Vos.

Evening falls over Lecashuto as the incessant bombardment from the rebel forces hammers the capital. At her base camp, Hunba meets with her generals. "With the alien ships blocking all attempts to escape, we estimate that between 250,000 and 300,000 enemy troops are trapped in Lecashuto," one general reads an intelligence report. "We can defeat them...but the casualty estimates are between a hundred and two hundred thousand. Time estimated to surrender: two weeks."

"We could send in a white flag and demand surrender," another general proposes. "They have no route of escape we can't cover."

"We've tried that again and again," Hunba throws up her hand. "When all the colonies came under our control, we sent the demand of surrender. It was ignored. We invaded, then demanded they surrender. It was ignored. These fanatics will fight until the end."

"Weapon of mass destruction?"

"No!! That is not an option!"

Everyone's eyes glow. "Can I propose a suggestion?" a strange voice inquires.

Eyes snap around as Nassur and Junba enter the tent. "Nassur!!" Hunba bolts to her feet. "What are you doing here?!"

"We came to help," Nassur smiles, then introduces Junba, mentioning she is Cinba's sister. "Commander, how would you like the war to be over tomorrow?" he faces Hunba.

"Do you have a miracle weapon which could help us?" Hunba muses.

"You've had it for a day or so," Nassur points up. "The Sagussans didn't just bring their fleet here. They have ground troops and they're ready to go."

"We'd prefer to handle this problem ourselves, thank you," Hessur notes.

"With respect, how many more have to die if we do it your way?" Noa asks.

The Vosians blink as Noa leads a small procession of Sagussan officers inside. Oryuu, Feb, Leona, Miranda, Rayna, Nihitomi, Eluza, Sylia. Introductions are made, then the Sagussan minister faces Hunba. "Put simply, Commander, Nassur made us a little promise. If we guarded his wife and sent a ship to trail his on their voyage to the Planet of Shadows, we get a crack at putting the Mikado out of business," she smiles. "So, how would you like to have some extra help?"

"Look, I know who and what you are," Hunba sighs. "The question is, do you have the experience to fight this battle?"

"No, we don't," Noa admits. "When it comes to actual warfare, we have only fought one battle. That was with the Niphentaxians six months ago. And granted, they were only a force of sixty ships. But you have little in the way of armoured forces, decent air combat support and your Defence Force ships are vulnerable to computer viruses and other little goodies the Mikado's people may have available to use. We're not so restricted."

"What do you have?" Hessur wonders.

"Twelve hundred ground combat mecha, 400 fighters, 200 heavy attack hovercycles, 200 foot soldiers and two special combat teams," Oryuu reports. "Plus one dreadnought, one battlecruiser and four defence monitors."

"We'd have to see this stuff in action before we could commit," a general muses.

"General, I have seen this stuff in action," Nassur interrupts. "And I can vouch, it's as good as it gets!"

"Nassur, we'd like to discuss this among ourselves," Hunba sympathetically smiles. "Would you all excuse us?"

"Sure," Nassur nods.

The visitors stream out of the tent. "My girls are screaming for action and they want to make this trench warfare?!" Leona growls. "What was Janny's estimate on casualties?"

"Three hundred thousand dead, half a million wounded," Feb sighs. "That is, if they fight round the clock until all territory is in rebel hands. Eight to ten days."

"I don't have ten days," Nassur growls.

"And if we get involved?" Noa muses.

"Less than a thousand casualties," Feb smiles. "It could be all over before lunch if we strike at oh-four-hundred."

"You hit in the dark?" Junba blinks.

"Optimal time," the Strategic Defence Director smiles. "They'll be low on energy and won't be expecting anything. Vosians launch attacks just as dawn's breaking."

The Sagussans tense as Hunba steps out of the tent. "We talked it over," the commander sighs. "We appreciate your desire to help us, but we'd like to do this on our own. Your blockade is doing enough."

The *daishi'cha* exchange looks. "Well, we were just trying to be helpful," Noa smiles. "If you change your minds, don't be afraid to call us. C'mon, girls."

They walk away. Junba and Nassur follow. "You mean to tell me that you're not going to do a thing?" the former demands.

"Of course we are," Noa smiles. "Just because they told us 'no' doesn't mean we're going to follow it. After all, the Mikado committed an act of war against the Fifth Republic. Intergalactic custom and law grants us the right to retaliate as we see fit."

"Even though no one recognizes you," Nassur muses. "Look, why don't I talk to Hunba alone for a bit? You folks get ready."

"Right," Noa nods. "Be aboard the Gatherer before twenty-hundred."

"Got it," he waves.

The *daishi'cha* and Junba disappear in a transporter beam. Nassur walks back into the camp. His eyes glowing, he makes his way to a simple tent with a sign marked COMMANDER. Just as he is about to open the flaps, a voice calls out from inside, "Come in, Nassur."

He ducks into the tent. Hunba sits at her desk. "I had hoped you wouldn't come back," she gazes at him. "My husband wanted you and your wife to live your own life."

He relaxes. "Hard to live your own life when you're looking over your shoulder."

"Isn't your wife about to give birth?" Hunba relaxes. "Shouldn't you be with her?"

"I believed that," he sighs. "But with this whole episode, there's been this voice in the back of my head telling me it's time to come here and finish the job. After all, many do say I was the one who started this."

"No, the Mikado started it a century ago when he took power. Lecasur warned of a centralization of power and what that would do to the one holding the strings. This whole exercise has been a harsh lesson for us all."

"And now you want to keep learning it when it could all be over in a day."

Hunba laughs. "You mean you're here to argue for the Sagussans?" she wonders. "Nassur, even if they are the Maidens of the Eternal Voyager, they're just children!"

"Emotionally, many of them are children, though that's changing as we speak. But they're the products of one of the most advanced societies that ever existed. A society who, when they found themselves in the middle of a civil war, fought five centuries, devastated their world and destroyed their race. The Sagussans you meet today are products of both the good and bad that old race experienced. And some of them have vast quantities of experience to call on. You have to get to know them to understand them."

"Chances are, I might not have that opportunity," Hunba strokes her French braided hair draped over a shoulder.

Nassur feels a slight chill. Braided hair marked a widow. Hunba hadn't considered seeking a new mate. Then again, her duties as commander of the Rebel Alliance Army allowed her no chance to make the healing pilgrimage to Sabaku, to undergo *nicha* for Ninsur. "I hope that isn't the mark of someone contemplating suicide," Nassur's voice lowers. "This planet can ill afford to lose you."

"You're courteous," Hunba smiles. "But I've never been one for command. This job came to me because I had a mind for organization and negotiation. Helping different groups forge an understanding, an alliance against a common foe. In a sense, we're more divided now than we were before Lecasur's time. But...I'm not Lecasur."

"No, you're Hunba. Isn't that enough?"

"Not for me," she shakes her head. "I have never fought for a grand goal, a great ambition to give to the Vosian people. My war has been very personal, Nassur. True, others look to me, but I'm a hollow icon."

"I should introduce you to Lum," he chuckles. "She could pass on her experiences in dealing with the Niphentaxians."

Both laugh. Hunba stares at him. "They will attack, won't they?" she smiles.

"Technically, the present government of the Confederation of Vos has committed an act of war against the Fifth Republic of Sagussa. By conventions, they have every right to seek redress," he nods.

"I hope it doesn't wind up with Vos fighting Sagussa," Hunba sighs. "What time?"

"Four in the morning," Nassur stands. "In the meantime, I have to get back to the Gatherer. Junba and I have our part to play in this. See you downtown tomorrow."

"Be careful," Hunba sighs...

* * *

Next morning. 0330 hours.

Lecashuto is draped in total darkness as six Sagussan ships of the line form a bombardment circle around Vos' capital, holding ten kilometres altitude. After forced rest, Gladiator, Warsuit and hovercycle pilots arm and prep their machines. Pathfinders suit up, check forcefield belts and weapons, then proceed to transporter rooms to be sent down alongside the "Hasei'cha" and the "Kiboo'cha" to strike at the Mikado's headquarters in thirty minutes.

"Renegade" launches from the Gatherer's hangar deck at 0330, heading toward Lecashuto. On the bridge, Nassur and Junba relax. Their part of the mission was to distract the local commanders so that they would not be in a position to receive reports from their front-line troops. Of course, with the first shot to be fired in thirty minutes, intelligence from front-line forces wouldn't come.

As the minutes tick away to H-Hour, the frigate moves to land on the city square some distance from the Mikado's headquarters. Troops on night patrol are surprised to see the frigate land without being challenged, then scramble to surround the ship as the boarding hatch deploys, allowing Nassur and Junba to disembark. "Hold it right there!!!" a sergeant barks. "Hands in the air, both of you!! You're under arrest!!!"

"We're unarmed," Junba reports, the Sceptre in one hand. "Where's the Mikado? I have the Sceptre of Lecasur!"

The Marines approach, two of them patting the hunters for hidden weapons. Once they are clean, the sergeant calls headquarters for orders. In a moment, a ground car drives up. In the back seat are Sussur and the Mikado. "There you are, Junba!" the dictator muses as he steps out of his vehicle.

"Here's the Sceptre," Junba walks up.

The Mikado takes the staff in hand, inspects it, then smiles. "Well done, Junba," he nods...then slaps her. "You traitor!! You just walked back to your own death!"

Junba tenses, then spits in the Mikado's face. "I think it's time for YOU to be exterminated, you piece of trash!!"

"You must really think the Maidens are stupid," Nassur smiles knowingly. "They're inexperienced, but not stupid!"

"It doesn't matter," the Mikado scowls. "Once you two are done away with, I'll have your friends hunted down and slain."

"Oh, good," Nassur smirks. "Ataru and his friends could use the target practice."

The Mikado shudders. "Guards!!"

"Your orders, sir?" a sergeant walks up.

"Have a firing squad brought up," the dictator smiles. "We'll do away with these traitors right now!"

"Yes, sir," he salutes.

Junba is forced back to stand beside Nassur. "What time is it?" she hisses.

Nassur checks his watch. "Five minutes."

As the minutes tick away, a squad of twelve men form up. Sussur takes command. "Any last requests?" the Mikado smirks.

"One," Junba sighs. "Did you create me?"

The dictator blinks. "Ah, so you know," he muses. "No, I did not. As a matter of fact, no one has any idea who created you, Junba. You were found one day asking about Cinba on Colony 40 when my agents found you. As for your memories, it took us a while, but you were receptive to our programming. It seems your creator put in a fail-safe hypnotic suggestion which blanked your mind when you were subjected to interrogation."

Nassur blinks. *Just like Nyassur!* he wonders, realizing that while they experienced different fates, his clone and Cinba's were created by the same person.

"Now, Nassur," the Mikado stares at his old opponent. "Any last words on your part? If you plead for mercy, I might spare you."

Nassur hums, then glances at his chronometer. "Well, well," he muses. "It's three-fifty-nine. No, I have nothing to say."

The Mikado tenses as Nassur fixes him with a stare. "But tell me this, Mikado. Do you know where your troops are?"

The chronometer now reads 0400.

A thunderous noise unlike anything human ears have been subjected to echoes from kilometres away as the Sagussan ships commence their bombardment. The sky lights up akin to high noon as multiple explosions disintegrate whole sections of Lecashuto's suburbs!! The screams of dying soldiers are drowned out as munitions destroy trench lines, hard defence points, barracks, command posts. In a minute, a hundred thousand soldiers perish.

But that is the least of the Mikado's worries. Over that cacophony of Armageddon, the roar of starship engines is heard. The troops look up to see the tan bulk of the "Hasei'cha" and the black shape of the "Kiboo'cha" race down, weapons discharging opening salvoes. Troops howl as they are blasted apart, scattering for cover.

But within the darkness lurks death. For emerging from dozens of places, black-clad Pathfinders pour out of their beam-down points, weapons blazing. The Vosians troops are caught in a brutal pincer as two troops of Pathfinder Team One slice them down. The "Kiboo'cha" hovers over the "Renegade," her weapons drilling the firing squad and Sussur before they could flee for safety. Seeing this, the Mikado leaps into his vehicle and races off for his headquarters, his escape covered by arriving platoons of Marines.

"There he goes!!!" Nassur screams at the Pathfinders, pointing at the dictator. "He's heading for his headquarters!! Let's go!!!"

The hunters get weapons as they join the pursuit. By this time, the "Kiboo'cha" and "Hasei'cha" land, allowing their crews to join the fight. They join other Pathfinder troops, a mass of black-clad Sagussans converging on the city centre. "Any news from the front lines?!" Junba walks up to Sylia.

"We've blasted enough holes in their defenses to allow the Alliance Army the chance to press into town if they hurry!" the Pathfinder commander reports. "Leona's and Miranda's brigades are shooting up all the hot spots to ensure the advance doesn't slow down!!"

"Good!!" the hunter nods. "You better tell everyone to watch it! The Mikado's headquarters is a fortress!!"

"That won't slow us down!" Sylia laughs.

The Mikado's headquarters draw Sagussans like a lodestone. Marines guarding the entrances pour withering fire on the black-clad troops, hoping to chase these no-wave demons, beings they once might have worshipped as living goddesses, away. However, as Junba and Nassur watch intently, the Sagussans demonstrate their own remarkable skills. Laser and particle bolts pass spaces where a second before, a gaggle of warriors stood. Grenades blow up chunks of barren ground, never coming close to touching a Sagussan. But when those bolts do get close, they deflect from the warriors' personal defence shields, careening harmlessly into the ground or the sky...or worse, back where they came. As the minutes tick away, the Sagussans press the Mikado forces toward the entrances. *Perhaps their immersion in logic and rationality taught them how to be cool in battle,* Nassur muses.

"If we get them trapped inside those entrances, we could call the Gatherer in to blow the whole building apart!" Sylia yells at Nassur. "This could be over in minutes!!"

"No!!" Nassur shakes his head. "We can't let all of you do this alone! Morale in the Alliance Army would sink if they didn't get the chance to take the city centre! They'll accuse you of being glory hounds!!"

Sylia stares incredulously at him. "Nassur, what's the logic of incurring casualties for reasons of glory?"

Nassur blinks. "I can't believe you just asked that, Sylia!"

Hovercycles of Miranda's brigade now race to the Mikado's headquarters. Riding on the sleek machines are platoons of Vosian troops, who disembark and join in the attack. Another hovercycle driven by Noa and Honey brings Hunba and Hessur to the scene. "Lecasur's Soul!" the commander gasps. "I can't believe things are going this good!! We couldn't ask for a victory like this!"

"It isn't over yet, ma'am!!" Hessur frets, glancing fearfully around as shells scream overhead. "I suggest you stay back while we're still suppressing resistance at the entrances!"

"Sometimes, a commander's life doesn't matter, Hessur. Take your squads and go help them!" she points at one spot.

"Yes, ma'am!" he salutes, then runs off.

Hunba, Noa and Honey make their way toward Nassur. By that time, the immediate areas surrounding the Mikado's headquarters have become no man's land, weapons of all descriptions discharging at the opposing forces. A high tech street brawl. However, given the Sagussans' advantages, more and more Mikado forces fall. "We're pressing them!!" Junba laughs. "We're getting through!!!"

Hunba turns to Linna, carrying a portable communications set. "Radio all commands to send forces to this location with all dispatch!" the commander barks. "When this place goes down, the other pockets of resistance will loose heart and surrender!!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Linna nods.

The murderous exchange continues for what seems an eternity. But within minutes of Hunba's arrival, one entrance is clear of enemy forces. Howling with delight, a mixed bag of Sagussans and Vosian rebels charge to prevent enemy reinforcements from stalling the advance. "There!!" Nassur points. "We're in!!! Let's go!!"

A stream of fighters...Nassur, Junba, Hunba, Noa, Honey, Pathfinder Troop Six and half the "Hasei'cha's" crew...make their way around the perimeter to the break. Enemy forces try to stem the attack, but the arrival of Alliance troops makes reinforcement from other platoons suicidal. "As soon as we suppress the guards, everyone goes in at once!" Hunba barks to Linna. "If we slow up for an instant, we'll be at this all day!! Tell everyone to remember that when we go in!"

The Pathfinder nods as Hunba returns her attention to observing the break-in. Her good eye detects movement in one of the ground level windows. The gleam of a rifle barrel aimed at Nassur! "Sniper!!!" she yells, running toward him. "Natsu-chan!!!"

Everything then changes to slow motion as Hunba charges at Nassur. The hunter turns around, a questioning look on his face. The commander rams into him. The sniper's rifle fires. The bolt slams into Hunba's chest, causing her to tumble onto her back, sinking to the ground! Eyes turn to see Hunba collapse. Nassur drops to her side. Noa yells for medical assistance. Linna calls for Leona's troops to strafe the Mikado's headquarters to prevent other snipers from cutting down the attackers. Lufy and Priss turn their weapons on the target. In a second, the whole room explodes, the sniper shredded before he could mark whom he hit!

Time returns to normal. Catty and Hotaru run up, first aid kits in hand. Several rebel troopers slow down, noting who had been hit. "Don't stop now, you idiots!!!" Lufy yells from nearby. "C'mon!!! Let's go!!!"

Noting that the Vosian commander was under care, the Pathfinders bellow as they charge into the building, several platoons of Vosian rebels right behind them. Nassur holds Hunba in his arms as Catty slaps a dressing over the wound. "We're losing her!" Hotaru warns.

"No one leaves on my watch!" Catty snaps.

Nassur holds her. "Why did you save me?"

She feebly smiles. "What mother...would allow her child...to come to harm?" she wonders. "Even one...she never got to raise?"

Silence. "What?!" Noa gasps.

Hotaru quickly programs her tricorder. "Confirmed! Hunba...is Nassur's mother!"

The Sagussans blink in surprise. Nassur is overwhelmed by that revelation. "Why...?!" his voice is barely audible. "Why didn't you or Ninsur tell me...?"

"We couldn't..." Hunba's body spasms. "We wanted...you to have...a normal life..."

"We're losing her!!" Hotaru barks.

Nassur shakes his head, tears he hasn't shed since Cinba's passing flowing from his eyes. "You...oh, Mother..." he gasps.

"Now, I'll never..." Hunba's good eye flutters, her strength finally fading, "...hold my grandchild...in my arms..."

Honey stares at this tragic scene, her senses detecting Hunba's *mei'na* experiencing that final separation of soul and body when death comes. Staring at Nassur, a man who never knew his parents' identity to this very moment, words thunder through her mind.

This cannot happen!

She cannot let this happen!!

Nassur's mother must not die!!!

"NO!!!!!!"

Everyone jolts as Honey shoves her sister out of the way, her fingers landing on Hunba's face. Summoning all her strength, she drops her psi-shields, her *mei'na* acting like a psychic vacuum cleaner to Hunba's spirit, drawing the Vosian commander's soul into her mind. Nassur howls with pain as his tracking powers detect the intensity of Honey's mind at point-blank range. Noa shields him with her powers as her sister continues her efforts to save Hunba.

For what seems an eternity, Hunba's spirit hovers in her mind, drifting between flying into Honey's mind and escaping to the embrace of the *te'a.* Come to me, Hunba! Honey calls out. Come to me!! You want to live, don't you?!!

Let me go... the commander's mental voice replies. You're killing yourself...

Honey cries as Hunba tries to pull away. "DAMN YOU, HUNBA!!!! DON'T YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR GRANDDAUGHTER BORN?!?!?!"

Hearing that, Hunba hesitates, then her spirit flies into Honey's mind. The physical education instructor cries as her shields firm up, severing the link between herself and the commander's empty shell. She collapses as Hotaru barks, "Heart failure!!!"

"Wait!!" Noa kneels. "Honey...?!"

Honey takes in several deep breaths, then smiles. "She's safe..."

The other Sagussans exhale. Noa turns to Catty. "Prep her for immediate regeneration!" the doctor barks. "Transport Honey and Hunba's body to the Gatherer, stat!!"

"Hai, I'sagh!!" Hotaru nods.

Nassur remains in place, blinking. "What...what's going on?" he demands, slowly rising. "What are you doing with my mother?!"

"She's safe!" Noa assures him. "Her spirit's in Honey's mind right now! We'll regenerate her body, then refuse her spirit to it! It'll be as if she never died!! Now, c'mon!! We have to finish this fight!!!"

Blinking, the hunter nods as he follows the *ashi'cha* into the Mikado's headquarters.

* * *

"It's about time you idiots got here!" Lufy maniacally laughs as Nassur and Noa run up somewhere on the thirtieth floor. "We can use the extra firepower!! What were you doing?! Slumming?!"

A team of Pathfinders was exchanging fire with a platoon of Mikado Marines, blocking the way to the stairs leading to the upper floor offices. Nassur draws his weapon and adds his fire to the storm of lead and plasma cutting the enemy down. He notices that Junba has kept up with the Sagussans, although she has taken several nicks on the arms. Several of the Pathfinders also appear hurt, but do not slacken their fire. "You know what we need?!" Nassur yells at Noa.

"What?!" the minister drills a sergeant.

"We need the Cyborg! Ataru could tear through that mob just like those child-slavers he butchered on Noukiios!!"

"Well, he won't be able to call on the Cyborg anymore now that Catty's fixed up his mind!" Noa hums. "But we have something just as good!!" Pressing her communicator, she barks, "Noa to Leona!! Warsuit to the south-west side, floor thirty! Expedite!!"

"Right!!! Yohko, take care of it!!"

The Sagussans duck behind walls, yanking Nassur and Junba with them. A second later, the wall behind the Marines disintegrates, engulfing them in a titanic blast as missiles from Yohko's Heavy Missile Troop destroy a good hunk of the thirtieth floor, including the landing for the emergency stairs to the upper floors! "Nice going!!" Noa barks on seeing the damage. "You just cut us off from the upper floors!"

"Sorry!!" Yohko replies.

"What's the situation?!" Lufy demands.

"No major concentrations of enemy forces in any of the upper floors," Jun reports from the "Lyna'cha." "I do detect one moving object in a large office on the 100th floor. Minor concentrations of troops on 92, 86 and fifty-four. Nowhere near the stairs."

"The Mikado!" Junba icily smiles. "He's trapped in his office!!"

"And we're standing in his only path to escape!" Nassur smiles, then guides Noa's wrist to him. "Leona, can you hear me?!"

"What's up?!" the commander replies.

"Knock out the elevators!" the hunter instructs. "All of them!! Can you take out the troops at the levels Jun indicated?!"

"Twist my arm, I'll see if I can do something! What about you?!"

Nassur blinks. Fate had brought him to this point. "Junba, Lufy, Priss, Makoto, with me! Rest of you, go down and help clean up the lower floors!! Yohko, can you give us a ride to the 99th floor?!"

"Sure can!" the headquarters and support squadron commander chirps.

"Be careful!" Noa warns. "When trapped, a sandpanther is at her most dangerous! We saved your mom! Don't make us do overtime!"

"Right!" Nassur nods. "Let's go!!"

The warriors sprint for the Warsuit...

* * *

Moments later, as Vos' sun begins to rise over the mountains to the east, Nassur and his companions sneak onto the top floor. "How do we do this?" Junba whispers.

"We'll go in first," Nassur turns to Lufy. "He'll want to come after us and he can't detect you three. You mind?"

"Your civil war," she nods. "We'll be right behind you."

Nassur and Junba nod, running down the hallway to the double doors leading into the Mikado's chambers. Standing to both sides, they blast through the doors. They notice the large chair behind the Mikado's desk turned away. "Hands up, Mikado!" Nassur barks. "It's over!! Time for you to face justice!"

Laughter erupts from the chair. "What's so funny?" Junba demands.

The Mikado turns around, a small device in his hand. "It's not over yet!" he sneers. "I still have this remote."

"What's that going to do?" Nassur asks.

"Do you remember the teleportation device I sent to Earth to obtain your friends?" the dictator cackles, standing. "I saw to it that an atomic bomb was placed in it. One press of this button and Tokyo will be destroyed!!"

Nassur and Junba stare at each other. "Well, that would frighten us," the former hums mockingly, "IF the Sagussans weren't so kind to remove that device from Tomobiki just as I left to come to Vos!"

The dictator jolts, then presses a button on his desk. Suddenly a shield surrounds the two hunters. "What?!!" both exclaim.

"A force shield," the dictator cackles. "Not even your weapons can penetrate it! Now, let's see you try to stop me from putting you out of my misery once and for all!!"

He draws a pistol. In the hallway, the *pirpirsiw'r* shake their heads. "Time for this moron to get a reality check," Priss hisses, then presses her wrist communicator. "Anyone on the lower floors, this is Priss. Knock out the building's power supply, now!"

Inside the office, the Mikado takes aim, his hand moving to the shield control. A muffled explosion rocks the tower as rebel teams destroy the building's generators!! Lights fade as the shield trapping Nassur and Junba drops. The Mikado jolts in surprise as he looks around. "What was that?!"

Fatal mistake.

Junba drops, her pistol firing. The Mikado is stitched across the chest, the force sending him against the plate-glass windows! They don't shatter as the dictator collapses. Silence falls over the scene as Nassur and Junba remain in place. Tension fades as the two relax. "It's over," Nassur breathes out. "C'mon in, girls!"

Lufy, Priss and Makoto walk into the room. "Nicely shot!" the former hums, then pats the hunter on the back. "Good work! Maybe you aren't so bad after all, Junba!"

"I...thanks, Lufy," Junba smiles. "C'mon! Let's get back to Earth! We have two very impatient ladies waiting for us!!"

"I'll go for that!" Nassur nods.

The five turn to walk out of the room. Unseen, the Mikado stirs, his weapon rising to aim at Nassur's back. The safety clicks off, causing Junba to jolt. "What...?"

Time slows as the hunter turns, her eyes detecting the Mikado trying to shoot. She flings herself behind Nassur as the dictator fires. The bolt rams into Junba's back! Nassur spins around. Lufy and Priss twirl about, their machine guns thundering. The Mikado's desk and the Mikado fly apart from the storm of particle fire the Sagussans pour at him!! "JUNBA!!!!!!" Nassur screams.

He drops to his knees, catching her as Priss and Lufy move to ensure the Mikado is dead. Makoto yanks out her field dressing as Nassur lowers the wounded Junba to the floor. The clone's eyes flutter as she stares at her brother-in-law. "Did you...get him?"

"We got him!" Nassur nods, looking at Makoto. "Get someone up here!!"

"N-no," Junba shakes her head. "I'm a...clone, remember? My body...can't be regenerated like...a normal person's." She coughs as her strength fades. "Catty-sensei...warned me. Maybe...I should've been...more cautious...but...at least you're safe."

"Oh, no!" Nassur gasps. "Junba..."

"Please...don't be...sad," Junba manages a weak smile. "Shi-chan...I did that *tre'cha* thing...with her. That way...I'll always...be with her..." Her eyes flutter as her body slackens. "Nassur-chan...tell Shi-chan...I love her...tell her..."

"Yes?"

"Tell her...I...I'm sorry..."

Her body goes limp. Makoto automatically reaches for her face. The watchmistress blinks, then pulls away, shaking her head. "Her *mei'na* was never here," she wryly smiles. "At least, in some way, she'll live on...in Shinobu."

"Poor kid," Priss rubs Junba's head. "She deserved better than this."

Nassur nods, lowering Junba's body to the floor. Priss stands, noting the Sceptre of Lecasur, still sitting on what is left of the Mikado's desk. "So this is what she died for?" the *pirpirsiw'r* sneers as she picks it up. "Then it should be buried with her."

The others nod. Lufy kneels beside the fallen Mikado. "You got something for shot-up corpses, Lufy?" Makoto wonders. "Don't tell me you're into necrophilia!"

"No," the Gladiator pilot growls, her eyes narrowing as her hand touches the dictator's face. "This is worse!"

Suddenly, the Mikado's body bursts into flames as it disintegrates! Everyone jumps as they look away. When the light fades, they turn back...to see nothing. "What in Lyna's name...?!!" Priss exclaims.

"What's going on here?!!" Nassur demands.

"Simple," Lufy sneers. "The Mikado was never here."

Silence falls over the scene...

* * *

...as Shinobu bolts up. "Junba!!"

The Terran blinks as an ill feeling crosses her heart. Standing, she walks to the window, staring into the star-filled night. Her eyes water as some hidden voice tells her what just happened. Shuddering, she sinks into her bed, then covers her face.

"Ju-chan...you...you promised me...!"

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Morning dawns on Oshika as Lum steps into the basement. "Benten, you up yet?" the Oni knocks on the door to the guest bedroom.

"Yeah, I'm up," Benten moans, rubbing her distended stomach. "Whoo! This kid really is weighing me down. Any news?"

"Darling's calling the Gatherer now," Lum notions upstairs. "They should've launched the attack while we were asleep. C'mon."

They make their way upstairs. Entering Ataru's bedroom, they find him on the secure phone. "Hi, Noa!" he smiles, waving his fiancee and Benten in. "What's going on?!"

The two women sit beside him, eagerly awaiting news. "Uh-huh," Ataru nods, then smiles. "Only 700 casualties on the rebel side?" he beams. "Get the doctors to help them treat the wounded...oh, already doing that, huh? What else?" A pause, then he blinks in surprise. "Enemy dead over two hundred thousand?! Geez, you guys sure believe in overkill, don't you?! How's Nassur?" A pause, then he bolts up. "She's what?!! I don't believe it!!" A pause, then he lays back. "She was hurt?! Oh, Honey got to her, huh?! Good! What else?!"

The women shudder with anticipation. His eyes widen, then he sadly nods. "I see. Okay, thanks. See you in a day or so. Bye."

He hangs up. "What?!" Benten stammers, gulping. "What happened?!"

"Well...the good news is that Lecashuto fell by nine o'clock local time," Ataru sighs. "Seven hundred rebels were hurt in the final attack. Few of the Mikado's forces escaped to be captured. Nassur's okay."

Benten exhales. "What else?" Lum urges.

"It turns out that Hunba, the commander of the rebel army...is Nassur's mother."

"You're kidding me?!!" Benten exclaims.

"No," he shakes his head. "She was badly hurt. Took a sniper's round meant for Nassur. Honey saved her via *tre'cha.* They're regenerating her right now."

"Thank Lyna!!" Lum breathes out, then tenses as Ataru's face falls. "What else?"

Tears brim his eyes. "Junba's dead."

Silence falls. "D-dead?" Lum stammers, her eyes watering. "Oh, no!"

"Who's going to tell Shinobu?" Benten wonders, staring at her best friend...

* * *

Nassur relaxes on the Gatherer's observation deck, watching Vos rotate beneath him. The mass of lights marking Lecashuto shine in the evening sky as the Sagussan Navy prepares to depart for Earth. It was over. It was not over. The Vosian people were free. The Mikado was still alive. But he, himself, was free to go back his life, to Benten and their child. His mother...his mother!...was free. Junba was dead.

It left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Noa walks up. "How're you doing?"

"I've been better. How's my mother?"

"She's out of regeneration," the *ashi'cha* sits beside him. "Honey did *satre'cha.* Initial analysis looks good. Hunba's asleep now. We saved her," a bitter tone enters her voice, "...but I'm afraid she may not have a home to go back to."

"What?!" Nassur blinks.

"We signalled the Alliance Army to tell them she was recovering," venom creeps into her voice. "They acted as if something was jamming us. So I went down there to tell them that Hunba should be back to normal in a couple of days. Hessur told me to my face that as far as they were concerned, Hunba was dead. That's what the people believe, that's what the Provisional Government wants them to believe."

"Why?!" he demands, outraged.

"For that, I've no idea," Noa shakes her head. "In the meantime, I've ordered everyone to muster back aboard their ships. We'll be heading back in a short while. As far as I'm concerned, we're done with this place."

"So am I," he nods. "Before I left, one of the generals asked me if I was willing to help form the new government."

"I take it the answer was 'no.'"

"In no uncertain terms," he sighs. "Despite all Varanko, Cinba and Dakejinzou've done, what's to stop me from becoming another Mikado? So I told him to find someone else."

"Good for you. Anyhow, I think it's time we get everyone aboard so we can go home."

He stares at her. "What about Junba?"

An ill feeling crosses Noa's face. "There's nothing we can do, Nassur," she sighs. "That's not because of our aversion to clones. It's reality. The regeneration matrix would tear her body apart, but it would never rebuild it. No one knows why. It seems to have a innate sense of what is a natural being and what was created in a laboratory. All Catty can do is put her body in an automated cryogenic suspension tube. Put her somewhere safe and maybe, maybe sometime in the future, someone can do something."

"What about cloning her a new body?"

A bitter laugh escapes her. "After our predecessors destroyed themselves over the whole question of clones?!" Noa exclaims. "Thanks but no thanks! We don't have any cloning machines on Sagussa; they're forbidden by law. Besides, if we did clone Junba a new body from her old cells, the DNA would degrade all that more. It's like making a copy of a copy. And I don't think you'll want us to raid Cinba's body for new DNA!"

"No," he shakes his head. "That would be wrong. It's just...what happens to Shinobu?"

"Nassur, as long as Junba's *mei'na* remains in Shinobu, she still lives. And we have our own memories of her. She'll live on in them. Isn't it true that if you remember someone, it would be as if they never died?"

He considers the point, then nods. "I guess so. I hope Shinobu understands that."

"She will," Noa sighs. "She may act like the perennial victim, but deep down, she's very strong. She'll get over this. When she does, she'll get on with her life."

Nassur considers that, then nods...

* * *

"Hi, Mrs. Miyaki," Lum forces a bright smile. "Is Shinobu here?"

"Oh, Lum!" Kimiki Miyaki escorts the Oni inside. "Maybe you can talk to Shinobu. She refuses to come out to have anything to eat. I think something's wrong!"

The Oni shivers. She knew. "I'll go look in on her." Flying upstairs, Lum lands by the door to Shinobu's room. Knocking on it, she calls out, "Shinobu?! Are you there?"

"Come in, Lum."

Lum slides the door, floating inside. Shinobu sits by her window, staring at the city beyond. "Shinobu..." Lum begins.

"You don't have to tell me," Shinobu sighs. "I already know."

"I...I'm sorry," Lum shakes her head, wishing she could say anything, do something more. What could you do when a loved one died, especially when the one you were consoling thought the worst of you? "Shinobu, if there's anything, anything you need to have done, please...I'll be there for you."

"Thanks, Lum."

Sensing that she wanted to be alone now, Lum rises, walking out of the room. Proceeding downstairs, she tells Shinobu's parents. As outbursts of tears and shocked outrage echo from the lower floor, Shinobu sighs. It was over. What was the use of fighting when she had nothing to fight for?

Her eyes focus on the sky above her, a decision creeping into her heart, one she had contemplated from time to time when it looked as if Junba would kill her. Now Junba had. Not intentionally, but her death spelt the death of everything Shinobu Miyaki had tried to make of her life. All her dreams. All her hopes. All her ambitions. All dust. An even look crosses her face.

The decision was made.

Junba would rest in peace...but she would not be alone. Content, a smile crosses her face. Now, she could be at peace. Shinobu walks downstairs. Her parents move to embrace her, weeping over her loss. Loss? What loss was there? Oh, Junba was not coming back alive, but was that really a loss? Shinobu would just have to go to her. Nothing really difficult in that decision. It surprises her.

Now all she had to do was wait for Junba's body to return...

* * *

"There you are," Catty smiles as Nassur walks up to the Gatherer's primary medical station. "She's conscious...and she's been asking for you. C'mon in."

Nassur steps into the medical station. Warmly decorated, it didn't project the antiseptic atmosphere most sick bays had. In one diagnostic bed, Hunba, dressed only in a nightgown, relaxes. Honey sits beside her, holding the commander's hand. Nassur blinks, surprised Hunba had both eyes back. Beside the commander, Pony scans her eyes, then hands her a pair of round-frame spectacles. "Here you go, Hunba. Try these on."

"Thank you," Hunba slips them over her nose. Her vision clears up, presenting her with a view of her boy. "Natsu-chan!"

Joy fills his heart as he sits beside her. "Hi...I...ah, I don't even know what to call you. I...I've never thought of you as anything more than a distant friend."

"It's alright," she squeezes his hand.

He stares at her, then shakes his head. The shock was still getting to him. This was his mother! "Why didn't you tell me?"

"As I said, when we learned you were alive and well...after your father had Osur killed...we had to make a decision. Do we reveal ourselves? What would happen if we did? We...then realized that if we did reveal ourselves, you and your wife would never get the chance to live a normal life. Even then, your father understood you. You would've come back to Vos with us...young, inexperienced, full of reckless fire...and you would've been killed by more experienced hunters. What type of parents would we be if we allowed that to happen? So...we did the only good thing we could do: send you to someone who could teach you how to survive."

"Varanko," he realizes.

"Exactly," she nods. "I met him when I was a schoolgirl. He'd just become Lord High Executioner. Oh, he was the rogue. Lost his first wife. We...well, you know..."

"Dated?" he muses.

"Yes," she nods. "He later confessed I was the most bright and cheerful person he'd met. I helped him heal. So, when your father and I had to decide where to send you and Cinba...he called to help. He said...he was pleased to be of service."

Nassur relaxes. If Hunba had recognized the Yehisrite, Varanko would have really been Nassur's father. No wonder Varanko adopted him. "I guess I always had a family. I just never realized it."

"He always kept us apprised to how you and Cinba were doing," Hunba admits. "Always did it in person. Killed a whole slew of hunters along the way. The Mikado couldn't touch him; diplomatic immunity was involved. Then again, that moron could never understand what really mattered!" a growl enters her voice, tears flowing. "Taking innocent children into those schools, torturing them, destroying their spirits!! Thank Lyna, at least those places are gone!!"

She falls back, allowing Honey to embrace her. Nassur blinks, wondering why his mother would call on Sagussa's mythological patron instead of Lecasur. "There, there, Hu-chan," Honey coos, patting the commander's back. "It's okay. You did it. You freed them. You should be happy."

*'Hu-chan?!!'* Nassur mentally exclaims.

What was going on here?!

* * *

Shinobu stares at the knife before her. A simple meat-cleaver, it was as long as her lower arm. Easily concealed in her kimono sleeve. Further, it was wickedly sharp.

It would do...

* * *

"Noa, I need to talk to you."

Noa blinks, looking up from her meal. She is now in the cafeteria below the bridge. "You okay? You look disturbed."

"I am...concerned...about my mother," Nassur sighs. "I think something went wrong with this *tre'cha* thing Honey did for her."

Noa blinks, then sighs. "What happened?"

"She...Noa, I would swear that Honey and my mother have become lovers," Nassur sighs.

"Aren't we the gallant knight, saving his mother from the demons?" Noa laughs, then sighs. "I hate to tell you this, Nassur, but right now, as my people look at things, my sister and your mother ARE lovers."

Nassur faints! "WHAT?!?!"

"Settle down!!" Noa waves him back to the chair. "You see, Honey is trained in the art of passing her *mei'na* in case she believes she will imminently face death. Knowledge of helping others pass their *mei'na* to her comes with the ability to perform *tre'cha.* Honey executed the *tre'cha* perfectly. It really was as if your mother had not died."

"So what is wrong?" he demands.

"Well...she forgot to take precautions."

"Honey?"

Noa nods. "You know my people gain intimate pleasure by close psionic contact. When *tre'cha* becomes involved, we have to shield our own *mei'na* to allow the other's mind to remain uncorrupted. Honey isn't a nurse like Hotaru. They're trained in mental restoration duties, holding one's *mei'na* when that person has died. Honey isn't."

"So what DID happen?! Get to the point!"

"When Honey dropped her shields, using herself as a psychic vacuum cleaner to draw Hunba into herself," Noa sighs, "...she didn't shield her own *mei'na* from touching Hunba's. It'd be as if both did *mavan'shagh.* Honey experienced EVERYTHING Hunba lived through. To us, that's the most intimate, erotic experience one could have with one's lover."

He takes that in, then sighs. "They've become bondmates."

"Exactly," she nods. "And with your mother having lost what life she had on Vos, maybe it's a good thing. The Provisional Government wants to use her as a martyr to press their reforms and keep the people's loyalty. They can't have her suddenly appear alive and well. It'll result in another power struggle, one Vos doesn't need." A weak shrug twitches her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Nassur. I wished things would've gone better, but they didn't."

"It's okay," he sighs. "The swiftness by which they declared her dead when you were screaming she was still alive ticked me off, too. But...do you think Mother understands?"

"She should," Noa nods. "As Honey touched Hunba, Hunba touched Honey. She knows about how things work on Sagussa. As a matter of fact, while we were prepping your mother for regeneration, Hunba, through my sister, asked the doctors to subject her to the regeneration matrix the *daishi'cha* use."

"Which means that my mother is now a *daishi'cha.* The lifespan, the powers."

"And as physically young as you," she smiles. "The matrix does that sometimes."

He sighs. "Okay. Thanks, Noa."

"Anytime."

He rises to leave, then stops, looking back. "Noa, can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"Do you approve of their being together?"

The *ashi'cha* shrugs. "Nassur, it's not my place to pass judgement on my sister's choice of bond-mate. Although," a mischievous glint appears, "now **I** can bother her about being the lovesick sandpanther in heat!"

Nassur blinks, then laughs...

* * *

Shinobu lays out her kimono. A simple white design, soft flowers stitched into the cloth. A pity it wasn't her wedding kimono. Then again, she didn't have one. It didn't matter, she smiles, feeling the fabric. White was always the colour the bride took to a wedding, regardless of culture.

Junba would understand...

* * *

"Where, Henry?"

"*Fourth door to your right ahead of you.*"

"Thanks," Nassur nods, stopping in front of the door. The Gatherer's superstructure housed quarters for all the *daishi'cha,* a measure meant to be used if a terrible calamity befell Sagussa. Although how much more could be done to that world, Nassur couldn't imagine. He had seen holograms of the planet. He was barely able to imagine life existed there. "You want to establish your culture on THAT dustbowl?!" Benten exclaimed when she saw Sagussa's image.

The door in question is marked as the quarters for four: Lufy and Catty, Priss and Sugoi. So it was true, Nassur muses, having heard of the young Oni-Avalonian's bonding with Pathfinder Troop Six's coxswain. The door was also denoted with a poster warning FREE FIRE ZONE! SLACKERS NOT WANTED!! ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! Pressing the doorbell, he waits.

"C'mon in, Nassur!!" Lufy beckons.

The door opens. Nassur notes that Lufy, Priss and Makoto were there. "I guess you're here discussing the same thing," he muses.

"The Mikado's alive," Lufy muses. "Big question: where?"

"I've been thinking about that," he sits beside Priss. "Chances are, he's so far gone that all he'll want to do is get at me."

"In his mind, all he sees is you," Priss takes a swig of her bottle of ru-jugh.

"And Ataru, as well," Makoto warns.

"Agreed," Nassur nods. "Now, since Junba had been looking for her family since the Mikado reprogrammed her, she would certainly prefer to be buried beside Cinba and her parents on Colony Seventy-one."

"So we'll go there after Benten has the baby?" Lufy muses.

"If Shinobu goes along with it," Nassur sighs. "I suspect she might."

"We're burying Junba in a cryotube to await the chance to heal her body," Lufy muses. "How that could be possible, Catty doesn't know. Colony Seventy-one's as safe a place as I can think of outside Tere'na-korgh."

"Yeah, bury her beside Lyna," Priss snorts, handing a bottle of her personal ale to Nassur. "Wouldn't that be something?"

"Thanks," Nassur swallows, then nearly gags. "Whoa!! That's strong stuff!"

"Yeah, we do like our booze!"

"We're a horrible race of lushes!!" Makoto laughs.

"That's not all!" Lufy warns. "We're..."

"OVERSEXED, UNDERPAID, UNDER-APPRECIATED LUSHES!!!!" the three bellow.

They laugh, high-fiving each other. Nassur chuckles, realizing the *pirpirsiw'r* were doing this to debrief themselves, unwind from the tension of the fight. "The big question I have is what in Lyna's name was that we fought in the Mikado's office?" Makoto wonders. "No body can fly apart like that when one of us touches it?"

"Lufy might know," Nassur nods.

"They're called shadows," Lufy sighs. "I know because it's one of the very few memories I have of my old life. Certain Silent One sects on Vos were capable of doing this."

"'Shadows?'" Priss wonders.

"You don't know?" Makoto blinks.

"I was a bard, not a warrior princess," the Pathfinder protests.

Lufy coughs to get their attention. "Anyhow, the Silent One, when doing this, manipulates psionic and electromagnetic fields around him to build a version of himself. Indistinguishable from the original except for one thing: they're not as well skilled as the template. They're really meant for distraction. Not much else."

"That thing distracted us," Makoto hums. "Not to mention wrecked Shinobu's life."

"Yeah," Priss sighs. "What's this have to do with burying Junba?"

"I think the Mikado will be waiting for us there," Nassur sighs. "For me. I'm the architect of his problems. He'll want to settle things with me one-on-one."

"But you have to be there for Junba's funeral," Lufy notes. "Clone or no, you are next-of-kin outside Shinobu."

"In fact, I wouldn't put it past this slime to attack us when the funeral is underway," Priss muses. "We're having it after Benten gives birth, right?"

"Right," he nods.

"He'd love to attack then," Priss leans back. "It'll be poetic justice in that jerk's eye if your child was killed along the way."

"True," he growls.

"The only thing we can do is have someone on picket duty while we're having the ceremony," Makoto proposes. "It could be anyone from Sagussa. One drop of the shields in *mavan'shagh* and that bastard's brains are toast. One bullet later," she cocks her fingers like a gun, then fires, "and it's over." She blows across her 'smoking' finger.

"Agreed," Nassur nods.

"But right now," Priss nudges him, "your concern should be your wife and your mother. Don't worry. Leave the Mikado to us."

* * *

Oshika is as quiet as a crypt as the Gatherer descends. Everyone stands in front of Ataru's house, staring as the ship comes to a halt, looming over the spires of Nicole's palace. "Renegade" launches from one of the side hangar decks, descending toward the beach. Everyone waits as the frigate lands, the lower boarding hatch coming down. A moment later, Nassur steps down. "Nassur!!!" Benten cries as she stumbles toward him.

The hunter smiles as his wife sinks into his arms. Everyone comes up, eyes questioning him as he turns to Shinobu, draped in a white kimono. "Shinobu, I'm..." he shakes his head, then embraces her.

Shinobu contently smiles. "It's alright," she sniffs. "I'm fine."

Nassur blinks, alarm bells sounding in the depths of his mind. Shinobu had that look. *His'r-piv'm,* Yehisrites called it. The Look of the Dead. Nothing to live for anymore. "Shinobu..."

"I want to see her," Shinobu sighs.

Nassur shudders. This was no time for a scene. If Shinobu was determined to do it, even he couldn't stop her. "In her cabin."

"Thank you," she pulls away from him.

Everyone watches her board "Renegade." "She's taking this very well," Megane muses.

"Too well," Mendou adds.

"Someone should be with her," Lum warns.

Nassur turns to Cherry. "I...want to bury Junba on Colony 71 beside her sister and parents. Would you mind...?"

"I would be very honoured," the monk bows. "We Japanese believe that the more deities invoked at the time of death, the better one's chances of achieving Nirvana."

"We'll all be there," Mendou nods. "Junba was one of us, even if it was for just a short while. What friends would we be if we allowed her to pass to Heaven alone?"

Everyone turns to see Hunba and Honey descend from the "Renegade." The rebel fighter now wears a Sagussan jumpsuit; the black, gold and light blue of External Affairs. Two wreath of laurel stripes adorn her arms. "Who's this?!" Mendou blinks.

"Everyone," Nassur smiles, holding his hand out. "This is my mother, Hunba."

"Hello, everyone," Hunba bows.

Everyone returns her greeting. "Ma'am," Invader lumbers up, hand out. "It's an honour to meet you...although I must confess that the change of uniform is...unusual."

"Well, with the Confederation believing me to be dead, it seems I don't have a world to call my own," Hunba shakes Invader's hand, smiling at her bond-mate, "...until I was offered a job in Sagussa's External Affairs ministry. I'll be a special advisor on Vosian affairs to the Sagussan government."

"At least you'll have a place to call home," Miroku Shigaten embraces her. "In the meantime, what say we go inside and get to know each other? We've a lot to talk about."

A cramp surges through Benten's abdomen. "Benten, what's wrong?!" Ten-chan floats up to her as the hunter feels her strength go.

"Rats!" the Fukunokami hisses. "I think this kid's decided to come!!"

"Get her inside!" Kurama runs up to help Benten back into the house. "Honey, call Catty and Pony! I'll need them and two nurses!!"

"Right away, I'sagh!" Honey nods.

Benten is escorted into the basement. Already arranged is a sterile examination table with all the equipment necessary to aid in childbirth. Catty, Pony, Hotaru and Setsuna beam in, then sterilize. "Get her on the bed and prep her!" Kurama orders.

"Right away!!" Hotaru nods.

Everyone gathers by the doorway. "What's going on?" Lan wonders.

"Benten's having her baby!!" Reiko beams.

Lan pales. "Baby?! Here?!! NOW?!?!"

She faints! "I believed Lan-chan was stronger than that," Oyuki muses over everyone's laughter.

"Everyone but immediate family out!!!" Kurama barks, slipping a gown on. "Nassur, his mother and Benten's parents can stay!!"

With that, everyone streams into the living room. Honey closes the door behind her. "Now what?" Megane wonders.

"We wait," Tanoshii holds his hand...

* * *

Inside Junba's cabin on "Renegade," Shinobu stares at the unmoving body before her. Junba is draped in a Sagussan burial robe, in Pathfinder dark blue laced with red and green; the nearest Sagussan equivalent of her occupation as a psi-hunter. Her kill belt is drawn around her. Her hands grasp the Sceptre of Lecasur to her heart. Prayer shawls are draped around her neck, containing messages from a dozen *daishi'cha.* Noa's shawl is visible. FORGIVE ME, it states. I WISH WE COULD HAVE BEEN FRIENDS.

"Only in death do they understand," Shinobu sniffs, her hands passing through the stasis field to touch Junba's cheek. "Only in death...why? Why is it people wait until others are gone to express the truth? Oh, Ju-chan, why couldn't you have stayed?"

Leaning down, she kisses the Vosian's stilled lips, then straightens herself. "Today, everyone wants to celebrate life. I have no heart for it. The rest of my days will now be with you, my love," she draws the knife, lowering herself to her knees as she bares her throat. Taking in several deep breaths, she points the blade at her trachea, her eyes never wavering from Junba's face.

"Now, my love, I join you!"

The blade begins its advance.

SHI-CHAN, STOP!!!!!!

Shinobu screams, dropping the blade as she looks around, eyes wide. "J-j-ju-chan?!" she stammers. "Is th-that y-you...?!"

Of course it's me, stupid! the hunter's voice echoes in her mind. Don't you remember?! I'm inside you now!

Shinobu blinks, rising to stare at her lover. "Th-then w-why did you st-stop me...?" she gasps. "Don't you understand?! We can't live like this! I want to be with you!!"

And I am with you, love! Junba's voice soothes her. I'm inside you! What better place could I be?!

"But I want to hold you! I want to love you! I can't do that if they're going to put you into the ground!!"

Love's more than that! Junba assures her. Besides, don't you want to save yourself for the one you are bonded to?!

That statement catches her short. "One...I am...bonded to...?!"

Shi-chan, think! You told Pamanba once that you met a boy named Aki-chan when you were four years old! He had come to Earth looking for an Oni. That was Lum, remember?

"Yes! So what?!"

Shi-chan, being inside you means I have access to all your neurons. And I can tell you have a *pe'cha* bond with Aki-chan; Akisur, I should say. That's his name.

Shinobu blinks. Akisur. A Vosian name. A Vosian MAN's name! Was that the reason she pined after Nassur? Was she actually after someone else? "Ju-chan...is he...?!"

He's still alive, love. Believe me, even you'd sense it if he died. He's out there. You can still find him.

Shinobu takes that in, relaxing. Junba's words roll over her again. Her life was not over after all. There was someone out there for her! She had to find him. But...how? Where? "I have to find him," she blinks.

I know, love. I know you can do it.

"But...wh-what about you?"

Hey, I'm still here, remember? Junba laughs. I don't mind being here, love...as long as I can stay within you.

Shinobu blinks, tears streaming down her face. She then notices the knife. What reason would it have to be here? Shaking her head, she places it on a desk. Taking a deep breath, she leans down to kiss Junba once more, then strides out of the room...

* * *

A moment later, Shinobu steps into the house. She notices everyone waiting in the living room. "What's going on?"

"Benten's giving birth!" Lum beams. "She went into labour after you went to see Junba."

"Oh?!" tears flow down her cheeks. She had been reborn. Now new life was entering this world. Today was a happy day.

Suddenly, the wails of a baby echo from the basement. Everyone bolts up, excitement charging the air as the door opens, revealing Hunba. "It's a girl!!" she screams.

A roar of joy surges from everyone as people embrace. In a moment, the door opens again, allowing Nassur to emerge. In his arms is a cloth bundle. Peeking from it is the cherubic face of a beautiful baby girl. "Oh, kawaii!!!" Lum exclaims on seeing her.

"This child is blessed!" Sakura muses.

"What's her name?!" Ten-chan wonders.

Nassur smiles. "Junba."

Everyone blinks. "Junba's creator was really prophetic," Nassur explains. "In Vosian, 'junba' means 'woman of peace.' What better name could there be for the first child born after the Civil War has ended?"

Approving nods come from other people. Nassur blinks on seeing Shinobu standing there. Walking up to her, he allows the Terran to take the child in hand. "Shinobu, would you be Junba-chan's godmother?"

Surprised, Shinobu beams. "I'd love to."

Cheers echo as people yell for a party to start. Shinobu sinks into Nassur's embrace as she stares at her goddaughter. "What made you change your mind?" Nassur whispers.

She smiles. "I learned I've something to live for after all," she whispers.

Blinking, he nods...

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

"There," Lum fixes her obi. "All set!"

The Oni is adorned in a tiger-striped kimono emblazoned with a mythical phoenix, denoting her dual allegiance to Uru and Sagussa. Parading herself in front of the full-length mirror, she beams, then turns to Ataru. "Darling, are you set?"

To her surprise, Ataru reclines on his bed, still dressed in his duty jumpsuit. "Did you say something, Lum-chan?"

"Get dressed!" Lum urges. "We're about to head to Colony 71 for the funeral!!!"

"I'm not going," he announces.

Lum stops. "Why?!!"

"You should know why!" he eyes her.

Lum stares at him. Through their bond, she knew what stormed through her fiance's heart. "Shinobu would want you to be there."

"I can't face her after everything I heaped on her. It's my fault that she believed she was Nassur's lover right to the point where the Mikado would've targeted her! I'm the one who started this whole mess!!"

"Now, you stop!" she barks. "Darling, you couldn't predict what the Mikado would've done! None of us knew how deep the hatred was between him and Nassur-chan...or how crazy he would've become! Besides, what about how Shinobu tried to use us to get at Nassur-chan?! If you're going to cast blame then you have to included all of us, not just you!"

He sighs. "I can't go. I don't want to go. I can't face her after all I've done! I...I destroyed the life of the only person before Mie-chan and you that I could really call a friend! Nothing I can do can atone for that!!"

Lum moves to reply, then falls silent. Regardless of what she said, Ataru's mind was made up. Nothing would alter his views. And they had long established the habit that neither could force the other to do things the other didn't want. Even now, officially engaged, that still ruled their relationship. "Well, stay on the Gatherer," she sighs. "I'll try to think up excuses. I'll say that you're busy doing some administration work. You'll have to decide how your cabinet's going to be, anyway. You still haven't chosen a Prime Councillor. But if Shinobu presses it, I'll tell the truth."

"Okay," he nods. "Henry?!"

"*Yes?*"

"Beam me to the master bedroom. I have some work to do."

"*Very well,*" Henry responds.

Ataru disappears in a transporter beam. Lum sighs, then walks out of the bedroom. Waiting for her in the living room are Nokoko, Mal and Reiko, all in beautiful kimonos. "Where's Daddy?" the Noukiite wonders.

"He's already gone ahead, Reiko-chan," Lum takes her hand. "C'mon, it's time to go."

Nokoko and Mal stare at each other, knowing what really had happened. The four then proceed to the waiting "Renegade."

* * *

Sometime later, the Gatherer sails into orbit over Colony Seventy-one. The world seems desolate, barren. Scars from orbital bombardment mark the two continents where settlements had been established. The barren wasteland where cities once stood, farms prospered, parks spread for kilometres around...all mark the tragedy that happened here. Nassur stands on the Gatherer's bridge, gazing at the world he last walked on 35 years before.

"Homecoming?" Noa wonders.

His mouth twitches. The *ashi'cha* was adjusting her uniform. "Not really," he sighs. "It was a home...once. Not now."

"Standard orbit achieved," Spea reports from the watchmistress' station. "All controls under Henry's command."

"Beam the graves detail to excavate the site," Noa orders. "We'll have the body transported down in an hour."

"Aye-aye, Minister," Spea nods.

Nassur looks at Rumy, manning the science station. "Rumy, can Henry scan for life on the planet?" he walks over. "Human life?"

The science chief blinks, then adjusts her controls. "I'll scan right now," she reports. "Just a moment."

The turbolift doors open, revealing Benten, dressed in ceremonial battle uniform with chains, loin guards and arm shields. A sleeping Junba lies in her arms. Noa stares at her. "How do you feel?"

"Kurama ought to get her hands bronzed," the bounce in her step is all too apparent. "It's as if I never had Aiotoga."

Nassur walks over to her. "It's a nice name," he wraps an arm around her. "Have to keep remembering she's not all Vosian."

"And she's not all Fukunokami," Benten kisses him. "Besides, my mom'd kill me if I didn't consider giving her a Fukunokami name."

"Yeah. I'll see you on the hangar deck."

"Right," she walks off the bridge.

Rumy turns. "I found something."

"What?" he walks up to her.

"Two lifeforms," she reports. "Humanoid, Vosian. Readings are hard to obtain due to background radiation. They're in the capital city, about six kilometres from the cemetery."

"One's the Mikado. Who's the other?"

"Can't tell," Rumy shakes her head. "Further, I can't tell if they're real people or shadows. Lufy told me about that business in the Mikado's headquarters. Who knows what they could be!"

"I see. Thanks, Rumy. I'll tell Lufy."

"Right," she smiles as he walks off...

* * *

"So, who's it going to be?" Lufy wonders.

The *pirpirsiw'r* are in the pilot's quarters. "We were there when Junba died," Priss notes. "We all have to be there."

"Let's do *jogh-pei,*" Makoto proposes.

The three assume positions. "Ai, ei, ii..." Lufy counts.

"*Jogh!*" a voice calls.

They stare at Ataru. "Ataru, what are you doing?!" Lufy demands.

"I'll handle him," the *daimon'cha* sighs, holding up his hand. "After all, the wing rides the air."

They exchange looks, then nod. This was the final stage in the break between Ataru and Shinobu. "Okay," Lufy sighs.

"Get ready. If I need help, I'll yell."

"Right!!" the three nod.

Ataru heads out. The *pirpirsiw'r* shrug, then proceed to dress. At that moment, the door opens, revealing Nassur. "There're two of them there," he warns. "You get someone to go keep an eye out?"

"Yeah," Lufy nods, waving. "It's taken care of. There's loads more where we come from. See you in a bit!"

Nassur nods, then heads out. The three exchange looks. "I just hope he's ready for this," Priss buckles on her gun belt.

"He should be," Lufy sighs. "Catty knew what she was doing."

* * *

As the crowd proceeds to the hangar deck for transit to the planet's surface, Ataru sits in lotus position in his bedroom. Candles surround him as he concentrates, focusing the energies of his *mei'na* to the task at hand. Innocent people had been drawn against their will into the Mikado's warped game. The dictator, like all sore losers, had decided that was not enough. Time for him to get a reality check...a *terminal* one.

Eyes narrow, his hands lash out, passing through the air over the candles. The flames barely flicker. Smooth as silk. Smiling, he pulls up a bowl of black face paint. In a minute, tiger-striping is marked on his face. At that moment, the door opens, revealing Elle-chan, an officer from Benten-chan's directorate who moonlighted as a martial artist. "You wanted to see me, Ataru?"

"A martial arts uniform, please."

"Okay," she nods. "Oh, Chief Rumy reports that two tangos are on Colony Seventy-one, six kilometres from the cemetery."

Ataru's eyebrow rises. "That's fine. Inform everyone I'll be dealing with them. Under no circumstances are any of Shinobu's guests to be told. No need for alarm."

"Aye-aye," she nods, walking out.

Ataru returns to his meditation. Two? The Mikado brought a playmate...or was it a shadow? No matter. They were the enemy. Destroy the enemy. A surge flows from his heart, filling him with raging energy. Partially the *saikoo jinseijitsu,* its sentience removed over the last couple of weeks and reborn as the fifth sibling of the Moroboshi family, Negako. Partially the Cyborg, its special powers return to the *te'a* whence they came. Partially his surface personality, now possessing uninhibited access to the knowledge of the other parts of his mind.

All Ataru Moroboshi.

Elle returns, a martial arts jumpsuit in hand. Setting it down, she leaves. He icily smiles. He blows out the candles, then proceeds to dress. Time to have some fun.

* * *

On the wind-swept surface below, Cherry continues his prayers, blessing the gravesite. Beside Junba's final resting place were the graves of those she had sought for so long. Cinba. Namasur. Shuba. Spread out behind the governor's family were 300,000 graves, bearing the bodies of innocent people, victims of the Mikado. Beside the monk, Sakura and Chie carry out their own blessings. The grave is excavated, two metres long, a metre wide, two metres deep. Guy lines are erected to lower Junba's casket to her final resting place. The leader of the graves detail then turns to the priests. "Are you ready, sir?"

"We're ready," Cherry nods.

She nods. A moment later, a transporter beam sends Junba's body and her pall bearers down. Sylia, Eluza, Shildy, Spea, Reinoevan, Makoto. Flanking them are the two lines of the honour guard. Lufy, Mie, Rabby, Amy and Patty in one line. Priss, Asukanoevan, Linna, Nene and Rumy in the other.

Next are Nassur and Shinobu, next-of-kin. Families of the bereaved: Benten, Junba, Hunba, the Shigatens, the Miyakis. Everyone else comes. Shinobu looks around, surprised to see who had come. Her classmates, their parents and friends. Her sisters and their life-mates. Pamanba and Clarisse. Varanko, Yukio and several executioners. Dakejinzou, her children, the other clones and Pamanba's fellow hunters. The hybrids of Home Base. The other Nendo-kata. Nicole's family. The bioroids of Sado. Otako and other delegates from New Avalon. Rei's mother Yedris, sister Sugoi and delegates of the Urusian Democratic Alliance. Soban and his gang. Kitsune. Kotatsuneko. The Rosebuds. Her cousins from Nerima, the Saotomes and the Tendous. Inaba and several members of the Destiny Management organization.

And all of them were here for her!

"Detail, advance!" Amy, senior chief on deck, barks. "March!"

The honour guard slow marches to the gravesite. The pall bearers keep step until Junba's cryotube is over the pit. The coffin is draped with the Vosian cygnet flag, "71" stencilled in the middle. The bearers lower the casket into the braces. Cherry walks forward. "Honoured friends, we have come here today to bid farewell to our friend..."

* * *

Unseen by anyone, the funeral is being observed through a pair of binoculars from somewhere in the ruins of Colony Seventy-one's capital city four kilometres away. "Burying someone who was never born here," the Mikado sneers, eyes narrowing. "Pathetic! Time to end this! You ready?"

His companion silently nods. Both are now draped in form-fitting black combat uniforms akin to ninja's gi. Vosian dragons are emblazoned on their chest. The two warriors slink out of their observation point, moving stealthily toward the cemetery. All they had to do was kill someone. Best of all Nassur's newborn daughter. No sense in giving their followers future headaches.

As they pass one alley, something fires out, smacking into the Mikado's cheek. The dictator jolts, spinning to see something framed in gold standing in the shadows.

"It's not nice to interrupt a funeral."

The two brace themselves as someone walks out of the shadows. Someone draped in a gold phoenix and black tiger-stripes...

* * *

Nassur delivers the eulogy. "Junba was not born of a mother's womb. She never enjoyed a childhood. Never understood the warmth of a family's love. While we do not and may never know who created her, why she was created...we do know she strove for those things we took for granted. Love, family, a hearth to call her own."

Shinobu remains calm, looking around. People acknowledge her with soft smiles. Her mother holds her hand. Reiko was smiling, looking pleased. *Oh, that's right!* Shinobu reminds herself. Noukiites believed in reincarnation. To Reiko, Junba would soon return in a new body, a new chance at life. Death was a celebration of new life.

Behind her, the others who were forced on the Planet of Shadows mission remain still. Mendou and Megane weep, consoled by their lovers. Lum remains in control. Shinobu sighs. She understood what had happened. As long as Shinobu lived, Junba would live within her. What better fate was that? And Ataru?

Ataru?

"That she found it before she was taken away from us should not be seen as a tragedy, but as a triumph. Among my people, making peace with yourself before your death is seen as easing your way through Purgatory into Heaven. I am sure Junba made peace with herself, with those who surrounded her, before she departed this world for the next..."

Shinobu looks around.

No shaggy brown hair.

No well kept beard.

Nothing!

Where was Ataru?

* * *

The side of a building shatters as the Mikado's friend tries to cut Ataru in half. The Terran leapt clear, landing behind the stranger, then slamming him into the building. His right hand snaps up, intercepting a knife strike aimed for his eyes, then his feet trips the Mikado. The dictator rolls out of the way as Ataru slides clear.

The Mikado shakes his head. This was the first time he had come face-to-face with Sagussa's *daimon'cha.* Not the girl-chasing moron as rumours announced him. A moderately tall, slender but physically powerful young man. Very little in the way of body fat. Not muscular in Gophentaxian terms, but no skinny rail, this one. Not even approaching twenty Terran years. Well skilled, too.

This would be an interesting contest.

The two Silent Ones advance on the lone ninja, trying to stare past Ataru's neutral face, probe his guards for weaknesses. The Terran backsteps, not seeing a fallen hunk of masonry in his path. His foot catches, causing him to tumble over. Seeing their advantage, the Vosians charge...and wind up getting some chin music from Ataru's feet!

They stagger back as Ataru recovers, analyzing them. Simple strategy when fighting a handicapped duel. Eliminate one, then take out the other. A purr rises from his throat. Time to find out how good these two were...

* * *

The bearers fold the banner, the last time Colony Seventy-one's flag would be used for this duty. The Provisional Government decreed Colony 71 a war cemetery. No additional burials would be permitted there. After everyone left today, the only people who would be allowed to visit were relatives of those buried there.

"Detail, port arms!" Amy barks.

Weapons snap to their chests. "Ready!"

Actions are cocked. "Aim!"

Weapons rise to the sky. "Fire!"

Ten shots ring out. There is not a dry eye in sight. Amy orders a reload, then a second volley. Then a third. Clarisse and Pamanba raise their voices, humming "Book of Days." The other *daishi'cha* join in...

One day, one night, one moment
My dreams could be tomorrow
One step, one fall, one falter
East or west
Over earth or by ocean
One way to be my journey
This way could be my Book of Days

No day, no night, no moment
Can hold me back from trying
I'll flag, I'll fall, I'll falter
I'll find my day may be Far and Away
Far and Away

One day, one night, one moment
With a dream to be leaving
One step, one fall, one falter
And a new earth across a wide ocean
This way became my journey
This day ends together, Far and Away
This day ends together, Far and Away
Far and Away

Eluza marches up to Shinobu, flag in hand. Saluting the deceased's bondmate, Eluza hands her the flag. "Here you go," she salutes again. "On behalf of all of us, please accept our deepest condolences for your loss."

Shinobu nods, her body quaking as tears flow down her cheeks. But she doesn't cry for Junba. Junba was within her.

She hurt for other reasons.

Ataru hadn't come.

Again.

* * *

A crumbling skyscraper falls down as Ataru rolls clear of the Mikado's strike. They understood pressure point tactics. Cute. Suddenly, the *daimon'cha* tenses as the dictator's companion charges at him from behind. Ataru ducks and twirls. His roundhouse kick sends the other warrior sprawling. Then using the momentum, he catches the Mikado around the neck and rams the dictator's head into the ground!

His companion sky dives on Ataru. The *daimon'cha* spins away, then cartwheels to his feet. The Mikado is on him, landing two blows to the ribs before Ataru delivers a brutal chop to the back of the dictator's neck. He falls forward as Ataru sweeps around, trying to regain the advantage.

Something was wrong.

Ataru intercepts a fury of punches and kicks from the Mikado's companion as he tries to determine what is going on. Their psychic resonances were...off. Not exactly human. He had never met the Mikado in person, but he had felt the poisonous resonances the dictator left on Nassur. And this, while similar, was not the same. Not as powerful. The Mikado was well into his fourth century of existence. These two were almost...brand new.

"You cowards!" Ataru snarls, a surge of hatred thundering through him. "At least you should've had the guts to face me in person!! It's no wonder Nassur didn't respect you!"

They were shadows.

Fine and fair.

Time to uncork the big guns.

"***TYPHOON WIND-FIST!!!!!!***"

Colony Seventy-one's capital explodes!!

* * *

Junba's casket is lowered into the pit. The graves detail fills in the grave as Catty lights a memorial flame below the headstone. Meanwhile, the mourners pass Shinobu, shaking her hand, embracing her, wishing her well. Nassur remains behind her, his hand on her shoulders, steadying her.

Finally, Lum comes up. Shinobu glares at her. "Where is he?"

Lum jolts. Their old classmates tense, sensing the venom in Shinobu's voice. "Where is he, Lum? Why isn't he here?"

"Hey, where's Ataru?!" Megane demands.

"It took you that long to notice?" Tanoshii growls.

"Well?!" Shinobu snaps. "Doesn't he care anymore?! Doesn't he have any feelings?! For Ju-chan?! For me?! Answer me, Lum!!"

"Shinobu," Nassur hisses. "If Ataru doesn't want to do anything, you don't have the right to yell at Lum!"

"You stay out of this!!" Shinobu snarls, then faces Lum. "Well?!"

"Nassur-chan's right," anger flashes in Lum's eyes. "I resent the fact that whenever Darling or I do something which doesn't meet with your approval, you try your best to make the other feel so guilty, you force a fight between us! Darling didn't come because he didn't want to. If you have a problem with that, take it up with him, not me!"

Shinobu feels her strength go, a hoarse gasp escaping her lips. "That disrespectful bastard!!!" Mendou snaps, drawing his katana. "How dare he not come in Shinobu-san's time of need?!! He shall be two for his sin!!"

Nassur and the *daishi'cha* shake their heads in disgust. "This is the lowest thing he's ever done!!!" Megane snarls, pointing to the sky. "This is beyond unforgivable!!!"

"Where is that jerk?!" Ryuunosuke snaps.

"Isn't it obvious?!" Shinobu wails. "He doesn't care for us!! We could all die and he wouldn't blink an eye! He's been saying it since the Spirit War!! He hates us!!!"

"No," Lum turns to leave. "He felt he had no right to come today."

Everyone stops. "What...?" Sakura gasps.

"Don't you get it?!" Lum spins on them. "Yes, there was a time Darling hated you! He would've killed you if you pushed him too far! But after he had the chance to cool off, put his thoughts back together, he realized that in certain places, you were his friends! And yes, there were things he did which were wrong. He admits it. But because none of you showed that you were willing to acknowledge what he was doing for himself, he saw no reason to be friendly with any of you."

She turns on Shinobu. "You used Darling and I to get your hands on Nassur-chan," Lum jabs a finger in Shinobu's chest. "Darling was the one who helped Nassur-chan recognize Benten. That was to destroy your dream of marrying Nassur-chan and to teach you that you couldn't use friends like that. Afterward, he stayed silent because he wanted you to learn that people won't bow to your desires."

Shinobu shudders, tears flowing. "But at the same time, Darling never wanted this to happen," Lum concludes, then turns away.

"Whatta guy!" Ryuunosuke exclaims.

"He didn't say a thing," Paama muses.

"He did," Sakura looks down. "We didn't listen. Now it's too late. His destiny lies elsewhere...as it was always meant to be."

Distant explosions rock the countryside. "What the heck's that?!!" Kakugari wonders.

"Hey, look!!!" Chibi points.

Everyone turns to see a cloud of battle move ominously towards them. "H-hey, N-nassur," Benten stammers, tightly cradling Junba. "I-I th-thought you s-said there's n-no one living on th-this rock!"

"Oh, that's right!" Nassur snaps his fingers. "The Mikado's here."

"***WHAT?!?!?! AND YOU DIDN'T THINK OF TELLING US?!?!?! WHAT TYPE OF FRIEND ARE YOU?!?!?!***" everyone screams.

"Oh, don't worry," Lum giggles, watching the coming fight. "Darling's handling it!!"

Everyone jolts, then relaxes. "Oh, thank the gods!!" Mendou breathes out. "Against the Cyborg, that monster's toast!"

"Um...it doesn't look like the Cyborg to me, Dear," Sil warns.

Everyone tenses as two dazed Vosian warriors stagger out of the smoke. Following them is a single figure in a Sagussan martial arts uniform. "Ataru doesn't look like he's going to transform," Ryuunosuke muses.

"He can't call on the Cyborg," Lum notes.

"Then how's he...?!" Megane pales. "Don't tell me that thing's on the loose again?!!"

"The *saikoo jinseijitsu's* personality is gone, too," Lum adds.

"Then how's he fighting those two?!" Benten screams, pointing.

"It's all Darling," Lum shrugs. "One person. The Cyborg, the *saikoo jinseijitsu,* all under Darling's conscious command and control. After twelve years, he's whole."

Nassur's eyes narrow as he recognizes the Mikado's companion. "No! That's impossible!"

"What?!" Benten wonders.

"That's Osur!! What's he doing here?!!"

"Osur?!!" Shinobu shudders, her eyes widening. "Your school commandant?! But didn't you say your father killed him?!"

"Looks like the Mikado isn't the only one capable of using shadows," Catty muses, having finished work with Junba's grave.

Seeing the mourners still on the field, the Mikado and Osur bellow as they charge. "Benten, get Junba-chan out of here!!" Nassur snaps. "These two mean business!"

"So does Darling," Lum muses.

Ataru points at the former commander of the Special Hunter Corps. "***SPIRIT-BREAKER FIRE-LIGHT!!!!!!***"

A blast of psionic energy slices Osur in half!! "Vaporized!" Chibi gasps.

"Another shadow!!" Nassur exclaims.

Once Osur is gone, Ataru pounces at the Mikado.

"***SOULSWORD!!!!!!***"

The blade leaps from Ataru's chest, sweeping down in a murderous arc to slash the Mikado's shadow in half!! The dictator's double screams as it disintegrates, bellowing revenge before it returns to its component energy. Ataru lands, allowing the soulsword's energy to return to him. Breathing out in relief, the *daimon'cha* turns and walks away. A second later, a transporter beam takes him.

"Ataru-kun, wait!!!" Shinobu cries.

"Let him go, Shinobu," Sakura sighs, looking up to the bright light marking the Gatherer. "We can't force him to be friends with us anymore. When he's ready...if he wants to come back...he'll come back."

Shinobu stops, then sadly nods. "In the meantime, let's get off this rock!" Benten sighs. "No offense to you and Junba, Shinobu, but we have our lives to get back to!"

Hearing that, everyone laughs...

* * *

Sometime later, the Gatherer soars from Colony Seventy-one, bound for Earth. Other ships transport the other guests home. On the bridge, Ataru relaxes in the shipmistress' chair, gazing at the stars. "You're going to take the 'Renegade' back?" he stares at Lum.

"Yeah. You're invited to come."

He tenses, then shakes his head. "No."

"Darling, they understand."

He sadly nods. "I can't go back to them. Not now. My responsibility lies here," he points to the deck. "Not with them."

"You have to stop being angry, Darling."

"In due time. I need my anger, Lum-chan. It's the fuel I need to push me to the next stage in my life. Besides...I still can't look at those people without remembering what they've done to me. I'm still mad at some of them. I...might stop hating them, but..." he shrugs. "I guess I'm still mad at myself. How can I face them when I still have trouble facing myself in the mirror every day?"

She kisses him. "Okay. See you."

"Miss you, Lum-chan," he grips her hand.

"Miss you, Darling," she smiles.

With that, she steps off the bridge, heading for the "Renegade"...

*** The End ***

Epilogue.

Colony 71 rotates under its sun, continuing its lonely trek across the cosmos. Storm clouds form over the capital city. It rains for a while, then the clouds part. Sunlight falls over Junba's grave. Suddenly, a burst of bright light surges from the grave. Before long, the planet is bathed in that energy. Ruins disintegrate as the scorched soil is boiled away. All traces of human interference disappears.

The *te'a* beholds this.

The light, Its light...was good.

After what seems an eternity...it is about a day...the light fades. As it recedes, trees begin to grow at an accelerated rate. Within an hour, a desert world becomes a jungle paradise. Other nutrients combine, forming single-celled organisms. In minutes, multi-cell animals begin to swim in the cleansed seas. Some remain there. Others grow legs and lungs, transforming from fish to amphibian to higher forms of life.

The *te'a* beholds that.

The life, the life It created...was good.

In the epicentre of the blast, the hole where Junba was buried is cleansed of matter. The others are gone, transferred to an isolated island in the middle of the planet's largest ocean, separated by energy fields and distance from intermingling with the planet's evolving life forms. The case which held the prototype *haijo-ju* others addressed as the Sceptre of Lecasur is gone.

And the one who held the Sceptre unto death was elsewhere, awaiting the chance to return to her *marei'cha's* side, to fulfil the promise she made before Entropy separated them. But that was no longer a concern.

The *te'a* beholds that.

No longer could mortals interfere.

And that, above all...was Good.

*** And The Beginning ***