At the man’s threat I have to shake my head and shoot down my drink before I have a chance to consider the wisdom of what I am about to do. The liquor burns going down as I accept the familiar tingle that infuses my old bones. It is a noxious potion that will exact a price but oh well… at seventy-five years of age this ain’t my first rodeo. I know the score. Let’s see if these delinquents are as aware. Somehow I doubt it.

None of the scumbag’s cronies notice as I get up off my stool. In fact the only person who notices is the bartender, Miguel. He’s known me since he was a kid and his grandparents ran this cantina. He gives me a quick skittish smile and a shrug and proceeds beyond the heavily reinforced door to the back of the bar. I hear an audible clang as the latch to the door is locked into place. Miguel always was a smart kid.

The situation is getting worse. The whole group is now taunting Bug and a few more weapons have been drawn. Occasional shots are being fired. I am not too worried for Bug’s sake as she is a slippery varmint. Can do pretty much anything in the air and isn’t afraid to tell you about it as she has begun to do so to the increasingly angry mob trying to bring her down out of the rafters.

Bug’s high pitched laugh scorches the ears of those below her as she taunts them with “You stupids no catch Bug. Bug best flyer. Stupids are too slow.” As her voice ramps up in pitch, sounding more and more like the scolding of a hyper-sonic squirrel I know I need to get involved. Bug’s race has a sonic attacked designed to stun these large insect like creatures that are Bug’s people’s native food source and let’s just say it works a dandy on full grown humans too. Maybe I can flank the group and end this before it gets messy.

That was my plan until Bug finally noticed I was here. Her eyes widen. Damn! I put my finger to my lips signaling her to ignore me. Praying for once she does what’s she’s told. Of course God has a funny sense of humor about these things.

“Hey you meanies. Don’t you dare look behind you and see Mr. Cash sneaking up on you. He just an old man and can’t hurt a skreep.” she says this with an exaggerated wink of one of her large eyes to me. I suppose I should give her points for attempting subtlety, a concept her culture is not really familiar with.

The entire group turns to face me. They seems less than impressed. Well at least I’ve got their attention away from Bug and can get a good look at what I am dealing with. Oh goody. Pirates. Bug sure knows how to pick an enemy, though from the looks of things maybe she wasn’t the one doing the choosing this time.

(to be continued)

Nullus Anxietas