Chapter Four
The Guardian Series
Chapter Four
Tenchi and The Gang belong to Pioneer LCD, AIC, and other assorted people on the far side of the big lake to my west, and not to me.
Hope you like this one, there will be more to come, whether you like it or not.
This story is set 7 years after "Daughter of Darkness," which I have placed in the OVA chronology after OVA-2, GPX, and the Manga released here in the States.
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Taoxhey of the Erudo looked out from the bridge of his Dreadnaught. Before him lay his newest conquest, this once greenish grey world under a red star was the home of a fledging race, just reaching for the stars. They had not stood a chance against his armada. However, the Peoples of the Confederation had also been here lending them aid in the defense of their system. The refuse from the fight for this planet drifted around the world starting to for a ring system. Damn them, they had cost him over a thousand ships, the better part of three fleets. The remains of a space station in its tinker-toy fragility were twisted into the replica of a child's attempt to make something from straws.
Already, the salvage tugs were busy collecting that refuse to take to the manufacture worlds to build new ships, those ships that could be repaired and were not too outdated were being taken to the mobile shipyards for repair.
Someone was disturbing his contemplation of that before him. By the aura he emitted, he knew it to be one of his minions, the procurer of living material he needed to fuel his ships, ground forces and the mines.
Without turning he addressed the individual, "So Wouter, are you off again to gather more for me?"
Wouter was from the Atoion Empire, a subject race of the Erudo. An ebony skinned race from a bright/hot white star system. He stood at least a head taller than the humanoid before him. He said, "Yes Lord Taoxhey, I travel to a new dimension to scout out new prospects for harvesting. The last dimension has become void of mid-level races and the higher-level races are becoming very obnoxious of our presence, and our farming, so we leave them to their selves until you are ready to invade their reality," said Wouter with an evil smile.
"So, your Techno-mages have closed the rift to that reality?" He asked with curiosity. "How many different realities does this make that we know of and during the mages attempts to form rifts, how many times have we repeated entry to the same reality?"
"Yes sir and that one made the Fifty-second galaxy we have made contact with. I do not know if they are truly different dimensions, realities, or just different galaxies." After thinking for a few seconds, Wouter answered the last question. "From the reports I get from the techno-mages, we have never repeated an entry to the same galaxy, which is how I define the different places the rifts have gone too. Who knows, we may be going to different universes, realities or just too different galaxies in our own universe. I don't really care; I only care about finding the fresh bodies we need to maintain the advance," and protect my own people from being used by you as cannon fodder, he thought.
Taoxhey turned to Wouter, gracing him with a view of his face. "You have my permission to leave immediately."
Wouter saluted his master and left the bridge, headed for his personal ship in the hanger bay of the Armada flagship.
Leaving the hanger, his ship unfolded the wing like structures on the side of the ship at were the cooling fines for the ship's energy reactors. Winding his way through the ships of the Armada, he passed Dreadnaughts and escorts, bristling with guns, emitters, and missile launchers, troop ships with the mind controlled zombies of the assault forces, and the supply ships with the tools to repair the ships and the stasis frozen bodies of more troops and crewmembers for the armada.
Once past the outriders of the Armada, his crew aligned the ship on open space, in the direction of the staging area over a thousand light years away where the Techno-mages were forming the newest rift to a galaxy with fresh bodies to feed into the furnace that his masters called a war.
The FTL (faster-than-light) engines of his ship hurled him toward his destination, wondering if this time will be the last time, he will have to see The Master. He had made this journey fifty-three times so far and had yet to fail in his mission of protecting his race.
Ayeka, First Princess of Jurai, sat under the canopy of Funaho after her duties of the day were done, contemplating the words of Lord Tenchi this morning. What had he meant? HE COULD NOT HAVE MEANT THAT HE WAS LEAVING HER, which would just demolish her world, but what could he have meant. He said that he had made his choice and that he would not make a choice. At least that demon would not steel him away, she thought with imperial satisfaction, lifting her chin to the world.
However, what did he mean in not making a choice, and why was Sasami, Washu and Ryo-oki so happy about, and this bet that Brother Yosho and Father Nobuyuki had made, what did it have to do with Tenchi's statement this morning.
I guess I should start making plans to return home then, father would be very happy to have her home, he would start making plans again for her to marry by getting grandmother Seto to find her a suitable husband. "Errs, I am not looking forward to that." Maybe talking to Aunt Funaho, father's first wife could shed some understanding on what Lord Tenchi had meant.
No, that could not be what he had meant. Thinking of her Aunt had brought to her memory, that her father had two wives. Lord Tenchi could not have meant that! Her body sat up straight at the shock of the thought, with her eyes as big as saucers.
Ryoko sat on a limb of the tallest evergreen in the nearby forest, having a view across the lake toward the fields where her Tenchi was working today. Moping there, taking swigs of sake from the latest of several jugs she had with her.
Her face was red, not just from the sake, but also from the crying, she had been doing all morning, drinking the sake, trying to drown her sorrow.
Why Tenchi, why can't we be together? We would have been so good for each other, and you had changed in your time away, you had become freer in your thoughts. Maybe you found someone new while you were over there. This made her cry even harder, thinking that her Tenchi would leave her for someone she did not even know.
What would she do with him gone from her life; she could not even imagine that.
Maybe, just maybe, she could get him to change his mind. She would even be willing to share him with that prissy princess if that would change his mind.
THAT IS IT, she sat up straight, dropping the last bottle of sake, we can share him. Then he would not have to choose. Is that what he had meant this morning after all?
A feeling of great joy came over her, evaporating the depression brought on by the liquor. THAT is what he meant by not making a choice.
A look of shock and a blush came to her face, now understanding the reason of Tenchi looking at the whole group of ladies at the table when he had made his statement this morning and the reaction of Sasami and the others now made since. Tenchi did not plan on only choosing Ayeka and herself, but WAS CHOOSING ALL OF THEM!
With that thought, she fell from the limb.
Reilly Fluke sat at the controls of the cargo-bay tractor beam. She eased the sensor pod, weighing in at one hundred tons, out of the cargo bay and into space. This new type of sensor pod, an Ethereal Scanner would allow the Conclave to monitor the area for ethereal energy, with which they gauged the ethereal mood of the area and supposedly the formation of rifts within its sensor range. Looking up through the cargo bay doors, she could see the spiral form of the galaxy before her. This look gave her the shivers; they were a long way from home, over a thousand light years beyond the edge of the galaxy above the galactic plane.
"Sensor in place Captain," she said into the mic. of her headset.
"Good job Fluke," came the lisping reply of Captain Sithiac. "Ssstow your equipment and activate the Pod."
"Activating, now," she reported across the com channel. With the pressing of several points on her touch screen, the pod came to life, performed a self-test, informed her of the results, and sent a message to Sensor Control via FTL secure communication link as a test. After what seemed forever, an answering message from Sensor Control appeared on her screen reporting test complete and control of the sensor was passed on to Sensor Control. "Captain, test complete and Home has control of the sensor. Closing outer doors," with a few more brushes of her fingers, the doors to the cargo bay closed.
"Very well Fluke, secure your station and take a break while we get under way for the next sensor position," the captain answered.
Stepping through the sliding door into the passageway beyond, she turned up-ship toward the mess deck. On the way passing several of the other crewmembers, exchanging greeting on the way. She had been in the navy side of the Conclave now for over a year, so she was not horrified by the looks of some of the members of the crew, because not all of the crew was humanoid.
Some like the Captain were Sithian, a space faring reptilian race from outside of the Galactic Union. There was the avian race, the Crase, which the Union had never even contacted yet, a true flighted race.
What a surprise she had had, when she graduated from the Galactic Science Academy with a master's degree in theoretical-astro physics and her father had said to her that she was now ready to learn the family secret, that they were part of a secret and unsanctioned organization that was battling the greatest known evil in existence. When she had the name of this evil, all her father had said was "he is the one who could not be named." He went on to say that, her course of study at the Academy was leading into areas that were a specialty for the Conclave, as this organization was called. With her research into a low-level energy waveform, which she had discovered, but not reported, was the basis of many of the abilities of the Conclave.
She had gone on to join the Conclave and had been surprised at its size or lack of that is. It was a very small organization in relation to the area it covered, which was the area of several galaxies. However, she was to find out that the organization did not just exist in this reality, but in many realities, across many galaxies and universes. They maybe small, but they were very powerful.
With her initial training done on an out-of-the-way planet, she had found even more surprises about the Conclave. She knew that other advanced species existed, but had thought them rare since there were only a few know in the Union. But at the training center she had meet many different advanced species, some from civilizations that were not even space faring in the sense she understood, but races that even her own people would have considered gods or goddesses. The biggest surprise she had was learning that magic was real and that the low-level energy she had learned to detect was the energy bases for magic. With that discovery, she had been instrumental in the production of a long-range sensor for monitoring ethereal energy as this low-level energy is known as, and as the inventor of this sensor, it had brought her on this mission for placing a net of these sensors to monitor its level and color. What a surprise to her to learn that some peoples could actually see this energy and that it had colors depending on the mood of the energy.
She felt through the soles of her deck shoes the engines of the ship power-up, as they got underway for the next point to emplace a sensor pod.
Conclave Headquarters
Universe 0142AQ
Earth 0442
Hideaki Bartel, commander of the Conclave Outpost on Earth 0442, Universe 0142AQ, sat in his stuffed chair reading a Jurian History text. The chair sat in front of an open fireplace in the reading room of his home. However, in reality his home was above the headquarters complex. This complex, hidden in plain view, here in the Northwest part of America sat on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. The base under the house, situated deep under the Olympic mountain range, with several outlets into the ocean where the starships that were there could come and go without too much problem of observation.
He was researching the disappearances of the prime goddesses from this reality. Their disappearances seem to have happened at different times in the past, though their influence on this realm was still apparent even until this day. So maybe they had not really disappeared, just stepped back from being obvious, as most of the Prime gods and Goddesses in the other Universes had done with the coming of technology.
It was sad, with the coming of technology, beings tended to drift away from their gods and goddesses. Nevertheless, in this reality, it seems that the lesser gods and goddess were working around that and still carrying on the fight against the darker side of the mystique beings know as devils and demons to most.
The phone on the end table next to his chair let out a ring. Picking it up, "Bartel here," he said.
"Sir, sensor twelve is in place and activated. We now have seventy-five percent coverage of the galaxy on the upper side," said the watch officer down below.
"Any reaction on the sensors worth mentioning?" asked Bartel.
"We are picking up a large concentration of ethereal energy that is similar to the energy levels surrounding the formation of a rift," stated the watch officer.
"Any idea from which reality it is from?"
"Analysis appears to show it originating from Universe 02783EE, the home Universe of the Erudo"
"Well, there goes the neighborhood. We had better get a scout team out there. Since it is on the edge of Jurian space, let's send Masaki to find out what's going on."
"Sir, you know he is not all that experienced with Conclave business yet?"
"He has plenty of experience in combat and his Jurian heritage will do him good if needed and contact Immigration to be on the watch for insurgents. Send them the ethereal and spectral data on the races from that realm so that they can update their scanners at the check points."
"Yes sir."
Taking a rag from his back pocket, Tenchi stood up straight and wiped the sweat from his face. As he worked, he lost himself in thought about the Ladies in his Heart.
Ryoko, even though she was a little ragged around the edges. He knew that it was all a front. Her aurora showed her to be a kind a gently person hiding behind a front. He knew her to be hurting by what Kagato had made her do; she only thought of herself as a marionette, not really thinking of herself as a real person. All that had happened, all the peoples she had hurt over the centuries weighted heavily on her soul. He new that by Kami-sama bringing all of them together had helped her greatly, finally giving her the family life she had needed to grow up and be a real person. He only hoped that he would be able to be everything she wanted him to be.
Ayeka, she was so refined when she had arrived that at first he had not known how to act around her. She acted so much the "Royal", that he just knew that she had not had many real friends when she was growing up. Now she had softened by being around everyone and she had actually found a real friend in Ryoko even though she did not show it. He knew she even had a sadistic side to her, though later that could become interesting.
Sasami, she was so sweet, there was no way that anyone could not love her. She was the perfect Lady, even more so than Ayeka. However, with her, it was not forced; it just was natural for her to be that way. She cared for everyone the same, be it friend or not. That is the goddess side of her showing, even though she was this way even before she merged with Tsunami.
Mihoshi, yes she was a little dizzy, (who you kidding), but after some of the reports he had seen at headquarters he now understood why. However, he loved her the way she was. She was so open about everything, she did not hide behind any facade, she was truly who she was, even now. Her professionalism at times would surprise people at times, but not him, not anymore.
Washu was very smart and beautiful; she was smarter than most people in the Conclave were. However, she had given up so much cause of her Hurt. She had given up her station and her memories cause of the insensitivity of her husbands family toward her. She had regressed into this child form to hide from the actions of adults. People looking at her only saw a child protégé, not the real her, however he did know the real her and respected her for what she had gone through and what she had lived through since. While imprisoned by Kagato, she had watched the abuse he had put her child Ryoko through and the pain he caused her by sending her off to hurt people.
Ryo-oki; since she had assimilated with the Maus and gained enough mass to form her humanoid form she had become more of a real person and not just a pet. She had gained a real personality other than just being a cabbot. He had already loved her before the change, but now he loved her even more. She was a lot like Sasami, she was so sweet and innocent taking everything at face value, though when anyone she considered family was threatened, she would show her bad temper.
Finally, there is Kiyone; she had come late to the family. She was Mihoshi's friend and partner for several years before Mihoshi had came to Earth. She was injured badly during a mission and had taken a long time to recover. She had come to join us, shortly after the Royal family had first visited. She had easily become a part of the family, fitting in easily, and she was able to work with and understand Mihoshi better than anyone of us. She showed great concern for her friends, would do anything for them, and because of that, he had come to love her also.
Looking at the placement of the sun, he saw that it was getting on toward evening, time to stop for the day. Taking up the tools and the basket with the ripe vegetables, he had picked today he started for home.
Walking across the deck-bridge he looked at the house before him, a smile came to his face thinking of what had passed and what was to come. He had made his decision about the women, now he had only to get them to see what his decision was.
Around back, he put away his tools and placed the vegetables in their respective holding baskets that Sasami had set out. Stepping through the backdoor, he found Sasami with Ryo-oki hard at work finishing dinner.
Sasami and Ryo-oki looked over to him and smiled, "dinner will be ready soon," said Sasami.
The smile she gave him warmed him so much, now he knew that the decision he had made is the right one, he did not want to hurt or give up any of them, not a one. "Good, I am starved. I will go get cleaned up then," he said.
"Welcome home Lord Tenchi," said Ayeka. "Welcome home Ten-chi," said Ryoko. They both spoke in harmony as they meet him coming from the kitchen. The surprising part was that they were not fighting each other of attacking him with their affection.
"Hi Ladies, today must have been a quite day for you two," said Tenchi, looking at them with a humorous and questioning look.
A look of confusion came to both of their faces and spoke at the same time again, "what do you mean."
Thinking to his self, I ought to get them to sing together some time, their voices sound real good together. "Well, the house seems to be in one piece, so you two must not have been fighting today," he said with a smile.
Seeing his smile, they both blushed.
"Ladies, I need to go and get cleaned up before dinner. So if you would excuse me?" He passed them by, still smiling at them and their antics. He went up stairs leaving them their, not giving them a chance to corner him and get him talking, he was not ready to get into any conversations that might lead to conflict with them yet. Though he did not know that each of the Ladies had come to the realization of what he was doing and actually were starting to like the idea.
Upstairs he gathered some clean cloths and went to the bathroom to clean up. All during his bath, he expected Ryoko to pop in as she always did and was a little disappointed when she did not. It would have been a great chance to talk to her about his decision and see what she thought about it.
Coming back down stairs after changing into clean cloths, he saw that all the Ladies had already gathered at the table, but some people were missing. "Where is Father, Reia, and Grandfather at?" he asked.
"Oh, Father invited Grandfather to join his family in town for dinner," Ayeka said with a smile and blush on her cheeks.
This is perfect, thought Tenchi; I will have this time alone with them to talk about our future. Here gathered with him were the most important people in the whole galaxy, those that he loved with all his heart.
From his back pocket came the sound of a phone ringing. A look a dread came over his face as he reached to bring out the phone.
"Tenchi, what is wrong," asked Sasami with a concerned look on her face.
Bringing the phone to his face, he spoke, "Masaki."
"Sir, you are ordered to precede to co-ordinates 2357, 4421, -52 to recon the situation. A rift has opened in the area and we need to know what is going on. This area is on the edge of Jurian space and is a quarantined pre-FTL planet. The rest of the briefing is being uploaded to your ship's computer at this time," spoke the voice on the other end.
"Yes sir, I am on my way," spoke Tenchi.
With a dejected look, he turned back to his family all of them on their feet and gathering around him. "I am sorry, but I must go now."
"What do you mean Lord Tenchi and who was that," asked Ayeka?
"Yeah, what is this all about Tenchi," asked Ryoko with a frightened look on her face, dreading what she was about to hear.
"I am needed to do a job," said Tenchi, with a dejected look. "I must leave." He looked at the Ladies gathered before him, seeing the looks of dejection and worry on their faces. "I will be ok; it is only a recon mission to see what is happening somewhere."
"Tenchi, don't leave us, you only just got back," pleaded Sasami with tears brimming at the corners of her eyes.
Moving over to Sasami, he placed his hands on her shoulders, looking into her sad eyes, "I have to go, it is my job, and many people are counting on me." Raising his head, he looked at all of them, "I have to talk to all of you about something when I get back."
All of them moved closer to him, Ayeka, and Ryoko placing their arms around him. "I think we know what you want to talk about," said Ayeka with a blush on her face.
"Yes Tenchi, I think I finally understand where you have been leading us all these years," said Ryoko with a tremor in her voice, tightening her hold on him. "After all this, I don't want to loose you now."
"You won't loose me Ryoko, not now," Tenchi said as he smiled down to her. "But I must be going now."
"How do you plan on going on your mission Tenchi," said Washu with questions in he eyes. "Do you plan on using Ryo-oki?"
"No, I have my own ship, supplied to me by my work." He turned from them and started walking toward the front door.
A roaring sound could be heard from outside. As he opened the front door, a starship could be seen floating above the lake out front. Its hull was angular in ship, at the rear it was six sided with the flats to the top and bottom. Looking forward the hull was constant for one third of the length, then the hull started tapering down too a bumper at the front. On the upper deck was a trapezoid shopped deckhouse stretch from the rear of the ship to the beginning of the taper. At the beginning of the deckhouse was located the cockpit, a clear structure wrapping around the front of the deckhouse and over the top. There were six turrets visible on the ship, one on each surface of the hexagon just aft of the taper, each turret sporting twin barrels. At the front bumper of the ship, two large gun barrels protruded forward.
"My ship, The Tenjin, I named it for all of you," said Tenchi with his face turning red. "I must leave now."
"Tenchi be careful," all the Ladies said as one, all with concern on their faces.
"I will," and with that said, s shimmer formed around him and he disappeared.
They all ran out onto the deck, watching, as his ship started moving away across the lake, gaining speed, lifting its nose to the sky, a shimmer of energy particles pushing under the ship forming a depression in the water, pushing it to the side, and forming a wake behind the ship. A shimmer of energy pushing behind the ship, pushing it into the shy, raising higher into the sky, heading toward space, the ship getting smaller and smaller in the distance.
They waved as he left them, carrying their hearts with him.
For as long as he could see them in his monitor, he watched them. He reached out his hand touching the screen, "I will come back to you my ladies, I promise you I will be back," said Tenchi.
- 19 -