AH yes, more stuff I must add here I suppose. Um, if you the uber reader hasnt read this somewhere, I thought I put it somewhere but I guess not , the story is a cross between Universe and the OAV. Reason behind this is because there are aspects about both I like a lot. And Im trying hard to incorporate them both into one main storyline type thing. Like example would be that Tenchi can perform light hawk wings, as he will do so at late times, but to my believing (and this is jsut me here) I dont think he can just bust em out at any given time along with all his other strengths. I believe to some extent that he has the powers, just not sure how to use them fully as of this story. And yeah, Ryoko is the daughter of Washu. Oav 7 or 8 explains that if Im thinking right.Also, updating ish going to be slow still . D: School AP exams and what not, making my life harder then it should be . Poop...Anyways, Yeah. :D . Err Back to the story :D.
Ch 8 No Need For Hostile Negotiations.
"You've got to do something!" Ayeka said, tears swelling in her eyes. The news hadn't gone to well with. "I mean, this is all your fault! If anything happens to her..."
She was yelling at Washu, who didnt look all that cheerful herself. They were aboard the Yagami in the 'living room' space in its cargo hanger. Everyone had a look of worry on their face.
"Now, now Ayeka. This isnt Washu's fault. It's nobodies fault..." Tenchi said trying to calm her down. Ayeka started to break down. She cried into Tenchi's shoulder, who was trying to sooth her.
"What are we going to do then?" Mihoshi asked.
"Well theres only really one thing we can do, and that's go to this Renevire place and get her back. Ill burn it to the ground if I have to." Zack said angry. Ryoko nodded in agreement.
"We'll all go there and tear that place up to get her back. Make 'em wish they never kidnaped her." Ryoko said standing up.
"...Hold your horses a second." Washu said looking up from her lap. "We don't know if she's there or not, so don't go there causing trouble just yet..."
Ayeka looked up, still teary eyed. "W-what do you mean. How can you be so cold. They deserve that."
"Look, if we go in there guns-ablaze, and she's not there, then what?" Washu said. She was starting to get her composure back.
"We need to come up with a plan. They will most knowingly want something for her return." Kiyone said agreeing with Washu. "We will all go for starters, and see what it is they want. In the mean time, you all need to get a grip of yourselves so we can do this without a problem. If any of you is to emotional, you should stay here. Making 'them' mad will only hurt Sasami in the long run. Its about a quarter to six now, so Im going to get myself cleaned up and ready to go. I suggest you all do the same if your coming."
She got up from her spot and walked off. Everyone was a bit aw-struck at the authority. Washu stood up and left as well.
"I guess I should probably clean myself up a little, too..."Ryoko said. Mihoshi agreed and joined her. Zack went back to the Zenith to get "some things" as he called it, leaving only Tenchi and Ayeka.
"Don't worry, Ayeka. We will get her back. I promise. Now lets go get you cleaned up so you are ready to go as well." He said, reassuring her. She hugged him close and they walked off to get ready.
45 minutes passed by fairly rapidly, and everyone was set. Washu was wearing her science academy outfit, and Ryoko was in her standard apparel, as Kiyone and Mihoshi also wore their same outfits. Because they were going outside once again, Ayeka had to wear what she had been wearing the night before with Kiyone and Ryoko. Tenchi dressed in his blue jeans and dark brown over heavy shirt and black undershirt and Zack came back with his earth clothes and a bag he had slung around his shoulder.
"Whats in the bag?" Ryoko asked.
"Stuff in case things get out of hand. Er, by the way, any of you know where this place is?" Zack replied and then questioned. Everyone began to look grim for a second, realizing they didnt know where the place was. Just a name was all they had to go by. Washu summoned her holo-computer and began a search for such a place.
"A ha! Found it...urk.." Washu said. She face faultered
"What is it?" asked Tenchi.
"The place is across the city, and to fly there would be the best way to get there, only there's no place to land on that side of the city. Besides, flying the Yagami there might not be bright. So we have to walk on foot it seems..." Washu explained.
"Wait what? Why don't we just use the Ryo-Oh-Ki?" Ryoko questioned, not keen on the idea.
"Have you happened to notice that Ryo-Oh-Ki isnt around? And that you cant contact her?" Washu said, making Ryoko realize it.
"I've got a small cruiser on the Zenith. Its made for landing parties, so it will hold all of us. Just don't expect it to be a luxury car or anything..." Zack said. "To the Zenith!"
"Err hold it a sec there, what do you mean by cruiser?" Tenchi questioned.
"Oh err, well it can hold 25 people, excluding pilots, has to forward mounted cannons, and a rear turret, and what not. Can reach space for temporary amounts of time, and has pretty good armor. You know the usual."
"Ah...I see..." Tenchi said.
They followed Zack back to the Zenith and from there to the deployment section on the Zenith. It was on the underside, and the cruiser connected firmly to the ship and was shielded with a small plate door and under side turrets. Zack plugged in a key code and the door to the cruiser slid open.
"After you." he said signaling for Tenchi and the others to get on. He got on last and went aboard to the front and sat down in a cockpit seat. The seats were along the side walls and faced eachother. A center divider went down the middle of the spacious cabin. Towards the back end of the cruiser two sat small 'lunar' vehicles. Zack typed in start codes into the console and the ship began to whirr and rumble. A blast shield pulled down giving Zack a full overhead view. Start sequences came up. The cabin filled with white light to illuminate it.
"Err Alright, I havent flown this in a while, so this will be a bumpy ride.." Zack stated.
Everyone grimaced at his words. The ship lurched forward and then backwards. Ryoko hit her head.
"Hey, take it easy!" Ryoko said rubbing the sore spot with one hand and clenching her other fist
"Er, sorry.." Zack said from the helm. The engines revved and they were soon flying.
"We'll be there in a few minutes, I think..." Zack said as he piloted the cruiser out of the hanger into the air. Lights flashed by below. A surreal but calm feeling came from watching the lights. To the moment, it seemed like the lights were quite pretty to watch, but knowing that these lights glowed in a city wrought with evil, they could almost hate them just as much as they enjoyed the view.
"I think that's it up ahead..." Zack said. They looked out the window at the massive building on the horizon. The smaller buildings, and even some of the near by sky scrapers, were dwarfed by this pyramid like building. Its silhouette gave it an ominous and evil feel, and Zack began to have second thoughts of even coming to meet at such a place. The surface of the building appeared to be obsidian in nature with no visible windows or balconies. Just a smooth face that met a 'trench' mid way up and then continued with its smooth surface. "I think there's a landing spot over there."
He motioned to a small clearing where other 'vehicles' seemed to be. The craft made a slow descent came to a rough stop as it touched down on the ground.
"Luxury cruise is right..." Ryoko said standing up and stretching out.
They hopped out from the small cruiser and proceeded to look around. A few street lights lit the clearing and tall walls separated the clearing from the obsidian pyramid. They walked along the walls till they came to a steel gate. It opened without even them making the slightest intention of entering or even knocking, as if it waited for them. Tenchi clenched his master key and Zack shifted the sack's weight he was carrying over one shoulder. They progressed with caution.
Inside the walls was much different then what was seen outside and In the rest of the city. Even though it was still dark, they could make out the shapes of trees and other plants. Grass grew lively along the walkways, and was sectioned in parts. Fountains gushed waters as multi colored lights focused their attention on the obsidian and marble center pieces of those fountains. They followed the smooth main walkway all the way up to a large steel, but ornate, door. This door also opened, but Tenchi and the others were greeted by guards in black suits. They said nothing, but motioned for them to follow.
After a few hallways and turns and some more security, they came to an elevator. The brass elevator doors slid open and a ding rang, and they walked in.
"I don't like this..." Ryoko said, looking around the elevator.
"They haven't even bothered to check us for weapons" Kiyone said, feeling just as uneasy. "They are way to inviting."
"Just keep your cool, both of you." Washu said. (Especially you Ryoko. I know this place bothers you, it does me as well. But last thing we need is for you to upset someone, so discharge.)
Ryoko tensed up for a moment, then sighed. She let go of the energy she was beginning to gather in her hand, that Washu had keenly noticed.
"If we all just stay calm, nothing will go wrong. But don't let your guards down." Tenchi said in a serious tone. It was obvious he didnt like the set up either. Floors seemed to fly by, but eventually the elevator gave a slight jerk and stopped. The brass doors slid open again, accompanied with another ding. In front of them was a long corridor, with wooden double doors at its end. The corridor was lit by small lamps, and the ground was carpeted red. Wooden panals covered the walls, each engraved with a picture of some epic battle or mythological god. A potted shrub seemed to sit at every pillar in this hall way. It was kind of like some fancy hotel, in a way.
They walked down the hallway, Tenchi leading, Zack bringing up the rear. They reached the double doors in no time. Tenchi paused for a moment and took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. He pushed the double doors open and walked in.
It was a large office that was decorated in much the same manner. Along the wall opposite of Tenchi were windows over looking the city. A long table with many decorative chairs placed at it ran down its sides to the very end, where a large chair was turned away from him.
"Ah... So you came. Excellent.." Came a voice from in front of the chair.
"Give us back Sasami!" Ayeka yelled running forward and cutting to the chase.
"Hm?" Came the voice again. The chair swivelled around. A tall man with well built features sat before them. His eyes were slender and were an unforgiving red, but wore a smile that seemed friendly. He had a small trimmed beared and mustache and his jet black hair was slicked back. On his nose sat a small pair of spectacles. "My, my. I've always heard that Jurai's royal family was very reserved. But by looking at you, princess, and the way you just addressed me, I guess what I've heard was wrong."
Ayeka stepped back in shock and anger at the response. It was not what he said, but how he said it. He did not even feel a bit threatened by her tone of voice or the fact that he was outnumbered 8 to one. He stood up, his white suit shimmered in the soft glow of the lights. He adjusted his maroon tie. "Allow me to introduce myself first. My name is Raphael Vasquez. I am the son of the Famous ..." Vasquez began, but was interrupted.
"Oh cut the crap. We want Sasami back, so hand her over to us, now!" Ryoko said, this time stepping out in front. Everyone followed up behind her.
"Haha... everyone does seem to be rather impatient today. Very well, lets get down to business." Vasquez said sitting down again.
"Yes, lets. The idea is very simple. You give us back Sasami right now, and we will let you off without a beating. If not, your in a world of hurt." Ryoko said slamming her fist into the table. Where she hit instantly splintered and caused a crack down the center of the table.
"Oh, really? That was a nice table you just cracked...Anyways, If you haven't noticed, there are no guards out there. And neither did I check for weapons, which you all obviously have in your pockets or something there of. You really think that if I really thought of you as a threat, I would have let you walk in here armed to the teeth? I expected you to be much more perceptive, Ryoko." Vasquez said cooly. He kicked his feet up on the table and folded his hands across his chest. Ryoko gave him a funny angered look. She didnt know what to make of this Vasquez charecter.
"H-how'd you know my name?" Ryoko asked.
"Oh I pretty much know all of you. I know about the princess Ayeka there, and you Ryoko. I know that short red head is the great scientist Washu, and those two ladies in the back there are the 'ex-GP' officers Kiyone and Mihoshi, who are now assassins. I also know that Dracadian there is the Emmisary of the Order of the Blaze. Only one I don't know about really is that boy there. Some lot you sure did get yourself involved with." Vasquez replied. He was taunting them with the way he spoke and acted. "You see, I am the most powerful man on this side of the planet. Im the leader of the Obsidian Jaguars, or in simpler terms, Im the leader of one of the last two syndicates on this planet."
"Yeah, so what. You going to cooperate or are you going to just shoot your mouth off." Ryoko said.
"Well, arent you the tough one. If you think Im all bark and no bite, come at me. But keep in mind, even if you do manage to defeat me, you will lose her." He said cooly as a sadistic smile began to cross his face.
"What do you plan to do to her?" Washu said, taking over Ryoko's position of authority.
"Ah someone with a head on their shoulders now? As I was saying, I hold the trump card. I alone know where your dear Sasami is. And you will get her back, if you do something for me in return." the white suit replied.
"What is it you want?" Washu questioned.
"As I said, I am the most powerful man on THIS side of the planet. But thats not good enough. I want complete control of the planet. Oh sure, theres this 'provisional government' that's supposed to be in charge, but that's merely a figure head. The real power lies with the syndicates. I have over the last 15 years driven out 3 other syndicates by myself. And It was no easy task, might I add. But my last opponent is a strong one, and it seems nothing I do is actually working. But now the opportunity presents itself." explained Vasquez.
"So you want complete control of the planet for Sasami. Meaning you want us to take out your adversary for you." Washu said.
"Not quite, but close. My opponent has slowly been gaining strength due to one thing. There's a competition called the Battle Royale. Its held here on this planet, and is open to anyone brave enough and strong enough to join. It's a 1 on 1 death match. The last man standing wins. Well, my opponent's syndicate has had one of their boys, to be exact, the son of their leader, enter and win that competition for the last 4 years. Because of his raw strength and vitality, he has given the image of power and superiority over our syndicate here. We cannot beat him. In fact, their winning streak is causing us to lose support within the syndicate. I don't want that. So the idea is simple, I will have you kill him in this competition, under the name of our syndicate, the Obsidian Jaguars. This crushing blow will prove that we can destroy our opponent with ease." Vasquez said.
"But how will that cause the defeat of the other syndicate. Its all meaningless." Kiyone said.
"Not quite. I could have at any time 'removed' their leader, but with knowledge that this strong, powerful, and intelligent individual with great ambition would come to power, it would have meant more trouble. With his death, and then the soon death of their leader that will follow, internal panic and strife will take hold, as smaller crime bosses try to take charge and they will fall apart, leaving us in charge." came the answer.
"And what if we refuse?" Tenchi asked with anger.
"Oh, you really don't have a choice in the matter. As I said, I only know where she is. If you don't accept, she will suffer the consequences. And they are very steep consequences. There are a lot of people on this planet would like to meet a Juraian princess, especially at her 'young and tender' age. If you're lucky, you may be able to buy her off the market in a few years, if she's still alive then." Vasquez grinned sadistically. "So what is your answer?"
"If you lay ONE hand on her, I swear that Ill..Ill...Ill" Ayeka began to stammer.
"Or you'll what? You don't seem to realize that there's nothing you can do! As long as Im the only one who knows of her where abouts. Besides, If its not people on this planet that wont defile her, Im sure the Juraian military might have some interest in her." Vasquez shot back.
"You sick bastard!" Zack said taking off the pouch and reaching inside it, but Tenchi held up his arm to signal him to stop.
"Fine, we'll do it. When does this competition begin and where?" Tenchi asked.
"Very good choice. To sum it up, it starts in 2 days. Ill send information to your ships later. Just remember that if you attempt to screw me over in any way, or if you fail, she pays the price. So don't fail." Vasquez said, as he swivelled his chair around.
"You just remember to stick to your end of the deal." Tenchi said.
"Don't worry about my end. I may have unorthodox ways of getting people to do my bidding, but when I make a deal, it's a deal." Vasquez said without even turning around. Tenchi turned and left. Everyone followed him out in silence.
When they were back outside and leaving through the main gates, Ayeka ran up to him. "You really arent going to go join that competition. Isn't there something else that can be done?"
"No. He was serious. I could see it in his eyes." Tenchi said. His expression was serious and worried at first, but changed to light hearted and warm. "Besides, I don't plan on killing anyone in the competition. Right, Washu?"
Washu smiled and winked at him. "Thats right. Ill fix something special up for this. Don't want to take any chances that someone wont play dirty themselves and hurt Tenchi there either."
They flew back the way they came and reached the hanger again. They docked with the Zenith and got out, headed back to the Yagami in a bit of an awkward but grim silence about the horrible turn of events, and went to sleep, not saying much of anything.
Morning came, though no one could really tell since the way the planet was. Everyone resumed what they were doing the day before, but with much haste. Anxiety was running high through everyone, for a few reasons. The messenger from Vasquez was supposed to arrive very soon, and the trouble Sasami was in and the delicate matter of the situation, everyone didnt know what to think of it. The day passed and almost no word came from the syndicate leader.
"Damn, maybe that bastard was lying to us after all." Ryoko said, beginning to become very irritated at the delay.
"Im sure he will send us the information." Tenchi said in a low but reassuring voice.
"Well, he sure is taking his damn time..." Ryoko said punching a steel post in the Yagami's make shift hanger/ home. It creaked and bent under the force of the punch. "If he doesn't hurry up soon, Im going to go pay him a little visit and show hi..."
A buzzing noise came from the outside.
"Hm, looks like someone just dropped something off..." Kiyone said looking out a nearby window. Tenchi went down to get it and came back up. It was information regarding the tournament that Vasquez promised to send them.
"Lets see... starts the day after tomorrow...10 million Jurai cash prize among other things..." Washu said examining the document sent.
"So what are the rules and what not. Wheres it at?" Zack said, attempting reading over Washu's shoulder.
"Well, its pretty much as Vasquez said. A 1 on 1 death match. The fighting arenas change over the coarse of the competition. There are no real rules other then you must either kill your opponent or throw him out of the ring, which is probably certain death anyways. Doesnt say much more then that. It will be hosted at the 'Colosseum'? Interesting. Register before the first match. 1000 Jurai by in per contestant. It seems that this is also being hosted by large companies, that I assume are controlled by the syndicates." Washu said reading the small fine print on the document. "Hm, more questions and strange hypocrisies..."
"Indeed. This planet is a strange set of circumstances in itself." came the familiar voice from the corner of the room.
"Indeed it does...wait what! Who are you and where'd you come from?" Washu said just realizing the presence of the new voice.
"Hey its that barkeep from the other night..." Kiyone said.
"You really should have listened to my advice, Detective Kiyone." the barkeep said, giving a small sigh. "Unfortunately, the situation has now gotten much worse."
"Just who are you, mister?" Ryoko said in a hostile voice. She recalled the barkeep as well, and his sudden presence made him seem even out of place in this mixed up world they were on.
"I am the section leader of the Espionage and Covert Operations for the Galaxy Police. You can call me, Mr. E for short."
(What a fitting name...) Washu said under her breath.
"What do you want with us?" Zack said.
"I've come to help you get Sasami back. It is important that the Royal Family comes to no harm at a time like this in the Galaxy." replied Mr. E.
"So, the GP knows about the coup and about us and all?" Kiyone asked.
"Yes, our section knows all about the happenings on Jurai, but we cant interfere. GP is an independent organization from that of Jurai, and we have our own affairs to attend to as well. This planet is one of them. Thats a story, however for another time. I've come to tell you to just get ready to leave. Our boys will find her in no time and bring her to you safely." answered Mr. E.
"No, I don't think so, Mr. E. I had a feeling that there was more to this planet then meets the eyes." Washu said somewhat defiantly. Mr. E gave her a funny look and she elaborated. " I knew when I set my eyes upon the skies coming here. Those emp clouds above us are not a natural phenomenon on this planet, and the way this planet was set up to screams colony. Just what is your business with this planet. Why do they use Jurai if they hate the Jurai government so much? And those electrical towers off about 10 miles from the edges fo towns, what are those? Are they what I think they are?"
Mr. E smiled warmly. "I guess I could not try to hide anything from the greatest scientist in the universe then, Miss Washu. Alright, Ill give you a summed up version then. Those towers are indeed what you think they are, but not quite. About 1200 years ago, a project started by the Jurai Royal family to expand the control of the Juraian Empire and create more planets that could host life for populating. The technology for terra forming then was not so advanced. The ideas for the terra formers were the ideas and schematics you had made before your disappearance. Unfortunately, we did not know how to assemble the machines and they were built incorrectly. They functioned fine on most planets through out this region of the galaxy, and the process began smoothly. About 1000 years ago, the planet had been colonized and cities were rising up all over. But unfortunately, the terra formers malfunctioned on virtually all the planets, each giving harsh effects to the atmospheres. On this planet, it was a permanent later of cloud cover that generated small electromagnetic pulses. This made communication and control of the planet very difficult. It was soon taken over by 8 syndicates, and the planet began to degrade. The system which everything was set up continued to be used, such as the currency and what not."
"8 Syndicates? But Vasquez said he took down 3..." Mihoshi said, trying to figure this out herself, but no avail.
"He did, in a way. But anyways. Colonists continued to live on the planet even under the control of the syndicates. The 8 syndicates stayed that way, and Jurai abandoned the planet finally, leaving it to our care. We began operations to take it back under our control and it worked. 700 years came and we gained control and 5 of the syndicates disappeared. The other 3 disbanded to form the provisional government that we see today. Not everyone in the syndicates had good intentions. Among some of the leaders, the idea was that if they could not control the planet through the syndicates, they would through the government. So the government was corrupt in some places, but over all, kept the peace and enforced the laws. Order seemed to be restored. Unfortunately, this peace would only last 200 or so years. The syndicates went underground while more colonists came to the strange planet. They were gaining power and favor among small businesses and what not, and then a revolution you could say occured. The syndicates returned in a temporary alliance and through out the control the GP had over the planet. That wasteland above the planet has some of the remains of the battle we had over the planet. The last 5 syndicates ahve since had control over the planet, and dug in. My job and my division had a simple task, undermine the workings of each syndicate. Which we have been for the last 15 years. After the fall of the second to last, we would forcibly destroy the last syndicate, but we havent had much success with getting the last syndicates to fall." finished up Mr. E.
"Oh so does that mean your not really a bartender?" Mihoshi asked. Mr. E just kind of looked at her in a funny way. "What? What is it.?"
"Anyways, the best thing you can do is be prepared to leave at a moments notice, but in the mean time, do enter the fight." Mr. E said.
"Im going to take it you want us to enter the fight because it may make one of the two syndicates fall." Kiyone said.
"You are as good as they say you are, Detective. Anyways, yes. We will find the princess in no time, but your fight with them could prove to our usefulness as well. Please enter the fight to keep leading Vasquez along."
"We don't have much of a choice, as it is..." Tenchi said. "We will enter the competition, and fight it to win. If you fail to rescue her, we still may have to go through with Vasquez's wishes."
"Very wise of you, but we will not fail. Here." Mr. E said handing a disk to Washu. "This is information on an escape route. Once Sasami is found and we rescue her, speed is the essence. You wont have long until Vasquez has his men come for you. He will kill you all if he does find you."
"Don't worry, we've been through worse scrapes." Washu said smiling. Mr. E finally took his leave, once again warning them to be careful.
"Ill go register for this tomorrow, then." said Tenchi.
"Ill go as well." Zack said
"Same." Ryoko also said.
"Im also going to sign up." Ayeka said.
"Ayeka, we cant have you sign up too. It would be to dangerous." Tenchi said.
"She's my sister. I have to fight." Ayeka said with stubborn determination.
Tenchi looked at her, not sure what to say next. She was right, but she was also placing herself in danger. He did not want any harm to come to her, or for that matter, anyone else in the group.
"Don't worry, Tenchi. Ill make sure everything turns out fine. Besides, the more who enter, greater the chances of success" Washu said smiling.
"T-Thank you, Washu." Ayeka said, happy to have support from the scientist.
"Well, alright then. Lets all get some shut eye. I want to get well rested up and prepared for it tomarrow." Zack said. They all agreed to his proposal and went their ways. The lights dimmed and another long night of tranquility came. Ayeka, however, sat awake, worried about Sasami. It was not the same not having her around. She rolled over and tried to get some sleep, though it seemed it would not come easy for her.