Veronica's Log: Who is Jubei Himura really?
30 Nov 2016Jubei Himura
Hello again you wonderful people (if anyone is actually reading this)!
I’ve come to realize that while I’d to think that I know the present Jubei Himura very well, I really don’t know anything about Shisho’s past. I can’t help being curious about what made Shisho into the man he is today. I mean, I know he has a lot of experience but, what was his experience until now?
This all started after a small conversation with Shisho.
“So, I’ve noticed that you haven’t been carrying your sword.” I started.
“I didn’t bring it.” he answered with a monotone voice.
“What?! Why not?” I was shocked, Shisho was never without his blade.
“Having a blade like that would make me stand out.” he said, very off-the-cuff. “Besides, no one there knows that I normally carry one.”
That got my attention.
“What do you mean ‘no one there knows that I normally carry one’?”
At this point Shisho turned to me with a thoughtful look and shrugged. “About five or six years ago, I was a bounty hunter and made an extended stop to Clair Dock. I ended up living there among the people for a period of eight months.”
“Were you lost or something?” I asked. “Clair Dock is a long way away from the Empire.”
“Well… yeah, I guess ‘lost’ is accurate.” he said in a very sombre tone. “I had picked up a bad habit… got hooked on performance enhancers you see. I chased a really good bounty far into the Pegasi sector. The asshole went on a raping spree , and I finally caught him in Tjakiri.”
“Did the bounty office at Clair Dock take him in?”
“Bounty was listed as ‘dead or alive’, so I brought the office his head. I was so angry and fucked up on the enhancers, that I had torn it off with my bare hands.”
“Holy Space-Christ!”
“Yeah, start abusing any type of drug or medication and you’ll end up turning into something you don’t like.” Shisho sounded sad when he said that.
“Thanks for the lesson Dad.” I said sarcastically, thought it might lighten the mood. “Where else have you travelled?”
“All over the bubble.” he smiled. “After my time in the Panther Unit, I travelled around on a Musha Shugyo.”
“Musha Shugyo?”
“Musha Shugyo means ‘warrior’s pilgrimage’. I needed time away from the Empire, from anything familiar, to sharpen and hone my skills. I learned a lot on my journey.”
Before I could ask anything more, the main Tjakiri star came into view with a bang as we came out of witchspace. Shisho navigated the ship toward Clair Dock and pushed the throttle into the blue section before he turned to me.
“Listen, Clair Dock is a rough place.” his voice was soft and caring. “I know that you can handle yourself, but please, keep a low profile. Show strength when it will benefit us or if you have no other choice.”
“Of course, Shisho.” I smiled.
“Good.” he turned back to the controls and continued. “Having said that, there are some really good people on Clair Dock, people who live good lives and truly look out for others. I wonder if anyone will remember me?”
Once we were within range, Shisho dropped us into normal space and we low-waked ten kilometres outside the station. It was busy around the station, multiple transports entered and exited the mailslot carrying God-knows-what to God-knows-where. Suddenly we were hailed by the station’s flight control officer.
“DeLacey Hotel-Uniform-November, you are entering Black Omega controlled space. State your name and business.” the male voice commanded.
“The name’s Hunter,” Shisho answered. “Hunter Lionheart. I’m here to see some old friends and drink to old memories. I’d like to dock if ya got the room, drinking in space ain’t what it used to be.”
“Docking request accepted, you are clear for pad eleven.” the flight controller announced. “Keep your nose clean and obey the rules Black Omega has set out.”
“I bet you say that to all the pilots.” Shisho teased.
The Cobra flew through the mailslot at a hundred and twenty metres per second, twenty above the speed restrictions because, as Shisho said, ‘fuck the space-police’ . Once inside the station’s docking cylinder, Shisho deployed the landing gear and very expertly landed the ship despite the reckless speed.
“That was quite a show of reckless flying commander. I am obligated to warn you that our head mechanic would like to have words with you.” the controller’s voice chimed in one last time.
After the comms were off, Shisho turned to me and reminded me of our cover. “Let’s review our cover. My name is Hunter Lionheart, and people around here may know me so just follow my lead. I’m a bounty hunter that is generally pretty ruthless and has a cocky attitude, so I’m not going to sound like me sometimes.
“Your name is Vonnie Dickson an-”
“I see what ya did there. Very creative.” I said very sarcastically.
“Yeah well, deal with it darlin’.” he shot right back. “You’re my apprentice. I’m teaching you how to hunt and survive in the black. Don’t hint at where you’re from or else it could mean trouble for the both of us. Also, this is a very rough starport so keep yer head down, but at the same time don’t take any shit.”
Shisho stood up and headed for the ship’s ramp, grabbing sandy-coloured long coat on his way. As he walked down the ramp, I could hear a heavy booted footsteps mixed with metallic clunks coming toward Shisho at an angry pace.
“There’s only one crazy sonofabitch with the balls to fly in that fast and then make a landing like that!” came an angry, gruff, and grizzled voice. “Where are ya, you cocky young dickhead?”
When I reached the ramp, all I could see was Shisho being lifted up in the air by a large, augmented man. I reeled back in horror at the sight of my Master so easily defeated and being shaken around like a small child. Shisho's face seemed to twist in pain as convulsions shook his body.
No one does that to my Master. Not on my watch! I ran down the ramp fully ready for anything this bastard could throw at me.
...except for Shisho’s laughter.
“Wrex!” his hearty laughter shook his body. “You greasy drunk! How the fuck are ya?”
“How am I?” Wrex bellowed. “How am I?! How are you! Everyone thought you were dead! But yer not. Arcy’s going to be so happy! Well… after she tries to kill ya for makin’ her think you were dead.”
There’s always something sweet about seeing such a grizzled, tough man getting all choked up. I could see tears welling up in his eyes due to the relief of knowing his friend was safe. Wrex put Shisho down gently and the two started catching up. At one point Wrex looked at me, smiled, and elbowed Shisho in the stomach.
“Oi, you find yourself a woman?” he kept nudging Shisho. “She’s very pretty! Good on ya lad!”
“W-wait a minute,” I stammered in shock. “we’re not, I mean, he… I…”
“We’re not a couple Wrex.” Shisho smiled gently. “She’s much too good for me. However, she is my apprentice. Wrex Automan, meet Vonnie Dickson.”
“So, little Lionheart has a disciple.” Wrex mused at the thought. He took my hand and gently squeezed and shook it with respect. “Well lass, I hope he ain’t too hard on ya. Although, you must be pretty special for Lionheart to teach you. Ha ha! Never thought I’d see the day that he picks a student, especially one as beautiful as you! Just wait til’ my wife, Arcy, gets a look at ‘cha!”
Wrex was smiling and blushing, and that got me to blush as well. He was an imposing man, large muscles covered his six foot frame, except for the beer-belly on his front. His left arm and leg were cybernetic, but not the nice kind, more like something he made himself. He was bald on top of his head but the hair he did have was tied back into a silver and black pony-tail.
“Okay, that’s enough you fuckin’ lady killer.” Shisho laughed. The two turned to each other and started to catch up.
I stood there in awe. How much of Jubei Himura did I not know? Why do people know him in Pegasi? How much time did he really spend on Clair Dock and what did he do here? What happened that made him come here in the first place and why did he leave suddenly? What else has he not told me?
All of these questions floated in my head and made me question ‘why’. I mean we’ve become close like a family. So why has he kept this from me? Has he told anyone? Shisho had taught me well though, all I have to do is observe and ask the right people the right questions.
Well, I’m a very observant woman and I intend on uncovering the mystery of Shiho’s past.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Edit: Spelling and grammar.