The day was climbing to noon as the entourage awaiting the Jurain Ambassador's return fidgeted in the rising heat. The decision rendered by King Azusa would be a historic event and would have an unprecedented impact on the planet's future. The air was stagnant and stifling. The event required formal dress which was unbearably warm. Not one person was unaffected by the heat.
"What do you think?" Vice Prime Minister Dess asked Prefecture Comity Member Erbu.
"That's kind of general don't you think?" The comity member replied.
"It is but I was hoping to get your straight opinion on the matter." Mr. Dess offered.
"We aren't perfect but we've done our best to make ourselves as appealing as possible. I think Jurai will accept us despite our shortcomings." Mr. Erbu finished. Both men looked skyward as a subspace portal opened and the fifth-generation ship, Akatsuki, appeared. Smiles lit the faces of all gathered on the main lawn of the palace, not so much for the arrival of the ambassador but for the moving of the assembly indoors and consequently into much cooler surroundings. Mr. Dess took in a deep breath and let it out.
"I guess we will find out shortly." He said. As soon as the ship held its place in the sky, five figures appeared before the assembly of politicians gathered to greet the Jurain Ambassador. Duke Hideki Amaki was appointed ambassador by the king. He was returning to Planet Poreem to relay to the leaders of the planet's countries the King of Jurai's decision on accepting Poreem into the Jurain Empire. He was flanked by four Jurain Knights. The knights were clad in white and blue signifying that they were a part of the royal bodyguard. Mr. Dess and Mr. Erbu stepped forward to meet the ambassador.
"Greetings Duke Hideki Amaki. Poreem welcomes Jurai as a friend." Mr. Dess announced.
"Thank you Vice Prime Minister Dess. I always look forward to visiting your beautiful planet." The ambassador replied.
"Let's not linger out here. I'm sure you must be anxious to get some place more comfortable." Mr. Erbu offered with a grin. The ambassador smiled his agreement upon noticing the growing sweat stains in the crowd. The group took a few steps towards the great hall when a light flickered from the crowd. The knight in front of and to the right of the ambassador stepped forward and deflected a shot with his pulse shield. Before anyone else could react, the knights tightened into a diamond around the ambassador and raised their pulse shields and prepared for the next attack. The Vice Prime Minister and the Prefecture Comity Member stopped and looked at the knights' formation curiously as they tried to figure out what was happening. A second blast sped from the crowd but not from the same place as the first. The rear knight deflected the shot into the ground behind the formation, causing the dirt and grass to shoot into the air. The Knights' reaction to the first shot was so quick and smooth that the gathered crowd didn't see the attack. However, the second shot left no doubt as to what was going on. Poreemian guards flooded into the crowd to seize the would-be assailant but they were unable to locate him. One of the knights tilted his wrist towards his mouth.
"Get the Duke out of here." Lieutenant Oroko Sejukira ordered the Akatsuki.
"Someone is jamming us, sir." Came the reply. The lieutenant wasn't expecting anyone to possess technology capable of jamming Jurai's transporter but that was the least of his worries. A large flatbed transport showed up on the front lawn. The back opened revealing a subspace platform.
"Move!" The lieutenant ordered. The group of five swiftly made their way towards the palace. An Abrolite Self Propelled Heavy Plasma Cannon materialized on the deck of the transport.
"Fold!" The lieutenant ordered. The formation of knights shifted so that three now guarded the ambassador.
"Get the ambassador to the palace. I have to take care of that thing." The lieutenant advised.
"Lieutenant!" One of the knights protested.
"No buts. Go!" The Lieutenant ordered. Sergeant Kintaro Sejukira knew that the discussion was over by the lieutenant's tone. He immediately rejoined the formation and moved as one with the ambassador and the other two Jurain Knights. Sergeant Sejukira saw the lieutenant charge the cannon. The sergeant deflected a few more shots away with his pulse shield. The civilians were fleeing, leaving the assailants exposed on the lawn. One soldier tried to grapple with the knight on Sergeant Kintaro's right. The knight raised his shield and fended off the attacker. He drew his blade and slashed the attacker's right knee then pierced his breast with a quick thrust before returning to the ready. The group made it to the palace and moved the ambassador to the innermost room. The palace was extravagant by Poreemian standards but in actuality was the same size as an inn on Jurai. There was no level lower than the ground floor so the ambassador was still exposed to the threat of the Abrolite Cannon. Two knights guarded the large double doors to the front of the room and Sergeant Kintaro took up position next to a door towards the rear of the room. There they waited for word from the Lieutenant.
* * *
Lieutenant Oroko Sejukira then turned and dashed towards the cannon. A gun tube emerged from the hull of Akatsuki and aimed at the Abrilot Cannon. The cannon sped away from the flatbed just as Akatsuki was locking on. Akatsuki shifted to track the cannon and fired a snapshot. The shot landed near the cannon and knocked over the flatbed but not near enough to defeat the cannon's shield. Lieutenant Sejukira tried to raise Jurai Intelligence through his wrist communicator but, as he expected, long range communications were jammed. The Abrolite Cannon swiveled its turret and fired. Its beam effortlessly cut through the ship's exterior armor. The body of the ship which contained the royal tree was unharmed but the ships armaments were rendered useless as the ship slammed into the surface of Poreem. Unfortunately for the cannon, the power required to dispose of a Royal Ship's outer armor weakened its shields enough for Lieutenant Shurakira to penetrate its defenses with his blade. Lieutenant Sejukira disabled the weapon by slicing off the barrel. The knight then immobilized the cannon by ramming his blade into the engine compartment. The lieutenant was about to open up the cannon when another two flatbeds with subspace transporters arrived on the front lawn. By now, all of the legitimate assembly had either made for the refuge of the palace or ran away all together. The assassin turned out to be a group of about twenty with numbers being reinforced through the subspace transporters on the flatbeds. The assassins were converging on the palace which was being adequately defended by the Poreemian guards as well as the knights of the Jurain Royal Bodyguard. With the numbers of enemy growing and the prospect of another Abrolite Cannon or something worse coming through the subspace portals, decisive action needed to be taken and soon. Some of the enemy had noticed the lieutenant's attack on the cannon and directed their plasma rifle fire towards him. His pulse shield was able to deflect the sporadic fire but he wasn't able to protect himself on all sides and the enemy was starting to surround him. The knight ran for the cover of the overturned flatbed. Once on the other side of the flatbed, Lieutenant Sejukira noticed the subspace transporter was still on but twisted so nothing larger than a person could squeeze through. It was then that he realized that in order to sneak so many soldiers into the palace grounds undetected required transporters. Also, in order to marshal the soldiers and equipment necessary for the assault in secrecy, the marshalling yard would need to be some distance away. As soon as the idea entered his mind, Lieutenant Sejukira started to execute his plan. One of the limitations of the portable subspace transporter that was on the flatbed compared to a more advanced fixed system is that it has to transport the entire object at once rather than open an actual subspace doorway. Otherwise, the knight would have just stuck his arm through the portal to transmit his request for assistance to Jurai Intelligence. Instead he had to jump into the lion's den in order to get his message through. As soon as Lieutenant Sejukira appeared on the other side of the portal, he started to receive fire. His pulse shield was at its limits. His message got through and promised supporting arms but his shield failed and his left wrist was blasted off his arm at the same moment. The knight stumbled back to the ground and looked up to see a contingent of about fifty or more soldiers firing at him while two more Abrolite Canons were being marshaled for the transporters. Oroko knew what was at stake and jumped to his feet. Just like royalty, Jurain Knights' bodies are genetically fortified to endure the dangers or their duty. The fortification also increases speed and strength. Lieutenant Sejukira ran to the nearest transporter and sliced the focus platform with his blade. The machine flickered a few times then went dark. The knight quickly ran for the last transporter and made his way to the lawn of the palace. He was greeted by a hail of fire from other troops that were on the lawn. The knight closed the distance with great speed and neatly sliced a singular assailant in two. The lieutenant dashed back to the transporter pad and sliced the focus platform. The enemy soldiers were rallying on the lawn but all their forces that were attacking the palace were repelled by the defenders. Lieutenant Sejukira saw Poreemian guards force the enemy back. The knight didn't see the rest of the royal bodyguard but that was because they were doing their duty safeguarding the ambassador. The knight looked to where his left hand used to be. He was surprised that it hardly hurt. The ball of plasma cauterized the wound immediately so it wasn't life threatening. Oroko's attention shifted to the functional half of one of the transporter pads. One of the Abrolite Cannons materialized. The technicians on the other side must have wired the two operational halves together. The cannon pointed at the palace and fired a beam directly into the center then traversed its turret so it ripped a long burning scar into palace.
* * *
Sergeant Sejukira remained at his post next to the door at the back of the room.
"How much longer are we going to stay here?" Duke Hideki Amaki asked sounding somewhat worried. Sergeant Sejukira continued to scrutinize the rear door for any change.
"Have a little patience, your majesty. The Lieutenant …" Sergeant Shurakira was interrupted by several rounds piercing the wall next to his head.
"I was saying that the Lieutenant will get a message through and reinforcements will be here shortly." Sergeant Sejukira finished. A few moments after Sergeant Sejukira spoke, a brilliant light flooded the room accompanied by almost unbearable heat. Sergeant Sejukira was unable to see anything for a few minutes. When he could focus, he saw that the beam from the Abrolite Cannon burned the other two knights and the ambassador to nothing. Only a few tattered pieces of clothing and a nauseating stench of burnt flesh remained. Sergeant Sejukira had failed to protect his charge. He looked down and saw that the heat from the shot burned some of his clothing but the beam ceased just before he was cut down. Sergeant Sejukira couldn't think straight. The only rational thought that entered his mind was there was no sense in staying inside. There was no one to protect anymore. Sergeant Sejukira stepped through the gap cut into the building. If there was still enemy outside, that's where he needed to be.
* * *
Lieutenant Sejukira ran as fast as he could at the cannon. One of the Jurain Royal Bodyguards stepped into opening cut out by the cannon beam. His uniform was singed and he was standing at the ready with his pulse shield and blade in hand as he made his way to the battle space. He witnessed Lieutenant Sejukira charge the cannon. He also witnessed the cannon swiftly reposition itself and point its barrel at the charging Jurian Knight. Lastly, he witnessed the Lieutenant disintegrate inside the fury of the Abrolite Cannon's blast. The knight who witnessed the gruesome spectacle walked out onto the battle space in front of the palace. The last cannon materialized onto the transporter pad. The knight walked out towards the cannons as though the battle wasn't taking place. The two cannons laid in for the knight. Suddenly, a huge Jurain ship emerged from a subspace portal. It bristled with gun tubes and immediately dispatched one of the cannon's with a salvo from its external armor. The second cannon wheeled about and fired at the Jurain ship. However, this ship wasn't Akatsuki. It was Mikagami. Lady Seto's ship effortlessly defeated the cannon's attack with a singular light hawk wing. Mikagami remained silent for a moment to accent her strength then she fired all of her guns and finished the last of the Abrolite Cannons. Sergeant Sejukira ignored the remaining contingent of enemy soldiers as he crossed the lawn. He wasn't aware of anything going on around him. All he could think about was confirming what he couldn't believe he had just seen. He continued to make his way across the lawn until he finally came to the spot where Lieutenant Sejukira was killed. All he found was a sword. The knight fell to his knees and started to shake. Emotion was starting to boil inside the knight and he fought with all his will to suppress it. In the end, his efforts were in vain. The knight unleashed all of his emotion with one terrific cry. "FATHER!!!!!"
* * *
Six Months Later
* * *
Lady Seto looked deep into space as Mikagami made its way to Jurai. She shifted her attention to her own reflection. She looked into her own eyes and wondered what others saw when they looked at her the same way she was looking at herself now. She turned sharply and walked towards her chair and sat.
"Is something troubling you my lady?" One of Lady Seto's aids questioned upon noticing her distraction. Lady Seto looked over to her aid and studied her expression.
"There are a few situations that require my immediate attention." Lady Seto answered. The aid looked satisfied and returned to her duties. Lady Seto pushed a few buttons on her arm rest and a small screen appeared before her. She studied a report she received the day prior regarding the remains of Souja. Lady Seto's eyes narrowed as she thought of all the secrets locked inside that remain hidden. Lady Seto relaxed for a moment then hit a few more buttons on her arm rest. A picture of Sasami replaced the report Lady Seto was reviewing. Sasami stood with her arms behind her back and smiled brightly. Lady Seto smiled at the picture as though Sasami was really there. Lady Seto's smile waned to a grin as she hit a few buttons on the other arm rest. A different view screen appeared in front of her with static. The static gave way to a screen with Lady Misaki shuffling through some papers. Misaki stopped and looked up into the screen.
"Good morning, mother. What can I do for you?" Misaki sang happily.
"Good morning. How are you doing today?" Lady Seto replied. Misaki pushed the papers on her desk into a waste basket.
"Just cleaning up." Misaki said.
"I imagine you have thought up a few good ideas for Sasami?" Lady Seto asked.
"I have a few ideas." Misaki answered with a wide smile.
"So do I. I may be able to take care of more than one problem at once." Lady Seto explained.
"How so?" Misaki replied.
"It is nearing six months since Poreem." Lady Seto stated. The smile on Misaki's face vanished when she understood what her mother was getting at.
"How is Master Sejukira?" Lady Seto asked again.
"He is quiet as always but he has been even more detached from everyone lately." Misaki summarized.
"I was thinking about asking you if we could grant him a special position for Sasami." Lady Seto revealed. Misaki looked a little shocked then thought about her mother's proposal. A bright smile lit up Misaki's face.
"What a great idea! I wish I had thought of that first." Misaki admitted.
"Thank you. I'll talk to you more later." Lady Seto answered before turning off the monitor. She turned back to the picture of Sasami and smiled once more.
* * *
"Can you say that again?" Asked the commandant of the Jurai Internal Security Administration.
"We have collected the debris left over from Souja about two months ago. We have been dismantling the ship to find out what other secrets Kagato may have kept from us." The lead engineer explained.
"I have that in my report." The commandant said impatiently.
"Yes sir. Two weeks ago, we tested all the doors aboard Souja to see if any of them were double doors." The lead engineer explained.
"Double doors?" The commandant asked.
"Yes sir. A double door is a door that can open doorways to two or more dimensions. It is a very complex technology and only a hand full of people are capable of creating such doorways." The lead engineer continued.
"I see." The commandant commented.
"We were conducting a test on the door to Kagato's private chamber and we found a double door. The door will only open for Kagato's genetic sequence. Fortunately for us, he have kept samples of Kagato's sequence just for such a situation." The lead engineer concluded.
"Now you need my authorization to proceed with opening the doorway." The commandant confirmed.
"Yes Sir." The lead engineer concurred.
"Tell me something. What do you think is behind those doors?" The commandant asked.
"We don't know, sir. We found the plans for Souja and all the double doors we have encountered so far were on the plans. This one is not." The lead engineer stated.
"Have you found any traps in your search?" The commandant asked.
"Yes sir. But they were on the plans as well." The lead engineer said.
"Basically, what you are saying is that we are stepping into the unknown." The commandant stated.
"Yes sir." The lead engineer agreed.
"According to my report, Kagato built this ship but someone else designed it." The commandant said.
"Yes sir. Professor Washu Hakubi designed Souja. She is one of the foremost scientific minds in the galaxy." The lead engineer stated.
"Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't Professor Hakubi responsible for creating Ryo-Ohki, the battleship that attacked the royal palace seven hundred years ago?" The commandant asked.
"Yes she is, sir." The lead engineer said.
"Can we question her on this matter?" The commandant asked.
"No sir. The Holy Council of Jurai instated an ordinance that essentially states 'Leave her alone.' It was proposed by Lady Funaho and signed into law by the king himself." The lead engineer said.
"So the decision rests entirely with me?" The commandant asked.
"Yes sir." The lead engineer said. The commandant was quiet for a few moments as he weighed his options.
"I'm going to need some more information before I decide on this matter." The commandant admitted.
* * *
Lady Misaki walked briskly down the main hall that led to the king's chambers. She stepped around the final corner then slowed as two massive wooden doors that stretched from the floor to the top of the vaulted ceiling came into view. A single person could be seen standing in front of the doors. Misaki smiled. The young man was standing with his feet slightly less than shoulder width apart and both of his hands were resting on the hilt of his sword. His long white hair was tied back, as usual, just below his neck with a silver ring and the end of his hair bore a cylindrical silver cap. Lady Misaki was used to seeing Lieutenant Kintaro Sejukira at his position and always thought of him as the boy she met all those years ago at the Galactic Martial Arts Tournament. But even though his face appeared as innocent as ever, Lady Misaki saw him as the young man he was this morning. Kintaro's white uniform and its bright blue accents clashed against the rich greens and browns of the Tenju. Lady Misaki looked at Kintaro once more. The tip of his steel blade rested in a wooden notch in the floor. He looked relaxed yet serious at the same time. Queen Misaki took one step towards him. Kintaro moved his feet together and brought the tip of his blade in front of his face, saluting Lady Misaki. Misaki smiled mischievously. She took one step back. Kintaro snapped back to his original relaxed position almost too fast to see. Misaki stepped forward once more and Kintaro snapped to attention once more.
"Good Morning, Master Wind Song. Lady Misaki snickered as she stepped backwards once more. Kintaro relaxed once more.
"Good morning, your majesty. I haven't been called that in quite some time." Kintaro replied with little emotion.
"I'm in a good mood today. Could you tell?" Lady Misaki asked playfully.
"Your grace does seem energetic." Kintaro replied.
"Energetic? Yes. That sounds like the perfect way to describe how I feel." Queen Misaki spouted as she took another step closer, only this time, she motioned for Kintaro to relax.
"Do you have a melody for me this morning?" Lady Misaki asked. Kintaro remained motionless.
"I don't have my flute, your grace." Kintaro replied.
"How about a melody without your flute?" Queen Misaki continued as she removed her blade from inside her robe. Kintaro's eyes narrowed but otherwise remained unmoved.
"Whatever your majesty wishes." Kintaro answered. The queen's blade blazed to life.
"You are always so serious." The queen attested as she jumped towards the
knight. Kintaro's blade whistled as it met the queen's almost in an instant. The queen attacked the knight as fast as she could but the knight defended himself easily without returning a stroke. His blade hummed and whistled in a soft melody as he fended off the queen. The door to the king's chambers swung open. King Azusa stepped out into the hallway.
"What is going on out here?" The king protested. Misaki dashed backwards and put away her blade. Kintaro put away his sword then stepped back to his original position behind his ornamental sword. He raised his blade and saluted the king. The King didn't give a thought to Kintaro. Instead, he concentrated on Lady Misaki.
"Is there something I can do for you, my dear?" The king asked with a little agitation.
"No. My business is with Master Kintaro Sejukira." Lady Misaki explained.
"If that is the case, then will you please continue your match elsewhere?" The king asked.
"Actually, my business with Kintaro is of a different nature." Lady Misaki said happily. King Azusa looked curious.
"What are you up to?" The king accused.
* * *
The double door that led to Kagato's private chamber sprang open. What lay in front of the crew of engineers was a vast black expanse. They looked through the passage, then at each other and finally at the lead engineer standing behind them.
"No one said this job was going to be safe. Go in and have a look but DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!" The lead engineer ordered. The group of four engineers shook their heads vigorously in agreement. They then looked at one another and let out a collective gulp. The engineers turned on their flashlights and shined them in through the doorway. To their dismay, the only thing that was illuminated was the black marble floor. The engineers stepped through the doorway and reluctantly stepped inside the chamber. The beams of the engineers' flashlights shifted wildly in the darkness. The lieutenant and the commandant stepped to the doorway and peered inside. A white light blazed to life and scared the engineers, the lieutenant and the commandant half to death. The engineers were standing back to back.
"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING!" The lead engineer yelled.
"But we didn't touch anything, sir." One of the engineers replied. The light revealed a laboratory. No experiments were running and the lab was noticeably quiet. The engineers looked relieved but didn't move from their place in the middle of the lab. Where they stood couldn't exactly be called the middle. The lab was made up of various levels and they were standing in the middle of one of the levels. This level was isolated from all the other levels. The lead engineer and the commandant stepped through the doorway and stood next to the group of engineers.
"Everything appears to be safe so far." The lead engineer commented. No sooner did the last words leave the lead engineer's mouth than the door to the lab slammed shut and vanished. The group stood frozen in the middle of the room. A sinister laugh echoed through the lab loudly. The source of the laughter could not be located but the voice sounded familiar.
"Welcome. I congratulate you on finding this place." The voice spoke. A green flame blazed to life in front of the group. The group jumped back in fear. A figure stepped out of the flames and made itself visible. The flames subsided and then there was no doubt that the person standing in front of the group was Kagato.
* * *
Sasami was afraid. She stood alone amongst the royal trees in the palace but they were silent. Not a one of them greeted her as they usually did whenever she approached. The gardens were deathly quiet. Sasami backed herself against a large tree. This way she could see anything that walked in her direction. The gardens were well lit but she felt like whatever caused the trees' silence was already near. Sasami's head quickly moved around hoping to see some sign of what was terrifying her. She clutched her hands to her chest and crouched down at the base of a tree. She could almost feel evil crawling across her skin and she couldn't get away from it.
"Tsunami. I'm scared. Please help me." Sasami whispered as she started to cry. A loud voice laughed thunderously following Sasami's plea. The laughter shook the gardens and Sasami screamed as she tried to keep her balance. A silvery figure appeared in front of her. It towered over her and although its features were sharp and distinct, Sasami couldn't understand what she was looking at. The laughing subsided and two white eyes glared at Sasami from what she guessed was the head of the being.
Sasami was frozen with terror. She tried to scream but nothing came from her mouth. The creature reached down and clutched Sasami's arms to her side. She tried to kick her way out but the being's grasp felt like cold steel. It laughed its deafening laugh once more at Sasami's fright. The monster heaved Sasami over its head. One hand now held Sasami's neck and the other held both of her feet. The being pulled Sasami like a rope until she thought her joints would rip. In an instant, the monster's huge knife-like teeth sliced and ripped at Sasami.
* * *
Sasami sat up and tried to scream but her voice failed her. It felt as though every muscle in her body was tensed in fear. She tried to scream again but the room remained silent. She jumped up and ran to the corner and frantically surveyed the room. The feeling of dread that crept across her in her dream was gone but Sasami was still filled with terror. Unlike most dreams, this one didn't slip away as she thought about it. The more she imagined the hideous creature the more real it became to her. Her body became quickly fatigued and finally relaxed. Sasami brought her hands to her face and let out a blood-curdling scream. Ayeka was instantly to her feet and jumped away from Sasami. Her foot caught on her futon and she fell to the floor. She looked to the corner to see Sasami on her knees screaming with her hands to her face. Ayeka sprang up once more and ran to her little sister. She tried to console her sister but Sasami's screams were so loud that nothing else could be heard. Ayeka embraced her sister and Sasami latched onto Ayeka. Sasami was almost squeezing Ayeka more than she could stand. Ayeka felt numerous thumps on the floor. She knew everyone else was on his or her way. Ryoko materialized near the ceiling as to see the whole room. She had an orange ball of energy ready in her right hand in case there was an unwelcome guest. The only two that were in the room were Sasami and Ayeka. The ball of energy dissipated and Ryoko drifted to the floor. She stood over Ayeka. Ryoko looked as though she was about to ask Ayeka something but stopped once she realized that there was no way that she was going to be heard over Sasami. Sasami leaned over to her sister and embedded her face into Ayeka's chest. Sasami's screams subsided to muffled sobs.
"What's going on?" Tenchi yelled as he ran into the room with everyone else following close behind.
"I don't know." Ayeka replied in a much quieter tone. She cradled Sasami for a few minutes before she spoke.
"What's wrong Sasami?" Ayeka asked. Sasami backed herself away from Ayeka and looked to everyone in the room.
"It's so terrible. It's so terrible!" Sasami yelled.
"Calm down Sasami. Everyone here wouldn't let anything happen to you. What is terrible?" Ayeka asked. Sasami looked out the window into the black night. She shivered so severely that everyone could see it. Sasami's head jerked violently as she looked for anything out of place in the room.
"It's out there." Sasami managed at a whisper.
"Who's out there?" Ayeka asked again. Sasami looked thoughtful for a moment as she tried to think of the creature's name.
"I can't remember." Sasami said almost inaudibly.
"That must have been one heck of a nightmare." Noboyuki offered.
"IT WASN'T A NIGHTMARE!" Sasami screamed. Everyone took half a step back at the verbal assault.
"Then what was it?" Ryoko asked. Sasami's started to cry again. She hated thinking about what she just went through. Sasami sobbed.
"I think it's ok for everyone to go back to bed. I'll stay here with Sasami." Ayeka said.
"No. Please don't go!" Sasami pleaded.
"What time is it?" Tenchi asked.
"Four forty-nine in the AM." Washu stated.
"Well, I would be getting up in a little over an hour anyway. I don't see any problem with staying here." Tenchi said. Sasami relaxed a little.
"I can make it up tomorrow some time." Ryoko said.
"Then it's settled. I'll go make some tea." Noboyuki said. Washu sat as well as Tenchi. Ryoko floated with her legs crossed.
* * *
"Kagato!" The commandant accused.
"Not quite." Kagato stated calmly.
"Meaning?" The commandant asked.
"Although I have achieved much in my life and I have acquired great understanding of how many things work, I am not nearly so conceded to think that I am perfect." Kagato explained.
"What does that have to do with anything?" The commandant asked.
"If I am not perfect, then that means that I will err. However, because I am a genius, I always have a back up plan. The reason you are standing in this place right now means that I am dead." Kagato explained.
"You are not Kagato?" The lead engineer asked.
"No. I'm a hologram projected by this laboratory's main computer. Kagato installed a sentient program in this lab's computer to welcome you in the event he was unable to welcome you personally. The fact that he is not here to welcome you himself and you entered this lab by force means that Souja has been captured by you." Kagato explained. The commandant didn't like the sound of that but he remained silent.
"I started an experiment a long time ago but I was unable to finish because the results could possibly destroy me. But since I'm not alive anymore, there is no reason to prevent this experiment from running its full course. I'm dead. I have nothing to loose. This experiment will be my parting gift to this galaxy." Kagato said. The commandant's blood ran cold. Kagato noticed this and smiled sinisterly.
"This is the most terrible plague to be unleashed on this reality. Since you are the ones who defeated me, I think it is only fair that you get the first attempt to try to defeat it." Kagato said. A glass vile appeared next to Kagato. The vile was filled with what appeared to be mercury. However, the mercury-like substance moved as though it were alive. Kagato looked at the group thoughtfully for a few moments before he spoke.
"I find it hard to believe that I was defeated by the Jurai military. What a disappointment." Kagato commented. The group didn't respond. Kagato smiled once more.
"Gentlemen, I present The Omega Colony." Kagato announced. The lid popped off and the vile was flipped so that the quicksilver creature was spilled onto the floor. The group turned and was preparing to run in the opposite direction when they saw the quicksilver creature encircled the group with lightning speed. They stood horrified in the center of ring outlined by the creature. One of the engineers tried to make a break for it. He dashed away from Kagato and it seemed as though he was going to make it. As he approached the perimeter of the silver circle on the floor, the creature did not react. The engineer leaped over the ring but as his foot touched the other side of the circle, the creature lashed out a silver tentacle from the ring on the floor. The man was whipped around the neck and lifted above the black marble floor. The silver tentacle seemingly melted onto the engineer and he was incased in a silver shell. The engineer didn't make a sound and was unable to move as soon as the animal covered him. The engineer's form started to melt like a silver candle and soon nothing was left. The engineers were scared silent but the commandant spoke up.
"What happened to him?" The commandant yelled in disbelief. Kagato laughed maniacally. His laughter slowed and stopped.
"The Omega Colony's soul purpose is to absorb energy and grow. It seeks energy the same way someone dying of thirst searches for the smallest drop of water. That's why I couldn't release it during my lifetime. If I did, it would eventually become too powerful for me to control and it would absorb me as well. Now that I'm dead, there is nothing that can stop it. It can absorb any type of power it comes across and as it does, it will grow in both size and power. Not only is it strong but it is very intelligent and takes on the knowledge of whatever it assimilates into its being. There is nothing you can do. You are doomed." Kagato finished and he started to laugh once more. The ring the quicksilver animal made on the floor started to slowly shrink. The lights in the laboratory went out and the only thing that could be heard was the panicked breathing of all in the room. A scream ripped through the darkness quickly followed by another. What was left of the people in the room screamed there last scream then the room was quiet.
"Very good. You are stronger already. However, there are beings out there with much more power than those you just consumed. Go and wreak havoc on the galaxy. Don't stop until every last thing is devoured and only then will you be satisfied." Kagato said from the darkness. A door opened and in poured light from the Jurai laboratory. A silver mass snaked out the door. A scream was heard just before the doorway was sealed. Kagato laughed as the doorway slowly closed.
* * *
Tenchi normally slept in on Saturdays but he woke up earlier than he wanted. Being summer, Tenchi got more sleep than he usually would despite the females in his household. Tenchi stepped out onto the wooden balcony that overlooked the lake. The warm summer wind was already stirring as the light started growing brighter in the eastern sky. Tenchi took in a deep breath and stretched. He scratched his frizzled hair and enjoyed the peace. Something caught Tenchi's attention. He looked towards the shrine but everything seemed normal. Tenchi couldn't help but feel like something was out of place. His attention was drawn skyward and he saw an object catch the early rays of the sun directly above the shrine.
"What the.." Tenchi started.
"It's been there for over an hour now." A voice stated from behind Tenchi. Tenchi turned quickly and saw Ryoko reclining on the rooftop.
"An hour?" Tenchi questioned. Ryoko nodded.
"Who is it?" Tenchi asked as he tried to get a better look at the ship.
"It looks like Jurai Royalty." Ryoko explained. Tenchi turned towards the doorway and hurried inside. Tenchi rushed to his room and changed into his clothes that he usually wore when he worked at the shrine.
"You sure do seem to be excited." Ryoko said from behind Tenchi. Tenchi was pulling up his pants and jumped upon hearing Ryoko. He fell forward onto the floor and struggled to pull up his trousers.
"Get out!" Tenchi scolded. Ryoko seemed largely unaffected. Tenchi stood and put his shirt on.
"It's not everyday that Jurai Royalty visits. I want to know what's going on." Tenchi explained.
"Royalty is boring." Ryoko scoffed as she disappeared. Tenchi made his way downstairs quickly but quietly so as to not wake anyone else in the house. Tenchi put on his shoes then ran to the shrine. He was halfway up the stairs when he became winded and slowed. Tenchi stopped when he reached the top of the stairs in order to regain his breath. He slumped over and put his hands on his knees. Ryoko materialized in front of him. Tenchi was too tired to be alarmed. He looked up at Ryoko.
"They have been here for over an hour. They wouldn't leave without saying 'Hello' to the Ayeka and Sasami." Ryoko stated. Tenchi thought about what Ryoko said and realized that she did have a point. Tenchi didn't answer. Ryoko smile upon seeing Tenchi's expression change.
"What did you plan on doing anyway? Were you just going to walk in and say 'Hey people! What's going on?" Ryoko snickered. Tenchi again realized Ryoko's point and felt a bit foolish. All he could do was wait for everyone to come out.
"That's ok Tenchi. We can watch the sun rise together." Ryoko suggested. She took a step closer to Tenchi. Tenchi instinctively stood up and took one step back. Ryoko looked disappointed. Tenchi noticed. He quickly assessed the consequences then he decided on what to do.
"I guess there is no harm in that." Tenchi said apologetically. Ryoko brightened and walked up to Tenchi.
"There you are!" A voice accused from the stairs. Tenchi and Ryoko looked down to see Ayeka hurrying up the stairs towards the shrine. Ryoko rolled her eyes and crossed her arms with contempt.
"What do you want?" Ryoko challenged.
"I want to know what you think you are doing up so early with Lord Tenchi?" Ayeka said almost yelling.
"Please, not this morning." Tenchi pleaded.
"Tenchi and I are going to watch the sunrise." Ryoko spouted as she wrapped her arm around Tenchi's shoulder. Tenchi looked uneasy.
"What makes you think he would want to spend anytime let alone the morning with you?" Ayeka asked. Tenchi's head slumped. He knew what was coming. Ryoko smiled mischievously.
"Because Tenchi said that watching the sunrise with me wouldn't be such a bad idea." Ryoko quoted.
"Ha! In your dreams, monster!" Ayeka protested. Ayeka looked at Tenchi who was unusually silent. Ayeka was now suspicious. She looked back to Ryoko who still wore her trademark grin. It was then that Ayeka knew that Ryoko wasn't lying.
"Lord Tenchi?!" Ayeka stammered. Tenchi thought this was surely going to be the end. Ryoko laughed at Ayeka's shock.
"Tenchi! Boy!" Lord Katsuhito yelled. Tenchi never thought he would be relieved to hear his grandfather's gruff voice, but he was. Tenchi turned quickly to face his grandfather.
"Yes!" Tenchi answered merrily. When Tenchi looked up, he saw not only his grandfather but Ladies Funaho and Misaki as well as a young man clad in white and blue robes.
"Stop flirting with those two and come here." Lord Katsuhito answered. Tenchi was caught a bit off guard. Tenchi didn't hesitate when his grandfather presented him an easy way out of the trouble he was just in.
"Good morning Lady Funaho, mother, Master Shurakira." Ayeka greeted much more calmly. Lady Misaki didn't look satisfied. Ryoko smiled. Ayeka didn't feel like doing what she was about to but she decided to get it over with.
"Mommy!" Ayeka spouted. Ryoko bit her lip. She knew laughter wouldn't be to her benefit but it was hard to resist. Tenchi was glad that the usual morning bout between Ayeka and Ryoko was averted. Just that much made it a good morning as far as he was concerned.
* * *
Everyone returned to the house for breakfast. Sasami was still asleep so Ayeka took it upon herself to start on breakfast. Ryoko reclined on the trusses over the living room and listened in on the conversations below. Lord Katsuhito, Lady Funaho, Lady Misaki and Tenchi sat on the couch and talked about what had happened between the last time they visited. Master Sejukira remained quietly posted by the far wall.
"To what do I owe the honor of your visit?" Lord Katsuhito finally asked for the benefit of household.
"Sasami's birthday is next month. Unfortunately, none of us will be able to come due to matters elsewhere. So, we decided to bring Sasami her gifts a little early." Lady Funaho explained. Tenchi understood but that still didn't explain the presence of the serious looking man by the far wall. Tenchi looked over his shoulder to look at the man. He seemed to be a few years older than Tenchi. He stood with his feet a little less than shoulder width apart and looked straight ahead. Tenchi didn't realize he was staring until his grandfather coughed intentionally.
"You are very fortunate, Tenchi." Lord Katsuhito explained.
"Huh?..I mean, I am?" Tenchi said with some difficulty. Lady Funaho laughed softly.
"The young man by the far wall is Master Kintaro Sejukira. He is the most skilled swordsman in the entire galaxy." Washu said as she stepped into the living room.
"Really?" Tenchi asked incredulously.
"Good morning, Lord Tenchi, Lady Misaki, Lady Funaho, Lord Yosho, Master Sejukira." Washu greeted. Everyone greeted Washu in kind. Ryoko teleported next to Kintaro. Kintaro remained unmoved.
"So you are Wind Song? I thought you would be taller...and older." Ryoko questioned as she looked over Kintaro. Kintaro didn't answer.
"Ryoko!" Washu scolded through her psychic link. Ryoko turned to face Washu.
"It's quite alright. Master Sejukira is the most disciplined soul I've encountered." Lady Misaki assured.
"Is that so?" Ryoko questioned.
"Master Sejukira, this is Ryoko. She is the one who attacked the Tenju seven hundred years ago." Lady Misaki stated.
"I remember, your grace." Kintaro replied softly. Ryoko turned her attention back to Kintaro.
"That's right. I remember you now. You looked much younger then." Ryoko recalled.
"You know him?" Tenchi asked with surprise.
"Not exactly. I had other places to be. I left a friend of mine to play with him." Ryoko said.
"What happened?" Tenchi asked. Kintaro remained silent.
"Go ahead, Master Sejukira." Lady Misaki stated.
"The demon, Ryoko summoned, was slow and lumbering. It was easy to attack and evade. However, the demon was able to regenerate whatever I managed to sever. The match was a stalemate." Kintaro concluded.
"I thought a skilled swordsman such as yourself would have easily done away with that thing." Ryoko said. Kintaro remained silent.
"Ryoko, you are being obnoxious." Washu said.
"Perhaps an exhibition is in order." Lord Katsuhito suggested.
"That's an excellent idea." Lady Misaki chimed.
"I'm game." Ryoko said. Tenchi looked nervous.
"At your leisure, Master Sejukira." Lady Misaki insisted. Kintaro remained in place.
"Yes, your majesty." Kintaro answered.
"Shouldn't we take this outside?" Ryoko asked as she smiled at the knight.
"That won't be necessary." Kintaro stated matter-of-factly. Ryoko didn't like Kintaro's confidence. She stepped back from Kintaro and produced her orange blade so that it was pointed at Kintaro's head. The knight stood his ground. Ryoko lunged at his head. Two tones sang out as Ryoko's blade was knocked away and Kintaro's white blade pointed at Ryoko's nose only an inch away from her face.
"Match." Lord Katsuhito said calmly before sipping his tea. Ryoko gulped. Kintaro replaced his blade on his belt then stood in his original position.
"Incredible!" Tenchi blurted.
"Indeed. It has been a while since I've seen anything of the sort." Lord Katsuhito said as he adjusted his glasses.
"That was…fast." Ryoko admitted as she took a few steps away from the knight.
"I thought I heard…" A voice sounded from stairs. A sleepy Sasami stopped mid-sentence when she saw her mother.
"Mommy!" Sasami cried out.
"Sasami!" Lady Misaki cried with equal enthusiasm. Sasami ran to her mother and the two hugged.
"I'm so glad to see you, mommy!" Sasami said through sobs.
"I've missed you so much." Lady Misaki said. The two hugged and carried on for a while.
"Are you going to stay for a while?" Ayeka asked upon entering the living room with a few trays.
"Unfortunately, we are unable to stay as long as we would like." Lady Funaho stated.
"Sasami stepped back from Lady Misaki and saw Kintaro standing across the living room. Sasami's face lit up upon seeing him.
"Kin!" Sasami sang out once more as she ran over to the knight. Kintaro's facial features softened and a slight smile came to his face as the little princess ran up to him and hugged him around his waste.
"Look at that!" Lady Misaki whispered to Lady Funaho.
"That's the first time I've seen him smile in a long, long time." Lady Misaki continued. Lady Funaho nodded.
"My you have grown, little sister." Kintaro said as he patted Sasami's head.
"I thought I heard your song. I would know it anywhere." Sasami laughed. Tenchi looked confused.
"When Sasami was younger, she used to wait for Kintaro's practice routines so she could listen to the melodies he made. The two of them are very close." Lady Misaki clarified.
"Why are you here?" Sasami asked noticing her mother, who was captain of the Royal Bodyguard, and Kintaro, who was now second in command, were far from the king's side. Lady Misaki smiled brightly.
"We won't be around for a while and we know a certain someone's birthday is coming so we decided to stop by and give her her presents early." Lady Misaki announced.
"Really?" Sasami squealed.
"Really." Lady Funaho assured as she produced a extravagantly decorated box from behind her. She handed the box to Sasami. Sasami was so awed by the packing that she was unsure of how to open the box without damaging it.
"Just rip into it, kiddo." Ryoko suggested. Sasami looked at Ryoko then smiled. She tore the packing off in no time. Sasami removed the lid to the box and removed a dark violet dress of unmatched quality. The dress had a Janex Flower embroidered on the front and precious stones spackled the reaminder. Sasami pulled the soft fabric to her face.
"It's so soft." Sasami said.
"It's Janextrom." Ryoko said with wide eyes upon recognizing the material. Sasami pulled the dress away from her face in order to examine the material. Sasami looked back to Lady Funaho. Lady Funaho smiled softly.
"Ryoko has a good eye. It is Janextrom." Lady Funaho confirmed.
"But that's what I wanted for my…" Ayeka started but was unable to finish due to the look she got from Lady Misaki.
"I mean that is a very nice gift." Ayeka managed to say.
"It's perfect. Thank you." Sasami said as she hugged the dress.
"What's Janextrom?" Tenchi asked.
"Janextrom is a material that comes from a very rare plant that grows in the tropics on Jurai. The Janex flower produces a singular thread of Janextrom per year. The thread is amazingly tough and once dyed, never loses its color." Washu explained.
"Oh." Tenchi said not being very impressed.
"Washu left out the part about that dress being worth more than ten times its wait in diamonds." Ryoko remarked. Tenchi looked back to the dress Sasami was holding.
"Woh." Tenchi said.
"It seems that I can't out do Lady Funaho's present. I guess I shouldn't even try." Lady Misaki said with mock sadness.
"Please mommy!" Sasami pleaded. Lady Misaki grinned and handed Sasami a small red box that fit in her hand. Sasami untied the single piece of ribbon across the top of the box and opened it. Sasami gasped upon seeing what was in it. Sasami pulled out a tapered strand of blue glowing stones with one large stone in the middle.
"No lady should be without Sidarian Ice." Lady Misaki commented. Sasami was speechless as was Ryoko, Ayeka and Washu.
"They are beautiful, Sasami." Tenchi said not really knowing what else to say.
"Does daddy know about this?" Sasami asked.
"This will be our little secret." Lady Misaki said.
"You shouldn't leave something like that on this planet unguarded." Ayeka protested. Lady Misaki looked to Lady Funaho and smiled. Tenchi looked to Ryoko expecting an explanation.
"Let's just say, only a queen could afford something like that." Ryoko said still recovering from her shock.
"Thank you, mommy." Sasami said.
"Your father wanted to be here more than anything too but he has pressing business that needs to be taken care of." Lady Misaki said. Sasami looked disappointed.
"However, I think you'll enjoy his present most of all." Lady Misaki said. Sasami looked for the next package but there was none to be seen. Sasami looked confused.
"Your father has granted you a Guardian." Lady Misaki said with glee. Sasami was ecstatic.
"Really!!" Sasami yelled.
"What?" Ayeka protested without hesitation. Lady Funaho, Lady Misaki and Lord Katsuhito looked at Ayeka unfavorably. Ayeka calmed down quickly.
"I mean I'm very happy for you Sasami." Ayeka said with no conviction.
"Where is he?" Sasami said as she looked around the room.
"He's right over there." Lady Misaki said as she pointed across the room. Sasami whipped around to see Kintaro standing in the same place with a slight smile on his face.
"Kin is going to be my Guardian?!" Sasami spouted.
"I'm at your service, highness." Kintaro said as he saluted Sasami with his white blade.
"This is the best birthday I've ever had." Sasami said before bursting into tears. Misaki hurried over to Sasami and hugged her.
"I'm so happy you like everything. I'm sure Master Sejukira will take good care of you." Lady Misaki said.
"I don't understand." Tenchi admitted.
"When a princess is appointed a guardian, she is free to go wherever she wants and do whatever she wants. The guardian will keep her safe no matter where she is. Normally, guardians are fashioned by Royal Craftsmen to last forever just as Ayeka's were. The original guardians were Knights of Jurai. This honor hasn't been bestowed on a knight for countless generations. I believe the last knight to receive this duty was a Sejukira. It is only fitting that a Sejukira should be called on to be a Guardian once more." Lord Katsuhito finished.
More to Come…