Polaris

Flash from the Past

I didn't tell the crew much. Just that I'd be back later, and maybe bring everyone a lil something. Having to emphasize the maybe seeing a number of them perk up. Packing the classic red umbrella, I took off. Finding the shipyard wasn't all that hard. The fact there was a shipyard on Earth boggled my mind to begin with. My lunches with Faye proved to be valuable, as we would often trade facts about one another's cultures, or solar systems really.

I had learned that about 50 years ago is when the Astral Gate had malfunctioned and destroyed most of the Earth. Making how it looked in 2021 to what it looked now to two totally different places. Most Earthlings lived underground, or in certain sectors where there weren't as many rock showers. I assumed the Astral Gate destroyed the moon, and was thus the cause of said showers. But then, the Earth also had plenty of satellites that could easily have been caught in the explosion and be a part of the showers.

Most of these thoughts were on the back burner of the mind as I thought about what I would say to him. How would this conversation go? However, I didn't have much time to think when I came in close.

"I know that ship anywhere. What do you think you're doing here?"

Chuckling, I put on my headset, flicking the switch that would have connected me. Maybe being a touch cocky would help settle my nerves. Rather than being a stuttering mess.

"I need a mechanic. You. Are the only one I trust to put this damned thing together after taking it apart." I replied, smoothly beginning to circle the shipyard.

"Oh really now? I thought that you letting your little crewmates haul my ass off to jail was a formal message to fuck off. So what makes you think that I'll repair your ship with a smile on my face after all that?" I knew that would be back to bite me. Sighing, I dropped the cocky facade and started sucking up.

Why Faye had taken an obvious and sudden interest in my past was beyond me. Leaving me to give her nothing but half truths and subjective answers. Which didn't seem to bother her all that much. All that she seemed to want was that - Answers. Faye would mostly start in on her interrogations when I had returned to the BeBop to relax. Leading to the routine that if I were to come back with lunch, I would have to bring Faye something to eat as well. Or if I were injured she would play the role of medic while I told the tall tale of my wounds. Which, feeding the BeBop crew proved to burn a bigger hole in my pockets than I had originally expected. Which I guess made sense for how the BeBops current standings were. There was a reason I had savings and gave myself allowances. Capitalism was a ruthless machine, and things added up quickly.

First aid, bullets, ship repairs were the first on the mind. Not to mention Spike's trail of destruction and having to cover for damages killed the cash as well. Food was the last thing on everyone's mind, but what was more important? Making sure you were fed enough to be able to take on your foe to get more cash? Or keeping your ships intact?

That answer came clear with a message from Raven.

Raven: Earth.

As Jet says. Nothing good comes from the Earth anymore. Personally, I'm not sure why Humans have not abandoned the thing entirely and use it for mining. Maybe because it had been once classified as home. Or it was something, "historical."

Ghost: Manic?

Raven: Yep. Seems like he's set up shop there.

Ghost: Good. I'll be paying him a visit. And no worries lil crow. I'll update ya when I can.

Raven: You'd better.

"Because it's been 20 years. And I implored to let me be the one to reach out to you. Because you coming to me felt like the past chasing me," I sighed, and went into the typical landing sequence. Feeling the same panic that circled my throat then came to attack now, "Listen, I don't trust a single Human or Helxian to touch this ship. They'll rip apart this engine and turn it into something against my will. All I ask is that you repair the ship."