NOTE: much as I wish, I do not own Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star or anything other than my own life. Shella, if you want your brief mention omitted let me kno. Same goes for Sam and Jake. K, on to the introduction of all the madness!
I used to be a normal kid, then I met Gene Starwind. It all turned out that I acquired a pilot's license and the skills to go with it. And it all started when I moved to Washington State in November, 2001.
I stood outside my back door, looking up at the sky. Thinking. I had lost a friend and not been able to say goodbye. I watched the stars carefully, praying for one to shoot by. I saw a fleck of silver shoot by and sighed. Imissed my chance… I thought. I was staring at the odd lights on the horizon and thought how much it looked like a spaceport in an anime I watched. Then I saw it… the silver fleck that would change my life.
"Do we have to go to Fred Meyer tonight?", I complained. My mom looked over at me with a look of pure disapproval.
"Samantha, you can't stay home all the time.", she replied. "I know you don't like it here, but you're going to have to adapt. I also know how much you miss Sam. That's why I'm trying to find his phone number. Let's just go to the store, it'll be really quick, I promise." I groaned inwardly as I followed her out to the car.
As I followed my mom through the aisles, I noticed a boy with longish blond hair watching me intently. He looked tired and every so often held up a small device that he talked to.
It's gotta be a portable DVD player, I thought. Then, I noticed a red haired man with scars on his face walk over to the kid. He was talking to the kid loud enough for me to hear.
"Look, Jim… you knew this was going to happen! It has to come down to a showdown eventually and here it is! Damn, where the fuck is Fred?" The red-haired man paced as he talked.
"Gene, number one, I wouldn't use the words 'fuck' and 'Fred' in the same sentence. Especially knowing how he feels about you. Yeah I knew about the showdown. But do so many people have to be involved?"
Gene laughed. "You're checking out the babes aren't you?"
Jim looked back at me and I grinned. "No I'm not. I'm not you, Gene. I concentrate on the task at hand, not how big that dumb brunette's ass is. Doesn't Iris give you any-"
"Enough, Jim."
"Come on! You're always like this when you're horny."
I burst out laughing at that. Gene turned around and glared at me. "Something wrong?", He asked curtly.
"No, nothing. I thought it was funny what the kid said. Your name's Jim right?" I replied.
"No, I'm Gene. Gene Starwind. This is my friend, Jim Hawking. You seem awfully friendly…"
Somehow, that night ended up changing my life. I helped them find their friend and in return, they asked me to be a part of their operation. I was online reading The Daily Inquirer when I found an interesting story.
"3 years ago, bounty hunter Spike Speigal died at the hands of a former friend, and today that friend has been identified. Alexei 'Vicious' Zchartikov, former second in line to the Red Dragon Clan in Tharsis City, has been identified as the murderer. He was, however, pronounced dead a year ago after being in a coma for over 2 years. Spike on the other hand has seemingly awakened from the dead. Just months ago, he rejoined his former teammates, Jet Black and Faye Valentine. This information was found when they caught a major bounty , Alexei's brother, Nikolas. Nikolas Zchartikov was wanted for mass counts of rape, larceny, and embezzlement of the Martian Government's funding for a new weather system."
Wow, I muttered. That's amazing! I thought it was awesome that there was a whole other solar system floating around… ah well. Sentinel is awesome.
"Get up, you'll miss your bus", yelled my mom. I was just having the best dream in I've ever had and I had to miss the end. I crawled tiredly out of bed and quickly got dressed, putting on my black tank top and jeans, then I ran to the kitchen and ate breakfast quickly.
"Samantha, I hate it when you wear black", my mom complained tiredly.
"Well it's the only thing I could find within 5 minutes." I said. I looked over hopefully at my dad. He was too busy drinking coffee to care.
When I finally got out of the house the bus had already left. "Shit… now I'm gonna have to walk a mile to school… oh wait a minute, I can drive to school." I walked over to the small hover car that Gene had given me for Christmas, hopped in and drove off.
I sat down in my assigned seat and sighed. Mrs. Godfrey walked up to the front of the room and said: "Well class, we have another new student joining us today. Stephanie, will you come up here and introduce yourself?" Meanwhile, I was chatting very randomly with Jim, talking about the great party we all had last night. After I heard the name, I looked up to see if it was who I though it was. Jim shot a sideways glance at me and groaned. The Stephanie that was standing at the front of the room was the same one I had known in Colorado.
"Wow", I said in surprise. "Never thought I'd see her again."
"You know that girl?" Jim asked.
"Yes, I've known her for about 3 years."
"Cool I guess- did you know that Gene found another stash of dragonite?"
"He did?" We were so busy chatting that I never noticed that Stephanie was sitting down right next to me-at least until she said:
"Hey, don't I know you from somewhere?"
I glanced over at her and sighed. "Here I was hoping you would recognize me but you didn't, interesting" It was only then that she noticed who I was.
"Samantha! Well this is a surprise, I thought you moved to Bellingham."
"I did, but it didn't work out the house was a wreck." Suddenly, Jim elbowed me in the side.
"Pay attention" he whispered. "If you don't you'll have homework again" Everyone knew that if you did all your work and turned it in on time in this class and paid attention, you wouldn't get homework. Jim and I were the only ones who almost never got homework. I glared at him but I did as I was told.
Later in gym, everyone who wanted to take martial arts lined up in front. Jim and I were already accomplished black-belts (authors note: I had already studied martial arts in Colorado and Sam had given me some tips and later I learned some tricks from Spike, but who's supposed to know that?). Stephanie volunteered after learning I was a black belt, I was shocked. We had our normal workout and then it was off to art class where Jim and I parted company for the day and didn't see each other until we got on the bus. Today, we were supposed to sketch a couple of still life objects. I decided to draw some of the scenery I saw driving over the Columbia River. As usual, my artwork was pinned up front but today, someone else's work was up next to it. It was very good and I thought it might have been Mike or Chris, who were excellent artists. I was shocked when I found it had been Stephanie's work. (That bitch traced it anyway!)
When the bell rung signaling the end of classes for the day, I was first on the bus as usual, but I couldn't find Jim anywhere. Then I glanced over at the seat he usually took and found it was already occupied. Since the seat next to me was almost never taken, I moved over and waited for Jim to get on the bus. Almost as soon as I had moved over, Jim got on the bus. He was at first surprised that his usual seat was taken, but then he eventually settled down. We were talking about the party again when I was suddenly aware that somebody was eavesdropping.
"Well you haven't wasted any time making friends here" Stephanie said, mockingly. I glared as she said it.
"And you haven't wasted time making enemies I see." I hissed back.
Jim interrupted before we started fighting. "Both of you stop for a minute. Samantha, you're beginning to look like Aisha when she's pissed (I quickly stopped growling and attempted tolook composed) and as for your friend well, lets say she'd scare small children, if she doesn't already." At this I laughed openly. Jim had a great sense of humor when he wanted to. Just then Lake Stevens came into view where Jim and I got off the bus. To my complete shock and dismay, Stephanie got off with us.
I groaned openly and said, "Well we can't talk about what Gene did anymore, its not suitable for small children to hear." That's when Stephanie called me a name that rhymes with 'itch' and left. I was aware that a smaller trail ran next to this one but I didn't say anything to Jim.
"So how bad was the damage?" I asked.
"Well, let's just say half the courtyard and half that guy's arm are still missing", Jim grinned as he said it. "And Deanna was kind of pissed off at him for ruining her new cherry trees, but I really don't think he cared."
"God, talk about overkill. Can't he ever be subtle? Or at least nice? Why couldn't Gene have just knocked that guy out? I mean did he really have to kill all those poor cherry trees?"
Jim laughed. "Well, that's not his style. He has two reputations. One as a womanizer and another as the outlaw who always overdoes things and never plans ahead." We both laughed and continued walking.
After I got home, I got online and chatted online with some of my friends, mainly Shella. While I was doing my math homework, I called Sam. Of course it was just to get math help… actually it wasn't. I really did miss the guy I'd been friends with for years now. Afterwards, I went over to see Lennon and Rose at the mansion.
"Yo Samantha!" Lennon called, attempting to be cool. "What up, homie?" I glanced over at her and sighed.
"The sky and that's about it" I replied.
She grinned and walked over. "Are we slightly bored? Maybe i should attempt to amuse you."
"Lennon, I'm sorry... I'm really not your type..." Our conversation ended abruptly as Jim walked up.
"Hi Samantha, what's up?" he said.
"The sky, what else?"
"Well, there's another party tonight, wanna come?"
"I dunno, today is Friday, so I don't have school tomorrow, and… well ok. You know what I don't understand is why all he does is party. I mean he has his own style and all but what about this (I pulled out a new issue of the Daily Inquirer )" Jim read the article I showed him. "But Samantha, those people are bounty hunters. Gene is an outlaw. And a stupid one at that. Just this morning, he got up very late, had a horrible hangover and he wouldn't drink this thing I made to help."
"Well, what did you give him, acetone, dynamite, paint thinner and nitro-glycerin?"
Jim grinned evilly. "No, although I was very tempted, it was just a Blue Oyster. I have a favor to ask you."
"Oh, so you want me to poison him, try again. Even though he's so immature, I still think he's hot."
Lennon decided put her two cents in just then. "Well, I tried to get him into bed with me again and I failed miserably, am I that unattractive?"
"We won't go there…" Jim muttered.
"Uh yeah, no." I said with a grin.
Lennon shotboth of usa glare. "YES this is gonna be great…whooohooo Party party PARTY! "
Later as I was getting ready, my mom came in my room and asked what I was doing.
"Mom, I told you I was going to a party", I answered. "It lasts until 1 am and then I'll be home, plus everybody I know is gonna be there-I'll be safe."
"I don't care, there isn't anybody who'll protect you with a gun."
"Wanna bet? Gene will." Then I ran downstairs and grabbed my car keys (I'll have you know that I'm only twelve, but I have a car and driver's license). I went outside, got in my car, and put a CD in. I switched to track 4 and smiled as I thought of some good times I'd had back in Gunbarrel.
The first thing I noticed whenI backed out of the garagewas that Ehefrau (the car that Jim owns/shares with Gene) was in the driveway.
Gene leaned over and said, "Lennon called to tell me that they're not holding the party at the mansion, they're holding it at a club, so she told me where it is. I don't know why, but somehow I think it's a trap for me again. Follow me."
"Damn it, why the hell does she always wait until the last possible second?"
"Hey", Jim said. "Be decent-we have two ladies in the car here"
I saw Melfina and Hilda both grinning evilly at me.
"Hey Jim, you wanna ride with me instead?"
"Sure, you said you wanted to talk with me anyways. But just wait until you find out who we have to pick up-you are NOT going to be happy."
"NOT Stephanie!"
"The very same, Deanna invited her because she's new." After this, I started up the engine and followed Gene out to a little town 29 miles from Seattle, then I turned around went back to Lake Stevens to pick up our 'guest'. As I started to go back, Jim offered to go with me.
"Ok, but you are riding up front and that's final. I don't care what that little stoner bitch says to you."
"Ok, here it is, 2935 Morning Star Lane. I wish I didn't have to pick that slut up, I really don't like her anymore." Jim glanced at me as I got out of the car and walked up to the door. I walked up and rang the doorbell. Stephanie's mother answered the door.
"Yes?" She said. "Can I help you?"
"Yes, I was sent to pick Stephanie up for the party held by Mrs. Deanna Kirkson."
"Ok, I'll go get her." She disappeared and returned a minute later with Stephanie.
"What the hell are you doing here?" she asked in surprise. "I was told I was to be picked up by an adult, and taken to the party."
"Well, the one who was supposed to pick you up is sort of busy."
Suddenly, Lennon yelled. "Samantha! Can you drive me to the party?"
"Sorry, no room"
"Damn it, now I have to walk."
We got in my car and I was just starting the engine when Stephanie said, "Hey wait a minute, who's gonna drive?"
"I am, stupid." I said irritably.
"No way, you don't have a driver's license!" At this I reached into my wallet and threw my drivers and pilots licenses back at her.
She read them aloud as follows: " 'The Federal Space Forces state that Samantha DePaoli, age 12, is a registered Pilot of her ship the Moonstar model XGP-15A2 registration number Z23X53W67 and is hereby allowed to dock at all legitimate space ports' well this is good 'The Federal Administration of all Weapons and Firearms certifies that Samantha DePaoli, age 12, is a licensed carrier of the following firearms: one double barrel shotgun/rifle, one caster gun plus shells, one Law's rocket, one 12gauge rifle and 1 each of the following: (Star 45mm quick-fire automatic, Jericho 941 auto, rare model display gun, Japanese medium length barrel 30mm handgun.) 45 mm handgun, 9mm handgun and a 6 mm laser shooter. On board the Moonstar, 5 machine guns, 2 grappler arms with interchangeable weapons and different missile launchers located all over the ship.' Well, well, well. 'The Federal Department of Motor and Hover Vehicles hereby certifies that Samantha DePaoli, age 12, is a licensed driver of all motor and hover vehicles. This statement allows her into all spaceports, docks and through all gates.' Um ok, this is interesting." Stephanie was now openly staring at the sheaf of papers that she just read. "I can't believe this," she said in amazement. "You never told me anything about it."
I glared over at her and said: "Well I thought I couldn't trust you-wait…how am I supposed to trust you?"
"Can we just go now?" Jim was getting impatient. I started the engine and the car rose up in the air and shot forward quickly.
As we drove up, I turned down my stereo and listened for music coming from the dance hall. "Oh yeah! Serena Paris!" I cried excitedly.
Melfina came over to me, "Aren't you guys coming? Oh by the way, you need to showyour driver's license to get in and yeah. Have fun guys!"
"Hey, Mel, wait a sec…" I said. "How's the party going? Has there been any trouble yet?"
"Um, I'm not sure"
"Uh oh, here comes trouble." As I said this, fifteen mecha popped out of the ground and started to charge at us.
"Oh shit, what the hell are we supposed to do now?" Stephanie said with a worried look on her face.
"Gene, you better come out here…", I said quickly. "Damn it, I have no choice, I'm gonna have to fight."
Jim turned around just as I pressed a button on my watch. "Samantha, you're crazy, we've got a stranger here!"
"Never mind that—look out!" I pulled my double barrel out and shot just as another person did the same; 5 mecha exploded and burned up.
"Gene…how'd you get out here so fast?" I asked.
"I flew, no I ran when I heard you yell." He said with a grin.
"That's all well and good, but here come more!" As I said this, the remaining mecha charged forward.
"Get outta here, I don't want you to get hurt." Gene said. "This is dangerous business."
"I don't care, I'm gonna stay and help"
"No you're not" After he said that, I felt something hit my arm and heard him yell for Lennon. "Take her inside and don't let her out of your sight"
"What did you do to her?"
"It's a sleeping drug, after I helped her become a pilot I knew she would want to help me defeat these things so I went out and bought some of this. Now GO!" As Lennon picked me up, I heard a scream and a yell then I blacked out.
"Are you awake?" I managed to open my eyes-into Rose's blue ones.
"Is the fight over?" I asked.
"Yes, Gene won-barely. He's recovering right now."
"What happened to him?"
"One bullet wedged itself between his ribs, if we hadn't have gotten to him when we did, he'd be dead."
I stared for a second, then asked… "How long ago was that?"
"1 week ago exactly. He is almost fully recovered…uh hey there." Gene walked in as we were speaking.
"Gene! My mom is gonna kill me, what did you do to me?"
"A sleeping drug, don't worry, she knows that already" I gasped as I looked at him. He wasn't wearing a shirt, and his entire rib-cage-area was bandaged. (Ouch)
"Um, what the hell happened? I heard you got hurt, but how did you defeat those – things?"
"I had help of course, outlaws always have back-up."
"Who helped you, Jim? Suzuka? Aisha?"
"You left one out" "HILDA? No way! Damn, you guys are a team."
"You can say that again," Hilda grinned. "God damn I'm getting tired of savin' your hide… It appears that people don't flinch anymore when I walk into a room. I'll have to take care of that soon. Ah, you're finally awake, have a nice sleep?"
I glared at her. "NOT funny, oh crap my mom is here."
As I said this, my mom walked in. "What happened to you? I was told (she glared at Gene) that you were hiding from the pirates. Is that true?"
I glanced over at Gene before finally responding. "Uh, yeah I was asleep here for awhile. Its ok-really."
Mom didn't look convinced, but she bought it. "I think its time you came home, you've been here long enough."
END AUTHOR'S NOTE: Mecha are robots designed to kill basically. They are about 7 feet tall with arms that are made out of machine-guns and they have knives in the knees. pleasant way to die huh?