Cyberknight: One Path

⁕ Sea of Broken Shards (part 3)

[Woman] - "Hey, Big Mouth, get me a whisky. "

The bartender immediately obeyed the woman in neon yellow clothing and poured her a glass. In return, she slammed down a twenty-dollar bill on the table. As McCree shifted his look away from the woman, he could almost catch the entire bar stopping to stare at him from his periphery. All of a sudden, McCree was tapped on the shoulder by the bartender, who made him jump as he noticed that he was missing his lower face.

[Bartender] - "Drink, cowboy? "

Said the bartender in a mechanical voice through a speaker attached to his chest.

[McCree] - "The same as her. A whisky, partner. "

Said McCree while trying to maintain his cool.

As the glass of liquor was put before him, McCree tossed a twenty to the bartender.

[Bartender] - "Eighty! "

Said the bartender as he slammed his fist on the bill.

[McCree] - "I ain't a fool, partner! She paid twenty, so why should I... "

Suddenly, in unison, the whole bar came to a halt before everyone drew their guns on McCree. Meanwhile, before him, the space below the bartender's mouth opened before a massive grenade launcher aimed at his face.

[McCree] - "Ugh, you ugly son of a bitch! "

Said McCree as he recoiled.

[Ivanovich] - "People! People, lower your damn guns! "

Said Ivanovich as he pushed through the crowd with his bodyguards.

Surprised, McCree watched as Ivanovich extended his hand warmly toward him like an old friend. There was a look of relief on his face as the old Belarusian man shook his hand.

[Ivanovich] - "Sorry for the hostility, angel. We were not very receptive to strangers, so please do not take offence at the actions of these fools. "

[McCree] - "I wasn't expecting you to come meet me yourself, partner. "

Said McCree, confused.

[Ivanovich] - "I heard you have business to discuss with me, so let us talk in a more private place. Come, I'll offer you something better to drink than overpriced whisky. "

As McCree was about to leave, the bartender apologetically returned the money he had put on the table. However, emboldened by his newfound importance, McCree slapped the money back at the bartender.

[McCree] - "Go buy yourself a proper mouth, ya dirty animal. "

Later, inside Ivanovich's office, McCree was served a glass of fine whisky by the boss. However, by now, the way the boss was treating him was starting to unnerve McCree. Looking around himself, McCree was also puzzled by the number of religious symbols and statues inside the office.

[McCree] - "About your son... Ya seem quite eager. "

Said McCree as he tried to withdraw his tablet.

[Ivanovich] - "My son? I don't care, and I won't even try to save him. "

Said Ivanovich calmly while lighting up a few incense sticks in a pot.

Ivanovich's words shocked McCree as he accidentally dropped his tablet on the ground.

[McCree] - "Wha'cha mean by that? "

[Ivanovich] - "My son is not important. I do not occupy myself with his well-being. "

Said Ivanovich with his hands in a prayer.

After taking a drink from his glass, Ivanovich cleared his throat and took a look at McCree.