Cowboy Bebop Fan Fiction / Outlaw Star Fan Fiction ❯ Beyond the Screen ❯ Session 1: Hacker Harmony ( Chapter 1 )

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

Beyond the Screen

Note: I just recently realized that Cowboy Bebop is very similar to
Outlaw Star (both series are named after ships!...sorta). First,
you've got the cocky, lady-loving leaders (Spike, Gene). Then the
child prodigy that's amazing with computers (Ed, Jim). Then the near
silent, solitary navigator (Jet, Melfina or Suzuka). Finally, the lady
with the smart mouth that could kick your butt/swindle you in her
sleep (Faye, Aisha or Suzuka). And if you really wanna get technical
Ein, Jet, and Melfina are all enhanced in similar ways. This story
only focuses on Jim & Ed (and Ein), but the rest of the different
casts do show up eventually.

Summary: Jim & Ed take their friendship outside of their computers,
where it turns into something else...

Jim checked his watch. Twelve forty-seven, it said. To early for her
to be on, but still...

He'd take a chance this one time. So, with a deep breath, Jim booted
up his computer and kept his fingers crossed. That made it a little
harder to type, but Jim had been around computers all twelve years of
his life, and he knew the keyboard as if it were part of his body.

Jim even caught himself muttering a silent prayer as he signed on to
the UniNet. But his heart sank when his BuddyBox came up empty.
"Rats!" he muttered, sinking into his chair. "It's too early."

He was just about to sign off when an IN (InstaNote) popped up,
decorated with the familiar customized smiley face. "Chat with
RadEd8?" asked the computerized voice.

Jim smiled and clicked "Yes" without hesitation.

A Chat Room (called BebopLand) appeared on the screen, followed by a
medium-sized box that took up a fourth of the screen. Jim could just
barely make out a dog through all the static. Confused, Jim typed in a
greeting.

CompWhizII: Um...Ein? Is that you?

There was a long pause before the reply came:

RadEd8: Hi Jim ! This is Ein !

Jim laughed and shook his head.

CompWizII: Hey, Ein! Where's Ed?

RadEd8: Still eating dinner . How do you humans type so fast on these
crazy things ?!

CompWizII: I guess they weren't designed for dogs, pal.

Jim saw something move past quickly in the small box.

CompWizII: Who's that with you?

RadEd8: Oh , that's Ed . I think she's in trouble again . . .

CompWizII: Well, when she's done escaping, tell her I would like to
talk to her.

RadEd8: I'll see what I can do .

There was another long pause before the box cleared up and Ed's
grinning face appeared.

RadEd8: Hi, Jim! Sorry, Ed was busy running from Spike. He's upset
because Ed ate some of his dinner.

CompWizII: Did you know Ein could type, Ed?

RadEd8: Sure! Edward taught Ein! Isn't he smart?!

CompWizII: Smarter than any dog I've ever met. I didn't think you'd be
around this early.

RadEd8: You must be lucky today. So what did you want to talk to Ed
about?

Jim hesitated for a long moment.

CompWizII: ...have you ever been in love, Ed?

RadEd8: No. Why?

CompWizII: Never mind. It's nothing. Really.

RadEd8: Ed can tell when you are lying to her, Jim.

Jim could feel himself beginning to sweat.

CompWizII: I'm sorry, Ed. It's just...I've never met anyone like you.

RadEd8: That's because Ed is special!

CompWizII: I know. But you remind me so much of myself sometimes, it's
like looking in a mirror.

RadEd8: But that only makes you like Edward more, right?

CompWizII: ...yeah. Maybe a little too much.

Jim almost gasped when Ed moved her goggles up to her forehead and
leaned forward, peering at him. He'd never seen her eyes before, and
the mere sight of them took his breath away.

RadEd8: Edward thinks you are still hiding something from her, Jim.

Running a hand through his dirty blonde hair, Jim tried to think of a
response.

CompWizII: Has anyone ever told you that you have beautiful eyes?

RadEd8: Spike once called them Demon Eyes. But your name sounds better
to Ed.

CompWizII: It doesn't sound like he appreciates you.

RadEd8: He does. He bought Ed a hat the other day. But sometimes he is
mean. Mostly to Faye.

CompWizII: That sounds a lot like Gene and Aisha...

RadEd8: The one that turns into a tiger? Ed would like to meet her!

CompWizII: Well, I'd like to meet Ein, but it's not like the Bebop's
gonna be passing Heiphon any time soon.

For some reason, Ed stopped typing.

CompWizII: What is it? What'd I say?

RadEd8: ...Heiphon...5?

CompWizII: ...no, 4. Why?

RadEd8: BEBOP JUST LEFT HEIPHON 5 AN HOUR AGO!

CompWizII: ...really...?

RadEd8: YES! This is GREAT, Jim! Now Ed can finally meet you!

CompWizII: ...what? But you said Bebop already left, didn't you?

RadEd8: But Ed can turn Bebop around now that everyone is asleep!

CompWizII: ...you can...do that...?

RadEd8: Easy! Edward can use her remote control! Isn't this exciting,
Jim?! We can hang out and talk! I can see for you real this time!

Jim's heart leaped into his throat at the thought of actually meeting
Ed. He knew he'd be helpless if he actually gazed into those yellow
eyes of hers.

RadEd8: Jim? What's wrong? Aren't you happy to finally be meeting Ed?

CompWizII: Of course I am, Ed. It's just that...I don't want to
disappoint you...

RadEd8: You could never disappoint Edward, Jim. Edward already likes
you too much.

Jim could only return Ed's contagious smile as she grinned at him from
the screen.

RadEd8: So will you wait for Ed on Heiphon 4, Jim? Bebop can be there
this afternoon! Ed will even bring Ein!

CompWizII: There's a park not too far from the docks. I'll meet you
there.

RadEd8: Good! This will be so much FUN!

CompWizII: ...Hey, Ed? Can you do something for me...?

RadEd8: Of course, Jim. What is it?

CompWizII: Promise me you'll be there. Please? It's not that I don't
trust you, but...just promise me.

RadEd8: Ed promises, Jim. But now you must promise Ed something!

CompWizII: Um...okay. What?

RadEd8: Bring something for Ein. He gets hungry if no one here feeds
him.

CompWizII: I can definitely do that. So...I guess I'll see you in a
couple of hours.

RadEd8: You will, Jim! And Ed will see you, too! Bye!

A huge smiley face with big, red lips appeared on the screen. "You've
just been kissy-faced by Radical Edward!" a voice giggled. "See you
soon, Jim!"

Jim smiled and leaned back in his chair. "Something tells me today is
gonna be a great day."

* * * * *

Next Session: Jim, Ed, Ein, and a fountain in the park.