"I didn't kill him because he was crazy.
I killed him because he was making sense."
—Josephus Miller, The Expanse
"You don't get to live a bad life and
Have good things happen to you."
—Arthur Morgan, Red Dead Redemption 2
A long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…
That’s how Zad would begin his entry on a page.
His journal, his diary, and his book about his past.
A boring story, really, that history of that old man.
He might have settled for the ship as his grave.
Might’ve settled for the stars as his graveyard.
But a man like Zad, well, his fate’s pretty plain.
He will die soon, soon enough, of a dying heart.
Zad is this side of the galaxy’s resident stranger.
Into a street, he moves, Cowboy Bebop strings.
Nope—from Red Dead Redemption 2 actually.
But, like them, Zad’s a cowboy, O our Ranger.
He has a trench coat on and it is long.
It’s a duster—double-draped shoulders.
It’s dusty all right, dirty, but not too much.
Just spots from an old man’s past ‘n’ dust.
Ranger's jacket is of black leather.
Zad has his hand in a coat pocket.
By him is a woman, a Mandalorian.
Hand comes out—grips a cigarette.
A cigarra, some called it.
So it’s a whatzamacallzit.
Not a cigar but a cigarette.
A zippo—a thumb ignites it.
Silver metal is on the casing.
There is an image on the back.
Which is of a black cowboy hat.
In the open air of Wall Street
There is a lot of market activity.
Zad blows smoke and moves feet.
In market districts of Gravenell City.
Crowds surround the market stalls.
Merchants with all sorts of wares.
Waving, hollering, him, her—all.
“You, my man!” And Zad stares.
Buys a coffee, black, offers to buy for Zaia.
That is now the second time for the guy but
Don’t mind spending money he won’t need.
Leaving the stall, they move along the street.
Zad takes a sip, piping hot. Between markets
Herds of people are all over, mostly shoppers.
Flanking the street are stores and then more.
“Hopefully a call any minute from the Badger.”
For now, just move along, Sector Ranger.
A man can understand this kind of contact.
The Badger had to be careful who he meets.
Soon enough, bub, we won’t be such strangers.
The message from Perla was that the Badger
Would find them, Zad and Zaia, him and her.
Would contact them as they amble about.
Like they’re just two tourists round town.
It’s a fitting escape, Zad thinks, sipping.
Bittersweet coffee, warms old bones.
So does whiskey, but isn’t drinking.
Walking, a musician at a banjo.
A Ranger and a Mandalorian.
Zaia Krodas is a Mando.
Track: “Mountain Banjo”
@Sicadorito
That’s how Zad would begin his entry on a page.
His journal, his diary, and his book about his past.
A boring story, really, that history of that old man.
He might have settled for the ship as his grave.
Might’ve settled for the stars as his graveyard.
But a man like Zad, well, his fate’s pretty plain.
He will die soon, soon enough, of a dying heart.
Zad is this side of the galaxy’s resident stranger.
Into a street, he moves, Cowboy Bebop strings.
Nope—from Red Dead Redemption 2 actually.
But, like them, Zad’s a cowboy, O our Ranger.
He has a trench coat on and it is long.
It’s a duster—double-draped shoulders.
It’s dusty all right, dirty, but not too much.
Just spots from an old man’s past ‘n’ dust.
Ranger's jacket is of black leather.
Zad has his hand in a coat pocket.
By him is a woman, a Mandalorian.
Hand comes out—grips a cigarette.
A cigarra, some called it.
So it’s a whatzamacallzit.
Not a cigar but a cigarette.
A zippo—a thumb ignites it.
Silver metal is on the casing.
There is an image on the back.
Which is of a black cowboy hat.
In the open air of Wall Street
There is a lot of market activity.
Zad blows smoke and moves feet.
In market districts of Gravenell City.
Crowds surround the market stalls.
Merchants with all sorts of wares.
Waving, hollering, him, her—all.
“You, my man!” And Zad stares.
Buys a coffee, black, offers to buy for Zaia.
That is now the second time for the guy but
Don’t mind spending money he won’t need.
Leaving the stall, they move along the street.
Zad takes a sip, piping hot. Between markets
Herds of people are all over, mostly shoppers.
Flanking the street are stores and then more.
“Hopefully a call any minute from the Badger.”
For now, just move along, Sector Ranger.
A man can understand this kind of contact.
The Badger had to be careful who he meets.
Soon enough, bub, we won’t be such strangers.
The message from Perla was that the Badger
Would find them, Zad and Zaia, him and her.
Would contact them as they amble about.
Like they’re just two tourists round town.
It’s a fitting escape, Zad thinks, sipping.
Bittersweet coffee, warms old bones.
So does whiskey, but isn’t drinking.
Walking, a musician at a banjo.
A Ranger and a Mandalorian.
Zaia Krodas is a Mando.
Track: “Mountain Banjo”
@Sicadorito