Reminders of the Past

A Tenchi Muyo and Invinsible Crossover

Chapter 9 - No Need For An Alliance

Washu-2 looked at the door that opened. She had remained as a hard-light construct in order to measure the specific technology left behind by the Mauler Twins. The cloning device was more or less functional, but overall it seemed to be centuries behind what she had created. Then again, they were using technology that was considered ancient by her standards. The moment the door opened she saw Mark, along with a girl that she assumed was Samantha, a nd then there was a man in a suit.

The sensors in the drone picked up the various life signs of about twenty other humans, all hiding. She looked at them and gave a little wave, "I assume that your visit isn't to inform me that you've either discovered that Kagato has been dealt with or doesn't exist," she said as she looked about the room, "Instead, I am going to assume that you may need some assistance."

Mark nodded, "Can you contact Washu?"

She nodded, for a moment she flickered, and then suddenly she seemed as if there was nothing wrong, "Well, I'm glad to see that the interface works, but then I am the single greatest genius to ever live!" she exclaimed before she took a moment and looked at him, "So, what's going on?"

He considered what to say, how to say it, and finally he just began telling her about Robot, about Rudolph Conners. He explained what started his trip through the multiverse, and then he led into what happened just recently. Washu nodded, "It sounds to me that this Rudolph Conners has considered multiple angles, but I would imagine that he is restricted to thinking third or fourth dimensionally. That is actually a benefit to us," she said as the hard-light construct walked around, "I'll let everyone know, but regardless I will help you."

She looked toward Cecil, "I am also going to trust that you will assist Mark on what needs to be done after this."

Cecil studied her, "The Global Defense Agency will lend aid to Invincible, although we primarily will ensure the safety of the Earth first."

Washu nodded, "Then helping him is helping you. I'm going to give a lot of trust, and I mean a lot of trust, by sending you information on Kagato. There might be differences since the universes are different, but I would imagine that most, if not all, of the information should be correct."

Cecil looked at the construct, "What do we need to know about him?"

She grimaced, "He's deceitful, but that's just the beginning. He's obsessed with the baseline, a theoretical calculation that gives the idea of where all life comes from, how it was formed, and how the energy between them is shared. He also enjoys destroying worlds that have a chance to become a thorn in his side. Those that don't he will either rob their cultural items that may further his research, or he will enslave the entire world so that he has continual servants."

Cecil stood there a moment and then shook his head, "So, we may potentially have someone obsessed with some theoretical calculation who has no problem either enslaving or destroying worlds," he breathed out to steady himself, "Once we deal with Rudolph we will make this Kagato top priority you have my word on that."

She nodded, "Okay, while we've been talking I've already filled the others in. Ryoko is willing to come help, but in addition so is Lady Seto," she looked at Mark, "I am not telling the Devil Princess of Jurai that she can't come help. She's promised fifty Jurian ships toward the prospect. That means she's sending roughly ten thousand heavily trained, exceptionally dependable Juraian Royal Military Personnel. Once they're through You," she said pointing at Mark, "Are the official liaison between the Juraian Royal Family and your Earth."

Mark felt his stomach drop out. He was used to dealing with the press and everything as a superhero, but this was an official part of this operation. That specifically meant that regardless of how he fought he would have to help coordinate between the Juraians and the Global Defense Agency. He took a shuddering breath, knowing full well the weight that was being put on his shoulders, and nodded.

"Okay," he replied, "I'll act as the Liaison between the Juraian Royal Family and the Global Defense Agency."

He looked at Washu, "So, how are they going to fit through the portal?"

She grinned, "This portal will be where a few of us are coming through, but I've constructed a larger one near Earth's Moon," she said as a console appeared before her, "The moment you arrived with others I went with my gut and created it. Now, its a portal from this side to that one, so I will need to build a bigger one to let them come back through."

Cecil looked at her, "And this portal technology that you're going to build, what does it have access to do?"

She looked at him, "It allows instantaneous travel between parallel dimensions, and once we're back through on this side I will be dismantling it completely," she said with a wink, "I am giving a lot of trust, but just because I look like a child doesn't mean that I was born yesterday. That kind of technology is far too advanced. The last thing you need is access to universes where there are beings that are huge and believe you taste great with ketchup."

For the most part Mark could tell that Cecil didn't look especially pleased, but then again every time he had to deal with Cecil it was apparent that the man wasn't usually in a good mood. He assumed that being responsible for the entire world tended to take its toll. But, regardless, he agreed with Washu. The universes that he had traveled to had beings that would casually wreck multiple cities, and the entire reason they would do so was because it was a Tuesday. There was no rhyme or reason for what they did.

They didn't need that loose in their world. So, closing the portal and dismantling it would be the best option for now. Maybe one day they would be advanced enough to step up. From what he knew Tenchi's Earth was already having to step up to the big boy table in a manner of speaking. He wasn't sure that their Earth was really ready for that or not. Sure, they dealt with other worlds.

Mars was one such place that they had to deal with, although he would be the first to admit that the interaction there wasn't the greatest. Then there was the alliance against the Viltrumites. That had been something of a big deal, but ultimately it wasn't an epic military operation. To be honest it was a military operation, but it was more along the lines of displaced aliens all looking to stop the Viltrumites from continuing to expand upon other worlds.

Even if he called them in it would be highly unlikely that they would be able to reach in time. The Juraians were going to be a God sent, and he knew it. Within moments Cecil began getting notifications of ships appearing just outside of the Moon's orbit. They were here, and they were ready to start. Mark looked at Samantha and Cecil, and he turned around when the portal opened. Out walked Ryoko, Ayeka, Tenchi, and Washu.

"Now," Washu said as she brought up her hard-light console, "I'll send the areas that this Ruldoph Conners is currently attacking. Ryoko, please, don't do any lasting damage."

Mark watched as Ryoko rolled her eyes before she looked around. A moment later she lifted into the air. There was something graceful about the way she moved. He did wonder if there was a version of her here, would that version be as graceful? Of course while she was beautiful, and he couldn't lie and not admit that she was, she didn't hold a light to Samantha. A moment later an orb formed in her hand and he watched as it shot through the roof of the warehouse. A moment later something exploded over them.

Sounds of debris hitting the roof could be heard, and slowly they walked outside to see what looked like pieces of a camera drone that the Global Defense Agency used. Mark could hear Cecil gearing up, but a second later there was a crackle from the speakers of the camera.

"I see, interesting," Rudolph's static filled voice said, "This is a further wrench in my calculations, not that it matters. I doubt that she, or anyone else you bring to help, will make a difference. I have numbers, and time on my side."

Cecil growled as he pressed against his earpiece, "This is Stedman, do a complete check in our communications systems for any uninvited guests."

There was a small bit of staticky laughter, "Director Stedman, Cecil, it's far too late for that."

With that the drone died, and Cecil looked at Washu who finished typing on her console a few moments later a small portal opened out popped what looked like new ear pieces. Each one had a crab on the side, Washu's own emblem, and she passed one to Cecil, "I'll create new systems, based on your technology, for you to use. For now I'll provide a secure network that it can work off of, but after we leave you will need to establish that network yourself."

He nodded, and Mark watched as he put the earpiece in. Mark realized that he was still wearing the earpiece that Washu had given him before, and she simply nodded. He began to say something when she cleared her throat.

"I've already made the adjustments, and it will contact your original communicators. The others are ready, and I'm going to let you tell me the coordinates that they need to be sent to. Have them distributed."

Cecil looked at her, "Not that we're not grateful for the help, but first how am I even understanding you. I doubt that you are speaking English."

She grinned, "You're right," she said as she pointed to the earpiece, "I hacked your communicators the moment I saw you come in. Your network has a decent firewall, but it is limited. Once that was done I imputed a basic translation program that should be possible with your current level of technology. That program allows for real time translation while keeping the tone and pitch of the other person's voice. In other words, you're welcome."

Far above them eight royal ships from the Juraian Royal Forces began to converge. Aboard her own ship Mikagami Lady Seto Kamiki Jurai looked at the planet below her. Had one told her before that this wasn't the same Earth that her extended family lived upon she would had disbelieved them. From this point it looked no different. She appraised the situation for a moment before the Mikagami began to project the various communication video feeds coming in. She looked at the guard that accompanied her, and of course the head of the guard her own daughter looked back at her.

"We are prepared for Battle," Misaki Masaki Jurai replied, "We await your command."

Seto smiled as she stood before the small army. It had been an age since the last battle. And besides, the one that had requested help had given her another great granddaughter, and one that she believed was just as cute as little Mayuka. In addition his, and his daughter's, efforts had stalled Kain long enough for him to be dealt with. She could do no less to repay his bravery and kindness.

"We shall see where we are needed," she stated, her voice prim and direct, "Once we have the coordinates we will begin our assault."

For a moment there was nothing, no video from the planet, no sound, and Seto wondered if this would change from helping the one who had helped them to avenging him and his family. Within seconds a slightly more grainy picture formed. The video was likely from a source that was not quite technically compatible. Regardless she looked at the one calling her. He was wearing the same suit of clothes he had worn to face Kain. She gave a slight bow of her head, the sign of respect, and gave him a slight smile.

"The Juraian Empire has come to repay your bravery and kindness," she stated, her robes gently blowing in an unseen wind, "Where shall we assist?"

Mark looked at her, "Ummm, I'm sending the known areas that are being attacked. The man that's attacking, Rudolph Conners, is using multiple robotic drones. They're targeting other heroes, government officials, and systematically attempting to destabilize the world government." he said, his voice sounding uncertain, "He's already done it to some degree."

She gave a nod, "Then we shall go to these locations and see to his robotic army demise," she said before passing the locations he sent to the other ships, "We will help in returning stability to your world. You have our word."

The ships each began to move, nearing the planet itself. While it was possible to simply be teleported from the ship to the planet's surface she had found that the presence of multiple ships tended to be a fantastic tactic for intimidation. Right now, that intimidation would go far in helping them. She believed that if this Rudolph Conners had staged a large enough attack against the world then perhaps the presence of multiple ships nearing the atmosphere would give him a slight pause.

The moment they were within range she tilted her chin, "Mikagami, open a channel to all broadcasting equipment available upon the planet."

There was a slight pause, and then she felt the ship's glow of acknowledgement. She looked forward, "Attention attacker," she said looking ahead, "The Juraian Royal Forces have been summoned to deal with you."

She closed the channel with the planet, "Misaki, I believe it is time that we engage."

Misaki nodded, "Of course mother," she replied before the video cut off.

Seto herself held her hands out, allowing the power of her royal tree to cover her, transforming her clothing to her royal armor. Her key, her connection to Mikagami, appeared in her hand. A glowing whip escaping from the back of it. It had been so long since she had the opportunity to use it. Stepping forward she was engulfed in light and found herself upon the planet's surface. The place selected had been something of a decent neighborhood. There had been multiple houses, yards, well maintained and cared for lawns. There had been multiple automobiles of various makes and models, but now there was a warzone. She saw people sprawled out, dozens slaughtered, and before her was a silver robot. Its eyes glowed yellow as it studied her.

"Humanoid, roughly five foot and ten inches tall, weight estimated at one hundred forty-five pounds, unknown energy source, threat level manageable," it said before she cracked the whip taking an arm. It looked at the destroyed appendage, "Correction, threat level severe."

She grinned at it, and without saying a word she cracked her whip again, splitting its head open. The machine fell back, and she caught the sight of a spark from inside of it. Deciding to err on the side of caution she raised a defensive shield. The moment it was created the robotic drone exploded taking a large chunk of the street with it.

"Beware, the robots are programmed to explode upon destruction."

There were a few responses, and she began looking for survivors. She noticed movement, and again she prepared to battle, but what she saw was a girl. She was wounded, her arm obviously broken, she could see lacerations, and it was more than obvious that she was bleeding out. She retracted the whip and moved toward the girl. She noticed that the girl held up a hand.

"Please," she said, her voice a pained raspy sound, "stay back. I'm bait, and he wants someone to try to save me."

Seto took a moment to look at her, and she saw the evidence. There were explosive devices, cleverly hidden, among the girl's clothing. If it wasn't for her own training, knowing how to look, what to look for, and where to look she might have not noticed them. As such she began to use her shield, forming several small versions of itself, and wrapping them around the explosives.

The girl looked worried as the first explosive went off, and then it was followed by the others. Nearly six dozen miniature explosions erupted from the girl, each one Seto noticed held the same power as the robot's programmed explosion. The girl was meant to be bait for someone powerful. She growled at the audacity of this opponent. To use an innocent like this was cowardly.

"You ae safe," she said, as she neared her, "Tell me, did you live here?"

The girl nodded, nearly collapsing, but Seto helped her remain upright, "I do, or did," she said as she looked around, "Robot attacked us without any reason. This entire neighborhood," she breathed out, "It's a super neighborhood, kind of a hide in plain sight thing. We figured that with all of us being SuperHeroes we'd be able to protect ourselves. It didn't take him long to focus on the strongest and then go for the rest of us."

Seto considered what she had said, "Yes," she replied, "I believe his intention seems to be to remove those he believes capable of repelling his attacks. The fact that he attacked here means that was depending on the surprise being enough to off center all of you."

It was obvious what was happening. She understood it all too well. Rudolph Conners was removing all obstacles from his path. By removing these champions, these superheroes, he was removing any and all possible threats. In addition it was likely that he was making as many public demonstrations as possible. It had been a long time since she had been to battle, but it had been longer still since she saw this kind of cunning. It reminded her greatly of her granddaughter-in-law's attack. The one that was done while she was under the influence of Kagato. It had been his mind, his will, and his plan that she had followed.

So, it meant that this Rudolph Conners was easily as intelligent as Kagato had been. That meant he was not to be taken lightly.