Outlaw Star: DNA
Author's Note: I can't seem to finish this series, so here's another sequel to the last sequel. Hopefully this will be the last one (a trilogy). If you haven't read the fic before this one (Outlaw Star: Pursuit), it is because it is rated M and not listed; there is NO smut—just a few instances of coarse language, if you are curious. You will at least have needed to read the original, Outlaw Star: Outskirts. The characters and relationships have been established, so please do not be surprised. Regardless, I hope you enjoy this short fic.
Episode I: Black Bart Sets Sail!
Dr. McLoughlin was on the phone, panic in his voice. Though he was a handsome man, the wrinkling of his forehead made him appear thirty-four rather than his cool and collected twenty-six year old self.
"What do you mean that they're all gone?!" Dr. McLoughlin cried.
"Unfortunately, it's the truth," Dr. Newquist answered. Dr. Newquist, like Dr. McLoughlin, was an attractive, young man, but he had greyed early and he had glasses that hid his dark grey eyes. Dr. McLoughlin ran his hand through his chestnut brown hair, his blue-eyed gaze intensifying.
"Well, we have some bad news to give you as well. It's related to Project Lark. Remember how we hadn't entered the research done on the Aurum into the system yet? Well, the original documents are gone, too."
"They are? But how?"
"They were stolen by a group of people disguised as Rynex scientists."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Even their accent sounded Rynex. The worst part is that I don't think they're from the government. I think they were pirates."
"We have some footage of the people that broke into our lab and destroyed our work. I'll send it to you. Maybe they're the same people?" Dr. McLoughlin heard a small beep come from his laptop. He walked over to it and saw that he got an email from Dr. Newquist with a video file attached. He opened it and began to watch it. With a gasp, he ran back over to the phone.
"It's them! They were in disguise when they came here! I recognize the man with the scar!"
"I see… But did you notice who else was in the video?" Dr. Newquist said, sounding firm. He pushed his glasses up on the bridge of his nose. Dr. McLoughlin rewatched the footage and then sighed.
"Yes. Lark…"
"He was the one that destroyed our project," Mr. Newquist said.
"I would have never guessed that Lark could commit murder. He seemed so gentle…" Dr. McLoughlin said, his eyes falling.
"It has been years now. Perhaps he picked up the behavior from whoever kidnapped him originally."
"You're right…" Dr. McLoughlin said. The truth was that Dr. McLoughlin had fallen for Lark long ago, so now he felt heartbroken in a way. He took out his wallet and took out the blurry photo of Lark that he had been holding onto for years. He ran his thumb over it.
"We must find them," Dr. Newquist said in a sharp tone.
"How? We don't want the government's attention. We can't call their Interstellar Police."
"No, but I know of a man who would love the thrill. He is known as 'Black Bart.' He commands the grappling ship The Royal Fortune. Do you know of him?"
"No, I don't…"
"Well, he is known for attacking ships around Shar."
"I see. Well, there is no better place, I suppose. How do you know him?"
"We met at a bar on Shar when I went on vacation. He sat down next to me and was the most interesting man I had ever spoken with."
"But he's a criminal…"
"Yes. And now we need him."
"If he manages to capture Lark, are you sure he won't just ransom him?"
"Don't worry. I've planned everything in advance," Dr. Newquist said. Dr. McLoughlin frowned.
"Alright. I just don't want him… hurt," Dr. McLoughlin said quietly. Dr. Newquist sighed.
"You still have feelings for the boy, don't you?"
"I just feel sorry for him."
"No. You know it's more than that." He paused. "Well, you shouldn't get so attached. He will be dissected once we have him back. This time, we'll need his brain to make a complete clone," Dr. Newquist said in a cold tone. Dr. McLoughlin swallowed hard.
"Understood."
"I will reach out to Black Bart and then contact you once everything has been arranged."
"Alright."
"Goodbye." Dr. Newquist hung up before Dr. McLoughlin could reply. He put the phone down and looked at the photo of Lark again. He then sat down and began to rapidly type on his laptop.
He connected to the lab's network and tried to access a folder but it required a password. Dr. McLoughlin sighed. He thought to himself for a moment and then typed "L-E-Y-L-I-S." The folder opened and right away, it displayed folders full of files. He immediately clicked on the folder labeled "PRJT_LARK." Other than a long list of documents, he saw photos, and began to go through each one of them. He then found a peculiar photo of Lark he had never seen before. Lark was laying on his side in fetal position, looking like he was sleeping. There were wires coming from his head, attached to some large computer. Coming out from his back were some kind of wings made of metallic feathers. Dr. McLoughlin quirked a brow.
"Wings? I've never seen anything about this…" Dr. McLoughlin said to himself.
He then continued to browse through the folders and saw that there was a photo of the original, Leylis, with xe's wings; then, there was Melfina with her red fairy-like wings; then there were pictures of two others that resembled each other with no wings.
"What is the purpose of the wings? There's no documentation stating that they can fly…" Dr. McLoughlin continued to go through the pictures until he discovered one of Lark smiling, holding the stuffed erect-crested penguin plush they had given him so long ago. He felt his heart stop. Immediately, he printed it out and had it laminated. Dr. McLoughlin gazed at the photo, feeling his cheeks grow warm.
"Run…" he said softly…
After Lark had been kidnapped by Apple and subsequently rescued, a year had passed. It was just Ron, Pansa-Pansa, Harry, and Lark. The Aurum—the attractive golden ship—kept on grabbing the attention of pirates.
Lark was laying on his side under the covers, gazing at Harry.
"Harry… I don't like the Rynex System. There are too many pirates… Why can't we go back to Sentinel III?" Lark said, running his fingers through Harry's hair. Harry closed his eyes.
"Ron said that there are just as many pirates. And Heifong is even worse," Harry replied. Lark sighed.
"It's just… This ship… Me… We attract these people... Won't any of you get tired of fighting?"
"I don't think so—especially Ron. You see how excited he gets," Harry answered. Lark nodded. He pulled Lark close and kissed him. The two of them rarely ever kissed, but they were in bed, where such shyness disappeared. Harry broke the kiss, Lark's eyes still closed. Harry was gazing at him now.
"That face…" Harry said with a smirk. Harry got out of bed now. "I want you to try something." Lark's eyes opened.
"Ok, Harry. What do you want me to do?" Lark said, sitting up.
"Get out of bed and get on your knees," Harry commanded. Lark did so. Harry's eyes fell to meet Lark's that had looked up…
Soon, Lark was in the bathroom, brushing his teeth. Harry came in, still in the process of getting dressed. He put on a heather grey t-shirt with the words "Shar or Bust" on it—courtesy of Ron.
"Ron said we're going to Pewter VI to get fuel. I talked to him about going back to the Sentinel System to relax for a while," Harry said. Lark smiled with his mouth closed and then resumed brushing his teeth…
Harry and Lark were at Pewter VI's aquarium. It had been years since they were there.
"They have so many exhibits now... I really like this—how you just enter their world…" Lark said, looking around. The Crew of the Aurum was in a tunnel made of glass, various Rynexian sea-life swimming around them. Ron stuck a finger in his ear, twisting it.
"Ehhh. This really isn't my thing," Ron replied.
"I want to see everything—on a dish, that is," Pansa-Pansa said. Ron snickered.
"Fillet, I'm sure? Because a true lady wouldn't have it any other way, right?" Ron teased. Pansa-Pansa stomped on Ron's foot with her heel, making him let out a pained noise.
"Still making fun of my tea time, aren't you, Ron?" Pansa-Pansa said, looking annoyed. "Not all of us Ctarl-Ctarl behave like slobs!"
"Woah, woah, woah! I didn't say that!" Ron said, looking uneasy.
"Good," Pansa-Pansa said sharply. She then wrapped her arm around his. "Maybe you could treat me to a seafood dinner tonight?" Ron continued to smile nervously.
"How can you eat something so beautiful?" Lark asked, frowning. Harry chuckled.
The four of them went further into the aquarium, deciding to go downstairs where deeper sea-life dwelled. The lights in the tanks were dimmer—to simulate deeper depths—but it wasn't so drastic that you couldn't see anything. Everyone was gazing at different tanks in the room. Lark smiled at a tank with bioluminescent jellyfish. Suddenly, a sensual sounding voice spoke to him.
"It's amazing, isn't it? They barely know what light is, yet their own bodies generate it," the voice said. Lark looked over to see who was speaking. It was a man with a medium build. He had a pale complexion, skin white like snow. He had long, wavy black hair with his eyes just as dark. He was wearing some kind of white masquerade bird mask with feathers. He wore a matching white frock coat with a feathered collar. Under that, he wore a blood red blouse. He was wearing white pants with a pair of tall, dark brown leather boots that met his knees. His neck was covered in metallic plating. His white hands had silver claw rings on both index fingers. He was essentially dressed like an aristocrat, or so Lark thought, knowing that such intricate clothing cost a lot of money. The man gasped when they locked eyes. Lark smiled and raised a hand.
"I'm Lark."
"Oh? Why are you telling me your name now?" the man replied.
"I like to whenever I begin a conversation with someone."
"How charming… Well then, a pleasure to meet you—my name is Robert." Lark's smile grew. There was a moment of silence that passed. Suddenly, Robert put a hand on Lark's cheek—he was careful not to pierce his skin with his ring. Lark, caught off guard, let out a small gasp; Robert's hand was ice cold. Robert leered at him. "Your skin is so soft…"
Harry, who was being teased by Ron across the room, looked over to see Robert and Lark. Harry instantly became jealous. He shoved Ron, who looked confused, and stormed up to the pair.
"Who is this?!" Harry snapped. Robert looked over at Harry, his hand still resting on Lark's face.
"Th-this is Robert," Lark replied. Robert smiled at Harry—Harry glared back. "Robert, this is Harry—"
"I'm his boyfriend." Harry interrupted. Suddenly, Lark's entire face flushed red; he had never heard Harry use this word before. Robert's smile disappeared as withdrew his hand.
"A pleasure to meet you, boyfriend." Robert said back. There was an awkward moment of silence. "We were just looking at the jellyfish. Aren't they beautiful?" Robert looked over at Lark now, smiling again. Lark smiled back.
"Yes. Whatever. Lark, let's go upstairs now." Harry said in a sharp tone, reaching out to grab Lark's hand. Robert then seized Lark by the arm and pulled him close to him.
"Oh, but we haven't finished our conversation yet. Isn't that right, Lark?" Robert said. Lark looked up, confused.
"I guess not." Lark said honestly. Harry's glare intensified.
"Well, Harry, how about we meet you upstairs?" Robert suggested.
"Harry, I'd like to look around a bit more." Lark said. Harry let out a sigh.
"Fine." Harry said in a firm tone. Ron suddenly smacked Harry in the back.
"Hey Harry! Pansa-Pansa here wants to go upstairs to get something to eat. Let's go grab some chips or something! I think they might have those nasty wasabi chips you like!" Ron teased. Harry, without saying a word, walked past the couple and went upstairs. Ron shrugged.
"I'll be down here for a little longer," Lark said.
"Alright. You and your new friend meet us at the food court, 'kay?" Ron said, turning to leave.
"Okay!" Lark answered.
…Lark was sitting next to Robert on a bench, watching a Barreleye fish navigate a tank.
"The original pirates used to conduct business on the oceans of Earth. I've always been interested in such an idea,"
"Are you… a pirate?" Lark asked, looking a little uneasy.
"Yes. Does that… upset you?"
"Erm…" Lark didn't know what to say. Robert let out a laugh.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to rob you. I just came here to watch the fish. When I'm not working I like to go to all kinds of aquariums. I have yet to go to that entire water planet in the Heifong system, but someday, I'd like to." Robert admitted. Lark wanted to tell him that he had been there, but it was not for the sake of adventure. Thinking about it actually gave him the chills because it was Apple who had forced him to go there.
"I'm a bio-android and one of my primary skills is navigation, so I know what it's like to be in a tank. For some reason, seeing these fish swim around brings me comfort." Robert looked over to him, silent. He then placed a hand on top of Lark's. Lark looked over at him to see that Robert was staring at him.
"You're a… bio-android?"
"Yes…"
"You know, I thought you didn't look real…"
"What does that mean?" Lark said, frowning.
"Please don't be offended, because I—" Suddenly, Robert heard a beep come from one of the deep pockets of his coat. "One moment, Lark." Robert said, pulling out his phone. He opened a message from a private number and saw an attached photo. He opened it; the photo was of Lark standing at a control panel. Robert's eyes widened. "Ah, something came up, Lark. I'll be right back."
"Okay!" Lark answered. Robert got up from the bench and went around to behind him, taking out a gun. It had a thick, polished wooden handle with gold engravings decorating the black barrel. Suddenly, he smacked the gun hard against the back of Lark's head, knocking him out…