Outlaw Star Fan Fiction ❯ Revenge ❯ Chapter 2

"Gene!" Fred Lou cried out happily. "It's been awhile," he commented, while he embraced Gene in a vice-like grip. Then he lowered his voice a few decimals, and said, "Too long if you ask me."

"I don't have time for this shit!" Gene told Fred gruffly, and pried him off. "I need you to help me in finding out as much data as possible on Ron MacDougall. The more recent the information the better," Gene commanded Fred with no room for questions.

But being Fred Lou, the merchant made room to ask. "Why? I thought you killed him 5 years ago. Anyway, wouldn't that be something you would have Jim do?"

Rage quickly built up in Gene as he remembered the previous day. He had searched the entire warehouse and all he'd found was Jim's laptop, open and unattended, and after the little speech Ron had given, Gene was more than a bit worried.

Now Fred's overly cheerful attitude and questioning really pissed him off. "That's the problem," Gene growled and punched the wall. The pain in his knuckles and the blood dripping from them shook Gene out of anger, and threw him instead into despair.

Turning to look at Fred, he explained, "MacDougall is alive. I fought him yesterday, but he ran in the middle of the fight." Gene trembled and tried not to sink to his knees. "I couldn't find Jim afterwards."

"You mean he took Jim," Fred said, horrified.

Gene nodded numbly, looking less the cocky outlaw and more like a lost child. Ron's words echoed in his head. "You're only half a man..." Gene whispered.

"What?" Fred asked, not understanding.

Gene didn't pay attention to Fred; he was too lost in his own thoughts. "Shit!" he shouted, and punched the wall again, cutting his hand up more. "'You're only half a man, and without your partner you're nothing!'" Gene quoted. "I should have realized he was going after Jim." He leaned his forehead against the wall, cursing.

Fred watched Gene's outburst, more than a little worried, but instead of voicing his concerns he put on his cheerful mask. "Don't get upset, Gene. You'll save Jim without a problem." He guided Gene to the couch.

"As for the information, that's no problem," he went on. "The Lou family business may be known for its inexpensive high quality weapons - legal or not - but we are also known for our complex and well-trained informant system. And don't worry about the money, Gene, this is on the house." Fred gave Gene an encouraging smile, hoping to cheer him up…and to fool himself.

Fred went to his desk, changing masks once again, now to an authoritative businessman, and set to work on giving new orders to his employees. When he glanced up again, Gene was staring into nowhere, a single tear rolling down his cheek.