The bar they entered was a harmonious blend of modern aesthetics and the unique cultural nuances of a planet within the Imperium's territory.
The walls were adorned with holographic projections displaying scenes from the planet's rich history, depicting ancient traditions and art forms. The lighting, a mix of soft neon glows and traditional lanterns, created a warm and inviting atmosphere.
The music playing in the background was a fusion of modern beats and traditional melodies, skillfully performed by a musician on a holographic stage.
Francus smiled when he entered the bar. This suited his taste.
"Ugh. This kind of bar again," Grigor complained. "Aren't you young people have enough already?"
"Why? This is such a good bar."
"Haish. In the good old days, we used to have women with long skirt bringing large jugs of beers." Grigor looked at a waitress with extremely tight short.
"This is embarrassing."
"The good old days you talked about only applies to your planet. Different planets have different ways to do things."
"Do I look like I need you to lecture me, young man?"
Francus rolled his eyes.
The bartender, a humanoid with intricate facial markings, skillfully prepared drinks behind a sleek counter. The counter itself was made of a material that seemed both ancient and futuristic, reflecting the eclectic nature of the bar. The bartender moved with precision, mixing various liquids and adding unique garnishes to each drink.
As Francus and his crewmates took a seat, the bartender greeted them with a nod. "Welcome! What can I get you today?"
The crewmates exchanged glances before Francus spoke up. "Surprise us. Something strong and unique, a taste of this planet."
The bartender smiled, appreciating the adventurous spirit. He started crafting a concoction, combining local spirits with exotic ingredients. The glasses frosted as he expertly mixed and poured, creating a visually stunning drink.
As the crewmates awaited their surprise drinks, an interesting spectacle unfolded in the corner of the bar. A group of locals, adorned in vibrant and intricate garments, began a traditional dance that seemed to blend seamlessly with the modern beats playing in the background.
Francus was intrigued by the dance. It didn't felt like a simple dance at all, instead, it felt like they were fighting against a monster.
Of course it wasn't obvious, but Francus believed that was the story they were trying to tell through their dance.
As Francus and his crewmates were captivated by the intricate dance performance, their surprise drinks arrived in a spectacular fashion. The bartender presented them with the unique concoctions, and each glass was a masterpiece of visual and sensory delight.
"Wow. Are you making me a drink or an art piece?" Grigor praised.
The bartender tapped his own nose twice and bowed. "Thank you."
Tapping his own nose twice was his way of receiving thank you.
Francus had long been used at how weird people could be. Well, for him it was weird because it was not in his culture to tap his own nose.
When people say thanks to him, he would poke his own butt with his fingers three times as a way of saying your welcome. However, when he did that the other day, Grigor looked at him weirdly.
The drinks were adorned with smokes that billowed gracefully, creating an otherworldly aura around the glasses.
Bubbles floated to the surface, reflecting the ambient lights and adding a touch of enchantment to the scene.
Sparkling effects danced around the drinks.
Francus chuckled, lifting his glass to inspect the mesmerizing drink. The liquid inside seemed to shimmer with iridescent colors, evoking a magical and celestial feel. "Impressive. Possibly one of the best drinks I ever saw. However, I haven't taste it yet."
The bartender didn't budge. It seemed he had full confidence in his drink.
As they took their first sips, the crewmates were pleasantly surprised by the complexity and richness of the flavors. Each ingredient blended seamlessly, creating a harmonious taste that matched the multifaceted nature of the planet they were on.
"Not bad." Grigor licked his lips.
The bartender simply smiled as he was wiping an empty glass with a cloth.
The holographic dance continued in the background, perfectly complementing the magical ambiance created by the drinks. The crewmates found themselves immersed in a sensory experience that went beyond the ordinary.
There were a lot of mercenaries from Celestial Platoon here too although Francus saw no familiar face.
That was normal, there were billions of mercenaries in active-duty at all time.
They were watching the popular sport show that currently aired.
Suddenly, all the holographic projections died.
Everyone was surprised by that.
"Hey, bartender. What are you doing?"
"It's not me," the bartender replied.
A few seconds later, the holographic turned on again, this time, revealing Aldred's face.
"Isn't that Aldred?" Grigor pointed.
"It is him," Francus replied.
"People of the Imperium," Aldred started. "It is with a heavy heart that I address you today with somber news. I am compelled to bring your attention to a dire situation that demands our collective focus and resolve. The demonic forces stationed near our gate, a threat we regrettably overlooked for years, have now extended their malevolent influence, sowing chaos and devastation across countless billions of worlds. "
A shared glance passed among those present, and the bar resonated with a low hum of whispered conversations.
"The consequences of our prior inaction have become painfully evident, and we must now confront the repercussions of our past negligence. The gravity of the situation necessitates a united and steadfast response from each member of our distinguished Imperium."
"That include us!" Aldred said, staring at the screen intently, making everyone felt like he was staring at them personally. "The Inquisitor has specifically ask for our help and in order to prove our loyalty to the Emperor, every world located in the range of 1000 light-year away from the Xantis Expanse will be asked to donate a significant amount of resources in order to vanquish the demon army."
Aldred slammed the table. "Remember! This is a battle against the demon! A massive threat to the entire human race! Anyone that is not willing to join will have to answer to the Inquisitor!"
Grigor took a sip of his drink then gently put the glass on the table. "This news will cause a massive wave."
