Chapter Eleven
The Council Chamber was quiet by the time Takeru reached it that evening, and as he pushed back the doors, he pondered for a moment on the Emperor's last instructions, before he had retired to take care of some other more local business matters. The weight of the responsibility hung heavy over the Prince Consort's head and he pursed his lips, a serious look in his dark eyes as he realised how much his King had trusted him.
"I'm not Ayeka." He reflected out loud, making his way slowly between the rows of empty seats to the dais that rose up out of the centre of the chamber. "And I'm not Prince Haru. To be given a matter of this much delicacy to handle..."
He frowned, sinking down into the empty seat as he reached across to control the communications screen that, during Council session was generally scrolled back out of the way. Hitting the button, he watched as the translucent plate lowered slowly down before him, and he sighed, sitting back in the chair as he reflected on the extra responsibility.
Despite his pride in having been asked, something also ate away inside of him.
"This matter relates to Sasami." He muttered. "If Seiryo had been here...if he had been here...Lord Azusa would have asked him to undertake this, not me. He's the one with the connections to the Galaxy Police. He's the one who knows these agents and whether or not they are men who can or cannot be trusted by Jurai. More importantly, much as I hate to admit it, he's the one better trained to handle this kind of situation. In comparison, I'm a shadow of a negotiator, and not experienced enough in the ways of the outer universe. If Ayeka had not been taken ill again this afternoon, I would not be here in her stead, either. And if Lord Haru had not had other pressing business..."
He sighed, rubbing his temples.
"I am last choice." He admitted to himself ruefully. "But at least the Emperor doesn't make it seem that way, when he makes a request. Still, a lot rests on this. Particularly since we've discovered little about the death of that man - or where he came from to Jurai."
He sighed, flicking the communications switch as he keyed in the dial code for the Galaxy Police central command. As he connected to the intergalactic network, he punched in the diversion number for the direct line, and in a moment, a familiar face flashed up on the screen, bowing his head respectfully as he recognised the speaker.
"Prince Consort...I was hoping it was Jurai calling." He spoke in soft tones, edged with a southern Seniwan accent, and Takeru smiled, returning the formal greeting as he nodded his head.
"Imaguchi-san - I'm sorry for the delay." He said very properly. "And for the news I'm about to convey. I think that Prince Haru may have already sent word about the other morning's unfortunate events - surrounding the individual in our custody?"
"Yes." Imaguchi's expression became grim. "It's unfortunate, but sadly, not uncommon. There are underground spy networks and agencies with die-hard fanatics working at high stakes and for high prices. It's a shame that he hasn't been questioned but in the circumstances...I imagine that he was prepared to take his life as soon as he was imprisoned. The fact he did not suggests that either he had some other way of communicating information to outside, or he thought that he still stood a chance of escaping from his bonds. Even so..."
"Even so, we failed, and my Lord Emperor sends his distinct apologies for that fact." Takeru said seriously. "The body has been examined by the forensic physician, and they've determined nothing significant in his genetic ident. The man was a rogue - a mongrel, but the scientists believe he was probably of Kanemitsu extraction. We're doing our best to trace him, but it's as you say. Underground organisations have their own protection drills - I doubt that we'll have much luck in that quarter."
"Still, that the plot was uncovered, that's something to be reassured by." Imaguchi frowned, running fingers through his thick hair. "Since we returned from meeting with yourselves, Lord Takeru, we've done a fair bit of research of our own. And you can thank the Emperor for providing us with the material he has. That the spy had access to it is concerning for both Takamura and myself...even in incomplete form. The hearing report is...incriminating. And potentially inflammatory, if it was to hit public networks that a man of high Juraian standing committed such crimes whilst still in Galaxy Police uniform."
"It seems to me that someone is banking on that fact." Takeru said grimly, and Imaguchi nodded his head.
"Yes. Us too." He agreed. "And I still think that, at some point, speaking to Lord Tennan would be beneficial. At least so that we had the story from his perspective."
"At the moment, that's not possible. Seiryo is unavailable." Takeru said slowly. "He has recently suffered a bereavement - I think you know that, from when you were here. He is not yet back at court, and Lady Sasami has been quite firm on the matter - he is not to be disturbed. I also agree with this dictum...Seiryo's past is past, and none of us wish to drag it up again. It was an uncomfortable time for several of us and we don't feel it would be good to remind him of it whilst he is still coming to terms with his loss."
Imaguchi's eyes narrowed.
"Lord Takeru, do you mistrust Seiryo Tennan's motives?" He asked softly. "You sound like you're of the opinion that any connection between him and our organisation is likely to cause further trouble - do you suspect him of still conspiring against Juraian interests?"
"Not at all." Takeru shook his head. "Only that his links to the Galaxy Police Elite have been severed, and at present, it is better for Jurai that they stay that way. Particularly considering the nature of your investigation."
"Perhaps." Imaguchi did not seem convinced. "And Jurai is not a planet we can force into doing anything, we both know that, Takeru-sama. So if that's the official stance, we will have to accept it. Still...I wish you'd at least consider mentioning it to Seiryo, if you have an opportunity. We're not strangers to him, after all, and we are fighting his corner - or at least, attempting to do so. It might be important...on its own, some of this evidence is damning."
Takeru sighed, biting his lip.
"I can't go against the will of Lady Sasami." He said softly. "She is the one to whom he answers, and she outranks me in that kind of judgement. I have no business with Seiryo Tennan outside of the Council, and I am certainly not his liege lord to go summoning him at whim. This is just how it is, Agent Imaguchi. I can't change that."
"I see." Imaguchi's piercing gaze seemed to stare right through him. "I apologise. I had not realised that the Prince Consort of Jurai was ranked equally among the nobility...forgive me."
Takeru flinched slightly at this, his eyes narrowing in annoyance as he digested the slight in the Seniwan's even words.
"Please do not put words into my mouth, Agent Imaguchi." He said coldly. "I made it quite clear that it is to Lady Sasami that you need apply if you wish to speak to Seiryo Tennan. Or to my Lord Emperor - both of whom, I'm sure you recognise, more than outrank my own current position. Unless, of course, Seniwan society is so diverse from our own that you've forgotten that an Emperor and a Goddess are more important than a high-born noble of the realm?"
Imaguchi looked startled for a moment. Then a rueful smile touched his lips.
"Yes. I suppose I did cross a line there." He admitted, holding up his hands. "I am sorry, Takeru-sama. I did not mean to question your standing. Of course you are correct...I apologise. But it is frustrating, nonetheless."
"I can't see how Seiryo's involvement would help the case." Takeru reflected. "Since you have the film of the hearing - you know the events that occured."
"Seiryo was not questioned under truth serum, however." Imaguchi said thoughtfully. "You forget, Takeru-sama, that Takamura and I both knew him well - possibly better than you, in some respects. And there is much revealed by that video - but also many things concealed. I know how Seiryo works and I know that he gave the minimum amount of information necessary during that hearing. He barely spoke, except to confirm or negate details, and on some subjects he remained completely silent. I confess, I had hoped to play on our prior friendship, and gain information from him that he did not feel comfortable divulging before the Emperor."
"Such as?" Takeru was alert at this, and Imaguchi shrugged.
"Anything which we might be able to use in the resolution of this case." He admitted. "The truth is, we're scraping the barrel for information. We know there is a leak in our department, and we know that several agents are also looking into the matter. However, we don't know for certain which of these we can or cannot trust. There are a couple that are suspect in our eyes, but this is based only on personal prejudices - on judgements, not facts. And most significantly, we lack the connecting pieces of the puzzle. That Jurai and the Earth are both involved, this seems beyond doubt. But it no longer seems to be a simple case of novice paranoia on the Earth's part. In fact, the more we look into it, the less we think the Earth has any benefit to draw from opposing Jurai in any way. They must realise the dangers...so it seems someone or something is influencing them. Seiryo's been there, and we've heard a lot about his apparent raid on the Earth town called Osaka. If we could hear it from him...so much the better."
"Then you must apply to my Emperor, but I suspect he will refuse." Takeru shook his head. "Since the Hearing, Imaguchi, Seiryo has done nothing to excite the suspicion of Jurai's council. He has been forgiven and absolved, and brought back into the Emperor's trust. To drag up such an old, closed crime would be to shatter that absolution...I suspect Azusa-heika would say that it's closed and that it should stay so."
"I wish we could be as generous." Imaguchi said frankly. "At the very least, the man was an idiot - an uncharacteristic trait for a Tennan if ever there was one. But very well. I can see I'll make no progress with you on that matter tonight."
"There is something else?"
"Yes." Imaguchi admitted. "The girl known as Tokimi - she is a ward of Jurai, correct?"
"Yes, she is." Takeru agreed. "The Emperor took her in after Kihaku's destruction, and she lives with the Tennan family - as their charge."
"She no longer poses a threat of any sort, then?"
"She has the mind of a child." Takeru shook his head. "She's an innocent - sweet, but delicate and definitely not dangerous. The magic involved - I understand it was extremely powerful. The damage done to Tokimi's brain was irreversible - I doubt she even remembers most of what happens. Certainly her chief interest in life seems to be collecting and displaying flowers - that's about the extent of her capabilities, however."
"Then that's a line of enquiry we probably don't need to go down." Imaguchi reflected. "If she is so...damaged. It occured to me that she might be a key in the door, but if she's as you say..."
"I'm sure that my Lord Emperor would not object to you receiving the psychological assessment doctors did on the girl when first she came out of her coma." Takeru suggested. "He told me to provide you with any documentation you needed to file this case, and if it would rule Tokimi out of your suspects..."
"That would help." Imaguchi agreed. "With Azusa-heika's permission."
"Indeed." Takeru smiled.
"Takeru-sama - you also travelled to the Earth, correct? And Seiryo threatened your life, too?"
"He did, but he was possessed. His eyes were like nothing I've ever seen." Takeru frowned at the recollection. "I won't pretend there haven't been noble rivalries between his family and mine - you're of Daimyo stock so you understand the tensions among the noble class without me explaining them to you. But he was not himself when we fought on the earth. He had a devil within him - of that I have no doubt."
"He must have done, to act so completely contrary to his usual good sense." Imaguchi said bluntly. "Very well. If we can't speak to him ourselves, Takeru-sama, I don't think there's anything else I have left to ask. Azusa-sama made it clear that speaking to Lady Sasami would be impossible, so I suppose we'll have to make do with what you've given us. And the autopsy report for the suspect, if that's possible...so we can conduct our own enquiries on that front, too."
"Yes. That I can provide." Takeru nodded, reaching over to flick a switch. "I'm transferring it now. And if you glean anything, we'd like to know about it, too. This is, after all, Jurai's jurisdiction...as well as your own."
"Of course." Imaguchi agreed. "Agent Imaguchi, over and out."
The screen faded to black, and Takeru gazed at it for a moment, deep in thought. It had riled him more than he liked to admit, when the agent had made his searing comment about Juraian standing, and ruefully he acknowledged to himself that even now, the rivalry of years past still hovered, waiting to play a part in the present.
"But it can't. Not now." He told himself firmly. "Seiryo and I are no longer boys, and we've no longer the time for such things. If I wish to be more indispensible to Jurai's throne, I must do it by being stronger myself - not by seeking to bring him down. Whatever his feelings on the matter - the time for conflict is over. And this threat to Jurai - solidarity is important and I won't be the divisive piece in the puzzle."
"Takeru?"
His wife's voice startled him back to himself and he glanced up, getting to his feet as he registered the Princess's presence. He frowned, pressing the button to send the screen back into its usual storage position and then stepping down towards her, concern in his dark eyes as he registered her still pale cheeks.
"Ayeka-chan...are you feeling better? Are you sure you should be up and around?" He asked softly, and Ayeka laughed, nodding her head as she held out her hands to him.
"I've been looking for you." She said evenly. "I didn't expect to find you here."
"Azusa-sama asked me to speak to the Galaxy Police, and give them the results of the autopsy." Takeru explained. "Your timing was good - I'd just finished doing so."
"Have they developed any lines of enquiry?"
"No, but they still want to speak to Seiryo." Takeru frowned. "I'm torn over that, Ayeka. Part of me feels that he should face up to his past actions and deal with it like a man - take responsibility for his mistakes, if they're going to cause Jurai problems. But then..."
He sighed.
"The other part of me has respect for Lady Kaede, and wants an end to the rivalry." He admitted. "That it's become more a case of me feeling inferior to him, rather than the other way around. Since he returned to Jurai, I've noticed it, little by little. He's no longer competing with me - or even, really, acknowledging that I exist more than he has to. He'll deal with me when the necessity arises - but I find in myself elements of petty envy when it comes to how easily he's regained position at court. Is that stupid, Ayeka-chan? To feel that way about someone like that?"
"Perhaps." Ayeka looked rueful. "But if I said I'd never felt like it, I'd be lying."
"Ayeka?" Takeru eyed her in surprise, and Ayeka shrugged.
"When I was on the Earth, with Ryoko." She murmured. "Over...Tenchi."
"Oh." Takeru pursed his lips, and Ayeka touched him gently on the cheek.
"I don't feel that way now, however." She added. "You should know that. I've let go - if I hadn't, we wouldn't be in the position we are now. You do know that, don't you?"
"I suppose so." Despite himself, Takeru smiled. "So what's your advice, then, where Seiryo and I are concerned?"
"Like you said, he's not acted on his feelings of rivalry towards you since you fought on the Earth, when he was under Tokimi's spell." Ayeka said thoughtfully. "I think he has his own agenda now, Takeru. I don't pretend to understand it, or know if I like him any more than I did before. I know Sasami's extremely fond of him. Yet some nobles would have used that connection to push to become her consort - and Seiryo's done nothing of the sort. He's become her friend and her advisor without seeking to exploit their working relationship for his own interests...I think I've begun to respect him for that."
"He told me once that there was nothing the crown of Jurai could give him that he did not already have." Takeru mused. "Perhaps that's true. And I do...I have sympathy for him also, to be honest with you. That he'd be kept away from court so long - when his father died, he did nothing of the sort. As boys, I thought he tried to emulate Lord Seiji - yet he showed no apparent hesitation to return to work right away. And Kaede-sama...I sympathise with the loss, too. She was a good woman, and for her sake, I'd like to bury the hatchet with her son."
"We still don't know the circumstances of Seiji-sama's death." Ayeka reflected, and Takeru shrugged.
"The Emperor has closed the case. We can't do anything about it." He said evenly. "And you shouldn't be worrying about these things. You're scaring me, with this sudden ill health of yours - it's working too hard, that's what it is."
"Well, it won't be happening much more." Ayeka raised her gaze to his, suddenly serious, and Takeru frowned.
"What does that mean? Ayeka, I know that look - something's wrong?"
"No. Nothing is." Ayeka shook her head. "Just that I have...decided to put Jurai's future before Jurai's present for a little while."
She slipped her hand into his, squeezing it tightly.
"Takeru-kun, we are blessed." She said softly, and at the shining look in her eyes, Takeru's heart skipped a beat.
"Ayeka..?"
The Princess nodded.
"Sasami says it will be a son." She whispered. "But that...that I have to take care of myself, because he will be born with Jurai's power. A true heir, Takeru...we are blessed."
"Ayeka-chan." Emotion welled up inside the Prince Consort as he hugged his wife tightly, running his fingers through her thick, silky hair. "Of all the things I thought you came to tell me, that was the furthest from my mind. It's true, though? There are no doubts?"
"No doubts at all." Ayeka raised her gaze to his, shaking her head. "But I'm going to do as Sasami says, and withdraw from the Council and other politics until it is past. And Takeru, I need your help in this, too. Sasami wants to be a part of things - and the way she was talking, I think she ought to be, too. Father and Uncle seem to want to protect her, when Seiryo's not around to deflect any damage, and she's fed up with it. I'm going to speak to them, when I tell them this news tomorrow morning. But I want you to back her up in any way you can. She's not as much a child as people think she is, and one day...one day we'll both rely on her a lot more than we do now. And so will...our son."
Takeru gazed at her for a moment, then he nodded his head.
"If that's how you feel, you know you can count on me." He said, his voice low with emotion. "And now I feel twice as much sympathy for Seiryo as I did before."
"Why so?" Ayeka looked surprised.
"Here I am, celebrating a new life with my wife...a wife who, perhaps, at long last has begun to love me." Takeru said gently. "And he's burying his mother. He's a solitary soul, Ayeka. He's alone, in a lot of ways. And I...I suppose I am blessed. More than I realised I was. You've put things back into perspective for me...thank you."
"You're welcome." Ayeka murmured. "I'm glad I can count on you, Takeru."
"Of course." Takeru nodded. "And now I know that, I'm twice as determined that we're going to find out who's behind all this and what's going on. No harm is going to come to you, Ayeka-chan...I promise you that. To you or to our baby. If Sasami thinks she can help - I know what power she has, and what wisdom Tsunami possesses. I think it better that she's involved than Seiryo, given that...Jurai's protection has to come first in this, above the Galaxy Police and their demands."
"Indeed." Ayeka agreed. "And...and also the Earth, Takeru-kun. Even if I...I've let go of my feelings for Tenchi now, they are still my friends. And I still...want things to be all right there, too."
"I'm sure, if we can cut this off at its Jurai source, we can soon pacify the Earth if need be." Takeru said reassuringly. "Don't worry, Ayeka. I'm sure Tenchi-sama and Ryoko-san will be just fine."
"I hope you're right." Ayeka bit her lip. "And I hope the Galaxy Police can figure something out. It's too risky to try and send a message to Tenchi or anyone on the Earth - so we'll just have to put faith in Imaguchi and his partner and hope for the best."
She sighed, spreading her hands.
"Maybe it's because of the baby, but it makes me very on edge." She admitted. "So many people are working towards the same end, but the enemy is still unknown. All this endeavour...I just hope that it's going to be enough!"
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Well, so far it was interesting.
Washu chewed down absently on her thumbnail as she scanned her gaze across the screen of data that scrolled before her, her green eyes becoming thoughtful as she digested the information.
"More and more I'm thinking Ryoko's not being paranoid in the least." She reflected with a sigh. "It's been a while since I came and directly supervised events here - who authorised the introduction of such sophisticated shields, anyway? And who commanded their installation on these coordinates? It's close to insanity - at this distance, they'll only radiate any attacks back towards the planet's surface - yet noone thought to ask my opinion on this? It'll take a month or two at best to re-align these into a more suitable arrangement. Still, at least I came, and was able to point out the severe flaws...maybe it won't be a lost cause, if work begins again immediately. More expense, of course, but then they shouldn't have been so idiotic to begin with."
She sat back in her seat with a sigh, contemplating her decision to attend the International Space Consortium's agenda meeting that morning.
"If Ryoko hadn't been so keen on tracking down what this Kane kid is involved in, and I hadn't taken her seriously, this might've escaped my notice." She mused. "What confuses me is that noone's changed the coordinates on the system in my original advisory report. It's not an attempt to frame me for bad information. Can they really be such idiots on this planet that they'd misjudge by such a huge distance? Or is this all connected to whatever it is that Ryoko's worried about? But that doesn't make any sense. I'm the alien involved in this project. If they were really concerned about alien life on the Earth, wouldn't it be a perfect opportunity to make me look bad? But that hasn't happened..."
She sighed, rubbing her temples.
"I'm confused." She reflected. "I need more data. Maybe I should bug Tenchi - although knowing my luck if I did that, I'd get more than I bargained for. Still...there's something major not connecting up here. They increase Earth's defensive potential, but do so in a flawed way...the Earth are worried about invasion...but they're also inviting it by placing their shields in this position? What's that about? Are they trying to protect the Earth or cause it harm? What are they trying to do? And more importantly - who?"
She got to her feet, her computer dissolving into nothing as she twisted her fingers together, pacing across the office to the small, square window that looked down across the rest of the Imperial Space Consortium's extensive Tokyo complex. By intergalactic standards it was both small and basic, but the endeavour of the people there had appealed to Washu's sense of science, and she had so far enjoyed sharing her expertise with a generally more than willing audience.
And yet, today she felt uneasy.
"Like I'm somehow under surveillance." She reflected. "But I know it's just my imagination. I've scanned this room for all devices, and the Earth are too primitive to go beyond basic espionage. It's just paranoia...but for the first time since I began working in an advisory capacity like this, I feel like I'm separate from everyone else. Is that the intention of all of this? To make anyone of alien birth feel so isolated they choose to leave of their own free will? But even that...is that even a tactic?"
She clenched her fists, bringing them down hard on her desk.
"It's so frustrating!" She exclaimed. "I'm missing something major, and I just can't get my head around it!"
"Hakubi-sensei?"
A knock at the door brought her back to the present and she turned, taking a deep breath as she calmed herself, reordering her features into a warm, nonchalant smile.
"Come in." She called. "I'm here, and I'm not busy."
"I'm glad to hear that." The door swung back to reveal a man in a suit, and Washu frowned, glancing at him without comprehension.
"Ishida-san?" She murmured. "Of all people, I didn't expect to see you knocking on my office door. I thought you had far more important things to do than come watch us dabble in scientific premise - or am I wrong in thinking that your company have just sealed a lucrative deal that might yet make you a good profit on the intergalactic market?"
"Its something that's been in the works." At her words Ishida seemed taken aback, then he grinned, nodding his head. "You keep abreast of business affairs then, too, Professor? As well as your interest in the defense of our planet?"
"Of course." Washu nodded, offering him a wry smile. "I live here, Ishida-kun. I don't just put myself in the cupboard at night and switch off the light. It's impossible to exist on the Earth without absorbing some of the day to day events and current affairs."
She shrugged.
"Besides, I quite enjoy reading the Asahi Shinbun in the morning, with my breakfast."
"That sounds so normal and everyday." Ishida laughed. "So you are settled on the Earth now, then? You have no plans to return to your own planet?"
"There's no planet to return to." Washu said evenly, but something about his innocent question put her on her guard. "And Earth's authorities have always been kind to a lost stray like myself. Yes, Ishida-san. I think I'd like to live out my days here on the Earth. It's the sort of planet that feels like home - the first one that has, really, since my own world was destroyed."
Ishida eyed her keenly for a moment, and again Washu had that sense of being under particular scrutiny. She offered him a smile, gesturing to an empty seat as she perched on the narrow windowsill, kicking her legs idly against the white-washed walls as she watched him do as he was bidden.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your company today?" She asked softly. "Is this a business meeting, or just a social hello? Because if it's the former, I'm flattered but much too busy to take on more than I already have. And if it's the latter...I can't think what I've done to deserve such particular attention from such a celebrated entrepreneur."
"You have a way with words, Hakubi-sensei." Ishida acknowledged ruefully. "But it's neither and both at the same time. You have been directly involved in Earth's defensive project for some time now, haven't you?"
"Yes, although I think you realise that elements of that are top secret." Washu said evenly. "Even to major financial investors like yourself...I would be betraying the terms that brought me here, if I were to divulge any of the technical details to someone not on the developmental team."
"Yes, I know, and I wasn't going to ask you to break your silence." Ishida shook his head. "It just seems like a while since you've been here...I wondered whether you'd moved on to other things."
Washu's expression became impassive, and she shrugged her shoulders.
"My younger sister has been unwell." She said softly. "When my world was destroyed, she suffered a serious mental injury, and she's considerably impaired. Recently, she underwent an unpleasant experience which upset her quite badly. In her delicate state, I felt it better that I be with her...until things had evened themselves out."
"I see." Ishida frowned. "I'm sorry. I hope that she's feeling better now."
"Tokimi is an optimistic soul, and she lives with her weaknesses quite well, most days." Washu nodded. "She is, thank you for asking. And I have shamefully neglected my work here, so I am trying my best to rectify that. A lot has happened in my absence - I'm still trying to catch up on all the latest brief notes and technical reports."
Ishida was silent for a moment, and Washu eyed him keenly, deciding that he was building up to something more than simply small talk about her sister.
"Something is troubling you, Ishida-san?" She asked gently. "You seem preoccupied...I can't understand why one in your position has anything to be worried about."
"I am worried." Ishida admitted. "And I admit, I did come to see you for a specific reason. Washu-sensei, I hope you'll forgive my prying...but your planet...was called Kihaku, wasn't it?"
"This isn't a secret." Washu was immediately on her guard, nodding her head. "Yes. It was."
"And it was destroyed...a year ago?"
"About eighteen months." Washu inclined her head. "Why? I appreciate your concern, but there's not much that even I can do to glue back together a shattered homeworld."
"It must have been distressing."
"Destruction of the past always is, Ishida-kun." Washu spread her hands. "But we live and we move on. We have to. Thankfully for me, the Earth has opened its doors and made me welcome. And I'm doing what I can to repay that kindness - this world has become a second home to me, and it helps to put Kihaku's tragedy behind me."
She tilted her head, shooting him a pensive look.
"If I may ask, why the sudden interest in my planet?"
Ishida sighed, and for an instant, Washu thought he looked older than his years. Then he nodded.
"As a settler on this planet, you must be aware that there are people who don't view the presence of alien life here as something natural or desireable." He said at length. "That there are, in some quarters, elements looking to stifle it completely...to find a way to force settlers like yourself to leave."
"Yes, of course." Washu nodded. "It's only natural for the native people to feel that way...I understand that it's frightening to be suddenly so small in such a big galaxy. But I don't let it bother me. I live my life...and people have been good to me. I've nothing to complain of...as I told you, I've grown fond of the Earth."
"In my business research, I've come to learn a little bit about the planet Jurai - the one that has been most publically associated with Earth in the past year or so." Ishida hazarded. "You are familiar with that planet too?"
"Very much so." Washu agreed. "How could anyone not be? Jurai are the single most powerful imperial power in deep space. To have them as an ally is powerful protection for a planet like Earth - noone would dare invoke the wrath of the Emperor Azusa if they could possibly avoid it."
"All right." Ishida sighed. "I'll be straight with you, Washu-sensei. Even though you were born on another planet from this one, you've put yourself out for the Earth's benefit since you've been here, and I'm sure there are others like you - others whose integration into society here is hampered by the fear of the native population."
"As I said, I've no complaints."
"No, but this alliance with Jurai...complicates a lot of things." Ishida admitted. "I won't pretend that, having begun to delve into business matters, I've not discovered a few other things about them and their methods. And...they concern me. That a force so powerful..."
He faltered, then,
"In your educated opinion, as someone who knows of Jurai's ways, do you feel that they are a threat to the Earth in any way?"
"A threat? I see." Washu's eyes narrowed. "I suppose that depends on how much the Earth causes them trouble. But I don't imagine so. Not in the imminent future. Why?"
"Well, considering how much technology of theirs now protects this world, and how tied in we've become..." Ishida hesitated, then, "Washu-sensei, Jurai were the planet who invaded and destroyed your world, weren't they? Don't you fear them repeating the exercise here? The more my business has taken me into this, the more I've heard stories about their conquering exploits. And I begin to fear for the Earth too. That there are many things that have happened that most of the population don't know about. And that this planet is shielding - and trusting - those who have criminal convictions for mass destruction in the past."
Washu pursed her lips, eying him for a moment as she debated how best to answer him. Then she sighed, nodding.
"Kihaku was a Juraian colony." She agreed. "But it was a long time ago. A very long time, Ishida-san. Believe me. Jurai are not the blood-thirsty, conquering force they used to be, once upon a time. And now they have Tsunami's influence, I doubt they will be again. Lady Sasami is well known for her peaceful nature and her live and let live attitude to the universe. Most of all, she has a special interest in planet Earth's continuing safety. I understand your fears, but I think you can put your mind at rest. I don't think that Jurai would invade here."
She smiled slightly.
"If it makes more sense on a business level, there aren't any resources here on Earth that would attract such an expensive mission." She added. "It wouldn't be to their advantage."
"I suppose there's a lot we don't understand, yet." Ishida said frankly. "And maybe, because of your line of work, things you haven't become aware of, either. Washu-sensei, I know you're a scientist...but are you familiar with the Galaxy Police? Have your paths crossed before?"
"Of course." Washu looked confused, though inwardly her brain was working double-time as she struggled to piece the parts of the puzzle together. "It would be impossible not to have encountered them - they patrol all across space and protect people in all sectors. Even this one."
"What about a man called Seiryo Tennan?"
"Ishida-san, is this a casual conversation, or an interrogation?" Washu asked softly. "Do you consider me dangerous to the Earth, even after all you've said?"
"No, not at all." Ishida held up his hands. "I'm sorry to have given that impression. Truly, I have no fear of you or your intentions...please, don't misinterpret me. Just, a disturbing report reached me by way of a business associate, regarding an agent of the Galaxy Police who launched an attack on the Earth - on the city I call home. A man who is involved in Juraian government - you must understand how such a thing appears to an objective eye."
"Yes." Washu's expression became grave. "I understand completely. But I was under the impression that, on account of his actions, the agent in question was removed from the Galaxy Police? Surely he no longer poses the Earth a threat?"
"It would seem so, yes." Ishida agreed heavily. "I'm sorry to be dancing around such controversial topics with you, also. It must seem very odd that I've chosen now to voice them, when we've been little more than vague colleagues for a year. But I do believe Earth can trust you, if we can trust anyone from outside this world. And I'm concerned that this Tennan man seems to be significant in Jurai's powerbase. That the attack may not have been on Galaxy Police orders, but on Juraian ones. As a precursor for invasion. And many of the population still aren't aware...of everything that I've learnt since I began expanding my business into more intergalactic interests."
"I think it unlikely Seiryo Tennan will bother invading the Earth. He's far too arrogant a man to bother with a planet that most Juraians probably haven't even heard of." Washu said ironically. "I would have thought, whatever his reasons the last time, he wouldn't care to return. As I said, there's no prestige or resources to be gained from invading Earth. And such people don't see this world the way you and I do, Ishida-kun. To me, it's a haven. To you, it's home. To them, it's not worth the money to subjugate. Juraian pride is a fierce thing, and it shouldn't be underestimated."
"And what about the other factor? The space criminal known as Ryoko?" Ishida asked softly, and Washu stared up at him.
"Ryoko?" She echoed.
"The so called Liason between Earth and Jurai." Ishida nodded his head. "I've learnt that she was once an infamous space pirate, destroying and looting her way across space for the fun of it."
He looked rueful.
"You and she share names, and I had thought at one point that you might be related, but I believe the girl is also Juraian in origin." He added. "So it must be a coincidence of space."
"The universe is large, so such things are possible." Washu said vaguely. "I can't tell you anything about space pirates, Ishida-san. The Galaxy Police, yes. Jurai, somewhat. But I'm a law abiding citizen...I don't take interest in the intergalactic underworld."
She shivered.
"To be honest, such things are a mite frightening, even to a genius scientist like myself." She added innocently.
"Then you can understand my stance?" Ishida hazarded. "I don't want to cause trouble for innocent people like yourself. But I also don't want anything to happen to my planet, either. It's a delicate line to walk."
"Indeed it is." Washu nodded, hesitating for a moment, then making up her mind. "And I do understand your line of thought. Earth is home to me too now, Ishida-san."
She held out her hand, offering him a smile.
"And you can count on me." She added, as he accepted her gesture, a flicker of relief in his dark eyes.
"If you need my help, you have it. My loyalties are with this world, and I'll protect it with everything I have. You have my word."