Outlaw Star Fan Fiction ❯ Melfina's Voyage ❯ The Talk ( Prologue )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Melfina's Voyage

Disclaimer: I do not own Outlaw Star and I'm not sure who does.

*Author's notes*
Just so that everyone knows, Gene and everybody else except for Jim won't
play a big part in this story but they will show up in the later chapters. Right
now they have no purpose.

Prolouge: The Talk

Tonight was a night like most nights for Melfina. She stood on the spaceship
deck with a pink tincan as her only company. Gillium, the Outlaw Star's main computer
and the pink tincan became used to Melfina's frequent visit after hours when everyone
was tucked away in the Starwind and Hawking business building. He always wondered
what kept her so upset.

Tonight however, the duo wasn't alone. Jim Hawking, who had aged a bit from
their previous adventure was about this night and had noticed Melfina on the ship's deck
with Gillium. With a silent gesture he got the tincan to leave them alone so they could talk.
Jim had also noticed that Melfina had become stoic over the last few months losing her
usual flare. She hardly laughed unless it was when he and Aisha went at it. He had to smile
himself at that image

When Melfina had noticed Gillium's dissapearance she also noticed Jim's
appearace. A pink tint appeared on her pale cheeks because she wasn't sure how much
he had heard. He walked over to her and stood beside her still not saying a word. He was
sixteen now and hardly a baby. He towered her and was almost as tall as Gene. His bright
blue eyes were still vibrant and his wild blonde locks gave him a boyish appeal. Melfina
was sure Aisha noticed this change because she began treating him a little differently and
everybody knew Jim liked her since he was younger.

The two stood in a comfortable silence until Jim said the first words. " What's
been going on Mel? You don't seem too happy anymore," he said. Melfina shivered at his
words. His tone and composure reminded her so much of Gene. Gene. She wasn't sure what
happened there. At the Leyline a few years back they seemed to be in love but his habits
still didn't change. That was strike number one. Then it was that unusal message she got
from Fred too.

She smiled sweetly at Jim trying to make him believe she was fine. " Nothing is
wrong. I just have a lot on my mind lately," she replied. He frowned and she knew he didn't
believe her. He had been around her long enough to know when she was lying, but all of his
expressions reminded her so much of Gene. She lowered her gaze from his piercing blue eyes.
She couldn't stand it. So much caring and compassion were in his expressions that it almost
made her cry into his shoulder.

Jim noticed how agitated she became and he did what any friend would do. He began
to find out what was wrong. " I can tell something is going on so you can lie all you like. You
have one of two options Mel; You tell me what's wrong or *I* find out what's wrong myself. I
hope you choose the first one," he said. He watched her intently for her reaction. A small frown
appeared on her delicate features. Jim couldn't help but mavel at her beauty. Her perfect pale
skin, her long, silky black hair, her full pink lips. God, she was beautiful and he couldn't help
but wonder why his idiot business partner didn't notice.

She looked up at Jim when she finally made her decision. The idea was so perfect she
didn't know why she never thought of it before. " I'm leaving," she stated simply. She watched
Jim's expression and could tell she had caught him off guard. " Why?," he inquired. She sighed
contently as she turned to watch the moon then chuckled bitterly. " I've tried Jim. There is
nothing left for me here. All I am is an ornament. A trophy from Gene's conquer of the Leyline.
I am a shell of what I once was. I have no purpose," she replied.

He watched as cystalline tears fell down her pale cheeks. He was prepared to tell her
that what she said wasn't true. To give it more time. To tell her that Gene loved her but didn't
know how to say it, but then he realized that would be proving her point. She was right. She was
waiting around for a possible future, she was but only a trophy. That is when he realized what he
had to do. No matter how stupid or how much he would regret it. He couldn't let her leave alone
truly without a friend. He smiled at her now and watched her face contort to confusion. " You're
absolutely right. I won't stop you Mel, but I am coming with you," he said.

Melfina felt the shock on her face. Out of all the things he could say she wasn't expecting
that. " But, what about Aisha? What about the business? What about Gene?," she inquired. His
smiled never wavered in spite of her questions. " As important as all of those things are, I can't let
you leave alone. Besides, you don't know how to ward off pirates and if it wasn't for me Gene wouldn't
either," he mused. She smiled too now. Finally a geniune smile that hasn't been shown in years. " Okay
then, let's go. I'm sure Gene wouldn't mind if we took the Outlaw Star. He hardly uses it anymore
except for his dates," she said.

Jim laughed at that because it was true. He nodded in confirmation at her proposal and the
duo headed into the ship. When they got to the bridge Gillium was there waiting. Melfina went into
her tube and Jim assumed the captain's chair. " I say, what do you two think you are doing? What
would Gene say about this?," Gillium said panicked. Jim laughed at the overly melodramatic computer.
" Actually, we don't give a damn what Gene says. Besides Gillium, when is the last time you were
out to space. You could be getting rusty," he mused. " I beg your pardon, but the XGP is the most
outstanding ship in the galaxy. I don't get 'rusty'," he retorted.

Jim noticed the obvious irritation in the computer's tone but chose to ignore it. " Alright then,
Melfina systems check," he commanded. " All systems green," she replied happily. Jim was relieved
to hear some life in her voice. He figured it was because she actually had a purpose again. " Okay,
let's go!," he said. With a turn of the ignition and the press of a few buttons the Outlaw Star was in orbit
again to wreak some serious havoc.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Gene turned and tossed in bed then finally sat up because of the throbbing pain in his chest.
He knew something wasn't right. His suspicions were confirmed when Aisha pounced into his room. She
landed right on top of him straddling his hips. " You won't believe this Gene! The spaceport just called
here saying that the Outlaw Star blasted off without clearance! Do you think somebody stole it?," she
inquired. He pushed the robust woman off of him to think. A dark feeling came over him when he
thought of the different possibilities but the ache in his heart told him the truth. " Have you seen Jim
tonight Aisha?," he asked. The cat woman blinked in confusion to his question but answered him.

" No I haven't but what does that have to do with anything?," she inquired. Aisha was
beginning to feel something in the pit of her stomach. Jim was her love and if anything happened to
him she would crush his attacker. She noticed Gene's face turn grim as well. " The ship wasn't stolen.
If someone was trying to intrude Gillium would have woken me. Jim and Melfina took the ship," he
replied. Her heart sank when Gene said this. Why would Jim leave without her? " But why?," she
asked. Gene said nothing but laid back on his bed. " Go to sleep Aisha. It's too late now. More than
likely he didn't want us involved but in what is the question," he said. Gene turned over on his side
and Aisha knew she wasn't going to get anymore information from him.

Gene felt the cat woman leave his bed and rush out the door. He was alone again, just like
before he met Jim all those years ago. He couldn't help but release the solitary tear that cascaded
down his scar covered face. All the pain felt from those visible scars were nothing compared to the
scar on his heart.

to be continued....................

End prolouge. How was that? It may not seem interseting but it will be later on. And I have just begun to
write stories in the third person so if you have some tips let me know. Oh, and if somebody knows the
name of the mechanic at Blue Heaven that can help me a lot. Thanks! ~LS~