Alt-Urusei Yatsura
Epilogue
Forever, Will I Dream of You
Ataru's stomach was tied in knots. It had been for the
entire day. Lum's father's cruiser closely followed the massive
fighter onslaught that had saved the day for them. The battle
had ended quickly after the fighters arrived. Once the wave of
bombers approaching the Seq carrier were obliterated and the
fighters were turning toward the Pochik and Azu fleets, the two
families and their supporters quickly gave in.
It was Pochik Ando who surrendered for the Pochik fleet.
The excitement of the battle and then the sudden defeat was
finally too much for the elder Pochik. Pochik Vel was dead.
Ando, the new leader of the Pochik house, not only surrendered,
but offered congratulations to Lum and Ataru. Azu Des was not
quite as friendly.
And now Lum's father was arriving. He wanted to meet Ataru.
Ataru, for his own part wanted to run and hide. Ten spent a
considerable amount of time finding the appropriate attire for
Ataru and then teaching him the correct responses. In the end he
said that Ataru had little reason to be nervous. Ten had been
providing favorable reports. The wedding present should be ample
indication of how the Emperor felt about Ataru.
Now, all dressed up, Ataru waited. There was nothing for him to
do. He was afraid to move, lest he ruffle the fine clothes he
was wearing. He breathed a heavy sigh. "Computer: Time?" he
called.
"Point 68:34," came the response.
Ataru closed his eyes. The audience was at point 70. He
wasn't really sure how long it was, but he was sure that it would
be all too long, and all too short.
Ran was working at a furious pace, talking all along. "Oh
dear, oh dear, Mistress, I can't believe that this is happening.
He's actually going to meet your parents." Ran stepped back to
check on her work. Perhaps Lum needed another ribbon, or maybe a
slightly different hair style. She needed something that was for
certain.
Lum felt that what she needed was out of these constricting
clothes and into her comfortable uniform. She didn't remember
this dress pinching her stomach so much. She wondered when she
had time to put on weight. Of course, it had been over a year
since she had worn it. She had grown a little since then. "Ran,
are you going to be done soon?"
"Done, mistress? Oh, dear me. I couldn't let you go out
unfinished, not on such an occasion. And besides, this'll
probably be the last time I'll get to dress you up."
Lum smiled. "I suppose then I could stand here a bit longer.
Computer: time?"
"Point 69:20."
"By the Spirits! Mistress, I am so sorry. I have taken a
long time." Ran ran a comb through Lum's hair a couple more
times and said, "There, that will have to do. You had better
run. You don't want to keep your father waiting today."
Lum went to the mirror; beyond perfect. Lum was going to
miss Ran's services. "Thank you, Ran," She said, and rushed to
the door.
"I'm just a humble servant. Now don't run, and get yourself
messed up, but hurry!" Ran called to Lum as she left the room.
The door closed and Ran began cleaning the scraps from the
floor. As servants go, she thought, her life had been pretty
good. She certainly didn't deserve for it to get any better, but
it was going to. She had been ill earlier in the day. She put
her hand on her stomach and smiled. She didn't need a doctor to
know. She would tell Rei and everyone else after the wedding.
She had eleven months to think up a name.
Ataru waited outside the entry to the imperial suite. His
earlier nervousness was dwarfed by what he felt now, waiting
outside the door with Oyuki. She said only what she absolutely
had to. His attempts to make conversation had failed miserably.
He now tugged his collar in an uncomfortable silence waiting for
Lum. Although she wasn't late, it was somewhere just short of
eternity before Lum arrived. Ataru felt himself going flush. He
wished she had delayed a little longer.
"Are you ready?" she said, hugging him.
Ataru nervously glanced over to Oyuki, to see her reaction
at Lum's action; cold disdain. "I think so," Ataru said.
Lum stepped back and smiled warmly. "You look very
handsome. Uruseian styles suit you."
"It's just something I threw on," Ataru tried to joke. "You
look incredible," he said seriously.
Lum blushed.
"The Emperor is waiting," Oyuki interrupted.
"We're ready," Lum replied.
Oyuki went to the doors, and opened them.
Lum's father and mother sat in two great chairs toward the
center of the room. They weren't thrones, but one would think
before sitting in them.
"Please come in," The Emperor called when he noticed them
hesitating.
Ataru and Lum took cautious steps forward.
"Hello, daddy," Lum said.
"Sir," Ataru said, and bowed. Looking back up, he was
surprised that Lum's father was regular sized. He was by no
means a small man, but he wasn't a giant. Lum's mother looked
exactly as Ataru expected her to. In turn, she regarded Ataru
suspiciously, much in the way the family leaders had at the
conference before the war. Lum's father's expression was much
more friendly, and welcoming.
"It's Ataru isn't it?" he began. "From the Family of
Moroboshi?"
"Yes, sir," Ataru confirmed.
"Moroboshi," The Emperor repeated to himself, and then said,
"We've heard a great deal about you, and all of it good. Are you
in love with my daughter?"
"Yes, sir."
"And how do you plan to support her?"
"Daddy?!" Lum shouted.
The Emperor smiled, "Just joking."
"No!" Lum's mother spoke up. "I think it is a valid
question. Beyond not being Uruseian, what is your background on
Earth? How powerful is your Family? Is the name of Moroboshi
well known on Earth?"
"It might be now." Ataru was getting more nervous. "My
family is not wealthy," he admitted.
Lum's mother turned to her husband. "See, he is an alien
peasant. How can you expect the Empire to accept him as the
Emperor? They will laugh at him. They will laugh at our
daughter. This is not right!"
Lum's mother's words were spoken almost exactly as Lum
thought they would be. She stepped forward. "Mother," she
began. "No one is laughing now. My dah-Ataru has proved
himself again and again. In a rescue mission on Earth, in Ossak,
and in the recent battle. He has my support and the support of
this fleet. His name may not be known on Earth, but it is
becoming know in the Empire."
"And he has my support," The Emperor added.
"Are you all blind?" Lum's mother said. "We can't have an
alien as the Emperor of the Uruseian Empire. Can't you see what
it means?"
"Of course," Lum's father said plainly, "the end of the
Uruseian Empire. But the question is, was it worth saving? I
think we'll be replacing it with something, stronger, and more
beneficial to it's people."
The Empress studied her husband for a long while. It was
plain that his bold statement had stung her. "How can you throw
five thousand years of tradition away that easily? I have never
understood you."
Lum and Ataru were starting to feel like spectators in an
old war. The Emperor's voice became more compassionate.
"Dearest, I know you better than that. You cry when a baby bird
falls from a tree. I know you've never liked your Family's
policies or the suffering that they've caused."
"It is true, my elder brother Des is a hard ruler, but that
doesn't mean we have to throw out the whole Empire. That doesn't
mean that we have to give the Empire to the slaves. The Uruseian
people built this Empire, why should we just step back now and
give away the fruit of our labor?"
"Empress Redet," Ataru spoke up, "It is not a matter of
giving the Empire away. Those families who supported us will
retain most of their power. The change will be that the other
planets will have the right to share in some of that power.
Competition won't be limited to just Uruseians. We ask no more
than the just return for our labors. The Families have been
taking far more than their share, with no concern for the people
they govern. The only way to make sure that it never happens
again is to give the people a fair voice."
Lum took up where he left off. "It will be a long time
before there is true equality between Urusei and the other
planets. It would be useless to completely destroy the power
structure that is in place now. The suffering would far out
weigh the benefits. Ataru is a sign of a beginning, not an
ending."
The Emperor nodded. "I taught you well. And you, my son, I
am impressed." He turned to his wife. "I am not going to force
the decision. It is up to you. Do you want to deny our daughter
her choice of husband?"
The Empress turned to her daughter, and then to Ataru. She
had no real reason to dislike him. He carried himself well. She
wished that she had been closer to her daughter. This was just
another part of the separation between the two women. She could
never explain anything to her daughter. They spoke a different
language. Lum spoke the language of her father, which the
Empress rarely understood. When it came down to it, she wasn't
made for politics. Any of her sisters would have been a better
choice for Empress in that respect, but Enjo, had chosen her.
She looked back to her daughter. She couldn't decide on the
basis of politics. She nodded meaningfully, and then got up and
went to the bedroom. Her husband watched her go, and then turned
back to the couple.
"That was hard for her," he said. "I don't think we need to
rush this anymore. The wedding will be in three months, and
shortly after that will be the coronation. Your mother and I
wish you both the best."
"Could we make that two months?" Lum asked.
"Yes, but why?"
"Well, I had promised Ran that we would have a double
wedding, and I think she would prefer to have it sooner rather
than later."
"Who is Ran marrying?"
Lum couldn't help but laugh a little. "Something has
escaped my father's attention," she said if feigned shock. "My
dear Emperor, Ran is engaged to Seq Rei."
Shortly afterwards Lum and Ataru left the room, while the
Emperor went to console his wife.
"I'm curious," Ataru said as they left. "Why would Ran want
the wedding earlier?"
"She's pregnant," Lum said. "She'll want to be married
before it starts to show too much."
"Pregnant?! When did she tell you?"
"She didn't. Women just know. Don't tell her that I know."
"Does she know?"
"I would think so. As green as she was when she got me up
this morning, I would imagine she's figured it out."
And so it was announced throughout the Empire that the
Princess was to be married in two revolutions of the larger of
the Uruseian moons; approximately forty Earth days. Once the
formality of the surrender agreements were drawn up and signed
and the repairs to the fleet were made, Lum directed the fleet
back to Earth to pick up her own carrier and to fulfill some
promises.
Benten and Mendo also discussed wedding plans. Both agreed
that waiting was a good idea. For now, they would worry about
Lum and Ataru's wedding and then they would consider their own.
When Benten told the other pilots of her plans, though,
there was quite a reaction. Not just to the revelation that
Mendo wasn't her brother, or that she was getting married, but
also to her own change in attitude. She had softened
considerably since the battle. She had not given up the old
Benten completely, not by a long shot. When you act a certain
way long enough it becomes a part of you. Still, she was
rediscovering the traditional attitudes of her own world. She
remembered their comfort. She didn't have to be a huntress
anymore. Her people would be saved now.
It was finally twenty earth days since the fleet had left
Earth for the battle at Uinod, that they pulled back into Martian
orbit, next to Lum's carrier. Lum couldn't wait to get back.
She was in a shuttle almost before the carrier pulled into orbit.
She was greeted by the commander of the repair crew, and the
young lieutenant whom she had promoted. They both congratulated
her and told her that the repairs were complete. The ship was
ready to go whenever she was ready. Lum was pleased. She
ordered the entire fleet back to Earth, and there the crew would
be returned.
On the way back to Earth, Lum called Onsenmark's
transmitter.
"When we didn't hear from you, we were becoming worried,
"Onsenmark said.
"Yes, I know. I promised regular reports, but things went
so quickly. We won. I plan to orbit Earth for a couple weeks.
Ataru and I would be willing to talk before a world assembly if
that is desired. I would also like to allow some shore leave for
my crew. We will we arriving shortly, but will wait until the
world leaders are ready for us. By the way, how is Sugoi?"
There was a pause. "I think you had better talk to her
about it."
"Oh?" Lum wasn't sure how to take that comment. "She
hasn't been any trouble, has she?"
"Not too much. I had better relay your message. It could
take some time. I'll get back to you when you reach Earth.
Onsenmark out."
Lum turned off the transmitter. Ataru, Mendo and Benten had
been looking over her shoulder.
"He didn't say much, did he?" Mendo asked.
"We might have caught him off guard," Benten suggested.
"We'll find out when we get there."
It was an hour and a half (earth time) before the fleet
pulled into orbit of Earth. Almost immediately upon reaching
orbit the evacuation of the Seq carrier began. The fighters of
Ataru's fleet, even with the highly diminished numbers of the
original fighters, couldn't all fit in the Redet carrier.
It was much easier than trying to stuff them all in the Seq
carrier. Nearly half the fighters had to be on rotation. Now,
with both carriers stuffed to over-capacity, only a handful of
fighters needed to remain on patrol at a time. Lum's father said
that the Moroboshi carrier, capable of carrying the whole flight
was under construction. It was easy to build fighters in secret.
Carriers were a different matter.
Before the battle, the fighters has been brought to Uinod on
their own power. The subspace jump was created by a group of
small cruisers. The technology for that was a little
experimental, but it worked just the same.
With the fleet in orbit and the transfer underway, there was
nothing more to do but wait for Onsenmark's return call. Ten
chuckled, noticing the waiting silence that everyone else sat in.
They had gone back to Ten's room in the command section. Ten sat
comfortably in his favorite chair in the corner. "Isn't it much
easier just to invade a planet?" he asked rhetorically. "Instead
we have to sit around and wait for them to decide what to do
about us."
"All the same, I prefer this way," Lum said.
"Couldn't we just pick up whoever we need to pick up and
head back to Urusei?" Benten asked testily.
"With Ataru as Emperor," Lum explained, "Earth will be the
second planet of the Empire. We should give them a chance to
decide first whether or not they want to be part of that Empire."
"The politicians could take years making such a decision,"
Ten pointed out.
"All right," Lum said. "I'm a little impatient as well.
We'll stick around for two weeks, as I said. If they don't make
any decisions then we'll pick up who we want and head off for the
wedding."
Ataru found himself staring around the room. "I can't
believe how much has happened since we were last in here."
"I was never in here before," Mendo said. "This is quite a
room. I think I could learn to live in a room like this."
Ten turned up his nose. "There've been so many people here,
it is getting to look a little lived in, almost shabby. I still
haven't got the vomit smell out of the bathroom."
Ataru lowered his head, "Sorry."
"Drunk on my best Yuli," Ten muttered.
"Dammit! I deserved it!" Benten exclaimed and started
laughing. She was cut off by the plaintive bleeping of the
transceiver.
Lum responded to the hail.
"This is Onsenmark," came the response. "People are a bit
excited down here. I'd never thought that the press could arrive
so quickly. The school is surrounded by reporters. I've been
trying to keep them out. They're calling a General Assembly
meeting at our United Nations building in New York City, in
America. Ataru might not know where that is, he always slept
through geography."
"I did not!" Ataru complained, "It's on the east side of the
country, right?!"
"I know where it is," Lum said.
"The meeting will be tomorrow at 9 am, New York time. They
would like you to come and address the body, and be ready for
questions."
"What have they been saying about my offer to join the
Empire?"
"Theirs been quite a bit of debate. There are two definite
sides, but I think there is a bit of mistrust on both sides.
There are quite a few people expecting you to start the invasion
again."
"Yes," Lum said, "I thought that might be the case. We will
be in New York tomorrow."
The next day Lum and Ataru, both dressed in the official
regalia of the Urusei Imperial house, took a shuttle down to
Earth. Jariten, Benten and Mendo went with them. Jariten went
because he wished to set up some contacts on Earth, plus he
expected Lum could need some political help. Benten was going
down to make sure that the 'primitives' didn't try anything.
Mendo was with Benten.
"Hmm," Ten commented as they descended over New York. "A
city this size is liable to have a significant market area. I
may have to do some exploring."
"They're not on Uruseian script yet, Ten," Lum pointed out.
Ten waved her off. "Money? Not really an issue for a good
salesman. Besides, I intend more to set up some deals rather
than actually buy anything."
"You mean you intend to control the market before anyone
else has a chance to get here," Benten said dryly.
"Precisely," Ten said, rubbing his hands.
"Ten, Lum asked. "how much business do you do in the
Empire?"
Ten just smiled, but said nothing. After a sufficient pause
he said, "I wonder what they actually sell down there."
Benten, with Lum's directions guided the shuttle down to the
large court yard in front of the U.N. building. There were
several people waiting for them. There were numerous persons who
were obviously dignitaries, and these were ringed by a line of
police, and then barricades, reporters, and then the general
populace.
"What a mob!" Ten commented.
"I don't think you'll be doing much skulking around today,"
Ataru said. "You're going to stand out quite a bit."
"My boy, you underestimate me."
"I'd rather you'd stayed with me, all the same," Lum said.
"Look at them all," Mendo exclaimed. "Every important
leader in the world is there. Hosakawa, Yeltsin, Majors, they're
all there."
"Well," Lum took a breath. "Are you ready, Darling?"
Before Ataru answered, Benten broke in. "No one is going
anywhere, until I do a weapons check. Routine scans of the city
showed it to be a regular war zone." Benten pushed a few
buttons. "The uniformed people behind the diplomats are all
armed. I also read a couple small fire-arms on the diplomats.
Everything else appears to be clear in the courtyard. I still
don't like you going out on this primitive planet, amidst all
those goings on. There's too many people out there."
Just then there was a knock on the shuttle. Onsenmark was
just outside the shuttle. Since he was the first person with any
authority to speak with the Princess, he was flown over and made
the official U.N. liaison. Onsenmark really didn't know how to
take his new position. It had a big increase in salary and
prestige, but it also meant that he would be serving Moroboshi.
The thought of it didn't sit right with him somehow. Still, he
didn't begrudge all that Ataru had gained, and was pleased that
one of his students had really made something of himself, even if
it was Moroboshi.
Lum turned to Benten and nodded to her. Benten reluctantly
opened the door. Onsenmark stuck his head in. "It is good to
see you all again," he said.
"Is Sugoi here?" Lum asked.
"No," Onsenmark said. "I haven't told anyone about her yet.
Things are still a little edgy here. Everyone is here to meet
you. Are you ready?"
"We're ready," Lum said and stepped out of the shuttle with
Ataru close behind. The crowd became silent. Lum raised her
voice and spoke in Japanese, "People of Earth," she said. "I am
the Princess Lum, of the House of Redet. This is my consort, a
Terran, Ataru of the House of Moroboshi."
After an uneasy silence, the noise of the world returned.
Reporters began to shout out questions. They were silenced by
the head of the Security Council moving to a podium and
officially welcoming Lum as a representative of the Uruseian
Empire to Earth. Lum and Ataru accepted the invitation, and then
the speaker indicated that they would continue inside.
Lum and Ataru were ushered in. Reporters on both sides
continually shouted questions at Lum. She tried to answer a
couple. Benten's patience was growing short, but beyond a
discouraging glare, she said nothing.
Inside, Lum and her party were given a room to prepare while
the assembly took their seats. It was several minutes, before
someone came and knocked on the door.
Lum tried to keep her talk short. Ataru stood at her side,
saying nothing, but starring out at the faces in the large
meeting room. He felt extremely uncomfortable, but what could
he do? Lum had been trained all her life to give these kind of
speeches. Looking out among the faces of all those diplomats,
Ataru, more than at any other time felt out of his league. The
feeling was accented by the knowledge that he was on a much
larger scale. Earth was a primitive flyspeck planet. These
diplomats carried no weight at all in the Empire. In fact, Ataru
knew much more about the Empire than they did, but still . . .
"You're not going to give me that 'I'm just a school boy'
routine again, are you?" Ataru heard Ten's voice repeating. He
paused, and sighed. He looked out at the crowd of assembled
diplomats again.
"The Empire will have a responsibility to its members. All
members of the Empire will have access to the collective
technology and wealth. It will be a commonwealth of planets . .
." Ataru heard, tuning in momentarily to Lum's speech.
"Urusei will still be the heart of the Empire. It is the
center and the most developed planet, but Earth too will have a
privileged place."
Lum pulled Ataru forward. "A man of Earth will be on the
throne of the Uruseian Empire to rule with me. He has already
fought with me to preserve the succession, and to secure his
right to be my fiance." She turned to him and smiled warmly. "I
judge him to be more than worthy."
"Earth more than any other planet," she continued, "has a
place as an equal member of the Empire because of him. . ."
Ataru tuned out of the speech again. He was thinking about how
worthy he really was. He didn't actually do anything in the
battle. He never felt like he was ever in danger, except maybe
when the bombers were approaching, but that moment was so short.
Eventually the speech was over and then the questions began.
Some were hard political questions, others were more personal.
They wanted to know about Ataru's background and then, most
importantly, when exactly would he be taking the throne.
Finally, all was done and everyone piled back into the
shuttle and began to make their way to Tokyo, or more
specifically, Tomobiki-cho. Lum hadn't got all that she want
yet, but she did get some things. The assembly was going to wait
and just deliberate on taking the next step to membership. They
also refused to make an immediate decision on granting shore
leave to Lum's crew. Lum felt, though, that by their attitude to
the initial request, her crew was going to have to stay put. She
herself, and those accompanying her were given free passage on
the planet. Onsenmark was asked to be their permanent
guide/watchdog. Onsenmark had yet to say anything specific about
Sugoi. All it did was make Lum curious.
Leaving Sugoi on Earth was a decision that she had many
second thoughts about. She was quite sure that it would keep
Sugoi out of her hair, but she was also taking a gamble that
Sugoi would do nothing harmful to her friends on Earth. Lum knew
that Sugoi could be dangerous. She had just hoped that on Earth,
Sugoi would find that something that Lum found, that something
that she had found by following her heart.
Eventually ocean turned back into land and they found
themselves floating over the familiar streets of Tomobiki.
Despite her earlier experience, Benten found the exact same spot
that Lum had landed her shuttle the first time, and where Benten
and Shinobu had later been captured. Benten felt the need to
make a statement.
"You worry me sometimes, Benten," Lum said quietly to her
friend.
"It's important," Benten said. "No one tells me where I
can or can't land."
The shuttle put down, and the crowds that had arrived to
greet them stepped forward. Sugoi stood with Shinobu, Megane,
and the others. Sugoi had gotten Earth clothes that were more
her size. Cherry walked forward and blessed the shuttle.
"That damn monk is out there," Benten growled. "He still
hasn't paid for the damage he caused."
"You will keep away from him," Lum commanded.
"Excuse me?" Benten said incredulously. "He is still a
traitor to the Empire or had you forgotten."
Mendo put a hand on Benten's shoulder. "Please. Cherry's
not so bad, once you learn to ignore him."
"I let him go," Lum said. "He's been pardoned."
"Alright, but if he gets within arms reach of me I'm not
responsible for the hospital bills."
"That's my Benten," Ten commented. "Ever the barbarian."
Benten grinned. "And damn proud of it."
Ataru sighed and opened the door. As he stepped out of the
shuttle his parents came up to greet him. His mother embraced
him. "My precious boy has returned," she said.
"Dearest," his father said. "Our son has returned from war,
he is a man now."
Ataru's mother shot her husband a disapproving glance, "All
men are little boys, 'dearest'. And this is mine." She turned
back to her son, "Oh, but you have become quite the young man,
and you look so regal in those clothes. I was told that you
spoke at the United Nations."
"I answered a couple questions," Ataru admitted.
"All those high diplomats sat and listened. I knew that you
would make good. I knew it."
"Yes, mother," Ataru said, biting his tongue.
Lum stepped out of the shuttle. "Greetings, Mrs.
Moroboshi," she said.
Mrs. Moroboshi waved her off. "Oh dear, such formality.
Please call me mother."
Lum was startled. "I thought you didn't like me."
"Nonsense! You brought my boy back, and he does look so
nice in his new clothes. And you'll live in a palace, won't
you?"
"Yes, Mrs. -uh- mother." The irony of her slip stung Lum
square in the face.
Ataru moved next to his father. "What happened?" he
whispered. "After the ships came back and it was made known that
you were being honored, all you're mother's friends have been
congratulating her. We've been the toast of the town. Also
Cherry's has been speaking highly of you and Lum. You know how
much weight that carries with your mother."
"Yes." Ataru could not help but think that this was too
good to be true. He had never received so many compliments from
his mother in one conversation. Actually, he had never received
that many complements in a given year. Maybe he was a hero after
all.
Ataru's mother was still talking with Lum, blocking any
other well wishers. Benten, Mendo and Ten slipped past them.
Mendo was immediately met by his own parents. Mendo decided
that it would be best to wait for a more private time to tell
them about Benten.
Finally, Sugoi stepped forward and everything became silent.
Lum and Sugoi's eyes locked. Lum had no idea how to react. Then
Sugoi smiled. "Konnichi wa Lum-sama," she said.
"Hello," Lum returned. "We won. You're uncle is under
house arrest at your family's mansion. Rei is the Seq general
now."
Sugoi continued to smile. "I figured," she said in Uruseian.
"or you wouldn't be here. I don't hate you, you know. Not
anymore. I did when you first left me here, and for many days
afterward. You were right, there were many things to learn here.
It's the first time that I've actually spent time with people my
own age, even if they are aliens." She lowered her eyes. "All
the same, I would like to go home now."
Lum stepped forward and hugged her young cousin. When they
stepped back Sugoi added, "Is there room for another Terran
aboard ship?"
Lum was confused. "We're planning to take quite a few back
for the wedding, why?"
"I was hoping to take my Manju-sama back with me," Sugoi
announced.
"Your what?" Lum asked, recognizing the word but not having
any idea what it applied to.
"My Manju-sama," Sugoi repeated. "The Terran whom I
abducted. He's turned out to be wonderful. I've promised to
show him the Empire."
Lum looked around the crowd to try and find Megane, about
whom she assumed Sugoi was talking. She couldn't find him. "I
don't see him anywhere around."
"He'll turn up. He always does," Sugoi said confidently.
Shinobu stepped forward. "So you've won," she said.
It was obvious to Lum that there was a double meaning to her
words. Lum felt a little of the old tenseness. Shinobu noticed
her uneasiness and smiled. "Don't worry," she said. "I think I'm
over him now. I'm happy for you both, and I'm looking forward to
the wedding."
"And I'm keeping my promise to take you there," Benten said
coming forward. They greeted each other with a hug.
"Are your people safe now?" Shinobu asked.
"Hell yes! The Azu got their butt kicked. They'll be a
little more considerate about how they treat my planet now."
"Speaking of which," Lum interrupted. "My father and I have
decided that your world is one of those that the Azu will lose.
As one of my advisors I'm thinking of giving it to you."
Benten stepped back. "Shit," she said quietly not know
what else to say. "Shit," she said again after a few seconds.
"I ain't no world leader."
"Then appoint someone, or have elections. It's up to you.
I've also allocated sufficient Uruseian resources to reseed your
oceans. The scientists think it will take two centuries to
rebuild a viable biosphere, but they're pretty sure they can save
it."
Mendo came up and took Benten's hand. He was prepared to
catch her, because it appeared that she might faint. "It looks
like everyone is getting their dreams," he said to her.
Benten was still having trouble coming to terms with it all.
It was only Lum and Ataru who had won at Uinod. Benten had just
got a few licks in against her enemy. Now she had won as well.
Her life battle was over. Her people would live. She no longer
had anyone to hate. She turned to Mendo. "I'm free," she said
to him. "Now I am really free." Then she fainted.
"Where's Ten?" Shinobu asked after they revived Benten.
Lum looked around. "He was with us."
Lum and her party spent two weeks in Tomobiki. Permission
for shore leave never came. Lum was disappointed, but she could
understand the reasons. Lum learned a lot about Sugoi while she
was on Earth. Sugoi was, like Lum a victim of what she had been
taught, but she had her own head as well. For her, family
politics had never been more than a game. She enjoyed a mystery,
and she enjoyed ferreting out secrets, nothing more. She had no
political motivations of her own. She had been raised on the
blind acceptance of Uruseian superiority, but her time on Earth
had changed that. Given enough time to learn some of the secrets
about terrans, she found that the problems and joys of humans
were little different than her own people.
Lum actually found herself envying Sugoi. Sugoi had spent
time in the real Tomobiki. She had made friends, real friends,
especially with Shinobu. Lum still felt distant. She didn't
know how to act. She wanted to act with familiarity, but it
didn't seem appropriate.
Ataru thoroughly enjoyed his new found fame; maybe a little
too much, Lum felt. Seeing him soak up the adulation of the
locals, she was reminded of the dream Ataru. She didn't mind,
though. She was happy that everything had turned out well. She
found herself lost in thoughts of the past few days as the fleet
pulled away from Earth.
Ataru stood with her in the grand observation room. Lum
wore her uniform, but Ataru was dressed in his Earth clothes. He
said that he still felt uncomfortable in the Urusei garb that he
was given to wear. It was too flashy for him.
Lum sighed. "The royal family traditionally lives in the
palace on Urusei, but I think I would rather live on Earth."
Ataru turned his head to Lum, and studied her face. It was
obvious that she was just thinking out loud. Her attention was
still focused on the dwindling blue orb. "How are you feeling
now?" Ataru asked.
Lum didn't turn, but she smiled. "Wonderful, Darling. All
the weight is gone. I never realized how much I was carrying.
How about you?"
Ataru sighed and put his hands in his pockets. "Better, but
still a little scared."
"Scared of what?" Lum said turning.
"Scared that I won't make a good Emperor, that after all
this I won't make a good husband. Scared that I might pass out
during the Uruseian wedding ceremony."
Lum chuckled a little. "I'm sorry. It's just the way that
it's always been done. You'll certainly won't forget it."
Ataru studied the palm of his hand. "No, I suppose not."
There was a long pause and then Ataru spoke again. "Do you
remember that wedding ring you had given me in the dreams?"
"The one with tiger pearl, yes. As I remember you were
doing everything you could to get it off."
Ataru pulled a small box out of his pocket. "Here," he
said. "I bought this on Earth."
Lum took the box and opened it.
"I'm afraid that the pearl is just plastic. I couldn't find
a real one. The ring is gold, though."
"I don't care," Lum said putting the ring on. "Nobody has
to know. I've never seen a tiger pearl either, but this is
beautiful. Just a second."
Lum went to the back of the room, to a small computer
terminal. She placed the ring on a glowing platform, and in a
instant there were two of them. She put on the original and then
inspected the copy. "Perfect," she said. She returned to Ataru.
"If you'll remember, we're both supposed to have one."
Ataru accepted the ring and then put it on. They turned
back to the large window, taking each other's hand.
It had taken some time, but the fleet had finally arrived at
Urusei. Upon leaving subspace into the star system, a hail of
fighters came up to greet them. Ten stood on the bridge with
confidence. "Now this is how I deserve to be escorted to
Urusei."
Benten scowled. "They're not for you."
"Are you sure?" Ten winked. "I'm quite famous around the
galaxy, you know."
"Infamous, maybe."
"Ahh, my dear lady," Ten began, "that privilege is reserved
for you."
Sugoi and Shinobu arrived on the bridge with Megane in tow.
"Ahh!" exclaimed Ten gliding toward Shinobu. "The beauty
that graced my life such a short time ago has returned. I was so
that sorry I missed you on Earth." He took her hand and kissed
it. "Now my life may begin again." Shinobu blushed.
"No kiss for me, old friend?" Sugoi asked.
"For you," Ten said taking her hand, "a hundred kisses.
How good to have you back among us. No hard feelings?"
"No, actually I've been meaning to talk to you. When you
were on Earth, I noticed that you made a few deals. . ."
Ten stepped back, surprised. "A few deals madam, my conduct
was without blemish."
"Very true," Sugoi agreed. "But I learned a few things
about the ins and outs of Earth politics while I was down there,
and perhaps you may need someone to oversee operations."
Ten smiled. "You frighten me, my dear. I take it that you
are planning to take up residence on Earth."
"As a start," Sugoi said.
"What are you planning to do with Earth?" Shinobu asked,
concern was apparent in her voice.
At this point Megane stepped forward, and put his hand on
Sugoi's shoulder. "Not to worry, Shinobu dear. Our plans are
entirely in the best interests of Earth. In fact, if everything
works out we intend Earth to be the most profitable planet in the
galaxy. Insuring Earth a premier. . .
"Will you keep your voice down," Ten urged. "Business is
meant to be done quietly." Turning to Sugoi, "Haven't you
trained this boy, yet?"
"Sorry," Sugoi said shyly. "I just think he is so cute when
he pontificates."
"Cute?" Megane repeated, not quite appreciating the
comment.
"You all disgust me," Benten interrupted. "Is that all you
Uruseians can think about is profiting from others?"
"If you will note, dear lady," Ten said, "we are evenly
divided between Uruseian and Terran."
Shinobu quietly cleared her throat and stepped closer to
Benten. "Please don't include me in your 'business' plans.
Hello, Benten."
"But Shinobu dear," Ten said taking her hand again. "You
must be included. I don't think I could bear any of it without
your loveliness to greet me each day."
Benten roughly separated their hands. "Will you stop that!"
She said sternly to Ten. "You are making me fucking ill!"
"Are you serious about all this you're saying to me?"
Shinobu asked.
"Careful," Benten said.
"Very serious my dear," Ten said.
"He can't be trusted," Benten said in a sing song voice.
"I mean I really don't know you that well."
"Ask him how many girls he knows?"
Ten shot Benten a look and then turn back to Shinobu. "Then
it is but infatuation, but a grand one which consumes me
utterly."
"Is the air getting hot in here, or is it me?" Benten said.
"My dear," Ten said testily to Benten, "you are a cur." Ten
took Shinobu's hand and began to lead her out. "Come, I
understand that the observation deck has a higher class of
people."
Sugoi took Shinobu aside before she left with Ten.
"Benten's right, you know," she whispered.
"I know," Shinobu whispered back, "but it sounds like fun."
"Then go for it, girl!"
Benten stepped over to Sugoi after they Shinobu and Ten had
left. "I can't believe that I am letting her go with him."
"Letting her?" Sugoi asked quizzically. "What do you have
against him, anyway?"
"I don't have anything against him, except that he just
plays games with women. Shinobu's a good kid, I don't want to
see her hurt."
"Name me one woman that Ten has hurt."
Benten stepped back. "What do you mean?"
"Name one woman who regrets the time she spent with Ten."
Benten tried hard, but she had to admit that she couldn't
think of any.
"You see. Ten isn't dishonest with the women he goes out
with. He promises a good time, respect and some meaningless
flattery. I think Shinobu's lucky. If it wasn't for my
Manju-sama here I'd be trying to steal him away from her. I
still might."
Megane coughed nervously. Sugoi rushed to take his arm.
"You are so cute! I know some great places on this ship
where can be alone."
"Aren't we coming in to Urusei now?" Megane asked.
"Sure silly, but it'll take the whole day to actually reach
the planet. We'll have plenty of time."
Megane swallowed, and albeit lead, turned to leave with
Sugoi. As they were going out the door, Sugoi turned briefly
back to Benten. "Besides, I think that he is serious this time."
Benten stood alone in the back of the bridge. "Hmph. A
whole fucking day, huh?" Benten grinned. "I think that it is
time that my two great loves got acquainted."
Mendo sat nervously in the backseat of Benten's fighter.
"Where are we going?" he asked. Mendo had been in a calm
conversation with Lum and Ataru in Ten's playroom when Benten had
busted in and dragged him out.
"Going? Fuck, the war's over. Who said we need a reason?
You want adventure, don't you?"
"I guess."
"Well meet Miss Adventure," Benten said devilishly and
pulled the canopy down. Her hands played over the controls and
soon the fighter was in the air, floating, actually quite
serenely above the fighter bay. "Are you ready?" She asked.
"Well," Mendo said feeling a little more confidence. "Yes."
Benten grinned. "Good. They hate it when I do this."
Benten gunned the thrusters, filling the hangar with harmless,
but extremely annoying backwash.
It's a strange thing that Benten had found out in a fit of
rage, that it takes nearly one thousandth for her fighter's
engines to come for full power from a dead stop. By that time,
her fighter is well out of the bay and safely away from the ship.
The bay itself actually only experiences a hundredth of her
total thrust. It tends to brown a few paint jobs and blows
everything around, but there is no real damage done. When Benten
had originally discovered this fact of physics, however, she
didn't really care.
Mendo, for his part, was being pushed so far back in his
seat that he could feel the metal bolts in the backing. His
concern for whether he was about implode under the pressure was
diverted briefly by the near miss of one of the escort fighters.
Benten was laughing devilishly the whole time.
About the time that Mendo was sure that his eyes were going
to pop out of their sockets, the acceleration slowed and he
gasped for air. Benten shut down the engine, and turned back to
Mendo. She removed her helmet and shook loose her hair. She
smiled at him. "I'm sorry," she said, "but that's how life is
going to be with me sometimes. Are you sure you can take it?"
Mendo took his own helmet off. "It was exciting."
Benten sat back down in her seat. "I'm glad. I love it out
here. Just me and my "bike" out among the stars. Nobody for a
thousand miles."
"But I'm here now," Mendo added.
"Yeah, that's it entirely. This is my most sacred place out
here in open space. I've never taken anyone here with me
before."
"My place is something like this. I've never had a fighter
to take me there, so I just used my imagination."
Benten put her hand to the glass. "This is such a small
space. Just on other side of this crystal is a frozen vacuum
that would instantly kill us, if we weren't protected in here."
"You're not thinking about going outside, were you?"
"No," Benten shook her head. "Not today. There have been
days though. Other days I just wanted to keep the thrusters on
and run, run to a planet that no one has ever been before, where
no one would know who I am."
"I didn't think that this ship could travel to other stars."
"It can't," Benten admitted, "I doubt that I could make it
out of this star system before the batteries gave out, but I
dream too, sometimes, especially when I'm out here. Lum gave my
planet to me. Shutaro, as much as I'm happy that it is out of
Azu domination, I don't want it."
"I thought you loved your planet and your people more than
anything."
"I do, but this is my home now. The universe is huge and I
want to see it all. I don't think I'd know how to stay in one
place anymore."
Mendo put a hand on Benten's shoulder. "I think Lum knows
you pretty well. She knows you don't want to rule a planet. Do
like she said, appoint someone you trust and go."
"If I do, will you go with me?"
"To spend my life exploring the universe, alone with the
most beautiful and exciting woman in it? I think I could handle
that."
Benten turned again in her seat. "Shutaro, would you make
love to me here and now?"
"In the fighter?" Mendo asked confused, and a little
shocked. "It's a bit cramped, isn't it?"
Benten grabbed the back of her seat and jerked it hard.
With a metallic click, it came loose. "Yours comes loose too.
Up, back and forward."
Mendo did as he was instructed, and sure enough it came
apart. "Now what do we do with the backs?"
"No problem, there's a door in the back, behind your seat.
You see, in an emergency a pilot may be lost for days. You can't
sit in your chair all that time." She shoved her seat back
through the door. "You have to be able to move around, to
stretch a little." Benten went over and pushed a button. The
control bench and the stick moved forward and disappeared into
the wall. The backless seats also lowered and disappeared into
the floor, leaving Benten and Mendo floating freely in the open
space that had been the fighter's cockpit. "I've heard it's also
pretty good for undisturbed zero-G sex."
"I think I'm beginning to understand," Mendo said.
Benten started to unzip her flight suit. "Not yet, but you
will."
Toward the end of the day the fleet was finally close enough
to Urusei to see the planet. Lum had brought Ataru back to the
Observation deck to see it. It wasn't the planet that caught
Ataru's eye though. It was the criss-cross shimmering metal
lattice that surrounded it. The planet with suspended within
this structure, protected within a beautiful cage. The lattice
wasn't made of straight lines, it was curved and scrolled. As
they neared and Ataru studied it more, he noticed thousands of
little lights flitting back and forth all over the structure. He
assumed they were small ships.
"What is it?" Ataru asked.
"It's the Tolia, named in honor of my great-grandmother.
It's where most of the people of Urusei live. It's also a
defense perimeter. It's a giant energy cannon. If anyone where
to try and attack Urusei the Tolia would focus the sun's energy
toward the attacking fleet. I can't imagine much that could
withstand that power."
"You said most of the people live on it. Doesn't anyone
live on the planet?"
"Not too many. My great-grandfather built it because Urusei
was becoming too overcrowded. Even with our technology, there is
only so much a planet can take. Although we already had quite a
few colonies, few people really wanted to leave Urusei, so the
Emperor built Tolia, and ordered everyone to move there. After
that all the cities were torn down, except for the capital. It
was rebuilt to be a showpiece for the Empire. Now the planet is
one big park. We recreated all the species that we had destroyed
through the years and reseeded their populations. It's very
beautiful."
"Meanwhile you were destroying all the other worlds of the
galaxy, like Benten's."
Lum lowered her head. "Yes." She looked up. "But you and
I are going to change all that."
"If we could make all the world in the galaxy as beautiful
as Urusei. I'd say that would be a pretty good thing."
Along the equatorial rim of Tolia were a string of docking
rings, which stretched all the way around the globe. Ataru
couldn't help but wonder if they were ever full. Lum's carrier
pulled up along side one of these rings.
The Terrans disembarking included: Ataru, Shinobu, Mendo,
Megane, the parents and some relatives of them, all the students
and faculty of Tomobiki high, two representatives of the U.N. and
two reporters. All of these stood mouths hanging open at the
close-up sight of Tolia, as the transport elevators lowered them
into the structure. For as far as the eye could see; east,
west, north and south were intricate patterns of metal and light.
They couldn't see the planet, because for the most part, the
equatorial rim was solid.
This was a bit of a design flaw. It was solid for support
to the rest of the structure and for the docking rings, but it
also cast a near permanent shadow along the equator of the
planet. The area has become a bit of a dead zone, and due to the
doldrum effect keeping the air from circulating, quite cold.
Many solutions were offered for this problem, but most were
either prohibitively expensive, even as compared to Tolia itself,
or would seriously compromise the stability of Tolia.
The Terrans weren't concerned with this. All they could see
was an engineering feat beyond their comprehension. Their
reaction once inside was similar. Imagine Grand Central Station
on an interstellar scale and you would begin to get the idea.
They entered a vast open space. It was large enough for freight
vehicles to fly overhead, which they did frequently. Lum
explained that it wasn't as busy as it normally would have been
because of the security surrounding their arrival. Ataru
couldn't imagine anything being more busy. There were thousands
of people, of all kinds, but mostly Uruseian milling about their
own business. Ataru had to admit that many of them appeared to
be crew. After checking in at planetary registration and
immigration the party was lead to awaiting transports.
"We could spend our entire lives just exploring Tolia,"
Mendo told Benten.
"It's a manufactured thing," Benten retorted. "After a
while it just get repetitious."
"That's not quite true," Lum corrected. "Tolia was meant
to be a thing of beauty, not just functional. Artists and
architects from all over the Empire were invited to help design
it. There are nearly fifteen hundred distinct areas with their
own personalities. They range from pure functionality to almost
unusability, but everything in its own way is different and
amazing. Almost every kind of Uruseian architecture is
represented somewhere in Tolia."
"How many years did it take to build it?" Shinobu asked.
"It's not quite done," Ten said. "There are still quite a few
sections yet to be built."
"And it was designed to be expanded out as the population
grows," Lum added. "It may never be finished."
The transports eventually arrived at a large hotel complex.
The interior reminded Ataru of Ten's playroom. They were met by
the hotel manager who greeted them warmly, and assigned them
rooms. Before they went up, Lum explained. "The wedding will be
in a week. Until then you are free to explore Tolia. There are
guides available at the desk. I suggest you use them. It is
very easy to get lost. For those who haven't used the language
teacher yet, I suggest you do before you go out. Dinner will be
at point 80, in the hotel dinning hall. We have a reserved room.
It will be informal.
"Oh yes, everything in the hotel is on the Uruseian imperial
house. You'll also find three hundred credits in your rooms.
Try not to put the Moroboshi administration in debt before it
starts."
After she had finished, everyone left to go up to their
rooms, except Ataru. "I noticed that you didn't get a room," he
said.
"This is my home. I have a room on board ship or in the
palace. I'm going to the palace now, would you like to come a
see your new home?"
"I'd like that very much."
Ataru didn't know what to expect as they took the shuttle
down from Tolia to the surface. He was caught between two
wonders. Tolia loomed large as it receded behind them, and then
there was the beauty of planetfall. Urusei was lush and green,
despite the long dark line that rapped around the equator making
the planet look a lot like a miniature globe.
"Are you ever worried that something could happen and Tolia
would come crashing into the planet?" Ataru asked.
"There was a concern for that when it was built," Lum
explained. "Ideally it stays there as a result of opposing
gravities and spin, but if something were to happen like a
collision or sabotage there are thousands of lifters on its
surface. And if they fail then there are also more conventional
thrusters each with a separate control system."
"It's an amazing structure."
"Yes, but you're right, it is potentially dangerous. If any
of it ever scraped the atmosphere I don't think there would be
any way to stop the chain reaction. Urusei would be destroyed."
Soon the shuttle broke through the atmosphere and Tolia
began to fade into the blue of the daytime sky.
"It must be incredible at night," Ataru said.
"I won't spoil it by trying to describe it to you. However,
I think I still prefer to see the stars without anything blocking
my view. I enjoy the nights on earth." Lum pushed a couple
buttons and turned from the controls. "There, we're under palace
computer guidance now."
The shuttle swooped down toward the ground. Ataru could
feel the vehicle steadily slowing as they approached the surface.
Lush vegetation covered the ground as far as the eye could see.
It was broken only by the occasional lake, or river.
"There are no people on the planet?"
"Just in the capital city, and a few small villages
inhabited by scientists and the planet's caretakers, but other
than that it's all wilderness, although still a bit planned.
It's only been a hundred and fifty years."
"It was your great-grandfather who did this a hundred and
fifty years ago?"
"Yes," Lum answered, "roughly. Why?"
"Well my great-grandfather wasn't even born a hundred years
before I was. I was wondering how long you are going to outlive
me."
Lum thought. "Uruseian years are a little longer than Earth
years. "I think it's about 380 or 390 Earth days. For those who
stay on Urusei, don't die in war or catch any strange alien
diseases, average life span is a little more than one hundred
Earth years."
"We're only expected to live to eighty."
"Then Darling, we have more than sixty years to share with
each other. We're too young to be worrying about death and old
age. Besides, you'll be living like an Uruseian now, you'll
probably live longer."
"Probably," Ataru smiled. "So if Uruseian years are longer,
then are you my age in Uruseian or Earth years."
"Earth years, I'm a year younger in Uruseian."
"Then I'm actually older than you," Ataru joked.
"That's good, because I like older men," Lum said and
kissed on the cheek.
At that point the palace came into view. "I thought you
said it was small," Ataru said stunned by the size of the
edifice.
"It is," Lum answered. "Among the major families it is the
smallest family palace in the Empire."
"The Japanese Emperor's palace is a hut compared to that!"
"It's all a matter of scale. But think, that's your new
home."
"The heating bill must be incredible!"
"Not only that, imagine how long it takes the cleaning lady
to go through it all."
Ataru looked to Lum. "You do have a staff, don't you?"
"Yes, there are two hundred robots and servants, who handle
upkeep and tourism."
"Tourism?"
"It's the Imperial palace. It may be small, but most of the
history of the Uruseian Empire is kept there. The trouble with
being royalty is that you have to live in the museum. Don't
worry there are only two tours a day and there are areas that
they're not allowed into."
The shuttle slowed to a stop in the center of the vast
palace complex. As they began to lower to the ground Ataru
looked out to what, as Lum said, would be his new home. There
were several vast gardens, all meticulously manicured. The
buildings were all built in a similar style, though some were
obviously newer by the color of the stone blocks, and noticeable
lack of green foliage growing up the walls. There were numerous
small buildings which congregated like children around the large
Central Palace. The Central Palace of which they were landing
into one of its four half acre courtyards, was five stories tall.
The windows which lined the walls that now surrounded them grew
smaller as the neared the roof. The ground floor windows were
huge, and apparently stained glass.
Lum opened the door and they stepped out. The air was cool
but comfortable. As Ataru took his first breath of Uruseian air,
he realized that this was the first alien planet that he had set
foot on. It was the first alien air than any human had ever
breathed. He was the first. There was certainly an alien flavor
to it, but it wasn't unpleasant. It smelled sweet, but a little
musty. It was much better than the stale recycled air of the
space fleet.
The shuttle had landed on a circular stone patio. Winding
stone paths snaked out from it through the gardens ending up at
doors leading into the palace. Ran came out to greet them. She
bowed low. "Mistress, Master, we are glad to welcome you home."
"Ran!" Lum exclaimed. "You don't have to be my servant
anymore. You are going to be the heiress to the Seq house."
Ran stood. "I know Mistress, but you have not found a
suitable replacement yet. I couldn't let go of my duties and
leave you with no one to look after you."
Lum sighed. "I'm sorry, Ran. It is I who have let my
duties slip. I should have found a new personal servant."
Ran smiled. "It's okay, Mistress. I enjoy my work, and I
take some satisfaction in that you have not been eager to replace
me."
"This is very true," Lum said. "I think that it will be
some time before I find someone else who would measure up to the
standards that you have set."
Ran blushed. "Mistress, I do not deserve such high praise."
She turned to Ataru. "Master Ataru, you too should also find a
personal servant. Perhaps as my last duty to both of you I
should find someone who would fulfill my requirements?"
"That would be very good, Ran. I would appreciate it. I
assume our rooms are already prepared?"
"Of course, Mistress. Mistress Oyuki is quite proficient in
those matters. I almost had nothing to do. There are two rooms
available in the upper south wing of Hollic hall. There is also
a room for Master Ataru's parents. Will they be staying here as
well?"
"I assume so, I hadn't considered."
"My mother would love it," Ataru said.
"We are ready for them, whenever they arrive. There is a
small meal waiting for you in the dining room near your rooms,
can we expect you soon?"
"In a tenth. I think that Ataru and I would like to look
over the grounds a bit first."
"Actually," Ataru spoke up.
"Maybe," Lum began correcting herself, "we will look
around as we make our way up there."
"That would be acceptable," Ataru said.
Ran bowed, "As you wish Mistress, Master. If I may take my
leave then?"
"Ran, you are getting to be as bad as Ten."
Ran smiled, "You insult your servant, Mistress." She stood
and with a wink left them.
"How far do we have to go, then," Ataru asked.
"Let's just say I landed in the wrong courtyard."
Ataru crooked his arm. "Well then, let's begin."
Lum smiled and took his arm. Lum started her tour when the
real tour group entered the courtyard. The tour guide
immediately noticed the Princess and bowed. The rest of the
group followed suit. "You may rise," Lum called out. "Have a
good tour!"
Lum and Ataru continued on their way. A small boy rushed
from the group toward the couple carrying a small card. The
tour guide was close behind him, but couldn't catch him before he
reached the Princess. Lum smiled and gave the guide the 'Okay'.
"Princess! Princess! Could you sign this picture!"
"Sign?" Ataru asked.
"I'm not going to give him my print. There's no limit to
what an unscrupulous person could do with that."
Lum took the pen and the picture. It was one of those
holograms that they give out at the door at the start of the
tour. She finished signing her name and then said, "So what's
your name?"
There was no answer. It appeared that all life had left the
boy. He stood as still as stone.
"What's wrong wi . . . ," Ataru began to say but couldn't
finish.
It's funny how time slows when one is in danger. As Lum
studied the boy, she could see his flesh become pale and then
glow. His head burst in a fireball and she could see mechanical
parts fly out. "At least they didn't use a real boy," Lum
thought, and then there was pain, burning and everything went
black.
(To be continued in book two)
You can scream now, Joe. - Lew