The Pirate's Soldier

by operation meteor

Heero's career as a Preventers operative takes a strange turn when he gets caught up in a fight between a Juraian royal and a notorious space pirate. As the two alien beauties settle in with him on Earth and more soon follow, the former Gundam pilot soon finds himself to be the target of their affections, with a certain lovely outlaw at the front of the pack! M for some language.

17. Chapter 17

Author's Notes: Hey there! Been a while since I've updated this one, figured it was long overdue. This chapter's basically the calm before the storm; things are going to heat up quickly in the next one.

Enjoy!

Chapter Seventeen: No Need For An Interstellar Road Trip!

February 6th, A.C. 199

So far, so good, thought Heero, No fights have broken out and the ship's still in one piece. All things considered, that's probably the best we can hope for at the moment.

Keeping the peace back at the countryside residence had been tricky even on the best of days, but at least the open rural area around the house had offered its inhabitants plenty of space if they needed it. Aboard the Yagami, however, they didn't have that kind of luxury. It wasn't like it was a small ship; it dwarfed any shuttle that the Earth Sphere could offer, and it put all but the most massive long-range asteroid mining vessels to shame. The fact that it could fit the house into the cargo bay quite comfortably was testament enough to its sheer size. Still, the Galaxy Police patrol cruiser's corridors, mess hall, moderately-sized lounge and upper observation deck didn't offer quite the same kind of breathing room that had proven to be so invaluable during their time on Earth.

They'd had to make some alterations to their living arrangements in order to successfully accommodate anyone. Kiyone and Mihoshi had moved their belongings out of the residence and were once again occupying their regular cabin aboard the cruiser, which did free up some space in the house. Their old room was now occupied by Duo and Hilde, but that still left three other Gundam pilots to find room for. Fortunately, the cruiser did have an assortment of guest cabins that the three young men had found suitable for their needs.

They'd settled into new routines relatively quickly, all things considered. For their part, Kiyone and Mihoshi spent most of their time up in the cockpit of the cruiser, alternating shifts as they'd done before. Washu had cooped herself up in her lab, and whenever Heero or any of the others attempted to inquire as to what she was up to she'd shoo them away after promising that they'd see the fruits of her new labors in due time. Ayeka and Sasami kept to the residence in the cargo hold, along with Azaka and Kamidake. Duo and Hilde seemed to be happy passing the time in the engine room of the Yagami familiarizing themselves with the cruiser's powerplant, with some help from Kiyone during her off hours. Trowa, Quatre and Wufei could occasionally be found wandering the cruiser, and when they were not, they were usually sparring down in the cargo bay to keep their skills sharp. Ryo-Ohki spent her time with Sasami, as had been the usual back on Earth, while Ryoko had taken to brooding up in the lounge. Heero didn't know what was on her mind and was tempted to approach her, but given just how preoccupied he was with all that he'd learned since Nagi's attack he wasn't in the best shape to give her an outlet for whatever was bothering her. That just left Yosho, who oddly enough had taken to observing Trowa, Quatre and Wufei's training, although what he was looking for when he watched them Heero couldn't say.

You'd be hard pressed to find a stranger bunch of travelling companions, he mused, Everyone's on edge. It's hard to blame them, given the situation.

He felt like he should be doing something productive to pass the time, but Heero was having a hard time focusing on any one thing. Between his newfound power, knowledge of his heritage and the threat that loomed over the entire galaxy, to say that centering himself was difficult was a considerable understatement.

Wandering without a destination in mind, he eventually found himself on the observation deck of the Yagami. Since the vessel currently had its FTL drives engaged, the windows were currently opaque; when he'd asked Kiyone about that, she'd told him it was a standard design for most starships in the galaxy since viewing space while travelling at faster-than-light speeds was incredibly disorienting for most people. Heero was curious as to what the view beyond was like, but seeing as he had zero expertise in travel across the galaxy, he was willing to take Kiyone at her word for the time being.

He sighed as he leaned back against the wall. He had to pull himself together. This was his mission, and while an official command structure hadn't been decided upon Heero knew that the others were looking to him for leadership. Now wasn't the time for doubts and second thoughts, yet the Preventers operative felt that he was positively drowning in them. All his past experience almost felt irrelevant in the face of what they were up against now.

"I'm in way over my head," he muttered.

"If it makes you feel any better, you're not the only one that feels that way," said a familiar female voice.

Turning around, Heero saw Ryoko standing behind him. "When did you get here? I didn't hear the door or you phase through anything."

Ryoko smiled as she approached him. "Just a moment ago. I phased through the wall, but since you've got a lot on your mind you didn't notice. Your guard's slipping, Heero."

Heero nodded. "You're right. Now's hardly the time for it, too. I need to pull myself together."

Ryoko shook her head and put her hands on his shoulders. "What you need to do is ease up on yourself. Everyone here knows that you had a lot dropped on you after the attack. It wouldn't surprise anyone if you were off your game a bit as a result. You were given a ton to process and haven't really had the time to sort it all out."

He couldn't help but give her a small smile. "That's a pretty good read on things. Sometimes I forget just how insightful you can be."

She leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Hey, I'm more than just a pretty face and a set of awesome powers. Don't underestimate me."

"I wouldn't dream of it," he replied.

Ryoko nodded at a couch by the viewport. "You know, I've got time if you want to chill for a bit. Seems to me like you could use a bit of that."

"That sounds nice," said Heero, "I'd like that."

She took him by the hand, and the two of them sat side by side. Keeping her fingers intertwined with his, she leaned against him. Heero closed his eyes for a moment, savoring the simple closeness with her. With how hectic things had been over the past few days, moments like this were something that he'd sorely missed.

"Talk to me," she said softly, "I'm not the best at this sort of thing, but I still want to help you. You've got plenty to get off your chest, and don't even try to deny it."

Heero chuckled. "I guess it'd be a pretty blatant lie if I said otherwise. To be honest, I can't remember the last time I was caught so flat-footed like this. It's hard to figure out where to start."

"Can't blame you there," said Ryoko, giving his hand a gentle squeeze, "You're part Juraian, bastard royalty, and caught up in a power struggle that could decide the fate of the galaxy. I know I've said before that you're really something special, but this isn't quite what I had in mind at the time."

"Does that bother you?" he asked, "That I'm part Juraian, I mean. I know you haven't had the best history with the Empire."

Ryoko shook his head. "Nope. You're not like them at all. You don't have a giant stick up your ass, and you don't go rubbing your authority in peoples' faces. Trust me; you're a breath of fresh air compared to the Empire."

"What about that 'bastard royalty' bit?" Heero pointed out, "That makes me related to Ayeka, and you two don't exactly get along well."

Ryoko smiled. "Doesn't matter to me if you're bastard royalty or otherwise. Heero, none of this stuff changes who you are. I've had all the time I need to make my own opinions on you, and you know what? They're the same now as they were before the craziness of the past few days. You're one hell of a guy, Heero. Nothing's going to change that in my book."

Heero looked down for a moment. He was grateful for the sentiment, but there was a nagging voice in the back of his head that kept him from fully enjoying it.

She doesn't know everything about you.

Sure, she'd gotten plenty of glimpses over the past few months of living with him, but she still didn't know the full extent of his past. None of his guests did. Now here they all were, flying off to face a threat to the entire galaxy, and he was more or less the leader of the bunch. There might not have been as much blood on his hands as those of Washu, but there was plenty of it just the same.

"Hey, you all right?" she asked, giving his shoulder a gentle shake, "Heero? You still with me?"

He turned to her and nodded, doing his best to shove the whispers of his past aside. "Yeah. Sorry, I… I spaced out there for a second."

Her eyes narrowed for a moment, and Heero thought she might press the issue, but her gaze softened a few seconds later. "Don't worry about it. Anyway, like I said, I think you're a good man."

She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek again. "You being Juraian royalty's not about to change that. Just don't let it go to your head."

Heero gave her a small smile. "I think I can manage that."

"Good," she said, "By the way, how's that energy treating you? From what I can sense, it feels stable, but I know you're worried about it. If there's anything I can do to help ease your mind, tell me."

Heero looked down at his hand, feeling the energy flowing through his body. "It's calm for right now, but… well, I still have no clue how to control it. Any ideas?"

"Keep a cool head," she replied, "You're much better at that than I am, and it should at least help keep that power of yours from overwhelming you. Beyond that… well, I'm probably not the best coach you'll find around here. With my power, I've had it all my life, so at this point using it is instinctive. I've never really had to put a whole lot of thought into it, so I doubt I'd be good at teaching you to use yours. I'm all for trying, but it might not work out well."

Heero nodded. "I see."

"You know," she said hesitantly, "there's someone else on this ship who'd probably be a much better teacher than me. The thing is… you've still got some issues to work out with him."

Heero sighed. "That's a bit of an understatement."

Ryoko smiled. "Our situations might not be exactly the same, but I do know what it's like to go from thinking you've got no family out there to suddenly having one barge into your life. It's not like I've done a whole lot to sort things out with Washu, but… well, at this point I can at least admit I see her as my mother now. I mean, that's something, right?"

"It is," Heero answered, "Don't you still have questions, though? I mean, she hasn't really given you a straight answer for why she created you, right? Plus, there's the bit with her abandoning you with only Ryo-Ohki to keep you company."

Ryoko nodded. "Trust me, I haven't forgotten. Like I said, I've still got some things to sort out with her. Still, I think I at least understand her a bit better now than I did before. It doesn't look like you and the old man are at that point, though."

Heero shook his head. "You're right. I mean, I've learned a lot about him since the attack, but as far as understanding each other… that's another matter entirely."

"Training with him would be as good a way as any to start," Ryoko suggested, "I mean, you two have already sparred together, so you could see this as taking that to the next level. If you want, I can come with you. I've got your back, Heero; just say the word."

"I think I'll take you up on that," Heero replied, "Before I do that, though… I've got another favor to ask you."

"Name it," she said.

He turned to her and gave her a small smile. "Could we stay up here like this for a little while? Being here with you… it's the closest I've gotten to real peace over the past few days."

She looped her arm through his and leaned her head against his shoulder. "I'll stay here with you as long as you want, Heero. There's nowhere else I'd rather be."

He shifted his position just enough so that he could kiss her brow. "Thank you."

She briefly blushed, but her smile never left her face. "Anytime, Heero."

….

"Pinch me," said Hilde with a grin, "The past day has to have been a dream."

Duo smirked. "If I pinch you, you have to promise you won't slap me this time!"

Hilde laughed. "Oh, all right!"

He gave her a light and playful one on the cheek. "There, see? You're as awake as I am."

Hilde nodded. "I know. I'm just still having trouble believing all this."

Duo chuckled. "You're not the only one."

The main powerplant of the Yagami was an absolute marvel to behold, even more so for Hilde ever since Kiyone had walked her through the specs and given her a detailed breakdown. For a pair of seasoned scrap hounds, the chance to explore engines like this up close was nothing less than a dream come true. Both of them knew that they weren't anywhere near the point where they'd be able to actually perform maintenance on them yet; they still had quite a way to go as far as wrapping their heads around the technology behind them went. Still, they were making progress, and Hilde couldn't wait for the ship to pull into some distant space dock so she'd be able to watch mechanics work on them.

Too bad Washu hasn't left her lab since we blasted off from Luna, she thought, I bet she could give us a crash course on maintaining this beast. I feel bad about badgering Kiyone since she's the one that usually flies the ship, not to mention she has to manage Mihoshi as well.

Despite the gravity of the situation, she felt positively giddy. Here she was, having already flown further into space than any human being before her, and that record was being broken and set anew literally every second. Her ride wasn't a civilian transport, either; it was a vessel belonging to a law enforcement agency whose jurisdiction spanned most of the galaxy. Even if it was considered to be 'only' a patrol cruiser according to Kiyone, as far as Hilde was concerned it was an absolute technological wonder.

"You think they'd give us one of these as a reward for saving the galaxy?" she asked.

Duo smiled. "Well, there's no harm in asking! Might as well dream big, right?"

Hilde nodded. "We can always run it by Kiyone once this whole mess is taken care of."

"I think we're getting a bit ahead of ourselves here," said Duo, "Let's wait to figure out the reward until after we've averted doomsday."

Hilde sighed. "I know we got the full rundown, but it's still hard to wrap my head around just how high the stakes are with this mission. Makes our old wars look like playground fights by comparison."

Duo chuckled ruefully. "Yeah, no joke. Weapon capable of striking anywhere in the galaxy at a moment's notice? Check. Asshole royalty that wants to take control over it and use it to ransom their way to the throne? Double check. I'll take Romefeller and White Fang any day of the week over this."

Hilde shook her head. "Imagine what would've happened if Heero's guests had showed up during the war. Things were bad enough, but throw aliens with incredibly advanced technology into that mix? Might as well hand Earth over on a silver platter."

"I'm pretty sure they could take over the Earth Sphere anytime they wanted," Duo pointed out, "It's not like we've got the numbers or the technology to fight an empire that spans a good chunk of the galaxy. We might be united now as opposed to fighting each other, but I doubt that'd make much of a difference."

Hilde nodded. "Good point. I guess the only thing going in our favor is that Earth's in the middle of nowhere as far as the major galactic powers are concerned."

"True," said Duo, "although thanks to Heero, it might bump up a notch in prominence."

Hilde leaned back against the wall. "I know we told Heero that him being part-alien wasn't a big deal to us, but…well, it's still something. I mean, remember all those times you joked that he was superhuman?"

Duo laughed. "Yeah, that's sure come around to bite me in the ass! This definitely wasn't what I had in mind."

"None of us did," said Hilde, "This has got to be an absolute whirlwind for him. I'm surprised he's kept his cool. I'd be freaking out if I was in his shoes."

"Hey, this is Heero, remember?" Duo countered, "If there's anyone out there that keeps their cool no matter what life throws at them, it's him. Having a new mission to focus on probably helps, too."

"I know," Hilde replied, "It makes you wonder, though. I mean, him being part of the Juraian Royal Family? How's that going to impact this mission? We could be opening one hell of a can of worms here."

"No kidding," said Duo, "Royal politics aren't exactly my strong suit, but even I can tell that this could get ugly in a hurry. We're just going to have to trust that Heero and our other resident Juraian royals can work something out."

Hilde smiled. "I guess for now all we can do is watch his back. Prince or not, he'll still need that much."

Duo grinned. "Yup. He's not the type to let status go to his head, so I think we should be okay. Maybe he's bastard royalty, but at the end of the day he's still my old buddy. That ain't changing anytime soon!"

….

Running laps around a residence that had been somehow teleported into the cargo bay of a Galaxy Police patrol cruiser wasn't perhaps the most exciting workout, but it at least provided Trowa with a consistent and measurable routine. His career as a circus acrobat meant that he had to keep himself in peak condition, and he had no intention of slacking off now. A workout routine as simple as this one also had the benefit of him being able to perform it pretty much on auto-pilot, freeing up his mind for more important matters.

I hope Catherine will be all right, he thought, I know she was upset at how sudden this all was. She's strong, but she tends to worry more than others, and given the distances involved here I won't be able to keep in touch with her.

He was sure she'd chew him out once he made it back to the Earth Sphere, but he was more than willing to endure that. It was her way of giving her emotions an outlet, and it was healthier that way. Trowa might've been on the quiet side, but he at least understood why Catherine was expressive and open about her feelings.

Of course, when he might make it back to the Earth Sphere and give her the chance to chew him out was very much an open question at this point. While he knew that they were heading for the first of Washu's three memory repositories, he had no idea where that was or how long it would take to get there. The fact that they knew nothing about what kind of defenses it had certainly didn't help matters. There were far too many unknowns about this whole mission for his liking, but there wasn't much he could do about that apart from keeping himself in shape and preparing for the worst.

Completing another circuit, he was surprised to find none other than Ryo-Ohki standing his path and looking up at him. "Meow!"

He leaned down and gave the cabbit a small smile. "I suppose I can spare a little time for you today."

She was a fascinating creature, to put it mildly. Trowa had no idea what her starship form looked like, but he suspected he'd get the chance to see it at some point during this little space odyssey he'd found himself on.

"There you are, Ryo-Ohki!" said a female voice from behind him, "Oh, hi Trowa!"

He turned around to see Sasami approaching, carrot in hand. That was all the encouragement Ryo-Ohki needed to dart between Trowa's legs and rush to the Juraian princess.

"Meow!" she cried.

Sasami smiled as she put the carrot on the ground. "That's your snack, okay? You don't get any more until dinner time."

The cabbit wolfed it down in a hurry. Once she was done, she rolled onto her back and looked up at Trowa expectantly.

Trowa turned to Sasami. "Any ideas?"

"Pet her, silly!" she replied.

Trowa shrugged before doing just that. The creature sighed contentedly, and Sasami knelt down next to him.

"I'm glad you two get along so well," she said.

"She's very friendly," said Trowa, "She doesn't seem to have any trouble approaching strangers."

Sasami laughed. "She's brave, but she needs to learn to think before she acts! She's going to get herself into trouble someday."

"Ryoko doesn't keep a close eye on her?" asked Trowa.

Sasami shook her head. "No, she lets her do her own thing. I mean, they've known each other a long time, so I guess it's okay. They're really close, after all."

"Yet she spends more of her time with you," Trowa observed, "or so it seems, anyway."

Sasami giggled. "That's because she likes to beg me for carrots!"

"Meow…" murmured Ryo-Ohki.

Trowa gave her a teasing smirk. "She thinks you're an easy mark."

Sasami put her hands on her hips. "I am not! Ryo-Ohki, you should know better!"

As if to prove Trowa's point, the cabbit sat up and looked at Sasami, clearly trying to get another carrot out of her. For her part, the princess folded her arms and gave the creature what Trowa imagined she thought was an intimidating scowl, but to him it came across as more amusing than anything else.

"No begging, Ryo-Ohki!" Sasami scolded her, "No more carrots until dinner."

"Meow!" whined Ryo-Ohki.

"I said no more!" Sasami cried, although it looked like her resolve was already wavering.

Trowa gave the cabbit a gentle nudge. "You heard her. Wait until dinner."

"Meow…" Ryo-Ohki grumbled before heading off.

Sasami sighed. "I guess you're right. I'm not really good at being strict."

"You're gentle and kind by nature," said Trowa, "There's nothing wrong with that."

Sasami smiled. "Thank you."

She then looked down for a moment, and Trowa could've sworn he saw just a hint of red briefly appear on her face. "Is something wrong?"

"I was just thinking," said Sasami, "Back at the holiday party, when you danced with me, you told me about how you worked for the circus. You have friends there, but now you're on this journey with us… it might be a long time until you see them again. We're putting you in danger. I'm sorry."

Trowa shook his head. "It's all right. Catherine might not have been happy about all this, but she understands why I decided to come with you. Besides, I have friends in this group too, so it's not like I'm alone."

"Still," said Sasami nervously, "I… I feel like this is our fault. I mean, I'm not very good with politics and stuff, but I know that all of this is from Jurai's old civil war. Earth didn't have anything to do with that, but now it's in danger because of it."

Trowa nodded. "Yes, that's true, but you and your sister aren't responsible for that. Heero told me everything, Sasami; I know that this isn't your fault. I think the others feel the same way."

"But this journey's going to be very dangerous!" Sasami protested.

"Danger is something that we're accustomed to," Trowa countered calmly, "We're ready for it."

Sasami sighed. "I guess, but… well, I still feel bad about all of this. If something happens to you…"

"Don't blame yourself should the worst come to pass," Trowa interjected firmly, "We're out here of our own free will. We've made our choice, Sasami, and we're not about to back down now."

Sasami smiled. "I wish I was as brave as you. I get scared just thinking about all of this."

Trowa put his hand on her shoulder. "There's nothing wrong with that. Fear's a natural response to situations like this. It's actually good that you feel it; it means you have a realistic appraisal of the world around you. I'd honestly be worried if you said you weren't scared, Sasami. I think everyone else probably feels the same way."

Sasami's eyes widened. "Really? But all the stories I was told when I was little always talked about how heroes were fearless."

"That's because they're romanticized and a bit removed from reality," Trowa replied, "They're meant to inspire their readers. There's nothing wrong with that, but you do have to remember to differentiate between a story and reality. Reality can be frightening, and there's nothing wrong with acknowledging that. Being brave means accepting your fear, facing it and overcoming it. You can't be brave without knowing fear, Sasami."

Sasami nodded. "I understand… I think. This is all so new to me."

"That's all right," said Trowa, "If you're scared, you can always talk your friends."

Sasami smiled again, and there was more than a hint of red in her face. "I will. Would… would you be okay being one of them? A friend, I mean?"

Trowa nodded. "Of course."

He was surprised when she leaped forward and threw her arms around him. "Thank you, Trowa!"

"Sure… anytime," he said, not really sure how else he was supposed to react in a situation like this.

I'm not used to girls throwing themselves at me… Duo would probably have some wisecrack ready for this scenario.

….

They're both so young, thought Ayeka as she watched Quatre and Wufei go through another hand-to-hand sparring session, yet their moves would inspire the envy of even martial arts masters employed in the Imperial court.

Sitting on the front porch of the residence, she had little better to do at the moment than observe her travelling companions. She had gained a measure of familiarity with Quatre thanks to both the holiday party and his visit on the day of Nagi's attack, but Wufei remained very much an enigma to her. He carried himself with the confidence of a born warrior, and he appeared to have the skills to back it up. If Ayeka had to guess, she would say that Wufei was likely Quatre's superior when it came to hand-to-hand combat, but the head of the Winner Family was still holding his own.

It felt so strange to be on this journey with them. It wasn't because they were from a planet considered a backwater by much of galactic civilization, but rather due to their unique status as being Heero's fellow colonial rebels from his old war. They were exactly the kind of people that she knew her father would've been loathe to allow her to associate with based on that fact alone, yet here she was watching them engage in a training exercise.

If nothing else, Lord Heero's world has proven itself capable of producing some very interesting young men, she mused, They're far more intriguing individuals than the suitors back at the Imperial court, at any rate.

That was an unpleasant reminder of one aspect of the reality she now faced. She'd been able to hide out on Earth and enjoy an impromptu vacation in relative peace, but now she was undertaking a journey that would inevitably lead her back to her homeworld. While Ayeka was looking forward to seeing her family again, the thought of being once again thrust back into the realm of Imperial politics and palace gossip was hardly an appealing one.

And things would be become that much more complicated once word got out as to who was travelling with her.

Yosho's return to Jurai would be the big-ticket item, but Ayeka knew that the eyes of the Imperial court would also be drawn to Heero. For the long-lost crown prince to not only come back to the Empire but also have an heir in tow… well, to say that it would shake things up in the capital would be a considerable understatement.

Every eye in the palace is going to be on Lord Heero once he makes his debut at court, she thought, and every noble family in the Empire with an eligible daughter is going to seek him out.

The idea of Heero getting dragged into the matchmaking games that dominated such a large aspect of life in the palace wasn't one Ayeka was comfortable contemplating. She already had enough competition for his affections as it was; she didn't need thousands more women piling into the fray.

Of course, her feelings for the young man were now slightly complicated by the latest revelations regarding his heritage. The last thing Ayeka had expected was for Heero to not only be part Juraian, but a member of the Royal Family. Making things even more awkward was that him being Yosho's grandson meant that he was her half-grandnephew on her father's side.

Intermarriage within the nobility wasn't exactly unheard of. In fact, before Yosho's disappearance he had actually been intended to marry Ayeka, and the two of them were half-siblings. She considered the fact that Yosho had not brought this up earlier to be a blessing; she didn't need things to be more complicated than they already were.

I suppose Lord Yosho has already noticed my feelings for Lord Heero, she mused, He always was an observant one…

She idly wondered if Sasami had gotten as far as she had in processing the nature of their relationship to the man who had served as their guardian since their arrival on Earth. Her younger sister had been delighted to learn that Heero was family to them, but it felt strange to picture Sasami as taking on the role of an aunt-figure to him. Then again, if this felt odd to her, she couldn't even begin to imagine how it must've felt for Heero.

What was she supposed to do when she inevitably returned to the capital? After all that she had learned from Washu and Yosho, there was plenty that she wanted to call her father out over, but that wasn't exactly going to be easy. Even if she was his eldest daughter, the man was still the Emperor; if he didn't want to explain himself, it wasn't as if she could force him to do so. Her mother would likely be easier to talk to, but Ayeka didn't know how involved she had been in what had happened during the war, and Washu had never mentioned her. There was also the matter of Lady Funaho, her father's first wife, to consider.

Not only has her son been found alive after being missing for centuries, but she now has a great-grandson too, Ayeka thought, Lady Funaho… what will she do when we arrive at the capital?

"You look like you've got a lot on your mind," said a familiar voice.

Ayeka jumped when she saw Quatre standing before her, his sparring match with Wufei apparently over. Had she really been so wrapped up in her thoughts that she'd failed to notice him?"

"Quatre!" she said, looking around, "Where did Sir Wufei go?"

Quatre shrugged. "Off to train on his own. I needed a break, anyway. Mind if I join you?"

Ayeka smiled. "Oh, of course!"

She was always happy for a chance to spend some time with him. Heero might've been the former colonial revolutionary that she was most familiar with, but Quatre had an openness about him that made her feel just as at-ease in his presence as she did in that of the young man who had been her guardian and host while she was on Earth. Plus, she still had fond memories of her time with him at the holiday party, and if she couldn't spend some quality time with just Heero she was quite willing to have it with Quatre instead.

She saw Quatre look up at the ceiling of the cargo bay and smile. "Enough space to fit a house with room to spare… this ship really is something else. Hard to believe it's actually one of the smaller ones out there, at least if what Kiyone's been saying is anything to go by."

Ayeka nodded. "I'm sure this all must be quite a bit for you to absorb. Still, your composure over these past few days has been nothing short of remarkable. The same goes for your friends. If you've all adapted this well to the Yagami already, then I have high hopes for when we reach Imperial space."

Quatre smirked. "Are you looking forward to the chance to show us the mighty warships of the Empire and how the Yagami pales in comparison to them?"

Ayeka couldn't help but blush; he'd seen right through her. "Well… perhaps it's not proper for a princess to be boastful. That being said… yes."

Quatre gave a warm laugh. "Called it! No need to worry, Ayeka. Pride in the Empire that your family rules is nothing to be ashamed of."

"It would still be better if I exercised some restraint," said Ayeka, "Pride is one thing, but I do not wish to come across as arrogant. The power of the Imperial Juraian Navy is for defense; our expansionist days are long behind us. Boasting of such strength might work as a deterrent, but it can also lead independent systems to believe that we're looking to annex them."

"And you think Earth's worried about that?" asked Quatre, "Should it be?"

"Of course not!" Ayeka hastily replied, "Although… concern on the part of your government would be entirely understandable. Still, rest assured that I do not intend to let that happen."

Quatre nodded. "I'm glad to hear that. As much an honor as I'm sure it would be for Earth to become part of the Empire of Jurai, I have a feeling that the people of Earth might not be ready for something like that. Hell, they're probably not ready to learn that an Empire like Jurai exists in the first place."

"I know that keeping such knowledge hidden was one of Lord Heero's responsibilities back when he was watching over us on Earth," she said, "He and his superiors were worried about panic and disorder should word of the Empire, or of any life beyond the Sol System for that matter, leak to the public. I had no desire to impose further on Lord Heero than I already had, so I was more than willing to cooperate. Still… is such secrecy really necessary? I mean, you, Lord Heero, and your friends have all proven yourselves to be remarkably calm and resilient. You may have been surprised by our existence, but you've adapted to your new reality with extraordinary speed. Could humanity as a whole not adapt in much the same way?"

Quatre sighed. "I'd like to think so. Still, given that the Earth Sphere's only known true peace for just a few short years, I can understand why Lady Une's so keen on keeping your existence under wraps; for all we know, such a revelation could be what sparks a new age of conflict."

Ayeka shook her head. "Please forgive me, but I'm afraid that I'm still having trouble accepting the notion that people knowing about life beyond their own world could incite violence."

Quatre smiled. "Well, you're from an empire that spans a good chunk of the galaxy, so that's no surprise; interstellar travel and people from distant worlds is something that you've been long accustomed to. Earth's been largely isolated from galactic affairs, so the culture's evolved differently out here. Many people might claim to be open to the idea of life existing beyond our star system, but truth be told, I think a lot of them may still unconsciously believe that humanity is the only form of intelligent life out there."

"An utterly absurd notion," said Ayeka, "The scientific community of your world may lag behind that of the wider galactic community, but it's at least advanced enough to recognize just how vast the galaxy is. The amount of arrogance and delusion it takes to believe that there is only a single sentient race in such a gargantuan expanse is frankly mind-boggling."

Quatre laughed. "That's a good way to put it! Unfortunately, arrogance and delusion tend to be traits that humanity clings to at the worst possible times. Why do you think we've fought so many wars amongst ourselves?"

"Earth would hardly be the first planet to have its native sentient species fight amongst itself," Ayeka countered, "There are plenty of worlds out there whose populations are aware of the broader galactic community yet still engage in petty and destructive conflicts with each other."

Quatre chuckled. "Nice to know we're not the only fools out there."

"My point still stands," said Ayeka, "I do not think that learning about life beyond the Sol System would be enough in and of itself to spark new conflicts on Earth. Perhaps some religious or political extremist might seize upon it as a pretext for violence, but as a whole I think humanity is better than that. The work that you, Lord Heero and the rest of your friends put in to first achieving peace and then keep it speaks highly of you, and I believe that the people of your world value that peace enough that knowledge of extraterrestrial life would not be sufficient to convince them to shatter it."

Quatre smiled. "I'm glad to see you have a high opinion of humanity, but you might be giving us too much credit. After all, your exposure's been limited to people within the government and security establishment, or those that are connected to them. Humanity as a whole might need a little more time before it's ready to accept the reality that Earth's just a tiny fish in the vast ocean of galactic civilization."

Ayeka sighed. "Well, I suppose it's out of our hands at the moment. We're already well beyond the Sol System, and if this mission goes well Earth should remain safely in the background. When this is all over, though, bringing Earth officially into the wider galactic community is something I'd like to devote my time to. I believe that humanity has more to offer than the great galactic powers realize, especially if individuals such as Lord Heero and yourself are any indication as to its true potential."

"Well, if you're looking for a contact in our commercial sector, you can always reach out to me," said Quatre, "I don't know what the Empire of Jurai might want from the Winner family and our holdings, but I'm sure that we could come to some sort of mutually beneficial relationship."

Ayeka smiled. "Once diplomatic relations have been opened with the Earth Sphere Unified Nation, I'd be more than happy to head up a trade delegation. If it's not too much of an imposition, I'd be honored if your home colony played host; the residence you maintain there would be perfect for an opening meeting."

Quatre nodded and grinned. "Hosting Earth's first trade talks with the Empire of Jurai? Sign me up!"

"It's a pity we don't have beverages at the moment," said Ayeka, "This would be the perfect time for a toast."

Quatre chuckled. "Let's save the cheers until after we've saved the galaxy."

I suppose I can't argue with him there…

….

"My turn!" chirped Mihoshi as she entered the cockpit, "Take a break, Kiyone!"

Kiyone stretched her arms as she got out of her seat. "Sounds good. I've got the autopilot set, so don't touch it unless it's an emergency, all right?"

Mihoshi smiled. "You got it."

How many times have I heard that before, she mused, only for it to blow up in my face?

As uneasy as she was about leaving the Yagami in her partner's hands, Kiyone didn't have much of a choice in the matter. She couldn't stay on the bridge forever, and sleep deprivation certainly wouldn't do her any favors. It was time for a quick bite to eat, and then off to bed.

"I'll hold you to that," said Kiyone before leaving the bridge, "Stay out of trouble, Mihoshi."

We're in enough of that already…

Heading towards the cruiser's mess hall, she idly wondered if her superiors had finished reviewing her report. She hadn't held back on the details; with the scale of the threat that loomed over the galaxy, omissions for the sake of convenience were not an option. The fact that she'd set off on this voyage without clearing it with headquarters was sure to be another bad mark on her career file, but at this point that was a minor concern.

"I still can't believe this," she muttered, "I'm just a beat cop. How the hell did I get dragged into this?"

It would've been all too easy to just blame Mihoshi; after all, the whole reason Kiyone had originally been sent to Earth was to find her partner. Still, Kiyone knew that it wouldn't have been fair to pin this on her fellow officer. The two of them had been pulled into a mess that was far larger than just the two of the, and she was still having trouble wrapping her mind around the implications.

I guess this is kind of a grey area for the two of us, she thought, I mean, technically we're disobeying orders since we were assigned as the Resident Officers for the Sol System, but the reason we got that assignment was so we could keep an eye on Ayeka and Sasami until they could return to the Empire. Now the two princesses are on this ship, so even though we're no longer anywhere near Earth we are still watching over them. I guess I could still make the case to my superiors that I'm following the spirit of their orders rather than the strict letter, but I'm not sure if Headquarters will go for that…

She shook her head; she could worry about the reactions of her superiors when they actually got around to replying to her report. In the meantime, she was off the clock, which meant her responsibility was to take care of herself. First and foremost, that meant food.

Entering the cruiser's mess hall, she quickly dished up. She would've been fine eating by herself before turning in, but she couldn't help but notice that she wasn't alone. The mess hall had one more occupant aside from her at the moment.

Wufei.

He looks like an interesting one, she thought, I haven't really had much of a chance to get to know him yet…

He didn't particularly strike her as the social type. Then again, neither had Heero when Kiyone had first met him, and he'd turned out to be full of surprises. If nothing else, there was no harm in trying to make a new friend. After all, they were going to be working together for the foreseeable future.

"Room for one more?" she asked as she approached his table.

Wufei glanced up at her and nodded. "Sure. Makibi, was it?"

"Kiyone Makibi," she replied as she sat down, "Galaxy Police Detective First Class. You can just call me Kiyone."

"Chang Wufei," he said, "Preventers operative. That's about as close as you'd get to an official rank, anyway. Wufei's fine."

Kiyone smiled; she could've gotten off to a worse start. "Nice to officially meet you. Sorry if there are any problems with the accommodations; the Yagami isn't exactly a passenger liner."

Wufei shook his head. "Don't worry about it. I've had worse sleeping arrangements. Compared to being out in the field, this ship's a five-star hotel."

"Oh, thanks," she said, "I imagine this is all quite a bit for you to take in. You don't seem all that fazed, though."

Wufei shrugged. "This whole thing's what we call a 'Heero mess'. Those tend to be out of the ordinary by default. You learn to adapt pretty quickly."

Kiyone chuckled. "I guess you've got a point there. You've known him a long time, right? Has he always been like… well, him?"

Wufei smirked. "It depends on what you mean. Believe it or not, he's actually mellowed out quite a bit from how he was back during the war. You ladies have had more of an impact on him than you might realize. Especially that pirate."

Kiyone raised an eyebrow. "You mean Ryoko?"

"He's more relaxed around her than anyone else," Wufei pointed out, "You mean you haven't noticed?"

"I… I'm not sure," said Kiyone hesitantly; for some reason she couldn't quite place, the question made her uneasy.

Was she… jealous?

Kiyone didn't think of herself as vying for Heero's attention quite as blatantly as the other girls, but… well, it was hard to deny that she was attracted to him. Her attempt to convince him to join the Galaxy Police hadn't just been for the sake of getting her career back on track with a promising recruit; the thought of working alongside him as a colleague and growing closer as a result certainly hadn't been too far from her mind. With everything that had happened since that conversation, though… well, her superiors might have second thoughts about a recruit that was bastard Juraian royalty.

Too many complications come with the Royal Family, she thought, Headquarters wouldn't want anything to do with that, no matter how gifted Heero is.

Across the table, she saw Wufei shrug. "Well, I guess it doesn't matter. He's still good in a fight, and that's what we need going forward."

Kiyone nodded. "I suppose so. You're not worried about what we might run into once we find the first repository?"

"Way I see it, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Wufei replied, "I'm more worried about whether or not Washu's going to have the gear we need ready by the time we get there. I'm not all that keen on going into a fight where I'm laughably outgunned."

"She'll deliver," said Kiyone, "Washu prides herself on her inventions, and I don't think she'd pick now of all times to start letting us down."

Wufei chuckled. "That's rather ironic when you consider that it's one of her inventions that's at the heart of this whole fiasco."

Kiyone sighed. "I guess you've got a point there. I knew she had a reputation for building weapons of mass destruction, but… well, this one really takes the cake."

Wufei's eyes narrowed. "What have you told your superiors about it?"

"Everything that Washu told us," Kiyone answered, "Why?"

Wufei folded his arms. "This isn't just another case. This is a race to find the most powerful weapon the galaxy has ever seen. Even if we keep Kagato from getting his hands on it, that doesn't mean that our problems are over."

Kiyone didn't like where this train of thought was heading. "Hold on… you think the Galaxy Police wants the Judgement Array for themselves?"

"They'd be crazy not to be after it," said Wufei, "It's a weapon that has the entire galaxy within its firing range. For your organization, it'd be the ultimate took for enforcing order."

Kiyone vehemently shook her head. "You're wrong! That's not how the Galaxy Police carries out its duties. Enforcement through fear of utter annihilation is not what we stand for!"

"I'm sure you believe that wholeheartedly," Wufei replied calmly, "but let's be realistic here; a weapon like this is a prize few are willing to pass up. Do you really think that your superiors are just going to settle for our plan to destroy it?"

"I… of course they will!" Kiyone shot back defensively, wishing she felt half as confident as she sounded, "The Galaxy Police has no need for a weapon like the Judgement Array!"

Wufei shook his head. "I didn't think you'd be as naïve as your partner."

Kiyone's eyes narrowed. "I know Mihoshi's got her issues, but leave her out of this."

"That's not easy to do," said Wufei, "After all, she's an officer of the Galaxy Police, just like you are. The two of you may believe in our mission, but if your superiors hand down orders that run counter to our purpose, what will you do?"

That was a question Kiyone hadn't been prepared for. "I… I'll make them understand that our mission's the only way to resolve this crisis. They'll listen to me!"

"Will they?" Wufei pressed, "You and your partner were posted to a backwater portion of the galaxy, remember? Maybe I'm misreading the situation, but that doesn't seem to imply that they place much stock in you."

Shit, thought Kiyone through gritted teeth, I hate to admit it, but he's got me there.

Finishing his meal while Kiyone fumed, Wufei stood up and headed for the exit, but not before looking over his shoulder and delivering a parting shot. "You'd better figure out quickly just how dedicated you and your partner are to our mission… and how far you're willing to go to do the right thing."

He left her to stew on his words…

…and ponder the nature of the very strange travelling companions she'd wound up with.

Gundam pilots seem to have a talent for getting us to question core assumptions, she mused, First Heero, now Wufei… are the other three going to give this much of a headache too?

….

It wasn't hard for Heero and Ryoko to find Yosho. All they had to do was head down to the cargo bay and there he was, sitting off to the side and quietly meditating.

I'm surprised Washu didn't try to move part of his shrine in here, Heero mused, I bet there's room for it…

"Looks like the old man's made himself at home," said Ryoko, "He's pretty adaptable."

"He lived on a planet that was not his own for centuries," Heero reminded her, "Adaptability would come as naturally as breathing to him."

Ryoko nodded. "Good point. It's still weird to think of this guy as the crown prince."

"Try finding out that he's your grandfather," Heero quipped.

Ryoko winced. "Ah, right. You sure you're up for this? There's nothing wrong with putting it off if you need more time to sort things out."

Heero shook his head. "Time's a luxury we don't have right now. The sooner I start getting a handle on this power of mine, the better. Besides, keeping him at bay just because I'm still adjusting to the truth of my new reality isn't productive."

Ryoko smiled. "Facing your issues head-on… you're not a coward, that's for damn sure."

You'd be singing a different tune if you knew what I've been hiding from you, Heero thought bitterly.

"All right," he said after a moment, "Let's do this."

The old man turned and smiled as the two of them approached. "Hello there. Come to keep an old fool company? That's quite kind of you."

"Sorry," said Heero, "but this isn't a social call."

Yosho chuckled. "I figured as much. Truth be told, I was wondering when you'd come find me. You've been avoiding me since this ship left the Earth Sphere."

Ryoko folded her arms. "It's hard to blame him. He's had a lot on his mind, you know? You keeping your identity hidden for so long didn't exactly help."

The shrine keeper sighed. "I know. You have every right to be distrustful of me, especially given all that you have learned."

"That distrust isn't something we have time for," said Heero, "If we're going to defeat Kagato, we'll need a united front. I have a power that I don't fully understand, and that needs to change before we meet our enemy on the field. Whether I like it or not, you're the one that's best suited to teaching me how to use it."

"You could approach Ayeka," Yosho pointed out, "The power that flows through her veins is the same as yours, and unlike Sasami she has experience in consciously using it. I doubt it's a stretch to say that you're more comfortable around her than you would be around me at the moment."

"Ayeka uses barriers," Ryoko countered, "Heero hasn't manifested that kind of ability. So far, his power's only really shown up when he has that sword of yours."

"The power flows through him regardless of whether or not he holds Tenchi-ken or not," said Yosho, "The sword was merely the key needed to awaken that power."

"That may be the case, but right now it's also the only tool I know I can use to openly manifest that power," said Heero, "So, whether I like it or not, I need to practice with it."

Yosho smiled. "Well, you're in luck; I'm not using it at the moment."

He reached inside his robes and pulled out Tenchi-ken before tossing it to Heero with little warning. The Preventers operative caught it easily enough, taking care to make sure that the emitter was pointed away from himself and Ryoko. He felt that familiar surge of energy rush through his veins, concentrating in his arm and flowing into the weapon in his hand, the blade igniting in a burst of azure light.

Ryoko smirked. "Looks like you've still got the magic touch."

Heero's eyes narrowed. "That 'touch' is a problem; I need to be able to control how this thing activates and deactivates. I don't want to accidentally impale someone with it."

Ryoko winced. "Oh, good point."

Heero turned to the old man. "Any ideas?"

Yosho studied him carefully. "How do you feel right now?"

"Like my veins are lightning," he said, struggling to keep his breathing level, "This energy… it's a raging river… I don't think I'm the one in the driver's seat right now."

"It's because you're not used to it being active," said Yosho, "The power of our bloodline is linked to our emotional state… and yours is clearly troubled."

"Can't possibly imagine why," Heero quipped.

Yosho gave him a disapproving glare. "Sarcasm will not help you in your training."

"I've heard of worse coping mechanisms," Heero shot back.

"In order to properly harness your power and activate or deactivate the blade at will, you must both accept and control your feelings," said Yosho, "You're used to simply keeping them in check, but that's not enough here. You need more than just calm; you need tranquility."

Heero stared at the glowing blade. "Given our mission, tranquility might be a tall order."

"Set your mind at peace," said Yosho, "Even a life as tumultuous as yours has had moments of serenity. Place yourself where you were at one of those moments, and you will extinguish the blade."

That was when he saw Ryoko smile. "I think I can help with that."

She stepped behind him, pressing herself against his back while reaching around and placing her hands over his on the hilt of the blade. "Remember the observation deck? You asked me to stay with you because it was the first bit of peace you'd felt in a while. Focus on that. I'm with you, just like I was up there."

Heero's breathing eased up as he did as she instructed. He could feel the energy flowing through him begin to level out, and eventually it started to recede. A few moments later, the shaft of azure light disappeared.

Yosho nodded and smiled. "Well done. Of course, you're going to have to learn to do that without her holding you."

Heero looked over his shoulder and nodded at Ryoko. "Thanks."

Ryoko winked as she let go of him and stepped back. "Anytime."

"You'll need to practice meditation so you can achieve that state of mind at will," said Yosho, "As for activating the blade, simply allow the needs of the moment to take you. If Tenchi-ken feels necessity in your state of mind, it will respond."

Heero nodded, holding the hilt out and concentrating. The blade sprang back to life instantly. Then he focused on altering his state of mind, trying to get back to that same sensation of peace he'd felt with Ryoko. It took a few minutes, but eventually the blue blade vanished.

Ryoko patted him on the shoulder. "Not bad."

Yosho chuckled. "Indeed. You've taken your first step into a larger world."

"So, what now?" asked Heero.

"You've already demonstrated that you're an accomplished swordsman," said Yosho, "However, this is a new weapon for you, however instinctively you may grasp it. You should spend this time travelling wisely and train with it."

"But it's yours," Heero pointed out, "When the time comes for us to fight, you're going to need this more than I will. Besides, Washu said she's working on weapons for me and my friends. I should have the gear I need to get the job done."

"This is about more than simply being well-armed," Yosho countered firmly, "It's about you coming to terms with who you really are."

"I can do that without the sword," Heero replied defensively, "I'm a soldier, which means I go for the practical tools of the trade. That sword might've unlocked my power, but a rifle's much more useful in modern warfare."

Yosho shook his head. "Tenchi-ken may be an ancient weapon, but it has its place in the conflict that's coming. More to the point, it has a more immediate use to you; it can help you fully understand and harness the power of our bloodline."

"And what do you want me to do with that power?" Heero pressed.

"That is your decision alone," Yosho answered calmly, "I would be lying if I said that Washu and I did not have high hopes for you to channel your power in a particular direction, but ultimately your destiny is in your hands. Partaking in this journey was a choice you made of your own free will."

Ryoko scowled. "The stakes are a galaxy ruled by the threat of instant death if Kagato has his way. For someone like Heero, acting to stop that's hardly a 'choice'; it's who he is! You say he has a choice, but that's a complete load of bull!"

"That's enough, Ryoko," said Heero, "He's right; this was my choice."

Ryoko shook her head. "Come on, Heero; I know you better than that. You're not the kind of guy who stands by while others are put in danger. The moment Nagi attacked us, you got pulled into this, and your sense of duty means you're going to see this through. That's why it's not a choice, and you damn well know it!"

She was closer to the mark than Heero was willing to admit. She knew him too well by now. Heero's entire life had been spent fighting tyrants and madmen, and from everything Washu and Yosho had said Kagato was well on his way to crowning himself as the biggest of them all. From the moment he'd learned of the threat posed by the Judgment Array, his choice had already been made.

"We could argue about whether there was actually a choice all day," said Yosho, "That does not change where we are now and where we are going. We have left the Earth Sphere behind, and while you are well-versed in the warfare of your home system that will not be enough to ensure your survival, let alone victory. Tenchi-ken's value as a weapon is far greater than you give it credit for. In time, you will come to understand why, but for now it's enough that you gain familiarity with it."

Heero reluctantly nodded. "Fine. In the meantime, how exactly am I supposed to train with you when you don't have a weapon?"

Yosho smirked. "I think you could do with a different sparring partner. Variety is the spice of life, after all. What do you say, Ryoko?"

Heero turned to the lovely pirate, who gave him a confident smile. "I'm game if you are, Heero."

"Are you sure?" he asked, "I don't want to risk hurting you."

Ryoko chuckled. "Come on, Heero; I'm a big girl. I know what I'm getting myself into here! Maybe my technique's not as polished as the old man's, but I can take care of myself. Of course, if you're afraid of getting your ass kicked by a girl…"

Heero couldn't help but smirk. "In terms of raw power, you might have me beat, but when it comes to skill, I don't think you'll get an easy win here."

Ryoko grinned as a rod of crimson energy crackled to life in her right hand. "Oh, really? Care to put your money where your mouth is, hotshot?"

Heero nodded, igniting Tenchi-ken and raising the blade in salute. "Let's do this."

….

Leaning back in her chair and taking a sip of tea, Washu smiled at monitor in front of her. She'd already put in one all-nighter working on gear for Heero and his pals, and at least a few more round-the-clock sessions were certainly before her, so she figured no one would begrudge her a quick snack-break or two. The fact that she also got to watch Heero training with her daughter was a sweet bonus.

The set of sensors that she'd originally set up on the countryside residence were still intact, but of course that was not enough; as soon as the house had been moved to the Yagami, Washu had wasted no time in expanding the network. She doubted Kiyone would approve of her wiring the patrol cruiser's cargo bay, or the rest of the ship for that matter, but she wasn't worried about that. After all, it was always easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission.

Besides, there was no way in hell she was going to miss out on seeing her two favorite test subjects go at it like this.

Fun times, she mused with a smirk, and to think that the two of them are only scratching the surface of their abilities. They're capable of so much more. Their potential full power combined…

… it's almost scary to think about, actually.

Not for the first time, she had to wonder if encouraging the two of them was really the right thing to do. Sure, they'd need every bit of power they could get in order to take on Kagato and his sister, but Washu was all too aware that she was potentially playing with fire. She at least had a rough idea as to what Ryoko could do if she managed to tap into the incredible reservoir of raw strength that lay dormant within her, but Heero was another matter.

Juraian royals were always tricky to pin down when it came to their powers. With some, their energy tended to manifest in passive ways; apart from being able to wield a Key, they typically just had heightened sensitivity to energy in others, slightly improved healing, and other minor enhancements to their natural abilities. Others had much more substantial powers, with Ayeka's barriers being a classic example.

And then there were the exceptional ones. These were members of the family, main branch or otherwise, that manifested truly mind-blowing levels of strength. They didn't come along often, but when they did show up… well, the galaxy tended to take notice. Yosho had been one of those, and while he might've been past his prime Washu knew that he still wasn't one to be taken lightly. Kagato and his sister were two more; as siblings from a branch family, it had been quite a shock for their powers to be so substantial, and given how long Washu had been sealed away she could only guess at how strong they'd grown since she'd last seen them.

Where does Heero fit on the spectrum?

That was difficult to say. On the one hand, his power had laid dormant until very recently, although Washu suspected that it had manifested itself before without Heero's knowledge. The incident in Siberia during the war was a particularly egregious example; there was simply no way Heero could've survived self-detonating the Wing Gundam if he'd been a normal human. She was certain his latent abilities had kicked in at that key moment to save his life before returning to dormancy. The fact that his powers had only now awakened after the years that had gone by since that day might suggest to other observers that his Juraian energy would only manifest itself passively.

Washu felt otherwise. The fact that he'd not only activated Tenchi-ken the very first time he'd held it but had subsequently been able to wield it so effectively hinted at the surface of what could potentially be a metaphorical ocean's worth of untapped power. His healing powers had also gone into overdrive; there were no signs of the injuries he had sustained during Nagi's attack on the residence, and Washu felt reasonably confident in assuming that his enhanced recuperative abilities courtesy of his bloodline were now here to stay. At this point, the only thing holding him back was inexperience when it came to using the energy that was flowing through him.

He'll get more than his share of experience before this journey's out, she thought, and once he starts really getting a handle on his power…

…that's when things are going to get very interesting.

….

February 8th, A.C. 199

"Anyone else getting 'creepy lab' vibes, or is that just me?" asked Duo.

"Given that this is Washu we're talking about here, I think that comes with the territory," Quatre pointed out.

"It's not that bad once you get used to it," said Heero as he led his friends through the lab, "The size is what'll trip you up more than anything else."

"That's a mild understatement," Trowa deadpanned.

Wufei smirked as he looked around. "No kidding. Who would've thought that she'd have all this tucked away behind a closet door?"

And I still haven't seen all of it yet, Heero mused, I wonder how many rooms there are to this place. I still can't wrap my head around how she can pull off stuff like this…

The group was a little on edge, and Heero couldn't blame them. They'd been going about what passed for normal routines in the strange situation they'd found themselves in when they'd been called out of the blue by Washu and asked to meet her in the back of her lab. Heero could only hope that this meant she had her first batch of weapons ready for them. After all, he had no idea how close they were to the first repository, and he was quite eager to have the appropriate gear and know how to use it before they reached their destination. Tenchi-ken was nice and all, and thanks to Ryoko volunteering to be his sparring partner he was definitely getting better at using it, but when shots were inevitably fired Heero preferred being able to shoot back rather than be stuck waving another culture's version of a lightsaber around.

"How much further?" asked Quatre.

"Well, she said the back of the lab," Heero replied, "This is about as far back as I've ever been, so I assume she meant this way. If not, then I'm sure she'll figure out that we're lost before too long."

"That's comforting," Duo quipped, "Any chance that she could make this place MapQuest-compatible?"

Quatre laughed. "I'm pretty sure we're way outside that app's service range… or any app's range, for that matter!"

"Does the Empire of Jurai or the Galaxy Police have an equivalent mapping service?" asked Trowa.

Heero shrugged. "No idea."

"Apps on a galactic scale," Wufei mused aloud, "There's gotta be a market for that."

"Do aliens even use smartphones, or do they got something cooler?" asked Duo.

"Ask one of them," Heero replied dryly, "Between the two Galaxy Police officers, two princesses, the pirate, exiled scientist and long-lost crown prince, I'm sure one of them can give you an answer."

"By the way," said Quatre, gesturing ahead of the group, "is that what we're looking for?"

Heero nodded as the group came up to a door. "I think so. Hang on."

Placing his hand on the scanning pad by the doorframe, he waited to see what would happen; this was a pretty new addition to the lab. A moment later the screen flashed green, and the door slid open.

Heero poked his head inside. "Washu? You still alive back here?"

"Aw, how sweet!" came her distant reply, "I never knew you cared, Heero!"

"Where are you?" he asked as he cautiously led his friends inside.

"Way back here!" she called from some distant part of the rather large room, "Hold on, I'll get you a guide!"

"She couldn't have gotten us one from the start?" asked Duo.

"We had Heero," Trowa pointed out.

Duo shook his head. "Not good enough."

Heero rolled his eyes. "I'm still standing right here, you know."

Whatever reply Duo had in store was cut off by the sudden burst of blue light before them. The light rapidly shifted before taking on a humanoid shape, that of a tiny young woman, no more than foot in height, whose frame and hairstyle matched Washu. The main differences, apart from the light, were the fairy-like wings fluttering behind her…

…along with the fact that she was naked.

Duo whistled. "Well, now… this is interesting."

"Heero, have you seen this before?" asked Trowa.

Heero shook his head. "First for me."

The blue sprite, which Heero could only assume was being formed by projectors that Washu had placed along the walls and ceiling of the chamber, smiled at the group. "Ah, we meet at last. I've been looking forward to seeing you, Heero Yuy."

"At least she's friendly," said Quatre.

"Who are you?" asked Heero.

"I'm an aide for Dr. Washu," she replied, "My official designation is the Autonomous Intelligent Data Analyst, or AIDA for short. Please, use the latter; it rolls much better off the tongue."

"Easy enough to remember," said Wufei.

Heero nodded. "Nice to meet you… AIDA. I… don't suppose you're programmed to put on clothes, are you?"

AIDA gave him a playful wink. "My, my, what's this? I didn't think the good doctor's favorite research specimen would be so bashful!"

Heero's eyes narrowed. "Research specimen?"

"Oh, don't be like that," said AIDA, "With all you've learned over the past few days, surely you can understand why she's had her eye on you."

Duo chuckled. "So, you're a high-quality lab rat to her? That's a new one!"

Heero pointedly ignored him, keeping his attention on the hologram. "Never mind that. Did Washu at least give you access to a digital wardrobe?"

AIDA gave a theatrical sigh. "Oh, all right. Can't have you getting distracted now, after all."

She waved her hand with showman's flourish, and there was a brief flash of bright blue light. When it subsided, Heero saw that the AI's avatar was now wearing a backless dress.

"There," she said, "Better?"

"Considerably," Heero answered, "Can you take us to Washu?"

"Yup!" she chirped, "Follow me."

She zipped through the air, forcing Heero and his companions to quicken their pace to keep up. The chamber grew wider as they progressed, with work benches, monitors, storage compartments and more scattered about.

This room alone is wider than the entire house, he thought as they progressed, I know she said something about creating a pocket dimension for her lab, but I still can't wrap my head around how she keeps pulling stuff like this off.

Up ahead and to the right he saw a large work station, with several brightly-lit screens arrayed in a crescent around it. Washu was sitting at the console, her fingers racing across a keypad at a pace Heero was envious of; writing reports would be much less time-consuming if he could type like that. Tables were scattered about, and on them were what Heero realized could only be weapons in various stages of disassembly. Beyond the console, the already large chamber really opened up, becoming something that Heero found to be quite familiar despite the strange setting.

A firing range.

His friends seemed to catch on at roughly the same time, with a smiling Duo being the first to comment. "I've got a feeling that we're going to have some fun back here!"

"It looks promising, if nothing else," said Wufei.

"How does she fit all this back here?" asked Trowa.

Quatre chuckled. "Don't ask. Knowing Washu, you'll get a long explanation that you won't understand."

"None of you would understand," said Washu, her gaze still on her main screen, "Don't take it the wrong way; you boys are plenty smart in your own ways. You're just not the greatest genius in the universe."

AIDA giggled. "Humble as always, doctor!"

Washu rolled her eyes. "Remind me why I programmed you for sarcasm again?"

"I'd be boring otherwise," the holographic pixy replied with a grin.

"How long have you had her?" asked Heero, "I've never seen her in my previous visits to your lab."

Washu turned to him and smiled. "Believe it or not, she's all of two days old!"

Quatre's eyes widened. "You're kidding! You just made an AI assistant two days ago?"

Washu shrugged. "With all the work on my plate, I needed someone to help me keep track of my projects. I might be a genius, but even I need an assistant."

"What all is she capable of?" asked Trowa.

Washu smiled. "Besides helping me organize the files for my various projects? Quite a bit! As much as I love to brag about the capabilities of my creations, though, in this case I think you should here it from her. Let 'em have it, AIDA!"

The azure fairy bowed. "With pleasure, doctor. In addition to serving as a glorified office assistant, I have several applications that I think you'll find to be quite useful out in the field. I might be currently housed in this lab, but my central processing unit is actually quite small; a chip that could easily fit into the palm of your hand. As such, I can actually be stored and installed in a wide variety of systems, although of course very few will have the linked holographic projectors for me to materialize in all my glory."

"As humble as her creator," Wufei quipped.

AIDA waved her finger at him. "Please don't interrupt the teacher while class is in session."

Duo chuckled. "Schooled by a fairy. Now I've seen everything!"

AIDA folded her arms. "That goes for you too, Mister so-called God of Death."

Duo held up his hands in surrender. "All right, all right, no need for hostilities! Floor's yours, little lady."

AIDA nodded. "Thank you. My programing includes numerous adaptive research subroutines, meaning that I can assist the doctor in the development of secondary projects while she focuses her attention on more pressing concerns. I have a very adaptive central matrix, allowing me to pick up new skills and expertise in all manner of fields. Since I was created only two days ago, my experience has thus been limited to aiding in the development of equipment and weaponry that you boys will be using in the field, but I can assure you that I have the capacity to evolve far beyond that."

Quatre raised an eyebrow. "Should we be worried about that? We're not looking at a potential Skynet-esque AI uprising down the line, right?"

AIDA giggled. "What, you mean you wouldn't welcome your adorable new holographic fairy overlord? Quatre, that hurts!"

"It's a reasonable question," Trowa countered.

AIDA sighed. "I know your file indicated that you're a bit of a stiff, Trowa, but I didn't realize it was this bad."

"Welcome to the club, lady," said Duo.

"If you're worried about a Terminator scenario, you can rest easy," said Washu, "I installed some fail-safes to account for that contingency. I'm not that sloppy with my tech."

"This coming from the woman that deliberately lost the keys to a superweapon capable of threatening the entire galaxy," Wufei muttered.

Washu shot him a scowl. "I heard that."

"Moving beyond a scenario where I take command of a robot army and conquer the galaxy, however exciting that may be," said AIDA with a grin, "my functions aren't strictly limited to research and development. The portability that I mentioned earlier means that a sufficiently skilled operative could take me into enemy territory and assist me in wreaking all manners of wonderful havoc!"

Heero raised an eyebrow. "Care to specify?"

AIDA nodded. "Of course. I have advanced intrusion software installed, and it's as adaptable as my research programming. In other words, should you need to quickly compromise a hostile computer network on short notice, I'm more than capable of doing just that. Direct access is preferred, but I can also enter a network wirelessly given sufficient signal strength and a decent energy source."

Quatre smiled. "In other words, you're a field hacker… I bet we could do quite a lot with that."

"What all do you currently have access to?" asked Trowa.

"If you're worried about the good doctor using me to spy on you boys via the personal computers that you brought with you, you can rest assured that I have no intention of doing so," AIDA answered, "Even though it would be pathetically easy to bypass the primitive encryption and anti-virus software that your world is capable of. No offense."

"Some taken," Duo quipped.

"Theoretically, I have access all the Yagami's systems," said AIDA before glancing at Washu, "Of course, the only reason that's theoretical is because the doctor has ordered me not to poke around… yet."

Washu smirked. "As much as I'd love to have you sneak around the Galaxy Police's systems, Kiyone is sticking her neck out by giving us all a mobile base for this operation. I think the least we can do to return the favor is avoid compromising her ship's computer network… for the time being, anyway."

"I'm sure Kiyone will appreciate that," said Heero dryly.

"Enough about me, though," said AIDA with a wink, "Doctor Washu didn't call you down here just to show off her newest assistant, as charming as I am."

Washu nodded. "Got that right. You boys are going to have to hit the ground running once we get to the first repository, and since I don't remember all the security measures and traps I might've set there, I need to make sure you'll be ready for the worst. First thing's first; protection."

Tapping a few keys on the console, she then stood up and motioned for Heero and his companions to follow her. Five rectangular cases along the wall that had until now been cloaked in shadow were suddenly bathed in light, and their fronts opened as one.

Duo's eyes widened when he saw the contents. "Well, now… that's something new."

That 'something' was five sets of what appeared to be highly sophisticated full-body armor. Their general design seemed to consist of a black form-fitting suit with dark grey plating, spaced out at the joints to allow for easy movement. The design was sleek and streamlined; the plating couldn't be more than a few centimeters thick at most from what Heero could tell. Tiny slits were cut into key sections, and Heero recognized them as extremely small maneuvering jets for operating in vacuum. The helmet was of a relatively simple design, with a darkly tinted visor dominating the upper section. On the left forearm of there was a built-in terminal, even including a holographic projector.

She built the ITECAMP into the armor, he thought, I wonder what other bells and whistles she's got installed on these babies…

Washu gave the boys a proud grin. "What do you think?"

Wufei smirked. "Not bad…"

Trowa leaned slightly forward to take a closer look. "Interesting."

Quatre whistled. "You built these in two days?"

"Yup!" Washu chirped, "I've been a busy girl!"

Heero nodded as he stepped forward, reaching out to run his hand along the chest plating of one of the suits. "Clearly…"

"Is this where we get to hear the fancy name you came up for it?" asked Duo.

Washu shrugged. "It's nothing particularly original. The data file I've got their designs stored in is simply labeled 'Field Assault and Infiltration Armor Mark I', and I haven't thought of anything better yet. Pulling all-nighters will do that to you."

Wufei took a closer look. "They're not identical… you tailored each suit to one of us specifically. When did you take our measurements?"

"I've already seen your files," Washu replied, "It wasn't exactly hard to slip into Preventers' database. The rest was just a matter of AIDA running the fabricators after I input the designs."

"Sally and Director Une won't be happy about you poking around in our systems," said Heero, shooting Washu a glare.

The notorious scientist shrugged. "They can gripe about that after we've saved the galaxy."

"They'll probably give her a pass if we pull this off," Quatre pointed out, "If not… well, it's not like Preventers can enforce its jurisdiction outside the Earth Sphere."

"Don't tell Director Une that," said Trowa, "She'd probably find a way to try, if nothing else."

"So," said Duo, practically salivating as he looked at the armor, "can we try these babies on?"

Washu grinned. "I wouldn't have brought them out if I didn't have that in mind. Suit up, boys!"

….

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Ayeka nervously as they crept through the lab.

"Hey, you're the one who said you're worried about the boys," Ryoko replied over her shoulder, "If you want to back out, I won't stop you."

Ayeka shot a glare her way. "And be branded a coward by you? I think not!"

"Now, now," Mihoshi chimed in, "Play nice, you two!"

"No need for fighting," said Azaka.

"Indeed," chirped Kamidake, "I believe we have enough to worry about back here as it is."

"I'm sure they're just fine," said Sasami, "There's no need for us to sneak through the lab like this."

"Meow!" cried Ryo-Ohki.

Ayeka shook her head. "They've been gone for far too long already. Knowing Washu, something terrible could've happened!"

As much as Ryoko hated to agree with Ayeka, she had to admit that she was worried too. Entering Washu's laboratory for prolonged periods of time was always a hazardous proposition, something she knew that Heero was aware of. For not only him but also his four friends to have been inside for the past few hours with not so much as a peep from Washu about what was going on was more than a little distressing. When the princess had announced that she was going into the lab to investigate, the others had quickly decided to join in, with Kiyone and Yosho being the exceptions; the former due to her duties in the patrol cruiser's cockpit, and the latter was focused on his personal exercises.

"Are you sure you're not overreacting, Ayeka?" asked Hilde as she looked around the lab, "I mean, I doubt Washu's going to do anything bad to them. We all need to be in good shape to complete the mission, after all. She has to know that."

Ayeka sighed. "Hilde, trust me when I say that there is no such thing as 'overreacting' when it comes to Washu. That woman is as devilish as her daughter!"

"I'm going to ignore that," Ryoko quipped, "Let's just find the boys and get the hell out of here."

"So eager to leave?" said a new female voice from seemingly nowhere, "You're going to miss a good show if you do!"

The air flickered before them as a blue holographic sprite appeared, tiny-wings fluttering and dress swishing as it did a little spin before them. "They're quite safe, I promise you that."

Ryoko's eyes narrowed. "Who the hell are you?"

"AIDA," she replied with a smile, "I'm an artificial intelligence designed to aid Doctor Washu. I wondered when I'd get a chance to meet the doctor's daughter."

"I'm not sure how I feel about having an artificial intelligence designed by the likes of Washu in our midst," said Azaka.

"It does make one a tad bit nervous," added Kamidake.

"Never mind that!" Ayeka snapped, "Where are Lord Heero and the others? What fiendish experiments has Washu performed upon them? Answer at once!"

"They're right up ahead," AIDA answered calmly, "and as for the 'fiendish 'experiments' you mentioned, I think I'm safe in saying that the boys are actually enjoying this one."

Hilde rolled her eyes. "So, they're having fun and didn't invite the rest of us? That's typical."

"If it makes you feel any better, Washu did plan to invite you down here later today as well, Hilde," said AIDA, "The boys got summoned first because she couldn't wait any longer for a chance to start testing her toys."

"Ooh, I want toys!" chirped Mihoshi.

"Can we see them?" asked Sasami.

"Meow!" cried Ryo-Ohki.

"Of course," said AIDA, "Please, follow me."

She led them into the rear of the lab, further back than Ryoko had been before. As they progressed, she began to see flashes of light up ahead… and hear what sounded like weapons' fire.

"Screw this!" she snarled, rushing past their guide.

"Ryoko, wait up!" called Ayeka.

Damn it, Washu, she thought, paying the princess no heed, I swear, if you got Heero or any of his friends hurt with these new 'toys' of yours…

As got closer, though, she began to realize that her fears were misplaced. There was a large workstation up ahead, and it was easy enough to spot Washu sitting at the console. What really caught Ryoko's gaze, though, were the five armored figures in the midst of various training exercises, either around the workstation itself or at the firing range set up beyond it.

"What the hell?" she muttered.

"So, you couldn't wait any longer," said Washu, not even bothering to turn away from her screen as Ryoko approached, "Worried about lover boy?"

"Shut up!" Ryoko snapped.

Washu rolled her eyes. "We really need to work on your manners."

Ryoko folded her arms. "I'd like to see you try."

Washu raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Don't tempt me."

The warning was clear enough, and Ryoko decided to change the subject. "What have you been doing back here? You've had us all worried, and you didn't help by keeping the boys back here for so long."

Washu smiled as she swiveled her chair around and gestured at the five armored young man scattered across the lab. "What do you think? Not bad, right?"

Not that she would openly admit it, but Ryoko had to agree. Two of the boys were just a short distance away from the workstation sparring in hand-to-hand combat, and their movements didn't seem to be hindered in the least by the armor. In fact, their speed actually appeared to be enhanced more than anything else, and as her eyes narrowed, she saw small burst of blue-white thruster fire appear from slits in the armor, giving short bursts to the fighters' mobility and making their punches and kicks land that much harder. With each impact there was a faint ripple of blue energy across the surface of the armor; the suits had built-in shielding. Two more armored figures were at the firing range testing out what appeared to be incredibly sleek and streamlined mid to long-range energy rifles, while a third was off to the side on his own practicing with a knife that trailed thin wisps of blue energy through the air. Ryoko couldn't tell at first glance who was who thanks to the helmets concealing their faces, but after a few moments of study she realized that the knife-wielder was Heero.

That knife… it's channeling his Juraian energy.

"Washu!" yelled Ayeka between gasps for breath as she and the rest of the group finally caught up, "Explain… yourself… at once!"

Washu gestured at the five armored young men going about their training. "I think this speaks for itself, wouldn't you say?"

Sasami's eyes widened. "Oh, wow!"

"Meow!" cried Ryo-Ohki.

Mihoshi gasped. "Is that Heero and his friends?"

Hilde smirked as she shook her head. "Looks like they're having a ball. Some things never change…"

"They all seem to be one piece," Azaka observed.

"What a relief!" chirped Kamidake.

Washu shook her head. "What, you all thought I'd put our frontline fighters in danger while we're on a mission to save the galaxy? Oh, ye of little faith."

"In all fairness, doctor," said AIDA, "this is you we're talking about here."

Washu shot a glare at the holographic pixy. "I know I programed you to have a sense of humor, but don't push your luck."

"So, who's who?" asked Sasami as she looked around.

"I can't tell them apart," said Mihoshi.

Ayeka's gaze followed Ryoko's; no doubt the elder princess was able to detect the energy of her fellow royal. "Lord Heero!"

Washu nodded. "Good eye, Ayeka. I made that knife specifically for him; I wanted to give him something a little closer to what he's familiar with while still providing him with the means to practice with his Juraian energy. The handle of the weapon houses an intricate sensor array that's able to pick up on his latent power, and unlike Tenchi-ken there's actually a switch Heero can flip that'll activate the knife's built-in conduit. His energy flows through conduit and along the blade, allowing it to parry other energy weapons. It's no Master Key, or even a vanilla Key, but it can still block their blades. Until Heero gets more comfortable with the idea of using Tenchi-ken, this'll be a useful stopgap."

"Impressive," said Azaka.

"Indeed," chirped Kamidake, "Not many weapons can stand up to Juraian energy blades."

Hilde smiled as her gaze fell on the firing range. "I think I know which one Duo is. I'd recognize that firing stance anywhere."

"If that's the case, who's the other one at the range with him?" asked Ayeka.

"That'd be Quatre," Washu replied, "Those pretty firearms I've got them playing around with are the ETR-1; the 'ETR' stands for 'Energy Tactical Rifle'. Not a very snazzy name, I know, but they give the boys a nice designated marksman's weapon to use in the field. They're semi-automatic and quite accurate. No recoil, too. Small potatoes compared to other weapons I've built in the past, but they'll get the job done. I've got more guns that I'm working on, too. I'll have all the toys ready by the time we get to the first repository."

"Then the two currently sparring are Sirs Wufei and Trowa," Ayeka observed.

"Do we get any cool armor?" asked Mihoshi hopefully.

"You and Kiyone already have Galaxy Police issue field gear on the Yagami," Washu pointed out, "I mean, I'd be more than happy to make some new toys for you, but I've got the distinct impression that Kiyone's worried about what your superiors will say if they learn that I'm back in the weapons and armor business again."

"Can't they make an exception?" asked Hilde, "I mean, these aren't exactly normal circumstances, after all."

Washu shrugged. "It's always easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission. If Kiyone wants me to whip up some treats, she knows where to find me."

"Speaking of armor," said Ryoko, her gaze still on Heero, "just how much punishment can those suits take?"

"Quite a bit," Washu answered, "Those shields can withstand fire from most conventional weapons, although a sustained and coordinated attack from a skilled fireteam can bring them down. They are capable of recharging, but the generators need a few seconds before that can take place, so cover's still important. The armor plating provides solid protection not just from enemy fire, but also from environmental hazards. Not only are they fully sealed to allow for operation in open space, but the suits also protect against harmful radiation… at least in the short-term. Long-term exposure in a heavily irradiated combat zone is still deadly, so hopefully we can avoid that."

"What about Juraian Keys?" asked Ayeka, "Can those shields withstand a blow from a blade like that?"

"A glancing strike, sure," Washu replied, "As for a head-on hit… the shields might bleed off some of the energy, but ultimately the blade will still cut through. Taking the blow at an angle is the best way to improve one's chances for survival."

Which means Heero's going to have to watch himself if he ends up fighting Kagato or his sister, thought Ryoko, I know he's not the biggest fan of Tenchi-ken right now, but the old man's not wrong in wanting Heero to keep training with it. That knife doesn't have nearly the same kind of power that the sword does, and Washu knows that.

It was strange; she normally wasn't the biggest fan of Jurai, yet here she was wanting Heero to embrace the powers that came with him being a part of the Empire's royal bloodline. Of course, that was because she wanted him to have every edge possible in combat. His training with Yosho was a good start, but Ryoko hadn't failed to notice Heero's reluctance to rely on his newfound power. He might've wanted to understand it and learn to control it, but his mindset was still mostly the way it had been prior to Nagi's attack; he was still focused on fighting in the way that was most familiar to him.

"How about communications?" asked Hilde, "I'm assuming those helmets have transmitters and receivers built into them. What kind of range are we talking about?"

Washu smiled. "Their signal boosters are powerful enough to communicate with a ship in orbit should the need arise. Encryption's as comprehensive as you can get, too; no one's going to be eavesdropping on our conversations with the boys while they're in the field."

"What about the power supply?" asked Ayeka, "How long are the generators good for?"

"Long enough that the boys won't have to worry about them shutting down in the field during their lifetimes," Washu replied with a smirk, "I build my babies to last."

"Humble as ever, doctor," AIDA quipped.

"At least they'll be well protected should we see battle," said Azaka.

"We can only hope that hostile encounters will be minimum," chirped Kamidake.

Washu shook her head. "I wouldn't count on that. Knowing me, I'm sure I left some nasty surprises at the first repository."

"Speaking of that, how far out is it?" asked Ryoko, "We've been travelling at FTL for a few days now. How much further do we have to go?"

"I'll tell you when we're close," said Washu, "Kiyone's done a good job of keeping us on course. If all goes well, we should get there before Kagato arrives."

Hilde's eyes narrowed. "I really hope you didn't just jinx us there."

Washu sighed. "Good point."

"Can they take a break?" asked Sasami, pointing at Heero and the others, "They've been down here a while now, and it'll be time for dinner soon."

"Don't worry, Sasami," said AIDA with a smile, "We'll make sure they're done in time to eat with the rest of you."

"Unless you all are planning on sticking around and watching, you can go," said Washu as she turned back to her workstation, "The boys are safe, so there's no need be concerned."

Ayeka sighed as she looked at Heero one more time. "Well… as long as they remain unharmed, I suppose it's all right to leave them down here."

"Don't worry, Ayeka," said Mihoshi with a smile, "They'll be just fine."

"That's never a guarantee when it comes to Washu, Mihoshi," Ayeka countered, "We've lived with her long enough to know that by now."

"I'm still right here, you know?" Washu dryly pointed out.

Ayeka hastily nodded. "Yes, no need to remind us. Let's get out of here, everyone."

Ryoko shook her head. "You all feel free to beat it. I'm sticking around."

As the others left, Washu looked over her shoulder and gave Ryoko a knowing smirk. "Oh, really? You don't trust me with our resident bastard royal?"

"You really shouldn't call someone a bastard when they're in earshot," said Heero as he walked over and removed his helmet, "This thing's got great audio sensors. You of all people should know that."

Washu smiled guiltily. "Whoops. Sorry, Heero!"

"Never mind," he replied before turning to Ryoko, "You know I can take care of myself, right?"

Ryoko smiled. "I know, but a girl can't help but worry about her handsome prince. Besides, this is Washu's lab we're talking about here; hazardous environment's a given when it comes to this place."

Heero actually gave a small chuckle at that. "Can't argue there."

Washu folded her arms. "I'll have you know that it's been a full day since I last had an experiment that accidentally set something on fire or released a potentially toxic substance!"

Ryoko rolled her eyes. "Not helping your case there."

Heero raised an eyebrow. "Potentially toxic substance? Just what else are you working on back here?"

Washu shrugged. "Oh, you know; little bit of this, little bit of that. I like to keep myself busy."

"A busy you is a you that worries me," said Heero.

"That makes two of us," Ryoko added dryly.

"Very funny," Washu shot back, "If you two have time to throw barbs my way, then you've got time to make yourselves useful. I still need more data regarding the armor's performance in close-quarters-combat. Ryoko, why don't you and Heero spar for a bit?"

Ryoko turned to Heero. "What do you think? Up for another round?"

Heero nodded. "Sure. It'll be interesting fighting you with the armor and knife rather than Tenchi-ken. I'll try to go easy on you."

Ryoko smirked. "Oh, really? If I remember correctly, I think our last sparring session ended in a tie. If you 'go easy' on me, I might just break that draw in my favor!"

"You're welcome to try," Heero countered.

Washu gestured towards an open spot in the room. "Go over there and have fun; I don't want either of you breaking my equipment here."

"Don't worry," said Ryoko, "We won't make a mess."

Heero led the way, and when they reached the area Washu had designated they squared off. The young man before her put his helmet back on, and a small wave of light-blue energy briefly rippled over the armor as the shields reactivated. He then drew the knife and activated it, once again shrouding the blade in an aura of Juraian energy.

"Ready?" he asked.

Ryoko grinned as a shaft of crimson energy crackled to life in her right hand. "Bring it on!"

Heero moved first, and Ryoko's eyes widened at the speed of his charge. She barely had time to notice the small jets of blue thruster fire coming from the slits in his armor before he was on her, forcing her onto the defensive. Keeping her energy blade close, she managed to deflect his opening strike, but Heero pressed the assault. His thrusts and slashes were quick and precise, just like they'd been with Tenchi-ken, but his greater familiarity with knife-fighting as opposed to swordsmanship showed quite clearly here. He was in his element, highly aggressive and relentless, seizing upon even the slightest of openings.

I have the advantage in reach, thought Ryoko as she worked furiously to fend him off, but up close like this he's actually got greater flexibility… and he's fully aware of that.

Luckily for her, there were no real rules for this fight. Obviously, she wasn't going to do anything that would put Heero's life in danger, but she could afford to roughhouse a bit more than usual thanks to his armor. Blocking another knife strike with the energy blade in her right hand, she thrust out the palm of her left and fired off a crimson blast. The sphere of power hit Heero's chest plating dead center, and while the shield flared up, they didn't break. However, the impact did send Heero back a few meters, although Ryoko quickly realized that part of that was due to the young man activating his thrusters at the exact moment of the strike to bleed off some of strength behind it.

The pirate smiled. "Nice move. First hit's still mine, though."

Ryoko couldn't see Heero's face, but based on the tone of his voice she was sure that there was a small smile beneath that helmet of his. "Round's not over yet. Don't get cocky."

Ryoko smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it. Let's go, hotshot!"

….

"Come on, come on," Duo muttered as he shook the crimson cup while covering the end with his other hand, five dice rattling inside, "Give me what I need, baby…"

Hilde rolled her eyes. "I swear, if you ask me to kiss the cup again for good luck, you're sleeping on the couch tonight."

Ayeka shot Duo a scowl. "He would certainly deserve it. He's won too many times already. He must be cheating!"

Duo grinned. "Someone's salty tonight! Then again, fortune hasn't been on your side the last few rounds."

"Just roll already!" Ryoko snapped.

Heero could only hope that Duo wouldn't take his gloating further. If either Ayeka or Ryoko decided to take out their frustration on him, at this point he was of half a mind to sit back and watch the fireworks.

Game nights have always been contentions with the girls, he mused, I should've known that throwing Duo into the mix wouldn't help matters.

They'd wrapped up dinner a little while ago, and it had been Sasami's idea to break out the board games. While Heero and the other former Gundam pilots had originally been planning on heading back to Washu's lab after the meal, none of them had the heart to say no to the younger princess. So, there they were, enjoying a game night while travelling on a cruiser further out into space than any human had ever gone before. It was utterly surreal, and yet to Heero it felt like just another inevitable occasion on the strange rollercoaster his life had become ever since the pirate and the Juraian crown princess had crash-landed in his metaphorical backyard.

He'd collected a series of games during the time they'd spent at the countryside safehouse as a means to keep his guests from getting bored, and a few of them were being put to good use now. Heero, Duo, Hilde, Ryoko and Ayeka were on their third round of Yahtzee for the evening, and the self-proclaimed 'God of Death' had become almost insufferable thanks to his winning streak. Sasami was absorbed in a game of Monopoly with Kiyone, Quatre, and Trowa, while Wufei was enjoying a leisurely game of Go with Yosho. Mihoshi had wanted to be part of the festivities, but it was her turn to man the cockpit, although she had only agreed to carry out her duties after Kiyone had promised her that she could be part of the next game night. Washu had declined to join in; she was already back in the lab, continuing her work.

I hope she doesn't burn herself out, he thought, I suppose she knows her limits and enjoys what she does, but even so, being cooped up in there constantly working has to take a toll…

After spending an egregious amount of time shaking the cup, Duo finally let the dice fly. Sure enough, much to the consternation of everyone else, it came up as five fives; his victory was assured, and Heero idly wondered who would make the first retaliatory gesture.

Princess or pirate? I'm tempted to place bets…

As it turned out, it was Ryoko, who proceeded to flip off the L2 native. "Damn you, asshole!"

Ayeka glared at Duo. "Cheater! No one is this lucky! Lord Heero, say something!"

Heero shook his head. "Sorry, Ayeka, but he's not cheating. These are the only dice we've got, and if he'd tampered with them there'd be signs of it. He's good, but not that good."

Duo smirked. "Don't need to be sneaky when Lady Luck's on your side!"

"Duo…" growled Hilde, "Read the room."

Duo held up his hands in surrender. "Whoa, all right, all right! Hey, I didn't ask you to kiss the cup. I'm not on the couch tonight, right?"

Hilde sighed. "No, you're not… but only if you wipe that damn smug grin off your face right now."

Duo chuckled. "Okay, point taken. Why don't we take a breather?"

Ayeka sighed. "Yes… I suppose that would be best."

"I need a drink," said Ryoko as she stood up and headed towards the kitchen, "You guys want anything?"

"I'll take a beer," Duo answered.

"Me too, please," Hilde chimed in.

"Heero?" asked Ryoko.

Heero shook his head. "I'm good."

Ayeka folded her arms. "I can't help but notice that you're not offering me anything."

Ryoko shrugged. "You were included with the rest of the group, but if you're going to cop an attitude then I'm not getting you anything."

Ayeka huffed. "Fine! I don't want anything from you anyway."

Heero stood up. "I'm heading out. Need a bit of air."

Of course, that was a bit relative; they obviously no longer had the sweet mountain air of their old abode for refreshment. Still, with so many people in the living room it was getting a bit warm, so the atmosphere of the cargo-hold felt pretty good as Heero stepped outside.

Whenever he was inside the residence with the others, it was all too easy to forget about the gravity of their situation. Stepping out the door and being confronted not with grass and trees but the cargo hold of the Yagami was a harsh reminder of his new reality. He might've come out for a breather, but it was hard to enjoy the space when his mind inevitably turned to the mission.

"Of all the missions I've taken on, this one's got to be the craziest," he muttered.

"If it makes you feel any better, I can't think of anyone more suited to it," said a female voice from behind him.

Looking over his shoulder, Heero saw none other than Washu. "I thought you were still working in the lab."

The scientist shrugged. "Even I need to get out of there for a bit from time to time."

Heero's eyes narrowed. "And you just so happen to pick your break time at the exact moment I decide to seek out a bit of space from the others? I know your surveillance network's still set up in this place, so I'm not buying that this is merely a coincidence."

Washu chuckled as she sat down next to him. "Can't slip anything past you, eh? I knew there was a reason why I liked you."

"I prefer honesty to flattery," said Heero, "and right now I can't help but wonder what else you've been hiding this whole time."

Washu nodded. "If I were in your shoes, I guess I'd be thinking the same thing. We haven't really had a chance to talk one-on-one for a while now, so if you've got questions, now's as good a time as any."

Heero was a bit surprised at her apparent willingness to be interrogated, but he wasn't about to pass up the opportunity. "How long have you known about what I really am?"

"Quite a while now," she admitted, "Those tests I was running on you weren't just to make sure you were in good health, after all."

"I figured as much," Heero replied, "Why couldn't you have told me the truth back then?"

Washu sighed. "Ego, mostly. I viewed you as an interesting specimen, one to monitor covertly. I did know that eventually you'd have to learn the truth, and I spoke to Yosho about it, but… I should've told you as soon as I figured it out. It would've saved us all quite the headache going forward. For all that I boast of being the greatest genius in the universe, when it comes to people, I've made more than my share of mistakes."

"At least you're willing to admit it," said Heero, "Although, frankly, I'm surprised you're doing even that."

"Now's hardly the time for me to gloss over my failures," Washu countered, "Not with so much at stake."

Heero nodded. "Agreed. As long as we're being honest with each other, tell me this; do you really think we can pull this off?"

Washu smiled. "I do. Kagato's powerful, and so is his sister; there's no getting around that. They've also got more than their share of allies, with those two assassins that were with Nagi during the attack being just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. I have no doubt that they've planned things out extensively, and they're probably ready for Yosho and I… but I don't think they're ready for you."

Heero was skeptical. "I appreciate the vote of confidence, but it might not be the best idea to put all your eggs in my basket. I'm trying to figure out how to use a power that I just learned about a few days ago; from what you've told me, our enemies have a significant edge in the experience department."

Washu shook her head. "Only when it comes to their powers. You're starting at a disadvantage there, true enough, but when it comes to combat experience it's another matter entirely. Ragyō is perhaps the finest swordswoman in the galaxy, but her fighting style's very much up front and in your face. As for Kagato, he's reliant on the power of his bloodline. Neither of them fight like you, and that's where your advantage comes in. You're a veteran operative, and you weren't trained to fight cleanly; you were trained to win. You use every weapon at your disposal, whether its firearms, knives, explosives, hand-to-hand combat, or whatever else is available. You may be part Juraian by blood, but you weren't brought up in its culture, and that's a bigger edge than you might realize. Kagato and his sister are both brilliant and ruthless, but even they were brought up as Juraians. That's something you can use against them."

Heero raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure I follow you."

"Juraian culture, especially at the level of royalty and the nobility, places an emphasis on honor," Washu elaborated, "This is reflected most prominently in combat doctrine; it's all about fighting in the open. Sure, they won't hesitate to overwhelm an enemy with superior numbers and firepower, but there's not a whole lot of subterfuge. Frankly, with that mindset it's a miracle that we were ultimately able to get them to go along with the plan for the Judgment Array during the Imperial Civil War. Anyway, my point is that you don't have that kind of background. As a Preventers operative, infiltration and subterfuge are your bread and butter. Assassination, espionage, sabotage, tactical raids; you're well-versed in a form of warfare that the Empire of Jurai is typically quite disdainful of."

Heero shook his head. "Jurai can't be completely unaware of covert operations and guerilla warfare tactics. I find it hard to believe that the Empire could survive for as long as it has if it were otherwise."

"Their professional military does have its own special operations forces, and of course the intelligence services have operatives trained in the dark arts of clandestine warfare," Washu conceded, "However, that's not who we're up against. Eventually, I have no doubt we'll have to make our way to the capital, and when that day comes having Ayeka on our side is going to be huge. Her and Sasami could go a long way towards making sure her father is on our side. I might have my disagreements with the Emperor, but I'll give the man credit where it's due; he loves his children. I know he cared deeply for Yosho, and it must've worried him like nothing else when he went missing. Bringing back both his daughters and the long-lost crown prince will get us in the throne's good graces. That should keep us from having to fight the professional military; they answer to the Emperor, not Kagato."

"Perhaps, but you said he and his sister are branch royals," Heero countered, "They have to have forces at their disposal beyond a bounty hunter and some assassins."

"Oh, sure," Washu admitted, "Their fleet's formidable, and in addition to their regular soldiers I'm sure they've bolstered their ranks with all manner of irregulars. Mercenaries, marauders, you name it; Kagato's not above enlisting the likes of them, and he's certainly got the cash to afford their services. Still, his thinking's that of a Juraian noble and an egomaniacal scientist. He doesn't have the mindset needed to understand how someone like you fights."

"Your last interaction with him was nearly a thousand years ago," Heero pointed out, "You've been on ice for most of that time period; he hasn't. People change, Washu, and he's had plenty of time for that."

Washu shrugged. "You're not wrong, but the way he set up the attack on us fits the style I came to expect of him back then. He's had time to change, but based on what we've seen so far, I don't think his mindset has really evolved all that much. I have no doubt that he's gotten stronger over the centuries, though. Underestimating him is a good way to sign your own death warrant."

"I'll take your word for it," said Heero, "He's not our only problem, though. The Empire and the Galaxy Police could be an issue."

Washu reluctantly nodded. "Yeah, you're right. When they find out that we're after my old toy… things are going to get dicey real quick."

"And they're not going to sit back and watch while we try to destroy it," Heero added, "Assuming they take our word that our intention is to destroy it, of course."

Washu sighed. "No getting around it; we might have some problems there. I don't know what the Galaxy Police will do when they find out what's up, but I'm pretty sure the Emperor's going to want to take it intact. After all, he's the one that commissioned Kagato and I to build it in the first place, and he got a big return on his investment the first time around."

"No kidding," Heero quipped, "Ending a galaxy-spanning civil war with the push of a button is one hell of a dividend."

"That's putting it lightly," said Washu, "He wasn't exactly pleased when I took his new favorite toy away from him. Once he learns about our mission… well, he's probably going to interfere, to put it mildly."

"Even if his daughters and long-lost son are on our side?" asked Heero.

"That's our ace in the hole," Washu replied, "They're our best shot for convincing him to fully back us. There's also you to consider, too."

Heero looked down for a moment, pointedly avoiding her gaze. "I hardly think I'm a factor here."

Washu shook her head. "That's a load of crap, and you know it. You hosted both his daughters, kept them safe while they were on Earth, and they're both quite fond of you. Yosho thinks highly of you as well, and not just because you're his grandson. Even if you weren't part of the family, your actions ever since the lot of us fell into your life speak volumes of your character. The Emperor's not the type of man who'll miss that. There's also his wives to consider as well."

Heero raised an eyebrow. "Wives? How many does he have?"

"Just two," Washu answered with a wink, "No giant harem here, if that's what you were thinking."

"I wasn't," Heero countered, "So… which one am I descended from?"

Washu smiled. "The first wife. Name's Funaho Masaki Jurai. Haven't seen her in a long time, but if she's still anything like she was back then… I think she's going to be very eager to meet you."

"I'm... not sure how to take that," said Heero nervously.

Washu laughed. "Relax, Heero! I know family's a new thing for you, but you're going to have to get used to it… and you could do much worse for a great-grandmother, trust me on that."

"What about his second wife?" he asked, "She's not going to see me as a threat, is she?"

Washu shook her head. "Misaki? Hardly. She's quite close with Funaho; hell, I've even heard her call her 'sis' occasionally. I think she'll be almost as excited to meet you as Funaho!"

Heero sighed with relief; the last thing he needed was more family drama heaped on what he already had to deal with. "Well, as long as we get a friendly reception, that's all that matters. The last thing we need is enemies in the royal family."

Washu gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Trust me, you've got nothing to worry about there. Ayeka's family can be complicated sometimes, but for the most part their hearts are in the right place. Her father's the only one I'm really worried about, and that's more due to the Judgment Array than anything to do with you."

"They're not going to make some big announcement about me, are they?" Heero asked, "The last thing I want is to make waves in the Empire. The mission comes first."

Washu chuckled. "Afraid I can't make any promises there. The return of Yosho alone is going to be big news to Jurai, but the fact that he's got an heir too? Sorry, Heero, but word of that's likely to get out whether you want it to or not."

"Great," Heero deadpanned, "Just what I needed; celebrity status in a galaxy-spanning empire. As if things weren't complicated enough as it is."

Washu grinned mischievously. "Oh, you think it's bad now? Just wait until we get to the capital. I bet by the time our audience with the Emperor's done you'll already be drowning in marriage proposals!"

Heero could not resist a double-take at that. "Excuse me? Marriage proposals? You've got to be joking."

"I wish I was," Washu replied, "Unfortunately for you, Heero, I think you're going to find yourself the most eligible bachelor in the entire galaxy when we reach the capital. It won't matter if you're a bastard; you've got the bloodline and the power that comes with it. The girls are going to be lining up across the empire once word about you gets out."

Heero wanted to say that she was exaggerating, but the look on her face suggested that this was more than just a joke at his expense. He suddenly found himself imagining Ryoko and Ayeka glaring at potential suitors, the air around them crackling with energy as they prepared to lay waste to the competition.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire…

"Dealing with a bunch of suitors is hardly my idea of a good time," he quipped, "Besides, we've got much more important things to worry about."

Washu nodded. "Trust me, I know. I just want you to be prepared for what's coming your way. The capital's still a way off, but after the first or second repository I'd say a stop there's going to be pretty much inevitable. We're going to need royal backing to take down Kagato, so giving you an idea of what lies ahead now is simply prudent planning."

"Fair enough," Heero conceded, "What about imperial politics outside the Royal Family itself? Any potential threats there?"

Washu sighed. "I'm not sure. I've been away for a long time, so it's hard to say how the playing field has shifted over the centuries. The Kiryuin branch has always had a lot of support, and that only increased during and after the war thanks to them remaining loyal to the empire. Given just how long the main branch has held the throne… well, I'm sure there are more than a few noble families who would be open to a change in leadership. Kagato could have quite a few allies in the Noble Assembly."

"Enough to stop the Emperor should they decide that they don't want him backing us?" asked Heero warily.

Washu shook her head. "Sorry, Heero; I just don't know. Until we get into the empire itself and get a better feel for the playing field, we're flying blind."

Heero shrugged. "Story of my life these days. At least I'm adaptable."

Washu smiled. "Indeed… and that may ultimately be what keeps you alive in the weeks ahead."

….

February 10th, A.C. 199

"Thanks for coming, everyone," said Kiyone as Heero and the others settled in.

They were in the main briefing room of the Yagami. It was set up as a modest amphitheater of sorts, with three curved rows of seats on one side facing a holographic projector. The room had space for about two dozen or so people, and Heero assumed that larger Galaxy Police ships had correspondingly grander briefing areas. Everyone save for Mihoshi was present since it was her turn for cockpit duty. Joining Kiyone by the holographic projector was Washu, while everyone else took their seats.

"Is this where we finally learn where we're heading?" asked Hilde.

"It'd better be," said Duo, "I don't like being in the dark for so long."

"We already know where we're going," Wufei countered, "The first repository, remember?"

"But we don't know what it looks like or what kind of planet it's on," Trowa pointed out.

Quatre smiled. "I've got the feeling that'll change shortly."

"As long as it's not somewhere cold," said Ayeka, "Lord Heero, please understand that I mean no offense; winter at that home Preventers set up for us was most charming, but I was beginning to tire of the snow."

Heero gave her a slight nod. "None taken."

"Aw," Sasami pouted, "I liked it!"

"Meow!" Ryo-Ohki concurred.

"It was rather entertaining while it lasted," said Azaka.

"Right up until that bounty hunter had to ruin it all," chimed in Kamidake.

"Save the reminiscing for latter," Ryoko snapped, leaning forward in her chair, "Let's get this rolling already."

She's oddly focused today, Heero mused, I guess she really is taking this seriously.

Yosho nodded. "Washu, Kiyone? I think everyone's ready."

Washu smirked. "Everyone thinks they're ready until the fireworks actually start. You know that better than most, old man."

Yosho chuckled. "True enough."

Kiyone leaned over the holographic projector and typed on a keypad set on the rim of the device. The lights in the room dimmed while the projector sprang to life, showing an image of the Milky Way Galaxy. While the image was highly detailed and even rather mesmerizing to look at, the only things Heero found that were really of note were two small blinking dots. One was light green and located towards the outer rim of the galaxy, while the other was red and appeared to be slowing making its way towards the green one.

"This is our current relative position," said Kiyone, pointing to the red dot before nodding at the green one, "and this is our destination. At our current speed, we'll be there in two days."

Ayeka's eyes narrowed as she studied the display. "These coordinates are quite a way outside of Juraian space… or any form of civilized space for that matter. Is the first repository really on such an out of the way planet like this?"

Duo shrugged. "Why not? She was trying to hide it from everyone, so putting it out in the middle of nowhere is a good place to start."

Wufei shook his head. "Remoteness helps, but that can't be its only defense."

"Undoubtedly, there's more to it," said Trowa, "but… you mentioned that you had deleted memories regarding the protections in place, right?"

Washu smiled. "Nice to see that you were paying attention back there. It's true that I don't know what sort of anti-intruder measures we're going to run into down there, but I do still retain knowledge regarding the general layout of the repository, as well as information regarding the planet it's on. I know it's not perfect, but at least it'll help you get your bearings before we arrive."

"Does this out of the way planet at least have a name?" asked Quatre.

"RP-X639789," Kiyone replied dryly, "It's so out of the way that it never got anything past its official survey number."

Hilde's eyes widened. "Wait, you mean people in your civilization discover entire planets and don't even bother to name them?"

Kiyone shrugged. "Not if they're this far off the beaten track. You'd think an enterprising explorer or surveyor would get their name attached to the thing, but this ball of rock was in such a galactic dead-end that they probably didn't see it as worth the effort."

"What do you know about it?" asked Heero, "What are we looking at as far as environmental hazards go?"

Washu shook her head. "Not much to worry about on that front. Its orbit isn't all that dissimilar from Earth's position in relation to its respective sun, so it has similar climate zones. The first repository's located in the northern hemisphere."

The holographic image suddenly shifted, replacing the galactic map with the planet itself. The planet rotated until a large continent appeared, and Heero guessed it was about the size of South America. Instead of running north to south, though, the landmass appeared to have a much bigger emphasis on its east to west axis than its Earth-borne counterpart. A blinking yellow dot appeared close to the continent's northwestern coastline, and Heero assumed that was meant to represent the repository.

"Lucky for you bunch, I kept my private survey data on this hunk of rock intact," said Washu, "Atmosphere's close enough to Earth's that you won't have to worry about breathing equipment. The repository's in an oceanic climate zone, not all that different than what you'd find in western Europe or the Pacific Northwest of what you call North America. The surrounding region is mostly dominated by forests and a few rivers running from the eastern mountains down to the sea. As for the weather, expect plenty of rain this time of year."

"That's too bad," said Sasami, "If it were sunny, we could enjoy the beach."

"Meow!" cried Ryo-Ohki.

Ayeka gave her younger sister a stern look. "Sasami! We're hardly going to this planet to enjoy ourselves. This is not a vacation!"

Sasami sighed. "I know."

"That's a shame," said Azaka, "It does seem like a rather pleasant little planet."

"Too bad we won't be able to enjoy it," chirped Kamidake.

"What about the locals?" asked Wufei, "Any concerns there?"

Washu shook her head. "No native sentient species that we'll need to worry about. As far as the wildlife goes, the biggest predators you'll find in the area are about the size of wolves and have similar physiology. You boys will be in full armor, so they'll hardly be a threat. As for the rest of us, we'll just have to watch our backs and keep the noncombatants protected."

Quatre's eyes narrowed. "I know you said there aren't any native inhabitants, but a habitable world out in secluded space should still be on someone's radar apart from ours. It'd make a great hideaway for criminals. Are we sure we're not going to stir up a hornets' nest when we land there?"

"I wouldn't worry about that," Ryoko chimed in, "A rock like this isn't actually all that attractive for criminals, believe it or not."

Heero turned to her. "What makes you say that?"

"Remoteness isn't everything," Ryoko replied, "Sure, we pirates like a place to lie low when the heat's on, but we don't really go as far out as most people think we do unless we're really desperate to hide. Most of us maintain safehouses and secret bases that are close to at least one established trade lane to make sure we've got access to supplies. This little ball of dirt is so far out there that it just wouldn't be worth the effort to maintain a hidey-hole on. You'd have to be really looking to lose yourself if you were coming out to this end of the galaxy to hide. Like, so desperate that you're trying to completely drop off the grid and not poke your head out for years."

Heero nodded. "Well, you're our resident pirate, so your expertise is good enough for me."

"Lowlifes would know each other's tendencies," Ayeka quipped.

Much to Heero's surprise, Ryoko did not take the bait. Apart from shooting Ayeka a quick glare, she kept her attention on the briefing rather than starting a fight.

Her restraint's come a long way, he mused, I should encourage this in her… I'll talk to her later.

"Ryoko's right," said Washu, "That's another reason why I picked this planet for constructing the first repository on. The only sentient interference we'll need to worry about is Kagato, along with whatever security measures I put in place back when I built this facility."

Kiyone sighed. "Too bad you deleted your own memories regarding those security measures. Still, at least you were nice enough to keep the plans for the building itself."

The image on the holographic projector changed again, this time shifting from a view of the planet itself to a rotating surface shot of what Heero assumed was the repository itself. Protruding out of a cliffside along the eastern half of a small lake, the outer frame of the structure consisted of a series of six large triangles. Running through the center of these separate triangles was one long continuous and extended triangular structure which Heero surmised was the inner housing of the repository. The structure was long enough that its far edge actually extended out over the water, rounding off and ending in an elevated landing pad.

Duo whistled. "Not bad… you've got style, doc, I'll give you that."

"Thanks," Washu replied, "but don't let the pretty façade fool you. This is just the outer shell; the full repository goes back quite a way into the cliff. Only about a third of the structure is above ground."

"If it's just housing information, did it have to be so large?" asked Trowa, "If you were looking to keep it hidden, something a bit lower-profile would've been better."

Washu chuckled. "Yeah, well, what can I say? I've got an ego. A simple hole-in-the-wall hideaway was never going to be good enough for me. Besides, there's more inside the repository than just information and boobytraps. I set them up as redoubts for myself in case I ever needed an out of the way research facility or somewhere to bunker down for a while."

Wufei leaned forward as he studied the image. "I'm not seeing any external weapons emplacements."

"That doesn't mean that there aren't some nasty guns hidden somewhere," Quatre countered, "This is Washu we're dealing with, after all."

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that," Washu dryly muttered.

"According to Washu, all the traps she set are inside the repository itself," said Kiyone, "However, given her compromised memories, there's no way we can no for sure that there aren't anti-air defenses put in place around the structure. The Yagami would be a prime target for any such weapons, so we need to make sure that the area is secure before we make our descent. That's where Ryo-Ohki comes in."

Ryoko smirked. "You want me to play bait and sniff out any hidden defenses, right?"

Washu nodded. "I know what Ryo-Ohki's capable of under your control. She's fast, maneuverable, well-armed and shielded. She'll be perfect for both recon and inserting our lead strike team."

"Meow!" cried Ryo-Ohki with enthusiasm.

"Who's in the lead team?" asked Hilde.

"Ryoko, Yosho and the boys will be securing our landing zone," Washu replied, "Once that's taken care of, the rest of us will follow. You'll need my biometric data to enter the repository and navigate through to the heart of the facility."

Heero sighed. "I know you built this place, but if you're going to be down on the ground with us and we get into a firefight, I want you to follow our instructions, all right? You can guide us through the facility, but when the shooting starts you keep your head down."

Washu smiled. "No promises that I'll completely yield to your authority, but you boys do know your way around a good shootout, so I'll try not to get in your way."

"If we do run into Kagato, I ask that you leave him to me," said Yosho, looking at Heero in particular, "The rest of you are no match for him… not as you are now, at least."

Heero's eyes narrowed. "He's our main enemy here. If we get him out in the open, we need to take him out."

"With all due respect, Lord Heero, that may not be our best course of action," Ayeka protested, "Lord Kagato is still the head of a branch of the Royal Family; to move against him without the sanction of my father and the backing of the heart of Jurai would be unwise."

"Screw the politics of it all!" Ryoko snapped, "If we find the bastard, we take him out. He's already attacked us, so he's got it coming!"

"If we act rashly without having already proven our case to the Emperor, then we'd essentially be acting as outlaws, not to mention we'd be charged with attempted assassination" Kiyone countered, "We'd become the most wanted criminals in the galaxy!"

"She's got a point, Heero," said Quatre, "Kagato might be on our shit list for good reason, but as far as the rest of the Empire is concerned his public image is that of a loyal aristocrat. Any offensive action on our end could be used against us."

Yosho nodded. "Agreed. That is why it would be best to allow me to face him one-on-one should we encounter him."

Ayeka's eyes widened in realization. "You intend to invoke an official challenge, don't you?"

Yosho smiled. "If nothing else, it will serve as a valid legal shield. Besides, Kagato and I have unfinished business. He won't be able to resist a chance to make up for his failure to kill me all those centuries ago."

"Whoa, back up a second!" said Duo, "What's this about an official challenge?"

"Dueling is a recognized prerogative of Juraian royalty and aristocracy," Azaka replied.

"Any noble can challenge another," Kamidake added, "Such fights are considered to have legal sanction… although it has been quite some time since a duel to the death was last called, to my knowledge."

"Sounds rather archaic," said Quatre, "Can you really just call him out like that without warning?"

"What if he refuses?" asked Trowa.

Yosho shook his head. "Kagato won't refuse; I guarantee that. The law itself is something of a relic, I'll admit. Duels were rare back when I was still a fixture in the royal court, and deathmatches even more so. When a duel was called, it was typically understood that the fight would only be until one fighter scored a mark of contact; a minor and non-lethal blow."

Ayeka sighed. "The point is that under the guise of a duel, Lord Yosho can legally fight Lord Kagato without getting the rest of us marked as would-be assassins. Witnesses would be required to make it an official fight, though, and they would have to be either royal or noble."

Heero raised an eyebrow. "This guy was willing to sic a bounty hunter and a pair of assassins on us. I doubt he's going to worry about legal necessities if he finds us while hunting for his prized ultimate weapon."

"Normally, I'd agree with you, Heero," said Washu, "but Kagato might still need to be able to move about in polite Juraian society; we don't know how far along his plan is right now. He's walking a similar legal tightrope as the rest of us. His attack on us via proxy was a huge risk. Even on a planet as remote as the one the first repository's on, he'll still be cautious. Besides, he's also prideful. If Yosho slipped through his fingers once, he's going to be itching to rectify that mistake personally. A duel would suit his needs just fine."

Hilde sighed. "This is still a bad idea."

Wufei nodded. "No kidding. I'm all for an honorable fight, but this Kagato doesn't strike me as the type to play fair."

"And neither should we," said Heero firmly, "If he's on site, we stack the deck. We're not going to give him the luxury of a fair fight. We'll worry about repercussions with the Empire after we've put him in the ground."

"Forgive me, Lord Heero, but I must advise against this!" Ayeka protested, "You don't know the lengths the Empire will go to in order to avenge the assassination of a royal, even a branch one with questionable loyalty. You'll be marking yourself for death, and that's not all; Earth itself will likely be targeted for retaliation! You're still an agent of Preventers, after all. This means that you represent your government, and the Empire will act accordingly. Earth would be crippled by the Juraian response to an attack on Lord Kagato that's outside of a duel!"

"So reach out to your father and explain the situation before we get to the repository," Heero shot back, "That's a call you should've made quite some time ago. Yagami can get a signal through to Jurai, right?"

Kiyone nodded. "It's perfectly capable of doing so. I've already submitted my report to my superiors, so the ball should be rolling with the Galaxy Police. Of course, given everything I had to tell them, it's hard to say what direction things are going. They won't be eager to launch an investigation into a branch royal, that's for damn sure."

Ayeka sighed. "The reason I've yet to send such a message is because we have no concrete proof to present that Lord Kagato is behind all of this. Do not mistake my meaning; I fully believe Lord Yosho and Miss Washu regarding what he's up to. The problem is convincing the rest of the Empire."

"You're the crown princess," Quatre pointed out, "Your word's got to matter for something, right? The Emperor should at least hear you out if nothing else."

Sasami pulled on her sister's sleeve. "Ayeka, we really need to tell Father about this. We can't wait until we get back home. We need to do this now!"

"If nothing else, it'll at least give His Majesty something to consider before initiating any potential criminal proceedings against Lord Heero should he attack Lord Kagato," said Azaka.

"Forewarning is better than no warning," chimed in Kamidake.

Heero met the crown princess's gaze. "Ayeka, I know we don't have anything solid to present yet, but we don't have time to gather hard evidence right now. The first repository's just two days away. Given what's at stake here, we can't afford to wait. If we encounter Kagato and manage to isolate him, we have to take a shot."

For a moment, it looked like Ayeka would press her argument, but she ultimately relented. "Very well, Lord Heero. Miss Kiyone, if I could access the ship's communications suite once we're through here, I would greatly appreciate it."

Kiyone nodded. "I'll make sure it's ready for you. We're pretty far out, but getting a message to the capital shouldn't be an issue."

Heero caught Yosho staring at him. "Problem?"

The old man chuckled. "No, just surprised at our divergent lines of thought. I suppose it makes sense, though. I've been away for a long time, but my mindset remains heavily influenced by my background with the Empire. You may be of royal blood, but your thought process on this matter is purely that of a seasoned soldier."

"Get used to it," said Heero curtly, "I'll only play by Jurai's rules if it gives us an edge, and in this case it won't. Kagato's a priority target; I'm not concerned about taking him out honorably or with royal sanction, only that he gets taken out period."

Yosho nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."

"If we encounter him, it'll help to know the layout of where we're fighting," Quatre interjected, "Washu, what can you tell us about the interior of the repository?"

Washu turned to Kiyone and nodded. The Galaxy Police officer tapped on the keypad of the holographic projector, and the image shifted again. A cross-section layout of the structure appeared, breaking it down level by level.

"The portion of the repository that's above ground isn't anything too special," said Washu, "Apart from the main hall, there are some secondary laboratories and storage bays for maintenance drones. The repository's designed to be more or less a self-contained facility, able to go millennia without any manual upkeep from myself. We'll probably be running into the first line of defense in this section."

"That main hall's going to leave us wide open when we enter the structure," said Wufei as he studied the layout, "The only available cover is along the edges. It could be slow going, depending on what we run into."

Duo nodded. "I see at least a few potential sniper spots towards the back end. Is there really no other way in?"

Washu nodded. "That's the only entrance. I designed it that way to make it easier for the automated defenses to do their job."

"Going through the front door's a rather risky proposition," said Trowa, "First one through could draw a lot of fire."

Ryoko smiled. "Leave that to me. I can take it."

"Are you sure?" asked Heero, "I know your barriers are tough, but they have to have a limit to how much firepower they can take."

Ryoko winked at him. "Aw, you worried about me, Heero? That's sweet, hotshot! Don't worry, I'll be careful."

"Perhaps I should come with the lead team and be the first through the door," said Ayeka, "My personal barriers are far more powerful than Ryoko's!"

"Yeah, but you can't shoot back," Washu pointed out, "Ryoko can."

"She's also much more mobile than you," Heero added, "Sorry, Ayeka, but Ryoko's got this one."

Ayeka sighed. "Very well, Lord Heero."

"What comes after the main hall?" asked Hilde.

"Like I mentioned earlier, the bulk of the facility is underground," Washu replied, "The end of the main hall is about the same point where the facility goes into the cliff."

The image shifted again, moving further along the repository to the point that Washu had specified. Not only did the facility merge with the cliff as she'd said, but it also went into a twenty-five-degree downward angle, descending underground for quite some ways. The central housing still retained its triangular shape, but it was more condensed now, and the cross-section showed one main corridor running through it.

That gave Heero cause for concern. "Looks like another natural chokepoint."

Duo shook his head. "Well, that's going to be a joy to fight our way down."

Washu nodded grimly. "It's going to suck; I won't lie about that. Knowing me, the defenses will get thicker the further we proceed."

"How sturdy is the overall structure?" asked Trowa, "If we're going to be fighting underground, we need to make sure not to bring this thing down on our heads."

Washu smiled. "That won't be an issue. I built this baby to be quite durable. A running firefight or two won't be nearly enough to collapse it."

"Good to know," said Wufei, "How far down into this place is the actual information that we're looking for?"

Washu turned to Kiyone and nodded, who began adjusting the display again. Heero and the others watched as the projector took them down to the bottom of the facility, which ended in a broad circular chamber. The hologram zoomed in, showing what looked like half a sphere embedded into the very far wall of the chamber.

"That's our goal," said Washu, pointing at the hemisphere, "Data regarding the second repository, along with some broader information on the Judgment Array in general, is located here."

"How do we access it?" asked Kiyone.

"It's keyed to respond to my biometrics," Washu answered, "All I'll have to do is put my hand on it."

Ayeka nodded. "Sounds simple enough."

Hilde's eyes narrowed. "Hold on a second. If it's set to your specific biometric data, then there's no way Kagato could access it to begin with. Remind me why we're in this race again if he won't be able to get at the data anyway?"

"Kagato and I worked together for a very long time," Washu replied, "Trust me when I say that you don't want to underestimate that mind of his. Knowing him, he's likely already figured out a bypass."

"It actually wouldn't be all that difficult," said Heero, "If Nagi's returning that device she put on your forehead to him, then there are probably residual DNA traces on it. Given how advanced the rest of the galaxy's technology is compared to ours, it wouldn't surprise me if all it took for Kagato to forge himself an access key would be a few skin cells or something along those lines."

"Shit," Ryoko hissed, "I didn't even think of that."

Washu sighed. "Heero's on the right track. If Kagato wants a shot at the data, that'll be the most likely way he'll go about it. So, our little race against him still matters. Good enough for you, Hilde?"

"Yeah," Hilde answered somberly, "Won't stop me from wishing you were wrong, though."

"Any way for us to destroy the repository once we're done with it?" asked Duo, "If we can eliminate the data after we've got our copy, that should set him back a bit."

"Asset denial would be a good way to cap off the mission," Trowa added.

Washu smiled. "As a matter of fact, there is. Once I've gotten the data we need from the repository, I can set the whole thing to self-destruct. Kagato will get nothing but ashes!"

Wufei smirked. "That should leave a bitter taste in his mouth. I'm all for it."

Quatre nodded. "As long as we make sure to blow the place up after we're all safely out of it. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't feel like racing against the clock after we get the data."

"This entire mission's one giant race against the clock, remember?" Heero pointed out.

Quatre gave a sheepish laugh. "Good point!"

"I will have to trigger the sequence from the console in the bottom chamber," said Washu, "However, I should be able to calibrate it so that it won't blow until we're quite clear. I like a bit of flexibility in my tech, after all."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Kiyone interjected, "The room with the data we're after is likely to have the strongest defenses. It'll be a gauntlet from the entrance to the last chamber."

"Which means you'll have to stay behind on the Yagami, Sasami," said Ayeka.

The younger princess's eyes widened. "What? Why? I want to go down there and help everyone!"

"Sasami, it's too dangerous," said Kiyone, "You don't have combat experience or training like the rest of us."

Ryoko nodded. "She's right, kid. You gotta sit this out."

Sasami shook her head vigorously. "No! It's not fair if everyone else is in danger but I get to be safe!"

"Sasami, be reasonable," said Quatre, "This isn't a game!"

"We cannot allow any harm to come to you!" Azaka firmly stated.

"Your father would rip us apart if something foul were to befall you!" chirped Kamidake.

"I know it's not what you were hoping for when we started this trip, but it's for the best," said Heero.

Trowa nodded. "Sasami, none of us want you to get hurt. It might not be fair, but since you can't fight you need to stay where it's safe."

"Meow!" cried Ryo-Ohki.

Sasami finally relented. "All right, but the rest of you better not get hurt!"

Ayeka smiled and patted her sister on the head. "Don't worry. We'll be careful."

"We'll have to be if we want to get through what's coming," said Washu, "Rest up while you can. When we arrive two days from now, we're going to need our wits to be as sharp as our weapons."

….

Spinning her chair around as Yosho entered her lab, Washu shook her head at her old friend. "You haven't changed a bit."

Yosho smirked as he approached her. "Somehow I have the feeling that you don't mean that as a compliment."

"I don't," Washu dryly quipped as she motioned for him to take one of the free chairs, "You can take the crown prince away from Jurai, but you can't take Jurai away from the crown prince… or at least, that seems the case with you."

"You're referring to my proposal to challenge Kagato to single combat, I presume," he replied as he took a seat.

Washu nodded. "I get the reasoning behind it, but you're not as spry as you used to be. I know you've still got the moves, but he's had a lot of time to close the gap between the two of you."

Yosho's brow furrowed in thought. "In terms of pure technique, I likely still hold the edge. However, his power will have only grown over the years, while mine has been waning for some time. He'll have an advantage in endurance as well. It won't be an easy fight, that's for sure."

"It's not a fight that you should be seeking out," Washu countered, "We've got your grandson in the game now. Give him more time and training, and eventually he'll be able to take your place in the ring."

"Time is a luxury we do not have at the moment, remember?" Yosho pointed out, "I'll continue to train him if he seeks me out, but we only have two days until we reach the repository. That's hardly enough time to bring him up to Kagato's level."

Washu sighed. "Believe me, I know. I was hoping he'd be our trump card, but events started moving way faster than your or I were counting on. We should've told him the truth a long time ago."

"The die is cast," said Yosho, "What is done is done. All we can do now is move forward and hope he's up to the challenge."

Washu's eyes narrowed. "That 'challenge' better not be him having to watch you die. He's gone his entire life without knowing any real family; hell, he had no idea that the man who raised him was actually his biological father. He just thought that man was an assassin who decided to pick him up and show him the tricks of the trade. I know he's been wary of you since the truth came out, but that's because the whole idea of having actual living family members is completely new to him. If you get yourself killed in a duel with Kagato, what do you think that's going to do to Heero? Why the hell do you think he just wants to straight up kill him rather than risk that outcome?"

Yosho nodded. "I know I'm asking a lot of him. Still, he doesn't know what it would be like to have the entire Empire of Jurai after him for attempted assassination of a branch royal. I know that he's no stranger to life on the run, but this would be completely different. If I can spare him that by challenging Kagato legally, I will."

Washu shook her head. "I'm calling bullshit on that. You're just trying to make up for the fact that it took so damn long for you to finally find him, and even then, it was by accident that he showed up in your neck of the woods in the first place. Don't forget that there's no one on this ship that knows you better than me."

Yosho chuckled. "I suppose you do have a point there. Still, what would you have me do? If Kagato's power has truly grown over the centuries, then we both know that Heero won't be able to assassinate him as he is now. I'm sure he'll take his best shot, but this is the royal bloodline we're talking about here. Kagato might only be a branch noble, but you know just as well as I do that his strength is more than enough to challenge the main line. The same goes for his sister, too. If both of them travel to the repository together and we encounter them, it's going to get ugly. A formal challenge might at least buy us some time and keep both of them occupied; Kagato with the duel itself, and Ragyō acting as his second."

"Or they could decide to simply forgo the formalities and attack you together," Washu countered, "Yes, Kagato's prideful, and I'm sure that ego of his will make him want to fight you one-on-one, but he could always flip the script on us. Besides, whose to say that Nagi and those assassins won't make an appearance? There are a lot of ways that this could go very wrong."

"We've still got your daughter as an ace in the hole," said Yosho.

Washu nodded. "Yes, but she's only scratched the surface of her power. Her true strength's still dormant, and it'll take a very powerful emotion for her to unleash it. She briefly tapped into it during our first encounter with Nagi, but she hasn't since then."

Yosho stroked his chin in thought. "A very powerful emotion, hm? Would love suffice? Is that why you've been nudging her and Heero closer together?"

Washu gave a mischievous smile. "Maybe."

Yosho smirked. "I see. Well, she certainly does seem to care deeply for him. He's had a positive impact on her from what I can tell. She's not in this fight for the sake of the galaxy; she's here for him."

"Yup," said Washu, "The two of them together… once they become capable of tapping into their full strength, there's no telling how powerful they'll be. Heero won't be able to go back to his old life when this is over, that's for damn sure. As for Ryoko… it's hard to say where she'll end up."

Yosho's eyes narrowed. "Just how much power did you give her?"

Washu held out her right hand. Glowing crimson energy appeared over it for a moment, and when the light faded there was small spherical red gem in her palm.

"Remember this?" she asked.

Yosho leaned forward, and Washu had the satisfaction of seeing his eyes widen in shock. "Yes… I'd wondered what became of them during your imprisonment. There's supposed to be three, though. Where are the other two?"

Washu nodded. "One's imbedded in Ryoko. She's unaware of it, and for the most part it remains dormant, but I wouldn't be surprised if she awakens it fully once we clash with Kagato. Once I'm sure she can control it, I'll give her the second one to boost her power."

"What of the third?" asked Kagato.

Washu smirked. "We've been worried about the progress of Heero's development of his powers, so I took a small step to give him a leg up. The third is imbedded in the back of the armor I gave him. That suit's more than just for his protection, you know."

Yosho smiled as the proverbial lightbulb clicked on. "It'll react to the power of his bloodline should he find himself in dire straits in combat… and it will amplify his abilities."

"Not just amplify," Washu corrected, "It'll accelerate their growth… perhaps to the point where we'll finally get the answer to our ultimate question."

"The Light Hawk Wings," Yosho murmured, his tone one of almost hushed awe, "Do you really think he has the potential to use them?"

Washu chuckled. "It's impossible to say for sure, but I'm willing to gamble on him. He has what it takes, even if he doesn't realize it yet. All he needs is a push in the right direction."

Yosho nodded. "I suppose so. If he does, though… he's going to draw far more attention than just that of our enemy. The entire Empire of Jurai will take notice of that, and it will mark his ascension. He'll be seen as more than just a lost prince; he could very well become a front runner for the throne if he manifests that level of power."

His eyes then narrowed as he gave her a hard stare. "That's what you're hoping for, isn't it?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Washu replied.

"Is that so?" asked Yosho, not even bothering to hide his skepticism, "I thought we knew each other better than that."

"Science is my field, not palace intrigue," Washu shot back, "Your grandson's a fascinating mystery that I want to unravel. I have no stake in Juraian politics, and neither does he."

Yosho folded his arms. "That's easy to say now; the Empire has no idea he even exists. That will change all too soon one way or the other. You and I both know the way things work in the capital. If he's not on their radar before we arrive, he very much will be afterwards. The factions within the nobility will begin to size him up. Ally or threat… they'll want answers quickly."

"Indeed," Washu admitted, "They'll all be quite eager to take his measure."

Yosho sighed and shook his head. "Heero has no experience with Juraian court politics. He'll get eaten alive."

Washu smirked. "Oh? I don't think you're giving him enough credit, old friend. You haven't read his Preventers file; I have. He's not a politician, but he has plenty of experience with them. I think he'll hold his own and then some. More to the point, I think someone like him is just what the capital needs to shake things up."

"We're out to stop Kagato, not meddle in Juraian politics," Yosho reminded her.

"The two are intrinsically linked," Washu countered, "Kagato's end-goal is nothing short of the ultimate power play. In order for us to stop him, we'll likely to have to engage him in more than just physical combat. He'll be making his moves in the political arena as well, and we'll need to do the same if we're going to come out on top. As far as the capital's concerned, Heero's the ultimate wild card. We'd be fools to ignore his potential here."

Yosho nodded. "I'll admit that he could be a game-changer at court. The Empire was already stagnating before my disappearance, and I doubt much has been done to avert that trend. Fresh blood's definitely needed, but… is Heero really the right candidate for what you're suggesting?"

"It won't just be him," said Washu, "Both of the princesses have had plenty of exposure to a new form of government thanks to their time in the Earth Sphere. Sasami's not accustomed to politics, but Ayeka is… and I think her time with Heero's opened her mind quite a bit. Given the right nudge, she could become a powerful advocate for reform."

"That would involve challenging our father, though," Yosho replied, "I'm comfortable with speaking my mind to him, but Ayeka may not be ready to challenge him, even if it's to improve the Empire that he reigns over."

Washu winked. "Who said either of you has to start with the old man? Both of your mothers have quite a bit of pull with him, and they always struck me as being a bit more open minded about these sorts of things. Funaho and Misaki might be the key here. If nothing else, they'll certainly be eager to meet your grandson, and given his way with the ladies he could swing them around to our side easier than you think."

Yosho chuckled. "Yes… that's true. At the very least, they'll want to learn everything they can about him, and he'll likely desire to learn about the Empire from someone other than Ayeka or myself to get a fresh perspective. We just might be able to make this work."

"We'll have to," said Washu, "We don't know the depth of Kagato's support, but the stagnation of the Empire's probably been enough to convince a fair number of nobles to back him in the hopes of advancing to new positions in the hierarchy. Internal reform could take some of the wind out of his sails. It won't stop him from going after the Array, but might at least limit the kind of forces he can bring to the table if this little cold war of ours goes hot."

A dark look came to Yosho's gaze. "I fully expect there to be fighting between us and Kagato, but an open factional conflict within the Empire must be avoided at all costs. You and I both lived through the hell that unleashed upon the galaxy last time it happened."

"Believe me, I don't need a reminder of that," Washu shot back grimly, "All we can do is try to stay a step ahead of Kagato and win the backing of the throne. He won't go down without a fight, but we can at least attempt to limit the collateral damage."

Yosho tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. "There's something else that's been bothering me about all of this."

Washu raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"This is an affair that holds the life and death of every being in the galaxy at stake," he said, "Given the level of power that the Judgment Array can give someone, it strikes me as odd that the real powers behind our galaxy have yet to make an open move in response."

Washu clasped her hands in front of her. "I'm not sure I understand what you're getting at."

Yosho's eyes narrowed as he met her gaze. "I think you do. The galaxy itself is at risk… which means that those who created it have a very real stake in this fight. Yet only one of the three Choushin are currently involved to my knowledge… and she's sitting right in front of me."

Washu closed her eyes for a moment as she collected herself; the title her old friend had just used for her was one she hadn't heard in a very long time. "Well… this one has the most hands-on dealings when it comes to this whole affair. As for the other two, they haven't surfaced in millennia. Even during the carnage of the Imperial Civil War, they didn't get involved. What makes you think that would change this time around?"

"Simple," Yosho replied, "This time things might actually change… especially if Heero really is capable of wielding the Light Hawk Wings. That would mark him as far more than just a particularly powerful royal, and you know it. Don't think that I don't know why you're really interested in my grandson. You're wondering if he has the potential to be what I could not… to be what you and the other two Choushin have been looking for over the span of eons. He has more than just potential in your eyes; you think he could be the potential."

Washu nodded; there was no point in denying it at this point. "Yes. I didn't realize it at first, but over time that's the conclusion I've been drawing ever closer to. If he manifests the Light Hawk Wings, then he'll have marked himself definitively as my candidate."

"That's all very well and good," said Yosho, "but what about the other two Choushin? I highly doubt they'll sit back idly once he manifests that level of power. More to the point, I don't think that they'll stay on the sidelines once this affair begins to boil over. You had free reign during the Imperial Civil War; the other two likely won't want you to have the playing field all to yourself for round two."

Washu shook her head. "No, they won't. In fact… one of them may be much closer than you think."

It took a moment, but sure enough, she saw the proverbial lightbulb click on in the old prince's head. "No… not her…"

"Oh, yes, her," Washu countered, "Why do you think she got caught up in that attack on the palace all those years ago? She wasn't collateral damage; she was the intended target. Her survival was chalked up as due to her latent Juraian powers manifesting, but I've always thought that there was more to it than that. Having spent some quality time with her on Earth, I'm now convinced that she's the vessel for her current incarnation."

"Tsunami…" Yosho murmured, his tone close to hushed awe.

Washu smirked. "Given her likely whereabouts, I'm rather curious as to what her thoughts on your grandson are. She's had plenty of time to observe him, after all."

"If she's really been this close all this time, then why hasn't she made her presence known before now?" Yosho asked, "At the very least, I would've imagined that she'd at least reach out to you given the connection you two share."

"Not necessarily," Washu argued, "Tsunami's always been more hands-off than me. Apart from the role she played in kickstarting the Empire of Jurai and providing your family with the power of the Royal Trees, she's rather passive. She prefers to plant the seeds and then watch to see how they'll come to fruition. Those that tend to said seeds typically do so without ever being aware of who planted them in the first place. As for the 'fruits' of those seeds… well, your grandson could turn out to be the ripest of them all."

Yosho chuckled. "I'm not sure if Heero would appreciate being likened to fruit in this context."

Washu shrugged. "I'm sure that there's a lot about this whole mess that he doesn't appreciate. Being compared to produce is the least of his problems at the moment."

"A fair point," Yosho conceded, "Still, if Heero is such a ripe fruit, I would imagine that Tsunami would want to make contact with him at some point. Hands-off approach or not, this won't be something that she can afford to ignore."

Washu nodded. "You're right about that. Although… I have to wonder if her interest in him will remain strictly professional after she has a chance to talk with him. You grandson's effect on the ladies might very well extend to ones of divine origin."

Yosho gave her a knowing look. "Are we still talking about Tsunami, or would you be referring to yourself?"

Washu smiled. "My interest in Heero is strictly academic… and that of a mother who wants to make sure her daughter's bringing home the right kind of boyfriend."

Yosho smirked. "I might be a bit biased here, but I think that she could've done far worse than him."

Washu laughed. "You're right about that! I know she's got it pretty bad for him, but I think she still doesn't realize just what kid of prize he really is. If nothing else, it'll be very interesting to watch the two of them grow as this little quest of ours moves forward."

Yosho nodded. "That it will."

Washu leaned back in her chair. "If I know Tsunami, I think she'll be more than willing to give him her support, although how she'll do that is another matter entirely. Either way, I doubt she'll be hostile. It's the third Choushin that I'm worried about."

Yosho's brow furrowed in thought. "You told me about her once… Tokimi was her name, right?"

"Correct," said Washu, "and she's a different beast entirely, to put it mildly."

"How so?" asked Yosho.

"Tsunami and I both chose to limit our respective powers by coming down to the third dimension and assuming corporeal incarnations," Washu answered, "Tsunami decided to make the Royal Trees of Jurai and the Royal Family the primary conduit for her influence, while I took on this cute little form and made a splash in the scientific community. However, those were both deviations from our original plan, which was to remain in the higher dimensions and create anomalies in the universe to see which would produce what we were truly after. Tokimi was the only one of us to stick to that plan… or at least, she was the last time I had any contact with her. That was a long time ago."

Yosho closed his eyes for a moment. "Do you think she's a threat?"

Washu sighed. "That's hard to say. On the one hand, she could be considered the coldest of the three of us. To her, playing with the fabric of creation from the higher dimensions is a casual act, and any casualties that the ripples might cause are collateral damage. However, she was never actively malevolent. She simply maintained the detachment all three of us were supposed to have when it all began. Tsunami and I coming down to the third dimension and interacting with the inhabitants of the universe on the physical plane gave us new perspectives. If Tokimi's still following the original plan, then that's a perspective she'd lack. That being said… I have to wonder if she really has stuck to the old script."

Yosho raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Kagato's actions," she replied, "He's always been ambitious, but his leap following the Imperial Civil War to wanting to use our creation as an implement of galactic conquest struck me as extreme even for him. Part of that was simply my refusing to acknowledge that darkness within him until it was too late, yet I've always wondered if there was another hand at work there."

"Said hand being Tokimi's?" asked Yosho.

"I have no proof," Washu admitted, "However… I think it's possible."

Yosho's brow furrowed. "Do you think she's chosen him as her candidate?"

"I don't know," Washu answered, "but if she has... that's quite concerning. She wouldn't make such a choice lightly, and it would mean that his power's even greater than I've given him credit for. All the more reason why your desire for a duel with him is a bad idea."

"You're only basing that off of a hunch," Yosho countered, "I thought you liked to act with more concrete evidence. You are a scientist, after all."

"That might be my profession, but I don't ignore my gut when it comes to stuff like this," Washu shot back, "There's just too much we don't know… and that scares the crap out of me."

Yosho sighed. "All too true. Well, we know what cards we have in our hand. All we can do is play them when the time comes up and hope that the enemy doesn't have what it takes to match them."

Washu shook her head. "I don't like gambling on something like this, but… well, this whole mission's one giant bet when you think about it. The stakes are outrageously high, if nothing else."

"As high as they can possibly get," Yosho concurred grimly, "and folding is not an option."

No, it's not, thought Washu, Kagato will make sure of that.

Preview for next time!

Kiyone: All right, we're here.

Mihoshi: This is where the fun begins!

Azaka: I would not call this fun.

Kamidake: Quite the contrary.

Ayeka: Cease your whining and focus on protecting me!

Ryoko: First thing's first; time to blitz the defenses. Let's go, Ryo-Ohki!

Ryo-Ohki: Meow!

Sasami: Be careful!

Hilde: Try to stay out of trouble until the rest of us catch up to you.

Duo: Heero, your pirate girlfriend flies like a maniac!

Quatre: Why are there no seatbelts on this thing?

Trowa: It won't be winning any awards for safety, that's for sure.

Wufei: As long as we make it to the ground, that's all that matters.

Heero: The repository's going to be a tough nut to crack. Stay focused. Ryoko, do us all a favor and try not to crash.

Ryoko: No promises!

AIDA: Please keep your hands and feet inside the rapidly descending living starship at all times. There will unfortunately be no complimentary snacks on this flight. Thank you for flying Air Ryo-Ohki!

Washu: You think they're ready for what's down there, old friend?

Yosho: There's only one way to find out.

Kiyone: Next time, in Chapter Eighteen: No Need For Shootouts And Swordfights!

Kagato: It's been a long time, Yosho…

Author's Notes: Ah, feels good to finally get another one posted. For those of you worrying about Destiny's Call, have no fear; that one's next on the docket, and the new chapter's coming along quite nicely!

For the armor in this chapter, for the basic aesthetic design I actually decided to blend elements of Halo's famous Mjolnir armor and the armor used by the N7 Slayer in Mass Effect 3's multiplayer. As for AIDA, I won't deny it; she's basically Washu's answer to Cortana, minus certain megalomaniacal tendencies. Looking at you, Halo 5!

As always, this is something I write for fun, I don't own any of the source material.

Hope you liked the chapter! Please review, and I'll see you all next time!