The next day, I visited the old Starwind and Hawking repair shop. Even though now just Hawking would be appropriate, James kept it up in Gene's memory. I walked into the garage to find James working on his car, the Ehefrau.
"Hey Jim!" I said.
Jim looked up wearing protective goggles.
"Oh, hey Neil. Could you pass me that fusion cutter there?"
I gave it to him. As he started to cut some wires, I told him about what happened over the last two days.
"Whoa! How the hell did Hazanko come back? Why the hell did he do that to Mel?"
"If I knew Jim, I'd be sure to tell you. Anyway, I'm going to need your help piloting the Outlaw Star. And in the mean time, we need to locate the Ctarl-Ctarl and that assassin woman. You with me?"
"Yes sir!"
"Alrighty! Let's get back to my home."
When I opened the door, I found Melfina peeling potatoes.
"Hey Mel!"
"Jim!" cried Mel as she ran to embrace Jim. She kissed him on the forehead.
"So Mel, how've you and Neil been getting along?"
"Oh, just fine."
"You know Neil, there were only two people who could make Mel recover from a tragedy that quickly. You and Aniki."
"Gee, thanks!"
"You're one lucky guy. Anyway Mel, we're going to re-unite the Outlaw Star crew. You care to come."
"I…I don't know."
I interrupted, "Come on! I'm sure that's what Gene would've wanted."
At that, Mel's countenance beamed.
"You're right!"
"Great," I said. "Let's go!"