The Bonds of Time

Chapter 16

Andrew Joshua Talon, with many thanks to Kanako Urashima

DISCLAIMER: Love Hina is not mine. I'm not making any profit off this fanwork, and the authors used own themselves. "The Love Hina Fan Boy War!" is the property of Kanako Himekazi-Urashima, which she gave me permission a while ago back to write a prequel to.

Therefore...

***~''~***

Just a heads up: The Blooper and Outtakes shall be consigned to the end of the story with each update, in order to avoid confusion. And thus they shall remain, as "Special Features", so to speak. In any event...

***~''~***

Somewhere over Tennesee. December 6th, 2100

"Rebel 091, to Rebel 092, read me sir? Over?"

"Roger that Rebel 091. What's up? Over."

"I've picked up a general broadcast, bearing 341. Scan the channels. Over."

"Roger. Scanning... It's an ENE radio... "Peace"? Hm..."

"Should we get a precise scan of the source, sir? Over."

"Negative. Let's not give away our position so soon. For the moment, let's just close in and see if we can find out who's making the call. And stop acting like a new recruit, okay? This is your patrol. Over."

***~"~***

"Sir? Two incoming signals on forward radar." Kebinu rose from his seat in the cockpit, and looked over the shoulder of the Mei's pilot. Two blips steadily approached.

"They're small... Only about the size of bats," noted the co-pilot. Kebinu shook his head.

"That's because of their stealth technology. Raise them on all channels."

***~"~***

"We're being hailed. Over."

"I noticed. I'm assuming they recognized our particular radar signatures. Over."

"Or, they had trouble believing that two birds would be flying at 10,000 feet at Mach 0.7. Over."

"Cute. Let's respond. Over."

***~"~***

"This is Otothime Air Force Patrol 0-0-niner, to unidentified ENE aircraft. Please state your intentions for entering our airspace. Over." Kebinu smirked at the two pilots, who looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Er, sorry sir. We're still kind of-"

"Don't worry about it. Just give me the mike." Kebinu took the device, and clicked the "Talk" button.

"Patrol 009, this is a diplomatic mission, to meet with Queen Mutsumi and dialogue with the intention of establishing trade routes. Over."

There was silence for a few moments, before the comm system crackled.

"Confirmed, ENE Flight. We will escort you to Andrews Air Force base, unless you require a stopover. Over."

"No, we're fine, Patrol. Lead the way. Over."

Outside, the two sleek F-22s took up positions on either side of the massive transport. It was doubtful anyone on the Mei (aside from, perhaps, Kebinu) would notice the significance of them maintaining nearly the exact-same altitude, and both being slightly below the ENE heavy cargo craft.

In the patrol leader's cockpit, Captain Janet Argus looked over the holographic displays projected onto the inside of her helmet. Operating much like the Heads-Up-Display, or HUD, on previous fighter aircraft, this system made sure the pilot knew everything that was going on with noticably greater efficiency. At the moment, a text message had popped up in front of her.

Scambler codes 31-A-45 engaged. Confirmation of decryption?

Argus switched on the TypeSpeak option on her helmet, and replied in careful, precise speech, which showed up as text on her faceplate.

Confirmed. What's up?

Can't help being slightly paranoid. The ENE has shown no interest in us for the last twenty years -- Why the sudden change of heart?

Sir, with all due respect, am I the kind of person you should be talking to about this?

You have served on General Miller's staff before, as a strategic analyst. Your thoughts?

Too soon to tell, sir.

Probably... Still, it never hurts to be a little paranoid.

Sir, in your case a LOT less paranoia would do wonders.

Oi.

***~''~***

Montreal, Canada

"Has Lord Benjamin been shown to his quarters?"

"Yes, Majesty. His luggage has also been taken up." Haruka the First, the Queen of the Urashima Collective States, nodded to the servant before her.

"Very well. Please see that his needs are met." The servant girl bowed, before turning and walking out of the marble, Greek-style throne room. It had once been Montreal's City Hall, but after some renovations Haruka's people had turned it into a palace and command center.

Haruka sat in her modest throne, clothed in a simple but elegant dress, with a ring of pearls crowning her head. The decoration of the central chamber, and indeed, the entire palace, reflected Haruka's style of dress - Simplicity and functionality.

Haruka sighed quietly, adjusting her poise. She looked above to the ornate ceiling, displaying Renaissance-style cherubim and seraphim smiling at the people below.

"Shadow." As ink travels down a page, a shadow crept out from under one of the lights illuminating the Central Chamber. It slid down one of the great pillars holding the roof up, until finally reaching the floor. Here it did ont stop, but slowly made it's way to the center of Haruka's gaze. It then grew up, inflating itself into the form of a young woman. Narrowed white orbs appeared where the eyes would normally be positioned on such a creature, and in it's first action remotely like a humanoid's, bowed respectfully.

"My queen." Haruka shifted again in her throne, resting her chin on her fist.

"What have you seen as of late? I'd prefer to get the information before Kanako does."

"Why, my queen, if I might inquire?" Asked the living Shadow, in a quiet, silky voice.

"She has other matters to attend to. And it is my perogative... is it not?" Haruka inquired. The shadow bowed again.

"Indeed, my queen. Shall I begin?"

"Do so."

"Naru has located Keitaro," Shadow began, "in the Otohime Union. She has sent her agent Kebinu to find him, under guise of diplomacy."

"Does anyone yet suspect his true mission?"

"No, my queen," Shadow assured, shaking her head. "They are all unaware, save one: And he is always paranoid when it comes to his own queen."

"Naturally," Haruka said, as usual, completely devoid of emotion. "He has always been that way. What is the status of their militaries?"

"The Union Airforce numbers 2,000 attack fighters, and 1,000 more craft of various types. Their Navy possesses 500 multi-role strike fighters, and 500 additional craft. 20,000 ground troops, 8,000 combat vehicles constitute their Army. Four aircraft carriers, two battleships, ten cruisers, twenty guided-missile destroyers, eight destroyers, six frigates, twenty-two submarines, and thirty support vessels are their Navy, a large portion of which is currently assigned to exploration and science missions. Nearly 40,000 personnel remain in reserve for all services. 34% of their overall military is on active duty. All personnel are highly trained and highly motivated."

"And the Empire?"

"100,000 ground troops," Shadow continued. "All reasonably well trained. 5,000 Liddo-Walkers of various types as well. Nearly 4,000 light vehicles, and 20,000 troops in reserve. Naru has managed to get a few of the older USN vessels in California operational, including three LHDs, seven cruisers, nine destroyers, and ten submarines. This, in addition to the three Dreadnaru-class battleships. Their air force is small in number, only thirty of their great Mei transports. 20% of their forces are on active duty."

"Nothing I haven't heard before," mused Haruka, before giving Shadow a slightly harder look. "But I want you to continue scouting. Observe Kebinu in Washington - I wish to know what he is doing for his mistress. And debrief Kanako before you depart."

"By your leave," Shadow replied, before she darted into the darkness and merged with the void once more. Haruka sat back in her chair, a pale finger pushing back a bang.

"I assume you got all of that," the Queen of the North stated into the chamber. Once again, one of her agents emerged from the shadows, her face devoid of emotion and nearly-mirroring her Queen's.

"Of course. That is the usual practice of our briefings," Kanako replied, tilting her head slightly and surveying her aunt with cat-like interest. Haruka sighed deeply, rising to her feet, and regally walking across the chamber, Kanako only a few marble tiles behind.

"Observations of the happenings in Washington is indeed crucial... But Motoko has felt something stirring in the South."

"I too have felt it. Something...Dark. Calling across the plains." Haruka rose from her throne, her eyes locked with her neice's.

"Take your best operatives, aside from Sadistic Shadow, and find out what it is. I expect your return in two months."

"Duly noted, Haruka. I will find what lies in the South, and destroy it if nessecary."

"Just remember that you are not Sherman. I don't want a repeat of the last 'covert' mission you personally led."

"I had little choice but to send that contingent of Naru Troopers straight to hell, Haruka."

"With a vat of boiling corn syrup," Haruka deadpanned.

"A little messy, perhaps, but nontheless..."

***~''~***

And the saga rolls on...

NEXT TIME: Arney fishes out one of Talon's books, and has him read it to her!

"And my own storytelling isn't good enough?"

"Course it is... I just like the way you wrote this."

"*sweatdrop*"

In the passages that follow: Kana is banished from Shinobu's realm and ignites war between Naru and Mutsumi! Travis find the Light of Evil! And Kanako learns of a new threat...