by John Ringo
"I understand that you're now persona non grata in Keldara Land," Pierson added.
"I'm sure that will pass," the Russian said with a shrug. "We both need each other too much to remain permanently estranged."
"Estranged is, I think, too mild a term," Pierson replied. "And the Keldara, not to mention the Kildar, have long memories. The Kildar, in particular, is taking this one really hard. I don't have all the details but... Don't expect to be invited to tea any time soon. In fact, I'd suggest that you, personally, stay as far away from Mike as you possibly can. He will figure out a way to fuck you. Somehow, someway, he will fuck you."
"Well, at least he got paid," Chechnik said, tossing off another vodka.
"Yeah," Pierson said, snorting. "I can't believe you guys just handed him three nukes."
"Well, we wished for him to get paid, no?" Chechnik said, grinning. "And otherwise, you would not pay him. He had suffered enough, and done enough good, that he should not be 'stiffed.'" He tossed back another vodka, set the shot-glass down, poured another and then paused, his face suddenly going blank, the bottle suspended above the glass. The neck rattled against the lip, faintly.
"Wait. Did you say three nukes?!"
* * *
The tiger propped himself up, hips sprawled to the side, and looked down into the valley.
He'd recently caught a feral pig and was feeling pretty happy. His belly was full and while there weren't any female tigers around, hey, things changed. This area seemed to be simply crawling with pigs and deer, most of whom had forgotten all about tigers. He'd stay awhile.
He lumbered back to his feet and stretched in the dieing sun then raised his head to the purpling sky. He coughed a couple of times and then tried out the roar. But his throat still wasn't full grown, didn't have the broadness of a mature male. All that came out was a half-hearted bellow. It was lost on the wind, carried away into the dusk.
Well, there were other days. He turned away from the valley and descended into the darkness of the ravine. It was time to find someplace to lay up for the coming winter. It was going to be a cold one. But spring would come around again. He could feel it in his bones.
Above the tiger, the ravens soared.
* * *
One CD Play list:
Holding out or a Hero, Bonnie Tyler
She's the One, Bruce Springsteen
Silent Running, Mike and the Mechanics
Kyrie, Mr. Mister
Riding the Storm Out, REO Speedwagon
The Final Countdown, Europe
Through the Fire and Flames, DragonForce
Winterborn, Cruxshadows
Planet Hell, Nightwish
Dark Chest of Wonders, Nightwish
Eye of the Tiger, Survivor
Immigrant Song, Led Zeppelin
Paint it Black, Rolling Stones
Heart of a Dragon, DragonForce
THE END
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