Chapter Three
"I would have had him!"
Seiryo clenched his fists, glaring up at the communication screen as he did so. "Tokimi, what were you playing at! I was perfectly poised to destroy that pathetic pirate and bring Tenchi Masaki in for you to interrogate! Why did you pull me out of there? I'm not a coward...a Tennan does not flee from battle!"
"Calm yourself, Seiryo." Tokimi's voice was gentle, amusement dancing in her blue eyes as she surveyed his ill-temper. "You are impatient. I have waited a good deal of time for my revenge - I won't tolerate a single mistake. Your mission to the Earth served its purpose...you may be sure of that."
"What do you mean?" Seiryo looked suspicious. "I thought you were going to be straight with me! How am I supposed to help you if you won't keep me abreast of what's going on? I risked my reputation today with this raid - what if my senior officers got to hear of it? What then? I followed your orders to the letter, Tokimi! Explain yourself!"
Tokimi let out a peal of laughter, shaking her head.
"I told you once that Tenchi has powerful protectors." She said softly. "That is why you sought him in the town they call Osaka, where those forces were not so vigilant. But we must tread carefully. Have no fear about your reputation, Seiryo-san. The Earth is remote. The Galaxy Police no longer have the basic forces to patrol it on a regular basis, and the officers you took with you acted under the lure of my magic. They won't remember their trip, so do not fret. Nobody will get to hear of your little visit there today."
"But why did you send me there and make me face that space scum Ryoko, if you didn't intend me to grab the Masaki boy while I was there?" Seiryo demanded, banging his fist down on the control panel. "I could have been hurt...killed, even!"
"Like your father?" Tokimi tilted her head slightly, fixing him with an opaque smile. "That would be a shame...a double tragedy in the Tennan family, and both at the hands of pirates."
"Tokimi, stop it!" Rage flared up in the young man's heart. "Can't you answer a simple question? Why did I go to the Earth?"
"You were charged with delivering a very special cargo to the planet's surface, and you succeeded." Tokimi told him softly. "I am pleased with the progress you have already made, and now I must ask you to return to Galaxy Police Headquarters. Your access to the files there is crucial - you must develop some premise under which Tenchi Masaki can be brought in for questioning...so that when I am ready to interview him, you can go and take him at a moment's notice."
"I could have done so tonight." Seiryo muttered sullenly. Tokimi tut-tutted, shaking her head.
"We'll do things my way." She said chidingly. "Patience, Seiryo-san. Trust me. I know what I am doing. I understand better than you the trickery and duplicity of Tsunami. We must understand our enemy before we can conquer her. And so for now we'll treat the Masaki boy with honey...not with barbs. One step at a time. My plan is unfolding nicely."
"I still don't understand." Seiryo dropped down into the pilot's seat with very bad grace. "What cargo did I take to Earth? I didn't do anything of the sort. I challenged Tenchi Masaki and the worm ran from me. And I fought his precious pirate, and would have slain her if you hadn't have pulled me away."
"Killing her would not serve our purpose at present." Tokimi looked grave. "It would incur the wrath of one I want to avoid...at least for the time being. Ryoko is powerful but she is no match for my magic. I can always dispatch with her at a later date should she prove troublesome to our progress."
"And the cargo?"
"Ah." Tokimi's eyes flickered slightly, and she smiled. "How many officers did you take aboard your ship when you left Headquarters, Seiryo?"
"Five." Seiryo looked bemused. "But..."
He trailed off, his eyes narrowing. "Hang on a minute. There were four officers when I attacked that Earth venue...and four that came back aboard when you withdrew us from Earth's atmosphere. What happened to the other one?"
"What indeed." Tokimi's eyes danced playfully. "That was your precious cargo, Seiryo-san. The one who looks like many and feels nothing."
"Zero." Comprehension flooded Seiryo's expression, followed by indignation. "You mean to tell me that robot was aboard my craft? And you didn't even think to tell me?"
"What use would it be for you to know?" Tokimi shrugged. "Zero had her own orders and she has carried them out magnificently so far. Like you and the grovelling Dr Clay, she has her role to play in this as well. Robot or not, she has a talent and one I can use to my own ends. She may not have emotions of her own, but she can duplicate them perfectly...enough to fool even a nobleman of Jurai, dare I say?"
She cast Seiryo a coy smile, and Seiryo growled.
"She didn't fool me."
"Yes, she did." Tokimi said with a shrug. "But then, she was designed to fool. I alone look at her and see her for what she really is - cold and barren and programmed to obey."
"And so she's on the Earth now...for what purpose?" Seiryo asked. "Or is that too top secret for you to share with me as well?"
Tokimi smiled, shaking her head slowly.
"You're lucky. Your insolence amuses me more than it does anger me, and I am pleased with you tonight." She said reflectively. "If it was otherwise, your poor sister might find she was having a more difficult time than she already is. You know she cries for you most pitifully, Seiryo - you wouldn't want to fail her now, would you?"
"Leave Suki alone!" Seiryo exclaimed, clenching his fists. "You promised you'd protect her if I helped you and I am! Let her be!"
"I have no interest in hurting your sister." Tokimi said gently. "But I am interested in ensuring your continued obedience to my commands. Don't question me as much as you are, Seiryo. I will make clear to you everything that you need to know. Everything else...let it lie. It's not for you to wonder about."
"So you won't tell me about Zero's mission on the Earth, then?" Seiryo looked disgruntled. Tokimi smiled.
"She is merely doing what she does best." She said softly. "Gaining someone's trust."
-----
"And this just in. Last night a night club was set ablaze in the centre of Osaka during one of the busiest nights of the year. Eye witnesses report several strange occurances at the scene, none of which have been verified by local police, but the incident is being treated as highly suspicious. Police are asking anyone with any information to come forward."
The newscaster's solemn face switched to a man on the street, a microphone shoved in his face as he stared wide-eyed at the camera.
"There was this guy, and he set the whole place on fire...it was crazy and he came in a spaceship!" He exclaimed excitedly. "And then this girl came and blew him away with magic! It was wild!"
"It definitely looked like a spaceship of some sort to me." The tape cut to a woman, eying the screen thoughtfully. "And they were dressed in a funny uniform. The girl flew...someone said she was some kind of guardian angel."
"I was scared out of my life!" A third person confided. "It was like demons had come to take us away!"
Tenchi sighed, reaching across to flick off the television and for a moment there was silence. He cast a sidelong glance at his companion, taking in the preoccupation in her gaze. She had been like this since she had returned to the apartment the previous night, and the melancholy in her amber eyes tugged on his heart. She was not one to regret her actions, he knew that. But he knew only too well that she was regretting the previous night's adventures bitterly.
He reached over to squeeze her hand.
"It's all right, you know." He said softly. "Nobody there mentioned you by name and the cameras in the club would have been fried by that guy's fire - or in your ensuing battle. They'll probably put it down to some crazy new club drug or something...one that causes hallucinations. The club burnt down because something exploded in the back - that's all. They don't need to know any more than that."
"They already do." Ryoko spoke quietly, glancing at her hands. "So many people reporting the same thing? There's no way it's going to be dismissed. Besides, however that Tennan guy got in there, when the chaos has died down they'll find traces of the Galaxy Police fire bullets. Then questions will be asked. A lot of strange things happen, Tenchi...what if they dredge the lake behind your house and find the remains of Ryu Oh or the ship Sasami used when she first came to get Ayeka? Or bits of the original Ryo Ohki, for that matter. Those would be hard to explain away...and water can't hide everything forever."
"This is bugging you way more than it normally does." Tenchi frowned. "Usually I'm the one freaking out when something happens like this. What gives, Ryoko? It's not like you at all."
"I guess I'm realising how little I fit into your world." Ryoko grimaced. "I've tried, but I can't always keep my magic under wraps. It's instinctive to use it, especially when you're in trouble. And so I did. And now your friends think I'm a witch or a demon or both. It doesn't matter that noone said my name on the news. They've been introduced to me - they know my name. And anyone listening to Seiryo Tennan's diatribe would know who I was anyway. Ryoko. The Space Pirate. However you look at it, the cat's out of the bag."
"So what if it is?" Tenchi got to his feet, pulling her to hers and meeting her gaze with his. "Ryoko, last night you saved a lot of people from certain death. And you prevented that Tennan guy from abducting me to wherever he wanted to take me. You shouldn't be ashamed about that."
"But your normal Earth life..." Ryoko looked pained. "It's never going to be the same again, is it?"
"I don't think it ever would have been." Tenchi owned. "Not since Ryo Ohki first fell to the Earth. Things have changed. I've changed. And I've not been fair on you, either. You shouldn't have to try to be something you're not, any more than I should. When I was on Jurai, I felt stifled, trying to fit in with their expectations of me. But I've done the same thing to you...I'm sorry, Ryoko. You shouldn't have to hide who you are."
"But what happens to our peaceful haven here if I don't?" Ryoko questioned. "People will come looking for me, you know that. If not the Galaxy Police, then Earthly ones. And it'll be hard to answer their questions."
"We could try the truth."
"Or we could not." Ryoko grimaced. "Earth prisons couldn't hold me, but I don't want to be on the run or exiled from this planet. I like Earth. You know I do. And I want to be with you, Tenchi. This is your home, so it's my home too...at least, I hoped that would be the case."
She spread her hands.
"Now I'm really not sure I should stay in Osaka. At least the mountains are more remote...I might be safer there."
"We both might." Tenchi acknowledged. "But then that would suggest we had something to hide, wouldn't it?"
"We do." Ryoko smiled bitterly. "In case you hadn't noticed, I'm half responsible for the destruction of a night club in this city."
"Stop this." Tenchi scolded. "Where's the space pirate who doesn't dwell on the past? What's happened to her?"
"Right now she's annoyed with herself." Ryoko admitted. "You sound like Washu. She said I was fixating on this unecessarily - which is fine for her to say. Her destructive capabilities are scientific. She doesn't blast holes in places in the way I do - take away her computers and you take away her arsenal. She doesn't understand what it's like when you're instinct is to fight and defend yourself with your magic."
"Washu?" Tenchi looked startled. "Is that where you went last night? To see Washu? I was worried when I got back here and didn't find you."
"I went home." Ryoko nodded. "Washu was still up so I told her what had happened. She told me to come back here, so you knew where I was...or maybe she'd just had enough of me. I don't know. She's hard to read."
"What did she say about all of this?" Tenchi perched himself on the arm of the chair. "Washu may be a touch eccentric but she's sharper than most people. Did she have any ideas?"
"She said that she didn't think Seiryo Tennan was operating within Galaxy Police jurisdiction, because she's sure Jurai wouldn't allow anyone to come and grab you without their knowledge." Ryoko said thoughtfully. "The more I think on that, the more I think she has a point. I mean, the Galaxy Police suck up to Jurai a whole lot. Look how Azusa wangled my pardon out of them...they had no reason to buckle to that but they did anyway. They're twice as weak as they were before Kain destroyed Headquarters. They need to stay friendly with Azusa and his lackeys. And you're his great grandson."
"So who is Seiryo Tennan and is that even his real name?" Tenchi sighed. "If this whole thing was an elaborate hoax - why? What do they want with me?"
"Washu doesn't think that he did want you. At least, not really." Ryoko frowned. "She said that it sounded like a decoy...a way of distracting us from something else. Of course, she could be being paranoid. But I don't know...she might be right."
"Washu often is." Tenchi admitted. "I don't suppose she had any idea what that something else might have been?"
"Not a clue." Ryoko shook her head.
Before Tenchi could answer there was a knock at the door, and the pirate shot him an anxious look, moving to get up.
"Police?" She asked softly. Tenchi shrugged his shoulders.
"Only one way to find out." He said simply, getting to his feet. "Relax, Ryoko, and try and act natural. Whatever it is, we'll deal with it together, okay? And you said yourself that Earth prison cells can't hold you. You shouldn't be afraid...they're the ones who need to watch out."
"I'm not going to attack Earth law enforcement." Ryoko objected, obediently sitting back in her seat. "I do want to stay here, you know. But all right. Go see who it is."
Tenchi offered her a smile, then withdrew into the hall, heading down the narrow corridor to the front door and flipping back the latch. He swung open the door, surprise flooding his expression as he recognised his visitor.
"Yume!"
"Hi, Tenchi." Yume offered him a genial smile. "Did I surprise you? I hoped you'd be home...the whole city is buzzing with the story of what happened last night and I wondered if you'd have left Osaka already."
"No...we just had breakfast, and saw the report on the news." Tenchi ran his fingers through his hair, pursing his lips. "The whole city? What do you mean?"
"I came to let you know what I've heard." Yume said simply. "May I come in?"
"Oh, of course." Tenchi smiled at her sheepishly, pushing open the door further to allow her into the apartment. "Sorry. Everything is a bit crazy here at the moment...as I'm sure you can imagine."
"Yes." Yume inclined her head, flashing him a gentle smile. "I understand."
"Through here." Tenchi indicated the way to the lounge. "Can I get you something to drink?"
"No...really, I'm fine." Yume shook her head. "But thank you."
Tenchi pushed open the door of the salon, leading the way inside and Yume followed him into the small, sunshiny room, pausing in the doorway as she registered the pirate's presence. Ryoko had stood at their entry, glancing the girl over with a confused frown.
"Who are you?" She asked warily. "And what do you want here?"
"Ryoko, this is Yume. I rescued her from the blaze last night." Tenchi explained. "Don't you remember? She came to your defence when the crowd was asking so many questions."
"I remember you." Ryoko pursed her lips. "You called me a guardian angel."
"That's how it seemed last night." Yume looked embarrassed, sitting down in a vacant seat. "I hope you don't mind me intruding on you like this. But I thought you should know what's going on in the city. Everybody is talking about the fire at the club...and what caused it. They're saying..."
She faltered, then pursed her lips, lowering her voice.
"They're saying it was aliens." She whispered. "That that man in his ship was the first sign of an invading force...and that nowhere on the Earth is safe."
"Well, right now we're as much in the dark as anyone else." Tenchi admitted. "And that's the truth."
Yume fixed Ryoko with a keen gaze.
"Some people are saying that you knew the man who attacked us." She remembered. "Is that true?"
"Seiryo Tennan? Never heard of him before last night." Ryoko rubbed her temples. "And that's the truth."
"They're saying he called you by name...and that he called you a pirate." Yume remarked. "And a lot of people are talking about the fact you flew...and shot fire from your fingers."
"Great." Ryoko sighed. "I told you, Tenchi. Nobody is going to let this be covered up. I've blown everything, as per usual."
"How do you know all of this, Yume?" Tenchi looked curious. "I hope you haven't put yourself at risk on our behalf."
"No." Yume dimpled. "But I'm good at finding out information. My father works at the local police department, and he's investigating the presumed arson case. I've picked up a lot of bits and pieces from him."
"Police?" Fear leapt into Ryoko's eyes and she sprang back. "So you're spying for him - is that it?"
"Of course not." Yume shook her head impatiently. "Father doesn't know that I was there last night and I've told him nothing. But you saved my life - both of you, in one way or another. And so I want to repay the favour. I know that whatever other people think, you were on our side last night. And if that guy was an alien, you fought him on our behalf. I'm not scared of you and I want to help. After all, he might come back...mightn't he?"
"He might." Tenchi nodded his head. "But right now that's not something we can predict. Like Ryoko said, we don't know who he is either."
"Do you think he was an alien?" Yume asked softly. Ryoko laughed hollowly.
"Define alien." She said flatly. "He was an agent of the Galaxy Police, or at least dressed up like one. He could have come from anywhere in the universe - although there was something very familiar about the way he fought."
Yume's eyes became big.
"You're serious, aren't you?" She whispered. "There really are people from other worlds out there! And...and they really might be coming to invade the Earth!"
"I doubt that very much." Tenchi said hastily.
"But she said..." Yume faltered, and Ryoko shrugged her shoulders.
"The Earth has had it's eyes shut for far too long." She said bluntly. "There's a universe out there. Your people just haven't reached out and touched it yet. And the longer they don't, well, the more vulnerable they are to hostile activity. The Galaxy Police have been assigned to this sector for generations to keep the peace...to protect people who have no way of protecting themselves. But if an agent of the Galaxy Police has turned against that obligation, who knows whether the planet is safe or not? The Galaxy Police are meant to have political neutrality...but in reality they're lapdogs for more powerful planetary groups. I don't know what last night was all about, but you can bet it wasn't good."
Yume blanched.
"You're kidding me." She murmured. "You're joking...aren't you?"
"No, Yume, she's not." Tenchi sighed heavily. "The Earth is not the only planet with life. It's just one with the weakest outer defences. People here have always focused on the ground rather than the sky and it's limits. People from other worlds have visited here for generations - flitting in and out without Earth being aware."
Yume fell silent for a moment, then her glance fell on Ryoko.
"And you?" She managed. "Are you one of them?"
Ryoko inclined her head.
"In a way." She said carefully. "I guess you could say I wasn't born in Japan."
Yume bit her lip, gazing from Tenchi to Ryoko in disbelief for a few moments. Then she seemed to rally herself, getting a grip on her composure and offering a faint smile.
"So there are aliens in Osaka." She said, her tone a touch unsteady. "I guess I can deal with that."
Tenchi smiled ruefully.
"I had the same reaction." He admitted. "But Ryoko isn't the threat. I don't suppose your father has any leads on the man who attacked the club?"
"No more than you do." Yume shrugged helplessly. "He's as clueless as everyone else. The name Seiryo Tennan keeps coming up, but they can't track down who or what he is. That's why the alien invasion theory is gaining so much momentum. This man doesn't apparently exist...and Ryoko-san, nor do you."
"Well, we'd appreciate it if you didn't tell him where he can find me." Ryoko said quietly. "I don't mean this world any harm...it's my home. Last night was crazy, but not something I want to repeat. I know how people feel about those who are different - seems it's the same here as on every other world I've visited and I've had my fair share of not fitting in already in my life. So keep your mouth shut, huh?"
"Don't worry." Yume's eyes flickered thoughtfully. "I think it's better if nobody knows we had this conversation."
She stood, stretching.
"I should probably leave you to yourselves." She added. "But I thought you should be aware of what's being said. And you needn't worry. I'll keep your secrets."
She reached out a hand, grasping Tenchi's firmly in her grip and squeezing it.
"After all, thanks to you I'm here." She said softly. "I'm still in your debt."
Tenchi shot her a startled look, then smiled, nodding his head.
"You're welcome." He said gently. "And thanks for coming here, Yume. With everything as crazy as it is, it's nice to see a friendly face. My college friends haven't exactly called since it happened, and it's good to know someone in Osaka doesn't think we bring the plague."
"You can count on me." Yume's eyes twinkled. "It's all right - don't get up. I'll see myself out."
She flashed Ryoko a smile, releasing her grip on Tenchi's hand and heading towards the door, disappearing into the corridor. There was the sound of the front door a few moments later, and Ryoko groaned, shaking her head.
"I don't trust her." She said at length. "The daughter of a police officer? What's to say she's not just recording everything we say?"
"You're the one who told her about the Galaxy Police." Tenchi pointed out. "Besides, I think she's on the level. She did stand up for you last night, you know. And we did save her life, she's right. You shouldn't be so suspicious, Ryoko. She means no harm."
Ryoko raised an eyebrow.
"And holding your hand like that, right in front of me?" She demanded. "What was that supposed to be, if not a challenge?"
"Ryoko, haven't we been through this?"
"Yes, but she wasn't around when we did." Ryoko pursed her lips. "Tenchi, that girl has one of two motives. Either she's trying to find out information for her father's case, or she's got a crush on you and that's why she came here this morning. You did save her from the fire, after all. Why else would she put herself out so much to come warn us what people were saying?"
"She might just want to help." Tenchi moved to the window, glancing idly down at the street below. Ryoko snorted.
"You're too trusting." She said, shaking her head.
"Or you're not trusting enough."
"Well, we'll see." Ryoko spread her hands. "But very few people do things without an ulterior motive, regardless of what planet they come from. You mark my words, Tenchi - that girl has a crush on you."
"Even if she does, it's not like I'm available." Tenchi reminded her, reaching across to grasp her by the hand. "I'm with you. And you know that. So it shouldn't bother you."
"It doesn't." Ryoko said slowly. "But I don't like her thinking that way. Just keep an eye on her, all right? I don't trust her completely...I can't put my finger on why, but just take my word for it. Yume has designs on you...I'm sure of it!"
---
In an alcove just out of view of the apartment building, Zero pulled herself into the darkness, glancing at her hands as a slow smile crossed her face.
"Tenchi Masaki." She murmured, running her index finger over the palm of her right hand. "As easy as that."
She leant back against the wall, closing her eyes as she processed the information she had so far, setting it out neatly in her mind as she ran over the events of the previous night.
"He did not use the Light Hawk Wings when he saved me - or I should say, Yume - from the club fire." She mused. "I wonder why. I wonder why he let his pirate do all of the work."
She sighed, a frown touching her lips as she thought about Ryoko. Somewhere deep inside of her, a feeling of dislike stirred and she bit her lip, trying to make sense of it.
"What is happening to me?" She murmured, shaking her head as if to clear it. "Ryoko Hakubi is an irrelevance. She is not important to my mission. My job is to gain Tenchi's trust and I have succeeded. I am able to take data and DNA samples from him for Tokimi-sama and...and what?"
Another feeling lurched inside of her as she pictured his face, and despite herself, she found her conviction fading as she glanced down at her deceptively human hands.
"Tenchi." She murmured. "He was so good to me last night. So gentle...he stayed with me and took care of me, even though he didn't know my name or where I came from. Why does that make me so concerned? It's not logical. I should send these files to Tokimi-sama. That is my order and I must carry out all orders. Why do I want to hesitate?"
She swallowed hard against the sudden lump in her throat.
"This is stupid." She muttered. "I have a role to play and I will fulfill it. Tenchi Masaki is Tokimi-sama's target, and I will not let her down. I will discover the information she requires because that is what I am programmed to do and that is all that matters. And then I will speak to Dr Clay and ask him to remove these rogue, corrupted files that plague me. Tenchi Masaki is just another target, and I will not fail!"
