suggests an alliance. If America agrees to invade Sudamérica, then the Areans can invade the Sudamérican colonies up north."
"Thank you," Strange accepted the advice and then moved on to the more pertinent issue. "So, who's working with the mercenaries?"
"Gita," Rome answered, quietly pulling his pistol from its holster beneath the table.
"Gita?" Strange said turning her attention to the New Englander. "How much, old friend?"
"Nobody wants America and Ares forming an alliance," Gita stated and glanced over at the mercenaries, who were standing up from their table. Avi quickly realized what was happening and jumped up gun in hand.
"It's three against one, Avi," Gita stated. "Lower your weapon."
"Three against two," Rome stated raising his pistol above the table and standing up. The pistol was pointed at Gita. She raised her own pistol pointed at Rome, but didn't bother standing. She was a politician, and expected to talk her way out of it.
"Three against three," the shadow stated from the bar, he too had drawn a gun and it was pointed at the mercenaries.
"Yours?" Strange asked Rome.
"Solisian," Rome answered.
"Ironic," Strange observed, and then turned to Avi. "Shoot the mercenary on the left."
The room erupted in a blast of laser fire, and in seconds half the people in the room were dead. Rome and Gita had shot each other. Avi and the shadow had each shot a mercenary. The mercenaries didn't have a clear shot at Strange because Rome was standing in between them; both had shot Rome.
"Interesting planet," Strange said getting to her feet.
Avi reached down and checked Rome for a pulse, "Why'd he do that?"
"He was a loyal soldier," Strange answered. "And the revolution must go on. Now manifest destiny, as they say."
The shadow walked over to the table and checked Rome for a pulse as well. Then turned and left the pub. He didn't ask who the Americans were. It wasn't his job.
"He'll have to report this," Avi stated once the Solisian soldier had left the pub.
"Yes, I think it's time to leave," Strange stated. "Pick up the general's body. We've found our way to make contact with Prime-Admin Dalton."
Loyal Soldier Page 4