*** Disclaimer. I do not own Outlaw Star.***
***Prologue***
A man opened his eyes in a golden maroon chamber. He thought he was stuck in his own customized navigation chamber, but he had a breathing mask on, as he was completely submerged in a healing chamber.
He knew where he was... he remembered the last thing he saw.
Billions upon billions of kilometers from Tenrei, was a golden ship, hiding next to an asteroid to avoid detection from the space pirates chasing after it. Inside the ship's cockpit was a gold, maroon, navigation chamber, that is also used for healing immense injuries. The current occupant was a man with a bushy ponytail, and a scar across his lips, and severe injuries, after an encounter with a caster wielding outlaw.
"Hey Ron… Ron…" The ship's computer said.
"Yeah, I'm awake Harry. Did we lose the Kei pirates?" The man name Ron said.
"They stopped following us... and just vanished from the radars." A computerized voice said, showing the screen of an aquamarine haired man.
Vanished... damn. Ron thought. The pirate grappler ships must've entered into one of the space forces territories.
"We're receiving a direct laser transmission. We got a call from one of our benefactors." Harry said.
Well that didn't take long. Seems as though they found us already.
"Is our investor?"
"It might be, it's a heavily encrypted message from his associate."
"His proxy. All right, put him through."
The screen popped up, displaying the symbol of a cat's eye. Password?
"A little help here Harry?"
"Got it... there."
The screen changed to a man in the shadows, wearing a suit. His face could not be seen, in fact, it appeared that he was wearing an odd shell shaped helmet where his head should be. One of those space helmets. The only thing that can be seen, was his black cat, who stared at the screen.
"Meow."
The cat mewed softly, as the figure spoke in a heavily modulated, male voice.
"Mr. McDougal… Mr. McDougal, you are in critical condition. What happened here? Where is your brother?"
"I've felt worse." Ron McDougal said. "Such as heartbreak."
The cat's eyes gave a rounded look, as the gloved hand rubbed the cat's ears, as it purred softly.
"How is your brother doing… put him on."
"Harry?"
"I'm feeling fine, sir." Harry McDougal replied cheerfully. "A little odd sensation, but nothing that a good rest can't fix. Hopefully I'll be good as new."
"Last time our boss contacted you, your little brother was in far worse condition than you are. Afterwards, you haven't reported if you made contact with Professor Gwen Khan. I do not see him, Mr. McDougal."
"He..." Oh shit... he looked back. The last time he saw Professor Khan was in that one place in the universe that everyone has either spent their lives, or their resources searching for. The one place that the Tao Priests of the Chinese Guild... and the Tempa Empire have been searching for all this time. The one place where many outlaw and treasure hunter wanted to find... and the one place that even the Ctarl-Ctarl Empire have shown a vested interest in.
The Galactic Leyline.
"Our sources have confirmed the failed attempt to breach the Galactic Leyline, Mr. McDougal. Only three of our spies came back. According to the boss's nephew, all they could report, was they felt nothing but pure, agonizing pain. He could not gather anything beyond black mist... and a horrible screech. He dared not try to pry into their minds. This raises more questions... and we have a question that has yet to be answered, Mr. McDougal. Have you and Professor Khan entered the Galactic Leyline?"
The cat stared intensely at Ronald McDougal, who was having trouble putting his experiences in the Galactic Leyline into words. Something in his conscience told him he shouldn't reveal too much too soon. That could be his only lifeline.
"Sir... we ran into more than enough complications."
"You have seen the real thing. I can see it in your face. You cannot hide the truth."
"I was almost killed... if you must know, all I saw was a strange golden, hellscape. The Kei Pirates were there, as well as the same group of outlaws I told your boss about."
"Hilda's surviving crew... Gene Starwind. The crew who stole the XGP, the ship you insisted that you destroyed. We are beginning to suspect that Hilda's death, may be a lie."
This made Ron McDougal angry.
"Has any of your spies detected any signs of the Horus in the past few months?" Ron McDougal questioned. "We would've told you where she was if she came back. For a moment, I thought she came back to haunt me. Yet Gene Starwind himself told me I killed her. You could say that Hilda is dead."
The cat's eyes blackened, as it gave a low growl, and a hiss.
"Sorry," The modulated voice said coldly. "Even my superior can't bail you out this time. As one of the feared McDougal Brothers, you have much to answer for, considering our prior contracts."
Ronald McDougal only gave a smirk. "... are your people coming over to pick me up? Considering we are still having this conversation, you haven't wiped us out yet."
"Ron! I'm picking up something massive coming from sub-ether space!" Harry's voice announced.
A shadow loomed over the Shangri-La, covering the entire astroid in darkness.
"Mr. McDougal, there are multiple parties that wish to know what happened. It is a good thing we found you first. The Sovereigns of the Stars will be interested in your story."
Now the damn Sovereigns are getting involved? Ron thought grimly. If there is anyone in the universe he did not wish to associate with, it would be the mysterious leadership of Eridanus Theater, the largest, most powerful, and most secretive space force group in the universe.
"Ron?" Harry said nervously. "Be honest, how much trouble are we in? We're being pulled into a gravity wave by the gigantic ship."
"We'll be okay Harry. I'm gonna get us out of this. I might even get you a new body." The ship soon began to rumble, as everything got darker.
"Meow!"
"Amusing, Mr. McDougal. Our boss would like to see the two of you again, but I wouldn't call it a safe bet. Still, there is always a chance that you should be fine... as long as you have nothing to hide. Good luck, McDougal brothers."
Ronald finally opened his eyes. The view was murky... but he could see several shapes approaching.
"Ronald McDougal is awake, your excellencies." A one of the taller, lean shapes spoke up with a thick accent.
Ron opened his eyes enough... to see two figures that stuck out. One was the largest, broadest human shape, with arms behind his back. The other was distinct enough, that he could see shining glasses. Ron could hear two voices on his side.
"Feeling better, Mr. McDougal?" A deep, booming, rugged voice asked. Ron could move his arms, just a little bit. That voice, Ron thought. I heard that voice in the past.
"Hello, Mr. McDougal," the other voice greeted. It was a low, ominous whisper. "We have so much to discuss. Enlighten us. Tell us everything you saw. And know this; you cannot lie to the Sovereigns."
Inside the Hoppo System, was a massive space station, right above the planet, surrounded by hundreds of cranes, and ships. Deep within the space station, was the large procession of regally dressed attendants. Dressed in ordinate robes, many wearing masks, some wearing headpieces, they stood, and bowed next to the flaming bowl torches. Inside was the main chamber of Lord Hazanko, the Kei Leader of the 108 Suns. A palanquin was brought into the chamber, where several Tao Priests were chanting. They bowed when the palenquin was placed on the podium, the woman before the palenquin was very large, covered in heavy, regal pink robes, wearing jewelry, diamonds, and metal, holding a crystal ball in front of her. The Headress only had 8 diamonds of different colors on the helm, covering her eyes, yet the headdress could not hide her large, pale, powered face, and thick, maroon colored lips.
"Your majesty," The soothsayer said in a low, thick, voice. "I am most honored to be greeted by your presence again."
A deep, resonating, smooth voice, echoed from the palanquin.
"Lady Huang, establish communication with our... business associate."
"As you command, my lord." The large soothsayer acknowledged in a whisper. Lady Huang chanted, as energy surrounded her, and the crystal orb. Male voices were soon heard.
"Are we speaking to the Tendo King?" A middle aged voice spoke up.
"Indeed, I have news to bear. Hazanko and his remaining vassals, the Anten Seven, has not turned up. Has anyone on your end detected the Geomancer?"
"Lord Hazanko's vessel has not been found. What happened at the Galactic Leyline? You mentioned that Lord Hazanko has found a way to the Leyline, with his own means. Without our XGP and the Bio-android."
"My overseer... and Hazanko's entire fleet, never returned, I have not seen Hazanko ever since. I cannot detect his Chi line anymore since then. Yet... I have doubts he could be dead. He has mastered the flow of the universe himself, in ways, our peers, and fellow priests have not. I know the existence of various priests, who can hide their presence. I have no doubt that Hazanko has made his move to betray us, and that he would have the means to escape and hide."
"Lord Hazanko turned on us?" The male voice panicked. "Is he going to come after our imperials? I do not wish to alarm them, but I need assurances that you can protect us from him. I never doubt the power... of his excellency, the Emperor. I would sleep better at night, knowing he cannot slip in.
"It is possible, if he did enter the Leyline, he would strike, when the time is right."
Several priests began to panic slightly, while the voice in the crystal ball.
"No!" The man on the other end panicked. "How could you let him escape?!"
The soothsayer bowed, and signaled that she wished to speak. With a moment of silence, the soothsayer spoke up.
"That would be unlike him. Lord Hazanko was always grand, ever since he was young. He would never be so cowardly, to not come forth, and demand that we bow before him. He was a proud, and powerful leader among the 8 Kei. Still, should he not return... we would have to find a replacement... at least to draw him out if he has truly betrayed every principle he had."
"There is your answer... Hei."
"This may be amusing to you, your majesty," The man named Hei on the other end, said, with a mix of frustration. "But his excellency, the Emperor, will not be pleased."
Several priests within the vicinity raised their heads, some paled in fear. Hei's voice continued on.
"I on the other hand, wish to know, what happened with Gene Starwind?"
"Hmmm..." The voice inside the palanquin mused. A woman, dressed in a mixture of black and white, wearing a blank, bagua mask, brought forth tea inside the palanquin, and bowed silently.
"Continue, Hei." The Tendo King replied.
"His very presence in the Heifong system," Hei's voice continued. "Has caused an uproar among the Tempa Imperial party, as well as certain parties among the Earth Federation. Especially, with the catastrophe that was the so called, 'People's Liberation Front.' He said those words with pure disgust. "We wanted Gene Starwind to die. We wanted our XPG the bio-android quietly returned to us. We granted passage for two of the Anten Seven, for the guild to accomplish this mission. We even had to outsource certain contracts, including those with the McDougal brothers and various other parties. You do understand we are taking great risks in the eyes of the Earth Federation; I wouldn't be surprised if our rival territories suspect our plan, and intends to use this against us. Had I more influence among the Earth Federation, I would've had more power to make a quiet arrest of Gene Starwind legally."
"Have a care, Hei," The Tendo King inside the palenqin said. "I sense a possibility that you might cross paths with him."
"Your majesty..." Hei said. "The Emperor is losing patience."
"And you have no thoughts of the matter whatsover, or do you fear me that much? I thought we were closer than that? You certainly was close with Lady Huang."
"Please, your majesty," Hei's voice said as politely as possible. "This outlaw cannot be allowed to escape, and... damage our reputation. The Kei Guild cannot allow this affront to go on."
"Several members of the 108 stars are already in pursuit, once again. He has the wherewithal to fight off ten ships. The XGP certainly is capable, yet this Gene Starwind, is truly interesting. I see Hilda has chosen her partner well."
"My lord... I hate to ask, but surely with a thought, you could wipe out Ge-"
"Why should a king sully his own hands?" The Tendo King interrupted incredulously. "The reputation of the guild is what is at stake... not my power."
"You are intent on destroying Gene Starwind, aren't you, your majesty?" The Soothsayer asked. Both she and their partner Hei knew that the Tendo King knew more than he ever let on. He always was prepared for any obstacle.
"The Kei Pirates will not allow him to affront us any further... is that correct?" The Tendo King said.
The priests, and the Soothsayer bowed, and said at once. "No you majesty. He will die in the end."
Inside the palanquin, the Tendo King gave a cruel chuckle. Only he would know the outcome ahead of everyone else. "We shall see soon enough. I would advise you to be careful, Hei, try not to have too much fun with your celebration in Oracion."
"Damn that outlaw..." A pirate commander with a commissar cap, a gaunt face, and a fairly large nose said. He saw the wreckage of the other Kei Pirates. Lady Huang is not going to be pleased. That red haired, scarred bastard was going to pay dearly for humiliating his squadron.
"Sire..." The hissing, rasping voice of one of the Kei Ninja informed the leader. "We lost contact with Red 5's squadron."
"Gene Starwind will NOT get past Red 8's squadron." The man said, as he looked at the radar, and then held a prayer, and chanted softly. He was making immense predictions with Tao Magic. "He will come here in this area of space. I need all of Red 8 to surround him here. Shoot to kill, we no longer need the XGP, or that accursed Bio-android intact!"
"But sire! The Tendo King..."
"Our leaders will find another way, Lady Huang assured us. We cannot afford to take them alive at this point. They're coming this way... a ship has appeared in sub-ether space!"
Billions of miles away... a ship indeed appeared out of sub-ether. The red vessel, with 4 ether engines, and a few dents, but there was no mistake, with a star on the top of the ship, was the Outlaw Star.
The commissar cap wearing pirate commander roared on the communicator.
"Attack the XGP! NOW! Fire all missiles!"
From every angle of the far reaches of space, they fired a barrage of smaller missiles. Without hesitation, the red ship revealed grappler arms, holding a pistol, shooting off one missile from a distance, blowing up the rest, while some anti missiles fired from the red ship, covering the rear missiles.
"NGH!" The Commander's eyes widened in shock. "Don't let them get away!"
"Sire, they already destroyed Red 5's squadron!"
"We outnumber them, and we have them cornered if we mobilize now! GO!"
*Author's notes: Very first Outlaw Star story. Let me know of any grammar errors, misspellings, or thoughts. I am sure there are plenty.