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Problem Solved 2
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I don’t own the characters, AIC and Pioneer does. I’m not making any money on this, etc. Problems Solved II “Here, take a look at this one!” Ryoko threw a purple dress over
to Washu. “Ma’am, this is getting a bit expensive.” The clerk reminded her. Washu waved her protests aside. “Miss, I’m going to tell you something and then you won’t say that anymore. Listen closely.” Washu leaned closer to the woman. “I built the engine that belongs in the Juraian 1216s.” The woman’s eyes got large and she nodded. “There. That takes care of that. Ryoko, have we finished in here yet?” Washu called three aisles over. “Sure, just as soon as I try on this cute little top.” Ryoko called back. RRRRRRRIPPPPPP! “Well, looks like it’s too small.” They paid for their purchases and left the store. “Ooh! I like that one, Ryoko!” Sasami pointed. Washu and Ryoko were putting on a fashion show in the living room after dinner. They had come in laughing with a huge number of bags floating behind them on a cart. Ayeka sat there watching the two women try on their new clothes and felt shabby in her old kimono. Ryoko rustled around in the next bag and came up with something … not her. “Hey, Ayeka! Looks like one of the clerks slipped something extra in with our stuff. Want to try it on?” Ryoko held out the new kimono. Ayeka accepted it with grace and went to change. Washu hid a grin. Ryoko had gone looking for Ayeka about halfway through the shopping spree. It wasn’t a mistake some of the things were for her. Washu reached in one of her bags. “Oops, looks like we found another one. I’ll go take it to her.” Washu walked off in the direction of Aeka’s bedroom. Knock! “It’s Washu, can I come in?” “Yes, Miss Washu.” Washu walked in to find Ayeka studying herself in the mirror. “Looks like we picked the right size.” Washu commented. Ayeka blushed. “This was bought for me?” “Sure it was. I’ve got enough data on you to tell what size kimono you wear. Although, I bought it, it was Ryoko who had the idea to get you a few things.” “Ryoko?” Ayeka asked. Washu nodded. “Ryoko. She said and I quote, “That girl needs some new things to show off to her man.” Ayeka blushed even more. “Well, I brought you another one we found. Why don’t you change behind the curtain with me and Ryoko? She won’t push you this time.” Washu wheedled. Ayeka nodded. From then on it was a three person fashion show. After they were through, the girls promised to take the rest of the family with them next time. Washu’s head came up just as they were packing up all the clothes. “Excuse me.” She said pushing past Ryoko. Everyone looked after her, then went back to what they were doing. The next day Washu stood up at the breakfast table. “May I have your attention please?” Everyone was already looking at her so she didn’t know why she asked for attention. “Today someone will be coming to the house. Answer any questions they ask you truthfully, try not to get them angry at you,” this comment was directed at Ryoko, “and just act normally around them.” “Miss Washu, who’s coming?” Ayeka asked. “I-“ Washu really didn’t want to tell her because then someone would mess up and this was important… The doorbell rang and Washu heaved a sigh of relief. “I’ll get it!” she yelled. In a few minutes, she ushered a man and woman of their middle thirties into the kitchen. Sasami got up and picked some things out of the refrigerator that she had saved for lunch and put them on the table for the extra guests. After they had eaten, the man and woman, who had introduced themselves as Sam and
Gwen, asked that they be able to observe the household in its natural functions.
Everyone looked confused and moved about their daily chores. Tenchi went to
the field, Sasami went to the kitchen with Ryo-ohki to prepare more food for lunch and
dinner, Ryoko and Mihoshi went to watch television, Ilane went to monitor Earth, Teran
went to visit Yosho, Washu went to her lab, and Ayeka went out to sweep the yard. “Does anyone around here have a criminal record?” the man asked. “Well, Ryoko’s a space pirate but I think her crimes on Jurai have been canceled.” Tenchi said. “That’s all I wanted to know. See you at lunch.” The man walked off. Sasami was being questioned by Gwen. “Do you like it here?” Gwen asked. “Oh, yes!” Sasami answered. “Washu’s a mad scientist and Ryoko’s a space pirate. Mihoshi’s a Galaxy Police officer, Tenchi’s the next Crown Prince of Jurai, Ayeka and I are princesses of Jurai, so there’s always something going on.” “Like what?” Gwen prodded. “Well, this man named Kagato kidnapped Ryoko once and we all had to go and save her. Except me, I got left home.” “That’s all I need to know. Thank you for breakfast.” “Lunch will be better. Thank you.” Sasami turned back to her cooking. Mihoshi and Ryoko were being questioned by Sam. “So Mihoshi, why don’t you arrest Ryoko for her crimes?” “Oh, well, it never occurred to me. And Tenchi would repeal her crimes anyway so what’s the point?” Mihoshi shrugged and turned back to the TV. “So, Ryoko, are you really that dangerous to this planet and this house?” Sam asked. “I’m dangerous enough to outsiders but I like it here.” Ryoko answered, totally absorbed in the TV. Gwen went to Ayeka and asked her if she felt safe here. “Oh, yes, ma’am. Tenchi has the master key, Washu keeps blowing up her inventions, but she’s come through for us many times, Ryoko’s dangerous but she’d never hurt anyone in this house.” “Thank you for answering my questions, Princess Ayeka.” Gwen went
off. “Well, Washu’s a mad scientist…” The conversation went on as they discussed everything. They looked at the evidence and came up with an answer. Then they went to lunch. “Oh, that was good, Sasami.” Gwen rubbed her stomach. Sasami beamed at her. “Thank you!” she responded. “We have to go see Washu now.” Sam reminded her. Gwen got up. “Oh, wait!” Sasami ran back into the kitchen. “Here. I set aside Washu’s. She said she wasn’t coming to lunch.” Gwen accepted it and set out in the direction of the closet again. “It’s open.” Washu told them. Gwen and Sam walked in. Washu swiveled her cushion around to face them. “She’s yours.” Gwen and Sam told her. “For the record, what convinced you?” Washu asked. Gwen and Sam looked at each other. “You’re a scientist-“ “The number one scientific genius in the universe!” Washu’s puppets sounded off. “Sasami and Ayeka are princess of Jurai. Tenchi is a prince of Jurai. Katsuhito is an able swordsman. There are two galaxy police officers here, Mihoshi and Ilane.” Sam finished. “You can handle her.” “What about Ryoko?” Washu asked. Sam and Gwen exchanged a glance. “We almost didn’t grant custody because of her, but she is your daughter and she would have been hard enough to raise. The fact that she turned out to be a pirate…” “But not anymore, right?” Washu grinned. “Fine. How will she be arriving?” “Tomorrow. In a stasis pod. Do you have coordinates?” Sam asked. After they had left, Washu hugged herself with excitement. “I’d better get things ready!” She jumped off her cushion and ran toward a part of her lab. Dinnertime rolled around and Washu showed up for it. “Oh, good! My favorite!” Washu exclaimed. “Yup! I made your favorite so you’d come and talk to us, Washu.” Sasami said. “Yeah, who were those people?” Ryoko asked bluntly. “Those were the people from the adoption agency.” Washu said and helped herself to some of the food. “Adoption Agency!?” Ryoko screamed. “What do you mean?” “I mean that as of lunchtime I adopted a little girl. I haven’t named her yet, though. Got any ideas?” Washu grinned at her daughter. “How about insane?” Ryoko said and sat down with a thump. “Insane, insane… Doesn’t exactly roll off your tongue. Sanei, sounds good though.” Washu mused. (Pronounce Say-neigh) “Why did you adopt her, Little Washu?” Tenchi asked. Washu turned her eyes on him. “Because no one else will take her. She’s liable to be dangerous.” “Dangerous?” Ayeka said looking at her little sister Sasami. “Not dangerous to us, dangerous to normal people.” Washu reassured her. “We’re not normal?” Mihoshi said looking at Ilane. “Normal people don’t battle the forces of evil, Mihoshi.” Ilane gently told her. “At least not like we do.” “Oh! You are so right!” Mihoshi exclaimed. “Besides, she’ll be grown up in a week.” Washu munched on some rice. “Miss Washu, maybe you’d better give us the whole story.” Ayeka prompted. Washu put down her chopsticks. “Okay, she’s arriving tomorrow. Her name is Sanei Hakubi. She’s a newborn, but she’ll grow at an exhilarated rate. Approximately, she’ll arrive a newborn and be three years old when she goes to sleep. She’ll wake up four and go to sleep six years old. She’ll wake up seven and be ten at bedtime. Then, eleven in the morning, fourteen at night. Fifteen in the morning, eighteen at night. Nineteen in the morning and she’ll stabilize at twenty-one that evening.” Washu took a breath. “The real problem isn’t her growth pattern or the hormones that will come along with it. If the reports are right on her, she’s going to be very powerful for being born of two normal everyday people. She’ll be able to fly, move objects with her mind, heal to a certain extent, and powers that weren’t readable at her birth will pop up from time to time.” She looked around at the table. “You see how she could become a weapon in someone’s hands if we don’t take her.” “But-“ Tenchi began. Washu looked at him. “Are we going to be hurt trying to take care of her?” he asked. “Probably. Parents usually are.” Tenchi winced at her words. Parent had struck something in him that he didn’t want to be just yet. “Don’t worry, Tenchi. I’m going to be the primary parent. Look at what we’ve got here.” Washu pointed to each of them in turn. “Mihoshi and Ilane are Galaxy Police officers to catch any bad guys in their area. Ayeka and Sasami are princesses of Jurai and you’re a prince of Jurai. I think you can take care of yourselves.” Washu turned to Ryoko. “Technically, she’s going to be your sister. Would you think about teaching her to fly?” Ryoko looked startled. Her … sister? “S-sure.” She stammered. “Fine, then everything’s settled. Let’s eat!” Washu dove into her food. Washu woke up the next morning, yawned, stretched out her arms, and settled herself back into bed. I haven’t slept in like this for a long while, she thought hazily through her sleepy mind. She suddenly sat up in bed and ripped the covers off. “Sanei’s coming today!” she shrieked and hit the button on the bedpost. The bedclothes came off of her and were replaced by her new yellow shirt and red pants. “Drat!” she swore. “I’ve got to fix that darn thing!” Her shoes were on the wrong feet. Washu switched her shoes and then went to the main lab. Her package was waiting. Sealed in a ovoid crystal was a small infant eyes shut. Washu called up her laptop and unfroze the crystal. The baby floated over to her arms and awoke. “Hi, there.” Washu waved her fingers in the baby’s face. “I’m your new mommy.” “Mihoshi?” Ilane popped his head in the kitchen. “Yes, Ilane?” Mihoshi turned around from chopping vegetables. “Oh!” The knife slipped out of her hands. Ilane rushed forward. “Did you hurt yourself?” Ilane turned her hand over in his. “No, it doesn’t seem that you did.” Ilane become aware of Mihoshi’s hand in his and dropped it. “So… What did you want, Ilane?” Mihoshi gave him a smile. “Did you want to go out today?” Ilane asked. Mihoshi jumped up and down and clapped her hands together. “After you, then.” Ilane swept her out the door. Sasami, Tenchi, Ryoko, Ayeka, and Teran all showed up for breakfast. “Where’s Washu and Mihoshi and Ilane?” Sasami asked worriedly. “Ilane said that he was taking Mihoshi to breakfast and lunch and that they would be back for dinner.” Tenchi said. Washu? Ryoko asked in her mind. Yes, Little Ryoko? Washu answered. Breakfast? Sanei is here. I’m taking care of her right now. I’ll be there for dinner. Washu went back to her daughter. Ryoko relayed the information. They all nodded and continued on with their conversations. “So, Ryoko, what are you going to do today?” Tenchi asked nervously. He had gotten his chores out of the way yesterday so he could have today with her, but he didn’t know how to ask. “I don’t know. What would you like to do?” Ryoko looked at him coyly. Tenchi sighed. “Um….” “Tenchi, would you like to go for a ride in Ryo-ohki?” Ryoko asked calmly. Tenchi nodded vigorously, relieved he didn’t have to ask to be alone with her. At the same time, Ayeka was asking Teran if he’d like to do something today. Teran said that he was going to be away most of the day. Ayeka sighed disappointed. Ilane and Mihoshi used Yukinojo’s power to transport them into America. (Sorry, it’s the place I know the most). Ilane and Mihoshi went to get some American cuisine, namely something they called pizza. When Mihoshi had finished making a mess of her slice and had eaten the other half of her pizza, Ilane and Mihoshi went to a movie. “Um, where are we going, Ryoko?” Tenchi asked. They were in Ryo-ohki and heading for the atmosphere. Ryoko ignored him. “Ryo-ohki stop here, please.” Ryo-ohki stopped gently. “Open window.” Ryoko asked. A window opened so they could look down on the Earth below. Tenchi was in awe and his mouth dropped open. “It’s so beautiful.” He whispered. “Ryo-ohki, let’s go to Aligara.” Ryoko told her. Ryo-ohki leapt off for the satellite moon. “What’s on Aligara?” Tenchi asked. “It’s a nice place for lunch.” Ryoko told him. “Every time you’ve been into space, you’ve been fighting someone. Wouldn’t it be nice to have lunch?” she asked. Tenchi smiled. “Sure would.” A few minutes later… “No reason.” Ryoko ushered him into a small deli-like place. “They make great food here.” Upon entering, the cashier looked at her in horror. The waiter dropped his order. The cook came out of the kitchen to see what had crashed and his face dropped. Pretty soon, the whole place was looking at them. Tenchi looked in back of him. No one was there. She nodded, thin-lipped. A waiter approached, menus held at arm’s length. Ryoko snatched them from his grasp angrily and shoved one at Tenchi. They were glancing at the menu when the police arrived. They strode directly to the table, assured that they were in the right. “Come on, Ryoko.” Ryoko glanced up at them. “What for?” The two male cops looked at each other. “You’re not wanted here. The owners want you out.” One said. “Why not? I’m a customer like anyone else.” Ryoko shrugged. “You trashed the place last time.” The cop said. “Then arrest me.” Ryoko looked evilly at them. The older cop sighed. “The charges against you have been dropped. Someone on planet Jurai issued you a pardon for all your crimes.” “Don’t know why,” the younger cop muttered. “But the owners want you out and that’s what we’re here to do.” The older cop finished. Ryoko got up, an evil glint in her eye. Tenchi moved quicker than she did for once and stepped in front of her. “What if I look after her?” he said. The two cops looked him up and down. The older one said polite, “And who are you, sir?” “Tenchi Masaki, sir.” The older cop turned to the younger one. “Look up his name.” He turned back to Tenchi. “And why are you with this…. Pirate?” “If I’ve been pardoned-“ Ryoko began hotly. Tenchi interrupted. “We’re on a date.” The younger cop’s face went white. “Uh, Kowalski?” He tapped the monitor. The older cop looked and his face blanched for a moment. He turned back to Tenchi. “We’re very sorry to have disturbed you, your highness. We’ll just be going now.” The two cops exited very quickly. Ryoko grinned at him. He smiled warmly back at her. For some reason, the service got much better after that… Teran slung his backpack on his shoulder and started toward Washu’s lab. Ayeka was sitting on the couch with her sister watching a movie. “Ah, Teran.” She stood up. “Yes?” he turned and asked. “Where are you going?” Ayeka asked simply. Teran looked at the ground. “I’ve got a study session at the Science Academy.” “Can I come?” Ayeka asked. Teran looked at her. From her posture, it had taken most of her courage to ask that simple question. Teran sighed. “I didn’t invite you because I thought you’d be bored. This session’s dealing with physics.” He adjusted his backpack. “Oh.” That one word spoke volumes. “If you’d like you can come.” He offered. Ayeka seized on his words. “I’d love to!” Her gaze drifted to her sister. “But I don’t want to leave Sasami alone.” “Why not bring her along? She could go see the menagerie or the gardens.” Teran remembered. “All right.” Ayeka and Sasami accompanied Teran to Washu’s. “Be very quiet.” Teran warned. “Washu doesn’t want me to disturb her, but the door is over here.” They went through the door and appeared on the front steps of the academy. Teran showed them through the halls and finally pushed open the door to one of the private study rooms. Teran went in first, then Sasami, and then Ayeka. “Good afternoon, Teran!” A young lady waved. “Who’re your friends?” “This is the Princesses Ayeka and Sasami.” Teran said casually. “Well, you always said you’d be dating her one day!” A guy friend laughed nastily in the corner. “Where’d he find you, oh Princess?” “On Earth, visiting Tenchi Masaki, the next crown prince of Jurai.” Ayeka said stiffly. The boy laughed. “Or maybe you don’t believe me?” she said coldly. A tug on her sleeve and she looked down. Sasami whispered, “They’re outside.” She made the sign for Azaka and Kamidake. Ayeka smiled. “Azaka! Kamidake!” she cried. “Yes, Princess?” they came through the door. The boy paled. No one could duplicate the guardians of Jurai! “Excuse me, Princess!” Ayeka smiled. “I believe I was invited to a study session.” “Hah! That’ll teach you, Werin!” the lady laughed who had greeted Teran. She turned to Ayeka. “Don’t mind him, Ayeka, he’s just as skeptic of everything else.” “It is useful for a scientist.” Ayeka said wryly. The lady laughed. “’Tis true, ‘tis true. We were just speaking of the Juraians royal flowers. Could you provide some insights?” the lady asked politely. Ayeka answered and noticed Sasami was getting fidgety. “Not to interrupt the conversation, but does anyone know where the gardens are?” she asked. Following her gaze, the lady looked at Sasami and grinned. Twisting her watch around, she called her room. “Hey, Rit, could you find Ninre and send her to study room four? Thanks.” A little breathless, a green haired little girl ran into the room. “Arai, what is it?” she panted. “Would you take Princess Sasami around?” Arai winked at Ayeka. The two girls ran off together. “They’ll be fine. My sister’s been around the Academy since she could cry. Both my parents work here.” “So, could you tell us about the dressing customs of your family about three thousand years back?” another young man asked. “I thought we were talking about physics?” Teran interrupted.
Everyone looked oddly at him. “That’s next week,” the young
man answered. Teran slapped his head. Ayeka nodded. Dinnertime rolled around and everyone showed up for it. Mihoshi was babbling about the movie they had seen and getting most of it wrong. Ilane had to correct her through his laughter. Ryoko related the scene in the restaurant almost to the word without bragging. Ayeka laughed over the policemen reactions. She then launched into her own story about not being believed. “It’s a wonder, Tenchi, that you were believed immediately, while I had to call my guardians.” Teran said, “Well, he always was a bit thick in the first place. He didn’t mean any harm.” Ayeka brushed the comment aside, “I know he didn’t.” “Hey, where’s Washu?” Mihoshi asked. “I’m right here.” Washu came up to the table, holding the hand of a little two and a half year old. “Awwww!” everyone at the table said immediately. The little girl stuck her fingers in her mouth. Washu detached them carefully. “Now, Sanei, you sit here with me.” “Yes, mama.” The little girl said obediently and sat down. “So, Washu, how’s she doing?” Ryoko asked. “She’s fine. I’m projecting that her powers will begin around ten years old so that’s three days from now. Her powers will materialize overnight, so in the morning, she’ll be a handful.” Washu started to serve Sanei and herself. Sanei instantly began to eat correctly with the chopsticks. “Plus, she’s very intelligent and has natural ability at what seems like everything so far.” The rest of the dinner was boring conversation about what TV show to watch tonight and daily chores. The whole family sat down to watch TV along with Sanei. Then they all went to sleep. The next morning was havoc. Sanei had somehow gotten out of Washu’s lab and had a wild night tipping over lamps, pulling cushions of the couch, shaking the tapes out of their boxes, etc. The rest of the household got up and cleaned up the mess while Washu got Sanei back into the lab and Sasami made breakfast. Washu was still scolding her as they got to the table for breakfast. After breakfast, Washu and Sanei went outside for a walk. After all, she had woken up four this morning. During the middle of the day, Washu started teaching her letters and her alphabet. Thankfully, Sanei did not discover Barney today. The next day everyone was awakened to a purple dinosaur singing “I love you”. Sanei had woken up seven years old today. Everyone was waiting in anticipation/dread of what her powers would be tomorrow. Ayeka and Teran had been taking long walks the past couple of days and just talking and getting to know each other. Their relationship was proceeding slowly, but they were gently falling in love. Ryoko was trying Tenchi’s patience. She wanted to go somewhere every day. Tenchi was falling behind in his chores and in practice. So before breakfast on the fourth day he sneaked out of the house and went to the fields to do his chores. Ryoko eventually found him. “Tenchi, where do you want to go today? I know this wonderful-“ “No.” Tenchi said and continued hoeing. “What?” Ryoko blinked. “I’m staying home today and doing my chores. I have responsibilities, Ryoko.” Tenchi tried to explain. Ryoko nodded and blinked away sudden tears. She dematerialized and flew to the outside cave. Mihoshi and Ilane were patrolling the galaxy and reminiscing on various criminals. They got a call to join a mass assemblage of ships for a battle. Sending a message quickly to Earth, they left to join the battle. Washu was teaching Sanei long division, when she suddenly jumped ahead and started on beginning algebra. Washu shook her head. Like mother, like daughter, she thought. The screens started popping up advanced algebra. At lunch on the fourth day, something weird happened. Sanei was calmly eating her lunch and planning on what to learn next, when she thought idly about getting some more rice. The bowl rose shakily and floated toward her. Everyone watched as the bowl sat itself down in front of her. Sanei stared at it. “Who did that?” she demanded. Washu swallowed her food and said, “You did.” She took another mouthful. “What?!” Sanei shrieked. She pushed her chair back and ran from the table. Washu sighed. “Ryoko, why don’t you go after her? She’ll need lessons soon and you’re the closest one.” Washu asked. Ryoko grimaced and phased outside. Sanei ran until she hit the trees. Where am I? She thought. Ryoko landed in a tree and watched her. Sanei walked silently through the trees, kicking leaves and dirt. “Why do I think I’m different?” she grumbled. “That’s because you are.” A voice came from above. Sanei looked up. “Hey, I’d like to be alone.” Sanei said loudly. “Don’t you want answers?” Ryoko asked. Sanei looked at the ground and shrugged. “It’s fine with me. I’ll go back to the house.” Ryoko started to phase out. “Wait!” Sanei cried. “Yes?” Ryoko materialized fully. “How did I make the bowl move?” Sanei asked. Ryoko appeared on the ground. “I don’t know.” “You’re full of answers.” Sanei sulked. “You’re not asking the right questions. What about who are these people I’m living with? Do I have other powers?” Sanei looked at her. “Who am I living with?” Ryoko started. “The most powerful empire in the universe is the Juraian empire. Ayeka and Sasami are princesses of that empire. Tenchi’s a prince of Jurai. Teran’s courting Ayeka right now. He’s a lord.” Sanei’s eyes widened. “I’m living with royalty?” Ryoko nodded. “Make you nervous?” “Nah.” “Okay, then. Mihoshi and Ilane are Galaxy Police officers. Washu is the number one scientific genius in the universe.” Sanei digested all this. “So what are you?” Ryoko looked taken aback. “Um…. I used to be a space pirate.” “Oh. So what am I?” Sanei asked. “You’re Washu’s daughter.” “Do I have any other powers?” “Washu said you might be able to fly.” Ryoko flew up in the air. “Want to try?” “Yeah!” Sanei leapt into the air. Washu went back to her lab. Ryoko would teach Sanei about her powers for a bit and she could scan for a proper occupation for her. A computer beeped at her. Washu tapped a button and a screen popped up in front of her. “Oh, no!” Washu ran out of the lab. Ayeka and Teran were on another walk. This time they were seeing how many steps they could take in sync. Teran missed one and they both laughed. Ayeka pulled him toward the path she had taken to see Tenchi and Katsuhito fighting the first time. Wandering down the path, idly patting trees, the two Juraians enjoyed each other’s company. Tenchi was in the fields finishing up his chores so he could go practice with his
grandfather. Ryoko and Sanei were flying over the place. Sasami turned. “Yes, Washu, what’s wrong?” “Run and get Tenchi and tell him to use the master key to find Ayeka and Teran and bring them to the house. Now!” Washu yelled. Sasami ran toward the fields wondering what was going on. Washu ran out of the front door and called “RYOKO!” Hearing no answer, she slapped her forehead. **RYOKO!** **AHHH! What’re you trying to do, give me a headache!** **Get back to the house right now! We’ve got incoming!** “Come on, Sanei, your mom wants us back to the house.” Ryoko and Sanei flew toward the house. “Tenchi!” Sasami called. Tenchi turned. “Yes, Sasami?” “Washu wants you to use the master key and find Ayeka and Teran. She says we have to get back to the house right away.” “Why?” Tenchi asked. Sasami shrugged. “She didn’t say, but her voice was really anxious.” Tenchi ran off. “So, Ayeka, what would you like to do now?” Teran asked. Tenchi appeared on the trail. “Washu wants us back to the house right now!” Tenchi gasped. Ayeka, Teran, and Tenchi ran back to the house. “Okay, everyone, listen up!” Washu had everyone gathered in the living room. “There’s a battle about to hit the solar system of Earth. The Galaxy Police are on it, so that means Mihoshi and Ilane are out there somewhere. We have to keep the battle out of this solar system otherwise Earth’s going to be refugees on some weird planet.” “How are we supposed to do that?” Sanei asked. “We are going to take Ryo-ohki and a few toys of mine and go and stop it.” Washu said. “Great!” Sanei cheered. “You’re staying here.” Washu told her. “WHAT?!” Sanei cried. “It’s too dangerous for you here. Sasami won’t be going either. I’m going to put you both in my lab and disconnect the lab from Earth. I’ll show you the exits that go to the Science Academy and if we’re not back in a week, you can go there.” Washu explained. “Now, come on the rest of you, I’ve got jobs for everyone.” Everyone trooped into Washu’s lab. “Okay, Ryoko, I want you to go here and get the ships warmed up. All of them.” A portal opened and Washu shoved her through it. “Ayeka, I want you to make sure that all the buttons are pushed in this room. There’s only a hundred of them.” Another portal opened and she went through it. “Tenchi, Teran, I want the two of you to activate this.” A screen popped up. “It takes two Juraians to do it. Just do what the screen tells you.” Washu turned to her laptop. Too much to do and too little time, she murmured. She started hitting buttons very fast. “Washu, what do we do?” Sasami asked. Washu turned around. The two kids were looking very scared. Washu smiled. “I want you two to do something very special. I want you to go through this portal and see if everything’s to your liking.” The two went through the portal into a huge house. “Okay, everything’s set on my end.” Ryoko looked at the spaceships. Top quality all of them and lovely to look at. Ryoko didn’t know why there were sixteen of them, though. Washu finished typing. The portal was set up so that any portal the kids went through would lead to the academy. It would be easy enough to change back if—when they came back. Everything was fine, food, house, etc. Ayeka stepped through the portal and looked at Washu. “I double-checked them all, Miss Washu.” Washu nodded. “If the boys are done…” “We’re done.” Tenchi and Teran turned. “Then the ships should be ready.” Washu turned on a portal, took one last look at her lab, and stepped through with the others following. “Wow, Washu!” Teran said. “You all get one. I get the rest.” Washu said resignedly. “How are you going to run thirteen ships?” Ryoko demanded. “Auto-pilot with my ship, the brain, heading them.” Washu said. “Let’s get out of here.” Mihoshi and Ilane were at the back of the battle. Unfortunately, the ships in front of them were being destroyed at an alarming rate. “Okay, let’s do it!” Mihoshi said. “Do what?” Ilane looked at her blankly. “Oh, aren’t we supposed to be doing something?” Mihoshi said. “No, we’re supposed to wait for Riatain One to tell us to engage.” Ilane explained for the fourth time. Washu transmitted to the other ships, “See, I know why the battle is going on and the Galaxy Police don’t. One of the biggest reasons that Sanei was given to me to raise was because there was someone on her homeworld who knew of her and her expected powers. He’s here to take her away from me. He came towards Earth’s system and a patrol ship, not Mihoshi’s, was destroyed by him just for issuing him a warning to stay away. The Galaxy Police do take care of their own and they launched a full scale assault against him. Most of their front-line ships have been destroyed by now.” “Then what are we going to do?” Tenchi asked. “My ships are better than theirs and can take more damage. We’re going to go in there and shoo him away. Sanei, by the day after tomorrow, can handle him. We only need to get him away from Earth for three days. The GP would have delayed him for that long but I didn’t want them to be wiped out.” Washu hesitated. “We’re going to have to damage his ship enough to leave him stranded. He won’t be able to get to Earth in three days and then Sanei will be out of danger.” “So what are we waiting for?” Ryoko demanded. Washu smiled. That was her daughter, always wanting to fight someone or something. “We’re about five seconds away from the battle zone. Everyone start powering up.” It was bad. The ship just lazily cruised through the GP’s defenses, shooting them out of it’s way. The GP was brave and kept fighting. Tenchi offered a prayer for the dead. Ryoko shouted, “YEE-HAAA!!!!!” and charged into the fray. Washu shook her head. “Ayeka, I want you to start picking up escape pods and tote them to the back of the ship line. Teran, cover her. Tenchi, when I give the signal dive straight under him. Ryoko try to keep his attention on you.” “What are you going to be doing, Washu?” Tenchi asked. “I’m going to keep that bastard from my daughters.” Washu said shortly. She cut the communications and deployed her small fleet. They had a special coating on them that should deflect anything this ship could throw at them. The problem was she had thoroughly tested in her lab, not in battle yet. Well, now or never. Washu fixed her attention on the spaceship, it’s specs going through her head. Type of ship, armor, weapons capacity… Blast! Washu grinned. The experiment is a success! Her ship had absorbed the blast. Ryoko was taunting the ship keeping just in range, then dodging quickly. Tenchi was waiting for her signal. Summoning her laptop, she tapped a few keys to test its defenses. She snorted. Practically nothing to her. Feeding a subtle virus into the mainframe of the ship, she waited until a count of ten and gave Tenchi the signal. He dived straight at the ship while Ryoko drew it’s fire. Tenchi went under the ship and… Washu waited anxiously. The ship did not disappoint her. It rolled over following Tenchi’s ship. Washu converged her fleet on the helpless ship. The virus would have tipped him from his seat or at least disoriented him long enough for her to puncture his drive and punch enough holes in that ship to look like swiss cheese. She piloted the ship straight at the drive depending on Ryoko to keep the fire off of her if there was any. Washu had every ship under her command fire at one spot. A huge hole rewarded her. The rest of the ships, released from her primary command, started to fire at the ship. As Washu expected, those didn’t do much damage. Only a great number of ships firing at one point would cause major damage. Ryoko shouted with glee over the communications. “All right, enough celebrating!” Washu told her. “We’ve got people who are running on exhaust fumes in those pods.” Ryoko grumbled at her, but started using Ryo-ohki to help. Washu’s small fleet stumbled back to her. One was gone due to a faulty spot in her defenses, but the rest were fine. Ryo-ohki had gone streaming toward Earth to let Sasami and Sanei know they were okay. Tenchi, Ayeka, and Teran found her after searching one last time for anymore pods. Mihoshi and Ilane said they’d be home for supper as soon as they finished their report. Washu had already submitted one and most of her data on the battle. Not anything about her ships in particular, just that she had this spare fleet sitting around and she wasn't using it, so…. Washu brushed a hand through her hair. Whew! And the day had started out so peaceful! She walked out of her lab and to dinner after putting away the ships. Her mind already whirled with ideas to make them better. “Washu, that place was great to play in! Where was it?” Sasami asked. Washu smiled at her. “I lied to you, Sasami.” Sasami’s eyes went wide with shock. “Listen to me first. That wasn’t a part of my lab. I linked that portal to an old friend of mine’s house. He works at the academy and would have been home at the end of the day. If you were still there, he would have taken care of you for me until I or someone else came for you.” Looking into Sasami’s eyes, she said, “You thought I’d leave you in a part of my lab without any supervision?” Sasami giggled. “It’s okay, Washu.” “Okay, now let’s get to dinner.” Sasami skipped back into the kitchen. “Are you coming, Sanei?” Washu called looking directly at the couch. “How’d you know I was there?” she said sulkily. “I’m your mother. I know everything. How does it feel to be a teenager?” Washu asked idly. “It’s confusing.” Sanei said. “I have all these weird emotions running around. Make them stop.” “I’ve got something in the lab that’ll make them better. Not gone, but better. You’ll feel better day after tomorrow. Tomorrow you’re going to start training with everyone.” Washu said. Sanei sat down to Washu and began eating. Halfway through the meal, Washu cleared her throat. “Sanei’s going to come into most of her powers tomorrow. I’m going to need everyone’s help tomorrow morning. Practicing.” “What, can’t run tests, Washu?” Ryoko smirked. “Only so much they can do.” Washu shrugged. **I can’t tell what she’ll be able to do. I don’t have the time to figure it out. So we’ll run her through her paces.** **Be careful, Washu.** Ryoko warned her mother roughly. Washu grinned. **Protective?** She asked silently. The next morning, Katsuhito got everyone up early. There were a lot of bleary eyes on the field that morning. Sanei wasn’t one of them. Evidently she takes after her mother, Washu thought. Ryoko was falling asleep standing up, Mihoshi was yawning, Ilane was bright-eyed, Tenchi was fighting yawns, but succeeding, Ayeka and Teran were awake. Katsuhito, as always, was perfectly awake no matter what time it was. “Okay, Sanei, fly.” Washu asked. Sanei complied and flew up ten feet, then came back down. “Move that rock.” Washu asked. Sanei did that as well. “Now what?” Sanei asked nastily. Washu noted that and made a mental note to correct her dosage. Ryoko threw an energy ball from behind Sanei. She jumped as it landed between her feet. “Slow, sister.” Ryoko taunted. Sanei’s eyes glowed with a red light and she summoned an energy ball of her own that was twice the size of Ryoko’s. Then she blinked and it dissipated. “I’m sorry, Ryoko!” she cried and her face was distressed. Ryoko laughed out loud. “Don’t worry. If you’re going to get mad at someone it should be me or Washu. We’re the least damageable of the people here.” Ryoko explained. Sanei nodded. **Show her something else, Ryoko.** Washu told her. Ryoko summoned her energy sword. “Can you do this, Sanei?” Ryoko asked and started forward an evil grin on her face. Sanei backed off quickly. Ryoko’s footsteps quickened toward her. Sanei’s face looked terrified. Ryoko got within a foot of her, the blade hot. “Come on! Summon the energy ball and compress it into a sword.” Ryoko said impatiently. Sanei looked down at her right hand and closed her eyes. “AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!” Ryoko cried. Sanei opened her eyes to find a sword twice as long as Ryoko’s sticking in her throat. The energy sword disappeared as tears streamed out of Sanei’s eyes. She ran away from the group. Everyone rushed toward Ryoko. Washu watched what direction Sanei went in and then went to Ryoko. Tenchi had her head in his lap. The hole was healing slowly with no blood escaping. Squawk! Ryoko’s mouth moved but no words came out. Washu said **What is it, Little Ryoko?** **Go after her. Tell her I’m okay.** Washu nodded and got up. She found Sanei on the other side of the pond. Washu sat down next to her. “Mom, I’m sorry…” Sanei sobbed. “You think you killed her, don’t you?” Washu asked gently. Sanei nodded her head. Washu shook her head. “Sanei, there are some things about Ryoko you have to know, but she might not want you to know. I created Ryoko using another creature called Mass and my ova. When she was older and had her powers blossoming, she was stolen from me and made a complete slave by a very evil criminal, Kagato, who used to be one of my students. I was imprisoned in crystal for thousands of years while Ryoko stole for him. She’s killed a lot of people, but all under direction of Kagato. She destroyed much of Ayeka’s planet, Jurai, and her brother Yosho came after her. Yosho fought and imprisoned her on this planet. After seven hundred years, she was set free by Tenchi.” “And now she’s dead.” Sanei said in a flat voice. “No, I’m not.” Ryoko said behind her. Sanei turned around, gasped, and flung herself into Ryoko’s arms. “I thought I killed you.” Sanei told her. “And I told you that I was one of the least damageable people there. Sanei, when Tenchi and I first met, he accidentally cut off my right hand with a light sword.” Ryoko shook her hand in front of Sanei’s face. “It grew back. I don’t need to eat, I don’t need to sleep very much, I don’t get cold, and I regenerate. I’m very easy to repair with Washu.” “It’s good I made you that way, because you’re always almost killing yourself.” Washu put in. Ryoko glanced at her. “Thanks, Mom.” “You’re welcome.” Washu said smugly. “So I’m fine. Let’s go back to practicing.” Ryoko held out her hand. Sanei took it and did very well for the rest of the day. Ryoko tested her in the air, Tenchi and Katsuhito took turns with the Master Key, Washu unleashed some powers that no one knew she had, but that was typical, and Mihoshi and Ilane tried some unarmed combat techniques. Teran sat to the side with Sasami and they talked about the various techniques and cheered people on. Sanei woke up nineteen the next day. Washu served her breakfast in bed and sat down for a talk. “Sanei, we need to have a talk.” Having a mouthful of toast, Sanei only nodded. Washu sighed. “Sanei, your parents put you up for adoption two weeks ago.” The mouthful of toast went across the room. “WHAT!?” “You’re adopted.” Washu simplified it. “Do you want to hear the rest? I’d have trouble absorbing it all.” Washu warned her. Sanei nodded numbly. “Your parents were normal people, no powers at all. They knew that they couldn’t protect you. It doesn’t mean that they don’t love you. I don’t know if they do or not, but I can set it up so you can talk to them or something.” Washu waved a hand. “Another thing is, you are a special case. People usually grow to maturity over twenty years. You’ve done the same thing in six days.” Washu was interrupted by Sanei’s question. “So in another three weeks I’ll be dead?!” Sanei’s face turned concerned. “Nope. You’ll be stabilized by this evening at twenty-one. You’ll grow one age for every 365 days, 24-hour days.” Washu paused. “Where was I? You’ve got more powers than anyone here or you will have this evening. Not the same frequency and there’s always someone better, remember that Sanei.” “Is that my name?” she blurted out. Washu grinned. “It’s the one I gave you and I’m your mother. Okay, the next thing is the reason your parents knew they couldn’t protect you is because there was someone on that particular planet who could make you into a slave just like Ryoko and Kagato. So they froze you, put you in an orphanage, and waited for someone who was powerful enough to adopt you.” Washu bowed to her. Sanei grinned at her. “Now the bad news is remember that battle we went and fought day before yesterday? That was the guy trying to get to you before your powers are fully activated. If he can control you, he can terrorize the universe.” Sanei’s face blanched. Washu continued. “He’s got too many protections for me to destroy him. All of us here together under the right conditions could possibly do it. Once you’re at full maturity, you’ll be too powerful for him to bother. In the battle, we disabled his ship. But I’m estimating he’ll be here by tomorrow. If he’s stupid enough to come here, you won’t have any problems telling him to get off your planet.” “But what if he won’t?” Sanei asked. Washu shrugged. “Then you’ll have to make him get off.” Breakfast was quiet. Everyone knew Sanei had been told her past. She sighed. Everyone was treating her like a fragile egg. Her brain whirled about things to say to relieve the atmosphere. Sanei smiled. Her eyes searched the table, lighting on a bowl of fish by her mother’s elbow. “Could you hand me that bowl, Mom?” Sanei asked. Washu’s eyes teared up and she passed the bowl to Sanei. Their fingers brushed and they looked into each other’s eyes. Both had shining eyes. “So what do you want to do today?” Mihoshi asked Sanei. They were sitting on the front porch. “I don’t know, Mihoshi. Did you want to watch some TV?” Sanei mentioned. When she didn’t answer, Sanei asked, “Mihoshi?” Mihoshi pointed up in the sky. “What’s that?” A dark shape in the sky was coming toward them. Tenchi wiped the sweat from his brow and looked up. Seeing the shape moving toward the house, he started back. Washu was busy in her lab, reconstructing another spaceship to replace the one she’d lost. A screen popped up above her head and started flashing red. Washu looked at it. It showed a spaceship heading toward the house. Her eyes got wide and she started toward the door. “Sanei?” Washu called. “Washu?” Sanei’s voice called. Washu started toward her
voice. Tenchi arrived in the house. “Sasami?” Another cage dropped
over him. Ayeka and Teran started back toward the house after an hour of fishing. They were laughing as they came in the house. The cages dropped down, separating them. Katsuhito followed them and a cage dropped down for him as well. Ilane got a call from the Galaxy Police that the criminal had headed for their area and started toward the house. Upon crossing the threshold, he was trapped as well. Laughter rolled through the house. “Washu, you were so easy to capture! I expected it to more difficult than that!” “Where’s Mihoshi?” Washu asked stiffly. “That klutz? She’s on the deck.” He preened for a moment. “Of course, I haven’t introduced myself. I am Querilus Equi. I am here to take dear Sanei to enjoy the galaxy.” He turned to reveal Sanei with a blank expression on her face. Washu’s face struggled to stay impassive. “You came for just her?” Washu said coldly. “Two princesses, one prince, the number one scientific genius in the universe, galaxy police officers, a lord of Jurai, and you’re leaving with a girl?” “Don’t seek to confuse me.” Querilus said just as coldly.
“I have what I want.” Ryoko jumped down on him. That gave Washu the opening to slice through the bars and start toward the other cages. Washu opened Tenchi’s first. He went to help Ryoko and when Ayeka was freed, she went to get everyone else out. Washu sneaked toward Sanei. “Sanei, break out of his control!” she whispered urgently. Ryoko was out cold on the floor, Tenchi was struggling to keep his footing, Katsuhito had taken over for him, then Ayeka unleashed her wooden cylinders, Ilane and Mihoshi kept looking for clear shots, and Teran was trying to wake Ryoko up. Which was the best thing he could do. Washu realized he couldn’t duel as well as Katsuhito and would probably get in the way. Ryoko was the best bet for keeping Querilus busy. “Sanei, come on!” Washu pleaded. Ryoko was still out, Teran wasn’t having any success waking her, Katsuhito was holding a deep cut in his side, Tenchi was slumped up against the wall, and Ilane and Mihoshi were out of firepower. Querilus threw Katsuhito against a wall and started for Washu. He grabbed her by the neck and started to choke her. A rustle of cloth made him throw an energy bolt behind him, not looking where it went. An “oof!” rewarded him and he grinned at Washu. “All alone, Little Washu.” “You don’t have the honor of calling me that,” she choked out. “I must have let my control slip.” Querilus said idly. He focused and tried again. “I said,” Sanei fired an energy ball at him, “let my mother go.” Querilus was hit in the midsection and let go of Washu. The next thing anyone knew Querilus was gone. Washu got up and went to Sanei. “What’d you do?” she asked scratchy voiced. “I think I put him in a black hole.” Sanei grinned. Washu clapped her on the back. “Good job.” They then worked on getting the others into the medical section of her lab. In the evening, everyone was sitting down to dinner. They were all well, thanks to Washu’s lab. “So what are you going to do now that you’re fully grown, Sanei?” Ayeka asked. Sanei hesitated. “I don’t know.” She said. “Well, I took the liberty of pulling some strings for you.” Washu said smugly. “If you would like to enroll at the Science Academy, there’s a place waiting for you. I considered it because you wouldn’t be regarded as different there. Scholars don’t care what background you have. You’ve definitely got the brains for it. You’ll run into opposition because you’re my daughter, but you’ll also have friends to help you because you’re my daughter.” Washu continued with, “Besides, after you graduate you’ll have the pick of your field of a job.” Sanei nodded hesitantly. After dinner, Washu sent a message to the Dean of the Academy. He told her that Sanei was welcome to come tonight to meet students. One of the annual dances was to begin in an hour. Everyone decided to have a night out. Tenchi went off with Teran and Ilane to dress. The men looked very spic and span in their clean white shirts draped with various materials. Tenchi tugged at his and Ilane looked at Teran. “Are you sure this is what we should be wearing?” Ilane asked. Teran nodded. “It’s the fashion now and you’ve got to admit, wearing a white shirt and a long swath of material is better than what the Americans wear.” They all shuddered. The ladies started to come downstairs and the men oohed over their various ladies. Ayeka swept down in a long, shimmery lavender evening gown with a white silk shawl around her. Teran held out his arm and she took it. They stood together. Sasami came down next in a purple gown and took Teran’s hand. Mihoshi was next. Someone had dressed her in a lovely green dress with puffed up sleeves and done her hair with two jeweled sticks. She almost tripped down the stairs but Ilane caught her in time. He helped her over to the couch so she could adjust her shoe. Ryoko swept down the stairs, her eyes never leaving Tenchi’s. She was dressed very demurely in a blue slim dress with spaghetti straps. In her ears were blue sapphires twinkling. Washu came out of the door upstairs followed by Sanei. Washu had a black dress on that was shimmering with tiny silver beads. Sanei followed her in a red, orange, and yellow dress that made her look like she was on fire. The two ladies paraded down the stairs and grinned at everyone looking so nice. Washu lead them through the portal in her lab and they exited out onto the dance. Sanei was immediately swept away by the Dean for a dance and conversation about the Academy. Washu found a few old colleagues and chatted with them. Ayeka and Teran alternately danced and talked with his study group. Ryoko and Tenchi danced and held conversations with practically everyone. They all wanted to know about the space pirate or the crown prince. Mihoshi and Ilane were an object of curiosity as well. Two Galaxy Police officers to ask questions of? Wonderful! Sasami had found her friend again and they were running around and eating the treats. Washu eventually found her second daughter and asked her what she thought.
Sanei gazed around dreamily and said she was staying right here. |
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