AN- Disclaimer: I do not own Outlaw Star, and am instead using that unvierse as a backdrop for my story.
Hopefully you enjoy this story so far. Please, review if you do.
ENJOY!
CHAPTER TWO
Tristan entered the cockpit of his starship, the Victorious. "Hello Tristan. Where are we heading now?" asked Melanie, the ship's computer.
"We'll stay in orbit, and see if any more bounties show up nearby," he answered as he exited the room and headed down the corridor to the crew quarters. He shifted all his gear to one hand as he opened the heavy steel door. He stepped into the small cubicle that was considered the 'Captain's Quarters.' It was only ten feet by six feet. It had never been painted, and probably never would. He dropped his stuff on the floor with a loud splat, and stripped down to his under shorts before he headed to the head, prepared for a long, hot, shower. He passed a plain steel door that led to another bedroom, and he paused by it, resting his hand on its cold surface. He closed his eyes, remembering how her eyes had looked as she had died in his arms.
He shook himself, and moved on, entering the small bathroom. He stripped completely, and entered the shower. He turned the faucet on, letting the hot water pelt his skin, disbanding the last of the coldness he had in his bones from the rain. He quickly and methodically washed himself, spending no more than seven minutes in the water. After he turned the squeaky faucet off, he had the fans turn on, letting the warm air dry him.
He stepped out of the shower, and stood in front of the mirror mounted on the wall. His silver eyes stared out at him from his reflection, accusing him of not trying to save the one he loved. His arm came down heavily on the sink, the force of the blow vibrating the metal, causing a metallic hum to fill the air. Tears came to his eyes unbidden, and he silently sobbed. It only lasted a little while, but he did this every night. Why couldn't he stop?
When he left the bathroom, he was again composed. One of Melanie's 'bodies,' those little robots that sped throughout the ship, helping with repairs or labor, waited right outside the door. "Shall you be eating supper tonight, sir?" it asked.
"No, I just want to sleep." It whisked away on its service rail, leaving Tristan alone. He headed back to his room, and collapsed on his bunk. He slowly pulled the wool blanket over his body, and fell into slumber.
He had no dreams, and came into consciousness slowly. Something was bouncing on his body, lots of things were. He groggily cracked open his eyes, and saw eight of Melanie's helpers bouncing on his bed. "What?" he yawned.
"Sir, coffee has been brewed, and you have a new bounty."
"Already?" he yawned again. He slid out of bed, the helpers bouncing out of the room with him. He turned towards the bathroom, while they connected to the rails, and whisked off. He knocked on the bathroom door out of habit, and paused when he realized that he was the only person on this ship who would use the bathroom. He shook his head, and entered the cubicle. He leaned his forehead against the cool metal wall as he relieved himself. He yawned again, and wondered just how long he had slept. He left the bathroom, and headed to the galley, glad to see a mug of coffee ready for him.
He sat down at the table, and sipped at the coffee. Flipping up a monitor for the computer, he checked the time. 0300 hours. He had gone to sleep around 0100. Groaning, he drank deeper from the mug. "Show me the files on this guy."
The screen flickered, and soon the data appeared. A rogue C'tarl-C'tarl, those bastards were tough. A five hundred thousand wong reward, that was pretty hefty. But they wanted him alive, that was the tough part.
"Do they know where he is located?" Tristan asked sleepily. It would take awhile for the coffee to take effect.
"In the city you just left," Melanie said. "Reportedly in the downtown section. Will you be going now?"
"Yeah, might as well. Finish your analysis of that caster gun yet?"
"Yes, do you want to take it along?"
"No, I don't have any ammunition on me. I'll take just about everything else, though." He sucked away the dregs of the coffee, and stood, heading to the armory. It was loaded with everything from pistols to the most powerful sniper rifles.
He first pulled on an armored jump suit, specially adapted for stealth capabilities. He checked to make sure the spring-blades located in the vambraces were fully functional, each foot long titanium knives sliding smoothly out of the top of the forearm guards.
After he pulled on his bullet proof vest over the jumpsuit, Tristan holstered the 9mm pistol he would be taking. Making sure his short sword was securely sheathed on his belt, he also slung a 10 gauge shotgun diagonally across his back. He pulled one of the assault rifles from its resting place, and attached a tranquilizer gun to it.
He loaded a mag of normal rounds into the rifle, and picked up a full-faced helmet from a bench near the door. He would not be taking any chances with this one. He made his way to the dropship, hoping all would turn out well.
ooo
He had been stalking his target for twelve minutes now, keeping back, and in the shadows. But he knew the C'tarl-C'tarl was already aware by the way it moved. That's it, boyo. Keep on thinking of your targets as 'its.' Make it easier for you.
The target turned a corner into a much quieter section of town. Tristan followed, pausing only to pull the bolt back on his rifle, and checking to make sure that the tranquilizer gun was locked and cocked.
He turned the corner, rifle to his shoulder, already up and aiming. He barely saw the golden haired C'tarl turn another corner into an alleyway. He silently ran up, and moved around the corner. The target was not there, and it was a dead-end. He began scanning with his rifle, the thermo-scan in his visor looking for heat sources. He looked up, just in time to see the target dropping down on top of him.
He rolled, bringing his rifle up, and releasing a three round burst. The C'tarl easily took it all, its hardened skin repelling the bullets. It stood up fully, and Tristan dropped his guard in shock. The C'tarl-C'tarl was female! It was then that his target burst forward in attack.