<div align="center"><strong>-= Griff - Oxhorn Saloon - Buzzard Gulch - Avalon, moon orbiting Albion =-</strong></div><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/griff-2-headshot.jpg) (http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z466/Corvus269/Characters/Griffabs.jpg)</div><br/>Situational Awareness is what the Alliance had called it during his training;<em>"the perception of environmental elements with respect to time and/or space, the comprehension of their meaning, and the projection of their status after some variable has changed."</em>Griff discretely analyzed his surroundings and their relation to each other, his combat training kicking in as his instincts warned of impending danger. Under normal circumstances, Griff would never offer such quality liquor to a complete stranger, but these were not normal circumstances. His gut was twisting in that way it always did just before a shit storm. Concerns that he was being bushwhacked, having walked into a trap orchestrated by none other than Abernathy himself, were at the forefront of his mind. Then there was the Alliance's presence in Buzzard's Gulch, which troubled Griff. While it wasn't unheard of for feds to take their leave at such backwater mud puddles as Buzzard's Gulch, or even on some pathetic rock such as Avalon, their proximity to the core planets made their presence here... puzzling; why not go someplace more civilized, with more amenities to cater to their wants and needs, like one of the core worlds, or on Albion itself? The questions and possibilities played out in the captain's mind and he dared not dismiss any of them.<br/><br/><em>Is Kiran one of Abernathy's associates? A hitman perhaps? <br/>Does he have other people in the bar, mingled among the saloon's patrons? <br/>What is Small Fry's part in all of this? <br/>Is she with Abernathy or does she have connections with the Alliance?</em><br/><br/>Griff was unsure of a lot of things and feeling extremely vulnerable and exposed. He found himself missing Sasha's presence for her professionalism and dedication to her job. On this principle, Si was equally missed, his sharp and, quick thinking, and combat experience made him an invaluable part of his crew.<br/><br/><em>... And he may very well be dead right now. That's my fault.</em><br/><br/>He forced the thought from his mind knowing that he would need all of his wits about him if he hoped to get back to the ship in once piece, that is if his gut check was not a false alarm; it rarely was. The offer of a free drink was primarily to buy him some time; time to properly assess the situation, time to identify and prioritize all possible threats, time to determine his best exit strategy.... time to survive. The offered drinks could also be used as a possible misdirection tool in the event things went south in a hurry. Top notch liquor and a well placed match made for quiet the distracting inferno, though he hoped it would not come to that since Hank, the bar's owner, was a valuable contact to Griff.<br/><br/>Glancing up to Kaela's cuddle buddy as the man accepted Griff's offer, announcing he had made a friend for life, The Gamble's captain filled another dirty shot glass and pushed it towards the man. He looked like he knew how to handle himself. Griff could see it in the way the man moved, the way he carried himself. It was something that wasn't blatantly obvious to the untrained eye, but Griff knew what to look for and this man was advertising the fact, intentionally or not.<strong>"A man can never have too many friends,"</strong>he replied with a disarming nod of his head to the man.<br/><br/><em>Except for the lying, thieving, backstabbing variety</em>he thought, silently finishing his feelings on the matter.<br/><br/>Shifting his dark eyes back to Kaela as she voiced her displeasure with the captain, he couldn't help the small smirk that threatened to erupt into laughter.<strong>"You always were one for the dramatics,"</strong>he said in an even, steady voice. He knew there was no way the group of feds across the room could have heard him over the roaring din of conversation buzzing in the busy saloon, though he had to concede, at least to himself, that there could have been someone close by who might have overheard him, though the chances of them recognizing Kaela's name were slim to none; unless she'd been climbing the criminal ladder since their last meeting.<strong>"If you're looking for a boat off this pothole,"</strong>he said before tossing back a shot. He left the sentence open, knowing that Kaela would understand his offer.<strong>"I'm short staffed at the moment and could use someone with your.... talents."</strong><br/><br/>He became aware of Smally Fry pressing herself a little closer to him. She seemed... nervous, and that had him discreetly reaching his hand into the sleeve of his duster, his fingers touching the butt of his derringer as he glanced to the oriental woman and the blond local. Neither girl seemed very happy about whatever it was they were discussing, and soon Annabel was taking her leave of the saloon. He watched as Kaela moved toward the petite oriental woman, the only words he managed to catch were "trouble" and "doc". He assumed that the trouble must belong to Kaela, and perhaps she was looking for a doc? But Kaela looked fine to Griff.<br/><br/><em>She looks really fine</em><br/><br/>Not forgetting the stranger who had accepted his offer of drink, Griff looked back to the man, his arms resting on the table with his left hand partially concealed within his sleeve.<strong>"So, what is that you do, <em>"friend?"</em></strong>. He had to keep up appearances, play his cards close to his chest lest he tip his hand.<br/><br/><br/>