"What are we going to do with her?" Faye enquired, cigarette in hand.
"How about we go to the nearest planet, and bury her? Give her a proper funeral?"
They all looked at Jet, then at the young woman.
"Bury her?" Spike repeated, as if the very idea disgusted him.
She was not technically breathing, so obviously it means that she is dead, yet when you look at her, there seems to be this 'other-worldliness' about her appearence. Like she is just sleeping.
"Yes, Spike, bury her, or do you have a thing for--"
"That's enough Faye." Jet warned.
"Huh." Was all she said as she walked off.
"Is she cryongenically frozen?" Jet asked.
Spike touched her face again, but this time he felt a jolt of electricity. His hand shot away like it was an automatic reflex or something, as if he was a puppet being pulled by strings. It felt as though his action was not on his command.
Jet studied his companion closely, trying to figure out how the cogs in his head worked. Spike always wore this expressionless mask, so nobody was able to tell what he was thinking or feeling, forever aloof. The only thing Jet could decifer, was that he never took his eyes off this dead person. Even when the others did.
"Ed go see what Faye-Faye is up to. Me scared." Ed scrambled off after Faye.
Ein timidly edged towards the body, sniffing. As he got closer, his ears would turn sharply in different directions like radars, his tail wagging madly. Then, when some tense seconds had passed, he barked loudly and continously.
"Is she dangerous Ein?"
The dog nodded several times, pushing at Jet's leg to emphasize it. Jet went behind Spike and began pushing him away, but he just danced round him.
"The nearest planet to us right now, is Venus." Faye announced.
All eyes were on Spike; since he recovered the body, he has been acting quite strangely. He reached for his fag packet, and yanked out a cigarette. Ed came bouncing back, and freaked when she realised she had landed on the corpse. He sat there, leaning against the green sofa smoking, watching the smoke rise and disappear.
"So how long till we reach Venus?" Spike drawled quietly.
-
-
-
"Get ready." Electra commanded her team.She had been briefed, to investigate and retrieve whatever it is that is giving off the strong signal. Watching her team dispatch for their latest mission, she gets ready herself. Guns, check. Backup, check. Intercoms enabled, check. Sanity - pass.
It had been six months since Vincent's death. Everything which followed has passed in a blur; she was in a lot of shock. To find out the man you have feelings for was hell bent on destroying the world and does not even remember you, to put it bluntly, is really shit. She thought she could change the way his life was; from cold and loneliness to something better. To give him something he has never had in his short life -- love.
Then she met Spike. Possibly the only man she has met to be in the same boat as her. To feel, the same things as her. They both loved someone, and were uncertain of how their other halves felt about them. This fragile connection could have become something more. It could have grown, blossomed into something beautiful. Work has prevented her from doing the normal things like grieving. To be honest, she feels guilty to even do that, because of the fear of forgetting Vincent if she does so. Her colleagues, who have become good friends, tell her it is okay to not want to grieve. But in the military world, emotions must come second to the job at hand. No questions asked.
Inhaling deeply, Electra gathered herself. Her team were waiting for her command to go.
"Are you okay Lieutenant?" Asked Jenny, the scientist.
Jenny is a sweet, friendly girl who cares a lot for her colleagues. Recently she got engaged to Steve, the red-haired scientist who had asked Electra to go on a date with him last year, during the race to stop the nanomachines. Last year -- Vincent. It was not her fault for reminding Electra of him. The girl has a natural ability to spot anyone who's feeling down.
"Yes, thank you Jenny." Electra smiled.
Jenny smiled back, beaming with happiness and hope for the future. At least some people can be happy.
"Alright, let's move in!"
On Electra's command, the team of soldiers, scientists, forensic experts and mechanics departed from the Blue Whale IV, a huge ship built with a bigger version of a racer engine. It's capacity can hold enough an en suite room for everyone there, plus more. The doors opened, and each pair flew off into space in a Green Zeus, a small streamlined ship with a turbo engine designed to fly at 200mph and faster.
Being a Lieutenant, Electra was on her own. Within seconds a huge space trawler came into view, and she tapped the screen for more information.
- Vessel type : Space trawler 306.
- Power: 18' 000 gsml.
- Weight: 20' 000 tones.
- Max Speed: 45 mph
- Weapons: Basic laser cannons.
- Defenses: None.
- Number of people on board : 6. 1 dead.
"One dead?"
She pressed some buttons to connect to her Kernal's intercom. His face appeared on a mini screen below the information screen.
"Sir, I have information about a space trawler we have encountered; it seems the signal is coming from there, but I have also got a reading there is one death."
"Why are you telling me this? Tell me when you have something concrete."
"Sir, my computer should only be able to detect living people. But it shows more than that. I think the signal and the dead person are linked somehow-"
"Don't be so ridiculous Electra. Get on with the mission at once."
Burning with anger, she swallowed her anger and put her personal issues aside. That might be why she is acting irrationally, anyway. She was becoming emotional. Emotions can get you killed.
"Yes sir."
The screen went off. She was leading everyone towards the space trawler. Electra spoke to them all.
"I do not want to see any hesitations; this ship is armed with only basic laser cannons, which will not pose a threat to us. Does everyone understand the nature of this mission?"
"Yes Lieutenant!" They all chorused.
"Good. Follow my lead."
The plan, is to fly towards them, behind a Mercury for cover. If Electra was in charge, she would have taken Earth up on their peace proposal, and they would now be using their invisibility technology. But the King of Mars is a very stubborn man, and refused the offer. It would make this mission so much easier, instead of wasting time hiding from view to stay undetected.
Three minutes later, they were hovering beneath the space trawler. Four mechanics were working overtime, quitely drilling, cutting, and taking away parts of this vessel so they can enter. It was a tense time, especially as someone from inside this space trawler could be leaving, and would spot them instantly. Half an hour later, one of the mechanics gave Electra the thumbs up.
She ordered the soldiers to stand behind her, and around the others to protect them. Electra looked over her shoulder; they all nodded to say they are ready. Staring at the blank, black hole in the metal frame, she held her laser gun steady.
Then she stepped inside, followed by her team, into the Bebop.
-------------------------------------------------------
"So do you think it was a spirit?" Jet asked.
"Possibly."
"Definitely. I say we should get a priest in here." Faye was still getting goosebumps.
"I think it was her," Spike looks over to the dead young woman. "I guess she just wanted to be heard."
POOF!
Small puffs of cloud appeared in the middle of the ceiling, and a single peach coloured rose, half in bloom, with red tipped petals drifted from the ceiling. It was falling slowly, gradually descending. It landed on the table, and Spike picked it up. He put it to his nose, smelling the sweet scent. As he smelt the perfume, he closed his eyes and his senses began to go numb. This took him back so many years.
It was her eleventh birthday. She was the prettiest, sweetest, most caring girl in the neuighbourhood. Her family were planning a big birthday party for her, but he wanted to make her feel special. So he went to El Rosa's, the florist store in town. They were the best in the city.
"Ey it's the young man!"
The friendly store owner boomed to the boy.
"Let me guess; you want to buy something special for bonita?" His wife, Rosa, beamed at the fourteen year old.
Sometimes, this couple from Pluto felt more like his parents than just people he knew. He cherished them, just like he cherished her.
"I have just the thing for you."
Rosa came from behind the counter, and took her time to pick the reddest, biggest, sweetest bunch of roses.
"Thank you..." The boy said timidly.
"But?"
"But I want a colour to relfect her; she's this little bright spark in life, with a love for making people laugh. They're nice, but I want some that are unique."
The couple smiled at each other knowingly. Then they smiled at the boy warmly.
"Well," Tonio began, "We have just got a new delivery, and have ordered a new variety of roses."
He disappeared behind the store, and came back with a single rose; it had peach coloured petals, and each petal was tipped with a slick of virbrant red, the stem a light green.
"It tis a combination of the Luna Rose, and the famous Venus Love. The grower mixed the pollen together, to create this little beauty. Smell it; it's scent will haunt you for days."
The boy did smell it; and Tonio was right. The scent made him feel so alive, so happy. This is perfect for her.
"Can I buy a huge bunch?"
Tonio looked regretful. "Sorry kiddo, this is the only one they sent us. But since you are such a good boy, you can have it for free."
"Are you sure?"
"Spike...the Bebop calling Spike..."
"Hm?"
"Yo Spike! You gone deaf or somethin?! I've called you five times already!"
"What?" He drawled.
When Spike opened his eyes, he possessed that dopey, dreamy expression only love-struck couples have. Faye inspected her friend closely, and he did not seem to notice she was there in front of him. Ed also put her face really close to his, a bit too close for comfort for everyone else, but even this failed to make Spike respond. Jet scratched his semi-bald bead.
"Is he on drugs?"
"Yes, but it's the legal kind...if you know what I mean." Faye told Jet.
Ed climbed onto Spike, studying the peach rose he held in his hand. For some bizarre reason, she opened her mouth and was about to eat it when -- click. A large gun was pointing to her head. Now there was a serious look to Spike's brown eyes. A seriousness which was also a warning of things to come. Ed backed away, shutting her mouth as she did so. Spike lowered his gun, putting it back in his inside jacket pocket.
He stared at them each in turn, stolidly. This rose, its strong power stayed with him, for so long and through so much, to bring happier memories to his tortured soul. So what if it is in the past, it is not like he has anything to live for in the future. Inside, a part of him had died long, long ago and the only girl who can revive it, is also gone. At least, that is what he has always believed, yet hoped it was not true.
"She adores this kind of flower; the Veluna Rose. A cross between the Luna Rose from the Moon, which has the most beautiful, lingering scent, and the Venus Love, famed for its stunning colour." Spike spoke softly, quietly, huskily, hypnotisingly.
The way he spoke took Faye's breath away. Jet blinked in disbelief. Ed did not get it. Ein wagged his tail.
"If you can speak like that, Spike, then why in the hell are you still single?"
"Why indeed." Spike said to himself.
Twirling the Veluna Rose in his long fingers, it enchanted his imagination and stirred something from within.
Buuuu-uuuuuuuu-uuuuuung.
Immediately they all stood up, hands on guns, ears alert and eyes sharp.
"Did you guys hear that too?"
"Yes, but where is it coming from?"
Spike said nothing. Carefully, he tucked the flower in his jacket fastenings, making sure it was secured. Calmly, he got a cigarette and lit it, letting it dangle from his thin lips. He gave one to Faye, who shot him an angry look.
"How can you smoke when we might have intruders?!"
"I don't see why that should stop us enjoying a cigarette." Spike answered coolly.
"Ein, where are they coming from?"
"WooF!"
"Are you Dr.Do little now Jet?" Spike said humourously.
"Ein says everywhere." Ed understood Ein abit more than the others.
They stood back to back, each covering a wall and a half. Ed and Ein stood in the centre, protected. Spike's gaze fell on the young woman, and he felt a pang of guilt for not protecting her also. But she is dead, or so he keeps telling himself. Then why is it bothering him so much?
TWUNG! THUD - THUD- THUD - THUD- THUD- THUD.
Silence. Nobody muttered a word as the stood holding their guns, ready for whatever it is. The only sound was their own breathing, and the occassional echoes which came from somewhere within the Bebop. Who were they being ambushed by? What, were they being ambushed by? In these deep recesses of space, it might not even be human. The bounty hunters kept their eyes peeled, their heads turning at the slightest of noises.
"WOOF!"
BANG!
All the hatch doors flung open with such speed it was a suprise they did not come off at the hinges. People wearing khaki came streaming into the living room, carrying guns and wearing helmuts. Then some others followed but they wore different clothing; white suits, carrying suite cases, and then there was one in blue.
The gang were out numbered, fifty to three. The person in blue must be the leader. They raised a hand, and signalled for the people in white to move forward. Walking around them, they edged towards the dead young woman. Spike was also about to move towards her, but then more than a dozen 'clicks' told him to stay put. The gang watched, as they opened the suite cases. The one in blue took off their helmut.
"Electra?" Spike said in suprise.
"Do not move, and we will be done shortly."
It's her alright; then this must be the Mars Army. What do they want? Spike thought.
"Lieutenant! The strong signal is coming from her,"
Spike figured he must be a scientist, since he moved while holding a thing which was beeping, pointing it at the dead young woman. He also figured this must be a team of soldiers and scientists, at least.
"But she's dead!"
"Are you sure Jenny?"
"I'm positive Lieutenant."
Electra turned up her collar and spoke into it.
"Sir, we have found the source of the signal."
"And?"
"It's coming from a corpse." Electra said in a flat tone.
"Well, looks like you were right. Bring her back."
"Yes sir."
Electra's brows knitted together; why does the Kernal want a corpse? And since when has she become so questioning? Her team were waiting for eagerly awaiting a reponse. She nodded for them to go ahead. Matt was about to haul the body over his shoulder when Elektra told him to stop.
"Electra; try using the Lava Cannon." Her Kernal added.
"Yes sir."
She faces her team. "Use the Lava Cannon. Type in level seven, nine mega volts, two ghz, dial two."
The cowboys were lost. They watched, as this weapon was heating up, orange whisps of light flying in all directions. Then it became intensly bright.
"What are you doing?!" Spike suddenly shouted.
"The more you know, the shorter you're life will be." She reminded him of her mantra.
Her eyes fell on the flower which was knestling safely in the fastenings of his jacket. For some reason it tugged at her heart inside. Why?
"Is that a Veluna Rose?"
"The one and only, and rarest of them all." His expression changed so dramatically it stunned Electra.
"Lieutenant its ready!" Jenny informed her.
All eyes were now on the Lava Cannon, which is pointing directly at the heart of the corpse. The weapon flashed in different colours in its count down. Red, Amber, Green...
P-CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The vibration boomed so violently everyone wobbled on their feet. The body was still lying there. Electra commanded them to repeat the process; this time there was a gasp, a deep intake of air as the previously dead person came back to life. She gulped in air so quickly they feared she might become dizzy. Disoriented, the young woman looked around her as she was helped to her feet by the scientists; when she and Spike made eye contact, he thought he would die right there and then.
Her eyes...it was as if they had re-awakened something inside of him, like a bird taking flight. Both began to flutter in a frenzy, beating faster and faster, stronger and stronger, until it was air born. Spike clutched his chest; his heart was beating so fast it was beginning to hurt. He was stunned, because since that day, he was convinced that he was dead inside.
The young woman carried on studying her surroundings, oblivious Spike was in pain, wondering where she was and why she was there. Jenny informed Elcktra the signal has now become stronger and more regular. Electra in turn told her Kernal of what just happened.
"Ok, let's move out!"
Spike patiently waited until the soldiers had put their guns down, before blocking Electra's path. His stern gaze was equalled by her cold stare.
"Just where are you taking her?"
"I don't have to answer to you, Spike Spiegel."
"My head..." The young woman said.
One of the soldiers picked her up, and was carrying her up the stairs. Moving in single file, the rest of Electra's team were preparing to leave. Faye pointed her gun at Electra.
"I want you to pay for the repairs, you bitch."
BANG!
Spike had shoved her gun in another direction so it did not hit Electra. Faye was so pissed off. She stared at him, demanding to know why he saved this woman's ass, and he stared back to tell her to leave it. Jet was wary of what is going on. The woman in question did not even look at Spike as she walked past him. Faye could not believe he just saved Electra's backside, the ungrateful cow.
"Spikey I think she's waving to you. Ha-HA! HA HA-He-HE! BYE BYE!" Ed sang, smiling as always.
Whizzing round, Spike saw the young woman extending her arm, as if she was trying to reach him. Her eyes were now half open, bleary and almost delirious.
"Uh-urgh...." Was all she could muster.
"WAIT SPIKE!"
"FUCK OFF JET!!"
He flung his arm out of Jet's grasp, determined to follow the Mars army when this time, it was Electra who blocked his path. Neither said a word. He watched them leave, convinced he had been hallucinating. She left the room, and the soldier carrying the young woman was just behind her. Just as they were about to walk through the doorway, he heard something which forced him to wake up.
"Spiegelly!" The young woman shouted from far along the corridor.
That voice... those eyes...of course! Spike ran after her, through one of the hatch doors and through the many holes the Mars Army have made in the walls. Turning left, tripping and darting right into the next corridor, he could not run fast enough. Stopping at the oxygen chambers, his heart sank like a stone as he saw them jump into their Green Zeus's in the next chamber, fleeing into space. In just two seconds, they became nothing more than bright dots in the distance.
Spike sank to his knees and punched the ground so hard, his knuckles began to bleed. He looked up and saw nothing except empty space, and stars. His little bright star, was taken away from him for the second time.
The first time, was bad enough. But now it was happening again. Although, he now as the means and power to rescue her. This much gave him a glimmer of hope. His mind was racing to come up with a plan, a stratagey.
The others caught up with Spike, and were left speechless. Faye cautiously approached him, unsure of what he was going through. She lifted his chin, to see unshed tears being held back, forced back. She embraced him, and he fell into her, letting her comfort him.
He suddenly broke away and stood up, staring out into empty space again through the window. Jet tapped his shoulder, and the two men clapped hands as if to arm wrestle; a man's silent sign of sympathy. Glancing down, Spike saw Ed was clinging to his leg, apparently to comfort him. He ruffled her messy flame hair.
To be honest, he has put them through some weird shit today. Since the Mars Army are involved, he thought they would try to persuade him it was not worth it. This is clearly something much bigger than they can probably handle, which is similar to the case with Vincent. They assumed he would just give them another cash injection, but what they had failed to account for, is the emotional ties it would entail. What if this turns out to be the same? What if it is so dangerous, that all their nine lives wil be used up? Would it be worth it?
"We're here if you need us." Faye offered.
He gave them a crooked, lopsided smile to thank them, though it did not reach his eyes. A sadness filled his deep brown eyes, a phantom of the past residing in his umber orbs. Jet, Faye and Ed were speechless when he looked at them; they had never seen him display emotion of any kind before.
He has finally found the girl he was always been inlove with. Now that he has found her again, he has to rescue her. He just has to. Spike turned back to face outer space, determind to do what is right. No, determind to do what he has to do.
Because only one person ever called him Spiegelly.