Urusei Yatsura Fan Fiction ❯ The Senior Year ❯ Great Father Ataru Stage Eight: Re-genesis ( Chapter 61 )

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

Darkness.

"He's awake!" Lupica exhales. "Thank Lyna, he made it!!"

Ataru's eyes flutter open. Why was everything red? Glancing through
the haze, he recognizes the contours of his bedroom in the Chamber. He was
home at least. "Are you sure he'll be fine?" Sakura wonders.

"He's alive, isn't he?" Mikan muses.

"No thanks to you and that thing!" Lupica growls. "He's mentally
exhausted. I've no idea how much he's gone through. I've already called
Misato. She'll be here soon to do a mind-scan."

"Good," Sakura sighs. "Have we turned over our prisoners to the Vosian
government, Benten?"

"Just now," the defence minister replies. "Unfortunately, thanks to
Shinobu, the whole galaxy knows what Ataru did to the Mikado."

The door swooshes open, then Shinobu's voice. "What?"

"Activating the monitor station's emergency communications system,"
Benten replies. "What in Lyna's name possessed you to do that?"

"Excuse me?!" Ataru's former girlfriend growls indignantly. "I did it
to protect everyone, including Ataru-kun! After watching him kill the Mikado,
no one'll be crazy to take him on again!!"

The Mikado dead? He...killed the Mikado? When? Why was it so hard to
remember? Was he still the Cyborg? "There're enough lunatics in the galaxy
as is!" Mikan muses. "Why do you think Ataru insisted on having the Cyborg
constructed?! I agree with Shinobu; she did the right thing!"

"I still want that thing dismantled!" Lupica insists.

"Enough," Sakura hisses. "Keep it down! Let him rest!"

Ataru moans, his vision clearing. Hovering over him are a sea of
worried faces. In Shinobu's arms sleeps Amora, not the worse for wear because
of her father's absence. How long had he been in the Cyborg? What did he do?
Why could he not remember? "Shinobu-chan..."

"Ataru-kun!" Shinobu breathes out in relief, leaning down to kiss him,
then allows Amora to sink into his arms. "How are you?"

Ataru shudders, flashes thundering through his mind. A dark station,
somewhere. Akisur, Nassur's son. Aya, restored to life. Dead...no, just
gone. Rage. The world was red. A man's face. The Mikado. Red. Blood.
The report of a gun. The Mikado vowing to see him in Purgatory. Gun aiming
at target. "You first," Ataru replied. Squeeze the trigger. Two shots.
More blood. Oh, Lyna spare him, so much blood...

"You're okay," he smiles. "I'm so glad you're okay..."

* * *

Urusei Yatsura - Great Father Ataru: "Stage Eight: Re-genesis"

by Fred Herriot
**** **** ****
With thanks to Patrick Vera for a plot suggestion
**** **** ****
Edited by E.B. Kushnir
**** **** ****
Forty-seventh of a series of fan-fiction stories based on "Urusei Yatsura"
created by Rumiko Takahashi
**** **** ****

WRITER'S NOTES:

1) An explanation of the intergalactic ship numbering system. Using the
Gatherer (NBS-061) as an example, the code is read this way:

N - Identifies type of construction. N = Naval; C = Civilian
B - Identifies type of ship. A = Auxiliary; B = Battleship; C =
Cruiser; D = Destroyer; E = Escort; F = Frigate; G = Science
Craft; H = Hospital Ship; J = Cargo Ship; K = Home Defence
Units; L = Landing Ship; M = Mine Warfare Craft; N = Liquid
Tanker; P = Border Patrol Craft; R = Aircraft Carrier; S =
Scout or Sloop; T = Troop Transport or Passenger Liner; U =
Salvage Craft; V = Tug and other Dockyard Auxiliary Ships
S - Identifies home planet. A = Ikkakusei; B = Spotak; D = The
Seifukusu Dominion; F = Fukunokami; G = Gomiana; H = Phentax
Five; I = Independent or Non-Aligned; K = Tengu; L = Elle; M
= Yaminokuni; N = Triton; O = Noukiios; P = Ipraedos; R =
Koumoros; S = Sagussa; T = Tofunokoibito; U = Uru; V = Vos;
W = Zeiwan; X = Phentax Two; Y = Yehisril; Z = Zephyrus
061 - Ship's pennant number.

Suffixes to the pennant number (i.e. "Renegade" [NFI-337-C]) can identify
either new ships using the same pennant number or personal identification.
Private scouts on Uru use a identifying letter marking the actual user.
Lum's, by the way, is CSU-471-L.

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

"Live from Tomobiki! This is Christine Yama of SNN news, reporting on
behalf of SNN and the Intergalactic News Network," the young Japanese-American
smiles into the camera. "It is a day after Tomobiki vanished, then returned,
barely escaping the wrath of a mad dictator from Vos. For years, the citizens
of this extraordinary district have endured disasters the likes of which could
not be imagined before the First Tag Race.

"But today, the day after what hisorians will refer to as the 'Second
Colony Four Massacre,' the esprit de corps Tomobiki natives has called on to
survive is shattered, perhaps forever," she waves behind her. "I'm now in
front of Tomobiki High School, alma mater of Ataru Moroboshi and Lum. It was
Moroboshi who led the rescue efforts which saw Tomobiki teleported back from
Colony Four, a world which, according to science advisors at the Sagussan
Embassy, was the nexus point for space warps leading to every possible corner
of creation.

"But the price of that liberation," Christine faces the cameras, "...is
indescribable. In executing the rescue mission, Sagussan military forces
delivered a fatal blow to the surviving armies of the Mikado, Vos' recently
deposed dictator. Current estimates report that over a hundred thousand
Mikado soldiers have died. The planet on which they sought refuge is
destroyed, vanished from this universe. Casualties in Tomobiki were
fortunately light, with only two people reported missing, presumed dead."

The reporter pauses, then continues. "One would think after all this
time, the people of Tomobiki would thank Ataru, who has sacrificed so much for
their benefit. But, thanks to what was seen in the skies and on television
screens throughout the local cluster, the name of Sagussa's leader is spoken
here not with thanks, but with fear. So far, details about the cybernetic
being Ataru became for this mission are scarce. Ambassador Ookako has
promised a full statement on Ataru's present condition and the creation of the
Cyborg to the United Nations. For the effects of this act on Terran-
intergalactic relations, we now turn to our studio in Charleston..."

* * *

"This is Milan Domo of INN in Onishuto," Milan faces her camera in front
of the Tribal Council chambers. "On behalf of the Intergalactic News Network,
I extend thanks to Christine Yama and our Earth colleagues of the SNN network
from Charleston, South Carolina for her on-the-scene report in Tomobiki. Uru
is in an uproar over the return of a monster everyone hoped would never return
to haunt them. While leaders throughout the local cluster praised Ataru
Moroboshi for his swift and decisive action against the Mikado, even crediting
him with slaying the despised Vosian dictator, the return of Ataru's Cyborg
persona has sent shivers down the spines of Urusian leaders hoping to forge
some reconciliation with Earth."

Milan blinks as Captain Invader lumbers out of the chambers. The large
warrior is haggard, clearly suffering from lack of sleep over the last while.
"Captain Invader," the reporter aims the microphone at him. "Would you care
to comment on the recent events on Colony Four?"

Invader sighs. "First of all, I'd like to state that in no way does the
government of Uru condone the senseless kidnapping of thousands of innocent
people to satisfy the deranged desires of a lunatic whose time in office has
passed. The swift, decisive action of the Sagussan Navy saved Tomobiki. This
rescue is a laudable, noteworthy event, deserving of praise. Everyone
welcomes the end of the Vosian Civil War. We've been in consultation with the
Vosian government about the Mikado elements still active in the Confederation.
They have assured us they are taking positive steps to ensure they do not
spread their evil to other states as was the case many times in the past.

"But," he sadly sighs, "...the fact that Mr. Groom, after suffering
prolonged and considerable personal trauma, was forced to resort to the Cyborg
to ensure that no one would ever attack his family and friends, is terrible.
The Sagussans have too many problems to concern themselves with putting out
fires provoked by people who can't accept what's happened to Mr. Groom. I
have been speaking to Ambassador Kimaenowakai and she has assured me that Mr.
Groom is alright, he's back to normal. I'm...still waiting on other news."

"Captain, would you comment on the murders of several senior Imperial-
aligned officials, including Uru's interior and defence minister, the day
before the Colony Four massacre?" Mikan adds. "Rumour is rampant that your
future son-in-law, acting in response to misfortunes befalling your daughter,
took matters into his own hands and eliminated these officials."

"I cannot comment on that," Invader shakes his head. "We have no proof
that Mr. Groom was anywhere near Uru at that time."

"But could you agree the possibility is there?"

"Yes, the possibility is there," Invader nods. "However, I must add
that before charges could ever be considered against Mr. Groom, our diplomatic
stance with Sagussa must be analyzed. If indeed people who were working for
those recently killed were responsible for what befell Lum, that will factor
heavily into whatever actions the government may take against Mr. Groom."

"Has your daughter talked to you about what she's endured?"

"No, she hasn't," Invader sighs. "My daughter is in hiding right now."

"Does she fear for her life?"

"I...I can't say," Invader looks down, truly worn by the past two
months. "No more questions, please..."

* * *

"This is Heinba of the Free Vosian Central News Service, reporting from
Lecashuto," the broadcaster scans her notes. "The Provisional Government has
declared final victory over the Mikado. Again, with the firm assistance of
the Fifth Republic of Sagussa, the Mikado and his troops were defeated in
battle on Colony Four. It is regretted that innocent people from Tomobiki,
the famed district of the Earth city of Tokyo which has served as the focal
point of relations between Terrans and non-Terrans, were killed in the battle.
Casualties inflicted on the Mikado have been finalized at 137,283 killed,
27,846 wounded and captured and 8,562 captured.

"While witnesses across the local cluster watched as Ataru Moroboshi,
Sagussa's leader, executed the Mikado, the Provisional Government, mindfull of
all the other times the Mikado escaped assassination, is hesitant on declaring
him dead. Blood samples obtained from Ataru's Cyborg body reported to have
come from the Mikado in their battle are presently en route from Sagussa to be
analyzed by forensics experts. Once these are proven not to come from one of
the Mikado's shadows, the dictator's final fate will be confirmed.

"Most of the prisoners captured at Colony Four were repatriated this
morning at Colony Ten. A thousand of these prisoners, hunter trainees and
former street gang kids living on Colony Four prior to the Mikado's forces
relocating there, remain in Sagussan custody. Many await news on the fate of
their former schoolmaster, Special Hunter Corps commander Hisur, and his wife,
former Interior Minister Sianba. Both disappeared when the attack on Colony
Four was launched. They are now believed to be on Earth, having remained in
Tomobiki when the district was teleported from Colony Four back to Earth.

"The Provisional Government has officially apologized to Earth's United
Nations for this incident. Plans are underway to send a permanent Vosian
diplomatic delegation to the United Nations, the first time ever that a planet
nominally protected under the Prime Directive will receive official diplomatic
recognition. Further, ministers in the Cabinet are proposing an extension of
overtures to the Sagussans in hopes of forging a permanent Vos-Sagussa treaty.

"News from Sagussa remains scarce about Ataru Moroboshi's condition.
Sagussan Defence Force Shipmistress-prime Elle explained to officials on
Colony Ten that Moroboshi received a near-lethal dose of radiation in the
incident over Den'sha Two, forcing his mind to be transferred temporarily into
his Cyborg body, constructed as a weapon of last resort to be used against his
enemies. So far, what went wrong with the Cyborg remains to be explained..."

* * *

"This is Ryokucha, currently in the INN studios in Zeiwanopolis," the
broadcaster faces his camera. "An official statement has been released by the
Sagussan government in concerns with the Second Colony Four Massacre. We now
switch to Tofunokoibito where Prime Councillor Sakura is meeting with Crown
Princess Lupica, briefing her on the incident..."

The screen switches to the palace grounds. Sakura and Lupica stand in
front of reporters. "Good day, ladies and gentlemen," the prime councillor
smiles. "Today is a day of reflection for many people, a day we wished would
not have happened. None the less, the Republic's obligations are clear. I
thank the government of the Confederation of Vos, which the Republic now
recognizes as the only legitimate government of the Vosian people, for their
cooperation in allowing us to fulfill our treaty obligations vis-a-vis Earth.

"The facts are these," Sakura sighs. "Two days ago, the Mikado used an
abandoned Fourth Republic monitoring station to teleport Tomobiki and over a
hundred thousand innocent civilians to Colony Four. They were intended to be
used as hostages, thereby provoking a war between the Confederation and the
Republic. We sought the permission of the government in Lecashuto to pursue
the criminals, punish them and safely return Tomobiki to Earth. This was
accompliashed yesterday. In the battle, we inflicted eighty percent
fatalities on the enemy. It is our belief the Mikado himself was executed by
the *daimon'cha* in the final fight aboard Colony Four's warp monitoring
station. We will soon confirm this.

"The *daimon'cha* became involved when forced into a recently
constructed cybernetic version of himself. I must iterate that the Cyborg
under normal circumstances is designed as a weapon of last resort, controlled
via conscience transference technology. This is where a person's living
spirit is temporarily transmitted into a receptacle body for remote control.
Thanks to radiation poisoning suffered by the *daimon'cha* in the Great Cosmic
Scramble Auction," Sakura pauses as laughter echoes from the crowd, "...he was
forced to perform *tre'cha,* the passing-on of his living spirit, into the
Cyborg while his physical body was regenerated. I am pleased to report that
he has returned to his real body and is now expected to make a full recovery."
She takes a deep breath, then looks around. "I'll now take questions. Yes?"

"Madame Prime Councillor, reports from Tomobiki state that while in the
Cyborg, Moroboshi ruthlessly killed over two hundred Mikado hunters, many of
whom were shot execution-style. Could you elaborate on what actually happened
in Tomobiki?"

Sakura sighs. "We cannot make a definitive statement. The engineers
responsible for the Cyborg are still analyzing the mission tapes. Yes?"

"Madame Prime Councillor, do you have any information regarding the two
people slain by the Mikado in the monitor station just prior to Ataru's
executing him?"

"We would not like to release any information on them until we've traced
down their histories and next-of-kin," Sakura smiles.

"But, Madame Prime Councillor, as he killed the Mikado, Ataru mentioned
two people named Akisur and Aya. Shinobu Miyaki stated the Zeiwanite woman in
the monitor station was named Aya. Would you confirm that the names Ataru
mentioned are those of the people the Mikado slew in the monitor station...?"

"Please!!" Sakura exclaims. "No further comment can be made at this
time! Let me remind you that over a hundred thousand people were killed
yesterday! It may be a statistic to you, but each of those people, including
those inside the monitor station, have relatives who are just now discovering
they will never come home. They need time to mourn their loss. I realize
people want to know these things and that by asking me, you're doing your job.
But, please, let's keep this whole matter in perspective. Yesterday, Ataru
and I did the most dreaded thing state leaders have to do. We ordered other
people to die. We both realize what it means to do that...and neither he nor
I wish to trivialize this. That is all," she turns away as reporters shout
more questions...

* * *

"Nassur," Hisur stares at his former student.

Eyes hollow, Nassur looks up. "What is it, Sensei?" he asks dully.

Hisur notions him out of the office. The two proceed into the tunnels
branching out from Nassur's part of Home Base. In Tunnel Forty-nine, the
place where Akisur was teleported to Colony Four ten years before, a small
crowd has gathered. "What's going on...?" Nassur wonders, then stops.

Several feet from the warp, two graves have been dug. Simple stone
markers reading AKISUR and AYARA stand at each grave's head. Between them, a
memorial flame burns. Sagussan prayer ribbons hang over both grave markers.
Cherry blesses the site. Blinking, Nassur walks up, then looks back. "When
did this happen?"

"We just discovered them," Sakura reports. "Given the Gatherer's speed,
Ataru could've transported them here and left long before we came in."

Nassur looks back, then kneels. There were only a few messages. A
prayer from Marianoshoo, the cyberdoctor who had treated Aya in her short time
with the Miyaki family. Prayers from Leona, Miranda, Rayna and Henra, the
commanders who led the attack on Colony Four. A note from Noa and Lufy, both
who were there when Akisur first met Shinobu. Two messages from Shinobu to
her friends, wishing them peace and happiness in the next plane of existence.

One from Ataru. YOU HAVE MY SILENCE.

The hunter blinks, staring at the warp before him. Sighing, he stands.
"I mourned him years ago, when he disappeared. It's not there."

"Yes," Koosei pats his friend's back. "We understand."

Nassur stares at his son's grave. After Akisur's "death," a grieving
Cinba zip-filed and sealed all data on him in the Home Base computer, ensuring
that no outsider would ever learn who he was. A final act for his first wife.
"I'd like this tunnel sealed in."

"It'll be done," Hisur sighs.

Nassur nods. "*Nassur,*" the Home Base computer hesitantly calls in
over the intercom. "*The 'Lyme'cha' is here. Krinba wants to talk to
Commander Hisur and Minister Sianba.*"

"Okay," Nassur turns away. "If there's a minister or any senior
official aboard that ship, I want to talk to her."

"*Yes,*" the computer replies.

Everyone watches him go. "What do you suppose is going on?" Megane
wonders.

"I guess we're about to find out," Mendou muses...

* * *

"Come to Sagussa?!" Elle-chan wonders. "Why?!"

Presently, the shipmistress-prime meets with Nassur on Home Base's
hangar deck. A small crew of Hisur's trainee hunters is busy sealing the
entrance to Tunnel Forty-nine, ensuring Akisur's and Aya's final resting place
will forever remain undisturbed. The "Perseverance" is gone; most of the
hybrids had gone to Cademus for a weekend excursion while Nassur and Benten
had gone to Earth. Everyone from Tomobiki surrounds the two. "I want to talk
to Ataru," Nassur sighs. "I want to know what the plans were for that thing
he had built. I thought he put the Cyborg to rest when you helped him get rid
of the *saikoo jinseijitsu.* What's going on?!"

"Honestly, I don't know," Elle sighs. "The existence of that thing was
news to us when he used it to kill Oogi over Den'sha Two! The only people who
had any knowledge were Mikan and the bodyguards plus Catty."

"Wait a minute!" Benten stares at the shipmistress-prime. "Catty was in
on this?!"

"She has certain knowledge when it comes to creating a clone via the
regeneration matrix," Elle shakes her head. "It's the same process that was
used in Lyna's creation. Mikan needed that to build this Cyborg. As far as I
understand, the thing was meant to be controlled by CT technology. It's first
use in combat actually went off well. But, when Ataru fell sick, his *mei'na*
had to be stored somewhere outside of his body for it to be regenerated.
Mikan proposed placing it in the Cyborg in lieu of having a nurse hold it."

"And exposing someone's mind to the regeneration matrix that would be in
that thing's brain cells is guaranteed to cause trouble," Koosei concludes.
"The energies would start clawing at his spirit, tearing away memories as it
sought to cleanse his mind. I assume that thing had buffers put into it...but
obviously, they weren't up to the job."

"Unfortunately," Elle sighs. "It is sheer luck that no one on Uru got a
clear look at him when he was there, or else we'd be at war!"

"What?!" Nassur pales. "You mean he killed Vel Pochik and the
others...?!"

Elle sadly nods. "That must never be broadcast," Oyuki muses.

"Agreed," Nassur nods, then faces Elle. "How is he?"

"He is incapacitated," the shipmistress-prime reports. "The stress has
caused a severe breakdown; Lupica has ordered no visitors or affairs of state
until he becomes more cognizant. I personally have no problem with you coming
to Sagussa, Nassur. Once Krinba is finished talking to her former teacher,
we'll be heading back."

"What's going on?!" Benten wonders.

"While they were with us, many of Hisur's trainees expressed a desire to
migrate to Sagussa," Elle reports. "They have no home or family waiting for
them on Vos. All of them were members of street gangs possessing little if no
respect among the population. Many, I suspect, are going to make their way
into Internal Security. I can surmise that Aisur and Munba will take over
where Hisur and Sianba left off."

Everyone blinks as Hisur and Krinba approach. The latter is now in the
uniform of an Internal Security officer. "What's going on, Sensei?" Nassur
stares at his former teacher.

"The matter in the tunnel has been taken care of," Hisur smiles. "As
for Sianba and me, I suspect that we'll be retiring from teaching new hunters.
My students have unanimously voted to move to Sagussa."

"That's good," Nassur stares at Krinba, then at her teacher. "But what
of you two?"

Hisur sighs. "We'll be heading on to Toukonokouen. I think its time
both of us settled down and tried to live a less exciting life. Would it be
possible, ma'am, for us to get a ride with you?" he stares at Elle.

"Of course," Elle smiles.

"Nassur, I'll have everyone returned to Earth," Oyuki reports. "I'm
sure we all want to get home and assure our relatives that all is well."

"Thanks, Oyuki," Nassur nods...

* * *

Several hours later, the "Lyme'cha" assumes orbit over Sagussa. In the
main hall of the Chamber of Eternity, Aisur and Munba await the arrival of the
Republic's newest citizens. A transporter is heard, allowing Krinba, her
boyfriend Farosur, Nassur, Benten (carrying Junba) and Elle to appear.
"Welcome back," the Internal Security minister embraces the shipmistress-
prime. "I see you obtained our new recruits."

"You owe me one, Aisur-kun," Elle winks as she heads off.

Aisur sighs, then faces Nassur. "It's good to finally meet you," he
shakes the hunter's hand. "I barely knew your father back when we were
younger. You look like him, you know."

"Thank you," Nassur nods, then looks around. "Now, if you don't mind,
I'd like to find out where Ataru is in this place."

"Down to the end," Munba points toward his bedroom. "But good luck in
trying to get past Lupica and Ayesha."

"We'll try," Benten reports as they head off.

As they proceed to Ataru's chambers, both glance around. The Chamber's
main level was where the cryogenic tubes which preserved the *daishi'cha* over
the centuries were located. Maintenance crews were busy dismantling them. "I
never thought in all my life I'd come here," Benten muses. "Kinda plain,
don't you think?"

"Finding out the truth behind the legends is always a let-down," Nassur
muses, approaching a maintenance engineer. "Excuse me, but where could I find
Engineer Chief Mikan?"

"Project Four room's several flights down," she looks up, revealing
herself to be a tall, spry Yehisrite-born engineer officer with sunflower hair
and green eyes. "But I wouldn't go in there right now. They're tearing that
thing apart trying to find out what went wrong. Everyone wants to know what's
going on with the Cyborg! You'll have to get in line...what is it?" she
wonders, blinking as familiarity crosses the Vosian's face.

"I'm sorry," Nassur shakes his head. "You look very familiar."

She smiles. "I'm Gilnira," she offers her hand. "I'm sure Dake-chan's
told you about me."

Nassur laughs, gently squeezing her hand. "You know this girl?" Benten
stares at her husband.

"Well, Benten, if you've ever been aboard the 'Goddess of Luck,' you
would've seen this woman's picture on the bridge," Nassur smiles. "Dake-chan
knew her about fifty years ago..." his eyes fall on her upper arm, noting the
sequential number 99999. "You're second to last, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am," Gilnira nods. "Hi, Benten."

"Pleasure to meet you," Benten shakes the engineer's hand. "You've had
any chance to talk to Dakejinzou lately?"

"Well, after Dake-chan and Henry rescued this lug from the Mikado over
Gomiana several years back, we met," Gilnira smiles. "And now that she has
her new base, I can call her anytime I want. Anyhow, why don't you come by my
quarters later, Nassur? There's someone else I think you'll want to meet. I
have to get back to work. Just ask James for directions."

"Sure," Nassur nods as they head off.

"Can you believe that?!" Benten gasps as they approach Ataru's bedroom.
"I wonder how many other reunions are possible with these people?!"

"Well, we just might find out," Nassur chuckles, then stops in front of
an imposing door. "I guess this is the place," he presses the doorbell.

The door opens, revealing Lupica. "Oh, there you are!" the surgeon-
general sighs. "Maybe you can put some sense into this idiot!! C'mon in!"

"How is he?" Nassur wonders as they head inside.

"Not good," Lupica lowers her voice. "Please keep the questions to a
minimum. He needs time to recover. Don't press."

Nassur nods as he approaches Ataru. The *daimon'cha* is in his chair
viewing the cliffs of the Esanta'cha, Amora asleep in his arms. Ayesha drapes
a blanket over him, then withdraws. Nassur stops, eyes wide on seeing the
baby girl in his friend's arm, then gazes out into the valley.

"This valley was once covered by a beautiful jungle," Ataru softly
intones, making no additional movement to acknowledge his visitor. "Can
hardly say that now, can you?"

Nassur frowns. Given Ataru's new abilities, his brainwave pattern was a
total blank. It was impossible to tell if he was in full command of his
senses. "I'm sure it'll be that way, soon," he replies. "Are you okay?"

"Everyone's asked that since I woke up," Ataru sighs. "Still so little
that I can remember. Yet...according to what others have said, it may be best
that I don't remember too much."

"It was...nasty," Nassur's lips twist. "Why'd you have it built?"

Ataru sighs. "I would've preferred not to," his lips twitch. "But
despite all hopes and wishes to the contrary, there are those in this galaxy,"
his eyes turn up to see the disc of the Milky Way looking behind the bright
orb of Sen'a, "...who must be demonstrated again and again that there are
certain limits one will tolerate." He takes a deep breath, then continues.
"I am through being surprised by those who cannot learn to leave well enough
alone. I am through seeing my fiancee suffer because others cannot learn to
leave her alone. If demonstrations like Colony Four are the only way to
clearly transmit that message, then I shall take no blame for the suffering to
follow. No, sir...I will not take any further blame."

"I understand," the Vosian sighs, deciding that pressing Ataru on that
topic was enough for now. "I...noticed what you did on Home Base."

Ataru gently nods, shifting the chair to face his friend. "Shinobu
insisted on that. It seemed fair. I grieve for your loss, even if it is ten
years later, so to speak. I assume Lum knew him in the past."

Nassur and Benten shudder on seeing the gaunt face, the lost look in his
eyes. It was as if the *daimon'cha* was desperately trying to understand what
had brought him to this place and time. "She did," Nassur replies. "When he
disappeared, it hurt her a lot."

Ataru wearily nods. "Then it is best to remain silent on this matter,"
he sighs, staring at Amora, allowing her to squeeze his finger. "I have seen
enough death to last me several lifetimes now."

"I know," Nassur muses, then remembers Elle's words on Home Base. "It
seems you were pretty busy on Uru before coming out to Colony Four."

The *daimon'cha* blinks, clearly wondering what Nassur was speaking of,
then nods. "There is no problem there," Ataru gently rubs his forehead.
"They acted in a clandestine manner against those I care for. I could not
stand by and allow Lum to fight them alone. I could not sit here and permit
their acts against her to go unanswered."

"That's understandable," Nassur nods. "But you're placing Lum's dad and
those who would support reforms on Uru in a precarious position. If he can
produce proof that you are instigating this, Yethis could easily start a war
between Uru and Sagussa. That's not what you want, is it?"

"No," Ataru's eyes narrow. Whether from fatigue or calculation, Nassur
could not be sure. "Ando Pochik is the next target."

The hunters tense. "Don't you think you ought to cool off on them for a
while?!" Benten wonders. "Shit, Ataru, you keep smashing them into a corner,
all hell's going to break loose!"

"Oogi confessed that Ando was the one who instigated the cosmic scramble
at Den'sha Two," Ataru wearily reports. "If he is capable of doing that to
us, he can do much more damage to the Democratic Alliance, even Lum or members
of the Tribal Council. We will have to move swiftly..."

His voice trails off as his eyes return to the Esanta'cha. "Ataru?"
Nassur wonders.

"We will speak further of this in the morning," Ataru sighs. "I am
pleased you two are well..."

Nassur and Benten exchange a worried look. They had NEVER seen Ataru so
worn down in the time they have known him. By then, Shinobu has come into the
bedroom. She walks up to take Amora from her father's arms. "It's time for
you to rest, Ataru-kun," she soothingly intones. "C'mon, let's go to bed..."

Ataru is already asleep. Handing Amora to Nassur, Shinobu pulls the
blanket over her former boyfriend, then kisses his forehead. "Get some rest,"
she whispers. "We'll be right here."

His only response is a shallow sigh...

* * *

Meanwhile, in deep space, Sil Dedron has just shut off her television.
Contently smiling, the Oni programs a course into her scout, sending it back
to Uru. With her husband safe and sound, Sil could get back and deal with the
problems Vel Pochik created for the Alliance, especially her clone twin.

It was fortunate that she had met up with Lum and the others after their
return from Sagussa, Sil muses as she lifts the tiny computer chip with a pair
of tweezers. Presently, that chip contained all her memories and knowledge,
the very essence of her being. She had spent the last three hours in a trance
as a memory-analyzer made a digitalized copy of her *mei'na.* Nene had given
it to her in case of emergencies. With the distinct possibility that the
Imperialists were after her, Sil decided now was the time to get ready.

Placing the chip in a container, she then fits it in a warp-probe.
About the size of her leg, it was capable of short bursts at transwarp speeds.
The "Hasei'cha" was patrolling this area, ready to go to Uru to intervene in
case Lum needed help. With the majority of the Imperial Round now dead thanks
to Ataru, Sil wondered if in the end run this would be necessary. "Better to
be safe than sorry," Nene's words echo in her mind. Sil smiles, then after
closing the probe, begins to program her message.

"This is Sil Dedron," she sighs. "I am recording this message in the
eventuality that I may die over the next few days and if the life-saving
measures Lum and Nene prepared for me fail. The computer chip containing my
memories is in this probe. If Vel's plan to use my clone to destroy the
Alliance proceeds as planned, I'm sure Nene can use this to stop it. I know
clones are frowned upon on Sagussa, but I request under the rules of the Edict
of Clones and Cloning Technology that my clone be allowed to live. I...never
had much of a family, so it would be nice to pass on something to a relative.

"Being in sound mind and body, I declare this message to be my last will
and testament. I bestow all my worldly possessions to my clone twin, as well
as my title as Head of the Dedron House. I ask my friends in the Democratic
Alliance to accept her as they did me; Nene can ensure that happens. If at
all possible, the truth of her existence should be kept secret from the
public. We need leaders to direct Uru into the future, not martyrs. Besides,
vengeance against Vel and his ilk is better served while alive, not dead.

"To you, my sister, do not look at me as an enemy. Do not think of me
as a traitor. It...depends on your viewpoint, I guess. If the Imperials win,
millions will suffer. The cruel cycle of Empire, revolution and chaos will
continue. Please, I beg you, don't turn back the clock. If the Alliance
succeeds, peace will finally come to Uru. I...wish that along with my
memories, I could bestow you the ability to see things as I do. But the
decision in the end must be yours. And if you really are me, than I know
you'll make the right one. I wish that I could have come to known you. But
even without that, I love you.

"Finally, a personal request. As Head of a traditional House, I have
the undisputed right to recommend one person to enter the Urusian Defence
Force Academy. In hopes that relations between Uru and Earth will improve
over the next few years, I recommend that Shutaro Mendou, my beloved husband,
be entered into the next available class. He has already apprenticed under
the bounty hunter Nassur during the Planet of Shadows mission and is willing
to learn. I believe that when Earth creates its own defence force, they will
need trained personnel to successfully guide them.

"For you, Dear, please don't be sad. My love for you will never die.
Even if I am in Heaven, I'll watch over you. I realize my gift of allowing
you to go to the Academy may seem minuscule, but I know deep in my heart what
you want. You want to embrace the stars. Let this be your chance. Further,"
Sil pauses, biting her lip, "...if I don't survive and if you feel that you
don't want to subject yourself further to your family's control, then by all
means seek my twin. If I know Nene, she will become me...and I know that she
will love you as I have loved you. Good-bye, my love...and take care. I know
we will meet again..."

Sil tenses as a sensory alarm sounds off. Looking at the reading, her
eyes widen as sensors report an Urusian cruiser decloaking near her scout,
shields rising and weapons charging. Programming the message into the probe,
she quickly loads it into a torpedo tube. Muttering a final farewell, she
thumbs the firing trigger. The probe blasts free of the scout, then engages
warp drive as it rockets away to its destination...

* * *

"What was that?!" Ando screams.

"A probe, sir!" the sensory officer reports. "It's heading for Uru!!"

"Shoot it down!!" the intelligence chief barks.

Before weapons could be brought to bear, the probe disappears in a trail
of warp energies. "It's gone, sir!!" the sensory officer sighs.

Ando trembles. Like almost everyone in the galaxy, he had seen what
Ataru Moroboshi had done to the Mikado. The chances were that Sil had fired a
warning message to the *daimon'cha's* friends on Uru, alerting them to the
existence of her clone twin. If so, they could then stop her...or worse,
reprogram her into betraying her creators. His father would have died in vain
and the Sagussans would have another excuse to destroy the Imperial Round.
Sil would win. "Lock weapons on the scout!!" he growls.

The weapons officer trains the cruiser's guns on the fleeing scout.
"Sir, shouldn't we demand that person surrender?" the first officer wonders.

Ando glares at him. "That woman is a traitor to Uru!" he snarls. "She
has dealt with aliens intent on overthrowing the government, the same people
who killed General Des, my father and who knows how many others!! What would
you do when you confronted one of those people, Commander?!"

The officer blinks, then nods. "Yes, sir!" he turns to the weapons
officer. "Open fire!!"

* * *

Sil screams as the first weapons volley slams into her scout, wrecking
the craft's shields and causing massive power failures throughout the small
ship. A conduit explodes, spreading flames across her arm and side. The Oni
drops to her knees as another explosion drops a heavy frame on her back. Her
breath is knocked out as she transforms herself into energy to escape. More
explosions come as the scout's hull is mercilessly pummelled. In her present
state, Sil is unharmed. However, she knows that even in her energy form, Sil
cannot survive the hard vacuum of space.

Flying to the bridge, she locates Nene's other present: a hazardous
environment shield-generator. Reverting to normal, she straps it to her arm,
then presses the tan button and an air bubble encases her. The Pathfinder
discovered the device in stores before coming to Uru. Feeling the device's
tractor arrays form a protective cocoon around her, Sil remains in place as
her ship disintegrates, morbidly drawn to the disintegrating control panels
and buckling bulkheads, none of which can now harm her. She had never seen a
ship blow up from the inside.

The scout finally explodes, the pressure of the detonating reactor core
flinging Sil into cold space. Given the force of the blast, Sil is hurled
away from the scene at many times the speed of sound. Fortunately, the shield
generator maintains the air around her at room temperature. There was also an
oxygen converter, which recycled the air bubble for as long as required.
Hopefully, whatever contaminants were in the scout's atmosphere when she
activated the generator would not clog up the system before rescue came...

* * *

Elsewhere, on a remote, unexplored Class M world in a system situated on
the border between Karasutengu and Vosian space, a computer system activates.
Sensors come on line as a communications transceiver picks up an automated
distress message. Even though the system has not detected someone for over
fourteen thousand years, its primary directives were still intact. A pilot
had just lost her ship.

The station began its search and rescue procedures...

* * *

"Eluza!!" Amy looks up from her station. "We just picked up an
automated distress call!"

"What?!" the shipmistress straightens. "Where from?! Who is it?!"

"Unknown!" the coxswain stares confusedly at her readings. "Computer
analysis states that the transmitter is a personal hazardous-environment
shield generator system...but it doesn't identify the wearer. However, it
appears to be in the Dead Zone several light years from Yiziba."

Eluza blinks. "Who could that be?!" she wonders.

"Ma'am, should we investigate?" Amy stares at her commander.

"Yes!" Eluza straightens herself. "Intercept course!!"

"Aye, ma'am! ETA six minutes!"

The "Hasei'cha" banks port and flies into hyperspace...

* * *

"There!" Ando sneers, staring at the ballooning gasses which were once
Sil's scout. "That finishes her!! Signals, contact DID HQ. Inform them a
probe will be coming into the home system very soon from this location!
Intercept and destroy at once!"

"Yes, sir," the communications officer turns to her board.

"Sir!!" the sensory officer looks up from his station. "Look!"

Ando stares at the viewscreen. Soaring rapidly away from the scene was
a bubble of air, a woman inside. "Damn!!" he growls. "She ejected!!"

"Orders, sir?" the weapons officer inquires.

"Can you hit that?!" the general wonders, pointing at the screen.

"I can!"

"Then do it!"

"Yes, sir!!"

* * *

Contact.

Sensors had now located the downed pilot. She, a female humanoid whose
life-signs indicate she has conceived twins, was now in empty space close to
the home system of the humanoid race calling themselves Yizibahojei. The
pilot, ironically, was of the race calling themselves Oni-Urusian. That did
not disturb the SAR station's computer. Its directives were plain.

Deep inside the station, the reactors feeding the emergency transporter
system come on line as a transporter lock is attempted...

* * *

Sil's eyes widen in horror as Ando's cruiser moves toward her, several
long guns now aiming at her face. Tears sting her cheeks as realization falls
on her. There was no escape this time. They had tried but failed. Now it
was up to Nene, Lum and her sister.

"Good-bye, Dear..." she sniffs. "I love you...avenge me..."

* * *

Mendou bursts out of bed. "Sil-chan!!!"

Eyes wide with panic, the scion of Japan's richest family stumbles to
the window of his bedroom, gazing intently at the moonlit night over Tomobiki.
Staring into the sector of the sky where his wife's homeworld lay. That dream
was so real. But was it?

The door behind him opens, revealing his chief Kuromegane. Lights snap
on. "Sir, are you alright?! We heard you call Mistress Sil's name...?!"

The bodyguard pauses as the sight of his employer's gaunt face. He then
gazes at the full moon over their heads. A chill runs through his heart as
Mendou returns to the night sky. "Sir, can you be sure...?" the Kuromegane
wonders, walking up to his side.

"Lad," a strange voice utters from behind them.

Both turn to see Cherry standing there, a forlorn look on the monk's
face. His presence said it all. "Did you...?" Mendou hoarsely wonders.

Cherry nods, staring at the Kuromegane. The bodyguards straightens
himself, then bows respectfully to his employer. "Sir, we will pray for her,"
he vows, then departs.

The monk approaches Mendou. "Come, lad," Cherry sighs. "It is in the
hands of Buddha..."

* * *

"Fire!!!" Ando barks.

The cannons thunder...

* * *

Emergency alert.

Sensors detect an alien craft aiming at the downed pilot. The first
volley went wide, but if the gunnery officer aboard that ship corrected for
roll, the pilot would be rendered into her component atoms. Fortunately, the
designers of this station kept battle conditions in mind when a rescue had to
be effected. With that, emergency transporter protocols were engaged.

Acquisition lock. Commence transport...

* * *

"Are we there yet?!" Eluza wonders.

"Two minutes!" Amy reports.

"Damn!! Faster!"

"I'm pushing her to the limit! She'll fall apart!!"

"Fall apart, then!!!"

* * *

Sil shivers as the next bolt of energy rips past several scant metres
from her shoulder. The weapons officer on Ando's ship was really good. Just
another correction and she would be cooked. She closes her eyes, preparing
for the flesh-searing heat of a full-power laser, multiplied a thousand fold
from the sting of a hand-held weapon. She doubted the shield system could
withstand a direct hit.

It finally comes. The energy slams into the tractor field, overwhelming
it in the blink of an eye. The shield generator explodes, sending wrenching
pain through Sil's arm as electricity and generator plasma mangle her hand.
With it gone, the bubble collapses. In her mind's eye, Sil's life flashes
past at transwarp speed. But with it does not come oblivion.

Instead, she feels the tingle of a transporter beam.

* * *

"Got her!!" the weapons officer laughs as the bubble burns away.

Ando breathes out in relief. "Good shot!" he sighs, looking away. In
truth, he had hoped it would have never gone this far. Part of his mind
screams denial. It was not his responsibility. He did not kill Sil. The
Alliance corrupted her, turned her against her destiny. The Alliance killed
her. Her Terran "husband" killed her. He was not at fault. Exhaling, he nod
thanks to the weapons officer. He would be up for promotion soon enough.

"Sir!!" the sensory officer yelps. "Sensors indicate a ship entering
the sector! I.D. makes her R.S.S. 'Hasei'cha!!'"

Ando jolts. As soon as the Sagussans went public with their existence,
the identity of the ship which had so humiliated Kakaru Azu in the "Tripwire
Incident" was known. Like everything else about that strange desert world
outside the Barrier, the identities and lives of that annoying ship's crew
were unknown to him. However, given their activities over Earth, they were
capable of pulling aces out of nowhere when it suited them. Now, what were
they doing here? "Never mind!" he sighs. "Set course for home! We have
other things to do!!"

"Aye, sir," the helmsman plots a course...

* * *

Ando's ship moves away from the scene as the "Hasei'cha" approaches,
scanners on full power trying to interpret what happened. On the bridge, Spea
identifies the cruiser. "The flagship of the Urusian Defence Intelligence
Directorate?" Eluza wonders. "What brings them here, I wonder?!"

"Ma'am!" Rumy looks up from her station. "Sensors have just identified
the ship just destroyed. It's a Urusian Class Twenty-nine scout, pennant
number CSU-278-D. Registered to..." her face pales, "...Sil Dedron of Uru."

The bridge is cloaked in silence as everyone interprets that message.
"Are you sure, Rumy?!" Shildy hoarsely inquires.

"Yes, ma'am," the science chief sadly nods. "Also...we just picked up a
shield generator belt...or what's left of it."

"And?!" Pony gulps.

Rumy shakes her head, turning away as tears flow down her cheeks.
Seeing this, Spea feels rage surge from her heart. "Locking all weapons on
the Urusian cruiser!!" she announces, programming controls.

"Belay that!" Eluza counters.

"Eluza!!!" Amy cries.

"I said belay that!!" the shipmistress repeats. "We're here to prevent
a war, not start one!!"

Spea bolts to her feet. "You saw what they did to her!!" she points at
the sea of wreckage before them. "This is cold-blooded murder, plain and
simple!! We can't let that slime get away with it!!!"

"I know!" Eluza snaps. "But we did not see the DID actually firing on
Sil's ship!! All we've seen since our arrival is an Urusian cruiser serving
as DID flagship in the same sector of space as a destroyed scout belonging to
a senior official of the Democratic Alliance of Uru! The DID could easily say
to their own government that they had come onto the scene just as the ship was
destroyed! They could doctor their flight tapes to make it look like WE were
the ones who fired on Sil's ship!! By now, they must know it was our people
who killed their former leader!"

"So?!!" Spea snarls. "Damn it, Eluza, who pays for Sil's death?!!"

"That will come in due time!!" Eluza fixes the combat officer with a
stare. "It will come, Spea! We have to be patient!!"

Spea stares at her commander, then nods in reluctant acceptance.
Returning to her chair, the combat officer appears unwilling to accept Eluza's
opinion on this matter. Sighing, Eluza turns to Rumy. "Send a coded message
to Lum. Tell her what's happened."

"Aye-aye," Rumy nods, then blinks as another reading comes to her.
"Eluza, sensors just picked up the ion trail of a warp-probe leaving the last
position of Sil's ship heading for Uru!!"

The bridge crew stare at the science chief. "A warp-probe?!" Patty
wonders. "Who gave her one of those?!"

"Lum, maybe!" Eluza sighs. "Intercept course, Amy! Let's make sure it
gets to the right people!!"

"Aye-aye, ma'am!" Amy plots course...

* * *

Sil floats unconscious in the regeneration tank, mind-shields protecting
her *mei'na* from eventual disintegration prolonged exposure to the matrix
guaranteed. Already, the wounds on her arms and body were clearing. Stasis
fields surround her abdomen, ensuring that her unborn would not experience
accelerated growth while the Oni remained in the matrix. An interesting side-
effect of Ojin's discovery, a person could be literally grown from fertilized
egg to full adult in less than a day. This was the process Ojin used to
create Lyna...and millennia later, Mikan used to create the Cyborg.

Nearby, the medical computer monitors her progress. In a day, Sil would
emerge, whole and healthy. However, the SAR station had no means of deep-
space communication. The hyperspace transmitter, located on a nearby
mountain, was destroyed in a landslide several millennia ago. Perhaps the
pilot, upon revival, could jury-rig a communicator to summon assistance. The
station's sensors, over the years, had noted the existence of several
marginally advanced races on Vos, Tengu, Elle and Yiziba. Strangely, none had
come to Uketoru to examine the native life-forms, examining the world via
deep-space probes. Perhaps they found the Uketoru socially incompatible or
too primitive.

Such was irrelevant now. That would be for the pilot to decide...

* * *

"We put in twenty mind-shields in the Cyborg when we first constructed
him," Mikan explains to Nassur, Benten and Shinobu over morning tea in the
Project Four room. "It was enough to protect his mind, part of which would
always be in his real body, whenever he made use of the CT machine. None of
us wondered what would've happened if we put his whole mind into the Cyborg;
the urgency of the situation didn't give us the opportunity to clearly think
this out. Fourteen of them were burnt out by the time Ataru's *mei'na* was
restored. I hesitate to wonder what could've happened to him if they all
failed."

"So what're you guys going to do?" Benten spares a shivering gaze at the
immobile machine-man now on a diagnostic table.

"We'll double the number of mind-shields, upgrading them so that his
mind could withstand being the Cyborg under emergency circumstances for a
maximum of a week," Badoka sighs. "Further, we're exploring an option which
will, if someone tries to kill Ataru and Lum is nowhere around to perform
*tre'cha*, allow his *mei'na* to automatically transfer into the Cyborg. We
recovered some cloning machines when we salvaged the fleet at Den'sha Two.
Lupica is allowing one to go into service for emergencies."

"We could use that for Junba," Shinobu muses.

"Would you want to?" Kiiwii wonders. "I mean, you're making a copy of a
copy. You can't break into Cinba's grave to grow a new Junba, so would you
risk subjecting your bond-mate to that?"

"I don't know," Shinobu absently feels her left shoulder. After the
incident with her four future-selves, she allowed Catty to eliminate the
scarring left from wounds a possessed Megane gave her on Phentax Twelve.
While her skin was now flawless, the psychological scars took longer to heal.
"After seeing so much death...after seeing Ataru-kun butcher the Mikado, not
even give him a fair fight...I think I want to see more life emerge."

"Careful, Shinobu," Zakuro warns, holding up a finger. "Creating any
form of life is quite simple once you set your mind to it. The trick is, are
you prepared to take responsibility in raising your offspring, making sure
she's capable of being a contributing member of society."

"That's a good point," Shinobu muses, then blinks as someone steps into
the room. "Madoka, what're you doing here?!"

Everyone turns to see Hikaru's bond-mate approach. A beautiful raven-
haired Fukunokami-born administrator, the Speaker of the House of Assembly was
rarely seen beyond her chambers. Beside Madoka was a young Vosian boy Reiko's
age, clad in a plain tan-and-white jumpsuit, connoting someone who had yet
chosen a career. He held onto Madoka's hand, the sparkle in his eyes
reminiscent of a young boy who had just got a crush on a pretty teacher. "My,
Madoka-chan," Mikan muses. "Robbing the cradle, are we?"

The icy glare the Speaker gives the engineer is enough to cause Mikan to
regret opening her mouth. "Very droll, Mikan," she sighs, then smiles at her
companion. "Noma-chan just wanted to see everything, didn't you?"

"Uh-huh!" the young boy nods.

"He's one of the Colony Four hunters, isn't he?" Nassur muses.

"Yes," Madoka smiles. "He attached himself to me as soon as he arrived.
Noma-chan, you know Nassur, don't you?"

"Should I care?" Nomasur looks away from the renegade hunter. "Blacks,
whites, golds...they're all the same to me!"

Nassur frowns. Being a former street kid whose friends were routinely
killed by Mikado and rebel forces, Nomasur detested all hunters regardless of
the cygnet's colour on their uniform. Like his fellows, Nomasur had shed his
kill-belt. Hisur ensured that his students wore them at all times in hopes of
instilling pride as Vosians. Certainly they would be allowed here; Sagussans
allowed people to wear accoutrements denoting their ancestral homes. Hisur's
plan had been doomed to failure from the start.

"Anyhow," Madoka pulls out a datapadd, handing it to Shinobu. "I think
you should read that, Shinobu."

"What's this?" Shinobu stares at the letter, then reads:

"To Madoka, Speaker of the House of Assembly,

"We, the undersigned, request that you, in your capacity as
Chief Immigration Officer, permit Shinobu Miyaki of Tokyo-to,
Japan, Earth, the right to emigrate to Sagussa. She has proven
time and time again to be energetic, friendly, open-minded. She
has been willing to cooperate with Sagussan forces over the last
eight months. We believe she has demonstrated the necessary drive
and energy to become an active participant in the Grand Design."

Shinobu gapes at the names under the paragraph. Noa, Mie, Honey, Catty,
Marianoshoo, Makoto, Ayesha, the whole crew of Pathfinder Troop Six, the whole
ship's company of the "Hasei'cha," even the whole of Makinoshoo's Hostage
Rescue Team! "That isn't all, Shinobu," Madoka smiles. "A second petition's
been run by your spirit-sister; she hasn't collected all her names. You've
got over three dozen sponsors ready to back you up if you decided to accept."

Shinobu stares at the government minister, then re-reads the message.
Makoto and Maria told her they would sponsor her on the spot if she elected to
live on Sagussa. Sylia certainly hinted at such during the time Shinobu was
in Nerima. "I...I...I don't know what to say," she finally utters, staring at
Madoka. "I...gods, I thought this was a joke!"

"May I see that?" Mikan holds out her hand.

Shinobu passes it to the engineer. Mikan reads the message, then calls
up the typing function, adding another line. Kiiwii, Badoka and Zakuro add
their lines, then the latter returns it to Shinobu. Ataru's former girlfriend
blinks, stunned that the four had just added their names to the list of
sponsors. "Why?!" she stares at Mikan.

"Shinobu...at first, we didn't like what we heard about you," Mikan
sighs. "All we knew about you was what we felt from Ataru prior to the Spirit
War. How you just gave up, walked away from him for Mendou, abandoning him to
Lum. How you, before he began to see Lum more as a friend than an enemy, made
him feel that he had no true friend left in Tomobiki, that if given a choice
between Lum's wishes and his, you'd side with Lum. How you used him to try to
win Nassur's attention; you know how that ended. That you were just as bad,
maybe worse, than people like Mendou, Lum's guards and Lan."

Shinobu winces. "That jaundiced all our opinions of you, especially
Noa's and Mie's," Mikan admits. "But over time, we learned you were
different. That once a particular situation got your mind off the boyfriend
du jour," the engineer smirks as everyone else laughs, "...you really were
Ataru's friend. What you experienced in Nerima, what you did when we fought
the Niphentaxians, your standing with Ataru through so much over the last
while. You might think of this as an apology of sorts, after all the pain we
heaped on you. But we all feel you belong here. You've tried so hard to make
a life of yourself on Earth. Every time, it's proven unsuccessful. Maybe
...maybe it's time for you to start looking elsewhere."

Feeling her cheeks colour, Shinobu stares at the letter. "But what
could I do?" she wonders.

"You said you wanted to be a nurse," Nassur muses. "This planet has the
best medical corps in the galaxy! This would be a perfect place for you to
train."

"Catty would take you as an apprentice right this instant," Madoka adds.
"Every doctor on the planet would kill to take you under their wing."

"And if medicine turns out not to be your specialty, there are other
selections," Mikan smiles. "Take working as a Pathfinder. Priss and Lufy
could show you things Nassur couldn't conceive of."

"Being a Pathfinder doesn't mean you have to kill," Kiiwii adds. "You
can train yourself to NOT kill. Missions like that are possible."

Shinobu sighs. "If...I accept, does that mean I have to endure what
Ataru-kun and Lum went through?" she stares at Madoka.

"It's advisable," the Speaker sighs. "Not because it's mandatory; we're
not going to subject Noma-chan and his friends to it if they don't want it.
But I should warn you: if you decide to live here but not submit to genetic
modification, you'll grow old and die long before the oldest of us hit middle
age. You'll make friends here; you already have. They'll want you to
experience what they experience. You won't have that chance if you don't
cross that bridge. But if you're afraid of enduring what Ataru and Lum
experience when they became Sagussans, we won't hold it against you."

Shinobu stares at the letter before her. People here had faith in her.
Noa, the woman who worked behind the scenes to show Lum how people had become
psychologically enslaved to her; that if she was to marry Ataru, she had to
cut herself free of Tomobiki. Mie, the first person in Shinobu's life to
stand face-to-face with her and tell her she could not have her way...and was
strong enough to make her point. Sylia, the first person to broach this
possibility with Shinobu, the person who showed Ataru's former girlfriend that
those who wanted him could happily accept her. Tears sting her eyes as she
hands the letter back to Madoka, nodding. Smiling, the Speaker types a line,
then shows it to Shinobu. PETITION GRANTED.

"Welcome to Sagussa," Madoka smiles as everyone cheers...

* * *

Sometime later, Shinobu steps into Ataru's bedroom. This morning had
brought hope to those watching over the *daimon'cha.* He was able to move
around, spoke with clear sentences and was able to hold a lengthy conversation
with Nassur about affairs on Uru. As long as he did not push it, Lupica
expected full recovery in a week. Presently, Ataru was giving Amora her
formula, having just changed her diaper. "Hi, Ataru-kun!" she smiles.

Ataru looks up, blinking in surprise at seeing her now in a nursing
assistant's uniform. Despite previous derogatory comments about Shinobu's
figure, the uniform was quite flattering. "Wow!!" he whistles. "When did
this happen?!"

"You might not know this, but a lot of people want me to live here,"
Shinobu slides in beside him. "What do you think?"

"Well, if it's what you want, I won't stand in your way," Ataru smiles.
"But be sure you want this, Shinobu. Noa and the others are going out on a
limb for you. Many on Sagussa still equate you with the rest of the crowd."

"I'll just have to work on changing their attitudes," she sighs. "I
must admit, though. I never thought that your dreams of a harem would not
only benefit you, but Lum and myself...even the guys!"

"I know," he nods. "I just hope we won't regret this. Things can still
go wrong. I learned that the hard way three days ago."

"True," she sighs. "Oh, Nassur finally met up with Tenba. Why didn't
you tell him his old girlfriend was living here?"

"Why aren't we telling him the truth about Akisur?" he muses. "There's
nothing he could do now that he's married to Benten and has to worry about
Junba-chan. If he was still single, Tenba would be an option, even if Vosians
can't recognize Sagussans. That's not true now, isn't it?"

"No," she sighs. "But it's good to know that the Mikado didn't succeed
all the time. Oh, Biiko still wants to take you to the Esanta'cha to show you
the site of your house. If you feel up to it, tomorrow?"

"I'd love to," he reaches for her hand. "As long as I have company. I
still have to take you to the Forge one of these days."

"I can't wait," she winks.

Both jolt as James' voice interrupts. "*A signal from Lum, Ataru.*"

"Put it here," Ataru sighs.

A holographic screen appears before Ataru and Shinobu, revealing a wet-
faced Lum. "Lum, what's wrong?!" Shinobu gasps.

"D-darling...Sh-shinobu..." Lum sniffs, then blurts out. "Sil's dead!!"

Silence falls over the room...

* * *

In their small campsite near the Invader home, everyone supporting Lum
relaxes around a fire as the Oni passes the terse news to her fiance and
friend. Sitting by the fire is the small warp-probe Sil managed to get off
before Ando's attack. Already, Nene was tearing it apart, the vital memory
chip hidden in a secure pouch in her gun belt. Nearby, Lufy and Priss relax
against a log, the anger of their failure to catch Sil's clone at Vel Pochik's
house quite apparent. "If we killed that thing, this wouldn't've happened!"
Lufy loads and unloads her pistol. "They wouldn't've had anything to use to
take Sil's place! Lyna's Soul, we know the Imperials can't afford to give the
Alliance another martyr! Damn, what was wrong with us?"

"It's not your fault," Catty soothes her bond-mate. "Besides, you had
something interfering then, remember?"

"It's no excuse," Lufy shakes her head.

The doctor sighs. She knew Lufy well enough to understand that any
words spoken now were wasted. Until Ando Pochik had been hunted down and
killed, the pilot would not feel any easier. Lufy took great pride in being
able to fulfill her mission. Allowing someone under her protection to die
really hurt. Priss was the same way. Catty wished that Sugoi would have been
allowed to remain with her bond-mate. With her around, Priss would be less
prone to fly off the handle. Perhaps she should mention it to Lum.

Her eyes fall on Nene. Pathfinder Troop Six's master hacker was still
crying, although she had regained some sense of decorum. Nene busied herself
preparing a neural-neutralizer pistol, which would bring down Sil's clone and
allow the Pathfinder the chance to do some mental re-wiring. She had taken
Sil's loss the hardest, priding herself on providing the precautions which
could have saved Sil's life if Ando had not been pushed too far. Catty blinks
as she stares at the communicator's viewscreen. Did Ataru feel blame for what
happened? What would he do?

"...now, we need to put Ando out of action," Ataru sighs. "I just wish
Sil hadn't flown off the handle, taking off like that to find Mendou. I
wonder if he knows what's happened."

"I'll go to Earth and tell him," Lum offers.

Ataru gazes at his fiancee. Preferably, he wanted Lum to return to
Sagussa. "It's best you remain on Uru right now," he sighs. "Have you seen
your parents?"

"Not yet," Lum admits. "We were going to visit them but Eluza just came
in with the news."

"Well, Sil would want us to keep going," Ataru muses. "Where're Priss
and Lufy?"

"Right here," the pilot announces as the two move to Lum's side. "What
do you want?"

"You two go to Earth and tell Mendou what's happened," Ataru stares at
them. "If I know him, he'll be so crazy with grief, he'll want to come to Uru
and take care of Ando himself. In every sense of the term, he has the right.
Do you two think you can bang him into shape fast enough to take on Ando?"

"Twist our arm, we'll try," Priss smiles. "Let's just hope his family
hasn't clicked in yet. They'll see this as a golden opportunity to get him
married to Asuka. That won't do Osooko any good."

"True," he moans. "Well, we'll just have to make sure Mendou's parents
understand that there are more pressing problems than family politics. You
two get going."

"Yes, sir," both *pirpirsiw'r* nod.

"What about Sil's clone?" Lum wonders.

"Wait until Ando's gone," Ataru smiles. "If I know Mendou, he'll want
to eliminate the bastard as soon as possible. With Priss and Lufy teaching
him some tricks, Ando'll be joining his old man in a couple of days. With him
out of the way, Sil's sister'll be more inclined to support the Alliance if
her sugar-daddy's no longer around to protect her."

"Good point," Lum nods, then notices Shinobu. "So, you've decided to
come to Sagussa. Welcome to the family, Shinobu."

"Thanks," Shinobu boosts Amora up so the baby can gaze at the Oni.
"There you go, Amora-chan. There's your mommy. Say hi!"

Amora reaches out for the hologram, smiling. "Mama..."

Lum sighs, feeling through her bond with Ataru the pure innocence of the
would-be Black Rose. "Hi, Amora-chan," she coos. "Mama misses you very much.
Mama'll be home soon, honey. Mama'll be home soon."

Amora burbles...

* * *

In an hour, Priss and Lufy have beamed up to the "Kiboo'cha" for the
trip to Earth via a swordsmith on Yehisril. If Mendou was going to challenge
Ando, it would be a sword duel. Lum knew the current head of the Defence
Intelligence Directorate was a collector of edged weapons, although she had no
idea whether or not he knew how to use them. Mendou was a kendoist with years
of practice. With Priss and Lufy tutoring him, Ando did not stand a chance.

Meanwhile, the remainder of Lum's team headed for the Invader home.
Ataru was right; Lum had not seen her parents since Junba's funeral. As the
Pathfinders scouted the terrain, looking for listening devices to spy on her
father, Lum flies to the door. It opens a moment later, revealing her mother.
"Yes, who is...LUM!!!!" Mrs. Invader cries out as she embraces her child.
"Oh, Lum-chan, what are you doing here?!!"

"Sorry I've been gone for so long!!" she kisses her mother's cheek, then
flies inside. "Where's Daddy?!"

"He'll be late...oh!" Mrs. Invader blinks as the Sagussans stream in.

"Hello, *shima'cha!*" Noa smiles, embracing Lum's mother, addressing her
as bond-mate's mother. "As you notice, we brought her back safe and sound!"

"I see you brought others, too!" Mrs. Invader sighs. "Well, make
yourselves at home. I assume we're under siege now."

"Not really," Sylia sighs. "The grounds are clean. We'll make sure
they stay that way."

Lum's mother sighs, then jolts as a weak voice emanates from the guest
bedroom. "Are we having visitors, dear...?"

Everyone turns to see a very frail figure coast out on a hoverchair.
"Great-grandpa!!" Lum flies over. "What are you doing here?!"

"He's visiting from the senior citizen's residence," her mother reports.

"We'll have to make sure he doesn't tell anyone we're here," Sylia
warns. "Loose tongues sink ships, remember?"

"If you insist," Mrs. Invader sighs. "Anyhow, your father was tempted
to have him stay here but after a week of putting up with his crying..."

"Oooh!!" Lum's great-grandfather wails on getting a good look at her,
then covers his face. "You're a girl, you're a girl, you're a girl...!!"

"He's still on this?!" Noa wonders.

"Unfortunately," Lum sighs. "I just wish Upa would stop calling and
threatening him with marrying Rupa's and Carla's baby to one of ours!"

"We'll make sure he doesn't," Asukanoevan smiles as she kneels beside
Lum's great-grandfather. "Now, now, Sweetling," she coos. "Stop crying!
You're upsetting Lum!"

The old Oni blinks, then stares at the brown-haired girl beside him.
"Asuka?" he blinks. "I thought you were dead."

Everyone falls over! "YOU KNOW EACH OTHER?!?!?!"

"Sure we do," Asuka blushes. "Sweetling here was my boyfriend in my
previous life!"

"'Sweetling?!'" Reinoevan growls, jealous steam blowing from her nose.
"Asuka, you have ten seconds to explain this to me...!!"

"Now, now, Rei!" Asuka waves her bond-mate down, moving behind Lum's
great-grandfather to push him into the guest bedroom. "Come join us! We'll
explain how it all happened."

"I'll love to hear this one," Rei mutters as she follows the two inside.

As the door closes, Lum and her mother exchange looks. "Asuka...Lum-
chan, that's your great-grand-aunt!!" the latter exclaims. "Asuka Aruka!"

"Oh, silly me, I forgot!" the former slaps her forehead.

"Where did the nickname 'Sweetling' come from?" Noa wonders.

At that moment, Linna slips through the door. "Estate's clear!" she
announces, then looks around. "Hey, where's Nene?!"

Everyone stops, looking around. No red-haired Ellsian-born Pathfinder.
"Nene?!" Sylia calls out, then taps her communicator. "Sylia to Nene! Where
are you?!"

A low beep replies. "She's on stealth mode!!" Linna gapes.

"You don't think...?" Noa stares at Lum...

* * *

"You eliminated her?!" Sil laughs as she nibbles on some fruit. "And
the Sagussans did nothing?! Oh, Ando-kun, you're so mean!"

The clone was in the living room of Sil's beautiful mansion, located to
the south of Onishuto. Since she had lived there alone for so long, Sil had
automated most of the house, using androids as housekeeping staff. So far,
the clone had not decided to commence redecorating, ripping down the paintings
of the Union victories during the Revolution on the living room walls and
replacing them with the paintings of the Dedron House's many triumphs, now in
storage in the basement. A framed desk picture was turned face-down on the
coffee table.

The clone was on the videophone, staring at her lover. "Chances are
that the Sagussans are going to hold off and regroup," the intelligence chief
muses. "I'll be back on Uru in a day. We're trying to locate some probe your
sister launched before we shot her down. If you see anyone who might be
Sagussan, act normal, but report it to the DID as soon as possible. They
don't like clones, period! Understood? No heroics."

"I understand," the clone nods. "You come back, Ando-kun. I have a
surprise waiting for you."

"I'll be waiting, love," Ando muses, then cuts the line.

Laughing, the clone shuts down the machine, then flies into the kitchen.
An android maid walks up. "What do you desire, my lady?"

"A glass of wine, please," Sil sighs. "I'm going to celebrate."

"Yes, my lady," the maid heads to the wine cellar.

With a flute in hand, Sil returns to the living room. Staring at the
turned picture, she picks it up. It depicted her template and Mendou, sitting
in the atrium of the latter's mansion on Earth. Both reclined against the
other, projecting the image of a perfect couple. The clone blinks, feeling a
chill run through her heart. Could that...be her?

"Feeling guilty, I take it," a voice muses.

Sil spins around to see a pistol aimed at her chest. "You should know
something," Nene growls. "When it comes to a decision between a Sagussan's
pride and a clone's life...pride comes first!"

She fires. The neural bolt slams into the clone's chest, knocking her
onto the sofa. Sil shudders as her nervous system overloads, then falls limp.
Nene stands, drawing the small memory disk from her pouch as she kneels beside
the stunned clone. The android maid returns. "Orders, Chief?"

"Engage the mansion security system," Nene smiles. "No one is to be let
in unless they're members of the Alliance."

"Yes, Chief," the maid heads off.

Nene stares at the helpless clone. "As soon as Lufy told me you
existed, half-life, I took some precautions in case your creator got to Sil,"
she holds up the memory disk. "This, I gave to her when we came back from
Sagussa. It has all her memories and opinions. Once it's in your head,
you'll become her and Ando won't have his love-toy anymore. That won't matter
anyway. Because if I know Lufy and Priss, Shutaro...oh, you remember him,
he's your husband...will make Ando a head shorter. Get it?!"

Sil is unable to respond as Nene pulls out an airbrush-like device,
places the chip in one end, then aims the point at Sil's forehead. "Sorry,
honey...but this IS personal!" the chief growls as she squeezes the trigger.

The clone jolts, shuddering as terabytes of information are fired into
her mind. The device in Nene's hand was a memory-inducer gun, a device which
became popular when the practice of *tre'cha* fell out of style during the
heady days of Gisan'cha. After a moment, Sil's movements cease as the last of
the information is dumped. Nene pulls back the gun and waits.

After a few minutes, Sil's eyes open. Staring around the room, she
finds herself gazing at Nene. A smile crosses her face. "It worked!"

"Damn, I'm good!!" Nene laughs as they embrace...

* * *

"He has been in there alone for two hours!" Haruka Mendou hisses to her
husband. "What has happened with him?!"

Hajime shrugs, puffing his pipe. The two wait in the atrium of the
Mendou mansion. Their son remains isolated in his bedroom with Cherry. At
that moment, Haruka's retainer arrives. "Master, Mistress, the Lady Osooko
has come to see the Young Master."

"What?!" Haruka bolts to her feet. The Nendo-kata-turned-Tritonian was
the last person she expected.

Osooko heads in, nods a greeting to Mendou's parents, then proceeds into
his room. "What's going on?!" Haruka demands, walking to the door. "Shutaro!
Shutaro, open up!" she knocks. "Come out this instant!!"

The door opens, revealing Cherry. "He does not wish to be disturbed,"
the monk solemnly announces.

"What are you doing here?!" Haruka demands. "What have you done with my
son?!"

"I have done nothing, madam," Cherry sighs. "Your son is in mourning,
now...although I can't for the life of me understand why he wants to see
Osooko. You will just have to wait."

Haruka blinks as Cherry heads off. "Shutaro...mourning?!" she wonders
aloud, then her eyes widening, she races to the phone, dialling a number.
"Hello?!" she calls into it. "Saeko?! It's Haruka! Has something happened
to Asuka-chan?!" A pause, then she exhales loudly. "Oh, thank the gods,
she's alright!" Another pause, then, "Well, I don't understand. Sakurambou
was here and he said Shutaro was in mourning..."

Mendou's mother pauses as realization dawns on her. "Hello?!" Saeko
Mizunokoji's voice echoes from the phone. "Haruka?! Are you okay?!"

"Sil..." Haruka covers her mouth...

* * *

Osooko pulls her hand away from Mendou's face, then nods. "Yes."

He shivers, then gazes at this woman. He had no reason to hate her,
despite her arrival nine months ago causing so much havoc. Despite her now
bearing Asuka's baby girl. Osooko had been there when Mendou was not.
Filling the emotional void his would-be fiancee so desperately needed, a duty
Mendou did not then desire to fulfill. Now, it had come to this. "Is she
alive?" he stares at the Nendo-kata.

"I cannot say," Osooko shakes her head. "I do sense that some awful act
of disUnity has befallen Sil-chan. But...I can neither confirm nor deny if
she has returned to the Cosmic Chain of Life."

Mendou looks down. "My parents and Asuka's parents will not leave us
alone," his lip trembles. Still, after all this time, he finds it difficult
to grieve in public, in front of another woman. "This is a disaster for you
as well as Asuka and myself."

"Agreed," Osooko sighs. "However, sometime ago, I told Asuka-chan that
she will have to consider balancing her feelings for myself with her duties to
her own school and you. At first, all I saw in her was a potential co-parent
to my child. As I came to know her, I began to love her. And deep down, I
sense how much you care and want the best for her. There is no shame at
breaking away when you did, Shutaro-kun. You did not see yourself being loyal
to anyone save Lum-chan. But, then the Unity brought you Sil-chan. And now,
it seems, the Unity has taken her away."

"And I am...left with nothing but questions," he sighs, fighting the
urge to cry. He did not know the whole story. All he had was a dream and
Cherry's prediction. Both accurate, but not exact. "Was it...an accident?"

"No," Osooko sighs. "That, I can sense. It was deliberate."

His growing sorrow is then torched by rage. Someone attacked HIS wife.
That someone just wrote his death-warrant. Somehow, someway, Shutaro Mendou
would get his revenge. Even if his pride had taken shattering hits over the
last year, his sense of loyalty had not gone away. He had given Sil his all.
He would continue to do so, even in death.

They jolt as the door opens, revealing a Kuromegane. "Sir, Master Chief
Warrant Officer Priss and Pilot Chief Petty Officer Lufy are here to see you."

Mendou and Osooko exchange looks as the two *pirpirsiw'r* enter the
room. "Yo, Shutaro," Lufy non-chalantly waves as they sit to either side of
him. "I...hate to say it, but we have some bad news..."

"You...don't have to tell me," Mendou lightly smiles. "I know."

"You don't know the whole story," Priss cuts in. "Shutaro, Sil was
assassinated. This is part of that whole stink on Uru right now."

He shudders. "Do you know who?"

"Yep," Priss nods. "Even better, we know where he is. He'll be on Uru
in a day or so. You want a piece of him?"

"I want him," Mendou snarls. "What's his name?"

"Ando Pochik," Lufy supplies.

Mendou blinks. "He's Sil-chan's old fiance!"

"Right," Priss drawls. "And...there's a complication. You see, Ando's
old man had a clone of Sil created. Their plan was to kill Sil, sub in the
clone and the Democratic Alliance would be gutted from inside. Nene took a
precaution. She gave Sil a memory chip machine which allowed her to make a
copy of her *mei'na.* In essence, your girlfriend's still alive. When the
time comes, we'll have that chip downloaded into the clone...and Sil lives on.
But first...we have to dispose of the clone's sugar-daddy. That's your job."

"Did Moroboshi plan this?" Mendou wonders.

"He and Lum both," Lufy smiles. "Lum and the others are on Uru right
now, probably visiting her parents. We have two days max to get you ready to
ace this bastard before the gig's up. You in?"

Mendou pauses, then nods. "I'm in."

"Good!" the pilot slaps him in the back, then reaches behind her to pull
out a long cloth-draped object. "And for the occasion, we got you this!"

Mendou stares at it, then unwraps the cloth. Inside was a beautiful
longsword. With a blade length a third longer than his katana, the weapon
gleams dull silver. On the hilt were etched the sigils of the Mendou and
Dedron clans. Drawing the heavy blade from its scabbard, he runs a hand on
its sharp edge. "I've never dealt with this type of weapon before."

"That's our job," Priss stands. "We'll tweak you up and send you on
your way. Let's get to work!"

Mendou nods...

* * *

"Sil's dead?!" Benten pales. "How the hell did that happen?!"

"Ando Pochik, that's how," Ataru rubs his eyes. Nassur and Benten had
spent their last night on Sagussa sharing quarters with Gilnira and Tenba,
both of whom were bond-mates. They were meeting the *daimon'cha* in his
quarters before heading back to Home Base. "The 'Hasei'cha' caught him and
the wreckage from Sil's scout in the Dead Zone. Eluza didn't see him actually
destroy the scout, but it was pretty damn obvious."

"Wonderful!" Nassur shakes his head. "If this news gets back to Uru,
it's going to hit the fan!"

"Well, if Mendou gets ready soon enough, we won't have too many
worries," Ataru stretches himself.

"You're sending Mendou after Ando?" Nassur blinks. "Ataru, Ando is a
trained assassin. Shutaro doesn't stand a chance!"

"With Priss and Lufy in Mendou's corner?" Ataru wonders. "Besides, by
Urusian law, Mendou and Sil are married. Isn't it the right of the husband to
seek vengeance if his wife is murdered?"

"Of course it is!" Nassur snaps. "And even with Priss and Lufy teaching
him things, Mendou doesn't have the mentality to challenge a spy. Ando's been
in this business since Shutaro was in public school!"

"Not the way Sagussans train," Ataru stands. "Priss and Lufy know it's
a rush job. They'll psionically copy the information Mendou needs into his
mind, then run him through drills."

Nassur blinks, then hesitantly nods. "Whoo!!" Benten shudders as the
concept comes to her. "I don't want to be in Ando's shoes now!"

"Neither will I," her husband muses. "I just hope he's ready for it."

"So do I," Ataru frowns...

* * *

"Nene, have you the barest concept of obeying orders?!" Sylia growls as
her subordinate trembles under the troop commander's angry gaze. "Ataru said
to wait until AFTER Ando is dead before going after Sil's clone!"

"Sorry, boss," Nene sighs. Both were now in the Invaders' house with
the reborn Sil Dedron beside the chief. "But after hearing what that son-of-
a-bitch did to the real Sil, I had to do something!! Besides, what was to
stop Ando from using the clone to start wrecking the Alliance now?!"

Sylia sighs. Behind the troop commander, the Invader family watches.
Only now have Lum's parents come to fully understand Ataru's actions since
this madness began two months ago. "Now, just a minute here," Invader rises.
"You mean to tell me that Ando took his ship, fired on an Urusian craft intent
on killing its occupant...and actually succeeded?!"

"That's right, Captain," Sil sighs. "I...my template panicked when news
of Colony Four came down. She took her ship intent on going to Colony Four to
rescue her husband. When news was revealed of my existence, she realized that
the Imperials were going to eliminate her, then slip me into her place so that
the Alliance could be brought down and reforms stopped. Nene here took the
precaution of giving me...my template a memory chip recorder and a shield-
generator system. The former worked, which is why I'm standing here now
talking to you. The latter...didn't."

Mrs. Invader looks down, shaking her head at the senselessness of it
all. Lum had tears in her eyes, feeling that she would never have the chance
to fully reconcile with her old friend. Invader sighs, then turns away. "I
can't believe this is actually happening!" he snarls. "I can't believe all
this has been going on and no one's been paying any attention."

"It's because that's how deep Yethis has corrupted the government,
Daddy!" Lum cuts in.

"We don't know that yet!"

"Excuse me?!" Lum bolts to her feet. "After what they did to me, after
what they tried to make me do to Darling?! Daddy, can't you understand we
can't leave it alone anymore?! We have to stop them, now!!"

"Lum-chan, it's not that easy!" Mrs. Invader cuts in. "We can't just
fire all these people and expect things to change smoothly! Powerful people
are going to balk if their friends are suddenly removed!! The uncertainty
alone could provoke a civil war!"

"Mom, the civil war's been going on since before I went to Earth!" Lum
faces her, then turns to Sylia. "You have the list?"

"Feel naked without it," Sylia hands Lum a sheet of folded paper.

Lum opens the paper, then hands it to her father. "Read."

Invader looks at the names. "Yethis, Des, Vel and Ando, Sayan, Retah,
Cal Tenwan, Jayan Aruka...what's this?!"

"For the past ten years, Sagussan Intelligence has been covertly
monitoring secure communications of every major government official on Uru,"
Lum explains. "It was automatic when the *daishi'cha* picked Darling as their
*daite'cha.* With the Ipraedies considering taking control of Earth, they
felt it was time to seriously analyze the plans of every state surrounding
Earth. The same thing was done to Triton, Ipraedos, Zephyrus and the Dominion
Houses with colonies closest to Earth. When they did this, they discovered a
disturbing trend among some senior officials," she points to the list. "These
people have been regularly meeting with each other over that time, even
longer. Not just one-on-one, but in conference calls and covert meetings."

"The nominal heads of the old Houses always meet, Lum-chan!" Invader
cuts in. "That's the way it's been since the Revolution. There's no harm in
that. We can't spy on our own people just because we disagree with their
opinions; it'll make the Union a real police state!"

"It's already a police state," Sil mutters.

"I know," Lum nods. "When they started this ten years ago, there was
nothing wrong. But the meetings picked up about three years ago, just as we
were about to start the First Tag Race. You remember what Yethis did to the
agreement that Grandma later discovered. If we were intent on just helping
Earth survive a possible Ipraedies or Dominion invasion, did we HAVE to put in
a stipulation which demanded a re-run of the Tag Race if Darling died?!"

"Well, no..."

"Dad, then you add onto it Yethis' fight to have the Council not accept
the U.N.'s Resolution 442," Lum continues. "Then Yethis takes his fleet into
Earth's solar system at graduation when he had no authorization, even if the
Niphentaxians were planning to attack. The Sagussans found out that Yethis or
someone underneath him helped Oogi plan that attack. A little later, Uday
Renning tries to have Yedris and Sugoi killed. Then the stink over what
Kakaru Azu did because of that couple. And then what they did to me and all
that followed it! Don't you understand, Daddy?! It's started!"

Invader sighs. He had hoped to avoid this. "Lum...the President will
demand proof. Irrefutable proof that Yethis is planning to overthrow the
government! If we don't have that, all this is meaningless!"

"You'll have it," Nene cuts in. "When we visited Yethis' house, we
lifted off copies of his holophone records for the previous three months.
Rally and her gang are trying to decode them now. They'll have it done in a
week."

"You mean that was you who blew up the place?" Invader wonders.

"Yes," Sylia nods.

"Wonderful!" the captain throws up his hands. "Next, you're going to
tell me you killed Des Azu."

"Actually, Lufy did that," Sylia sighs.

Invader pauses. "And Yedris and Sugoi...?"

"They're safe," Sylia smiles. "Captain, I am bonded to Yedris as deeply
as Noa is to your daughter. If she had died, we wouldn't be having this
wonderful discussion. Yethis and all his friends would be dead by now...and I
would've been the one who did it."

"What about Uday Renning?" Mrs. Invader wonders. "I always wondered why
everyone inside was hacked to pieces..."

"Priss did that," Lum explains. "Sugoi-chan got hurt and Priss...went
over the edge. In fact, that sleeze's daughter Shunran is now Priss' child."

Her parents moan. "And everyone else...?" Invader wonders.

"Darling...as Cyborg," Lum sighs.

"I was afraid you'd say that," her father moans.

Sylia sighs, kneeling beside him. "Captain, look. We're not asking you
to do us any favours. All we wanted was for your daughter and your future
son-in-law to come to Sagussa and help us better understand ourselves. That's
the whole deal. Along comes your president's chief-of-staff, whose dreams are
two hundred years out of date, he kidnaps Lum, brainwashes her, tries to have
her kill Ataru...and you expect us to sit back and allow this to happen
without raising an iota of objection? Be serious!"

"So what happens now?!" Mrs. Invader wonders.

"We have to wait until Ando is out of the way," Lum sighs. "Shutaro
will be along in a while to deal with that. Once that occurs, Yethis has no
major officials backing him up. Once that occurs, we can force a referendum."

"It can't be that easy, Lum-chan," Invader warns. "Like I said. The
President will want solid proof. Then, he can get the Tribal Council to okay
a referendum. Nothing before that!" Blinking, he then stares at her. "Wait
a minute! What's this about Shutaro Mendou coming to take care of Ando?!"

"Daddy, it's his right," Lum objects. "Don't worry; Priss and Lufy are
there to help him. He'll be ready!"

Invader moans. "I should have stayed in bed."

The Sagussans look sympathetic. Sil sighs. "Well, if you'll excuse me,
I have to meet the other Alliance leaders at noon today. We have a big rally
in Onishuto Stadium this evening."

"Nene, stay with Sil," Sylia orders.

"No problem," Nene nods.

Sil moves to leave, then looks back. "Lum-chan, why don't you come by
tonight? I'm sure Yethis won't do anything to you in front of so many people?
Maybe if you met some people, you'll understand why we need you back, even if
it's for a short while."

Lum blinks, then nods...

* * *

"How is he?" Hajime wonders.

Mendou's parents and Lufy watch as Priss runs their son through a drill
with the new sword. "He's using his anger to push him through this," the
pilot sighs. "A little memory-copying here and there and he'll be in good
shape. Ando's a spy. Atop that, I hear he's as arrogant as his old man when
it comes to 'lesser' races. With the right touch, your son'll be able to use
that against him."

Hajime sighs, lighting his pipe. "We wanted Sil to leave, to go away.
We certainly didn't want her to die. All we wanted was for her to respect
that certain things happen in certain ways here on Earth."

"Forgive me, but haven't you people tried to understand what Shutaro
might want?" Lufy stares at them.

The Mendous stiffen. "He has his duty," Haruka states.

"I understand that," Lufy nods. "I have my duty, too. But I also have
dreams. Shutaro needed the chance to discover his dreams, to branch out and
find out what sort of man he was. Asuka got that chance; Osooko gave it to
her. Ryooko and Tobimaro got that chance, too, thanks to Reigi and Yuukiki.
Sil was able to give Shutaro that chance. Just because she's dead doesn't
mean that his dreams will die with her. They'll grow, expand...and unless you
acknowledge them, let them have a place in his life and yours, he'll let them
consume him. And if that happens, you'll lose him...forever."

Mendou's parents shudder. "We should not speak of this right now,"
Hajime sighs. "Although it has taken us long to accept this...we believed he
always knew...but our son has to understand how important he is. Not to us;
when we die, it won't matter. But our companies, both Mendou and Mizunokoji,
employ millions of people across the world. If there is no stable head, the
companies will fall apart and those workers will suffer. They look to a
stable leader to guarantee their future. That is the way things are here on
Earth, Lufy-san. The Moroboshi companies, the McTavish companies, businesses
large and small, in every country. That is the basic fact of life on Earth.
Dreams are wonderful, but do they put bread on a person's table? Do they pay
for clothing, for shelter? You have no need to concern yourself with that,
Lufy-san; everything you need is at your fingertips."

"I'm not sure if we're going to evolve into that or if we're actually
going to need that in the future," Lufy muses, then notices Priss and Mendou
stopping. "Yo, Shutaro, you okay?!" she walks over.

"I'm fine!" he nods, putting down his sword. "It's hard training with
such a heavy weapon. I'm still used to a katana."

"Well, you'll need both just in case," Lufy muses. "Now, listen. We
can teach you all the tricks you need when you face this jerk. But there's
one thing we can't teach you; how to come to grips with your killing someone.
Have you ever killed anyone in your life?"

"No," he admits. "In that, fortunately, Moroboshi has certainly
outstripped me."

"Okay," she nods. "Now, you need your anger. You need to not think of
Ando Pochik as an intelligent being. He's killed your wife, the woman who
gave you more happiness than anyone. He's part of a conspiracy which would
enslave this planet. Repeat that in your head every second you're on Uru.
Think of how Sil suffered, calling out to you, swearing her love for you when
her life was snuffed out in cold space, begging you to avenge her. You gonna
let her down?"

"No," he growls.

"Good," Lufy nods to Priss. "I think he's ready."

"Let's go," the coxswain nods...

* * *

Ando arrives at Uru later that afternoon. His ship returns to space to
continue its fruitless search for Sil's warp-probe. He proceeds to his
beautiful ranch house in one of Onishuto's affluent suburbs. His personal
assistant awaits him in the living room. "Welcome back, General. How was the
mission?" she coyly muses, rising to kiss him.

"Fine," he notions her to a chair. "Let's see how Sil is going to ruin
things for the Alliance, shall we?!"

"Ando," she pouts, slipping herself out of her jumpsuit. "Why did your
father create that stupid clone? She can't do anything she isn't programmed
to do! I, on the other hand..." she slips an arm around him, causing him to
shudder in anticipation. Being a general had so many perks. Allowing her to
introduce him to her horns, he flicks on the holovision.

On the screen, the local news is on. "We're going to interrupt our
regular newscast with a special covering the rally tonight in Onishuto Stadium
being run by the Democratic Alliance," she stares at her notes. "We have just
learned that a special guest speaker has been invited by Sil Dedron, the
current senior spokesperson for the Alliance in Onishuto. We now go live to
the stadium..."

Ando partially pays attention, the other part of his mind locked on his
assistant's excellent pair of assets. The image changes to a beautiful
ampitheatre located in downtown Onishuto. Packed to the rafters with Alliance
supporters and the curious, all eyes fall on stage as the rally chairman, a
black-haired Seishin man dressed in torn slacks and a shirt reminiscent of
Earth's peace movement, calls events to order.

"Thanks!!" he waves to everyone as the noise calms down, flashing the
"V" sign. "Thank you!!! Welcome to Onishuto, the fat-cat heaven of Uru!!"

A roar, mixed boos and cheers, billow from the crowd. "Yeah!!" he nods.
"Don't worry, my friends! They can hear you in the Tribal Council!! The
President himself can hear you!! Try as they might, they can't stop hearing
you!! And sooner or later, they'll have to do what you want!! Bet on it!!"

An approving roar responds. "Now!!" he calls out. "We've got a really
special guest tonight! She's come back to us after three years of wowing them
on Earth...and she's been wowing them on Sagussa, too!! She doesn't need an
introduction!! Lum, c'mon up here!!!"

"LUM?!?!?!" Ando screams, bolting up.

Everyone screams their approval, their admiration, their love, as Lum
flies to the podium, waving to the crowd, "V" signs on both hands. The roar
lasts for almost a minute. Ando shudders as he sees that the tag champion is
wearing a double of her fiance's duty jumpsuit. "Thank you!! Oh, thank
you!!!" she waves to the crowd as the noise finally dies. "I have to say one
thing!!" she beams. "It's good to be back home!!!"

Everyone howls with delight...

* * *

Outside the ranch house, Mendou, Priss and Lufy slip onto the grounds
after the pilot disabled Ando's security system. The two Sagussans boost
their friend through the second storey window. "You get ready!" Priss hisses.
"Lum should be at the rally right now! Relax!"

"Right," Mendou hisses, finding himself in the master bedroom. Even
with the lights turned down, he can see Ando's very impressive collection of
swords and spears. He wonders if the general actually trained with them...or
just lets them hang there collecting dust. He runs a hand over a scimitar-
like weapon. His skin becomes grey. "This should be easy," he muses, finding
a chair. Sitting down, he commences deep breathing. Strapped to his back is
his family katana. The sword Priss and Lufy brought him is at his waist. Now
all he has to do is wait...

* * *

"I left Uru for Earth believing that all I had to care about was trying
to make my fiance love me, to build a happy home and a wonderful life together
with all his friends and family," Lum sighs. "It later came as a shock to me
that there was a lot more to doing that than I first suspected. And it came
as one heck of a shock when I learned how much people on Uru were seeing me as
the answer to their problems! I accepted Sil-chan's invitation to come
tonight," she pauses for applause, "...because I came here to tell you one
simple thing! I cannot give you any answers that you already have!!"

The crowd quiets down. "My destiny is clear to me," Lum places a hand
on her heart. "And I am happy with the way that destiny has come to play out.
Yours is not so clear. But I have no miracle cure for you to make your lives
better. I can't teach you that. In the end run, YOU must teach yourself how
to make your lives better! YOU have to accept responsibility for what you do
and how that affects your life!! And you want to know something?! YOU know
within your hearts that YOU can do it!!!"

The crowd screams their approval. "The reason we're here today is
because we and those before us accepted the fact that they wanted someone else
to control their lives! To make the decisions! To worry about the important
stuff! Stuff like how we'll approach our neighbours! Stuff like what we
teach our kids in school!! Stuff like trying to influence other people to do
what we do because we believe our way is better!!

"Where has that led us?! I'll tell you where! We can't get anywhere
with being friends with the Noukiites because we're still led to believe that
our occupation three centuries ago was a good thing for their development!
I've lived with a Noukiite for the past nine months! Her people look at us
like we were dogs!! If we can't admit what we did was wrong, then they have
the right to say we ARE dogs, to look down at us because we can't look at
ourselves with honesty!! Do we want the whole galaxy to think that way?!"

"NO!!!!!!" the crowd screams.

"Of course not," Lum sighs. "And we have to worry about what we're
doing with Earth! My fiance's people are scared of what this galaxy of ours
has to offer, of what we've brought down on them! I lived in Tomobiki for
over two years believing everything that happened there was okay, that people
didn't mind it! Well, people *did* mind it...and they've turned their backs
on us, seeking the Sagussans out to protect them from us!! What does that say
about us if we can't make friends with people we want to protect, we want to
help enter the galaxy not as a slave race, not as a junior partner, but as an
EQUAL partner?! Do you agree with the way the government's treated Earth?!"

"NO!!!!!!" the crowd echoes.

Lum pauses. "For a very long time, I never really considered how
everyone regarded me," she sighs. "Darling went to so much trouble to show me
how much people did look at me. And when I saw how much he hated that, how
much he and his family suffered because of it...I came to hate it! I came to
realize that people were willing to die for me! I don't want that! But it
almost happened in Tomobiki, it certainly happened on Phentax Two and like it
or not, it's going to happen here on Uru if we are not vigilant! I beg you
all, don't let it happen!!"

The crowd cheers as Lum takes a drink of water. "I'm going to tell you
something right now," she sighs. "While my fiance has been on Sagussa,
helping them rebuild that world, helping them restore the awful damage the War
of Clone Rights unleashed...I have not been there to enjoy that event with
him. And I'll tell you why! I was hypnotized, brainwashed into attacking my
fiance by people who believe that with his death, we can turn around and
conquer Earth just like in the old days!! Is that what you believe?!!"

"NO!!!!!!" the crowd screams.

"It was only by the grace of the Fates that a dear, wonderful person
came out to save me from that fate!!" Lum adds. "But the battle is not yet
over...and it has taken a toll from all of us! My great-aunt's daughter is
dead! Her daughter is dead! My former boyfriend is an orphan thanks to those
very same people who tried to turn me against Darling!! And atop that," she
bites her lip, then stares at Sil, standing nearby, "...the wonderful friend
who invited me here to see all of you has suffered!"

Gasps of "What?!" echo from the crowd as eyes fall on Sil, who looks
down ashamedly. "My friend there," Lum points, "...was attacked by agents of
'our' government's defence intelligence agency, personally led by their
current leader...and raped!!"

Outrage and sympathy explode from the crowd as Lum continues. "She's
now pregnant with his child!" the tag-champion tearfully cries. "The man who
took the place of Des Azu, that sick animal who killed Lady Yedris and Sugoi-
chan. Ando Pochik, the man who couldn't accept the fact that WE want to be
masters of our own destiny, destroyed Sil's life! Destroyed her marriage to
her husband, Shutaro Mendou, a friend of mine from Earth, to ensure that the
Alliance would again be without strong leaders!! Are we going to allow people
like Ando to get away with it?!!"

"NO!!!!!!" the crowd bellows.

"Let me tell you something, Ando!!" Lum faces the cameras in the
distance. "You think you're better than us?! You're wrong! We're going to
teach you all that you're no better than us!! Darling taught people that they
weren't better than him...and we're going to do the same!!"

The crowd screams their approval...

* * *

In his ranch house, Ando stares at the angry visage in the holoscreen.
He could not believe Lum was able to turn everything against him so quickly.
The woman really had no concept of how powerful she was. He could bet that
very soon, Yethis and the survivors in the Imperial Round would cut all ties
with him, allow the Tribal Council and the Alliance to have their way. Sil
was no help anymore; the clone had obviously been corrupted by the Sagussans,
turned against the Round. Rising to his feet, he shuts off the holovision,
then sits down and covers his face. "Do they really believe that?" the
assistant wonders, covering herself up.

"I don't know," Ando growls. "If the general was here, he'd be able to
do something..."

There was the problem. Des Azu had taken abuse from public opinion
before, brushing it off every time. Ando was no Des. Further, his father was
gone. Without him, Ando had no access to his powerful network of informants
and controllers, who could then be used to sway the opinions of those in
power. Des and Vel had been eliminated by Ataru Moroboshi and Lum. Now, Lum
challenged him in public. With the example of Ataru's actions on Colony Four
inspiring the people, sooner or later, the heads of everyone involved in the
Imperial Round would roll.

"Hey, let's worry about this tomorrow," the assistant whispers in Ando's
ear. "Right now, you need to rest." He shudders as her tongue flicks his
horns. He allows her to draw him to his feet, then escort him to his bedroom.

As they enter, a voice warns, "I suggest you leave, miss."

The two Onis scream as a dark shadow appears beside the bed. What light
reflects from streetlamps outside reveal slicked-back black hair and a cowlick
...not to mention the gleam of a drawn sword. "Your general and I have
something to discuss," Shutaro Mendou's face emerges from shadow.

Ando jolts as he recognizes the Terran, then lunges over to seize his
own sword. The assistant screams, flying out of the room as Mendou charges,
the blade aimed for Ando's heart. The Oni is able to draw his weapon in time,
parrying Mendou's thrust. Mendou pivots, his leg sweeping Ando off his feet,
then he sends his blade in for the kill. Ando rolls out, regaining his
footing as he goes airborne, trying to keep himself out of his attacker's
range. "You are stupid to come here!!" the general snarls.

Mendou remains silent as he stands ready, his weapon raised. Ando
lunges at him. Mendou pivots left, knocking the sword aside as his foot
catches the general in the gut. Ando crashes into a wall, then somersaults
back to his feet as the Terran charges. Their swords collide as the two throw
their full strength into the contest. Here, Ando, larger and more muscular,
wins, shoving Mendou back against a chair. The Terran trips, allowing the Oni
the chance to lunge at him.

Mendou somersaults out, hand snapping to his back to draw his katana.
Ando leaps at him, his sword being caught between the Terran's blades. The
general cries out in shock as Mendou drags both weapons against his, forcing
the blade back to its owner. Then, Mendou throws his weight against Ando,
causing the general to stagger, his blade being flung into the air. Mendou
pivots, both his swords delivering brutal cuts to the Oni's abdomen.

Ando gasps as the searing pain drives him to his knees, his blade
falling from his hands. "I thought...you were honourable..." he gasps.

Mendou raises his katana for the kill. "I am! Didn't you know samurai
carry TWO swords into battle?!"

The blade comes down, terminally silencing Ando's reply. With that
done, Mendou staggers back, falling onto the bed as the adrenaline drains from
his system. At that moment, voices yell from outside. "Shutaro!!" Lum cries.
"Are you in there?! Shutaro!!"

Mendou blinks as he watches Lum fly through the window, followed by Sil,
Priss, Lufy and several others. Sil flips on the lights, revealing the
carnage her template's lover had unleashed. "Whoa!!" the rally chairman
blinks. "Man, you really went to town on this creep, didn't you?!"

"I had no choice," Mendou admits...

* * *

Sometime later, Mendou finds himself drinking hot tea in the Alliance's
Onishuto headquarters. "This place is scanned every day for bugs the DID and
others might leave behind," Sil explains, sitting beside him. "Don't worry.
What you did was technically legal since my sister was killed; it was within
your rights. Besides, the DID is still recovering from Des Azu's death. They
won't be much of a problem to us from now on."

"Do they know?" Mendou stares at her. "About you?"

"The senior leaders...Professor Tei and the others...they know," Sil
admits. "I told them this afternoon. They...accepted it since Nene was there
to back it up. It doesn't matter anymore. We have to press on."

"Yes, you do," Mendou nods. "And I have my own problems waiting for me
back on Earth. It's best I head back to deal with them."

"Dear!" Sil stares at him. "You don't have to go..."

"I do," he returns her gaze, gently grasping her hand. "Sil, you and I
are creatures of duty. Your duty is here, to the Alliance and your people.
Mine is on Earth, with my family and the Conglomerate. Perhaps, what happened
to your sister was Fate's way of reminding me that even though I can dream, I
still have reality to contend with. One day in the future, I'll go back to my
dream. But I have to make sure that my responsibilities to my family are
fulfilled. Without them, I wouldn't be here."

Sil stares into his eyes. The passion was there, but it was now metered
by experience. There was something else there, too. A glint of hope. He
knew something...something about her. "Dear...is she...alive...?"

"I don't know," Mendou sighs. "Osooko said she could not sense if your
sister had entered the Black Ocean. When they came onto the scene, Eluza's
crew didn't detect anything which could have proven your sister was killed
when Ando attacked. There was some small bits of DNA, but nowhere near enough
to build a whole body. That means one thing: somehow, Sil-chan's alive."

The clone shudders. "But you don't know where to find her," she looks
away. "You could search forever and you still couldn't find her..."

"That's right," he nods. "And that's where your sister's gift to me
comes into play. Within a year, things between Uru and Earth will calm down.
I will do my best to see to it that happens. Like it or not, my people are
going to enter space, confront what's out there without Sagussa shielding us.
Someone has to show them the way, warn them of the dangers. Thanks to Sil-
chan, I can be that someone...and I will be."

Sil considers that point, then nods. "I know you'll do it," she smiles.
"You'll do it well, too. And...if you ever tire of looking for her, Dear...
don't be afraid to come back to me. I can wait."

"I won't make promises...but I will keep it in mind," he kisses her...

* * *

Uketoru.

Sil Mendou walks down a trail, her lungs taking in the morning air as
her escorts leads her from the SAR station to the village below. The
station's computer had spelt out the situation to her prior to the natives'
arrival. Without communications, she had no way of signalling Sagussa. The
chances were not good that probes from Tengu or Elle would come by soon;
explorers had already scanned this world from afar, deciding it was not the
right time to make contact with the Stone Age culture calling this world home.

Still, Uketoru was capable of supporting humanoid life. The native
population was intelligent. Discovering things which were taking them away
from naturalist faiths into more advanced forms of thinking. The presence of
the SAR station had once been viewed as a gift from the gods. Now, they were
starting to realize that while the intelligence which left the station on
their world was vast, it was not divine. Sil, having learned their language,
vowed that she would do everything to encourage that growth. It would be
harsh but not totally barbaric.

She had hopes. The station had passed on wonderful news to her: she
was pregnant with twins, conceived three months before. That would put it at
the time of her husband's rescue from the Mikado. Sil blushes, then frowns,
wondering if her Dear had known. She could feel him still. He had avenged
her "death," helping her clone twin press on the Alliance's cause to victory.
Had he felt her? Would he take advantage of her gift, return into space to
find her, take her from this place?

Oh, he would. Sil knew her husband well enough to believe that. No
matter how long it would take, she would wait for him...

*** To Be Continued ***