Tuesday, April 4, 2006

Episode #154 Chapter 14, part 10 Reunion part 9 --Ambrose Spaceport-- --Thompson’s Bar-- Man: (walking out) See you later, Verl. Bartender (Verl): Bye Jake. Someone walks up to the bar. Bartender: What’ll it be friend? Gene: I got a question for ya’. Bartender: Shoot. Gene: (leans in close) Have you seen anyone around here wearing a dark space suit embossed with a black swan right here? (points to his left shoulder) Bartender: Hmmm..... can’t say I have. Gene: They were here only two days ago. And this space port’s a pretty small place. (grabs his collar) You sure you didn’t see anything? Bartender: (undaunted) I’m positive. Gene: (lets go) Well, if you do, be sure to tell me. But watch yourself. These guys are considered very dangerous. Bartender: *whispers* Are you a bounty hunter? Gene: (grins) Just trying to help a friend. Thanks for your help. (walks away) Bartender: Don’t mention it. Gene: (outside, holds his earlobe) Jim, anything on your end? Jim: Zero, zip, and a whole lot of zilch. ???: (on the intercom) Aaaaaaaaaaahh!! Gene: -_- Is that Artukei? Jim: *sigh* Mm-hm. I’d better go check on him. Aisha and Suzuka walk up. Gene: What’d you find out? Suzuka: Other than that man is a spineless coward, nothing new. Aisha: Same stuff he told us before. Dark suits and black swans. At least that slime’s consistent. Suzuka: However, I did find something there that I think you’ll like very much, Aisha. (hands her something wrapped in brown paper) Aisha: (rips it open) *gasp* My uniform! Thank C’tarl! I thought they burned it. (hugs Suzuka) Thanks Suzu! Suzuka: -_-\/ Please let go of me. Gene: Let’s rendezvous, Jim. I’m gettin’ kinda’ sick of this goose hunt. Where are you guys?.......... Where?? later... Gene, Suzuka, and Aisha are all standing outside a bookstore. Suzuka: Aisha. Artukei said they confiscated his sword, correct? Aisha: Yeah? Suzuka: ... Then why is he looking in a bookstore? Aisha: Well..... I honestly have no idea. Justin: (inside) You sure no-one sold to you a New King James Version of the Holy Bible within the last few days? Owner: Yes sir. I’m quite sure. But I can check and see if we have any new copies. Justin: (sorrowfully) Nooooooooohohohoooo!! (bangs his head on the counter) As if things weren’t bad enough. Jim: What’s your deal? What’s so important about finding a used bible? Justin: Not just any used bible. My bible! Those assholes took my bible! Melfina: You can always get a new one, right? Justin: No! That bible’s been with me through high school. It has extreme sentimental value. Jim: I thought we were looking for your sword. Justin: That bible is my sword. Melfina: Huh? Jim: You mean metaphorically, right? Justin: No. It turns into my sword: King James. Jim: I’ve heard about “The Word of God” also being called “The Sword of the Spirit”. I never thought it could be literal. Well, I hate to break it to you, but if they found it on you as a book.... they probably burned it. Justin: Uso. Nothing can destroy King James. Not even the fires of Hell. later... The entire crew has regrouped and they’re all resting, trying to plot their next move. Justin, Aisha, and Melfina sit on a bench while Suzuka stands next to them. Gene is leaning against the wall and Jim is sitting on the floor. Justin: *sigh* (stares up at the ceiling, singing softly to himself) “Oto no nai mahiru, Kaze wa tada aka-...” (catches Melfina looking at him) Melfina: (staring at Justin curiously) ........ Justin: *ahem* Jim: Well, we’ve searched every level. Suzuka: Queried every shop owner and merchant. Melfina: Every pilot and mechanic. Aisha: Every bartender and waitress. Gene and Justin: Twice. Aisha: And still, nothing. Gene: Of course, this search would be a lot easier if we knew what exactly we were looking for. Aisha: We’ll know it when we see it, Gene. Sometimes you just gotta have faith. Justin: (smiles) ....Heh. It’s funny. Aisha: Nya? What is? Justin: Earlier today, this was the last thing I wanted to do. All I really wanted to do was go home. But now, wedding or no, that’s an option I’m not even considering. Aisha: You’re not considering time either. That was yesterday. Justin: Huh? Aisha: According to earth time, it’s Tuesday afternoon. Justin: 0_0 Then.... th-that means.... I haven’t slept in..... oh, I feel ill. “uuuuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” Melfina: What was that? Gumdrop: (pops out of Justin’s pocket) Foooooood. Neeeeeeeeeeed fooooooooooood. Justin: Gummy, what’re you talking about? You don’t even need to eat. Gumdrop: OK. Waaaaaaaaaaant foooooooooooood. “eeeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmm” Justin: (holds his stomach) Ooh. Now that you mention it. Aisha: (holding her tummy) Mmm. Me too. later... --a nearby restaurant-- Justin: Itaidakimasu! (starts eating a plate of orange chicken and chow mein) Ooooh man. That hits the spot. Gumdrop: (eating a large piece of chocolate cake) Ahh! Nirvana de Chocolaté! Aisha: (steps out of the bathroom, back in her classic C’tarl uniform) Now this is more like it. (walks over to the table) Thanks Gene! (throws the jeans and t-shirt at him and they land on his head) Gene: (takes them off) -_- You’re welcome. Aisha: (sits down and starts gorging on a plethora of rice bowls, steak, chicken, and fish) Gene and Jim: 0.0 Gene: (leans over to Jim) You fightin’ the creepy deja-vu feeling too? Jim: Yep. Gene: Hey, Artukei. If you and Ozz share a link, couldn’t you just contact him and ask him where he is? Justin: If the situation were that simple, I’m sure Ozz would’ve done it himself hours ago. But here’s the part that really worries me. I tried contacting him a moment ago, but I didn’t get a single brainwave. And if I can’t reach him, that means one of only two things. Either he’s in another dimension.... or he’s dead. Jim: Inter-dimensional transportation? No-one’s even close to perfecting that kind of technology. Gene: (somber) Then, you know what that means. Aisha: Don’t you dare say that! Justin: (quietly) He’s right. Aisha: Nya? Justin: .... *deep breath* It’s the only logical explanation......... Then again, if my life has taught me anything, it’s that logic is a weak factor. Ozz can’t be dead. I won’t accept that. But even if he is, I still have a job to find the rest of the Zilders and bring them home. ???: (walks up to the table) Excuse me. I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. They all look and see a tall, well built, handsome man. He appears to be in his late thirties, has short light-brown hair, blue eyes, and is wearing a Captain’s suit. Man: Forgive my eavesdropping, but are you talking about Zilders? Justin: (suspiciously) Yes. Man: And, I’m not sure if I heard right. But you spoke as if you were a Zilder’s bond. Justin: I am. Aisha: (whispers) While you’re at it, why not give him your bank account number? Justin: (whispers back) Easy Aisha. I think this is the clue we’ve been looking for. Man: Are you really a Zilder’s bond? You share a telepathic link with it? Justin: (somewhat proudly) Yes. I am and I do. Man: (wide eyed in amazement) 0.0 Incredible. (smiles) I never thought I’d meet someone like you in my lifetime. Justin: Who are you? Man: I am a scientist who’s very passionate about the Zilders. I’ve studied them for years. They fascinate me; always have. Justin: Then it would grieve you to know what has happened to them. Man: (very seriously) I do know and I am. That is why I am here. Like you, I seek the ones responsible for these crimes. Justin: (raises an eyebrow) Man: Poaching on a protected planet is bad enough. But the Zilders are gentle creatures and pacifistic by nature. They didn’t stand a chance. Justin: ..... (leans over to Aisha, whispers) What’s the word? Aisha: (ears twitch for second, nods) He’s good. Justin: (turns back to the man, smiling calmly) It appears we are united in our goals, sir. Man: Adrien. (holds out his hand) Call me Adrien. Justin: (shakes his hand) Adrien. later... The whole group is now walking through the space port. Adrien: You see, Zilders usually bond with plants. They nurture them, protect them, and keep them healthy. That’s why their planet is so thriving. But they almost never bond with humans! Justin: Well, I guess I’m just lucky. Adrien: I think you’re more than that. He must’ve sensed something very special in you. Justin: Oh, there’s nothing special about me. (under his breath) For the most part, anyways. Adrien: If it wouldn’t be too much to ask Artukei, I’d be honored if you’d assist me in my research. After this ordeal is over, of course. Justin: Great. Another scientist who wants me to be their guinea pig. Gene: So, you say you know where these guys are? Adrien: I’ve been studying the details of this incident ever since it occurred. And I think I have a good idea who they are and where they’re headed. You’re all welcome to join me on my ship. Justin: You’ve got a ship? Adrien: One of our engines sustained massive damage a few days ago. But they should be operational now. later... They’re all at one of the docking bays looking at a large white ship at least eight times bigger than the Outlaw Star. Adrien: Friends, I give you The Athena! Jim: Wow! Suzuka: (looks at the ship suspiciously) Hmmm. Justin: Man! Parking fees for this thing must be a real bitch. Jim: Oh no, that reminds me. Gene, if we go off with this guy and leave the Outlaw Star here, our parking bill will be astronomical. Gene: (to Adrien) Uh... if it’s alright with you, we’d prefer to follow in our own ship. Adrien: (nods) That’d be fine. Justin: I’ll go with you, Adrien. Maybe I can help. Aisha: (takes Justin’s arm) I guess that means I’m coming too. Adrien: Excellent. I’ll have my crew prepare a room for you in one of the dormitories. later... --The Athena-- Adrien: (walking down one of the halls, opens one of the doors to reveal a beautiful estate room with two big beds) Here’s you room. I know it’s not much, but it’s the best I can offer. Aisha: It’s great. Thanks a lot. Adrien: I’ll go inform my crew that we’re launching immediately after your friends have made it back to their ship. Aisha: Thank you. Adrien: (leaves) Justin: (smiling big and almost drunkenly) ........ Aisha: .... What’s with you? Justin: (points) Bed. (throws himself onto the bed and starts hugging the pillow) Mmmm. ^_^ Aisha: You’re going to take a nap? Now!? Justin: What are you worried about? We’re in the clear! We’re not in the dark anymore. Adrien’s a good guy and he’s gonna help us find Ozz. After all that’s happened in the last few days, I think I’ve earned a nap. Aisha: (sits on the other bed) Yeah. You’re right. Adrien: (on the PA) Attention all hands. The Outlaw Star has pulled out. Prepare for launch. Justin: ^_^ *sigh* Finally, things are taking a turn for the better. meanwhile... --The Outlaw Star-- Gene: Thank god he’s off my ship. Jim: What!? Gene: I didn’t want to say it in front of Aisha, but Artukei seemed kinda... (twirls his finger around his ear as if to say “crazy”) Plus, he made me look like a jerk. Jim: -_- You’re saying that like it’s a difficult thing to do. Gene: Shut up! Jim: *sigh* Hey, Suzuka, what’s up? You’ve been really quiet for a while. Well, more than usual. What’s wrong? Suzuka: .... We should not have left them. Jim: Huh? Why not? Dr. Adrien seemed like a really nice guy. Suzuka: I know. He was honest and very sincere. No doubt about that. But what kind of scientist pilots an A-class Movar Battleship? Gene and Jim: ........ Suzuka: I’ve got a really bad feeling about all this.

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