Outlaw Star: The Great Catastrophe
By Jaugron
Part 2: The Date from Hell
Gene Starwind was making his way through the crowded streets of Haifong's capital; surrounded by the whistles, movement of many different people, and the great aching his feet were giving him after three hours of straight walking. Gene was starting to wonder if doing this good deed for Aisha was a good idea. The cat-girl in question was busily looking at expensive shops that possessed beautiful gowns, jewels, or expensive electronics she would never be able to afford. She just kept going on her merry way until a large blue stone caught her attention. She all the sudden stopped and stuck her face against the glass looking at the jewel. Unfortunately Gene hadn't been paying attention and walked straight into Aisha. The Ctarl-Ctarl didn't even notice because she was staring at the blue stone or more accurately the metal that it was incased in which was pure dragonite. She looked to Gene and said "Look Gene it's a piece of Dragonite." Gene was pulled face first against the glass looking at the blue jewel. He mumbled "Looks great Aisha, too bad we can't afford it. Now let me go." Aisha let him go and then looked starry eyed at Gene. "I would look so wonderful in that. Plus the dragonite I could use to help build a dragonite blaster. The most powerful weapon that the Ctarl-Ctarl Empire can build." She took a pose of holding a gun and started jerking all-round pretending she blowing up enemies. Gene just watched in awe until he tried to bring Aisha back to reality. "That is a great fantasy. Now can we go and get that cloak or cape or whatever it is fixed. I think there is a tailor up ahead. Then we can get back and continue preparing the Outlaw Star for departure." Aisha pouted "But I am so hungry. We didn't eat breakfast this morning. I want food first." Gene was going to argue something until he realized he was hungry as well. "Ok we can go to this human burger joint down the way. Then we can go to the tailor and get back." Gene said, but realized Aisha wasn't paying attention. She was looking across the street at the expensive Ctarl-Ctarl restaurant. She licked her lips and cried, "Yes real Ctarl-Ctarl food. Lets go there Gene!" Gene looked across at the restaurant, stammered because Aisha had ignored him, and then lowered his head. "OK fine, whatever let's just eat something." Aisha jumped in the air and yelled, "Yes. What do you know Gene Starwind you actually made a smart choice for once? Occasionally you prove there is some hope for the human race." She then bounded across the street and made reservations for two. Gene didn't raise his head he just kept hearing the old saying no good deed goes unpunished and said, "I never should have done this. I am getting too soft." Then he raised his head and saw how excited Aisha was and smiled; " For as annoying as she is I still prefer her this way then to the crying Aisha I saw the other night." That thought concluded Gene walked across the street ready to eat some hearty food.
Unsuspecting Gene was being watched by a shadowy figure standing in one of the alleyways down two shops from where Aisha and Gene had just been. He looked to a human male about medium height, blue eyes, black hair, and two rings in his noses. The shadowy figure handed the human a vile that was attached to a needle. "Now remember when the Ctarl-Ctarl comes out of that restaurant you are to jab her with this in her neck. Do it quickly and then run as fast as you can. DO NOT allow yourself to be caught. Succeed and you will be paid handsomely." The shadowy figure spoke. The human took the vile from him got a big smile on his face revealing his two upper canine teeth were missing. "Heh no problem. For the amount of money you are paying me this will be easy as pie." The human then left the alleyway to wait by the door of the restaurant. The shadowy figure merely touched a transmitter device that was hidden in his ear. "This is one to base. Come in base." There was a response "Yes one report." The shadowy figure responded "Phase one has been set in motion. I will report once it is completed. I will report if successful. That is all." The voice responded "Confirmed One." The shadowy figured stayed in the shade created by the sun. He watched and waited.
Gene stared in awe as he watched Aisha continually wolf down all the food in front of her. Gene could not believe how the Ctarl-Ctarl could actually take in all the food. It was almost inhuman, but then again she wasn't human. Aisha also was eating without any manners at all, just scarfing the food down. It was then Aisha noticed Gene was staring at her and so with her mouth full of she asked "What?" Gene put his hand over his face and asked, "Do you have to eat so disgustingly? Can't you use some manners at all?" Aisha's ears pricked up and she asked "What do you mean I am eating perfectly normal." Gene slapped his hand over his face. There was no point reasoning with her. Soon after they both ordered some dessert and were overtaken by silence since they both tried to think of something to talk about. Finally something came to Gene. "Aisha I should let you know I kinda heard you the other day talking about why that cape or cloak or whatever was so important to you." Aisha stood up out her chair and slammed her hands down on their table yelling "WHAT! How dare you eavesdrop on…" She stopped when she realized that patrons from all around were staring at her. She then felt really small and pulled her chair up and sat back down. Aisha tried to cover her face, Gene just sweat dropped at the whole thing. "Listen Aisha I didn't mean to eavesdrop. It just kinda happened. I just wanna know about you uncle and why he was so important to you." Aisha was taken back by how calm and nice Gene was talking to her. It sounded like he honestly wanted to know, so who was she figured it couldn't hurt. She slumped down on the table and started her story. " My uncle was a brave and mighty warrior. He won many battles for the Ctarl-Ctarl Empire. Then one day he changed his entire attitude on life and became a diplomat. He believed that the Ctarl-Ctarl Empire could expand through peace and war. He was far superior to any human I have ever met." Gene then laughed a little "Just like every Ctarl-Ctarl you mean." Gene regretted the comment as Aisha had a very stern look on her face. "Never mock my uncle. He was the greatest Ctarl-Ctarl of all. He stands above us all. I just want to prove I can be as great as he is. I want to help my people like he did." The next moment the carefree look came back to her face and she smirked " And I will do that by finding the Galactic Layline, proving again my superiority to you Gene Starwind." Aisha put her hand down the table with authority. Instead of some sort of denial from Gene like she expected he tenderly put his hand on her hand and spoke softly "I know what its like to lose someone you care about. I can understand why that cape thing is so important to you. So after here lets go get it fixed." Aisha was blushing again, but looked into Gene's eyes and said "Thanks Gene." Aisha then got up out of her chair walked behind Gene and slapped him hard on the back. "So you aren't a total jerk all time after all." Gene merely felt embarrassed and said "Thanks." After that they started to exit the door of the restaurant until suddenly they heard someone yell out "Death to all stinkin' Ctarl-Ctarls!"
In the next moment a human male grabbed Aisha and pulled her into his grasp. Aisha had no time to react before the punk stabbed her in the throat with some weird device. Gene was starting to react going for his concealed gun, when he noticed it looked like something was being injected into Aisha. Aisha struggled to get away until she was suddenly released and fell to the ground. The man turned and started to run away. Gene has to decide whether to check Aisha or follow the guy, electing to help his fallen comrade. Aisha felt Gene pick her up and lean her against his chest. "Aisha are you ok?" She looked up at him "I am fine. Just let me at that stupid human so I can rip him apart." "Sorry too late. He got away." Her eyes widened "Argh! Why didn't you get him?" Gene got a little annoyed by her town and replied "Because I was more concerned about you." She realized her mistake and hung her head down. "Sorry." Gene smiled and shook his head. "Its fine. I am more concerned about you. Are you ok? That guy caught me completely off guard." Aisha got up with Gene's help and then pulled away from him, brushing her off. "I am fine. It takes more then that to take me down." She smiled at Gene putting her fist on her thigh. "Anyway I think we should go back. I thought I saw that guy inject you with something. I want you to get looked at. Come on lets go." Gene took her hand and started pulling but found himself stopped because Aisha stood firm. "Hey what are you doing lets go." "No! First we go get my cape fixed then we can go." Gene started getting a little miffed. "Listen Aisha something could be wrong with you. He could have put something in your body. I want to make sure your ok." Aisha cursed at herself at what she was about to do, but she needed this her cape fixed. "Please Gene I need this. I feel fine, lets just go get it looked at and then we can go back. PLEASE!" Aisha begged. Gene wanted to say no but Aisha begging like this meant she really wanted this and if she felt fine then who was he to argue. "Fine have it your way. Don't say I didn't try to take you home. If anything happens it's your fault." Aisha smiled and grabbed Gene by the arm dragging him to a tailor shop her "superior" cat eyesight had seen up ahead with Gene screaming "Aisha hold up!"
Gene had just given the tailor Aisha's cloak and they were debating the fee for fixing the cloak while Aisha was piecing around through some of the tailors close he had for sale. She noticed that some women's undergarments were part of the available merchandise. She picked up one of the bras and looked at it carefully. "I will never understand why human females were they things. They are just restrictive to combat motions and don't seem to serve any other purpose." She then tossed the undergarment down and turned to look at Gene who still seemed to be arguing over the price of the repairs. She was getting annoyed with this argument since they had been caring on for over a half and hour. She then stomped over and pulled Gene's arm. "Gene will you just pay the man what he wants my cloak…I mean cape…I mean get it fixed already." Gene turned to look at her and replied "Listen Aisha we only have this little money left so I am only going to...Aisha what is wrong?" After looking at Gene's face Aisha started to feel strange she shook her head a little and then collapsed to one knee grabbing at her head. Gene quickly kneeled down next Aisha. "Aisha are you ok?" He put his hand on her shoulder, but found the next second she quickly grabbed his hand and threw him across the shop and through the table holding the women's undergarments. Gene starting getting to his feet slowly and came face to face with Aisha except her face was contorted in extreme rage and she had her fangs showing. Gene looked into the Ctarl-Ctarl's eyes, but saw no form of sanity in them. "Damn it this must be happening because of whatever that guy injected into you. Aisha get a hold of yourself." The next moment Aisha attacked at him swinging her claws that if they hit would separate his head from his shoulders. He dodged through the store avoiding her lethal attacks. The store was being torn to shreds, while the poor tailor huddled behind some boxes of unopened supplies. The next moment the tailor heard a crash and gathered the courage to look up. He his store in ruins and mumbled "My store…" then he passed out. On the outside people were running and screaming as Aisha chased after Gene. Gene Starwind realized he had to stop Aisha or some innocent bystander was going to get hurt. He waited for Aisha to take a wild swing and then countered with a right hand to her chin. This caused Aisha to stagger back for a minute giving Gene enough to go for his gun. He aimed at Aisha. "Aisha listen its me Gene. Stop attacking me now. I don't want to have to shot you, I'm, your friend. Come on you stupid Ctarl-Ctarl remember me!" Aisha had finally recovered and fell into an all four positions stalking Gene. She moved slowly growling at Gene. He followed her carefully with his gun until she flashed toward the right Gene fired, but found she was actually going left and ran smack into him. They rolled on the ground into the middle of the street. Aisha landed on top of Gene pinning him to the road with one hand holding his left hand behind his head. His right hand holding his gun was free but Aisha's other free hand was at his throat ready to slash it. Gene struggled but hadn't any leverage to free himself. Aisha looked on with a deadly glare and ferocious grin. She raised her hand and prepared to strike a deathblow. Gene could only watch and close his eyes seeing Suzuka, Jim, and most of all Melphina in his mind. It took about ten seconds before Gene realized the blow hadn't come and opened his eyes to see Aisha posing her hand ready to launch her death blow, but she seemed to be hesitating. She still had the insane, glazed over look in her eye, but some confusion as well. She went "Meow?" hesitating for another second, but Gene didn't waste time making a last attempt to push her off. He knocked her back and then rolled away. Gene flipped the safety off and targeted Aisha and fired hitting the cat-girl dead on. Aisha screamed and then collapsed smoking billowing from her heated form. Gene then got up and checked Aisha seeing she was merely unconscious. The next moment the tailor came screaming out of his store "Someone call the police and arrest those two they destroyed my store." Gene gulped, picked Aisha up, and ran as fast as he could. "You are more trouble then your worth. But I am gonna find out who and why someone did this to you and then they are gonna pay. I promise you that Aisha." Gene said as he ran. As he was running though he could swear he heard Aisha purring as she was snugly held next to gene chest.
Two hours after the incident in downtown Haifong capital people were being questioned by police about what exactly had happened. In the alleyway the mysterious stranger grinned to himself. He felt some tap him on the shoulder and turned to see the human who had succeeded in his task. "Ok pal I did the job now give me my money." The stranger smiled and said, "Yes here is your payment." The human smiled and then felt something in his stomach the next. He looked down to see his employer's hand in his stomach. He had time to gurgle before he collapsed. "Well that is all the loose ends tied up." He touched his long ear and reported in "One to Command the mission is ago. Tell Lecar that his assumption was correct. Everything is going as he predicted." On the other line a voice responded "This is Lecar, one. I expected nothing less. Return to base. Once you return have crews maintained surveillance of targets. Oh yes one other thing also keep tabs on the bioriod Melphina she could be useful in getting the Galactic Layline." "That is affirmative Base I am coming home." The stranger walked out the back of the alleyway and disappeared.
To be continued…
Ok well as you can see I am turning this into a series. I want you to know this will be in the vein of Outlaw Star. Comedy, Romance, and lots of intrigue and action are coming. Heh and who is Lecar…well he is a new villain I hope will keep up the tradition of Azanko and the McDougal brothers…Now I want to give some warning part 3 and 4 of this fic may get some people riled up. I want everyone to keep an open mind ok. So enjoy the ride because I think this is gonna be fun. Who knows who might appear…heh… later…