Lance

Astron City, UAC

***

Various colored lights and high-rise buildings, some of which seemed to seize the heavens, occupied a vast stretch of land at the Center of the United Alliance Confederation. Roads intertwined in different levels, some were overlapping and some were strategically built underground, stretching to the outskirts beyond the barren.

Lance marveled at the Capital through his shades with legs stretched outwardly on a stone bench.

'Seemed unscathed.' He shrugged at the thought.

People hurriedly walked passed him in random directions to avoid the rush hour drive back home from work. But most of them were tourists. The rampage of the rebel wars had been long gone from the memories of the people and the economy had regained, and so were the tourist spots.

Different walks of people from neighboring countries frequented the city, somewhat providing them with the enchantment to indulge in various selections of majestic tastes of fine living. It was their capital, the wealthiest, largest, most advanced, and where the UAC commerce rotates, named Astron City.

Oftentimes than not, people were transformed in this City. They tend to acquire a sense of unexplainable hope of thriving as they wanted to experience more.

'They don't know the struggles we had just to protect Astron. They don't know the blood of the rebels came from people too.' He bickered on the harsh thought.

He stood up and sauntered along the neatly landscaped, manicured with well-trimmed grass, and tiled pathways of the Park Memorial.

Different memorials were constructed in various corners that commemorated the victory and survivability as it was under siege by Rebel militants years ago, almost destroying a significant fraction of the City. These memorials augmented the beauty as these became tourist spots. Not only beauty these memorials provided but also signified the strength and power the UAC possessed.

Lance passed on a golden statue of Commander James Johnson, which stood with utmost pride. It was placed on a high pedestal with the proud logo of UAC added with embossed writings below,

'Country before self'. A perfect reminder of patriotism and dedication to serving the country and his fellow countrymen.

He usually salutes the man as he was in service. But the bitter memories had tested his optimism and might destroy his mood.

This statue provided a symbol of patriotism and was a beacon of hope. An effigy for all military service personnel to pursue.

Lance only scoffed at the idea. Wars gave a psychological toll on a man after his service. All the killings would change and challenge a man's sanity.

His mind flitted the scornful memories but his feet knew where to go, to a small drinking bar at the heart of Astron City.

"Beer," He demanded from the largely built bartender. His eyes darted to the ex-military.

Lt. Lance sat alone beside the bartender with a large glass of beer in his hand. He was young-looking, 25 years, and had a smaller body frame but was lean. No wonder the bartender had a scornful look on his face because one could not expect him to be from the military force.

He was wearing a tight shirt, cargo pants, and an expensive military-grade wristwatch. After he drank the first glass, he signaled the bartender with a deep soft voice.

"One more", and the bartender lazily poured him another.

Lance fixated his eyes on his glass ignoring the crowd and the light music in the medium-classed bar. He was deeply thinking of his military days.

"Red sparrow." He whispered. It was a mission during his active duty. It was his last. His thoughts uncontrollably flashed memories of what transpired during the mission. He saw the faces of his dead comrades in battle. He gnashed his fist against the glass as he blamed himself for their deaths.

He snapped himself back to reality. He clenched his fist and nudged it at the center of his forehead. He bent his head down as he closed his eyes. Self-blame flooded his thoughts.

These memories kept playing repeatedly in Lance's head.

He was always disturbed by these events and it was the reason that Lance band-aided this uneasiness by being drunk and out of the house often. This was also one of the causes that he and his wife, Angela, argued a lot.

"Hey, do you need company?" A poke to his shoulder startled him. It was a lady, dressed sexily in her skimpy pencil skirt. With high heels and a perfectly fit pink spaghetti top that showed the curves of her waist and emphasized the size of her breasts, plunging and showing cleavage.

"No," Lance glanced at her and said in an unfriendly manner. Lance could smell the scent of tequila.

"I insist." The lady responded.

She saw an empty high chair near her, pulled it next to him, and sat down. Without showing interest, Lance kept on looking at his glass of beer. She slowly flicked her blonde hair in a very seductive way.

"What are you doing alone in a bar like this?" She chuckled. "Do you intend to go home very drunk and alone? I mean, are you gay?" She talked loudly close to Lance's ear.

Lance responded as he turned his face close to the lady.

"That's the idea. But I am not gay." Lance responded. He glanced further back to the bar where ladies laughed hard. She was friends with them, Lance assessed.

The lady stared into his eyes and then into his lips.

"If you want.." she hesitated, "let's get drunk together, and maybe you could take me home with you ."

"It's a good idea if you want to meet my wife," Lance responded.

"Ooh, so you are married ha." She shrugged. "Maybe she wants a threesome or better, I will take you to my place. I live in a high-rise condominium a few blocks from here. My place is a penthouse on the highest floor, overlooking the city."

"Sounds good!" Lance held his stare. He continued, "But this time, I pass."

"You are playing hard to get ha?" She exclaimed. Then she turned to the bartender, "Give me vodka on the rocks, also one for my friend here." The bartender struck a sweet smile at the lady. Probably she was a regular in the bar.

She continued, "How about you should have a few drinks with me here and you tell me your decision after 10 shots of these."

"Ok," Lance responded hesitantly. He drank the beer he had in his hand, slid the empty glass away back to the bartender, and ready himself for the vodka shots.

"Deal?" The Lady replied, the sexy curve of her lips had never ceased.

After a few small talk conversations and 10 shots, the lady revisited the idea. "So now, tell me. Are we going to my place or have a threesome with your wife?" She laughed hard this time.

Lance stood up from the stool.

"I still pass but thanks for the free drinks though." He struck a smirk at the lady and ordered the bartender the whole bottle of vodka and was ready to leave.

Immediately, the lady stood up facing him pressed her palm to his chest, and said "I will respect your decision, and what you did now is very respectable." The lady's drunk act seemed to have vanished.

"You did not try to harass me or even gave in to my offer. I know you are married because I see a ring on your finger and it is quite a challenge for me to lure you to my desires." Lance was speechless momentarily.

Lance was surprised. The lady's expression turned serious and plastered with efficiency and wisdom. He suddenly remembered his wife with this look. She just looked like her wife, her features, her figure, and her confidence. The lady spread her arms and hugged Lance tightly.

Then she slowly moved her mouth close to Lance's cheek. Lance slightly resisted by tilting his head away from her lips because he thought that a kiss was coming. But instead, the lady whispered. Her smell was romantically sweet, as if she was candy.

"From now on, choose your decisions wisely. Think always for your wife and yourself. You are a good man and you brought great service and sacrifice. I hate to break this to you but your country needs you."

Lance was startled and beguiled by the words uttered. He gawked at her as she walked away from him against the crowd. Then after a few moments, she vanished as she was engulfed by the heaving people. 

He went outside with a bottle of vodka and unfathomable stupidity.