It was such bullshit. Nils had never heard of such bullshit before. Why the fuck was this happening to him? It was not fair.

“Either you take it or leave it. I’ve got others to help, so choose.”

The swollen, and a little sweaty, lady said behind the counter. Her eyes tired with an expression that told Nils that she didn’t want to deal with his Shit. But Nils wouldn’t back down. If anything, it just spurred him on even further!

He hadn’t gone through hell and back, trained years and years of his life to get denied right now.

“I demand a retrial! I won't leave until you give me one!”

Nils demanded, yelling out in such passion that a politician would have been jealous. But neigh, it would thou not be, for this lady, this fat lady, was not having any of it. Her expression turned firm, grim, angry and mad. She have had to deal with pieces of shit through out the whole day, and Nils turned out to be the last drop.

“Listen to me you fucking piece of shit, either you take it, or I call the guards. Maybe a day in quarantine will do you good hmmm?”

The woman seethed through clenched teeth, eyes narrowed into a pencil-shaped form. Nils stared blankly at her, then felt sweat boiling up from his ass-crack, his eyes swelling up at the glaring threat. Nils had to rethink his approach. Maybe he would back down, if anything, Nils had always been a man of many talents, and changing his opinions could be considered a talent. Right?

“Uh, uuuuh.. Ahem, yes of course. No need to call security, hehe. I’ll take it.”

Nils said defeated, reaching out his hand towards the security glass, waiting for it to open. The woman smiled in glee at the sudden change of pace, teeth like fangs showing through sweaty lips. She enjoyed the moment, the moment where Nils was utterly defeated. She even let the moment simmer, to stay in the air, enjoying Nils discomfort.

But luckily for Nils, someone behind grunted, a line was formed and were waiting for their respective turn. The woman glanced up, her smile immediately vanishing. She pressed a button on top of the counter, the glass sliding up a centimeter, then sliding out a card for Nils to take.

Nils took it with uncertain hands, then awkwardly shuffled away. Glancing up at the people waiting in line, imagining that he saw sneering faces and hearing chuckles. But in truth, no one cared; They just wanted their cards. Too focused on their own problems.

As Nils made it out of the army equipment facility, he took one last look at it, his thoughts dark.

Stupid army, fucking army. I’ve bled, I’ve toiled, I’ve sweated (if that's even a word) for you. Fuck you, I’ve been clear that I want to be a heavy gunner. And what do you give me? Fucking medic. I don't know shit about treating a wound, why would I be giving such a worthless role. How did I deserve this faith?

Nils thoughts were grim, an atmosphere of darkness exuding out from him. Or that’s what he thought; In reality he just looked like a sulking teenager. Although he was too old to be one.

Walking down the streets of mars, Nils grumbled. He felt, no, he needed a drink. The light illuminated his hunched form, casting shadows behind, then in front, then behind. Switching in between as he made it past several street lights. People who passed him were either wearing their civilian clothing or military gear. Most were wearing their military gear, proudly showing it off, like kids playing with dolls.

Each building exuded discipline, as if everything had been built in a grid, with a plan in mind. Nils assumed that at least, it was a military planet after all. Every building was the same, the same kinda tilt to the roof, the same kind of metal making the basics of the walls, the same flooring. But somehow, everything wasn’t the same. Some had painted doors, a window too much, a sign that exuded charm, grafity that pretended to be street made, but acually proffesionally done. It might be a military planet, but that didn’t stop the people in it to express themselves.

Nils looked away from the same-not same buildings and down at his clothes. He had bought his current attire with the expectation that he would become a heavy gunner, having big pockets and thick fabric, all covered in the martian colour of red. But not in a million years had he thought that he would become a medic. What a waste of money, he was so sure, so guaranteed that he’d be chosen for heavy-gunner duty that being anything else hadn’t even crossed his mind. Why did he have to deal with that woman of all people? He had done every test perfectly! Yes, he’s aim wasn’t the best, but come on, have you ever seen anyone lift anything that heavy, or reload a gun with such speed?

I don't think so. I was the best cadet, the strongest, fastest, the best at everything. I was absolutely the smartest too. Why does it matter that I was just a tad bit bad at shooting? Like, why would it matter with a heavy gun, I’ll just have to hold the trigger and shoot. How hard can that be?

A flashing light in the distance told me I was nearing my destination, my one and only favorite bar. Not because it was the cheapest, even thought it helped, but that there were never too many people. Nils really didn’t want to bother with more annoying people, with any new people. It was quiet enough with that fat chick.

Opening the door, an artificial ding echoed out through the bar. Nils knew it was fake because he was born on earth and knew what a real bell sounded like, and this one wasn’t it.

“Welc- oh, hi Nils. The usual?”

Aisak asked, seated in an actuall wooden chair, reading an actual paper book. The same book he always read, probably his only. Not surprising considering its value. But seeing Nils, he put the book down, gently, and rose to pick out a specific cheap bottle.

“No, I need something stronger today.”

Nils said with a sigh, walking with his face crestfallen, straight towards his usual chair. Aisak looked confused for a second, then an “aha” expression emerged on his face, asking the obvious question.

“Didn’t go as planned, I bet?”

Nils didn’t deign to respond, merely tilting his head up with a sad expression, looking pleadingly at Aisak.

Aisak was a thin man, but weirdly tall, a weird quirk for those few native to mars. He was a hell of a casanova with the looks to go with it and a wit that few could match. But Nils liked him; He was a kind soul, few of them on this military world.

“I’ll give you one on the house.”

Aisak said with an ill hidden smile, amused by Nils badly made plan. Nils feigned anger, but were also amused. Just another reason for Nils to like Aisak. Too bad he couldn’t join the army, something about martians not having the strength for it. Nils didn’t know, didn’t care about the politics.

When Nils neared his normal seat, he noticed that it wasn’t empty, but occupied. Then noticed that the one occupying it wasn’t one of the usuals for this bar. A stranger. The stranger was rather big, hunched over the counter, one hand holding a big glass of something. Nils glared daggers into the stranger's back, then lifted his vision to Aisak, seeing pleading eyes and a glass of very strong liquor placed to the left of the stranger.

Nils stared for a second on Aisak, then sighed and sat down, lifting his big glass of liquor and sipped it. His face growing ugly by the bitter and bad taste. Looking up, he noted that Aisak had gone back to reading, leaning on his wooden chair.

Nils glanced to his right, noting that the stranger was drinking a glass of beer. Letting his eyes wander up, he saw that the stranger was staring straight forward, his head probably swimming in thoughts. He had brown hair, chiseled looks and quite the big nose. It looked odd on the strangers face, a little too big to fit. He looked to be in Nils age, but something about his eyes told of age through strife.

Then Nils blinked stupidly, his mind thrown to chaos as he looked closer at the stranger's eye, glinting with a hint of metal. Nils blinked even faster, then had to suppress a yelp as he recognised those eyes. That was high-tech stuff, very expensive, very hard to get. Why would such a man be in this very, very cheap place?

The stranger seemed to notice Nils yelp, shaken from thoughts as he looked towards Nils. Seeing the right side of the strangers face, Nils noted that it had small scars covering it, old and hardened. The stranger blinked twice, then asked.

“Problem?”

His expression neutral and kinda dull. But his voice asking for trouble, a bit of anger mixed with sadness. Nils didn’t immediately look away, but once he recognised the hostility he did. Knowing which fights to pick and which to retreat from. He had once wanted to become a commander, so this was basic stuff for Nils.

“No sir, absolutely not.”

The stranger kept staring, his mechanical eyes blue like the sky of earth, staring deeply at Nils. Then he nodded, looking forward again and taking a swig of his beer. Nils breathed out, feeling as if he had just dodged a bullet, as if he hadfought with death itself. Through the corner of his eye, he noted that the stranger seemed to push something pill like into his mouth, swallowing it with the beer.

Nils decided to ignore the stranger, instead going back to his own drink, staring down at it, not necessarily feeling happy about the liquor, but wanting the buzz. He braced himself, taking a deep breath, then quickly grabbing the glass and chugging the whole thing before he could regret it.

The liquor swooshed down his neck, burning him and practically pushing against his gag reflex. He coughed and coughed, almost puking but managed to barely hold it in. Then raised his hand and said.

“One more, please”

Aisak looked up from his book, smiling smugly and saying.

“You sure? You’ll have to pay for it.”

Nils met Aisak’s smug smile with his own, saying proudly.

“Yes, just put it on my tab.”

Aisak kept his smile, not moving to grab another drink for Nils, instead asking.

“Aren’t you deploying in a week?”

Nils smile faltered, his ruse easily seen through. He cursed weakly and Aisak laughing loudly. Nils looked down at his glass in shame, mumbling underneath his breath, cursing his stupid blabber mouth.

“Your just jealous I get to fight on the aurora”

Aisak raised a brow, wiping off a tear.

“Aurora?”

Nils raised his head again, his former shame forgotten as he loudly declared.

“Yes, the aurora! A newcomer for the ships of earth, but supposedly one of the best, if not the best ship ever made. And I’ll be deployed from it.”

Aisak tilted his head in confusion.

“Never heard of it.”

Nils sneered at Aisak’s lack of knowledge, feeling superior, feeling better.

“Of course you haven’t heard of it, it-“

“I think you’ve mixed up your ships. You’re talking about the Helmsdale”

The stranger chimed in unhelpfully, stopping Nils mid sentence. The two looked at him, a moment of silence, before Aisak said.

“Oooh, I’ve heard of it. Good on you, Nils.”

Nils mouth were still opened, looking a little stupid to be honest, he felt stupid. Stupid stranger.

“How do you know?” Nils asked, a little miffed about being corrected in such a way, quite embarrassing really. The stranger turned slightly to Nils, saying with a firm voice.

“In a week, I’ll be deployed on it.”

Nils voice caught in his throat, then blurted out.

“Then we’re deploying together?”

The stranger shrugged his shoulder in response, saying “maybe” under his breath. Nils continued talking, his mouth moving before his brain could comprehend what he was saying.

“You’re a veteran?”

The stranger rose an eyebrow in response but didn’t respond further.

“Got anymore scars?”

The other brow raised up, still no response.

“Oh, oh what unit did you get?”

“Medic”

“Just like me! Tough luck am I right?”

The stranger didn’t respond to that, instead taking a sip of his bear, brows tightening somewhat, looking slightly annoyed.

“I haven’t been told much, not anything to be honest, but I think this is so cool. I’ve wanted to join the army since I was little. Maybe. I think? It might have been later? Huh, I can sometimes make hasty decisions.”

The stranger looked away from Nils, sipping his bear and looking unattentive. Nils was a little slow with picking up social cues; He understood them, but it took his time to do so.

“Hey, any tips for rookies?”

The stranger let his beer drop, sighing as he said.

“Keep close to your group, fight together in a unit.”

“Oooh, is that how you survived?”

He glanced over at Nils, eyes narrowed and looking less than happy. Nils was on hot water, on thin ice, balancing on a knifes edge. But Nils didn’t know it; He was too occupied by the thousands of questions in his mind. He wanted, needed, demanded answers.

“Do you know what we do as medics?”

“They teach you on the ship”

“What, but isn’t that like, three months? Huh, maybe that’s enough. Is that enough?”

The stranger looked to be on his breaking point; He held it in quite well, but even Aisak noticed the peculiar atmosphere from the stranger. And as Aisak did, he did what he did best, and walked up to the two, sliding a beer towards the stranger and whispering.

“He’s a bit strange, don’t mind him. Here, a beer on the house.”

Nils looked up at Aisak, not realising why he just gave the stranger a free beer, but feeling a bit miffed by it.

“Hey, where is my free beer?”

Aisak smiled a mischievous smile, then sat back down on the wooden chair and saying while picking up his book.

“Just leave the fine man alone, can’t you see he’s enjoying his beer?”

Nils pouted at Aisak, but shook himself as he noticed that the stranger was chuckling with Aisak. Nils didn’t like that. Although he wasn’t that kind of jerk that would ruin a perfectly nice atmosphere.

Then as things quieted down, Nils realised how awkward he had been, and immediately felt his face heat. He let his arms rest on the counter, blocking off his face in a bad attempt at hiding his shame, pretending that he was drunk, or tired. He hadn’t decided which he wanted to be. This was why he hated new people.

He let one arm raise even further into the air, glancing over at Aisak, waiting for him to notice. Without even looking up, Aisak asked.

“Another glass?”

Nils nodded meekly, then peeking over at the stranger.

“Want to try for another tab, or do you actually have the money?”

Nils looked up, genuinely shocked, feeling stung by the words. Then as he saw Aisaks glimmering eyes, he couldn’t help but smile himself.

“Yeah, I got the money. But if you continue being this slow of a bartender, I might just force you to pay me.”

Aisak muttered “alright” as he slowly went up, being slow on purpose as he pretended to read every label of every bottle. Nils smiled as he looked at him, his eyes wandered somewhat, falling down on the arms of the stranger. He then asked again without thinking.

“Why did you join the army?”

The stranger coughed as he was mid chug, coughing back the beer into the glass, grabbing the counter to not fall off. But through his coughing fit, he said.

“Wh-why do you- care”

His eyes narrowed down on Nils, waiting for a response. Nils kept his eyes on the stranger's arms, his earlier shame welling up in a slow crawl. But like before, Nils didn’t take long to answer.

“Well, you got those robo eyes, so that must mean you’re rich as fuck.”

The stranger continued to cough, but eventually died down, his eyes fully focused on Nils, but said nothing. He looked, kinda mad, maybe annoyed, it could just be his normal face? Nils stared back, but as the seconds ticked by, he felt even more awkward and immediately tried another question.

“I-I mean like...”

But he couldn’t ask it, his mind had already wandered, wandered away to a question that felt so obvious, so clear that he couldn’t help but ask it.

“You- you’re an RST”

Fast as lightning, a hand reached around Nils throat, pushing him back on his seat, creaking wearily. Nils got his airflow blocked, a cough caught in his throat, his vision exploding into red light and mind flowing with pain and panic.

“I’m not a freak.”

The stranger seethed out, his teeth clenched, showing white and unnaturally straight teeth. His eyes narrowed down mechanically on Nils, threatening to kill him with its glare. If not for the hand around his neck, Nils would freak out simply by the eyes.

“Let him go.”

Aisak suddenly said, something loud hitting the table, revealed to be a pistol the size of Aisaks hand, aimed towards the stranger’s stomach. But the stranger didn’t seem to care, keeping his eyes on Nils, hand firm and clenching. Nils struggling to breathe, Aisak opened his mouth again, prepared to yell.

Then the stranger suddenly let go, and Nils fell down on the ground, coughing up bile and pieces of liquor. He wretched and coughed, attempting to get a decent breath.

Eventually, he did. Noticing to the side of his vision that the stranger was walking past. Nils jumped away from the stranger, bumping into the bottom of the counter and looking up at the stranger. His back exposed to the counter, tall and broad, he was a giant of a man when he stood up.

Nils kept himself hidden underneath the counter, staring at the stranger like a deer in the headlights. Then the stranger glanced over, revealing his right eye, narrowed but looking, remorseful?

“You should put some ice on that.”

The stranger said, then opened the door and quickly went outside. Nils kept himself hidden, waiting for the stranger to leave completely. And once he did, he still kept himself hidden, waiting for something else to happen. He was in quite the shock, even though this wasn’t the first time this had happened; It always managed to surprise him.

“You ok?”

Aisak asked above the counter, looking down at Nils with a worried expression. Nils didn’t look back, and neither did he respond. He merely breathed, taking big gulps of wonderful air.

But eventually, his mind slowed down, adrenaline flowing out of his system and he noticed, to his shame, that he had pissed himself.

“Ehm, you dont happen to have a change of clothes?”

Aisak smiled at that, then laughed and turned around, sitting back on his wooden chair with his valuable book held dearly in his hand.

Nils just kept his eyes on the door, his thoughts fixed on one singular thought.

I hate talking to new people.