I don't own Tenchi Muyo, any of the characters or any of Washu's crazy inventions for that matter. I'm not exactly sure who owns them but I know that it's distributed in the U.S. by Pioneer. This fanfic is written without the consent of aforementioned owners and yadda yadda yadda. Just a quick note: Words inside asterisks * * are stressed words within a sentence. Sentences within brackets < > are a character's thoughts. It's not exactly pretty I suppose but it gets the job done. Wings of the Light Hawk Chapter Two - Part A: Mihoshi Strikes Again This morning was like no other that Tenchi could recall. It started out normally enough. That is, Tenchi got out of his bed under his own power. However, from there is went from weird to positively surreal. He made his way to the bathroom. Normal enough as it was part of his normal routine. Usually he needed to take a lengthy piss first thing in the morning. However, this morning there was somone already using the bathroom by the time he got there. Ryoko was busy cleaning her teeth with an amount of concentration and determination that was almost comical. Ryoko looked up from the bathroom mirror and out to the hallway where Tenchi was standing. "Oh, Tenchi. You need the bathroom, huh?" "That's alright," Tenchi replied. "I can wait. Go ahead with what you're doing." "There's room for both of us in here," Ryoko replied. "C'mon in." "Umm... I think not," Tenchi said to her. Ryoko glanced down at his waist and then quickly looked up, blushing faintly. "Oh, I see. Well then, why don't you go ahead." Ryoko stepped out into the hallway. "Thanks," Tenchi said as he stepped past her and into the bathroom. he thought as he slid the door shut behind him. He knew from experience that Ryoko was quite unconcerned about such things. From the usual morning greetings he received from Ryoko he knew that her idea of freshening her breath in morning involved sake. "It kills the germs," he remembered her explaining after she finished guzzling a whole bottle. From inside the bathroom he could hear Ayeka coming down the hallway. "Good morning, Miss Ryoko," he could hear Ayeka's voice through the door. "Is Tenchi....?" "Yeah, he's in the bathroom," Ryoko replied. "I'm surprised that you're not scratching at the door as per usual," Ayeka said. "Stuff a sock in it, Your Highness," Ryoko muttered. "Such talk!" Ayeka said with just a touch of annoyance. "I thought we had come to an agreement." "Oh, I see," Ryoko said to the princess. "You can insult me and I should just meekly take it. That's not a double standard or anything." Tenchi sighed. He had hoped that after the events of yesterday morning that household life would be relatively peaceful. Apparently it wasn't to be. "Yes, we should try to maintain at least a minimal amount of civility," Ayeka said to Ryoko. "What I should have said was, "I'm glad to see you're up so bright and early"." Tenchi's eyebrow shot up. He knew that this was as close as the princess was going to come to apologizing to the space pirate. Apparently Ryoko realized it too. "Ok, then," she replied, sounding somewhat mollified. "Come, Ryoko," Ayeka said to the blue haired girl. "Why don't we leave Lord Tenchi in peace and help Sasami with getting breakfast ready?" "Huh? But we can't cook," Ryoko protested. Ayeka sighed. "Yes, that's true. However we can at least help set the table. After all the work Sasami does around here it's the least we can do." "Actually, Ayeka , the least we can do is nothing at all," Ryoko said. "Ryoko!" yelled a slightly outraged Ayeka. "Sheeesh... alright already," Ryoko said. "See, I'm going. I'm going." When he finally arrived in the kitchen he was greeted by the sight of both Ryoko and Ayeka finishing getting the table set for breakfast. Ayeka glanced over at him. "Oh, good morning, Lord Tenchi. I trust you slept well?" "Just fine, Miss Ayeka," Tenchi answered. He gave Ryoko a look. "Nobody tried to kill me in my sleep. Still, you never know when someone might try." Ayeka gave Ryoko a quick glance. "Indeed you don't," she agreed. "Hey, what are you looking at me like that for?" Ryoko said. "I didn't even do anything yet." Tenchi sat down at the table. He looked around the kitchen, admiring what he saw. "I have to say that Washu does good work. You'd never guess that this was a charred ruin less than twenty four hours ago." Ayeka and Ryoko looked at each other and blushed. Mihoshi chose that moment to enter the kitchen, saving Ayeka from the prospect of having to come up with a good answer to Tenchi's otherwise innocent observation. "Good morning everyone," Mihoshi greeted them with her normal super cheerfulness. "It's another wonderful morning isn't it?" "It sure is!" Sasami agreed, momentarily turning away from the stove to smile at Mihoshi. Mihoshi hummed happily as she made her morning cup of coffee. She glanced around the kitchen. "Where's Washu? She'll miss breakfast." "Yeah..." Sasami said giving the kitchen a quick once over. "Maybe somebody should go tell her breakfast is ready." "It ain't gonna be me," Ryoko said quickly. Tenchi scratched the back of his head as everyone glanced his way. That is, everyone except Ryoko, who was busy looking thoughtful. "Not again," he groaned. They continued to stare at him expectantly. "I really think this is a bad idea but I'll do it." "Actually, I think Mihoshi should go," Ryoko said, wearing an evil grin. "It would serve that red headed runt right." Tenchi had a sudden vision of the house consumed in a mushroom cloud. "No, I'll go. After all, I guess I am ...er... the man of the house. Sort of." "I thought your father was the man of the house," Mihoshi said. "No, he's the lecherous old fart of the house," Ryoko told her. "There's a difference. Anyways, Tenchi is gonna be the man of MY house someday." She grabbed Tenchi's arm and rested her head on his shoulder. "Isn't that right, Tenchi?" Ayeka scowled at her. "Ryoko! Don't you remember our deal?" "Oh yeah, the deal," Ryoko grumbled as she let Tenchi go. "Besides, Ryoko, knowing what sort of future you most likely will have, Tenchi would be forced to be the man of your tar paper shack," Ayeka said with a chuckle. "Now what kind of life is that for a prince of Jurai?" "Girls, please let's not have a repeat of yester....." Tenchi trailed off. "Oh, good morning, Little Washu." Washu dragged herself into the kitchen. With bags under her eyes that could have easily stored luggage and a posture that could best be described as droopy, Washu looked like Death Warmed Over. "Are you not feeling well?" a concerned Sasami asked once she got a good look at Washu. "I stayed up all night working on the problem of Zero's memory block," Washu answered tiredly. "Looks like you over did it," Ayeka commented. "Perhaps, Princess, but it was worth it," Washu replied. She help up small black rectangular device. "I have in my hand the solution to the problem." "What is it, Little Washu?" Tenchi asked. "Oh, just my latest invention," Washu said proudly. "See, I discovered that Zero's memory loss was actually a memory block that was placed there intentionally. A powerful protection mechanism indeed. But whoever put it there was a bit too clever for thier own good. The memory block is caused by synaptic misfirings within her brain. Those misfirings are based on a seemingly random sequence of prime numbers." "How exactly is that good news?" asked the crown princess. "I said that the sequence was seemingly random, however it must have a pattern, no matter how hard to discern," Washu answered. "That's where this device comes in. Even as I speak it's analyzing the data I retreived from Zero's memory. It's only a matter of time before it completes it's analysis. From there it should be simple to come up with a formula for the solution to Zero's memory lock." "Wow, that's impressive, Miss Washu," Mihoshi said as she turned away from the counter with coffee mug in hand. "Of course it is," Washu replied. "After all, I AM the Greatest Scientific Mind in the Uni...." Mihoshi let out a startled squawk as she stubbed her toe on the infinite will of the universe while making her way to the table. As she fell forward the coffee mug shot of her outstretched hands like a lightning bolt loosed from the heavens. Splashing coffee across the kitchen, the mug flew across the kitchen and slammed into Washu's newest invention as if guided by radar. Washu gasped in horror as the analyzer was knocked out of her hand and fell to the floor with a convincing crash. She bent over and picked up the device, inspecting it carefully. Mihoshi picked herself up off the floor and quickly moved towards Washu. Washu stood back up and turned towards Mihoshi."You're damn lucky, Mihoshi. It seems to be alri..." Washu was cut off as she ran into Mihoshi face first. Or rather, ran into Mihoshi's generous assets face first. "I'm so sorry, Washu. Here, let me help you with that." Mihoshi made a grab for Washu's device but instead managed to knock it out of Washu's grasp yet again. This time the analyzer flew across the kitchen and landed with a sickening smash. Washu spent several moments trying to free herself before she managed to pry her face out from between Mihoshi's breasts. She stalked over to where the device had landed. "Mihoshi....I'm going to KILL you!" she snarled as she picked up the mangled analyzer. "It was an accident." Mihoshi said in a small voice. "I'm sorry..." "*You're* the accident!" Washu grunted. "I think it's high time someone dealt with you." "Washu, wait..." Mihoshi pleaded. Instead of waiting Washu tapped on her computer. A small black hole appeared floating in the air in the middle of the kitchen. It disgorged a broom and then disappeared. Washu grabbed the broom handle. "Prepare to die," she growled. 'Please, Washu, listen to.." Mihoshi was silenced as Washu brought the business end of the broom down on top of Mihoshi's head. "Be reasonable, Wash..." This time Mihoshi got a face full of broom bristles. She decided on the better part of valor and fled the kitchen. "You can run but you can't hide," Washu called out and tore off after Mihoshi. "Just goes to show that even the greatest scientific genius in the universe is no match for someone like Mihoshi," Ryoko said, laughing. "Ryoko!" Tenchi snapped, feeling a bit outraged. "That device is important to Washu. It's also important to us. We need to know what Dr. Clay was up to just as much as Washu does" "I can't believe I'm saying this but this time Ryoko's right," Ayeka said. "This time Washu had it coming." "Wha....? You're sticking up for her?" Tenchi asked Ayeka, completely bewildered. "You needn't be so surprised," Ayeka said with a small laugh. "Ryoko and I can get along when we want to." "Um... when did this happen?" Tenchi asked. "We had a talk and we've decided to bury the hatchet," Ayeka answered. "Bury the hatchet?" Tenchi said. The images that sprang to his mind were rather gruesome. But they *did* involve hatchets. "Er... declared a truce," Ayeka amended quickly. "Isn't that right, Ryoko?" "Oh yes, me and Ayeka are best friends now," Ryoko said, her voice thick with false sweetness. She wrapped an arm around Ayeka and embraced the princess. "I don't know if I'd call us friends," Ayeka said as she shrugged off the space pirate's hug. "Still, we are trying to get along and that's what counts." "I think it's great that you two can be friends now," Sasami said, beaming at them both. "You really are a sweet kid," Ryoko said as she ruffled the younger princess' hair. At that moment Mihoshi ran by the kitchen window shrieking as Washu chased her with the broom. "Take that and that and that and that!" the short scientist yelled as she repeatedly smacked the blonde bombshell over the head. "They look like they're having fun," Ryoko chuckled. "Who knew that one cup of coffee would be so effective at waking Washu up?" Ayeka said. "We really should eat," Tenchi said, realizing that he was starving. "Here Sasami went to all the trouble of making breakfast and it's growing cold." "Of course," Ayeka said. She retrieved the coffee pot. "Coffee, Lord Tenchi?" "Actually, I'm quite wide awake for some reason this morning," Tenchi answered. "I think I'll have tea." "Here you go," Ryoko said as she handed him a cup of tea. "Oh, I see," Ayeka said, somewhat crestfallen. "However, I would love to have some orange juice," Tenchi said, looking at the elder princess. "Of course, Lord Tenchi," Ayeka replied happily. Moments later she set a glass of orange juice in front of Tenchi. "I thank you both," Tenchi said, taking the trouble to favor both the princess and the space pirate with a smile. "You're welcome, Tenchi," they replied, all but beaming with joy. "And I want to thank you, Sasami, for making another wonderful breakfast," Tenchi told the young princess. "Washu might be the greatest scientific genius in the universe but I think that you are probably the greatest culinary genius in the universe" Sasami blushed a bright red. "Thank you," she mumbled. "You're welcome, my Tenchi," Ryoko said and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Ryoko!" Ayeka growled. "Hey, it was just an innocent gesture of affection," Ryoko responded. "Lighten up a little." "So is this," Ayeka said and gave Tenchi a quick kiss of her own. The elder Juraian princess immediately grew red in the face. "Oh! I don't know what came over me. Lord Tenchi, I ... I'm sorry." Ayeka stood up and fled from the kitchen. "Ayeka, it's alright. I'm not..." Tenchi trailed off as princess disappeared from sight. "That princess sure is a riot," Ryoko said. "Sometimes she just kills me." "Now there is just the three of us and all this food," Sasami said sadly. "That's alright," Ryoko said. "Just means more for us." "What a morning," Tenchi said with a sigh. "I think it's been a great morning," Ryoko. "I hope the rest of the day is this good." "It's been an unusual morning, that's for sure," Tenchi replied. "Different can be good," Ryoko said as she leaned her head on Tenchi's shoulder. Ryoko knocked on the door to the bedroom that the two princesses shared. "Who is it?" Ayeka called out from inside the bedroom. "It's me, your friendly neighborhood space pirate," Ryoko answered. Ryoko could hear Ayeka grumbling to herself. After a couple of minutes the princess spoke loud enough to be heard. "Go away, I don't wish to speak to you." "Yeah, right," Ryoko said and phased through the door. "Ryoko, I thought I told you to leave me alone," Ayeka said with irritation. "How long are you going to sit in your room and pout?" Ryoko asked. "I'm not pouting!" Ayeka said hotly. "You need to get a grip, Princess," Ryoko told her. "It's not like you ripped his clothes off and ravished him right there on the kitchen table. It was just a little kiss." "Ravishing Tenchi on the kitchen table is more your style I would think," Ayeka said. "Yeah, I would have but Sasami was there," Ryoko said with a grin. "Everything is a joke to you," Ayeka muttered darkly. "And you always have to be uptight about everything," Ryoko shot back. "If you'd just lighten up a bit maybe you'd enjoy life more." "I enjoy life just fine, thank you," Ayeka told Ryoko. "What concern of yours is it anyways?" "Huh! *You're* the one pushing this whole truce idea," Ryoko retorted. "Maybe I'm just trying to be friendly." "Well don't," Ayeka said. "It's unnatural." "Fine, I know when I'm not wanted," Ryoko said. "I guess I'll hang out with Sasami, seeing as how she actually likes it when I try to be nice." With that Ryoko floated towards the bedroom door. "Ryoko, wait," Ayeka called. Ryoko turned around. "Changed your mind, Ayeka?" "Perhaps you're right," Ayeka admitted. "It was an innocent kiss after all. I suppose that sometimes I do over react a bit." "Now was that so hard?" Ryoko asked, floating over to the princess. "I suppose we really should see to getting the household chores done," Ayeka said, grabbing Ryoko's arm. "Wha...? Hey! Leggo!" Ryoko said, struggling against Ayeka's grasp on her arm. "That includes you, Monster Woman," Ayeka said. "I like to have a full day of lazing about before tackling any chores," Ryoko told the princess.. "If you're willing to help me be a little less uptight then it's only fair that I help you be more diligent about doing work around the house," Ayeka said. "I don't think it's fair at all," Ryoko protested. Tenchi wiped the sweat from his forehead. Seeing to it that Ryo-ohki had enough carrots was an arduous and full time job. he thought, remembering the girls offering to work the fields the day before. He especially had a hard time picturing Ryoko doing the sustained physical labor required. Ryoko was very much into work avoidance. he chided himself. It was true that Zero had an influence on Ryoko. Trying to quantify that influence was all but impossible. As was trying to quantify his own feelings for Ryoko/Zero. Or Ayeka for that matter. he thought. It seemed that something good might have come from the previous morning's breakfast fiasco. If Ayeka and Ryoko really had worked out some kind of deal to keep the peace then it certainly was a positive developement. he hoped, but not too optimistically. Tenchi loved each and every one of the girls deeply but sometimes he wished for a little less upheaval. Still, if he had to choose between them and peacefulness he would choose them without a moment's hesitation. His family was THE priority in his life and they were as much family as his father and grandfather. His thoughts turned back to Ryoko and Ayeka. If there was a way that those two could develop a closer friendship he would be profoundly grateful to the universe. It seemed that they spent most of their time trying to pull him in two different directions. It was a problem with no readily apparent solution. A true conundrum. He had feelings for both of them. However, it was impossible to express those feelings. If he let them show then it was certain to hurt the other girl. "I would rather die than forsake any one of them," he had told Kagato. It was true then and it continued to be true. he thought. It seemed unfair to him. Here he was, a mere seventeen years old and he had what felt like the weight of the galaxy on his shoulders. Not only was he a prince of Jurai but also now the owner of the Master Key. When added to the fact that he could also wield the Light Hawk Wings it all seemed so overwhelming for a mere Earth boy. That two of the galaxy's most powerful beings wanted him for their own was almost insult to injury. Tenchi thought. It was true, they were both older than him and it was unquestionable that to date they had not handled their domestic situation very well at all. He knew for a fact that Ryoko was some five thousand years old. Ayeka he was less sure about. He knew that both Ayeka and Sasami had left Jurai about seven hundred years ago. However, it sounded like they had been some kind of stasis field on that long journey. He wasn't exactly sure but he knew that it was impossible for Sasami to actually be seven hundred years old. Even so, he was fairly certain that Ayeka was still significantly older than he was. he mused. A love triangle with extra-terrestrial girls wasn't something that any seventeen year old male was prepared for, no matter how pretty the girls in question were. Moreover, Ayeka came from a culture that practiced polygamous marriage. The idea of multiple spouses and love triangles should be old hat to her. If *she* wasn't handling this situation well then why the hell should *he* be expected to be able to do the right thing? Whatever that was. Which begged the question; what *was* the right thing to do anyhow? To chose one would be to stick a knife in the other's heart. Sometimes he wished he could chose them both, for the sake of expediency if for no other reason. But he knew that any attempt would end up a complete disaster. Besides, just the idea seemed wrong somehow. When presented with the puzzle of the Gordian Knot, Alexander had used a direct, simple and elegant solution. He cut through it with a sword. Tenchi had thought about a similiar solution to his own problem. There were plenty of girls at school. A few of them even seemed somewhat interested in him. Sakuya for example. She definitely seemed to like him. If he were to start seeing Sakuya then the whole love triangle would be out the window. It was a direct, simple and elegant solution. It was also a terrible solution. Saying that Ryoko and Ayeka would both go ballistic was an understatement. There would be an ugly confrontation. A confrontation that Sakuya just might not survive. Worse, he would being seeing Sakuya for the wrong reasons. She would merely be a means to an end. Being that underhanded was disgusting. Plus there was the fact that he would hurt not just one of the girls but hurt them both. No, it wasn't a very good solution at all. Dating girls from school was out of the question. Tenchi heaved a deep sigh. He had a feeling that there *wasn't* any ideas that would work. The two girls surveyed their handiwork. One with a certain amount of satisfaction and the other with a nearly equal amount of disgust. "Now was that so bad?" Ayeka asked cheerfully. "What is it with you and obsessive neatness?" Ryoko asked. "Doing chores is boring, yet you actually enjoy it." "It's good for one's character," Ayeka responded primly. "I like my character just fine, thank you," Ryoko said defensively. "I'm sure you do," Ayeka said. "But what about Lord Tenchi? Did you ever stop to think that perhaps he doesn't appreciate lazy drunken space pirates?" "I am not a lazy drunk!" Ryoko snapped. "Anyways, maybe Tenchi doesn't care for frigid stuck-up princesses." "Frigid!?" Ayeka shouted. "I'll show you frigid!" The two glared at each other, the tension almost becoming tangible. Ryoko's hands began to glow with energy while Ayeka summoned her power logs. The sound of noisy throat clearing brought them back to reality. They turned to see a frowning Sasami glaring at them. "I thought you two were friends now," the younger princess said accusingly. The glow in Ryoko's hands faded as Ayeka's logs disappeared. They both looked at each other shamefacedly. "I bet Tenchi would disappointed," Sasami said, turning her nose up and her back to them. She looked at them out of the corner of her eye to gauge their reaction. The two girls were looking at the floor. "You're right,Sasami," Ayeka admitted. "We are being silly." She turned to Ryoko. "Even if I think you're lazy drunk I should have refrained from saying so." To Ryoko it sounded like a half hearted apology. She decided to return the favor."I shouldn't have called you frigid, even if that's what you are." Sasami gave them a look of approval. "See, I just know you can be friends." Ryoko yawned and then stretched. "After all that housework I could use a nice long hot soak." "That certainly sounds like a good idea," Ayeka agreed. "Time's a-wasting," Ryoko said and grabbed Ayeka's arm. "Ryoko, wait...." The two faded from sight before Ayeka could finish her sentence. The two materialized in the floating onsen only to find it was occupied. Washu and Mihoshi were already bonelessly soaking in the hot water. "But... but... I thought you were busy trying kill her," Ryoko said to Washu, pointing at Mihoshi. "I got tired," Washu replied. "Besides, Mihoshi can really run." "I always aced all the physical endurance courses at the Academy," Mihoshi said proudly. A moment later a naked Ryoko slid into the hot water even as her now empty blue and yellow dress fell to the deck. Ayeka stepped out of sight to undress and wrap herself in a large towel as was her usual habit. Ryoko thought as she watched Ayeka step into the water. "I'm glad you're here, Ryoko," Washu said. "What with Mihoshi doing her usual number on my equipment this morning I need to rescan Zero's memory again." Ryoko favored Washu with a hostile glare. "Forget it, Washu. There's no way I'm stepping foot in your lab again." "Ryoko, I wouldn't ask this if it weren't important," Washu told her. "I really don't care how important it is," Ryoko replied. "There's no way I'm going back in there." "But Ryoko...." "I said no and I mean no!" Ryoko said loudly. "But...." Washu pleaded. "Miss Washu, you abused your trust with Ryoko," Ayeka told the red headed genius. "You have no one to blame but yourself for Ryoko's refusal to help you." "Perhaps, but I'm afraid I must insist, Ryoko dear," Washu said, looking directly at Ryoko. "What are you gonna do? Force me?" Ryoko asked with contempt. She teleported onto the deck and slipped into her dress. Moments later she dissapeared from view. Washu slumped down into the water. "Damn," she sighed sadly. Ayeka gave Washu a look of sympathy. "This goes against my better judgement but I will speak to Ryoko for you. I still don't approve of your actions regarding Ryoko but I agree that personal feelings are of lesser importance than our safety." "I don't know that it will do any good but thanks," Washu said. Ayeka silently studied Washu before speaking. "I still owe you for your help with Ryu-oh's planter. You can consider it a partial payment on that debt." Tenchi slipped out of his shoes as he walked through the front door. Once inside he saw that Sasami was on the couch watching tv. "Where is everyone?" he asked. "Hi, Tenchi," Sasami greeted, turning around to look at him. "I don't know where everyone is, sorry." "In that case I'll be in my room," Tenchi said. If everyone was gone maybe he clould look forward to a few hours of peace and privacy inside the house. Soon enough he'd have some household crisis to deal with. Once in his room he lay back on his bed. Tenchi was snoring gently within minutes. Ayeka muttered under her breath as she stubbed her toe on yet another rock. The search for Ryoko had taken a lot longer than she had anticipated. She cupped her hands to her mouth. "Ryoko! Ryoko! Where are you!? Can you hear me, Ryoko!?" The princess sighed. She had promised Washu that she would speak to the blue haired pirate but she wasn't about to spend all night searching for the girl. "Ryoko! Ryoko!" Ayeka paused and listened for a reply. She was greeted by the normal sounds of the deep woods. she asked herself. The princess turned to go back to the house when a sudden inspiration hit her. With a determined stride she made her way to a new destination. Walking into the clearing at the cave entrence she immediately recognized the shock of spiky blue hair and it's owner. "I would think this is a strange place to find you," Ayeka said as she drew closer to Ryoko. "Ayeka, I would really like to be left alone," Ryoko said without turning to look at Ayeka. "I would like nothing more than to leave you alone," Ayeka replied. "However, I need to talk to you about Washu's request." "What about it?" Ryoko asked. "Ryoko, I don't blame you for being angry at Washu," Ayeka said. "However, it's important for you to submit to Washu's brainscan." "I already told you that I'm never going into Washu's lab again!" Ryoko yelled angrily. "It's always about what you want, isn't it?" Ayeka replied with disgust. "The truth is, we need the information that's hidden in that brain of yours. Whoever this Lady Tokimi is that sent Dr. Clay to kidnap Washu is someone who is very dangerous." "Oh well, not my problem," Ryoko replied "And if this mysterious Lady Tokimi comes after Tenchi?" Ayeka asked. "Now why would she do that?" Ryoko said. "I would think that his ability to generate the Wings of the Light Hawk would be reason enough," Ayeka answered. "Damn you Ayeka! I don't want to have to go through that again," Ryoko said, her fists clenched as she remembered her helplessness in Washu's lab. "But you will do it, right? For Tenchi's sake?" Ryoko curled up and hugged her knees. "Yes, for Tenchi I'll do it," she said, her voice not much more than a whisper. Ayeka lightly touched Ryoko's back for the merest fraction of a second. "Don't worry about Washu, I'll go with you. If she tries to humiliate you again then I'll deal with her myself." "You'd do that for me?" Ryoko asked, somewhat shocked by the idea. "Ryoko, I'm asking you to this as a favor to Washu," Ayeka explained. "If she uses this to take advantage of you again I will consider it to be a personal affront." "Take advantage of me huh?" Ryoko all but snarled. "Don't worry about me, Princess. If she tries I'll make sure she regrets it for a long time to come." "If Washu doesn't scare you then why the hesitation to go into her lab?" Ayeka asked. "Being tied up in Washu's lab brought back some memories," Ryoko replied. "Memories I'd rather not remember. I'd rather not go through it again." "Memories?" Ayeka asked. "Of what I was before Tenchi rescued me from the cave." Ryoko answered. "The Monster Woman," Ayeka stated. She remembered what Ryoko was like under Kagato's spell when Tenchi and his grandfather confronted the meglomaniac. It had been frightening to watch the normally willful space pirate behave like a mindless marionette. "Seven hundred years as a ghost was almost as bad," Ryoko said. "That's all behind you now," Ayeka said. "Nothing can bring it back. I doubt Tenchi would allow it. However, we need those memories of Zero's that you have locked inside your brain. If you won't do it for Washu then do it for Tenchi's sake." "I would do anything for Tenchi," Ryoko stated plainly. Ayeka remembered a determined Ryoko vowing vengeance on Kagato for Tenchi's death. She had indeed been willing to die to avenge Tenchi. Somewhere deep in her soul the princess knew that to live without Tenchi *was* death as far as Ryoko was concerned. "I know you would," Ayeka told the blue haired girl. Chapter Two - Part B: Bearers of Bad News Marcus was finally facing that which fills even the bravest heart with an unreasonable dread. He had done everything in his power to avoid that which had opened it's devouring maw to crush him into nothingness. However, a man cannot avoid his fate. There comes a point in his life when he must face the inevitable. Marcus knew he couldn't put off mowing the lawn any longer. < Well, it fills *my* heart with dread, anyways,> he thought. With the air of a man who's wife had handed him a shopping list and fat handful of coupons to do the weekly grocery shopping, Marcus dragged into the light of day the ancient contraption that he infrequently used to make tall grass shorter. Next was the ritual of getting the thing started. Like most men in the Megaverse, Marcus was well aware of the fact that mowers past their warranty required a lot of coaxing. Usually in the form of curses and kicks. Marcus flipped the start switch. Nothing happened. He reset it and flipped it again. Again nothing happened. Next came a solid kick to the engine housing. Still nothing. In frustration he punched the mower, following that up with a stream of profanity as he checked his hand for broken bones. Finally, he managed to hit upon the right combination. He slammed his foot into the mower while screamimg, "Start, you stupid son of a bi...." The mower started with a roar and a cloud of blue smoke. Not wasting a moment, Marcus invaded the great untamed wilderness that was his yard. Unfortunately, the mower sputtered and died when it hit the wet grass and the expedition came to a halt almost as soon as it began. As he was going through another round of the mower starting ritual he heard the sound of an approaching flitter. He stood up and watched as it came to a rest next to his own flitter on the shuttle pad. Marcus glanced at his watch. The passenger side door slid open and a figure wearing well polished chrome plated armor and a long charcoal grey cape emerged from the flitter's cockpit. Marcus thought sourly. Two more men who were obviously bodyguards emerged from the flitter. Flanked by his bodyguards, the senator approached Marcus. "Isn't this a bit out of the way from your normal haunts, Lord Arkady?" Marcus said when the three men were close enough that he didn't have to shout. Arkady ignored the question. "It is with regret that I must inform you that the Senate has decided not to renew your franchise with the Science Institute." "Yeah, I'll bet you're real broke up about it," Marcus replied. Arkady turned to one of the bodyguards who in turn handed him an envelope. Arkady held out to Marcus. "This is your official notification of the Senate's decision," Arkady said as Marcus took the envelope. Marcus looked the envelope over for a moment before letting it fall to the ground. "Was the ceremonial armor really necessary? he asked. "For that matter, was it necessary for you to hand deliver the notice? There must any number of ass-kissing yes men that you could have sent." "As a representative of the Senate I felt it was my duty," Arkady told him. "Of course, nothing prevents you from maintaining your current arrangements with the Institute if you should obtain outside funding," Arkady continued. Marcus chuckled. "Sure. Why not? I'm sure that there are financial houses all over the galaxy lined up to give me a loan." "Well then, it should pose no problem to you," Arkady said. Marcus turned back to the problem of the mower. "As much as I'd love to spend the day chatting with you I have full day of screwing around to do." Marcus kicked the mower a few more times and tried to coax it back to life. The mower roared back to life, drowning the senator and his two bodyguards in a cloud of smoke. After the smoke had cleared Marcus made deliberate eye contact with Arkady and pushed the mower over the envelope he had dropped. Then he hit the kill switch. "You can go to hell," Marcus said. "Along with the Senate. Now I want you to take your two goons and get off my property." "Marcus, I realize you're a stubborn man," Arkady said as Marcus turned away. "I even admire you for it to a degree. However, even you must bow to the inevitable." "The inevitable, huh?" "I know this will be hard for you to accept but you represent this planet's past," Arkady said to Marcus. "You are the very image of the Old Guard, right down to that ridiculous braid of yours." "Ridiculous, huh!?" Marcus snarled. "It hasn't been fashionable for centuries and yet you persist in wearing it like that," Arkady pointed out. "However, this isn't about how you choose to wear your hair. This is about living in the past as opposed to facing the future. It's plain to see that you're still living in the past." "And you're so eager to forget the past, to forget history," Marcus retorted. "There is a difference between remembering history and attempting to hold on to the past," Arkady replied. "Of course, you represent this planet's future," Marcus said sarcastically. Arkady chose to ignore the sarcasm. "I understand the need for progress. Not just on Consaeda but indeed on the galactic scale." Marcus was about to reply when a low rumble announced an approaching shuttle dropping from the sky. Craning his neck to watch the shuttle descending, Marcus could see that the shuttle belonged to the Science Institute. "This really is adding insult to injury," he muttered. "Is that...?" "Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's Dr, Aurora," Marcus said, cutting Arkady off. "No doubt come to give me the good news." Together they watched the shuttle settle on the pad. "I thought you were leaving," Marcus said to Arkady. "Yes, well it would be rude to leave without greeting Dr. Aurora," Arkady replied. Marcus thought snidely, as Arkady stared at Aurora climbing down from the shuttle's cockpit. "Good morning," Aurora said, greeting the two men when she had made her way over to them. "Good morning, Doctor," Arkady replied and bowed while Marcus rolled his eyes at the display. "I had no idea you two were close friends," Aurora said, giving Arkady a look. "Actually, the good Senator was just leaving," Marcus told her. Arkady gave Marcus an angry glance. "Apparently I have over stayed my welcome. All for the best I suppose. After all, I do have a full day ahead of me. Good day, Dr. Aurora." He inclined his head to the curly haired doctor. "And don't forget to take Thing 1 and Thing 2 with you!" Marcus called out as he watched the Senator walk away, trailed by his bodyguards. "Why do you insist on always trying to provoke him?" Aurora asked. "Same reason he tries to stick a knife in my back every chance he gets," Marcus replied. "Because he can." "Let's forget all that," Aurora said. "I just wanted to see how you're doing. I figured you would have heard the news already." "Yeah, the senator was kind enough to hand deliver the notice of the Senate's decision cut out the project's funding from the Institute budget," Marcus told her as he pointed at the pieces of the notice on the ground. "You're taking this a lot better than I thought you would," Aurora told him. "What? You were expecting me to shrivel up and die?" Marcus asked. "Sorry to disappoint you." "So, what will you do now?" Aurora asked. "I really don't know," Marcus answered. He looked at the villa and the surrounding property "I guess I'll work around here. It is looking a bit shabby." Aurora let her gaze settle on the villa. "Shabby or not this place is still elegant. Still, it is a shame that you've let it go to pot. I hope you're serious about restoring your home to it's former condition." "I have all the time in the world now. Thanks to you," Marcus said. "What about money?" Aurora asked him. "Working on Summerhome will be costly. If you need a loan...." "What?" Marcus snorted. "You'll give me a loan? Forget it. I refuse to owe you a thing. I'd rather see it a tumbled down wreck." "I always wondered why you called this place "Summerhome"," Aurora said. "It's so damn cold here in the winter." "Huh?" Marcus said, confused by the change in topic. "Um.... well it's a story that goes way back." "I have all day to hear it," Aurora told him. "Yeah, maybe some other day," Marcus said and turned his attention once again to the mower. "Is that a internal combustion engine in that thing?" Aurora asked, looking at the contraption. "Got it in one," Marcus confirmed. "But the use of fossil fuels has been banned for centuries on this planet," Aurora said. "Yup. Going to turn me in?" Marcus asked. "I'm not that petty," Aurora replied. "Could have fooled me," Marcus grumbled under his breath. Aurora's eyes narrowed. "Well, I just came by to check on you. Since you don't seem suicidal I guess I can leave without worrying that someone will find you hanging from a tree limb with a note pinned to your shirt." "As alway, your concern is touching," Marcus told her. "Someday you'll see that I'm right," Aurora said. "Someday you'll understand that this is for the best." "I'm sure I will," Marcus answered. "Take care of yourself, Marcus," Aurora said. After a several moments of silence Aurora turned away and walked to her shuttle. Marcus watched as the shuttle took to the sky with a roar from it's powerful engines. "You really don't know me at all if you think I'm going to give up merely because of those spineless cowards in the Senate," he said as the shuttle disappeared into the blue sky. "Now that I know those gems are in this reality I won't let anything stop me from finding them." Aurora sat back in the pilot's seat and sighed. "Marcus, not only are you a stubborn ass but you're a lousy liar as well." Chapter Two - Part C: Service with a Smile The Lady Tokimi glared at her chief subordinate, D3. "What were you thinking?" she hissed in anger. "A memory block based on a sequence of prime numbers!? Did you really think that it would be beyond Washu's capabilities to break through such a barrier?" D3 bowed as low as he could possibly could. "Please, My Lady..." "SILENCE!" Tokimi snapped. "Washu is the greatest scientific mind in *any* universe. Undoing the block you set up is child's play to one such as her. How dare you underestimate her prodigious mental faculties!" "I beg your forgiveness," D3 said. "Only the Galaxy Police detective prevented our plans from falling into complete disarray," Tokimi told him. "I want you to always remember that from now on you owe your continued existence to a human." "Yes, My Lady." Tokimi studied him. "Your predecessors both failed me. You are merely the replacement of earlier chief servants. Never forget that you too can be replaced if need be." "I will not fail you again, Lady Tokimi," D3 assured her.