Chapter Twenty-five: Captain of the Police

The sound of an alarm clock woke Kiyone. The blue haired officer opened her eyes and saw before her the room she had earned. Getting out of bed she stretched her long legs. She did it in a fashion which drew attention to her toned midriff and ample chest. Making her way over to the dresser and saw medals. Lots of medals. She'd won them all fair and square doing policework over the years. She was one of the most famous Galaxy Police detectives of my generation. At less than thirty she'd already accomplished more than most people do in their whole lives.

And that knowledge… made her feel so empty.

Late she was inspecting the troops. Row after row of cadets looked their best in the hopes of catching her attention. She didn't know any of them. One, in particular, was a Mihoshi Kurimitsu, a new recruit with blonde hair and dark skin. Ordinarily Kiyone wouldn't have taken notice of her, but unfortunately, she had connections.

Lots of connections. She'd been given specific orders to find an occasion to promote her. Which was worrying, since she had abysmal grades. She shouldn't have even passed the academy.

'At ease officer.' She said, trying to keep from showing how tired she was.

'Captain Kiyone, it's a great pleasure to serve under you.' said Mihoshi. 'You're my idol and-' Then she lost her balance, slipping to bump into another officer. In a chain of collisions and falls the entire group of new officers were sent sprawling to the ground.

Then a door opened and an officer rushed in. 'Ma'am I have your coffee-' At which point he tripped over one of the officers. The coffee was sent flying toward Kiyone.

Kiyone stepped to the side and the coffee landed on someone she didn't know or particularly like. Kiyone blinked, looked to Mihoshi, then to the cadets. She reflected that she was very lucky not to have to deal with these people very often. In any case, there was no promoting Mihoshi. There were not enough floors in the Galaxy Police Officers to kick her upstairs high enough.

Later in her office, Kiyora approached her assistant. 'Now where are the reports for today?'

'Here you are, ma'am.' The reports were in.

Thus began the paperwork of the day. Lots and lots of paperwork. Assignments, transfers, all kinds of things. They blurred together into a neverending mass of files. It threatened to consume her whole life.

Within her office, Kiyone fell forward in despair. 'I captured some of the worst space pirates in history and now look at me. Doing paperwork.'

History had a weird way with screwing with you. It was everything she'd ever wanted. And she had no idea why she had wanted it.

At lunch, she ate alone in the cafeteria, as had become her custom. She'd never been a very social person at the best of times. As she ate she overheard a conversation among some of her less successful colleagues.

'So Mitsuki, how is your hunk of a boyfriend?' asked an officer.

'Oh things are going great.' said Mitsuki. 'He got me this ring just a little while ago. Isn't it gorgeous.'

'You're so lucky. I wish I had a guy like that.'

'I wish I didn't have to listen to it.' muttered Kiyone.

Then, suddenly, the whole station shook. Kiyone shot up with a spring as a soldier rushed in.

'Ah! What the heck!' said Mitsuki.

'Captain Kiyone, it's Ryoko!' said an officer. 'She's escaped!'

'Why now of all times?' asked Kiyone. 'Come on.'

Drawing her gun Kiyone rushed through the halls of the galaxy police. Finally some action! She'd had all she could take of paperwork for a lifetime. She came out into the hanger and halted. She saw Ryoko standing at the end of rows of unconscious galaxy police officers. Waving cheekily she blew a kiss.

'Well I must thank the galaxy police for giving me a place to stay.' said Ryoko. 'But I really don't have time to stick around. Thanks for the ship.'

Then she melded through the metal and into the cockpit. Moments later the violet ship lifted off and flew out into space. Kiyone rushed to the edge and raised a communicator to her lips. 'All Galaxy Police cruisers converge and disable Ryoko's ship!'

Ryoko's ship flew out into the distance. As it did so many ships surrounded it and began to open fire. This was it! Ryoko didn't have access to any real weaponry.

'Yes, she's a sitting duck!' said Mitsuki.

Then Ryoko phased out of the cockpit and into deep space. Surging through each of the Galaxy Police ships in turn, each one stopped firing. No doubt their gunners were unconscious. Ryoko returned to the ship and flew off into the distance.

'Sorry cops, but I've got places to be.' said Ryoko over the communicator.

'That ship… track its trajectory!' said Kiyone. 'And ready the Yagami!'

'You're going after them personally Captain?' asked Mitsuki.

'I captured Ryoko once, I'll do it again!' said Kiyone.

A few hours later Kiyone fiddled with her controls as she caught up to Ryoko. She'd set up shielding on the Yagami. It was specifically designed to prevent Ryoko from boarding. Now the only chance she had was to head her off before she could make contact with Ryo-Oki.

Despite herself, she felt a thrill on the chase. She'd had more than a few run-ins with the Space Pirate and now she was on the hunt again.

Sure enough, she was closing in. She was in transmitter range. 'Space Pirate Ryoko!' she called 'You are under arrest! Power down your shields and prepare to be boarded!'

'Oh, that does sound like a good time, Kiyone.' came the response 'Still, you haven't been able to catch me so far.'

Kiyone hit a button. A massive beam of golden light shot from the Yagami right across Ryoko's bow. 'That was a warning shot. The next one will blow you out of the sky.'

And then her craft shook as rays of violet energy crashed into the Yagami. Kiyone looked up. How had Ryoko gotten reinforcements so quickly?! Then she saw a familiar white craft.

'What the-' began Kiyone.

'Ryoko is my prey!' snarled Nagi 'I won't let anyone interfere!'

'Nagi?' asked Kiyone 'What are you doing here?'

'You stole my chance to capture Ryoko once before Kiyone.' said Nagi 'You won't do it a second time.' And she fired several more shots. Kiyone returned fire quickly.

'MEEEOOOWW!' came a cry as Ryo-Oki came out of nowhere.

'Hey thanks for the assist Nagi.' said Ryoko 'You just hold Kiyone off while I escape.'

'What!' said Nagi as the Yagami hit her ship head-on. 'Ryoko get back here!'

'Nope.' said Ryoko as she zipped away.

'You will pay for this Ryoko!' roared Nagi. 'YOU WILL PAY!'

'Just another day at the office.' sighed Kiyone as she unleashed a payload of missiles.

Still, it beat doing paperwork anyway.

Meanwhile, as Ryo-Oki zipped away at top speed Ryoko drank a celebratory glass of saki. Pausing she poured a bit of it into Ryo-Oki's fuel reserves. The buxom space pirate was lounging on a seat. Her cyan hair fell around her as she basked in her newfound freedom. 'Ah, this is the life!'

'Meow!' said Ryo-Oki.

'Well that was fun.' said Ryoko 'Now we're back together again Ryo-Oki. Still, what do we do now? Rob a bank maybe?'

'Meow.' said Ryo-Oki.

'You're right that is kind of dull.' mused Ryoko 'What to do, what to do…'

Then she received a hail. 'Hmm, a message.'

Ryoko put it on and saw a familiar red-haired scientist looking at her. 'Hello, Ryoko. I see you escaped again.' said the scientist.

'Washu, what do you want?' asked Ryoko.

'I'd like to make you an offer.' said Washu. 'I was wondering if you could hit some targets for me.

'Sounds interesting.' said Ryoko. 'What have you got?'

The aerial stalemate continued as Ryoko got further and further away. Ken-Oki was a formidable opponent, even for the upgraded Yagami. Kiyone was being driven to the limits of her abilities and it was only playing into Ryoko's hands.

'Nagi, this isn't working!' said Kiyone. 'If we fight each other we'll never be able to capture Ryoko.'

'And what would you propose instead, cop?' snarled Nagi. 'That I let you humiliate me again?' Even so she halted her assault.

'Look I'll tell you what.' said Kiyone 'If you help me capture Ryoko, I'll see to it that you are compensated for your services.'

'It isn't about money!' snapped Nagi. 'This is personal!'

'Fine, but lets at least stop shooting at each other and pursue her!' said Kiyone. 'We can figure out the rest later! Who knows what she is going to do while we're stuck here fighting each other!'

On a Juraian pleasure ship, Ayeka leaned back in the pool, clad only in a white one-piece jumpsuit. Sipping her drink she eased out a sigh of contentment. 'Ah, there really is nothing like being on a cruise liner like this. The meals are great, the company is wonderful and the pools are exquisite.'

Closing her eyes she sunk deep into the water. Then she became aware of breath against her face. Opening her eyes she saw a familiar space pirate smirking at her from upside down in the air. Ayeka sat up.

'Hello Princess.' said Ryoko.

'You! What are you doing here! This is a private cruise ship!' snapped Ayeka. 'And how did you get out of- Ah! Unhand me!'

Ryoko was on her in seconds. There was a scramble of limbs and then Ayeka was forced face down against the floor on the side of the pool. Her legs were frog tied together, and her arms bound behind her back. She opened her mouth to scream and them a gag was put through her mouth.

Ryoko leaned in and licked her across the fact. 'Mmm, you taste delicious Ayeka. Now let's get you to my client.'

'MMMPPHH!' screamed Ayeka.

Ryoko lounged on top of Washu's doom fortress as the Yagami and Ken-Oki landed. Nagi appeared then and she had not changed in the slightest. Same silver hair, same domineering tattoos, and her rack was as nice as ever. It made Ryoko look forward to what was about to happen next.

Of course Kiyone she had seen several times before, so she didn't need to check her out as she watched from hiding. Still, she probably couldn't take both alone. So she waited as the two of them made their way forward.

'Ryo-Oki was sighted heading here last.' said Kiyone.

'Look for whatever you want.' said Nagi, turning and walking in search of a back door while Kiyone approached the front. 'I'll handle things my way.'

'Fine.' said Kiyone 'And when I recapture Ryoko my way you don't get a claim.'

'You won't.' said Nagi.

They went their separate ways. Kiyone began to fiddle with the locking mechanism on the front door. Ryoko lowered herself down and touched down lightly behind Kiyone. Walking forward, she phased away as Kiyone whirled around and opened fire.

'Hey Kiyone.' said Ryoko, raising a hand.

'Space Pirate Ryoko!' said Kiyone. 'You are under arrest!'

'Fine, then try and capture me this time.' said Ryoko, before surging forward.

Kiyone fired repeatedly, but Ryoko back flipped over her shot and landed behind her. Reaching out she struck Kiyone from behind, sending her reeling. 'Wow, not very good aim.'

Kiyone lost her grip on her gun. She reached for it, but Ryoko blasted it. As Kiyone got up Ryoko teleported behind her and forced her to the ground.

'Damn you!' cursed Kiyone, before a red ballgag was forced into her mouth.

'Oh you're cute when you're angry.' said Ryoko, producing rope to begin tying her up. 'Almost makes me forget about all that time I spent in jail. Almost.' She forced Kiyone's arms behind her back and tied them together much like she had Ayeka's. But this time she tried something new. Flipping Kiyone over she grabbed her legs and pushed them back. She was forced into an extreme missionary position. Kiyone's legs were on either side of her shoulders. With a few more lengths of rope she made it so Kiyone could not move from this position.

'Wow,' said Ryoko, 'someone hasn't let themselves go since getting promoted. You're as flexible as ever.'

'MMMPH!' cried Kiyone in humiliation.

Her cheeks were soon burning bright red as Ryoko kneeled by her and began to feel her up. Her rear was as firm as it was big. It had been a while since Ryoko had had the chance to do this to her. She'd never taken Kiyone seriously like she had Nagi, that was why she'd gotten captured. Now she was paying her back. Then when she tired of that she turned her attention to Kiyone's breasts. It was never more satisfying to show her dominance over the officer of the law. Especially with how Kiyone was trying to pretend she didn't enjoy it.

'Mmph!' moaned Kiyone.

Satisfied, Ryoko halted and picked Kiyone up in both hands. 'Well, it's been fun for now. But I really think it's time to put you away.'

She phased through the front door and up several floors. Coming to the cell where Ayeka was hanging bound and gagged from the ceiling like a chandelier. Ryoko set Kiyone down so the two of them were looking up at each other. Then, having a better idea she drew out a lot more rope.

'Hey Ayeka, how is it going?' asked Ryoko.

'MMPH!' shrieked Ayeka in fury.

'Same as usual, right.' said Ryoko.

Ryoko tied the rope into a harness around Kiyone's whole body, connected to both her legs and her torso. In particular, she made sure part of the rope ran across her crotch so it dug into her. That looked like it would entertain her.

Then, with two human chandeliers tied across from each other Ryoko admired her handiwork. 'Well, you both look good and comfortable up there.' Their screams of anger and distress only made both of them more attractive. 'Now let's deal with Nagi.'

Ryoko had made a point of playing around with Kiyone in the past. She'd never had the luxury of playing around with Nagi. She was simply too dangerous. As she phased through the walls of Washu's fortress Ryoko knew she'd have to take this seriously.

Coming into a dark room she saw Nagi in the spotlight. 'Where are you Ryoko?' hissed Nagi 'Come out and face me.'

'You want me?' said Ryoko as a spotlight surrounded her. 'Here I am.'

There was dead silence between the two of them for a moment. Ryoko and Nagi held their position, each one waiting for the other to make the first move. Then Ryoko raised a hand and fired a bolt of energy.

Nagi surged aside and lunged and her sword met Ryoko's energy blades. They dueled back and forth, Nagi rapidly gaining the advantage. Then Ryoko phased into the floor and teleported beneath her. Striking from behind, Ryoko found her blade parried and was put on the defensive. Nagi unleashed an energy whip.

Again and again, she struck, and no matter what Ryoko did she couldn't regain the initiative. Suddenly Ryoko's back hit a wall. It broke her stance and Nagi lunged in for the kill.

On reflex, Ryoko fell backwards. Phasing into the ground she waited as Nagi turned around. But this time Ryoko didn't strike from behind. She struck from below. Appeared beneath Nagi's feet she dealt an upper cut which sent Nagi sprawling on the ground.

She didn't move. Nagi was stunned.

Drawing out the special rope Washu had given her Ryoko moved forward and began to tie her arms above her head. When this was done she tied the Bounty Hunter's legs together as well. Finally, she fitted a ballgag into Nagi's mouth. With this done she brought up Nagi's bound arms and legs and tied together her wrists and her ankles.

It was done.

'Well, it looks like you've lost Nagi.' said Ryoko.

The Bounty Hunter's eyes fluttered over and she cried out in anger. But the ropes Washu had given Ryoko were far too strong. Even Nagi's superhuman strength couldn't compare. Now she couldn't interfere. Though watching her struggling was more than entertaining enough.

'MMMPH!' roared Nagi. 'MMMPH!'

'Yeah, yeah, save it for the employer okay.' said Ryoko 'I'm just having a bit of fun while doing a job.' She picked up Nagi and took the opportunity to feel her up a bit. Then she carried her to the room where Kiyone and Ayeka were waiting.

Doing as she did before, Ryoko tied Nagi up like a chandelier directly between Kiyone and Ayeka. On a whim, Ryoko gave her a shove. She swung on the rope and bumped into Ayeka, who swung away groaning. Then she swung back and knocked Nagi back through Ryoko. The bounty hunter crashed into Kiyone. The police officer swung away and then knocked Nagi swinging back.

The motion didn't stop for several minutes and of course, they made a lot of noise while they did it. Ryoko watched, smiling. 'You three certainly are having a lot of fun hanging out, aren't you?'

'MMPH!' screamed Nagi.

Mmph! Mmph!' said Ayeka.

'MMMM!' cried Kiyone.

'Well, that's one heck of a chorus. Few things better than relaxing after a hard days work.' said Ryoko. 'Okay Washu you can have them.'

At that moment the room shifted. The three captured damsels stared as they were transported into a massive laboratory. There was no clear ceiling. Even so their bindings still kept them hanging where they were despite no clear end.

And out of the darkness came Washu, clapping her hands. 'Well done Ryoko, now my research can proceed. Hello ladies, you've been given an excellent chance to advance the science of the universe! You will be given the supreme honor of assisting the great Washu! The Greatest Scientific Genius in the Universe! You'll be helping in her experiments!'

'Washu you are the greatest!' said a doll, appearing.

'Yes, no one can be your equal!' said another doll.

'Mmph.' hissed Kiyone. Similar sounds came from Nagi and Ayeka.

'Yeah, yeah, I can tell your meager intellect is not capable of processing what I had to do to achieve this.' said Washu 'Well then I think it is time for an explanation;

'You see I was kicked out of the academy by jealous collegues for supposedly immoral research. All I did was make mind control beams and the means of altering reality to fit my merest whims. But that just wasn't good enough for them! I had to go out and rebuild everything from scratch!

'Well, these days now I can conduct research. But I've lost my security clearance to the scientific community. Not that I need other scientists of course. But I'd rather not end up researching something which has already been discovered.

'So I need someone with access to Jurai's research, and with access to the Galaxy Police research. And that's where you come in! Zero come out please.'

At that moment out of the floor emerged a machine. It looked at them without emotions as it approached them. It zoomed up to Ayeka and looked at her, analyzing her, then turned and did the same to Kiyone. Then wheeling back it lost its shape, transforming into a formless gray goop. It broke into two pieces.

These pieces then swirled upward into humanoid forms. Gradually their features became more and more natural. More clear until the girls realized what they were seeing. Two perfect duplicates, one of Ayeka, and one of Kiyone.

'Mmmph!' cried Ayeka, Kiyone was silent in horror.

'Zero here is an AI capable of controlling multiple bodies. She can mold them to look like anyone in the whole universe.' said Washu proudly. 'She can even replicate their personalities down to the tiniest detail. Provided she has a bit of physical contact first. Zero, go ahead.

The Ayeka lookalike made its way forward and removed Ayeka's gag. The Princess wasted no time in making her anger known. 'I will not stand for this! I am a Royal Princess of Jurai, not some-' Then Zero's hand went to her mouth.

'I'm the Princess now. You rabble really should know your place.' Then she began a perfect immitation of Ayeka's laugh while the Princess just stared. Ryoko didn't blame her. It was kind of freaky, actually.

At the same time, the other body touched Kiyone on the shoulder. It transformed into a perfect replica of her. 'Captain Kiyone Makibi reporting for duty, ma'am.'

Ryoko blinked. 'What about Nagi? What do you want her for?'

'Oh she isn't part of the plan.' said Washu. 'She can go.' Then she halted. 'Of course, I can't just let her go now that she's seen I'm replacing them, of course. I guess I'll include her as a bonus.'

'Bonus?' cried Ayeka. 'What bonus?! Listen to me Washu, I demand that you release us at once! Jurai will not tolerate, ugh…'

Whatever she was saying she stopped saying as Ryoko got behind her and began to grope her small breasts. Ryoko was an expert, so she was moaning in seconds. 'Oh come on you silly Princess, nobody is going to come to save you because nobody will even know you're gone. Washu, why don't we get started.'

'Well since you seem so eager, I guess we might as well.' said Washu, before snapping her fingers. 'You ladies are going to be experimental subjects for one of my newest inventions. The mind converter.'

Out of nowhere descended many metal arms. To Ryoko's irritation, they immediately cut up all the ropework. They grabbed their arms and legs and forcing all three of them into spread eagle positions. Although they were struggling they were just as helpless as before.

'Unhand me!' cried Ayeka. 'I will not tolerate such disrespect! You have no right to-'

'Listen to me, you are only worsening your sentence.' said Kiyone. 'If you surrender I can promise you a fair trial.'

'Get off me!' roared Nagi. 'I swear I'll chain you up and do far worse when I get out of-'

Then three helmets were put over their face. It hid everything except for their mouths. The words died on their lips as they saw an endless parade of flashing lights. 'Now beginning mental subjugation. You'll keep all your memories, and personality, but you'll be altered for the role I choose for you.'

They stiffened as visors lowered over their heads and began to flash with light. The three of them began to struggle again as the visors did their work.

Then there was a massive explosion. The wires connected to the helmets were abruptly shot off. Ryoko looked up. 'What the-'

'Surrender yourself Space Pirate Ryoko!' said Mihoshi Kurimitsu. 'Your evil deeds end here and now!'

'How…' Ryoko paused. 'Washu didn't you say you had an impenetrable security system?!'

'I did!' said Washu. 'This room is in subspace! You shouldn't be able to just walk in here!'

The doors opened and dozens of galaxy police troops rushed in, along with Jurai soldiers. Ryoko summoned her energy saber, but was rapidly overwhelmed by sheer numbers. Her arms were forced behind her back and she was handcuffed. Mitsuki quickly went to the controls and the arms released them.

'How?!' said Washu. 'This shouldn't be possible!'

'What?' said Kiyone, smirking. 'You didn't really think I'd come here without backup, did you? As soon as I located the area I informed the Galaxy Police force of your location. I was just planning to do a bit of scouting when Ryoko go me.'

'And once we got news that Nagi and Ryoko were all in the same place, we got in contact with the Jurai special forces.' said Mitsuki.

'Then why did you come in here alone?' asked Ryoko.

'Well obviously because I needed to make Nagi think she would only have to deal with me.' said Kiyone. 'Would you try to arrest the most dangerous Bounty Hunter and the most dangerous Space Pirate at once?'

'Wait, what have I done?!' said Nagi.

'You opened fire on a Galaxy Police Officer and helped a dangerous criminal escape.' said Kiyone. 'What did you think would happen?'

'Hold on a minute!' said Washu. 'Even if you did inform the police none of them should have been able to get into my subspace without my knowledge!'

'You know for a genius you lack common sense.' said Mitsuki. 'You aren't the first criminal we've dealt with with access to subspace creation tech. We just used a specially designed transmitter. Once the scientists locked on to that all they had to do was breach it.'

'You dare!' roared Washu, before drawing out a remote. 'I am Washu, the greatest scientific genius in the universe! And if any of you take one step closer I will press this button and- WAH!'

She said Washu because at that moment Mihoshi tripped. The blonde stumbled forward and knocked her over. The remote fell from her hand and shattered.

Washu was in a rather unique position at the moment. One the one hand she was there, in the universe, playing the predestined part she was meant to play. On the other hand, she was outside the universe, working to fix the Dimension Tuner.

Of course, an ordinary genius of her caliber would not be capable of doing that. But then again an ordinary genius wouldn't be capable of using the dimension tuner.

'It's no good.' muttered Washu. 'I've got no choice but to delete every fake universe one by one.' She paused. She didn't like the idea of deleting entire universes. It seemed like a villainous things to do. Of course, she knew that the creations of the Dimension Tuner were a temporary construct. They were meant to revolve around the whims of the one doing the tuning. What she was doing was freeing the universe from being forced into an unnatural shape. Even so, it felt strange. 'Oh well. And cancel!'

Kiyone had won yet another medal for her plan. She'd recaptured Ryoko. And now she was going to see if she could pay the Space Pirate back in kind for her earlier humiliation.

Then the curtain fell upon the universe and the show was over.

Author's Note:

This chapter was originally far more ecchi than the present version. I decided to tone it down a bit and change the ending to one that was less of a downer, albeit less sexy. Also, I sincerely apologize for taking so long in coming out with this. I just couldn't think of anything to do for the multiple universes. I'll try to do better next time.