Jillian: I am glad you have enjoyed it! And fret no more, here is an update!
Chapter 23-- Breaking Through the Barrier
Nomaru sat quietly in the darkness of his chambers, his features pale and withdrawn. To all appearances he seemed deep in contemplation but inside, he was awash with a inescapable rage and impatience. He had not anticipated Ryan finding a Kenshin Knight in the time given him. Had not anticipated one so strong and bold as to seek out his consciousness and probe his mind. No doubt this Misao Keiji had seen more than she should have, witnessed his full plan. And now that Ryan knows of it he will spare no expense to break the barrier and come after me. He thought with a tinge of fear. For the dark one knew if the young man did indeed succeed in reaching Avinor before his ultimate weapon was ready, the general's chance at defeating the kenshin and his crew were slim at best. He needed the weapon Sojo Maitan was still working on. Needed it desperately.
Rising out of his seat, Nomaru stalked quickly over to his chamber door, his features full of restrained anger as he waved his hand to the side, the door opening, obeying his silent command. The short man pivoted to his left, marching purposefully down the brightly lit corridor, paying no attention to the guards that stood at attention in various locations down the hall and out into the fresh air of Avinor, heading towards the experimental offices only to halt as a guard yelled out for him to stop.
Nomaru turned around, his face full of agitation as he watched a young man in military dress come rushing towards him. "What is it private?! I have important things to attend to!" He barked, noticing in pleasure the way the man flinched at the rough address.
"Sir!" The man began, snapping to attention, giving Nomaru a quick chest salute before lowering his arm and speaking. "I meant no disrespect sir in my stopping you but I have just received information that you might like to know."
Nomaru raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Do tell." He replied, eyeing the taller man expectantly.
The young man swallowed at the impatient stare his emperor was giving him. "Well sir it seems that someone is attempting to breach the barrier wall sir. But scanners can pick up no specific signal. It just seemed odd sir, what with our perimeter scanners unable to detect any ship in the vicinity of the anomaly that I thought you would want to know."
Nomaru smiled. "That is because the ship is cloaked." He said softly with a hint of malice that made the young man back subconsciously away.
"Ship?"
Nomaru did not reply as he closed his eyes, concentrating, seeking out the source of the kenshin, his features turning wolfen as he found his prey. "Private Katai," He began opening his yes and drawing them back to the man beside him. "It seems Jurai has come to us sooner than we anticipated."
The private gasped. "So soon my lord? How can you be so sure?"
"Because I have foreseen it." Nomaru answered simply. "The one attempting to break through the barrier is a kenshin knight called Ryan. He is a messenger of Jurai who seeks to kill me. We must stop him and his friends at all costs. Do you understand?"
The man nodded. "What are your orders sir?"
Nomaru's features grew thoughtful but his eyes began to glow with a wicked light as he spoke. "Kill them first." He replied before outlining his plan.
********
Ryan sat anxiously in his seat, arms crossed, his eyes closed. Nearly an half an hour had past since he last patched through to cargo bay where Washu was currently working, hoping to hear she had made some progress in decoding the pattern for the barrier. To his dismay, the scientist was no where near done. She had snapped in frustration at him when he had told her to pick up the pace. Ryan knew he was pushing her, but something was biting at the back of his mind. A subconscious warning to hurry. We don't have much time left Washu! He growled mentally. The next few hours could very well determine the fate of the universe.
The kenshin's eyes fluttered open as he felt the slight pressure of a hand upon his shoulder. Turning his head to the right, his curious blue eyes met the consoling amber ones of Ryoko. His features relaxed and his arms loosened back to his side as she spoke in a tender tone.
"What troubles you love? Is it because we haven't broken through the barrier yet?"
Ryan gazed candidly at her for a few seconds, reveling in the beautiful contours of her face. So perfect, so glorious, as free and awe inspiring as the stars that twinkled outside the cockpit. His heart swelled with pride, the love he felt for his wife revealing itself in tone of his voice and the look upon his countenance. "I worry for us all Ryoko." He said softly as he reached out and clasped her hand within his own. "I worry that we will not make it in time to stop Nomaru."
Ryoko frowned. There's something he's holding back. She thought as she asked, "But we'll be able to stop him if we get to Avinor won't we?"
Ryan drew his gaze to the blackness of space, his features growing grim. "I don't know." He spoke in a whisper. "There are so many variables that could occur once we reach Avinor, I admit I'm hesitate to admit this, but we may very well be too late."
"Too late for what kenshin?" Tenchi asked, turning away from the conversation he was having with Ayeka to address his friend.
Ryan looked over his shoulder to the crown prince, a pained look upon his handsome face. Should I tell them? Don't they have a right to know the truth? The kenshin had told Tenchi the plans of Nomaru, but the crown prince was unaware of the life threatening danger they were all now in. For if the dark one completed his weapon, his power would truly be unrivaled. No one would be able to stop him. Not even, the Kenshin Knights. Ryan drew in a breath. I cannot keep this from them any longer. "Remember that conversation we had in the lab earlier?" He began, pausing to make sure Tenchi was paying attention.
"I do." The crown prince said with a nod.
Ryan ignored the puzzled glances of the other occupants as he continued. "I was wrong in that I thought we could overcome the might of Avinor's scientific genius with our strength alone."
Tenchi scowled, his features paling. "Are you serious?"
Ryan nodded, turning his attention to Ayeka who spoke.
"What are you two talking about?" She said, glancing over to her beloved. "Tenchi?"
The crown prince looked over to the princess, reaching out with his left hand, resting it gently upon her forearm before answering. "I'm not sure it's my place to tell you. Ryan knows more about this than I." He said, deferring back to the kenshin who gave a sad smile.
"Nomaru is developing a weapon that will harness and amplify his spiritual and psychic energy to such a degree that he will be able to take over the entire universe in one fell swoop. His domain will be complete after he eliminates any threats to his supremacy."
"In other words," Yosho interjected. "He will take our lives first."
Ryan nodded, turning away from them back to his control panel. "Yes. It will be his first act as emperor of the universe. We will be made an example of. So that any who dare oppose him, knows their fate."
"Oh come on you guys!" Ryoko cried, disbelieving the dismay she witnessed upon everyone's face. "We can beat him! I know we can! Ryan!" She paused, looking back to the kenshin. "Ryan you said with Misao's help we could win this! That we could beat him! Are you telling me now it's hopeless?!"
"No Ryoko. It's not hopeless, but time is running out. If we can get past this barrier, we have a shot. A slim one. But one nonetheless." Ryan admitted, flashing his wife a small smile. "I am only sorry I dragged everyone into this."
"Hey now Ryan, don't be getting all depressed simply because you have friends. We have minds of our own. We made this decision to help and were here." Tenchi said supportively, the others nodding in agreement. "So let's go get Nomaru and put him in his place!"
Ryan grinned. That is the way Tenchi. Show your leadership as any good emperor of Jurai should. He thought happily, his grin widening at the positive energy now floating about the room. There joy was short lived however as a sudden jolt ripped through the room, sending everyone flying, body smacking against body as Tenchi collided with his grandfather, Ayeka and Sasami into the two knights while the kenshin suddenly found Ryoko tossed roughly into his lap. The lights flickered and went out, casting the room into a inky blackness that caused everyone to cry out in pain and fear.
"What the hell is going on!" Washu's aggravated voice piped through the intercom. "How do you expect me to work when the ship is rocking back and forth like this!"
Ryan was about to reply when another blast rocked the ship, this one stronger than the first. The kenshin grit his teeth, wrapping his arms around Ryoko, tightening his hold to keep her from smashing into the left side of the cockpit. A few seconds later, he loosened his hold on his wife, reaching out with lightening quick reflexes, flicking several switches, engaging the ship's thrusters, the Nozomi zooming off at a speed unparalleled to their arrival.
No sooner had he executed the move than the emergency lights flickered on, the cockpit awash in an eerie yellow hue, the occupants staring about in confusion and fear.
"What was that?!" Tenchi cried as he rose shakily to his feet, rubbing his sore forehead, a move mimicked by the others who cast their eyes over to the kenshin who did not respond.
Instead, Ryan's attention was focused on the bright green external sensor screen to his left. Five red dots continued to blink on and off, traveling ever closer to the stable blue mark in the upper corner. Where did these ships come from? Ryan wondered, his eyes widening as he heard Misao in his head.
These ships are controlled by Nomaru. He has discovered we are here.
Ryan frowned. How can that be? We were cloaked?
A bitter laugh erupted inside his mind as Misao continued. He found me. And you. He knows we are here. He thinks this is a game.
Ryan growled. So it's a game he wants is it? I'll show him a game. "Hurry up and strap yourselves in!" Ryan commanded, "Nomaru isn't finished with us yet!"
The others did as they were told, Ryoko included as she hopped off Ryan's lap and into the copilot seat, drawing the straps quickly over her shoulders, her features composed but her eyes full of anger. Anger at the thought of losing her friends. At the surprise attack. We were caught off guard. She growled. We must not let it happen again!
"How the hell did he know we were here?!" Tenchi yelled. "I thought this was a cloaked ship?!"
"It is." Ryan replied with a growl as he continued to evade the constant beams of energy targeting the Nozomi, his eyes straying briefly to the monitor, the orbs hardening to stone as he saw the red blips of enemy fighters growing larger. So what was once five had become ten, all right behind his tail. I will not let you destroy this ship! He snarled mentally, focusing his energy into every turn, every evasive maneuver. And I will not allow him to delay us any longer! The kenshin's features grew determined as he swung not away from the barrier but towards it.
Ryoko noticed this, her anger turning quickly to anxiety. "What are you doing Ryan?! If we keep this course, the barrier will crush us into oblivion."
Ryan smiled. "Exactly." He replied, tightening his grip on the controls as he sped straight on towards the invisible barrier, closing the distance in mere seconds, his eyes never straying from the target meter. "Everyone hold on!" He barked as he pulled his controls suddenly and forcibly towards him, the Nozomi responding to his command, rocketing at an 90 degree angle at the precise moment five of the ships smashed headlong into the barrier, unable to stop at so close a range. Ryan's arms shook from the force of the move, the whole ship shaking violently as he veered to the right back away from the barrier until at last he righted the ship and released the controls. But there was no rest to be found as the remaining five ships began to fire once again upon the Nozomi.
"Don't they ever give up!" Ryoko snapped.
Ryan shook his head as he began to maneuver once again, his determined features relaxing as he suddenly heard Misao cry out triumphantly inside his mind.
Ryan! Washu has it! She has the code!
Ryan grinned from ear to ear. Finally! Something goes our way!
Misao laughed. Washu says to head back to the barrier. We should be able to break through now.
"What is it Ryan?"
The kenshin turned to the sound of the voice, his happy eyes meeting the curious ones of Ryoko. "Washu has discovered the code."
Ryoko broke out into a smile. "Well it's about damn time!"
"Hey I heard that!" Washu's irritated voice snapped, startling the space pirate.
"How the hell did you get here so fast?!" Ryoko growled, narrowing her eyes as she turned to stare at the short woman.
Washu chucked her thumb over her shoulder. "Misao of course!" She said with a smile, pointing over to the petite kenshin who walked over to one of the spare seats and strapped herself in. The scientist's smile quickly faded as she walked over to the kenshin's side.
Ryan understood what she needed and jumped out of the pilot's seat, relinquishing his post so Washu could steer the Nozomi to the appropriate section she had unlocked. With a knowledge born from years of practice, the scientist used not the steering column but the computer terminal, typing in a series of commands faster than the eye could see. Instantly a bright light appeared in front of them just as the ship was rocked by another volley from the pursuing ships.
The kenshin, who had been standing, was knocked off his feet, his long body crashing sideways into the metallic wall of the cockpit, wincing in pain as he felt the snapping of bone. Ryan fell to the ground, clenching his side just as the ship passed through the barrier safely, closing back up before the remaining ships could reach them.
"Ryan!" Ryoko cried, unstrapping her safety harness as she rushed to his side.
Ryan smiled in pain as his wife helped him to his feet. "I'm .. all right Ryoko."
The space pirate frowned. She knew he was lying, her ears having picked up the sound of bone breaking a few seconds earlier. "No you're not Ryan. Two of your ribs are broken."
"She's right Ryan." Misao interjected as she walked over to her friend. "Don't be so damn macho about it. Let me help you."
Ryan let out a sigh then nodded. He didn't want Misao to suffer because of him, but knew better than to argue with the two women.
The female kenshin gently rested her hands upon Ryan's side, gasping slightly at the intensity of pain that now inflicted her ribs. But within seconds, the pain was gone and Ryan was back to normal. "There now. That wasn't so bad was it? " She said with an amiable smile that Ryan mirrored as she lowered her hand and backed away.
"I guess not." He said as he straightened his frame and walked back to the pilot seat which Washu vacated.
"It's all yours kenshin." She said as she walked past him and over to the remaining seat.
Ryan watched her go before taking control once again. He typed in a few commands before strapping himself in. "Is everyone secured?" He asked looking around.
A resounding cry of "Yes." Filled the cockpit.
"Then let's go stop Nomaru." Ryan said with a look of resolve as he pushed the quantum ignition button, the Nozomi disappearing in a burst of light.
****
Nomaru's eyelids snapped open, his handsome features twisted in animalistic fury as he jumped off of his throne and flew down the stair case. He had hoped to eliminate the kenshin and his friends before they could reach Avinor. But the stupid boy was able to once again escape death. Nomaru couldn't believe it. The kenshin just wouldn't die. No matter, he thought with a dark smile as he headed out into the air and the experimental lab. I'd much prefer to kill him with my bare hands.
The dark one paused in the middle of the open courtyard, his blue eyes swirling in a mist of black as he tilted his head back and studied the darkening sky. The nightmare he had experienced came back to him in a flash of pain and remembrance. It had been dark. So dark he couldn't see where he was going. He had thought he could hide within the blackness, that the light could not reach him. But Ryan had found a way and had killed him. Was this impending storm a dark omen of what was to come? Was this really the end for him?
Nomaru gave out a barking laugh, amused at his own fear which he squashed with his arrogant pride. There is no end for me. No end. "Do you hear that kenshin! No end!" He shouted up at the heavens before lowering his head and marching over to his destiny. For it was his destiny to rule the universe, to destroy those who opposed him, to make the universe his own. And not even you kenshin will be able to stop me!
Two chapters remain. In the next one, the climatic battle you've all been waiting for has arrived. How will it turn out? Will good triumph over evil? Or will Nomaru's ultimate weapon be completed before the kenshin and the others arrive at Avinor? And what about Alyssia? What role does she have? Check back soon. Maybe I'll have an update in a couple weeks. I'm not sure. Until next time! JD ^__^