For The Soul of The Stars: Questions, NO Answers

Written By: Lynderia

 

Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters of the great anime, imported from Japan, Outlaw Star. I do own Kat, Proteus, and all new minor characters.

 

                He had been staring at the ceiling of his hotel room for sometime now. He knew that this was the last night he was going to be able to stay in the rented room. Gene thought about the events that took place yesterday. Rock died a gruesome death, and he felt guilty-guilty he let someone die for him again. Rock was protecting them. His funeral was quick and short. Gene then thought about what Swanzo told him after Kat had blown him off, “She’s eighteen, what do you expect… When Hilda died she didn’t just lose a partner she lost three other people, her best friend, sister, and mother. If I were you, stay out of her way…” By just looking at her, she didn’t look eighteen. Then again, she carried herself quite well. She was a mystery within itself-an enigma. Gene sighed before getting out of bed. He had too many things on his mind.

 

                This was the last ship and she’ll be done.

 

                Gene turned the corner. He ended up at the docking bay area. He was going to walk toward the entrance when he saw a figure. It was her-what was she doing here? He thought about it for a moment; that was right, she was a mechanic. Gene continued to watch her from the corner.

 

                She let the doors close. She entered the lock code. Kat sighed, she was exhausted, but it was her own fault, no one told her to do six ships in one night. She started to walk away when she suddenly fell. “What now?” she whispered to herself. She looked at the bundle she tripped over. It was someone sleeping in a fetal position. She started shaking the figure.

                He felt someone touching him. He sat up and stared at her.

                Kat stared in response.

 

                Gene looked at the two. What was he doing here? Didn’t he leave Jim sleeping at the hotel?

 

                “Jim, what are you doing here? It’s three in the morning.” Kat asked.

                He looked at her. She didn’t look so cold like she was yesterday. She almost looked worried about him. “I wanted to check on Gilliam but I saw you working, and I thought I should wait until you finished.”

                Kat stood and walked to the dispenser. She brought back two cans of soda, and sat next to him. He stared at her, and she held the cold soda to his forehead.

                “Ah, that’s cold.” he said loudly.

                She smiled, “Not so loud.” She handed the soda to Jim. “Gilliam is fine. You should go back to your hotel room; your friends are going to worry when they wake up and not see you.”

                Jim shrugged, “Are you really eighteen?”

                “Yes. My name’s Kat. I’m about 5’7” maybe taller. My hair is naturally black and gold. My eyes are naturally ice blue. Some of my hobbies consist of robotics, computers, gymnastics, martial arts, and some other stuff. Is there anything else you would like to know Mr. Hawking?”

                Jim laughed. “No, that’s all I wanted to know.”

                Kat watched him for a second or two. “Aren’t you going to go back soon?” She knew better than to push people around.

                Jim sighed. His attempts at changing the subject failed. “Maybe later this morning.”

                Kat stood saying nothing. She checked her small blue case to make sure her tools where in it, and started walking.

                “Wait. Are you just going to leave me here?” Jim asked. He expected her to make sure he went back to the hotel.

                She wasn’t a babysitter, he was hardly a child. “Are you afraid of the dark Jim? I’m not responsible for you, Gene is. I told you what you could do, and left it totally up to you.”

                She was acting almost cold towards him, like he was a stranger. Like she never saved his life, “No, I’m not afraid of the dark.” he nearly shouted. She had been so nice to him just now, what had changed? “I just don’t want to stay at the hotel. Isn’t that okay!”

                “You see him don’t you?”

                “Yes.”

                “No one told you to look. If you had just left you wouldn’t have to witness how Rock died.” she whispered.

                Jim stood staring at her as she stared at him.

                They heard footsteps. “Jim.” the voice said. Gene came into the full light so that they could view him better.

                “Gene, what are you doing here?” Jim asked.

                “Me? What about you? It’s late, lets go back.” Gene said.

                Jim looked at Kat. She had already started walking away from them. “Kat, wait up!” He dashed after her. He noticed Gene was behind him. They caught up and started walking with her. “Kat, I just wanted to thank you for the soda.”

                “You’re welcome, good night.” She said quickening her pace.

                She was so short with him. Jim didn’t understand her at all.

                She felt someone jerk her back.

                He was surprise she didn’t retaliate with a back slap or a hard kick. “Who is Uriel?” He finally got to ask. Gene didn’t know if she would answer, but kept an iron grip on her arm.

                Uriel. She heard the name before. “Listen, it’s late and I don’t want to kill you, so let go.”

                She said this in the same icy tone when he had tried to help her that day, but he had to call her bluff-that she wouldn’t kill him. He couldn’t just turn chicken again. “Rock told me you would know. Now tell me who Uriel is.”

                She wasn’t even sure if Uriel was a person. Uriel could have been a thing or place. With the same arm he held onto, Kat punched Gene in the face the elbowed him in the stomach. She watched him as he went to one knee gasping for air. She pulled out a small knife.

                “Please stop!!” Jim shouted. She really was going to kill him.

                She stared at Jim, knowing that she succeeded in scaring them both. Her stare turned deadly as she looked Gene in the face. “I wasn’t bluffing.”

                Her stare reminded Gene of ice daggers, but he said nothing and stood.

                She put away her pocket knife, and before leaving, “Hilda should have killed you both on Sentinel, but since you’re still alive that means more fun for me.” she smiled. Her smile was cruel, almost tauntingly teasing. Kat walked away from Jim and Gene feeling that she scared them enough.

                They watched as her figure disappeared into the darkness of night. They finally let out their breath-now that she was gone. Kat, known to some as Hellfire Diamond was a mystery, a mystery that was almost deadly to try and solve.

 

 

                Aisha laughed. How could Gene let some kid do that to him? “You let some kid beat you up!” She laughed some more.

                Aisha, it’s not funny. Gene and Jim could have gotten seriously hurt” Melfina was scared of Kat. She was so cold, she wasn’t a human being-she just couldn’t be.

                “I’m serious Aisha. She’s pretty strong, and she’s not some kid. She’s practically an adult by some standards.” Gene warned. Kat had elbowed him pretty hard, and the spot was still sore.

                Aisha swallowed the last of her misao soup. “A Ctarl-Ctarl wouldn’t let a weak human girl beat them down and come running home like a scared chicken.” Aisha couldn’t help but to laugh. However, Aisha had to admit the way Kat acted was unnerving. A human who she couldn’t scare by just being a Ctarl-Ctar, now that was a bit scary.

                “We better stay focused. Rock told Gene to protect Uriel and Kat has something to do with this. If she wants Gene dead we will have no other choice but to deal with her accordingly.” Suzuka continued to drink her tea.

                “I don’t think we’re going to have to kill her. I doubt she would come near us on her own if given the chance.” Jim told his friends.

                “I hope you’re right.” Melfina was worried. What had they gotten themselves into?

                A loud perky speaker caught their attention.

 

                “KAT!” the waitress said.

                How could she be so perky? It was nine in the morning. Kat mumbled something incomprehensible, and Proteus laughed.

                Cythnia, leave Kat and Proteus alone, and get back to work!!”

                “Kay!!” The waitress bounced away going to a table to take orders.

                “Thanks for coming.” the bartender said.

                “No prob Charlie. You know you can always call me to fill in when you’re short.” Kat said as she rested her head on the bar.

                “I think she’s needs something to wake her up. Unlike Ms. Prozac Prone over there, our Kat isn’t a morning person.” Proteus said. He knew she put in too many hours at the dock.

                “A Hyper Ginceta.” Kat mumbled.

                Charlie got a shot glass and poured. Kat took the bottle taking two big gulps. “Thanks.” Kat got up heading toward the back taking the bottle with her.

                Proteus smiled. He didn’t expect Kat to drink the whole bottle. He pulled out 20 wong. “She got home late.”

 

                It was just too early in the morning. Why had she told Charlie she would fill in and why had these stupid waitress outfits had to look so style-less, in her opinion, maybe it was sleep that was affecting her vision.

 

                “Kat, I’m so glad you’re working with me today. We’re packed!” Cythnia smiled.

                “Leave me alone.”

                Cythnia frowned. She was just trying to make a simple conversation. Kat never talked to her. Did she think she was some ditz? “Kat, table 3 ordered more misao soup.”

                Kat picked up the order and left.

 

                “Here’s your misao soup, please don’t hesitate to order anything else.” She said this without looking at her customers.

                “Didn’t expect to see you here? I expected after our run in earlier this morning I wouldn’t see you again. But here you are.” Gene smiled an ever charming smile.

                Kat didn’t even look at him and went to take another order. She left leaving Gene talking to air.

                Aisha dived into her misao soup happily.

                “That was rude of her.” Suzuka commented.

 

                Even though Aisha had finally finished eating they stayed and watched Kat a while.

 

                “Sorry sir, but we don’t serve that kind of service here!” Cythnia shouted.

                “Bitch, do what I say!” a huge muscular man yelled. He yanked her back placing her in his slap. He began licking her face. “See, it’s not that bad.”

                “Stop it!” Cythnia shouted. She struggled to get out of his lap, but he had a secure grip on her.

                Before he could lick her again, “Didn’t she say stop.”

                He looked at the figure. She looked young, he liked young. “So, what you gonna do about it? Take her place.” He smirked.

                Cythnia, get up.”

                Cythnia did as she was told, and stepped behind Kat. The man didn’t bother to hold her instead he tried to grab the figure that stood in front of him.

                Idiot. “Did I say I was going to take her place?” Kat stared at him. Her gaze stood directly on him.

                “Bitch, you lied to me?! Little whore, come and sit on Daddy’s lap.” He tried grabbing her arm.

                In that same second, a breeze swept passed his wrist. He started to scream in pain as he looked at the stub end of his arm. His hand was missing.

                Kat stared at him, no emotion showing. “You’re lucky that it was just your hand. It can be replaced.” She was referring to the metal and blood.

                “You know how much that cost me. You’re going to pay.” He moved an inch closer. He felt a sharp point resting at his pelvic area.

                “Can you afford to replace this? I doubt its metal.” Kat smiled cruelly at him.

                “You wouldn’t.”

                Kat sent him ice daggers.

                Her stare sent shivers down his spine. “I’m sorry. Here,” he said placing 200 wong on the table, “for all the trouble I caused and my meal.” He smiled glad he didn’t lose apart of his anatomy that metal could never replace. Before leaving, he bowed to Charlie, “Sorry for the trouble,” and he left.

 

                Kat, thanks.” Cythnia said crying on her shoulder.

                “Are you okay?” Kat asked.

                Cythnia looked at her with tear filled eyes and smiled, “Yeah.”

                “Then, I suggest you get back to work.” Kat smiled before giving her a tissue.

                Cythnia smiled nodding her head.

 

                Clapping was heard. “Well, wasn’t that entertaining?!”

                “Yes, very entertaining.”

                The two figures were now known to the whole bar. They were Ronald and Harry MacDougall respectively. Better know as The MacDougall Brothers. Mercenaries hired to the highest buyer.

 

                They looked in shock.

                Gene had sworn he saw Harry die with his own eyes.

                Jim saw Ronald die. He saw him lifeless in a pool of his own blood.

                Melfina could only mentally say, ‘Harry.’ He had help free her from the Galactic Leyline-he had died.

 

                She stared. She never got a break. Just one measly damn break! An outlaw’s life was never easy. Kat did the only thing she could do-ignore them. She walked back to the bar getting the next order.

                Harry walked over to her and moved the hair from her ear whispering, “We have to talk.” He had missed her.

                “I’m busy or don’t you see me working.” Kat really didn’t have time for the MacClown Brothers.

                Harry held her hand tight. “Not really.” Her hands were always soft. Considering the work she did one would think her hands would be dry and hard, but they weren’t-her hands were soft.

                He gently removed Kat’s hand from Harry’s. Proteus knew who he was, it really was no big secret. “She’s busy. Now get your clown ass away from her.” Proteus said this with a sincere smile.

                Harry’s first reflex was to throw a punch, which Proteus expertly caught. Harry looked at him up and down. He concluded his opponent was about 6’ and looked to be, maybe 25, and definitely not a genuine human. Cybrog.”

                “The name’s Proteus. Species: none of your business. I’m 6’/6’1” give or take a few. You can say I’m about 25. My hobbies consist of kicking your ass here, kicking your ass across Blue Heaven, and many other things pertaining to kicking your ass just about anywhere.” Proteus smiled politely as he let go of Harry’s fist. He knew he had gotten him angry.

                Kat giggled. She had taught him well.

                Harry was furious. How dare this man say such things? And in front of Kat, the woman who had saved his life. Harry growled in response. “What’s your relation to her?”

                Proteus stared at him with a polite smile on his face. He knew he was annoying Harry, and enjoyed every bit of if.

                How dare he?!!! Harry brought up his fist again to inflict pain, “I’m going to wipe that stupid smile off your face!!”

                Before he could, “Harry.”

                Harry stopped and looked at the person who had said his name, “Ron, I’m about to…”

                Ronald knew what his younger brother was about to do. This was not the time for such trivial things. He really had to teach his brother these things. “Later, right now let’s deal with Kat.” He looked at her with a cat-like grin.

                She stared at him hard, and pushed pass Harry stalking toward his older brother. Upon passing him, “No.” she whispered in his ear. She continued to a table, it was Gene and Company. “Is there anything else you would like to order?”

                They stared at her. What was going on?

                “No thanks, we’re fine.” Jim spoke.

                “Here’s your bill.” she said placing it on the table, “You can pay it at the bar.”

                Kat was about to walk to another table when Ronald MacDougall stood in front of her. “We’ll talk later.”

                She kept her gaze straight ahead staring at his chest area, “How about we don’t.”

                Ronald smiled, “Harry, we’re going.”

                “I’ll see you later.” Harry said angrily as he pointed at Proteus.

                With his polite smile, “Anytime, asshole! Anytime.”

 

                As Harry passed Gene’s table he whispered loud enough for all of them to hear, “You’re all going to die.” A devilish grin appeared on his face as he said this.

                Melfina didn’t like the way that sounded, and the way he said it with that grin made her worry. It sounded as if it were true, and there wasn’t anyway to escape their fate-to escape Death!

 

End

 

After Thoughts: I just couldn’t resist! I had to put the MacDougall Brothers in my fic!! SailorRai@aol.com