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'Mihoshi, I am detecting a vessel approximately 20,000 AUs from our current position. My scanners cannot properly identify it…'

'Hmm?' Mihoshi said as she looked round from where she had been dreamily staring out of the cockpit window. With golden-brown skin and blonde hair, she was dressed in the blue uniform of the Galaxy Police. 'What is it, Yukinojo…?'

'As I said,' Yukinojo replied, his domed form swinging round to face her. 'My scanners cannot identify it properly…'

'So…we should take a look…?'

'It…does seem suspicious, Mihoshi…'

'Alright,' Mihoshi said, showing no sign that she had noticed the irritation in Yukinojo's voice. 'Plot an intercept course…'

'…yes, Mihoshi…course plotted,' he reported, Mihoshi feeling the acceleration press her back into the flight seat for a second before the compensator kicked in. 'Estimated intercept in 1 minute, 10 seconds…'

'Open communications,' Mihoshi said, unconsciously straightening her hat. 'This is the Galaxy Police. Stop your engines and identify yourself…'

'The vessel has altered course and increased speed,' Yukinojo announced. 'Matching course and velocity…'

'This is the Galaxy Police,' Mihoshi repeated. 'Stop your engines at once…'

'Mihoshi! We are being targeted,' Yukinojo announced, just as the ship rocked from an energy blast. Mihoshi grabbed the control column, slamming it to the left, the next two blasts going wide. Her finger tightened on the trigger, a hail of energy blasts lancing out to destroy the cannon on the ship's rear.

'Ahhh. Yukinojo, how do we stop it..?'

'Analysing…I have isolated the primary power coupling. Computing targeting solution…'

An orange targeting reticle came up on the screen, blinking as Yukinojo locked on and Mihoshi squeezed the trigger, the shot striking the vessel amidships, it's engines spluttering and shutting down.

'We did it!' Mihoshi yelled, practically bouncing in her seat. 'Yukinojo, lock on the gravity beam…'

'Yes, Mihoshi.' Yukinojo said. 'And, what will we do now…?'

'…um…'

'Jurai is the closest allied planet. We can contact the GP and arrange for them to take the suspect into custody from there…'

'Good idea. Set course for Jurai…'

'…yes, Mihoshi…'

#####################

'Attention, Galaxy Police vessel. This is the Juraian Royal Fleet vessel Mizunagi. Please identify yourself…'

'This is Detective First Class Mihoshi. We have a suspect vessel in custody…'

'Understood, Detective Mihoshi. We will secure the vessel…'

Thank you. I will need to contact Galaxy Police Headquarters to arrange prisoner transfer…'

'Of course. We are sending landing co-ordinates, now…'

'Thank you. Yukinojo…?'

'Co-ordinates received, Mihoshi. Landing vector plotted. Entering atmosphere in 5…4…3…2…1…' Yukinojo reported, just as the ship bucked.

'Yukinojo! What's happening…?'

'We've lost our starboard primary engine. Atmospheric flight is compromised. Attempting to increase port engine power to compensate….'

'Yukinojo,' Mihoshi screeched, grabbing the controls, desperately trying to pull up. 'Do something! We're going to crash. Yukinojo!'

#####################

'Yukinojo…' Mihoshi muttered as she opened her eyes, finding herself lying in bed in an unfamiliar room. The walls were trimmed with panels of pale wood and a large curved window gave a view of the gardens outside. Instead of her uniform, she was dressed in a white nightgown.

'How are you feeling?'

Hearing the voice, Mihoshi looked round to see a blue-haired woman in a dark green robe trimmed with blue and gold sitting next to the bed.

'E…Empress Misaki…' Mihoshi stammered, struggling to sit up, wincing as pain shot through her neck and shoulder.

'Try to lie still,' Misaki said, helping her to sit and propping a pillow under her back.

'B…but, your majest…'

'It's alright,' Misaki said, gently. 'You were injured in the crash. We've healed you, but you'll need to rest for a few days…'

'What about Yukinojo…? Is he…?'

'He's fine,' Misaki said, picking up Mihoshi's communicator from the table next to the bed. 'He asked to speak to you when you woke up…'

'…Yukinojo…?' Mihoshi asked, taking the communicator and cradling it in her hand.

'Mihoshi. Oh,thank goodness you're awake…'

'…Yukinojo, are…Is everything okay…?'

'There is some minor damage to the outer hull and a few secondary systems, but nothing critical. I should be fully operational in a few days. How…are you feeling…?'

'…I'm…not too bad,' she said, wincing again as she shrugged.

'Alright,' Misaki said, firmly. 'That's enough for now. You need to get some rest…'

'Empress Misaki is right, Mihoshi,' Yukinojo said. 'Cellular regeneration is increased during REM sleep…'

'Thanks, Yukinojo. Good night…'

'…good night, Mihoshi…'

Misaki took the communicator from Mihoshi, placing it back on the bedside table and handing her a cup.

'It's tea,' Misaki said. 'It will help you sleep…'

Mihoshi hesitated before draining the cup. To her surprise, it was pleasantly sweet.

'…thank you,' she said, as Misaki took the cup and helped her lie down, tucking her in and pumping up the pillows.

'Sleep well, Mihoshi…'

#####################

Mihoshi woke with a groan as the knock came at the door and she struggled to sit up, shielding her eyes from the sunlight streaming through the window.

'Yes? Who is it?'

'Good morning, Mihoshi,' Misaki said, as she opened the door, placing the tray that she had been carrying on the bed side table. 'How are you feeling..?'

'…better. My neck's still sore…'

'It will take a few days to heal. If you can, you should eat something…'

'How are the repairs…? I need to contact the Galaxy Police and report to Headquarters…'

'I've already contacted Marshal Minami and explained what's happened. Two Jurai scout ships have been dispatched to take over your patrol…'

'I'm fine,' Mihoshi said, throwing back the covers and trying to sit up, Misaki stopping her with a hand on her shoulder.

'You need to get your strength back. Rest. Eat…'

#####################

Mihoshi picked half-heartedly at the food Misaki had left her before reaching out for her communicator.

'Yukinojo…'

'Mihoshi…?'

'I…want to prepare my report to the GP…'

'Mihoshi…you need to rest…'

'Please, Yukinojo…'

'…very well, Mihoshi. I have already filled out most of the report. I just need to you read it and sign it off…'

'Thank you,' Mihoshi said, calling up the report on her communicator and skimming it quickly, before acknowledging it with her thumbprint.

'You're welcome, Mihoshi…'

#####################

Mihoshi woke with a start as she heard the alarm, throwing back the covers and stumbling out of bed in her haste to get up. She was halfway towards the door before she realised that the insistent sound she had heard was the shrill calling of the birds outside the window and she slumped back onto the bed.

Relax. You're on Jurai. There's nothing to worry about…

Crawling back under the covers, she tossed and turned for a few minutes, before pushing the covers back again as she headed for the shower, stripping out of her nightgown as she went. Stepping under the shower, she sighed as the water caressed her neck, leaning against the wall and closing her eyes…

Tenbu System

2 weeks earlier

'All pilots, action stations. Action stations. All pilots, action stations…'

Mihoshi jolted awake as she heard the siren, scrambling out of bed and heading for the cockpit, struggling into her jacket on the way.

'Yukinojo…' she said, as she flung herself into the seat.

'Vessels are approaching the blockade, Mihoshi,' Yukinojo said, just as a light screen appeared in front of her.

'This is Marshall Feyin to all GP units. You know the ROE. Hold the line. Do not let them breach the blockade. And no lethal force unless absolutely necessary…'

With an effort, Mihoshi shook herself out of the memory, grabbing a towel and starting to dry herself off as she returned to the bedroom. Not even bothering to get dressed, she crawled back into bed and wrapped the covers around herself, staring out at the stars until she drifted off to sleep.

#####################

Mihoshi sat up, rubbing at her eyes as she heard a gentle knocking at the door.

'Mihoshi? Are you awake?'

'…yes,' Mihoshi said, pulling the covers up to her chin as Misaki opened the door, carrying another tray of food.

'…thank you,' Mihoshi mumbled, feeling her cheeks heat up as she saw Misaki glance at her nightdress lying on the floor.

'You're welcome. If you feel well enough, you're welcome to walk in the gardens or use the bathhouses.

'…thank you. I need to check on Yukinojo, first…'

'Of course…'

#####################

'Repairs are nearly complete,' the Juraian mechanic said, wiping his hands on a cloth as he closed the hatch on the starboard engine.

'Thank you,' Mihoshi said, bowing deeply. 'Can I go onboard…'

'Of course….'

'Thank you,' Mihoshi repeated, climbing through the access hatch into the cockpit where Yukinojo was waiting.

'…oh. Good morning, Mihoshi…'

'Good morning, Yukinojo. How are you feeling…?'

'Systems are at 99% of standard operation…' he reported and Mihoshi smiled.

'I'm glad. I'm…going to take a walk in the garden. Would you like to come…?' she asked, gesturing to her communicator.

'No, thank you, Mihoshi. I've been enjoying communicating with some of the Juraian ships. They have a fascinating perspective on quantum physics…'

'Alright. I'll come and see you later…'

#####################

Mihoshi sat on the bench under the trees of the garden, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her skin, the gentle sound of running water soothing her.

Maybe I'll just close my eyes for a minute…

#####################

'All vessels, do not allow them to breach the blockade. And no lethal force unless absolutely necessary…'

'There are three vessels approaching,' Yukinojo reported. 'If their tactics remain the same, they will try to force us to break off and create an opening. According to my analysis, they will withdraw at 800 AUs if they have not created a breach….'

'…are you sure?' Mihoshi asked.

'My data indicates a 96% probability. Vessels now closing to 1500 AUs…..1200…..1000…900…800…750…vessels are reversing course and withdrawing…'

Mihoshi breathed a sigh of relief, slumping back into the flight seat, just as alarms started to blare throughout the cockpit.

'Yukinojo..,?'

'We lost our starboard engine. Atmospheric flight is compromised. Attempting to increase power to port engine to compensate…'

'Yukinojo. We're going to crash. Yukinojo!'

'Mihoshi….Mihoshi…'

#####################

'…Mihoshi…Mihoshi…'

Mihoshi jerked awake to find Empress Misaki standing over her, a look of concern on her face.

'Mihoshi, are you alright…?'

'…yes. I'm alright,' Mihoshi said, forcing a smile as Misaki sat down next to her.

'I heard that you had been assigned to the Tenbu mission. I've read the reports from the Juraian officers who participated. It can't have been easy for you…'

'…no,' Mihoshi said. 'We were always on call and we'd need to be ready at a moment's notice. There were…days when we only managed to get a few minutes sleep at a time…'

She looked down, her voice trailing off and Misaki drew her into a hug, stroking her hair as she cries on her shoulder.

'Ssshhh…it's okay…'

'…I'm sorry,' Mihoshi said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

'You don't need to apologise. You're safe here and you don't need to return to the GP until you're ready…'

'…thank you…'

#####################

'…Yukinojo…?' Mihoshi asked, pausing with a forkful of cake halfway to her mouth.

'Yes, Mihoshi…?'

'Our last mission was difficult, wasn't it…?'

'…yes, Mihoshi. It was…'

'…now that the repairs are complete, we could go for a flight tomorrow…?'

'…I would like that…' Yukinojo replied, just as his eyes blinked. 'Mihoshi, I am receiving a call from Earth…'

A light screen appeared in front of her, showing Tenchi, Ryoko, Ayeka, Sasami, Ryo-Ohki, Washu and Katsuhito.

'See?' Ryoko said, her mane of blue hair stretching down her back. 'I told you she'd be alright. She's crashed so many times that there's no way she'd be hurt…'

'Ryoko!' Ayeka snapped, her purple hair carefully set into her usual severe style. 'How can you be so insensitive…?'

'What did you say, Princess…?' Ryoko said, dodging backwards as Ayeka lunged towards her.

'It's…good to see you, Mihoshi…' Tenchi said, running his hand through his black hair as he glanced towards Ayeka and Ryoko. 'How…are you feeling…?'

'I'm…a lot better,' Mihoshi said, just as Sasami leant forward, an earnest expression on her face, her blue hair tied back into her long pigtails.

'When are you coming home, Mihoshi?'

'I'm not sure…'

'Why…?' Sasami asked and Mihoshi hesitated.

'She'll need to make sure she's fully recovered before she makes the journey to Earth,' red-headed genius Washu said and Sasami nodded, although she looked crestfallen.

'…okay. Well, I'll make all your favourite foods for when you get back…'

'Thank you,' Mihoshi said. 'I'll see you all soon…'

#####################

'It's getting late,' Mihoshi said, closing the book she had been leafing through. 'I'm going to have a bath…'

'Of course, Mihoshi. I need to power down and finish running some diagnostics…'

'…alright. I'll see you in the morning. Good night, Yukinojo…'

'Good night, Mihoshi…'

#####################

Mihoshi stepped into the bathhouse, finding herself standing on a floating island with a large pool in the middle. Several smaller islands floated above them, water cascading from the with a soothing sound.

'Mihoshi…'

Misaki called and Mihoshi looked round to see her and Funaho seated in a small grotto at the back of the pool.

'I…I'm sorry,' Mihoshi stammered, beginning to back towards the exit, clutching her towel in front of her.

'You're welcome to stay,' Funaho said, gently. Mihoshi hesitated before discarding her towel and slipping into the water.

'Thank you…for your hospitality…' Mihoshi said and Misaki smiled.

'You're welcome,' she said, Mihoshi returning her smile as she sat back, closing her eyes.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any reviews, comments or constructive criticisms are very welcome.