Privateering

Episode II (Pt 2): Waking Up, Catching Up, Levelling Up

03/16/2023 - Levallier, Corporal (USMC- Retired)

11:00 a.m. - Kellie's Coffee

          I sat across from Aliosia as she described a recent job of hers gone wrong. Where we sat was near enough to the door that I could look at her directly yet keep the door in full focus nearly. "Jewell do you ever think we should go back in?" She'd never used my first name and so I knew she was serious and I rarely answered a question with a question but - "You happen to uh.... Eat some of my signature pizza combo last night?" I awaited an answer patiently. She then asked if I could get her another cup. "To go?" I asked because I was hungry and needed to think over her question. She knew I hadn't forgotten, just that I wanted to have an answer I was sure of. I knew I could answer her after we ate. 

        Just then the barista looked over and I smiled and sent up two fingers; my index and ring finger signaling for two more. I pulled my laptop out and gave it a second. "What were you looking at? When I first walked in?" she said smiling. I stood up, her eyes followed mine then I turned the laptop around and her eyes dropped. In large print it read: Private Sector, localization efforts. She began to draw it closer to her and read. "I'm going to need some weed and that stupid beer you like to drink... just a few!" Everyone looked at her then went back to what they were doing. Some had laughed, giggling while others just turned back to their conversations about the day's current events. 

        Aliosia read more on the subject moving on into recently filed reports concerning those we previously worked with. She then looked at my last email. Cheering to herself "Alright!" She perused the last one named millenniums; first name: Anthony, Last: Michael who was a pilot in the United States air Force reserve. It had a few details but she didn't look into them. A sudden chill went through her body as she noticed me standing right behind her as soon as she started to read the next emails. "Holy-" she yelled as she nearly jumped out of her chair. "Jesus! It was just an email!" She yelped as I backed up, better to keep the newly purchased, personally crafted coffees and of course she instead of asking which was which inhaled., drinking nearly a quarter of mine and a bit off the top of hers. Defiantly did she smile as I packed everything up. "So... Private Sector?" I stopped moving for just a second. She began slurping again. "Let's get blazed then eat then blazed again then talk it over." "Deal!" She said jumping in the air. I smiled and began to reach for my phone and just as I did it rang. 

        12:22 p.m. - Upstream

         We sat together at a restaurant called Upstream that catered to higher class it seemed but its where she wanted to go. "How about fuckin' Upstream?" Aliosia said excitedly. "He coming?" 

12:47 p.m.

        "I kinda wish we had dressed up a little." We looked like two people who were headed back to a ranch so I guess we kinda did fit in. She continued to drink her appetizer of a margarita, a deep cosmic pink laced with sugar complete with a lime. She'd ordered filet mignon for the both of us as I headed to the bar beforehand to grab her as well as myself something. "You're not drinking?" She asked "I am, I just wanted to make sure Michael understands how serious this could-" She cut me off saying "Oh just loosen up already and have a drink with me. At least have a sip with me." I motioned for the waitress and Aliosia's lips broke into a wide smile. Her lips were full and had an inviting shape, she was on her second margarita or was it her third? We didn't frequent the place very often but- "Hey are you deaf your phone keeps vibrating." She said frustratingly as she interrupted my thoughts and continued sipping. I picked it up as the waitress arrived with another margarita. I saw the text message. It was from Michael, he was recently separated from the Air Force he had said. 

         "I'll have another, thank you very much!" Aliosia was definitely tipsy now. "I need two Michelob Ultras, preferably with some form of tangy, even tropical blending please." The waitress smiled wildly as I finished ordering. "Oh!" we both said as Aliosia and I set out about $4 on the table. She grabbed hold of it and smiled once more then went off. "Hey Aliosia" I said a little loudly due to an increased range of volume in the room from the start of happy hour being announced in 10 minutes from now at 1:30. The waitress made her way back through the crowd, weaving around tables. She smiled "So will you guys be needing more?" Aliosia and I both said "Another round in 30!" "Gotcha" she said laughing. I remembered the text message; sipped my beer, I looked at Aliosia as she sipped, eyes beginning to go wild like that of the waitress. It was then that I realized that our waitress may herself have been plastered with a straight face and a smile.

        "Read the damn message already! I know it's starting to kill, the anticipation I mean. I wanna know too!" I honestly wanted to wait. The message read: "So... what exactly is it we're going to be doing because I am sure I can get us wherever we need to go just make sure there is a cannoli in my hand before our meet&greet is over. With that taken care of we will have to met somewhere more secure as I have requested some help." "What kinda help?" I texted back. "I have a few Air force buddies and they suggest we through them go ahead with the next option." "What is the next option?" "Michael, what is the next option?" Aliosia came to my side of the little high rise two seater table, snuggling next to me. "Oh Shit!" We both blurted out as we read the message.