No Need for a Disaster!
Princess Ayeka of the planet Jurai smiled on the outside, although anyone with psychic powers would have backed away from her--very, very fast. She had been raised to control her temper well (little good that did when Ryoko was around), and was usually a master of keeping her emotions in check. This came as a double-edged sword: she could handle her anger very well, but on the other hand, it was very difficult for her to express love.
"What a nice shot!" she said, complementing Farrah's mastery of croquet. Inwardly, though, she cursed. Princess Ayeka of the Royal Jurai Empire was losing to a common Earth woman--although a very pretty and very kind one.
"Thank you," said Farrah softly. After a high-stakes game of cards and a few minutes spent rotting in front of a movie, the girls had decided to set up a croquet game. Unfortunately, Ayeka was not the captain of her team, Farrah was (which was half the reason why the princess kept her civility). In her naiveté, Farrah had made the grievous error of signing Ryoko up on her team--which was partially the cause for Ayeka's rage.
Ayeka took her destiny with a grain of salt and managed to ignore the space pirate. With Washu, Kiyone, and Sasami on the other team, she certainly didn't want to lose face. If Ayeka's team won, then there was victory; if they lost, then Ryoko would be part of the blame. Either way, she would win.
Apparently, the wild card of a woman realized this very quickly. Ryoko knew more about the measurements of Tenchi's house than she knew about croquet, but thanks to Farrah's tutoring, the space pirate became a champ in no time--much to Ayeka's irritation.
The game ended on a fairly difficult note. Ayeka had scored the final goal and pulled her team ahead just barely, so Farrah allowed her to gloat a little. Ryoko, as always, shrugged the princess off and meandered elsewhere. There was no doubt that if they had been on opposite teams, a fight would have broken out. Maybe Farrah wasn't so naïve after all…
"Captain! Captain!!" The captain of the J. S. S. Shangri-La wheeled around in his chair. Like a good captain should, he was eager to listen to the opinions of his crew and all passengers. The person approaching him was a familiar and welcome face, and he greeted her with a warm smile.
"Officer Mihoshi!" he exclaimed, spotting the golden-haired beauty rush in. "What can I do for you?"
"Sir, please allot some of your precious time in examining these charts I have drawn up!" shouted the woman, more or less slamming several papers on a nearby table. The captain, sensing her urgency, looked over the drawings with a level head. The wooden pipe in his mouth almost fell to the floor as he gaped at the readings.
"I see," was all he said. He looked up at Mihoshi, who appeared ready to tackle any order he gave her. "Officer Mihoshi, how did you come by these readings?"
"Sir, I have built a weather surveillance system while on board, sir! I have since been monitoring the reports given to me, and have recently came up with this." Her hand pointed to the graphs she had made, some of which were almost as intricate as a computer's. The captain frowned in thought.
"That's amazing," he huffed. "Our computers have been saying the exact same thing. Thank you, young lady." Mihoshi smiled firmly and saluted.
"Sir, any orders for me, sir?"
"Don't tell this to anybody just yet," he replied. "If the passengers learn that there's a typhoon in the vicinity, there'll be chaos. Continue your daily routine and make sure that nobody gets word of this, understood?"
"Sir, yes sir!" The captain smiled, and asked her to stand at ease. He was beginning to greatly admire the young lady's spirit.
"We've already plotted an alternate course," said the captain, removing his hat so he could scratch his head. "It should take us longer to get to our destination, but it's safer that way. Officer Mihoshi?"
"Sir!" A glimmer of friendship found its way to the captain's eye.
"If you find anything knew, I'd like to know about it."
"Sir, as you say so, sir!" The captain smiled and dismissed the zealous woman. He paused and wheeled around to face his subordinates.
"I wish everyone here were as dedicated as she is," he mused.
Quin Onohan smiled wryly, his lips clutching a toothpick. He drew his hand back, eased his grip, aimed carefully, and let the cue stick fly. The scratch ball rolled towards the other balls, breaking them with the force of a knockout punch. Noboyuki applaused.
"Nice," he said, noticing one of the balls dip into a pocket. Quin smiled.
"I haven't played pool in years," he noted, taking another shot. Two more balls fell in, and soon even Tenchi grew amazed. Quin chuckled, cursing his good luck, and snagged another ball on his third shot. Five, six, eight, nine… Even Tenchi's grandfather became amazed as he witnessed the son of the captain sink in all the balls on his first try.
"Astounding," he said. Quin smiled.
"Oh, I guess I forgot to tell you," he said sheepishly. "I was the Pool League Champion at my college for four straight years. Sorry, I guess I need a handicap."
"Ah, I never liked pool anyway," moaned Tenchi's poor father. He had been champ for four weeks straight. Quin smiled, hung up his cue, and joined the other men as they made their way to a dartboard. Quin insisted that they go in order of eldest to youngest, so Tenchi's grandfather stepped up first.
Silently, focusing his concentration on the board, the old man closed his eyes and casually let one dart fly. It hit the very edge of the board, just barely missing the wall by a hair. He smiled at the trick shot, and dared anyone to challenge him.
"I can surmise that you hit the edge on purpose," noted Quin. Tenchi's grandfather smiled and nodded his head. To demonstrate that the shot was not pure luck, the elderly man quietly hurled all the other darts in rapid-fire succession. Each and every one hit the bull's-eye. Only Tenchi seemed unimpressed by the act; his grandfather had hit much smaller targets than the barn-like bull's-eye, and at much further distances, and with objects much harder to throw than darts.
"I…… think I'll go elsewhere," muttered Quin. The other fellows smiled and tried to find a game where they could play as equals. They settled on a friendly game of cards, which Noboyuki kept winning. Tenchi sighed at everyone's luck, and much to everyone's amusement, insisted on finding a game that he could win as well.
Kiyone lovingly rubbed her hands across Mihoshi's tense neck, whispering words of comfort to her stressed-out friend. The weather reports that Mihoshi had seen were getting rougher and rougher, despite the captain's oath of changing the course. Mihoshi, only halfway aware of her partner's touch, continued checking up on reports and ascertaining the information her satellites were giving her. An email system had been set up so she wouldn't waste time running to and fro the bridge.
"What's it saying now?" asked Kiyone in a very serious tone. By now, even Mihoshi's common speech was puzzling her, and what she had done to her once-primitive computer was shocking, to say the least. The girl's brilliance was increasing by the hours, and it wouldn't be long before she could rival Washu's.
Ever-loyal Mihoshi never ceased seeing Kiyone as her very best friend, even as she was surpassing her in intelligence. Poor Kiyone couldn't help but feel jealous--jealous of Mihoshi. Oh, what has the world come to?!
"The reports that I have been receiving as of late indicate that a high-powered typhoon of immense magnitude is swiftly approaching us from a direction of north-northeast," reported the young woman. Kiyone just barely caught the tail end of what she had said.
"And what has the captain said?"
"Redirecting the ship's navigation would not be of any assistance," said Mihoshi. "He has stated that, even with the new course, the typhoon is still approaching at an alarming rate. It would have struck us for certain if we had continued our original course."
"And the one we're on now?" Mihoshi answered the question without a pause.
"There is a very high chance that we will avoid the storm if we continue at full speed. If we slack somehow, then all we can do is pray."
"I see." Kiyone sighed, hanging her head in a mixture of emotions. First the seasickness, then the messes with Mihoshi and Ryoko, now this? Some trip this had turned out to be… Kiyone sighed, unaware that her hands had stopped rubbing Mihoshi's neck, and managed a smile. Oh, well. I met a really nice guy here!
Shoot, why did I just think that at a time like this?
No need to snap at yourself, Ki. You're just a woman like everyone else.
So's Mihoshi. She needs her rest, God bless her.
"Hey…" Kiyone smiled, squeezing Mihoshi's shoulders gently. "Maybe you should get some rest."
"I definitely should," said Mihoshi, her reasoning skills starting to show. "Unfortunately, I have to keep the captain informed of what's been going on recently. I don't trust Washu with these machines and I'm not sure if you know everything about them." Mihoshi, bless her heart, suddenly caught herself and immediately apologized. Kiyone, far from insulted, took her friend's kind words with a good heart.
"No, there's no need to apologize," she sighed softly. "In fact, that was actually a compliment. Truth be told, I don't know diddly-squat about this thing." Mihoshi smiled and let out a giggle, and like the true friend she had always been, asked Kiyone to stay behind and keep her company. The other police officer obeyed without hesitation.
"Weird weather!" Quin held his hair down, trying in vain to shield his fiancée from the wind. Tenchi gritted his teeth, holding his arm out in front of him as he protected Sasami. That nut Washu was making the most of things, currently perching on the tip of the bow and letting the strong wind rip through her hair.
"Tenchi, what's going on?" asked Sasami.
"The wind's probably picked up, that's all," he offered. Sasami nodded her head, obviously not comforted. Tenchi saw her face and kneeled down. "Hey, don't worry so much! I'm sure that things like this happen all the time."
"You're probably right," sighed Sasami, managing a smile. Tenchi mirrored it perfectly. Another fit of giggling erupted from the bow, and Tenchi regarded Washu with curious wonder. She was sitting on the tip of the bow cross-legged, letting her long wild hair whip about in the fierce wind, and she was enjoying every minute of it.
"Crazy girl!!" commended Quin. Farrah gave him a look of agreement. Washu turned her head around and smiled.
"Aww, stop, you're making me blush!" she sang. Tenchi groaned and secretly hoped that she fell in the water.
Ryoko, who had long since gotten over Ayeka's "victories" during the previous weeks, was also finding ways of amusing herself. From her vantage point on the top of the crow's nest, she could barely make out what appeared to be the nautical equivalent of a tornado. Having read a lot about the natural disasters that befell planet Earth, Ryoko instantly identified the terror as a typhoon. She smiled, baring rows of teeth as she welcomed the storm. She even had the gall to blow a kiss at it.
"I wonder how everyone else is taking this?" she mused. Ryoko could imagine Tenchi being brave as always, probably protecting Sasami or one of the other ladies. Mihoshi would have constricted around Kiyone, blubbering and screaming like a little child; the other officer would be contemplating suicide. Washu would be enjoying herself probably, and those two other people she had met would probably be scared stiff.
Ayeka would have soiled herself. Ryoko would have gambled her life on it.
"ACK!! Confound it!!" Princess Ayeka, in all her natural beauty, lurched forward slightly and nearly struck the wall of her bathroom. The warm shower water was still trickling out of the spigot, but the unwelcome rocking and tossing of the ship was ruining the moment. The princess sighed, deciding that it would be pointless to become angry, and continued her shower with a heightened sense of awareness.
Ayeka let out a grunt as the ship swayed violently, and nearly slipped onto the wet marble. Of all the undignified ways to go, she cursed to herself. Imagine, the princess of Jurai, slipping in the shower and breaking her neck! Of all the absurd--
Ayeka let out a shriek of horror as the water suddenly shifted from warm to icy. Her breath increased dramatically as the icicles stabbed at her naked body, and she hastily turned the faucet off. With a shiver and a shake, the princess of Jurai managed to warm herself up. Her lips trembled slightly as she reached for a towel…
"D'gaahh!! Curses!!" She roared out her irritation, thanking the Creator of all life she hadn't been killed by the latest toss. Quietly, and without anybody else knowing about it, Ayeka let a curse word fall out from her mouth.
Ryoko would have a field day if she discovered me lying dead in the bathroom. With a huff, Ayeka wrapped the towel around her lithe body and stormed off to the nearest closet. In order for her to fully express her anger at the situation, she had to be amidst people, and thus she had to be dressed.
With the exception of Ryoko, Kiyone, and Mihoshi, everyone had managed to hide themselves in the Masaki men's room. While sheltered by the sudden ferocity of the wind, the small group began talking about the situation, and how their cruise had been ruined. Noboyuki blamed himself for the problems, but a quick smile from his son assured him that none of this was his fault. Besides, nobody forced anybody to come along.
"This cannot be safe for any of us," said Ayeka, her business-like voice solid as a rock. "I can only imagine what poor Kiyone and Mihoshi are doing. I hope that they're okay."
"And Ryoko," said Sasami, the look of worry in her eyes even brighter than before. "She's not here." Ayeka growled, secretly thinking of reasons why her enemy was not in the room, but she also thanked the powers that be that the terrible demon was elsewhere. Frankly, not knowing where she was hiding was better than being in the same room with her.
"Yes, well, I think she can take care of herself," mumbled the princess, not bothering to hide the bitterness in her voice. Tenchi, as always, appeared worried for everyone.
"Still," he said, "somebody has to go out and make sure they're all right." Before he knew it, all hands were on his shoulder, and he instantly regretted making the suggestion. Still, he took the vote like a man, and boldly stepped outside into the coming storm. Ayeka's voice was the last he heard.
Well, not really the last. Tenchi nearly collapsed on the floor as he saw Ryoko whooping and hollering from atop the crow's nest, the fierce wind and hard rain in her hair and an occasional blast of lightning scorching the sky above her. The wild space pirate was straddling the safety bars of the nest like it was a raging bull, and Tenchi wouldn't be surprised to discover a cowboy hat in her hand.
"Ryoko, what are you doing up there!!?" he yelled. Ryoko spotted him, and cheered with glee. Even with her loud voice, Tenchi couldn't hear a word because of the storm. He pantomimed her getting down to his level, and regretted it three seconds later as Ryoko teleported down and cuddled up with him.
"Miss me, cowboy?" she sang, placing the aforementioned hat on his head. Tenchi let out a sigh and tried his best at a smile.
"If I say yes, will you come with me to look for Mihoshi and Kiyone?!" Ryoko's golden eyes shimmered, and she began pulling his arm even before he could say a word. Tenchi grunted, and figured he may as well go along with Ryoko to search for the ladies. The two of them eventually began running through the ship, searching for their friends in all the likely places.
"Just one more input… just one more input…"
"Mihoshi, you need your rest!!" yelled Kiyone, shaking her drowsy friend. As always, Mihoshi was asleep at the wheel, only this time her heart was set on accomplishing her duties. A trail of drool threatened to splat on the keyboard, and it would have succeeded had Kiyone not wiped it off.
"Just one more… one more…"
"NO, Mihoshi!!" roared Kiyone, literally lifting the weary woman off of her chair. With Mihoshi still protesting, Kiyone forced her into a nearby bed, but almost had to fight to keep Mihoshi from squirming away.
"Kiyone, I have to--" she began, but was interrupted by an icy glare. Despite her stare, Kiyone spoke with slow compassion, like true friends usually do when they must express tough love.
"Mihoshi," she began, "you have already done more than enough today. I am very proud of you, and I hope you continue doing well. But you're human just like everyone else, and you need your sleep. Got that?" Mihoshi sighed sadly, staring up at her friend with those same puppy-dog eyes. Finally she submitted to her friend's wishes, and began disrobing. Kiyone smiled.
"There, that's the way…" Mihoshi, pulling her cute pink pajama top over her head, smiled warmly at her partner.
"Thank you, Kiyone," she said, eyes sparkling that same innocent luster. "Thank you for caring."
"Don't mention it," replied Kiyone, and the two girls shared a smile and a hug before the windows in their room shattered.
Ryoko slipped on the wet floor, but instead of shrieking, she giggled as her body catapulted through the air. Never forgetting her ability to levitate, Ryoko sailed through the air as if she had meant to trip. Tenchi regarded her with mixed emotions--mostly bemusement.
"Come on," he huffed, taking her by the hand. Despite the bleak situation, Ryoko's face burned bright with a blush. She obediently followed her one true love as they continued to explore more rooms, finding nothing but frightened passengers. The typhoon, it seemed, had came at last, and an old-fashioned storm at sea began to test the mettle of the crew of the J. S. S. Shangri-La.