The Cagliostro Chronicles by Ralph L. Angelo Jr. Read Free Book Online

Thanks.” Mark answered , “Let’s maybe not be so inconspicuous now.”
    “Whaddaya got in mind boss?” Red asked.
    “What’s the best place to go for information on a new town, to get the lay of the land and what not?”
    “ Where else?” Red replied, “A bar.”
    “Bingo.” Mark winked as he exited the market.
    Ariel paid for the few items they picked up with gold coins Mark had them each carry. Gold it seemed was still the universal coin, literally.
    A few seconds later Ariel and Red, who had stayed with her within the shop, re-joined the rest of the crew outside.
    “So where‘re we gonna find a bar in this dump?” Dan asked as he moved his big frame through the crowded streets.
    “That’s easy Danny-boy,” Mark replied with a sly grin, “Just follow the music.”
                  The five adventurers did just that, wending their way through busy, sand covered streets clogged with dusty people. They exited into a wide thoroughfare where what could only peripherally be called music could be heard from a number of establishments. One gathering spot was larger than the rest, and seemed the busiest, with the most raucous crowd.
    “What do you think?” Red asked Mark .
    “I think this is the place we want.”
    The group of five entered the establishment and looked around. It was a dimly lit, smoke filled place, packed with different aliens. Plenty wore different uniforms, some just dusty work type clothes. A band played something that was barely melodic to say the least, and which seemed mostly ignored by the clientele who sat in small clusters and talked amongst themselves at dark tables. A few of the purple skinned indigenous females were out on the dance floor with a few men of differing species.
    Johnson led his people to a round table in a corner of the bar. They all sat down.
    “Now what?” Eddie looked around the room from under the brim of his hat.
    “Now we wait.” Mark Johnson answered.
    They did not have to wait long. A waitress finally sauntered up to the table they were sitting at, an electronic pad in her hands. She spoke in a tongue no one understood, but after a second the translators within their suits compensated and the words she spoke were finally heard in English.
    “Whadaya wanna drink?” She asked in a surly tone.
    “You have ale?” Mark asked.
    She laughed sarcastically, “Yeah I got twenty seven different kinds.”
    “Give us the most popular one. Five mugs.” Mark ordered.
    She nodded, smiled, and walked off.
    “Not sure if she was friendly or not.” Dan commented.
    “She was indifferent, as in just doing her job.” Ariel replied.
    “I guess that’s better than the alternative.” Red commented.
    “So what now?” Red asked in a conspirational whisper.
    “Now we wait and take in the show. Have patience. Someone will be interested in us soon enough.” Mark Johnson replied.
    “I hate it when you’re right.” Ariel replied, as she turned her head towards the bar itself where two men sat trying not to act like they were staring at the newcomers.
    “What have you got?” Mark asked.
    “Those two have been watching us the last few minutes. They followed us in from the street. They must have been tailing us for a while, but with all the white noise out there I only heard them clearly when they came in here.”
    “That’s funny, I’d a thought it would have been worse in here.” Eddie smirked.
    “No it’s more condensed in here. Actually there are less people in here than on that street and the ones here are all interested in finding a mate for the evening.”
    “In other words , hooking up.” Eddie finished.
    “You got it ace.” Ariel smiled and nodded.
    “So what are they thinking about us?” Red asked.
    “They know what we are, where we’re from. I distinctly heard the word ‘Earth’ in my mind. Right now they’re just curious it seems, but I do sense malevolence on their parts.”
    “Okay, let’s see how long it takes them to come