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.
*****
Duty Calls
Chapter 8
Resolution
*****
The first thing that Ryoko had done when she and Ayeka were alone in the quarters assigned the royal trio was to grill the princess on the children. The ex-pirate had chuckled evilly when she heard that her daughter had learned to teleport, albeit over extremely short distances. Ayeka had managed to wipe the grin off Ryoko's face by reminding her that closed or even locked doors wouldn't keep little Keiko from finding her mom, no matter what activity Ryoko was involved in or with whom she was involved in it with. Ryoko silently vowed to have Washu make a portable shield that would at least cover her, Tenchi and Ayeka's bedroom back home. There were some things she didn't want to have to explain to a four-year-old.
A bevy of Mau girls presented the pair with a selection of outfits. Ayeka chose one that resembled traditional Juraian garb, kimono-like with muted but complimentary colors. It fit her well and she complimented the young girl who had brought it and helped her put it on. Ryoko picked an outfit that wouldn't have looked amiss for one of her nights out with the girls. Low cut and form-hugging, even Ayeka admitted aloud that it made the pirate look good. For a woman of 5000 anyway. This made Ryoko sneer and comment that Ayeka wished she'd look this good when she was 5000 years old. In fact, Ryoko teased, Ayeka probably wished she looked this good now, at 700. Ayeka snorted at this and countered that she was more than happy with the way she looked. Ryoko chortled and replied that that was probably a good thing since no one else was happy with it. Sparks literally began to fly between the two and the Mau women beat a hasty retreat lest they get caught in the crossfire. Once the room was cleared, the two women broke down laughing and fell into each other's arms.
"That was fun," Ryoko sniffed, tears running down her face.
"Yes," agreed Ayeka, standing up straight and smoothing out some wrinkles in her outfit. "I hope the poor dears didn't think we were really going to fight."
Ryoko turned back and forth in front of a mirror, making sure everything was still tucked into place. "Ah, who cares," she stated. "It'll give 'em something to tell their grandchildren. 'I once saw the Empress and her consort go at it. There was blood everywhere.'"
"Indeed," the princess said, giggling. "Shall we go to dinner?"
"We shall." Ryoko held out her arm, which Ayeka took. The Mau, who hadn't gone any farther than the hallway, were astonished as the two walked off as if nothing had happened.
*****
Tenchi walked into the banquet room to find Misaki and the two Mau leaders already there and deep in conversation about Juraian aid in rebuilding the colony. At the queen's request he was in full dress uniform with the one exception being the signet of a prince of the Royal House prominently displayed on his sash. He felt a bit awkward wearing it, but Misaki had requested.
He unobtrusively took a seat as indicated by one of the Mau servants on duty just for that purpose. He thanked the woman as she scooted the chair under him and when asked if he needed anything he politely requested a glass of water. He then turned his attention to the conversation taking place a few seats farther up the table. He'd known for years that there was more to his mother-in-law than met the eye and he listened in rapt wonder as she shrewdly negotiated with Dreuma on just how much of the rebuilding Jurai would be responsible for.
A few minutes after Tenchi was seated, Ayeka and Ryoko entered the room together, arm in arm and giggling like schoolgirls about something. They both immediately shut up when Misaki gave them a stern look. Ayeka meekly took her seat next to the queen, as befitted the future Empress, while Ryoko took the seat on the other side of Tenchi. Tenchi had to remove her hand from his leg several times when he felt it exploring too far up. He leaned forward and whispered something in his cyan haired wife's ear that made her smile wickedly. She turned and gave him a quick peck on the cheek with an expression that promised much more to come later. Ryoko then leaned back and reached behind her husband to give the princess a poke that made her start and almost fall out of her seat.
Flustered by Ryoko's attack, Ayeka caught her breath and frowned. She'd already agreed to give Ryoko some time alone with their husband, since the pirate had assured her that nothing had happened the whole time she'd been with him; but she was also determined not to be left out entirely. She loved their husband too, but she had to admit that she'd also missed Ryoko during the time they'd been gone. She mentally promised herself that Ryoko would not get the better of this opportunity even if she had to tie the cyan haired woman down herself. Now there was an idea worth considering. Maybe she could get Tenchi to help her, or better yet, get both Tenchi and Ryoko tied up at the same time. She wondered why she'd never thought of it before; after all, she was Juraian royalty. She started to laugh at the idea. "Ohohohohoho…" The room was suddenly deadly quiet and Ayeka looked around to find everyone, including to waitstaff eyeing her suspiciously. She turned bright red and scrunched down in her chair trying to make herself as small and inconspicuous as possible.
Ryoko wondered just what the princess had found so funny. She didn't think anyone had noticed her attempts to get a reaction out of Tenchi, not that she really cared. It was expected of her anyway. The ex-pirate tried to get Ayeka's attention through the tentative mental link they sometimes shared, but found Ayeka's mind closed tight. Whatever it had been must have been really embarrassing, in which case it must have concerned either Tenchi or herself. Ryoko found herself starting to blush as she considered what it might be. She quickly fought it down.
Tenchi, who had been busy fending off Ryoko's probing hand up until this point while trying to follow the conversation between Masaki, Dreuma and Remaur, wondered what Ayeka was thinking about as well. Whatever it was, it boded no good for him, or more probably, Ryoko.
The dinner itself went smoothly, with Washu and the two cabbits joining them shortly before the first course was served. Tenchi and Ryoko had, of course, tasted Mau cooking during the days before the battle. Washu said she remembered eating it before too but Misaki and Ayeka were surprised and pleased with the variety of dishes presented to them. Ayeka, in fact, made something of a pig of herself, an event that even Misaki couldn't overlook. The Queen mildly reprimanded her eldest daughter, reminding her that she hadn't been raised that way. Ayeka blamed it on the cutthroat competition for food with Ryoko at the Masaki dinner table. This earned her a glare from the pirate, which the princess returned with equal ferocity, daring Ryoko to deny it. Ryoko backed down, but not without a low growl that startled the two Mau leaders who weren't yet quite sure of the relationship between the two girls.
Conversation during the meal avoided anything remotely concerned with the battle. Washu had told them all earlier in the day that she'd inform them of the progress of her research into why it had happened after dinner. They took her at her work and the small talk was mainly confined to how the children were doing and the approaching harvest from the crops on Tamar IV. Dreuma told them that harvest time was a great celebration and he invited them all back to enjoy it with the Mau. Tenchi, Ryoko and Ayeka expressed an interest but Washu and Misaki begged off, stating that they both had too much on their plates back home to take any extra time this year. Misaki suggested that Tenchi bring Sasami along with them if they did come back and Ayeka seconded it with Ryoko nodding in agreement.
*****
After dinner, Dreuma led the small party to a comfortable room where Washu could give her lecture about why she thought Tamar IV had been attacked, and just who or what had done the attacking. The two cabbits had been enticed to stay in the dining area by the other Mau, convinced by the sudden appearance of two large bowls of cut carrots. They weren't really interested in Washu's tale anyway, Ryo-ohki knew everything she needed to know about the enemy already: they were a whole lot of fun to chase and easy to kill once cornered.
Everyone settled back, Ryoko, Tenchi and Ayeka on a couch together, Misaki and the two Mau in large cushiony chairs. Washu stood at the front of the room, the pair of tiny glasses perched on her button nose giving her an academic look. She summoned her holographic laptop and set it on a low table in front of her before beginning.
"To start with," she began. "There were no survivors amongst the alien crews."
"Wait a second!" Ryoko cut in. "I know there were survivors. They were still trying to get away from Ryo-ohki when the Juraian fleet showed up."
"Uh huh," Washu agreed. "And once we did show up they knew they were in a hopeless situation." She smiled at the Queen before continuing. "So they dumped their computer data and killed themselves. Quite messily in some cases."
"All of them?" wondered Tenchi.
"Yup. The preferred method seemed to be a small caliber shot to the head, but there were also laser burns, stabbings and vacuum exposure; the crews vented their ships to space. We even recovered remains from inside the fusion reactors. Not much left of those I might say. I can tell you a bit about the race though. They aren't mammalian, not like us anyway."
"Reptilian?" asked Ayeka, trying to run a hand through Tenchi's hair. Ryoko saw it and swatted it away. The princess reached over and bopped Ryoko on the head before continuing. "There a few reptilian species allied with Jurai, some even have mammalian characteristics like live birth and nursing their young."
"Most don't though," Misaki countered. "Are they reptilian Washu?"
"Avian. Vestigal feathers, hollow bones. Definitely bipedal though, and flightless. No mammalian characteristics at all and we have samples of both male and female. Egg layers too, by the physiology. They don't seem to differentiate between the sexes when it comes to combat roles either. Much like Juraians in that respect."
"That would tend to explain the flocking action when Ryoko was chasing them. Anything else?" Misaki asked.
Washu glanced at her laptop. "Like what? Their world has a lower gravity than either Jurai or Earth. They're about our size, but somewhat weaker. Tamar IV would be a bit heavy for them but not as much so as Jurai."
"All very interesting," commented Remaur. "But why did they attack us?"
"I.." Washu began to answer when a sound like small bells softly ringing came from the back of the room. Everyone's attention turned in that direction and a slender form in formal robes shimmered into existence.
"Perhaps I can explain that, sister," Tokimi told the shocked group.
Washu stared at her sister. "Ah, Tokimi. All right then, explain."
"Who is this person?" Dreuma asked Misaki out of the side of his mouth as the goddess began her explanation.
"Lady Tokimi, one of Tsunami's elder sisters," replied the Queen the same way. "Now shhh. I want to hear this."
"They call themselves the Ytru," Tokimi was saying. "As you may have determined, they are from outside this galaxy."
"And just how do you know about them?" Washu wondered.
Tokimi smiled benignly at her sister. "It's your fault Washu. You're the one that told me I needed to find a hobby in this dimension. The Ytru are my hobby, much like the Juraians are Tsunami's and you have your science."
Washu's eyes narrowed. "So you sent them."
"No, that I did not. This particular group left long before I came along."
Misaki glowered at Tokimi, totally unafraid of the goddess. "But you were aware of them and did nothing to stop them when they attacked," she pointed out.
"Yes. But unlike Tsunami I choose not to directly interfere with the actions of my people. Besides," Tokimi turned her smile on Tenchi and Ryoko. "I knew that my niece and her husband were here. Together or separate they had more than enough power to stop the invasion."
"So why did they attack?" Ryoko asked her aunt. "They could've made peaceful contact."
"Unfortunately it's not their way," the goddess explained. "They see all other intelligent species as competition and try to eliminate them. They take samples first to learn the foe's weaknesses and then when they feel they are ready, they attack. The Ytru have been very successful with this strategy."
"Until now."
"Yes," Tokimi agreed. "But the Ytru homeworld doesn't know of the loss. I will inform them through an oracle. They will mourn."
"And then seek revenge." Washu glared at her sister through hooded eyes.
Tokimi held up her hand in defense. "You misunderstand. I am trying to steer them away from such actions. This is my experiment in progress, my goal is to help evolve them, not eliminate them." She chuckled. "Besides, it would take them years to gather another fleet and decades for that fleet to reach here."
Washu nodded and relaxed her expression.
"But now I must go," Tokimi informed them. "I must take word of this defeat to the Ytru and observe the reaction. It will help me determine my next course of action. I give my word that the Ytru will not bother you again until they are ready to interact peaceably with others." Tokimi faded away to the sound of soft bells.
There was silence in the room for several moments following the goddess' departure. Remaur was the first to break it. "Was that really Tsunami's sister?" he asked the Queen. Unlike the Juraians, the Mau did not worship Tsunami; they had their own pantheon of gods and goddesses. And in the Mau beliefs the gods did not interact directly with lesser beings. But as a people they were understanding and tolerant of other's beliefs.
"It was indeed," replied Masaki.
"She called Professor Washu her sister and Princess Ryoko her niece."
Misaki glanced at Washu, who imperceptibly shook her head in the negative. The Queen sighed. "Who can guess the motives or reasonings of the gods?" The Mau hmmm'ed and nodded in understanding.
There was some minor discussion of the Ytru and if they in fact constituted a menace to the Empire. The consensus, based on what Tokimi had told them, was that they did not. The decision was made not to pursue the matter any farther unless there was another incursion. Dreuma stood up and Remaur joined him. Both bowed deeply to the Queen and the others. "We two have much to discuss about rebuilding and some other things so we'll take our leave now. Enjoy the rest of your evening Your Majesties." As they left, the two Mau leaders could be heard arguing down the hallway.
"It seems Tokimi has a convert," Ayeka giggled.
Washu's head snapped around. "What do you mean?" she asked.
"Didn't you see the look in Remaur's eyes whenever he looked at her? He believes in her and I think he's fallen in love."
Washu chuckled. "A new priest of the goddess Tokimi, eh? Well, she could do worse I suppose. Remaur seems to be an honorable being."
There was a sudden commotion outside the door. It was slammed open and Lieutenant Soja stormed into the room.
"Corporal Masaki!" he bellowed. "Just what in Tsunami's name is going on here? I ordered you placed under house arrest and here I find you in a room with local hussies." He looked at Tenchi and his eyes narrowed when he saw the crest on Tenchi's uniform. "And impersonating a Prince of Jurai. By the Space Trees, you'll do hard time for this."
Misaki giggled behind her hand. "Um, excuse me Lieutenant… Soja, isn't it? Do you know who I am?"
Soja turned his wrath on the Queen. "No, nor do I care, you're probably… just… anoth…" He trailed off and gulped when he recognized Misaki. "Your Highness," he bowed deeply. "Forgive me, but this boy…"
"Who just happens to be my son-in-law and the grandson of Prince Yosho."
Soja staggered backwards. "Your…son-in-law? Prince Yosho's grandson?"
Misaki was enjoying herself immensely. "Yes. And allow me to introduce my daughter, the future Empress of Jurai, Ayeka. Her husband, Prince Tenchi I believe you already know. Oh, and lest I forget," Misaki winked at the trio on the couch. "My daughter-in-law, the former Space Pirate Ryoko and her mother, the scientist Washu."
Washu bowed politely.
"Ryoko?" Soja squeaked. "As in Demon Ryoko?" He stared at the ex-pirate who smiled back, baring both fangs. Soja paled as he recognized Merlaj's features on the woman in front of him.
"Hi there," Ryoko purred.
Soja's attention shifted to the princess. Ryoko was forgotten as he basked in the radiance that was Ayeka. He fell down on his knees and touched his forehead to the floor. "My Princess. I didn't recognize you with your hair that color. My apologies."
"It seems that my daughter has a worshiper too," mumbled Misaki under her breath.
"Mother?" Ayeka looked at Misaki, her demonic markings starting to glow beneath her skin.
Misaki smiled sweetly. "Yes. Prince Tenchi, please stay here with me; I think your wives can properly explain to the good Lieutenant where he's erred."
Ryoko cracked her knuckles. "Heh. With great pleasure, mother-in-law. Princess, shall we…?"
"Oh, by all means Ryoko my dear," said Ayeka, her marks clearly visible now. "We hussies need to stick together." She stood up and pointed at the doorway. Soja got to his feet and meekly did as he was ordered, looking back over his shoulder at Misaki and hoping for a reprieve. The Queen shooed him on with her hand and a smile. Ayeka followed him out of the room.
"Back in a minute Tenchi." Ryoko gave her husband a peck on the cheek then faded from view.
Tenchi smiled as he heard the hissing sound of Ryoko's energy sword out in the hallway. The soft chimes as Ayeka's mini-logs appeared caused his grin to widen even more. Soja was definitely going to get the full treatment. Washu was grinning from ear-to-ear and even Misaki smiled as the Lieutenant's pleas for mercy cut through the other sounds. His screams faded as he scampered away, looking for any avenue to escape the two demonic visions that menaced him. When he could no longer be heard in the distance, Ayeka and Ryoko reentered the room, pleased looks on both their beautiful faces.
"Clean up in Hallway 4," Ayeka chuckled as the door closed behind them. The glow from her forehead and cheeks slowly faded as her irritation drained away.
"You didn't…" Tenchi gasped in astonishment.
Ryoko grinned evilly, throwing an arm around the princess and squeezing her tight. "No, although Ayeka here wanted too. He's ok. He did sort of, um, lose bodily control for a minute though."
"Oh good," Misaki returned Ryoko's grin with one just as evil. "I have plans for the our Lieutenant."
"Oh?" Tenchi raised an eyebrow at his mother-in-law.
"Yes indeed. I'm going to see that he gets a promotion."
"A promotion?" three astonished voices cried out in unison.
Misaki chuckled and bobbed her head. "Yep, and a desk job. In Supply. At the Palace on Jurai."
"But Mother," Ayeka clenched her delicate fists, the glow of her markings starting to return. "A promotion? And assignment to the Palace…" She struggled against the pirate's grip.
"He is a member of a noble family, however minor," the Queen explained. "And unlike some people," she eyed Tenchi speculatively, then reached out and patted him on the head. "He didn't disobey a direct order. But I really don't want him in charge of anything important ever again and that's why I'm assigning him to the Palace as well. I can keep an eye on him better there. And so can somebody else." Misaki snapped her fingers and the door opened once more. In floated Ka'dithy, still heavily bandaged, on a hoverchair.
The t'Dnal gave a weak wave and inclined her head toward Misaki. "I would bow Your Highnesses, but…" she moved her good arm, indicating the hoverchair.
Misaki waved her into the room so the door could close. "That's quite all right my dear. You probably don't remember, but we've met before. I visited with your mothers once during a trade conference. They introduced me to all their daughters; you, as I recall, came up to about my knees at the time." The Queen tapped her chin in apparent thought. "That makes you almost family in my eyes."
Misaki paused dramatically and took a deep breath.
"And so, I have a proposition for you, one that I think you'll find most interesting and I wanted to give it to you in front of your friends."
"Go on," said Ka'dithy, eyeing the assembled group suspiciously.
The Juraian Queen settled herself back into her seat, the look on her face and her relaxed position reminding Ayeka of her grandmother Seto. "I want you for the Royal Guard," Misaki said calmly. "You've proven your loyalty to the Royal Family, almost with your life. And Washu says you'll make a full recovery after the regen treatments and therapy."
"Yep," the scientist agreed. "She'll be good as new."
Ka'dithy hung her head. "I'm sorry Your Majesty, but I thought you had to be an officer to even be considered for the Guard. I'm just a grunt soldier."
Misaki dismissed her concern with a lofty wave. "Oh, you're far from just that; after all, I know your lineage. Of course the position is dependent on your passing Officer Candidate School. And if OCS is a problem then, well, I am the Queen. I can make you a noble if I want to and that ought to be good for, oh, say a Captain's rank in the army at least."
"I…I don't know what to say," Ka'dithy looked up, her one-eyed gaze moving from person to person as if judging their reactions to Misaki's offer. Ayeka's expression was one of mild pain, she was still being held tightly by Ryoko after all, while Tenchi and Ryoko both had huge grins spread across their faces.
"Say you accept. Trust me on this, I've known her longer than you have," Tenchi told the t'Dnal in a stage whisper.
"All right then, I accept."
Misaki clapped her hands together and smiled. "Oh wonderful. You'll have such fun, the annual Guard picnic, the parties. Did I mention that you'd be convalescing at Tenchi's house on Earth?"
"WHAT?" Ayeka and Ryoko exclaimed as one.
"Mother…" Ayeka finally managed to struggle free from the shocked Ryoko.
"Stop, Ayeka," the Queen held out her hand, palm first. "It's not as odd as it sounds."
"But she's not even human, how will we explain…" Ryoko managed to get out.
Misaki turned her attention to her daughter-in-law. "Neither are you or Ryo-ohki, nor, strictly speaking, are Mihoshi or even Ayeka." Ryoko shut up, the truth of the Queen's words hitting close to home.
"But still…" Ayeka started to argue.
Misaki silenced her with a gesture. "I want her under Washu's supervision while she's healing. And I want Yosho to start teaching her Juraian combat methods; who better to learn them from except the master himself?"
Ka'dithy, who had remained silent while they were discussing her future, now spoke up. "I don't want to be an imposition. If it's going to cause problems…"
Tenchi laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I've learned that there's no problem that we can't work around." He looked at Ryoko and Ayeka. Ryoko nodded stiffly and the princess gave a tentative smile and held out her hands to the other woman.
"Friends are always welcome in our home," Ayeka said, taking the t'Dnal's good hand in both of hers. "And Mother is right, there's no better place in the galaxy for you to recover and learn."
Ryoko stepped over and put her hand on top of Tenchi's, still on Ka'dithy's shoulder. "I'm sorry," she said. "Of course you're welcome." "Just keep away from Tenchi," she muttered.
Misaki slapped both hands to her knees and stood up. "It's settled then. Oh, there is one more thing… Washu, if you would?" The scientist nodded and left the room.
"It seems that there is another criteria for being a member of the Guard. You must have a partner that you trust implicitly." The door opened and Washu stepped back in followed by a Juraian Log Guardian with a green symbol etched across its body. "Guardian Ka'dithy, I would like you to meet your partner."
"Hello, Ka'dithy," said Nimby's voice from within the log's form. "I'm pleased to hear that you will be all right and that we will be working together still."
Ka'dithy's mouth dropped open, as did Tenchi's and Ryoko's. "Nimby? Is it really you in there?" she asked in a quivering voice.
"Indeed it is I. Lady Washu gave me this body when Queen Misaki suggested to her that you would make a fine Royal Guardian."
Ka'dithy guided her chair over to the Guardian and ran her hand down its smooth wooden body, her eyes filling with tears. She turned back to the others, smiling through the streaks running down her bandaged face. "But did you have to make him sound so formal?"
*****
To be concluded
*****
Author's Notes.
One more chapter to go and then it's done. wipes brow Phew.
Oh, and lest I forget (again), you should read What is Forgiveness by Meekachu. It's quite good. In fact, one of the reasons this was so late is because I was enjoying working on that piece with her instead of working on my own.
*****
Review Responses.
Dennisud – No, actually not a lot to cover after this one. Just a couple of things to tie up. (NOT Tenchi and Ryoko!)
Thundergod – Football – bleah. Ryoko's a bit jealous, yes. But she'll get her time with Tenchi and get over it.
Smack54 – It was one of the longer ones, yes. No, Misaki and Funaho's cabbits are still on Jurai, with the kiddies.
Wharpt – Space support for an armored column? Sure, armor today uses air support in the form of Apaches and A-10s (do they still use those?). Besides, taking on a battle fleet with the super tanks is like taking on a naval force with current armor. It could be done, if they were close enough, but there are better ways of dealing with it.
Nimby's up and running again and Soja's been dealt with properly. I was originally going to have Merlaj tell Tenchi she was a Romulan, but that would've given the game away too soon.
Ministry Agent – I… I really can't come up with anything for your review because you've said it all. Damn, you've got me speechless again. It seems to be becoming a habit of yours. Thanks for the suggestions by the way. Even though you're not a pre-reader (I don't really have one), I valued your input.
Crion – No one else saw the Wings, all the others close enough were either out of combat or too busy fighting. Besides, who and what Tenchi is is not a secret anymore.
Negative-Z – It seems to have worked, you got your next piece out.
Blackbird – "The only good Gundam is a dead Gundam", that's my motto. Well, one of them anyway. Another is "If it doesn't fit, get a bigger hammer". I don't expect reviews every chapter. Sure, I'm happy to have them (wink, wink), but they really aren't required to keep me going. Caffeine seems to do that ok. Particle cannon are a sci-fi standard, not just in anime. One can hardly have a battle without them.
DragonBard – I seem to recall that the Wings can be used for either defense or attack (mainly for defense.) I also seem to recall that Tenchi's "shield" disappeared when he formed the sword. Remember, Kagato did manage to cut him but he healed almost instantly.
Washu saved Kiyone of course, way back in Partners Reunited. Put her brain in a body built by Mishima Heavy Industries (Nuku Nuku). Of course it was Washu-modified slightly first.
Taxzombie – Not insects either, although I was considering it for a while. I'm not sure I'll be using Ka'dithy again in a different story but I'm keeping her around just in case. And the Lieutenant? It's the "or" option.
Phillip – Thank you for the compliment. If you read between the lines you'll see that Washu was the one that created the tanks, many, many years before.
Vsdefender – NOW all the pieces are together, except one or possibly two and that's for next time.
Priest – Nice to hear from you again, you don't seem to be around much anymore.
Nutzoide – Looking back, yep they were a teeny-tiny bit OOC. But I'm not going to go back and change it. Anyone can use the t'Dnal if they want to; I have no problem with it at all.
If I've forgotten to reply to anyone that sent me an email about this story, I apologize. I try to respond to everyone, but to make sure you get a response in the next chapter, leave a review on ff.net. My profile accepts anonymous reviews as well if you don't want to sign in or don't have an account. Criticism is always welcome and sometimes even acted upon, flames will be happily ignored.
*****
BobR
2/7/2002