Tenchi is the property of Pioneer.

Aeka and Tenchi are still waiting for Wright and Sap to report. "Tenchi do you think we should go after them?" She asks in a concerned voice. "No Aeka not yet, do not be concerned. So do you think Adam will ask Mishoshi out?" Tenchi replies as he keeps an eye on his scanners. Aeka smiled. "I do not know but they would make a cute couple. Tenchi Have you considered asking anyone out lately?" She asked hoping Tenchi would take the bait. Tenchi sighed "Aeka I still am not recovered from Sarah. When you girls came into my life I could not believe that such beautiful woman wanted me. But I have grown to care for all of you, put my attention was pulled in so many directions. I could barely even find time to think."

"Then I was taken away from you and was all alone, that is when I met Sarah. I guess because my attention was not pulled this way and that I fell in love with her. When she was killed it left any empty place and my heart. I am sorry Aeka but at this time I am not interested in asking anyone." He finished hoping she would not blast him with her laser cannons. The blow did hurt her, but she buried and sadness and maintained her composure. "Very well Lord Tenchi as you wish." Suddenly there is an incoming message. "Blues leader this is Bear group we should be at your current position any in fifteen minutes, over." "Roger Bear group stay sharp and continue on course, out." Suddenly another message comes in.

"Blue Leader this is blue three, over." "Blue Leader here, Wright have you found anything, over?" Aeka was quite relieved to hear Wrights voice. "We are close to sector H-3 sir; we have scanned the solar system, no sign of life. The tenth and farthest planet from the sun is where the readings are coming from sir, shall we proceed, over?" Tenchi paused for a moment. "Negative, hold where you are and keep scanning, we will hook up with bear group and be there as soon as possible. Once again if your scanners start to act up leave the area quickly and hook up with us, over and out." Aeka spoke up as Bear group came into view. "No life Tenchi?" "Yeah Aeka I do not like it but let's go. Bear group follow me, green leader (Jurai squadron) take your group and guard, Alpha leader (F-40's) Guard the transport, let's move."

Meanwhile four Eagles were patrolling another part of space. Adam was with Ryoko on there on patrol, with them were sergeants Stephanie Pool and Diane Dickerson. All three females had noticed Adam up beat mood. "So Ryoko do you think the Sergeant Major is in love?" Stephanie asked. "Let me see the Sergeant Major as fought numerous battles, who would have thought little old cupid would final be the one to best him.hahahaha!" Ryoko said, unable to control her laugher. "Oh stop it you guys, I think they make a cute couple, a true story of beauty and the beast." With that all three ladies laughed out loud. "Ok, ok, how did you guys find out?" Adam said in a displeased voice, even though he was smiling.

Ryoko replied "The whole task force knows, we caught you live." "What?!?!?!" Adam said his smile now gone. Later they dock on the Yorktown; they find Captain Ben Huge (Commander of the Yorktown) waiting for them. They stand and salute. "At ease, just wanted you to know we have gotten a report from the other task force, they have found a strange energy reading and went to investigate. Captain Tenchi and Princess Aeka are with the investigation group. Just wanted you to know Jones, Ryoko." The two of them salute, "Yes sir! Thank you sir!" Huge turns to leave, but has on more thing to say.

"Jones. There seems to be a certain Video of you and a blonde Galaxy Police Detective sharing a warm tender and moment in our recuperation area. It seems to be quite in demand. I know you so it is safe to say no X- rated one will be coming any time soon, however in your pursuit of a good clean romance; make sure it does not interfere with your duty." Adam blushes redder than he did with Washu. "Ummm yes sir. It won't" As the Huge leaves Adam follows and gives the evil eye to Ryoko who is looking very innocent at the moment. When he leaves Ryoko, Diane, and Stephanie fall on each other laughing.

Tenchi and Aeka are aboard the Jurai Capital ship. They found that once that solar system was not so lifeless. It had a space exploring race but they were gone. It was quite evident that one planet had been destroyed; did they encounter the mysterious enemy? This system was just beyond explored space, how far of a reach did this enemy have? On the tenth planet there were remains of an alien military base. Unlike before there were remains on the race and their technology, the energy signal was a repeated message, a very short one. When later translated it would say "Help." Nothing more. The task force was in a hurry so they left probe to investigate more and resumed their mission.

The mood was somber aboard the Jurai Capital ship. Washu called Aeka and Tenchi to her quarters, there she showed a big screen version of the now famous video "Adam and Mishoshi a love story". All three laughed through out the entire thing, Washu made the comment during the kiss scene, "And I thought Tenchi was a naughty boy." A few days later both task forces made it to there destination. Tenchi's did not find anything. Adam's found a planet inhabited by the cat like beings they were looking for. Aeka's and Tenchi's task force would head to where the Yorktown was. It would take four days to get there. At first the news sounded promising, they Cat like beings, the Purn, had indeed received a probe and it did have something. Suddenly the Yorktown group went silent; there was some odd, but strangely familiar interference. Tenchi's group went on full alert.

Suddenly two days out what was left of the Yorktown group hooked up with the other group. The Yorktown herself and five ships were left. Each ship was heavily damaged. Tenchi, Aeka, and Washu were among the first to enter the Yorktown, it was like the Hornet all over again, only on a much grander scale. The wounded and the dead were every where, medical personnel and repair crews where running franticly around, it looked as if no one had any sleep. They even had Purn aboard, mostly children and their mothers. Washu was instantly worried about her daughter; her mental link had been cut off. But now it was reestablished, she found her with Tenchi and Aeka close behind.

They found her tending to a wounded soldier that was not awake. She turned around and saw her mother. She looked as if she had battled Hell itself, and lost. She fell into Washu's arms and began to weep. Washu was getting mixed emotions and grabbled messages from her link, but she got enough to know something terrible happened. Tenchi was looking around for Adam, Mishoshi, and Kiyone. Aeka was saddened by what was going on around her, but noticed something familiar about the soldier Ryoko had been attending. He was very strong looking, his midsection was wrapped up tight his head was too, and there was fresh blood seeping through some areas on his head, she stared at and old scar in the same place that.her faced turned horrified. "Tsumani save us it is Adam, no!" Tenchi and Aeka went to his side; he was in bad shape, Aeka called for some of the fresh medical personnel that were coming onto the Yorktown.

A few minutes later Ryoko was still in her mother's arms, she was totally exhausted. Medical personnel looked over Adam, they stopped any reoccurring bleeding and stabilized him, and said that was the best they could do. Aeka Stay with Adam and held his hand praying he would be alright. Tenchi went to look for the two Galaxy Police detectives. She found Kiyone who was wondering around in a daze. Tenchi gently grabbed her. "Kiyone where is your partner, where is Mishoshi?" Tenchi had never seen her this sad. "She is dead Tenchi, those bastards killed her, she is gone." Tenchi could feel an ache in his heart, Mishoshi, sweet and kind, dead. Tenchi noticed a few tears run down his cheek.

Tenchi took Kiyone to where Adam lay. He informed Washu and Aeka. He handed Kiyone to Aeka. She rocked the detective gently as she began to cry again. Mishoshi gone, Aeka suddenly regretted every time she called her a bubble head. Aeka looked around at Ryoko and then to Adam. She could hear the cries of the wounded and dying, along with the frantic voices of those trying to keep them alive. Aeka held Kiyone tightly. Tenchi went to the bridge.

On the Bridge Captain Huge being attended by medical personnel, he was a wake and did not seem as badly hurt. He was still sitting in his chair, the bridge was a wreck. Tenchi came over and asked what happened. Huge told him. A few hours later Adam was transferred to the Earth Heavy cruiser Washington. Their Aeka was sitting next to him in med lab. He was hooked up to a bunch of machines by wires, for now he was stable, but the doctors gave him a less than fifty/fifty chance of recovering. Washu was with Ryoko and Kiyone who were getting some rest, doctor's orders. Tenchi walked in and stood on the opposite side of Adam, got a chair and sat down. Aeka Noticed how he looked at Adam, he had concern and anger written on his face.

He told Aeka that he had just visited Ryoko and Kiyone, and had talked to the Yorktown Captain and had an idea had happened. It seemed all was going well and that they found the probe. The Purn were still a highly advanced people, but rarely went out into space, they preferred to live in scattered villages. But they welcomed the task force with open arms; they had wonder if the ancient stories about space demons were true. Adam, Mishoshi, Ryoko, and Kiyone were sent to as part of the contact group. Adam found out from a village elder that there was temple near by that held information about the demons. Adam and the girls went to check it out. They found a message from the one that had put data on the information storage device Adam and Washu found. Our friend said that they did find a little more about and that indeed they were searching for something, in fact a group of ancient artifacts scattered throughout the entire Universe.

One such artifact had been sent with the probe. It was an orange crystal the size and shape of a basketball. The Purn agreed to let us take the crystal and a copy of the data. They then mysterious enemy attacked this time they had hundreds of ships in their fleet. They attacked in full force no holding back. EDF and Jurai forces got a taste of the gray armored forces; they were indeed tougher than their dark friends. Their mechs were not insect like, but more like predatory animals strong bulky and deadly. Still EDF and Jurai gave as good ad they got.

The enemy also started to slaughter the Purn; they had few weapons and could not defend themselves. So as many as possible would be evacuated. EDF and Jurai Forces fought bravely to buy as much time as possible. Adam and Ryoko where defending one of the evacuation areas with some other mechs and infantry. Adam still had the crystal with him. Mishoshi and Kiyone were helping Purn Children aboard transports. Suddenly a young little boy run away scared, Mishoshi went after him. When she did not return Kiyone went after her, she found the boy dead. She also found one of those red armored ones, a male. And he spoke through his armor in a way that could be understood. He said to Mishoshi, who was being held off the ground by her throat. The being said "My, My aren't you a pretty one, I may have to save you to pleasure me later, of course I doubt you would survive it. Then maybe I will take your friend hear too." He had noticed Kiyone. Kiyone fired at him with her laser. He just laughed. Kiyone could not see that Mishoshi had stopped breathing.

He threw Mishoshi into Kiyone knocking them both down, Kiyone is stunned and starts to complain about how much the blonde weighs. He takes off his helmet and revels a human sized head with rough brown elephant looking skin with no hair, but his eyes are pure red, and he had very sharp teeth. Suddenly two Jurai soldiers came out of no where and attack him. He quickly broke both their neck with his right hand very quickly and as easily as an egg shell. Then Adam appears and attacks with a light sword and his Bowie the being knocks both weapons out of his hands. Then a strict hand to hand battle begins, Adam lands punches and kicks but barely seems to faze him. The being connects with a hit and nearly knocks Adam's head off his shoulders. Then grabs him and throws him twenty feet into a Purn house, the being is surprised and pleased to see Adam recover quickly and come back for more. Then the creature notices the crystal that Adam dropped before his attack.

Adam tries to cut him off but the being fires a blast that hits Adam in the midsection knocking back through the air again. Then motions an open hand toward him and suddenly Adam is fling through the air right into his grasp. The being takes his finger and takes a little blood from Adams bleeding mouth and licks it. Then spits it in his face, the being then holds Adam up off the ground. He proceeds to use Adam as a punching bag. Ryoko comes on the scene and is horrified, she plows right into the being forcing him to drop Adam, and the being is surprised at the power of her blows. He fires a beam of light at her face and blinds her for a moment. Little did anyone notice that the crystal was starting to float in the air.

The being fired a heavy red blast at Ryoko; she recovers to find she suddenly cannot move very well. Another blast hits in the front of her and knocks her into another Purn house. The being goes for the crystal and notices it floating, shocked for a moment and does not noticed the energy blast coming from Ryoko who was now behind him. It knocks him off his feet. He quickly stands up and gestures at her with an open had. She is suddenly floating a few inches off the ground unable to move. He fires another energy blast right at her head suddenly Adam out of now where jumps between them taking the full blast to the chest, his already cracking battle armor bursts into pieces. Ryoko catches him and holds him in a seated position. Adams naked chest is smoking. Suddenly two other red armored figures come into view they are female, one female had a golden neckline on her armor not present on the male or the other female. She speaks.

"Get the crystal now." She tells the male. He bows and moves toward the crystal. As he does the crystal orange glow increases and a bolt of orange colored lightening shoots out of it and hits Adam. He is not awake and Ryoko can feel him violently jerk for a moment. Ryoko is unsure for the moment at what to do, her head is full of cobweb, must have been from that being. The male is suddenly angry and takes a few steps toward Ryoko and Adam. The Female with the gold neckline speaks again. "Leave them, we can do nothing at the moment, let us go." They leave and Ryoko is not sure what just happened. Suddenly Ryoko hears Kiyone scream, and watches her perform CPR on Mishoshi. EDF soldiers come into view; they yell for medical personnel and load them all on a transport. Adam is being worked on by a combat doctor on the transport. Kiyone and Ryoko wait to hear about Mishoshi. A nurse informs them that there was nothing they could do, she was dead, her wind pipe had been crushed. The task force and Purn survivors retreated, the enemy did not follow.

Upon finishing his tale Tenchi eyes burned with anger. How many of those he cared about were these butchers going to take. First Sarah, now Mishoshi, and maybe Adam too, who was next, Aeka, Ryoko? Something had to be done, at the moment he just did not know what. He placed his hand on Adam. "Get well old friend, I am sorry about Mishoshi. Aeka could you stay hear a little longer, I have to check on some others." "Of course Tenchi... You can even go get some rest, I will have Washu switch with me, and I would like to see Ryoko and Kiyone. " He nodded and left to check on other EDF and Jurai members he knew, he would not get any rest tough. He would be called to lead a patrol to make sure they were not being followed, that suited him just fine.

Yosho was in the command center of the Alamo he had been there ever since contact was lost with the Yorktown group. He was concerned, there were a total of about 70,000 EDF and Jurai personnel in both forces combined. Funaho had come for a visit and was in the command center begging her son to get some rest. He then received a coded message from Captain Jun:

"Yorktown group found, five ships lost, six heavily damaged, heavy fighter and mech losses, Aeka, Washu, Tenchi fine. Ryoko, Jones, and Kiyone wounded, Jones seriously, may die. Mishoshi killed. Damage to enemy forces uncertain, believed four to one in our favor in troops, fighters, and mechs. Seven enemy main ships destroyed, unknown as to the damage to others. Grey armored forces encountered. Red Armored beings encountered. Around 14,000 EDF and Jurai killed, 5,000 wounded, 300 missing in action. 30,000 Purn rescued, 25 million believed dead. Some data recovered, returning to base."

Yosho turned White as a sheet. Funaho read the message and started to cry when she came to Mishoshi, she almost fainted at 25 million. But she remained strong. "Would you like me to go tell Sasami and Ryo-oki my son?" He nodded. Funaho went to Sasami room and told them. Ryo-oki started to cry and Funaho tried to comfort her. Sasami had a sad look on her face but kept her composure. Later Funaho was sleeping with Ryo-oki in her bed, Sasami went to a quite area that had a view of the stars. She had already knew something was terribly wrong, she feared for Adam, but she could not believe that he would die, he was just too tough. But now the two that shared the same mind shed a few tears for Mishoshi. "Thanks for being there Mishoshi, I will always remember." She sat there for a few more minutes then returned to her room and went to bed, She needed her rest there would be a lot to do when they got back.

Next Chapter - Vengeance is mine!