Gene sat in the pilot seat of the Outlaw Star as he and his crew,
consisting of Aisha Clan-Clan, Suzuka, Jim Hawkins, and Melfina, cruised
across the galaxy towards Sentinel 3. Gene watched as a ship smaller than
theirs turned towards the Outlaw Star. "Gene, we are being hailed by the
small craft above Sentinel 3," Gilliam said to Gene. "Alright then
Gilliam, let them through," Gene told the ship's computer. A man about the
age of 30, with a slightly receding hairline appeared on the screen.
"Unidentified ship heading towards Sentinel 3. State your ship name and
your business with the colony," the man said in a gruff voice. "This is
the Outlaw Star requesting docking, refueling, and reloading of the ship.
We also would like to buy provisions and other such things on the colony,"
Gene replied to the man. The man checked his computer, and nodded to him.
"Alright Outlaw Star. You are cleared to land at Docking Bay 2 for refuel
and reload of all components," the man said in his gruff tone of voice.
************************************************************************
As Jim walked out of the hatch of the Outlaw Star, he saw Gene put an
arm around Melfina. He chuckled to himself at the thought of the two
together. Ever since the end of the Leyline project, Gene and Melfina had
been closer than two peas in a pod, and it was making Jim somewhat jealous.
He wished that he had a girlfriend, or someone to put his arm around.
Suzuka walked to the left of him, and Aisha was to his right. He then
remembered why they were returning to Sentinel 3, and smiled slowly. Gene
had made enough money to pay off Fred Lou, and to visit with Clyde and the
others that they had left behind when they first got the Outlaw Star. Jim
put his hands behind his head, and continued to walk; knowing that he
probably would never find the right person for him. He looked over at
Aisha, and wondered what she would look like if she was his age. He had
grown to be 15 since the end of the Leyline project, and was beginning to
see something in girls that he had never seen before.
Gene held the door open for everyone as they walked through the door
into Fred's office. They walked up the stairs, and knocked on the door.
"Come in," Fred called from the inside of the room. They all walked in,
Suzuka being the last one though. Fred stared at Suzuka for awhile, and
then turned to look at Gene. "Ah, Gene Starwind. How nice to see you on
such short notice," Fred said in his normal tone of voice. "Yeah, good to
see you again too Fred," Gene said, giving his friend a slap on the back.
"Well, now that you are here, let's talk about how much you owe me," Fred
told everyone, getting straight to the point of their visit. Gene laughed,
and handed Fred a stack of Wulong. "That should about cover it Fred.
Plus, I gave you a little extra, if you know what I mean," Gene said,
elbowing his friend. Jim didn't notice at first, but Suzuka seemed to be
staring at Fred, and smiling. "What's up with her?" he wondered as he
turned to look at Gene and Fred. After all the money talks were over,
everyone left the room, except Suzuka. They all waited for her at the
door, and after about 15 minutes, she slowly walked down the stairs.
"Suzuka, what were you doing up there?" Gene asked, raising an eyebrow at
the ex-bounty hunter. She smiled, and said nothing. "I'm going to pick up
some groceries," said Melfina as the left. Gene nodded and looked at Jim.
"What say we go and open up Starwind and Hawking Enterprises again while we
are here for a while?" Gene asked. Jim nodded, and began to follow Gene.
"I need to pick up something too," Aisha said with a grin on her face. She
waved, then turned in the other direction. "I too have some unfinished
business to attend to," Suzuka murmured. Suzuka turned, and walked into
the alleyway between Fred's shop, and another shop.
