As soon as the Admiral said that, the kitchen counter we were in suddenly turned to a bar of sorts where I became the bartender and the Admiral one of those lonely customers that just wanted a stiff drink and someone to talk to about their problems.
However, since we already talked about alcohol, it didn't take long before Oscar, Major Harper, Royo, the two Captains: Moore and Marcel, Quinn, and lastly Jennifer Goodman to join in and drink with the Admiral.
The old man already plopped down the barrel of his brew in front of me with a Tupperware of jerky and peanuts, "Serve this kid."
Quinn followed with a bottle of Absinthe she pulled out of her ass, "Serve this too—"
Royo cut in, "Isn't that illegal in— Nevermind..."
Captain Marcel turned to Jennifer, "First Lieutenant, why are you here and not with the Senator's daughter?"
Jennifer replied, "Fuck off."
"What did you just say to me?!"
"I'm off-duty now— I'm basically on vacation the moment we docked here! So again, fuck off!"
"FIRST LIEUTENANT—"
Oscar cut in, "HEY! THIS IS MY BREW WE'RE DRINKIN' AND THAT'S MY DAUGHTER YOU'RE YAPPIN' AT, PUNK! WATCH YOUR MOUTH, HUH?!"
"Colonel—"
Captain Moore rolled his eyes, "We haven't had a drink yet and you're all—" then he turned to me, "Can I have a beer, first?"
The Admiral cut in as well, "Whoa! WHOA! What are you all doin' I'm having my time with the kid here and you all interrupt?!"
Major Harper replied, "C'mon, Admiral~ Alcohol should be shared with friends! And we're celebrating now!"
I muttered from the other side of the bar, "At 8:00 in the morning..."
Quinn slammed her palm on the bar, "Hey! Are you serving us liquor or not?!"
Jennifer followed, "YEAH! I just got back from deployment and it's all gotten fucked up! POUR ME ONE ALREADY! COME ON! YOU'RE BASICALLY MY YOUNGER STEP-BROTHER, RIGHT?! GIVE ME THE GOOD STUFF!"
Oscar slapped his forehead, "Yeah, yeah, I got it backwards. It's faint but you can smell the whiskey and taste a bit of it when it goes down, right? It's still a work in progress but it's kinda smooth in a way..."
Quinn and Jennifer nodded and said at the same time, "Yeah, yeah..."
The Admiral chimed in, "I dunno about smooth but this is too hard first thing in the morning after breakfast..."
Oscar chuckled, "You can stick to the bud light if you can't take it."
"I didn't say that, I just said it's too hard! Can I have a taste of that green one?"
"Sure—"
"Eck! Jesus! WHY'S—"
Quinn rolled her eyes as she drank straight from the bottle, "Pussies. Pussies, I tell ya," then she turned to Jennifer, "Want a taste?"
"Sure," Jennifer nodded before drinking from the battle as well.
"What do you think?"
"Ooh! Jesus, that is wild but I'd like it with some coke or something," then she turned to me, "You have a can over there?"
"Uh-huh. Here," then I turned to Major Harper, "So, we're drinking the day away, now?"
Major Harper shook his head, "Nah. I'm fine with this one. We have a lot to go over now that they're all here," then he turned to the Admiral, "Admiral Burke, after you're done here, I suggest we meet at the Main Hangar in fifteen. Is that okay?"
The Admiral nodded, "Sure, sure," then he turned to me, "I must've forgotten to do this but thanks for this."
"It's all on your tab though, heh. It's gaining interest at the moment, watch out."
He chuckled, "That's true, can I shake your hand though? I need to see something for myself."
I turned to the rest of his troops before I turned back to him, "Really? Not this again."
"Just humor me, alright?"