CHAPTER 3 CHASING MEMORIES
Spike opened the door to his room and stepped in. There was stuff scattered all around, in various sizes of boxes. There was a bed—he knew about that—and a small desk with a chair shoved under it. Something lay on top of the desk—it looked like a few pieces of torn paper. Stepping closer, he saw that it was a photograph that had been torn into three pieces. He pushed the pieces together and his heart started pounding.
What the hell?' he thought. Who are these people?'
The photo showed two men and a woman. Spike recognised the man on the left side—it was him, but with shorter hair, and probably younger. The other man had chin-length, wavy, white hair and a diagonal scar below his right eye.
He—looks familiar!' Spike thought. Who IS that?!'
The woman Spike caught his breath as he looked at her. She was smiling gently, her blonde hair a beautiful shade of gold in the sunlight. A pair of sunglasses were pushed up on her forehead, and she wore a black leather jacket.
Spike started to breathe heavily. He could feel memories buried somewhere deep within him struggling to come to the surface. He looked over at the vase that held three dead roses, and closed his eyes.
Water dripped on his head from above. He looked up, saw a pipe. There was a glimmering stalactite of collecting water. It must be a leak,' he thought, as it dripped onto his nose.
He wiped his face and looked down at the photo again. I KNOW these people!' he said to himself. I'm sure I do! But who the hell are they?!'
The water dripped on his head again, and he had a brief flash—Rain—torn paper—rose—puddle—
Dead rose—petals falling off—
The sound of a gunshot—
Spike shook himself and put a hand to his forehead. Is thathow I died?' he wondered. I was shot?'
He leaned over the desk and stared hard at the photo. The woman's name escaped him, as did the name of the man who wasn't him.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Spike jumped, then took a deep breath and said, Come in.
It was Faye. She stepped in, folded her arms, and contemplated him.
Is there something you'd like to talk about? he asked, trying to be kind.
You can'thave forgotten everything, she remarked quietly. You speak Japanese. You know how to interact with people. Do you remember your parents? where you were born?
He looked up, thinking. I wason Mars, he said finally. I rarely saw my mothershe worked long hours. I was raised mostly by my father.
Do you remember what you used to do for a living?
He shook his head. Not a clue.
Just where do your memories stop?
not sure, he admitted. They're very patchy as it is. I don't even remember all of my childhood.
Faye sighed and walked up to him. Linking her arm in his, she said softly, I know exactly how you feel. I was in cryo-sleep for fifty years, and when I woke up, I couldn't remember anything about who I was, or where, or why.
You're lucky, Spike. There are people who remember who you used to be. There was no one left for me to ask.
He looked down at her. Her eyes were closed, her eyelashes quivering. A sparkling tear welled up in one of her eyes and rolled down her cheek.
don't have a family anymore? he asked. She shook her head and bit her lip.
He put an arm around her and pulled her close. I'm sorry, Faye. I wish there was something I could do.
She put a hand on his chest and looked up at him. M—maybe there is something you can do.
What? I'll do anything to help.
She sniffed and took a deep breath. Give ME a family.
He started.
It wouldn't be hard at all! Just let me have your baby. Then I'll have someone to care about and to care about me.
I care about you, Faye, he whispered, brushing a lock of hair from her face.
Their faces were nearing for a kiss, when they were interrupted by Jet's voice coming over a speaker. We're approaching the edge of the Solar System. Just thought you all would like to know.
Faye whispered. There are very few maps of the space beyond Pluto. We're basically headed into uncharted territory.
Surely someone lives out there, Spike protested.
Well, yes. There are some people. Colonists and such. But most of them are so far away from the Solar System that there's very little contact with the settlements out there.
Then we'll blaze our own trail! he said, smiling. Come on, Faye, cheer up. You should be happy. I'm a guy who thinks you're way sexy. Who needs memories?
do you love me she asked breathlessly, locking her gaze with his. He just smiled, leaned over, and kissed her.
——————
Spike wandered into the control room, where Jet and Françoise/Ed were talking heatedly about something.
I honestly can't see why anyone would start smoking in the first place, Ed stated. It's a disgusting habit that causes all kinds of health problems.
Well, once you start, it's hard to stop, Jet said. You get hooked, and need more nicotine, and each cigarette makes you more addicted. It's what some people call a vishasu-saakuru' [vicious circle].
Spike looked up, startled.
Jet's look of surprise was slowly replaced by one of understanding. Oh, right. Vicious.
why does that sound so familiar?! Spike demanded, sweating. Tell me! Is it something from my past!?
Jet leaned back in his chair. Do you REALLY want me to tell you, Spike? If I do, you may wish I hadn't.
Please tell me, Jet! I need to know!
Maybe if you just remind him of something, his memories will return Ed suggested.
Jet sighed and turned to Spike. Vicious was a man you knew in your former life. You used to be friends, but then something happened that drove you apart.
Spike blinked. I can almost He strained, as if digging through the bowels of his mind. Then he turned to Jet, eyes wide. What did he look like?!
Oh, he was tall and skinnyaround your heightsort-of-long, white hairhad a scar on one side of his face.
Oh my God! That's HIM in the picture! Spike yelled, pulse racing.
What picture? Jet asked.
I—I found a torn photograph in my old room. It's got me, and another man and a woman, both of whom I recognised, but didn't know their names. Holy shit!
I wonder who the woman is, then he muttered.
Probably Julia, Jet said.
Another flashback came over Spike—
Rain—roses—torn paper—graveyard—
—Gun—Katana—
—Blood-colour fading to black
Spike staggered back and shook himself. Who—who WAS I?!
He took a step towards Ed. Françoise—who was I? Can you find out?
She looked at the computer screen in front of her and typed something. A new window popped up, and she continued typing at an alarmingly-fast rate.
Jet, what's Spike's name? she asked.
Spike Spiegel. S-P-I-E-G-E-L.
OK. Thanks.
Spike looked over at Jet. Jet returned his glance with a raised eyebrow. Seriously? Your memories haven't returned?
I don't know. I think they're buried somewhere, and need a trigger to come out.
Ein jumped up and down. Yes! You need someone to say to you, She is gone!' Like when Chani died in Dune Messiah!
Spike looked down at the barking dog, confused. I would swear it's trying to say something.
Oh, he probably is, Ed observed. Ein's very smart. He's a data dog, remember?
Oh, right. I guess not.
About half a minute passed before a loud beep was heard from the console before Ed. Here we go! I found an information file from the Red Dragon syndicate.
Red Dragon!? Spike and Jet asked in unison.
I don't know if he wants to go THAT deep, Ed Jet admonished.
heard the name Spike whispered.
Here you go. Read. She turned the monitor so that Spike could read more easily.
Spike bent down and focused on the screen. Sure enough, there was a picture of him, and lots of kanji.
Is it in Chinese he inquired.
Ed took a look at the screen. Yeah, probably. I bet you used to be able to read it, but since you lost your memories
Well, let me try. He scrutinised the screen carefully and began to recognise characters.
he murmured. What the hell is this?!
Apparently, you used to work for a crime syndicate, Ed remarked. Jet nodded.
It says—I killed—the leader—! Spike got down on one knee in front of the computer. Jesus Christ! Spike Spiegel is responsible for the deaths of Vicious, Zhou Lin, and Zhou Shin.' What was I, a fucking assassin?!
I don't know if THAT was the case, Jet mumbled.
Spike stood up. Are there any more data on me?
Ed typed something, and a small gray window popped up with what appeared to be buttons. I found an MP5. It's a song called Green Bird'. Apparently, it was written in the 20th century by someone named Kanno Yoko.
Well? Play it, he urged.
It was a bizarre, but familiar song—a boys' choir singing in a weird mix of Latin and English. Spike knew he had heard it before.
Where did you find this? he asked.
was the reply.
Spike sat down and leaned against the chair, listening. It felt like he was wading through a thick swamp, trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel. The light was his memory. But it was always just out of reach.
——————
Faye leaned over the top of Jet's chair and looked down at him. He was asleep. She poked him in the nose, then tried to look innocent.
What do you want? he growled.
Hey, does this ship have the capability to travel faster than light?
He let out a huff. Don't be silly. Of course not.
there are no Hyperspace gates outside the solar systemare there?
Not that I know of.
are we just going to fly everywhere? I hope not, 'cause that will take a really long time. Space is fucking big.
Jet turned the chair around and glared at her. Well, someone wasn't thinking of that when someone told me to go to the Toward Star in pursuit of the elusive
Ah! Sorry, sorry! Faye squeaked. Can we go back, then?
And do what? You want to catch this Outlaw-dude', right?
Then we'll have to be put in cryo-sleep or something, won't we?
Faye stomped her foot. This is the future! Everything's just supposed to work!!
Ed said timidly.
What is it, Ed?
That ship just came out of hyperspace in front of us.
He whirled his chair around, and, sure enough, there was a gleaming white ship that hadn't been there before. O—open a communication channel!! he demanded, sweat bubbles surrounding his head.
His monitor blanked out, then was filled with the image of a greenish-haired young woman with a weird marking on her forehead. Ara? Oh, hello! Who might you be? she asked, in a voice disturbingly like Faye's.
My name is Jet Black. I'm the captain of this ship, the Bebop. My first officer just noticed your ship exit hyperspace. Would you be so kind as to explain the mechanism by which you travel?
Oh, certainly! It has a plasma-neutron psionic-powered engine, standard on Lost Ships, and She continued, using various technical terms that were utterly obscure to Jet.
Finally, he cleared his throat. I'm sorry to interrupt you, Miss, but I have a favour to ask. This ship doesn't have built-in hyperspace travel technology. I was wondering if you could tell me where to outfit it
Oh, easy! Just go onto the Interstellar Web! There are free Hyperdrive downloads and upgrades. I think the best site is—
No, you don't understand. Jet sighed. This ship was built in the Solar System. The Solar System uses Hyperspace Gates to facilitate interplanetary travel. Ships use the Gates to go between planets, but no ship built in the Solar System has the capacity to enter hyperspace without a Gate.
Her eyes widened. You're kidding!
She blinked a few times, apparently in shock. H—how do you get around?
We use the Gates. It's assumed that no-one will ever want to leave the Solar System.
Canal, who are you talking to? a young man's voice asked. The green-haired chick looked behind her.
It's a ship from the Earth system. Can you believe that their ships can't enter hyperspace on their own?
Hah?! How do they get around!?
They apparently use some kind of Gates that activate hyperspace, and that's their means of travel.
But—how—How many of these Gates are there? Surely they can't be every single place one would want to go?
Look, you're human. You must have come from the Solar System. How did you get out here? Jet asked. The young woman blinked, then shook her head.
No. I'm a hologram, part of this ship. It's a Lost Ship, created by non-human technology. I've never been to Earth. Kane might have been, thoughask him.
Let me talk to him.
Canal stepped back, and a young man with red hair and blue eyes appeared on the screen. Hi. Kane Blueriver, Trouble Contractor.
Jet Black, freelance cowboy. Nice to meet you.
So, I hear your ship can't enter hyperspace.
Yeah. How much can you tell me? Is it possible for us to get our ship retrofitted?
I think so He scratched his head. But from what I understand, they can't do it in the Solar System. You'll have to go to some other major planet.
Are you from Earth? Jet asked.
Me? Naww. Never been there. My home planet's Eiyattara.
Wh—what?! Is that a recently-settled planet?
Kane shook his head. No, as far as I know, there've always been humans there. Freaky, huh? And then, when people from my planet started traveling through space, we found people already here—some of them humans, some of them
Uchuujin-tachi [aliens]?! Ed cried excitedly.
sure. Anyway, I would suggest Sentinel III. I hear there's a great outfitter there called Starwind & Hawking Enterprises. I'll send you coordinates. He looked down at the keyboard and hit a few keys. They should just appear on your screen. I don't know if you have AutoNav or what.
I see them. Thanks for your help. Good luck with your
Thanks. You too. Bye.
The image of Kane disappeared, but the coordinate numbers remained on the screen. Ed, punch these numbers into the computer, Jet said, and read them off.
Ed looked up. do you know where this planet is?
No, where?
About ten light-years from where we are.
Jet sat bolt-upright. Shit! That means—
—Even if we travelled at the speed of light, which we can't, it would take us ten years to get there. This had come from Spike. Everyone looked at him, shocked. He threw his hands in the air.
Well, hey! Just because I lost my memories doesn't mean I'm STUPID or anything!
Maybe you'd better call Kane back, Faye suggested.
I think I will, Jet said, ashen-faced.
The image of Canal popped back up on the screen. When she saw Jet, she smiled and waved. Hello again! Is there something else you need?
there's a problem. You know the planet that Kane gave us coordinates for? It's too far away for us to reach.
Sentinel III? It's only 10.3 light-years away from——ohhh yeahhh!! You don't have Hyperdrive! She shot a glare at Kane. Did you forget WHY you were giving them directions?!
What? They don't have Lightdrive either?! Kane asked from offscreen.
Even if we DID, it would take TEN YEARS to get there! Faye growled. Listen, Miss, uh, Canal, is there a way you can tow our ship through hyperspace to this Sentinel planet? Wewe can pay!
Jet hissed admonishingly. yeah. Our ship can withstand hyperspace travel; it just can't enter it on its own. So if you could tow us, or something, that would be fine He grinned nervously and clasped his hands.
Canal crossed her arms and thought. Well, there would be a small fee for transporting your shipwe've never done any work like this before
What about Milly? Kane's voice asked. He was promptly stifled by something enveloping his head.
Let's talk about price, Canal suggested.
Can we get the ship hooked up first? Jet pleaded.
Canal rubbed the back of her neck. I don't think we have a hook or cables. I'm not sure we can tow you.
Jet facefaulted. Then what are we supposed to do?!
Well, there's the landing bay, but
I don't like to let strangers inside me
Spike looked up. God, that sounded wrong.
Please, Miss Canal! Jet said, clenching his fists. Just let us on! We'll give you money!
Do you accept Woolongs? Faye asked over his shoulder.
Canal's eyes brightened. You have Woolongs?! Sweeeeet!! Her pupils were briefly replaced with money symbols, but she quickly returned to herself. All right, then! I'll open the landing bay doors! Her image disappeared.
Faye looked at Ed, confused. Why was she so excited to hear that we have Woolongs? she queried.
Ed hit a few keys and stared at the screen. Apparently, in the Toward Star, they use Wongs, she explained. Woolongs are worth just a little bit more than Wongs—about 1.5 Wongs to the Woolong.
Faye nodded, understanding slowly dawning. So THAT's why they gave different bounties on Big Shot. Excitedly, she turned to Ed. That means we can get more for our money when we're shopping!
Uh, not exactly Ein protested. There may be different currencies, but an item's value is the same, and so the price given has been adjusted.
I think Ein wants to go shopping too! Ed said, making a cute face.
No! That's not what I said at all! Ein asserted.
I wonder if he can type, Spike said, looking at Ein.
I've tried to teach him. His paws are too big, Ed told him.
Hey, people. Heads up. We're heading into the landing bay. Jet leaned over his console to guide the Bebop.