Chapter 20: Sammy’s Canteen

Bradbury Canal, October 7, 2141
Sammy’s Canteen

Alan, Hilde, Ray, Christa, and Jake sat in a place called Sammy’s Canteen, a local pub. They all sat at a large table in the dimly lit bar in the center of C Quadrant, not far from where Alan and Christa were raised. Dr. Lars Olsen, the Man Mountain, paid for everything: drinks, meals, desserts. He just quit his job as an undercover thug for Eric Burgman and revealed himself as Personal Assistant to Ray Clark, MP.

“This used to be Mom and Dad’s favorite gathering spot,” said Alan.

“They’d throw darts and play pinochle all night long with their co-workers,” said Christa.

“With paperweights?” asked Alan.

Ray realized what Alan was inferring and nodded, “yes, with paperweights.”

Hilde noticed an odd reaction between Alan and Christa. Christa seemed pleased that there were paperweights, but Alan seemed upset. “What does that mean?” she whispered.

“It means they were monitoring conversations,” whispered Alan. “They were fighting against Bergman.” That was close enough to the truth, but his parents were actually fighting a much more potent adversary. Then, in a louder voice, he said, “If you’ll excuse me,” and he rose and headed to the bathroom.

As Ray was entertaining Hilde with stories of Noxie the Robot and his pal, the boy wonder, Alan Scarlett, Herbert Burgman, glanced into the bar. Seeing that Alan wasn’t among the revelers, he stalked up to Lars and hissed, “I thought I told you to take care of them.”

“I did take care of them. I bought everyone dinner,” said the man that Burgman thought was named Stan.

“You idiot!” Herbert barked.

“There you go calling people names again,” said Alan from right behind Burgman. Burgman spun and there was Alan. The son of the man he hated most was standing right behind him with his hands behind his back, blocking his exit. Burgman turned, but Lars had pushed back from the table, blocking his exit in the other direction. Alan continued. “I know what you did, and I’m going to find out why. Once I have that nailed down I will give you one chance to confess.”

“Then what?” sneered Burgman, hoping to draw out a threat from Scarlett that he can take to the Parliament.

“Then I treat you with the same kindness you treated my parents.”

“I did nothing!” said Burgman, but Alan continued to stare at him. This stare was another look he developed while training as a flight lead. Eventually they crack and Hilde couldn’t believe how well her student could break down the hardened liar. “Out of my way,” growled Burgman and he shoved past Alan, but Alan gave Burgman’s right ankle a kick which caused his right foot to catch against his left leg and he went down flat on the floor.