I shone a flashlight through the dark corridors of the hi-jackers ship.
Man, these people had a good back-up plan for if they were ever caught. Use
a switch and blow the engine of their ship....Which just so happened to be
in a large room filled with OTHER equally important gizmos, like whatever
they were using to camouflage themselves.
Jim's voice echoed down of the halls. "You find anything good?"
"Nope, they blew the engine. That must've been the large boom we heard."
"Anything salvageable?"
"I just said the engine went sky high, you think anything's salvageable?!"
"Hmph, could have just said no."
I brought my voice lower so that only I could hear. "Yeah, well maybe if you weren't such an idiot...."
Just then Gene's voice came through the ear piece I forgot I had.
"Hey now, we can just leave you here, Y'know?"
I was too embarrassed to even respond, I just kept looking around. Gene's voice was replaced by Jess's. Crap, that must've meant she heard it too. If she started to like me before, it was long gone now.
"Ok, get out of the ship. There's nothing there, come on back and guard these fools. We're almost at Sentinel III."
Jess stopped talking....And her father spoke up. Dammit, he heard me too.....Just great.
"Yeah, plus Gene and I have something to tell you about one of our 'friends' on Sentinel III."
Jim seemed to shiver at the word 'friend' I wondered why. Maybe it was one of those love/hate relationships.
Well, that's what I was expecting. What I HEARD was much different.
"He's WHAT?!?!"
Jim looked down at his panel as I retook my own seat.
"Yeah, he is. So just keep that in mind when we get there."
"B-but you just said he's one of Gene's friends. So he must be like 60!"
"58 thank you very much." Gene cut in, a sentence I ignored for the moment.
"Yeah that's true....So maybe he'll only be looking at Gene.....But knowing Fred."
I Stopped Jim in mid-sentence.
"Ew, no....Just NO! I don't want to hear it...."
Jess laughed and walked up to me.
"Awww, don't worry Strife. You should fit in just great!!"
I Pushed her away then got up. "I'll be in my room." I was about to walk away but stopped at the ladder. "I'm guessing there's music around here, huh?"
"Nope." Gene replied simply.
I sighed and walked off to my room.
I was tossing a ball I found on the floor up and down when Gene came over the com and said we just docked.
I got out of bed and headed to the door where everyone was waiting.
"Ok, let's go."
I said at the door, the others already one foot out....Not listening or caring about what I said.
As I walked out the door I saw Gene talking to someone about something that I obviously couldn't hear. I walked up to him just as the conversation ended.
"What was that about?" I asked, only half-caring.
"Nothing. Just told him we needed a tune-up and asked if Fred still was working at the same shop."
"Well, is he?"
"Yes and no....The shop's still open but Fred himself came down with some sickness and has been hospitalized. Damn shame, I thought out of the two of us MY body would be the first to break down. Nonetheless, I'm going to go check up on him YOU are going to go to his shop and pick up the money we're going to need and the parts for our ship."
"But I thought you just said he wasn't working there anymore."
"Yeah, but the shop's still up. It's being run by his son and for your sake he better not carry his father's qualities."
Groaning I started to walk away but not before Gene handed me one more things.
"It's a list of what the ship needs," he said, "you're not going to be able to get anything without it."
Groaning turning to grumbling, I proceeded down the stairs of the docking bay and out onto the streets of Sentinel III.
What an amazing place. It buildings were so high and there was so many people. Busy people that just washed over the town like a human ocean. I was so moved, this place looked like the same exact place I grew up. Almost building for building, I knew it wasn't the same though. Sentinel III Was light years from were I grew up. Plus the air was cleaner....
I kept walking around looking at the local stores, seeing if their numbers matched the one on this list I had. Luckily for me, Jess was behind me the whole time. She started following me right from the docking bay but it wasn't until now she felt like catching up to me.
"Wow, I can't believe Gene gave you such an important task when you don't even know your way around this place." She said when she finally caught up.
"Well at least someone trusts me...."
"I never said I didn't trust you...."
She looked down at her feet. I was minding my own business looking around at the sites. Then I asked probably the stupidest thing I could have EVER asked before actually getting to know her.
"So where's your mom?"
Bam! I could feel the tension from the question before it even rolled off my tongue. Honestly I expected her to hit me right there and then. It was obvious that her dad split with her mom for some reason or another. Well that or she was six feet under....If that was true then I felt even worse.
"She's um....Not with us anymore...."
I should have stopped right there, but I didn't.
"Divorce?"
She paused for what seemed like an eternity before finally filling me in with the most pain-filled response I've heard for a long time to come.
"Death....."
I felt so bad right about now. I just brought out what could have been the WORST memory for her and to top it off, I didn't even know her that well!! Man! I'm such an ass!!!
I spoke up to break the silence. "I'm sorry to he-"
She abruptly caught me off. "We're here."
It took me awhile to figure out what she meant. It was only after we both were through the doors before I realized we were out Fred's place of business.
"Wow, this is big...." I said in honest awe.
"Glad you like it, my father put much effort into making this place great."
The voice the sentence came from soon stepped up to us, well actually he came up to Jess. The person completely blew me off....Ass....
Jess was almost thrown off by how close this guy was getting to her, I myself wasn't liking it any less. My fist slowly clenched into a ball, just waiting to ram into the guy's face.
"So do you like this place Miss...." He asked, waiting for her to finish the rest.
"Uh, the name's Jess and yeah I think it's alright."
"Oh really....Then maybe you would like to see my personal suite?"
Jess's reaction went from thrown off to appalled.
"What?! And what exactly do you mean by this?!?!"
"Isn't it obvious? I would just like you to accompany me."
"Ah! Pig!!"
There was a loud smack sound as Jess's hand met his face. The man staggered a bit but caught himself. Wiping the small trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, he grinned and continued his conversation.
"Ah feisty, I like that. Don't worry, you'll give into me eventually."
"Yeah, like when hell freezes over....Actually not even then would I." With that she turned on her heel and started to leave.
I still had a job to do so I asked the man, er sorry, I mean pig in front of me where Fred's son was....Holy crap, it just hit me. I didn't know why it took so long but it hit me harder then that female hi-jacker. How could Fred have a son if he was-
The man interrupted my thought. "I'm his son. Why do you care?"
The cunning and suave attitude he showed Jess was replaced with utter disrespect but I couldn't tell since I was too busy picking up my jaw from the floor.
"Y-you're his son?!?! But....But you like women!!"
Bam! Again! What the hell was up with me today?!? Maybe I should wear a sign saying "Don't listen to anything I say. It's all stupid."
"Yeah, I like women. Nice detective work, Sherlock."
I was still speechless so he filled the rest in for me.
"Look. My father adopted me. He has his preferences in people and I have mine. Enough said."
I simply shook my head, forgetting all the jokes I could make about him. He dad WAS in the hospital, after all.
"Anyways, I need some stuff from you." I said, sounding as businesslike as I could while handing him the list.
He scrolled down the electronic list as his eyes slowly widen with each passing item.
"This is a lot of stuff. Do you have enough to pay for it?"
"Well, I don't know. Gene didn't give me any money"
"Whoa wait.....This is all for Gene. I'm guessing it's all for the Outlaw Star too. Damn, just like him. I've heard stories from my dad about this. Well just so you know, there's one thing we both agree on. Business comes first. Gene's debt is now your own, I can't give you anything without seeing some money for that before hand."
I sighed. I had some money locked up in banking accounts, I could use it right now and Gene could pay me back later. Plus how big could his debt be? I soon found out.
"5.5 MILLION wong?!?!?! How do you rack up a tab THAT big?!?!?!"
The man laughed. "I don't know. Ask Gene."
He started walking away but turned and looked back at me.
"Oh and your comrade....What's her name?"
"Give me a discount and I'll tell you." I sly grin crept around my face.
He kindly gave me the bird then said. "Fine, I'll find out sooner or later. Tell her that the name's Jay for me, all right?"
I showed him my own finger while politely telling him where he could stick it before walking out the door.
To my surprise Jess was waiting for me the whole time.
"Find Fred's son?" She asked, already walking back to the dock.
"Yep."
"Cool, did you get the stuff?"
"Nope, Gene's tab was too big. He wouldn't let me get a thing without showing some money for that debt."
She sighed. "Figures...." She muttered under her breath.
A cloud of silence hovered around us as I thought of what to say. Gee, let's see. So far I've said her dad is an idiot and made her explain why her mom wasn't with us. Maybe she had some pet that died in a horrible explosion that I could bring up, wouldn't that just top the day off.
Actually it was her and not me who brought up more messy history.
"So you got any friends around this galaxy?"
Bam....It was my turn to feel hurt, she could tell....
"I did once....But they're all dead....."
"Oh, do you mind if I ask how?"
"Yeah, I do. It's personal. You wouldn't understand."
The cloud of silence became thicker as we entered the docking bay.
Some people that were tuning up the Outlaw Star said that Gene and the others went to the hospital to check up on a guy named Fred Lou.
Jess and I turned around and was about to walk to the hospital when my greatest of good luck sprang up at us like a firework's show on the forth of July.
Actually that's kind of what happened. Explosions came from every which way in the docks. I could honestly say without fear that all hell broke loose.
People scurried about as more explosions cut off their exits out.
Jess was dragging me by the arm before a tall man in a flowing black cloak stopped her. His hood was up but I could see the man's face as clear as day. His evil black eyes, his shadowy and equally dark hair. Yep, it was him....The pirate that was chasing me all this time.
"Oh man! Don't you ever give up?!?" I yelled to him, revealing my weapon in my hands.
"Come now. Just when I thought we were becoming friends...."
An engineer that had been walking by noticed the Pirate and practically IDed him for me.
"Oh my god! It's Ketsu! The master of Pirates!!"
"Ah, my adoring fans." Ketsu smugly said, as the man yelling was engulfed by a blue flame.
My grip tightened around my 9mm, the slightest twitch and there would be a brand new hole in his head.
"Give me one good reason I shouldn't drop you were you stand, bastard."
Ketsu laughed at my threat.
"Ok....How about him?"
Suddenly a pirate thug jumped down from above, holding a tied up old man in his arms.
"Gene!!" I yelled, anger building up inside me.
"Oh and what about him?"
Another Pirate leaped down, holding Jim.
"Dad!! NO!!!!!!!!!" Jess was more enraged then I was, if I didn't grab her arm then there might have been more trouble then I could handle.
"And finally. This lovely lady."
Ketsu stepped to his side and Melfina, as tied up as everyone else, fell helplessly to the ground.
"Now, I'll give them back to you......For something I want....So how about it, Strife?"
I couldn't stand it anymore. This BASTARD was screwing me over every which way! And for what?! SOME ORB!!! My muscles tensed, my vision was blurring as hot tears filled my ears. I didn't let them fall, though, I had to keep my mind in the battle. Nothing else mattered, nothing....But.....I couldn't. It slowly flooded back. Volk, Sky, and now this. My hand shook slightly, the anger burned through the back of my eyes, and this man....The worthless piece of crap was the reason for it all!! It's his fault they were dead! His and his alone!! Sweat trickled from my forehead and soaked the handle of my gun. This was it, my last stand with him. Our final meeting, he was going to pay for their deaths and this crew's misery. Right here....Right now.
-------*----------*--------------*--------------*----------*--------*------- -----*--------------*----*
Author's note: oooook. I have a lot to say but I don't remember it all. So I'll try and see what I can do.
Ok, first off. Meidarkreign, there's some stuff I need to say to you.....If I can remember. Anyways, Thanks for wishing me well and look out for my review of your new FF story. Don't worry, it'll happen. I have more stuff to say but I'll do that in my review.
Second, thanks to my sister, solidchristian-88, for stumbling across this story and giving her two cents. Tis a sad day when one's sister has to review your story....Lol
Third, biiiiig FAT thanks to Asiem revived. Holy crap, man....I had to read that like three times. I thought I was the only one who left reviews that long.Criminies.I'll take allll you said(Which was quite a few words) And put them into consideration. I always need an edge and I'm glad there's people out there who's kind enough to share their knowledge. Anyways, I'll read both your stories and give my take on them sooner or later. And if it's not before Christmas then expect a looouuunnnnggg wait. And I'll have to argue your point about updating. As in....I like to update quick!! But like I said, I'll think about it. And also, I'll be more descriptive about Strife's thoughts but you're style of writing is just different from mine, but I will make him deeper so guess it all works out.
Ok, I'm done. This is Blades. "Good reading equals good times." I'm out. (Meidarkreign, I've got some phrases for ya!)
Jim's voice echoed down of the halls. "You find anything good?"
"Nope, they blew the engine. That must've been the large boom we heard."
"Anything salvageable?"
"I just said the engine went sky high, you think anything's salvageable?!"
"Hmph, could have just said no."
I brought my voice lower so that only I could hear. "Yeah, well maybe if you weren't such an idiot...."
Just then Gene's voice came through the ear piece I forgot I had.
"Hey now, we can just leave you here, Y'know?"
I was too embarrassed to even respond, I just kept looking around. Gene's voice was replaced by Jess's. Crap, that must've meant she heard it too. If she started to like me before, it was long gone now.
"Ok, get out of the ship. There's nothing there, come on back and guard these fools. We're almost at Sentinel III."
Jess stopped talking....And her father spoke up. Dammit, he heard me too.....Just great.
"Yeah, plus Gene and I have something to tell you about one of our 'friends' on Sentinel III."
Jim seemed to shiver at the word 'friend' I wondered why. Maybe it was one of those love/hate relationships.
Well, that's what I was expecting. What I HEARD was much different.
"He's WHAT?!?!"
Jim looked down at his panel as I retook my own seat.
"Yeah, he is. So just keep that in mind when we get there."
"B-but you just said he's one of Gene's friends. So he must be like 60!"
"58 thank you very much." Gene cut in, a sentence I ignored for the moment.
"Yeah that's true....So maybe he'll only be looking at Gene.....But knowing Fred."
I Stopped Jim in mid-sentence.
"Ew, no....Just NO! I don't want to hear it...."
Jess laughed and walked up to me.
"Awww, don't worry Strife. You should fit in just great!!"
I Pushed her away then got up. "I'll be in my room." I was about to walk away but stopped at the ladder. "I'm guessing there's music around here, huh?"
"Nope." Gene replied simply.
I sighed and walked off to my room.
I was tossing a ball I found on the floor up and down when Gene came over the com and said we just docked.
I got out of bed and headed to the door where everyone was waiting.
"Ok, let's go."
I said at the door, the others already one foot out....Not listening or caring about what I said.
As I walked out the door I saw Gene talking to someone about something that I obviously couldn't hear. I walked up to him just as the conversation ended.
"What was that about?" I asked, only half-caring.
"Nothing. Just told him we needed a tune-up and asked if Fred still was working at the same shop."
"Well, is he?"
"Yes and no....The shop's still open but Fred himself came down with some sickness and has been hospitalized. Damn shame, I thought out of the two of us MY body would be the first to break down. Nonetheless, I'm going to go check up on him YOU are going to go to his shop and pick up the money we're going to need and the parts for our ship."
"But I thought you just said he wasn't working there anymore."
"Yeah, but the shop's still up. It's being run by his son and for your sake he better not carry his father's qualities."
Groaning I started to walk away but not before Gene handed me one more things.
"It's a list of what the ship needs," he said, "you're not going to be able to get anything without it."
Groaning turning to grumbling, I proceeded down the stairs of the docking bay and out onto the streets of Sentinel III.
What an amazing place. It buildings were so high and there was so many people. Busy people that just washed over the town like a human ocean. I was so moved, this place looked like the same exact place I grew up. Almost building for building, I knew it wasn't the same though. Sentinel III Was light years from were I grew up. Plus the air was cleaner....
I kept walking around looking at the local stores, seeing if their numbers matched the one on this list I had. Luckily for me, Jess was behind me the whole time. She started following me right from the docking bay but it wasn't until now she felt like catching up to me.
"Wow, I can't believe Gene gave you such an important task when you don't even know your way around this place." She said when she finally caught up.
"Well at least someone trusts me...."
"I never said I didn't trust you...."
She looked down at her feet. I was minding my own business looking around at the sites. Then I asked probably the stupidest thing I could have EVER asked before actually getting to know her.
"So where's your mom?"
Bam! I could feel the tension from the question before it even rolled off my tongue. Honestly I expected her to hit me right there and then. It was obvious that her dad split with her mom for some reason or another. Well that or she was six feet under....If that was true then I felt even worse.
"She's um....Not with us anymore...."
I should have stopped right there, but I didn't.
"Divorce?"
She paused for what seemed like an eternity before finally filling me in with the most pain-filled response I've heard for a long time to come.
"Death....."
I felt so bad right about now. I just brought out what could have been the WORST memory for her and to top it off, I didn't even know her that well!! Man! I'm such an ass!!!
I spoke up to break the silence. "I'm sorry to he-"
She abruptly caught me off. "We're here."
It took me awhile to figure out what she meant. It was only after we both were through the doors before I realized we were out Fred's place of business.
"Wow, this is big...." I said in honest awe.
"Glad you like it, my father put much effort into making this place great."
The voice the sentence came from soon stepped up to us, well actually he came up to Jess. The person completely blew me off....Ass....
Jess was almost thrown off by how close this guy was getting to her, I myself wasn't liking it any less. My fist slowly clenched into a ball, just waiting to ram into the guy's face.
"So do you like this place Miss...." He asked, waiting for her to finish the rest.
"Uh, the name's Jess and yeah I think it's alright."
"Oh really....Then maybe you would like to see my personal suite?"
Jess's reaction went from thrown off to appalled.
"What?! And what exactly do you mean by this?!?!"
"Isn't it obvious? I would just like you to accompany me."
"Ah! Pig!!"
There was a loud smack sound as Jess's hand met his face. The man staggered a bit but caught himself. Wiping the small trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, he grinned and continued his conversation.
"Ah feisty, I like that. Don't worry, you'll give into me eventually."
"Yeah, like when hell freezes over....Actually not even then would I." With that she turned on her heel and started to leave.
I still had a job to do so I asked the man, er sorry, I mean pig in front of me where Fred's son was....Holy crap, it just hit me. I didn't know why it took so long but it hit me harder then that female hi-jacker. How could Fred have a son if he was-
The man interrupted my thought. "I'm his son. Why do you care?"
The cunning and suave attitude he showed Jess was replaced with utter disrespect but I couldn't tell since I was too busy picking up my jaw from the floor.
"Y-you're his son?!?! But....But you like women!!"
Bam! Again! What the hell was up with me today?!? Maybe I should wear a sign saying "Don't listen to anything I say. It's all stupid."
"Yeah, I like women. Nice detective work, Sherlock."
I was still speechless so he filled the rest in for me.
"Look. My father adopted me. He has his preferences in people and I have mine. Enough said."
I simply shook my head, forgetting all the jokes I could make about him. He dad WAS in the hospital, after all.
"Anyways, I need some stuff from you." I said, sounding as businesslike as I could while handing him the list.
He scrolled down the electronic list as his eyes slowly widen with each passing item.
"This is a lot of stuff. Do you have enough to pay for it?"
"Well, I don't know. Gene didn't give me any money"
"Whoa wait.....This is all for Gene. I'm guessing it's all for the Outlaw Star too. Damn, just like him. I've heard stories from my dad about this. Well just so you know, there's one thing we both agree on. Business comes first. Gene's debt is now your own, I can't give you anything without seeing some money for that before hand."
I sighed. I had some money locked up in banking accounts, I could use it right now and Gene could pay me back later. Plus how big could his debt be? I soon found out.
"5.5 MILLION wong?!?!?! How do you rack up a tab THAT big?!?!?!"
The man laughed. "I don't know. Ask Gene."
He started walking away but turned and looked back at me.
"Oh and your comrade....What's her name?"
"Give me a discount and I'll tell you." I sly grin crept around my face.
He kindly gave me the bird then said. "Fine, I'll find out sooner or later. Tell her that the name's Jay for me, all right?"
I showed him my own finger while politely telling him where he could stick it before walking out the door.
To my surprise Jess was waiting for me the whole time.
"Find Fred's son?" She asked, already walking back to the dock.
"Yep."
"Cool, did you get the stuff?"
"Nope, Gene's tab was too big. He wouldn't let me get a thing without showing some money for that debt."
She sighed. "Figures...." She muttered under her breath.
A cloud of silence hovered around us as I thought of what to say. Gee, let's see. So far I've said her dad is an idiot and made her explain why her mom wasn't with us. Maybe she had some pet that died in a horrible explosion that I could bring up, wouldn't that just top the day off.
Actually it was her and not me who brought up more messy history.
"So you got any friends around this galaxy?"
Bam....It was my turn to feel hurt, she could tell....
"I did once....But they're all dead....."
"Oh, do you mind if I ask how?"
"Yeah, I do. It's personal. You wouldn't understand."
The cloud of silence became thicker as we entered the docking bay.
Some people that were tuning up the Outlaw Star said that Gene and the others went to the hospital to check up on a guy named Fred Lou.
Jess and I turned around and was about to walk to the hospital when my greatest of good luck sprang up at us like a firework's show on the forth of July.
Actually that's kind of what happened. Explosions came from every which way in the docks. I could honestly say without fear that all hell broke loose.
People scurried about as more explosions cut off their exits out.
Jess was dragging me by the arm before a tall man in a flowing black cloak stopped her. His hood was up but I could see the man's face as clear as day. His evil black eyes, his shadowy and equally dark hair. Yep, it was him....The pirate that was chasing me all this time.
"Oh man! Don't you ever give up?!?" I yelled to him, revealing my weapon in my hands.
"Come now. Just when I thought we were becoming friends...."
An engineer that had been walking by noticed the Pirate and practically IDed him for me.
"Oh my god! It's Ketsu! The master of Pirates!!"
"Ah, my adoring fans." Ketsu smugly said, as the man yelling was engulfed by a blue flame.
My grip tightened around my 9mm, the slightest twitch and there would be a brand new hole in his head.
"Give me one good reason I shouldn't drop you were you stand, bastard."
Ketsu laughed at my threat.
"Ok....How about him?"
Suddenly a pirate thug jumped down from above, holding a tied up old man in his arms.
"Gene!!" I yelled, anger building up inside me.
"Oh and what about him?"
Another Pirate leaped down, holding Jim.
"Dad!! NO!!!!!!!!!" Jess was more enraged then I was, if I didn't grab her arm then there might have been more trouble then I could handle.
"And finally. This lovely lady."
Ketsu stepped to his side and Melfina, as tied up as everyone else, fell helplessly to the ground.
"Now, I'll give them back to you......For something I want....So how about it, Strife?"
I couldn't stand it anymore. This BASTARD was screwing me over every which way! And for what?! SOME ORB!!! My muscles tensed, my vision was blurring as hot tears filled my ears. I didn't let them fall, though, I had to keep my mind in the battle. Nothing else mattered, nothing....But.....I couldn't. It slowly flooded back. Volk, Sky, and now this. My hand shook slightly, the anger burned through the back of my eyes, and this man....The worthless piece of crap was the reason for it all!! It's his fault they were dead! His and his alone!! Sweat trickled from my forehead and soaked the handle of my gun. This was it, my last stand with him. Our final meeting, he was going to pay for their deaths and this crew's misery. Right here....Right now.
-------*----------*--------------*--------------*----------*--------*------- -----*--------------*----*
Author's note: oooook. I have a lot to say but I don't remember it all. So I'll try and see what I can do.
Ok, first off. Meidarkreign, there's some stuff I need to say to you.....If I can remember. Anyways, Thanks for wishing me well and look out for my review of your new FF story. Don't worry, it'll happen. I have more stuff to say but I'll do that in my review.
Second, thanks to my sister, solidchristian-88, for stumbling across this story and giving her two cents. Tis a sad day when one's sister has to review your story....Lol
Third, biiiiig FAT thanks to Asiem revived. Holy crap, man....I had to read that like three times. I thought I was the only one who left reviews that long.Criminies.I'll take allll you said(Which was quite a few words) And put them into consideration. I always need an edge and I'm glad there's people out there who's kind enough to share their knowledge. Anyways, I'll read both your stories and give my take on them sooner or later. And if it's not before Christmas then expect a looouuunnnnggg wait. And I'll have to argue your point about updating. As in....I like to update quick!! But like I said, I'll think about it. And also, I'll be more descriptive about Strife's thoughts but you're style of writing is just different from mine, but I will make him deeper so guess it all works out.
Ok, I'm done. This is Blades. "Good reading equals good times." I'm out. (Meidarkreign, I've got some phrases for ya!)