Disclaimer: I don't own any of the rights to Tenchi Universe or Tenchi Muyo: Ryo-Ohki nor am I making a profit from this story. I am just writing this for fun and only own any characters I myself create.
Goodbye Isn't Forever-Part 2
Tenchi awoke to an odd shaking motion. As he wiped his eyes he considered waking Ayeka to ask her what she thought it might be, but decided she looked too peaceful for him to wake up right now. He saw that his dad and grandfather were still up and talking and decided to consult his grandfather.
"Grandfather, do you know what is making the ship shake like this?" Tenchi whispered.
"I don't know, the captain would usually have come on the overhead speaker and made an announcement by now."
"O.K., I'll just ask a stewardess the next time I see one."
"You know, now that you mention it, I haven't seen a stewardess in awhile, maybe you should go talk to the bridge staff."
"O.K. grandpa, I'll go do that."
Tenchi carefully moved Ayeka to her own seat and proceeded to the bridge. When he came to a corner just before the entrance to the bridge he was greeted with a shocking sight. He jumped back around the corner before anyone saw him but couldn't forget what he had just seen; the bridge crew and stewardesses were gathered in a corner bound and gagged and were guarded by several other Juraians bearing energy swords. He decided he better warn everyone quietly so as not to cause a panic. Tenchi decided to talk to his grandpa first.
"Hey grandpa, we have a big problem."
"What is it Tenchi? The shaking stopped."
"That was probably a ship boarding us or something because we've been high-jacked."
"What? Are you serious?"
"Yeah, and I think it's the rebels that supported Kagato because there were some Juraians with energy swords guarding the bridge crew and stewardesses. We need to warn everyone, but be quiet and try to keep from causing a panic."
"O.K. Tenchi, I'll warn everyone and look for people to help us take back the ship. Anyone not fighting I'll gather at the back. You need to explain what's going on to Ayeka and Sasami."
"Right. Dad, I think you should go to the back with the other people, you don't really have any fighting skills or weapons for that matter."
"Alright Tenchi, make sure you get Ayeka and Sasami in the back too."
"That's exactly what I was thinking."
Tenchi went to Sasami's seat and woke her up.
"Sasami, wake up."
"Hmm… What is it Tenchi?"
"I need you to wake up so I can explain something to you and your sister."
"O.K Tenchi."
Tenchi went back to his seat and gently shook Ayeka to wake her up.
"Tenchi? Is something wrong?"
"I'm afraid so, I need you to take Sasami to the back of the ship, we've been high-jacked by the rebels and I want you to get to safety with the others. Grandpa, myself and hopefully a few others are going to try to take the ship back."
"But Tenchi, I want to stay with you, I can fight too you know."
"I know dearest, and we need someone to protect everyone in the back, and I would feel much better knowing you're safe."
"O.K. Tenchi, if you're sure about this."
"I am, now please hurry and be careful."
"You too, I don't want to be torn from you now after we're finally together."
Tenchi hurried to the front of the ship where Katsuhito had gathered who he'd found and was quite surprised to see Azaka and Kamidake.
"Azaka, Kamidake? I didn't know you were on board."
"We are the princesses' guardians, you didn't think we would let them leave without an escort, did you? Just because Azaka spends all his time playing video games doesn't mean that he and I will go slack on our duties." Azaka frowned at this last comment but didn't say anything.
Tenchi grinned at the knights sheepishly. "Well I'm sorry we didn't tell you ourselves, but I'm glad you're here, we'll definitely need help to take back the ship."
"We are ready to help, Lord Katsuhito explained the situation to us already, but can you tell what you saw in detail?"
"O.K., when I went around the corner to get on the bridge I saw the entire bridge crew and all the stewardesses bound and gagged and they were guarded by five men with energy swords. I was able to jump back before anyone saw me but I think that these people must be from the rebels that worked with Kagato because all the people guarding the prisoners were Juraian."
"Alright, Kamidake and I should be able to take the guards while you and Lord Katsuhito get on the bridge, we should use energy swords to match the guards so you can have my staff Lord Katsuhito."
"Thank you Azaka, now let us begin."
The group went to the bridge entrance to confront the high-jackers. Azaka and Kamidake had energy swords out and were ready to engage in combat. As the knights engaged the guards Tenchi and Katsuhito entered the bridge itself to confront the rest of the high-jackers. They found the room occupied by only one person, Admiral Nishimura; the same admiral that had led the Jurai military against Tenchi's family and then had resigned after Kagato's defeat.
"I should have known a scumbag like you was behind this. No matter, your 'rebellion' ends now! Come on grandpa, we can take this loon easily!"
"Hold on Tenchi, I sense something is wrong here."
"What is it grandpa?"
"I'm not sure yet, be careful Tenchi."
"You're quite observant old man. It's a shame Kagato didn't kill you, but now I will have the pleasure of doing it for him."
"What makes you think you can take both of us?"
"I don't have to, not right now anyway. Soon enough I will be able to complete my revenge, but for now I bid you adieu."
With this last comment the admiral began to fade away. Tenchi still didn't know everything about the technology available in the universe, but if he didn't know better he would swear that the admiral had been a hologram. Thoroughly distraught by the encounter with the admiral Tenchi and Katsuhito left the bridge to help Azaka and Kamidake. They found the two knights untying the last of the bridge crew. Just as they were about to confer with the knights Tenchi felt the same odd shaking sensation he had felt earlier. With a sudden nearly overwhelming sense of fear Tenchi went into action.
"Azaka, Kamidake, get this ship up and running again; Grandpa, you're with me!"
As the knights helped the bridge crew to the bridge Tenchi ran to the back of the ship at full speed with his grandfather in tow. His worst fears were confirmed when he got to the back of the ship where the rest of the passengers had holed up. Most of the passengers were lying on the deck unconscious and he couldn't find Ayeka or Sasami anywhere. He went to the closest conscious passenger and asked him what had happened.
"What happened here? Where did they take the princesses?!"
"I… I… I don't know; all I remember is a huge yellow beam engulfing all the passengers and then waking up just now. I think it was a stun beam, but it must have been very powerful to be so widespread. With all of us knocked out it would have been no trouble to get both princesses."
Tenchi quickly searched the rest of the ship, but to no avail. He rushed to the bridge to see if they could detect the boarding ship. The bridge crews were back at their stations running the ship again. Azaka and Kamidake were standing by the captain's side at the sensor station.
"Have you guys found the ship that boarded us?"
"Yes, Lord Tenchi, it came from an unidentified Juraian cruiser. Unfortunately, we are no match for their ship, we can't risk pursuing it."
"Wait, we have to do something! They took Ayeka and Sasami!"
"Tsunami no… we'll have to find a way to board their ship. Kamidake, prepare one of the shuttles for departure, we'll take it to board their ship and mount a rescue. Captain, what's the weakest point in their defenses that we could penetrate?"
"Well… since you're taking a shuttle you can just go around the Light Hawk Wings to the back of the ship. The only thing you have to be careful of is not completely depressurizing the ship."
"That almost sounds too easy, is there a docking bay in the back too?"
"Actually there is, your only problem will be facing whatever soldiers he has on the ship."
"Good. I'm sure we'll be able to deal with them easily enough."
"I would still advise caution Lord Tenchi, the admiral wouldn't risk taking the princesses with you here unless he has something up his sleeve."
"I know, but between the four of us I'm sure we can deal with whatever it is. Unless there's anything else let's get moving."
"There is only one other thing you should know Lord Tenchi. Your sword, the Tenchi-ken, is also a master key."
"A master key? What's that mean?"
"With it, you should be able to command any Juraian ship to do whatever you ask, it's kind of like having the command codes to a starship on the Science Fiction show called Star Trek."
"Oh… I see. That should make things easier."
"Yes, it will. They probably won't be prepared to deal with that, but once they realize what you can do they may be able to take direct control of their ship to prevent the master key from controlling it. You need to make sure it's worth it whenever you decide to use it."
"O.K. Azaka, I understand. Let's be on our way now."
With that Tenchi, his grandfather, and Azaka made their way to the shuttle Kamidake had prepared. As soon as they were all on board the shuttle they headed for the rebel cruiser. Utilizing the plan they made on the bridge, they were able to bypass the Light Hawk Wings easily and landed in the cruiser's docking bay. They exited the shuttle and headed for the most likely place the princesses were being held, the brig. They had made it almost half way to their destination without encountering any resistance.
"O.K., I'm starting to get worried, why hasn't anyone tried to stop us yet?"
"They most likely have set up an ambush at the brig to concentrate all their forces on us at one Lord Tenchi."
"I suppose that makes since Kamidake, but I'm still a little worried about what they might have up their sleeve."
"I agree Tenchi, we must proceed with all due caution."
"Yes grandfather. How close are we now?"
"The brig should be around the next corner Lord Tenchi, please be very careful, the ambush is probably very near now. Perhaps Kamidake and I should take the lead."
"As you wish Azaka, you do have more battle experience than I do after all."
"Yes lord Tenchi."
Azaka and Kamidake took the lead as they prepared to round the corner to the brig. As expected there was an ambush set up at the brig. There were ten Juraian Knights armed with energy swords standing guard to the brig entrance. Half of them charged while the other half fired energy blasts at the group. Everyone was easily able to deflect the energy blasts and quickly dispatched the guards that had charged them. When the guards that had stayed behind saw what had happened to their companions they promptly bolted.
"That seemed far too easy guys, I think something's up here."
"I agree Lord Tenchi, but let's go see if the princesses are in the brig before they gather reinforcements."
"Right, lets hurry."
Everyone rushed into the brig hoping to see the princesses but was slightly disappointed. Fortunately there weren't any more guards, but the only prisoner in the brig was Sasami. They quickly released her as she explained that she and her sister had been stunned with the other passengers and she had woken up by herself a few minutes ago. Although Tenchi was getting very worried about Ayeka, he was strong for Sasami and comforted her as she cried into his shoulder. Sasami soon calmed down enough so that they could make a new plan.
"Where could they be keeping Ayeka grandpa?"
"The only logical place left would be by the admiral's side on the bridge."
"Then let's get moving, there's no time to waste."
"Yes Lord Tenchi, remember to proceed with caution, we don't know what kind of traps they may have waiting for us."
"O.K. Azaka, why don't you lead the way?"
"O.K., follow me everyone."
The group left the brig headed for the bridge and a big surprise.
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A/N: I know… everyone hates cliffhangers, but I've got homework to do and thought I'd post this to see what kind of reaction I get. By the way, I got the admiral's name from the voice actor that played him in the Universe Series. Next chapter… Ayeka's rescue and a surprise for the Tenchi crew (I really don't know exactly what the surprise will be yet, any ideas will be much appreciated, thanks).