Episode 4: Legacy of the Spider-knights
Authot Notes: Hey guys!! Just thought I'd tell you that the reason for there only being four chapters when my reviews seem to list this story as having six is because I meshed a few of 'em together sicne they were so short! Well now...enjoy!!
As Zen and Vincent stand and stare at their unknown allie the mystery is revealed. He reaches up and removes his mask revealing the face of Silver Foxx.
Foxx: Princess Zen. I feared for your safety.
Zen: I know you...yes! You're from Zen-La! But where have I seen you before?
Foxx: Guess there's no real reason why you ought to recognize me. After all you are the first new Spider Knight to appear in five hundred years. My name is Silver Foxx and I am a Spider Knight just as you are Zen.
Zen: Your name...arent you Ambassador Foxx? My mother mentioned you once.
Foxx: You must have many questions but now is neither the time nor the place. Is there anywhere we can go?
Zen glances at Vincent for confirmation.
Vincent: Sure why not? Why dont you just invite round a whole bunch of alien warriors from the horse-head nubula? Ya never know I might get a comission from the producers of the X-Files.
Zen stares at him blankly.
Vincent: Forget it. Lets go if we're going.
Zen Vincent and Foxx set off for Vincents home.
Meanwhile onboard Skree's warship Skree waits on the bridge as Spider Carnage warps back onto the ship.
Skree: Well that was most illuminating.
The sarcasm is not lost on Spider Carnage.
Spider Carnage: I was not able to subdue the princess because you didnt warn me that Silver Foxx survived the destruction of Zen-La!
Skree gives a joly.
Skree: What? Impossible! My sources revealed to me that Foxx was on the planet at the time of the coup!
Spider Carnage: Just like Zen.
Skree realises that he has a point.
Spider Carnage: And now we have another Spider Knight to worry about. So have you set a date to break the news to our emperor?
Skree looks at him in anguish.
Spider Carnage: (Chuckles evilly) I didnt think as much. I must say captain that i dont envy you the interview.
Skree: You have to help me get rid of them!
Spider Carnage: Why?
Skree: You owe me! If I hadnt found you and guided you to the symbiote when you were fleeing in disgrace from Zen-La you would have spent the rest of your miserable life in hiding! You owe me!
Spider Carnage: but if you go to emperor Xaan without Zen then I shall replace you as his left-tenant. Why settle for second best when I could have the rest?
A mysterious voice speaks to them from nowehere!
Voice: Gentlemen. Your convesation makes interesting listening.
They are both shocked as they recognize the voice.
Skree: emperor Xaan is that you?
Xaan: Oh yes.
Spider Carnage: How long have you been listening?
Xaan: Long enough. You have failed me yet again captain Skree.
Skree: It was his fault! He couldnt beat Zen! (points accusingly at Carnage)
Xaan: But it was you who said we could rely on him and so you are responsbily captain.
Skree: Please emperor Xaan remember all my years of service to the Drakone empire and give me one last chance! Please!
Xaan: Very well. This is it Skree. The last oppurtunity for you to redeem yourself.
He signs off and Skree notices the look on Spider Carnages face.
Skree: What? WHAT?
What they do not know however is that on an asteroid not far from their ship out of the range of their radar is parked another smaller ship. In the control room Flea-Byte the bounty hunter infamous throughout the galaxy is tapped into their conversation via the use of some very advanced radio eqipment.
Flea-Byte: (Thinks silently) So Princess Zen is on earth? Guess I could offer my serives to Xaan...or I could play it smart. After all I know somewhere else I could get a bundle for her...
The bounty hunter sets the auto-pilot system for 'Earth' and sits back to enjoy a long cool pull as the ship blasts off into space from the asteroid...
Meanwhile back on earth in the living room of Vincent's home Zen Vincent and Silver Foxx sit and have been talking for a while. Foxx has finally decided to get round to what Zen wants to speak of.
Foxx: Zen your mother and I knew one another well. I am truly sorry about what happened to her.
Zen: Dont forget our home planet!
Foxx: Too true. An eon of natural growth of life completely untouched by indystry gone in a flash because of one man's greed.
Zen knows who he means instantly and a shadow crosses her face.
Zen: (Speaks the name as if it is the last word she will ever breath) Emperor Xaan.
Foxx: Yes. But do not despair. He has gone to great length's to destroy our legacy but he has not yet succeded in annihalating the Spider Knight's.
Zen: Ambassador you said that the Drakone empire slaughtered the spider Knight's in a mass genocide years ago. But I was never told.
Foxx: Well you wouldnt have. You were still in the womb when it happened.
Vincent cant help it. A tiny twitch of amusement crosses his face and is then gone.
Zen: There's still one thing I dont understand.
Vincent: (More to himself than to Zen or Foxx) there's a million things I dont understand...
Zen: Why did they want us gone? And how did they kill the Spider Knight's and then explain it to the galactic council?
Foxx sighs. He could tell that this one was coming a mile off.
Foxx: You're really asking me to explain a whole lot of things there Princess.
Zen: Foxx I'm not a princess. That part of my life ended when zen-La was destroyed. Now I'm just Zen.
Foxx: Whatever makes you happiest. Listen I'll explain everything you want to know very soon. But please. I'm tired.
Vincent: (sourly) Make yourself right at home mr Foxx. I only hope that you remembered to bring your green card. I'd hate to get into trouble with the immigration authorities for harbouring an illegal alien.
Hours later Zen is sitting cross legged on the roof of a nearby building. Foxx and Vincent have long ago gone to sleep. Zen is looking up into the sky at the magnificent jewelry of the night. Having lived her entire life up to now on a planet which rotated so that it never experienced night-time she has never seen the star's before. This makes her think of Zen-La the planet of her birth of her dead mother of the days she spent on a planet that some would have thought of as paradise. She thinks about her new friend Vincent whose job as a weapons manufacturer makes her feel as if she is compromising her belief in pacifism by being friends with him. Lastly she thinks about Spider Knight's and of her near future. Zen sighs and leans back putting her hands beneath her head as she gazes up at the starry heavens...The inky sky over Japan is lit up as something enters the planets atmosphere. A space-ship appears and then vanishes without a trace as the stealth-mode is engaged. On the roof Zen had drifted into a trance gazing up at the stars as she wandered through her past. When the darkness was obliterated just now however the young princess jumped up. She has seen this before and knows what it means. Meanwhile a hatch has opened in the under-side of the ship.
Flea-Byte the bounty hunter drops out and onto the roof of a building. He takes a look around.
Flea-Byte: (Thinks silently) What a dump! Still there is a treasure here. A treasure beyond price. Still I can negociate one easily.
Flea-Byte reaches into his pocket and draws out a marble sized sphere. When he taps it it lights up. The bounty-hunter hurls it into the sky where is explodes in a blinding light. All the watchers who had gathered on the streets below by now close thier stinging eyes in pain.
On the roof-top Zen has been blinded by the light as wll. She falls to her knee's clutching her head in her hands.
Zen: (Thinks silently) My head!
Vincent has been awakened by the light and comes into his living room. Fozz is now awake also and stands looking at the sky through the window.
Vincent: What's that? The northern lights decided to come here for a change in scenery?
Foxx: I ought to have expected this. They've sent someone for her.
Vincent's eyes widen and he begins to take it seriously.
Vincent: You mean Zen! Where is she?
On the building Flea-Byte is scanning the area with an infrared scope which he used to find the area of the planet where Zen is. The scope bleeps and data is recorded on the screen:
Life-Form Detected
Species: Zen-Lan
Gender: Female
Flea-Byte: (Thinks silently) That has to be her! Wealth untold here I come!
The bounty-hunter stashes the scope away and switches on his jet-pack by flick of a switch. The thrust-boosters flare up and glides through the sky. He stops upon spotting Zen sprawled on the roof-top. As he hovers over her the princess tries to get up but totters unsteadily. Flea-Byte takes out an electro-zap rod and gives Zen a shock with it. Zen collapses on her back.
Flea-Byte: (Thinks silently) Sweet dreams princess. You get as much beauty sleep as you can because soon you'll make me a rich man.
Flea-Byte slings the princess onto his shoulder and glides back to his ship and re-enters. Vincent and Fozz arrive on the street below and watch as the ship blasts off from earth.
Fozz: Damnation! He's got her!
Vincent: Zen! Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
Up in Skree's warship one of the Drakone soldiers calls on the captain.
Skree: This has better be good verging on excellent.
Soldier: Captain Skree the pilot of the ship has just informed us that according to our tracking radar Princess Zen is no longer on planet earth!
Skree's eyes widen.
Skree: What? Then where is she?
Soldier: The pilot is readying the radar for another attempt to locate her captain.
Skree: Do that! And inform me as soon as the princess has been located!
Soldier: Sir!
The soldier leaves the bay.
Meanwhile in a grimey cell in an unknown building on some far-off asteroid stands Zen. She is now dressed in a metal bikini and harem pants slit up the sides. Her amulet is gone from her neck replaced by a metallic necklace/collar. She is a long way from happy.
Zen: (thinks silently) I cant believe this is happening.
The door of the cell opens and light streams in.
Guard: Get out.
Zen obeys. The guard takes her down a passage-way and into an auction-hall. There are many bargain hunters from all four corners of the galaxy here. The auctioneer turns as Zen is shoved onto the platform.
Auctioneer: Aha! And here is our piece of the day! I present to you...a Zen-Lan!
There are murmers from the auction goers and eyes are turned on the scantily clad princess who just stares ahead avoiding all eyes.
Auctioneer: A female from the planet Zen-La. The planet was destroyed two days ago by a meteor-shower...
Zen's lip curls bitterly at this but she say's nothing.
Auctioneer:...and that makes Zen-Lans a rare find. This girl is young and...
At a prod from a guards pole Zen walks forward mechanically with her arms behind her back.
Near the back of the auction hall two humanoid women talk excitedly.
Woman A: What do you think?
Woman B: She looks healthy. And quite tame!
Woman A: Plus a real looker right?
Woman B: I say we go for it!
The bidding for Zen is astounding.
Auctioneer: (leaning over to Zen) Congratulations. You've commanded the highest ammount of bidding I've ever seen.
Zen meets his gaze. She is after all a princess.
Zen: (Coldly) I'm glad to please.
Auctioneer: Dont worry. I wont let you go for less than nine billion.
Another Bidder: I'm going to get this one!
Auctioneer: The ammount is rising. You should prepare to meet your new mate.
Zen: 'Mate'?
Meanwhile back in Vincent's ome on earth Foxx rustles through a battered satchel. Vincent watches him in disgust.
Vincent: What are you doing? Why arent you going after Zen? She's met with god knows what and all you can do is...
Foxx: Without a space-ship?
Vincent: um...
Foxx: Luckily I have the next best thing.
Out of the bag comes his teleport sphere.
Foxx: I think I've been able to determine the destination of the ship. Now I'll just key in the co-ordinates like so... (he flicks at a few switches) Now all I need to do is activate the main switch I'll be aboard the ship that kidnapped Zen.
Vincent: But whatif you key in a wrong digit or something?
Foxx: Then I'll materialise in deep space and....well its not the sort of thing you'd write home about. Or get to for that matter.
Vincent: Take me with you!
Foxx: Why are you so interested in the princess human?
Vincents face twitches but this time there is no humor in it. A vortex of emotion flickers across his face as a memory of his past returns. Then it is gone rplaced once more by his usual wry demeanor.
Vincent: Isnt it obvious? She needs help!
Foxx: As do many people in this world. But why does she qualify for your help Vincent?
Vincent: Look I just feel like it ok? Now are we going to go help Zen or will we get some drinks in get out of our skulls and agonize about old lost loves?
Foxx grunts but activates the sphere. The globe glows and a field of light surrounds Vincent and Foxx. They start to fade away. At the last second Vincent grabs his enchanced rifle from its place under the sofa.
Meanwhile in the cock-pit of his ship Flea-Byte counts his ill-gotten gains. An intense light fills the cock-pit as Foxx and Vincent warp in.
Vincent: (Cocking his rifle at the bounty hunter) Housing association. Any illegitimate guests?
Flea-Byte: And who might you be my cheeky young fellow?
Foxx: Never mind that mercenary scum. Where is princess Zen?
Flea-Byte: My reply to the question of the whereabbouts of said princess depends on how much you can offer me. You a pair of itinerant tailors?
Vincent: Yep. My suit is a fine elabourate piece of quality designer work that cost me a bundle in small change at the ehart foundation. But your suit has a battery pack that would explode if it was shot.
Vincent makes a gesture with his gun to emphasise his point.
Flea-Byte: Hey lets not be hasty shall we? I kinda had her sold to a slave dealer in the horse-head Nebula.
Foxx has been examing a monitor screen for logs of the ships past destinations.
Foxx: Aha! Here's the frequency.
Foxx takes out the teleport spere. He codes in the asteroids code along with Zen's name and her genetic code. Meanwhile Vincent has allowed himself to gaze out of the port-hole at the countless stars of the outside galaxy.
Vincent: (Thinks silently) Outer-space...wow...I'm actually here!
Foxx activates his sphere. A field of light. Zen appears in the cock-pit. Her manner is quite at ease as though nothing had happened to her.
Vincent: Heeeeeeey Zen!
Foxx: Welcome back princess!
Zen does not readily reply. Her gaze drifts over to Flea-Byte. Zen fixes the man who sold her into slavery with her piercing blue eyes.
Zen: I was brought up to avoid conflict with civilizations.
Flea-Byte: (With an oily smirk) Then sadly there is not much you can do to me.
Zen: But then you arent civilized...are you?
And with lightning sharp reflexes Zen crashes her fist into Flea-Bytes nose. The bounty hunter collapses out cold. Vincent's jaw hits the floor as Zen retrieves her silver amulet from Flea-Byte and returns it to her neck.
Vincent: (Sufficicently recovered from his dazed state of shock to talk) Are you alright Zen?
Zen looks over her shoulder and smiles at him when she meets his eyes. Vincent feels a thrill of awed shock race through him as he meets that gaze from her beautiful eyes. It's strange for Zen was only parted from him for a few hours yet he feels sure that he'd already forgotten just how beautiful she is.
Zen: Oh I'm fine. (Laughs in her special silverry way which makes Vincent feel weak at the knees) Really I am! Don't worry about me Vincent...but thank you!
Vincent: (beginning to sweat as he looks at her as she smiles at him like this) I didn't really do much actually...it was your off-world buddy ere who worked his magic and got us here.
Zen: I always appreciate concern for my well being Vincent. I was brought up to be grateful for services rendered.
Vincent: Well that's...nice. (Slackens his collar and thinks silently to himself) Oh man...oh man...
To be continued!!
Authot Notes: Hey guys!! Just thought I'd tell you that the reason for there only being four chapters when my reviews seem to list this story as having six is because I meshed a few of 'em together sicne they were so short! Well now...enjoy!!
As Zen and Vincent stand and stare at their unknown allie the mystery is revealed. He reaches up and removes his mask revealing the face of Silver Foxx.
Foxx: Princess Zen. I feared for your safety.
Zen: I know you...yes! You're from Zen-La! But where have I seen you before?
Foxx: Guess there's no real reason why you ought to recognize me. After all you are the first new Spider Knight to appear in five hundred years. My name is Silver Foxx and I am a Spider Knight just as you are Zen.
Zen: Your name...arent you Ambassador Foxx? My mother mentioned you once.
Foxx: You must have many questions but now is neither the time nor the place. Is there anywhere we can go?
Zen glances at Vincent for confirmation.
Vincent: Sure why not? Why dont you just invite round a whole bunch of alien warriors from the horse-head nubula? Ya never know I might get a comission from the producers of the X-Files.
Zen stares at him blankly.
Vincent: Forget it. Lets go if we're going.
Zen Vincent and Foxx set off for Vincents home.
Meanwhile onboard Skree's warship Skree waits on the bridge as Spider Carnage warps back onto the ship.
Skree: Well that was most illuminating.
The sarcasm is not lost on Spider Carnage.
Spider Carnage: I was not able to subdue the princess because you didnt warn me that Silver Foxx survived the destruction of Zen-La!
Skree gives a joly.
Skree: What? Impossible! My sources revealed to me that Foxx was on the planet at the time of the coup!
Spider Carnage: Just like Zen.
Skree realises that he has a point.
Spider Carnage: And now we have another Spider Knight to worry about. So have you set a date to break the news to our emperor?
Skree looks at him in anguish.
Spider Carnage: (Chuckles evilly) I didnt think as much. I must say captain that i dont envy you the interview.
Skree: You have to help me get rid of them!
Spider Carnage: Why?
Skree: You owe me! If I hadnt found you and guided you to the symbiote when you were fleeing in disgrace from Zen-La you would have spent the rest of your miserable life in hiding! You owe me!
Spider Carnage: but if you go to emperor Xaan without Zen then I shall replace you as his left-tenant. Why settle for second best when I could have the rest?
A mysterious voice speaks to them from nowehere!
Voice: Gentlemen. Your convesation makes interesting listening.
They are both shocked as they recognize the voice.
Skree: emperor Xaan is that you?
Xaan: Oh yes.
Spider Carnage: How long have you been listening?
Xaan: Long enough. You have failed me yet again captain Skree.
Skree: It was his fault! He couldnt beat Zen! (points accusingly at Carnage)
Xaan: But it was you who said we could rely on him and so you are responsbily captain.
Skree: Please emperor Xaan remember all my years of service to the Drakone empire and give me one last chance! Please!
Xaan: Very well. This is it Skree. The last oppurtunity for you to redeem yourself.
He signs off and Skree notices the look on Spider Carnages face.
Skree: What? WHAT?
What they do not know however is that on an asteroid not far from their ship out of the range of their radar is parked another smaller ship. In the control room Flea-Byte the bounty hunter infamous throughout the galaxy is tapped into their conversation via the use of some very advanced radio eqipment.
Flea-Byte: (Thinks silently) So Princess Zen is on earth? Guess I could offer my serives to Xaan...or I could play it smart. After all I know somewhere else I could get a bundle for her...
The bounty hunter sets the auto-pilot system for 'Earth' and sits back to enjoy a long cool pull as the ship blasts off into space from the asteroid...
Meanwhile back on earth in the living room of Vincent's home Zen Vincent and Silver Foxx sit and have been talking for a while. Foxx has finally decided to get round to what Zen wants to speak of.
Foxx: Zen your mother and I knew one another well. I am truly sorry about what happened to her.
Zen: Dont forget our home planet!
Foxx: Too true. An eon of natural growth of life completely untouched by indystry gone in a flash because of one man's greed.
Zen knows who he means instantly and a shadow crosses her face.
Zen: (Speaks the name as if it is the last word she will ever breath) Emperor Xaan.
Foxx: Yes. But do not despair. He has gone to great length's to destroy our legacy but he has not yet succeded in annihalating the Spider Knight's.
Zen: Ambassador you said that the Drakone empire slaughtered the spider Knight's in a mass genocide years ago. But I was never told.
Foxx: Well you wouldnt have. You were still in the womb when it happened.
Vincent cant help it. A tiny twitch of amusement crosses his face and is then gone.
Zen: There's still one thing I dont understand.
Vincent: (More to himself than to Zen or Foxx) there's a million things I dont understand...
Zen: Why did they want us gone? And how did they kill the Spider Knight's and then explain it to the galactic council?
Foxx sighs. He could tell that this one was coming a mile off.
Foxx: You're really asking me to explain a whole lot of things there Princess.
Zen: Foxx I'm not a princess. That part of my life ended when zen-La was destroyed. Now I'm just Zen.
Foxx: Whatever makes you happiest. Listen I'll explain everything you want to know very soon. But please. I'm tired.
Vincent: (sourly) Make yourself right at home mr Foxx. I only hope that you remembered to bring your green card. I'd hate to get into trouble with the immigration authorities for harbouring an illegal alien.
Hours later Zen is sitting cross legged on the roof of a nearby building. Foxx and Vincent have long ago gone to sleep. Zen is looking up into the sky at the magnificent jewelry of the night. Having lived her entire life up to now on a planet which rotated so that it never experienced night-time she has never seen the star's before. This makes her think of Zen-La the planet of her birth of her dead mother of the days she spent on a planet that some would have thought of as paradise. She thinks about her new friend Vincent whose job as a weapons manufacturer makes her feel as if she is compromising her belief in pacifism by being friends with him. Lastly she thinks about Spider Knight's and of her near future. Zen sighs and leans back putting her hands beneath her head as she gazes up at the starry heavens...The inky sky over Japan is lit up as something enters the planets atmosphere. A space-ship appears and then vanishes without a trace as the stealth-mode is engaged. On the roof Zen had drifted into a trance gazing up at the stars as she wandered through her past. When the darkness was obliterated just now however the young princess jumped up. She has seen this before and knows what it means. Meanwhile a hatch has opened in the under-side of the ship.
Flea-Byte the bounty hunter drops out and onto the roof of a building. He takes a look around.
Flea-Byte: (Thinks silently) What a dump! Still there is a treasure here. A treasure beyond price. Still I can negociate one easily.
Flea-Byte reaches into his pocket and draws out a marble sized sphere. When he taps it it lights up. The bounty-hunter hurls it into the sky where is explodes in a blinding light. All the watchers who had gathered on the streets below by now close thier stinging eyes in pain.
On the roof-top Zen has been blinded by the light as wll. She falls to her knee's clutching her head in her hands.
Zen: (Thinks silently) My head!
Vincent has been awakened by the light and comes into his living room. Fozz is now awake also and stands looking at the sky through the window.
Vincent: What's that? The northern lights decided to come here for a change in scenery?
Foxx: I ought to have expected this. They've sent someone for her.
Vincent's eyes widen and he begins to take it seriously.
Vincent: You mean Zen! Where is she?
On the building Flea-Byte is scanning the area with an infrared scope which he used to find the area of the planet where Zen is. The scope bleeps and data is recorded on the screen:
Life-Form Detected
Species: Zen-Lan
Gender: Female
Flea-Byte: (Thinks silently) That has to be her! Wealth untold here I come!
The bounty-hunter stashes the scope away and switches on his jet-pack by flick of a switch. The thrust-boosters flare up and glides through the sky. He stops upon spotting Zen sprawled on the roof-top. As he hovers over her the princess tries to get up but totters unsteadily. Flea-Byte takes out an electro-zap rod and gives Zen a shock with it. Zen collapses on her back.
Flea-Byte: (Thinks silently) Sweet dreams princess. You get as much beauty sleep as you can because soon you'll make me a rich man.
Flea-Byte slings the princess onto his shoulder and glides back to his ship and re-enters. Vincent and Fozz arrive on the street below and watch as the ship blasts off from earth.
Fozz: Damnation! He's got her!
Vincent: Zen! Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
Up in Skree's warship one of the Drakone soldiers calls on the captain.
Skree: This has better be good verging on excellent.
Soldier: Captain Skree the pilot of the ship has just informed us that according to our tracking radar Princess Zen is no longer on planet earth!
Skree's eyes widen.
Skree: What? Then where is she?
Soldier: The pilot is readying the radar for another attempt to locate her captain.
Skree: Do that! And inform me as soon as the princess has been located!
Soldier: Sir!
The soldier leaves the bay.
Meanwhile in a grimey cell in an unknown building on some far-off asteroid stands Zen. She is now dressed in a metal bikini and harem pants slit up the sides. Her amulet is gone from her neck replaced by a metallic necklace/collar. She is a long way from happy.
Zen: (thinks silently) I cant believe this is happening.
The door of the cell opens and light streams in.
Guard: Get out.
Zen obeys. The guard takes her down a passage-way and into an auction-hall. There are many bargain hunters from all four corners of the galaxy here. The auctioneer turns as Zen is shoved onto the platform.
Auctioneer: Aha! And here is our piece of the day! I present to you...a Zen-Lan!
There are murmers from the auction goers and eyes are turned on the scantily clad princess who just stares ahead avoiding all eyes.
Auctioneer: A female from the planet Zen-La. The planet was destroyed two days ago by a meteor-shower...
Zen's lip curls bitterly at this but she say's nothing.
Auctioneer:...and that makes Zen-Lans a rare find. This girl is young and...
At a prod from a guards pole Zen walks forward mechanically with her arms behind her back.
Near the back of the auction hall two humanoid women talk excitedly.
Woman A: What do you think?
Woman B: She looks healthy. And quite tame!
Woman A: Plus a real looker right?
Woman B: I say we go for it!
The bidding for Zen is astounding.
Auctioneer: (leaning over to Zen) Congratulations. You've commanded the highest ammount of bidding I've ever seen.
Zen meets his gaze. She is after all a princess.
Zen: (Coldly) I'm glad to please.
Auctioneer: Dont worry. I wont let you go for less than nine billion.
Another Bidder: I'm going to get this one!
Auctioneer: The ammount is rising. You should prepare to meet your new mate.
Zen: 'Mate'?
Meanwhile back in Vincent's ome on earth Foxx rustles through a battered satchel. Vincent watches him in disgust.
Vincent: What are you doing? Why arent you going after Zen? She's met with god knows what and all you can do is...
Foxx: Without a space-ship?
Vincent: um...
Foxx: Luckily I have the next best thing.
Out of the bag comes his teleport sphere.
Foxx: I think I've been able to determine the destination of the ship. Now I'll just key in the co-ordinates like so... (he flicks at a few switches) Now all I need to do is activate the main switch I'll be aboard the ship that kidnapped Zen.
Vincent: But whatif you key in a wrong digit or something?
Foxx: Then I'll materialise in deep space and....well its not the sort of thing you'd write home about. Or get to for that matter.
Vincent: Take me with you!
Foxx: Why are you so interested in the princess human?
Vincents face twitches but this time there is no humor in it. A vortex of emotion flickers across his face as a memory of his past returns. Then it is gone rplaced once more by his usual wry demeanor.
Vincent: Isnt it obvious? She needs help!
Foxx: As do many people in this world. But why does she qualify for your help Vincent?
Vincent: Look I just feel like it ok? Now are we going to go help Zen or will we get some drinks in get out of our skulls and agonize about old lost loves?
Foxx grunts but activates the sphere. The globe glows and a field of light surrounds Vincent and Foxx. They start to fade away. At the last second Vincent grabs his enchanced rifle from its place under the sofa.
Meanwhile in the cock-pit of his ship Flea-Byte counts his ill-gotten gains. An intense light fills the cock-pit as Foxx and Vincent warp in.
Vincent: (Cocking his rifle at the bounty hunter) Housing association. Any illegitimate guests?
Flea-Byte: And who might you be my cheeky young fellow?
Foxx: Never mind that mercenary scum. Where is princess Zen?
Flea-Byte: My reply to the question of the whereabbouts of said princess depends on how much you can offer me. You a pair of itinerant tailors?
Vincent: Yep. My suit is a fine elabourate piece of quality designer work that cost me a bundle in small change at the ehart foundation. But your suit has a battery pack that would explode if it was shot.
Vincent makes a gesture with his gun to emphasise his point.
Flea-Byte: Hey lets not be hasty shall we? I kinda had her sold to a slave dealer in the horse-head Nebula.
Foxx has been examing a monitor screen for logs of the ships past destinations.
Foxx: Aha! Here's the frequency.
Foxx takes out the teleport spere. He codes in the asteroids code along with Zen's name and her genetic code. Meanwhile Vincent has allowed himself to gaze out of the port-hole at the countless stars of the outside galaxy.
Vincent: (Thinks silently) Outer-space...wow...I'm actually here!
Foxx activates his sphere. A field of light. Zen appears in the cock-pit. Her manner is quite at ease as though nothing had happened to her.
Vincent: Heeeeeeey Zen!
Foxx: Welcome back princess!
Zen does not readily reply. Her gaze drifts over to Flea-Byte. Zen fixes the man who sold her into slavery with her piercing blue eyes.
Zen: I was brought up to avoid conflict with civilizations.
Flea-Byte: (With an oily smirk) Then sadly there is not much you can do to me.
Zen: But then you arent civilized...are you?
And with lightning sharp reflexes Zen crashes her fist into Flea-Bytes nose. The bounty hunter collapses out cold. Vincent's jaw hits the floor as Zen retrieves her silver amulet from Flea-Byte and returns it to her neck.
Vincent: (Sufficicently recovered from his dazed state of shock to talk) Are you alright Zen?
Zen looks over her shoulder and smiles at him when she meets his eyes. Vincent feels a thrill of awed shock race through him as he meets that gaze from her beautiful eyes. It's strange for Zen was only parted from him for a few hours yet he feels sure that he'd already forgotten just how beautiful she is.
Zen: Oh I'm fine. (Laughs in her special silverry way which makes Vincent feel weak at the knees) Really I am! Don't worry about me Vincent...but thank you!
Vincent: (beginning to sweat as he looks at her as she smiles at him like this) I didn't really do much actually...it was your off-world buddy ere who worked his magic and got us here.
Zen: I always appreciate concern for my well being Vincent. I was brought up to be grateful for services rendered.
Vincent: Well that's...nice. (Slackens his collar and thinks silently to himself) Oh man...oh man...
To be continued!!