Urusei Yatsura Fan Fiction ❯ The Senior Year ❯ Tales of Avalon: Kamen and Hensou ( Chapter 22 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

"The Emperor will see you now."

Yacho rises, straightening his uniform as he enters the
imperial chambers. Halting in front of the throne, he drops to
one knee, averting his eyes from his leader. "You summoned me,
Your Majesty?"

"Welcome, Yacho," Schwartz rises, taking a datapadd in hand
and presenting it to the warrior. "Look at this."

Yacho stares at the padd's information. On it, various
schematics and news reports play. Mixed in with this are
pictures. "What is this, sir?" he stares at the Emperor.

"A race of bioroids," Schwartz muses. "They call themselves
Avalonians. Originally, they lived on Phentax Twelve, where they
were found, then enslaved by the Niphentaxians. Recently, they
were emancipated and migrated to a world on the border between the
Seifukusu Dominion and the Federation."

"I see," Yacho peruses the reports. "So how does this
concern us, Your Majesty?"

"Quite simple. "Bioroids are unknown in this galaxy.
Purpose-designed people grown in a laboratory. The ultimate test-
tube babies, so to speak. The technology to do something like
that is unheard of here. Yet, we now have a race which practices
it with remarkable ease, and in many types. Nassur, it's been
reported, had the Niphentaxians create bioroid doubles of his
partner, the Devil's Daughter, Mamoko's brat and Princess Oyuki.
Now...could you imagine if we could create a whole race of hunters
such as yourself?"

"We'd be invincible!!" Yacho gasps. "Brilliant, sir!"

"Thank you," the aged monarch smiles. "Now, intelligence
reports that the Avalonians' bioroid factory is in orbit over
Earth. Your task is to go there, find some way to board the
craft, then bring it here to Ipraedos. If possible, capture some
Avalonians. Our scientists will salivate at the chance to study
them first-hand."

"At once, Your Majesty," Yacho bows, then blinks. "Er...sir,
may I ask you something?"

"I know. You're concerned about your fellow hybrids. Well,
once you're done this task, I'll send you to retrieve them,
probably when the Mikado makes his move against Nassur. Without
him to guard over them, they'll be vulnerable... and perhaps more
than receptive to returning to their true home."

"Thank you, sir," he bows, then leaves.

Schwartz sighs, then returns his attention to the city beyond
his castle...

* * *

Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year: "Tales of Avalon: Kamen and Hensou"
by Fred Herriot
**** **** ****
Edited by E.B. Kushnir
**** **** ****
A story based on the stories in turn based on "Urusei Yatsura,"
created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****

WRITER'S NOTES:

1) This story is set in the period during and after "Time
Curse," following the side story on Atako and Shinoko.

2) The B*G You dolls were produced by Bandai in the 1980s. The
Japanese Barbie was produced by Bandai, Takara and Ma-Ba (a
Mattel-Bandai subgroup) until 1992, when the American-style Barbie
was introduced (yech!). Takara continues to make their version of
Barbie under the name Jenny. Licca is also produced by Takara.
Bandai produced Anna during the late 1980s. Creative liberty has
been taken with concern as to when these dolls appeared. Thanks
to David Hammon (e-mail: davidhammon@linkonline.net, homepage:
www1.linkonline.net/davidhammon/dolls.htm) for his brochures
containing loads of information on Japanese fashion dolls.

3) For the new bioroids, name pronunciations vary. Nozomi,
Timotei, Lie and Marine are pronounced in Japanese format (NO-ZO-
MEE, TEE-MO-TAY-EE, LEE-AY, MA-REE-NAY). Other names are
pronounced in English format.

**** **** ****

"Ah, you must be Kamen and Hensou!" Mutsuko Suiren beams.
"Come in!!"

"Thanks," Kamen smiles as she and Hensou step into the
Niigata Children's Aid Centre's office. Located in a shady lot
some distance from the city centre, it is presently the half-way
home of several dozen children, now enjoying themselves in the
playground. The bioroids relax as the supervisor pours tea.
"Thank you for the chance to work here, Suiren-san," Benten's
sister continues.

"No problem. "Please...Mutsuko. So...do you have any prior
experience with children?"

"Very little," Hensou admits. "But Kamen and I are fast
learners. It's just that even though we're working Grandma's farm
on Sado, we have a lot of free time. Kamen and I decided that
we'd put it to good use."

"Wonderful!" Mutsuko claps her hands in delight. "I have to
admit that the thoughts of aliens working here have bothered some
of the others. You may not have any idea as to how people outside
Tokyo perceive aliens."

"So, are we monsters?" Kamen muses.

"Not in the eyes of most children I've met," the supervisor
shakes her head. "These children have grown up with 'Star Trek,'
'Tetsuwan Atom,' 'Space Cruiser Yamato,' 'Gatchaman' and so many
other shows. When I told several that aliens were coming to work
here, they seem excited. No fear."

"Well, we'd never think of hurting kids," Kamen holds her
mate's hand. "Believe me, we'll treat them as if they were our
own."

Mutsuko blinks. "Oh, yes, you told me about
your...relationship."

"Will it cause problems?" Hensou muses.

"Ours is a conservative community," Mutsuko sighs. "While I
have no right to tell you how to live your lives, it would be best
that you do not display any...intimate contact near the children.
They may not understand."

The bioroids exchange looks. "Well, we'll certainly respect
that, but you should realize that if Earth does break into space
over the next couple of decades, those kids will be exposed to
things stranger than same-sex matings," Hensou warns. "If the
children do ask, we won't shirk the subject. The way I understand
children, what they desire the most is the truth. How do things
work? Why does it work that way instead of this? Why are certain
people this way? Why doesn't everyone look alike? They want
answers. I believe our responsibility is to give those answers in
a manner they can easily understand."

The supervisor blinks, surprised by her knowledge. "Well,
let me show you around."

Kamen and Hensou smile. Sometime later, the three proceed
into one of the dorms. It's divided into individual bedrooms,
each kept spartan. "Nice place," Kamen muses, staring into one
room. "Do the kids like it?"

"They enjoy it," Mutsuko nods. "We try our best to give them
all the comforts of home. Many knew their parents when they were
younger, so to alleviate the shock of coming here, we do our best
to make them feel comfortable. We have little complaints from
prospective parents, except for those who say we spoil the
children too much."

The bioroids laugh. Mutsuko passes the door to another room,
then stops, staring in. "Sadako-chan, what are you doing here?!"

Inside the room is a cherubic six year old girl. Dressed in
a nightgown, she is busy playing with dolls. In fact, the whole
room is covered with dolls. Most of them are fashion dolls:
Barbies, Liccas, Annas, B*G You and the like. Several are
porcelain baby dolls, with the odd teddy bear or other furry
companion. Sadako is busy combing the hair of a You girl dressed
in a private school uniform. She doesn't pay any attention to
Mutsuko or her guests, her world focused on her companion. "Wow,
that's some collection!" Hensou blinks, staring at the dolls.
"Where'd she get them all?!"

"Her parents doted on her," Mutsuko explains. "Every time
she wanted a doll, they bought her one. The collection came with
her after they died. All Sadako-chan has ever cared for are her
dolls. She has no friends, rarely goes outside. Her world...is
here."

Kamen and Hensou stare at each other, then the former kneels
beside Sadako. The bioroid remains in place, staring at the
peaceful face before her, then noticing another You girl in a
kimono, picks her up. Sadako jolts, then she snatches the doll,
nearly taking Kamen's hand with her. "Hey!!"

"Don't touch them!!!" Sadako snaps.

Kamen blinks as Sadako places the kimono You back on the
floor, then returns to the girl in the school uniform. "Um, sorry
about that," Mutsuko sighs. "Sadako-chan doesn't like it when
people touch her dolls."

"So I see," Kamen muses.

"Well, let me show you the rest of the place," Mutsuko waves
them down the hallway.

"Of course," Hensou smiles, then stares at Sadako. "Bye,
Sadako-chan."

Sadako doesn't answer...

* * *

Within the day, Kamen and Hensou become voluntary attendants.
Like Atako and Shinoko, they spend the morning working
Nagaiwakai's farm, then in the afternoon fly to Niigata by
hovercycle to put in a long day with the young boys and girls
forced to call the Children's Aid Centre home. Along with
Mutsuko, there is a small staff of doctors and nurses, plus other
attendants and assistants, either paid or voluntary.

Because of their uniqueness, Kamen and Hensou find themselves
deluged by children anxious to learn about other races. In play
periods, Hensou asks for a volunteer, then piggybacks her for a
flight around Niigata. Kamen is always asked for hovercycle
rides. While the Avalonians dote over their charges, they don't
allow themselves to be taken control of by the children. Although
Hensou doesn't use her lightning on them, one spark from her hands
is enough to make them behave.

* * *

On the fourth day, the children gather around a picnic table
as Kamen plays chef. "Okay, who wants a hot dog?!" she calls out.

"Me, me, me!!!" echo from two dozen throats.

Hensou laughs as she passes the snacks to the hungry
children. Watching them from her office, Mutsuko sighs. "My,
they're such a delight, those two."

"Agreed," the doctor nods. "They're so empathic. All they
have to do is look at them and they know exactly what each child
wants."

"Well, they stated they are telepathic," Mutsuko hums. "It's
a touch-telepathy, native to their culture. Yet...Kamen-san is
clearly Fukunokami and Hensou-san is an Oni."

"Well, it's rumoured that the girls working Lady Nagaiwakai's
farm on Sado were literally grown in a laboratory," the doctor
muses. "I wonder when someone from the United Nations will decide
to examine them."

"None of our concern," the supervisor shakes her head.
"They've volunteered much of their time for the children. As far
as I'm concerned, their eccentricities are their own affair."

The doctor nods. Outside, Hensou passes out the last of the
hot dogs, then looks around. "Where's Sadako-chan?"

"She's in her room playing with her dolls," Izou, a surly
boy, sneers. "That's all she ever does! She's weird!!"

"Izou-kun, don't say such things about Sadako-chan!!" Hensou
growls. "We don't say bad things about anyone! It's not nice!!"

"S-sorry," he gulps, though from the look on his face, he
hasn't changed his opinion.

"Never mind," Kamen places the chef's hat on her mate. "I'll
go look. Take over."

The bioroid heads into the doom. Walking into Sadako's room,
Kamen smiles on seeing her dressing a Licca. "Sadako-chan," she
muses. "Won't you come have something to eat?"

Sadako ignores her. The bioroid remains in place, then
kneels beside the girl. Still no response. Looking at the
collection, Kamen notices a Ken dressed in a kimono. Her hand
reaches out. "Don't touch!!" Sadako snaps.

"Why won't you let me play?"

"They're mine!!" the young girl asserts.

"I'm not going to steal them."

"Don't touch!!!" Sadako repeats.

Kamen sighs. *Stubborn kid!* she muses, then an idea comes
to her.

Laying on her stomach, she rests her head on her hands,
staring at Sadako. No reaction as the girl finishes with the
Licca, then moves onto an Olive. Kamen remains silent, then
smiling, reaches up to press Sadako's forehead. The girl blinks,
staring at the bioroid, then reaches over and presses Kamen's
forehead. Kamen's body freezes in place, her conscious mind
fading. *I wonder how Sadako-chan likes the idea of a life-size
doll...?* she muses before passing out.

Sadako returns to her Olive, dressing her in a kimono.
Placing her down, she pauses, staring at Kamen. The bioroid's
unnatural stillness causes the girl to blink. "Hello?"

No response. Sadako leans up, waving her hand in front of
Kamen's face. Still nothing. "Hello!" Sadako repeats, tapping
the bioroid's forehead. "You in there?"

Kamen wakes up, but does nothing. Sadako leans up.
"Hello!!" she calls into her ear.

Sadako is swept into Kamen's arms as the bioroid rolls over,
lifting her. "Gotcha!!!"

"Aaaaah!!! Meanie!! Lemme go!!!"

"Uh-uh!!" Kamen playfully growls, hands poised to strike.
"The Tickle Monster's coming after you, little girl!!!"

"No!!!" Sadako frightfully yowls as Kamen's fingers attack
her neck. "No...ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!" she tries to scramble
away. "Leave me...ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha...alone!!"

"Not until you come have a hot dog!!"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!! Okay, okay!!"

Kamen rolls to her feet, lifting the girl over her head as
she walks out of the room. Some minutes later, Sadako nibbles on
a hot dog sitting at the picnic table. "There, now was that so
bad?" Kamen muses, wolfing down a hamburger with all the fixings.

"I hate being tickled!" Sadako sneers.

"And I don't like it when Hensou and I are out here cooking
and you're not here enjoying our food!" Kamen retorts.

"I told you, she's weird!!" Izou snorts.

"Izou-kun!!" Hensou jabs his knee with her finger, a spark
snapping against his skin.

The boy yowls as he runs off. "Sadako-chan?" Ranko, a five
year old girl, walks up. "Can I play with your dolls?!"

"No!! No one plays with my dolls!"

Ranko starts to cry. "Hey, that wasn't nice!!" Kamen glares
at Sadako, tapping her on the nose. "Now, say you're sorry!"

"No!!" Sadako sticks out her tongue.

Hensou and Kamen exchange a look, then the former turns to
Ranko. "Ranko-chan, I have a doll that's a lot nicer than any of
Sadako-chan's. Would you want to see her?"

Sadako blinks. "Yeah!!" Ranko gushes.

Hensou looks up. "Hensou to Ria."

"Yes, sister?" Gloriana calls back.

"Are you finished with Timotei yet?"

"She's done."

"Please send her down."

"She's on her way."

A transporter beam brings into existence a tall wavy brown
haired girl dressed in a beautiful kimono. The children gasp
awestruck as Hensou walks Ranko up to her. "Ranko-chan, this is
Timotei," the Oni bioroid beams. "Timotei, this is Ranko. She
wants to play."

"Okay!" Timotei beams. "Let's play."

"That's not a doll!!" Ranko exclaims, pointing at her.
"That's a girl!"

"Not really," Sadako stands, walks over and presses Timotei's
forehead.

The newly-created Avalonian freezes. Ranko blinks, then
waves her hand in front of Timotei. "Timotei-onee-chan?" she
wonders, then turns to Hensou. "Why's she frozen?!"

"Because Sadako-chan turned her into a doll," Hensou
explains.

"Hey!!" Ranko screams. "Turn her back!!"

Sadako presses the Avalonian's forehead again. Timotei
blinks, then vents copious crocodile tears. "WHAAAAAA!!!!" she
turns away from Ranko, covering her eyes. "I thought you wanted
to play with me, Ranko-chan!!! Why did you do that?!!"

"I didn't turn you into a doll!!" Ranko protests. "Sadako-
chan did!!!"

A smile crossing her face, Timotei spins around, hugging the
young girl. "I know she did!!" she beams. "Wanna play, Ranko-
chan?!"

"Okay!!" Ranko nods.

The two head off. "See?!" Kamen turns to Sadako. "She
doesn't need your dolls!"

Sadako blinks.

Timotei, Hensou, Kamen...

They were all dolls?!

* * *

"Who is that girl?" Mutsuko indicates Timotei, still playing
with Ranko later.

"Timotei," Kamen smiles. "A bioroid."

"My sister, Ria, needs a maintenance crew for the bioroid
factory, so she's making them now," Hensou adds. "Timotei's the
first."

The supervisor shakes her head. "You people are so strange.
When you need someone to help you, you just turn around and create
them. Have you no concept of childhood?"

"Well, the Avalon project was initiated to see if a society
could develop without all the headaches associated with children,"
Hensou sighs. "Ria's...still in that mode of thinking, which
helped Shutako persuade her to get help in maintaining the
factory."

"I see," Mutsuko hums. "And why did you involve Sadako-
chan?"

"Sadako-chan's rarely had to deal with real people," Kamen
reports. "All she's had are her dolls and other toys. Her
parents always got her everything she wanted. Part of the reason
she's afraid to let others touch her stuff is that, in her eyes,
is all that's left of her parents. Her parents expressed their
love for her through gifts. If Sadako-chan lost track of her
gifts, she's afraid she'll lose her last tie to her parents."

Mutsuko looks surprised. "Excellent. You two really have a
way with children."

"We don't have a choice," Hensou laughs. "Every time they
touch us, we empathically pick up what they feel. It's
automatic."

"I see," the supervisor nods.

"Mutsuko, we'd like to bring the kids up to the factory to
let them look around," Kamen sighs. "As we said, Ria's creating a
work force and she'll need names for her co-workers. I'm sure
Sadako-chan and some of the other girls would love to meet them."

"Perhaps...adopt them as 'onee-chans?'" Hensou shrugs.

Mutsuko blinks. "That's sounds like a wonderful idea!" she
claps her hands. "If you don't mind my attending."

"Of course not," both nod...

* * *

However, someone else arrives in Niigata the next afternoon:
Yacho. Dressed in casual Terran civilians, his wavy hair styled
to cover his tapered ears, he resembles an atypical Southeast
Asian, perhaps a teacher. Staring at the peaceful port city, he
snorts. "Primitive! What does His Majesty actually see in this
mudball?"

His eyes flash as Timotei's and Ranko's voices are heard.
"Are you really going to take us up to see your friends, Timotei-
onee-chan?" the young girl inquires.

"That's right," the bioroid answers. "Ria-sempai wants all
of you to help her name my sisters. Isn't that nice?"

"Yeah!!" Ranko gushes.

Yacho hides behind a fence as Timotei and Ranko pass.
*That's an Avalonian!!* he smiles wolfishly. *She must be about
to go up to the factory! I'll force her to take me up!!*

The two turn toward the children's aid centre, passing right
in front of him. With a banzai charge, he leaps out of the
shadows...

...and gets a bokan stick! "Hentai!!!"

Timotei and Ranko turn to see a lady of experience bash Yacho
with her stick. "You ecchi gaijin barbarian pervert!!!" she
barks. "How dare you think of touching such a pretty girl?!!
Keep your hands to yourself!!!"

He beats a retreat. "What's that all about, Timotei-onee-
chan?" Ranko wonders.

"Search me!" Timotei shrugs...

* * *

Sometime later, aboard his cloaked scout, Yacho composes his
report. "'When the invasion comes, ensure that all elderly people
are eliminated without hesitation!'" he gasps, still recovering
from the lumps. "'They're the most dangerous of the lot!!'"

* * *

"Wow!!!" Ranko gasps.

A small group of young girls stand in the factory's primary
gestation laboratory. The gestation tanks are empty. Timotei's
fifteen co-workers are on tables, dressed in beautiful kimonos as
final programming are inserted into their minds. "Kamen-onee-
chan, is this where you came from?" Sadako turns to Kamen.

"Hai," Kamen nods. "But unlike Ria or Timotei, I don't
remember when I was created."

"Neither do I," Hensou adds. "But this is as much my race as
it is my sister's."

Ria and Shutako busy themselves with preparations.
"Sentience is stabilized," the latter reports. "No cascade
failures in the wetware. I think we can wake them."

"Good. Nice work, Dear."

"Thanks," Shutako accepts warmly.

"Timotei-onee-chan, is Shutako-sempai in love with Ria-
sempai?" Ranko wonders.

"Yes," Timotei nods.

"But don't you like boys?" the young girl wonders. "Where
are all your boy dolls?"

Mutsuko sweats. She hoped this question wouldn't come up.
"We don't have any, Ranko-chan," Timotei smiles, kneeling beside
her friend. "When this place was built, those who built it
decided we wouldn't get boy dolls. I wouldn't mind having a boy
doll, but only girl dolls can be made here. So, we'll have to
find boys like every other girl and girl doll my age. But while
I'm looking for a boy, I'm not going to live alone. I'm going to
find another girl doll and we'll be a family. Ria-sempai and
Shutako-sempai are a family. So are Kamen-sempai and Hensou-
sempai. That's the way things are on Avalon."

"Oh!" Ranko nods.

Kamen turns to Mutsuko. "Kids're smart."

"So I see," the supervisor muses.

Confirming things on her computer, Ria smiles, then faces her
guests. "Okay, girls, who plays with dolls?!"

"I do, I do, I do!!!" everyone cries.

"Good!!" Ria smiles. "Now, because you all played with
dolls, we were able to give Timotei-chan here a name," she
indicates Timotei. "Now, who wants to name her?" she indicates a
blonde haired girl.

"Jenny!!" Sadako points.

"Jenny it is!" Ria nods to Shutako, who makes a note. "Now,
what about this nice girl?!" she indicates a tall curly brown
haired girl with gold highlights.

"Juliana!!" Ranko declares.

The other girls are named: Kisara, Jane, Judy, Lie, Olive,
Marine, Lina, Aya, Ellie, Licca, Anna, Christy Lain and Nozomi.
With that programmed in, the bioroids are awakened. Instantly,
they are besieged by a crowd of a dozen ecstatic young girls.
Sadako hangs back as the girls quickly pick their "favourite"
doll. "Already they're showing off," Mutsuko laughs. "I hope
this doesn't cause too many problems with your sister, Hensou-
kun."

"I'm sure Ria will keep an eye on things," Hensou muses, then
notices Sadako. "Sadako-chan, there are enough girl dolls to go
around. Why don't you meet one?"

Sadako smiles. "Don't worry, Hensou-onee-chan. I'll pick
one as soon as the others've picked theirs."

"Good girl," Kamen nods.

Ranko and Timotei remain together as the others make their
choices. A voice then utters, "Ranko-chan!"

Ranko turns to see her best friend Tamako behind her. A
studious girl of seven, Tamako has a demeanour Ami Mizuno would
appreciate. Beside Tamako is Marine, a stunning brunette with
brown eyes Timotei's height. "What is it, Tamako-chan?" Ranko
wonders.

"Ria-san said that as emotional and social guardians to our
dolls, it's our responsibility to introduce them for consideration
as bond-mates," Tamako surges with pride. "Therefore, I, as your
bestest, truest friend, present my doll Marine-onee-chan for
consideration to be bond-mates with your doll Timotei-onee-chan."

Ranko blinks, then stares at Timotei. "Timotei-onee-chan, is
that okay?"

Kneeling, Timotei whispers into her ear. "Ranko-chan, we're
not supposed to question the Elder Mother's wisdom."

"Oh!!" Ranko blinks, then straightens. "Tamako-chan, as your
bestest, truest friend, I present my doll Timotei-onee-chan so
Marine-onee-chan can have a bond-mate."

"Hai!!" Tamako beams, then whispers to Marine. "What next?"

"If this is an official omiai, you have to permit Timotei and
me to go on a date."

"A date?!!" Tamako yelps, then nods. "Okay! We're going on
a date! But as your emotional guardian, I have to come with you."

"As you wish," Marine nods.

"We'll get ice cream," Ranko announces.

"Certainly," Timotei nods.

The four proceed out. "Oh, goodness me!!" Mutsuko laughs.
"They're really acting like young adults, aren't they?!"

"Experience does then good every time," Kamen stares at
Sadako. "Sadako-chan, are you sure you don't want your own doll?"

Sadako smiles at them. "Kamen-onee-chan, do you want to get
some ice cream?"

Kamen nods. "Sure! Can Hensou come?"

"Uh-huh!!" Sadako nods.

The three proceed out of the room, Sadako reaching up to take
Kamen's and Hensou's hand. "Oh, my!" Mutsuko sighs. "Motherly
instincts are making themselves known."

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

"Hi, Sadako-chan. Can I come in?"

Sadako looks up from dressing a Licca. "Hi, Kamen-onee-chan.
Sure, c'mon in."

Kamen enters, her hands behind her back. Sadako blinks.
"What's behind your back?"

"Here," Kamen hands her a wrapped box.

Sadako unwraps it. Her eyes widen as a beautiful figure
dressed in a grey-and-red battlesuit stares at her. "Wow!!"

"That's my sister, Benten," Kamen smiles. "I bought a You
doll, took it to Ria and had the replicators make that. You like
it?"

"Yeah!!" Sadako blushes. "Thanks!"

Kamen remains still as Sadako places the Benten doll on her
nightstand. Hensou peeks in. "Hello, Sadako-chan...oh!!" she
blinks in surprise. "I see I wasn't the only one!"

"What?" Kamen stares at her bond.

Sadako squeals with delight as Hensou hands her a Lum doll,
draped in a tiger-striped dress. She immediately takes her place
beside the Benten doll. "Thank you, thank you!!" Sadako embraces
the bioroids.

The three sit. Kamen picks up a panda bear as Sadako returns
her attention to her Licca. "You miss your parents, don't you?"

Sadako nods. "Is that why you don't like it when people
touch your dolls?" Hensou asks.

"Uh-huh," Sadako nods. "Mommy and Daddy gave me these dolls.
I can't let them go."

"We're not making you let them go, Sadako-chan," Kamen
embraces her. "We'll never make you let your parents go. They'll
always be a part of you, just as they'll be a part of them," she
indicates the dolls. "But I don't think that they would want you
to centre your whole life on them. They would want you to go on,
Sadako-chan. Live the life they couldn't. Wouldn't that be
better?"

"I dunno," Sadako shrugs, tears flowing down her cheeks.
"It's only been a few months since they...since they..."

Her voice breaks as she sinks into Kamen's warm embrace. The
bioroids exchange looks. <<You're not thinking what I think
you're thinking, are you?>> Hensou questions.

<<I'm all for it if you are.>>

Hensou nods, smiling. "Sadako-chan?" Kamen stares at the
girl.

"Y-yeah?"

"Would you mind it...if Hensou and I adopted you?"

"You?!" she gasps, then crosses her arms. "Are you sure
you're not dolls?!"

The bioroids laugh...

* * *

Sometime later, Kamen and Hensou escort Sadako out of the
centre. Beside them are Ranko and Tamako with their "big sisters"
Timotei and Marine. "So, we're all going shopping?!" Kamen faces
her troop.

"Yeah!!!" the girls gush.

"Remember," Kamen faces Ranko and Tamako. "You're not to
lead Timotei and Marine down dark hallways. They get scared
easily."

"We won't!" Ranko asserts.

With that, the seven women head down the street. Unseen by
them, Yacho lurks behind a fence corner. "So, there they are!" he
chuckles. "This should be easy!"

The hybrid falls into step behind the Avalonians and their
charges. The procession makes its way into a large department
store. Immediately, Ranko, Tamako and Sadako race for the toy
section, dragging their big sisters with them. "My, they're
anxious, aren't they?" Timotei stares at Marine.

"Do you blame them?" the other laughs.

Yacho stops by the door, gazing inside. "What purpose do
they have in coming here?"

"Ah-hah!!!" a surprised voice barks.

Yacho screams as the elderly lady who stopped him from
performing "chikan" on Timotei two days before reappears, bokan
stick ready. "Still chasing young girls, eh?!" she sneers,
bashing him! "This'll teach you!!"

"Help!!!" Yacho yowls as he runs away.

The commotion attracts everyone's attention inside the store.
"What's going on?" Marine wonders.

"Hentai-bashing," Hensou explains. "It's a popular sport
here."

"I understand now," she nods.

After the three young girls received new dolls, they head
into fashion boutiques. Reflecting their status as the girls'
"dolls," the Avalonians purchase clothes matching their diminutive
namesakes, or in Kamen's and Hensou's case, styles donned by the
You dolls. Kamen buys a white turtleneck sweater, short skirt,
thigh-length socks and mary janes. Hensou gets a jean jacket, T-
shirt, jean skirt, socks and runners. Timotei purchases a vest,
striped shirt, skirt, socks and pumps. Marine dons a checkered
jacket, button blouse, skirt and slip-on shoes.

Once everything is paid for, everyone gets carry bags, then
depart. The four Avalonians quickly attract a flock of young high
school men, who leer at them from a safe distance. Timotei takes
notice. "Sempai, is it normal for Terran males to follow us with
such lascivious looks on their faces?"

Kamen stares behind her. "Looks like a bunch of young studs
out to find some fillies. Ignore them. They can't help
themselves."

"The genetics of other races are so peculiar," Marine muses.

"I don't mind your genetics, Marine," Timotei smiles.

Marine shudders, unsure as to how to interpret her comment.
Observing this, Yacho notices the lustful, dazed looks on the
boys' faces. "Incredible! They're totally hooked on those
bioroids!! I better watch this!"

Next stop is a restaurant. Everyone sits around a table.
Marine stares outside to see the boys waiting for them. "Wouldn't
it be nicer if we asked them to join us?"

"Don't," Tamako asserts. "Boys are icky! They'll do weird
things to you. Pay attention to Timotei-onee-chan."

"Of course," Marine turns to Timotei.

Yacho jots down notes. "'Avalonians have the ability to
entrance boys into becoming some form of slaves,'" he muses.
"'When they are examined, this ability must be suppressed if a
riot is to be prevented'...eh?" he stops, staring at the
restaurant.

By that time, the boys have summoned enough courage to step
into the dining area, sitting very close to the Avalonians and
their friends. One of them leers at Marine. "Hey, sexy, what
brings a nice girl like you here?"

"I am eating," Marine answers. "And my name's not 'sexy.'
I've no interest in you, nor do I wish to converse. Good day."

The boy gasps, stunned at the Avalonian's curt dismissal.
Kamen, Hensou, Sadako, Ranko and Tamako chortle with delight while
Timotei smiles. "Hey, do you know this cold lady, honey?" another
asks Timotei.

"My name is not 'honey.' Further, I do not desire to
converse with you," Timotei announces. "Good day."

The other boys shudder while the girls howl. Outside, Yacho
is quick to notice their devastated looks. "Maybe they're not
interested in enslaving them after all."

The meal ends and the girls depart, returning to the child
care centre. Yacho quickly follows. Finally, everyone is home.
"Well, we're going to put Sadako-chan back in, then head home,"
Hensou sighs. "We have to get up early tomorrow; they're raking
in hay."

"We understand," Timotei bows. "Marine and I will remain
with Ranko and Tamako."

"Yay!!" the girls cheer.

Kamen, Hensou and Sadako head into the grounds. After
dropping off their purchases, Timotei, Marine and their charges
proceed to a nearby park. Yacho blinks with surprise. "What
luck!!" he snarls. "I can kidnap those two and force them to take
me to the factory!"

He sneaks into the park, slipping behind trees to close in on
the targeted bioroids. Timotei and Marine help Ranko and Tamako
on the swings, then push them. The girls laugh with delight as
their big sisters play with them. By that time, Yacho has hidden
himself in a raised fort, not five feet from Marine. "Have to
make this quick," he grits his teeth.

Unseen by him, the guards' sisters, after a day of shopping
around town, wander into the park. "Gee, everyone else seems to
be happy doing whatever they want and we still can't find anything
to occupy our time," Urayako crosses her hands behind her head.
"Not to mention find somebody to be friends with."

"Relax, Urayako-kun," Aisuko sighs. "It's not the end of the
world. Like the others, we are free to do whatever we can within
limits. We should rejoice at the breaking of the old bonds, seek
out opportunities and seize the day!"

The others sigh. Aisuko had retained her brother's maddening
ability to ramble. "Hey, look!" Shikko points. "There're two of
Ria-chan's assistants with those kids Kamen and Hensou look
after."

"It is...eh?!" Dareko beams, then jolts. "Hey, look at the
fort!!"

The others look. Sure enough, someone was about to pounce on
Marine. "What is this?!!" Aisuko's eyes glitter. "Someone dares
think of placing his filthy hands on poor, innocent Marine-chan?!!
Anyone who touches one of Ria-san's assistants is touching Ria-san
herself...AND THAT IS UNFORGIVABLE!!!! CHARGE!!!!!!"

The four howl as they lunge at the fort. Yacho jolts, his
eyes darting left to see four very angry young women lunge at him.
Then, out of nowhere, the elderly woman appears, leaping over
Aisuko to bash her bokan stick on Yacho's head! "Hentai!!! I
caught you!!!"

"Not again!!!" the hybrid howls as he scrambles out of the
fort.

Aisuko allows the woman to leap on her back, then the guards'
sisters race off in pursuit. Those Yacho were about to harm
observe, understandably confused. "Ranko-chan, is this another
strange game Terrans play?" Timotei wonders.

"Guess so," Ranko shrugs.

Yacho scrambles out of the park as fast as he can, stabbing
his teleporter control to get him out of Niigata before his
pursuers capture him. The guards' sisters and their ally are
scant yards behind. "Faster, girl, faster!!!" the elderly woman
barks. "Don't let this ecchi gaijin get away!!!"

"He won't!!!" Aisuko snarls. "Oh, I can imagine the tortures
we'll unleash on him!!!"

Yacho scrambles around a corner. Aisuko cuts around the
corner...then stops, seeing nothing there! "What the...?!" she
exclaims. "Where'd the bastard go?!!"

The others catch up. "Hey, who was that, anyway?!" Shikko
looks around. "A ninja?!!"

"He sure moved like one!" Dareko growls.

"Funny," Urayako muses.

"What is, Urayako?" Aisuko stares at her.

"That guy looked...familiar," the smallest of the guards'
sisters shrugs. "Like he...he reminded me of someone."

The others hum. "He reminded me of Hazel-chan!" Shikko
declares.

"That's the first person I thought of, too!!" Dareko growls.

"Well, whoever he is, he's been following those nice girls
all day!" the elderly woman hops off Aisuko's shoulder. "I've
been after him, but he's given me the slip every time!!"

"Is that a fact?" Aisuko muses. "Then, if he is a hybrid
like Hazel-chan, that means someone is planning something! We
must tell Ria-san about this!! Her assistants are too
inexperienced to handle something like that!"

"Right!!" the others chant...

* * *

"A hybrid after Timotei and Marine?!" Ria blinks. "Aisuko,
who gave you that idea?!"

Aisuko reports all the events of the afternoon. Everyone
stands in the factory's main computer room. "Well, Nassur
believed some hybrids might've been taken off Barsoom and Icarus
before Project: Superwarrior was discovered," Ria muses.

"They're working for Schwartz," Kamen growls. "And that
means he's after us!"

"It's one thing after the next, isn't it?!" Hensou sighs.

"Agreed," Ria nods. "The factory itself is protected in case
this fellow gets any ideas. And if he attacked Sado while we were
there, he would not be long for this realm of existence. That
means that his only hope is to attack someone in Niigata. And
given that our minds are shielded from his tracking powers, the
instant he DOESN'T detect any of our brainwaves, he'll know we're
Avalonians."

"What does that mean?" Timotei wonders.

Ria turns to her. "Timotei, you and the others will remain
aboard the factory until we've found this fellow and put him out
of business. You possess little experience when it comes to
dealing with others. That places you at considerable risk."

The assistants jolt. "Elder Mother!!" Timotei gasps
surprisedly. "You can't force us to remain here! What about
Ranko-chan and the others?! They need us!!"

"We'll explain it to them," Kamen places a hand on Timotei.
"We'll tell them some creep's out to hurt you and that you'll have
to stay here until we've put him away. They can understand that;
people don't let those kids out when there's a mugger on the
loose."

"I..." Timotei blinks. "I understand."

* * *

"***WE CAN'T SEE THEM?!?!?!***"

The next afternoon, Kamen and Hensou wince as they find
themselves facing twenty-four accusing eyes. "For now, yes," the
former sighs. "There's someone on the loose here in Niigata, some
bad person who wants to do terrible things to your sisters. They
have little experience when it comes to dealing with people.
You're the only ones they've dealt with since they were born.
Now, as responsible sisters, don't you think you have a duty to
watch out for your big sisters?"

"But, what could this creep do to Timotei-onee-chan?" Ranko
wonders.

Hensou kneels in front of her. "Ranko-chan, do you remember
those awful things boys did to your mother before she overdosed?"

Ranko shudders. Even the psychologists were adverse in
bringing up her memories surrounding her early years. "Y-yeah..."

"We believe this person will do the same thing to Timotei and
the others," Hensou sighs. "They don't understand certain people
are like that. If this fellow makes it look as if he's friendly,
Timotei won't know the difference. That could get her into
trouble."

The young girl looks down. "O-okay..."

"That's good," Kamen sighs. "Now, we're going to keep an eye
out for this guy. When we've caught him and sent him on his way,
then we'll let you see your big sisters. Okay? Can you hang on
for that long?"

The others hesitantly nod...

* * *

For the remainder of that day, Yacho patiently waits for any
Avalonian to appear. Recognizing Kamen and Hensou as two of the
bioroids Nassur constructed to protect his friends, the hybrid
hangs back. Finally, as the sun is about to dip below the
horizon, Yacho notices Kamen and Hensou leaving the child care
centre. "They took that better than expected, didn't they?" the
latter muses.

"They were hurt," the former growls. "They're really
attached to Ria's girls."

"They won't be separated long...that is, until this creep
shows himself so we can pound the snot out of him," Hensou
asserts.

"I just hope Timotei and the others aren't too angry at being
forced to remain aboard the factory," Kamen sighs. "They know
it's for their own safety, but still..."

"They'll be fine," Hensou asserts.

The two disappear in a transporter beam. Emerging from
shadow, Yacho trembles with rage. "So that's the way they're
going to be, huh?!" he snarls. "Keeping the other bioroids away
from me, eh?! I'll fix that!!"

He storms off...

* * *

As night descends on Niigata, a dark figure leaps over the
fence of the child care centre, sprinting for the girl's dorm.
Yacho runs up to a window, then looks in, eyes glowing. "Ah,
there you are," he snickers.

Inside, Sadako blissfully sleeps, her hands wrapped around
two teddy bears. The hybrid gingerly opens the window, then flips
in. His feet land on several dolls scattered around the floor,
causing him to fall flat on his face! "What the...?" he gasps,
feeling his way around. "What's in here?!"

"Huh?" Sadako's eyes flutter open. "Who's...who's there...?"

Jolting, the hybrid slams a psychic knife in her forehead!
As Sadako's body goes limp, he lifts her up, then taps his
teleporter controls. A second later, both disappear...

* * *

Next morning, Kamen steps into the bathroom, brushing her
teeth as Hensou emerges from the shower. "'Morning, love," she
kisses her bond-mate. "Sleep well?"

"I couldn't sleep, knowing some creep was after me," the Oni
bioroid yawns as she dries herself. "I hope he shows up soon."

"He will," Kamen smiles. "And when he does, we'll have him!"

Suddenly, the door bursts open, revealing Atako. "Hey, guys,
Ria just called!!"

"What?!!" both wonder.

"An Ipraedies Warhawk just decloaked in front of the
factory!" Atako gasps. "The creep aboard said he kidnapped
Sadako-chan!!"

"***WHAT?!?!?!***" they scream...

* * *

Several moments later, everyone meets on the factory's
bridge. On the screen before them, a triumphant Yacho glares.
"Alright, we're here," Ria sighs. "What do you want?"

"Simple enough," the hybrid sneers. "The Emperor wants your
factory, plus some of you to demonstrate how to work it. If you
don't turn it over..." his voice rises, "...those girls I took
last night from your orphanage will wind up in the Ipraedies
Circus!!"

"WHAT?!?!?!" everyone screams.

Yacho projects an image, showing Sadako, Ranko and Tamako
unconscious in the brig. Two gunmetal-grey humanoid robots stand
guard by the door. "Ranko!!" Timotei gasps.

"Tamako!!" Marine's eyes go wide. "Why have you done this?!"

Yacho's face returns. "That is none of your concern, slave!!
Soon, you'll be serving the Ipraedies Empire and progressing our
race's path to victory!! I've no idea who put those ideas of
freedom into you, but be assured, under the Empire's guidance,
your place in Creation will be revealed to you!!"

"Those ideas of freedom were placed into us by a race which
would've crushed your pitiful Empire in the blink of an eye!" Ria
sneers, shutting off communications to deny Yacho a chance to
reply. "Ideas, anyone?!"

"Elder Mother, you can't allow that sub-creature to hurt
those girls!" Timotei gasps.

"I've no intention of allowing that, Timotei. But we will
not cave in to his demands. Darling, can you get Grandma to
summon a ship from Jiyuu?" she faces Atako.

"Sure can, but if this joker sees the Zephyrites coming, we
can pretty well kiss those poor kids good-bye!" Atako nods,
running off the bridge to beam back to Sado.

"We won't do that," Ria rises. "We'll just have to consider
another way of boarding that craft and stopping Yacho from making
a further nuisance of himself."

"Let's think," Hensou shudders...

* * *

In Niigata, the elderly woman sits on a fence. Eyes
narrowed, she stares at the distant beacon of light marking the
factory. "We'll just have to throw a monkey wrench in that
*kimei'ne's* machinery!" she snorts, pulling out a very complex
remote from her sleeve, then presses a button...

* * *

In the brig, Tamako blinks, then yawns, rising. "Oh, it's
morning already...huh?!" she blinks again, barely able to make the
strange contours around her without her glasses. "Where am I?!"

"Huh?!" Ranko moans, rising. "Hey, where are we?!!" she
screams, bolting to her feet as she notices the cell. "This isn't
our room!!"

"Quiet," Sadako groans, then her hands grasp empty air.
"Huh?!" she stares at her hands. "Where are my teddy bears?!"

"Not now, Sadako-chan!!" Ranko sighs. "We're in trouble!!!"

"Hey!!!" Sadako bolts to her feet, walking to the doorway.
"Hey, where are my teddy bears?!! I want my teddy bears!!! I
WANT MY TEDDY BEARS!!!!"

"QUIET!!!!!!" Yacho's voice blows the young girl down.
"You're prisoners of the Ipraedies Empire!!! Behave yourself or
it's the Circus for you all!!!"

The three girls stare at the hybrid before them. "Who are
you?!" Tamako wonders, squinting at Yacho. "Why'd you kidnap
us?!"

"To make your bioroid friends surrender their factory so that
the Empire can destroy those who would destroy it!!!" Yacho
boasts...

...before several explosions cause the ship's power to fail!!
"What the...?!!"

Recognizing their chance, Ranko grabs Tamako and Sadako, then
runs out of the brig, sprinting down the corridor. "Stop!!!"
Yacho races in pursuit. "Come back here!!!"

Emergency lights come on...as the hybrid rams into Kamen's
elbow! "Got you!!!" the bioroid snarls as Yacho drops to the
deck.

Yacho rolls to his feet, then fires several quick punches.
Kamen dodges them all, then nearly decks him with a roundhouse.
"Hensou, get them out of here!!" she barks.

Hensou grabs the girls. "Go, Ria!!!"

They disappear in a transporter beam. "No!!!" Yacho lunges
at the bioroid.

Kamen trips him up, then slams him against a bulkhead. Yacho
is then pitched into another bulkhead. Kamen delivers several
kidney shots before the hybrid slams her against the wall, then
bashes her across the cheek with both hands. He runs toward the
emergency teleporter as Kamen recovers, then sprints after him.
"Come back here!!!"

Yacho leaps into the chamber, then secures the door before
leaping onto the pad. Kamen growls as she forces the door open,
then lunges into the chamber just as the hybrid vanishes.
"Damn!!" she taps her communicator. "Kamen to Ria! He's
escaped!!"

"Tracking him now," Ria reports.

* * *

Yacho appears on a street in Niigata, dropping to his knees
in relief. "Damn, they're better than I thought!!" he gasps.

"What did you expect?" a voice wonders.

He spins around, seeing the elderly woman who has been after
him since he came to Earth standing nearby. "You!!!" he snap
draws his pistol. "Now, you'll be out of my misery!!"

Suddenly, the diminutive figure fades...revealing a taller,
younger woman with suntanned skin, green-streaked blonde hair and
a star tattoo on her right cheek. Yacho's face pales as powerful
psi-barriers drop, exposing his sensitive tracking powers to a
mind so intense, it defies imagination. "Suit yourself!!" Lufy
cracks her knuckles. "I'm in the mood to be amused!"

Yacho screams...

* * *

"The alien terrorist, found by police unconscious and beaten
in an alleyway, was taken into custody by United Nations officials
late this morning after his presence was reported by the group now
resident on Sado Island," the NHK announcer makes her report.
"The alien, a hybrid named Yacho working for the Ipraedies Empire,
one of the local cluster's rogue states, will be remanded to the
custody of the Zephyrite Holy Republic to face trial for his
crimes. Sources report that he suffered a massive stroke causing
considerable brain damage. No one is yet sure as to what caused
the stroke, which U.N. experts claim rendered Yacho brain-dead.
The United Nations has declined further comment as to the purpose
of the terrorist's presence..."

Ria turns off the holovision, then faces Captain Invader.
"As you can see, Father, everything's taken care of."

"Yeah," the captain laughs. "Schwartz's gonna have a stroke
when this news gets back to him, especially with that 'rogue
states' reference!! INN's already broadcasting it across the
cluster! The Tribunal's having a field day with this! Anything
you want us to do for you, Ria-chan?"

"No, not really," Avalon's elder mother sighs. "I'm sure
Schwartz will be too busy dealing with his own problems to harass
us."

"Okay. Oh, by the way, what's going on with Hensou and
Kamen? Are they adopting that young girl you told me about?"

"They're encountering little resistance with Family and
Children's Services with concern to Sadako-chan. I believe the
authorities were impressed when they learned how Kamen and Hensou-
chan boarded that Warhawk unarmed to rescue Sadako-chan and the
others."

"That's good!" Invader smiles. "I'll visit sometime later to
see how you're all doing! Take care, Ria-chan!"

"Bye, Father," Ria shuts off the link, then sighs. Standing,
she heads off the bridge. "Jenny, take over."

"Yes, Elder Mother," Jenny nods...

* * *

Ria beams down to the alley where Yacho had run across Lufy.
The Avalonian looks around, then smiles. "I know you're here."

The elderly woman shuffles out of the shadows. "How did you
guess?" she muses, melting into Noa's familiar features.

"The only way Yacho could have suffered a stroke is via
*mavan'shagh,*" Ria smiles. "I haven't demonstrated that ability
to anyone, so it had to be a *daishi'cha* who did it."

"Lufy wanted the chance to cut loose," Noa admits, stretching
herself. "Besides, you are close to Ataru and Lum. They'd be
really hurt if anything happened to you."

Ria smiles. "Thank you, Noa."

"Hey, we Elder Mothers have to look out for each other," Noa
winks.

Ria laughs...

*** The End ***