Chap 30spacewalk
15 Dec 2299 Friday
Nikki and Inuyasha are in their final month of pregnancy
There wasn't a sole in Castletown who didn't know that Jaken's princely nephew was going on a spacewalk today. The imp broadcasted the news at every opportunity. He had asked Lord Sesshomaru's permission to prepare a special Castletown event for the young astronaut and when he received the approval he went CRAZY! Banners and Puppy eared flags were commissioned and flew proudly all over the town. They boasted –YOUNGEST ASTRONAUT IN SPACE- and –HOMETOWN HERO.
Jaken coordinated with chef and Nikki to have a great feast ready for the family after the walk was over. Captain Kenichi and the advisors coordinated their parts. Castletown was ready.
The day of the spacewalk the Royals returned to the castle. They surveyed the set up and applauded Jaken's efforts. Rin even gave him a kiss on the cheek for making it so special for Kohaku.
Uncle Jaken had prepared everything for this day. The green had been set up with several large screen projectors. Special seating was designated for the royals. The rest of the castle staff and community could join. After all Kohaku was a Castletown hero, youngest astronaut in space!
Inuyasha and Sesshomaru watched the TV screen as Kohaku suited up and prepared for his spacewalk. Rin had been glued to the screen even before that as she had been texting with him.
Kohaku was excited. His cheeks glowed, making his freckles even more prominent. He looked in the camera and smiled. This was the moment he had dreamed of. He was going for a walk in space! Yoshiko had done most of the walks. As the senior astronaut she was given the privilege. Yoshiko had changed though during the time they were on the space station and today was Kohaku's turn. Shaking her hand off camera he resumed his drill getting prepared for his big event. Tsume was his primary helper.
Tsume had walked already but Inuyasha and Sesshomaru hadn't taken off from work to see that. This was the first time they had seen the red headed, freckle face wolf with the crazy blue eyes.
"Holy Kami! Sesshomaru, that kids looks like Ayame and Kouga!" Inuyasha gasped.
"That's 'cause he is their youngest," Rin replied not turning her head to her parents. She was glued to the screen.
Both parents stared at the back of Rin's head.
"What?" Inuyasha's jaw dropped.
"Hnnn," Sesshomaru rubbed his chin. "And you've known this…?" Sesshomaru's forced his voice to keep steady even thought he was surprised as well.
Rin finally turned from the screen. "I've known this –forever-I mean Tsume is the guy that went to space camp with Kohaku. They competed for everything. They're best friends. I'm supposed to meet him when they return. Kohaku wants to introduce me. Or should I say, "show me off." The young lady giggled into her hand. "Tsume keeps teasing him that Kohaku paid an actress to be his love interest for the duration of their space trip. I can't wait to play a joke on them both." Rin smiled deviously.
Inuyasha's head tilted as he eyed his daughter, but Sesshomaru spoke first.
"What are you planning you lady?"
"I'm going to present a bill to Tsume."
"To Tsume?" Sesshomaru blinked.
"Yes, to Tsume. It'll sum up my services as Kohaku's girlfriend as requested by Tsume."
Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.
Inuyasha just stared.
"Okay Rin." Inuyasha turned to Sesshomaru and shrugged. "Young demon humor. Don't try to understand. Just nod."
Sesshomaru looked at his mate. "I was going to say—Give the bill to Kouga."
Inuyasha stared, jaw open for a second, and then started laughing boisterously.
All the while Kohaku was still preparing for the outing.
The spacesuit in place, the customized hexagonal sakura crest prominent on his left shoulder, Kohaku turned to the camera.
"I'd just like to say Hi to my family! Look! I'm really doing it! Special thanks to OTT for the awesome spacesuits! Love you Dad! Love you Father!" Then Kohaku made a heart symbol over his chest and mouthed Rin.
Rin sighed happily. Touching two fingers to her lips for an air kiss she reached out to the TV.
Tsume shook his head and rolled his eyes and opened the air lock for Kohaku. The helmet locked on, and oxygen flowing, Kohaku took his place in the chamber.
-#-
Location: Ceres in the asteroid belt.
The spacecraft slipped forward out of the asteroid belt. Today was the day. Today they would get rid of the Terran ozone layer so they could get their treasure! They had spent all this time figuring a way to get to it. They had tried bombarding the planet with meteorites but all they did was knock down a plane. This new plan should work.
The plan was simple really. They would approach the planet, destroy the ozone and suck off the greenhouse gases. The greenhouse gases had so much valuable carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane and sulfur dioxide. Their planet would flourish!
Those Terrans were simple beings. They wouldn't be able to fight it.
The spacecraft slid gracefully through the black vastness of space.
-#-
Tsume gave Kohaku some last minute advice before he stepped through the airlock.
"Take a minute and look around. The mission needs done but just enjoy the sights, okay, Mutt-Face?!"
Kohaku laughed. "Yes, Mom!"
Tsume shook his head and turned on the cameras to broadcast to mission control and whoever they shared it with.
Kohaku took a big step into space.
It was breathtaking. Floating 250 miles above the surface of the Earth, Kohaku took the moment and watched the big blue ball rotate. He could see the pollution. The white cloud under the greenhouse gases (GHG) made the pollution more pronounced. He could even see the island of plastic pollution in the middle of the ocean.
'We need to figure this out!' He thought. 'Bobby and Barbie and their team and every other scientist on the planet have got to do something! We have to stop polluting our home!'
Kohaku turned to look at space and he fixed in place like a deer in headlights.
Tsume noticed his frozen friend and called out, "Hey Kohaku! Space station to Kohaku! Mutt-Face, answer me!"
Kohaku turned to look in the port window where Tsume was stationed and pointed.
Tsume switched on the helmet cam view.
There in the middle of the screen was a slick almond shaped spacecraft made of shiny silver. The surface looked like liquid.
-#-
As the craft approached the planet the non-Terran science officer noted the small being exiting the space station. She commented to her captain.
"Ignore it. It won't bother us." The captain ordered the operations officer to extend the arm once they were close enough to the ozone layer. The operations officer gave a sharp affirmative and prepared the arm with ozone killing material.
-#-
"What?" Inuyasha cried.
"I said Kohaku saw a spacecraft approaching the planet," Sesshomaru repeated.
"A SPACESHIP!" Rin and Inuyasha repeated, the shock evident in their tones.
-#-
At mission control the entire crew stared at the screen in awe and shock.
-#-
Upon seeing the approaching ship, Yoshiko jumped up from her position. "Tsume, get suited up. Kohaku is going to need us."
-#-
Kohaku watched the slick ship move toward the planet. It slowed and pulled into close proximity. Once there an arm materialized out of the fluid appearance and reach out to touch the ozone layer. A spark flew as the non-Terran metal collided with the ozone.
A puff of ozone disappeared.
"OH NO YOU DON'T!" Kohaku yelled as he moved forward toward the extended arm.
Kohaku had thought about transforming into his dog form ever since he felt the incredible spacesuit material but this time he didn't waste a moment. He transformed.
A teenage size white dog demon raced across the gap between the spacecraft and the space station!
Gasps were heard round the world!
Kohaku attacked the arm and forced it away from the planet. Grasping the arm with his maw he tossed his head back and forward, not unlike a dog with his favorite chew toy.
World responses to this action ranged from laughter to sheer fright especially there on Castletown's green.
-#-
At the castle Sesshomaru's youki started flaring.
Inuyasha dragged him away from the crowd as quickly as possible.
The large demon dog king towered over the castle, and the crowd, acidic drool building up on his lip line. He didn't waste time but flew toward skyward.
Inuyasha watched.
-#-
Yoshiko hurried Tsume to the airlock. "Help my grandson, Tsume. Please."
Tsume stared and then smiled.
"You betcha. No way am I going to let Mutt-face out shine me!"
Tsume slipped on his helmet, ensured his air supply and stepped out into space. Once outside the space station the 20-some year old wolf transformed into his wolf form, somewhat bigger and scarier than the white pup and positioned himself between the planet and the craft.
Yoshiko finished her own preparations ensuring she had good radio connections with mission control, her fellow astronauts. Then she grabbed the OTT translator. She hoped all the things she had read from Seger and Panto could help her negotiate with the invaders. They were her best hope.
-#-
Sesshomaru's beast could only think one thing-PROTECT SON!
He flew higher and higher toward space.
If he had been thinking he would have realized that even he couldn't breathe at that altitude without supplemental oxygen. But he wasn't thinking. His son was in danger. He had seen the arm destroying the ozone. This was no chew toy game. This was an end game situation. He flew higher and higher.
-#-
The human population had no idea of what was going on and in response they launched jets and missiles to destroy the giant canines and the non-Terran space craft. They would ask questions later.
-#-
Sesshomaru dodged the jets and their artillery and climbed higher out of their range. The jets stalled and fell away. The higher the dog got the more confused he became. He was suffering from hypoxia and didn't realize it. Hypoxia is insidious after all. His mind repeated, "Must protect, must protect…"
As he approached the upper most region of the troposphere he inhaled the GHG and started choking. Forward momentum lost, he lost consciousness and started falling.
-#-
From their mountain home Kouga witnessed the battle in space. He was glued to the screen.
"Dad! Dad!" came a frantic voice. "There's another meteor headed this way!"
Kouga jumped to his feet and ran to the deck. A bright white ball was falling toward them.
"Ayame! I'm going. Protect our kids! I love you mate!" Kouga transformed and flew off toward the dazzling white falling ball.
As he closed in on the ball, he recognized the King of Castletown and howled. He matched speeds with Sesshomaru and grabbed him by the neck.
All canines looked. Ayame and family smiled and cheered.
From the greens on Castletown lawn Inuyasha and family stared. Tears turned from sorrow to joy.
From the fox forest Shippo and Tsuki and family stared. Shippo and Tsuki joined hands and started chanting a cushioning spell on Kouga and Sesshomaru. The duo slowed enough that Kouga could control their descent. He modified their direction and headed to Castletown.
-#-
"Mission Control, Come in Mission control," Yoshiko called. "I've got this. Do not launch any more retaliation strikes. I repeat. I have this! DO NOT launch any more retaliation strikes!" And with that Yoshiko stepped outside the station and changed into her largest dog form.
Yoshiko's size made Sesshomaru look like a pup.
The captain took one look at the gigantic white beast with red eyes and green drool and commanded the operations office to withdraw the arm.
Kohaku let go when the arm moved away from the Earth, but watched carefully. A growl echoed through his spacesuit. All the non-Terrans could see were three humongous beasts with dangerous fangs glaring at them.
The spacecraft backed up slowly.
Yoshiko stepped forward and slowly transformed back into her humanoid form. She opened communications with the non-Terrans using the OTT translator.
"Unknown life forms, this is GASA astronaut Yoshiko Takahashi. We would like to speak." She held her head high and proud.
Kohaku flashed his camera at her. He knew for sure now. This was his Father's mother. His grandmother was about to make history. First person to make contact with a space non-Terran race. Sango was going to be jealous. He chuckled. He maintained his dog form.
Tsume maintained his wolf form, crouching protectively over the great blue ball. To the eye it looked as though the animal was protecting his favorite toy. Not far from the truth.
-#-
Kouga landed softly and deposited the great white dog at Inuyasha's feet. Inuyasha stepped forward and touched his mate's muzzle. The great dog shrank to his humanoid form and Inuyasha cradled him to his chest. Kouga transformed to his humanoid form and put his hands on his hips.
"Hey don't bother to thank me, Mutt-face. I just couldn't stand the look of your girly face with those tears on it."
Inuyasha didn't look up. His attention was focused on his mate. Sesshomaru was breathing. More tears poured down his cheeks. Kenichi stepped up.
"Thank you Lord Kouga. I know my Dad would tell you if he wasn't otherwise occupied."
"Yeah, Kid. I know. Tell him I'll see him at the space port." And Kouga started to fly off.
By this time Shippo and Tsuki had arrived at Castletown.
"Hey Shippo, Tsuki. Thank you for the speed brakes. Nice trick, foxy!" Kouga winked, flashed a quick two finger salute and flew home.
-#-
Mission control continued the broadcast for the rest of the day. Yoshiko had brokered peace with the aliens and had showed them the hole in the ozone so they could siphon away as much GHG as they needed. The process would have to be slow and steady to keep the Earth from going into climatic shock. In exchange the aliens opened talks with the Terrans. There was so much they could learn from each other. Scientists from The University were introduced to the aliens through a virtual link. Sango and Peter participated.
The aliens couldn't handle the oxygen rich environment so they conversed from inside their ship. No one ever saw their shapes. Once they returned to the space station Tsume and Kohaku made a game of guessing. It had to be something that was afraid of canines. They enjoyed the laughs as they tossed around ideas; squirrels, cats, rodents. Yoshiko suggested the aliens suffered from cynophobia. Both boys stared at her.
"Look it up!" she quipped. "Don't tell me you don't know how to google something." As she walked off she smiled to herself.
-#-
Sesshomaru woke in the arms of his mate. He blinked. "What happened!"
Inuyasha had been terrified, sad, happy, angry and every emotion in between that day. All of these emotions were amplified by his pregnancy hormones. Unfortunate for Sesshomaru his emotions had swung back to feelings of anger.
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING! You nearly died! You would have left Castletown without a King, you idiot! You would have left the children fatherless. Thoughtless idiot. You would have left me. You would have left me. You would have left me." Inuyasha's voice got softer as he thought about his words. The rant ended with the hanyou crying, cradling his mate to his heart. "Don't do something that stupid again. Do you understand me?"
Sesshomaru switched positions and cradled Inuyasha. "I'm sorry, my heart." He hugged the hanyou tightly and buried his nose in Inuyasha's hair. The two remained like that for several minutes until Sesshomaru noticed Kenichi and Capt. Kenichi had their backs to the Royals as a shield protecting them from gawking outsiders. Time to distract again.
"Hnnn. I could have left Jaken without me, too. Dreadful." Sesshomaru studied his nails.
Inuyasha looked up into his mate's eye and stared. "You have got to be…" Each word louder than the last.
Sesshomaru stood them up and tapped Capt Kenichi on the shoulder. "Thank you friend."
Capt Kenichi smiled. "I live to serve you My Lord." Then he turned and pointed to the green.
"Miroku and Nikki orchestrated this." He said as he pointed to the field full of Castletown inhabitants.
The largest picnic ever was occurring on the lawn of the Castle. Treats from Nikki's kitchen were being passed around by the Takahaski princes and princesses. Miroku was on the microphone telling a parable about friendship and the valuable of good friends. Nikki was busy talking to her assistants. Uncle Jaken was assuring everyone had something to drink.
"What happened while I was gone?" Sesshomaru inquired.
"Well, the alien spacecraft scared people and Kenichi and I tried to calm them down. But when you started falling they really freaked out, so Miroku stood up and told them all to start praying to whatever Kami they worshipped. He took over the crowd and then Nikki started passing out the treats she had made for the family party after the spacewalk. The Princesses and Princes told her to rest and they took over and then Lord Kouga flew in from the North and caught you. It looked like you both were going to crash but suddenly you started slowing down. Our resident eight tailed wonders," he pointed to Shippo and Tsuki who were resting on the ground near them, "extended their powers and slowed your descent. Most have taken a lot out of them because they dashed here and then fell asleep."
Inuyasha broke from Sesshomaru's side and took a couple of steps toward Shippo.
"S'it's oh k, Dad," Shippo mumbled. "Rest…" then he dropped back to sleep.
"Thank you, Son," Sesshomaru reached out with his youki blanket. "Rest, we'll watch over you."
Shippo smiled in his sleep and cuddled his mate.
Inuyasha curled back into Sesshomaru's side and looked over the castle grounds. Sesshomaru reached his arm around his mate.
Everything was okay.