Polaris

Falling

"Bubbl!"

...

"Bubbl get your ass up!"

Snapping upright, my hands quickly found the controls. Ready to fight, fly- Whatever was needed. But the moment my eyes adjusted, it was clear I had been napping in the Icarus... On the BeBop. Deciding it was safe, I looked around. Adjusting my glasses on the bridge of my nose while trying to find whoever had been yelling at me.

"Up here, Ghost."

Looking directly up showed the hatch had been opened, and Spike was sitting at the edge. Staring down into the cockpit.

"Get up. Jet has-"

I lunged for the Bounty Hunter, grabbing a fistful of his blazer. While standing on the chair, I was eye level with him. Which, despite all my rage, those dark eyes of his... Even with the difference in shade between the two... It was a neat little detail that added to the puzzle.

"What did I say about touching my ship?" I hissed between fangs. Finding little animalistic traits from Heltix had stayed, although living amongst Humans for so long... Shouldn't I be more like them? But, instead of getting the same fearful reaction I had gotten from Faye, I got a wolfish grin as he leaned in close.

"Finally. I get to see what you're like in hand to hand combat."

Whelp. That only put in the final nail in the coffin on one of many theories on Spike. He thrived in combat, and I guess had been looking for the chance to fight me. Clicking my tongue, I withdrew my combat knife from my blazer.

"Bold of you to assume I'm unarmed. Now what did I say about touching. My. Ship." Spike opened his mouth for some smartass retort when the door to the hanger was opened.

"Spike! Bubbl! What the Hell are you two doing?!" Peeking around the Bounty Hunter, I saw Jet standing at the entrance to the rotating hull. Hands on his hips like some disappointed father. Returning the blade to its rightful place, I grabbed hold of Spike's shoulder, and pushed him full force off the Icarus. Now, with a streamlined ship like Icarus, he fell 15 feet without anything to grab onto. After peering over the edge, I saw he had landed on his back. Wheezing as all the air had been knocked out of him. Climbing out of the Icarus, I kicked the hatch closed.

"I don't make empty threats. Spike here thought it was a good idea to touch. My. Ship. And what did I say about touching my ship, Jet?" Jumping off, I gently landed about a foot away from Spike. Who was wheezing and writhing on the ground, "Now he said that you had-"

"You dick!"

It was hard not to giggle, looking behind me I saw Spike was trying to work up to his feet again. Coughing and wheezing as he did. Spinning around on my heel, I walked backwards towards Jet. Hand to hand was not my specialty, and well-

I just poked the bear.

"You think a Black Moon assassin makes empty threats!? Consider this a warning, and be glad the Swordfish doesn't have a fresh coat of paint. Now," I spun on my heel to face Jet, clasping my hands together, "You had something for me."

Jet pinched at the bridge of his nose with a heavy sigh.

"I wanted you two to work together but now I have the sickening feeling that's a horrible idea," He motioned for me to follow, "Come along, I'll debrief you while he collects himself."

"Jet!" The strangled cry sounded far more like his usual self and I didn't exactly look back as I waddled after Jet.

"So... Let me clarify, this isn't a personal question. It has to do with the bounty. Just, answer as best you can," Watching Jet closely, I stiffly nodded as he led me out of the rotating hull and into the living room, "How do you feel about the ISSP?"