Chapter 10

(Tenchi Muyo belongs to Hitoshi Okuda. Vash the Stampede, Nabeshin, and Desert Punk belong to their rightful owners. Morien belongs to me)

Although still in a daze from the crash landing the 4 labeled mercenaries were also in bewilderment wondering what a young girl was doing in the middle of a dark forest.

Morien: "Sasami? Uh…hello to you as well. Our plane was just ditched in the woods a few hundred yards back. We landed in a field but couldn't stop in time."

Sasami: "Which field?"

Kanta pointed towards the direction of the carrot field.

Sasami: (in upset tone) "Oh no! The carrot field!? Those carrots were for Ryo-oh-ki!!"

Kanta: "Rio what?"

Vash: "You must live close to here then."

Sasami: (still a bit upset) "Yes. I live with a few others back this way. I'm sure they'll be more than happy to help you out. Are you all okay then? Weren't there 4 of you?"

Kanta, Vash, and Morien look around.

Morien: "Where's Nabeshin? He was just here."

Kanta: "He probably went to go save his precious RV (in little girl's tone)"

Vash: "Anyways why are you out here by yourself…Sasami right?"

Sasami: "Yes. I was on my way to pick some vegetables in the field for supper tonight. How bad did your machine ruin the field?"

Morien: "We landed halfway through the field but the bumps sent the plane up and down so damage should be minimal"

Vash: "Anyways Kanta is injured pretty significantly. Are there any medical facilities around here?"

Sasami: "There's no need for that. (Her cheerful smile returned) Washu can heal him back to his normal self in no time! I can take you guys there now. I'll just come back later and get the vegetables."

Morien: "Lead the way. We'll be right behind you."

For the next several minutes they walked through the woods. Sasami was again happily skipping humming a tune while Vash, Morien, and Kanta looked ahead. In front of them they saw the trail leading to an opening in the woods. Before they reached it a loud bang shook the ground.

Morien: "What on Earth was that?! Did the INSF follow us down here?!"

Sasami: "Wait here!"

Morien: "Hold on a second! This could be dangerous! A young girl like you shouldn't get in the path of a terrorist group! Let us handle it!"

Morien caught up with Sasami. In front of him a large red floating vessel was hovering over a house in the middle of the clearance.

Morien: "What…is that?! I've never seen an aircraft like that!"

Sasami: (Horrified tone) "Oh no! It can't be! Kagato!"

4 smaller drones emerged from the ship and headed towards where Sasami and Morien stood.

Sasami: "They're coming right towards us!! Run!"

Before they turned around 4 gunshots rang out from the woods. All 4 drones burst into flames and crashed into the ground. Vash the Stampede walked out with his signature revolver in hand; barrel smoking as he reloaded his weapon.

Sasami: (very surprised) "Who are you guys!?"

Vash: "We can introduce each other later. Let's take care of the predicament at hand. Morien, looks like we're going to have a tough fight on our hands. Game face on!"

Morien: "Don't have to tell me twice!"

A clone of Kagato had come to earth to bring chaos upon the Masaki residence and ultimately the rest of the planet. On the deck just outside the Masaki home, a modern samurai warrior, an ex-space pirate, and Jurian Princess stood in battle stance waiting for the first move to be made. Out of the corner of Kagato's eye he noticed his drones were a smoking wreckage out in the distance. He diverted his attention to the downed drones. Seeing two figures, one in a red trench coat and the other with a black military vest, beige cargo pants and a fedora walking towards him, he floated down to the ground to meet the two men. Everyone on the deck followed.

Kagato: "How is it that two Earthlings took out my drones?"

Morien: "First of all only one of us is the Earthling. Second of all it was all this guy."

Vash: "Guilty"

Kagato: "Pretentious fools! No matter. I've come back a stronger individual than before. I'll just sweep through you both then destroy this world like I intended long ago."

Morien: "Are you working for INSF?"

Kagato: "I don't know what that is…but take this as a gift!"

Kagato fired an energy blast at the duo. Morien and Vash stood their ground as the beam landed between both of them. A massive explosion engulfed them sending grass and dirt skywards.

Kagato: "What a waste of time. I should have just used a smaller attack on…what's this?!"

The dirt quickly cleared revealing Morien and Vash still standing virtually scratch-free. Tenchi, Ryoko, and Ayeka stood in shock.

Vash: "Morien, your power should be enough to battle this man. Work quickly. I'll distract him (he said taking aim with his revolver)

Before anyone took action a streak of light came from the sky. It stopped right in front of Vash and Morien. It was Nabeshin. His afro was now a golden color as the rest of him was emitting pure light energy. (For those who don't understand watch the last couple of episodes of Excel Saga. You'll see what I mean then)

Morien: "Nabeshin! What's this?! How are you doing that?"

Nabeshin: "I told you! My job was to assist you in any altercation you come across! I have many tricks up my sleeve! Just sit back and watch!"

Kagato: "Your energy level is quite high. I look forward to this fight!"

With those words Nabeshin flew forward. Kagato readied his green energy sword. When Nabeshin reached him he threw out a kick. Kagato dodged and swung his sword at Nabeshin but it was deflected. From his afro Nabeshin pulled out a halberd and began swinging at Kagato. The aerial battle continued on as Vash, Morien, Tenchi, Ryoko, and Ayeka looked onwards. Meanwhile back in the woods Sasami tended to the wounded Kanta.

Kanta: "What's going on!? Where is everyone!?"

Sasami: "I think your friends are fighting Kagato."

Kanta: "They're in battle without me?! I must go….oh that hurts! On second thought you need to help me walk."

Sasami: "Just stay here! We can only hope Kagato is defeated."

Kanta: "I need you to run back to the wreckage and grab my .50 caliber sniper rifle!"

Sasami: "What? I don't know anything about guns!"

Kanta: "It's just long metal rifle with a scope on it! It's green! Hurry now!"

Sasami: "I'll try!"

Back outside the woods Nabeshin and Kagato continued to exchange attacks. For a moment they stopped.

Nabeshin: "A worthy opponent you are."

Kagato: "A worthless opponent you are. I'm only toying with you!"

Ryoko had seen enough and flew upwards placing herself on Nabeshin's side.

Ryoko: "Normally I would let you fight alone but this bastard gave me a bad name known throughout most of the universe. I want him dead!

Nabeshin: "Fine by me." (He said with thumbs up and a wink)

Ryoko: "And keep your gestures to yourself….eech!"

The standoff continued on.

Kagato: "Ryoko my darling, did you not learn anything from our last battle? You and Ayeka both attempted to fight me and if it wasn't for Tenchi you surely would have joined all the other life forms I have eliminated. Besides I've come back a much stronger force to be dealt with. Let's see how ready you are!"

Ryoko equipped her orange energy sword and Nabeshin this time pulled a mace out of his afro. The fight resumed. Ryoko and Nabeshin took turns exchanging attacks but all were parried.

Morien: "Vash! Give me a weapon!"

Vash gave Morien his Desert Eagle.

Morien: "I hope Kanta was right about gun to pure energy attack!"

He placed the Desert Eagle on his left forearm. The outline of the weapon was etching itself in a blue light across Morien's arm and soon it disappeared. Seconds later Morien felt as if he had been stuck with several lightning bolts. With all his strength he jumped into the air above the level where the battle was going on. As gravity was about to pull him back down he took aim and shot a massive blue energy ray towards Kagato. Kagato immediately looked up.

Kagato: "Impossible! He's just a mere Earthling!"

Kagato flew out of the way in time but Nabeshin took advantage of the brief distraction and struck Kagato in the jaw with a huge kick sending him into the ground leaving a small crater. Ayeka and Tenchi just stared in amazement. But Kagato stood back up within seconds.

Kagato: "Hitting a warrior while distracted. That's dishonorable."

Morien: "Not when your intentions are to destroy this world. When 7 billion people are at risk all bets are off."

Kagato: "Well in that case I'll show you my true powe…."

Another shot came from the forest. Kagato's head burst like a watermelon exploding. His headless body stood for a moment then dropped to the ground and quickly turned into dust. The wind blew it away. All eyes stared at the crater for a second in utter shock then turned towards the forest to find Kanta with his .50 caliber. The pain he suffered from the crash came back upon him and he fell to the ground.

Ryoko: "How were you able to defeat him with such a primitive weapon!?"

Morien: "It's most likely due to the fact that you're all so advanced you've neglected what you call 'primitive' weapons. Kagato did not expect a brass .50 caliber bullet; only energy like you we're using. Guaranteed if another clone of his emerges he won't make the same mistake twice."

Ryoko: "His ship has his data on it. If we destroy it he shouldn't be able to reproduce himself."

Morien: "Vash, I think this is your job."

Vash: "I'm on it."

Vash held his revolver in his right hand aiming at Kagato's massive red ship. His right arm began to pulsate and from it emerged a large super weapon that engulfed his entire right arm as well as his pistol. It hummed loudly. When it was fully charged he fired. I large white laser shot out from his arm cannon. As it hit Kagato's ship it disintegrated completely. The blast was so powerful that all vegetation within the open area was wiped out. Ayeka protected herself and Tenchi with her shield while Morien, Ryoko, and Nabeshin ran back to the woods. The light from the explosion died out soon as Sasami helped Kanta back on his feet and walked him towards Ayeka and Tenchi. The other 3 followed. Ryoko flew back towards Tenchi and Ayeka as Nabeshin, Morien, and Vash stood in front of them. All six of them now faced each other 3 on 3.

Ryoko: "We really appreciate the help and all but who the hell are you guys?"

Tenchi: "Are you Juraians as well?"

Morien: "Juraians? No. My name is Morien. I'm from Earth but thanks to a terrorist group's experiment I've acquired these abilities."

Vash: "I'm Vash. I come from Planet Gunsmoke. I just follow these guys around and eat donuts whenever I get the chance."

Ayeka: "Gunsmoke you say? That planet is within the Juraian solar system!"

Nabeshin: "Nabeshin is the name. Like I told these guys my job is to provide additional support when needed and spoil…"
Narrator: "AHEM!"

Nabeshin: "Oh right…hehe!"

Ryoko: "Seriously? You goof-balls defeated Kagato? This is unreal."

Vash: "Don't judge a book by its cover. Besides when you are unorthodox your enemies will have a difficult time figuring out what move you will make."

Ryoko: "Fair enough. Where is that guy who shot Kagato?"

Morien: "I think Sasami took him to wherever you guys live. She said something about a Washu was going to heal him."

Tenchi, Ryoko, and Ayeka gasped.

Ryoko: "WHAT?! SHE'S GOING TO RAPE HIM WITH HER MANY MACHINES!"

Vash, Morien, and Nabeshin looked at each other each of them with one eyebrow raised.

Morien: "Sounds serious but considering everything he's endured thus far I think he can handle it. Besides getting Kanta nursed back to health is all that matters right now. She will bring him back to 100 percent right?"

Ryoko: "I suppose but still. You better check on him once in a while!"

Tenchi: "I'm just glad this battle didn't get any worse. The grassland has been destroyed but Washu's garden-bots should restore any loss within a few hours. How did you guys even get here?"

Morien: "We were en route from Singapore to Vladivostok, Russia and we were shot down by fighter jets. We crash landed about half a mile that way in the woods. Most of our supplies are still in one piece. Even the fuselage of our aircraft is pretty intact. We bumped into Sasami in the woods and she led us here."

Ayeka: "That sounds like Sasami. Always friendly and willing to help any random stranger."

Tenchi: "What will you guys do now?"

Nabeshin and Vash looked at Morien.

Morien: "Why are you looking at me? I'm not really a plan B type of person! I wasn't expecting to be brought out of the sky and end up here! I honestly have no idea what happens next."

Tenchi: "Well while you think about it why don't you join us for supper. It's the least we can do to thank you for all you've done."

Morien: "If that's really alright with you than I accept.

Vash: "Sounds good."

Nabeshin: "Fine by me but I'm going to head back to the wreckage and try to salvage what I can. I'll catch up with you guys later."

Tenchi, Ryoko, and everyone else reached the Masaki home.

Tenchi: "Make yourself at home. Just don't break anything."

Vash: "I guess I can be clumsy at times."

Ryoko: "And all those Sake bottles you see; those are mine. Keep your hands off!"

Tenchi: "Ryoko, my father paid for those. They can drink if they want to."

Ryoko: (putting her arms around Tenchi's waistline) "But Tenchi, now that we have more people in the house I really think I should be able to hoard my favorite things."

Morien: "If you need money to compensate for us being here I can cover you (he said pulling the money out of the envelope his father gave him) "But you'll have to convert it to Yen first."

Ryoko: "HOLY…!! I TAKE BACK WHAT I SAID! WHERE DID YOU GET THAT MUCH MONEY?!!?"

Morien: "….my job?"

Tenchi: "Which is what if you don't mind me asking?"

Morien: "I'm a high school/college history professor"

Tenchi: "Huh…really? You make that much as an instructor?"

Morien: "Well not exactly. It's from my other job. Look I'll tell you about it later if you really want to know. If you do need help with anything just let me know."

Ryoko: "Yeah I need money to buy more alcohol!"

Tenchi: "Behave yourself Ryoko."

Ryoko: "But…oh alright." (I'll just steal it later) she said to herself with a grin.

Tenchi: "Anyways, how much damage did your plane leave behind?"

Vash: "The wings were severed from the plane but other than that and maybe several downed trees there really isn't much damage."

Tenchi: "That's a relief. If you don't mind do you think you could take the wings out of the carrot field and place them elsewhere so the field looks like a field again?"

Morien: "Vash and I will get on that right away"

Tenchi: "Excellent. Supper should be ready within the next few hours so take your time."

Vash and Morien walked outside onto the deck to head back towards the crash site. A small half cat half rabbit was coming in from the opposite direction. Both men stopped and looked down.

Morien: "What's this? I've never seen an animal like you before. Are you the Ryo-oh-ki that Sasami was talking about?

Ryo-oh-ki: "Mearw!"

Morien: "Vash, is it me or does it seem like we can communicate with this animal as if it were human?"

Vash: "I was wondering the same thing. Can you do a back-flip Ryo-oh-ki?"

Ryo-oh-ki did exactly that.

Morien: "This is amazing! I have to get me one of these! Say do you want to come to the carrot field with us to get rid of those massive airplane wings?"

Ryo-oh-ki: "Mearw!"

Ryo-oh-ki transformed into the large spacecraft that she does when someone from the Masaki residence is about to go on a galactic adventure. Morien and Vash stood in awe and silence for a few moments.

Vash: "Look on the bright side. Now getting rid of those wings will be a cinch."

Morien: "I see that. (Looking at the floor with eyes closed) Don't question anything Morien…don't question anything. Just accept what you saw."

Vash: "Why are you talking to yourself?"

Morien: "I'm convincing myself not to go insane. I mean…spaceships now? What's next? 20,000 year old women? How do we even get inside that thing?"

A tractor beam brought Morien and Vash onto the ship. In just a few seconds they were already at the crash site.

Morien: "Okay Ryo-oh-ki. If you could just take both wings and place them on top of a mountain. Any of the ones out in the distance will do."

After Ryo-oh-ki complete her small task she dropped off Morien and Vash by the rest of the wreckage then transformed back into a cabbit. Walking inside the C-5 they found Nabeshin.

Vash: "I still can't believe how intact this fuselage is for landing in the middle of a forest."

Nabeshin: "I can't find the radios. We can't communicate with Dmitri."

Morien: "I think you're forgetting I'm his son. I do have his number. I just don't know when he'll take a break as a civilian from his work with Spetsnaz."

Vash: "Does that mean we're going to be stuck here for a while?"

Morien: "It seems so. At least Tenchi, Ryoko, Sasami, and Ayeka seem warm and friendly. Just remember to try to help them out financially if you get a chance since they're helping us out."

Vash: "Your father didn't even pay me."

Morien: "That's your fault. You should have found us sooner. (Chuckles)"

Nabeshin: "Well the good news is that the RV is still working. I just need to get it out of here. Hey Morien, the back cargo bay door won't open. Could you break it open?"

Morien: "Umm, my strength has ebbed away. Not sure how to bring it back…"

Nabeshin pulled a pistol from his afro and shot Morien.

Morien: "Hey asshole! What the hell!?"

Nabeshin: "Your strength is back now. Break down that damn door!"

Morien: "That was uncalled for! But it was ingenious at the same time."

With a double punch the large cargo bay door burst open.

Nabeshin: "Thanks! Another thing you two should know. Since we can still use this fuselage as a shelter there are only two beds upstairs now and one in the RV. The fourth person will have to sleep in a tent. Kanta is injured so he gets a bed by default. With that said…not it!"

Vash: "Not it!"

Morien: "HUH!? We played that game when we were in 3rd grade! You can't use that to determine who sleeps where for the next few days!"

Nabeshin: "You lost fair and square Morien."

Morien: "Grr…fine! It can't be that bad I suppose. Can I at least see the tent?"

Nabeshin threw a large unopened cardboard box at Morien.

Morien: "Oh…it's one of those top quality Coleman tents with 3 rooms. I feel much better about sleeping outside now. I kind of feel bad for bitching…kind of."

Nabeshin: "Anyways hop in the RV. I'll drive us back the house. You'll have to show me the way."

The gang heads back to the Masaki home. What crazy antics will unfold next!?