Free M'tak Ka'fek (The T'aafhal Inheritance) by Doug Hoffman Page B

scientists or swabbies,” she replied.
    “Aye aye, Ma'am,” he replied, then turned to go rejoin his unit. Jennifer reached out and placed an armored gauntlet on his shoulder.
    “About that bomb, Lieutenant,” she said, as he turned back to face her. Jennifer looked him steadily in the eyes. “Good job, Dirk. Damned good job.”
     As Rodriguez turned and floated back inside the fuel bunker, Westfield thought to himself, that is the first time she has ever called me Dirk and not Reggie. I may have finally gotten myself off of Jennifer Rodriguez's shit list.  

Chapter 4
    Jesse's Place, Farside
    The main atrium at Farside Base was a large open area, replete with flowering plants, growing palm trees and even a water fall. Known as the Atrium to base residents, its designers thought that having a place that mimicked nature would be good for morale. What was probably better for morale was the presence of several restaurants and bars around the landscaped cavern's periphery.
    The main bar was located on the second level balcony, just off the base administrative offices. It was always crowded with workers, military personnel and civilians. Though it was inexpensive and served all manner of libation, Ludmilla had given up on drinking there. She was just too recognizable and always attracted a continuous stream of supplicants hoping to bend the chief administrator's ear.
    Instead, Ludmilla and her close friends had taken to drinking at a much smaller bar, a place that was wedged in behind the foliage near the water fall. The bar was named Jesse's Place, after Jesse Lowe, the proprietress. Jesse had been “recruited” by some of Peggy Sue's officers when they were in the Caribbean to pick up a few former SEALs. The SEALs, old friends of Senior Chief Hank Zackly, were happy to join the ship's company but insisted on bringing the bartender from their favorite hangout. They claimed it was for her safety and Captain Jack, who had a soft spot for island cooking, accepted her as a new member of the crew.
    Jesse proved to be not just a great cook and bartender, but an able crewmember, helping to destroy several enemy ships as the Peggy Sue fought her way out of the Sirius system. Though she was a bonafide combat veteran, Jesse was really not the military type and had opted to stay at Farside when Task Force Alpha sailed. With backing from TK Parker she was able to open her secluded little bar off the main atrium where she served island style hors d'oeuvres and potent drinks. 
    The house specialty was a mysterious concoction named a Fantasy, a mixture of spices, tropical fruit juices and 151 proof rum. Rumor had it that several hallucinogenic herbs helped add to its potency but Jesse refused to divulge the ingredients. The station administration took a libertarian attitude toward off-duty intoxicants—as long as you showed up sober, could do your job and were not endangering others you could pick your poison. 
    “Well hello, Miss Ludmilla,” Jesse called from behind the bar as Ludmilla entered. “I haven't seen you in nearly a week. I begin to tink you don' like me no more.” The last comment was delivered with a wide smile that showed several gold teeth and dimples on each cheek.
    “Oh Jesse, you know that is not true,” Ludmilla smiled back. “I have just been too busy to get out.”
    “Den you be workin' too hard,” the bartender replied.
    Ludmilla took a seat at the bar, which was topped with a beautiful piece of natural mahogany. On previous visits she sat at a table with friends but tonight there was no one else in the place and it didn't feel right to sit alone, forcing Jesse to come to her. Glancing around Ludmilla noticed that there was a small green lizard clinging to one of the poles that ran from the bar top to the ceiling.
    At first she dismissed the little reptile as inanimate decoration—there were no wild animals running loose on Farside Base. Then she noticed one of the creature's turret like eyes