Sky-cracking Rider
Chapter 957 - 948 - Old Acquaintance

As the lights come on, the residential area of Barksdale Air Force Base begins to bustle.

Here, along with active-duty soldiers, there are employees of military equipment suppliers, a considerable number of military family members, and corporate employees providing relevant life services. Men, women, and children gathered together make the whole residential area resemble a real town.

Rum is made from sugarcane and, even after distillation, carries the fragrant sweetness of cane juice, unlike liquor made from white sugar.

"This drink hits the spot!"

Chen Fei slammed the ten-ounce glass he had just finished onto the bar counter and exhaled longingly, calling for the bartender behind the bar.

"Give me a glass of iced water, and while you're at it, refill me with half a glass of tequila and a large portion of meatball spaghetti—extra large!"

Leaving the glass half-empty is a good habit, savoring the drink rather than binge-drinking; getting wasted and not knowing who hit you is no fun.

"I'll have a steak!"

S-Class superpower user Heseman Brown sampled his cocktail more meticulously than Chen Fei, with a third still remaining, and also ordered some food.

The bar serves not only liquor but also ice water, milk, coffee, and various simple meals; you won't find French haute cuisine or Chinese home-style dishes here, but steaks, pasta, and pizza are typically available.

"Hey, you two seem new here!"

A soldier wearing a gray beret leaned on the seat next to Chen Fei with a beer in hand, curiously sizing up Chen Fei and Heseman.

"In these recent days, unfamiliar faces are going to be more common, you'll have to get used to it, Paratrooper!"

Chen Fei identified the all-weather parachute unit from the color and style of the other's beret.

Parachuting is just one form of descent, not limited to parachutes; it might involve single-soldier tactical armor with short flight capability or even lightweight combat mobility armor.

With the magical civilization from Cangqiong Star and the versatility of Crystal Energy as a new fuel source, Blue Star's industrial civilization holds greater potential, freeing human technology from the limitations of planetary gravity and instead utilizing it effectively.

"A special mission?"

As a local snake, the soldier was quick to pick up on something.

Absent special circumstances, it's rare to see unfamiliar faces inside a nearly sealed-off air force base. If strangers could just walk in willy-nilly, it might as well not be called a military-controlled zone; you'd be shot scaling the barbed wire, you know?

Seeing Chen Fei and Heseman Brown's unfamiliar faces now pointed to special happenings at the air force base.

"Confidential! Those who know will know, those who don't shouldn't ask."

Chen Fei raised his index finger, shushing quietly.

Even though it's a military base's bar, it remains a public setting. He wouldn't dare reveal any indiscreet information here; it wouldn't take until tomorrow before military police showed up this very night, making arrests and investigations as protocols dictate.

The paratrooper raised his beer glass with a loud cheer, "Ah, I understand, here's to secrecy!"

Chen Fei also picked up his freshly refilled ten-ounce tequila glass, acknowledging together silently.

With a clink, each drank their fill.

Tequila, much like rum, is a high-proof distilled spirit; it can't be guzzled like beer, which is about 10% alcohol, as that would burden the liver excessively—it's deadly.

"There are a few loose gals on base; if you're interested, I could introduce you. You just need to buy me a drink, hehehe."

The paratrooper's mischievous grin finally revealed his true intention behind the friendly chat.

Not only male soldiers but female soldiers as well reside on the air force base. Apart from some officers who can bring their families in and have them work, those male and female soldiers need to find entertainment during off-hours, often involving bed affairs; newcomers bring new dynamics—it's perfectly normal to seek novelty.

A mere drink hardly qualifies as pimping; rather, it's fulfilling needs for all.

"Hey, rookie, care to try? 10 Star Yuan!"

A nearby shout grabbed the attention of Chen Fei and Heseman Brown; they were the only new faces in the entire bar, which meant "rookie" pointed directly at them.

The paratrooper glanced over and irritably waved, scolding, "Shoo, Simon, take a look at this chap's arms before comparing them to your own; it's not fair play!"

The arms of soldiers gathered around a table were at least the size of Chen Fei's thighs, and the angle grips on the table made it evidently set up for arm wrestling.

Chen Fei followed suit with the paratrooper's cue, saying, "I'm a superpower user, I don't bully ordinary folks!"

It was not a case of being bullied but rather him bullying them. Even among ability users of the same level, few could match Chen Fei's pure strength.

Instantly turning into steel muscles and iron bones isn't a battle between two people but one between a person and a machine; it's pure domination.

"Huh? A superpower user?"

The entire bar fell silent at once; the bustling noise was quelled as even the cheery pianist couldn't help stopping himself.

"That's right, he's an S-Class superpower user, I'm a B-Class superpower user."

Chen Fei pointed first to himself before indicating Heseman Brown beside him; an S-Class Space Ability User may not excel at arm wrestling, but banishing opponents beyond the atmosphere is certainly handy.

S...

B...

The bar's atmosphere turned even more subdued; even for ability users, B-Class would be acceptable, but what was up with the S-Class.

"Ha, mere humble me is an S-Class Space Ability User; I'm genuinely thrilled to be here."

Heseman raised his glass in a friendly gesture toward those around him, attempting to show humility without a superior attitude. His greeting evoked gasps, invisibly asserting dominance!

By contrast, Chen Xiao'er, the true B-Class, remained inconspicuously unimpressive.

"You should head to another bar. That one's for ability users; patrons here are all ordinary folks!"

The paratrooper harbored no discrimination or rejection towards superpower users; comparing them to ordinary people, ability users could harm others easily if they lost control under intoxication. Hence, the residential area's bars are twofold: Dyson Sweetie bar, neon-lit, caters to ordinary people, while another exclusively serves ability users. It has not only arm-wrestling tables but also robust arenas, though from the outside, lacks the vibrancy of Dyson Sweetie.

Superpower users and ordinary folk don't mingle in the same public spaces; no rules decree this, yet Barksdale Air Force Base adheres to an unspoken understanding, maintaining harmony.

Thus, Chen Fei and Heseman Brown not finding the other bar seemed unsurprising.

"Ahem? Hmm? It's so quiet today!"

An elder hunched over a cane pushed open the bar door, puzzled by the sudden silence despite being packed with patrons, a sight odd and eerie.

Chen Fei's gaze wandered over, and his eyes suddenly widened.

"Old David?"

He hadn't anticipated seeing someone familiar at this overseas air force base.

Old David, to be precise, David Sid—a nickname usable only by those well acquainted with Chen Fei.

"Hey! 'Eagle King,' are you out drinking again?"

"Mr. Sid! I've got a free spot here!"

"How's your health today?"

...

The bar, immersed in silence, was revived as those seated stood up and those standing greeted him; their attention shifted from Chen Fei and Heseman Brown to the elderly man with the cane, initiating greetings as they approached.

"Eagle King" David Sid is a genuine veteran of The Federation Air Force, esteemed and thus naturally respected by Barksdale Air Force Base members.

"Good evening, everyone!"

The elderly man nodded slightly, smiling and replying to each one.

His gaze fell upon the bar counter with amazement, and he exclaimed, "Oh? Rookie, you're here too! It's been a long time!"

Old David also recognized Chen Fei, who stood out as a remarkably memorable trainee from the "Eagle Nest" training program. Without hesitation, he ambled over, supported by his cane.

The paratrooper leaning on Chen Fei's side quickly gave up his seat, aiding the elder's sitting.

Once settled, Old David promptly said, "Great, join our class tomorrow!"

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