Disclaimer
Tenchi and all associated characters are the property of AIC and Pioneer LDC. I don't own any rights to them. Any other characters are property of their respective copyright holders, not me.
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The Great Cabbit Search
Chapter 3
Go!
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Ryoko stood at the guardrail surrounding in the cavernous Transfer Room. She watched through the portal as the alternate Earth rotated beneath her. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear Washu come up from behind. The first inkling she had that she wasn't alone was when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"What'cha thinking so deeply about Ryoko?" her mother asked.
"I was just wondering what our doubles were like on that Earth. Did Ayeka and I both marry Tenchi there, or was it just one of us? Or maybe neither. What was my life like in that reality?"
"My, those are deep thoughts. Would you like to see? I can't guarantee anything, but we can try." Washu assumed her adult form and put her arm around her daughter.
Ryoko rested her head on her mother's shoulder, still gazing into the portal. "Yes, please. I want to know."
"Why? Aren't you happy here?" the scientist asked, concerned for her daughter's well being.
Ryoko smiled to herself, "Oh yes, very. I don't think I could imagine living any other way now."
"Then why would you want to see how the Ryoko of that world lives?" Washu wondered.
"I dunno, call it a morbid curiosity. But I need to know, show me please." The pirate begged.
"Ok, but remember that this is in realtime. If she's in the house sleeping or something we won't be able to see her." Washu snapped her fingers and a scanner appeared. She pointed the lens at the portal and activated the screen. An image of Japan seen from 500 miles up appeared. Manipulating a joystick, she zoomed in on the area around the Masaki shrine. She began to scan around the area until a familiar head of spikey cyan hair appeared. "There you are. And look, you're with Tenchi and he's not pushing you away, that's a good sign." The two were seated in the grass on a hill overlooking the lake. Tenchi appeared to be drawing something in a sketchpad.
Ryoko sighed, "I'll bet it's me he's drawing. Funny, our Tenchi has problems making stick figures. Anyway, see if you can find the princess now."
Washu scanned the area again and finally settled on the house. There was something subtly different about it, but Ryoko couldn't quite put her finger on it. She watched as the other world's Sasami came running out of the house, Ryo-ohki perched on her head.
Ryoko smiled at the image. "Well, Sasami's there anyway. Ayeka can't be far away. Ok mom, I've seen enough. Thank you."
"You sure?" Washu snapped her fingers again and the scanner disappeared.
"Yeah. I wonder what they're like, those other us's," Ryoko said, still gazing into the portal. "It looked so peaceful there."
Washu shook her head, "We'll probably never know Ryoko. Sorry."
"What do you mean? Aren't we going there?" asked a puzzled Ryoko
"Well, yes. But not specifically to Earth. The only cabbit there is Ryo-ohki and we've already got one of those. I'm just using Earth as a transfer point because it's so out of the way," the scientist explained.
"But you said…" Ryoko's voice trailed off.
Washu chuckled, "That was just in case. I'm gonna try to keep it from happening if I can."
"I guess I can understand that." Ryoko turned toward the exit. "I'll go help Tenchi and Ayeka get our stuff ready. We should be leaving soon."
Washu put out a hand to stop her. "Wait Ryoko. There's one more thing, just in case." She opened a subspace pocket and pulled out the three gems. "Here, I want you to have these back."
"I don't understand. They contain your power and besides, I really don't need them anymore. Why give 'em back?"
"For two reasons. Once we're in that reality I won't have access to the subspace of this one. That means I can't get to them if I need them. And if I take control of them myself, I'll be unsealed again. And that scares me. Really scares me."
"And the other reason?" her daughter asked.
"Did you notice anything different about that other Ryoko?"
"No… Wait, she didn't have any gems either."
"Right. As far as I can tell the gems don't exist in that reality. Call it a safeguard. If you two ever do meet, we'll be able to tell you apart."
"Ah. I suppose it's all right then." Ryoko concentrated and the gems appeared on her wrists and throat. She hissed as she felt their power flow into her. "Aaaah. I'd almost forgotten…" Her symbol flashed, then faded on her forehead.
Washu chuckled, resuming her petite form. "Don't get too used to it my dear, you're not keeping them after all. Now go help the others. I've got to get Yagami moved into position for the transfer."
*****
Kiyone was seated in Yagami's pilot seat and Mihoshi was acting as co-pilot. Washu stood between the two and watched the view screen.
"I guess we're ready," she said as she watched the ripples move across the surface of the portal. "Let Yagami settle slowly into the field. We should just sink right through."
"Will there be any kind of transition effect?" asked Kiyone, adjusting the anti-grav unit.
"Not as far as I know. We shouldn't feel a thing." Washu replied.
"Ok Mihoshi, bring the engines online and put them on standby," the dark-haired GP ordered.
"Yes ma'am, I mean Kiyone," Mihoshi answered, flipping a series of switches.
A rumbling vibration was felt briefly.
Kiyone took a deep breath, "All right people, here we go!" She killed the power to the anti-grav generators and the ship fell into and through the portal.
*****
To be continued
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Author's Notes
As promised, this was short, but at least they're finally on their way. I suppose I could have combined Chapters 1, 2 & 3 into one, but then I couldn't have used the titles I did. Oh, and as a cyborg, Kiyone didn't really have to take that deep breath, she doesn't really need to breath at all; she just did it for effect.
To answer some of my reviewers:
Dennisud – No, the good doctor won't make an appearance, although I have read some crossover fics that used him. Neither will The Master, Daleks or Cybermen. I suppose it could be done, but I don't think Tenchi would know what a jellybaby is, do you? Pocky maybe, but not jellybabies. And you'll have to explain to me about the Douglas Adams reference. It's been about ten years since I've read any of his books and if I used one it was purely by coincidence (I'll bet Washu knows the meaning of "42" though.) You did know he was a writer for Dr. Who in the 60's and 70's didn't you? He will be missed. So long and thanks for all the fish…
The Knight – I've read your fic and I like it. I REALLY like it. The reason I haven't reviewed it is that it's so well written I don't think I'm qualified. The same goes for Krin Dreamweaver's wonderful AU fic and pretty much anything by Silver. I just wish Krin'd write faster.
Priest – I like your fic too, although I'm not a big fan of ALL the girls getting Tenchi. So far though, it's pretty good. You are going to finish it aren't you?
Meekachu – Since ff.net only allows one review per chapter, e-mail me and we'll see if I can't help you with some ideas. I like what you've written so far… (My e-mail address is in my profile.)
Buggyness – If you read my review of your fic, sorry if it sounded bad. What I meant was that at the time I started it I was getting pretty burned out on Tenchi and was in the middle of watching the Slayers series. Fortunately shock therapy has cured me (although bimbos with an obnoxious laugh, dressed in skimpy leather bikinis still haunt my dreams…) and I've since gone back and reread your fic; it's another one that's really good. I take it Ayeka is going to end up with that other person?
(Jeez, these replies are almost as long as the damn chapter. Go figure.)
BobR
12/9/01
