"Chief, phone call for you!"

Naru looks up from the mess that was the central power pack of her
Warsuit, pointing at herself. "Me?! Who wants to call me?" she slips her
reading glasses from her blue eyes.

The sergeant shrugs. "I dunno! Some lady. She said her name was
Kariyu! It's a long-distance call, by the way."

Naru's cheeks flame. "Um...okay!" she then looks at the weapons
techs with her. "Take over here! I'll be back in a bit."

"Sure, Chief," one smiles as the squadron commander climbs down, then
races off. She then glances at her friend. "Who do you suppose Easy Naru's
got on the go this time?"

"Who knows with her," the other hums.

Naru pants as she jogs to her squadron office. Damn, she told Kariyu
never to call when she was on duty. If everyone learned Naru had the
equivalent of a girlfriend...even if it was over subspace communications, e-
mail and letters...her reputation as "Easy Naru," the hottest date in the
Warsuit Brigade, would be dashed. If her relationship with Kariyu didn't pan
out...it was a very distinct possibility, something Kariyu had warned Naru
about right from the start...her children would really suffer for it.

For years, she had searched for the right girl...both single and
bonded...in hopes of locating the one she wanted to have as her bond-mate.
Yet, no one seemed to fill Naru's expectations. She got away with it by
allowing herself only two children, Malegh and Melhin. She wanted more, but
without a bond-mate in a different job to watch over her kids when Kilo
Squadron was on first standby, she was forced to resort to the Namu'sha
Daycare Centre. While the staff was excellent, it still wasn't the type of
place she wanted to have her children grow up.

Entering the office, she heads for her private room and picks up the
phone. "I told you not to call me while I'm at work, Karivayae!" she hisses,
cupping the phone to block her voice from transmitting outside where a dozen
people could listen in.

A giggle echoes over the earpiece as Naru glances at the image on her
videophone; for relatively private conversations, an Terran-style phone
receiver was attached. The woman before her shudders, then gazes at Naru,
her evergreen eyes melting the Sagussan's heart like nothing ever could.
Naru sighs as the Kagamasei woman leans back, revealing that she was nude,
the sight of her lovely pale-skinned body sending a warm rush thundering
through Naru. Oh, Lyna, what had she done to deserve Kariyu? "I called to
tell you something, Naruvayae," Kariyu sighs, her hand playing absently with
a lock of her long black hair.

"Couldn't you've saved it for your next letter?" Naru wonders.

"No, this is too important," Kariyu blows her a kiss. "I love you,
Naru."

Naru blinks. While she happily applied the "-vayae" suffix a
Sagussan used to one she cared for deeply, the fact that Kariyu had called
over the twenty thousand parsecs separating Kagamasei and Sagussa to tell her
what she already knew was...unusual. "Kariyu, why are you calling to tell me
that?" Naru chides, smiling to ward off her annoyance. "You know I love you.
We say it every time we write and call. Couldn't this've waited?"

"There's more," the pale woman shakes her head, then shudders.
"Naruvayae, I want to meet you. In five days by your count, I'll be on
Crossroads. Can you meet me there?"

Naru jolts. "When did this change?!" she gazes at her would-be bond-
mate, wishing the Kagamasei were telepathically strong enough to be drawn into
the Dreamscape. "You said you could never leave Kagamasei by yourself, though
you never told me why...!"

"I convinced my brother I wanted to see more of this galaxy," Kariyu
winks. "He still doesn't realize how deep I've fallen for you and I don't
intend to have him ruin it for me. You're my last chance to get off this
rock, Naruvayae. Look, your friend Minako's going to have her
change-of-command tomorrow with Nike, right? I know Minako's penpal Kunoo
Chotta; we're very good friends. A bunch of us're getting together to be on
Crossroads in five days. We'll be contacting all of you. Can you please
come, Naruvayae?"

Naru shudders. A small part of her was screaming out a lot of
questions. Kariyu Oullida seemed determined...no, desperate...to meet her
penpal. Yet that small concern didn't dampen her libido's growing hunger for
the Kagamasei's gorgeous body. "I'll be there."

"Great!! Remember, five days your time! Be there!! I love you,
Naruvayae!! Bye!"

The line clicks off. Naru blinks as she hangs up, then jolts as the
door to her office crashes down, revealing a sea of surprised faces. "Boss,
is it true?!!" her sergeant-major gasps. "She wants to meet you?!"

Instantly, the commander finds herself in a sea of chatting women,
many firing the usual questions: "When did you meet her?!" "Did you get
pictures of her?!" "Does she really want to come to Sagussa?!" "How come you
want an alien girl, Boss?! There're still a lot of single women here
available!"

Naru laughs as she is led out of her office, people running off to
spread the news. She reaches into her jumpsuit top to pull out a snapshot
Kariyu sent with her first letter. Staring at the bouncy woman who seemed so
full of life, about twenty at most, Naru sighs as she kisses the picture,
then puts it away. She'd have to chat with Minako after the
change-of-command parade to find out if Kunoo wanted to meet her on
Crossroads, perhaps put a message into the Webscape asking others if their
Kagamasei penpals had done the same...

* * *

Urusei Yatsura - Tales of the Daishi'cha
Penpals
by Fred Herriot
fherriot@hotmail.com
**** **** ****
Edited by E.B. Kushnir
kush1@iaw.on.ca
**** **** ****
A story based on the series "Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year," in turn based
on "Urusei Yatsura," created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****

WRITER'S NOTES:

1) Lyna, the inspiration just keeps coming! This story came to me in
the middle of an English class, when we were discussing the impending attempt
by a Chicago doctor to clone a human being. Since the prejudice against
clones is the one major hatred all Sagussans possess, it would make an
excellent story.

2) This story occurs a year after "Newgrange."

3) The Kagamasei introduced here are based on characters from a few
series and video games, including "Neon Genesis Evangelion," "Sailor Moon,"
"Nadeshiko," "Sakura Wars," "Tokimeki Memorial," "Sentimental Graffiti" and
"NoeL." Their names have been changed so that the names of these characters
could also be used to name *daishi'cha* whenever I get some 10-sided die and
get a free night to sit down and work out some calculations.

4) Adopted sisters to *daishi'cha* (like Ayesha) get an S (shoi'cha)
added before their sister's number (S19282 in Ayesha's case) so they can be
registered in the master citizen registry in the Chamber of Eternity.
Foreign- born bond-mates (Hunba, Yedris, Sugoi) have an M (marei'cha) added
to their mate's number. Young women being cared for or adopted by a
*daishi'cha* (Shakki to Henra from "GFA Stage Four") get an R (rei'cha) added
to their guardian's number. Foreign-born child-mates (Shinsur, Makisur,
Aisur, Toren) have a U (surei'cha) added to their host's number.

5) And some more Sagussan terms:

Namu'sha - Village in Kyre'sha province 2000 kilometres west of
Kyre'sha City. This is where people serving in the SDF units in Kyre'sha
live; their base are close by. The equivalent villages in Tere'na and Ly'sha
are Kolza're and Daejagh're respectively. Maghilsa - Fourth planet in
Sagussa's home system. So called because it is usually the first star seen
every night. A world Venus' size missing the water necessary to support
life. Terraforming Maghilsa (MAY-ill-sah) has long been a dream of many
Sagussans.

**** **** ****

kchoyak@arukasraw.kagamasei.com To: Ayesha Aruka S19282@webscape.s5sa.com
Attach: home:/persfile/holofile/konra6.thmf Dearest Ayesha, Life with
my brother is going well. We're engaged in transcribing old books for the
local library in Arukas-raw. I've found some interesting texts on personal
relationships. My brother doesn't want me to read them, but I manage to
sneak a few away when he's not looking. Oh, the passion the elders possessed
when they were our age. I wish that you and I can feel it. There is talk
about our going to Crossroads to visit some used book vendors next week.
Would it be possible for you to come so we can meet? I haven't told my
brother about you but he suspects something's going on. Men! Can't live with
them and can't kill them all to make the universe run better. I think you
Sagussans have a better grasp of the whole idea than we Kagamasei ever could.
I wish I was a daishi'cha. P.S. I have a datachip file attached to
this letter for your personal pleasure. I love you, Your beloved Konra

"Computer, extract holo-message file and copy to my server.
Authorization code Ayesha-Shi-Two-Oh-Four."

"*Working.*"

Ayesha relaxes in her chair, then turns to the holosuite beside the
terminal. She was in the PUSU...Private Usenet Service Unit...of Tere'na
Compudata Centre, derisively known as the "dirty flicks shop," the place
where personal messages over the Webscape and computer connections from
abroad could be received and viewed away from the prying eyes of family and
friends. With the advent of children, many *daishi'cha* were taking
advantage of the PUSUs in Tere'na, Kyre'sha and Ly'sha to capture the special
magic of a more innocent time. Though in many ways, Ayesha had next to
nothing to worry about: she had neither bond-mate or children. However, her
apartment in To-Tere'na wasn't equipped with a personal 3D holosuite unit.

"*Holo-message file extracted and transferred,*" the computer advises.

"Run message."

"*Running.*"

Light shimmers as the holo-image of a slender Kagamasei woman appears
before Ayesha. With her brown hair tied in side pigtails, her hazel eyes
covered with very large reading glasses and freckles all over her face, Konra
seemed your atypical nerd. Ayesha knew differently, both through her letters
and her more...personal messages. "Hi, Konra-chan."

"Ohayo, Ayesha-chan," Konra smiles as she reaches up to her toga-like
dress, typical uniform for a Kagamasei female. "Well, shall have some fun?"
she reaches up to the tie holding her top in place, seductively smiling.

"Why not?" Ayesha sighs, standing...

* * *

A half-hour later, Ayesha, her hair now a frazzled mess and her
uniform improperly secured, exits the PUSU. Turning to her mirror, she draws
out a comb and straightens her strawberry-blonde locks, then smooths her
jumpsuit. Gazing at the time, she sighs. Six tenth-hours before she had to
meet her sisters at the Hall of the Republic. Well, she could go grab a bite
to eat at Saku's, then catch the shuttle to Kyonggh-Tere'na.

"What were you doing in there, Ayesha?!"

Ayesha blinks, then stares at the dark brown-haired Vosian-born woman
now standing behind her. "None of your business, Maya," she smiles. "Just
chatting with a friend."

"Must be some friend," the computer systems architect remarks archly
as the immigration chief heads off.

Shaking her head, Mayanoevan walks in, then sits at a terminal.
"Computer, call up all messages for User One-Three-Three-Six-Nine, Architect
Mayanoevan. Authorization code Maya-Dee-Oh-Oh-Four."

"*One message received.*"

"On screen."

The screen flashes the message:

Terminal: Tere'na CDC
Attach: home:/persfile/holofile/kashi12.thmf
Mayavayae,
Play my attachment. It'll show you what's wrong. Forgive me, my
love, for putting you through this.
Your loyal Kashi

Maya tenses, angry tears filling her eyes. She was afraid to see
what Kashi had recently endured at the hands of her family. Still, the
Kagamasei looked on the Sagussan architect as a possible route of escape from
her abusive family. "Computer, extract holo-message file and copy to my
server. Authorization code Maya-Dee-Oh-Oh-Four."

"*Working.*" A pause. "*Holo-message file extracted and
transferred.*"

"Run message."

"*Running.*"

The image appears. "Oh, Lyna..."

"Help me, Maya," the weak voice of Kashi Suhom gasps through a bruise
on one cheek and several cracked ribs...

* * *

"Why are you dragging me along with this, Noa?! You know I can't
stand diplomacy!" Honey hisses as she follows her sister into the Hall of the
Republic. "That's your bailiwick, not mine!"

"We're meeting the elders of the T'Kon Concordat!" Noa sighs as they
wind their way into the upper levels of the arcology, where her guests will be
waiting in the cafeteria. "You know the Republic and the Concordat have
maintained relations for millennia. Besides, they've always wanted to meet
you. Ayesha'll be there, too. We haven't done much as a family since Ataru
and Lum left, so we should take every chance we could to be together."

Honey sighs. Truthfully, they hadn't done much as a family since the
Battle of Uru. Honey had returned to her primary duty of helping the
Education Ministry set up physical education standards for the children, the
eldest now in their third year of general scholastic training. Ayesha had
been snapped up by Madoka to become Director-General of Immigration, handling
the people taking a chance at starting a new life in the Fifth Republic. And
Noa, heartbroken over Ataru's and Lum's decision to return to Earth in the
wake of Koishii's loss, had reverted to the traditional duties as Elder
Mother, acting as minister-without-portfolio in the government, usually being
the one sent out to handle trickly diplomatic problems. Like the T'Kon.

The Concordat was based in the Greater Magellanic Cloud. Like
Sagussa, the T'Kon had lived in brutal cycles of racial birth, life and death
over the last few million years. The present Concordat, an alliance between
the T'Kon and dozens of other races, was the sixteenth such federation,
founded a millennia ago. The T'Kon were Sagussa's technological equals, a
fact that had hung over them through all their incarnations. A war would
destroy both races for sure, even more so than a Sagussa-Nagussa conflict, so
keeping the peace between the two states was paramount.

Honey personally liked the T'Kon, a reptilian race that once reminded
Toren Smith, Noriko's husband, as "walking two-legged dinosaurs." They were
famous for their logic and rational thinking, plus were superb psis at a
level the Sagussans could appreciate. It was said the T'Kon version of the
Dreamscape was just as raucous a place as Sagussa's. She appreciated the
vital nature of Noa's yearly meetings with Elders Tok and Kuk, though she
wished Sagussans and T'Kon would stop fearing each other and appreciate each
other for all their strengths and faults. Maybe she should come to these
meetings more often, get Noa to start preaching what she practiced. People
still listened to the Elder Mother after all.

Waiting by the entrance is Ayesha, Alphonse sitting beside his pet's
sister. "Onee-chan!" she smiles, embracing first Noa and then Honey. "C'mon,
they're here."

"Did you get the chance to talk to them?" Honey wonders.

"They remind me a lot of Kamahanites," Ayesha admits, smiling.

"Tok!! Kuk!!" Noa sees the two elders rise, hand out to gently grasp
their clawed forelimbs. "How are you? My, Tok, are you getting a little
brown in the scales there?!"

"You always were such a flatterer, Noa!" Tok hisses pleasantly as she
touches her snout to Noa's cheek in the approximation of a kiss. A T'kon's
mouth didn't come equipped with malleable lips like a human's. "Are you
getting grey in your head-bush, child?" she gently feels Noa's hair, which
was starting to go grey. "Don't tell me your heart-mate's departure is
hurting you that bad!"

"Somewhat, but this is probably more from work. Besides, some are
saying this might be a side-effect of the matrix," Noa kisses Kuk. "Hello,
Kuk! Are you keeping this one busy in your bedchambers? You seem in good
shape!"

"You Sagussans and your desire for sex!" Kuk's breath explodes from
her snout in a laugh as they sit down around a table. "Yes, we've been
keeping quite busy in our nest! I swear, the males in our warren wouldn't
want to mate with us come next spring! How many hatchlings do you have now,
Noa? Six?"

"Eight," Noa smiles. "Tooto-chan and Atsu-chan were released from
gestation last month. They're quite a handful."

"Any child of Ataru's a handful, sis," Honey laughs as everyone sits
down.

Noa quickly introduces her sisters, then a waitress appears. "So,
how go the affairs in the Republic these days?" Kuk begins. "We noticed the
amount of green when we came into orbit, plus some changes in the coastline.
Are you getting more water imported in?"

"Not really," Noa sighs. "As soon as we got Mizu's load, the
moisture blown away from Sagussa when Eisen'a exploded has been slowly
accumulating in the atmosphere. Hazel suspects that we'll be back at
pre-Clone War water levels in a decade. Plus with the solar collector
construction soon to be completed, we can drain off some of Sen'a's access
hydrogen, then we could combine it with the atmosphere on Maghilsa to start
terraforming."

"So soon after you've begun?" Tok blinks her slitted eyes. "You
haven't the population base to support Sagussa, much less consider the
establishment of terraformed colonies."

"True, but properly preparing a planet takes a lot of time," Noa
hums. "We can now afford to start thinking ahead. Besides, our population
has already hit the one million mark and could be expected to hit the ten
million mark in a century. We don't want to overpopulate Sagussa and we're
not interested in constructing sides like Earth's doing now."

"A wise precaution," Tok nods. "How fare your allies? Does their
growing relationship with your ancestral people improve?"

"It's improving, as are the bonds between Earth and other planets,"
Noa sighs. "I'm relieved. I can't conceive of our sending technology to
Earth, but the Terrans are surprising us by adopting quickly to Urusian and
Ipraedies technology with minimal cost to their societies."

"Perhaps you should consider loaning a hand," Kuk muses. "We've done
it on occasion with other races in the Concordat."

"It'll be destabilizing," Noa shakes her head. "There are still
those who're angry at us for slamming down the doors and cutting them off
from dealing with Earth in the superior-inferior mode the Urusians followed
after the First Tag Race. Most were dealt with a long time ago, but there's
still the odd agitator or two on the loose. We want people to be at peace,
not war."

"Such emotionalism," Kuk sighs. "I very much pity your kind for
their giving vent to their hearts more than listening to their heads. Our
meetings, Noa, help our races deal with the buried fear and other emotions
Sagussan and T'Kon feel for each other."

"True, which is why I enjoy them so much," Noa smiles. "So, what
goes on in the Concordat these days?"

Honey and Ayesha exchange surprised looks. It seemed a crime that
the Fifth Republic and the Sixteenth Concordat didn't exchange embassies, as
was done the previous year with Newgrange. Still, the guarded approach the
two races took to each other was ingrained into the psyches of many. You
wouldn't know it by seeing Noa with Tok and Kuk, chatting away like the
dearest of friends instead of being the only contact between two suspicious
planetary alliances.

"ELDER KUK!!!!!! ELDER TOK!!!!!!"

Everyone spins around to see Mayanoevan standing there, the heat of
her rage radiating from every pore of her body. "Maya!!!" Ayesha leaps up.
"What are you doing here?!!"

"Who are you?" Tok blinks.

"This is Mayanoevan, Maya for short," Honey waves to the pulsing
systems designer. "She's Chief Computer Systems Architect of Sagussa, working
out of Tere'na Compudata."

The two T'Kon exchange confused looks while Noa hangs her head. The
great thing about these yearly chats was that people knew NOT to butt
in...usually. "Is there a problem?" Kuk stares at Maya.

"Yes, Madame Elder, there is!!" Maya storms up, a datachip in hand.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but is it not law in ALL the Concordat's states that
the physical abuse of children and spouses is a capital offense?!"

"It is," Tok hums. "I assume by your indignation that you have come
onto a serious case requiring immediate attention."

"I would say you are facing a potential *epidemic* of such abuse on
one planet," Maya shudders, then feeling Ayesha's steady hand, silently
exhales. "Forgive my sudden outburst, Madame Elder, but the person who
demonstrated to me the scale of this problem is a very close...friend of
mine."

"Please continue, Architect," Kuk hums.

Maya draws out a portable small-scale 3D holoplayer, then inserts her
chip. An image then appears of a Kagamasei with long crimson hair and brown
eyes...her whole body covered with nasty bruises as well as her cheek. She
is seated on a bed. "Look at me, Mayavayae," she sniffs back tears. "I try
to be good. I try to be nice to my dad and my family. But none of them
care. None! Why? If they didn't want me, why did they give birth to me?
Why? Please, Maya, help me! Please, get me out of this awful place!
Please..."

She sobs, then wipes her eyes. Maya's recorded voice then asks, "Do
you have some way to get to Crossroads at least?"

"Hai," Kashi nods. "My friend Kirensa is going to meet her penpal.
I think there're a bunch of others going there, too. Mayavayae, a lot...a lot
of them are just like me."

"What do you mean?" Maya inquires.

"They...they're hit all the time! Beaten, abused, then thrown away
like so much garbage!" Kashi sniffs. "Please, Mayavayae, please get me out of
this place..."

Maya shuts off the recording. "I did a general inquiry on the
Webscape before coming here to ask those with Kagamasei penpals to see if
Kashi- chan was alone," the architect reports. "She's right. There are
probably another seven or eight on Kagamasei with penpals on Sagussa, two of
whom are very young girls, that are in the same sort of situation as
Kashi-chan. Madame Elder, the T'Kon Concordat survives by all its members
sacrificing something for the greater whole. If this sort of thing gets out,
if it's PERMITTED to get out, then the stability of the Concordat could come
into question thanks to those who prefer chaos and mistrust to peace and
trust."

Kuk and Tok exchange sad looks. "We are pleased you brought this to
our attention, Architect," the former breathes. "Kagamasei has always been
a...problem district in the Concordat. May I ask your friend's name?"

"Kashi Suhom," Maya reports. "She's of the district of Ikemikot-
Lairomem."

"KAshi Suhom?!" Tok repeats, emphasizing the first syllable of the
girl's name. "We will see about it. Thank you again."

Maya sighs, then turns to head out. "Excuse me, please," Ayesha
rises, then runs after her friend. "Wait up, Maya!"

Honey and Noa watch them leave, then both gaze at the T'Kon elders.
"Is there something you two aren't telling us?" the latter muses, her eyebrow
rising with curiosity.

"Something...that is difficult for either Kuk or I to explain without
arousing your anger, friend Noa...or your race's most unique prejudice," Tok
sighs...

* * *

"I'm gonna get her out of there!! I swear by Lyna's Grave, I'll get
her out of that place if it's the last thing I do!"

Ayesha gently rubs her friend's shoulder as both relax in a private
booth at Saku's. Maya was working her way through her third shot of ran-jugh,
shuddering indignantly. "Maya-chan, relax. There's nothing you can do right
now except pray and hope."

"Pray?! Hope?!" Maya snarls. "Damn it all, Ayesha-chan, that girl
looks to ME as the only hope she has!! How could they do that?! Lyna's
Mercy, child abuse is a capital crime in the Concordat like it's that way
here!!"

"I don't know," Ayesha sighs, looking at her untouched drink. "It's
strange, isn't it? People I've talked to say that the women they write to on
Kagamasei are either treated badly or seen as no more than servants. Weird."

"It's a disgrace!!" Maya snarls. "How could the T'Kon have made such
an error in judgement?! Their standards for people to enter the Concordat are
very strict and are never to be broken! It ensures self-discipline, keeps
people on their toes. It may not be the way we run things here, but it works!
I hope they find the slimes who did that to Kashi-chan and make them pay!!"

She swallows the rest of her drink...just as a briefcase slams on the
table in front of them. "Oh, I'm so excited!!!" Usagi's bubbly features
appear before the two.

"Usagi-chan, can't you announce yourself for once?!" Ayesha smacks
the zoologist over the head with her fist!

"Aiowch!!" Usagi grunts. "Oh, chill out, Ayesha-chan! It's okay!
I'm just excited!!"

"What's there to be excited about?!"

"What a dirty look!" Usagi gasps after being caked in mud thanks to
Maya. "I'm going to be meeting my penpal on Crossroads in a few days!! Isn't
that great?!"

"The one who resembles you?" Ayesha hums.

"Yeah!!" Usagi gushes. "Now I'll know how Yui and Kumiko back up in
Ly'sha feel about having a mother!"

Ayesha and Maya exchange looks. Usagi, a former resident of Ly'sha
City before she moved to Tere'na to be with her new live-in lover Rei, had
always been jealous of her former neighbours Yui and Kumikonodokyuu, both of
whom were the daughters of the few family couplings found by the Gatherer.
It struck her as wonderful to have made contact with her penpal, a woman who
could have been an older Usagi as given by the pictures of her in her's and
Rei's apartment in Pugh-Tere'na. "Say, who is this girl anyway? What does
she do? You don't even tell us her name."

"Kirensa Nopa," Usagi proudly proclaims. "Age thirty-two, single, no
other family than her brother Rensa, she works at the citizen's registry
office. I could even give you her e-mail address if you want to write her."

"Kirensa?!!" Maya grabs Usagi by her collar. "Did you say
KIRENSA?!?!"

"Y-yes...M-maya, y-you're ch-choking m-me...!" Usagi gags.

"Oh, thank Lyna!!" Maya lets her go, allowing Usagi to collapse to
the floor. "I've been looking for her penpal!"

"Why?!" Usagi wonders.

"Because MY penpal Kashi is going to be brought to Crossroads by
Kirensa so I can get her to come to Sagussa."

"Eh?!" Usagi leaps to her feet. "You mean Kashi Suhom?! That poor
kid who gets beat up all the time by her folks?!"

"The same!" Maya nods, shuddering. "I swear to you both, I'm not
going to rest until Kashi-chan is here, safe and sound!!"

"I'll help, that's for sure!" Usagi nods. "I hate it every time
Kirensa-onee-chan always talks about Kashi-san!! It makes her upset!"

"It makes HER upset?! I went straight to see Elder Kuk and Elder Tok
and told them! You want to know how many penpals are abused and treated like
slaves on Kagamasei?!"

"It's strange," Ayesha hums. "Hotaru-eii'sagh told me about hers and
Setsuna-eii'sagh's penpal Kubichi once. That really turned my stomach when I
heard about her."

"They told you about Kubichi-chan?!" Usagi gasps, then shakes her
head in total disgust. "Oh, Lyna, now that's a sad case!"

"What about her?!" Maya wonders.

"She's sexually abused...by about everyone in her family," Usagi
gags. "Shit, where do people get off doing that to a sweet kid like that! If
I was her penpal, I'd sponsor her coming to Sagussa on the spot!!"

"Pity we can't do that," Ayesha sighs. "Immigration between the
Concordat worlds and the Republic is forbidden."

"To the Master's keep with that!!" Maya snarls. "One way or another,
Kashi-chan is coming to Sagussa...and that's final!!!"

* * *

In a dark alley thousands of parsecs away, a shivering girl cowers in
the shadows, checking her wrist-chrono every minute or so to see when her
contact would arrive. Despite the liberal application of healing paste, her
skin is still discoloured in a few places. "Oh, please come..." she whispers.

"I'm here," an imposing voice declares.

The woman sees a statuesque blonde beauty with twin long pigtails
emerge. "Kirensa Nopa of the district of Num-olies?"

"En, I am she," she nods. "You are Kashi Suhom of Ikemikot-Lairomem
district?"

"En, Elder Kirensa. When will we go?"

"Right now if you want. My brother and I've spent some time
preparing for this day, Kashi. It's time for we to expose our world's crimes
to the outside universe. Come."

"En, Elder," Kashi nods as they proceed back into the dark...

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)


Tonggap ktonggap@itufarug.kagamasei.com To: Noriko & Toren Smith
26699@webscape.s5sa.com Attach: home:/persfile/holofile/kasua4.thmf Dearest
Noriko and Toren, It's happening. My brother and I will be coming to
Crossroads within the next four days. I hope both of you will come. I can
only stay on Crossroads for a maximum of six days, so I intend to do a lot
with you. I wish you'd think of bringing Jung with you. I know how much she
wants to meet her future Mashi. I really loved the holo-message she sent for
me. I have one for her. My love to you both, my shining knights.
Kasua

Toren Smith sighs as he gazes at the message. "Computer, extract
holo-message file and copy to our server. Authorization code Smith-Toren-Jay-
Six-Six-One."

"*Working.*" A pause. "*Holo-message file extracted and
transferred.*"

"Standby," Toren looks outside. "Jung! C'mon in here, you beautiful
little girl!!"

Into the room races a beautiful five year old girl with her stringy
black hair in a ponytail. "What is it, Daddy?"

Toren smiles. "Run message."

"*Running,*" the computer replies.

Jung turns to the holosuite. Appearing in the middle of the pad is a
slender Kagamasei woman with brown hair in a pageboy cut and expressive brown
eyes, now dressed in the toga-like dress of her people. "Hello, Jung-chan!"
she smiles, leaning down to gaze on the beautiful girl. "I'm your Mashi,
Kasua- chan! You want to be friends?"

Jung gasps, then takes the hologram's hands as the room around them
switches to a beautiful park scene. Toren shakes his head as he walks out of
the entertainment suite of the apartment he now shared with his wife,
daughter, his wife's best friend and her two daughters. It'd be even crazier
when Kasua and Kazumi's penpal Kumie Allak came...if they could somehow get
around the rules blocking Concordat citizens from taking residence on Fifth
Republic sovereign territory.

Walking into the living room, he gazes at the beautiful scene of
Namu'sha, its namesake mountain shielding it from the hustle and bustle...and
from the potential accidents...of Defense/Engineering Base Kyre'sha. Six
years he had lived here. Shortly after he had come here to work for Earth's
first embassy on another planet, he met and fell hopelessly in love with
Noriko. He fathered her first child Jung-freud Ainoriko Smith, then
somehow...even HE wasn't sure how...managed to persuade the Warsuit pilot to
do that most un- Sagussan of acts: marry her child-mate.

In the six years since, he helped construct a warm home for his wife
and daughter, plus Kazumi and her twins Kocgh and Ajira, kids who also called
him father. From mere clerical assistant in Tere'na City, he had become an
unofficial cultural advisor to the Kyre'sha Provincial Education Ministry,
lecturing on Earth's many nations to a sea of eager faces. It was a job he
liked and one he excelled at, most of all since he liked kids in general and
entertaining them in particular. But in those six years, he hadn't confronted
the one sometimes overriding facet of life few men sit back to think about
before taking a chance and starting a new life on Sagussa...until now.

*Marei'cha.*

It once was so easy. Terran men who move to Sagussa somehow always
deceive themselves into believing that having sex with a *daishi'cha* is
emotionally painless; a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am approach to dating while at
the same time helping to markedly improve the population statistics. But the
responsibility of raising the child always hit home with the force of a
torpedo, especially when the mother looks at you, her eyes, face and voice
telling her friends that YOU are the one who helped her create life, YOU are
the one who gave her the greatest joy of life for anyone. And with that comes
the realization that YOU have a greater responsibility to the child than just
helping conceive her.

But on this planet, there was always stiff competition for your
child- mate's heart: her bond-mate. It was true there were still many
unbonded women among the *daishi'cha,* so if you lucked out...and like Toren,
elected to become a Sagussan in fact as well as name...you could get a woman
for yourself without any outside emotional attachments. Toren believed
Noriko was one such person since Kazumi was always the elder sister
figure...and now squadron commander...so she was family in a different
manner.

Until Kasua Tonggap.

As the *daishi'cha* worked at turning their wrecked homeworld into
something alive, economic and social contact was initiated with the T'Kon
Concordat. With that came contact with the only mammalian humanoid race in
the organization, the Kagamasei. As soon as the Webscape e-mail system was
connected to its counterpart in the Concordat, the *daishi'cha* gave into
their curiosity and tried to make friends on Kagamasei.

Four years ago, Noriko encountered Kasua over the invisible bridge of
the Webscape. The Kagamasei was part of a farming family from the district of
Itufarug, a naive girl younger than Noriko looking for a friend outside the
borders of her homeworld. Soon, they were exchanging letters, e-mail and
holophone calls, promising that as soon as both could coordinate their
schedules, they'd go to Crossroads and meet in person.

Along the way, Noriko felt that powerful urge she never got with
Kazumi. The desire for a soul-mate, someone she can relate to in the most
personal way. Toren thought he was that one. But despite the compromises,
there was still the vast social rift between the young man from Kansas and the
young woman from Kyre'sha. Noriko's friends in Lima Squadron looked at her
oddly, wondering why she surrendered ALL her heart to a man when there were
plenty of unbonded women, the most obvious one being Kazumi! That, tacked to
Kasua's need to meet someone outside her world, vent out her frustrations at
being penned in a family who looked at her more as an unwanted adjunct than a
beloved daughter, became a heady brew Toren couldn't fight.

"Who says you have to fight it?"

Toren sighs as he feels that wonderful rush in his mind, her arms
slip around him as his head tilts back to receive her gentle kiss. Noriko
smiles as they gaze into the other's eyes. "I'm not sure if I'm ready to
share your heart with anyone, love," Toren sighs. "I hope you don't mind my
being a typical male about it, but I'm afraid I'm going to lose you if she
comes here."

"Hold it, buster," Noriko laughs. "Who says that I'll turn my back
on you even if Kasua-chan comes. First of all, what's wrong with loving BOTH
you AND Kasua-chan? Lyna have mercy, you Terrans are so damn possessive, it's
a wonder that your race actually made it this far without killing yourselves
because you had to compete for resources and people's loyalties."

"I know," Toren sighs, gazing at her. "But I want to give my all to
you, Noriko-chan. Can't I do that anymore?"

"You can give your all to me and Kasua-chan," Noriko insists. "You
think love is finite. Stop. Love is as infinite as the *te'a* Itself. You
love Kazumi, don't you?"

"Of course I do."

"So why can't you love Kasua-chan?" Noriko wonders. "Toren, haven't
you come to realize that Kasua-chan was the one who persuaded me to marry
you?"

Toren blinks at her. "You're kidding."

"No, I'm not," Noriko shakes her head. "When you proposed, I was so
overwhelmed, I wanted to run away. Kasua-chan told me if I did that, I would
betray not only you and Jung, but betray myself too. I won't do that.
And...she also said," a smile twitches her lips, "...that if I didn't marry
you, she'd never speak to me ever again."

"Ouch!!" Toren winces. The penpals many on Sagussa had were a way
for people here to vent their frustrations and pet peeves to those who didn't
have to put up to the problems produced here every day. Who knew when Noriko
would find someone to take Kasua's place. *That's one I owe you, Kasua-chan.*

The door to the entertainment room opens, revealing Jung. "Mommy,
Daddy, Mashi wants us all to go to Crossroads so we can meet her."

Noriko and Toren exchange knowing looks. "I think we don't have a
choice in the matter," the former smiles.

"Never disappoint our baby," he grins...

* * *

"Commander, I stand relieved."

"Commander, I relieve you."

Nike and Minako exchange salutes, then exchange the batons marking
their positions as squadron commanders in the Warsuit Brigade. As Leona
beams, the new commander of Golf Squadron holds out her hand to her
replacement as commander of Bravo Squadron. "Take care of them, Nike.
They're good people."

"So are the ones you have now, Minako," Nike shakes her hand.

The two face the massed ranks of both squadrons, then march into
their new places. Golf's squadron sergeant-major then barks out. "Three
cheers for the Boss!! Hip-hip...!!!"

"HOORAY!!!!!!" the others chant.

The chant repeats, as does the cheers Bravo gives Nike. As the
crowds quiet down, Leona takes command, then dismisses the Brigade. As the
troops march off the field, the other squadron commanders move over to
congratulate their members. It seemed quite strange; after all, neither Nike
or Minako were getting promoted or were mustering out of the Brigade. Still,
with what had happened in Minako's home life, this seemed the best solution of
all...or so everyone hoped.

"Way to go!" Annapuma slaps her. "You did the right thing! Hope you
can work with the folks in Golf!! Pity I can't do something about being
closer with Una!"

"I'm sure you can do something, Anna," Minako smiles, then nods at
the others.

She tenses on seeing the crimson-skinned woman now chatting with
Nike. Looking away, she breathes out to expunge her anger...Leona and Motoko
would kill them BOTH if they lost control in front of the troops...then feels
a twinge of regret. Why couldn't she've been more compromising? Why
couldn't she've tried to see Rei's side? Why can't she do something to show
how sorry she felt? Damn, damn...

"Hey, Mina!"

Minako turns to Naru. "What is it, Naru? I'm not really in the mood
for a date..."

"*De'ne!* I just came to ask you if you were heading to Crossroads
in the next while?"

"Crossroads?!" Minako nods. "Well, yeah, I'm catching the flight in
three days. Why?"

"Great! Let's go together!!"

"Naru, I said I wasn't going on a date."

"And I'm not asking you for one, stupid!" Naru laughs. "You have a
penpal named Kunoo Chotta, right? She's a woman from Leon."

"Yeah! How'd you know...?!"

"I have a penpal named Kariyu. She's from Okihsedan. They know each
other and they're coming to Crossroads together. What say we get together and
go meet them? Kariyu-chan asked me to talk to you about it."

"Well, if Kunoo-chan and Kariyu do know each other, I don't see the
harm in it," Minako hums. "Besides, Ami wants to meet her penpal, too; she's
also from Leon."

"Ami, too?! Well, isn't that funny?"

"What is?"

"It seems as if a whole bunch of people are heading out to Crossroads
to meet their penpals," Naru hums. "I know Rei and Usagi are heading out to
meet theirs...and I heard Kazumi and Noriko are also going with Toren and
their kids. And I just heard that Misato and Ritsuko are also heading out."

"Misato and Ritsuko, too?!" Minako hums. "Isn't that weird?!"

"Hey, guys!!" Usagi calls out.

Minako tenses as the zoologist walks up. "What is it, Usagi-chan?"
Naru stares at her.

"Get this! We got a whole pack of people on their way to Crossroads
in three days!"

"We know; we're going!" Naru announces.

"Not only that, but Mayanoevan, Ayesha, Honey, Hunba, Hotaru,
Setsuna, Linna and Nene are also heading out...and I think Rei and Asuka from
Pathfinder Six are going, too!"

"That is quite a pack!" Minako blinks.

They then tense as Leona and Motoko walk by, heading back to their
offices. "Are you sure you asked Oryuu if she was coming with us?" the
brigade commander hums.

"Already made the hotel arrangements," the operations officer grins.
"Got two nice suites at the Crossroads Hill Manor!"

Minako, Usagi and Naru exchange looks. "Hey, that's my hotel!" the
latter hisses.

"So am I!!" the former gasps. "Whoa, this is gonna be a VIP flight
for sure!"

* * *

"No, Linna."

"Sylia...!!"

"I said 'no!'" Pathfinder Troop Six's commanding officer sighs,
gazing evenly at her demolitions chief. "You cannot take the 'Kiboo'cha' to
Crossroads."

"Sylia, in Eternity's name, almost all of us are going!" Linna
insists. "Naru and I want to meet Kiriru-chan and Rei, Asuka and Shinsur are
meeting Konama! What's the big problem with taking a little side insurance?!"

"If this was Earth or any other planet, I'd be all for it," Sylia
sighs. "But this is Crossroads we're talking about here! This is neutral
ground for us and the Concordat. If we go in with guns ready to shoot from
the hip, we destroy any respect we might have with the Concordat. The next
thing we'll know is that we'll have border incidents, incursions into each
other's space and then possibly a shooting war! Is that what you want?!"

"Sylia, in Lyna's name, we're talking about people getting in a snit
over two nice girls who want to have a better life away from abusive
families!" Linna snarls. "Shit, you know how much garbage Kiriru-chan goes
through every day!! And Konama! Eternal Sands, her family ignores her even
more than Ataru's parents ignored him!! This is common humanity we're
talking about here!"

"And under normal circumstances, I would happily support such actions
were it to save lives!" Sylia insists. "I would gladly go to Kagamasei, get
every woman who's suffered at the hands of their spouses and siblings, then
bring them here to give them a good life. But we CAN'T do to the Concordat
what we did to Uru and Vos when they threatened Earth! The stakes are way
too high even for my tastes, Linna! I will help you in every way possible,
but not with the 'Kiboo'cha!' I'm sorry."

Linna looks down. "Yeah, I know."

"Linna, you're not going to Crossroads alone," Sylia sighs. "You
want to know who else is going?" she hands her a datapadd.

Linna looks. "Shit!!" she whistles on seeing who was going on the
next flight.

"And a half," Sylia adds. "If T'Kon authorities on Crossroads heard
that several senior defence officers, including the commander of one of our
ground formations and the second-in-command of the whole Navy was on the
planet, they'd be suspicious! And Noa's sisters atop that?! If I was the
chief of security on Crossroads, I'd be on my toes!"

"Yeah, so would I," Linna bites her lips, then stares at her friend.
"Sylia, look. I know we're supposed to respect the neutrality of Crossroads
and that. I know it's forbidden to bring Concordat citizens to re-settle on
Sagussa. But this I swear to you: when Nene-chan and I come back in the next
ten-day, that wonderful girl will be with us!"

"I believe you," Sylia smiles...

* * *

"Passport and travel documents, please."

Kirensa smiles as she hands the datachips to the T'Kon customs
officer at the service desk at Crossroads Spaceport. Beside her, Kashi tries
to relax, ignoring the many stares projected her way from passers-by. From
the other races of the Concordat, the emotions Kashi senses range from
outrage to mute sympathy. From the Kagamasei males, indifference to Kashi's
pain and a lot of confusion; why were they travelling alone? From the few
Kagamasei females, a silent prayer that this time, they would make it.

The customs officer stares at her readout, then gazes at the two
women. "She doesn't have clearance from her family," she warns, her voice
turned very low.

"The district medical official authorized her to come here to be free
of her family," Kirensa hands another chip over.

The customs official scans the chip, then nods. "So he did. Very
well, you may pass. Welcome to Crossroads."

"Thank you. Come along, Kashi."

"En, Elder," Kashi falls in behind her.

The customs official watches the two go, then sighs. If only the
Council of Elders would punish the Kagamasei for what they did to women like
those two. It was sheer madness that sentient beings were treated always with
the same respect given to cattle, property to be used, abused and then
destroyed at a whim. Noticing her companion stare at her, she smiles,
switching to the purring hiss of their native tongue. "If those two try to
make it to Sagussa, I won't stop them. Will you?"

"Not in ten thousand years."

Kirensa and Kashi relax in the lounge. "Why are we here?" the
younger woman gazes at the elder. "What do you want to do? Wait until Maya-
chan and the others come to pick us up? We'll have Home Security all over
us!"

"Not necessarily," Kirensa smiles. "If the arrangements were all
properly made, Home Security won't know what's happening until we're long gone
from here. We're awaiting someone else to join our little rebellion against
our creators. Someone who is in the same position as myself."

Kashi tenses, then after a quick inspection of the lounge to ensure
no one was listening to them, looks down. "Forgive me, Elder. I'm very
scared. This is my first trip off Kagamasei."

"I know," Kirensa sighs. "My first trip with my brother was the same
for me. Awe, curiosity, fear...ah, there she is!"

Kashi sees a slender, yet physically-fit woman walk up, now dressed
in a flowing robe with her long black hair tied up with a red bowtie, her
hand on an ornate sword. Her grey eyes widen on seeing Kirensa, then
smiling, she walks over. Beside her is a bespectacled girl with brown hair
in pigtails. "Kirensa! We meet at last!!" the first kisses the blonde
Kagamasei, then waves to her friend. "This is Konra Choyak of Arukas-raw
district; that's my home, too. Who's your friend, Elder?"

Kirensa introduces Kashi, then turns to her companion. "This is
Kurasa Hullyon of Arukas-raw, Kashi."

"Pleased to meet you," Kashi smiles. "I've never met anyone who
practices the art of the sword before."

"My pleasure," Kurasa bows.

They relax. "I can't stay for too long," Konra warns, fighting down
the urge to give into her fear. "My brother doesn't want me too far out of
sight while we're here. If we're going to move, it'll have to be soon."

"In three days, our knights will arrive," Kirensa hums. "Once that
occurs, all will fall into place. Our kind has waited too long for this,
Konra. To give in to the urge to panic will destroy years of preparation
work, plus maybe deny our peers or those who follow us the chance to do this
again. The cost to ourselves...I don't need to explain."

The others grimly nod...

* * *

"*Welcome aboard Warpshuttle 101 for today's trip to Crossroads
Station. Please secure all belongings in your storage chambers prior to take
off,*" the computer announces.

Linna and Nene sigh as they slip their bags under their seats,
ignoring the rest of the pre-flight announcement. Since the Crossroads
service was initiated, the main hull of the former military fast courier was
transformed into a beautiful lounge meant to make the under-two hour trip as
comfortable as possible. "Well, we're here, all ready to tame the dragons
again," the latter sighs. "You all ready to do this?"

"More than ready," Linna grins. "If I lay eyes on Kiriru-chan's
parents, I'm gonna personally rearrange their faces!"

"Save something for me," Nene snorts.

Both then blink as two surprising faces appear. "Can we join you?"
Hunba smiles.

"Sure!" Linna waves Hunba and Honey to the seats. "So what brings
you out today?"

"Probably the same reason you're here," Honey sighs as they relax.
"We have a friend awaiting us on Crossroads."

"You?!" Nene gasps. "No way!!"

"Strange as it sounds, Honey-chan persuaded me to see the logic of
bringing in a third caregiver to our family," Hunba grasps her bond-mate's
hand, gazing fondly on the woman who both saved and transformed her life nine
years ago in Lecashuto.

"You really want to start having kids, huh?" Linna muses.

"More than anything else," the former rebel commander sighs. "I
didn't like it when Catty talked me into allowing Shinobu to take Aiotoga with
her. That poor little girl's the last thing I have of Natsu-chan and Benten-
chan. And while helping raise Honey-chan's brood is a delight in itself, it's
been quite a while since I've felt the pains and joys of bringing a child into
this world myself."

"But since we're so busy, someone's got to stick around the house to
watch over the little ones," Honey sighs. "Though I think the one we're after
may not pan out so well."

"What makes you say that?" Nene asks.

"Our penpal's a thoughtmistress in the Kagamasei sword art, strange
as that sounds," Honey reports. "Kurasa-chan is not one for the gentle arts
of raising children, though she is willing to learn if we can find a way for
her to cross the line to live with us."

"She sounds determined to come to Sagussa," Linna muses.

"She is," Honey sternly nods. "She may not say it, but she shows it
in her letters and holo-messages. She's scared of something, something that's
going to happen very soon and that will have terrible consequences to her if
she's still on Kagamasei. Though I'll be damned if I know what it is."

"Our penpal's the same, except she lives it every day," Linna
shudders. "Kiriru-chan's a sweet girl who needs a nice home, but she's never
got it in Okihsedan. If it isn't her parents beating her on the flimsiest
excuse, it's her brothers fondling her."

"Barbaric!" Hunba hisses. "Even after hearing all the tales about
Yedris' old rival Chena and what she did to her daughter."

"Kiriru-chan's parents make Lan's old lady look quite tame," Nene
snarls, then tenses. "Over here, Rei!!"

"Hey, everyone!!" Asukanoevan smiles as she, Reinoevan and Shinsur
relax in nearby seats. "All ready to head over and have loads of fun with the
ones we want to love?!"

"Ready and willing," Hunba smiles, then notices Rei and Minako
walking out of separate restrooms, notice each other, then with an angry
humph, march off to join their companions. "Although for some, this won't be
much of a pleasure cruise."

Hunba nods as Warpshuttle 101 moves from her cradle and turns her
prow from Sen'sha Seven for the distant Magellanic Clouds.

* * *

Kirensa stares forlornly at herself in the bathroom mirror. Her side
pigtails, a decoration she had taken to wearing since she and Usagi began to
correspond, were untied, the blonde mass covering her back to her feet. Why
was she here? Her place was with her brother, seeing to his last requests as
his life...and by extension hers...came to an end. Fear claws at her heart
relentlessly, trying to make her not see the possible success of this escape,
this DEFECTION from the only life she'd known into something that seemed at
times a mad dream. She was no leader by any shade of the imagination...but
her brother's position as head of the Otikijerag Province Citizens Registry
Office gave her opportunity few others of her kind possessed. For their
sakes as well as hers, she could not fail.

A knock is heard. Kashi walks over to stare through the spyhole.
"Who is it?"

"Kurasa with friends."

Kashi opens the door, allowing Kurasa to enter, followed by friends.
Kirensa steps into the suite's living room to see the sixteen other women who
had privately made a decision to risk their lives to start anew on Sagussa
march into the room. Picking places to sit, they all assume the rigid
attentive pose all their kind had been instructed since childhood to assume
whenever their families demanded they respect their proper places in Kagamasei
society. All eyes lock on her as she walks up to them, then sighs. "All of
you, please relax!" she gently sighs. "We're not here to parade ourselves in
front of our families. Be at ease."

Hearing that, everyone seems to deflate, many breathing out. Did
they fear their host to be of Home Security? Very few of them knew Kirensa
outside her name and her brother's position at the CRO. All their districts
were in Otikijerag Province, so their information would be at the elder
woman's fingertips, including any information concerning their contacts on
Sagussa. All their e-mail addresses had to be registered with the CRO,
normally available for their families to inspect at a whim. In many cases,
they were scrutinized with a fine-toothed comb...but Kirensa and her brother
took precautions to ensure any damaging evidence that hinted that all of
these women had lovers and/or families awaiting on Sagussa was long gone from
computer files before they were opened.

"Well, then," Kirensa begins. "For all of us, we might as well
introduce ourselves. I am Kirensa Nopa of Num-olies. My penpal is Usagi, the
Director of Zoological Life Studies. She desires me to become a sort of elder
sister. Kashi?"

Kashi introduces herself and her future bond-mate. Next comes Kariyu
Oullida, an Okihsedan native, followed by Konra. "I'm Kareha Piyong of
Ikemikot-lairomem," a young woman with green eyes and green hair looped in
pigtails smiles. "My penpal and future bond-mate is Misato, a psychiatrist
who works with the Sagussan Defence Force. Kyo?"

"I'm Kyo Songshil of Otiemumur," a pleasant brown haired and eye girl
beams. "My penpal and future bond-mate is Misato-san's bond-mate Ritsuko, a
weapons engineer who lives in Kyre'sha."

"I'm Katai Onggi of Leon," says another with brown hair and eyes,
this one more slender with angular features. "My penpal and future sibling is
Squadron Commander Rei of the Warsuit Brigade's Juliet Squadron."

Next is Kiyui Chongbi, a black haired girl with hazel eyes under
glasses, who will soon meet Aminobishoojo. After is Kunoo Chotta, a graceful
woman with square-cut blue hair and eyes. Then comes Kasua. "I'm Kumie
Allak, also of Itufarug," a kawaii girl with brown hair in pigtails and hazel
eyes beams. "My penpal and future bond-mate is Noriko's commander, Squadron
Commander Kazumi."

"I'm Kotana Hamsok of Ikemikot-lairomem," a girl looking like Kashi
save for shorter hair smiles. "My future bond-mate is Hikari, Construction
Engineer Articifer for Ly'sha."

Kurasa introduces herself and her future bond-mates. Then comes a
brown-haired, hazel-eyed girl from Noiregnave, Konama Pamnat, who will soon
meet Reinoevan and Asukanoevan. Next is Kashi's and Kotana's countrywoman
Kisha Migi, a Tritonian-like girl with blue eyes and hair who wants to bond-
mate with Inspector-General Oryuu. Afterward is Kiriru Teuda, a very young
Okihsedan with lavender hair in pigtails. There is Kubichi Aegyo, a pink-
haired version of Kiriru from Num-olies. Finally, there is another from
Itufarug, a Shinobu-esque woman named Kariru Ibul, who has her eyes locked on
Leona and Motoko.

With the introductions made, Kirensa sighs. "My sisters, we take an
enormous risk doing what we're about to do," she gazes at them. "Kurasa and
I are meant to die when our brothers die in the next week or so. Some of you
are just tired of being viewed at with disdain by your families. Some of you
are abused. All these things are so hideous by Sagussan standards, there is
no logical reason they'd not refuse our request for asylum.

"But each of us, and those we leave behind on Kagamasei, represents
something that nearly destroyed Sagussa long ago, the very act of which
brought us those we now seek to aid us. We are the personification of our
penpals' darkest nightmares. None of us has told them of how we came into
this world...and very soon, when we see them, we must tell them that truth.
I love Usagi-chan very much. I cannot think of anyone else I'd like to
replace my soon-to-be late brother with.

"But will Usagi-chan accept me, a clone, as her sibling?"

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Crossroads.

Planets are sometimes settled because of an abundance of natural
resources. Planets are sometimes settled because the challenge of
terraforming a hostile world is too much to resist. Planets are sometimes
settled because their position gives them a strategic value that makes the
cost of settlement seem worthwhile. And then there are planets who exist not
to give advantage but to maintain the peace. Crossroads is one such world.

Located in a remote system on the edge of the Magellanic Clouds,
Crossroads, a tranquil Class M world similar to Reiner's Five, is technically
a Concordat world. But like Nagasaki once served Tokugawa Japan, it is a
portal, a bridge between the Concordat and the outside, especially Sagussa.
Only here were Sagussans permitted to freely interact with the many races
composing the T'Kon Concordat. A neutral, demilitarized world, Crossroads is
a sign of hope for a better tomorrow.

The history and purpose of this world are known to the passengers of
Warpshuttle 101 as they disembark for the customs terminal, presenting
passports and tourist visas to the T'Kon authorities as they head through
Crossroads Station. Once they are cleared to enter, the group splits up for
taxis to head to their chosen hotel suites. Ironically, all of them chose the
Crossroads Hill Manor, the best five-star hotel on the planet.

"We're here finally!" Ritsuko sighs as she relaxes on her bed,
slipping out of her jumpsuit and putting on her preferred civilian dress, a
leather skirt, halter top and jean vest. "So when do you think we'll be able
to meet up with Kareha-chan and Kyo-chan?"

"They said they'd be here by today," Misato gazes at a copy of her
last message from Kareha, received two days before the psychologist and her
bond-mate left Sagussa, then dresses in her usual tank-top and cut-off jeans.
"I suppose we'll have to head to the central mall strip to see for ourselves."

Ritsuko gazes at the Fukunokami-born woman she fell in love with a
long time ago, someone she once vowed to herself she'd never leave or betray.
While it was accepted on Sagussa that a person could have multiple lovers,
the practice of one bond-mate per person on Sagussa seemed to be as rock
solid as the concept of marriage elsewhere. She still felt uncomfortable
bringing in two strangers to their home to help watch over the children. But
with the last couple of years stacked full of all-nighters for her and long
hours for Misato, the intimate care they wanted to give their children was
greatly threatened. Daycare centres helped, but many *daishi'cha* were
adverse to depending solely on those institutes, run by distant
acquaintances, caring for their prodigy.

"Ready?" Misato stares at her.

"Ready!" Ritsuko nods as both head out...

* * *

The next morning...

"Oh, I haven't done so much shopping since my last trip to Earth!"
Usagi gushes as she drags Rei down the central corridor of the Crossroads
Mall. "C'mon, Rei, let's go!!"

"Okay, give me my arm back!" the Warsuit commander gripes as they
head to a particular store, then looks at Luna. "Boy, you'd think Usagi-chan
never got out to play, huh?!"

Luna growls as if saying, "Tell me something I don't know."

The three head into a beautiful boutique run by an elderly T'Kon
couple. Luna relaxes as Usagi starts to tear through the gowns. Rei relaxes
nearby, catching her breath. Lyna, it was impossible to keep up with the
blonde whirlwind she now lived with. Minako never bent her out of shape like
this...

Minako...

Rei squeezes her eyes shut, damming her tears. Where did it go
wrong? Why did she lose her temper like that, drive Minako out when she
began to resist? Why didn't Minako try to understand Rei's feelings? Deep
down, she still loved her fellow squadron commander, loved her with the same
ferocity she now loved Usagi. But Usagi had filled certain emotional needs
Minako couldn't. How could Minako demand Rei make such a drastic choice?
Her three precious children still wondered why they were living in Tere'na
with Minako and their beloved playmates now in Kyre'sha. How could Rei make
them understand breaking up?

Sighing, she turns...and blinks on seeing a raven-haired Kagamasei
woman with glasses walk into the boutique. Blinking to ensure that wasn't a
mirage, Rei watches her scan through the local selection of jewellery, then
pick out a beautiful set of bracelets. The Aimaiyite-born Warsuit pilot knew
that those bracelets were meant to mark adopted sisters, so whoever this girl
was, she was on the hunt for a sibling. But who...?

"Kiyui?!!"

Rei spins to see Usagi embrace the woman. The latter blinks, then
laughs as she returns the Sagussan's greeting. "Oh, Usagi-chan, you surprised
me!!" she kisses her, then notices Rei. "Oh, who's your friend?"

Usagi makes the introductions, mentioning Kiyui's friendship with
Ami. "You're Kiyui?!" Rei shakes her hand, then leans up. "Then if you're
here, is Katai-chan here, too?!"

"Katai...oh, yes!" Kiyui nods readily, then looks down. "Did Ami-
chan come...?"

"Oh, she's here with Minako," Usagi reports. "We're all staying at
the Hill Manor. What about you people?"

"Most of us are in the Hilton with our families," Kiyui reports. "It
was such a pain trying to get out of that place; my parents and my brother can
be difficult at times!"

"Oh, tell me about it!!" Rei rolls her eyes. "Katai-chan has it just
as bad! What's with you people and the way families treat their daughters?!
Barbaric if you ask me!"

"You can say that again, but would people ever listen?!" Kiyui
giggles, then turns to Usagi. "Oh, by the way, Elder Kirensa is at the Hill
Manor with her friend Kashi Suhom. Did Kashi's penpal come with you?!"

"She's there," Usagi nods. "Boy, this is so neat! Hey, Kiyui-chan,
why don't you and the others come on over to our place later tonight and we'll
get to meet everyone?!"

"I'll see what we can do. Our parents are really nervous about our
being here!"

"How old are you?!" Rei's eyes narrow.

"Eighteen. Why?"

"Lyna's Soul, by eighteen, most people on my planet are hard at
work!" Rei shudders indignantly. "What do they think you are, anyway?! Some
sort of prize trophy?!"

"Prize trophies get better treatment than I ever will!" a storm of
bitterness flows into Kiyui's voice, then gazes at her purchase. "At least
I'll have something now that'll mark me as different from others like me!"

"Why'd you buy those?" Usagi blinks.

"In the Concordat, they symbolize the concept of spirit-sisters, the
one you want to have as kin," Kiyui holds up the bracelets. "I'm going to
give these to Ami-chan soon as I can. At least if things don't work out, we
won't part as nastily as Rei and Minako did...aaah, sorry, Rei!!" she quickly
apologizes on seeing the hurt look on the pilot's face.

"I'm glad for you," Rei admits. "C'mon, let's get some more shopping
done, then eat!"

The three laugh as they walk out, Luna following. The couple running
the store watch them go, then nod contently...

* * *

Minako and Ami head down to the lobby, Artemis trotting after them as
they head out for a day on the town, both relaxed in jeans, T-shirts and
vests. "Well, this seems like a good day to head out and see the sights," the
former muses as she turns a corner...

...and slams into someone, falling on her backside! "Oh, I'm so
sorry!!" someone gasps.

Minako shakes her head, then looks up...then gapes at the stately
vision before her. "Ah...well, er...gee, I...!"

Kirensa chuckles as she offers her hand. "You must be Minako," she
helps the pilot up. "Pleased to meet you! I'm Kirensa Nopa."

"Usagi-chan's penpal!!" Ami's eyes widen in recognition, then she
grasps Kirensa's hand. "Pleased to meet you! I'm Ami!"

Greetings are exchanged, then the three relax around a coffee table.
A waiter comes up to offer tea, then heads off. "So, how many managed to come
out?" Minako wonders.

"I think eighteen including myself," Kirensa smiles contently. "It's
so wonderful to be able to speak to you face-to-face. By the way, Ami, Kiyui
is in the Crossroads Mall doing some shopping if you want to go down?"

"Really?!" Ami smiles. "Oh, I'd love to! I'll go later on. Where
is she staying?"

"Most are in the Hilton across town with their families," Kirensa
reports, trying to stay neutral. "I'm here with Kashi Suhom."

"Where is she?!" Ami blinks surprisedly.

"She's resting in my room," Kirensa hums. "Tell me, is Maya anywhere
about?"

Minako and Ami exchange grins, then the former taps her wrist-
communicator. "Minako to Maya. We have a present for you."

"Pr-present?" Maya's tired voice replies. "What present?"

"It's in room..." Minako looks at Kirensa, who mouths, "...three-
three-seven right now. You better hurry."

She clicks off the wrist-comm...

* * *

Maya mutters something incoherent and profane as she staggers to the
third floor. "Present?! Jeez, Minako, what does that mean?!" she walks up to
room 337, then knocks.

The door opens automatically. "Come in..." a weak voice echoes from
the bedroom."

Maya blinks as she steps inside, then looks around. Suites at the
Hill Manor were like a luxury apartment elsewhere, with a fair-sized living
room and side doors leading to a bathroom-jacuzzi and two bedrooms. Maya
walks to the open door of one bedroom, then peeks inside. Her eyes widen on
seeing the mess of red hair sticking out from under the covers. "Who's
there...?"

Maya shudders with delight, then tip-toes into the room, sitting down
on the bed. A hand pulls back the covers to reveal Kashi's slowly healing
face. "Elder Kirensa...?" she turns, then stops on seeing her visitor.

"Hi," Maya smiles.

Kashi blinks, her eyes watering. "Maya!"

Maya growls as she leans down to draw the slender girl into an
embrace, causing Kashi to cry out in pain as her ribs protest the jerky
movements. "Aaah!!! Maya-chan, stop...!!"

"What's wrong?!" Maya gazes at her.

"My ribs," Kashi coughs, then tenderly slips off her tank-top. "Look
for yourself."

"Lyna!!" Maya gapes, taken by surprise even after seeing this in
Kashi's last holo-message. "Oh, Kashivayae..."

"I'm sorry, Mayavayae," Kashi gazes at her. "I didn't mean to drag
you into this."

"Hush," Maya tenderly kisses her. "I'm glad I'm involved. There's
no way I wouldn't've backed away when I heard what they were doing to you.
Have you seen a healer?"

"I'm going later today," Kashi sighs.

"Wrong," Maya growls, then taps her wrist-comm. "Maya to Hotaru.
Are you up?"

"Just got up," she yawns. "What is it?"

"Come to room 337; I've a patient."

"On my way."

Kashi blinks. "I don't think your friend could really help me,
Mayavayae..."

"Are you kidding?!" Maya laughs. "If Hotaru can't heal it, no one
can! Relax!!"

The door opens to allow Hotaru inside. "I'm here...oh, you must be
Kashi!" the nurse smiles on seeing the wounded Kagamasei. "Well, let's see
what's wrong with you today, shall we?" she draws out her tricorder and
scanner, then begins the preliminary work.

"I'll get some tea," Maya quickly exits.

"Well, you really have been banged up," Hotaru whistles on seeing the
extent of the injuries. "Six broken ribs, five cracked, badly healed bones on
the legs and arms... Lyna, how could your family do this to you?!"

"You know?" Kashi blinks.

"It was all Maya talked about on the trip here," Hotaru grimly sighs,
then blinks as a strange reading is picked up. "What the...?"

Kashi tenses as Hotaru runs the scanner over her. Silence then falls
as the readout comes over the nurse's tricorder. Hotaru blinks, then stares
at her. Lyna's Soul, this couldn't be real...could it?

"When are you going to tell her?"

"I don't know. I don't even know how to tell her, Eii'sagh. What
will she do?"

"I can't predict that," Hotaru admits. "But I know Maya is one who
likes to deal with the truth. We all do."

"I love her. I won't risk losing that love because of the way I
entered this life."

"Then tell her," Hotaru insists.

"Tell me what?"

Both see Maya standing at the door staring at them. "Oh, Maya!"
Hotaru sighs.

"It's alright," Kashi hums, then smiles at her would-be lover.
"Maya, please sit. There's something...I have to say to you."

Maya sits on the bed. "What?"

Kashi takes a breath. "I'm a clone."

Silence. Maya blinks, staring at the Kagamasei, her mind recoiling
from hearing the one word whose historical equivalent on Sagussa,
*mei'aidoei,* is seen these days as the lowest insult. Then, a part of her
clicks in, reminding the architect about the hideous level of abuse Kashi
endured because of her parents and siblings. If that was because of her
origins, it explained much.

"You were afraid you'd lose me."

"Yes," Kashi nods.

Maya then stares at her. "You're wrong."

Kashi blinks, then a loopy grin crosses her face as Maya draws her
in. Hotaru smiles as the two cry, hugging each other for all they are worth.
Finally, they pull away, then Maya looks at her. "How did it happen?"

"It's a long story," she smiles. "I was first created when my
brother Shi was born. They took a sample of his DNA, then played around with
it for a bit before allowing it to germinate into a living being...me."

Maya blinks. "You're not a clone; more of a test-tube baby than a
clone!" she shakes her head, then turns to Hotaru. "How could you tell she
was a clone?"

"She still has a bit of gestation residue in her muscles from the
matrix used to create her and that has strands of her brother's DNA in it.
Sloppy process if you ask me," Hotaru shakes her head. "You'd have to go for
full regeneration to get all that out of you. How long have you been
suffering from anemia?"

"How'd you know...?!" Kashi blinks, then laughs. "Sorry!"

"It's okay," Hotaru draws a hypodermic and injects it. "There, that
should help."

"Why'd she have anemia?" Maya blinks.

"Courtesy of her brother's DNA in her body still," Hotaru admits.
"The different codes between a man and a woman send different requests to the
brain, which confuse things when it directs her digestive system to draw in
food. Her cells are asking for the wrong things from her cardiovascular
system, denying her iron and other elements she needs."

"It's long been the reason my parents discipline me," Kashi sighs.
"They wanted a strong daughter to be her son's companion, not someone who
can't do much on the farm."

"As soon as we get you into regeneration, you should be alright,"
Hotaru smiles.

"Can we regenerate her?" Maya wonders.

"We can," Hotaru nods. "Ever since the problem with Junba, Catty
perfected a serum that would cleanse out the gestation residue before
regeneration; the residue serves as a warning flag to the matrix that this
isn't a naturally-born person. Besides, Kashi was created as a baby and grew
up naturally; your analogy of a test-tube baby was right on. In essence,
she's really no different from the rest of us. Our genes were altered by the
matrix when we were regenerated to make us Sagussan. Hers were altered when
she was first created, then she came to term like many of our children do via
a gestation matrix. The regeneration matrix shouldn't be much of a problem.
In fact," she draws out a second hypo, then injects it. "There! That'll
start cleaning out the residue in your body; you'll eject it as normal waste
matter. Once you're 'clean,' then we can regenerate you."

"Great!!" Maya grins, then kisses Kashi. "Once you're regenerated,
you and I are going to bond, then I'm going to take you to Reiner's Five and
show you the whole galaxy!"

"I can't wait...wait a minute!!" Kashi's eyes widen with
consternation. "Maya-chan, I can't leave the Concordat! How are you going to
get me off Crossroads?!"

Silence falls as the two Sagussans exchange pensive looks...

* * *

"Enter!"

Noa looks up from her papers to see Kuk and Tok walk into the room.
"What brings you here?!" she rises to greet them. "I thought you'd be heading
back to V'ath-T'kon today."

"There is a bit of a problem, my friend," Kuk sighs as the three sit,
allowing Kana to serve them tea. "Your sisters and several friends are now on
Crossroads meeting their pen-friends, are they not?"

"They should've been there yesterday," Noa nods. "Why? Are the
authorities on Crossroads concerned over the presence of so many defence
officers at the same time?"

"Oh, not that," Tok shakes her head. "It is a more vital problem.
You see, it is the problem of those women they desire to meet."

"You hinted this at our meeting," Noa leans back. "You said this had
something to do with our most unique prejudice. I assume you're here to
elaborate."

"Yes, we are," Kuk sighs. "We are the leaders of the Central
Council, but we are restricted from our ability to act when it comes to
possible indiscretions made by one of our member states, such as what
Architect Maya noted at our meeting. However, we...all of us on the Central
Council...have decided enough is enough and that a lesson has to be taught to
the Kagamasei about the mistreatment...of their clone children."

Noa's eyes widen surprisedly...

* * *

At that same moment, 20,000 parsecs away, a door leading to the
bedroom of the chief officer of the Otikijerag Province Citizens Registry
Office. Three men storm in, their pale skins contrasting their dark,
Nazi-like uniforms. The lights are switched on to reveal the body of Rensa
Nopa, his arms crossed in an X over his chest. Everything about the room
seems neat, tidy...though the pervasive stench of a body that has just freed
itself of rigour mortis fills the room. One of the intruders walks up to the
records officer's throat, then feels for a pulse. He then faces his friends.
"Dead."

"Where is his sister?" the leader asks.

"She has not been seen for the last two days," the third then
reports. "Our agents at the spaceport saw her leave the planet accompanied by
the clone girl from Ikemikot-lairomem, Kashi Suhom."

"The one who disappeared?!" the leader snarls. "Rensa always spoke
out against the law concerning the clones! Put out an alert for the nearest
planets. Have our agents track down the two escapees and bring them back!
Kirensa has a final duty to perform for her sibling, then she'll join him!"

A *click!* is heard from the nightstand. "Sorry, gentlemen, but my
brother and I've already made many preparations concerning your possible
interference," Kirensa's voice echoes from a tape recorder beside the night
clock. "You'll not live long enough to make your report to Home Security
about us."

The agents exchange confused looks...then scream out as Rensa's body
suddenly glows, the bauximite flash-bomb within him detonating on command! A
second later, there is nothing left of the Nopa home save a large crater and a
billowing cloud of smoke...

* * *

"WHAT?!?!?!"

"The agents sent to inspect Rensa Nopa's home to locate his sister
and the clone Suhom were killed," the chief investigator of Home Security for
Otikijerag Province bows to the provincial commissioner of police. "It was a
disintegration weapon similar to what the Sagussans call a bauximite flash-
bomb. The house and everything in it was pulverized."

The elderly man shudders as he gazes out the window at the landscape
of Otikijerag City. "What of the team sent to look at the home of Rasa
Hullyon in Arukas-raw?!"

"We've yet to hear from them..."

The door to the office bursts open, revealing a detective.
"Commissioner, Chief Inspector, we just got a call from Arukas-draw! Rasa
Hullyon is dead!!"

"His sister?" the commissioner demands.

"No sign of her," the detective replies.

The elderly officer closes his eyes. "We now have three renegade
clones," he stares out the window again. "Pass it to your friends in the
other provinces, Chief Inspector. Have the news transmitted to the colonies
as well. They can't've got very far if they left in the last three days.
Find them."

"Yes, sir," the chief inspector nods...

* * *

"I can't believe this!"

"Nor did we when we learned of the full extent of what the Kagamasei
do," Kuk sighs, sipping her tea. "Try as we might, we have failed to
dissuade them from the more...darker practices that emerge from this
tradition. Now it is time for more direct action, Noa. That is where
Sagussa enters the picture."

The *ashi'cha* blows out in awe at the scale of the problem, then
gazes out the window at the tranquil cityscape of the Fifth Republic's
capital. "You know, multiple births on other planets were viewed at so
differently in antiquity. I heard of a case on Earth where the first group
of quintuplets to ever survive infancy were used by a local government as a
tourist attraction during their Great Depression, psychologically damaging
them for the rest of their lives, possibly contributing to the deaths of two
while they still had many years before them. I must confess that Kagamasei
is the first planet I've heard of that views fraternal twins as something
divinely ordained."

"It surprised us when we learned of it," Tok snorts. "Many years
ago, almost every mother on Kagamasei gave birth to twins. When they were
identical, there was no real problem. But fraternal twins, a male and a
female, were quite unique. In their theology, it was seen as personifying the
duality of existence. Those twins were considered blessed by the gods, given
preferential treatment over normal twins or single births. It was a social
institution."

"But as time went on, technology and a changing environment slowly
eradicated the part of a Kagamasei's DNA that allowed them to give multiple
births. It was seen as the gods turning their backs on them," Kuk continues.
"Many on that world believed their race was doomed. Only when they discovered
how to clone a person...and how to manipulate a child's DNA to create a near-
replica of the opposite sex...did fraternal twins reappear. From then on,
everyone could have a twin."

"I see," Noa scratches her chin. "So what is the problem?"

"The problem the Concordat has with this practice is the way the
clone twin is bound to his or her template," Tok sighs. "They have no rights
whatsoever in society; that's how desperate their parents and siblings are to
curry the gods' favour. They are legally bound to their template, usually
restricted from seeking a mate and starting their own family, treated almost
as a slave...and should the template die, the clone is put to death as if
they were guilty of first degree murder."

Noa pales. "Lyna have mercy..." she gasps, then shakes her head.
"I...that's barbaric!! And I thought the practice of using clones to provide
spare parts for the template was bad enough!"

"As do we," Kuk hums. "There are some within the Central Council who
are demanding Kagamasei's expulsion from the Concordat until they reform this
practice. However, the majority of the Council, Tok and I included, have
decided a more sharper lesson needs to be dealt to them. Sagussa can help
us."

Noa looks to Kana. "Have the Prime Councillor and the Speaker of the
House come here, Kana. They'll want to hear this."

"Yes, Minister," the secretary leaves.

A minute later, Sakura and Madoka walk into the room. "I hoped to
see you two before you returned home," the former offers her hand to Kuk.
"So, what's the problem?"

"You both better sit down," Noa advises. "You'll need to be seated
to hear this one."

Sakura and Madoka exchange looks...

* * *

Sometime later, a small party has begun in the main banquet hall of
the Hill Manor. A PRIVATE PARTY sign hangs from the door as Minako and
Kirensa slide across the dance floor in a tango to Maya's haunting version of
"Tracts of Melancholy." Around them, people clap to the drum beat as the
Warsuit pilot draws a rose from a nearby vase, then sashays her partner
across the floor, their faces not an inch apart. "Boy, Minako can sure cut a
rug, can't she?!" Usagi whistles from nearby.

"Yeah, she can," Rei sighs.

"It's okay to be angry, Rei-chan."

"I'm not angry, Usagi-chan, not anymore," Rei wipes her eyes. "Just
sad."

"Then go to her and say you're sorry, Rei," Katai squeezes her arm.
"If you don't say anything soon, how will Minako know?"

"Minako feels just as bad, Rei," Kunoo adds. "She may act like she
hasn't forgiven you, but deep down, she doesn't know what to say anymore to
make you understand."

Rei blinks, then gazes fondly at her ex-bond-mate. By then, the song
comes to an end and Maya bows as everyone applauds. Rei walks over to the
architect. "Hey, Maya!"

"What is it, Rei?" Maya kneels.

"'Silent...'"

Maya blinks, then nods, returning to her microphone as she programs
the karaoke machine for the requested song. Given the Sagussan love for
music, singing in a karaoke pub was much more than just an idle pastime.
With that, Rei heads over to stand beside Minako and Kirensa. "May I have
the next dance?"

Minako stares wide-eyed at Rei. The latter smiles, her eyes
sparkling with fresh tears. Kirensa exchanges looks, then kisses the former.
"I'll leave you two be."

With that, she heads to the refreshments bar. Minako stares at Rei,
then blinks as a piano is heard. "You didn't."

"I did," Rei nods.

They draw into an embrace as Maya begins to croon "Silent...", one of
the most popular fast waltzes on Sagussa. Other couples quickly slide onto
the floor to join the two. Nearby, Kariru looks knowingly at Leona. "You
knew that would happen, didn't you?"

"Yeah," Leona nods. "All they needed was time apart, then they'd get
back together. Though now with everyone else involved, I wonder how they'll
arrange things now."

Kariru laughs, kissing her penpal's cheek. As the song ends, Kirensa
makes her way to the stage, then steps up to Maya. The architect backs away
as the former records officer takes the microphone in hand. "I hate to
interrupt such a wonderful voice as Maya's, but there is some business to be
done tonight. May I ask who is the senior minister here?"

The Sagussans exchange looks, then Honey walks up. "I think that
would be me," she points to herself. "What is it?"

Kirensa sighs. "Our time tonight and today has proven beyond a
shadow of a doubt that the destinies of myself and my friends are with you,
Honey-san. To that end, my friends and I request...asylum in the Fifth
Republic of Sagussa.

"We wish to defect."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

"***DEFECT?!?!?!***"

Everyone stares in shock at the stately Kagamasei on stage. Kirensa's
countrywomen stay close to their new families and friends, gazing hopefully
on the Sagussans that were now their only hope for a new start. "Yes, that is
correct," the former records officer sighs. "As Hotaru-san explained
earlier, we are clones, 'designer' clones if you will, created to fulfil our
families' desire to be at peace with their gods and themselves. But there is
much more to tell. None of you have any idea how restricted our lives have
been for the last bit. Incidents like what happened to Kashi, Kiriru and
Kubichi are commonplace. Further, I myself and Kurasa now face an imminent
death sentence."

"What?!!" Honey exclaims, then spins on Kurasa. "What does that
mean, Kurasa-chan?! What's she talking about?!!"

"It's true," the swordswoman bows her head ashamedly. "If our
templates die, we are automatically put to death without any hope of
reprieve. Don't you see, this is the only chance we have, the only chance ANY
of us have, to get away from that place and start again! I'm dead, Elder
Kirensa's dead, if we go back. Kashi's life won't be worth spit if she goes
back. And the rest of them; once their relatives find out how close we've
all become, they'll just get it as bad as Kashi! Honey-chan, Honeyvayae,
please! This is our only chance to really live!"

Silence falls as Ataru's aide-de-camp shudders, wishing Noa was here
to handle this problem...when, speak of the devil, a wall-phone rings. Hunba
walks over, then picks it up. "Main Dining Hall, Hunba speaking," she places
the receiver to her ears, then blinks. "Honey-chan, it's your sister."

Honey blinks, then sighs, marching over to grab the phone from her
bond-mate, then glares at the receiver. "Noa, dear sister of mine," she
sweetly begins, "...I can't wait to get back to Sagussa because when I'm
home," her face deforms hideously, "...I'M GOING TO KILL YOU FOR PUTTING ME
THROUGH THIS!!!!!!"

* * *

"Aiowch!!" Noa winces as Honey's sonic boom echoes over her receiver
back in Tere'na City. "What's with you?!"

"You idiot, you knew this was going to happen, didn't you?!! About
Kirensa, Kurasa-chan and the others wanting to defect to us?!! I ain't no
diplomat, you moron!!"

The *ashi'cha* sighs. "Relax, Honey, I didn't know about that until
you told me!" she gazes at Sakura, who is trying not to laugh at Honey's
assumption. "In the meantime, can you ask Kirensa-san to come to the phone,
please?"

"Oh, okay!! I still think you arranged all this! Kirensa, c'mon
over here for a sec', willya?!" she calls away from the phone.

A second later, the Kagamasei's voice inquires, "Yes?"

Noa hands the phone to Sakura. "This is Prime Councillor Sakura,
Kirensa-san..."

* * *

Kirensa blinks on hearing the voice of Sagussa's head of government.
"Yes, Prime Councillor, what is it?"

"I understand you and your friends have requested asylum due to the
persecution and near-slavery conditions you face back on Kagamasei, correct?"
Sakura wonders.

"Yes, ma'am," Kirensa nods.

"Then, it's my pleasure to, on behalf of the Fifth Republic of
Sagussa, welcome you amongst us. Your petition is granted," Sakura cheerily
replies. "I've discussed this with the Elders of the Concordat and they'll
happily allow you to leave Crossroads and resettle on Sagussa without
conditions."

Kirensa blinks as her mind interprets that. She then stares at
everyone else, who has gathered around her to hear Sakura's words. "We can
go..." she barely whispers.

"Hello?! Kirensa-san?!" Sakura's voice echoes over the line.

Maya turns to Kashi. "You can come!!"

"I can come...?" Kashi gasps, then screams out as she fiercely
embraces her future bond-mate. "I can come!!! Oh, Mayavayae, we're together
at last!!!"

The cheers are infectious; in a second, everyone is screaming, crying
and embracing each other. "Hello? Kirensa-san?! Anyone?!" Sakura's voice
vainly echoes over the line.

Honey walks over to pick up the receiver. "Sorry about that, Boss.
Everyone's pretty happy over here. What now?"

Noa comes back. "We're dispatching Shuttle 100 to go pick you up
right now," Honey's sister advises. "They'll be there in two hours. Be off
that planet in three."

"No problem...wait a sec'!!" Honey cries out as she realizes
something. "What about customs and all that?!!"

"Kuk and Tok are sending a message to the chief of customs on
Crossroads," Noa reports. "Get everyone's sizes so we can get uniforms ready
when Shuttle 100 comes in; we'll have to escort them out dressed as us. Keep
them in sight at all times; who knows when Kagamasei Home Security'll get wind
of this and come running with guns out. Watch yourselves!"

"No problem, sis!!" Honey hangs up, then turns to get everyone's
attention...

* * *

"Commissioner."

The police commissioner for Otikijerag Province gazes at the chief
inspector of Home Security's local division. "What is it?"

"We've received the reports for all the colonies and the other
provinces," the younger officer sighs. "There is no sign of the renegade
clones Suhom, Nopa and Hullyon."

"Then where could they have gone?!!" he snaps. "What place could
they have fled?!"

"Sir, Crossroads is on one of the major trade routes our people use,"
the inspector reminds him. "Most likely, they are there. We did a quick
analysis of recent passenger shuttle records and there are now at least
fifteen clones on Crossroads...and with an inquiry to customs, two dozen
Sagussans, including some high ranked ministers."

"Sagussa?!" he laughs. "Don't be stupid, Chief! The Sagussans
themselves would destroy those clones without hesitation; you know how much
they despise clones in general!"

"That may be true, sir, but my cultural contact group did warn your
office some years ago about the problem of increased e-mail and postal mail
contacts between many locals, most of them clones, and the Sagussans. We also
noted that the Central Records Office did frequently erase all e-mail records
from those clones now on Crossroads as well as the three renegades every time
their families demanded to see any personal messages...and almost all of them
came from Sagussa!"

The commissioner blinks as the full scope of the problem begins to
reveal itself. He himself had a clone twin, a lovely woman who served now as
his homemaker. He had wisely not allowed her out of the house, much less
learn anything like working a computer or discovering the universe beyond
Kagamasei. But others may not have been so wise. The fates of dozens of
families were in potential jeopardy if a majority of those clones on
Crossroads made contact with their penpals, then somehow connived the
Sagussans into allowing them to escape from the Concordat.

If that was true...

"Then contact your friends on Crossroads, Chief. Have them find and
detain all the clones for questioning. Explain to their families that we
suspect they have been subverted by alien agents into betraying their people.
Given what you've just said, I'll wager than our renegades are there."

"Of course, sir," the chief salutes.

"And Chief?"

"Sir?"

"Thank you for your advice," the commissioner nods. "You may have
just saved many people from a worse calamity. I don't want to appear
ungrateful."

"It is my pleasure to serve," the chief bows, then leaves...

* * *

"How long will we wait?"

Linna sighs as she gazes at her wrist-chrono. "One hour mark six,"
she bites her lips, then sighs, her hand feeling the pistol she had now
strapped to her leg. Personal defense sidearms were permitted on Crossroads.
"Relax, Kiriru-chan. They'll be here."

"I hope so," Kiriru sighs as she lays back on the bed. Nene was now
in the lobby making arrangements for an early departure with Honey. The
others were in their rooms, keeping close to their charges during the
eternally-long wait. The young girl stares at Linna. "Linna-chan, when I'm
adopted, will it be you who adopts me or Nene-chan?"

"Eh?!" Linna stares at her, then laughs. "Well, we won't adopt you
like Priss adopted Shunran-chan. What we'll do is host you as a refugee.
You'll be under Nene-chan's direct charge, so you'll get her registry number
with an 'R' added before it. Nene-chan's already thinking of asking her
friends at Tere'na Compudata to take you as an apprentice."

"She is?!" Kiriru gasps. "Oh, I can't wait! Are the Mobius Five
really nice?!"

"Yeah, they're pretty cool," Linna nods, sitting beside her, then
draws the younger girl into an embrace. "Kiddy and Lebia can't wait to meet
you. Outside Nene, they're the best hackers on Sagussa. You'll learn a lot!"

"Great!!" Kiriru yawns. "I'm sleepy."

"Oooh, too exciting a day for you, young lady," Linna hums as she
shifts the dozing girl onto the bed, then draws the covers over her. "Now go
to sleep."

"Okay..."

Linna breathes out as she turns to the window...then gasps as it
explodes inward, three dark figures swinging in on rappel lines! The chief
petty officer leaps behind the bed as she draws her pistol, moving to shoot as
the intruders disengage, their own weapons out. "Hit her!!" the leader barks.

Linna grabs the screaming Kiriru and ducks behind the bed as their
weapons thunder, particle shot racing at them like mad hornets! She waits
until their fire slackens, then she sends a volley back toward them, forcing
them to take cover. *Thank Lyna the beds are built of ironwood and solid to
the floor!* Linna grits her teeth as she ducks a second volley.

The gunfire stops. "Sagussan!!!" the leader barks. "We want the
clone and nothing else!! Surrender and you live!!!"

"Pathfinders don't surrender!!"

"Priss?!!" Linna's eyes widen.

Stun shots are heard, echoed by the cries of the strike team as they
are dropped like ten pins. Linna leans up to see Priss, Sylvie and Sylia
there, all three in dark combat uniforms, covering the downed agents. The
former leans down to draw the balaclava off one, then sighs. "Kagamasei Home
Security," she snorts. "The Gestapo of the Concordat."

"Wonderful!!" Sylia sighs. "You okay?"

"We're fine," Linna rises, helping Kiriru to her feet. "How many
others are here?! How'd you get here?!!"

"We came by the 'Kiboo'cha.'"

"But I thought you said...!"

"I did and I meant it," the commander sighs. "But when you left, I
realized the only way Kiriru-chan and the others could come across was via
defection. So Priss, Sylvie and I took the ship and parked ourselves outside
the neutral zone and waited. When Noa put the call in to Honey, we came in
cloaked."

"But we've got over forty people to get off the planet now," Linna
warns. "We can't carry them all on the 'Kiboo'cha;' there's not enough room,
especially if these jokers have friends out there waiting for Shuttle 100 to
try to make the run back!"

"We know," Sylia taps a wrist control, having something beamed down
from the sloop. "T'Kon Customs are on our side and if things get dicey,
Elder Kuk's promised military help. The 'Hasei'cha' and the
'Shinowataru'cha' are on their way; they'll be in range within the hour.
Now, in the meantime, let's get Kiriru-chan and the others ready."

"How?" Kiriru wonders.

Sylia opens the case, then produces a computer services technician's
dark green, black and silver uniform. "Well, Technician Kiriru, how'd you
like to get your uniform?"

The young girl blinks, then beams...

* * *

A half-hour later, a troop of Sagussans, 41 in all, exit the
Crossroads Hill Manor, then board a fleet of taxis for the ride to the
spaceport. Sylia, Priss and Sylvie tied up the three KHS agents, then left
them in Linna's and Nene's room with a note for Concordat Frontier Security,
the intelligence service charged with keeping the peace on Crossroads. In
ten minutes, they arrive at the spaceport's departure lounge, then head
inside. All of them have overnight bags filled with clothing and some
mementoes from their brief stay on Crossroads. Filing inside, they all
proceed at once to the customs departure gate for out-clearance.

"Name, please?" the official smiles.

"Kariyu, *daishi'cha* Em-Eight-Four-Two-Five-Six," Kariyu smiles, now
in her new computer services' officer's uniform. "Chief Telecommunications
Officer, Kyre'sha Province. I live in Namu'sha Village."

"And did you enjoy your stay?" the official hums, gazing at her
identity card, then running it through the computer.

"You mean our honeymoon," Kariyu grasps Naru's hand. "We've waited
SO long!"

"Congratulations," the official hands the card back. "May you have a
safe trip home."

"Lyna's blessings on you," Kariyu smiles as they clear the gates for
the lounge.

"Nicely done," Naru whispers.

"Thank you," Kariyu kisses her.

Nearby, Sylvie stands guard, dressed in civilians as she watches the
line proceed through the customs checkpoint. Once in the departure lounge,
Priss and Sylia, along with three CFS officers, all T'Kon, would take over
until the warpshuttle's arrival. So far, the departures concourse was quiet,
no sign of KHS goons or family members who could shout the alarm to someone
who wasn't clued in. She walks over to get herself a can of calorie juice.
"Silky Doll, this is Wanderer," she taps her collar mike. "Halfway done."

"Understood, Wanderer," Sylia replies. "Maintain watch."

"Aye-aye," Sylvie nods.

Kirensa is making her way through. The T'Kon customs official
pointedly ignores the picture of the former records officer sent by Kagamasei
Home Security a half-hour before. "Your name, please?" she inquires.

"Kirensa, *daishi'cha* Es-Five-Triple-Six-Two," the newly- minted
zoology articifer smiles. "I live in Kyre'sha Province."

"Did you enjoy your stay on Crossroads?"

"It was very pleasant," Kirensa gazes at Minako, who winks at her.
"My dear sister here decided to take the opportunity to introduce me to her
friend and we...had fun," she leans down to squeeze Usagi's hand.

"Personal stuff," Usagi whispers.

"I see," the official snorts in laughter. "Have a pleasant journey
home. You may pass."

"Thank you!!" Kirensa and Usagi chorus as Rei and Katai, now in the
uniform of a Warsuit Brigade corporal, take their places.

Nearby, Sylvie sighs, then blinks as she notices three men march into
the outer vestry of the departure concourse, all in dark trenchcoats and
obviously armed. "Wanderer to Silky Doll and Wild Thing," she hisses. "I
got three gomers topside, range sixty-five from the end of the line. Need
backup."

"This is Wild Thing," Priss replies. "Hang tight, partner. We're on
our way."

Sylvie drops the empty can into a nearby refuse basket, then moves in
to close the range on the three KHS agents. They notice the line of
Sagussans, then quickly move to intercept the one at the end. Grabbing her,
the leader draws his gun. "You're coming with us!!" he whips her around...

...to find Minako. "Hands off, pervert!"

She slugs him! Sylvie slows down as Kunoo, now also a Warsuit
brigade corporal's uniform, turns to stare at her fellow warsuit officer.
"Commander, is there a problem?"

"You're one!!" another lunges for her.

"Hey!!!" Kunoo backs off just as Artemis walks into the way, his
wings raised to protect his pet's new sister.

The Kagamasei shudder on seeing the sandpanther, then jolt on feeling
Priss' and Sylvie's hands on their shoulders. "Mina, Kunoo, there a
problem?!" the former smiles.

"Oh, hi, Priss, Sylvie!" Minako grins, cracking her knuckles as she
gazes at Kunoo. "No real problem other than these dorks were trying to feel
up my sister!"

"Your SISTER?!?!" the agent grabbed by Sylvie laughs. "That's a good
one!! Now hand the clone over!!!"

"Clone?!" Minako blinks. "Are there any clones living on Sagussa,
Corporal?"

"None to my knowledge, Commander," Kunoo shakes her head, her hand
parting her locks to reveal her ears. Her tapered, Vosian ears. "The last
clone that was on Sagussa was Nurse Shinobu Miyaki's would-be bond-mate
Junba."

"There, you see," Minako shrugs at the Kagamasei. "There're no
clones on Sagussa."

"Next, please!" an official calls out.

"That's us, *Ashoi'cha!* C'mon!!" Kunoo grabs Minako, then both head
to the counter, Artemis limbering after them.

"Gee!" Sylvie smiles. "Don't look Kagamasei. After all," she whips
the hair away from the agent's round ears. "You don't have points on your
ears. Let's go, Pri!"

"Right behind you, Syl," Priss hums.

The agents blink as they watch the Sagussans file into the departure
lounge, then exchange looks. "Was it a false lead?!" one of them demands,
then blinks. "Look!"

The others look to see Kurasa gazing at them from the doorway to the
lounge, now in the uniform of a government official with officer's rank on her
sleeves. "Hullyon!!" the leader growls, then grabs his sidearms. "Hullyon!!!
You come back here...!!!"

They run into three giant green walls! The Kagamasei spill onto the
floor, then look up to see three brutes from Concordat Frontier Security in
their dark green fatigues gaze contemptuously at them. "Is there a problem,
gentlemen?!" the leader hums.

"There are clones escaping!" the Kagamasei team leader points at the
lounge, where Kurasa has just disappeared.

The troopers blink, then the leader turns to the customs official who
had cleared Kunoo and Minako. "Officer Kash, did you just clear that group of
Sagussans now in the lounge?"

"Yes, I did, Sergeant Shac," she nods.

"Was there anything wrong with them?"

"Nothing wrong at all."

"Pull one up for verification, please."

"As you wish," she types a command, then stares at the readout.
"Kurasa, *daishi'cha* Es-Seven-Six-Oh-Seven-Three. Resident of Tere'na City,
Kyonggh-Tere'na District. Deputy Director of Immigration for Refugees for the
Fifth Republic, officer. Adopted sister of Sylia, Commander Pathfinder Troop
Six and bond-mates to Honey, Aide-de-Camp to the Head of State and Hunba,
Advisor on Vosian Affairs at External Affairs."

"'Adopted sister?!!'" the Kagamasei leader growls, shuddering with
sullen rage.

"Arrived on Sagussa Year Three, Day Two-oh-two," Kash adds.
"Confirmed with the Central Citizens Registry in Tere'na City."

"Thank you, Officer Kash," Shac nods, then faces the three
Kagamasei. "This planet is neutral territory between the Sixteenth T'Kon
Concordat and the Fifth Republic of Sagussa. Inform your superiors if I catch
any member of Kagamasei Home Security here again, I'll lodge a VERY serious
complaint to the Central Council. You may leave."

Roaring, the KHS leader spins around as the three leave the lounge.
"What do we do now?!" one of the others demands.

"Alert Special Operations!" he barks.

As the doors close behind them, Sylvie and Priss exchange knowing
looks with Shac and his friends. "It is not over yet," the grim T'Kon
security chief muses.

The Troop's first officer sighs, then taps her mike. "Wild Child to
Star Leaf and Thundergirl. Gomers are going to block the Yellow Brick Road.
Persuade them otherwise."

"This is Star Leaf, we acknowledge."

"This is Thundergirl. Already in place."

Priss pats Shac's arm. "Pleasure doing business with you, Sarge.
See you later."

"Oh, Commander," Shac hums.

"What?"

"Could you send a couple bottles of that nice spring water you draw
from the wells near Tere'na-korgh?"

"I'll send you a whole damn case! Later!!" Priss waves as she and
Sylvie race off to join their countrywomen...

* * *

An hour later, Warpshuttle 100 soars for the still-distant Fourth
Stellar Cluster. On the bridge, Shipmistress Melody relaxes as Priss, Sylia
and Sylvie man controls. While only a watchmistress in rank despite there
being a shipmistress-equivalent in Sylia, Melody is in command. "E.T.A. the
Twins?"

"Forty seconds," Sylia reports.

"Maintain shields," Melody sighs.

To mark the line where Sagussan and T'Kon warships couldn't cross,
two small red dwarf suns nicknamed "the twins" were used as a base point, the
border at right angles to the line between Sagussa and the T'kon homeworld,
cut from the Galactic Barrier around the Milky Way galaxy into infinity.
Melody's eyes watch the timer mark the countdown to the point where they
would be safe and the Concordat off the hook. "Standby," she tenses.

"Standing by...hold it!!" Priss barks. "We got a bogie on our ass,
range ten thousand and closing fast!"

"Interdiction cruiser operated by Kagamasei Home Security," Sylvie
supplies. "Will be in weapons range in thirty."

"Time to the Twins, twenty-five," Sylia reports, not relaxing.

"Flank ahead!!" Melody barks. "Increase power to one-ten on the main
reactors!!"

Priss jams the accelerator to FLANK AHEAD while twisting the reactor
power output lever to EMERGENCY 110%. She watches the speed indicator pick up
as they risked the dangerous realms of transwarp space, anywhere about Warp 15
equivalent. "We're pushing it!" she warns as the shuttle's hull begins to
quake.

"She'll get her wind," Melody sighs.

"You hope," Sylia notes. "Twins in ten."

"Interception in eighteen," Sylvie adds.

Ten seconds pass as the dark red balls of the Twins races past, then
everyone relaxes. "New contacts off the bow, both sides!" Sylvie then barks.
"R.S.S. 'Shinowataru'cha,' R.S.S. 'Hasei'cha,' R.S.S. 'Kiboo'cha'...!!"

Bolts of energy rip through the dark sky as three flashes of light
race to both sides of Shuttle 100, their weapons blasting their pursuers still
several seconds from being in range. "'Hasei'cha' and 'Shinowataru'cha'
engaging Kagamasei cruiser in passing!" Sylvie reports, then sighs as a bright
flash is sensed. "Kagamasei cruiser destroyed."

"Slow us to normal warp, set course for Sen'sha Seven," Melody
orders. "Half ahead both engines, reduce power to seventy."

"Aye-aye, ma'am," Priss spins controls.

Shuttle 100 slows down as it drops back into normal warp space, soon
to be joined by the "Kiboo'cha." A message is flashed from the sloop's bridge
to reveal Linna, Nene, Shinsur, Reinoevan, Asukanoevan, Kiriru and Konama.
"Nice of you to stop by and say 'hello,'" Sylia beams.

"Always glad," Rei grips Konama's hand. "After all, we have to
protect our own."

Everyone laughs as the four ships assume formation for the trip back
to Sagussa...

* * *

Two weeks later...

"Brrr! It's cold!!"

Naru shivers as she slips off her uniform, then draws a shawl over
her body, then gazes fondly at Kariyu, who was now shivering from the sudden
damp draft flowing through the Forge. "Actually, I've been here so many
times, I hardly notice the wind in this place anymore," the Warsuit officer
smiles as Kariyu slips a shawl over herself, then the two head inside.

As they proceed to the raised mound with the lone shaft of light to
mark Lyna's final resting place, the two nod pleasantly to passing groups of
pilgrims returning from their time with Sagussa's spiritual guardian. No sign
of mistrust echoes from anyone towards Kariyu though the news of the Kagamasei
had been public since Shuttle 100 made dock at Sen'sha Seven. "Strange,"
Kariyu sighs. "I always thought that if you ever learned I was a clone, you'd
hate me for the rest of my life. How wrong I was."

"You may have been right," Naru gazes at her. "We loathe the idea of
having clones made of us, especially if it was behind our back or without our
knowledge. But sooner or later, we'll have to stop pressing our standards on
everyone else. You have as much right to a free life under your control as
anyone else does, Karivayae. Remember that."

"I'm not free," Kariyu gazes at her. "Not as long as I love you,
Naruvayae."

Naru flushes as they continue their walk. A timeless eternity later,
both ascend the low mound to stop before the glowing crystal sarcophagus
bearing the body of someone who really was not so different from Kariyu
Oullida herself. Drawing the blankets off their shoulders, both fold them
into prayer mats, then kneel before Lyna, relaxing their minds and hearts to
allow them to reach out and touch the spirit of the one whose life and death
had altered the destinies of so many.

Hello, Naru...

Their eyes open to reveal themselves in the timeless mists of the
*te'a,* seeing Lyna gaze tranquilly at them. "Lyna," Naru sighs as she holds
out her hand for Kariyu. "This is my bond-mate, Kariyu Oullida of Kagamasei.
She's a clone like you."

"So I've known from the others who've come here," Lyna gazes warmly
at Kariyu, speechless on meeting the living spirit of someone who's been dead
for thirteen millennia. "So, you're the one Naru-chan prayed for so long to
come make her heart whole. It's good to meet you, Kariyu."

"A-a-an h-h-honour, El-elder L-l-lyna!" Kariyu bows respectfully to
the idol singer.

Lyna laughs as she reaches over to draw their hands together. "Still
regimented," she gazes at Naru. "I think you'll have to do something to
loosen her up, Naru."

"I guess so," Naru smiles.

With that, Lyna reaches up to guide their faces together in a slight
kiss...

...and both find themselves kissing in the darkness of Tere'na-
korgh. The stomach-churning disorientation of their transition back to their
bodies fades as their minds lower their psi-guards in *mavan'shagh,* their
souls binding together in a way no Kagamasei secret service agent could ever
shatter.

"Do vanan'cha, marei'cha-Naru."

"Do vanan'cha, marei'cha-Kariyu."

They gaze on each other, then smile. "I'm still cold."

"I'll warm you up," Naru draws her in...

*** The End ***