Chapter Title: Emergency
Story Title: Revisited
Revision: 0.1
Beta-ed: No
Faye wrote in her diary, the pencil that she used was chewed to the graphite centre at the end. Her face was locked in concentration as she scribbled more messages to herself through the little pink book. As she scribbled her name at the end, a groan resonated through the ship. Faye sighed disgustedly. It's always the same with men… act all macho until they get hurt, then they become snivelling babies. She closed the book and stuffed the pencil down the spiral spine.
"I'd better go see what he wants," she said softly to no one in particular. She placed the wee book on the coffee table and strode purposefully to Jet's quarters. He did get hurt pretty bad, she resigned to herself, and someone has to look after him… As she tended t his every whimsical need, a shadowy hand reached out and plucked the wee book from the table. Giggling mostly to itself, it turned each page with consummate ease, absorbing most of the details that were locked inside the hardcover bindings. Then it felt her.
"Spike!" She did almost sound rational. Shit. Put down the book Spiegel and back into a good retreat position…
Faye kept writing in her journal, now a black covered visual art diary. She sighed as another groan echoed through the ship. No matter what she could do, she couldn't shake the feeling that if she dropped the book; someone would read it. But he wasn't here this time. There wasn't a pervert on the prowl. One that wanted to get inside her head, and most likely her skimpy pants as well. So this time, she just tossed the book so lightly onto the table so that it made a thumping sound. She got up and stretched, her body had sat in one place for too long. Then she wove through the small doorways and hatches that littered the ship. Then she made it to his room.
His room stank of cigarette smoke and the unique musk of Jet. She opened her mouth, but caught her scathing remarks before she said them. Jet groaned again and turned to his side, pushing the small corgi further off the bed.
"Poor girl" she muttered as she spied poor Ed lying on the floor beside him. She then knelt down and said into her ear "Has the baby worn you out?"
Stretching, she then bent over the sweaty form of Jet. Faye placed her hand to his forehead. He was hot. Damn, she thought, he has a fever. She grabbed the cloth that was on his head and remoistened it in the basin next to the sleeping man. "Sleep, and let the girl rest" Faye mumbled to Jet as she re-covered his tousled body with the blanket and readjusted the corgi onto his feet once more. Then her communicator chimed.
Jet stood in a darkened room; his prothesis twitching. He turned in all directions, but all he could see was the enveloping blackness.
"Great, don't tell me, I'm in my subconscious" Jet said sarcastically"Yes. You are. Now, be a good boy and play along" Maelgwyn used his Charlton Hesston voice "and if you don't, I am thinking pink leotards".
Images… of mother, brother and sister flashed in the darkness, as if in a bad movie theatre. Some were sepia toned… the old ones of when life seemed simpler. There was some of the beach - the real beach, not the harbour of Ganymede. Of when he won awards, scraped knees and laughed and cried. Then there were the ones that disturbed him the most... He felt compelled to view it. So it played out.
His mother, contorted on the pavement lying so very still. His brother was crying into his hands. The coppery smell of blood and rubbish filled his nostrils. But it was her blank expression, not of fear or love possibly disturbed him the most. Jet spun, viewing all the police officers and ambulance bearers. Each was faceless. His uniform had slight smears of blood on the sleeve. He felt his cheek - it was moist with tears. But he must be strong…
Ed awoke with a start. Something wasn't right. She sat up quickly, and grimaced at the popping sounds that her back made. She surveyed the room; it was dark. The Bebop had placed itself onto night mode, so it wasn't the darkness. She was on the floor, so the gravity was stable. Then she listened. The ship's hull vibrated normally as if unde4r heavy acceleration. Then she heard it. There was no breathing beside her. Her head swivelled to her left as the emergency lighting snapped on. She scrambled to her feet as the ship rocked ever so slightly.
TBC
The prologue has a funny side story. It was intended to be a complete story in itself, but it never reached fruition. But it fits nicely into the beginning of this story, and it makes it flow with my ideas more. Anyway, it's deviating slightly with my original plot idea, but I thought that this would work better than the previous idea(s). Anyway, after this chapter, I am contemplating another Zoids story before the next one. Italics are kind of not in the story… more musings. And lastly, my lack of action, or even on the birth of more inspiration is because of Peter F. Hamilton and his new book Pandora's Star.
vvv vvv
Maelgwyn & CW
SEE YOU LATER SPACE COWBOY