Characters and Situations owned and based off of "Cowboy Bebop" by Sunrise, Inc. and Bandi Entertainment
Serpent Tango
Prolouge
Sheets of parchment, preserved, laid spread out across the top of the cherrywood desk. What was contanined within those documents were the whisperings of the night. Mystic rumors that the universe at large was chiefly unaware of. Had they known, the population would find more monsters going bump in the night. Slender fingers steepled as the iced gaze looked over the ancient writings, a cruel smile touching the corner of the lips. Vicious was self-confident that he had found the perfect catalyst for his plans. Far-reaching plans to be sure, but an added little insurance that he would take over the leadership of the Red Dragon Syndicate. He had found a weakness within the Van and he would exploit it to its full use.
To keep the Van unaware of what was being planned, he financed this part of his plan out of his own resources. Vicious rose from his desk, and moved to looked out the window, as a squawk announced the arrival of the large bird on his shoulder. Lost for a moment in his thoughts, he heard a beeping. Turning, he returned to the desk and opened up the comm line. "What is it?"
Shin's voice could be heard on the other side. "I've made contact with the Order of the Black Lotus."
"Excellent," Vicious replied. "Let me know the terms." With that, the communication link was broken. He returned his attention to what little information he had discovered about them. A secret and deadly order whose Masters wielded increadible power themselves. Not only from the corporations they controlled, but because they were all masters of the Tien-Hsueh or the Chinese art of "Touching Vital Points".
Vicious had done some digging into Red Dragon history and stumbled across a little unknown piece of information. The Van had worked with the Black Lotus once before. They paid dearly for the termination of one of their members. They would think twice before taking on the Order again.
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Spike Spiegel made his way out of the Swordfish II and gave a slight grunt as his feet came into contact with the hard-packed earth. Although Old Man Bull gave clues to help him locate his bounty heads, he sometimes groaned inwardly at the riddles that were used to convery them. He made his way to the teepee of the old Native American, and ducked as he entered. "I need help finding Juan Diego," he said as he sat down.
Bull picked up a handful of sand and let it flow from between his fingers to form four gathering spots for the sand. "I see a serpent caught up in a whirlwind with a delicate flower. But, the flower is not as delicate as it seems." The old man's eyes seemed to stare off into the spirit world.
Spike gave a shake of his fuzzy-haired head. "What does that have to do with Diego?"
The Native American smiled and looked at him. "Nothing." Then he started to chuckle. "Swimmingbird," he began again. "The coyote you seek, has already been brought down".
Spike let out an oath and then began to chuckle himself. "Jet is not gonna like this."
"Heed my words Swimmingbird. This flower will add a flavor that may not be to your liking."
Spike turned his attention once more to the old man. "huh?"
Old Man Bull just smiled. "The serpent and the flower".