Disclaimer: The characters from Tenchi Muyo [tv], Slayers, and Neon Genesis Evangelion are not mine. However, the Union of Byzantia, and everything about it, IS mine. Do not use it without permission. Otherwise, I will paste the label "guinea pig" on the top of your forehead, and I will toss you into Little Washu's dimensional laboratory. Author's note: The eventes herein take place after the TM! TV series. Special Thanks: to Aldrich Bautista [who thought my story was actually half decent material], Stephen Nalley for tactical advice, and to all those people in the FFML who dealt with my stupid questions. All of you know who you are; Domo arigato gozaimasu! Comments, criticisms, questions, rants, wierd looks, MSTs, and even mild flames [if applicable] are heavily desired. I do need to know if I am doing something wrong. An Apology: Sorry that this took so bloody long. Life has been rather interesting of late, especially with the presence of four other roommates. And Now... A Tale of Two Crowns, #4: No Need for Battle Plans A TM!+ Fanfiction By Thor Odinson Narrator: In our last episode, Ambassadors Kiyone and Mihoshi, with the escort of 2 new officers [Sergeant Lina Inverse and Lieutennant Asuka Langley] sped off in the PAX PROXIMA toward the solar system. Unbeknownst to them, spies were about. Spies that served the society known only as The Lords of The Twelve, an ambitious secret society based in the bowels of planet Jurai. This mysterious order, who only show themselves in the form of holographic trees, are now under the control of Kagato the Ambitious [aka Kagato of OAV fame], seeks to destroy the House of Jurai, kill the head of the Byzantian Union, and basically, dominate the universe. We now return to the meeting of these dastardly villains... Kagato: Well, gentlemen...let us get on with the business of butchering, shall we? All trees: Yes, master. Kagato: Excellent... what is the status of the dead Juraian? Tree 2: Master, the cadaver has been successfully retrieved from the Imperial Mausoleum and said corpse has been plkaced in the amniotic tanks for the purpose of cellular regeneration. However... Kagato [annoyed]: On with it, fool! Tree 2: Y...Yes, Master. The cadaver has taken extensive damage from the combat. The cellular regeneration will take time. Kagato [pointing at Tree 2]: If that...PUPPET of yours is not ready as planned, I will PERSONALLY make you regret that you live! UNDERSTOOD? Tree 2 [gulps]: Y...yes, M...Master. Kagato: Now, what is the status of the Juraian Royal Family. Tree 11: With your permission, Master? Kagato: [glancing at Tree 11] Proceed. Tree 11: The traitor Yosho and his bastard grandson are still on Sol 3. The acting regent, who is the uncle of the Princesses Sasami and Ayeka, is suffering from an energy-induced "brain hemmorage". He is now...ahem...receiving treatment. Kagato: And the 2 princesses? Tree 3: Master, the princess will be arriving in the vicinity of the Sol system shortly, as is Leto and the ambassadors of the Galactic Federation. The 13th Blac Fleet, which consists of three SOJA-class battleships and nine NEEDLE-class frigates, has been separated into three squadrons and placed in various areas within the Sol system. [A 3D holo-map is activated which shows the area of the Sol system within the asteroid belt.] Tree 3: As you can see, Master, Squadron 1 in here on Sol 4's dark side. Squadron 3 is on Sol 2's dark side, and Squadron 2 is positioned behind Sol 3's only natural satelite. The positioning allows the ships to remain hidden from Ryo-oh II's sensors. A sensor probe has been placed upon one of Sol 4's satelites so as to detect and monitor Ryo-oh's progression into the system. Squadron 1, upon detecting her, shall trail her until she reaches Sol 3, where the ambush takes place. all forces will converge in that area. Kagato [amused]: And what do you plan to do if Ryoko shows? Tree 3: Master, we will have more than enough firepower to deal with that bitch, or any other "intrusions" I stake my reputaion on it! Kagato [softly]: You better stake more than that, 3...or I will be very unhappy. Tree 3: Yes, Master. Kagato: Good. Now, what about the rest of the Juraian fleets. Tree 4: Master, the remaining forces that are loyal to Ayeka have been duped into being part of the first wave of our invasion plans by making them think that Byzantia will be attacking first. Ergo, those fleets will be attempting to perform a pre-emptive first strike. The loyalist fleets, with their old ships, will be wiped out, giving the Byzantians a false sense of confidence. Then, our Black Fleets will enter the fray, and the rest will be history! Kagato: Excellent...EXCELLENT! BWA-HAHAHAHAHA! [Fad to black, with the maniacaql laughter going on and on...] Narrator: Meanwhile, inside the Union of Byzantia, a concerned ambassador broods. She is the Duchess Shayko, a royal cousin of Leto [Seventh of the Name], and theAmbassador to the Galactic Federation. She has returned to her homeworld, angry and concerned for the well being of the Union. Within the majesty and beauty that is the Imperial City, she paces back and forth within her private keep. Her personal court stands at attention, waiting to do her bidding... [The view shows the Duchess pacing and the 4 members of her personal court, standing at attention. Two of them wear are Admirals of the Imperial Navy. The other two wear robes similar to Roman Senators, but they include purple sashes. The Duchess speaks...] Shayko: [stops pacing, looks at 1 of the 2 senators, and says] Any word from the Imperial Household? Senator 1: None, my Duchess. It's still the same response: "His Imperial Majesty is unavailable at this time." Shayko: [grumbling] Unavailable, my ass...[looking at the 2nd senator] What is our status in the Royal Congress? Senator 2: M'lady, my sources in both the League of Lords and the League of Citizens indicate strong support for military action against the tree-huggers* . However, there are a number of "doves" in important postions that may hinder our plans to preserve the Union. [* Tree-huggers: Byzantian slang for Juraians. T.O.] Shayko: Deal with these "doves", but QUIETLY!!! We do NOT need their interference. Understand? Senator 2: Clearly, m'lady. [The duchess turns to face the officers.] Shayko: Gentlemen, are my personal fleets ready? Officer 1: Yes, m'lady. [He activates a holodevice that shows a 3d map of the Byzantian-Juraian border.] Officer 1: Three fleets await your orders. Admiral Konstinov, who could not be here, leads your Alpha Fleet, which consists of one AVIARY-class carrier, 5 DRAGON-class dreadnoughts, and a score of various screening vessels. Officially, said fleets are on "manuevers." Shayko: Where is Alpha Fleet now? Officer 1: M'lady, Alpha Fleet is currently on our side of the Great Border in the outer fringes. He awaits your orders. Shayko: Good. I'll issue his orders shortly. [Looks at officer 2] I believe you command Beta Fleet, Admiral...? Officer 2: Zarkoff, m'lady. Beta Fleet, which is currently positioned in the Triangle area*, has two carriers, six dreadnoughts, and a plethora of frigates and destroyers. We are yours to command! [*Triangle area: An area of neutral space which borders Jurai, Byzantia, and the Galactic Federation. T.O.] Shayko: Very excellent! [Turns to officer 1] Admiral Mintor? Mintor [formerly officer 1]: Yes, m'lady. Omega Fleet is ready. Two carriers, six dreadnoughts, forty screening vessels, and...your flagship, the RED WYRM, your battle carrier*, are awainting your command. They are currently stationed here, in the Ruby system, which is not far from the center of the Great Border. We can be atop those tree-huggers in no time, m'lady! [* Byzantian Battle Carrier: warships reserved for the nobility, used as flagships. Basic description. Take the Yamato [aka Argo for those Star Blazers fans], slap a carrier on each side, and the bow is shaped of a dragon's head. T.O.] Shayko: [smiling] Perfect! With the truce expiring, we weill put an end to Juraian Imperialism once and for all! And then, gentlemen, we shall take the throne away from my sniveling cousin Leto! [Her court nods in agreement. Fade to black] to be continued... == [As Thor Odinson types, a knock is heard on his door. He opens it, and is immediately snagged and lifted off the ground by Ryoko...] Ryoko: Hey, you! When's my Tenchi gonna be in this fic, huh?!? Thor: Take it easy, Ryoko. You and your Tenchi will appear in episode 5. Ryoko: Good. So...when's my wedding to Tenchi? Ayeka [storming to my room] WEDDING?!? Thor: Oh, boy...