The double suns beat down on the empty wasteland known as Planet Gunsmoke. The hot wind offered no respite from the suns' merciless heat. No humidity weighed down the air; it was the stifling dry heat of summer. Every inhabitant had become used to the extreme double heat of the planet but this was an oddly hot day even for them. People milled about while children half-heartedly kicked a ball around.
Meryl sat on the porch, fanning herself with a hastily made paper fan. It had been several years since it had been this hot. Thankfully the town had a plentiful supply of water otherwise they would be facing a serious draught. As Meryl adjusted herself in her chair she found it harder to become comfortable. These past few months had become increasingly trying for her.
Not only was she getting used to married life but she had to get used to the trials of being pregnant. At least she didn't have to worry about looking after Knives. He had disappeared almost a year ago just before her wedding. "Meryl, what are you doing out her?" Meryl's thoughts were interrupted by her long time friend, Millie. The much taller woman was standing in the door way with her hands on her hips.
"Just enjoying the day." Meryl said with an innocent shrug. Millie didn't accept that as a good answer and promptly began to shoo her friend inside, berating her all the way. "You know the heat like this isn't good for the baby or for you. Honestly Meryl, I thought you'd have more common sense than that." She said while shutting the door behind her.
Ever since Meryl had become pregnant Millie had taken a stand on things. She had become more dominant but was still the same loveable Millie - just bossier. Vash had actually found himself a steady job working as a parole officer of all things. Millie still worked at The Bernardelli Insurance Company and had been working overtime while Meryl was on maternity leave. All in all, things were right in the world again.
The same familiar darkness surrounded the old ship. It was comforting to find the place untouched by those filthy humans. Knives smiled to himself as he checked his still healing wounds. It was surprising how long it had taken him to heal but at least no scar would be left. He had been left without minions due to his brother so something had to be done about that.
Grey the Nine Lives would be up and running again as soon as Hewitt finished constructing the upgrades that would make the veritable terminator run even better than before without that weakness to close range rocket fire. And, if all went well, a new recipient for Legato's arm would be arriving within the next few days. A one Beryl GreyDawn if he wasn't mistaken. His messenger had been fairly hard to understand, but then again, he had just recently had his vocal chords rebuilt and he was still breaking them in.
There were still two others that had yet to show up. Sure Knives wouldn't have as many Gung-Ho Guns as before but quality over quantity. "Sir." Came a familiar grating voice. Knives was torn away from his musings to turn about towards the voice that had called him. His many months incapacitated had left him oddly docile, for the moment. The figure that stood just off to his left could barely be seen in the dim light.
"Morgan has arrived." He said, voice grating like dull nails against a rusty tin can. Knives nodded and turned on his heel to take the rather long path to the entrance bridge. So Monav's son had arrived. Good, everything was going according to plan. Only two more had to arrive before he could put his plans into motion. And this time he wouldn't be thwarted by that useless human loving brother of his. He had something special in store for him. A surprise to die for. All would be right in the world again.