if each was laced with some drug that he could not detect. He felt at home in the underground though not like the home he grew up in. Now, he did not have a home. Where his two feet landed was his home. He took a seat at the bar’s center as the bartender passed by.

“Welcome to Nexus Bar. How can I help you tonight?” The bartender asked.

“A smoked bourbon,” he replied.

“Would you care for bio-infusion additive? It’s a mixture of your favorite drink with an infusion of a neurological stimulant to help refine your vision while here at the underground.”

“See in the dark?” Leaf asked.

“That’s correct. We call it a biococktail,” he said.

“Why not?” Leaf asked rhetorically and the bartender started the infusion mixed drink. He observed the bartender at work. His head was shaven and covered with tattoos that ran underneath his black collared shirt. Man of the Fifth Tribe, he noticed. The tattoo was indicative of his culture, past, and present life.

-Add past related experience with the fifth tribe relation to golden fox and bounty hunting.

Leaf thought that the Nexus underground did not mind hiring those of criminal gangs. More often than not, they likely preferred the grey type of individual over the easily defined black and white.

The bartender unlocked a glass window where various vials of blue, red, and green were assorted and retrieved a blue vial. He closed the glass door, locking it in place. He returned in front of Leaf and emptied the contents of the liquid into the smoked bourbon. The color shifted from red to a purple.

“For your pleasure, sir,” the bartender said placing the biococktail down. Leaf, who wore a cryptocoin watch, placed the surface of his watch to the bar scanner and paid. 380CC. A sizeable portion for above ground, yet, a normal amount for below it.

He took his first sip. The bourbon burned in his mouth as the charcoal filled in nostrils. He swallowed and exhaled out smoke. The bio-infusion did not take long to affect his nervous system. His vision began to change. His pulse quickened. The dark hues of the world shifted to opaque and translucent. The light from the neon lights dancing around became more vibrant. Each color shifted upwards in spectrum. He gazed around and then to the the ceiling. Where darkness once was, was now a large glass dome. Constellations of the night sky shown bright. He looked toward the outskirts of the Milky Way and found Sol, the sun of Earth shining brightly.

How far we’ve come, he thought.

He turned his attention back to the bartender. “Impressive. I’ve never had anything like this. Do you only sell bio-infusions here?”

“It’s the only place to buy it,” he said.

Leaf took another sip and searched for the Tarnathian. Leaf saw at the far ends of the of the oval hall of Nexus, various signs illuminated other lobbies.

Leaf turned as asked, “Can you point me around?”

“Certainly, sir. You’ll notice there are four corridors that lead away from the main interior of Nexus.” He gestured to each section and read aloud. A neon sign above them labeled:

Wolves Den.

Macabre.

Lowest Point.

Fueled.

“Each a sin compared to the next,” he stated. “The Wolves Den is for combat and gambling. Take your chances in the Den and find out what you’re made of. Macabre is for those interested in trading death, whether your life or the life of another is on death’s row, a bounty may be claimed.”

Leaf’s ears perked up at the sound of Macabre and then to the Tarnathian he searched for. Leaf already had the bounty of another on his list. Maybe he would stop by when his mission was complete.

“Lowest point is for those in need of assistance out in the real world. Likewise, a sizeable fortune can be made by signing on the dotted line. Lastly, Fueled is for those looking for entertainment of the sexual variety. Some say you’ll never leave.” The bartender finished.

Leaf considered his mark and thought likely that a Tarnathian visiting from off world would enjoy the underground’s fight scene. The money wouldn’t be an issue to him and the style of entertainment fit his kind. Wolves Den, he chose.

“I appreciate your time,” Leaf said and tapped his watch to tip the bartender. 20CC deposited.

“Thank you, sir. Have a pleasant evening.”

He left the bar behind and ventured across the oval hall. The party goers continued to dance around as he walked through unnoticed. Leaf reached the Wolves Den. A sign posted announced,

Brave of those to enter, luck to those who gamble, damned to those who cheat.

With one last glance around the atrium, Leaf pushed the double metal doors open and entered.