Disclaimer: I do not own the original characters of the Cowboy Bebop
series (Spike, Jet, Faye, Eddie). They all belong to the Kadokawa-Shoten
Company and proper affiliates.
Maya: An Avenger's Story
Chapter 1: Personal Prison
It wasn't even three days after Maya's death when the jury convicted me of a murder I didn't commit. As stupid as it sounds, they think I was the one who killed her, then killed my so-called "co-conspirators" in an attempt to cover my tracks. Question remains, though: Why kill my own daughter? Everyone in town knew I loved her with all my life, heart, and soul. Even forensics found that the slugs didn't match my gun to Maya's wounds. Regardless of the evidence presented, I was sentenced to die in a far away prison several galaxies away. Specifically, Pt. 5542 Sector 16, which was about 40-something light years away from Charon.
I arrived at the desert-like planet with winter clothes on, which led to an obvious conclusion that the torture was intended. After I was officially documented as a prisoner, everything looked as bleak as the desert surrounding the prison. No oasis, hardly any water, very little hope, and no reason to live. This place was meant to be a prison. As if my personal prison wasn't enough to keep me awake at night, I had a new sensation regarding the prisoners that seem to keep following me; paranoia.
As I approached my cell to retire for the fifth night, I noticed about 3 huge looking prisoners obstructing my chamber door like a brick wall: a blonde Caucasian, a short and stocky black man, and the biggest one with no hair. It was a good thing I fashioned a makeshift knife to conceal in my garb's long sleeves.
"Ready to get some shut-eye, Yoshida?" the muscular blonde hissed. He looked a little love-starved. "You really are starting to look like Sleeping Beauty."
"The next time I want a compliment, give me a Valentine's Day card," I retorted, trying to keep my cool. "Don't take that as an offer. I was being sarcastic."
"He's definitely got some spunk," jeered the rougher looking body builder. "He might be useful for something after all."
"I don't have time for this," I spoke, trying to avoid them. "Get out of my way."
"Hold it," the blonde commanded. "We're making a proposition."
"Then get the guy who likes cross-dressing," I snapped, getting ready for a fight.
"We're not talking about that," the short one spoke up. "We're talking about an attempt to escape."
"What does it matter to you guys for me to escape?" I asked.
"You think we didn't see the trial?" the short guy asked in return. "First of all, name's Shorty, for obvious reasons. Second, that was rhetorical question I asked you, if you were thinking of more smart-ass answers. Third, we know for a fact you were set up."
"Guess I should start warming up to you guys, since I now know I'm not the only one who thinks I was framed," I coldly spoke.
"No need to go there, Yoshida! I was framed too! Don't you even recognize me?"
"Should I?"
"YEAH! You tried to prove that Kara Kino's gang of thieves wasn't involved with that jewelry robbery! You tried to prove my sister and me innocent!"
Suddenly it dawned on me. A case I failed to break because of some bounty hunters getting involved. They worked on a spaceship called the Cowboy Bebop. They got a little TOO destructive and destroyed half the evidence I needed to piece together what I needed to prove Shorty and Kara's innocence. Kara was killed shortly after sentencing. Female prisoners took her life without hesitation. Smelled like a set up, but I couldn't prove it.
"You were the only cop who cared, man. In return for your kindness, I'll help you avenge your daughter. Are you with me?"
I had to think about this a second. I know I have nothing to live for, but I have nothing to fight back with. How would we escape a desert planet? What if this was another set up? I'll have to play along until I get answers.
"What do you have in mind?" I asked.
"It's simple," Shorty began. "This barren planet can't so much as support much plant life, right? All the plants that allot us to breathe are considered inedible. So, this place has a regularly scheduled convoy that delivers food. I gather, usually about 5PM."
"The time lockdown usually starts. I see what you're saying."
"Yeah, and then I plan to try and escape about an hour and a half before its arrival."
"Wouldn't the guards be a little suspicious about our disappearance?"
"Yes! And then my two boys here will raid the armory at the belly of the prison! Since we're considered 'high profile criminals,' most (if not all) of the guards will look for us. Open opportunity here!"
"That sounds pretty good. TOO good, if you ask me."
"Look, I know you have a hard time trusting anyone..."
"You don't know the half of it!"
"Think about this, then: Your scheduled execution has been changed to about three days from now! If you don't believe me, you can sneak into the office by scaling the walls. You'd have to avoid the spotlights, but it's very possible to get in."
And so they left. I always knew if something was always too good to be true, it probably was. Then again, this information about my execution kind of struck a curious suspicion. I couldn't sleep after hearing that, so I decided that since I have nothing to lose, I'll take a small peek in the office.
Getting to the outside area was a little tricky with all the guards inside. I was wondering how I'd get past them without being spotted. Luckily, there aren't dogs on this planet as it opens opportunity to get a disguise. I couldn't get a guard's uniform due to the special computers implanted in one of the buttons that respond to DNA. Bodies differentiate with different electric fields based on the deoxyribonucleic acids. If I climbed into a guard's uniform, I'd set off every alarm in the penitentiary. I crept out of the cell, not knowing ahead of time what to do. I figured I'd play it as I go along and look for whatever caught my eye. Through wandering around within shadows, dodging the flashlights from the guards, I bumped into something big, hollow, and felt like cardboard. The sound alerted the guards' attention. I had to think real fast, or I'd end up like Swiss cheese before I could find the answers I needed to know...answers to questions concerning Maya's death.
I quickly deduced the object I bumped into was an empty cardboard box. I needed something fast, so I placed the box over me. It wasn't tight at all, but I felt like something out of a cartoon.
"Did you hear something?" one of the two guards asked as they looked into the area.
"I did," the second guy responded. They flashed their flashlights around where I was. I could see from one of the hand holes on the side of the box. "It was probably a rat." And the two left. I was safe for now.
I crept around the sides of the complex with my Halloween costume unnoticed. These guards must be really stupid. I reached the door that led outside. After I ditched the box, I opened the door carefully and went outside for a stroll.
So far, Shorty was right about the outside. There were only a few spotlights active towards the inside of the complex, while most of them were pointed outside. Luckily, for every spotlight I had seen, there was either a big rock or a trashcan I could hide behind, without being noticed. It didn't take long for me to find the window to the office. Before the actual office, there was a locker room where the guards bathe and change their clothes. I slipped in and noticed that most of the guards were bathing, bringing about a heavy steam to cloud even my eyes. I manage to exit the locker room and found my way into the office.
To my left of the locker room entrance, there was a janitor's locker. The label on it read, "Shorty." That definitely explains how Shorty got his information. Some of the people were just exiting their shower. Before the guards could take off the towels from their eyes, I quietly hid myself in Shorty's locker. I had to wait a moment for all 10-ten people to leave, but I wasn't seen, nor were there alerts that I had left my cell. That's thanks to an old-fashioned prop: pillows. As soon as the last guy left, I quietly left the locker. I looked into a nearby file cabinet for my file. And there it was...a reason to trust Shorty's word.
The file had some white-out on it where my scheduled execution was. It read the date three days from now. I felt pretty bad for doubting Shorty's word, but tomorrow should be an opportune time for me to get out of here. It's going to be a lot of work to get to the bottom of my personal case, but I WILL find my daughter's killer!
"Enjoying the light reading?" asked a voice from out of nowhere. I looked in panic to the direction of the voice. It was Shorty. The bastard nearly made me scream. "Now do you believe me?"
"Amazing how the guards trust you to get this info," I responded. "I'm not being sarcastic about that either. I don't know how you pulled it off, but they trust you."
"Look, it won't take long for the guards to find out who's been through the cabinet. I'll hide you in this trash bin full of cleaning supplies and escort you back to the cell."
"And then you say, 'If you trust me, that is?'"
"I KNOW you trust me. Better get in before you get caught."
I jumped in there immediately after putting the file away. Looks like I have a trusted ally on my side, for once. Every cop I worked with turned their backs away when I was testifying my innocence. As we approached my cell, Shorty was able to sneak me out of the drum by acting a little clumsy, pushing me out and allowing me to roll and crawl back into bed. Though I tried to sleep, all I could really do was put up an act, and trust in Shorty's plans.
Maya: An Avenger's Story
Chapter 1: Personal Prison
It wasn't even three days after Maya's death when the jury convicted me of a murder I didn't commit. As stupid as it sounds, they think I was the one who killed her, then killed my so-called "co-conspirators" in an attempt to cover my tracks. Question remains, though: Why kill my own daughter? Everyone in town knew I loved her with all my life, heart, and soul. Even forensics found that the slugs didn't match my gun to Maya's wounds. Regardless of the evidence presented, I was sentenced to die in a far away prison several galaxies away. Specifically, Pt. 5542 Sector 16, which was about 40-something light years away from Charon.
I arrived at the desert-like planet with winter clothes on, which led to an obvious conclusion that the torture was intended. After I was officially documented as a prisoner, everything looked as bleak as the desert surrounding the prison. No oasis, hardly any water, very little hope, and no reason to live. This place was meant to be a prison. As if my personal prison wasn't enough to keep me awake at night, I had a new sensation regarding the prisoners that seem to keep following me; paranoia.
As I approached my cell to retire for the fifth night, I noticed about 3 huge looking prisoners obstructing my chamber door like a brick wall: a blonde Caucasian, a short and stocky black man, and the biggest one with no hair. It was a good thing I fashioned a makeshift knife to conceal in my garb's long sleeves.
"Ready to get some shut-eye, Yoshida?" the muscular blonde hissed. He looked a little love-starved. "You really are starting to look like Sleeping Beauty."
"The next time I want a compliment, give me a Valentine's Day card," I retorted, trying to keep my cool. "Don't take that as an offer. I was being sarcastic."
"He's definitely got some spunk," jeered the rougher looking body builder. "He might be useful for something after all."
"I don't have time for this," I spoke, trying to avoid them. "Get out of my way."
"Hold it," the blonde commanded. "We're making a proposition."
"Then get the guy who likes cross-dressing," I snapped, getting ready for a fight.
"We're not talking about that," the short one spoke up. "We're talking about an attempt to escape."
"What does it matter to you guys for me to escape?" I asked.
"You think we didn't see the trial?" the short guy asked in return. "First of all, name's Shorty, for obvious reasons. Second, that was rhetorical question I asked you, if you were thinking of more smart-ass answers. Third, we know for a fact you were set up."
"Guess I should start warming up to you guys, since I now know I'm not the only one who thinks I was framed," I coldly spoke.
"No need to go there, Yoshida! I was framed too! Don't you even recognize me?"
"Should I?"
"YEAH! You tried to prove that Kara Kino's gang of thieves wasn't involved with that jewelry robbery! You tried to prove my sister and me innocent!"
Suddenly it dawned on me. A case I failed to break because of some bounty hunters getting involved. They worked on a spaceship called the Cowboy Bebop. They got a little TOO destructive and destroyed half the evidence I needed to piece together what I needed to prove Shorty and Kara's innocence. Kara was killed shortly after sentencing. Female prisoners took her life without hesitation. Smelled like a set up, but I couldn't prove it.
"You were the only cop who cared, man. In return for your kindness, I'll help you avenge your daughter. Are you with me?"
I had to think about this a second. I know I have nothing to live for, but I have nothing to fight back with. How would we escape a desert planet? What if this was another set up? I'll have to play along until I get answers.
"What do you have in mind?" I asked.
"It's simple," Shorty began. "This barren planet can't so much as support much plant life, right? All the plants that allot us to breathe are considered inedible. So, this place has a regularly scheduled convoy that delivers food. I gather, usually about 5PM."
"The time lockdown usually starts. I see what you're saying."
"Yeah, and then I plan to try and escape about an hour and a half before its arrival."
"Wouldn't the guards be a little suspicious about our disappearance?"
"Yes! And then my two boys here will raid the armory at the belly of the prison! Since we're considered 'high profile criminals,' most (if not all) of the guards will look for us. Open opportunity here!"
"That sounds pretty good. TOO good, if you ask me."
"Look, I know you have a hard time trusting anyone..."
"You don't know the half of it!"
"Think about this, then: Your scheduled execution has been changed to about three days from now! If you don't believe me, you can sneak into the office by scaling the walls. You'd have to avoid the spotlights, but it's very possible to get in."
And so they left. I always knew if something was always too good to be true, it probably was. Then again, this information about my execution kind of struck a curious suspicion. I couldn't sleep after hearing that, so I decided that since I have nothing to lose, I'll take a small peek in the office.
Getting to the outside area was a little tricky with all the guards inside. I was wondering how I'd get past them without being spotted. Luckily, there aren't dogs on this planet as it opens opportunity to get a disguise. I couldn't get a guard's uniform due to the special computers implanted in one of the buttons that respond to DNA. Bodies differentiate with different electric fields based on the deoxyribonucleic acids. If I climbed into a guard's uniform, I'd set off every alarm in the penitentiary. I crept out of the cell, not knowing ahead of time what to do. I figured I'd play it as I go along and look for whatever caught my eye. Through wandering around within shadows, dodging the flashlights from the guards, I bumped into something big, hollow, and felt like cardboard. The sound alerted the guards' attention. I had to think real fast, or I'd end up like Swiss cheese before I could find the answers I needed to know...answers to questions concerning Maya's death.
I quickly deduced the object I bumped into was an empty cardboard box. I needed something fast, so I placed the box over me. It wasn't tight at all, but I felt like something out of a cartoon.
"Did you hear something?" one of the two guards asked as they looked into the area.
"I did," the second guy responded. They flashed their flashlights around where I was. I could see from one of the hand holes on the side of the box. "It was probably a rat." And the two left. I was safe for now.
I crept around the sides of the complex with my Halloween costume unnoticed. These guards must be really stupid. I reached the door that led outside. After I ditched the box, I opened the door carefully and went outside for a stroll.
So far, Shorty was right about the outside. There were only a few spotlights active towards the inside of the complex, while most of them were pointed outside. Luckily, for every spotlight I had seen, there was either a big rock or a trashcan I could hide behind, without being noticed. It didn't take long for me to find the window to the office. Before the actual office, there was a locker room where the guards bathe and change their clothes. I slipped in and noticed that most of the guards were bathing, bringing about a heavy steam to cloud even my eyes. I manage to exit the locker room and found my way into the office.
To my left of the locker room entrance, there was a janitor's locker. The label on it read, "Shorty." That definitely explains how Shorty got his information. Some of the people were just exiting their shower. Before the guards could take off the towels from their eyes, I quietly hid myself in Shorty's locker. I had to wait a moment for all 10-ten people to leave, but I wasn't seen, nor were there alerts that I had left my cell. That's thanks to an old-fashioned prop: pillows. As soon as the last guy left, I quietly left the locker. I looked into a nearby file cabinet for my file. And there it was...a reason to trust Shorty's word.
The file had some white-out on it where my scheduled execution was. It read the date three days from now. I felt pretty bad for doubting Shorty's word, but tomorrow should be an opportune time for me to get out of here. It's going to be a lot of work to get to the bottom of my personal case, but I WILL find my daughter's killer!
"Enjoying the light reading?" asked a voice from out of nowhere. I looked in panic to the direction of the voice. It was Shorty. The bastard nearly made me scream. "Now do you believe me?"
"Amazing how the guards trust you to get this info," I responded. "I'm not being sarcastic about that either. I don't know how you pulled it off, but they trust you."
"Look, it won't take long for the guards to find out who's been through the cabinet. I'll hide you in this trash bin full of cleaning supplies and escort you back to the cell."
"And then you say, 'If you trust me, that is?'"
"I KNOW you trust me. Better get in before you get caught."
I jumped in there immediately after putting the file away. Looks like I have a trusted ally on my side, for once. Every cop I worked with turned their backs away when I was testifying my innocence. As we approached my cell, Shorty was able to sneak me out of the drum by acting a little clumsy, pushing me out and allowing me to roll and crawl back into bed. Though I tried to sleep, all I could really do was put up an act, and trust in Shorty's plans.