Cowboy Bebop

Spike, Jet, and Faye all go after some bounties. After capturing a total of 20 people, they are shocked that they received no money. Ed said that they should show them their clues, and surprisingly, all three of them had the same clue, a chess piece. Later on big shot, Punch and Judy said that no one they caught was the mastermind, so they don't get one cent! Spike kicks the TV in anger, and then Jet suggested they should exchange information. Jet figured out what they did. They rigged the hyper space gate toll booth so when a ship passed through they stole the credit check and sent them to a back on Europa. Faye said her guy read this manual, which didn't help much. Spike guessed that whoever did this was a pro and is probably somehow connected to the gate corporation. Still, Jet said that their best clue was the chess pieces. Ed demanded that Jet give it to her, because it's a cartridge for E-chess. While Ed played against her cyber opponent, Jet checked out Gate Corporation HQ. He finds a rival bounty hunter, John, who says that this is tougher than it looks. Jet went in and talked to the Gate Corporation Executive, who was very secretive and didn't tell Jet much of anything. As he left, he drops a transmitter and listens in to a conversation.

He hears that a man named Chess master Hex may be behind this. Spike and Faye analyze the chess pieces, but find nothing but chess data on them. Jet tells Spike to look for information on Hex. He finds that he used to be a Gate executive, who was one of the designers of the hyperspace gate. But he had doubts about his design, but no one would listen to him. So he set traps that would go off 50 years later. That happened 50 years ago, and Hex is now 98. Spike asked Ed for any information, and becomes shocked when he learns that he is her chess opponent! Because of this, they were able to trace him to a scrap yard, but they were confused because it was too easy to track him. Spike and Faye take the Swordfish and Retail to the scrap yard, and Jet stayed behind on the Bebop. He discovered that they had a follower, John. Spike and Faye explore the scrap yard, and they find that it's a hangout for hobos and hippies. No cops, no taxes, it's paradise for some people. Spike and Faye reach Hex, but when they tell him he's under arrest, he simply says to keep quiet. They stood there, confused, as John enters the room with a grenade launcher pointed at Hex. Apparently, he lost all his money due to one of his traps.

He goes insane and fires all of his grenades in the room, but doesn't kill anyone. Spike tells him that Hex isn't there anymore. Just an old man who loves to play games. Jet returns to the Gate Corporation HQ and explains to them that Hex has become senile and is no longer a threat. He makes a deal with them and they agree to call off the bounty hunters. Meanwhile, back on the Bebop, Faye is surprised that Ed is playing E-chess again, but Ed says that she's still playing. She's been playing the same game for a whole week! Back on the scrap yard, John has become the newest resident of the place. As he sits there smoking, three old men float by and greet him. Meanwhile, Ed and Hex's game comes to and end as Hex finally checkmates Ed. She throws a fit; one week of chess for nothing! Hex smiles because of his newest victory. However, Hex can no longer go on living, as he is 98 years old. He slowly closes his eyes, and departs this world.