I don't own Tenchi, Nor Will I ever. Wish I did though. Its not against the law to Wish. Previously: Tenchi expressed his fear of Kagato, and that fear might jeopardize the entire mission. Tenchi Muyo Now and Forever Episode 06 The Battle of Dabura By Nexodus Kagato sat silently on his throne on the head capitol ship of the fleet. He wore a robe-like cape with a hood covering his face from light. His long sleeves covered the keys that Durant sought, Kagato knew this. He wouldn't eradicate Durant just yet. He needed him, as a puppet. He was anxious. Anxious for what will happen. In his lap lay a small data pad with a picture of a small Hunter Ship. Kagato knew what it was. The Boy and his comrades were following him. Following him to the Map. The Map that would lead him to Varge Altone. A small set back, the emperor thought as a lieutenant approached him. "My emperor." He began while giving a military bow. "Our scouts in the Dabura Sector have reported that they have found the Coalitions base of operations and that the Nostromo was visible among the ships present." Kagato gave a devilish grin at the news. This made him very happy. He would send Durant into battle there, a losing battle perhaps, he didn't know. Two birds with one single solitary stone. And if Durant survives, good. Durant can live to die another day. Kagato ushered the lieutenant to go fetch Durant as he returned his attention to the datapad that lay in his lap. The Boy followed him, even after Yosho died. Yosho is dead and his soul lives on through the boy. Intriguing. Who knows who else is in the tiny ship. Ryoko? He knew for a fact that his former subject would not only follow the boy to the face of the universe, but also want Kagato dead where he sat. Then there was Princess Ayeka. Ayeka would surly want to speak to Rose, her biological Mother. Perhaps she would fight Rose. The thought was interesting. Ayeka could be a suitable queen. He would woo the Princess away from her Protector and rule the Universe with their combined strength. A Perfect revenge against the house of Jurai. Taking away one of its only heirs as his own. The thought was delicious. It didn't matter though. Kagato would toss the Princess away just like Asuza did to Rose. He didn't need any woman, because none was his equal. Ayeka sat on the bridge of the Strider, staring into space through a ring she once wore. The Ring was her birthright. A ring worn by all members of Juraian Royal Family as a seal of their royal family. It was the only thing she could think about for many many months. Her mother. Her Birth Right. For Years, Princess Ayeka had believed that her mother was the lady Masaki, a kind, yet childish queen of Jurai, but now she knew the truth. Her mother was a woman named Rose. A Spoiled Juraian Woman that her father had fallen in love with and was his first wife. It Hurt Ayeka that her mother was in leagues with a monster. There was only one person who could help her ease her pain and confront her birth mother. Martel Sham. Ayeka truly loved him more as days went by and hopefully her father would allow Martel to gain the throne. It would definently make her happy. Ryoko walked onto the bridge where Ayeka was sitting and Ayeka quickly pocketed the ring. Ayeka had come to terms with her formal rival for Tenchi's love, believing that Ryoko was under Kagato's influence, but still Ayeka could never truly trust the pirate. But Ayeka did appreciate her company now. Ryoko sat down next to Ayeka with a drink of some kind, Ayeka couldn't place it. "So." Ryoko began. "How is it going?" She asked, while slightly hesitant. Their fights had become a thing of the past, but still, broken bridges mend in time, despite mutual respect. "I am doing all right." Ayeka began. Ryoko just looked at her, not with an evil or annoyed look that she once had, but one of kindness. It was a while before either of them spoke, but Ryoko broke the silence. "So, you're thinking of marrying my brother." Ryoko said. Ayeka's eyes widened and a shade of blush spread across her face. Ryoko began to laugh. "Hah! I knew it, your reaction tells me everything." Ayeka looked at her former rival with stern eyes. "I am warning you, if you ruin my little secret, I will forever make your life a living hell." Ayeka said. Ryoko continued to laugh as Ayeka stood up and stormed out of the bridge. As soon as she got away, her face turned to one of sadness and worry like it was earlier on the bridge. Martel. Ryoko's brother. If She married Martel, then Ryoko would be her sister-in-law. This thought almost made Ayeka throw up. Durant arrived before his master, wondering just what the Veronian Wanted of him. Durant kneeled before Kagato much like a dog would its master, and that thought sickened Durant. He wanted power, not a master. Kagato began to speak. "In the Dabura sector, we have discovered that the Rebellion's man fleet is located there, including the Nostromo. I want you to take a quarter of the fleet and attack the Rebel's." Durant nodded as he stood and Kagato could sense frustration in Durants appearance. A little joke to Kagato. Durant walked away, feeling anger spread over his body, how could he make his move when he's 500 light years away? It angered him greatly and deeply, but not to worry. The time of Durant will come and the last of the Shinata will have this power. Kyone sat in the main control seat on the Strider when she saw something that surprised her. A quarter of the ships started to turn direction. "What are they doing?" She asked herself. Martel was there as well. "I don't get it." Martel began. "Why break from the fleet?" The massive ships made a complete 80 degree turn and entered Hyper space. Kyone brought up the star maps to find out just what was there. "If the map was in that direction, the entire fleet would've turned." Kyone said as she looked at the maps. Martel studied them closely. "Well, Jurai is sorta in that direction, but it's off to the side of their trajectory." "They are heading towards Dabura." Came a voice that startled both Martel and Kyone. It was Jericho. "The fleet?" Martel asked. Martel took a good look at the star Maps and saw that the Dabura sector was in their path. "Oh No." Kyone began. "They'll be slaughtered with that fire power! I have to warn them." Kyone grabbed for the comm when Jericho halted her hand. "Wait!!!" He began. "If you contact them, the main fleet will hear our signal and fire. We don't want that." "Then what can we do?" Martel asked. "Well," Jericho began. "We can move out of the main fleets sensory range and notify the Coalition then. We still may have a chance of that. Another thing is we could continue as planned and hope that the Coalition has moved away from the Dabura sector. Those are our options." "Damn," Kyone said. "If we leave, we might loose sight of the Main fleet and then never know where to go." Jericho nodded at this idea. Martel spoke up. "We do have another option better then the two." Martel said. Both Jericho and Kyone looked at him. Martel continued. "My mother. Back when Kagato held planet Jurai ransom, she used a subspace communicator to contact lady Funaho from a great distance. It could also not be picked up by radar. That is the best option." Jericho agreed. "I'll go get her." Kyone said as she got up and ran out of the bridge. Mihoshi sat in the captain's chair of the Horizon when a message came in. "This is Washu!! Somebody please answer, this is urgent!!" Mihoshi immediately picked up the transceiver. "This is General Mihoshi. What's wrong miss. Washu?" Mihoshi asked. "Mihoshi!! Contact the Nostromo, tell them that a fourth of the Veronian Military is headed your way!! Get out of there now!!" Washu yelled just as her transmission broke. Mihoshi immediately contacted the Nostromo to warn her Grandfather and the rest of the fleet, but the radar screen began to blink with several thousand dots. "Nostromo!!" Mihoshi began. "This is General Mihoshi, I have just received word that the Veronian Armada is on its way, it is also on our radar. Repeat, Veronia is here!" But Mihoshi feared that it might be too late as she scrambled her own ships. Martial Anderson had just received his granddaughter's message when the ships came into view. "Scramble all attack ships, evacuate all civilians. Don't let those main battle ships get into firing range!" And with that command, the Nostromo and the other capitol starships let their Fighters out into space. The Ships became engaged in a fiery combat. Durant watched the battle begin on his battleship, the Ravens Revenge. This was going to be a glorious win for Veronia. He thought as his commanding officer approached the Shinata. "My lord Durant, your orders?" The Officer asked. "I want a full sweep of all ships. Some may be allowed to escape, but not all. Have the Battleships concentrate their fire towards the Nostromo." The Commander bowed and began to order his troops while Durant watched. "Keep those Fighters away from the Transports and move away from those cruisers!!" Martial Anderson ordered over the com. "Prepare to fire out main Cannons, Bring the Ravens Revenge down!!" All of a sudden, an explosion rocked the left side of the Nostromo as the Pinto, a smaller Battleship, exploded from the enemy fire. Martial Anderson cursed as he was thrown from his attack chair. As soon as he steadied himself, he contacted his captain. "Captain Saven, get the Royal Family away from here!! Protect them and take the Yagami!!" Martial Anderson heard a reply as he sat back in his chair. "Is the Main gun ready?" Anderson asked a gunner. "Yes sir." The gunner answered. "Fire." Was Anderson's order. Saven rushed the Royal Family to the Yagami as fast as he could despite Asuza's Objections. "What is the meaning of this?" Asuza asked. "Your Majesty's, we cannot allow you to be taken." Saven said. "Martial Anderson gave me orders to escort you to the Yagami and Evacuate from Dabura." Asuza couldn't argue with that, but Asuza wondered what his Friend Anderson was thinking send the Family alone? Mihoshi received a call from her grandfather. "Mihoshi, the Yagami is on its way to your Armitage. Pick them off and escape to the Vegeta Sector." Mihoshi protested. "But what about you, Grandpa?" She asked. She could hear her grandfather laugh slightly. "I'll be ok, pumpkin. Don't worry." And with that, the Connection was cut. Mihoshi didn't like it. She didn't like it one bit. The Carnage continued in space as another Coalition Cruiser was destroyed. The Raven's Revenge now had a nasty hole in it, but the ship still continued its onslaught, along with its 30+ battle ships. It was an invincible fleet, and Martial Anderson knew this. "All Coalition ships, Fall Back, Fall Back." Anderson said. "We are Evacuating Dabura. Proceed to the Check points." Anderson finally turned to his crew, knowing what he had to do. "Commander, I want you to evacuate all Personnel." He said. The bridge was filled with questionable expressions. The Commander protested. "Sir, is that wise?" He asked. Anderson shook his head. "I'm going to give Veronia a run for its money." Anderson said with a smile evacuate all personnel in 5 minutes." The Commander didn't like it, but he had no choice. He did a military bow and them moved to the main console. "Abandon Ship, all Crew abandon ship." The Commander said. He then turned to Martial Anderson and Saluted. The Martial saluted his crew and then they were off, leaving the Martial behind. Martial Anderson walked over to the main pilot console and sat down. As he sat there, he contemplated what he was exactly doing. Suicide. Complete suicide. But Suicide can be honorable. Anderson watched the number deplete, showing the number of ships remaining on the Nostromo. It went from 50 to 0 in 5 minutes, the commander was good, Anderson thought. As Anderson sat there, his past flew across his eyes. He was just a young soldier who befriended the young Prince Asuza during the last Great War, and he paid for that war with long life. Sure, many people lived long, especially the Juraians, but Martial Anderson lived too long for his species. Too long. Now was his time. His time to leave his friends and join his family. He would be entrusting the Military to his Granddaughter Mihoshi. Sure many people would find that a bad move, he thought if it as a grand Idea. Nobody knew that his little girl was a Military Genius. Anderson laughed as he typed in several operations. The Shield power was brought completely forward and his engines were set to jump to Hyperspace. At the speed, when he would collide with the Ravens Revenge, they would become dusts. Nothing more, nothing less. Dust is death. It was time to die. Martial Anderson set a count down on the main screen. Counting down from 45 seconds. "It's a far better thing I do." Anderson began. "To Save trillions, I must kill Millions. Its sad." The Count down reached 30 seconds. Anderson took heavy breaths, savoring the moment. This would put him in the history books for sure. The count down hit 15 seconds. "To Be." 10 Seconds. "Or Not." 5 Seconds. "To Be." And with that, the Nostromo rocketed forward and a mighty Explosion engulfed the Dabura Sector. A Shock wave erupted from a ball of Fire and swept across the sector, destroying many ships and planets in the almost dead reign of space. "GrandPa!!" The Yell could be heard throughout the tiny carrier, followed by the tears of a carefree girl forced to grow up. Mihoshi was sitting in her command chair, crying her little eyes out at the great loss. Her Grandfather was gone. He would now join the rest of her family that she lost. Years ago, a virus plagued Mihoshi's home planet of Aeria. A Terrible virus that killed many. As a result, the Juraian Empire was forced to sterilize half the planet. Mihoshi was left with her grandfather, but now she is alone. Asuza now stood among her, for the Yagami was now safe in the Armitage's bay. A tear slid down his cheek as well as his Queens cried. He lost a great friend and close companion. Asuza and Anderson practically walked through the fires of hell together, along with Young Yosho. Those 3 fought bravely and saved a universe, and now 2 were gone. 1 remained. A Commander walked up to Mihoshi. "General Mihoshi, your orders." Mihoshi tried to stop, but she couldn't. Saven was there and vouched for her. "I think the General has been through to much. I suggest we go to the Vegeta sector and meet up with the fleet again." The Commander nodded. "Good Idea." Saven kneeled down to where Mihoshi was sitting. "Miss. Mihoshi, you should get some rest." Mihoshi didn't move, and Saven knew why. He looked into the woman with sincerity. "Miss. Mihoshi," Saven began. "I too lost somebody great. Martial Anderson was not only my commanding officer. He was my Father." Mihoshi's eyes widened as she looked at this young boy. Saven was her uncle? She couldn't believe it. Saven Continued. "20 years ago, You grandfather fell in love with a woman. My mother. They were to be married after I was born but the ship she was on was destroyed by an Energy Storm. She died. Please, Miss. Mihoshi, go and get some rest." Mihoshi nodded and left. Saven took command. (Authors note: To be a Martial, you have to be related to a Martial when they pass. Captains are actually higher then generals and commanders in the Galaxy Police.) The Blast from the Explosion rocketed the entire Dabura Nebula, destroying all nearby ships, but one. The Ravens Revenge still drifted in space, despite heavy damage. The ship was still space-worthy and would soon rejoin the main fleet. Durant found this refreshing. He was invincible, he thought. The Jurai couldn't kill him, the Galaxy Police couldn't kill him. The Last of the Shinata couldn't kill him. Now Durant felt like he could go one on one with Ra herself. And soon he will take on a living god. Kagato. Durant can feel the power emanating from Kagato, and he wants it for his own. Forget revenge and Veronia. He can rebuild Shinata. He can wipe away those who are unclean. He would become the master of reality. Durant smiled as his ship flew into Hyperspace. "So, Martial Anderson is dead." Washu said. She was connected directly to Lady Funaho and the rest of the gang crowded around Washu. Kyone shook her head and began to speak. "Poor Mihoshi." Kyone began. "She's alone right now. It's so sad." Washu nodded. "Lady Funaho, can you take care of Mihoshi," Washu began. "She should be conforted at a time like this. She is alone and needs somebody." Funaho nodded and the transmission was cut. Ayeka was saddened as well. Martial Anderson was like an Uncle to her, and she felt like she lost Yosho all over again. It was hard for her at that moment. Martel, as if sensing that his love was in need, came up behind her and hugged her. His Princess. Ayeka smiled as the man that she felt closer to comforted her once more. It brought about a sense of peace. A sense of love. A Sense of Hope that what they are doing will save that Universe. At a Temple, a Raven Haired woman stood before a stone gateway. The stone gate, stood 60 feet in the sly, the Temple rose even higher, as if to touch the heavens from the rock of the Planet. This was the Gateway, the Gateway to Varge Altone. The Map. The Map, itself, was not a map at all. It was a transporter. One that required great power to activate. A Transporter to the legendary Varge Altone. The Virtual Eden itself. The Woman, was Darla. Sister of Ryoko and Martel. Daughter of Washu. She was lucky enough to find the place before Kagato or anybody else did. Darla wondered at the magnificent monolith. It was truly a magnificent piece of art, crafted by Ra herself. The Planet she stood on was that of a Desert. Red sand and small pools of water covered the rock for miles to see, and the sky was littered with Asteroids itself. An amazing feet of piloting got her here. It would take even better piloting to get the imperial Battle ships to this planet. Soon, Kagato would stand where she stood. She had to hold him at bay so that Tenchi and the others could get there. She had to protect the Temple itself from the clutches of that madman. Darla began to walk down a sloaping pathway that led to the doors, so that she could prepare for the Emperors arrival, and perhaps, her own Sacrifice. To Be Continued. Next Episode: Where Dreams Begin and End. Email me: Nexodus@msn.com