I don't own these characters or profit from them. Please don't sue me, I'm poor.
Fields of Dragonite
By, Clayton Overstreet
"Don't mess with me loser!" Gene yelled as his grappler arms locked with those of the pirate ship. He smiled and twisted the control's ripping the other ship's arms off. Melfina turned the ship at an angle and Gene began hitting the other ship with it's own arms.
Jim looked back at him. "Good move Gene, this means we wont have to spend as much getting the dents out of our arms. These guys weren't that high up in the Kae pirates so if we're going to make any money at all we have to avoid getting..." A loud bang rocked the Outlaw Star as the pirate ship crashed head on in one last desperate attack. "... Hit." Jim sighed.
"We have received a cut to the hull, but nothing that can't be repaired." Gilliam said.
Jim sighed and looked back. "Well that's it. After this the money we get for this guy is just going to pay for the repair bill."
"Defeating pirates is it's own reward." Suzuka said.
Aisha growled, "Ah, why can't we ever seem to make any money?"
Gene had to agree with her. Moving the grappler arms he slammed them into the other ship, causing it to explode. Using the arms he grabbed the floating body from space and deposited it into the cargo hatch as it froze. "Ending grappler combat mode." Melfina said. She smiled at Gene from her blue tube. "That was a good job Gene."
Gene smiled back, "Thanks Melfina. I just wish it were worth some more. Since we beat the Onten seven and Hazanko the major pirates and criminals have been avoiding us."
Suzuka turned to look at him. "In that case why don't you simply go to where they are?"
Gene sighed, "It's not that easy Suzuka. I don't have money to get out very far. I still owe Fred for financing all those projects while we were looking for the galactic lay line. Despite our terrific story he still took every Wong we got for the pirates and we still owe him a hundred thousand."
Jim smirked back at him. "Well at least you're finally worrying about the money for once."
Gene looked at him and frowned. "Oh shut up."
Aisha and Jim looked at each other, grinned, and then burst out laughing. Gene turned back to Melfina. "Plot our course back so we can get some rest."
Melfina smiled and nodded. "Plotting a course home. Don't worry Gene, I think you can find a big enough job."
Gene lay back with his eyes closed. It had been a rough week, between repairing the Outlaw Star and finding a few odd jobs to pay for food. Having Aisha around was definitely not helping the food bill.
He heard someone huffing and hopping around, so he peeked out one eye to look around. Suzuka was training in the middle of the room. "Don't you ever rest? You'll burn yourself out at this rate."
Suzuka stopped and smiled at him. "Maybe you are right."
Gene sat up. "I've been wondering something Suzuka. Why do you hang around with us? I mean we've defeated the pirates you wanted to and lately it's been rather slow around here."
Suzuka raised an eyebrow. "Do I take it you no longer want me here?"
Gene held up his hands. "Nothing of the sort. We're all one big happy family here. It's just that I want to make sure you are all right with the arrangements. After all it's not like people who hire assassins come by a lot."
Suzuka smiled at him and shook her head. "I find hanging out with you much more interesting. I have actually found bounty hunting to be far better than assassination anyway."
Melfina came around the corner carrying the tea set. She smiled at both of them. "Would either of you like some tea?"
Suzuka nodded politely and Gene smiled at her. "Thanks Melfina." He kissed her cheek. Suzuka felt a slight pain of jealousy, but pushed it aside. Since Gene was happy she would be happy for him and Melfina.
Melfina smiled at him, "Don't worry Gene, I'm sure a bog job is just around the corner."
"Hey Jim, any jobs coming in?" Gene called out.
Jim looked up from his computer, "None yet."
Aisha rolled over from where she had been sleeping near Jim's table. "Well maybe I could help. How much do you suppose they would pay you to stop a Ctarl-Ctarl from tearing up the town?"
Jim smiled at her and shook his head. "Sorry Aisha, but we don't do the illegal stuff. Besides we don't want you or anyone else getting hurt."
Aisha smiled. "Well I wouldn't be hurt. We Ctarl-Ctarl are immortal you know." Despite this she enjoyed it when Jim showed some concern for her. They had been a lot closer lately, especially since Jim seemed to develop a new respect for her abilities. Most of Aisha's boasting was completely justified. She still didn't find humans that attractive, but considering Jim's personality and what jerks most of the Ctarl-Ctarl had been to her, she liked him. And since she was immortal his age wouldn't be a problem forever.
Jim meanwhile had decided that Aisha was an all right girl, even if she was a bit boastful. Looking down he smiled at her and she smiled back. Then suddenly his thoughts were interrupted as he got an incoming call. Jim picked it up and Fred's face appeared on the screen. "Hello Jim, is Gene there?"
Jim sighed and called up, "Hey Gene, Fred for ya on line one."
Gene stood up from his talk with Melfina and Suzuka and walked over to the phone. "Fred if it's about the money I don't have it yet."
Fred smiled. "Well Gene don't wait too long to pay me off. The interest could get awfully high."
Gene frowned. "Now hold it right there Fred. Our deal didn't say anything about interest."
Fred raised an eyebrow. "And what would you do if I do charge interest?"
Gene grinned. "Then I'll tell your super strong fiancé just why we were at the contest."
Fred held up his hand. "No need Gene, I haven't charged you interest yet and I won't start now. I actually called you about a job."
Gene's eyes widened slightly. "What kind of job?"
Fred smiled. "Oh just a little mining operation. We've found an asteroid field of dragonite and we need a grappler ship to help protect us for three days while we load it up."
Gene rubbed his chin thinking. "How much does it pay?"
Fred smiled pleasantly. "Well since there is so much high density dragonite and you are my best business partner, I would say however much dragonite you can fit into your cargo hold would do... but not until the three days is up. You wouldn't be able to protect us well if you are loaded down."
Gene kept his face straight. "If I take the job in addition to the pay I want you to forget all of my outstanding debts with you."
Fred waved his hand. "Not a problem. With what I'm paying you that will be a drop in the bucket. I'll send Jim the coordinates." The screen went blank while Jim read over the information. Gene fell back onto his butt completely astonished.
Aisha came running up the stairs. "Did he say he'd pay the entire cargo hold full of dragonite and forget your debts?" Gene nodded and Aisha did a back flip. "Yes! No more working at crummy diners!"
Gene stood up and smiled at Melfina. "I guess you were right Melfina."
Melfina blushed and said, "I was just trying to be positive."
Gene smiled and shook his head, then looked at Suzuka. "You want to come along on this one?"
Suzuka grinned. "You bet. This one sounds too good to pass up."
Jim smiled up from below. "According to my calculations the cargo hold should carry enough dragonite to equal about seventy five million Wong. We'd all be set for life several times over."
Everyone cheered and smiled at each other. The pink Gilliam drone waved a pincher in the air. "It seems like our luck is finally changing."
Ron McDougal sat at the help of the Eldorado scanning the stars. Between jobs he enjoyed doing this when he had a free moment. Suddenly Harry's face popped up on the screen. "Hey big brother, I found us another job."
Ron smiled. "What is it this time? I hope it's something interesting."
Harry nodded. "One of Fred Loa's business associates who wished to remain nameless has informed us that Fred has found an asteroid field full of dragonite. In exchange for whatever dragonite we can carry he wants us to chase off the miners until he can get his own men there."
Ron's eyes narrowed as he smiled. "As much as we can carry huh?"
Harry smiled back. "Yeah. We could finally afford to get me a new body. But that isn't even the most interesting part. Guess who was hired to guard the place. Gene Starwind and his group."
Ron frowned. "No offense Harry, but are you sure we should do this? Our record with him isn't exactly sterling, and I can't download my brain into a computer."
Harry waved him back. "We can handle it. Look, as long as we don't take them on head on we should be fine. You know Gene's honor wont let him kill someone who isn't trying to kill him."
Ron rubbed his chin. "OK, we'll do it. But if it comes down to a direct fight we get out of there. Much as I hate to admit it that ship of theirs is stronger and faster than this one, especially since you won't hurt Melfina."
Harry nodded. "Agreed big brother. We'll be in and out before they even realize what's going on."
Melfina hummed to herself as she stirred the soup. They had arrived at the asteroid field earlier that day and things had been pretty quiet. From behind her she heard a chair move and turned to look. "Hello Suzuka. How are you doing?"
Suzuka smiled at her. "I'm fine Melfina. How are you this evening."
Melfina smiled and tasted the soup. "I'm doing all right I guess. You know you and I haven't talked much since we got back from the galactic lay line. Are you feeling all right?"
Suzuka wanted to give one of the same excuses she always did, but there was something about Melfina that was so sincere she decided to just lay everything out on the table. "Well there are a few things, but... I'm not used to confiding in people."
Melfina turned to stir the soup again. "I promise that whatever you tell me will never leave this room. In fact, hold on a second." She turned to the Gilliam drone hanging above them. "Gilliam could you turn of the sensors to this room for an hour and close the doors?"
"Certainly Melfina." The drove slid out the door, which closed behind it.
Melfina turned back to Suzuka. "There you go."
Suzuka smiled at her. "Thank you Melfina. But I'm still not sure if you are the one I should be telling this to. It involves you as well."
Melfina frowned and turned back to her. "I know Suzuka and I'm sorry. At the time I didn't know how you felt about Gene." She nervously rubbed her thumb over her wedding ring.
Suzuka shook her head. "It's not your fault Melfina. And you have nothing to be sorry for. I'm happy for the two of you. I am just a little jealous. And that wasn't the only thing bothering me."
Melfina smiled and stirred the soup again. "Thank you Suzuka. That means a lot to me. I always considered you a friend and maybe even family. But what else is bothering you?"
Suzuka sighed and looked at her. "Well little sister," Melfina giggled and Suzuka smiled. "I have a bit of a gambling problem."
Melfina turned to look back at her. "What do you mean?"
Suzuka shrugged, "Every time I make money, no matter how much it is, I always end up blowing it on bets. I even bet on the Outlaw Star in the space race."
Melfina smiled and turned the stove off. "Well we would have won if Harry hadn't fired those missiles at us."
Suzuka nodded. "So I've heard from Gene... every time the race is mentioned." They both rolled their eyes.
"I know, but it's true. And it's not like he's the only one who does that." Melfina said.
"You have a point. Since she won the strongest woman in the universe contest Aisha has been impossible."
Melfina grinned at her. "Well you could have entered it? Do you think you could have beaten her?"
Suzuka shook her head. "I honestly don't know. You say Gene shot her at point blank range with a caster and all she got was a little singe?" Melfina nodded and filled up some bowls with soup. Suzuka shook her head. "Then I doubt it."
Melfina sat down and smiled pleasantly. "Jim seems to be able to keep her calm."
Suzuka sighed. "Yes, he does. Think it will work out?"
Melfina nodded. "I'm sure it will. They get along well and seem to enjoy each other's company."
Suzuka sipped some soup from her own bowl. "I was wondering about that. You don't age do you?"
Melfina shook her head. "I age slower than normal people do. Why?"
Suzuka frowned. "Well Gene doesn't. Neither does Jim. In all likely hood you and Aisha will outlive them. Especially the way they live."
Melfina nodded and looked down. "I know. Gene told me not to worry about it though. We had a long talk about it and he told me that whatever happens the time he spent with me and the rest of the family means more to him than anything else, no matter how annoyed he seems."
Suzuka shook her head. "He certainly does keep that side of himself hidden. But I think that is a good philosophy. You can call the others to lunch now. Anything else I discuss with you they can hear."
Melfina nodded and opened the door. "Gilliam, could you tell the others that lunch is ready?"
"Right away Melfina." The computer said.
Gene lay back in the pilot's seat thinking about everything he could do with the money... and came up blank. He enjoyed the life style he had. Of course he could just use his share for better weapons. And he wouldn't have to take chump jobs anymore or go hungry. But for the most part he wanted things to stay the same.
Opening his eyes he glanced at Jim. "What do you think you'll do with your share Jim?"
Jim smiled and turned back to him. "I was thinking paying off all our debts, then getting some premo computer stuff and maybe a nice house."
Gene nodded. "You don't want to close down the business do you?"
Jim shook his head. "No way. It's way too much fun, at least when we have the bills paid. Besides, it's not like the money will last forever."
Gene nodded. "Agreed. At least now we won't have to settle for doing small jobs anymore. We can focus on the big stuff and really get our names out there."
"Gene, Melfina wishes me to inform you that lunch is being served." Gilliam said.
Gene nodded. "Thanks Gilliam. Tell her we're on the way." They both got up and walked down the hall to the kitchen.
When they got there they saw Melfina serving soup to Aisha. "Oh yummy! Just keep heaping it in there Melfina." Aisha said.
Melfina smiled and nodded. "I know Aisha." She turned and looked at Gene and Jim. "So how are you two doing today?"
Gene smiled and sat down. "Oh just discussing what we'll do with the money. How about you three? What do you want to do with your share?"
Jim sat down and grabbed his bowl while Melfina thought about it. "I don't really know Gene. Maybe get some new clothes or something. Not much though. You know me."
Gene nodded and looked at Aisha. "How about you?"
Aisha slurped her soup. "Well, I was thinking of first swimming in it, then maybe buying a lot of food, then my own ship... but then I figured that nothing I get could beat this one." She gulped some more soup. "How about you Suz? What are you going to do?"
Suzuka frowned. "I told you not to call me that. Anyway I will probably spend it on something or other. It depends on what I need and want as I go along. It seems to me that we all already seem to have everything we want for the most part already, wouldn't you agree."
They all nodded in agreement and began eating again. Suddenly Gilliam said, "Warning, I am detecting a ship on attack vector for the mining equipment. It appears to be the Eldorado."
Gene looked up, "McDougal again. I thought we'd seen the last of him." They all ran to the bridge and got into their seats. Melfina disrobes and entered her tube as well. "Gilliam, contact the Eldorado."
McDougal's ship appeared on the screen. It was heading towards the equipment. Most of it was computerized but there were several people around to double-check. Then Ron McDougal's face and a second image of Harry replaced that image. Ron smiled at them and chuckled. "Well well, Gene Starwind."
Harry smiled and waved, "Hi Melfina."
Gene frowned. "What do you two want... wait a minute, I thought you were dead." He looked directly at Harry.
Harry shrugged. "I downloaded a backup into the ship's computer."
Ron smiled at them. "Anyway what we want is to carry out our contract. We were sent here to stop Fred Loa from getting the dragonite."
Gene shook his head. "No way McDougal. We were hired to protect it, so unless you think you can take us on with only one ship then don't even think about it."
From behind him Aisha leaned over and growled in agreement. "Try anything and we'll bury the both of you!"
Ron held up his hands. "Oh don't get me wrong. We have no intention of attacking any of this. But while we were talking Harry here has been taking over the equipment."
Gene's eyes widened and he ordered Gilliam to show the mining machines. The screen showed the machines going crazy, throwing the dragonite into space again. Then Jim turned around. "Gene we're getting a call from Fred."
Gene put his hand over his face. "Send it through."
Fred's face appeared next to Harry and Ron's, "Gene when I hire you for a job I expect it to be carried out. I just received a report that my mining operation has been totally shut down due to a computer virus."
Gene nodded. "I know Fred. I have the McDougals here now."
Fred's eyes lit up. "Ah, then that explains it. I heard one of my competitors was hiring them. Tell you what. If you can get me on a conference call I think I may have a solution."
Gene looked at the McDougals. Ron shrugged. "I'll hear him out."
Fred smiled. "Ah Ron, long time no see. So how much were you being offered?"
Ron rubbed his chin. "We were offered our cargo hold full of dragonite to stop you."
Fred nodded. "That's what I was going to pay Gene. Unfortunately the man who hired you has recently suffered a loss of funds, thanks to me, and will not be able to pay you. However if you and Gene are willing to use those grappler ships of yours to finish the mining I think the same price can be paid."
Gene and the others looked up. "You expect us to work with them?"
Fred smiled. "Yes Gene I do, or you will not get paid."
Gene sighs and looked at Jim. "What do you think?"
Jim looked back and frowned. "It seems we don't have a choice. We can't even pay for the trip out here otherwise."
Gene looked at the McDougals who had turned off the sound while they discussed the job. Finally they turned back and nodded. "You have a deal Fred."
Fred smiled. "OK then. By the way, there are reports of pirates headed to the area. you may want to be on the look out. Ta ta." Fred's face vanished from the screen.
Gene closed his eyes and shook his head. "Things just keep getting better and better."
The mining went a lot slower, since neither ship was actually designed for it. Both the Outlaw Star and the McDougals had to assimilate some of the mining equipment, which took longer because they first had to purge the virus. Moving the dragonite into the transport ships was the hardest part. The arms could only move so much and they couldn't hook a scoop up to them, so they had to do it piece by piece.
Aside from that things went by smoothly for about a day. The McDougals no longer had any real reason to attack Gene and the others, but the crew of both ships kept a careful eye on each other. This of course, mostly consisted of Harry trying to sneak around and find new ways to watch Melfina. Unfortunately after the third time the ship shorted out Ron decided that enough was enough and made Harry stop. "Aw come on Ron, that isn't fair!"
"Harry she's married. Anyway until the job is done we can't afford to have to replace your circuit boards every ten minutes. Now either watch her with the camera's or forget it." Ron said.
Harry made some comment about the camera's having 'accidents' whenever they got close to the Outlaw Star but Ron ignored him.
Meanwhile back on the other ship Gene sighs and shook his head. "I can't believe Fred talked us into this."
Jim turned to him, "What do you care? Gilliam is doing all of the work. Besides at least we're still getting paid."
Gene snorted and glanced at the screen that was watching the Eldorado. "Well I still don't like it."
Suddenly the computer screen flashed red and an alarm went off. Gene sat up and looked around. "What is it Gilliam?"
"I am detecting pirate ships coming out of either mode. Approximately twelve grappler ships and three carriers." The computer responded.
The others ran into the room and took their places. Once Melfina was in her tube she said, "Now entering grappler combat mode."
Gilliam flashed a warning. "I don't think this is a good idea Gene. With the dragonite in the cargo hold the ships ability to move may be compromised."
Gene shook his head. "It's too late for that now Gilliam. We'll have to take our chances. Inform the Eldorado that the pirates have arrived."
On the screen the Eldorado dropped the dragonite it had been moving and turned towards the pirates. The Outlaw Star followed close behind, arming the missiles and guns. Gene contacted the other ship, "Think you can handle the six on the left?"
Harry's face appeared, "No problem. Just make sure you get the ones you are going up against."
Gene frowned, then hooked up for combat. "Are you guys ready?" He looked back at Suzuka and Aisha who each had control of one of the grappler arms. They nodded and he looked at Jim. "Missiles ready?" Jim gave him the thumbs up. Finally he looked back at Melfina.
"All systems green." She said.
Gilliam sighed. "Since it's obvious you intend to go through with this lets show them what the galaxy's most advanced ship can do."
Gene grinned. "Now you're talking!"
He turned the ship towards the ships on the right. He attempted a hail to talk them out of it, but the pirates refused to respond. "We are within firing range now Gene," Gilliam reported.
Gene nodded, then swerved the ship to the left as a missile came at them. Jim fired anti-missiles, exploding the incoming missiles before they reached the ship. One of the pirate ships passed by the left side of the ship and Suzuka grabbed it with the grappler arm. Aisha did the same with another ship that attacked on the right and let out a loud meow. "Way to go Suz, now let's finish them off."
Suzuka frowned, "I told you not to call me that." She and Aisha moved the arms smashing the ships together, then tossing the wreckage into space where it exploded.
Meanwhile the Eldorado was wrestling with two ships with it's four grappler arms while a third was beating against it's hull. Gene fired a missile at it, damaging it severely. Then the Eldorado smashes the tow others ships together and threw them into the other one.
Gene didn't see this however because one of the carriers had begun firing at them. Gene pulled up, dodging the missiles, but the dragonite in his hull went in another direction and sent the ship spinning. Everyone grabbed onto his or her seats, but Aisha wasn't quite quick enough and went flying, landing on top of Gene's head. "Aisha, get off of me!"
The cat-girl growled. "Watch where you are going Gene." She quickly jumped back to her seat, taking control of the arm again. "I'm going to make them pay for that one!" It seemed to be true because as Aisha fired the blasters at the carrier she managed to hit their fuel cells. It went up in a huge explosion, also damaging the carrier next to it.
The McDougals had taken care of the last three ships on their side and were flying towards the carrier.
The last three grappler ships headed towards the Outlaw Star. "Gene, I'm out of ammunition." Suzuka said. Gene flipped a button on the console, replacing the gun on Suzuka's arm with a large blade. The assassin smiled and swung her arm around, slicing neatly through the first ship that reached them, impaling it in the end of the arm. Aisha still had some fire power left and took aim at the second ship, blasting it out of the sky.
Suzuka flipped the damaged ship into the last oncoming one, but it used it's own arms to knock the debree aside and headed straight for the ship. The Outlaw Star shook with the force of the other ship crashing into it. Suzuka and Aisha flipped to the claws and took a hold of it, then a huge white light sucked everything up.
Jim blinked several times and checked the computer screens. "Wow! The Eldorado just detonated a fusion bomb. It blew up both carriers!"
Gene frowned and Ron's face appeared on the screen. "We took care of our end. Need some help with that last one?"
Gene smirked back and shook his head. Turning to Suzuka and Aisha he said, "Ladies, if you would." Both girls smiled and pulls the controls to their arms, literally tearing the last pirate ship in half.
Two days later Gene was lying around in his chair at the office. "I can't believe this is happening. Why did the ship have to hit the cargo hold?"
Jim looked back. "Will you stop whining about that? So we had to tie the cargo hold shut with the anchor wires and could only take a quarter of the dragonite. There is no use complaining now."
Gene punched the wall. "I know but it's still not fair. The dragonite we did get had to be split between us, our share went to pay for repairs and the trip. Aisha bought that huge refrigerator with hers and blew what was left on food. Suzuka disappeared with her money and came back totally empty handed."
Jim looked up. "Well Melfina did offer to let you have her money."
Gene laughed, "I couldn't do that Jim and you know it. She's just too nice." He let out a sigh and fell back into his chair. "I guess it's back to chump jobs for a while to pay for the docking fees and bills. I just wish Fred wasn't so stingy."
Jim nodded. "But you have to admit he stuck with the deal. As much as we could carry. And at least we don't owe him any more money for a while."
Gene nodded. "Yeah, but what's really scary is that the McDougals got all that dragonite. Can you imagine what kind of weapons they could buy with that kind of money? Plus they said something about getting Harry a new body. I don't like it."
Melfina came in wearing her new dress and carrying some tea for them. "Don't worry Gene, I'm sure whatever it is you can handle it."
Gene smiled at her and took a glass of tea. "I'm sure you're right Melfina. That next big job is right around the corner."
From the other end of the room the phone rang. Aisha looked up. "Will somebody get that? I'm trying to sleep."
Jim shook his head at her and picked up the phone. "Starwind and Hawking, we fix all your problems from relationships to machinery. What can I do for you? Yes? I see? Really! That's great. Send me the information and I'll discuss it with my partner. All right." He hung up the phone.
Gene looked at him curiously. "Who was that Jim?"
Jim turned and smiled. "You remember that saurian we met when we got captured by those security bozos? Well he and his partner just called to offer us a job. Something about finding the planet where the pirates keep their stolen loot. He says they don't have to actually report the find for another week and were wondering if we would like to help them 'misplace' a few of the more expensive items. But we'd have to hurry because they aren't sure how long it will take the pirates to hear that their stash has been found."
Gene grinned and looked back at Melfina. She smiled at him and nodded. Gene nodded back and turned to Jim. "I say we go for it. It might be a good chance to get that big lizard into my debt again."
Jim grinned and Aisha put her hand on his shoulder. "I'm coming too. The pirates have stolen a lot of Ctarl-Ctarl items and I want to get them back."
Gene turned and called out. "How about you Suzuka?"
The assassin's head popped out of the kitchen. "Sounds good to me. This will really piss off the Kae pirates."
Gene laughed. "Then it's settled, we're going."
The Gilliam robot let out a tiny sigh. "Here we go again."
TO BE CONTINUED
Preview of next story:
Hi, it's me Aisha. It seems we've finally found where the Kae pirates stashed their loot. Now if we can get there soon enough we could make up for our last flop. Jim keeps saying we'll have to be careful because of the traps, but I tried to assure him that as an immortal Ctarl-Ctarl I could handle anything. So keep watching for the next story by Clayton Overstreet... 'Pirate's Lair'. Don't miss it.
Author's note:
So what did you think? My first real Outlaw Star fan fic. I hope I stayed in the spirit of the show. If you like it feel free to tell me what you think at clayton_n@hotmail.com
If not then you just wasted a lot of time. I'm working on the next story right now so keep an eye on whatever site you saw this in and wait for the next one.
Fields of Dragonite
By, Clayton Overstreet
"Don't mess with me loser!" Gene yelled as his grappler arms locked with those of the pirate ship. He smiled and twisted the control's ripping the other ship's arms off. Melfina turned the ship at an angle and Gene began hitting the other ship with it's own arms.
Jim looked back at him. "Good move Gene, this means we wont have to spend as much getting the dents out of our arms. These guys weren't that high up in the Kae pirates so if we're going to make any money at all we have to avoid getting..." A loud bang rocked the Outlaw Star as the pirate ship crashed head on in one last desperate attack. "... Hit." Jim sighed.
"We have received a cut to the hull, but nothing that can't be repaired." Gilliam said.
Jim sighed and looked back. "Well that's it. After this the money we get for this guy is just going to pay for the repair bill."
"Defeating pirates is it's own reward." Suzuka said.
Aisha growled, "Ah, why can't we ever seem to make any money?"
Gene had to agree with her. Moving the grappler arms he slammed them into the other ship, causing it to explode. Using the arms he grabbed the floating body from space and deposited it into the cargo hatch as it froze. "Ending grappler combat mode." Melfina said. She smiled at Gene from her blue tube. "That was a good job Gene."
Gene smiled back, "Thanks Melfina. I just wish it were worth some more. Since we beat the Onten seven and Hazanko the major pirates and criminals have been avoiding us."
Suzuka turned to look at him. "In that case why don't you simply go to where they are?"
Gene sighed, "It's not that easy Suzuka. I don't have money to get out very far. I still owe Fred for financing all those projects while we were looking for the galactic lay line. Despite our terrific story he still took every Wong we got for the pirates and we still owe him a hundred thousand."
Jim smirked back at him. "Well at least you're finally worrying about the money for once."
Gene looked at him and frowned. "Oh shut up."
Aisha and Jim looked at each other, grinned, and then burst out laughing. Gene turned back to Melfina. "Plot our course back so we can get some rest."
Melfina smiled and nodded. "Plotting a course home. Don't worry Gene, I think you can find a big enough job."
Gene lay back with his eyes closed. It had been a rough week, between repairing the Outlaw Star and finding a few odd jobs to pay for food. Having Aisha around was definitely not helping the food bill.
He heard someone huffing and hopping around, so he peeked out one eye to look around. Suzuka was training in the middle of the room. "Don't you ever rest? You'll burn yourself out at this rate."
Suzuka stopped and smiled at him. "Maybe you are right."
Gene sat up. "I've been wondering something Suzuka. Why do you hang around with us? I mean we've defeated the pirates you wanted to and lately it's been rather slow around here."
Suzuka raised an eyebrow. "Do I take it you no longer want me here?"
Gene held up his hands. "Nothing of the sort. We're all one big happy family here. It's just that I want to make sure you are all right with the arrangements. After all it's not like people who hire assassins come by a lot."
Suzuka smiled at him and shook her head. "I find hanging out with you much more interesting. I have actually found bounty hunting to be far better than assassination anyway."
Melfina came around the corner carrying the tea set. She smiled at both of them. "Would either of you like some tea?"
Suzuka nodded politely and Gene smiled at her. "Thanks Melfina." He kissed her cheek. Suzuka felt a slight pain of jealousy, but pushed it aside. Since Gene was happy she would be happy for him and Melfina.
Melfina smiled at him, "Don't worry Gene, I'm sure a bog job is just around the corner."
"Hey Jim, any jobs coming in?" Gene called out.
Jim looked up from his computer, "None yet."
Aisha rolled over from where she had been sleeping near Jim's table. "Well maybe I could help. How much do you suppose they would pay you to stop a Ctarl-Ctarl from tearing up the town?"
Jim smiled at her and shook his head. "Sorry Aisha, but we don't do the illegal stuff. Besides we don't want you or anyone else getting hurt."
Aisha smiled. "Well I wouldn't be hurt. We Ctarl-Ctarl are immortal you know." Despite this she enjoyed it when Jim showed some concern for her. They had been a lot closer lately, especially since Jim seemed to develop a new respect for her abilities. Most of Aisha's boasting was completely justified. She still didn't find humans that attractive, but considering Jim's personality and what jerks most of the Ctarl-Ctarl had been to her, she liked him. And since she was immortal his age wouldn't be a problem forever.
Jim meanwhile had decided that Aisha was an all right girl, even if she was a bit boastful. Looking down he smiled at her and she smiled back. Then suddenly his thoughts were interrupted as he got an incoming call. Jim picked it up and Fred's face appeared on the screen. "Hello Jim, is Gene there?"
Jim sighed and called up, "Hey Gene, Fred for ya on line one."
Gene stood up from his talk with Melfina and Suzuka and walked over to the phone. "Fred if it's about the money I don't have it yet."
Fred smiled. "Well Gene don't wait too long to pay me off. The interest could get awfully high."
Gene frowned. "Now hold it right there Fred. Our deal didn't say anything about interest."
Fred raised an eyebrow. "And what would you do if I do charge interest?"
Gene grinned. "Then I'll tell your super strong fiancé just why we were at the contest."
Fred held up his hand. "No need Gene, I haven't charged you interest yet and I won't start now. I actually called you about a job."
Gene's eyes widened slightly. "What kind of job?"
Fred smiled. "Oh just a little mining operation. We've found an asteroid field of dragonite and we need a grappler ship to help protect us for three days while we load it up."
Gene rubbed his chin thinking. "How much does it pay?"
Fred smiled pleasantly. "Well since there is so much high density dragonite and you are my best business partner, I would say however much dragonite you can fit into your cargo hold would do... but not until the three days is up. You wouldn't be able to protect us well if you are loaded down."
Gene kept his face straight. "If I take the job in addition to the pay I want you to forget all of my outstanding debts with you."
Fred waved his hand. "Not a problem. With what I'm paying you that will be a drop in the bucket. I'll send Jim the coordinates." The screen went blank while Jim read over the information. Gene fell back onto his butt completely astonished.
Aisha came running up the stairs. "Did he say he'd pay the entire cargo hold full of dragonite and forget your debts?" Gene nodded and Aisha did a back flip. "Yes! No more working at crummy diners!"
Gene stood up and smiled at Melfina. "I guess you were right Melfina."
Melfina blushed and said, "I was just trying to be positive."
Gene smiled and shook his head, then looked at Suzuka. "You want to come along on this one?"
Suzuka grinned. "You bet. This one sounds too good to pass up."
Jim smiled up from below. "According to my calculations the cargo hold should carry enough dragonite to equal about seventy five million Wong. We'd all be set for life several times over."
Everyone cheered and smiled at each other. The pink Gilliam drone waved a pincher in the air. "It seems like our luck is finally changing."
Ron McDougal sat at the help of the Eldorado scanning the stars. Between jobs he enjoyed doing this when he had a free moment. Suddenly Harry's face popped up on the screen. "Hey big brother, I found us another job."
Ron smiled. "What is it this time? I hope it's something interesting."
Harry nodded. "One of Fred Loa's business associates who wished to remain nameless has informed us that Fred has found an asteroid field full of dragonite. In exchange for whatever dragonite we can carry he wants us to chase off the miners until he can get his own men there."
Ron's eyes narrowed as he smiled. "As much as we can carry huh?"
Harry smiled back. "Yeah. We could finally afford to get me a new body. But that isn't even the most interesting part. Guess who was hired to guard the place. Gene Starwind and his group."
Ron frowned. "No offense Harry, but are you sure we should do this? Our record with him isn't exactly sterling, and I can't download my brain into a computer."
Harry waved him back. "We can handle it. Look, as long as we don't take them on head on we should be fine. You know Gene's honor wont let him kill someone who isn't trying to kill him."
Ron rubbed his chin. "OK, we'll do it. But if it comes down to a direct fight we get out of there. Much as I hate to admit it that ship of theirs is stronger and faster than this one, especially since you won't hurt Melfina."
Harry nodded. "Agreed big brother. We'll be in and out before they even realize what's going on."
Melfina hummed to herself as she stirred the soup. They had arrived at the asteroid field earlier that day and things had been pretty quiet. From behind her she heard a chair move and turned to look. "Hello Suzuka. How are you doing?"
Suzuka smiled at her. "I'm fine Melfina. How are you this evening."
Melfina smiled and tasted the soup. "I'm doing all right I guess. You know you and I haven't talked much since we got back from the galactic lay line. Are you feeling all right?"
Suzuka wanted to give one of the same excuses she always did, but there was something about Melfina that was so sincere she decided to just lay everything out on the table. "Well there are a few things, but... I'm not used to confiding in people."
Melfina turned to stir the soup again. "I promise that whatever you tell me will never leave this room. In fact, hold on a second." She turned to the Gilliam drone hanging above them. "Gilliam could you turn of the sensors to this room for an hour and close the doors?"
"Certainly Melfina." The drove slid out the door, which closed behind it.
Melfina turned back to Suzuka. "There you go."
Suzuka smiled at her. "Thank you Melfina. But I'm still not sure if you are the one I should be telling this to. It involves you as well."
Melfina frowned and turned back to her. "I know Suzuka and I'm sorry. At the time I didn't know how you felt about Gene." She nervously rubbed her thumb over her wedding ring.
Suzuka shook her head. "It's not your fault Melfina. And you have nothing to be sorry for. I'm happy for the two of you. I am just a little jealous. And that wasn't the only thing bothering me."
Melfina smiled and stirred the soup again. "Thank you Suzuka. That means a lot to me. I always considered you a friend and maybe even family. But what else is bothering you?"
Suzuka sighed and looked at her. "Well little sister," Melfina giggled and Suzuka smiled. "I have a bit of a gambling problem."
Melfina turned to look back at her. "What do you mean?"
Suzuka shrugged, "Every time I make money, no matter how much it is, I always end up blowing it on bets. I even bet on the Outlaw Star in the space race."
Melfina smiled and turned the stove off. "Well we would have won if Harry hadn't fired those missiles at us."
Suzuka nodded. "So I've heard from Gene... every time the race is mentioned." They both rolled their eyes.
"I know, but it's true. And it's not like he's the only one who does that." Melfina said.
"You have a point. Since she won the strongest woman in the universe contest Aisha has been impossible."
Melfina grinned at her. "Well you could have entered it? Do you think you could have beaten her?"
Suzuka shook her head. "I honestly don't know. You say Gene shot her at point blank range with a caster and all she got was a little singe?" Melfina nodded and filled up some bowls with soup. Suzuka shook her head. "Then I doubt it."
Melfina sat down and smiled pleasantly. "Jim seems to be able to keep her calm."
Suzuka sighed. "Yes, he does. Think it will work out?"
Melfina nodded. "I'm sure it will. They get along well and seem to enjoy each other's company."
Suzuka sipped some soup from her own bowl. "I was wondering about that. You don't age do you?"
Melfina shook her head. "I age slower than normal people do. Why?"
Suzuka frowned. "Well Gene doesn't. Neither does Jim. In all likely hood you and Aisha will outlive them. Especially the way they live."
Melfina nodded and looked down. "I know. Gene told me not to worry about it though. We had a long talk about it and he told me that whatever happens the time he spent with me and the rest of the family means more to him than anything else, no matter how annoyed he seems."
Suzuka shook her head. "He certainly does keep that side of himself hidden. But I think that is a good philosophy. You can call the others to lunch now. Anything else I discuss with you they can hear."
Melfina nodded and opened the door. "Gilliam, could you tell the others that lunch is ready?"
"Right away Melfina." The computer said.
Gene lay back in the pilot's seat thinking about everything he could do with the money... and came up blank. He enjoyed the life style he had. Of course he could just use his share for better weapons. And he wouldn't have to take chump jobs anymore or go hungry. But for the most part he wanted things to stay the same.
Opening his eyes he glanced at Jim. "What do you think you'll do with your share Jim?"
Jim smiled and turned back to him. "I was thinking paying off all our debts, then getting some premo computer stuff and maybe a nice house."
Gene nodded. "You don't want to close down the business do you?"
Jim shook his head. "No way. It's way too much fun, at least when we have the bills paid. Besides, it's not like the money will last forever."
Gene nodded. "Agreed. At least now we won't have to settle for doing small jobs anymore. We can focus on the big stuff and really get our names out there."
"Gene, Melfina wishes me to inform you that lunch is being served." Gilliam said.
Gene nodded. "Thanks Gilliam. Tell her we're on the way." They both got up and walked down the hall to the kitchen.
When they got there they saw Melfina serving soup to Aisha. "Oh yummy! Just keep heaping it in there Melfina." Aisha said.
Melfina smiled and nodded. "I know Aisha." She turned and looked at Gene and Jim. "So how are you two doing today?"
Gene smiled and sat down. "Oh just discussing what we'll do with the money. How about you three? What do you want to do with your share?"
Jim sat down and grabbed his bowl while Melfina thought about it. "I don't really know Gene. Maybe get some new clothes or something. Not much though. You know me."
Gene nodded and looked at Aisha. "How about you?"
Aisha slurped her soup. "Well, I was thinking of first swimming in it, then maybe buying a lot of food, then my own ship... but then I figured that nothing I get could beat this one." She gulped some more soup. "How about you Suz? What are you going to do?"
Suzuka frowned. "I told you not to call me that. Anyway I will probably spend it on something or other. It depends on what I need and want as I go along. It seems to me that we all already seem to have everything we want for the most part already, wouldn't you agree."
They all nodded in agreement and began eating again. Suddenly Gilliam said, "Warning, I am detecting a ship on attack vector for the mining equipment. It appears to be the Eldorado."
Gene looked up, "McDougal again. I thought we'd seen the last of him." They all ran to the bridge and got into their seats. Melfina disrobes and entered her tube as well. "Gilliam, contact the Eldorado."
McDougal's ship appeared on the screen. It was heading towards the equipment. Most of it was computerized but there were several people around to double-check. Then Ron McDougal's face and a second image of Harry replaced that image. Ron smiled at them and chuckled. "Well well, Gene Starwind."
Harry smiled and waved, "Hi Melfina."
Gene frowned. "What do you two want... wait a minute, I thought you were dead." He looked directly at Harry.
Harry shrugged. "I downloaded a backup into the ship's computer."
Ron smiled at them. "Anyway what we want is to carry out our contract. We were sent here to stop Fred Loa from getting the dragonite."
Gene shook his head. "No way McDougal. We were hired to protect it, so unless you think you can take us on with only one ship then don't even think about it."
From behind him Aisha leaned over and growled in agreement. "Try anything and we'll bury the both of you!"
Ron held up his hands. "Oh don't get me wrong. We have no intention of attacking any of this. But while we were talking Harry here has been taking over the equipment."
Gene's eyes widened and he ordered Gilliam to show the mining machines. The screen showed the machines going crazy, throwing the dragonite into space again. Then Jim turned around. "Gene we're getting a call from Fred."
Gene put his hand over his face. "Send it through."
Fred's face appeared next to Harry and Ron's, "Gene when I hire you for a job I expect it to be carried out. I just received a report that my mining operation has been totally shut down due to a computer virus."
Gene nodded. "I know Fred. I have the McDougals here now."
Fred's eyes lit up. "Ah, then that explains it. I heard one of my competitors was hiring them. Tell you what. If you can get me on a conference call I think I may have a solution."
Gene looked at the McDougals. Ron shrugged. "I'll hear him out."
Fred smiled. "Ah Ron, long time no see. So how much were you being offered?"
Ron rubbed his chin. "We were offered our cargo hold full of dragonite to stop you."
Fred nodded. "That's what I was going to pay Gene. Unfortunately the man who hired you has recently suffered a loss of funds, thanks to me, and will not be able to pay you. However if you and Gene are willing to use those grappler ships of yours to finish the mining I think the same price can be paid."
Gene and the others looked up. "You expect us to work with them?"
Fred smiled. "Yes Gene I do, or you will not get paid."
Gene sighs and looked at Jim. "What do you think?"
Jim looked back and frowned. "It seems we don't have a choice. We can't even pay for the trip out here otherwise."
Gene looked at the McDougals who had turned off the sound while they discussed the job. Finally they turned back and nodded. "You have a deal Fred."
Fred smiled. "OK then. By the way, there are reports of pirates headed to the area. you may want to be on the look out. Ta ta." Fred's face vanished from the screen.
Gene closed his eyes and shook his head. "Things just keep getting better and better."
The mining went a lot slower, since neither ship was actually designed for it. Both the Outlaw Star and the McDougals had to assimilate some of the mining equipment, which took longer because they first had to purge the virus. Moving the dragonite into the transport ships was the hardest part. The arms could only move so much and they couldn't hook a scoop up to them, so they had to do it piece by piece.
Aside from that things went by smoothly for about a day. The McDougals no longer had any real reason to attack Gene and the others, but the crew of both ships kept a careful eye on each other. This of course, mostly consisted of Harry trying to sneak around and find new ways to watch Melfina. Unfortunately after the third time the ship shorted out Ron decided that enough was enough and made Harry stop. "Aw come on Ron, that isn't fair!"
"Harry she's married. Anyway until the job is done we can't afford to have to replace your circuit boards every ten minutes. Now either watch her with the camera's or forget it." Ron said.
Harry made some comment about the camera's having 'accidents' whenever they got close to the Outlaw Star but Ron ignored him.
Meanwhile back on the other ship Gene sighs and shook his head. "I can't believe Fred talked us into this."
Jim turned to him, "What do you care? Gilliam is doing all of the work. Besides at least we're still getting paid."
Gene snorted and glanced at the screen that was watching the Eldorado. "Well I still don't like it."
Suddenly the computer screen flashed red and an alarm went off. Gene sat up and looked around. "What is it Gilliam?"
"I am detecting pirate ships coming out of either mode. Approximately twelve grappler ships and three carriers." The computer responded.
The others ran into the room and took their places. Once Melfina was in her tube she said, "Now entering grappler combat mode."
Gilliam flashed a warning. "I don't think this is a good idea Gene. With the dragonite in the cargo hold the ships ability to move may be compromised."
Gene shook his head. "It's too late for that now Gilliam. We'll have to take our chances. Inform the Eldorado that the pirates have arrived."
On the screen the Eldorado dropped the dragonite it had been moving and turned towards the pirates. The Outlaw Star followed close behind, arming the missiles and guns. Gene contacted the other ship, "Think you can handle the six on the left?"
Harry's face appeared, "No problem. Just make sure you get the ones you are going up against."
Gene frowned, then hooked up for combat. "Are you guys ready?" He looked back at Suzuka and Aisha who each had control of one of the grappler arms. They nodded and he looked at Jim. "Missiles ready?" Jim gave him the thumbs up. Finally he looked back at Melfina.
"All systems green." She said.
Gilliam sighed. "Since it's obvious you intend to go through with this lets show them what the galaxy's most advanced ship can do."
Gene grinned. "Now you're talking!"
He turned the ship towards the ships on the right. He attempted a hail to talk them out of it, but the pirates refused to respond. "We are within firing range now Gene," Gilliam reported.
Gene nodded, then swerved the ship to the left as a missile came at them. Jim fired anti-missiles, exploding the incoming missiles before they reached the ship. One of the pirate ships passed by the left side of the ship and Suzuka grabbed it with the grappler arm. Aisha did the same with another ship that attacked on the right and let out a loud meow. "Way to go Suz, now let's finish them off."
Suzuka frowned, "I told you not to call me that." She and Aisha moved the arms smashing the ships together, then tossing the wreckage into space where it exploded.
Meanwhile the Eldorado was wrestling with two ships with it's four grappler arms while a third was beating against it's hull. Gene fired a missile at it, damaging it severely. Then the Eldorado smashes the tow others ships together and threw them into the other one.
Gene didn't see this however because one of the carriers had begun firing at them. Gene pulled up, dodging the missiles, but the dragonite in his hull went in another direction and sent the ship spinning. Everyone grabbed onto his or her seats, but Aisha wasn't quite quick enough and went flying, landing on top of Gene's head. "Aisha, get off of me!"
The cat-girl growled. "Watch where you are going Gene." She quickly jumped back to her seat, taking control of the arm again. "I'm going to make them pay for that one!" It seemed to be true because as Aisha fired the blasters at the carrier she managed to hit their fuel cells. It went up in a huge explosion, also damaging the carrier next to it.
The McDougals had taken care of the last three ships on their side and were flying towards the carrier.
The last three grappler ships headed towards the Outlaw Star. "Gene, I'm out of ammunition." Suzuka said. Gene flipped a button on the console, replacing the gun on Suzuka's arm with a large blade. The assassin smiled and swung her arm around, slicing neatly through the first ship that reached them, impaling it in the end of the arm. Aisha still had some fire power left and took aim at the second ship, blasting it out of the sky.
Suzuka flipped the damaged ship into the last oncoming one, but it used it's own arms to knock the debree aside and headed straight for the ship. The Outlaw Star shook with the force of the other ship crashing into it. Suzuka and Aisha flipped to the claws and took a hold of it, then a huge white light sucked everything up.
Jim blinked several times and checked the computer screens. "Wow! The Eldorado just detonated a fusion bomb. It blew up both carriers!"
Gene frowned and Ron's face appeared on the screen. "We took care of our end. Need some help with that last one?"
Gene smirked back and shook his head. Turning to Suzuka and Aisha he said, "Ladies, if you would." Both girls smiled and pulls the controls to their arms, literally tearing the last pirate ship in half.
Two days later Gene was lying around in his chair at the office. "I can't believe this is happening. Why did the ship have to hit the cargo hold?"
Jim looked back. "Will you stop whining about that? So we had to tie the cargo hold shut with the anchor wires and could only take a quarter of the dragonite. There is no use complaining now."
Gene punched the wall. "I know but it's still not fair. The dragonite we did get had to be split between us, our share went to pay for repairs and the trip. Aisha bought that huge refrigerator with hers and blew what was left on food. Suzuka disappeared with her money and came back totally empty handed."
Jim looked up. "Well Melfina did offer to let you have her money."
Gene laughed, "I couldn't do that Jim and you know it. She's just too nice." He let out a sigh and fell back into his chair. "I guess it's back to chump jobs for a while to pay for the docking fees and bills. I just wish Fred wasn't so stingy."
Jim nodded. "But you have to admit he stuck with the deal. As much as we could carry. And at least we don't owe him any more money for a while."
Gene nodded. "Yeah, but what's really scary is that the McDougals got all that dragonite. Can you imagine what kind of weapons they could buy with that kind of money? Plus they said something about getting Harry a new body. I don't like it."
Melfina came in wearing her new dress and carrying some tea for them. "Don't worry Gene, I'm sure whatever it is you can handle it."
Gene smiled at her and took a glass of tea. "I'm sure you're right Melfina. That next big job is right around the corner."
From the other end of the room the phone rang. Aisha looked up. "Will somebody get that? I'm trying to sleep."
Jim shook his head at her and picked up the phone. "Starwind and Hawking, we fix all your problems from relationships to machinery. What can I do for you? Yes? I see? Really! That's great. Send me the information and I'll discuss it with my partner. All right." He hung up the phone.
Gene looked at him curiously. "Who was that Jim?"
Jim turned and smiled. "You remember that saurian we met when we got captured by those security bozos? Well he and his partner just called to offer us a job. Something about finding the planet where the pirates keep their stolen loot. He says they don't have to actually report the find for another week and were wondering if we would like to help them 'misplace' a few of the more expensive items. But we'd have to hurry because they aren't sure how long it will take the pirates to hear that their stash has been found."
Gene grinned and looked back at Melfina. She smiled at him and nodded. Gene nodded back and turned to Jim. "I say we go for it. It might be a good chance to get that big lizard into my debt again."
Jim grinned and Aisha put her hand on his shoulder. "I'm coming too. The pirates have stolen a lot of Ctarl-Ctarl items and I want to get them back."
Gene turned and called out. "How about you Suzuka?"
The assassin's head popped out of the kitchen. "Sounds good to me. This will really piss off the Kae pirates."
Gene laughed. "Then it's settled, we're going."
The Gilliam robot let out a tiny sigh. "Here we go again."
TO BE CONTINUED
Preview of next story:
Hi, it's me Aisha. It seems we've finally found where the Kae pirates stashed their loot. Now if we can get there soon enough we could make up for our last flop. Jim keeps saying we'll have to be careful because of the traps, but I tried to assure him that as an immortal Ctarl-Ctarl I could handle anything. So keep watching for the next story by Clayton Overstreet... 'Pirate's Lair'. Don't miss it.
Author's note:
So what did you think? My first real Outlaw Star fan fic. I hope I stayed in the spirit of the show. If you like it feel free to tell me what you think at clayton_n@hotmail.com
If not then you just wasted a lot of time. I'm working on the next story right now so keep an eye on whatever site you saw this in and wait for the next one.