The doors of the saloon swung open, a slender silhouette pausing in between them before moving in smoothly to the bar.
"Barkeep, the McCloskey brothers are burning Silver Port over in Delta Sector. I rode all night to find the one man who can stand up to them, Johnny Bravo. He’s the strongest, fastest, bravest fighter the system has ever seen."
The bartender looked uneasy. "I guess you haven’t heard, ma’am, but Johnny’s retired now, just a legend. You’ll have to take your trouble on down the road."
Pounding her fist in frustration, she strode out the doors. Suddenly, like a ghost, a man was standing next to her.
"Easy there, miss. I might be able to help you. I can’t abide how the McCloskey brothers treat decent folk."
The woman looked over the grizzled man and his holstered laser pistol. He had a sharp and commanding look in his eye. His intense gaze made the small of her back grow warm.
"Johnny? Johnny Bravo? Is that you?", her breath caught.
"Not anymore. I go by Johnny Encore now. I may not play the young man’s game still, carousing every night, but I sure as hell ain’t dead. Let’s ride."