Mortal Combat With the El Dorado
Gene challenges Harry to a duel between Outlaw Star and the El Dorado., After finishing the space race, the Outlaw Star heads for a meeting with the El Dorado and it’s scurrilous crew at the Lione lagrange point. The mysterious com cube that Gene received after the race from the pilot of the El Dorado sets up the time and place for the rendezvous. Nearing the Lione lagrange point, Gene and his crew learn why it was chosen: The physical characteristics of the area make it use sensors, or even to navigate easily. Gene muses that this will affect the El Dorado as much as the Outlaw Star. Gilliam seems nervous. Gene argues with Aisha about why she should be allowed to tag along, which leads to a discussion about the origins of the Galactic Leyline. Aisha says that the Galactic Leyline is the location of an incredible treasure. Gene notes that he thinks it’s the location of a gate of some sort. Aisha won’t be turned away from her quest. The mysterious bearded stranger from Episode 10 turns out to be named Gwin Khan, a race official. Khan’s speech patterns make Yoda’s speech patterns sound positively straightforward. He doesn’t seem to have a motive for his questioning, but who knows. After waiting for a while in the asteroid field, missiles are launched at the Outlaw Star by the El Dorado. The El Dorado’s pilot spars verbally, then signs off. Gene and Gilliam make preparations to joust, but the conditions make dueling difficult. It seems like Gene is being outfoxed by his opponent, an opponent that seemingly can appear and disappear at will. Gilliam doubts that the other ship can be outmaneuvering the Outlaw Star, but the facts don’t lie. Gene manages to stay one step ahead, but only by deploying his ship’s grappler arms for close combat with incoming missiles. Aisha bristles at Gene’s tactics. Gilliam loses the El Dorado’s position, then Gene gets an idea that appeals to Aisha’s ego. The pilots of the El Dorado continue playing cat and mouse, but they become the prey when Aisha spots them herself. The El Dorado deploys grappler arms, but proves to be no match for the Outlaw Star’s. Gene boards the El Dorado in a quest to duke it out with McDougall, but Harry McDougall, the El Dorado’s pilot, delays while he employs other, more stealthy tactics. Quick thinking by Gene, and some darned fine shooting, save the day. Gene forces information from Harry McDougall and learns how the El Dorado was able to fly circles around the Outlaw Star. Gene pursues the other McDougall in the other El Dorado, but in the end he’s left with nearly as many questions as he started with.
