Then and now, a tale of two hunters.

[Thaal Sinestro]

Dean’s hand grabbed the first blade, the sinew of the handle feeling like home. He squinted at the comely woman, eying her like a slab of meat, ready to be butchered. He didn’t care that she had traded her bar rags for microphones, and he didn’t care that she’d dolled herself up so well. The blade crept from the sheath, a toothy grin spreading on his face.

Sinestro’s hand grabbed his arm, and he sternly said, “No. Not here.” He gestured with his head to the troopers standing at the other end of the bar who were already a bit too interested in the trio. Snarling, Dean’s fingers unwrapped from the First Blade, and he jerked his jacket back around him haughtily.

“Now now, I hear that those boys in white don’t like a ruckus,” the Reaper twanged with a thick accent. She perked her eyebrows and tapped the bar with two fingers, “Now, wouldn’t you like to buy a lady a drink?” A cold stare from the hunters led her to shrug, open up her coin purse and throw down a few small glistening orbs of omnilium. When the barkeep came, Mary Lou spoke so softly it was almost a whisper, “French Seventy-Five, sweet thing.” She eyed the man hungrily as he walked away to make the drink.

“Looking for a midnight snack, you crazy bitch?” Dean snapped, his agitation thinly veiled.

The man set the tall flute of fizzing beverage in front of her as she rolled her eyes. She lifted the glass and brought it to her lips, taking a small sip. She relished in the bubbling drink before swirling it in her hand and offering a predatory look at the boys. “So, what did you have planned, then? Did you just wanna have a little chat over a drink, Deany?”

Sinestro smiled and pat Dean on the back. “I’ll be right back, entertain our guest for a moment.” The hunter gave the korugaran a look of anger and confusion, but said nothing as Thaal stood and walked away.

Sighing, Dean stared angrily the gloating angel, tapped the bar and grunted, “Beer.”

The deputy made his way across the bar, looking through the scores of people that inhabited it. Despite its location in the barrens of sand, the patrons of the café seemed mostly to be of a higher class. Finery, jewelry, and other demonstrations of wealth and power were common, though a few of the more common people still seemed welcome. His eyes fell upon the target of his search and he quickly made his way to them, checking that both Mary Lou and Dean were where they were supposed to be.

Motioning to the stormtrooper, Sinestro tried to call their attention. “Excuse me sir, I have something to report.”

The soldier nodded and stepped in front of the deputy and asked through his speaker, “What seems to be the trouble, citizen?”

Discretely pointing at the singer, Sinestro whispered, “There is currently a warrant for arrest for that woman, issued by Roland from the Town With No Name.” He removed the wanted poster from his pocket and unfolded it under the bar, allowing the trooper to see the validity of his claim.

“Sorry, we don’t enforce their warrants,” the armored man said flatly.

Sinestro folded his poster up and stowed it. “Well she’s clearly still a dangerous person. She’s a threat to every person she comes into contact with.”

A gruff laugh crackled out from behind the helmet. “All she’s done so far is sing songs and collect tips. We aren’t going to go after her until there’s a reason other than that outcast’s bounties.”

“You don’t know what kinds of powers that woman controls,” the deputy urged, gesturing with his hands.

Again, the trooper shook his head. “There are plenty of people that come through these parts that can do crazy things. We couldn’t keep them out even if we tried.” Before Sinestro could continue, he held up a black-gloved hand, “Thank you for the heads-up, citizen. We’ll keep an eye on her.”

The deputy contained his frustration and nodded. “Of course. Thank you,” he said as cordially as he could and turned around. He hands balled and unfurled as he made his way back to his seat next to Dean, nervously shaking his head to his hunting partner.