Diamond casebooks - Cpt 1 - part 5

Here in the marketplace one can purchase almost anything one desires, from star-ship spares, and subspace engines to exotic food and clothing, illegal weaponry, rent girls, boys or tri-sexuals whatever your preference. I never did understand the tri-sexual thing, each to their own though, I guess; the universe is filled with a diversity I will never fully comprehend. Anything you want can be located with a little time and effort and the right connections. We continue onward to where we want to be.

Fazool's Canteen, Devil City.

Finally we reach the dive of my youthful exploits, Fazool's Canteen. A den of dubious character frequented by a variety of Japora's lowlife and most of the galaxies scum who're on the run for one reason or another.

I've known the canteen's proprietor, Tam Fazool, for quite a few years and have on occasion crossed paths with him, occasions that usually result in me using brute force to gain the information I require. This occasion would be no different no doubt.

Fazool is a born coward, but a coward that knows everything and everyone on Japora. He can be bought if the price is right, but often the price is way too extravagant; besides, causing Fazool pain is way cheaper on the pocket and usually has a quick affect.

On entering, I quickly usher Apri into one of the secluded side alcoves, telling her to wait there, so she wouldn't attract unwanted attention from the various pimps that hang round looking for fresh talent. Sure that Apri is safe, I enter the back room where Fazool normally hangs out and goes about his underhanded dealings.

Immediately, those there are on their guard. Looks of caution and suspicion are cast in my direction. The stench of stale alcohol hangs in the air with a faint but obvious odour of narcotics mixed in.

I stand in the doorway surveying the dimly lit area, taking all in. Two pirates known to me sit unobtrusively in a shadowed alcove to my right; one nods slightly in recognition. Gace Ravern, a renowned bounty hunter of nefarious repute sits at the bar, he watches me as I move further in and fingers his strapped down pulse pistol.

Further along the bar and flanked by two rather fetching rent girls is Tam Fazool. The bartender leans close to Fazool's drooping ear and whispers while looking in my direction. Before Fazool can react and turn I am on him.

"Diamond, he greets calmly as he places his steaming drink on the counter.

"Lose the meat Fazool. We need to talk.

He waves the girls away. Each throws him a glance of disappointment; one cheekily gives me the eye as she passes. Out of the corner of my eye I clock Ravern unclipping his weapon, bearing this in mind I turn my attention back to Fazool.

"Fizz and Hackar, where can I find them?

Fazool grins showing his sharp jagged teeth, his breath rushes at me causing my nostrils to flare at the stench.

"Sorry Diamond, I've never heard of them.

The sudden eruption of laser fire echoes in the air. I swing round, and more by reaction than though I draw my blaster. At the far end of the bar in a crumpled heap is Gace Ravern, smoking pulse pistol in his hand. His head lops forward, his neck snapped. Next to Ravern's corpse is a pair of short beige boots, my gaze follows up the legs to find Apri, a laser in her hand covering the two pirates who are now on their feet...