Session 19: "Wild Horses"

As this new session opens, we see Spike, stranded in the desert by the fallen Swordfish II. He took off several hours ago for a tune-up, but didn't exactly make it.

Up on the Bebop, Faye is playing the bait as she and Jet attempt to catch shuttle thiefs. The thiefs show up, but it turns out that they steal shuttle by implanting them with viruses. Jet and Faye are caught by surprise and the Red Tail, Hammerhead, and Bebop all get hit with the virus, which takes out the guidance system, weapons system, propulsion system...everything!

Back on Earth, Spike has finally been picked up by a young boy named Max. He works for Doohan, the man who originally piloted Swordfish II as a mono-racer and gave it to Spike for his own personal use. The stay may be a while, but Spike does find out something interesting. It would seem that the company the hijackers are posing as a supply company, from which Doohan's friend buys lots of supplies!

So, Spike, in the newly tuned-up Swordfish II and Faye, in her repaired Red Tail, head off after the hijackers. Turns out, there posing as a legitamate company. Jet attempts to find out, but when Faye suggests they simply shoot and see who runs, Spike whole-heartedly agrees with her. Of course, they forgot to consider that they'd both run. Faye pursues, but she accidentally chases the real delivery men, leaving Spike to take out the hijackers.

Meanwhile, Max, who is listening to a baseball game, has picked up on the conversations in space and immediatly tells Doohan of the goings on.

Spike, on the other hand, is hit with the virus, rendering him inoperable. He's in a bit of a jam when he runs out of fuel and begins hurtling into the atmosphere, but he's saved...

It turns out, Doohan's been working on a modified version of the Space Shuttle Columbia!

Spike lands the Swordfish II, without the wings, into the back of the shuttle, just barely. Even as the shuttle falls down and Doohan announces that they might not be able to safely land, Spike merely sighs and lights a cigarette. The shuttle crashes in the desert, leaving Spike and Doohan wondering just how long they can put up with this Max guy...

SEE YOU SPACE COWBOY...