Chapter Twelve
"I'm not sure what we should make of any of this."
Azusa frowned, casting his sister in law a troubled glance as he paced across his quarters, pausing to glance briefly at his own reflection in the mirror pool. "You say Sasami's reflection was different - as if it was enchanted - and I can't explain that by any rational thought. Haru and I suspect the child may be right - that Tsunami has been awoken and has somehow decided to use Sasami as her vessel for communication. But I hoped...I hoped it would not prove to be the case. She is too young for any of this."
"I'm afraid for her." Misaki admitted. "Azusa, she believes she's not growing up as Sasami any more, but as Tsunami. She's become obsessed with the idea, but I can't shake it from her head. And having seen how she looked...well, I'm beginning to fear it more and more. The young woman was dressed in imperial robes, as if she was the Empress of this planet. But Sasami is not in contention for such a title. In order for that to be the future..."
"I will have to die, and Ayeka also." Azusa said heavily. "Not to mention any heirs Ayeka and Takeru might produce. Plus, Sasami hasn't shown any signs of awakening Jurai power within her before all of this. Why Tsunami would choose an untrained little girl is beyond me. Of your daughters, Ayeka has always been the one with the potential. She's intelligent, dedicated and she has the magic burning inside her. You know that, when she was born, the seer predicted that she would have great magic at her disposal. That's why she was chosen to be my heir and successor to the throne of Jurai, even though Haru and Aiko both still lived then."
"I know." Misaki inclined her head slightly. "It was a great honour bestowed on our line, Azusa-dono. But Sasami..."
"Sasami is something else." Azusa agreed, rubbing his beard thoughtfully. "And I'm at a loss how we best resolve it. If the legend is coming to life - and Tsunami really is rising again to protect our people, then there must be a danger lurking somewhere in the future. It must tie in with everything that's happened so far. Kagato. Souja's tree. Maybe I was remiss in allowing Washu Hakubi to leave Jurai so easily. Maybe Haru was right after all - perhaps interrogating the woman might have given us some clue. As it is..."
"As it is, my daughter is turning into a stranger and I can't take it." Misaki's voice shook. "I want my Sasami back, Azusa. This is wrong - she wasn't meant for something like this."
"I may be Emperor, but I cannot challenge the will of the Goddess." Azusa said helplessly. "The magic she bestows in me as Lord of this world is only a shadow of the magic attributed to the Tree of Life. If Sasami really is channelling Tsunami-sama, then there is nothing I can do to intervene. Nothing any of us can do. You know that Tsunami's magic surpasses everything else. It's the heart that beats within this planet...the foundation of all life across Jurai. How can I see to challenge that?"
Misaki closed her eyes, tears glistening on her cheeks.
"I understand." She choked. "But she's still my baby, Azusa. And this makes me afraid."
"It is concerning for all of us." Azusa agreed gravely. "But I think we can only stop and listen to the child - hear her voice where we've been dismissing her words. Maybe she can tell us something - some way to help us. And if Tsunami is trying to contact us through Sasami, however unlikely it may be...well, it's time we listened. If there is a threat to Jurai, as Emperor, it would be remiss of me to ignore it."
Misaki bowed her head.
"As you wish, Azusa-heika." She said softly. "I know you must do what's best for this planet above all else. But I am Sasami's mother, and as such I'm going to do what's best for my little girl...whatever that may prove to be."
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"How the hell are we supposed to get into there?"
Ryoko leant across Ryo Ohki's controls as the big Science Academy complex hoved into view. "We don't know the first thing about this place, and as far as I know, they're pretty hot on security. Do you think they're going to let us just walk in and interrogate them about my mother?"
"Probably not, but you do have her pass." Tenchi pointed out. "Maybe you can use that to get in. I can always wait for you here, with Ryo Ohki...if it's been a long time since Kichi was here, they might not recognise her name and you might be able to slip under the radar."
"I don't think so." Ryoko glanced down at the pass in her hand, then shook her head. "No, Tenchi. I'm pretty sure these things have DNA chips in them. Once before, I remember Washu made fake ones for Mihoshi and Kiyone when she sent them on an errand here. They're more than just name badges. Someone would clock me for sure."
"So we have to find another way." Tenchi pursed his lips. "Did you think of just walking up to the door and knocking?"
Ryoko raised an eyebrow.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Well, did you?" Tenchi spread his hands. "They might let you in. You never know."
"Maybe we've been doing too much flying. Your brain is in backwards." Ryoko looked amused. "This is the Science Academy. It's not happy hour at the local space station. They're anal as hell about their secrecy here."
"So what are we going to do?"
Ryoko sighed, glancing at her hands.
"I guess we're going to play at being pirates." She said reluctantly. "We're going to break in, Tenchi. And hope to God we're not caught."
"That's a risk, isn't it?" Tenchi looked startled. "Thinking of your probation and all, Ryoko - what if you do get caught? It wouldn't take much to get the Galaxy Police back interested in you again."
"I know, but do you have a better idea?" Ryoko spread her hands. "Look. Trust me, all right? Ryo Ohki can beam us down somewhere secluded - somewhere at the back of the complex. We'll phase into the main building, and see if we can grab uniforms from somewhere or someone along the way. At a glance, noone will notice us if we're dressed to match anyone else. We'll just have to hope noone asks us for identification."
"I guess it's the best we've got." Tenchi sighed. "All right. I'll trust you. But be careful, all right? I don't want you going back to jail!"
Ryoko paused, reaching up a hand to touch his cheek. For a moment she looked at him, tenderness flickering in the depths of her gold eyes. Then she smiled.
"Thanks for the concern." She murmured. "But I've never yet been caught in the middle of a raid."
She slipped Kichi's pass into the folds of her dress, then cast a glance upwards.
"Ryo Ohki, you know what to do." She commanded. "We'll be back as soon as we can be, so don't go anywhere without us, all right? And for heaven's sake, keep quiet. We don't want to draw attention to you."
Ryo Ohki let out a muted miaow, as the cockpit became flooded with soft reddish light, and the two would-be pirates were beamed down onto one of the many walkways that spun out of the main complex like spider legs.
"So now where do we go?" Tenchi glanced around him. Ryoko pursed her lips.
"If we could find out what department my mother was working in, it would save a lot of time." She admitted. "Unfortunately, without Washu's help, we've no way of hacking into any computer system. However, what we do know is that she must have met up with Kagato at some point. And if you think about it, that old place on Jurai where I sheltered looked like it could have been a lab at one point, before it was used to store unwanted bits and pieces. So if you think about it, what we have to find out is whether or not the Science Academy ever had a base on Jurai."
"That's supposed to be simpler?" Tenchi raised an eyebrow. Ryoko shrugged.
"I don't know." She admitted. "But at least it's a start. Now shut up and take my hand, will you? We'll have to phase through the security door and hope there isn't a protective field over it. There shouldn't be, since Ryo Ohki's dumped us where she has, but hold on tight, okay? If you loose my grip, you might find yourself stuck in the middle of a door, and that would be messy."
"I get the picture." Tenchi grabbed hold of her hand, holding it tightly, and Ryoko sent him a mischievous smile.
"Tenchi, you're such a flirt." She teased, and Tenchi rolled his eyes.
"Come on." He said, though there was amusement in his dark brown eyes. "Before someone comes and wonders why we're having to walk through the door instead of opening it."
"You got it." Ryoko nodded her head determinedly. Then, focusing her energy on seperating her atoms, she pushed through the door, pulling Tenchi with her. Her worst fears were not realised as they slipped through into the main thoroughfare without incident, and she let out her breath in a rush, closing her eyes briefly.
"I really was afraid they'd have had something to zap us, regardless of whether this is a back route." She admitted. "I'm sure I'm not the only person in the galaxy who can phase."
"No, but that's quite some door." Tenchi reached up to rub his temples. "I thought we'd be in there forever. I'm glad I don't do walking through things as a rule, Ryoko. I have no idea how you can enjoy being split apart like that."
"Aw, poor baby." Ryoko grinned. "It's practice, that's all. Besides, your molecules probably aren't built for it. Mine are."
"Which way do you suppose we go?" Tenchi glanced ahead of them, seeing several corridors running off at all angles. "We can't search the whole complex - can we?"
"Doubtful. Someone will rumble us." Ryoko shook her head. "No. Right now we stand out like sore thumbs, too. Either we grab some unsuspecting academy students, or we find a locker room, and fast. We need to be inconspicuous if we're going to walk around the..."
"Can I help you?"
Before Ryoko could finish her sentence, a voice interrupted them and as one person they swung around, meeting the sober gaze of a young man, his hair in a long tail down his back and no emotion in his slate grey eyes. With a start, Ryoko realised he was some kind of droid, and she let out a curse.
"And I thought security was lax here." She muttered. "I spoke to soon."
"Can I help you?" The droid repeated his question, and a hand shot out from his body, grasping Ryoko around the wrists. "Please state your name and department."
"Uh...Kichi Itokawa." Ryoko sent Tenchi a troubled look, struggling to release herself from the droid's grip. "Damn it! I can't phase through it - it must be some kind of alloy that's to dense to shift apart!"
"Checking database." The droid's expression glazed for a moment, then characters began to zip across his eyes. A holographic image of a woman appeared in the hallway, and Ryoko let out an exclamation.
"Crap. That's her. That's my mother." She said apprehensively. "Which means that even after all this time they have her data on record. Give me a hand here, will you? Don't just stand there - I can't do anything while he's got my hands held like this!"
"Right." Tenchi reached across to grab the droid, trying to wrestle his companion's hands free, but further arms shot out of the security droid, snapping around his wrists with a disconcerting click.
"Please state your name and department." The droid repeated.
"Kichi Itokawa." Ryoko tried again.
"Scanning genetic memory..." The droid whirred, then the hologram burst into shards of light, dazzling them both for a second or two. "Match inconclusive. Please state your name and department."
"I think we're in trouble." Tenchi said quietly. "How do you propose we..."
"Generating genetic match. Prince of Jurai." The droid cut across him, and the grip around his wrists suddenly went slack. "Ten...chi Masaki Jur...ai. Welcome to the Science Academy, sir. Sorry for any in..con...venience."
"Well, that's just lovely." Ryoko kicked out at the droid. "Will you let me go, you damn thing? I'm with him!"
"Scanning genetic memory..."
"Oh, for heaven's sake!" Ryoko exclaimed, closing her eyes and forcing her hands together. There was an almighty burst of light and the droid's arms exploded into thousands of little pieces, dotting the walls on either side with tiny shards of shrapnel. "I did ask nicely the first time, you know!"
"Ryoko, are you trying to alert people to the fact we're here?" Tenchi's expression became one of alarm. "I think blowing off half of their security droid is probably going to make them just a little bit suspicious that something is afoot."
"It's all right for you." Ryoko snapped back. "Apparently if you're a Prince of Jurai, you're beyond suspicion. Trust that to show up in your genes like a goddamn beacon. Do they rule the whole universe now, or something?"
"Scanning gene..gene...genetic memory." The droid faltered, but bore down on Ryoko once again, emitting a thin beam of light from the centre of it's brow and bathing her in a soft greenish glow. "Searching for match..."
"Oh, so you want another round, do you?" Ryoko demanded, sparks flying from her fingers as she prepared to attack the robot once more, but Tenchi grabbed her by the hand.
"We should get out of here." he said quietly. "Before someone comes to investigate the new wallpaper. Come on, Ryoko! It's just a robot. You wanted to keep a low profile!"
"Yeah, and now I want to kick it's butt." Ryoko glowered. "Why do all machines think they're so smart, Tenchi? I'll blow it's head off - then it won't think it's so clever."
"Ryoko!"
"Genetic match found." The droid's voice broke across the brewing argument, making both stop and stare. "Partial gene identification. Science Academy file 239-445-80. Searching for further data..."
"Right, that's it. We're getting out of here." Tenchi said firmly, tightening his grip on Ryoko's wrist and pulling her forcibly down the corridor and down the first turning they came to.
"But I could have had him!"
"I don't care. We're not here to beat up robots. We're here to find out about your mother...priorities!" Tenchi snapped back. "Just shut up and come on, will you? God only knows what they'll think when they see what you made of their welcoming committee."
"Well, it's bad manners to grab a lady when you haven't even introduced yourself." Ryoko protested. "Besides, he was being a jerk anyway. I'm as Juraian as you are, Tenchi. More, possibly. But he picked up on your genes and he didn't even touch on mine. What's that about?"
"I'm the wrong person to ask, but I don't think it's at the top of our question list." Tenchi returned. "Maybe because your genes are Kagato's and he's pretty much the devil in these parts?"
"Figures." Ryoko groaned. "Another club I'm kicked out of before I even begin. This place sucks, Tenchi. Maybe coming here wasn't such a good idea."
"Well, now we're inside, aren't we going to see if we can find something out?" Tenchi asked, as they slowed their pace to a walk. "I think we lost our robot friend, at least for the time being. Presumably there are more of his kind dotted around the place."
"I see a storeroom up ahead." Ryoko pointed. "They must have spare uniforms or something in there, Tenchi. At least then we can look the part, even if we can't be it."
"I guess so." Tenchi nodded. "All right. And make sure you don't lose Kichi's hall pass. Just in case we need it."
"We won't fool anyone with that." Ryoko shook her head, grabbing him by the hand and phasing them both into the little storage unit. Sure enough, spare Science Academy uniforms hung among the many bits and pieces, and Tenchi grabbed the first two that came to hand, tossing one to his companion who glanced at it with a frown.
"Yeah, this looks about right." She reflected. "Nerd suits."
"They're not so bad as they could be." Tenchi objected. "Are you going to put it on?"
"Why? Do you want to watch me change?" Ryoko raised a teasing eyebrow, and Tenchi groaned, shaking his head.
"You never miss a chance, do you?" He responded, turning his back and Ryoko chuckled, quickly changing into the academy uniform. She picked up Kichi's pass from the discarded dress, scooping it up and pushing it to one side.
"We can come back for these clothes after, if we have the time." She said. "I'm glad I wore that dress...if we leave here in a hurry, I won't miss it."
"You know, the Science Academy uniform looks cute on you." Tenchi teased, turning back to face her. Ryoko grimaced, glancing down at herself.
"Yeah, right. I look like Washu, only prettier." She said darkly. "Not my choice of haute couture, I'm telling you now."
She paused, pursing her lips.
"Tenchi?"
"Yes?"
"What do you think that robot meant?"
"What do you mean?"
"When you dragged us out of there...he said something about a partial genetic match and then spewed numbers at us." Ryoko frowned. "What do you think he meant?"
"Ryoko, you'd just blown his arms off. I suspect he got a bit addled." Tenchi said dryly. "I think anyone is bound to get confused when they've been dismembered by an angry space pirate, don't you?"
"Possibly." Ryoko owned, a pink tint touching her cheeks. "Sorry about that. He made me mad, that's all."
"It's okay." Tenchi assured her. "Just don't blow up anything else, okay?"
"I'll try not to."
"I'd have hated to have been a security official, when you were staging a break in or a raid, you know." Tenchi reflected, as they made their way cautiously back out into the corridor. "You must have scared them half to death."
"Maybe." Ryoko gave him a knowing grin. "Maybe not. I have other charms than explosions, you know."
"Figures." Tenchi rolled his eyes. "I should have known."
"So where do you think we should head next?" Ryoko pursed her lips, examining the corridors carefully. "They all look the same to me, that's for sure. I don't even know which one we came down."
"Me either." Tenchi owned. "But if we keep walking, maybe we'll find something useful. A clue...or someone we can ask."
"Someone we can ask?" Ryoko raised an eyebrow. "Such as?"
"Well, I can ask them." Tenchi amended. "Prince of Jurai, remember?"
"Yeah, yeah." Ryoko pulled a graphic face. "Teacher's pet."
Tenchi laughed.
"Come on." He said affectionately, slipping his hand into hers. "We're not getting anywhere hanging around here."
"Stop right there!"
As they turned a corner, they were confronted by a row of droids similar to the one Ryoko had assaulted, and the pirate cursed, shaking her head.
"Guess he went and told his friends." She said darkly. "Leave this to me, Tenchi."
She launched herself into the air, but before she could send a barrage of energy in the direction of the hapless robots, Tenchi grabbed her arm, pulling her back down.
"No, we're going to do this my way, this time." He said with a slight shake of his head. "Stay there. Let me try."
"Fine." Disgruntled, Ryoko folded her arms across her chest. "Wow them with Juraian charm. See if I care."
"State your name and your department."
A fresh voice came from the centre of the massing robots, and as they watched, a man stepped out from between them, a look of icy professionalism on his face. This was no robot, Ryoko realised, and at the sight of the stun gun in his hand, she bit her lip.
"Now what?" She hissed. "Your diplomacy is going just great, Tenchi. Way to go."
"Shut up and let me handle it." Tenchi shot back. "Just trust me. All right?"
"State your name and department, stranger." The man repeated his request, his tone becoming more insistant. "Who are you and how did you get in here?"
"My name is Tenchi Masaki." Tenchi said slowly, holding up both his hands to show he was unarmed. "I am a Prince of Jurai, cousin to the Crown Princess Ayeka."
The man narrowed his gaze. He flicked a finger at the nearest robot, who ran the thin green beam over Tenchi's body, then blinked his eyes.
"Genetic structure confirmed. Prince of Jurai." The metallic tones reported. "Ten..chi Masaki Jurai."
The man lowered his weapon, eying Tenchi doubtfully. His gaze wandered to Ryoko, who sent him a dirty glare back. For a moment there was silence, then the man spoke.
"What is your business here, Tenchi Masaki Jurai?" He asked softly. "We were not expecting envoys from the Imperial Throne."
"Ayeka-denka has just become Crown Princess, and as such, wishes to know all is in order across the Universe." Tenchi said quietly. "We are here on her authority."
"This is unexpected and irregular. Jurai always sends word..."
"The Crown Princess is not someone to be argued with." Tenchi cut across the man's protestations. "Or you can take this matter up with her, of course."
The man sighed, resignation on his face.
"Very well, Tenchi Masaki Jurai." He acknowledged. "The Science Academy relies heavily on Juraian support, as you well know. We will not offend the Crown Princess by refusing entry to her honoured cousin."
He cast another glance at Ryoko.
"And her?"
"She's with me." Tenchi said simply. Ryoko offered another glower, and the man pursed his lips.
"I see." He said, walking across towards the pirate and stopping mere feet away.
"Your name, Miss?"
"Kichi Itokawa." Ryoko said sullenly. The man shook his head.
"Don't lie to me." He said frankly. "You carry her pass but you are not Kichi Itokawa."
"Prove it." Ryoko met his gaze with a piercing one of her own. "If I have her pass and I claim her name, who are you to prove me wrong?"
"Kichi Itokawa's brother." The man's gaze was equally steely. "Akira Itokawa. And my sister is long dead...so guess again."
Silence greeted his statement, then Ryoko muttered a string of curses.
"That's just my luck." She muttered. "I should have known she'd have family wrapped up in this dump as well."
"Your name, Miss?" Akira's gaze was unflinching. Ryoko bit her lip.
"Ryoko." She admitted unwillingly. "I guess...I guess Ryoko Itokawa. I suppose."
The man seemed confused, and Tenchi stepped forward, resting a hand on Ryoko's shoulders.
"Kichi Itokawa was her mother." He said softly. "My companion is engaged on top secret business for the Crown of Jurai. Ayeka-denka sent us here to discover all we could about Kichi Itokawa and her work here at the Science Academy, and so Ryoko-san was a logical choice to accompany me. Before Kichi-san died, she was working on something top secret - something to Jurai's benefit. Ayeka-denka wants a full report, and that's why we are here."
Ryoko shot Tenchi a stunned look, and Tenchi shrugged his shoulders. Akira's brows knitted together and he shook his head. Turning to the lead robot, he gestured again, and the thin beam shot out across the hallway, enveloping Ryoko briefly in it's glow.
"Partial gene identification. Science Academy file 239-445-80."
Akira's eyes narrowed.
"My droid doesn't agree with you." He said flatly. "Do you want to try one more time?"
"What?" Indignation flared in Ryoko's golden eyes. "Look, buddy, we told you the truth, all right? Kichi Itokawa was my mother and I know that, so you can't tell me I'm lying to you! I was there when she was murdered! I saw what they did to her - what happened to her. It was on Yubisu...in a little house at the back of beyond, and nobody lives there now. Just off the square. Don't tell me I don't know about my own parents, because I know them all right! Just because my genes don't match hers exactly doesn't mean I'm not her daughter! It doesn't work that way, you know, and my father's gene pool is pretty obnoxious! It's probably blocking your scanners - but don't tell me I'm not Kichi Itokawa's daughter!"
Electricity flared from her fingers, and Akira pursed his lips.
"You believe what you're saying, and you have the facts to back it up." He admitted unwillingly. "But Kichi had no children when she died."
"Your turn to guess again." Ryoko shot back. "Look, are you going to help us or arrest us? Ayeka's a moody woman at the best of times, and she'll rip fire into you if you keep treating us like escaped convicts!"
"Ryoko..." Tenchi said warningly, but Akira slid his weapon back into his belt, holding up his hands.
"I am a scientist." He said quietly. "And so was my sister. Whatever memories you have, however real or otherwise, I believe you are here in good faith. After all, you are in the company of a Prince of Jurai."
He gestured to the robots, and as one they withdrew, clearing the corridor behind him.
"But I think it would be better if I accompany you around the Academy." He added. "In order that nothing untoward occurs. You must understand that secrecy is very important to us here.""
"Great." Ryoko muttered, sending Tenchi a sidelong glance. "So kind of you."
"Can you tell us what Kichi-san was working on, when she passed away?" Tenchi returned the look with a warning glance. "Obviously I realise it must have been a great loss to you, when she died. I hope we're not dragging up ancient history for you."
"No, actually, not at all." Akira shook his head, as they fell into step with him, heading through the corridors of the complex. "Kichi and I weren't all that close when she was killed. Certainly not close enough for me to mind her death more than a passing thought. We'd drifted away from one another - she no longer spoke to me about things in the way she once did. She turned her back on it all, you see. Without a word, without even an explanation...she left the Academy."
"That would be because of me." Ryoko said pointedly. "Did you think of that?"
"Kichi is not your mother, Ryoko-san." The man shook his head. "That's impossible...as you would realise if you had known Kichi."
"Well, I wasn't given much of a chance." Ryoko flared up again. "She was murdered, if you hadn't forgotten!"
"Yes, so I recall." A faint flicker of emotion stirred in the depths of Akira's eyes, but it was gone as soon as it had come and the pirate wondered if she had imagined it. "But you were asking about Kichi's work. Well, she was a brilliant scientist, that goes without saying. The brightest star. She was heavily involved in the study of magic and native cultures - she worked extensively on the premise that magical ability and scientific calculation could be brought into the same world - and more, that science could regulate magic enough to make it predictable and manageable within a reasonable set of perameters."
"So she was some kind of sorcerer?" Tenchi ventured. Akira's eyes narrowed, and he shook his head.
"Kichi was a scholar. Not a charlatan." He said coldly. "No. But she did study intensively the different types of magic the universe held. She was firmly of the belief she could catalogue and manage all of these strains into some kind of overall logic. Maybe even generate a way of better using the power she discovered for the benefit of everyone."
"Like the magic of Jurai?" Ryoko suggested. Akira nodded.
"Yes and no." He agreed. "Juraian magic fascinated her deeply, it's true. But she never managed to pin down whatever it was that made it work. She read the legends, of course. The stories about Tsunami-kami-sama and the Tree of Life. And she deduced from that that the tribal princess must have died young and been buried deep into the planet's soil, beneath the roots of that tree. Yet she was never able to come up with a satisfactory hypothesis for life on Jurai. It foxed her right up till the day she left."
He frowned.
"It's funny you should come asking after Kichi." He added. "I read a report that Professor Washu Hakubi was lately in the company of the Princess Ayeka...Kichi worked very closely with Professor Hakubi on several projects. They were associates for many, many years."
"Washu?" Ryoko's eyes opened wide with shock. "She never told us that!"
"Washu worked with Kichi on the magic of Jurai?" Tenchi's brows knitted together in confusion. "Is that what you're saying?"
"I presume so." Akira shrugged. "Kichi never really spoke about the work Professor Hakubi focused on. Let's just say that the woman isn't really well remembered here at the Academy. You know, I'm sure, if you are acquainted with her, that her genius burns brightly but often reflects insanity. She was removed from the Academy for this reason."
"Yes, we know about that." Tenchi inclined his head. "She is temperamental and unpredictable, it's true."
Ryoko drew her brows together as she digested this information fully. Then, at length, she spoke.
"Did Kichi ever go to Jurai?" She asked. Akira shook his head.
"No. No, she never did." He replied. "Washu Hakubi did, though, on several occasions during the summer of one particular year. In fact, it was the summer before Kichi left the Academy."
A shadow touched his face.
"You must understand that my sister idolised Professor Hakubi." He added. "I never quite understood why. But I remember her being very excited about some top secret project or other - something that Washu-sensei had brought back with her from Jurai. I didn't ever learn the details. Shortly after that, Kichi left the Academy for good."
"And Washu-san?"
"Professor Hakubi remained at the Academy until her behaviour became so outrageous that the authorities were forced to take steps." Akira pursed his lips. "But you probably know that she was forcibly imprisoned and exiled after that particular incident. Let's just say that a depopulated planet disappeared after she ran a few tests - if it had been a planet containing life, she would have been treated more harshly. As it was...she was lucky. But there was intense pressure on our council of elders to take action. The planet in question belonged to Jurai, you see - it was part of the Lady Aiko's domain."
"Lady...Aiko?." Ryoko's eyes narrowed, then, "Akira-san, tell me something?"
"Yes?"
"What is that file number that the droid quoted at me? What does it mean?"
"It's just a reference. Nothing more."
"No, it's obviously something more." Ryoko shook her head. "Partial genetic match...what was that about?"
Akira sighed, glancing at Tenchi.
"Is this really necessary, Tenchi-denka?" He asked softly. Tenchi glanced at Ryoko, then nodded his head.
"Please." He agreed. "If you don't mind."
"The file in question is one we don't like to talk about." He admitted. "It relates to a project put into play by a Prince of Jurai - not dissimilar to your good self, at least on outward appearances."
"Let me guess." Ryoko curled her lip. "Prince Kagato."
"Yes." Akira looked surprised. "How did you know that?"
"It figures." Ryoko grimaced. "Kagato was my father."
Akira flitted his eyes over her, then he frowned.
"I see. Yes. That would account for it." He agreed. "Kagato's genetic ident is stored on our computer system, along with many others. The case in question relates to his work on Jurai, however. Interestingly, on a project intertwined with Kichi's own research. I believe Professor Hakubi was also involved - but it was a long time ago now. I'm almost sure, however, that she studied on Jurai under the patronage of that household. Kagato-dono put much money into research at one time. And a lot of that went into the coffers of Professor Hakubi's division."
"Now, that is interesting." Ryoko looked thoughtful. "Washu has a lot of skeletons in her closet, doesn't she, Tenchi? No wonder she's so mad keen on doing something about Kagato. She worked for him - she must have ticked him off pretty badly, if she's so set on getting shot of him."
"In fact, the Lord Kagato was the one who put pressure on the council of elders when they exiled Professor Hakubi to the earth." Akira rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I remember it now. They didn't give her a secondary hearing, which is customary in all of our disciplinary cases. He said it had been an insult to his mother, and made the idea of an appeal untenable."
"Who would have thought." Ryoko shot Tenchi a glance, her tone rich with irony. "She comes across as such a good, quiet girl."
"There isn't much more I can tell you on Kichi-chan's work." Akira admitted, as they reached a door at the end of the hall. He keyed in a rapid sequence of digits and the door swung open. "There is very little on the computer systems here. Most of it was erased after she left the Academy. We don't know how or why...or even by who. But it was almost a conscious attempt by someone to undermine my sister's standing in this establishment. She was a brilliant woman, I told you that. But the records we have left indicate less than a semestre's work. We can't account for it...but it's the way it is."
"You've already given us a lot of information." Tenchi assured him. "More than we expected to find, really. Ayeka-denka will be well pleased to learn all of this, I'm sure. After all, I think she's making her own study into her planet's native magic. Knowing how far on other research has gotten is going to be of great value to her and her scientists on Jurai."
"Indeed." A ghost of a smile touched Akira's lips. "Kichi would have liked that."
He crossed the laboratory, reaching across to flick a switch and the room became illuminated with light as screens flickered into life all around the room. Settling himself in front of one of them, he keyed in his pass code, running his finger over the print scanner and then speaking his name into the microphone. A list of documents flashed up on the screen, and he selected one, opening it and gesturing towards the screen.
"This is all we have." He said. "I can have a copy of this sent to Jurai, if you think it would help Ayeka-denka with her work. It's not top secret - it's not even very in depth. But most of her reports are gone...so it's the best I can offer."
"Yes. Do that." Tenchi nodded. "Even if it is just a little bit. Especially if it's about Tsunami-sama. I think Ayeka-dono has a special interest in that subject."
"Very well." Akira agreed. "I will make sure it is done as soon as possible."
He cast a glance at Ryoko, then slowly shook his head.
"I don't know what else to say, except that you have been gravely misled about your past." He said solemnly. "Maybe you were with Kichi when she died, Ryoko-san, but you are not her daughter. Of that I can be sure."
"Oh yeah?" Ryoko's eyes narrowed. "And what makes you so sure?"
"This." Akira flashed up another file on the screen, tapping the delicate membrane that flickered with light. "Kichi was the youngest of my siblings, but you will have realised there is little resemblance between us. This is because Kichi's genetic structure is immaculate. Mine is not."
"Immaculate?" Tenchi frowned. "Meaning what, exactly? Perfect?"
"Unchangeable." Akira shook his head. "Very few of her kind are born on my planet. Those that are usually die within the first few years of life. Their structure is such that they cannot develop and change as others do, and therefore they are susceptible to physical weakness. Kichi was an exception - she compensated for her physical frailty with massive reserves of elemental strength - she was fragile and slight, but strong as an ox when it came to her use of magical ability. That is why she chose the path she did...her fascination with magical attributes became a lifetime obsession, as she strove to fix the failings within her own body."
"Fine, I see that." Ryoko nodded. "I have magics that I didn't inherit from my father. But what has this to do with her being my mother?"
"Simply put, those born like Kichi are unable to reproduce." Akira shrugged his shoulders. "Kichi could not have been your mother, Ryoko-san. Having children of her own would have been an impossibility. Maybe she took you in - even adopted you. But she was not your natural mother. Of that you can be quite sure."
