Buck's other friend is Asteroid Al, a Thuxian (an eyeless alien species roughly resembling the creatures from the Alien franchise), who is known for being stingy about money and contracts. The drinks served at his bar can intoxicate the unwary almost immediately. Buck's drink of choice is the "ion sucker", whose containers also make useful weapons (as well as components for flower arranging). Other cronies at Al's Bar include Spug, a frog-faced alien cabbie who has trouble keeping secrets. Beyond these, Buck is a well-known face at Asteroid Al's, and indeed throughout most of New Hong Kong.