Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
All in the Name of Love
Chapter I: The Ambush
Gene boarded the Outlaw Star at 3am. The smell of whiskey and cheap perfume still clung to him. He staggered to his quarters and stopped in front of the door long enough to steady himself before pressing the open button. The door slid open and the outlaw immediately saw Melfina sitting up on his bed, asleep once again. She roused from her light slumber the minute Gene stepped into the room. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and yawned as she checked her watch.
"Another half hour and I would have sent Aisha out to look for you."
Gene tossed his coat on the bed next to Melfina. He leaned over on the bed placing his hands against the wall on either side of her and lowering his face to within a centimeter of her face, he said. "What's the matter Mel? Jealous?" He gave her his big stupid grin.
The bio-android lowered her head and closed her eyes. Melfina had kept track of how frequently Gene had stayed out late drinking. Each time he did, she waited for him in his quarters to make sure he came home safe. And each time he smelled of whiskey and cheap perfume. Over fifty-two times, fifty-two times in the past four months alone. And each time he asked the same question. Each time she held her peace. Fifty-two times she said nothing, but not this time. "Yes." She whispered, carefully sliding under Gene's outstretched arms and off the bed. "But that's not the reason why. This is a dangerous place Gene. You've been fortunate so far but getting drunk and chasing after women each night isn't exactly keeping your guard up. You're going to get yourself killed if you're not more careful." Her concern clearly evident in her tone.
"Nag, nag, nag." The drunken redhead teased, waving his hands in front of his face. "Yes Mom, I'll be careful."
"Is that what you think I am Gene, just a nag? Is that all I am to you?" Melfina asked with watery eyes. Gene looked into Melfina's eyes. 'Nice going jerk, making her cry again.'
"No Melfina, I'm sorry. It's … Its just the booze talking. I didn't mean that. Really."
"The booze seems to be talking for you more and more Gene."
"It's this place, that's all. We've been here so long, it's just getting to me."
"Is… Is that why you go chasing after other women too?"
"Ugh." Taken aback by her bold statement.
"You know how I feel about you Gene. And after the Galactic Leyline, I thought you felt the same way. I guess I was wrong." Melfina hung her head and turned to walk out the door.
Gene reached out for her to stop her. Placing his hands on her shoulders he turned her gently about to look at her face but Melfina kept her head hung and her eyes diverted from him.
"Melfina, please." He slouched at the shoulders to try and get himself closer to her eye level. Smiling his little boy grin. "Melfina, please look at me."
She slowly raised her head and looked into his eyes.
"Melfina, I do care about you. I didn't go through all that to get you back and not care about you."
"Then why do you keep going after other women? Is it…" She averted her eyes again, not able to take what she feared was the true reason for his leturous behavior.
"Is it because I'm not human?" A tear rolled down her cheek.
"What!? What ever gave you that idea? Melfina, look at me." Gene insisted.
She raised her tearful eyes to him again.
"Listen to me and believe me when I say as far as I am concerned, you are as human as human can be. In many ways your even more human than most. You're compassionate, and carrying even to those who would try to do you harm. You're intelligent and resourceful and a very fast learner. You make errors in judgement, just like we all do. Sometimes you learn from those errors, and sometimes you don't, just like we all do. I guess, maybe the reason I haven't acted on my feelings for you yet is because I was afraid of moving too fast. Then we came to this god-awful place and I've just been trying to keep myself numb, keep from feeling anything so I can do what I've got to do. I guess in the process I've been hurting you and that's something I never wanted to happen. But I promise, as soon as we get out of this place and back to Heifong things are going to be different. You'll see.
Melfina smiled, "Okay Gene, I trust you."
"Good, now it's late and we both should get some sleep, alright."
She nodded, "Alright."
Gene leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. "Goodnight Melfina." He smiled.
"Goodnight Gene." She smiled back and walked out the door.
That night she slept more peacefully than she had over the past 6 months, taking Gene at his word that his behavior had to do with this awful place and not with her.
**********
In the morning everyone but Gene was already in the galley eating breakfast.
"That bum better get up soon." Aisha snapped before taking another drink of her coffee. "We've got 6 bounties that need to be taken alive and I want to get them before they skip town like the others."
"Cool your jets Aisha, I'm up."
"They all looked over to see the outlaw standing at the entry way to the galley, half dressed with a towel on his head to dry his hair.
"Amazing, you even managed to take a shower and its not even noon yet." Teased Jim.
"Now you're getting on me."
"It's just that most days these past few months, you haven't even gotten out of bed till one."
"Well, we're almost done cleaning up this planet and I'm anxious to get off this rock already. Right Melfina?" Throwing her a crocked smile.
Melfina blushed slightly but said, "right," then turned towards the stove. "What would you like for breakfast Gene?" She asked automatically reaching for the eggs.
"Just some coffee and toast will do. I'm not really hungry right now."
"Oh, okay." The bio-android grabbed a cup and filled it with coffee. Handing the cup to him, she turned and placed two slices of bread in the toaster. A minute later she buttered the bread and gave it to him on a plate.
"Thanks Melfina." He smiled at her again.
She smiled back then went about cleaning up after everyone else who had already finished breakfast. Quickly finishing his toast and coffee Gene asked Suzuka. "So how do you want to handle these six bounties that Aisha was talking about?"
Suzuka thought for a moment then responded. "Three of them are brothers and most likely are staying together. We probably should start with them."
"Agreed, lets go." Gene replied, setting his cup down and standing to leave.
"Hey, why didn't you ask me what I think?" Aisha asked angrily.
"Well, to be honest Aisha, I don't care what you think." Gene answered coolly as he walked out of the galley and to his quarters to finish getting dressed. Aisha's face turned red with anger as she clinched her fists and bared her teeth.
"Relax Aisha, Gene only said that to get this exact reaction from you. He knows how valuable you are to this crew." Jim said, trying to ease the Ctarl Ctarl's anger.
"He better." The feline got up. "I'll meet you at airlock 2. There's something I forgot to do first." She said to Suzuka as she left the galley.
"May I have another cup of tea please." Suzuka asked politely.
"Oh, sure." Melfina grabbed the teapot and poured Suzuka another cup.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome." Melfina turned her attention to Jim.
"Is there anything else I can get you Jim?"
"No thanks Mel." The boy genius got up. "If anyone needs me I'll be on the bridge making some final repairs to the sensor array." And he walked out of the galley.
Melfina took a peek down the corridor from her vantagepoint behind the kitchen counter. Seeing no one she mustered her courage to speak.
"Suzuka?"
"Yes."
"May I ask you a question?"
"By all means." Suzuka answered still sipping her tea.
"Do you think this place, this planet has had a negative effect on Gene?"
"Negative? In what way?"
"Well, his behavior, his drinking, his womanizing. Do you think doing what the three of you have had to do these past 6 months has contributed to this behavior?"
Suzuka set her cup down and gave Melfina her complete attention.
"Melfina, you are a kind and carrying person with a sweet and gentle spirit, and you deserve to know and understand the truth."
"Oh"
"You must understand that people, all people are creatures of habit. We develop certain habits over our lifetime and unless there is a strong enough reason for us to want to change those habits, they tend to remain with us for the rest of our lives. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Now specifically speaking of Gene. Do I feel he has displayed unusual or excessive habitual behavior since we've been here? Perhaps, it does appear he has frequented the bars more regularly in the past two months. Is it due to the hostile environment of this planet, the ever-present danger of death with each bounty he pursues? That is more difficult to answer. Each person deals with the prospect of his or her own death differently. Some seek cardinal pleasures for fear that if they were to die suddenly, they do not wish to go with a sense of unfulfillment. Others seek spiritual fulfillment in anticipation for the possible after life they maybe going to soon. Still others seek out that which they long for most in life; a special person or place or may be a special object or activity. They cling to it as if it were life itself. Now which is Gene? Gene is a rather simple character. He tries to act tough but in reality he wears his emotions on his sleeve. He certainly cares for you Melfina, but he spent much of his adult life pursuing women strictly for his personal pleasure. Yes, I suppose he may be acting in this manner now because he fears his own death and this behavior may change later when the eminent prospect of death no longer looms so close. But what about the next time? Will it be your arms he seeks comfort from or the arms of another? All I can say to this is, Gene like all people is a creature of habit and the only way he is going to break that habit is for him to decide there is something or someone worth changing his life for. No one can make him change; he has to want to change." Suzuka took another sip of her tea. "I am sorry Melfina, I know this is not the answer you were seeking."
"That's alright Suzuka. It was an honest answer. That's all I really can ask for. Thank you."
"You are welcome." Suzuka stood up and walked out of the galley, heading for airlock 2.
Melfina picked up Suzuka's cup; looking down into it she saw her own reflection off the shallow remains. A single tear rolling off her cheek and into the cup.
**********
"Okay than it's agreed. We split up to find out where the Hudson brothers are hiding out and whoever finds them first contacts the other two."
Aisha and Suzuka both nodded in agreement.
"Good"
Just as Gene reached for the control panel, Gillium announced.
"Pardon the interruption."
"Yeah, what is it Gillium?"
"There appears to be several men positioning themselves at strategic locations at the space dock. It seems they are attempting to triangulate around the elevator shaft."
"Jim did you catch that?" Gene asked over his communicator.
"Yeah Gene, I'm already on the bridge and I'm bringing up a visual right now."
Scanning the dock area all Jim saw were an assortment of crates and equipment.
"What are you talking about Gillium? There's no one down there."
"Sorry Jim, switching to infra-red."
Suddenly, several easily identifiable forms came into view.
Staring at the viewers Jim could make out three distinct groups about two dozen in each.
"Wow, looks like they mean business." Jim said to himself
"Hey Gene. I can see three groups about two dozen each. One about 30 meters at 2 o'clock from the elevator, the second about 40 meters at 10 o'clock and the third at 6 o'clock. They're all hiding inside crates and appear to be armed with an assortment of handguns and automatic weapons. I don't see any heavy-duty weaponry. Oh, wait a minute. No, at least one of them has a rocket launcher."
"Which one?"
"The group at 2 o'clock."
Melfina came rushing onto the bridge.
"Are they in danger? How is Gene?"
"We're fine Melfina. Fortunately, Gillium warned us before we stepped outside."
"It appears they intended to ambush us as we got off the elevator." Suzuka pointed out.
"So obviously we won't be taking the elevator down."
"I'll take the guys closest to the ship." Aisha said immediately.
"Okay but try not to scratch the paint job." Retorted Gene.
"Hmm, I make no promises." Aisha replied turning up her nose and placing her hands on her hips.
"I suppose I will take the group with the confirmed rocket launcher." Suzuka throw in.
"Okay, that leaves the group at 10 o'clock for me."
"What do you want us to do Gene?" Jim's voice came over the comm system.
"Be ready with the laser cannon, Suzuka and I may need cover fire as we descend the elevator shaft." Gene drew his pistol and checked the clip to see if it was full then he drew his caster and loaded it with a number 3 shell and secured it back in his coat."
"Let's do it." Aisha and Suzuka nodded in agreement. He pressed the button to open the door and they walked out onto the catwalk.
"Wait until we're almost to the elevator Aisha, then run back and climb down the ship. No reason to tip our hand too early."
"Right." Aisha agreed.
They walked casually towards the elevator, still a good twenty meters away. One of the criminals closest to the ship spoke over an old walkie-talkie. "They're making their way to the elevator. They don't suspect a thing."
The Outlaw Star's sensors picked it up easily. Jim forwarded the information to Gene.
"Gene, the group nearest the ship just told the others your location. They don't suspect a thing yet."
"Good." Was all the outlaw responded with as they approached the elevator. 'Three more meters and…'
"GO AISHA!"
With that Aisha did a 180 and made a mad dash back towards the ship while Gene and Suzuka jumped up on top of the elevator frame. Gene pulled out his caster and took aim and fired. Suzuka drew her bokutou and unleashed a shockwave that reduced the crates the criminals were hiding in into splinters, taking out three of the crooks as well. The blast from the number 3 was just as devastating, killing four of the malefactors and reducing their cover to burnt sawdust.
"Oh Shit! They know we're here!" The guy nearest the ship screamed into the walkie-talkie, not realizing that the other two groups were already aware of this fact since they were the ones attacked.
Aisha was two-thirds of the way back before Gene and Suzuka launched their attacks. Timing her jump just right, she threw herself towards the side of the ship. She was aiming for one of the seams and she hit her mark perfectly, along with the side of the ship with her face.
"Ouch!" Was her only reaction as she dug her fingers into the seam and slid down the side of the ship. To her advantage, this group of criminals was too preoccupied with watching their colleagues getting blown up to notice Aisha pulling out her metal whip that was attached to her belt. They had begun to open fire on Gene and Suzuka as they descended the elevator shaft. So Aisha decided to grab their attention. She snapped the whip in their direction. Still too far to actually strike them, the shockwave it produced was enough to knock one of them off his feet. Having reached the bottom of the body of the ship, the Ctarl Ctarl threw herself in the direction of some large crates that lay off to the side and behind her prey. The top crate collapsed and exploded with the force of her landing, showing the men below with splinters of wood and canned goods.
Aisha sucked the juice out of one can and tossed it aside. "Yum, peaches!" Then she jumped down to the ground behind them. Snapping her whip at them again, this time chunks of concrete flew in the air as the whip found its target, slicing two of them in half. The others turned and opened fire on her. She released a ferocious roar and snapped her whip again this time horizontally, decapitating five in one shot.
Realizing their guns were useless against her and terrified by what they just saw happen to seven of their partners the rest of them dropped their guns and took off running.
"Hey you criminals, come back here!" Aisha yelled running after them.
Suzuka was the first to reach the cables under the elevator frame and was sliding down at a dizzying speed. Gene was close behind her. Still about 30 meters from the ground, Suzuka stopped herself and grabbed onto the frame of the elevator shaft then jumped down the remaining 30 meters sending another blast towards the bad guys who positioned themselves about 40 meters away directly in front of her. The blast took out eight of them; the rest began to run away.
Gene chose to be a little more conservative then Suzuka, waiting till he was just 10 meters from the ground to stop. Pressing his back to the steel structure of the elevator shaft he reloaded his caster with a number 12, pulled the trigger, waited a second longer then turned and took aim. Without the aid of sufficient cover this blast took out eleven. He holstered the caster and drew his pistol as he took off after the rest.
"Jim, see if you can discourage them from running with the laser cannon." Gene said.
"Right!" Jim targeted the cannon and fired. The flash of light blinded the men that were running from Gene. Then the ground shook. Gene fired a warning shot.
"Drop your weapons and lay face down on the ground."
Two of the criminals responded by turning around and firing on Gene. His light shield deflected their bullets. He returned fire and took both men out. The rest dropped their guns and laid on the ground as Gene instructed.
Jim targeted the other fleeing criminals as well.
"Nice shooting Jim, thanks a lot." Gene acknowledged his partner.
"Yes, thank you for your assistance Jim." Suzuka added. As she too made her captives take a prone position on the ground.
"You, I said face down!" Aisha stepped on the back of a man's head forcing it down. "You, I said hands out in front!" She kicked him in the back. Finally, feeling the need to acknowledge Jim in some way.
"I could have rounded them up myself mind you, but that was some nice shooting."
Jim grinned. "You're welcome Aisha."
"Mmm!" She replied.
"Contact the marshal and tell him he's going to need some extra cells." Gene said.
"Already did. He's on his way with all his deputies."
Gene bent over one of the criminals and pointed his pistol to his head.
"So where are the rest of your buddies? Held up somewhere, waiting to try and take us on again?"
Gene pressed the barrel of the gun to the criminal's head.
"Auu, no! They're at Torio's Tavern. They're there waiting to hear from us. If they don't hear from us within the hour, they'll take off this rock for good." The young felon confessed as nerves sweat covered his face.
**********
"Well Mr. Starwind, that's 230,000 wong. It would have been 40,000 wong more but the Hudson brothers were among those killed and they were wanted alive. Sorry," said the marshal.
"Well, easy come, easy go I guess." Gene shook the marshal's hand. "Have the funds transferred into my account as usual."
"My deputy is already working on it." The marshal pointed to one of his deputies with a pocket pad in his hand.
"Good." Gene began walking away. "Oh, by the way, you may want to stop by Torio's Tavern in a little while, and be sure your deputy is with you."
"You have a lead on the remaining criminals?"
"Maybe, if the word of a criminal can be trusted."
Gene waved and walked in the direction of Aisha and Suzuka.
"So how much did we make?" Asked an anxious Aisha.
"230,000 wong, could have been 270,000 but the Hudson brothers were among the dead."
"So that's 76,000 wong for each of us right?" Aisha asked grinning from ear to ear and rubbing her hands together just below her chin.
"No, actually that's 66,000 wong each and 30,000 wong for Jim for his assist. Remember, that's what we agreed."
"Hey, I didn't ask for an assist like you Gene, why should I have to pay?" The feline snapped.
"Nor did I but 10,000 wong is hardly worth arguing about." Responded Suzuka.
"Mmm, maybe not for you Suzu but I need every wong I can get."
"Don't call me that."
"Well, if that's the case then we need to get going." Gene addressed Aisha's earlier comment.
"Where?" Asked the assassin.
"To Torio's Tavern, that's where the rest of the bountyheads are held up."
"Well, why didn't you say so! Let's go!" The Ctarl Ctarl ran off in the direction of their rented hovercraft.
"I thought I just did." Gene said under his breath.
"Don't bother, It's not worth arguing over it with her." Suzuka advised as they walked towards the craft.
"Like you telling her not to call you Suzu?" Gene grinned.
"Touché." Suzuka replied straight-faced.
"Gene, where are you guys going?" Jim asked over the comm.
"We're heading to where the remaining bountyheads are held up. We should be back in a couple hours. You and Melfina just sit tight. We'll see you in a few."
"Okay, but you guys be careful."
"Always." Gene said confidently.
"Yeah right." Jim responded sarcastically.
"Come on you two. The bad guys aren't going to wait all day for us." Aisha yelled from the back seat of the craft.
Gene and Suzuka looked at each other; they grinned, shook their heads then took off running towards the vehicle; jumped in and sped away.