CHAPTER 4 DAMN MY PENCHANT FOR CROSSOVERS
Spike hopped off the Bebop and looked around. This was a large, impressive ship, and thus had a large, impressive landing bay.
Jet followed and looked up. Wow. Look how high the ceiling is.
Yeah, I know. This ship's huge.
How much d'you suppose they'll want Jet asked, half to Spike, half to himself.
Ed followed Ein down the ramp and came to a halt. Wow! Coool! she exclaimed, looking around. I wonder what kind of computer system runs this ship!
Don't even think about it, Ed! Jet warned. We need to stay on the good side of these people. Do NOT try to hack their computer. Ed groaned disappointedly and scuffed the floor.
Canal, the green-haired woman, appeared abruptly. Hello! Welcome to the Swordbreaker. Restroom facilities are down that hall. If you'd like to come to the bridge, please follow me. She turned and began walking.
Coming, Spike? Jet inquired, looking at him.
Ein looked up. Oh, wait. I forgot—the ghola in Dune Messiah went by Hayt, not Duncan Idaho. Woops. My mistake.
Maybe Ein wants to come, Ed suggested.
Girl, you really need to get me a keyboard or something, Ein remarked.
——————
The bridge was empty except for one person in a chair. He swiveled around and revealed himself to be Kane Blueriver. Ah, Mr. Jet Black. He stood up and shook hands with Jet, then sat back down. So you just want us to take you to Sentinel III?
Yeah, that's fine. Thanks for doing this, Jet said.
Not a problem. Say, would you let me see your ship? he asked. I've been wondering what model it is.
It's actually a fishing boat I converted, Jet admitted. It's pretty small as ships go, but it's big enough for me and my buddies. He gestured to Spike and Faye, who had followed him.
Which of them is your first officer? Canal asked cutely.
Oh—that's Ed. She's not here, Jet explained. I asked her to stay with the ship.
She doesn't have to, Canal put in. There's no one on the Swordbreaker who would do anything to your ship in your absence.
No, believe me, Jet maintained. It's best if she stays on the ship.
If you say so, Canal said, shrugging.
Let's go take a look at the Bebop, shall we? Kane suggested, rising from his chair.
——————
On the way down to the bay, Jet and Kane conversed about many things. Jet explained his background and job history; Kane spoke of his grandmother, Ladmira Glayverse.
So how long have you gone by the name Jet Black? Kane asked.
Oh, since the beginning of my job with ISSP. They called me Jet Black, the Black Dog that doesn't let go once he bites'.
Kane nodded. Why Jet Black, though?
Jet thought. Well, my hair's black, he said. And Jet Black sounds a lot cooler than Timothy Haywood, don't you think?
Tim Haywood, the Black Dog' doesn't have the same ring as Jet Black, the Black Dog'.
They walked in silence for a while, then Kane sighed. You know, I don't know what to do. I'm nowhere near thirty, but my biological clock is already ticking. I want to leave something behind—a child or something. Something that people will know of as the legacy of Kane'.
Jet shrugged. I've basically given up trying to start a family. I've had a few girlfriends in my life, and actually almost married one of them, but nothing was ever really solid for long enough.
How old are you? Kane asked.
Well, it's not too late, Kane assured him. I don't know how long people usually live in the Solar System, but out here, thirty-six is still in the prime of life for men.
Yeah, I don't doubt that, but the problem is actually finding a woman who can put up with me.
You seem nice enough. Maybe you just haven't been looking in the right places. I assume that's your ship?
Jet nodded and gestured at it proudly. What do you think?
Kane groped for words.
Jet huffed. Like I said, it was a fishing ship that I converted into a spacecraft, he explained. So it's not exactly a representative of the most cutting-edge technologies the Solar System has to offer.
Kane admitted, studying the Bebop. The construction was rather unfamiliar to him—for one thing, he couldn't even guess at the purpose of the large pliers and hook on the top of the ship.
can't say I would know anything about how this ship works. I'm afraid that the mechanics on Sentinel III probably wouldn't know much, either, he said.
Well, I know how it works, so I can explain, Jet reassured him. Has technology out here really surpassed the Solar System?
Most likely. I've never been there, so I wouldn't know, but if everything is about on this level, I'd say definitely.
But it's not all this bad. I told you, this was a fishing ship. His face lit up. You know, there are a couple single-person ships aboard that I could show you. They're a little more sophisticated. The Swordfish, the Red Tail, and the Hammerhead.
What's its power source? Kane asked, still scrutinising the Bebop.
It uses a twenty-piston rubidium rod system, Jet said after a moment's thought. Which is pretty old and not that efficient. More-recent ships use less than twenty pistons and cesium rods.
So it's internal combustion? Kane queried, raising an eyebrow.
No, of course not. You can't do internal combustion in space! came the exasperated reply. We dwellers of the Solar System aren't THAT backward!!
actually, I think it is internal combustion, in a way. The engine requires water in addition to fuel rods, and I guess that it causes a reaction between the water and the rubidium to power the ship.
Kind of dangerous, Kane remarked. They haven't been able to do nuclear fission yet? Or psi-powered plasma engines?
Nu—cle—ar— fission?! Jet shrieked. You people have mastered nuclear fission?! Dear Lord in Heaven!!
Yeah, we figured it out a few decades back, but it's actually pretty inefficient compared to some of the advances since then. Like using psions to power a ship. That's how this ship runs—off my mindpower.
Mr. Jet? Jet had fallen over and was not moving.
Kane became aware of someone watching him. He looked over and saw a red-haired, teenage girl with a dog standing at her feet. The dog had brown eyes and honey-coloured fur, and seemed to be studying him as intently as the human.
He extended a hand to her. Hi. I'm Kane Blueriver, and this is my ship, the Swordbreaker. Who might you be, fair lady? He had always been taught to be polite to girls, especially ones he didn't know.
The girl giggled and shook his hand. I'm Françoise, but everyone calls me Ed. This is Ein. She pointed down at the dog. Nice ship. Everything's computerised, I assume?
Kane nodded. And it's got a great interface. Canal! The green-haired woman from before appeared at his side and waved perkily.
This is Canal. She's a hologram. She represents the computer system on this ship.
Cool! When was this ship built? Ed asked.
Canal looked up cutely, deep in thought. about three thousand years ago.
Ed's jaw dropped. Whoa! That was long before humans were in space! How—?!
Canal spoke. Oh, it's simple, really. I wasn't built by humans. I was built by another race.
Ed's eyes widened. Holy shit! Who?
Canal smiled, almost sadly. It was a long, long time ago. There was a very brief alliance between the Sekhtali and the Sebaceans, and they designed the Lost Ships. However, the two races really couldn't get along, so they gave up sold what ships they had already built to the Solnoids.
Sekhtali? Sebaceans? Solnoids?
Ein looked up at her. I think I know something about the Sebaceans. At the turn of this century, an astronaut disappeared during an experiment in Earth's orbit, and when he came back, he talked about different alien races he had come into contact with. One of them were the Sebaceans—a race who look almost exactly human, but are stronger, more intelligent, and even more aggressive.
Ed looked down at him. I become more and more certain that he's trying to talk to me, but can't speak Human.
There are ways to find out, Kane said. Let me look at something real quick. He pulled a handheld computer out from a pocket in his cape, opened a file, and studied it. Then he recited a few words in a bizarrely familiar language and held his hand towards Ed, palm out.
Ed felt sparklies go into her ears and dissolve. It was a very strange sensation. She blinked a few times and asked, What did you do?
I cast a spell. Try talking to Ein.
She looked down at the dog. Ein, what did you say just now?
Ein cleared his throat. I was saying how I know something about the Sebaceans, but not much. I'm surprised you don't know as well, since the information's easily available on the Internet.
Ed squealed and jumped up and down. Oh, my God! I can understand him!! He's talking!!!
Jet moaned and sat up. What was that sound? Did someone just put Ein through a mulcher?
I beg your pardon!! Ein barked, indignant.
Jet, Jet! Ed cried, running up to him and bouncing. I can understand Ein! It kicks ass!!!
Huh? Uh
No, really! Kane said he cast a spell, and I asked Ein to say something, and I understood him! I understand Dog now!
A spell? As in magic? Jet asked, rubbing the back of his head. Kane nodded. I don't believe it.
Kane held up his hands, palms facing each other, about six inches apart. Source of all power! Brightly-burning red flames! FIRE A small red orb of fire appeared between his hands, and he held it up for Jet to see clearly.
Canal put her hands on her hips. Do NOT throw that Fireball anywhere inside me, Kane Blueriver!
Don't worry—I wasn't going to, he reassured her. Then he looked back at Jet and smirked.
How the fuck did you do that? Jet queried, confused.
There's no such thing.
Kane let the fireball drop and dribbled it on the floor a few times as Canal watched, horrified into silence. Ed's eyes were wide with surprise and admiration.
PLEASE teach me how to do that! she cried, making a cute pleading face.
Oh, I don't know, Kane said, dispelling the fireball. Magic training is a serious business. You can't just undertake it to learn one spell.
Then I'll train! she gushed, bouncing up and down slightly. I wanna do cool shit like that!
Jet stood up and put a hand on her shoulder. Edward—ah, Françoise—I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but I think that magic is the last thing you need to learn.
Oh, bullshit! she protested, stomping her foot. I'm only fourteen! I'm still young. I want to diversify my skill base.
Jet shrugged. Well, fine. I still think it's bogus, though.
Kane shouted, and Jet found one of his feet frozen to the floor. Bogus, my ass! How would I fake something like that?! Kane demanded.
Jet spread his arms and shrugged. I don't know! Maybe you've got a weird sprinkler system or something, or maybe it's holographic.
Try to move, Kane suggested. Jet tried, and found he couldn't.
Okay, so you've got a weird cooling system. What the hell is the point?
Kane sighed in frustration and turned away. Fine. I give up. Just wait until your friend Françoise can cast spells. Then you'll see.