Chapter Two
Another dead end.
The woman sat in the darkest corner of the bar, idly swirling the bright red liquid in her shot glass as she contemplated the situation. On the table in front of her was a photograph, charred and damaged but still recogniseable, and as her gaze touched it she frowned, setting down her drink and scooping it up, flattening it's curling edges as she glared at her foe's cheerful expression.
"Where are you, Ryoko?" She muttered, clenching her fist and bringing it down with a bang of frustration, causing the people nearest to her to jump and stare at her in surprise. "How can you keep eluding me this way?"
From across the other side of the black-wood corner table, a small blur of white fur leaped up onto the surface, settling himself down opposite and fixing her with a questioning look. The woman's eyes narrowed, and she nodded her head.
"I know." She muttered. "Another wasted trip. How can she disappear like this, Ken Ohki? We knew where she was. Where she'd gone. Ryo Ohki is no faster a craft than you are and you know her scent better than any ship in the galaxy. How can she still manage to hide from us? I don't understand it!"
Ken Ohki's ears dropped, and he sniffed at the discarded image, letting out a mew. He raised red eyes to hers, and her frown deepened.
"You have the same thought that I do." She admitted unwillingly. "Such a fool, to get involved in the problems of a planet like Jurai. I know what you're telling me, Ken Ohki. She might well be dead, for all we know. All we do know is that that man of hers got to Jurai safely, and that he got there aboard Ryo Ohki. That being the case, Ryoko's trail can't be so easily cold, surely? Ryo Ohki must still be in this sector! The fact that she's not...well, surely that should tell us that Ryoko survived her trip? That she's piloted her craft away from Jurai's territory in her usual, sneaky way?"
Ken Ohki rested his head on his paws, his expression pensive. His companion nodded, lifting her glass and draining the remains of the ruby liquid.
"Well, either way, she's not here." She acknowledged. "And nobody has seen her, so she's not been visiting her usual haunts since she left Jurai. I almost wonder if she's fool enough to return to Yagami, and risk the reception of Jurai's military. You know, that would be just like her, taking a gamble...but she knows that she wouldn't stand a chance, if she set foot on Jurai. Not even if she has lost her mind to this man of hers. No, she's somewhere out in space, Ken Ohki. Somewhere we just haven't looked yet, that's all. We got too involved in that ourselves, and wasted too much time. If we'd tracked her when she left Yagami, instead of providing her getaway, we might have some better clue as to where she is now. As it is..."
She trailed off, shaking her head.
"As it is, the hunt continues." She said quietly, getting to her feet and drawing her cloak more tightly around her as she gestured to Ken Ohki to re-take his usual perch on her shoulder. "Come, Ken Ohki. We've rested here long enough. She's out there somewhere, and if anyone is going to find her, it's going to be us. After all these years of pursuit, I won't have Ryoko taken from me by Jurai or by anyone!"
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"Detective Kiyone, Detective Mihoshi."
The voice of the Galaxy Police commander crackled out across Yagami's intercom device as he surveyed his two renegade officers, one neatly dressed in impeccable Galaxy Police uniform, the other with her hat askew on her head and her buttons done up in a haphazard, uneven manner down her front. To look at the two women, it would be hard to imagine how they ever managed to work together. And yet somehow they had pulled off the greatest success in Galaxy Police history. Thanks to their exploits, the true Princess of Jurai's royal family was safe.
He pursed his lips, glancing from one to the other as they stood there, saluting him sharply and then awaiting his further words.
"You understand, I think, the both of you, that events in recent weeks have been difficult on everyone." He said gravely, eying their expressions carefully as he did so. "And the Galaxy Police acknowledge wholeheartedly their error in judging you to have been part of a dark conspiracy. Now that the truth is out across the Galaxy, Jurai wish very much to see you both commended and rewarded for your diligence and honour in this quest to restore Ayeka-denka to her rightful position. There are many people here at Headquarters who are eager to see you back among us, reinstated officers once more."
"Thank you, sir." That was Kiyone, speaking in her usual measured tones as she faced her superior frankly. "It means a lot to both of us to clear our names of conspiracy and treason. Ayeka-denka is a good friend of Mihoshi and myself...but everything got a little out of hand. I'm glad that it's all been cleared up so successfully."
"Well, less easily than you might think." The sergeant acknowledged, his expression becoming troubled. "I don't suppose it matters that I pass this on to you, but higher up in the force there have been elements of...well, shall we say, corruption that have come to light since all of this was exposed? Several high ranking officers have already left their jobs, either by covert pressure or of their own accord. This means that the entirety of our administration will have to be reshuffled. I don't mind telling you that what we need now is security - and loyal, dedicated officers like yourselves to come back and fill those positions."
"Wow! Sir, do you really mean it?" Mihoshi's blue eyes widened with surprise and excitement, and the chief swallowed his misgivings, nodding his head.
"I do." He agreed. "We wish to reward your diligence by awarding both of you promotions - lucrative and influential positions back at Headquarters - and we await your return as soon as it can be arranged."
"Thank you, sir." Kiyone's eyes sparkled and the chief felt some of his doubts wane. At least, he mused, here was an officer he could count on to fulfil her new role to the limits. "We won't let you down, I promise."
"But do we have to leave Jurai right away?" Mihoshi pursed her lips. "You see, Ayeka and her family are our friends and well, there are all these celebrations and..."
"Mihoshi." Kiyone sent her a warning glance. "We're Galaxy Police officers. Duty comes before frivolity. You know that."
"No, I think you both deserve a short holiday, after everything you've been through." The chief eyed Mihoshi thoughtfully for a moment, then nodded his head. "Yes, in fact I'm sure of it. There is a lot of paperwork for us to sort out first, in any case, and we don't want to cause offence to the Lady Ayeka or her cousin Lord Tenchi. For the time being, given the delicacy of the situation, I think it would be best if you remained on Jurai as representatives of the Galaxy Police's fervent support for the true royal line. As you must realise, the last thing we want to do is upset Jurai any further."
"Oh yay!" Mihoshi clasped her hands together in excitement. "That means we can stay and party, Kiyone! Isn't that exciting?"
Kiyone hesitated for a moment, then she nodded her head.
"Yes, Mihoshi, I think it is." She agreed. She saluted the chief smartly once more, gratitude burning in her eyes. "Thank you for contacting us, sir, and for allowing us this time. It has been a crazy few weeks, but at least it's now over and we can all get back to normal. Just send word when you want Detective Mihoshi and I to return to Headquarters. Yagami is primed and ready to fly at a moment's notice."
"Indeed we will, Detective Kiyone." The chief nodded his head, returning the salute. "This is Headquarters, over and out."
The intercom screen flickered off, and he sat back in his chair, shaking his head slowly.
"There's still a lot of things I don't understand." He mused. "Detective Mihoshi has almost singlehandedly destroyed every assignment she has ever been sent to work on. There's no doubt that Detective Kiyone is one of our finest young graduates - but how they managed this is beyond belief. And to go against so much pressure...to resist Kagato's influence within the force even when they were on the brink of losing their positions - yes, there is much I don't understand."
"But we mustn't offend Jurai by refusing to honour our own people." His companion stepped down from his seat, coming to stand at the man's side. "As it is, our reputation has been severely tarnished by those of Kagato's people who already infiltrated our organisation. Pressure and influence is one thing, but when it affects our handling of the law, then we need to take a serious look at how we are operating. Kiyone and Mihoshi are friends with the Princess Ayeka and her cousin, Lord Tenchi. They may well be able to smooth relations much better than any official proclamation would. I think you were wise in letting them stay there a while. After all, regardless of who's hands Jurai is in, they are never a planet to be taken lightly."
"True enough, to our cost." The commander inclined his head. "Meanwhile, we must see to it that both Kiyone and Mihoshi are found positions suitably high up in the hierarchy. I have misgivings about giving Detective Mihoshi any real responsibility, but there's not much that we can do in the circumstances. I think we're better off just taking the risk and hoping for the best...perhaps she will surprise us."
"Perhaps." His companion considered for a moment, then, "Or perhaps we will just find her an important position that requires very little actual work."
"Yes, that might be a sensible course of action." The commander looked rueful. "I think that's what we'll do."
"And Kiyone?"
"Ah. Kiyone." The commander smiled. "She's another matter. This whole incident vexed me greatly - but now knowing the truth of it all, I respect her diligence twice as much as I ever did before. Her performance has always been tied down by her assignment to Mihoshi, and yet her loyalty to her partner cannot be questioned. It seemed a shame to break up their team, considering this was the only way to get any kind of result out of Detective Mihoshi. Now I think she should be rewarded. She might well miss her close partnership with Mihoshi to begin with - but in the end I think she'll appreciate the value of the position we can offer."
"I can't imagine how anyone could be fond of a scatterbrain like Mihoshi." His colleague reflected. "Kiyone must have the patience and dedication of a saint, never to ask for re-assignment."
"Well, she's one of the best we've ever had." The commander inclined his head slightly. "Devotion to her duty, whatever that duty may be. No, we can expect great things from Detective Kiyone. I'm sure of that, now more than ever."
He glanced at the control panel to his side, then,
"Will you have Officer Mitsuki sent to me, please?" He added. "She's in your department, I believe."
"Mitsuki?" His companion looked surprised. "But I thought she was under suspicion of conspiracy also?"
"No...her name has been cleared." The commander shook his head. "She was merely following the orders of her superior, and I'm sure she'd like a chance to get back into the force's good books. After all, she was one of Kiyone's class - and they were, with the exception of Mihoshi, the most promising class we've ever had at the Academy. It would be a shame to waste all that training."
"Indeed." His colleague reflected. "So what would you have me do with her, then? I mean, what do you have in mind?"
"Ah." The commander smiled. "I'm going to assign her to Kiyone's department, since they're old friends and I think it would be good for them both. Yes, I have a lot of reorganisation to do - and Mitsuki might as well be involved in it, since it will affect her too."
"Very well." The man saluted. "I commend your line of thought, Commander. I'll see to it that Mitsuki is with you before the afternoon is out."
"Thank you." The commander acknowledged the salute with one of his own. "That will be well. And then, well, then we can stop and look at the rest of this mess and see how best the Galaxy Police can preserve their reputation in all of this!"
---
"Well, that was intense."
Back on Jurai, Kiyone cast a glance at the silent communication screen of her spaceship. "Mihoshi, I half thought you were about to tell the chief we'd been hanging out and just having fun since this all began. You do realise that there are a lot of things we're going to have to leave out of our report. That is, if we want to get these promotions they keep dangling in front of our noses."
"Kiyone, you worry too much." Mihoshi shrugged her shoulders, reaching over to grasp her companion loosely by the hand. "Come on, will you? They said we could stay, so let's stay already! Sasami said she'd show us all around the Royal Palace this afternoon, and you know you're dying to see all the rooms and everything. And then tonight there's another big celebration banquet and Jurai food is just the best! You need to forget about work for a while. We're on holiday now, it's official! Our report can wait."
"Easy for you to say." Kiyone rubbed her temples. "I have a feeling I'll be the one writing it, just to make sure nothing gets into it that shouldn't be there."
"I don't understand what you mean." As they left the spaceship, returning to Jurai land, Mihoshi cast her companion a quizzical look. "We helped rescue the Princess Ayeka and save Jurai from Kagato, didn't we?"
"Yes, we did."
"So what's wrong with that? I don't get it."
"Well, a few things." Kiyone sighed. "How do you suppose it's going to look if we put in our report that yes, the wanted Space Pirate Ryoko just happened to be aboard Yagami for the whole of the escapade, and yes, we knew she was living on the Earth but we didn't arrest her or bring her in for questioning. Do you think they're going to love us any if they find out how much time we've been spending with a wanted criminal?"
"But Ryoko is our friend." Mihoshi looked confused. "Isn't she?"
"Yes, she is. That's the point I'm trying to make." Kiyone looked exasperated. "Galaxy Police officers shouldn't be friendly with pirates. It doesn't look good on our record, that's all."
"But Ryoko isn't here now. She didn't come to Jurai." Mihoshi said matter-of-factly. "What are you worrying about? She isn't even here. How would they even know?"
"Well, that's why I'm writing our report." Kiyone said grimly. "But one thing is for sure, Mihoshi. Whatever you do say about our time in space and with Ayeka and Sasami - you mustn't mention Ryoko's name to anyone who wasn't there with us. You understand me? I know that Jurai's council have done their best to cover up and downplay her involvement in everything, and we must do the same. Ryoko knew it as much as us, that's why she didn't come back to Yagami after she took Tenchi to Jurai. So remember that, all right? Ryoko is our friend, but she's gone now, and noone need know we ever spoke to her."
Mihoshi's brow creased in a frown.
"All right." She said at length. "But it doesn't seem a very nice thing to do. Just forgetting her, and all. And besides, what about when the military chased Ryo Ohki? They must know she was with us, and they must think it was okay that she was...don't you think so?"
"Let's not push our luck by finding out." Kiyone responded. "I mean it, Mihoshi. Not a word when we get back to Headquarters. All right?"
"Okay." Mihoshi sighed. "I'll do as you say, Kiyone. But I still think it's mean. Ryoko might be a space pirate and a wanted criminal but she's fun to hang out with and I don't see why we couldn't still hang out together even if we went back to Headquarters. I mean, it isn't like she really did pirate things while we were on the run and besides, we've all been wanted criminals now, haven't we? We weren't guilty so maybe Ryoko isn't either. Did you think of that?"
Kiyone raised an eyebrow.
"Sometimes I wonder about your brain." She said with a resigned sigh. "Just do as I tell you, okay? And don't argue. It's simpler."
"I suppose so."
"Let's go find Sasami, anyway. See what she has to show us." Kiyone suggested, and Mihoshi's shadowed blue eyes lit up at this.
"Yes, lets." She agreed, the conversation of a moment ago already forgotten. "I've never been to a real Royal Palace before, Kiyone - isn't it just so exciting to be here?"
"It is a great honour." Kiyone admitted. "I have to tell you, there were times I didn't think we'd actually make it to Jurai, let alone clear our names. We've been very lucky, Mihoshi. That's for sure."
"Maybe." Mihoshi pursed her lips. "But you know, we didn't do anything wrong. So it was always going to work out in the end, Kiyone. Remember, only guilty people get put in jail. Isn't that what they taught us at the Academy?"
"I wish I could say it was always true." Kiyone murmured, raising her hand in a wave as the younger Princess of Jurai came hurrying across the grass to meet them with little regard for either her status or the expensive garments which she wore. She offered them a wide beam as she approached, and Kiyone returned it warmly.
"Well, Sasami, we're all yours." She said gently. "We've spoken to Headquarters and they've given us leave to stay on here a while longer."
"Oh, goodie." Sasami's eyes lit up at this. "I hoped they would. It'll be so boring when you all go away and we've had so much fun together, haven't we?"
"We have." Mihoshi agreed. She pursed her lips, a sad look in her eyes. "Guess I didn't think about going back to Headquarters as meaning we'd be going away for good, but I guess it will mean that, won't it? And if we're there instead of out in space in Yagami, well, we won't be visiting any time soon either. That sucks, Kiyone. Maybe we don't need to be promoted after all."
"Maybe you should button your lip." Kiyone raised an eyebrow. "And you were the one who didn't want to talk about work when we had free time. So shut up about Headquarters, will you? For the time being, none of that matters."
"I suppose you're right." Mihoshi sighed. "Okay, Sasami. I want to see everything and I mean everything in this place! Because I want to have lots of things to tell Ryoko the next time we see her, okay? Since she can't be here herself and all."
"Okay!" Sasami beamed. "Then follow me!"
