Cowboy Bebop-Revenge requiem Pt.1
Spike stood in a dark cathedral, his muscles were tense, as blood rushed firecly through his veins.
Vicious stood before him, drawing his sword, as Spike trained his gun, aiming for Vicious' head.
Spike was breathing extremely hard, his anger fueled by hatred. For Vicious, for his past, for what
he had once been, and for what he'd lost along the way. Vicious scowled at him, holding his sword
up high, as it reflected the light streaming from the stained-glass window. Spike lunged forward,
feeling the wind flap against his trenchcoat, as he aimed the gun. Vicious smirked at him,
stepping out of his stance to face Spike. Only then did Spike see Julia, with Vicious' sword at her
throat. Spike closed his eyes, his love for Julia turned into remorse, as he pulled the trigger.
Spike opened his eyes as the shot rang out, and found that he was no longer in the church, he was
outside. Spike's eyes widened as he saw Julia, falling to the ground. Vicious was no where to be
found. As he walked slowly towards Julia, bending down to pick her up, he heard laughter. Evil,
twisted laughter. Spike looked up from the rooftop, and saw Vicious. Standing on thin air,
laughing at him.
The laughter echoed in his mind, as he looked down at Julia, who reached her hand up to his face.
"Why?"
She asked him, "Why did you leave me...?" Spike grimaced, as he set her down again. "You never
loved me.." Spike said, as he turned away from her. "You only thought you did." "But, Spike...."
Julia's weak voice came again. "You said, that we'd escape, that we'd be free..." Spike began to
walk away, putting his hands in his pockets. "I could only be free, once you were gone." Spike
countered, "So be happy for me."
"Spike.." The voice came one more time, then a weak sigh. Spike looked over his shoulder, to catch
one last glimpse of Julia, and stopped cold. Julia was gone, in her place was a bruised and beaten
Faye. Spike turned on his heel, dashing back towards her. Faye reached her hand out to him, calling
his name. As Spike grabbed her hand, it fell limp. Spike looked at Faye, and saw that her eyes had
gone cold and dead. He looked up, seething with fury, to see Vicious. Vicious grinned like a
madman, as he pushed his sword deeper into Faye's
body.....Spike screamed aloud, as the grinning face got closer, blocking out everything. The
laughter came again, louder than before....
Spike woke up, gasping for air. He sat straight up in his bed, putting a hand to his face.
"Faye...." He said softly, getting out of bed and reaching for a ciggarette. Only his ciggarettes
weren't on his table like usual. In fact, the whole table was missing....Spike looked back at the
bed, and saw Faye, as she began to wake up. Spike laid back down beside her, touching Faye's cheek
as she slowly opened her eyes. "Spike....." She whispered, half-awake. "I'm here, Faye." Spike said
gently, brushing her hair away from her face. Faye sighed warmly, putting her arms around him.
Spike returned her embrace, and realized she had fallen back asleep. He smirked as he looked at
her, resting again as if nothing had happened. Was he really that important to her? It felt
strange, having such a profound effect on someone's life. But Spike kind of liked it. He kissed
Faye's peaceful lips, before slipping out of her arms. He would have liked nothing better than to
stay with her, but he was starving, and needed a ciggarete. Spike stretched as he reached the
door, wincing as he felt pain in his chest. "Not exactly the best time to get out of shape..."
Spike muttered to himself, as he left Faye to her dreams. He hoped they were sweet dreams, not
nightmares like the one he'd had.
Jet yawned as he came out of his room, rubbing his eyes. "Man..." He said, still groggy. "I'm
really hungry..."
Jet saw Spike coming out of Faye's room, and walked over to him, grinning. "Hey Spike," Jet
greeted him cheerfully. "How 'ya doin?" Spike blinked at him, a look of amazement on his face.
"Jet, how long have we been partners?" Spike inquired, giving Jet a strange look. "Umm, goin' on
four four years, I guess" Jet answered, not quite understanding. Spike nodded, giving Jet an even
more severe look, "In the four years I've known you, not once have you ever been anything but
irritable in the morning." Jet blinked at him, scratching his head.
Spike began to walk away, as he saw a grin form on Jet's face. It was one of those rare, "let's
pick on Spike"
grins, and Spike didn't want to be bothered. As Jet ran up beside him, Spike realized he wouldn't
be getting away from this one.."So, you were in Faye's room all night, huh?" Jet inquired. Spike
picked up a light silliness in his voice. As big as Jet was, it just didn't sound right.
"Yeah..." Spike said, walking down the hallway faster. "Wow, she must have cleaned you out then,
sorry buddy." Spike stopped, frowning at Jet.
His thin hand slowly closed around Jet's shirt. "Now Jet, I know she can be a pain, and I know
she's not always a team player either..." Spike's grip tighened. Jet's eyes went wide as he saw
that Spike wasn't kidding around. "...But if you don't take that back, I'm going to have to kick
your ASS, OK?" Jet grinned at Spike playfully, taking Spike's hand away easily. Spike tried to get
some distance, maybe for one of those fancy kicks of his, but Jet would have none of it. "Listen,
Spikey.." Jet said calmly, grinning even wider as he caught Spike's first punch, and proceeded to
pick him up forcefully, and toss him onto his shoulder.
"JET!!" Spike yelled, trying to break free. "I was only asking how much she took you for, pal. That
was one helluva long game of cards." Spike's eyes widened, as he realized what Jet had meant.
"Well, let's go ask Faye then, shall we?" Jet exclaimed gleefully, carrying Spike back to Faye's
door. "Ok! Ok, Jet! I'll tell you! It was only 60 thousand, ok?' Spike was scrambling for excuses,
and Jet knew it. "Oh? And where did you get this money? I thought we were almost broke.." Jet's
smile was fading, Spike thought he actually suspected him of holding out. Jet knew him better than
that, didn't he? Jet put Spike down as they reached Faye's door.
Spike's eyes widened, as Jet knocked on the door. "Jet! You've got this all wrong!" "I understand
you trying to cover her, Spike, being your girl and all. But I want however much she took from
you, I want it back."
Jet frowned at Spike, there was something wrong here.....Spike attempted to hightail it, but Jet
caught his shirt and held him in place. "What's with you, kid?" Jet asked, turning Spike around to
face him. "You never stick your neck out, why's this bugging you so much?" Jet knocked on the door
again, and this time there was noise from inside. "Jet, I'm sorry, I wasn't holding out on you, I
swear!" Spike said frantically. "I thought you were talking about something else, I thought you
were.." Jet motioned for silence as Faye's door opened.
Faye saw Spike and smiled, then turned to Jet, blinking. "Faye....." Jet said, .looking past her,
to see if she'd stashed the money anywhere obvious. Knowing Faye, it was unlikely....."I'm here for
my mon..Wha!?"
Spike thought Jet's eyes might bulge completely out of his head, and tried not to laugh. "What is
it!" Faye shouted at Jet, annoyed. "Spike, what's he doing?" Spike shrugged his shoulders, as he
watched Jet move past Faye, into her room. "Hey!" Faye cried, "This is MY room, you could at least
ask permission!" Spike took her aside, quickly whispering an explaination. Jet moved towards the
bed, a look of disbelief on his face. Spike's suit jacket, tie and shoes were all here....had Spike
run out of money? Jet turned back to Spike and Faye, as Faye stormed up to him, gritting her
teeth. "Ohhhh......damn..." Jet said, as understanding washed over him. "oh man, guys, I'm really
sorr.." The rest all came out as one big breath, as Faye sunk her fist into
his gut. "So I cleaned him out, did I?" Faye asked, enraged. "Really Jet! I thought you had at
least SOME decency!" Jet watched as she and Spike left. Spike took a second to laugh at him, the
wise-guy smirk mocking him. Jet groaned as he got up off his kness. "Man, she can PUNCH." Jet said
plainly, although the pain was already gone.A man of his size didn't ache for very long. Jet
chuckled as he went to the galley, intent on finding some food. "So, they finally did it." Jet
mused, "Imagine that.".
Faye sat in the observation room, watching Spike finish his morning workout. "You know, this is
kinda hard with an audience..." Spike said, punching the air. "But I like to watch you, Spike."
Faye said slyly.
Spike smirked, as he stretched his leg straight up, then brought it down to his eye level. The kick
he always ended with. "Wow." Faye said, her eyes wide. "Not bad for someone with as many injuries
as you've got."
She stood up, walking over to Spike as he put his shirt back on. "Awww, darn." Faye pouted,
hugging him.
"I liked you bare-chested." Spike smirked at her again, as he stepped away from her, removing his
shirt once again. Faye eyed him, unsure of what he was up to. She laughed and hugged him again, as
he remained shirtless, but put on his tie. "Such an improvement.." Faye said, smiling. "Oh yeah?"
Spike said, picking her up off the ground. Faye smiled, as she put her arms around Spike's neck.
"How's this?" Spike asked, kissing her lips. "mmmm" Faye answered, holding Spike tightly as he set
her back down. "That's perfect." Faye said, kissing him again. Ein came running in, barking loudly.
He cocked his head to one side as he looked at Spike and Faye, who were both eyeing him angrily.
"If we weren't broke....." Spike grumbled, letting go of Faye. "I'd go by a padlock......" Faye
grinned at the idea, walking over to the couch. "Maybe you should just knock Jet out, and drag him
in front of the door?" She suggested jokingly. Spike smirked at her, as he put his shirt and tie
back on. He put his shoes on, and sat down next to Faye as she turned the TV on. Big shots was just
starting, she saw. "Have we got some news for ya, buckaroos!" Ponch announced, the cheesey smile on
his face widened, as the screen behind him lit up. " We sure have!" His co-host exclaimed, as she
began introducing the first of the bounties. Ein barked again as Edward came in, yawning as she
picked him up.
"Morning Spikey, morning Faye-Faye.." She called to them, waving sleppily. Neither of them waved
back, however. They were occupied by the show, as Ponch annonced a 10 million wulong bounty. "This
guy's been causing trouble all over the galaxy!" Ponch explained, as his blonde cohort stared at
the picture. "After knocking over six buisness corporations. he broke out of jail, killing three
guards and five fellow inmates in the process!" "Whoa...quite a busybody...." Spike remarked,
leaning closer to the TV. "I guess so...." Faye agreed, turning the sound up. "Hello?!" Edward
screamed, running around the couch. She didn't like being ignored at all. "I said....GOOD
MORNING!!!!!" She screeched, jumping onto the back of the couch and shaking it. "Gah!!!" Spike
exclaimed, as Faye tore Edward away from the couch. "We're busy right now!!" Faye shouted, shooing
her away. Edward walked off, pouting, as Ein followed her out. Faye turned back to Spike, who was
staring at the TV intently. "What is it Spike? Do all those wulongs make you envious?" She sported
a crafty smile, trying to get a reaction out of him. "No...that's not it..." Spike answered,
sounding almost entranced. Faye looked from Spike to the TV, and back again. "What is it then?" She
asked, getting a bit curious. "That guy...." Spike said, still sounding strange. "He's...." "What
guy?" Faye asked, looking back at the TV. "Now he's moved up to bumping people off, this was his
last unfortunate victim." Ponch continued, as a blonde, strangely familiar man was shown on the
screen. "ANDY!!!!" Spike yelled, jumping up and grabbing his jacket. Faye stared blankly at the
screen, as she remembered him. The guy that had gotten Spike so riled by showing him up. Not much
for brains, but he was kinda cute...A person that witnessed the murder was spaeking now, and old,
wheelchair-bound lady. "I was waiting for my son to take me home, " she began. "And this nice man
came riding by on his horse, all dressed up in armor, like he was a knight or something. He offered
to help me with my groceries, when a stranger made off with my purse.
Faye's jaw dropped, had Andy stooped to pretending to be a knight? "That nice man chased after him,
but they went around the corner, and that was the last I ever saw.." The woman began to cry, not
able to say anymore. "There you have it pardners!" Ponch shouted, almost sounding angry. "His name
is Al Sonders, go get 'em!" "Happy hunting!" his co-host said, cheerful as always. "Spike..." Faye
started, but she realized he wasn't there anymore. She stood up as the door closed behind Spike, as
he dashed to the hangar. "Wait Spike!" She called after him, grabbing her lucky red jacket before
running out. Jet came out of the galley, munching on a sandwich, consisting of all the leftovers he
could find. "Spike!" Jet shouted, as Spike flew by him, a glint in his eye. He looked down the hall
Spike had come from, and saw Faye, trying to catch up. "What's the deal, Faye?" Jet asked, still
eating his leftover special. "It's a bounty!" Faye yelled to him as she ran past. "Some psycho
killed Andy!" Jet scratched his balding head. Andy....why did that name sound familiar? "You mean
the cowboy freak?" He shouted, remembering as he went to put his sandwich away.
"Yeah, him!" Faye shouted back. Jet frowned, sorry to hear the news. Andy could have very well been
the dumbest man he'd ever met, the only man that ever made Spike seem sensible. But he was an ok
guy, he sure didn't deserve that kind of exit. "The guy's name is Al Sonders!" Faye called back as
she entered the hangar. "See what you can dig up on him Jet!" Jet was about to protest, but
realized it was pointless, as he heard ships taking off. "Ingrates.." Jet grumbled, as he went back
for his sandwich. He could still catch a bounty or two, in case they hadn't noticed. His
communicator beeped, and he almost didn't answer it because of the early hour. He thought better of
it though, and grabbed it on the last beep. "Hello." He answered, his voice becoming serious as he
saw one of his many contacts on the screen. "Oh Jet, you're there, good."
The man said, seeming nervous. "What's up Bob?" Jet asked, sensing that something was bothering
him. "It's a bounty Jet, a big one." "Really?" Jet said, rubbing his chin. "His name wouldn't be Al
Sonders by any chance, would it?" "Wha?" Bob seemed surprised at his knowledge. "How did you know
about him?" Bob asked, seeming even more nervous now. "Two members of my crew just went after the
guy." Jet explained, feeling the excitement die. He had thought he was actually going to get some
action for a change.....
"Well stop them!" Bob shouted, lossening his collar as he began sweating. "Easier said than done.."
Jet growled, thinking of how quickly Spike and Faye had barreled out. "Why, what's the big deal on
this guy?" Jet inquired, feeling his old instincts kicking in. "He's not just some thug, someone's
pulling his strings, someone big!" "What are you trying to tell me Bob?" Jet asked, trying not to
growl at him. Someone big, pulling this guy's strings? This was sounding too much like the kind of
bounty that's more trouble than it's worth. "He was in a maximum security prison. You don't just
break out of a place like that Jet, I'm telling you someone planned his escape!" Bob explained,
becoming just a little frantic. "Ease up, Bob." Jet said, feeling pretty uneasy himself. "Spike and
Faye can handle a group of flunkies." "Not these guys, Jet.." Bob said, calming down just a bit.
"Whoever busted Al out, he's on their payroll now, which means they've got plans for him. If your
partners mess up those plans, they'll be targets too." "Who are these guys, Bob." Jet said, raising
his voice. He hated it when Bob couldn't get to the point. "No one knows, they're too well-hidden."
Bob replied. "I shouldn't even be telling you this much..." "That's ok Bob, thanks for the warning.
I'll find out the rest on my own." "Ok, but watch your back buddy.." Bob warned him, looking more
nervous than before. "These guys don't like unexpected visitors, I can say that much." "Don't worry
Bob, I've got it." Jet assured him, switching his communicator off. Maybe he would get a bit of
excitement yet.....but first he had to dig up some more dirt on this "hidden group."
Faye filled Spike in on the rest of the info as they flew, relieved that he wasn't in one of his
bullheaded moods. "So the guy's name is Al Sonders, huh?" Spike confirmed, gritting his teeth.
Maybe he and Andy had been rivals, but even an idiot like him deserved better than this. "Was there
anything on where he was last seen?" Spike asked, as he switched the radio to his left hand and
holstered his gun. "He got Andy on T.J. " Faye answered, remembering the poor misled rich boy.
"That's the last time anyone's seen him." "Then we go to Tiajuana first." Spike said, sounding
deadly serious. "Spike, this isn't bothering you that much, is it?" Faye asked, Spike heard the
concern in her voice and smirked. " I just think Andy deserved better, I guess.."
Spike admitted, not really feeling all that bad. It was mainly prison break that was bugging him.
"But a small fry like Al doesn't just 'break' out of a maximum security cell." He added, hoping it
would satisfy her for now. "You think he had help?" Faye asked, beginning to understand. "I think
he's someone's pawn now...." Spike answered, frowning as they hit the warp gate. Faye blinked at
her radio. Spike sounded like something about this was getting to him, and she wanted to know what
it was. Faye voiced her inquiry, but the boom of hyperspace cut it off. Spike knew what she wanted
to know, however, and decided to tell her. "I just know what it's like to be someone's tool Faye,
that's all..." Faye blinked again, but understood. "Anything else you wanna know?" Spike asked, the
slacking, everyday guy voice returning. "Can't think of anything, why?" Faye asked, thinking that
he was acting kinda weird, even for Spike. "Because if the guys pulling Sonder's strings are as bad
as I think, we're probably in over our heads. Just so you know.." Faye blinked at the radio again,
and scowled as she glanced out at the swordfish. Sometimes, she though, Spike could be entirely too
impulsive. She decided silence was best for now though, if this job really was going to be that
rough, they were going to need all the teamwork they could manage.
Edward peered over Jet's shoulder as he typed away, looking at file after file on his computer.
"Ed, you're being obnoxious..." Jet informed her. She grinned and nodded, but didn't move.
"Ohhhhh..." Jet grumbled, wishing Spike and Faye would start taking Edward with them wheneveer they
left. Ein barked at Ed, nudging her leg. Ed giggled as she picked him up, and sat down with him.
"Thanks, pal." Jet said, chuckling as he looked back at them. Ein seemed less than thrilled, as
Edward stroked his coat the wrong way, laughing whenever she built up a static charge. Jet turned
back to his computer, and found what he was looking for. The so-called 'hidden group' Bob had
warned him of, were nothing more than drug and weapon smugglers. But recently they had somehow
fallen in with a large, nasty group of anti-government terrorists. "Which means...." Jet said
aloud. "That they're a bunch of nobodys that got mixed up with some serious players...shit.." Jet
growled as he read the name again. "The Hunting Hawks...." Jet repeated, reaching for his
communicator. "Spike, Faye? You guys there?" Jet frowned at his comm. unit, as static hissed back
at him. "What the hell...." Jet wondered, looking down at Ed and Ein, who picked their heads up
in response.
"Can I trust you two by yourselves for a bit?" Jet asked, knowing the answer already. Ed gave a
wide grin in response, while Ein yawned, resting his head on Edward's leg. Jet shook his head as he
got up, then stopped at the door. "Watch her Ein..." Jet commanded. Ein barked compliance, while Ed
turned on her computer, pulling her goggles over her eyes. Jet tried calling Bob back, as he walked
to the hangar. He let it beep, for what semmed like forever. Then, just as he was climbing into the
Hammerhead, a response came. "Bob.." Jet greeted, intent on telling him what he'd found. Jet was
shocked when the screen cleared, however. Bob was lying on a floor, but not the floor of his
office. He was badly injured, with one broken arm that Jet could see.
"Bob!" Jet shouted, stopping halfway into the Hammerhead's cockpit. "Ehhhrghhhh.." Bob whimpered,
trying to make words. "Jet....get...a.way..." "Bob!!" Jet shouted again. "What happened Bob?" Jet
asked frantically, although he was pretty sure he already knew. Whoever these 'Hunting Hawks' were,
they were most definetely not pleased with Bob telling him all about their plans. Jet's eyes
widened as he saw the camera angle move away, to show Bob's whole body. That meant someone was
still there to move his comm. unit.
Jet saw that Bob's legs were broken also, and several small, razor-sharp knives were embedded in
his torso. They tortured him to death..Jet realized. "Whoever you are, stay where you are, we're
tracking you now....." A hissing, menacing voice warned. It was obvious to Jet that they were using
speech scrammblers, expensive ones at that. Jet's face erupted with rage, as he bellowed into his
communicator. "You just better stay put, Mr. Hunting Hawk!" Jet was so angry that he had to stop
his cybernetic arm from crushing the comm.unit.
"You better just stay put and PRAY! The Black dog is coming for all your sick asses!" Jet
finished, not realizing how loud he had actually been. He hadn't used that name since Fat had
died. Jet threw the communicator into the cockpit, looking at his artificial arm. It had been
Fat that had taken his arm away, he remembered. His own partner....Jet came out of his thoughts, as
he noticed Ed and Ein creeping by the door.
Edward looked like a scared little child, while Ein was at her feet, whining slightly. Jet turned
away from them, trying to force back the tears. He knew he was too old and tough for that kind of
thing, but he and Bob had been close, very close. "Come on, you two." Jet barked, regaining his
composure and grabbing the comm. unit from the Hammerhead. "We're leaving, it's not safe in orbit
now...." Ed was about to ask why, but as Jet walked past her, taking a second to glance at her and
Ein, even Ed knew it was a bad idea. Jet thought he should probably warn Spike and Faye, and hope
that they'd listen. He stopped at the hangar door, as he realized he'd already tried, and had
gotten only static back.....Edward and Ein kept up the best they could, as Jet ran to the bridge,
and set a course for Ganymede. He hoped Spike and Faye were safe, or at the very least that they
could hang on until he got there. Because once he arrived, the way he felt right now, he wouldn't
need any help taking these bitches out.
Spike crouched behind a parked car, looking over at Faye, who was kneeling beside him. She reloaded
her gun, as Spike took a lousy three grenades from his suit pockets. He thought just maybe,it had
been a bad move to get rid of the trench...Spike and Faye had checked out T.J., and all the clues
had pointed to Ganymede. The ambush had come out of nowhere, and although Spike wasn't sure, he had
counted at least three rooftop snipers, which could mean anywhere from ten to fifty men on the
ground. "I told you we were in over our heads on this one..." Spike said, smirking as he looked at
Faye. She shot a wickedly sly grin back at him, Spike could almost believe she wasn't as scared as
she looked. "How many?" She asked, adapting a no-nonsense voice. "A lot.." Spike said. "Well,
you're a big help!" Faye shouted. Spike knew she was angry with the situation, and not him, but
still....His eyes widened as he saw one of the snipers had caught her shoulder.
"Faye...your shoulder...." Spike said, taking a closer look. "Later." She told him plainly,
standing up to fire a few shots. She ducked back down, as Spike heard screams of pain, followed by
two bodies hitting the ground. Spike grinned , kicking himself for not realizing how good she was
sooner. He stood up , firing the gun with his right hand, as his teeth yanked the pin from the
grenade in his left. Faye eyed him as he crouched back down, still holding it. a second later, he
let it drop and kicked it into the street behind them. The explosion yielded three more screams,
followed by what Spike knew was the command to move in. Spike looked down at his one remaining
frag, and breathed in deeply. He was pretty sure the snipers were out of the picutre, but that
wasn't much comfort. Faye saw that he was getting worried, and narrowed her eyes at him a bit.
"It's not like you to give up, Spike." Faye lectured, trying to come up with something herself.
"I'm not giving up." Spike countered, sounding a bit scorned. "Good." Faye returned, talking
another look into the street. Spiike had been pretty close, there were about thirty men, all
sporting weird, teal suits, with what looked like a bird's claws on the right side. "Then gimmie
this.." Faye said out of the blue, taking his last grenade. "What are you doing Faye?" Spike asked,
shocked and amazed at her brashness. She answered by dropping her gun into his now empty hand.
"Cover me, cowboy!" Faye whispered in his ear, kissing it before standing up and walking towards
the crowd. "Faye...be careful..." Spike said, watching her go. He looked down at her gun, still
warm from her grip...He was not going to let her die here, or anywhere else for that matter. She
had some kind of plan that involved a grenade, and needed cover? Spike smirked, getting a better
viewpoint as Faye approached their attackers, her hands raised in the air. Where had she..? Spike
realized he knew exactly where the grenade was, and felt his love for the amazing woman grow
even more.
He kept his eye on them all, as he reloaded his own gun, and held it and Faye's at the ready. He
sure hoped this worked...
Jet felt the Bebop slow up, as it exited the warp gate. Ganymede loomed before him, as Jet looked
out the viewport. He grimaced slightly, thinking back to his I.S.S.P days. Bob had tried to warn
him about that night too, the night he was forced to retire. He hadn't been the best cop, but he
was always as a true a friend as any Jet had ever known. "Grrrrr..Bastards!" Jet exploded, punching
the ship's hull. The hunting hawks had made a huge mistake by killing Bob. Now they had the Black
dog on their backs, and he never let go once he bit down. Jet felt the foolhardiness of his younger
days as it began to return. In the viewport, he saw he was grinning like the young, hungry hunter
he had once been. He set the Bebop on a landing course, not even bothering to get clearance. Bob's
murderers were down there somewhere, and he wanted blood. Ed peeked out from behind the doorway.
Jet looked down at her, as Edward smiled back nervously. "You didn't do anything wrong Ed, don't
worry." Jet eased her, pettting her head. "You might wanna find a safe place to hide though, and
take Ein with you." Ed nodded, but still looked puzzled. "Are we gonna crash?" Edward asked,
holding Ein tight. Jet gazed back at them both, trying not to scare them. "No Edward, we're just
going to a party." Ed nodded, "C'mon Ein, let's hide!" She exclaimed, running off as Ein barked an
affirmitave.
Jet watched them go, then took his gun from behind his back, where he had been hiding it. He opened
the fridge, and found a single, half-empty bottle of southern comfort there. "Here's to you Bob,
and to the old days." Jet remarked, drinking from the bottle. Jet watched as Ganymede became
bigger, anticipating the moment of his revenge.
Faye wanted to look back, to make sure Spike had understood. But it would've looked too suspicious,
and besides, she trusted Spike. For the first time, she really trusted someone. As she neared the
weird group of men, she saw them raise their guns. Faye smirked, it was time for her act. Spike had
his gun and Faye's trained on the group, waiting for some kind of signal. "Faye....what the hell
are you doing?" Spike wondered aloud, but he didn't dare move a muscle. Whenever Faye's plan
happened, she was counting on him, and he wasn't about to let his dear Faye down. Spike almost fell
out of his crouch with surprise when Faye's plan began. As the men were training their guns on her,
he saw her run towards them, screaming like a helpless little girl. Spike smirked, a big, wide
smirk and prepared to do his part. Faye saw a few of the men drop their guard at her act. Most of
them weren't biting, but she had suckered two, which was all she needed. She headed straight for
the dumbest looking one, and kept up the bimbo facade. "Ahh!!!! Help help somebody help meee!!!!
There's a big nasty man with a gun over in the street!!!" She screeched, falling on top of the gun-
toting dunce. The man seemed momentarily stunned, Faye had made sure her breasts landed good and
close. The man under her stammered for words, while another came up behind her, apparentely
unaffected by her ample curves. "Get on your feet." He ordered plainly. "Sure...." Faye said shyly,
seeing no more use in acting. As she stood, her left hand brushed across the fallen man's
submachine pistol. She planted her right foot squarely in the face of the man behind her. At the
same time, she grabbed the pistol, and let the grenade roll from inside of her bra, right into the
center of the group. Faye ran as she fired the machine pistol at them, sunting seconds as she dove
back beside Spike. Spike, who had started shooting the minute he saw the grenade, was reloading,
grinning at Faye with admiration. They both watched the grenade explode, taking most of the men
with it.
The few straglers were busy burning to death, and would'nt be giving Spike and Faye any trouble.
"Great shot, my dear." Spike admitted, kissing his brave heroine. "These crazy stunts are fun, you
know." Faye answered, as she kissed Spike back. As Spike stood, intent on dressing Faye's wound, he
saw that he hadn't been so far off after all. Another ten thugs had been hiding, in one of the
buildings nearby.
Only now they were retreating. Faye got up to go after them, but Spike caught her arm. "Don't,
Faye!" He warned. Faye was about to question, as the smoke cleared and she saw that the men had not
retreated, but had piled inside an armored car, which was now coming right at them. Eight of the
men were leaning out, blasting away. That left two inside, Spike calcualted. "Ready for another
crazy stunt?" He asked, smirking as he eyed a dead sniper across the street. Faye nodded, grinning
back as she ran for the sniper, slinking back with his rifle.
Spike got into the nearest unharmed car, and proceeded to hotwire it. Faye was about to start
picking the men off, but Spike had a better idea. She looked at him quizzically, as he leaned out
of the car, pointing at it's roof. She nodded excitedly, as she climbed onto the roof, cradling
the rifle as she laid on her stomach. Spike gunned the car to life and played chicken with the
armored car, as Faye picked off as many of the gunmen as she could. She managed to get them all,
and realized they were about to collide. "Faye! Bail!" Spike yelled to her, as she rolled off the roof.
Spike put the car into a slide, jumping out as the two vehicles collided. He rolled off the street,
stopping in a crouch as he fired at the burning armored car. Faye ran up to him, trying to make him
move. "What? What's the problem?" Spike shouted as Faye pointed upwards. Spike looked up to the sky
and before Faye knew it, he was grabbing her hand, running away from the armored car. The Bebop was
coming in fast, headed straight for them. "Jet! What the hell?" Spike yelled, as they reached a
relatively safe building. Spike rushed through the door closing it as soon as Faye was inside.
On the Bebop, Jet was grinning wider, the bottle now empty. He watched as the pitiful armored car
was crushed under the immense Bebop. Jet heard two very faint screams, and wondered why the idiots
hadn't jumped once the car had caught on fire?
Spike looked up, and realized he was holding Faye a little too tight. He heard her cough and let
go, backing away. "You ok?" He asked, feeling a little stupid. "You need to switch colognes Spike."
Faye answered, smirking and hugging him. Her hands touched something wet, and when she looked at
them, she saw they were covered in blood. "Spike!" She said, alarmed. "It's alright, just the
ceiling Faye." Spike assured her, wincing. Spike heard Jet calling for them and went outside, after
another quick look at Faye's shoulder. "It's FINE." She insisted, and followed him out.
Jet was running around outside, going through the rubble. "We're alright!" Faye called to him,
waving as Jet looked up. "Oh good, you two made it!" He said, putting down the piece of rubble he
had been looking under.
"You two take the Bebop and split, understand?" Jet commanded. Spike thought he saw something odd
in his eyes, a kind of hatred usually reserved only for vengeance. "Something you wanna tell me,
Jet?" Spike asked, becoming serious all at once. "No. Now get out of here Spike. Take the Bebop and
leave Ganymede."
"Why in the hell...it's OUR bounty!!" Faye yelled at Jet. She hadn't gone running around like an
airhead for nothing. "This is my fight now, you two are in over your heads. Now GO." Spike couldn't
explain it, but he was sure he and Faye had missed something fairly pivitol. But if Jet really
wanted them to leave, there was nothing they could do for him . "C'mon Faye, Jet's gonna finish
this one." Spike agreed, walking back to his Swordfish.
Faye couldn't help thinking that Spike and Jet were both being extremely stupid, but she couldn't
deny that Jet looked different somehow..It was almost like he was on one of Spike's bullheaded
vendettas. "Fine, we'll go..." Faye conceded reluctantly. She gave Jet a questioning look as she
passed him, and he looked over at her, smiling oddly. "Don't worry Faye, you'll get the bounty.
This is personal." Faye's eyes widened, as she realized she had been right. He WAS on a vendetta.
"Come on Faye, we've gotta clear out of here." Faye turned to Spike, about to protest. Spike nodded
at her, and looked back at Jet. "Once the black dog sinks his teeth in, he stays in. That what this
is about?" Jet gazed back at his partner, a strange grin on his face.
"Something like that, Spike." Jet nodded, glad that he understood. Faye looked from Jet to Spike,
and back to Spike. "Men are such idiots..." she stated, before walking back to her redtail. They
both took off, maneuvering their ships into the open hangar of the Bebop. Spike gave his friend a
final wave, before the huge fishing ship took off. Jet watched it fly into the atmosphere, then sat
down on a pile of rubble. He lit a cigg, blowing smoke at the sky. He would come, if Jet waited
long enough.
Spike looked back at Ganymede from the Bebop's viewport. He knew Jet had told them to leave, but
this was as far as he was going.
Faye looked over at him, still puzzled. "What was that all about, anyway?" She asked. Spike looked
over at her, smiling as he sat down next to her on the couch. "Jet's got something he's gotta do
down there Faye, I'm not sure what...But everytime I've gone off alone, you guys have always backed
me up, whether I liked it or not. So now we're going to do the same for him." Spike touched Faye's
leg, hoping she would understand. "I still don't get it, but ok..." Faye agreed, touching Spike's
back. "It might be a long, boring wait though." Spike sighed. "This looks pretty bad Spike," Faye
said, smiling as she checked his injuries. "I think I'll need the bandages again..." "Oooohhh....I
see.." Spike said, grinning at Faye. It used to be that Faye would only bandage him up after one of
his little stunts, but lately she'd take any excuse...."I'll go get 'em."
Spike quiped, standing up. Faye followed him to the sick bay, hands around his waist.
Jet looked up as he put out another smoke. He had made a neat little pile of butts now, near his
left leg. Looking up, he saw someone standing before him, a tall, rather frail looking man. As Jet
stood, the man came closer. Jet aimed his gun, narrowing his eyes. "Is your name Al Sonders?" He
asked, his voice growling.
"So...you're the man who took on the Hunting Hawks?" A hoarse voice asked. "Sorry to disapoint you,
Mr. Jet Black.." Jet raised an eyebrow, not expecting his whole name. "You can call me the black
dog, or the man who'll put you out of your misery. Either's fine." The man stepped closer. Jet
could see his face now, it was extremely thin and pale. The man looked like he hadn't slept in
years. "Boy, they really struck a nerve with you, didn't they?" The man mused, sitting down in
front of Jet as he surveyed the damage. "That tends to happen, when a bunch of twisted drug pushers
kill someone I know." Jet explained, cocking his gun's hammer. The man smiled weakly, he didn't
have many teeth left either..."I'm sorry, black dog. But I'm not the one who killed your friend."
The man explained, Jet had to admit he didn't like a murderer. "He was the head this group, I
imagine you got him already." Jet eyed all the bodies, picking one up without taking his gun away
from Al. He saw that the suits had hawk's claws on them. "The hunting hawks, were they?" Jet mused,
letting the body fall.
"So just who are you?" Jet asked, feeling like he had somehow made a mistake. "I am Al Sonders, as
you said.." Al replied, his voice getting more serious. "I was their puppet, you see. So I robbed
a few rich bastards of their blood money, so what? I didn't deserve this..." Jet narrowed his eyes
again. "I think you should explain yourself, Al." Jet ordered, moving closer. "I'm just a washed up
thief, Mr. black dog." Al continued. "I was put in a maximum security prison, they offered me money
to help them and they said they'd bust me out. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I agreed. They
used me, you see..." Jet's eyes widened slightly, as he began to understand. "You mean...." Jet
started. "Yes, they were just using me, all along." Al said, laughing at himself. "I was just a
diversion, so they could break out one of their own....they made so damn sure I was caught, just
so the police wouldn't look for anyone else...There was only one escape convict reported, you
see..." Al explained, smiling a toothless grin. "I've been tossed around in that pit ever since,
while they ran around, doing horrible things! They brought me here knowing you had my name, and..."
Al looked up at Jet, he looked truly pitiful, Jet thought. almost like a ghost without a place to
disssapear to. "I understand...but I still.." Jet tried to explain himself, closing his eyes as he
thought about Bob, killed for nothing but money and power. "But you're still connected to them,
even if you were only their tool." "Go ahead, black dog," Al almost pleaded with him.
"I don't have much longer to live anyways, all the chemicals they've pumped into me. But before you
do, let me help, the only way I can. Let me do something right, so I can fianlly rest." "What would
that be?" Jet asked cautiously, never lowering his gun. "Let me help you get those sons of bitches,
the ones who did this to me. The Hunting Hawks are just one branch, Jet. The people behind them are
a much larger group, the Eagle's claw. It's their head of operations they busted out, instead of
me. They don't make a move without his approval. Find them, and make them pay, I know you can..."
Jet pulled the trigger a single time, as he turned away. The gunshot almost made him jump. When he
looked back, he saw Al lying on the ground, a hole bleeding through his faded prison uniform. Jet
put his gun away, and reached into his back pocket. He always kept a picture there, for years he
had kept it in that same pocket, ever since the day he left the force. But now Jet took it out,
taking a moment to give it one last gaze. It was Bob and himself, back when they were both cops.
Bob was smiling and giving Jet bunny ears. Always the joker, Bob had been. Jet turned and walked
away, letting the picture fall onto Al's dead body. They had both been tools of the system, and had
both met grisly ends. Jet realized that they had both died on his account as well, but not by any
fault of his. Al had died long ago, and Bob had to warn Jet about the hawks, being a good friend
right up until the very end. Jet looked up, as he heard the Bebop hovering overhead. He waved his
hands to let Spike and Faye know he was ready. He had trusted Spike wouldn't go far, he was too
stubborn, and far too reliable for that. Which why he made a good partner. Now that Jet knew who
had really been resposible for the deaths of so many, he was ready to finish what he'd started.
TO BE CONTINUED......................
Jet: Now I get it...
Faye: What was that?
Jet: It's nothing.
Spike: We're sure going through a lot for nothing, Jet.
Faye: That's for sure. And where's the money?
Spike: Is that all you ever think about?
Jet: Next time, we'll finish this mess.
Spike: You got that right.
Spike stood in a dark cathedral, his muscles were tense, as blood rushed firecly through his veins.
Vicious stood before him, drawing his sword, as Spike trained his gun, aiming for Vicious' head.
Spike was breathing extremely hard, his anger fueled by hatred. For Vicious, for his past, for what
he had once been, and for what he'd lost along the way. Vicious scowled at him, holding his sword
up high, as it reflected the light streaming from the stained-glass window. Spike lunged forward,
feeling the wind flap against his trenchcoat, as he aimed the gun. Vicious smirked at him,
stepping out of his stance to face Spike. Only then did Spike see Julia, with Vicious' sword at her
throat. Spike closed his eyes, his love for Julia turned into remorse, as he pulled the trigger.
Spike opened his eyes as the shot rang out, and found that he was no longer in the church, he was
outside. Spike's eyes widened as he saw Julia, falling to the ground. Vicious was no where to be
found. As he walked slowly towards Julia, bending down to pick her up, he heard laughter. Evil,
twisted laughter. Spike looked up from the rooftop, and saw Vicious. Standing on thin air,
laughing at him.
The laughter echoed in his mind, as he looked down at Julia, who reached her hand up to his face.
"Why?"
She asked him, "Why did you leave me...?" Spike grimaced, as he set her down again. "You never
loved me.." Spike said, as he turned away from her. "You only thought you did." "But, Spike...."
Julia's weak voice came again. "You said, that we'd escape, that we'd be free..." Spike began to
walk away, putting his hands in his pockets. "I could only be free, once you were gone." Spike
countered, "So be happy for me."
"Spike.." The voice came one more time, then a weak sigh. Spike looked over his shoulder, to catch
one last glimpse of Julia, and stopped cold. Julia was gone, in her place was a bruised and beaten
Faye. Spike turned on his heel, dashing back towards her. Faye reached her hand out to him, calling
his name. As Spike grabbed her hand, it fell limp. Spike looked at Faye, and saw that her eyes had
gone cold and dead. He looked up, seething with fury, to see Vicious. Vicious grinned like a
madman, as he pushed his sword deeper into Faye's
body.....Spike screamed aloud, as the grinning face got closer, blocking out everything. The
laughter came again, louder than before....
Spike woke up, gasping for air. He sat straight up in his bed, putting a hand to his face.
"Faye...." He said softly, getting out of bed and reaching for a ciggarette. Only his ciggarettes
weren't on his table like usual. In fact, the whole table was missing....Spike looked back at the
bed, and saw Faye, as she began to wake up. Spike laid back down beside her, touching Faye's cheek
as she slowly opened her eyes. "Spike....." She whispered, half-awake. "I'm here, Faye." Spike said
gently, brushing her hair away from her face. Faye sighed warmly, putting her arms around him.
Spike returned her embrace, and realized she had fallen back asleep. He smirked as he looked at
her, resting again as if nothing had happened. Was he really that important to her? It felt
strange, having such a profound effect on someone's life. But Spike kind of liked it. He kissed
Faye's peaceful lips, before slipping out of her arms. He would have liked nothing better than to
stay with her, but he was starving, and needed a ciggarete. Spike stretched as he reached the
door, wincing as he felt pain in his chest. "Not exactly the best time to get out of shape..."
Spike muttered to himself, as he left Faye to her dreams. He hoped they were sweet dreams, not
nightmares like the one he'd had.
Jet yawned as he came out of his room, rubbing his eyes. "Man..." He said, still groggy. "I'm
really hungry..."
Jet saw Spike coming out of Faye's room, and walked over to him, grinning. "Hey Spike," Jet
greeted him cheerfully. "How 'ya doin?" Spike blinked at him, a look of amazement on his face.
"Jet, how long have we been partners?" Spike inquired, giving Jet a strange look. "Umm, goin' on
four four years, I guess" Jet answered, not quite understanding. Spike nodded, giving Jet an even
more severe look, "In the four years I've known you, not once have you ever been anything but
irritable in the morning." Jet blinked at him, scratching his head.
Spike began to walk away, as he saw a grin form on Jet's face. It was one of those rare, "let's
pick on Spike"
grins, and Spike didn't want to be bothered. As Jet ran up beside him, Spike realized he wouldn't
be getting away from this one.."So, you were in Faye's room all night, huh?" Jet inquired. Spike
picked up a light silliness in his voice. As big as Jet was, it just didn't sound right.
"Yeah..." Spike said, walking down the hallway faster. "Wow, she must have cleaned you out then,
sorry buddy." Spike stopped, frowning at Jet.
His thin hand slowly closed around Jet's shirt. "Now Jet, I know she can be a pain, and I know
she's not always a team player either..." Spike's grip tighened. Jet's eyes went wide as he saw
that Spike wasn't kidding around. "...But if you don't take that back, I'm going to have to kick
your ASS, OK?" Jet grinned at Spike playfully, taking Spike's hand away easily. Spike tried to get
some distance, maybe for one of those fancy kicks of his, but Jet would have none of it. "Listen,
Spikey.." Jet said calmly, grinning even wider as he caught Spike's first punch, and proceeded to
pick him up forcefully, and toss him onto his shoulder.
"JET!!" Spike yelled, trying to break free. "I was only asking how much she took you for, pal. That
was one helluva long game of cards." Spike's eyes widened, as he realized what Jet had meant.
"Well, let's go ask Faye then, shall we?" Jet exclaimed gleefully, carrying Spike back to Faye's
door. "Ok! Ok, Jet! I'll tell you! It was only 60 thousand, ok?' Spike was scrambling for excuses,
and Jet knew it. "Oh? And where did you get this money? I thought we were almost broke.." Jet's
smile was fading, Spike thought he actually suspected him of holding out. Jet knew him better than
that, didn't he? Jet put Spike down as they reached Faye's door.
Spike's eyes widened, as Jet knocked on the door. "Jet! You've got this all wrong!" "I understand
you trying to cover her, Spike, being your girl and all. But I want however much she took from
you, I want it back."
Jet frowned at Spike, there was something wrong here.....Spike attempted to hightail it, but Jet
caught his shirt and held him in place. "What's with you, kid?" Jet asked, turning Spike around to
face him. "You never stick your neck out, why's this bugging you so much?" Jet knocked on the door
again, and this time there was noise from inside. "Jet, I'm sorry, I wasn't holding out on you, I
swear!" Spike said frantically. "I thought you were talking about something else, I thought you
were.." Jet motioned for silence as Faye's door opened.
Faye saw Spike and smiled, then turned to Jet, blinking. "Faye....." Jet said, .looking past her,
to see if she'd stashed the money anywhere obvious. Knowing Faye, it was unlikely....."I'm here for
my mon..Wha!?"
Spike thought Jet's eyes might bulge completely out of his head, and tried not to laugh. "What is
it!" Faye shouted at Jet, annoyed. "Spike, what's he doing?" Spike shrugged his shoulders, as he
watched Jet move past Faye, into her room. "Hey!" Faye cried, "This is MY room, you could at least
ask permission!" Spike took her aside, quickly whispering an explaination. Jet moved towards the
bed, a look of disbelief on his face. Spike's suit jacket, tie and shoes were all here....had Spike
run out of money? Jet turned back to Spike and Faye, as Faye stormed up to him, gritting her
teeth. "Ohhhh......damn..." Jet said, as understanding washed over him. "oh man, guys, I'm really
sorr.." The rest all came out as one big breath, as Faye sunk her fist into
his gut. "So I cleaned him out, did I?" Faye asked, enraged. "Really Jet! I thought you had at
least SOME decency!" Jet watched as she and Spike left. Spike took a second to laugh at him, the
wise-guy smirk mocking him. Jet groaned as he got up off his kness. "Man, she can PUNCH." Jet said
plainly, although the pain was already gone.A man of his size didn't ache for very long. Jet
chuckled as he went to the galley, intent on finding some food. "So, they finally did it." Jet
mused, "Imagine that.".
Faye sat in the observation room, watching Spike finish his morning workout. "You know, this is
kinda hard with an audience..." Spike said, punching the air. "But I like to watch you, Spike."
Faye said slyly.
Spike smirked, as he stretched his leg straight up, then brought it down to his eye level. The kick
he always ended with. "Wow." Faye said, her eyes wide. "Not bad for someone with as many injuries
as you've got."
She stood up, walking over to Spike as he put his shirt back on. "Awww, darn." Faye pouted,
hugging him.
"I liked you bare-chested." Spike smirked at her again, as he stepped away from her, removing his
shirt once again. Faye eyed him, unsure of what he was up to. She laughed and hugged him again, as
he remained shirtless, but put on his tie. "Such an improvement.." Faye said, smiling. "Oh yeah?"
Spike said, picking her up off the ground. Faye smiled, as she put her arms around Spike's neck.
"How's this?" Spike asked, kissing her lips. "mmmm" Faye answered, holding Spike tightly as he set
her back down. "That's perfect." Faye said, kissing him again. Ein came running in, barking loudly.
He cocked his head to one side as he looked at Spike and Faye, who were both eyeing him angrily.
"If we weren't broke....." Spike grumbled, letting go of Faye. "I'd go by a padlock......" Faye
grinned at the idea, walking over to the couch. "Maybe you should just knock Jet out, and drag him
in front of the door?" She suggested jokingly. Spike smirked at her, as he put his shirt and tie
back on. He put his shoes on, and sat down next to Faye as she turned the TV on. Big shots was just
starting, she saw. "Have we got some news for ya, buckaroos!" Ponch announced, the cheesey smile on
his face widened, as the screen behind him lit up. " We sure have!" His co-host exclaimed, as she
began introducing the first of the bounties. Ein barked again as Edward came in, yawning as she
picked him up.
"Morning Spikey, morning Faye-Faye.." She called to them, waving sleppily. Neither of them waved
back, however. They were occupied by the show, as Ponch annonced a 10 million wulong bounty. "This
guy's been causing trouble all over the galaxy!" Ponch explained, as his blonde cohort stared at
the picture. "After knocking over six buisness corporations. he broke out of jail, killing three
guards and five fellow inmates in the process!" "Whoa...quite a busybody...." Spike remarked,
leaning closer to the TV. "I guess so...." Faye agreed, turning the sound up. "Hello?!" Edward
screamed, running around the couch. She didn't like being ignored at all. "I said....GOOD
MORNING!!!!!" She screeched, jumping onto the back of the couch and shaking it. "Gah!!!" Spike
exclaimed, as Faye tore Edward away from the couch. "We're busy right now!!" Faye shouted, shooing
her away. Edward walked off, pouting, as Ein followed her out. Faye turned back to Spike, who was
staring at the TV intently. "What is it Spike? Do all those wulongs make you envious?" She sported
a crafty smile, trying to get a reaction out of him. "No...that's not it..." Spike answered,
sounding almost entranced. Faye looked from Spike to the TV, and back again. "What is it then?" She
asked, getting a bit curious. "That guy...." Spike said, still sounding strange. "He's...." "What
guy?" Faye asked, looking back at the TV. "Now he's moved up to bumping people off, this was his
last unfortunate victim." Ponch continued, as a blonde, strangely familiar man was shown on the
screen. "ANDY!!!!" Spike yelled, jumping up and grabbing his jacket. Faye stared blankly at the
screen, as she remembered him. The guy that had gotten Spike so riled by showing him up. Not much
for brains, but he was kinda cute...A person that witnessed the murder was spaeking now, and old,
wheelchair-bound lady. "I was waiting for my son to take me home, " she began. "And this nice man
came riding by on his horse, all dressed up in armor, like he was a knight or something. He offered
to help me with my groceries, when a stranger made off with my purse.
Faye's jaw dropped, had Andy stooped to pretending to be a knight? "That nice man chased after him,
but they went around the corner, and that was the last I ever saw.." The woman began to cry, not
able to say anymore. "There you have it pardners!" Ponch shouted, almost sounding angry. "His name
is Al Sonders, go get 'em!" "Happy hunting!" his co-host said, cheerful as always. "Spike..." Faye
started, but she realized he wasn't there anymore. She stood up as the door closed behind Spike, as
he dashed to the hangar. "Wait Spike!" She called after him, grabbing her lucky red jacket before
running out. Jet came out of the galley, munching on a sandwich, consisting of all the leftovers he
could find. "Spike!" Jet shouted, as Spike flew by him, a glint in his eye. He looked down the hall
Spike had come from, and saw Faye, trying to catch up. "What's the deal, Faye?" Jet asked, still
eating his leftover special. "It's a bounty!" Faye yelled to him as she ran past. "Some psycho
killed Andy!" Jet scratched his balding head. Andy....why did that name sound familiar? "You mean
the cowboy freak?" He shouted, remembering as he went to put his sandwich away.
"Yeah, him!" Faye shouted back. Jet frowned, sorry to hear the news. Andy could have very well been
the dumbest man he'd ever met, the only man that ever made Spike seem sensible. But he was an ok
guy, he sure didn't deserve that kind of exit. "The guy's name is Al Sonders!" Faye called back as
she entered the hangar. "See what you can dig up on him Jet!" Jet was about to protest, but
realized it was pointless, as he heard ships taking off. "Ingrates.." Jet grumbled, as he went back
for his sandwich. He could still catch a bounty or two, in case they hadn't noticed. His
communicator beeped, and he almost didn't answer it because of the early hour. He thought better of
it though, and grabbed it on the last beep. "Hello." He answered, his voice becoming serious as he
saw one of his many contacts on the screen. "Oh Jet, you're there, good."
The man said, seeming nervous. "What's up Bob?" Jet asked, sensing that something was bothering
him. "It's a bounty Jet, a big one." "Really?" Jet said, rubbing his chin. "His name wouldn't be Al
Sonders by any chance, would it?" "Wha?" Bob seemed surprised at his knowledge. "How did you know
about him?" Bob asked, seeming even more nervous now. "Two members of my crew just went after the
guy." Jet explained, feeling the excitement die. He had thought he was actually going to get some
action for a change.....
"Well stop them!" Bob shouted, lossening his collar as he began sweating. "Easier said than done.."
Jet growled, thinking of how quickly Spike and Faye had barreled out. "Why, what's the big deal on
this guy?" Jet inquired, feeling his old instincts kicking in. "He's not just some thug, someone's
pulling his strings, someone big!" "What are you trying to tell me Bob?" Jet asked, trying not to
growl at him. Someone big, pulling this guy's strings? This was sounding too much like the kind of
bounty that's more trouble than it's worth. "He was in a maximum security prison. You don't just
break out of a place like that Jet, I'm telling you someone planned his escape!" Bob explained,
becoming just a little frantic. "Ease up, Bob." Jet said, feeling pretty uneasy himself. "Spike and
Faye can handle a group of flunkies." "Not these guys, Jet.." Bob said, calming down just a bit.
"Whoever busted Al out, he's on their payroll now, which means they've got plans for him. If your
partners mess up those plans, they'll be targets too." "Who are these guys, Bob." Jet said, raising
his voice. He hated it when Bob couldn't get to the point. "No one knows, they're too well-hidden."
Bob replied. "I shouldn't even be telling you this much..." "That's ok Bob, thanks for the warning.
I'll find out the rest on my own." "Ok, but watch your back buddy.." Bob warned him, looking more
nervous than before. "These guys don't like unexpected visitors, I can say that much." "Don't worry
Bob, I've got it." Jet assured him, switching his communicator off. Maybe he would get a bit of
excitement yet.....but first he had to dig up some more dirt on this "hidden group."
Faye filled Spike in on the rest of the info as they flew, relieved that he wasn't in one of his
bullheaded moods. "So the guy's name is Al Sonders, huh?" Spike confirmed, gritting his teeth.
Maybe he and Andy had been rivals, but even an idiot like him deserved better than this. "Was there
anything on where he was last seen?" Spike asked, as he switched the radio to his left hand and
holstered his gun. "He got Andy on T.J. " Faye answered, remembering the poor misled rich boy.
"That's the last time anyone's seen him." "Then we go to Tiajuana first." Spike said, sounding
deadly serious. "Spike, this isn't bothering you that much, is it?" Faye asked, Spike heard the
concern in her voice and smirked. " I just think Andy deserved better, I guess.."
Spike admitted, not really feeling all that bad. It was mainly prison break that was bugging him.
"But a small fry like Al doesn't just 'break' out of a maximum security cell." He added, hoping it
would satisfy her for now. "You think he had help?" Faye asked, beginning to understand. "I think
he's someone's pawn now...." Spike answered, frowning as they hit the warp gate. Faye blinked at
her radio. Spike sounded like something about this was getting to him, and she wanted to know what
it was. Faye voiced her inquiry, but the boom of hyperspace cut it off. Spike knew what she wanted
to know, however, and decided to tell her. "I just know what it's like to be someone's tool Faye,
that's all..." Faye blinked again, but understood. "Anything else you wanna know?" Spike asked, the
slacking, everyday guy voice returning. "Can't think of anything, why?" Faye asked, thinking that
he was acting kinda weird, even for Spike. "Because if the guys pulling Sonder's strings are as bad
as I think, we're probably in over our heads. Just so you know.." Faye blinked at the radio again,
and scowled as she glanced out at the swordfish. Sometimes, she though, Spike could be entirely too
impulsive. She decided silence was best for now though, if this job really was going to be that
rough, they were going to need all the teamwork they could manage.
Edward peered over Jet's shoulder as he typed away, looking at file after file on his computer.
"Ed, you're being obnoxious..." Jet informed her. She grinned and nodded, but didn't move.
"Ohhhhh..." Jet grumbled, wishing Spike and Faye would start taking Edward with them wheneveer they
left. Ein barked at Ed, nudging her leg. Ed giggled as she picked him up, and sat down with him.
"Thanks, pal." Jet said, chuckling as he looked back at them. Ein seemed less than thrilled, as
Edward stroked his coat the wrong way, laughing whenever she built up a static charge. Jet turned
back to his computer, and found what he was looking for. The so-called 'hidden group' Bob had
warned him of, were nothing more than drug and weapon smugglers. But recently they had somehow
fallen in with a large, nasty group of anti-government terrorists. "Which means...." Jet said
aloud. "That they're a bunch of nobodys that got mixed up with some serious players...shit.." Jet
growled as he read the name again. "The Hunting Hawks...." Jet repeated, reaching for his
communicator. "Spike, Faye? You guys there?" Jet frowned at his comm. unit, as static hissed back
at him. "What the hell...." Jet wondered, looking down at Ed and Ein, who picked their heads up
in response.
"Can I trust you two by yourselves for a bit?" Jet asked, knowing the answer already. Ed gave a
wide grin in response, while Ein yawned, resting his head on Edward's leg. Jet shook his head as he
got up, then stopped at the door. "Watch her Ein..." Jet commanded. Ein barked compliance, while Ed
turned on her computer, pulling her goggles over her eyes. Jet tried calling Bob back, as he walked
to the hangar. He let it beep, for what semmed like forever. Then, just as he was climbing into the
Hammerhead, a response came. "Bob.." Jet greeted, intent on telling him what he'd found. Jet was
shocked when the screen cleared, however. Bob was lying on a floor, but not the floor of his
office. He was badly injured, with one broken arm that Jet could see.
"Bob!" Jet shouted, stopping halfway into the Hammerhead's cockpit. "Ehhhrghhhh.." Bob whimpered,
trying to make words. "Jet....get...a.way..." "Bob!!" Jet shouted again. "What happened Bob?" Jet
asked frantically, although he was pretty sure he already knew. Whoever these 'Hunting Hawks' were,
they were most definetely not pleased with Bob telling him all about their plans. Jet's eyes
widened as he saw the camera angle move away, to show Bob's whole body. That meant someone was
still there to move his comm. unit.
Jet saw that Bob's legs were broken also, and several small, razor-sharp knives were embedded in
his torso. They tortured him to death..Jet realized. "Whoever you are, stay where you are, we're
tracking you now....." A hissing, menacing voice warned. It was obvious to Jet that they were using
speech scrammblers, expensive ones at that. Jet's face erupted with rage, as he bellowed into his
communicator. "You just better stay put, Mr. Hunting Hawk!" Jet was so angry that he had to stop
his cybernetic arm from crushing the comm.unit.
"You better just stay put and PRAY! The Black dog is coming for all your sick asses!" Jet
finished, not realizing how loud he had actually been. He hadn't used that name since Fat had
died. Jet threw the communicator into the cockpit, looking at his artificial arm. It had been
Fat that had taken his arm away, he remembered. His own partner....Jet came out of his thoughts, as
he noticed Ed and Ein creeping by the door.
Edward looked like a scared little child, while Ein was at her feet, whining slightly. Jet turned
away from them, trying to force back the tears. He knew he was too old and tough for that kind of
thing, but he and Bob had been close, very close. "Come on, you two." Jet barked, regaining his
composure and grabbing the comm. unit from the Hammerhead. "We're leaving, it's not safe in orbit
now...." Ed was about to ask why, but as Jet walked past her, taking a second to glance at her and
Ein, even Ed knew it was a bad idea. Jet thought he should probably warn Spike and Faye, and hope
that they'd listen. He stopped at the hangar door, as he realized he'd already tried, and had
gotten only static back.....Edward and Ein kept up the best they could, as Jet ran to the bridge,
and set a course for Ganymede. He hoped Spike and Faye were safe, or at the very least that they
could hang on until he got there. Because once he arrived, the way he felt right now, he wouldn't
need any help taking these bitches out.
Spike crouched behind a parked car, looking over at Faye, who was kneeling beside him. She reloaded
her gun, as Spike took a lousy three grenades from his suit pockets. He thought just maybe,it had
been a bad move to get rid of the trench...Spike and Faye had checked out T.J., and all the clues
had pointed to Ganymede. The ambush had come out of nowhere, and although Spike wasn't sure, he had
counted at least three rooftop snipers, which could mean anywhere from ten to fifty men on the
ground. "I told you we were in over our heads on this one..." Spike said, smirking as he looked at
Faye. She shot a wickedly sly grin back at him, Spike could almost believe she wasn't as scared as
she looked. "How many?" She asked, adapting a no-nonsense voice. "A lot.." Spike said. "Well,
you're a big help!" Faye shouted. Spike knew she was angry with the situation, and not him, but
still....His eyes widened as he saw one of the snipers had caught her shoulder.
"Faye...your shoulder...." Spike said, taking a closer look. "Later." She told him plainly,
standing up to fire a few shots. She ducked back down, as Spike heard screams of pain, followed by
two bodies hitting the ground. Spike grinned , kicking himself for not realizing how good she was
sooner. He stood up , firing the gun with his right hand, as his teeth yanked the pin from the
grenade in his left. Faye eyed him as he crouched back down, still holding it. a second later, he
let it drop and kicked it into the street behind them. The explosion yielded three more screams,
followed by what Spike knew was the command to move in. Spike looked down at his one remaining
frag, and breathed in deeply. He was pretty sure the snipers were out of the picutre, but that
wasn't much comfort. Faye saw that he was getting worried, and narrowed her eyes at him a bit.
"It's not like you to give up, Spike." Faye lectured, trying to come up with something herself.
"I'm not giving up." Spike countered, sounding a bit scorned. "Good." Faye returned, talking
another look into the street. Spiike had been pretty close, there were about thirty men, all
sporting weird, teal suits, with what looked like a bird's claws on the right side. "Then gimmie
this.." Faye said out of the blue, taking his last grenade. "What are you doing Faye?" Spike asked,
shocked and amazed at her brashness. She answered by dropping her gun into his now empty hand.
"Cover me, cowboy!" Faye whispered in his ear, kissing it before standing up and walking towards
the crowd. "Faye...be careful..." Spike said, watching her go. He looked down at her gun, still
warm from her grip...He was not going to let her die here, or anywhere else for that matter. She
had some kind of plan that involved a grenade, and needed cover? Spike smirked, getting a better
viewpoint as Faye approached their attackers, her hands raised in the air. Where had she..? Spike
realized he knew exactly where the grenade was, and felt his love for the amazing woman grow
even more.
He kept his eye on them all, as he reloaded his own gun, and held it and Faye's at the ready. He
sure hoped this worked...
Jet felt the Bebop slow up, as it exited the warp gate. Ganymede loomed before him, as Jet looked
out the viewport. He grimaced slightly, thinking back to his I.S.S.P days. Bob had tried to warn
him about that night too, the night he was forced to retire. He hadn't been the best cop, but he
was always as a true a friend as any Jet had ever known. "Grrrrr..Bastards!" Jet exploded, punching
the ship's hull. The hunting hawks had made a huge mistake by killing Bob. Now they had the Black
dog on their backs, and he never let go once he bit down. Jet felt the foolhardiness of his younger
days as it began to return. In the viewport, he saw he was grinning like the young, hungry hunter
he had once been. He set the Bebop on a landing course, not even bothering to get clearance. Bob's
murderers were down there somewhere, and he wanted blood. Ed peeked out from behind the doorway.
Jet looked down at her, as Edward smiled back nervously. "You didn't do anything wrong Ed, don't
worry." Jet eased her, pettting her head. "You might wanna find a safe place to hide though, and
take Ein with you." Ed nodded, but still looked puzzled. "Are we gonna crash?" Edward asked,
holding Ein tight. Jet gazed back at them both, trying not to scare them. "No Edward, we're just
going to a party." Ed nodded, "C'mon Ein, let's hide!" She exclaimed, running off as Ein barked an
affirmitave.
Jet watched them go, then took his gun from behind his back, where he had been hiding it. He opened
the fridge, and found a single, half-empty bottle of southern comfort there. "Here's to you Bob,
and to the old days." Jet remarked, drinking from the bottle. Jet watched as Ganymede became
bigger, anticipating the moment of his revenge.
Faye wanted to look back, to make sure Spike had understood. But it would've looked too suspicious,
and besides, she trusted Spike. For the first time, she really trusted someone. As she neared the
weird group of men, she saw them raise their guns. Faye smirked, it was time for her act. Spike had
his gun and Faye's trained on the group, waiting for some kind of signal. "Faye....what the hell
are you doing?" Spike wondered aloud, but he didn't dare move a muscle. Whenever Faye's plan
happened, she was counting on him, and he wasn't about to let his dear Faye down. Spike almost fell
out of his crouch with surprise when Faye's plan began. As the men were training their guns on her,
he saw her run towards them, screaming like a helpless little girl. Spike smirked, a big, wide
smirk and prepared to do his part. Faye saw a few of the men drop their guard at her act. Most of
them weren't biting, but she had suckered two, which was all she needed. She headed straight for
the dumbest looking one, and kept up the bimbo facade. "Ahh!!!! Help help somebody help meee!!!!
There's a big nasty man with a gun over in the street!!!" She screeched, falling on top of the gun-
toting dunce. The man seemed momentarily stunned, Faye had made sure her breasts landed good and
close. The man under her stammered for words, while another came up behind her, apparentely
unaffected by her ample curves. "Get on your feet." He ordered plainly. "Sure...." Faye said shyly,
seeing no more use in acting. As she stood, her left hand brushed across the fallen man's
submachine pistol. She planted her right foot squarely in the face of the man behind her. At the
same time, she grabbed the pistol, and let the grenade roll from inside of her bra, right into the
center of the group. Faye ran as she fired the machine pistol at them, sunting seconds as she dove
back beside Spike. Spike, who had started shooting the minute he saw the grenade, was reloading,
grinning at Faye with admiration. They both watched the grenade explode, taking most of the men
with it.
The few straglers were busy burning to death, and would'nt be giving Spike and Faye any trouble.
"Great shot, my dear." Spike admitted, kissing his brave heroine. "These crazy stunts are fun, you
know." Faye answered, as she kissed Spike back. As Spike stood, intent on dressing Faye's wound, he
saw that he hadn't been so far off after all. Another ten thugs had been hiding, in one of the
buildings nearby.
Only now they were retreating. Faye got up to go after them, but Spike caught her arm. "Don't,
Faye!" He warned. Faye was about to question, as the smoke cleared and she saw that the men had not
retreated, but had piled inside an armored car, which was now coming right at them. Eight of the
men were leaning out, blasting away. That left two inside, Spike calcualted. "Ready for another
crazy stunt?" He asked, smirking as he eyed a dead sniper across the street. Faye nodded, grinning
back as she ran for the sniper, slinking back with his rifle.
Spike got into the nearest unharmed car, and proceeded to hotwire it. Faye was about to start
picking the men off, but Spike had a better idea. She looked at him quizzically, as he leaned out
of the car, pointing at it's roof. She nodded excitedly, as she climbed onto the roof, cradling
the rifle as she laid on her stomach. Spike gunned the car to life and played chicken with the
armored car, as Faye picked off as many of the gunmen as she could. She managed to get them all,
and realized they were about to collide. "Faye! Bail!" Spike yelled to her, as she rolled off the roof.
Spike put the car into a slide, jumping out as the two vehicles collided. He rolled off the street,
stopping in a crouch as he fired at the burning armored car. Faye ran up to him, trying to make him
move. "What? What's the problem?" Spike shouted as Faye pointed upwards. Spike looked up to the sky
and before Faye knew it, he was grabbing her hand, running away from the armored car. The Bebop was
coming in fast, headed straight for them. "Jet! What the hell?" Spike yelled, as they reached a
relatively safe building. Spike rushed through the door closing it as soon as Faye was inside.
On the Bebop, Jet was grinning wider, the bottle now empty. He watched as the pitiful armored car
was crushed under the immense Bebop. Jet heard two very faint screams, and wondered why the idiots
hadn't jumped once the car had caught on fire?
Spike looked up, and realized he was holding Faye a little too tight. He heard her cough and let
go, backing away. "You ok?" He asked, feeling a little stupid. "You need to switch colognes Spike."
Faye answered, smirking and hugging him. Her hands touched something wet, and when she looked at
them, she saw they were covered in blood. "Spike!" She said, alarmed. "It's alright, just the
ceiling Faye." Spike assured her, wincing. Spike heard Jet calling for them and went outside, after
another quick look at Faye's shoulder. "It's FINE." She insisted, and followed him out.
Jet was running around outside, going through the rubble. "We're alright!" Faye called to him,
waving as Jet looked up. "Oh good, you two made it!" He said, putting down the piece of rubble he
had been looking under.
"You two take the Bebop and split, understand?" Jet commanded. Spike thought he saw something odd
in his eyes, a kind of hatred usually reserved only for vengeance. "Something you wanna tell me,
Jet?" Spike asked, becoming serious all at once. "No. Now get out of here Spike. Take the Bebop and
leave Ganymede."
"Why in the hell...it's OUR bounty!!" Faye yelled at Jet. She hadn't gone running around like an
airhead for nothing. "This is my fight now, you two are in over your heads. Now GO." Spike couldn't
explain it, but he was sure he and Faye had missed something fairly pivitol. But if Jet really
wanted them to leave, there was nothing they could do for him . "C'mon Faye, Jet's gonna finish
this one." Spike agreed, walking back to his Swordfish.
Faye couldn't help thinking that Spike and Jet were both being extremely stupid, but she couldn't
deny that Jet looked different somehow..It was almost like he was on one of Spike's bullheaded
vendettas. "Fine, we'll go..." Faye conceded reluctantly. She gave Jet a questioning look as she
passed him, and he looked over at her, smiling oddly. "Don't worry Faye, you'll get the bounty.
This is personal." Faye's eyes widened, as she realized she had been right. He WAS on a vendetta.
"Come on Faye, we've gotta clear out of here." Faye turned to Spike, about to protest. Spike nodded
at her, and looked back at Jet. "Once the black dog sinks his teeth in, he stays in. That what this
is about?" Jet gazed back at his partner, a strange grin on his face.
"Something like that, Spike." Jet nodded, glad that he understood. Faye looked from Jet to Spike,
and back to Spike. "Men are such idiots..." she stated, before walking back to her redtail. They
both took off, maneuvering their ships into the open hangar of the Bebop. Spike gave his friend a
final wave, before the huge fishing ship took off. Jet watched it fly into the atmosphere, then sat
down on a pile of rubble. He lit a cigg, blowing smoke at the sky. He would come, if Jet waited
long enough.
Spike looked back at Ganymede from the Bebop's viewport. He knew Jet had told them to leave, but
this was as far as he was going.
Faye looked over at him, still puzzled. "What was that all about, anyway?" She asked. Spike looked
over at her, smiling as he sat down next to her on the couch. "Jet's got something he's gotta do
down there Faye, I'm not sure what...But everytime I've gone off alone, you guys have always backed
me up, whether I liked it or not. So now we're going to do the same for him." Spike touched Faye's
leg, hoping she would understand. "I still don't get it, but ok..." Faye agreed, touching Spike's
back. "It might be a long, boring wait though." Spike sighed. "This looks pretty bad Spike," Faye
said, smiling as she checked his injuries. "I think I'll need the bandages again..." "Oooohhh....I
see.." Spike said, grinning at Faye. It used to be that Faye would only bandage him up after one of
his little stunts, but lately she'd take any excuse...."I'll go get 'em."
Spike quiped, standing up. Faye followed him to the sick bay, hands around his waist.
Jet looked up as he put out another smoke. He had made a neat little pile of butts now, near his
left leg. Looking up, he saw someone standing before him, a tall, rather frail looking man. As Jet
stood, the man came closer. Jet aimed his gun, narrowing his eyes. "Is your name Al Sonders?" He
asked, his voice growling.
"So...you're the man who took on the Hunting Hawks?" A hoarse voice asked. "Sorry to disapoint you,
Mr. Jet Black.." Jet raised an eyebrow, not expecting his whole name. "You can call me the black
dog, or the man who'll put you out of your misery. Either's fine." The man stepped closer. Jet
could see his face now, it was extremely thin and pale. The man looked like he hadn't slept in
years. "Boy, they really struck a nerve with you, didn't they?" The man mused, sitting down in
front of Jet as he surveyed the damage. "That tends to happen, when a bunch of twisted drug pushers
kill someone I know." Jet explained, cocking his gun's hammer. The man smiled weakly, he didn't
have many teeth left either..."I'm sorry, black dog. But I'm not the one who killed your friend."
The man explained, Jet had to admit he didn't like a murderer. "He was the head this group, I
imagine you got him already." Jet eyed all the bodies, picking one up without taking his gun away
from Al. He saw that the suits had hawk's claws on them. "The hunting hawks, were they?" Jet mused,
letting the body fall.
"So just who are you?" Jet asked, feeling like he had somehow made a mistake. "I am Al Sonders, as
you said.." Al replied, his voice getting more serious. "I was their puppet, you see. So I robbed
a few rich bastards of their blood money, so what? I didn't deserve this..." Jet narrowed his eyes
again. "I think you should explain yourself, Al." Jet ordered, moving closer. "I'm just a washed up
thief, Mr. black dog." Al continued. "I was put in a maximum security prison, they offered me money
to help them and they said they'd bust me out. I figured I had nothing to lose, so I agreed. They
used me, you see..." Jet's eyes widened slightly, as he began to understand. "You mean...." Jet
started. "Yes, they were just using me, all along." Al said, laughing at himself. "I was just a
diversion, so they could break out one of their own....they made so damn sure I was caught, just
so the police wouldn't look for anyone else...There was only one escape convict reported, you
see..." Al explained, smiling a toothless grin. "I've been tossed around in that pit ever since,
while they ran around, doing horrible things! They brought me here knowing you had my name, and..."
Al looked up at Jet, he looked truly pitiful, Jet thought. almost like a ghost without a place to
disssapear to. "I understand...but I still.." Jet tried to explain himself, closing his eyes as he
thought about Bob, killed for nothing but money and power. "But you're still connected to them,
even if you were only their tool." "Go ahead, black dog," Al almost pleaded with him.
"I don't have much longer to live anyways, all the chemicals they've pumped into me. But before you
do, let me help, the only way I can. Let me do something right, so I can fianlly rest." "What would
that be?" Jet asked cautiously, never lowering his gun. "Let me help you get those sons of bitches,
the ones who did this to me. The Hunting Hawks are just one branch, Jet. The people behind them are
a much larger group, the Eagle's claw. It's their head of operations they busted out, instead of
me. They don't make a move without his approval. Find them, and make them pay, I know you can..."
Jet pulled the trigger a single time, as he turned away. The gunshot almost made him jump. When he
looked back, he saw Al lying on the ground, a hole bleeding through his faded prison uniform. Jet
put his gun away, and reached into his back pocket. He always kept a picture there, for years he
had kept it in that same pocket, ever since the day he left the force. But now Jet took it out,
taking a moment to give it one last gaze. It was Bob and himself, back when they were both cops.
Bob was smiling and giving Jet bunny ears. Always the joker, Bob had been. Jet turned and walked
away, letting the picture fall onto Al's dead body. They had both been tools of the system, and had
both met grisly ends. Jet realized that they had both died on his account as well, but not by any
fault of his. Al had died long ago, and Bob had to warn Jet about the hawks, being a good friend
right up until the very end. Jet looked up, as he heard the Bebop hovering overhead. He waved his
hands to let Spike and Faye know he was ready. He had trusted Spike wouldn't go far, he was too
stubborn, and far too reliable for that. Which why he made a good partner. Now that Jet knew who
had really been resposible for the deaths of so many, he was ready to finish what he'd started.
TO BE CONTINUED......................
Jet: Now I get it...
Faye: What was that?
Jet: It's nothing.
Spike: We're sure going through a lot for nothing, Jet.
Faye: That's for sure. And where's the money?
Spike: Is that all you ever think about?
Jet: Next time, we'll finish this mess.
Spike: You got that right.