Ah My Tsunami Muyo!

by Gaian Knight

The story of a mortal, and a goddess. Sound familiar? Try again. New stories in the pipeline, within the year.

4. Ride that of Streaking Light Come Forth

Half a league, half a league,

Half a league onward,

All in the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.

"Forward, the Light Brigade!

Charge for the guns!" he said:

Into the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.

"Forward, the Light Brigade!"

Was there a man dismayed?

Not though the soldier knew

Some one had blundered:

Their's not to make reply,

Their's not to reason why,

Their's but to do and die:

Into the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,

Cannon to left of them,

Cannon in front of them

Volleyed and thundered;

Stormed at with shot and shell,

Boldly they rode and well,

Into the jaws of Death,

Into the mouth of Hell

Rode the six hundred.

Flashed all their sabres bare,

Flashed as they turned in air

Sabring the gunners there,

Charging an army, while

All the world wondered:

Plunged in the battery-smoke

Right through the line they broke;

Cossack and Russian

Reeled from the sabre-stroke

Shattered and sundered.

Then they rode back, but not,

Not the six hundred.

Cannon to right of them,

Cannon to left of them,

Cannon behind them

Volleyed and thundered;

Stormed at with shot and shell,

While horse and hero fell,

They that had fought so well

Came through the jaws of Death

Back from the mouth of Hell,

All that was left of them,

Left of six hundred.

When can their glory fade?

O the wild charge they made!

All the world wondered.

Honour the charge they made!

Honour the Light Brigade,

Noble six hundred!

Lord Alfred Tennyson (The Charge of the Light Brigade)

===============================================

(Ah My Tsunami Muyo! Part Four - Ride that of Streaking Light Come Forth..)

Journal Entry - 9th May, 3417

*Recording Terminal / Module 0033A*

I don't believe it, but were about ready. Tomorrow, we lift off in a specially reserved shuttle to the congregation point for the race, and I feel way to good about all this for it to be feeling real. (Don't know why, a trait my sis says is annoying.. anywho..)

Tsunami has been just amazing, and I don't care if I've said this literally in 'every' log entry, I just can't believe how much she's taken to being a pilot. In not only three weeks has she learned all the mecha's systems and piloting tactics, but even has taken to heart all of Alana's tricks and hints, sponging it all up in a well professed desire to please me (,like that ever was a concern.) She's actually already made Certification for Trainee-November Class, and if I didn't know any better, she could eventually beat the scuzzy interface off a Class Beta Cert, and possibly even a Class Alpha. And there are only up to Class Four's or Delta's, and a Gamma could take a Delta if one knew how to do it.

Course at this point, most of our race training has been on Sims, even ones Washu devised (privately..) even with rather realistic, (and terrifying..) simulated emergency actions due to damage and even foul play..

But all that it sure doesn't beat the real thing, as Tsui's and my first true test flight in the recently completed mecha made for a seriously IMMENSE adrenaline rush!!

I swore I had my memory chips shattered loose from the G-tactic maneuvers we practiced, high and around Tekomi Bay along with the Province itself. Tsui just kept laughing hysterically, almost like she was a kid in a MONSTER hover-coaster ride. The harder the G's, the more she laughed! I learned later she apparently never had so much fun in her existence. We also learned that we pulled a wing strut, as well as taxed the inertia compensators into coolant overflow!!

Kero afterward gave us a slight admonishment, as we weren't taking care of the goods. But then he awed surprise at HOW many G's we got away with. 7.9 per 3 second arcs, usually back to back for who knows how many loops. No wonder I had a bloodrush!

But thus heralded the christened Angel Starlight, designation TMU-0102-A, Tekomi Mecha Unitracer. It looked very sleek, well rounded, well chromed to help enhance heat flux reflection. The funny but almost prophetic added modification to the primary superstructure, was the inclusion of two sets of vector and thrust veneer wings, both shaped 'exactly' like a set of Angel Wings.. hence the Angelic part of the designation. They replaced the original two sets of blocky wings, though they were not really too shabby, they weren't up to the other modifications the Dojo and Dimensional 'Team' helped install and testbed.

I must say, I was skeptical about how into the work the Dojo envisioned, but the Dimensionals sure lit a fusion reactor under all our collective butts. Washu of course wanted to rip the whole thing apart, and redo the whole shebang, but Tenchi and I helped sit her down, and explain, rationally, that this raced had to be as even as possible. The introduction of a craft OBVIOUSLY WAY too advanced would get us disqualified. (And shortly be under investigation by Terran Intelligence, not a pretty pastel to paint.. = )



Washu, 'very', reluctantly agreed, with much celestial cursing, to only help modify the existing material and framework. She did however help BIG with the one crucial, experimental project: A vacuum fusion core-transducer generator. The basic theorem behind this core system, was the physics of using the very matter of existence as a fuel source, as well as using the basic laws of physics to help create higher thrust out of little friction usage. It was one that had heavy repercussions for the military, as well as a HUGE contract, if it worked properly.

Basically, the V-Fusion Generator used extreme principles of energy physics, as well as ungodly (no offense Tsui..) practicality with fuel efficiency. This system could run a MONTH on a pound of vacuum fuel, or basic energy, existing all around us. At the moment, a prototype for a mecha scale unit was all that was truly feasible, which worked out fine for us. When Tasha found out the prototype was actually working, and apparently flawlessly at that, she blew something in her head!!

Thus said, because she KISSED/CRUSHED Washu and myself in a joyous bearhug!! I'm still smarting.............

But this is hardly by no means a certain victory, thus said because there has already been at least one attempt, by most likely a Rohak Academy flunky, on the mecha itself, and then a rather mean spirited attempt on my person, of which only a timely spell by beloved kept us both from being quite hospitalized. The police caught that hoser well enough with his description. Some of the Dojo members suggested retaliating, but I put a cold POST on that idea, as we'd more than likely receive harsher judgment, and concentrated thoughts on beating the daylights outta them at the race itself. I just hope those words worked..

As it stands, we as ready as we can be, all systems check out with the Tokyo and Osaka engineer sponsors, including Professor Darien, whom was on the ball with most the rest of the Mecha's systems, including solving a coolant problem the unit kept having over initial testing. Now, all that remains is to transport Angel over to the shuttle.

And for me to deal with pre-race nerves.

Everyone had decided that a celebration was needed to loosen us (me) up, with plenty of sake`, plenty of partying in and near the Onsen, which even Washu has gotten used to, despite Tsunami's suprising transgression, and plenty of anything not race related, other than good luck charms. (The Angel looks like a Japanese Christmas tree of some sort..)

By the way, all the Onsen bit took to settle that matter was a stern set of words from Washu and Achika, before that was settled. Now all three are officially enjoying the Onsen for a late afternoon bath. Tenchi related to me that certain words floated from out of that apparent excursion (when he used the Onsen male section at the same time.)

I keep hearing wedding bells in my future.. better call Dad sometime and warn him.. ..ugh..

As it is, I'm taking a break from that same party to talk to this Journal Padd, I'm somewhere between worried and scared stiff..

..I need another stiff one.. *sigh*

But, when I threaten to break down in fear, I remember my pilot-mate. The title co-pilot alone doesn't do justice, and I have to equally share the primary title, she's doe so much to bolster my confidence, I wouldn't think of it in any other vein.

The factual that she literally throws herself into the task, and into my arms with each practice completed.

If we actually win, I can only 'guess' her reaction.

And then, there's that event back in the Onsen, her Angel. That image alone stifles down my fears..

..see, it's doing it now.. cool huh? =^^=

I just hope this is all worth it, I still say Kero should be doing this, but all things have endings, and beginnings.

..tomorrow is our day, for better or worse, and with the best and most experienced allayed against us.

Eh? *silence for a few seconds..* ..what's she doing out there?

*End datarecording.. 2134.02*

--------------------

*Onsen..*

"{~ And then she said, I didn't create you for looks, I data copied them for you!! ~}" ..draining her cup in a clean swish!

"~ Washu would say something that blasé!! ~"

"~ What else do you expect a mother to do for a daughter!? ~"

Ryoko, Ayeka and Washu each in various forms, bust out loud laughing!! The echo actually makes the glass dome vibrate!

"{~ Hah!! You think that's bad, you should see how I intend to download a better body when Tenchi and I mate.. ~}"

"~ Do you go stealing my ideas demon.. I hate unoriginal ideas. ~"

"{~ Whoever did your work-up was REALLY unoriginal.. ~}"

Ayeka's next act is to begin trying to electrocute the water between herself and her tormentor, just before a towel SMACKS Ayeka in the face!!

"~ Now, now girls. No need to create Armageddon, that's years down the road here on Earth.. just relax.. ~"

"{~ Hah! I was more than relaxed! Where's the.. ~}" SMACK! Second towel..

"~ I got the sake` first.. dibs.. ~" Ryoko mutters something 'unkind' from behind the towel. Ayeka just pats her nose back to a normal color, though the color flush of intoxication are too noticeable to matter.

"~ Miss Washu.. ~" "~ Little.. ~"

"~ Um.. (only for a Titan Program..) ..do you happen to know why Lord Tenchi and I.. ~"

"{~ *AHEM!!* ~}"

Ayeka groans.. "~ ..we.. were both allowed to consort with him? And also, has he displayed his final stage yet? ~"

Washu leans back and swills the brew with a finger, before semi-seductively, though thoughtfully putting the finger in her mouth.. as it comes back out.. "~ As a Beta, I don't have the Hacking powers I used to, but what I gathered, he apparently did needed a 'distraction'.. ~"

"{~ Distraction? Is that old coot hassling him that bad? ~}" Ryoko begins to lean forward, though this competes for similar space as Ayeka does the same.

Washu only looks at the cup. "~ No.. there's something strange in the archives, 'very' classified data about something supposedly coming. Tenchi may know more than he's supposed to, or is under a Protection Lock until the event happens. ~" Washu looks up.

"~ ..as it is, why he allowed it shocked most of us Dimensionals. No Avatar has been 'assigned' a consort, much less two; without some dammed good reason. ~" Washu chuckles, which garners a 'err' from the other two.

"~ ..all I can really say is that.. watch Tenchi carefully, he may be at the heart of something big in the future. ~" Then Washu's brow furls a bit, as she look hard at Ayeka and Ryoko. The two squirm a bit..

"~ ..saying this, you make sure Tsunami doesn't intervene, whatever Tenchi may face in the future. He can't be interfered with by Tsunami, and you both know she would try.. ~" Ayeka and Ryoko turn into meek listeners, not even rivals now. Both only nod gingerly.

..they both feel a cold sense of dread.. somehow, both can't fathom Tenchi gone, they both just can't, and it's not even a Spell Program in effect either!!

"~ Can I join in? ~"

Ayeka and Ryoko vehemently turn towards the new voice.. (well, not new, just blond..) "~ You!?!/{~ YOU!?!! ~}"

"~ Are you three talking about Tenchi? ~"

------------------------

*A (whole) bunch of sake` later.. same place, less mood..

..or is that more moody..*

"~ I met him on a infodata foray in the lower levels of the System, when we were trying to track down a Class Three Demon Hacker, when Kiyone and I met Lord Tenchi. He was so sweet, going out of his way to help us, even after that announcement not too long before, he just was so cheerful to us. ~" Mihoshi begins, relating to a less than enthusiastic Ryoko/Ayeka, both nursing empty cups dryly..

Washu just watches in half interest.. more noting the other two's moodwaves, more getting a laugh out of this sight..

"~ ..by the time we finished our investigation, I knew a deep bond had formed between us, oh....... I can't believe I admitted that!!

..oh how embarrassing!! ~" Mihoshi turns several shades of red, while Ayeka and Ryoko turn a few shades of annoyed..

..Washu just laughs at the growls the two suitors emit.

"~ I need a drink......... ~" Ryoko hands Ayeka the bottle, before grabbing a second (sixteenth..)

----------------------

*Boy's Onsen area..*

"~ You think they can pull it off tomorrow? ~" Kero looks at the face of the subject in the other Onsen section, and chuckles in introspection. "Well, I didn't win my first race, even with Alana until my fifth try.. I tell you Tenchi, the odds are a toughie, and 'that's' all under normal circumstances.

..and this race won't be normal, I can feel it.."

Yosho leans back and looks skyward.. "~ And it also may be a day of historic proportions.. this I myself feel.. ~"

"~ Uh oh, grandpa's at it again.. ~" Tenchi jokingly chides.

"~ Indeed protégé, I actually can sense the air currents surrounding this event.. ~"

Kero just looks at the two strangely.. "You two are acting weird again.."

Tenchi and Yosho 'URK' at that..

They had all agreed, Dimensionals anyway, to refrain from using their powers in the presence of the mortals, a rule treaded apparently with lack of foresight. Though no real consequential violations have yet occurred, thus even so far as to drag Ayeka and Ryoko into a subspace ring of some sort when they started one of their fights.. (Washu's solution has brought out even MORE competitive spirit in the two!! Much to everyone's chagrin.. much..)

The mortal contingent never (thankfully) really caught on, but it's starting wearing thin. One can only note weirdness and shrug it off for so long. Yosho tries to cover up again. "~ Ah.. we're bad about premonitions.. ~"

"~ Yep, Grandpa and I are bad alright.. ~" Kero just looks at the two with skepticism, but drops it with a good slug. "Just don't infect your 'Sensei' with that thinking, a pilot thinks best without distractions..

..all their skills will be tested in the heat of competition. It's when their best will shine forth..

..just you wait, you will see something even your 'premonitions' cannot foresee. I can't FEEL that much.." Kero pulls back a second good slug, his eyes glaze with past glory and incredible experiences.

Tenchi and Yosho only look at each other and shrug.

--------------------

*Below the Onsen, party area..*

Sasami looks up from a habachi grill.. "~ The squid is almost ready!! ~"

A good number of 'yays' emanate from all around, as karioke singing and bad dancing clamor all around, the atmosphere is quite joyous..

"I'll take the first one!!" A young Nobuyuki shouts for dibs.. "~ Oh no you don't.. ~" A certain black mane goddess retorts.. "~ ..don't you know women come first? ~"

Nobuyuki throws his hands up in defense.. "I.. I didn't mean.. I only.."

"Careful Nobuyuki.." Hiwa eggs.. "..you don't want to offend the guests." Nobuyuki overreacts to this. "Oh no! It's not that!! I.."

Hiwa and Achika look at each other, and begin bursting out in laughter..

Sasami just shakes her head.. "(~ Isn't mom a little old for picking up guys? Much less MORTALS!? ~)"

Sasami's Mother slant eyes at Sasami and pucks her lips blandly.. "(~ I do as I wish.. ~)"

Sasami smiles/chuckles meekly and turns back to the grill in haste..

Tora and Sora simply just sing 'badly' in the background, as Tasha, Tasha's flunkies, and Alana cheer and clink sake` bottles in the air. Fat Dal, the local dynamic master programmer for the Angel Project (with Washu's 'help'..) just stuffs his face with Sasami's and Achika's cooking, just crying as he does..

..he's not eaten this well in ages, not that one can tell from his gut..

"~ Nobuyuki.. how sweet of you.. ~" Achika says when Nobuyuki give the first squid to her.

Nobuyuki violently blushes, as he quickly takes his hand away from the squid he handed over. Hiwa just laughs her butt off, getting a full dose of this dating game. Sasami just keeps shaking her head, but then silently wonders when she might feel this way.

Tasha CLAPS loudly as Sora finishes a solo.. "WAY TO GO FRESHY!! Where's Al at?"

"~ Sensei? ~" Sasami perks her head up.. "~ I think he went inside. ~" Tasha jumps up in a drunken stupor. "That Sophy! He's bolting on us again!!"

"~ There he is. ~" Achika blurts out suddenly, pointing to a slowly walking Aleaic, one seemingly fixated on something. "Where's he going?" Hiwa asks, noting Al's pace. "~ Ah.. I wondered where my daughter went to.. ~"

"Daughter!?" Shouts a number of (non-eating) voices..

Sasami lays the admonishment on.. "(~ Slot A into Tab B, Mother.. ~)"

"(~ Oops.. ~)"

---------------------

*Forest.. somewhat moonlit..*

Aleaic's observed stride takes him deep into the cathedral like forest..

..it takes him awhile, the cloak of darkness doing it's job well. Only the sense Tsunami is emanating softly allows Al to eventually find her.

..and there, with the rays of the moon softly playing across, partially illuminating Tsunami's simple white and blue dress. Truly like a cathedral at night, only the sound of the light wind flowing across the trees, with slight hollows sounding at times.

This is where Aleaic finds the dimensional of his existence, in a prayer form.. her forehead rune glowing softly..

Aleaic tries to be quiet, but a step forward too many, and a snapping branch betrays him.. "AH! Oops.. Um.. sorry.." Al smiles sheepishly.

Tsui looks back with one of her customary smiles, one that can warm anything. "~ I was praying, that we would know what we both desire..

..I was being selfish.. ~"

Al sighs contentedly, despite his butterflies. "Looked like you were quite calm." Tsunami smiles sweetly at Aleaic again, as she takes not how the moonlight plays across her 'client'..

"~ It's okay to have a few selfish desires in a lifetime.. ~"

"Well, that I can't argue.." Aleaic walks around behind Tsunami, arms behind head.. "..I've got so many, a novel couldn't hold them.."

Aleaic's chuckle is met with Tsui's gaze.. "~ Am.. am I one.. of those selfish wishes? ~"

Aleaic is taken deeply aback.. "I.." ..Aleaic's thinks disjointed, then allows his soul to bear itself.. "..yes........... there is............

..it was there when I made the Wish.. it's still the same now.." Al tries to smile confidently to Tsui.

"..and it's the same feeling I want us to share tomorrow. I want to show this world something, take a risk, and I want you to be there to share that. No matter what actually happens, even if we finish dead last..

..if not all that and more."

"~ I see.. ~" Aleaic thinks to himself, that Tsunami looks so beautiful with the moonlight, her hair looks more silken with effect, giving off a second glow to it's own internal light. Tsunami only holds a warm breath, filled with his words of encouragement, and more.. "~ ..thank you, and I hope we get share the fullness of what tomorrow will bring..

..that is what I wish for you beloved.. ~"

Aleaic smiles simply in response, she notes the curves that the light enhances, and the ones the shadows chisel.

Al notes, and changes the subject out of reflex. "You'll probably meet my father tomorrow, since he's on the Terran Council. And mother as well, since Sis informed me they'd all be there tomorrow."

"~ I bet they're proud of you.. ~" The goddess says, taking a hand. Al grasps it tighter. "Of us. Ket has made sure to tell the family how much a team effort this was. As am I.."

Tsunami feels her heart pound slightly, a touch of flushed cheeks.. "..I know I keep saying this, but you keep amazing me more and more. I, I was proud when you achieved Certification."

Aleaic takes Tsunami's hands and holds them both to his chest.

"..I.. I know you did it to help me, and I know I asked for this help, but I want you to know the honor was yours alone, and tomorrow will be so much better because you will be there.

I thank you so much for everything you've done these past few weeks, I am very truly honored.." Aleaic kisses the hands of possibly the most talented woman to ever cross this Plane, especially his life. Tsunami's heart is beating like a gravity pulsar.

"YO!!!"

The single syllable SHOCKS them out of their skin for an instant!

"T ..T.. TASHA!!"

"You two have been avoiding the party you know!" Tasha scolds as she strides up, her tact needing work.

"~ Our appologies, I simply needed to clear my head.. ~" Tsunami apologizes openly, which takes the fire out of Tasha's scolding.

"Tasha, can you possibly be more blunt?" Al mildly retorts next. Tasha just SLAPS Al on the back! (ow..)

"Sophy, you should either join the party, or go to bed, tomorrow is a HUGE day!! You two Ms. Tsunami.."

Aleaic and Tsunami only looks at each other and sigh in resignation. "Then tomorrow is our next stop.."

"~ Looks like.. ~"

Tasha just shakes her head at the two.. "Man.. you two are to darned gushy.. makes me want to slug some coolant down." ..the brusque lady just flops her arms at them, and heads off..

The two lovers look at each other again, and burst out laughing! Their laughter carries deep into the moonlight.

..deep into the moonlight..

-----------------

*May 10th, Raceday..*

The morning started very 'very' early, as well as with many hangovers. The gathered were treated to a very large outdoor breakfast, served mostly by servant droids, as everyone made the first of the early final checks. Lot's of coffee made it's way though.

By 0600 hours, it was time. Aleaic and Tsunami took their places in the special side-by-side cockpit, and after a short preflight check, lifted off to astounding cheers.

As they piloted the Angel mecha over Tekomi proper, towards Tekomi Spaceport, they could see below them a very large procession of well wishers from around the Campus, as well as the town an much of the Province proper. It was a breathtaking and warm sight, one that Tsunami shed many tears at witnessing this.

They arrived at the massive Tekomi Spaceport at 0625, their IFF codes getting them and their following supporting teammates past the security nets and trained capture net guns. Even here though, the guards were waving their best wishes to them.

But the sight of the very large crowd at the shuttle took the proverbial cake. After they landed on the loading gantry and got out to head for the crew shuttle loading, Al and Tsui had to keep waving back at the incredible flock seeing them off. Tsunami even got into the spirit by giving a good kiss to Al for the crowd's benefit. Aleaic had to fight down the 'major' PDA blush he was boiling with.

Ten all too quick, rather efficient minutes later, the Mecha was loaded into the Shuttle and the Dojo Angel Team climbed into the passenger cabin for strapping in.

"You nervous?" Al says to Tsui, whom is seemingly jittery getting into his seat.

"~ No, I'm excited, I've never ridden a shuttle before.. ~" Tsui says with a gleeful tone. Al chuckles simply. "I have, I just let the rush flow; there's nothing like it."

"Yeah right Sophy, that kiss looked like it was more than enough 'rush' for ya.." Hiwa eggs on, laughing loudly. Aleaic heeds no mind.

Another ten minutes after this, the shuttle's powerful RU-126 Class B engines ROARED to angry life, as the shuttle pilots simply concentrated on their common/practiced task of lift-off. The pressure of the G-forces caught many of the Dimensionals by surprise, expecting much less.

The passengers had special window screens in front and the sides, as the flame of the engines haloed the windows from aft. Clouds billowed in front of them, then parted due to the increasing atmosphere pressure generated by the oblong cargo shuttle's speed. Another viciously short two minutes later, the blue morning sky was replaced with the sight of jeweled stars on black velvet.

"~ Oh wow Al, look! ~" Tsui gasps as she looks out a port. Aleaic's view is switched to the port side, as the sight of a massive arch is seen, descending along the window ports, the massive Orbital Rings. Also one of the two space stations could be partially seen.

"We should be going to Alpha, right Sempai?" Al asks back behind him. "Hey, smart one Sophy! Yeah, that's where the race is congregating this year."

Tsunami and many of the other dimensionals then feel their insides twist a bit, as weightlessness courses around them, a feeling that's strange since they are used to floating by themselves. "~ Wow.. this is weird.. ~" Sasami says, giggling at the effect her hair now has in the micro-gravity environs. Washu is both impressed, and unimpressed, depending on which side of her personality thinks.

For the mortals, this stuff is very common in this day and age. About as common as sea and atmospheric travel, with the usual case sickness issues at time, evidenced by Fat Dal way in the aft.

As they close in, up along and all around, are large objects of all kinds, shapes of other cargo shuttles, newspeater stations, race support vessels, officiating bots, and even several Terran Naval Warships, with even the massive battleship-carriers: Sol, and Terra, on hand. Also included, the Super-Hybrid Fortress: Glorious was here, all three rounded out with a light screen of Cruisers and Destroyers. Apparently much of the top brass were out to see this race, not to mention see what taste of new technologies they might get their hands on.

It was both awe inspiring, and severely frightening at the same time.

"Dang it, we have to wait 17th in line, I was hoping we got out early." Sora suddenly quips with bemoaning.

"That's world time for you. The BIT techs probably have been here for hours." Kero mentions in response to no one in particular.

The slow going to the docking pens is starting to get a tick laborious, as the race scanner droids checked each and 'every' shuttle, interrogating each mecha very thoroughly, as well as pilot and team crew id packets. Tsunami's Certification was declared official during their scan, which brought a bevy of cheers, at least temporarily taking minds off the boredom. (or nervousness in certain cases.)

Then more waiting.. and.. yeah.. waiting..

But, 'finally', they made their way into their assigned holding pen. There the shuttle opened it's cargo bay, and a waiting tractor beam pulled the team's mecha into place. The pilots and crew disembarked after the shuttle completed landing, and were met by a small flurry of local, a few international, and several colony newsreporters. After a few quick questions about names, home place, mecha name/designation, and a few dissuaded questions about secrets, the team got to work on the Unit, resetting all the race parameters and data links for race conditions.

There, the final inclusion of a few special details and equipment, mostly due to weight stress G's on the planet's surface. A pair of gilded heat-glaze shields, a larger capacitor choke for handling the power stresses of the Hyperdrive Booster, as well as the finest racing class datalink chips for handling the rigors of race demands.

The Computer core would see MUCH demand this day.

Al and Tsui also were outfitted with the official racesuits. A pair of blue, green and white G-flight suits, with multiple hookups for oxygen, datalinks, and commlines. Aleaic was flabbergasted how ravishing Tsunami looked in her suit. Tsui just pecked Al on the nose for the compliment, before both heads back from the changing uniform barracks.

They were in the middle of a series prerace mind focusing exercises with Kero and Alana, when a 'very' familiar womanly voice grabbed Al's wide eyed attention. "Mother!! Father!!"

Off the far right, from a large dock Blasthatch, the Terran Ambassador, his wife, as well as all the Kerensky siblings stride with arms quite open.

"Aleaic!" Jeain calls out, just before reaching Al and giving a large motherly hug. The rest, including Ketira whom slipped away after landing reach the two hugging family members.

"Oh my Little Aly, you look so grown up! Oooooooooooooooooh!!!!!!!!!" *Smush, sqwench.. smush!!* "Ack! Mom.. mom, I need those ribs!"

Mother and son pull away in a laughing embrace, then Terrai steps up and takes account of his son. "My, my. If I didn't know better, I'd think my son was doing something rather dangerous."

Al chuckles lightly. "I thought you'd disapprove, so I did it in a fabulous fashion!" This gets a good laugh from Terrai. "HAH! Now I know I don't know you!" Father and son exchange hugs this time.

Aleaic does the same for Hikara, Caladeni, Alusair in short order. They all giving quick jibs back and forth. Then attention turns to a beaming goddess.

"So, this is the flower that plucked my son's roots." Terrai speaks thickly through his equally thick mustache and beard, both silvery-white, yet quite serenely as well. Terrai takes Tsunami's hands and bows, one returned very gracefully, the flightsuit gracefully following her curves.

Al is caught looking a bit too much. "Careful lil bro.." Alusair nudges Al in the ribs as she speaks. "..your focus is off." ..Cal and Alusair giggle at Al's expense.

Al though smiles.. "I know.." Aleaic more than willingly admits, taking Alusair by surprise. "Wow.. you've really fallen for her huh?" Alusair and Caladeni both ping Al slightly off tune.

"Yes," Aleaic says, as he watches Jeain hug Tsunami like another daughter. "..I really have. She really changed me."

"That's so cola, I wish I could fall in love like that.." Caladeni swoons, Alusair picks a good jab. "You aren't so lucky. Not like bro here, he didn't need to try so hard."

"Like you have done well either sister!" Cal retorts. Hikara tries to stop this. "Now now.."

Aleaic just shakes his head, that much hasn't changed. "Okay okay, let's not blow a capacitor you two.."

"Yo Sophy!" Tasha yells, breaking the family moment off. "Yeah?"

Tasha walks up, bows to the Ambassador and wife, and then walks up to Al, where Tsui has taken Caladeni's side. "The Angel's ethereal firmware is good to go, I'd thought you guys like to do a quick-mock.." Al nods.

"How long we got till the race?" "Two hours. The guys are running the flush through the maneuvering systems, the core modules and final warm-up will come next."

Al looks to his teammates. "Sounds like a good time to also test the reflex bindings, les they act up on reentries." Tasha nods as she yells back to remind the same to the team.

"I see you youngsters have much to do." Terrai says, noting the activity, which impresses him with it's professionalism. "Yes sir, we're all excited that your son is racing for us." Tasha says simply and bluntly.

Terrai then slits his eyes after this statement.

"I heard the rumors about what happened to your primary pilot. If there is anything I can do to help.."

"~ Ambassador, while the offer is impressive and flattering.. ~" Tsunami speaks for the team.. "~ ..we have agreed to race under our own terms, and ones your son laid out for us.. ~" Terrai turns fully to hear Tsui out.

"~ ..we race for the honor of the Race, the Academy, and for ourselves. We cannot act honorably under less conditions. ~" Tsui smiles her usual confidence.

"~ ..and this is how we will win. ~"

Aleaic smiles proudly, Terrai though, gruffs before looking neutral. "Very well, as you wish. Just be warned for your sake, these races are usually full of types not as 'honorable' as your team and code..



..the best advice is to take advantage of your gifts as evolved creatures, all the tools are there to achieve any goal you set.

..and luck is also still a tool."

"(See. I told you beloved..)" "(~ Indeed.. ~)"

"Hey Al.." Hiwa grabs his attention..

Aleaic nods to his family, and walks past Tasha, up to the mechanical systems specialist. "Yeah?"

"Thought that would get your interest.. " Hiwa says, as she points over down the Docking Pens. Two Pen rows down, is the sight of a gold and black mecha unit, sleek and sharp looking, with a design almost the same as the Angel, minus the wing moniker. It is replaced by a set of long vector spines, at least seven of them in various angles, a few being moved in the stages of testing.

"So.. that's the Rohak entry.." Aleaic coos in an impressed manner. "..though.." ..looking closer, as the structural framework is a bit 'too' familiar.. it doesn't take Al long to realize.

"..those two bit swindlers, they stole our base frame.." Al says level, but with definite anger.

"Yep, I thought there was something up with those cronies." Hiwa sarcastically comments.

Tasha has taken interest in the direction of the discussion. "What's up you two?"

While Tsui and Al's family discuss quietly, Tasha discovers the nasty surprise two Pens down.. Her response is.. "THOSE SWINE HEATHENS!!" ...nevermind..

"Sempai, settle down.." Al turns, and vainly tries to calm his Sempai. "Settle DOWN Sophy!? They stole our data!!"

As many of the family's heads turn at this spike in tone, Terrai walks up as the argument heats up.. "Problem mortals?"

Aleaic pucks uncertainly at that question, while Hiwa speaks for a frazzled Tasha, who almost seems ready hush down and tear apart the Rohak entry.. "A bit inrace discussion.."

"I don't BELIVE IT!! Those Gaijin derelicts stole our data!! Unoriginal impudent wretches!!!!!!!!!!" Hiwa tries to keep Tasha somewhat under wraps, as many passers by note the 'activity'.

"My Sempai's mad Pop.." Bemusedly quips.

"Noted.." Terrai looks down the bay at the object of the discussion, and with his own technical expertise, notes rather quickly what the other three know: "Those African types never play fair."

"I do have to wonder what surprises that model of theirs actually has." Aleaic says next, meshing his two bits with his Father's..

"I heard they are playing with Helium-3 Absorption technology." Hiwa says.

"Isn't that, that special fuel only found on lunar worlds?" Al looks at the technician. Terrai speaks next. "Indeed, the technology is touted as much as the Vacuum engine you guys have.

..many of the other competitors have decided to take a route with known 'popular' theorems, of existing power generation sources, and I believe, with certain accuracy, you ladies and gents are the only ones with Vacuum engines, not very many think this Vacuum source is real. A pity."

Aleaic suprises everyone, even his father with his burst of laughter. "Then a bunch of pilots are going to eat trunked-fiber about the time we reach Mars orbit. Fuel 'definitely' won't be our problem." Al then looks cock eyed at his Father.

"..and you mean to tell me MIT and the Brits are going with the African's? Dang.." Terrai sighs.. "Indeed, it defies logic." ..and shakes his head.

Al shrugs. "Well, when everyone follows the sheep.."

Tasha manages to recompose herself. "Yeah, well we tried to buy a model from Cairo, but those dammed Rohak found out and blocked the sale from us, citing 'copyright' issues.

..dammed Gaijin.."

Terrai nods to the Tekomi Sempai. "Yes, I had read about that on the Supernet newscasts." Terrai responds back with.

"Don't worry dad, Helium-3 isn't efficient enough for high speed races, everyone thinks it's great because of the cost recoupments. The Vacuum System is only expensive because of popular demand, or lack thereof.

..I hate sheep flocks."

Terrai laughs out a good thick bellyful before SLAPPING his son in the back. "So you did learn all those lessons about studying your opponents, that excuse about terminal studies didn't hold up eh?"

Aleaic just puts his arms behind his head and chuckles in embarrassment. "Aw, dad.." This causes Terrai to laugh louder.

Aleaic then gets an idea.. a risky one. "Tasha, keep up with the preflight.

Want to take a walk with me Father?"

Terrai raises an eyebrow at this 'suggestion'. "Oh? I guess talking with competitors is allowed.. but only up to fifteen minutes before the race."

"Indeed? I guess we should be hospitable.."

Jeain and Tsunami meanwhile, are speaking about typical (mortal) womanly stuff, when they note Aleaic and Terrai heading off.. "Now what are they up to?"

"~ I wouldn't worry, they're just looking around.. ~" Tsunami says, her mind aware of Al's. Jeain looks back at the goddess. "If you say so, I just hope my husband doesn't get emotional again, I know him.."

"~ Then we hold another thing in common.. ~" The two giggle long and openly..

----------------------

*Pen B-7.. under gaze..*

The two, Father and Son, on their short jaunt, speaking with other pilots and techs, not asking anything important other than 'how's your day' and 'have a good race' sort of quips.

That is until this particular holding pen, where they are looking from afar. "Oh yeah, they mooched us.." Al comments, Father only coughs..

"Is there a problem?" The two turn to face a lanky African type, with a less than appreciable smirk on his face. The first thought that runs through both of the Kerensky's minds is: 'disrepute arse.'

"Oh no, just taking a look at the competition for the first time. My first race you know.." Al says simply.

"Take my advice, quit.."

Aleaic's interested demeanor drops some.. "Pardon?"

"I'm surprised you fools actually got that thing working, but even more they found a deadpan and slut to fly it."

..and then it drops like LEAD.. "..what the heck is your problem!" "Son.."

The insolent chides after, apparently not caring for the rules about elders. "Oh no, let the twerp fight his own battles, or does the kid need his famous father as a shield?"

"I 'beg' your pardon young one?" Aleaic cuts his father's growing fume off.. "Hey! How do you know about that?"

"Oh, after we learned who was replacing that poor pilot that had that... 'accident'.. We made sure to know everything..

..trust us, you don't want to win this race. You don't even want to enter it."

Aleaic fights his own battle, calmly.. "And who is us? The Academy? Or is it more?" Al says with eyes slit.

"I am not privy to tell secrets, all you need to know, is that your pretty little thing won't like being with us when you lose today.."

..at least it was calm.. "EXCUSE ME!?"

The African throws his hands up in mock fear.. "Oh nono.. 'Nothing' like that. At least nothing they wouldn't do.."

"Tell me, who is the name of this that I call opponent? SO I can carve it onto my mecha when we 'do' win?" Al steely says next, as Terrai does indeed allow his son to fight his own battle.

"Stupid child. The names Satonis, and you won't have a chance to remember that name, you'll be a uranium pile when this over with...!"

"Okay you two.." A third party enters the fray, a race official. "Let's keep this civil.."

"Yeah, remind me to stick to honorable pilots to talk to.." Satonis doesn't seem to faze under Al's remark, he only waves bye-bye in a jerk like manner.

Aleaic and Terrai retreat from this poor atmosphere in a similar mood. "How do people like that still exist? Sempai is a serene deity in comparison........"

"Now, all creatures come in all types, not all a shade of heavenly." Terrai says, furling his hair. Al half considers to himself the 'heavenly' part.

"Hey! Wait up!"

The two Kerensky's turn to meet a similar African type. A female this time, with long braided hair and a apparently much more enjoyable disposition, not to mention aura of such.

"Whom you may be milady?" Terrai asks simply.

"I'm sorry about how my co-pilot acted back there, I'm Michelle, and I don't approve with what has been going on.." The Rohak female sighs.

"Exactly what part Madame?" Terrai continues to ask, as Al looks on.

"I know what's been going on, but with all the talk of race sponsorships and this military contract. Well, I wish I could say we were more than a little foolish.." Aleaic knows this is the time to shut one's trap.. (before Pop shuts it for him..) "I see.." Is all Terrai comments.

"..well, I still wish you two a safe race. But I also have interests at stake, and I will defend those, in the same vein I would expect you to milady.." Al then says, saying his peace.

Michelle only coughs lightly, and rubs her chin.. "Then so be it.. a good race to you then.." ..she then turns around and heads back to the Rohak pen.

"If I may say.. not all things burn in a fire, and sometimes it's the better things that survive."

"Yeah Pop," Aleaic just sighs thickly.. "..I'm getting depressed by all this, I need a quick drink......"

Terrai LAUGHS loudly at this, and takes his son in a tight shoulder hug, heading towards the refreshment area.

-----------------

*Twenty minutes to go..*

"It went great, the new holo routine held up under the special protocols.."

"Great Sophy, we're setting all parameters now.."

Despite the tension, Tsunami serenely helped calm those nerves, while Terrai got a slightly different tact from a rather less than impressed Jeain. The only real cure for all this was to throw themselves into the final prerace checks.

Tsunami and Aleaic then ran three separate test runs with the final holo-software, making the systems strain themselves as realistically as possible. The sight of the Angel wings fluttering around violently got a number of the other nearby pitcrew's attentions. The sight of them flexing to full spread, with the SHARP sound like of multiple swords unsheathing made a few duck for cover.

But show off time was over, now it's time to race.................

"How's the new dynamic inertia struts Tsui?" "~ All A-ok.. I think we're ready! ~"

"Hope so, I want this just to start already.." Al sighs out, his nervousness creeping back in.

Just then, a loud warning tone sounds throughout the massive hanger bay. Then the voice of Race Control bellows and echoes over the Hangar Intercom. "[~ All non-personnel and civilians, please begin exiting, race pre-countdown will begin in five minutes! ~]" The message repeats three more times to give full effect.

Al gulps and looks at Tsui. "This is it love.."

Both can feel their hearts beating faster, but a yell from below gives them repose. "Son!!"

Aleaic sees his family, still there since they arrived, now with a retreating band of dignitaries. Al yells down as repulsors on the mecha whine louder. "Yes Father?!"

"I'm proud of you, give them hell.."

That and his Father's thumbs up sign, a rather ancient, yet recognizable sign of confidence gives Al pause, and then a return thumbs up.. "We will!"

"~ Come on Al.. ~" Tsunami chides, giving Jeain a wink.. "You take care of each other out there!" Jeain says, with Tsui and Al nodding.

Aleaic smiles before beginning locking in.. but a last yell from Mother gets his attention..

".. and make sure your undergarments are clean!!!!!!!"

Aleaic, seething with embarrassment, can only wave meekly as his family slinks out of sight.. "..is it too late to be an orphan?"

"~ Now now.. ~"

"Yeah.. right.. Sempai!!" Aleaic says, bending out the left of the cockpit and yelling down.

The team is buttoning up all exterior contacts, everything has been triple checked. "All good to go Sophy, give those Gaijin one for me!!"

Al laughs, and the two exchange salutes, as well as thumbs up, the same between Tsui and Tasha, before the team begins their retreat to where the pit crew and support observation lounges are, some ten levels upon the observation exterior.

Then, as the initial sounds of the roar of the engines start up, the Angel's cockpit hatch encloses with a mechanical thud. Several magnetic seal latches hiss as it locks down. Al then looks at his compatriot. "Well, we're finally alone.."

"~ How sweet.. ~" Tsui chimes, as she works over the system diagnostics.

"Heh.. Oh, no problem.." Al says, hitting the secondary prefire engine igniters.. "..only the hopes of an entire nation riding on our abilities. That's all.."

"~ Nothing new to me love.. ~" Tsui says, next setting the navigational protocol fixes.

Aleaic laughs, finishing second staging preflight rounds, the sound of the engines now really turning over, as well as the capacitors for the new and race minted engine whining to life.

Only a single button remains to fully ignite them, and that's left to the actual start of the race.

All electronics, communications, sensors, visuals, network, computer, holo-ethereal, power, maneuver, thrust, targeting, back-up's, even the food synthesizer, all hum to full life, as the magnetic sounds of the power feed coupler cables snap off from the sides of the behemoth outside. Then the two latch on their race helmets, each checking each others seal. Then a quick comm check between the two and their team control center.

Next, a Race Controller comms the Race participants, setting race control frequency, while the headphones blare with hundreds of intermittent channels, but the only ones important are the team and control frequencies. "Okay.. Set 00.07.231 Hertz.. give the call signs."

Tsunami does so..... and a IFF code comes back, a random code set, only they can have one, and it's not duplicable. (Even with special electronics..)

"~ Everything is set.. ~"

"Alright.. giving signal to have Pen rotate for Launch."

The 47 launch pens turn at their own rate of speed and upon readiness, two are slower than the rest, but all make the turn and sit ready.

"Now for the pre-race control announcement, and.. off we go.." Al says, checking his and Tsui's suit seal latches quickly. Tsui checks the lines to their suits and ensures perfect running order.

It's a short wait, as they listen to team communications, as well as listen to well wishers blanket the non-authorized freqs. The team comms stay down for the moment.

"..if we ever hear from them........"

Tsunami looks over at her nervous companion, and slightly giggles.. "~ Your mother was correct.. ~"

"Eh?" Aleaic responds from under his helmet, as the feeds from tactical sensors lightly play across from all around his helmet visor.

"~ You do tend to be sarcastic when you are nervous.. ~" Aleaic can't hide his blush from under his visor.. "~ ..it is something we'll have to work on, we can't have you nervous at every major event we attend to. ~"

Aleaic feels like a miniature sun under his helmet, and tries vainly to keep from stuttering..

..and is completely unprepared, when his helmet is then pulled off, and met with a full force kiss, the fire from it makes Aleaic drain all senses for a few oblivious instants.

-----------------------

*Team Angel Observation Box, Tekomi Control..*

The Kerensky Family reaches this zone from a special turbo lift, one that only accepts codes from family, team, and friends. Inside, they find many of the Tekomi students, and race engineers, along with all of Tsunami's 'family', all either looking out viewports, listening to race control, looking at race data-terminals, or at the many view screens of remote visual feeds of each obstacle course, and of the planets themselves.

But a few are focused on one certain screen at the moment..

"We miss anything guys?" Keturia asks for his family, whom are following her towards the viewports..

"Oh, just a little prerace celebration it seems.."

"Huh?" Ket responds to Hiwa's strange ping. "~ Our Sister is helping your brother to settle in it seems.. ~" Tenchi speaks from behind Ket, guiding her attention to the prementioned screen, of the interior of the Angel..

"Oh my.."

The rest of the family catches on.. "Son!" Jeain yelps.

"Wow.. bro's not the one in control there.." Caladeni giggles.. prior to an admonishment from Mother..

"Well, my son should be in the proper mindset now.." Terrai looks, his head at an angle. Just then, race control opens up on all freqs.

"WHOA!! Get their attention!! Hey! HEY HEY!!" Hiwa screams into a mike, YANKED away from a now semi-choking Tora!

--------------------

*Cockpit..*

They are into the kiss so much, that they nearly miss Hiwa's SCREAMS over the mikes from their respective helmets.

"*wumphh!* T..Tsu..TSUI!"

Tsunami finally realizes what is happening.. "~ Oh my, I did it again.. ~"

Aleaic and Tsunami both chuckle as they replace their helmets, both getting an earful from Hiwa, before tuning the race control freq. "That kiss was more painful than I thought.."

Tsunami only giggles..

"[[~ .....contestants attention.. All contestants.. Please queue to the following information..

..know that Comet Type 6, or the Unis Comet is now a valid race obstacle. It is designation V-C4, and must be run prior to departure for Mars Area 4.

..gravitational flux between Mercury and Sol is Level 3, minor flares are expected, ensure shielding is at optimum.

..Solar Wind Flux is at Level 2 for the race duration, for the Inner Planets....

..obstacle M-G2 is confirmed Laser Hot, confirm: Hot.. ~]]" Aleaic groans at this. "Make sure the target computer is up, *sigh* just hope it doesn't load down the computer." Tsunami nods and begins the necessary checks.

"[[~ ..Hyperboosters are set green for Alpha, set for Alpha, manual docking is permitted. ~]]" Aleaic HOOTS at this, apparently pleased.

"That I was hoping for. Tasha will hate me for this, but Kero's tactics will come in nicely now."

Tsunami smiles over, as she sets the targeting computer parameters.

"[[~ All Area obstacles must be cleared within 2:30, the Interdictor fields are set after this allotment.

..know that Luna is experiencing minor electro-magnetic flux, set discriminators to counter these effects.

..all units begin IFF code confirmation, now.............. ~]]"

Aleaic hits his IFF signal generator, and receives a proper return. Tsunami then announces the targeting computer is functional, not mentioning that she's got a small Spell in place to prevent software conflicts.

"[[~ Good luck to all racers, race with honor and determination. ~]]" Then the usual invocations, anthems of the Terran Union, last minute well-wishes and catcalls, before all non-freqs. are jammed, leaving only the control, team, and emergency freqs.

Then the race countdown timer begins to beep.. one minute..

"~ Can I ask a question? ~" Tsunami asks with a look.

"Shoot T.." Tsunami giggles a tick. "~ Um, how come you were mad about the target computer ruling? ~"

Aleaic looks at Tsui pensively. "Despite everything we've done, we just were too worried about overloading the core. We just don't know how it will hold up under everything that's about to happen.. *thirty seconds..*

..it's that all the simulators warned of overload, especially with being so close to Mercury, AND with that solar flare warning.

..it's going to be close.."

*Twenty..*

"~ What about the booster ruling? ~" Asking about his glee with it.. "You'll see when we get to it..

..the Comet will be our ante."

*Ten..*

"~ Here we go.. ~"

*Eight..*

"Set all dampers.."

*Six..*

"~ Set.. ~"

"Let's win this.."

*Four.....

Three.....

Two.....

One................ LAUNCH!!!!!!!!*

The roar is tremendous.....

With a staggered launch pattern of three seconds per Pen, and ordered by Bay Number, the mecha launch one by one, letting their thrusters pull full burn as they launch, easily smacking 8 G's at the get go.

Fifteen seconds into the ignition start, Angel finally ERUPTS out of it's Pen, unknowing of the cheers it's launch leaves in it's wake. The launch is a major rush, which easily surpasses the rush from the shuttle launch. But instinct from three weeks of intense training kicks in, as Aleaic wrenches control from basic inertia.

"Well, that was fun.." Al breathes heavily.

"~ Wow.. ~" ..likewise.

Al looks the displays over in their glass cockpit. "How's the coolant level?"

"~ 0.7 nominal, everything is green.. ~"

"Good, one less worry, for now.." Tsunami giggles again, keeping Al's spirits from souring, not a very hard task.

The focus is on flying fast and efficient, as Angel starts to settle into race speed. The first immediate goal is Luna, where the orbital race gantry complex holds the Hyperboosters.

The initial race is hard moving, as many mecha move to jockey for position immediately, Aleaic puts Angel in a comfortable 11th place, content to conserve for the long haul. But there are special bonuses for placing well at each junction, the complex being the initial junction. Small monetary and race specials, enhancements to give a team a possible jump on other units.

Being in 11th isn't as far back as it seems, and Aleaic plans on being within the first five..

----------------------

*Tekomi Control Box.. 30 minutes into the race..*

"Looking good Angel.." Hiwa confides over comm, seeing their unit has moved up to seventh, only ten minutes from the complex. "~ Is there any word from the Europa entry? ~" Sasami asks with Ryo-ohki on her head mewing along, worried as the particular subject had fallen far back before it's core dumped, and the crew had to eject.

"Crews got to them just a minute ago Sasami, don't worry, they're fine." Sasami smiles in relief at Sora. Ryo-ohki meows contentedly also to Sora, whom giggles.

"How's bro's unit looking?" Hikara then speaks, looking over Fat Dal's shoulder, and wishing she hadn't immediately.. (smell..) "The chap is doing fine, so 'you' don't worry chicka.."

Hikara bristles under this descriptiveness, but withholds any comment.

"Doing fine Angel, keep it up.. and no kissing.." Hiwa chides..

------------------

*Luna, surface.*

As the racers reach the complex well above, below them, the presence of a individual invisible to mortal eyes makes it's way along the surface, and then deep into it. She has blue hair, flowing all around her, dressed in the attire of a Gray Angel, her less than lustrous wings fluttering behind her. She easily bypasses the present security barrier, a dimensional layer just outside of perception for mortals.

Here, the depths of the Luna Dungeon are seen..

For thousands of years, over many countless dimensions, this has been the primary area to incarcerate those that have instituted gregarious actions against the whole that is the institution that is Heaven, and of against Earth as a consequence. Not because they are necessarily evil, but because they act in ways that intent on forcing a new world or existence upon what they see as weak, useless, unnecessary, or simply unfit.

This is where the brand of good is tarnished too far, and their eternal sentence of living with their crime.

Currently, the Gray Angel agent has taken upon this task from pair of such, to release the only one they see as appropriate to their plans.

The woman floats along, atmosphere a useless, needless commodity to her. It doesn't take long to locate the appropriate seal lock. A massive Level 20 Class, almost the harshest type seal ever used to imprison a Dimensional.

"~ You pulled a big job in the past, master was correct.. ~" Looking at the very name of the seal, the powerful lock runes run across, and a name is inscribed in supremely ancient inscriptions.

"~ Trakalin................. ~"

She acts quickly, fighting past the Program Shield in place, using her Hex enhancements, and soon, the task is done..

..and.. as the release of the imprisoned, gives a sense of consciousness once more.. or for once in a 'very' long time.

"~ I see, then the time has come.. ~" ..a male voice of ancient tone speaks from the tiny form he's imprisoned in.

"~ My masters have decided it is time.. but you know what it is we face.. ~" ..the blue haired Angel of the Fallen says level.

"~ I know.. my body is shattered, an I require your form to continue my work. ~" It is as per usual in cases like this, a Level 17 non-lifeform, but this one is hexed even further, with a permanent mortality enchantment, or at least permanent to Dimensionals, not to similar fallen.....

"~ We risk permanent Absolution by doing this task.. ~" "~ Your pain is what will allow us to challenge that very danger, and succeed.

..and give us both what we crave. ~"

The blue mane takes hold of the tiny shell, and embraces it to her being..

..a 'feeling' from above grabs both attentions. "~ I sense them.. ~"

"~ And that will, indeed be sure, be our catalyst in the coming future, but not this day.. ~" The lifeform speaks, sensing even more than the Angel.

With that, they both vanish well before the Seraphim guard arrives.

----------------------

*Gantry Complex... 45 minutes into race..*

"Locking on.. now!" A thick thud/click sounds in the cockpit, as their assigned Hyperbooster latches on tight.

"~ Seal good, temperature of core leveling for jump.. ~" Tsui says, her eyes fixed on the sensors. "Now we find out if those Sims were on the credit."

They had managed to arrive fourth, after an impressive gravity swing around Luna that all the racers had to take, and then a swift move to pass the fifth place of Mars Institute of Technology.

They arrived and got a hopefully good shot at the remaining boosters, the booster itself was a basic scaled down Hyperdrive unit, with structural clamps that wrapped around the legs and waist of the mecha, with magnetic seals that set all the appropriate hardpoints with coolant, and datalink lines, snaked to connection points by the external sensors. They then merged the Vacuum generator to the cycler of the booster.

The wings then were locked into place, making the whole structure look like one giant bullet. They had just begun to pull away from the complex just as the hardpoints set closed.

When Tsunami felt something.. if for a brief instant. "Tsui?" Aleaic notes her reaction immediately.

"~ I...... I think......

..I just felt something down there.. ~" Aleaic looks at the sensor displays. "Huh.. I'm detecting that magnetic disturbance that was reported, there was a spike just a moment ago..

..it could be just the magnetic field of the moon.."

Tsunami looks uncertain, but a readout klaxon breeps to life. "~ Oh.. uh, the energy displacement between us and the booster is optimum. We can jump at anytime. ~"

Aleaic is unsatisfied.. "Are you okay? If it's your proximity to magnetic fields." Tsunami takes heart Aleaic's worry, but.. "~ No.. I am fine beloved, I will be okay.. ~" Just then, the team freq. breeps..

"Yeah?" Al responds. ":: We just noticed Tsunami's heart rate jump, is she okay? ::" Hiwa asks with concern over the comm. "*Hot mike..* Yes, she is fine, she was too captivated by the moon. No problems.."

Tsunami looks at Al rashly, ready to counter this 'diagnosis', but.. "*Closed Mike..* If you're fine, don't let them worry, I won't. I trust you my love.."

Tsunami's heat skips a beat for a second, being called 'my love' took all the argument out of her "~ I am fine.. ~" Tsunami finally speaks back.

"*Hot mike* All good to go, we're going to jump anytime now.. out.."

Hiwa responds similar before Aleaic and Tsunami turn to the jump.

Two minutes later, they jump, now in sixth due to the minor crisis.

----------------------

*Tekomi Control Box........... four hours into the race.*

Most everyone has settled down into the long race mode. Many are quietly discussing, sleeping, or keeping track of race statistics. The race has passed Venus, and is close to reaching Mercury, in ten minutes, everything will pick up again.

Even the cabbits are busy chatting in the meows of cabbit tongue, as they much happily on a large carrot supply.

..another three teams have dropped at this point, but no casualties. "I keep forgetting to take this part of the race into account." Terrai speaks quietly, his eyes closed.

"{~ Hey old man.. ~}" Terrai looks up to see Ryoko with a bottle of whiskey, (can't live on sake` alone..)

"I see you're in the proper spirit. May I.." Ryoko is surprised by Terrai's offer, but grabs a second glass for himself, filled halfway.

"{~ I.. I must say.. sir.. ~}" Ryoko stutters, being near a mortal that all too much reminds her of Father. "{~ ..that I am impressed with how your son is performing. ~}"

"Considering this is his first race, I am as well.." Terrai says with a sip.

Ryoko semi-corrects.. "{~ No.. I mean, h-how he has behaved during the time we've lived with him. I have to say I was angry when I met him, and moreso after.. well..

..anyway, I have grown to respect your son and his abilities, he reminds me of Tenchi, and I hope he does as well in the future. ~}"

Terrai, not knowing Ryoko much, can tell THAT took a lot to say that much. An impressive feat to say the least. "I thank you, for helping take care of my son.

..he has grown more than I actually expected of him." Terrai then leans forward, making Ryoko really sweat.

"..but enough of that, your 'real' reason for talking to me, Tenchi isn't responding to you.. yes?"

Ryoko reacts somewhere between a blush, and a groan. "{~ Long story.. ~}"

"Long time to talk.."

Ryoko won't slitter out of this one..

"Hey, they made Mercury.." Hiwa calls out.. Ryoko's saved..

..for now..

-----------------------

*Mercury orbit........ 4 hours, 10 minutes..*

"That's it, Mercury."

They flash out of Hyper-mode, into the blinding glare of the sun, now filling the cockpit screens. The screens opaque to counter the glare. "~ It's so barren.. ~"

Al concentrates on the shielding sensors for a moment.. "..and it also has the heaviest deposits of darmuantium, more than Earth at the moment. And they don't need rings to process, the whole thing is a vacuum."

Tsunami turns the subject back to the race. "~ Impressive.. We are in fourth place love. ~" Aleaic lets out a shrill whistle. "Sixth to Fourth, dang we got a good booster, what's the core temperature?"

"~ Um.. 1.2 nominal, we can release the Hyper-unit now. ~" "Do it, we have to run the gauntlet fast!"

A massive magnetic hiss, as the booster is released about at the proper designation point, where it will orbit until pickup. Almost as soon as it releases, Aleaic pours the thrusters on, even slightly scraping the legs in his haste. "Sorry.."

"~ I'm reading two units already near the surface. ~"

"Crud stick, hold onto your kabosticks." Aleaic shunts much energy from reserves to press the thrusters as much as he can, at this point stress isn't an issue.

It takes a good three minutes to reach the obstacle course, where one has already cleared it, with one target missed.

"How's your aim?" Al says suddenly..

"~ Depends, why? ~"

"The course ahead is a twin challenge, we have to navigate fast through multiple rings, about thirty or so, while shooting at fixed sensors on those same rings, and to boot, a single free floater will be out, it's worth ten minutes off the timer.

..problem is, I can't hit the broadside of a hovertank to save my life."

"~ I think I can handle that. ~" "Good, I can do the sweet moves to save time, be sharp if you can."

Angel meanwhile, screams 'very' close to the surface of the burnt gray world, as small domes of the mining areas can be seen, as well as the occasional onlooker inside. Tsunami can't help but wave out..

..then they are on top of it.

"It's a glowing target, just worry about those, and not me or what I'm going to do." "~ Right love. ~"

A few seconds later, they reach the first rings, and Angel SCREAMS through it, trying to feel the angle of the rings and adjust at cutting edge angles. Tsunami's task turns to the targeting, and she sees them almost upon entering, a flashing series of blue and red alternating strobe sensors. The first shot is off, but the next connects, just as Al pilots Angel through the third ring it was attached to, the next seven rings see four more targets, all cleared.

But Al NEARLY misses a turn and over corrects, only a GORGEOUS shot by Tsui nabs the next target in time.

---------------------------

*Tekomi Control...*

"HOLY!!" Tora screams out, as Tsui's miracle shot connects. "Damn that was close, damn you Sophy!" Tasha both praises and curses the appropriate pilot.

For much of the remainder of the run, they see near perfect flying and PERFECT shooting, Tsunami is making perfect hits. Then they ALL shriek as Al is forced to twist on axis to make the nineteenth gate as Tsui NAILS the special target, just as Al thrusts and BARELY makes the ring, as Tsui just hits the target on THAT ring.

Tasha has a mini-stroke. "Those two are even MORE hardwired than you two are Kero!!!!!"

Kero, the veteran of many such close calls, forces a laugh out.. "I told them.. I TOLD them!!"

---------------------------

*Twenty-seventh ring..*

"~ Target! Got it! ~" Just as the laser pastes the last target.

"There, ABOVE!! ABOVE!!"

Aleaic holler towards twelve o'clock high sees a SECOND 'barely' visible free target..

"~ It's too high!! ~"

Aleaic thinks fast, the target is positioned RIGHT on top of the last ring, and it won't count if they pass though the last ring!!

And the Twenty-ninth ring is SMACK next to it..

..an impossible shot at their speed..

"~ I can do it.. just get me a shot love!! ~"

Aleaic only runs at the last ring pair at FULL burn.. they can't lose time now, the third place craft from the Rohak team has been through already, and this target is a one time only target for the ENTIRE field!!

"Steady!! And............ NOW!!!"

Aleaic WRENCHES Angel into a upside-down twist position, and the twenty-ninth ring is passing..

"~ SHOT!! ~"

Two quick burst, and..

-----------------------

*Tekomi Control...*

"WHAT WAS THAT ALL ABOUT!?!" Caladeni shouts, stepping her words all over Sister's.

Tasha, meanwhile, RENDERS her hair out at this sight before them all.. "THAT!! THAT!!!!!!!!!!!"

And then a sensor BLARES!!

Hiwa jumps to look.. "What in thunder?" Everyone looks anxiously, and..

"What the?" Hiwa looks back, as Angel launches off at FULL speed.. "They just got twenty minutes removed from their timer!!"

"HUH!?" Many retort!

"~ But how? ~" Kiyone stamps out..

"The special target! I KNEW it!!" Kero suddenly pulls Alana into a spinning hug!! Everyone looks at a suddenly bolsterous Kero and a surprised Alana, before the latter pulls away.. "What are you TALKING about!?"

Kero looks into Alana's eyes.. "You mean you forgot the Special Stealth target!?" Alana looks at Kero like he's deranged. "That? That was a target from two years ago! How could it..........

..oh................... OH!!!!!!!!" ..she says with realization.

"''WHAT!?''" Tasha rips the air with.. "What are you two hacking ABOUT?!?"

Kero looks back at his Sempai. "The twenty-third race, two years ago, remember that stuff about a special target that the race officials installed? It was supposed to be a super hard target to find..

..and the reward still attached to it. Remember?" Alana looks at Kero with astonished stupor. "But that was a one race deal, right? ........uh............. right?"

"What do you think?" Kero says simply. "I remember that!! I read the target was permanent until shot down!!" Sora then says, with an 'eureka' façade.

"You mean to tell us, they REALLY shaved thirty minutes off the timer!?" ..the bonus twenty added to the ten gained from the perfect score on the course.

The surprise is reciprocated as the announcers covering the race announce the SHOCK of the race, and it's not even halfway over! The time reward means a jump from fourth to second for Team Angel. The news sends the Tekomi camp SCREAMING in joy.

Temporally..

-----------------------

*Mercury, farside.... 4 hours, 56 minutes..*

"~ Problem.. ~"

Aleaic immediately looks over.. "Crud.."

The indicator for magnetic containment for the generator is reading 6.7 off nominal. "That magnetic storm the sun gave off, it's playing havoc. "~ I'm sorry, I should have warned you.. ~"

Aleaic sighs and keep cool. "No prob, it'll go away when we get to the booster, it's this planet's gravity, it's so affected by the sun, it's no wonder it happened, and with all that concentration."

Angel is riding slightly slower with the time reward news, which they both celebrated, by Al ripping his helmet off, kissing Tsui on her helmet, and SMACKING it back on..

..scraping his ear. It'll hurt later.

Then the news of the reactor containment, added to the worries of the computer core stress levels.

The feeling of a ancient circus tightrope comes to Al's mind, one Tsunami asks about furtively. "Um, later.. where's the next course?"

"~ Two minutes away, I've locked down the targeting computer. ~" "Keep it on standby, I bet there's more suprises ahead."

Just then, a large object FLASHES past their viewports, as a mecha literally careens past the Angel's viewscreens!! Al YANKS Angel Nadir and left.

"What the HELL!?!"

---------------------

*Tekomi Control.....*

"I knew they'd try something!!" Tasha mashes though her teeth..

Most the rest look on as Angel pulls hard downward..

----------------------

*Angel..*

"Selfish moron.." Aleaic says through his teeth.

"~ Are you alright Al?! ~" Tsui asks in worry. "Yes, I'm fine.."

Aleaic trails the retreating mecha with daggers.. "..they.. they came back just to spite us."

Aleaic looks over the systems.. "Huh.. Huh!? How.. DAMN!! They scrambled the nav-program!!"

Tsunami looks over the now scrambled directional fix systems. "~ I can fix it.. ~"

"Err............ alright, look after the systems, I can handle the next run myself.

..and use those new nano-droids to repair anything else needed, do the containment field while you're at it."

"~ I'm on it! ~"

The next few minutes are 'tense', as Angel approaches and makes it's run through the next course, a series of interconnected mirrors. That made maneuvering difficult, with all the false images to run, and he only had his eyes alone, which lost them precious time. Tsunami manages to fix the program code, but it takes time to reload, and by the time they clear the run, they are in third place overall.

"Crud, I thought they would cause this.."

Just then, a strange coded message comes in on the directional comm-laser feed.. "What the?"

":: Drop out now, or the next accident will be your lives.. ::"

For once, Tsunami's anger is as deep as Aleaic's.. "~ Now I know what Father warned me about..

..should we tell the others? ~"

"No.. " Aleaic looks thoughtful.. "..we'll deal with them, though they will learn about it anyway after all this." Al turns to the repairs.

"..how's the upload?"

"~ 67 percent.. ~" Aleaic curses this. "It won't be ready if..

..shut down the auto systems, divert all available memory to the upload, and kill the unneeded power and memory systems for the moment.." Tsunami begins to do so, and then looks back.. "~ ..but without the systems, we won't be able to dock automatically..

Al smirks. "I don't intend to, use only the power needed to attach clamps and hardpoints.

..we need to get time back, AND get those idiots back where it actually hurts.." Aleaic then has a hurt look.

"..I'm surprised though, that that Michelle pilot would do such a thing."

Tsunami simply remains quiet, concentrating on her tasks. Most of the mentioned systems are in standby by the time they reach the now littered drop point for the Hyperboosters.

"Where we at?"

"~ 96 percent, it's going to be close.. ~" "Agreed.." ..said with apprehension..

Just then, two objects move from the closing cluster ahead, and another jumps. "We've no time, hold on!"

Aleaic throws the mecha into a hard speed burst, and then a tight radius turn, finally using the braking thrusters to halt forward movement, but keeping momentum towards their booster..

..very 'fast'!!

"~ 98 percent! ~" "Hold on!! Hold on!!"

Angel comes within 100 feet of the booster, before Al hits the braking thrusters again, this time HARD. The mecha just barely comes into contact with the booster, when the nav-computer reinitializes, and the hardpoints literally are slammed into place.

..it all happens within a few, miracle micro-seconds. And it's no spell, it's absolutely DUMB arse luck! "~ We.. we did it!! ~"

"We're OUTTA here!!"

One minute later, they are so gone..

----------------------

*Tekomi Control.... 5 hours, 23 minutes..*

Another run of boredom, this time thankfully to recover from the events of the Mercury run. "Man, this is fun.." Tasha says, holding an ice pack on her head, being fanned by her lackeys..

"~ What's the scoop now? ~" Washu says, sitting at a high table, on a stool, munching on a strawberry rice cake.

"Dead even at third with Rohak.. Time wise, that booster is something else." Sora says with a flat tone.

"~ How come they didn't get disqualified? ~" Washu asks, wiping some crumbs from her mouth. The two Class-Two's are playing vacuum cleaners below her.

"Race officials chalked that up as an 'unforeseen' accident, and the fact that our guys didn't lodge a protest.."

"Unforeseen my fanny! I'd thrown them cheats into a singularity if I could.." Hiwa spites towards the monitors, now only showing 29 teams, as the first Interdiction cut out nearly a third of the field, though two more fell out due to more engine problems.

The Helium-3 drives were performing to form, by Tekomi's standards, though the ones in front seemed okay at the present. The one that worried Tekomi was of course Rohak's.. they probably had a reliable unit, though the leader from Silicon Valley Institute was running fine, theirs a more common Fusion-Induction Drive.

At least someone had faith in standard, current technology.

It came down to whose engine was strongest, and Fusion seemed in the lead.

At least until they got to Venus.

------------------------

*Venus Space.. 5 hours, 31 minutes..*

"There.."

Finally away from the hell that was Mercury, and now, the glory of the Venus. More than easily visible is the Sakuya Garden, with most of the terraformed world, meshed in greens and browns, with large streaks of blue, where oceans are forming for the first time. There are areas of the original cloudy, orange-brown of what Venus naturally once totally was. Now though, it was all habitable without atmospheric pressure suits, even the oxygen was quite clean, though temperatures was still higher than an Earth desert here..

"~ It's beautiful. ~"

"Okay, how's it look.." Al says, diverting to race need.

"~ 3.4 nominal.. I recommend we should save systems for the course runs.. ~" Al nods. "Agreed.. and lets begin watching the interface protocols, they can freeze up with the gravitational flux this world is usually known for.

"~ It's that bad? ~" Tsunami asks with a tone Aleaic chuckles to. "That planet now has more vegetation than Earth, and that is conflicting with the original gravitational field it once had.. don't ask me how, I don't do physics, it just is that way.."

Tsunami just laughs her head off over the last part. "What? I don't.. I don't?!

Really!

I don't!!" Aleaic just hangs his head in submission, Tsunami laughing harder and harder..

"I knew that Wish was trouble.."

-------------------------

*Twenty five minutes later.....*

"CRUD CRUD CRUD ON A PLASMA INJECTOR!!"

"~ I know, I KNOW!! ~"

They made the next two courses well enough, though getting through them turned into a maddening experience. No cheap attempts on their persons, or the mecha..

Just a big arse Class 5 Hurricane/Typhoon/Something that was over both courses. It was bad enough to down the second place unit from BIT, a bolt SLAMED into it's port side, and a rather spectacular crash followed it.

Tsunami in her infinite wisdom, convinced Aleaic to hold the mecha back until rescue crews found it, a task that Aleaic admittedly was impatient with. But finally, they returned to the course, seeing two more mecha pass them by, finishing the final course of super coaster like loop runs.

The time bonuses were beginning to equal off, even with being chivalrous, it was a good strain..

..and the comet was yet to come.

"Sorry, it's just that.."

"~ I know.. ~" Tsunami looks away from Al, a bit afraid of him.. "~ ..it was the right thing, to do you know? ~"

"Yeah.. how's the maneuvering systems?" Tsunami puts her mind to the task, a discussion for a another time. "~ It's flushed, the storm didn't hurt it. ~" "Hope so, between the comet and Mars, it's going to be heck with spatial dust fragments.

..and, I'm really sorry.." Turning to look at his 'representative.. "..and..

..even if we lose, I know we did the race honorably..

..though how we're going to catch up is beyond me.." Aleaic solemnly says, turning back to the instruments.

Tsunami begins to smile again.. "..though, I bet Sempai will throttle me if we lose anyway, might as well tell your Father to set funeral arrangements..

..I'll be joining you upstairs soon here.."

It has the intended effect, as Tsunami returns to her cheerful persona, laughing as heavily as when they came to Venus, one small event pushed aside. A MUCH bigger one was approaching fast..

-------------------------

*Tekomi Control.........*

"Are they in it yet?" Tasha says about every 4.7 seconds. It's wearing the other team members very thin.

"Sempai, put a cork in it.." Hiwa says with gritted teeth.

"How can I!? They're heading into a DAMNED comet!!!" Tasha shouts, and paces even more relentlessly, almost like she could melt the deck plating beneath the carpeting.

"I think it's too late to worry fellow Dojo members.. " Keturia speaks out..

"..they just went in."

The atmosphere in the room lessens a good bit suddenly..

---------------------------

*Inside the Unis Comet..*

"HOLY LORDS OF EVERLASTING LIGHT!!!!"

Tsui and Al can't be helped but be awed by the sight before them, as titanic, thick bands of white dust froth infront and all around and about them, with the stabilizers are encountering hell itself. At least the dust, sparkling from the sunlight of Sol makes it pretty.. TOO pretty, it's a double-edged sword.

"~ The dampers are 'really' taking a pounding.. ~" "Keep them wide, and keep that flush going, I'll try to find a good path to take.."

"~ I don't see the route markers, the dust is interfering with scans. ~" Aleaic decides to make this a moment of looking thoughtful, all the while avoiding a large ice/dirt chunk. "Hmm.. I wonder.."

"~ Yes client? ~" Al gives his love a smirk. "Hah hah.. um..

..you know, this is rather uncharted territory even for the race commission, bring up the data regarding this field..

..there's got to be something to take advantage of, we need a break coming about now.."

For the next two minutes, they scan all the details about the rules regarding the nebula..

..they find something..

"It's trajectory is taking it only 1,500 kilometers from the drop off point.

..and.. the closest point to the drop zone is.." Tsunami gasps..

"~ The comet core.. ~" The two look at each other KNOWINGLY on the same page, even if it is suicidal. "Set course, and let's try one of Kero's tricks, and hang on.."

"~ Yes sir, yes sir, and YES sir!! ~" Both laugh, though very nervously as they set the agreed upon course.

..into gods and goddesses knows only what!!

------------------------

*Tekomi Control......... 7 hours, 58 minutes..*

"They should be out by now.." Tasha uses as her current mantra, though quite bluntly, the rest of the team/family is as nervous, cabbits too.

..the comet is quite long, over 450 thousand kilometers from core to the mid-zone where the race is passing though, another 375 thousand meters fan out after this point, the longest comet since 2981 when Gras-D grazed by Sol before plummeting, a spectacular death into said solar, one hopefully not repeated by humans today.

"Knowing them two, they're getting 'satisfaction' from a busted thruster array.." Fat Dal isn't one for flair or decency, which earns him a nasty rap on the head by Alusair and Keturia simultaneously. "Scuzzy brain.." Both add.

"Well, they got ten minutes till the next Interdiction." Hiwa announces needlessly. "..and one is already out. I don't like it." The Silicon entry is the noted unit.

"What happened to those IFF codes?" Sora asks, looking over the comm screen. "~ Probably disrupted by the Comet, I think it was a bad idea to use that thing.. ~" Washu leans over like a hangover is hitting her, her response to Sora's question sours the mood worse off.

"Hope, is fleeting when not held to..

..and is wasted on those that use fear instead. Trust in your pilots, they will come through.."

A number of heads turn to the philosophical source, though whom should be no surprise.

"(~ He is like Father.. ~)" "(~ Now now Sasami.. ~)" "(~ Mother.. ~)"

A SHOUT grabs everyone's attention..

"The IFF codes WERE dead!!"

"What are you babbling about Sora?!!!!" Tora nips back, just before he sees the screen.. Tasha slams/wedges between the two.

A number of others see it a second later.

It's a simple thing to miss, a flash of a jump engine when one isn't trained eyes of where to look. To them though, now, it's one they CARE about..

"Ho.. how.. how did......................

...............WHAT THE HELL!?!?!?!?" Tasha stammers.

---------------------

*Angel, deep hyperspace.. a minute before Interdiction..*

"I.. *LOL!!* ..I don't believe we made it!! WOHOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"

"~ Yes, yes indeed.. ~" Tsui jumps around her seat as much as Al does.

They made it, somehow they survived the ordeal of getting through the comet, though using the gravity of the core fragment ended up creating such a toll on the superstructure. They had to fly like demons (no pun..) to avoid the incredible amount of debris clustered/littered near the core, the sunlight creating massive fissures, spouts of primal solar system matter, and very large chunks of ice, dirt, and rock orbiting close near the core. It was BEYOND nerve wracking.

..but, they got out in second. That's what mattered.

Aleaic slumps into the pilot seat, the self-adjusting cushions pushing deep to allow Al's exhaustion.

"Now for a good break, it'll be two hours just to get to Mars space."

Tsui, after imitating Al, not without some exhaustion, turns to the food processor. "~ Care for a good dinner? ~" Aleaic nods quite hungrily, and Tsui, after a good giggle, turn to her chosen task.

Tsunami resumes the role of chef, as she divvies a pair of dehydrated meals and a pair of heated packs of cocoa for them both. "Ah, gourmet at it's finest..

..roast beef and potatoes.." Tsunami giggles as she nibbles a bite. "~ The palate is satisfactory sahib? ~"

Aleaic responds by downing a good mouthful, then chuckling, spewing a tidbit back out..

"~ Oh beloved, do behave like a gentleman around a lady.. ~"

If Al hadn't swallowed just then he would have spewed it ALL out, he's laughing so hard.

A minute later, they both recover enough.. Tsunami rechecks the course and stabilizers, then looks at Al for awhile.

Aleaic, engaged in both eating, and reinsuring the stability of the nav and core systems, also; concerned with the nano-repairs to the superstructure, doesn't notice until Tsunami sighs.

"What?"

"~ Can a lady look at his knight? ~" Aleaic pauses, and blushes hard, very hard in fact. "I... I'm no knight.." Aleaic tries to end the conversation by deftly checking the electronic manifolds, but it doesn't faze Tsui a bit.

"~ The way you inspire your comrades, the manner of how you take charge, and the decisions you are not afraid to make. ~"

"Even the dumb ones?" Aleaic quips of himself.

"~ No one is perfect, not even us Dimensionals. We are made to make mistakes and hopefully try to learn from them. ~" Tsui leans in a bit. "~ ..and you go so far as to challenge making mistakes, trying to see how far you can push yourself.

..and, ~" Tsunami leans in even closer, this time killing the visual feed into the cockpit, knowing the Team is going ape at this. Aleaic tries vainly to slink back in his seat, so far as to accidentally hit the red darkvision lights.

"~ ..you are not afraid to show the real you, even if it's scary at times. You know.. ~" *lethally close* "Wha.. wh..wha.. what?"

"~ ..you're cute when angry.. ~" Tsunami attempts a kiss, but Aleaic stops her.. "..we.. we got to watch systems, it's not long until we get to Mars. I.. *ummphh..*" Tsunami doesn't buy it, they have an hour till they need to worry about that.

..even the computer behaves for an hour.

------------------------

*Race Control.. 8 hours, 58 minutes.......*

"Give me a run on everyone's current position, and relay that to Mars Control.." The burly race commissioner says, arms folded, having been in command of races and events for a decade and a half. Not much suprises him anymore, that's for the fans and onlookers.

"CVI unit Dadelaus first place, non-time placement, TAT unit Angel second, thirty minute time placement, RAT unit Equator third, ten minute time placement............"

The official race placement-tracker announces for the other remaining units, from fourth to tenth, as eleventh on back have come under Interdiction, and from the looks of it, the top three are vying for main contention. The rest are fighting for fourth.

"Alert all stations," The official in charge of the Mars oversight warns suddenly. "..a class two dust storm is beginning to move towards the final obstacle course."

"Would it effect the first three teams?" The commissioner asks bluntly.

The trackers take a good look, and cross reference with the expected time indexes of where the three units should arrive. "It's going to be 'dammed' close sir."

The commissioner just smiles.

----------------------

*Tekomi Control........... two minutes later..*

Hiwa groans as the cockpit cam for their unit finally comes back on..

"Bout time that vid cam came back up.."

"And I thought bro was a bad influence." "~ Now now Ket, they 'had' to kill time.. ~" "Tenchi? Dang you too?" Keturia retorts in surprise.

The turbo-lift door then opens, allowing two quite absent team members enter. "Nobuyuki!! Where have you BEEN!!?" Fat Dal yells.

"In the pen control center, where else?"

"~ Mother? ~" Sasami looks at the other 'member' suspiciously.. "~ He needed adjustments to the targeting scanners, what? ~"

Tenchi, Ryo-ohki, Ken-ohki and Sasami only shake their heads, Tasha however DRAGS Nobuyuki for a more thorough tongue lashing.

A minute later. "Yo, they've made Mars guys!" Hiwa injects.

All attentions turn to the third, and probably determining leg of the race. And just then, the word of the dust storm comes out, putting the fear of Kami into them all, mortals anyway, the Dimensionals are plain nervous for themselves.

..and for their family member.

---------------------------

*Mars....... 9 hours, 17 minutes..*

"~ It's even greener here than Venus.. ~" "They've been terraforming here for centuries, they've got it all just about right.."

Aleaic then points out the cockpit to their three o'clock. "..except for that, the dammed dust storms, those they can't somehow quite figure out.

..and annoying for us."

Tsunami actually knows, a classic reason Bugs are cleaned out of the System Core on such a regular basis, a million years ago, a Bug was missed by a goddess sweeping crew, and got into the Matter Composition Program Database.

..the mess it generated caused a HUGE storm to strike Earth, so much that it was forced onto the then dying world of Mars, where the gravitational fields there turned the program into a massive system of cycling dust storms, an ancient reminder of a mistake in Heaven.

..Tsunami can only bemuse providence for now having to face that VERY mistake, as it is not situated right on TOP of the obstacle courses.

"~ Crud.. ~" Aleaic can only chuckle at Tsui's more serious than intended remark. "Don't worry, as long as the manifolds are closed down, we should be fine.."

At that moment, a large part of Martian landscape EXPLODES out towards them, and Aleaic makes a 'desperate' series of spins and jinks to avoid collisions!! "Wha.. What DID that!?"

Tsunami looks at her scanners, but spies out the corner of her eye a black and gold mecha unit spinning away.. "~ Al!! ~"

Aleaic looks over, and sees just in time as the Equator comes into RAM them!

"EEK!! HOLD ON!!"

Aleaic literally dive spins towards the surface, as the Rohak mecha misses, and comes about for another try

"~ Are they serious?! ~"

"They are, it's time we make them pay. Set a high altitude for the dust storm.."

"~ Why? ~"

"They want to take us out, let's see how far they are willing to do it.."

Angel then blasts hard back into the high atmosphere, with their pursuer hard at their heels. Aleaic then allows the Rohak unit to close fast, just before jinking aside to the left, and then utilizing the maneuverability of Angel's wings, dances around Equator's constant attempts. Finally, Aleaic forces a over jink, and then dives HARD into the dust storm.

"I'm starting the run now!"

"~ WHAT?! We're too high for that!? And it's BLIND!! ~" Aleaic looks over with a smirk, "Trust me.."

Tsunami doesn't know WHAT to think, "(~ Al's no Dimensional!? What's he THINKING!? ~)"

The answer to that comes in the form of a ever more steep dive, one that begins to take a slight toll on the compensators, and dampers. It seems to go forever, until Al suddenly THROWS Angel into a hard 45 degree bank, SLAMMING both pilots into the seats, and with an audible strain to the Wings.

Then a large object passes over them..

"~ Wha.. ~" Tsunami gapes at the readouts, as more objects pass over and under them.. "~ You did it.. ~"

"Not yet, this storm is playing hell with the sensors, I can't see clearly enough..!"

As Angel fights through the storm and first set of obstacles, a series of slalom pylons set above and below, red for up, blue for down, the second, unseen unit tries the same trick, and clips it's steering vanes on the first obstacle. It over corrects, and ends up shearing off a second vane on the next two obstacles.

Both end up getting through, both shaken, but Angel is FAR in better shape now.

"Gods that was hard."

"~ Course 235.1 for the next run.. ~" Tsui says quickly.

Aleaic can almost feel their enemy trying to catch up, and wants 'nothing' to do with that. "Watch the intake manifolds, I'm going to crack them a bit to gain more ramjet effect."

Tsunami engages her task like a hawk, keeping the folds flushed constantly, even at risk of overheating. The speed boost works, and they pull away from their pursuit. They manage the second course a bit better, as the storm is not as thick and harsh here.

They blast for space just as Equator enters the second run, and the storm hits 'them' hard again.

Angel gains 5 minutes on Rohak and are dead set in second, only the Silicon team is the worry now.

"I think I just learned to hate Mars.." Al pants with exasperation..

Tsunami also slumps back, this one was as BAD as the comet. "~ Are all races this bad? ~" Tsunami asks pensively.

Aleaic can only nod a probable positive. How Kero could do so well is beyond this Sophomore, or soon to be Junior is beyond him!!

Summer classes are looking 'very' good about now................

-------------------------

*Tekomi Control....... 9 hours, 45 minutes.*

Everyone in the room SCREAMS joyously as their mecha exits the Mars area with a huge advantage over Rohak, especially with what they witnessed. "THAT'S the way to show them dregs Sophy!!"

"That's the best flying I'VE ever seen!!" Kero looks on in astonishment, even MORE so for the secretive Dimensionals in the room, especially after the look that was on Tsui's face before the entry into the dust storm, what happened after literally BLEW their minds!

"(~ You're sure Sis didn't help him Mother?! ~)" Tenchi and Sasami speak almost similar and at once.. "(~ ........................yes..................... ~)" Achika communes with beads of sweat on her brow.

Meanwhile, Tasha clusters with the team for final race strategy. "Okay, we know our booster is probably as good as Silicon's, tell them to open it up wide open, I want that six minute lead to vanish.."

"Yes Sempai!" Hiwa shouts, and speaks into the mike.

---------------------

*Angel.. a minute later..*

"Open it up?! Is she nuts?!"

"~ I agree, the temperature is becoming a serious factor.. ~"

----------------------

*Control..*

"Yes they heard me! They want to win don't they!?!"

-----------------------

*Angel..*

"Crud, it's too soon, and engine performance will definitely come into play when we do the final run to Earth and out again!"

"~ We should be conservative until we pass Luna.. ~"

------------------------

*Control..*

Tasha can't believe her earlobes. "THEY CAN'T DO THAT!!!!!!!!!"

Hiwa tries to calm down her boss. Heck, all their bosses. "Sempai, they've been running that unit hard all day, they know better than we do!"

"But this is our chance!!"

------------------------

*Angel..*

"Crud, she's serious about this.."

"~ We've going to Hyper in a minute, lock down finished..

..what do we do? ~"

Aleaic looks hard within himself, trying to see all the possibilities of mecha racing he's even witnessed or heard about. And one thing he KNOWS is that engines have classically been the main component that either made or broke a race team.

And they've come too far.. way too far.....

"No..

We keep normal run, and if Sempai doesn't like it, tough, we won't push the engine, I think we can do that when we pass Geneva course."

Aleaic looks hard at Tsui.. "..there's that final time bonus.."

--------------------------

*Control..*

Tasha freaks like a roman candle, space fireworks style.

"....................................................those......................................... " Stuttering for the proper 'descriptive' term to use, the only one that connects is: ".............DORKS!!!!!!!!"

"Dorks?" Hiwa looks back.. "..that's your best word?"

Sora tires to laugh but is BONKED by Tora..

"That's a crazy plan, how can they plan to risk the whole race on a single reward!?" Nobuyuki speaks for a frazzled Sempai.

"They have to, and after the stunt on Mercury, I think they can do it." Kero says, a hand on his chin, apparently thinking as Al is.

"Crud............ CRUD CRUD CRUD!!!!!!!!" Tasha says, jumping up and down with enough force to cause the entire station to shudder..

..it seems like anyway.

----------------------------

*Luna....... 10 hours, 23 minutes......

..four minutes behind Dadelaus..*

"Home sweet home.."

Tsunami though looks ominously worried.. "~ Al, I think that compromise hurt us a bit, the seals are weakening again.. ~"

Her co-pilot seems unexpectantly unfazed by this status. "Actually I'm happy, they're in better shape than I hoped, now we need to press the engines to be within three minutes of the Dadelaus."

"~ Oh, and I think they sedated Tasha.. ~" Tsui says with a cute smirk. "Poor Sempai.. okay, let's make her happy for once, set the core for full drive run. It's now or never.!"

Tsunami complies but shakes her teal maned head in bemusement.

Now comes the truly nail biting part, as a thirty minute race for the Earth begins, followed shortly of by a sprit up to the finish line back in local space, where a special ring is set up..

..everyone on Earth that's interested have dragged the non-interested to see what is shaping up to be one of the closest Inner System races in history! And in Tekomi Province, where they've been watching all through the day, and 'well' into the night, they are ALL on pins and memory chips. Silicon's no different.

It's no better, even MORE so, in the Silicon, and Tekomi Control camps.

-----

As for Rohak, a third is seemingly assured..

....that is, until their unit leaps out from hyperspace, and attempts to blast at a suicidal, full wide, open ramjet-burn. Their intent no less different than before....

..but then, their Unit ruptures the Helium containment fields, which causes the expectant catastrophic chain-reaction, and they 'barely' eject in time before their prized/hacked model explodes into a miniature sun.

Brazil Academy takes over third place..

-----

"Are you kidding me?!" Al yelps, disbelieving his sensors and the comm feed!

Tsunami looks quite shaken, as apparently, Rohak had been pushing their booster WELL past tolerance..

..apparently just to catch up, knowing that the race was out of reach to them.. "~ I'm.. afraid so.. ~"

Aleaic finally has had enough, there is only one reason they could see for such a blatant action, and it apparently wasn't for the good of the race. "Hiwa..!" Aleaic commands steely over the comm.

":: Yeah? ::" ..is returned..

"Inform Race Control,

..lodge for us a formal protest of under the acts and rules of government of fair play and safety protocols, as well as ask for an official inquiry into the matter of unfair sportsmanship in regards to same said during an official race.." Aleaic says, not mentioning the threat to life inherit in the stream of acts committed. And as Earth starts to fill the entire cockpit screens, Hiwa complies solemnly, knowing it's not small matter to accuse another team of such, but a line has been crossed.

..one not overlookable anymore.

But this is a separate matter, as Tsunami suddenly calls out an object in front of them!!

"~ It's Dadelaus!! ~" Tsui shouts.

"What's the interval?" Al queeps off tone for a second in surprise!

Tsunami looks and beams brightly!! "~ 2:40!! ~"

Aleaic nearly suffers a stroke. "But how!?"

":: GUYS!! ::" Hiwa screams over the comm!!!!

"What!?/~ What?! ~"

":: Dadelaus is reporting a problem with their engine, it's not much but it's affecting their performance in space, I don't know if it hurts in atmosphere, but it's slowing them!! ::"

Aleaic instinctively hits the heat shield coolant lines, as he pours more power into the stabilizers. "Are we in first now Hiwa!? How close are we!?"

":: No, it's pretty much a dead tie! ::"

"Huh?!"

":: They got a bonus for being in the lead most of the way.. ::"

"Figures.." Al quips, then turning to his pilot-mate, as he flicks off safety protocols and controls. "Tsui, when I tell you to, shut all power to everything but engines and primary systems, and even life support, you'll know when.."

"~ But, Al.. ~" Tsui immediately objects. Al though is stern.

"Trust me.." ..as the heat of reentry begins to lick at the mecha. "..I can use the two minute air supply, and I know you.."

"~ Two minutes!?! AL, NO!! ~" Tsui forgets the race for a second, but Al becomes more resolved. "Beloved, this can work!! We didn't come all this way for second, and we can't risk the engine core, we have to siphon from all the non-necessary stuff..

..Tsunami please!"

Tsunami almost decides to put a brake on ALL of this, but Al's pleading eyes melt her resolve. How he can do that to her is unfathomable to her. But her very respect for her co-pilot makes her do a 'true' leap of faith, and the shudder of reentry is rushing the decision.

"~ Alright, *sigh* ..but you better be conscious when we reach the finish line.. ~" Tsui then hits Al's helmet with a satisfactory 'pow'.

The race for the atmosphere takes the final two on a steep angle slide that starts well over the Indian Ocean, which cools over the Pacific ocean some 450 kilometers from the Hawaiian Chain.

"Time.."

"~ 2:23 ~"

Al looks at their counterpart ahead..."We've GOT to be in the lead.. start the shutdown, and leave the target computer up.."

Tsunami looks yet again at Aleaic, still struggling with her resolve in committing to this. In the end, her reflexes do the acting for her.. "~ Shutting.... down... ~"

The engines of the Dadelaus are clearly visible, as well as a slight occasional puff of smoke. As Angel moves in closer, the Dadelaus begins jinking to try to create a time buffer cushion. But the engine problems plaguing them hinder more than the jinking helps.

Angel's core meanwhile, is starting to see borderline readings, as it's containment strains under the power-sprint. The Computer Core is also straining with all the heavy processor loads. Heck, ALL the systems are straining, even the seat cushions!!

Now more than ever, it's all on the line..

--------------------------

*Tekomi Control..*

Everyone watches almost as one as the two mecha finally pass over the Atlantic Ocean. The incoming feed from a high over head satellite, and a series of surface shots as they fly over head, show the neck to neck furball racing along a several hundred kilometers a deca-second.

"Come on Al, COME ON!!!!" Hiwa screams to the deafening displeasure of Sora and Tasha closeby!

Everyone else is just as tense, as the ticker for the current time lapse shows Angel now with a 'slim' sixteen second lead. However, all that is nothing, as it will all depend on the final obstacle course, a very curious, and strange run: a straight head-on run into Geneva, Switzerland, and upon reaching, a SEVERE 45 degree upturn, with a two kilometer long zenith rise, a double twist loop along the top with an equally SHARP reverse downturn, back another two kilometers, and then a final VICIOUS 45 straight along the surface.

And somewhere along it's length is the final special target, a type similar to the ones on Mercury, but possibly worst of all to hit.

"The timer is steady at sixteen seconds. They must have stabilized." Sora updates for all to hear.

"Crud, and if they hit the target first, it's over.." Nobuyuki speaks with twiddled thumbs, nervous ones.

"Hey! What's he DOING!?!" Tasha suddenly screams, making many JUMP!!

----------------------

*Angel.. between the Canary Island Group, and the Madeira Islands..*

Aleaic is suddenly, and deliberately, slowing down Angel for the run through the rings. "Okay, when we finish the run, kill everything we discussed, ready?"

"~ No.. but do it! ~"

Aleaic winces from a second smack to the helmet, and locks the entry angle for the run, as they pass over Western Mediterranean and past Corsica and see the Europe Union coastline, where the very first ring is, and the Dadelaus is already starting through it!

"HANG ON!! Here we go!!!!"

Angel is SHOT through the initial rings, and burns hard but steady towards the first turn, the rings are spaced 500 meters apart, and run right up to Geneva, capital of the Terran Union.. There, hundreds of thousands of spectators, standing, partying, and waiting all day, watching the race vids, now crane their necks to get the first glimpses of the two remaining mecha.

It doesn't very take long, as the thick, energized sounds of highly powered engines shatter the sound barrier a good twenty seconds before they even visually appear...!

The actual turn to the lay eye seem quite gentile, as the ground and hover rings seem to mesh in a gentle upward turn, but as the Dadelaus comes in at over 1,500 kph, the turn becomes a play with the devil! When the mecha makes it's turn, a HORRENDOUS scream from the taxed engines washes over everyone, and just a few seconds later, the Angel does the same, as everyone with ear muffs thanks their respective gods for them. The roar basically make the supposedly super-reinforced glass ware of the nearby turn to all of sand grit instantly...

..a wee bit loud.. don't even ask about glassware in the immediate area either.. =^^=

Everyone can then see the two mecha rising extremely fast in the semi-dusk, star filled sky.

"Cripes that was close!!"

"~ I think we hit a ring back there!! ~" Tsui says, throwing her head backwards.

"It'll hold! (uncertain..) ..it'll hold!" *crossed fingers..*

The view above is a mesh of rings flying past them, but Tsui is looking 'hard' for the special target.

All too soon though, the second, third, fourth and fifth turns come as a massive blur of violent jerking motions, as Aleaic uses up all his remaining wits and skill, along with Tsunami's help.. but then..

"~ They just shot at something!! ~"

The edge trail of a laser is seen as it misses something. "That's it!!"

"~ Got it!! ~" Tsui immediately targets..

This is where the improbability factor kicks in, as Angel makes the sixth turn, and Dadelaus exits for the downswing. They both lock onto the target, and their only chance.

They both connect simultaneously..

......a DEAD, clean hit!

"~ I got it!! ~"

"So did THEY!!!" *CURSE!!* "~ Al!! ~"

"Sorry.."

Everyone watching is astonished as the fireworks for the special target light off, preset to do so as a special after effect for the crowd below. But the shock of what is caused reverberates through two camps and cities simultaneously as massive cries of disbelief!!

"No..

..SHUT IT ALL DOWN NOW!! NOW!!!!!!!"

Tsunami acts before she can object, and shuts down all except life support, saving that for the exit to space.

"Tsui!!" Al says already knowing!

"~ No, we can push the engines, it's not worth your life Al!! ~" "If the engine blows it won't matter ANYWAY!!"

The blur of the downswing is joined as Angel suddenly closes EXTREMELY close to the Dadelaus, the heat from the Dadelaus slightly blistering the skin of the Angel.

Here, they finally get a good look at their opponent, as it's primary colors are of Desert Sand and White, it's superstructure, much more rounded and streamlined than Angel, except for the engine package on it's rear torso and leg struts, which are blocky, due the engine type they are using. They also use a set of pylons vane struts rather than wings, though they are much more structurally sound than the Equator's were, noted by the heavy bending two of the vanes sport.

Meanwhile, the down stretch is seen by all as a unnerving sight, as it seems like they both threaten to miss the turn and SLAM into the city below, which would annihilate the city and most of the countryside anyway. The crowd partially SCRAMS for vain cover!! (Kinda comical..)

But the two Units easily make the turn, so close to each other that even the ear muffs are inadequate!! And more shattered panes.....

"They WHAT!?" Al screams over the comm..

":: They awarded both teams, and now the clock is at even for BOTH of you!! ::"

"Oh crud, this is too crazy!!"

Suddenly, several klaxons spike LOUD!! "~ AL, the temperature!! ~"

Aleaic notes the blare of the engine core, as it's seals finally breach, and containment is ready to do the same. "COOLANT FLUSH!! NOW!!"

They both hit the emergency control buttons, as a large tank of coolant floods the core with special coolant, one that causes the cool down needed, but rips slight tears in the superstructure. Only the containment field prevents a true rupture, held by the power feed from the vacuum drive! Nano-units scramble to repair the physical damage, but it's now only a matter of time. Is there enough time though.......

"Tsui, we have to shut down life support, or the containment may rupture!!"

Tsui wrings her hands in disgust.. "~ All right!! ~" Tsunami caves in at last, finally discharging the life support, and it does help control the field, the core holds. (..barely.....)

Aleaic then hits the emergency air supply, as the air in the cockpit becomes stale immediately. Heat suddenly becomes very noticeable, as coolant no longer runs through the cockpit, and is shunted only to the core and heat sinks around it.

An oven it becomes indeed. Tsunami, not needing air, tries to compensate by using a spell, but her concentration is thwarted by more klaxons from the cockpit sensors.

The two Units finally exit the course run, and both slam VIOLENTLY hard for the final stretch..

..space or bust..

--------------------------

*Tekomi Control........ 11 hours, 13 minutes.

..still dead even..*

"Holy cow, holy cow!!" (Nob)

"Come on Sophy, COME ON!!!!!!!" (Tas)

"~ Go big sis GO!! ~" (Sas)

Everyone (even the cabbits) is split between looking out the viewports, and the satellite feeds, as both mecha use 'everything' they have left, both blaring warning indicators out the arse.

The intense cheering from between, and across half a globe, could almost be heard from a light year away, if physics allowed. But both Units seem to be well bolstered by their respective camps, pushing and pulling with everything they have. The sight of the two mecha are a tale of two thoroughbreds at the brink, as the two sport sputtering smoke trails, and even an occasional heat flare-up....

But it finally comes down to the last bitter kilometer, as both Units breach past the Lithosphere, and into space once again..

"Come baby, come on!!!!!" Jeain looks in surprise at Terrai, as he cheers as much as the kids! A second later.. "COME ON SON, BEAT THOSE SILICON SAND CRABS FOR BRAINS!!!!!!!!"

The family looks at Jeain.. "Mom..." Ket reacts.. "What?" Jeain says, blushing.....

-----------------------

*.75 kilometers...*

Aleaic is visibly straining, as the oxygen becomes thinner. Tsunami is not affected, but is torn between the final few seconds of both the race, and possibly her love's.

Both units push the envelope past the severe line. And just then, the Finish Ring line becomes visible. Their opposite literally abreast of them starboard!!!!!

..

..

.62 km

..

..

.49 km

..

..

..

.32

..

..

..

.23

..

"Tsui.." Al barely breathes out.

"~ Yes? ~"

"Thank you.."

..

..

.10

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

..

"[[~ They crossing the line............................................................

.................NOW!!!!!! ~]]"

All heads and melons are turned to the Finish Ring, as both SCREAM through all too close to tell..

"Who.. who won.. who.." Tasha stammers, her heart in her throat.. and her hands..

"I..I..I..I..." Sora stammers.

"[[~ Winner is too close for an eye confirmation, the computers are checking..

................................... ~]]"

".............................oh...................my...........................GODS!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (Tas)

========================

*Winning team quarters..*

The sounds of incredible cheers and celebration explode, as the winner is announced. It took no less than three separate angles to make sure of the winner.

..and Tekomi is in pain..

..as they CHEER literally as ONE!! So hard so, that they collectively strain their lungs..

..but that is nothing as the cheers in the Tekomi Control Center almost seem to SHATTER the transparent-titanium viewports, very much 'almost' anyway.

Everyone that is Tekomi, in space, as well as on Earth, is jumping and dancing and saying something close to the same thing:

"THEYWONTHEYWONTHEYWONTHEYWON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

It goes on like this for a good two plus minutes, and still there is lots of jumping, singing and hugging afterwards.

Hiwa then, in a delirium, and a headlock from Tasha, then turns to the comm unit, now JAMMED with unauthorized freqs. trying to reach the winners. "Base to Angel, Base to Angel, come in please.."

Silence.. at least on that end, the other is still filled with reporters and paparazzi.. "Damn these guys are annoying,.." Hiwa comments, then tries again..

"Base to Angel, Base to Angel, come in please.."

..more silence, and the unauthorized freqs. even quiet down a bit.. but the worry melts away as..

"::~ Were here Base, good to hear you.. ~::" Hiwa, her heart finally beating again, wipes a quick tear away.. "Well, about time you two, congratulations!" Tasha comes up behind, SMACKS Hiwa in the back 'painfully', and grabs the mike..

"YOU TWO......*stammering*..... PEOPLE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"(Her language seems different..)" Hiwa thinks to herself, still wincing in a great deal of pain..

"::~ We're alright, but give Al a moment to recover.. ~::"

"Huh?" Tasha wonders loudly.. "..why?"

"::~ We had the life support shut down to keep us going, Al's recovering now.. ~::"

Tasha suddenly turns a sheet of white, along with many others in the room, family 'definitely' included! For the first time in their college relationship, Tasha realizes that it never occurred to her how FAR Aleaic would go to win for them all..

"A.. are you sure he's.. fine?" Hiwa and the rest of the mortal team look in surprise, Tasha is apparently being very concerned.

":: .............I....... I'm fine........" Al suddenly says through the static of the comm..

":: ..now......I'll be fine..... start celebrating you guys, okay? ::" As soon as the wave of relief drops away, they begin celebrating almost as joyously as before.

And this long day just got 'much' longer..

----------------------

*Kerensky Residence, Tekomi..*

Journal Entry - 12th May, 3417

*Recording Terminal / Module 0034A*

Man, I 'finally' get a chance to settle down, the after-race parties have been so wild these past two days since we won the Inner Systems Race. To say I'm beat is an understatement.

..so, where to begin with this.....

..well, first off, being called Champion has such a incredible rush to it all. And it simply got better and better to be called it, after I fully recovered from that little stunt I pulled.

Speaking of, I had to then recover from being verbally throttled by Tsui, my family, my teammates, and then had to respond to the counter charge levied by the Rohak Academy. The last part was easy, as all the race footage said it all. Even the ones 'supporting' the Rohak Academy fell mute, especially when my Father then 'quietly' told the Cairo/Lockheed Group that they'd get first crack at the Vacuum Engine, now quite touted as a new wonder of technology.

Needless to say, the Tokyo engineers are rich, and Rohak is a disgrace in the racing community. Tsk..

But, the above not even the half of it, the interesting thing now is, Michelle apparently never was in the race. We found out at the race awards ceremony, that not only did she turn in her last minute resignation just after out altercation in the Pens. But even better, is the fact that she immediately asked for a transfer to OUR Academy. As it's now just prior to mid-summer terms, the request should be no problem, especially after a request from the new heroes of the Academy *chuckle*, I think it will all work out, as now we gain one of the top three racers in all of human space.

Kero was number one, and I guess they think I'm one too.. I'll reserve judgment on that though, I almost died, not exactly peak race performance ability. Nor possibly professional. I'll just call Michelle and Tsunami number two pilots for now, and take third. Heh..

Next, I had to recover from all the media splurge, which was exacerbated by Tasha's impromptu partying. I most certainly was very glad when Tenchi and Ket announced I needed more medical recovery. Unless I miss my guess, they're still partying at this very moment. I think I finally understand now all those Soccer World Cups they hold on all the various worlds of human space. Fan and media hype is quite heavy for them, as well as on our accounts. Jeeze..

At least Tasha left the house with most of the rabble rousers, I think Washu was ready to Hex them with a bad rash or something, anyway, it's finally quiet around here..

....that is..

..if you don't look at the hover cam-unit that circles the residence every half hour. Ryoko of course just loves it all, partying and scaring the hell out of anyone that she pleases. We've disavowed all knowledge of her existence of course, it's MUCH healthier that way all around.

I though the Gardon were bad.. ugh..

As for Tsui and I, we're enjoying the glory our own little way, as Kero and Alana 'officially' pronounced us as the primary pilots of Tekomi Academy, with themselves as advisors and back-ups until they graduate this next semester, as then Michelle will get into the swing, since she has to earn her dues too. After her ordeal, she doesn't mind reearning the respect she lost being with those blowhards from a syonic compactor heap.

But then, another surprise was when Father, whom was attending every function we celebrated in, suddenly stood and noted Kero's jacket, but he also noted it was only a imitation of the elite Cold Hawk Fighter Wing, whom had happened to also watched the Race.

That's when, with everyone present wondering wildly, Father took a simple back duffel bag and threw it to Kero. The look on Kero's eyes was like a pair of Sat-Comm 4 Satellite dishes, as he pulled out four, i.e. not replicas, of the very same pilot jackets of the Cold Hawk Fighter Wing. Even with a patch on each laser stitched with the signatures of the entire fighter wing!! The sound of awe could've move the Earth at that moment. If physics allowed..

I really don't think even Kero's leg injury prevented him from bowing most respectfully to Father, just before he and Alana took a pair of jackets already affixed with the Inner Systems patch, and a gold star engraved onto it, and placed them both on Tsui and myself.

And yes, more cheers followed, but the smile on my Father's and Mother's was even worth more.

The kiss that helped start the next party didn't hurt either.

I think Tsui has a new hobby. My lips.. =^^=

I could go on forever with all the parties and events my benefactor and I were dragged 'kicking and screaming' to.. more me than Tsui actually.. but I think I'll just end this on an interesting note, one concerning the team from Silicon Valley, as I find my self humbled by the way they congratulated us. They had arrived not too long after the jacket ceremony, as drinks really flowed.

They introduced themselves as Da'aan and Heshi, both apparently even more experienced than Kero and Alana were, as their jackets sported, real ones from the 601st West Spaceforce Command Fleet, had even more gold stars than Kero and Alana had as well. The former introduced, was a spiky dirty blond haired type, typical of the region of the Western North American Territories, and the latter was of a Asian-African descent, with long, dark, honey colored brown hair, and a 'well' tanned, sculpted physique. Tasha had to 'stifle' her flunkies from starring too much at Heshi.

Later, at the award ceremony the next day, they admitted that, when we talked to them on the podium stand with the suprising Brazil team; that they were disappointed they couldn't race Kero and Alana.

But, they were so surprised by the result, that they congratulated us on a 'loss' of theirs, one that apparently had more palatability to that of nearly ALL of their combined victories. It truly for them, was the closest race in history, and losing by 0.02 microns was apparently more fitting than winning by a thousand kilometers. Only 'their' first victory measured up in emotion. This also apparently was also being the factual, that this was their last official race hit a true heart string, and the suprising hugs we received brought a lot of applause.

Heck, they even joined in leading the anthem for the Asian Union, and the school motto, that's how moved they truly really were.

Don't worry though as we plan to keep in touch in the immediate future, especially when wedding plans come...........

..did.. did... did I just say that..

..oh my gods I'm losing it..

..I need a drink..

*End datarecording.. 2210.56*

----------------------

*Downstairs..*

Aleaic couldn't help it, but as he descended the stairs, the six meter tall sculpted crystal, silver, and gold monolith that was the championship trophy was an immediate sight to magnetize eyes onto. And that was their trophy, forever engraved with the two names of the winning mecha designation, also engraved in gold.

The real trophy, some ten meters tall, was now under heavy guard in the Tekomi Academy Trophy vault, along with many other such trophies. But an interesting tidbit, was the fact that both held a full holo-recording from all the race cams and team frequencies of exactly what took place during the entire race, some eleven plus hours in all....

And the fact that Monolith now held a similar recording for posterity made Al feel warm and squishy inside. "Wow.."

"~ Isn't it.. ~"

Aleaic finishes heading downstairs and sees his little goddess laying on the largest couch, in a simple dress, and still with the jacket on.

She's apparently enjoying it all as much as he is.

"I'm............

..I'm still trying to let it all sink in.." Al says with awe still seeping though him. He then stands next to the couch his beautiful deity resides, and simply stares at the trophy..

"We did win right?"

Tsunami giggles heavily, still feeling the effects of a good 'deal' of cake. Al just had some gas from it all. Chocolate still acts funny with Al..

"~ Oh, stop worrying so much darling.. ~" Aleaic is slightly caught off guard when Tsunami grasps his arm, and pulls him to the couch. They end up coddling a bit, just content to look at their shared achievement.

"I have to, it's so new to me to have won something, much less this important a deal."

"~ How should we celebrate? ~"

Aleaic again falls victim to surprise. "Pardon?"

Tsunami lightly kisses her client on the cheek, then begins a series of more heated peck and nibbled down the left side of his neck. Aleaic feels the bubbling of arousal rising when he realizes belatedly that everyone had either gone to party, hide from parties, or just went to the guest house to party. Achika and Nobuyuki were certainly gone, and Tenchi had taken Sasami with Keturia to spend a night with the other Kerensky's. Even the cabbits got dragged along with them.

They were dead alone.

And Al realizes Tsunami is openly enjoying that, as she begins roaming her hands along Al's chest.

"~ Should not we celebrate the spirit which gained us both glory this week? ~" Tsui coos..

Aleaic can only stammer our a weak nod, about a trillion emotions flooding him at once. Tsunami settles into a sitting position on her knees, and begins mashing her lips onto Al's with more desperate need. The moans and calls for names are becoming more loud, and more intense..

..they almost are ready for the breach of the line of love..

..until the power that even Dimensionals know well as Murphy strikes, and the amount of cake Tsui ate hits at the same time as a TREMENDOUS wave of unexpected ecstasy hits her.

Aleaic feels this and pulls away..

..just in time to see Tsunami fall asleep..

"*gasping, struggling down his emotions like a wild Yak-saurus of Planet Nasoo-A......* .tSuI!? Ack! Tsui!?! TSUI!!?"

Aleaic jostles her a bit, and finds she's dead asleep. "...Tsui?"

And the most honestly dissatisfied sigh a mortal can utter courses out.

"Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn....!

..darn..... *sigh....* ..luck..." Al then chuckles with fate.

"..oh well, I guess that can wait until we're married..

..If I survive all and everything until then..

..(if ever..)"

Aleaic simply removes her jacket, and carries her upstairs to her and Sasami's room. After placing her down and covering with a futon blanket. He then kisses her on the forehead, and......

"Good night, my fellow Champion..

..and the one the stole my heart in the same way..

..with love.."

It's a rather simple thing to then shower and head to bed, the thoughts of nothing but her in his head. And, that's how he falls asleep.

Dreaming of the only glory that matters.........

..not of races..

.................but of her love..

(End Part Four)