Chapter Text
‘Lance! LANCE!’ Hunk yelled over his shoulder from where he sat, hunched over the small TV set the two had managed to install on their ship, The Bebop. ‘Big Shot’s about to start! You’re gonna miss it!’
‘Yeah, yeah I’ll be there in a minute’ echoed back through the metal walls of the spaceship.
The screen crackled before settling onto the two cowboy presenters, back-to-back, guns poised.
‘Hi Amigos! All 300,000 Bounty Hunters in the star system, how y’all doing?’ The red headed man opened, twisting his moustache between his thumb and fore-finger.
‘And now it’s time for Big Shot, the show that tells all about fugitives.’ A dark skinned woman added tilting her gun upwards sending a winning smile towards the audience.
‘Shucks Howdy! Up first today-’ ‘-UGH hope there’s something good today’ Lance flopped onto the sofa beside Hunk, spreading his limbs like a starfish. ‘Coran. Allura. Don’t disappoint me.’
‘Dude as long as it pays I don’t care, we’ve got next to nothing and I do not want to end up eating the mould growing on the bottom of the Blue Lion’
‘Relax, it’s not gonna come to that.’ Lance watched as Cowboy Coran presented images of a boy in green running through the corridors of a clinical building.
‘Next up is an elusive criminal going by the name of Pidge Gunderson. Charged with stealing Galaxy Garrison top-secret information this guy’s been at large for almost three months now’
‘Yes, that means he’s a tough nut to find! But his bounty’s up to 4 million woolong.’
‘Shucks howdy! Go get ‘em, buckeroos!’
Lance turned his head to face Hunk. ‘See what’d I tell ya? 4 million woolong is comin’ our way’
Hunk frowned, unconvinced. ‘We’ve got to find him first though’
‘Nah Hunk you’re great at all that stuff, you’ll find his last known location in no time, then I’ll fly in, grab him and we’ll collect our reward. Easy. And now, I can just wait here and relax’
Hunk narrowed his eyes at the other who had already began sinking further into the sofa, eyelids descending.
‘Fine, but this guy’s been at large for a while now, I don’t think he’s going to be that easy to find.’
‘R-e-l-a-x Hunk, it’ll be fine’ Lance oozed, waving his hand in Hunks general direction already slipping into dreamland.
The Bebop hovered above a quiet city. Below, old billboards littered every building, neon lights flickered like candles and few cars crawled along the streets. The whole area rang of abandonment and emptiness, like the area had given up on looking good. They weren’t getting visitors so what was the point? The sun had only just sunk below the horizon but the grey sky felt like a permanent resident.
‘So this is Pidge Gunderson’s last whereabouts, huh?’ Lance sat in the Blue Lion, his beloved ship, leaning over the steering wheel talking to Hunk through the monitor.
‘Yeah, he was spotted outside a place called ‘The Alte Inn’. Must be where he’s staying.’
‘Alright, so I’ll just go down there and drag him out. Got it.’ Lance powered up the Lion ready to leave the Bebop.
‘Wait Lance!’ Hunk called out. ‘Be careful. This guy’s been on the run for a while I don’t think we can afford to underestimate him. He could be dangerous.’
‘Hunk. I’ve done this a million times before. It’s fine. Just wait up there and I’ll be back in no time.’ Before Hunk could say anymore Lance flicked off the monitor. ‘Alright Blue, we’ve got this.’
Lance sailed through the air down to the streets below. Spotting the Alte Inn wasn’t too difficult. Although all the buildings were a dull grey, the paint worn and peeling, the Alte Inn had a bright blue sign that shone amidst the drab surroundings. An odd choice for a hideout, but maybe the only choice in this expiring city. Lance chose an alley across from the Inn and landed his ship. He picked up his earpiece and mic to keep in touch with Hunk who would be his eyes above for the operation.
‘Alright I’m just by the Alte Inn. I’m heading in now.’ Lance whispered.
‘Got your position. Go for it.’ Hunk’s reply crackled into Lance’s ear. He nodded and stepped out onto the street. As he approached the glass door it shot upwards. Despite its dishevelled appearance, this place kept its’ technology slick. When he stepped forward, a figure in a dark green hood shot out past him. Lance’s eyes immediately locked onto him. The short stature, light brown hair, determined face. It was definitely him. Pidge Gunderson.