Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Cowboy Bebop.
This is a repost of chapter. I've edited chapters 1 and 2, I think they sound a lot better than they did. Please enjoy.
Fever
Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV who? Its just Ed.
There were still three human occupants and one canine on board the Bebop after Spike's death five years ago; however the Bebop crew hadn't been the same. It had all affected them, even Ein.
Five long years on the Bebop Edward had always been self-sufficient. She taught herself many things; how to walk, talk and speak like a lady with perfect poise and confidence among other things. A young woman of 19-years-old Edward was not longer the gangly, lanky, loud kid; now in replacement was a stunning knock-out. Jet and Faye usually used her as bait for bounties; Jet was not a looker with the ladies or men for that matter and with Faye she always had an air of sluttiness that many guys never found too appealing. Edward was the embodiment of sophistication of the new-aged woman.
Thick red-orange hair waved down resting just above her hips; long, toned legs – which Faye was even envious of; and then there were her eyes. The most prominent and first feature people noticed about Edward were her eyes. Bright, shining and gold – almost the colour aged butterscotch. It left bounties hypnotised proof that she was the master of the craft. Unfortunately, but sometimes fortunately they never revealed her true emotions…they were always mysterious and cautious. She could play and deceive anybody with her eyes. They could portray any image she wanted to.
"Ohhhh," Edward stretched, "another typical day ahead."
"You never know what could happen, Ed." Jet said. Faye past by Jet and sat down opposite him on the couch.
"Oh come off it Jet, Ed's right. Another normal, boring dull day on this ship," Faye drawled lazily letting out a long heavy sigh.
"Well I'm off then. Exploring," she walked off Ein in tow.
"Have fun." Ed ignored Faye's jibe at her mocking sentiment. Over the years she had grown a solid tolerance towards Faye's comments and sometimes her very presence after all she was family.
With a few minor exterior adjustments in physical appearance Spike's Swordfish (II) was Ed's own. However it couldn't get away without overhauling the outdated computer technology in the relic. Edward cruised across to Mars. She didn't put much thought into her exploration. She travelled to Mars.
Entering a derelict bar she sat down and ordered a cup of coffee and warm milk for Ein from a barman obviously dissatisfied with life. Ed overheard only a few words from his mutterings "shit-hole, rejects, damned worthless". Ignoring him, she booted on her hand-held PC researching some sites to see.
She saw the sites her computer came up with, but she could no longer deny the real reason she came to Mars and jetted to the actual destination: Mars' main planetary hospital renowned for their cryogenics laboratory. She left Ein to fend for himself by the Swordfish. She buttoned her coat to the top so her gun holster wouldn't cause any trouble. She knew where she headed, but she decided to walk without purpose so as not to bring attention to herself. She peered into wards of sick children, pregnant irritated women, wounded men and nurseries full of shrieking babies.
She slid into a part of the building requiring her skills as an expert hacker through bio-security, password coded protected entries. She quickly bypassed the supposedly 'impenetrable' security and stood facing a door with big black lettering: Cryogenic Laboratory. Strict personnel admittance only. Intruders may be prosecuted was stencilled in smaller type. Her heart began to thump inside her rib cage making her uncomfortable. But that was as close as she got to the actual lab itself. Her sixth sense kicked in too late. "HEY YOU," called out a guard, "You shouldn't be here." He was heavy-set with burly features not that it bothered Ed. Size was never indicative of the winner in a hand-to-hand combat.
"Yeah, you're right." She giggled decided to play it easy as a stupid ditz. She didn't feel it necessary to make a commotion about it. She let herself be escorted out of the building. But just before she was led to the exit she heard the door handle turn and open behind her. She looked behind for a peek only to be disappointed to see the solid chest of the security guard. He glared down at her; she gave him an impish innocent smile.
"Oh well. C'mon Ein better get back home I guess." She climbed into the Swordfish ready to fly home. She smiled to herself – Bebop her home. It always surprised her to find that it just came out involuntary. Pondering about ti made her upset to know that one of them was gone – Spike – was that missing person.
Eventually she thought that without Spike it would not be home much longer, she'd have to move on. She pressed the ignition button once…twice…and then a third time. Edward let out a string of nasty expletives, "Fuck, shit, you miserable piece of fumbling crap." She tried to grip of things. Her temper could be bloody awful. "This can not be happening," she grumbled. Ein comforted her with a cry that made her feel much better.
After a half hour she had it shakily in the air and landed in a secluded area of trees to avoid a parking fee from the hospital.
"Better call Jet so he knows what's up." Still not impressed with the Swordfish she roughly handled the consol.
"Hey Ed, what's up?" greeted Jet.
"Fabulous news – the Swordfish is MIA. I'll have it fixed as soon as possible. I might be stuck here for a couple of days depends what's the damage," she explained cringing at the idea of crapping about in Mars' heat.
"Okay, take care. If the junk gives you too much of a hassle give me a shout."
"Thanks Jet. Bye." She signed out.
In the sterile abyss of the hospital the insides of the cryogenic lab buzzed with mild excitement.
"I see you've come to," a doctor pronounced.