From gorgo@kwangju.net Sat Dec 20 00:18:53 1997 Date: Thu, 18 Dec 1997 13:40:19 +0900 From: Fred Herriot Subject: [fanfic][lemon][UY] "A Remarkable Destiny" Part XV "Do vanan'cha, marei'cha-Asuka." "Do vanan'cha, marei'cha-Atako." Asuka and Atako tenderly kiss, the former rising from the meditation chair in the "Lyna'cha's" main sick bay, where the latter had spent the last ten minutes performing the satre'cha that restored Asuka's mei'na. Jun, who doubles as the battlecruiser's medical specialist (since there were only five usually aboard, assigning even a nurse seemed extravagant), gazes from the monitor station. "Congratulations," the pale woman smiles. "I hope your lives are fruitful and happy ones." "Doghma do va, Jun-san," Asuka smiles, relaxed that she now could speak the language of the people who'd adopted her. She then gazes at Atako. "Well, shall we go see your parents?" "En...and yours," Atako offers her arm. They walk out of the medical station. "Why'd you pick Child Services?" Atako gazes at her bond-mate's light green-and-silver jumpsuit, then shifts her arm so they could hold hands. "When I was in the convent, I took care of many young girls who passed through," Asuka sighs as they head for the transporter room for the trip to Tomobiki. "Before I went into regen, I took some time to see what a child services officer does. I'm going to volunteer myself at a daycare centre. The people running those places seem very nice; I'll love working there." "And the only boys you'll have to deal with are those we might adopt," Atako walks to the control station to log them off, then programs for Tomobiki, pre-set into the transporter mainframe. They walk onto the pad and a second later found themselves in front of Tomobiki High School. Waving to a group of Warsuit pilots by Hitomi's command tent, they head off toward the Moroboshi home. "When will be the next time we see this place?" Asuka sighs. "We could live here, you know," Atako muses. "Be close to our parents and all that." "Yeah, but all our friends'll be on Sagussa," Asuka hums. "You haven't chosen a career yet. Don't you want to live there?" "Asukavayae, where you live, I live," Atako squeezes her hand. "You don't have to surrender yourself to the Grand Design like everyone else has. We're not slaves to it, you know." "I know," Asuka beams at her. Before the two could reach the first corner en route to the Moroboshi home, three women emerge from a side street. Atako recognizes them as three of Mendou's classmates: Momoe Marubeya, Kumiko Gekasawa and Natsuko Shinryaku. While Asuka doesn't know them by name, the opposite isn't true. "Asuka?!" Natsuko blinks. "What're you doing here?! Who's this?!!" "Hello," Asuka smiles. "This is Atako Moroboshi, Ataru's adopted sister. We just came down from the 'Lyna'cha.'" "What were you doing up there?!" Kumiko wonders. "That close to Ataru?!! I'm surprised the ship's intact!!" Asuka blinks confusedly. Atako looks ready to kill. "Hey, lay off her, huh?!" she snarls. "Who gave you three the right to insult her?! She can't help it if some men scare her...besides, Onii-chan isn't one of them anymore!!" "Not so surprising; he's got enough women to go after now!" Momoe snorts, causing the others to laugh. Atako shudders, ready to sock this bitch to the galactic core, then tenses as footsteps are heard behind her. "Hey, Atako, these three no-minds giving you and Asuka a hard time?!" Atako turns to see Pai and her troopmates Mia, Lamba, Vaiya, Rufa, Ameko, Asuzanoyohko and Meguminomegami walk up. "Oh, no, Pai-san," she smiles. "Asuka-chan and I were going to visit my parents and these three no-minds just got in our way." The Warsuit pilots blink on sensing their bond, then beam. "Congratulations, you two!!" Lamba gushes. "Arigato, Lamba-san," Asuka nods, then smiles at Atako. "Well, shall we go?" "Let's," Atako nods. They move to walk around the three Tomobiki natives, but Momoe stops Asuka with an icy glare. "Just because you're under their protection now doesn't mean you'll get him in the end!!" Asuka backs away, wide-eyed at Momoe's vehemence. The Warsuit pilots reach for their pistols, but Atako stops them with a wave. "What has Asuka-chan done to cause you offense, Momoe-san?!" she glares at her. "She doesn't know any of you!" "Oh?!" Momoe sneers, uncaring that eight pilots were ready to turn her into Swiss cheese. "Don't you know or are you as stupid as Ataru?! Little Miss Muffet there's engaged to Mendou-san!" Incensed, Atako slaps Momoe, driving the Terran to her knees! "How DARE you?!!" she growls, ready to add further damage. "And to believe Onii-chan actually LIKED an uncaring bitch like you!!!" "What did you expect from a native of Tomobiki, especially one who chases that piece of genetic refuse Asuka SMARTLY rejected?!" Vaiya snorts. "After all, these floozies were some of the people who formed the Rosebuds, remember?!" "Oh, yeah!" Megumi nods. "They were the dorks who were ready to put Ataru in the hospital to stop him...from quitting being class president!" Laughing, the Sagussans turn back to the school as Asuka and Atako head for the Moroboshi home. "Lyna, these people sure leap to conclusions over the most minor things, don't they?!" Asuza guffaws as she wraps an arm around Mia's. Once alone, Kumiko leans down to help Momoe back to her feet. "I'm alright!!" the latter snarls. "Damn that bitch!! Who does she think she is...?!" she stops as realization dawns. "Wait a moment!! Didn't Vaiya say Asuka rejected Mendou-san?!!" "I heard that!!" Kumiko's eyes widen. Suddenly, visions of Mendou marrying a harem of very loyal women appear in their minds. "It's finally happened!!" Momoe cries out. "Mendou-san's free of that man-hating tramp!!! Wait until the others hear about this!!!" They race off. Nearby, Asuka sneezes. "Bless you, Asuka- chan," Atako reaches over with a handkerchief. "Oooh, someone's thinking about me," Asuka rubs her nose... * * * "A Remarkable Destiny" a Urusei Yatsura lemon fic by Fred Herriot gorgo@kwangju.net **** **** **** Based on "Urusei Yatsura" created by Rumiko Takahashi **** **** **** NOTE: All standard lemon warnings apply. This is my second time at this, so please give me a break. I'll try to keep it as spicy as possible without going too overboard. WRITER'S NOTES 1) Momoe and Kumiko are from the UY manga. Natsuko appeared in both the manga and anime; she's the fanatic girl's volleyball team captain Mendou once met. The Rosebuds appeared in one anime episode; their names were provided to me by a pen-pal from Japan. Their last names are my creation. 2) Nokoko is Ataru's elder sister from UY-TSY. Kaeru is his twin brother from the same series. Kaeru "died" when he was three, actually winding up adopted by a couple from a planet on the other side of the galaxy from Sagussa and Earth. Nokoko disappeared when Ataru was five to live in another dimension, the Outland. Read the stories "Together The Outland" and "My Darlings United" for more information. Neither will be appearing in this story. 3) Pai, Mia and Lamba are named from three of the "Dangaio" cast. Vaiya is from "MD Geist." Rufa comes from "Dragon Half." Ameko is named from one of the Kuromoroboshi; she appears briefly in the UY- TSY story "Darling's Other Girlfriend." Asuzanoyohko (there is already an Asuza, named after the "Ranma 1/2" character) is named from "Devil Hunter Yohko" while Meguminomegami comes from "Ah, My Goddess!" Pai, Mia and Lamba are sergeants, the rest corporals. **** **** **** PART FIFTEEN - FALL OF GIANTS Mendou shudders as he sits alone in his study, gazing at the warm fire. It seems the only thing he has left to himself, under his control. No Kuromegane waited by the door ready to answer his summons. Half the force was being retired, the men who once obeyed his every command offering their expertise to the highest bidder. Atop that, the clan's private army was shrinking to a modest brigade in size, still large for a private guard but nothing like the terror which Mendou could unleash with just one phone call. His hands tremble as they hold his katana. It was really all he had left of his pride. The one who had orchestrated this was who knew where now, out to rescue Lum and the witch Noa, then he'd drag the Oni off to Sagussa and force her to bow to his every whim. His foolish sister was now a Daishi'cha; who knew what would happen when Ataru wanted to have his way with her and Mendou was nowhere in range to protect her. And who knew where Asuka was; she had disappeared the same day as Ryooko. "Moroboshi..." he hisses. He couldn't even go down to blow off some steam on his private gun ranges blasting paper Atarus to shreds; they were closed down by his parents to ensure he wouldn't do something stupid. Was it HIS fault that his sniper had missed Atako...who Ataru later adopted as his sister...and nearly killed Nagisa, then another one poisoned Ryuunosuke's drink?! Was it HIS fault that he was trying to keep the old order in Tomobiki when the Sagussans who blindly followed that moron were turning everyone's life upside-down?! Suddenly, a side door opens, revealing a storm of happy women pouring into his lounge. "***MENDOU-SAN!!!!!!***" He cries out surprisedly as they nearly swamp him with their hugs, then quickly recovers. "Ladies, you shocked me!!" he smiles. "Whatever brings you to visit me on such a lonely night?!" "Well, we heard the good news, Mendou-san," Ogin, the leader of the Rosebuds, giggles. "You're free!!" "F-free...?" Mendou blinks confusedly. "From what?!" "From that boy-hating tramp Asuka!" Reika snarls. "We just heard it not five minutes ago!!" Mendou blinks, then shudders. So...even Asuka had turned her back on him. That hurt the most. "Well, I..." he hums. "Hush, Shutaro-chan!" Ogin leans up to kiss him. "You tried to be good to her! It's not your fault she ended up bonding with one of those Sagussans and now's going to live with them! After all, you have all of us ready to give you what you really deserve!" Mendou shudders as he feels her kiss, then his eyes widen in shock as Ogin's words hit home. "***WHAT?!?!?!***" The women blink. "Didn't you hear?" Yumi wonders. "Asuka just bonded with one of them; I overheard some of the Pathfinders in the district park talking about...oh, who was it...?!" "Atako?!" Momoe wonders. "That's her!" Yumi snaps her fingers. "She's the one Ataru just adopted as his sister, right?!" "Yeah; the bitch just gave me this for insulting him!" Momoe points to the slap-mark on her cheek, then shudders. "I get my hands on the little whore, I'll give her what she deserves!!" Mendou glances at them, his whole body quaking. "He...he... ***HOW DARE HE DO THAT TO ME?!?!?!***" he screams to the heavens. "Mendou-chan, what's wrong?!!" Ogin blinks. "It's Moroboshi, Ogin-san!!!" Mendou shakes. "He's destroyed me!!! He's the one who's taking everyone away from us, destroying us to avenge himself over our putting him in his place!!! That slime!!! He shall be TWO when I see him next!!!" "What are you talking about?!!" Kumiko demands. "Kumiko-san, listen to me!! While all of you were staring in awe at those women, Moroboshi was taking Shinobu-san, Oyuki-sama, Benten-san, Ryuunosuke-san, Nagisa-san, even my own sister, and remaking them into members of his own private harem!!! And now he's going to do the same thing to Lum-san!!! What's to stop him from doing the same thing to all of you?!!" "Well, we never cared about that Oni whore!!" Ogin snorts, tossing aside her long brown bangs. "If she goes back to her dump of a home planet, 'good-bye and good riddance' is all I say!! I'm more than happy that Ataru'll be gone from this place forever!!" "If that is what you believe, I will not stop you, Ogin-san!" Mendou turns on her. "But do you really think that Moroboshi will be satisfied with all the women on Sagussa?!! One hundred thousand of them, plus those he's taken now?! That won't even come close to quenching his perversions!! He'll come after all of you next; I'm sure of it!! And what's worse, I can't protect any of you!!!" "What?!! What's happened?!!" Yumi demands. "Moroboshi hid things from all of us!!" Mendou sinks into his chair. "His uncle owns the company which loans the money to pay for my clan's armed forces!! They're now being scaled back to a shadow of their original strength!!! And Moroboshi made me look like a fool in front of everyone, had me blamed for what happened to Nagisa-san and Ryuunosuke-san, then his uncle and his thrice- damned grandmother forced my parents to demand that I no longer have control of ANYTHING!!!!" The woman with him shriek, many sinking to their knees, horrified that all this had happened to their favourite man and NONE of them had any clue until now! "Ataru did that to you?!" Ogin snarls, her fists shaking. "How DARE he?!!" "We won't stand for this!!!" Momoe thrusts her fist up. The others chant their agreement. "Wait!!!" Kumiko cries. "What can we do about it?!!" Everyone faints! "There're five hundred Sagussans in this town ready to tear something apart at a blink!!" Momoe moans. "We can't go to them and demand they turn Ataru over so we could punish them; they'd kill us!!" "Oh?!" Mendou smiles at her, surprised that he had come up with such an idea so quickly. "Ladies, there is a way to make that swine return to the place where he belongs!" The others gaze at him... * * * "Here you go, Asuka-chan!" "Oh, please, Shima'cha, no more!" Asuka laughs as she tries to push away the tray of food Kinshou Moroboshi had placed in front of her. "I'm full!!" she pats her very round stomach. Atako and Muchi laugh as Kinshou sits down. Ten-chan was off in Nerima staying with Minami; he wouldn't be home until very late that night. "Oh, it's been so long since something like this has happened," Kinshou holds her new daughter's hand. "I've always wanted a daughter and Fate hands me one right out of the blue!!" Muchi then frowns. Sooner or later, they would have to tell Ataru and Atako about Nokoko. However, Atako's grin chases away the pain of losing his first child. Kinshou was right; there had been little happiness in this home, especially with the growing estrangement between them and Ataru. With him off to Sagussa, Lum and Ten-chan would go with him...and then what? "It would be even nicer if our daughter would stay with us," he gazes at Atako. She smiles at him. "If that's what you want, Papa. After all, I haven't decided what to do with myself yet. Who knows; maybe Onii-chan'll open an embassy here. I can work there, Asuka- chan can run the daycare centre and we could live here." "Wouldn't that be nice?!" Kinshou smiles, then gazes at the clock. "Oh, where is Ten-chan?! How long will those androids keep him at that orphanage?!" "It's alright, Shima'cha," Asuka smiles at her. "Companion androids won't let anything happen to children; Aisuru-san told me. Besides, the children there'll soon be adopted by Sylia-san's team and Eluza-san's crew. They might as well get used to being with their future mothers, so why not use their android doubles?" Kinshou shakes her head. "Such strange priorities, those women," she muses. "Choosing Ataru of all men to be with, then saying Lum-chan's welcome to be with them, then having all of you come in, then...oh, what next, I wonder?!" Her voice is echoed by the sound of breaking glass as a small spheroid lands on the living room table and explodes, pumping fumes into the air and causing them to cough. "Gas!!" Atako tries to get to the door, then collapses as she is overwhelmed. The doors burst open as women storm into the house, their school uniforms badly clashing with gas masks, webgear and rifles. In the middle is Mendou, once again in control. "We have them!!" he laughs. "Put them upstairs and tie them down! Have Asuka and this witch put in one room, then watch over them!! Hurry!!" The girls reach down to drag the unconscious family off... * * * Now driving toward the Moroboshi home on his scooter is Ten- chan, Deanna and Tasha riding behind him. Of course, the young Oni wouldn't mind doing some acrobatics with his machine, but he doubted the androids riding with him wouldn't survive the fall. "I hope the others don't mind staying at the centre with the rest," Deanna muses. "I wish we could've brought Minami-chan with us!" "Hey, Kokoroyo-san was already pushing it by letting them stay there...!" Tasha then blinks as her telescopic vision focuses on the Moroboshi home. "Wait!! Ten-chan, slow down a moment!" "What is it, Tasha-chan?" Ten-chan revs back. Deanna and Tasha switch to infra-red mode as they scan the distant building. "About twenty people in the house...there's Atako-onee-chan, Asuka-onee-chan, Mr. and Mrs. Moroboshi...but they're unconscious!!" the former gasps. "Who are those guys?!!" Ten-chan gasps. "They're women...wait, three men!!" Tasha blinks. "Two of them are really big fellows, too...and one has a sword!" "Mendou?!!" Ten-chan and Deanna exclaim. They exchange shocked looks, then Tasha flips open a hatch on her lower arm to link up to the "Lyna'cha"... * * * "Well, wasn't this a delightful bath, eh, Nanvel-chan?" Maki smiles as she finishes tying her hair up, then starts to dress. "Yes, especially meeting our new friend," Nanvel playfully meows, kissing Shijin. "Did you enjoy yourself, Shijin-chan?" "S-s-sure th-thing, Nanvel-chan," the Niphentaxian stammers, stunned at his good luck. Nearby, Kakugari, Deunan and Hitomi smile as the Hostage Rescue Team and their new surei'cha dress. After Ushina, Shijin and Kajiya fulfilled the personal needs of those they desired, the three new families spent an hour in the pool chatting like they'd known each other for years instead of an hour plus whatever time the three men had spent with the ladies' android doubles. More satisfied customers, Kakugari notes as he slips on his boots, then stands. "Anyone hungry?! Let's all hit the cafeteria!" "Good idea!" Rio ties her long blonde hair up, then secures her gun belt. "I'm starved! Sex always does it to me!!" "You need to eat to keep THOSE boobs up!" Nanvel barbs. "What did you say?!" Rio snarls as she and Nanvel face off, lightning flashing between their eyes. "You got a problem with my looks, Nanvel?!" "Hey, you, I was wowing everyone while YOUR ancestors were still crawling in caves!!" Nanvel sneers, then flutters her eyes seductively at Maya. "Eh, Maya-chan? You remember all the wonderful times we spent in the Forge together, don't you?!" Maya pales, sweating profusely as she tries to back away from the armourer. "Nanvel-chan, behave or I might have to arrest you!" Maki rolls her eyes, her mouth twitching. A flirt and annoying as all come out at times, but she couldn't help loving her. "Augh, the tortures of having an S-and-M queen for a bond- mate!!" Nanvel moans, then slinks up to Maki. "Make sure I'm good and naked when you cuff me to the bed, Maki-chan!!" Everyone sweats on hearing that. "Maki-san must live in very interesting times," Kakugari muses. "I always knew those two were weird!" Hitomi muses... ...then everyone jolts as the red alert klaxon is heard. "All personnel to emergency stations!!" Jun calls over the line. "All personnel to emergency stations!! There is a hostage situation in Tomobiki!! Inspector Makinoshoo, report to the bridge at once!! I repeat, there is a hostage situation in Tomobiki!! Inspector Makinoshoo, report to the bridge at once!!" "What's going on?!!" Lilica gasps. Maki blinks, then turns to Rio. "Get everyone suited up and planetside! I'll be with you right away! Move!!" "Yes, ma'am!!" Rio nods as the Team races out... * * * "***HE DID WHAT?!?!?!***" Ataru yells after he gets the emergency communication aboard the "Hasei'cha"... * * * "***HE DID WHAT?!?!?!***" Lum and Noa scream from Phentax Twenty-three, both sensing what Ataru is now feeling... * * * "C'mon, man, cut this out!!" Megane bellows over a bullhorn. "This ain't funny anymore!! What're you trying to prove?!" The Moroboshi home is now surrounded by a sea of Sagussan troopers and Terran police. The women with Mendou had barricaded the doors and windows with whatever they could get their hands on. Ataru's parents were now tied to the rail of his old bedroom, Mendou pointing a machine pistol at them, waving his sword. "I don't care what you think anymore, you fool!!!" Mendou growls as he aims his katana at Megane, now by the lead police car. "You get Moroboshi down here this instant!!!" "We can't do that, stupid!!" Megane snaps back. "Ataru and the others are half-way to Phentax Twenty-three!!! He's got to rescue Lum and Noa first, THEN he'll be back!! You sure you didn't drink anything tonight...?!" "***I'M PERFECTLY SOBER!!!!!!***" Mendou bellows. "It's not MY fault that everyone here is blind to Moroboshi's plot!!!" The people now surrounding the house droop their heads in exasperation. "He's lost it," Ten-chan sighs. "Totally flipped out," April crosses her arms, then gazes at Feb. "Great night, eh, Feb-chan? We visit Aisuru-kun's mother so we could bond with him with his family present, then Atako, Asuka and the Daimon'cha's parents get taken hostage!" "This is something we DON'T need!" Feb shakes her head. "Where's Maki, anyway?!" she looks around. "Right here," Maki walks up, then gazes at the house. "Oh, my. This'll prove to be interesting." "Can you do it?" Feb wonders. "Piece of cake," Maki taps her earpiece. "Maya?" "In position," Maya's voice echoes over the line. "I got a clear view of the parents' bedroom. Atako and Asuka are inside, tied and still unconscious. Five perps in the room. If I had an FAPR, I'd take them down in three seconds." "Safety on, hotshot," Maki sighs. "Don't fire unless Atako or Asuka are directly threatened." "Gotcha." "Maria, is Axia ready?" "She's ready," Maria calls over the line. "Lilica, is Rio en route to Triton?" "She just arrived in Koori City," Lilica reports. "Standing by, ready to go in." Megane blinks. Being bonded with Feb and April exposed him to a lot of knowledge, including how the HRT operated. The usual take-down was done from three directions. The frontal assault was done by Axia, the Team's combat android, a human-scale Cassandra who was brutally proficient at eliminating anything in her path. Simultaneously, Rio (with Lilica's help if necessary) would come in from some hidden direction to take down anyone she could. Maya, as the sniper, would take down anyone with a weapon close to civilians to prevent collateral damage. Simple in theory, hard in practice. This time, they had an advantage...thanks to Lum. At that moment, a plainclothes inspector walks up. "Who's in charge here?" he flashes his badge. "Inspector Shigeru Tsuruoka, Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Tomobiki division." "Inspector Makinoshoo, Sagussan Internal Security Hostage Rescue Team," Maki smiles. "Welcome to the party, Inspector. We've twenty perpetrators on scene, four hostages. Two are Ataru Moroboshi's parents, the others his sister and her bond-mate. The leader of this group is Shutaro Mendou, whom you should know well." "Oh, damn!" Tsuruoka shakes his head, then sighs. "Fine. I'll call his parents and tell them the bad news. Damn rich kids. You mind not doing anything until then?" "Your planet," Maki smiles. "However, you'll excuse us if we want to handle this ourselves. Ataru would insist on it." "I'll have to clear it with my superiors," Tsuruoka muses. "You are our guests, so it wouldn't be right to let you suffer." "True, but we have advantages you don't," Maki nods. The Terran inspector considers the point, then saluting her, walks off. "Hold station, all of you," Maki instructs. "We have to play 'May I?' with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police." "Right," Lilica and Maria reply. "Aw!!" Maya snarls, clearly disappointed. "Damn it all, Maki, am I gonna be able to shoot ANYONE tonight?!" Maki sweats. "Why me...?" * * * "What do we do now?!" Ogin hisses. "You see how many guns are out there, Mendou-san?! They're serious!!" "So must we!" Mendou shudders, staring at Ataru's parents, who were still asleep. "Our planet is threatened like it's never been threatened before, Ogin-san! Whatever sacrifice is required!!" "Hai!" Ogin nods. "Mendou?!" a woman's voice echoes from outside. "This is the Sagussan Internal Security Force Hostage Rescue Team commander! You're surrounded and have no way out save surrender! Care to make all our lives easier and come out with your hands up?!" "Who's she?!" Yumi wonders. "That's Makinoshoo," Momoe reports. "Real cold bitch from what I remember! Her team's got that blonde with the big boobs and that wild one who likes to kill everyone in sight!" Mendou gulps, then shouts outside. "What do you want?!" "What do YOU want?!" Maki replies. "You've taken Ataru's parents, his sister and your EX-fiancee hostage! Terrorists such as yourself normally have demands, so let's hear them!" "Who are you to call ME a terrorist?!!" Mendou screams. "It's YOU who are the terrorists, Maki-san, not me!!!" Maki sighs. "Please spare us the verbal diarrhea, Mendou; I'm not in the mood to listen to your procrastination! You interrupted a nice dinner with my bond-mate and child-mate...atop interrupting all our wonderful evenings...and that doesn't please any of us one bit! Would you pass your demands so we can get on with this?" "Have Moroboshi come back here!!!" Mendou barks. "He is to leave your people once and for all, then surrender himself to the justice of his peers!!! Atop that, his uncle and his grandmother are to surrender control of their fortunes to me!!! If he doesn't come very soon, he'll never see his sister or his parents again!!!" Maki blinks. Mendou was, as far as she knew, someone who was all bluster on the surface but a meek man underneath; hit him with real force and he buckled. Could events have pushed him to the point where he didn't care what he did, how many people he hurt, so long as he could restore himself to his former position? "Damn!" she hisses. She couldn't take the risk with people with real guns loaded with real bullets aiming them at four innocent bystanders. At that moment, Tsuruoka walks back up. "Inspector, as far as my chief's concerned, this situation's all yours to handle," he salutes her. "Anything we can do to help, please ask." "One thing," Maki sighs. "The chances are when we take Mendou down, he might be badly hurt. If the female population of this district learns of that, their reaction could be violent. Could you send your people out to detain them for the time being?" "We'll do it right now," Tsuruoka nods, then barks a command over his walkie-talkie. "I'll have my forces deploy with yours to help you," Feb adds. "Thank you, Fleet Shipmistress," the Terran cop nods. Nearby, Megane leans against a car, April and Nanvel to either side. "Shit, this is really happening, isn't it?" he sadly sighs. "Ataru and everyone're out there ready to plunge into a war to rescue Lum and Noa, while we're here contemplating how to stop our so-called friends from killing people who's only fault was that they were related to Ataru." "Aisuru-kun, tell me something," April frowns. "You, Daremo, Shitto and Urayamu found it so easy to adjust to us, accept us, even become part of us. Why is it they can't?" Megane smiles, then leans over and kisses the shipmistress. "You helped, April-chan." April and Feb beam. "Shit, it's true?!" Kakugari walks up with Deunan and Hitomi. "Damn him, what's he trying to pull?!" "Who knows, man," Megane sighs, then looks at Maki. "Hey, Maki, don't kill them. They can't help being the way they are." Maki stares at him, then taps her earphone. "Opinions?" "Axia can take the ones outside down without a problem," Maria reports. "Even the two large fellows out front shouldn't take her more than three seconds." "Rio has stun-shots in her pistol," Lilica reports. "Maya?" Maki sighs. "I got one silver bullet here for Mendou," Maya reports. "Only one?" Maki blinks, surprised Maya brought THAT type of ammunition with her this evening. "I ain't wasting good ammo on THOSE floozies!!" Maya snorts. "I can't believe that they'd want that piece of genetic refuse after all the times he's strung them along like he did Shinobu! The girls' standards in this burg're way too LOW for my taste!!" Maki shudders. "There are days you frighten me, Maya." "Someone's gotta keep you on your toes, Maki," Maya chuckles, then tenses. "Wait!! Mendou's gone in to see Atako and Asuka!" * * * "Wh-where am I...?" Asuka moans, then opens her eyes. Mendou leans over her, a frightfully neutral stare on his face. She blinks, then shoves him away. "Shuu-chan, what are you doing here?!" she demands, leaping to her feet, then tenses on seeing rifles pointing at her. "What the...?" She gasps as Ogin walks up and rams her machine pistol's buttstock into her stomach, causing her to double over. "Hands off him, tramp!! You already have your floozy!! Leave ours alone!!!" "Enough, Ogin-san!" Mendou sighs. "Why, Asuka-chan?! Why'd you do it?! Bond with HER of all people?!" he points at Atako, who was slowly stirring awake. "Did you think I wanted to bond with you after what you did to Nagisa-san and Ryuunosuke-san?!" Asuka snarls, feeling her own fear and rage well up like a volcano. "Did you think I'd permit you to get close to me when you've lied to everyone around you?!! What did you tell them, huh?!" she points to the women with them. "Did you tell them that Ataru-onii-chan would turn them into Daishi'cha, make them a part of his 'harem?!' Are you THAT blind?!!" Mendou pales, horrified that Asuka had come to apply her most trustworthy nickname to the likes of Ataru. Asuka spins on Ogin. "What did he say?! Did he tell you that his sniper nearly killed Nagisa-san when the Sagussans were cleaning out the Niphentaxians?! Did he tell you that he had his clan's special action teams poison Ryuunosuke-san's drink because she was having a good time with Lufy-san?! Well?! What DID he tell you?!!" "Why should we believe a floozy like you?!" Ogin sneers. "You act as if all men have the plague, then scream 'Mommy, Mommy' even when someone shows you kindness!! Hell, we all know you're just as scared of Mendou-san as you are of others! You'll hurt him like you do the others! You're not worthy of him, you never were!!" "You're wrong, Ogin-san," Atako sighs. "MENDOU isn't worthy of ASUKA's love!!" "You shut up!!!" Mendou spins on her. Asuka leaps between him and Atako. "You leave her alone!!" He jolts, surprised that Asuka had been corrupted THIS badly. "Asuka...?!" he shudders. "Can't you see what she's done to you?!" "I know what Atako-chan's done, Shuu-chan!!" Asuka snarls. "SHE gave me her love of her own free will, gave it to me totally and without reservation...which is more than what YOU'VE ever done for me!! To think I actually liked you!!! I HATE YOU!!!!" Her fist slams him across the room! * * * "Shit, it's picking up, Maki!!!" Maya warns. "Humane targeting, Maya!!" Maki barks. "No terminations!! Rio, Axia, go!!!" * * * In Ataru's bedroom, a burst of cold escapes from his closet as a familiar warp is formed. The women guarding his parents, who've never seen the Tritonian warp chamber in action before, blink as their bodies shudder from the sudden chill. "What is that...?" Yumi looks around confusedly. The closet doors explode as Rio, now dressed in a thermal battlesuit complete with personal shield generator and body armour, a very large PDP in hand, bursts out of the blizzard. "FREEZE, YOU'RE ALL UNDER ARREST!!!!!! REACH FOR THE STARS!!!!!!" The women shriek as they turn to face the Sagussan. Rio levels her gun and fires, the highly-charged stun bolts slamming the six women before her down before their weapons could come to bear!! Once that's done, Rio sprints for the balcony, her weapon sweeping up to take down anyone within range on ground level... * * * On the front yard, the Franken twins blink as the whistle of wind past a person's body echoes from overhead. "Who's that?" one wonders, looking up... ...then both are grabbed by slim hands and slammed together, tossed aside as a very tall, superbly conditioned woman in the same type of battlesuit as Rio lands among the women standing guard. "Resistance is futile!" she icily warns. "Surrender now!" "Get her!!" one of the Terrans cries. Axia emotionlessly smiles as she diverts all her power to her arms and legs. The android becomes a black blur, disarming and punching Mendou's allies out of action in less than five seconds! * * * In the other bedroom, Mendou stares at Asuka as his vision clears, then his eyes lock on the woman behind her. The other women spin on Asuka, their anger at her striking Mendou sending them into fateful action. Mendou howls as he leaps up, hand grabbing his katana as he lunges at Atako. Maya licks her lips as her crosshairs lock on Mendou's forehead. "Bye-bye," she squeezes the trigger. The silver bolt from her rifle slams into Mendou's left temple, coring a deep gouge in the skin as he is flung against the far wall, a shower of blood making his path! Asuka screams as she grabs Atako and pulls them to the floor. Ogin and the others shriek in horror as they move to save the man they love from the monsters outside...just as the door explodes open and Rio lunges in. "FREEZE, YOU'RE ALL UNDER ARREST!!!!!!" The women spin around as the master chief fires her pistol, downing them with a fusillade of stun bolts! In a moment, all that emanates from Muchi's and Kinshou's bedroom is Asuka's sobbing. Rio relaxes, then taps her headset. "Inside top floor, all clear! Atako and Asuka safe. Checking on Ataru's parents." "Outside and inside main floor, all clear," Axia adds. * * * In ten minutes, the twenty women who came with Mendou are hog- tied on the front yard, lined up to await their fate. Axia and Rio stand guard over them. Mendou himself is on a stretcher, a nurse staring at the deep gouge in his head as she runs a portable regen unit over it. Maya sips coffee as she relaxes on the front porch. "Chief, is this where you aimed?!" the nurse stares at her. "Yep," Maya nods. "Orders were 'humane targeting.'" The nurse laughs. "Nice shot, Maya-chan," Rio beams. "Hey, Rio-chan, I got a rep to keep!" Maya winks. Everyone laughs. Other nurses and doctors look over Ataru's parents, Asuka and Atako. Ataru's father is on a stretcher, an oxygen mask over him. "He had an allergic reaction to the gas," one doctor stares at Kinshou. "It's not dangerous, but we'll be keeping him under observation for a day." "Thank you," Kinshou breathes out, squeezing Muchi's hand. His eyes flutter open as he gazes at her. "Hello, Dear. Can I get you anything?" he weakly smiles. "No, I'm fine," Kinshou leans down to kiss him. "Rest." At that moment, Maki comes up with Hajime and Haruka Mendou. Kinshou's eyes flash as she rises; her hatred of these two knew no bounds, especially after tonight. Mendou's parents exchange looks, then Haruka walks up, bowing. "Neither of us can apologize for this...madness, Kinshou-san. Believe me, whatever we can do..." Kinshou blinks, then sighs. Playing games with the zaibatsu was something Nagaiwakai and Komeru did. Kinshou had long vowed she'd never fall into that trap. "Haruka-san...?" "Yes?" "Forget it." Mendou's mother blinks, then both smile as they embrace, their past animosities forgotten. Hajime watches them, then stares at Muchi. "Sensei, is there anything we can do for him?" he stares at the doctor. "Other than destroy your stores of tear gas, no," the doctor smiles. "For certain people, that stuff can be fatal." "Of course," he nods, then stares sadly at his son. There was no way in heaven that Komeru would forgive this; he and Muchi may be rivals, but Nagaiwakai's elder son loved his brother dearly. After all, it was Komeru who paid for all the repairs to Muchi's home every time it got wrecked. "Will he live?" "He'll live, but Maya's use of a silver bullet'll definitely affect how he behaves from now on," the nurse nods. "And what is that, Maya-san?" Hajime stares at the sniper. Maya pulls up one of her special rounds. "This is diamond meson crystal," she points to the warhead. "It's excellent for psychic transmissions. When I shoot one of these things, I can, without killing someone, wipe out his memories to whatever extent I desire. I figured that since all this really started when your son met Ataru, making Shutaro forget the last two years would make him a lot more agreeable to all of you." Hajime and Haruka exchange surprised looks. That revelation causes Ogin and Mendou's other otaku to shriek. "You bitch!!! How could you do that to him?!!" the Rosebuds' leader screams. "With those memories gone, he would be rady to deal with his responsibilities to the clan," Hajime hums. "Perhaps even agree to marry Asuka and help us settle matters with the Mizunokoji." "Dear, look at Asuka and Atako," Haruka whispers. Hajime looks over to see Atako and Asuka warmly embracing, both desperately trying to chase away the memories of tonight's events. Kinshou walks up to Mendou's parents. "Could I suggest something?" "What is that, Kinshou-san?" Hajime smiles at her. "Why don't you two," she takes their hands and places them together, "...go find the nicest bedroom in your home, get into bed and be like you were just newlyweds. Right now, there's been enough hatred and fear. Let there be a little love tonight." Hajime and Haruka blink, then gaze warmly at each other. They hadn't slept together in a long time admittedly. "I always heard you were a randy one when you were Ataru's age, Kinshou-chan," the latter smiles, staring at her. "Where do you suppose he got it from, Haruka-chan?" Kinshou winks. "Now go home, be merry and let the doctors worry about your son. We'll talk about it in the morning." Both nod, then noting Kinshou's worried gaze, turn their eyes heavenward. "Maki-san, which one of those stars is the one Ataru and Ryooko-chan're going to?" Hajime wonders. "There," Maki points. "Near the top of that star formation; I think you call that one Cancer." "They should be there in four hours," Rio checks her chrono. "Well, we'll learn about their success in the morning," Hajime nods to Kinshou. "Good night, everyone." The Mendous walk to their limousine hand-in-hand. At that time, Tsuruoka walks up, saluting. "Moroboshi-san, would you be laying charges against any of these people?" Kinshou considers the point, then gazes at Atako and Asuka. Both girls exchange looks, then shake their heads. "Forget it, Mama. They're not worth it," the former smiles. "Alright, then," Kinshou turns back to Tsuruoka. "Inspector, see to it they get home tonight...and inform their parents that if they EVER do this again, they'll receive a very unfriendly visit from my great-grandmother-in-law's bodyguards." The women shudder fearfully; many of them had encountered the Sunin after the Second Tag Race. "Of course," Tsuruoka salutes, then barks orders to his men to clear the women out. As soon as they are gone, Mendou and Muchi are taken by transporter to the "Lyna'cha." "I think it's time we call this a night and go to bed," Feb smiles. "Right now, we all need the chance to be with our loved ones. Kinshou-san, would you care to come up and stay with us for the night?" "Certainly," Kinshou smiles... * * * "My, what a lovely ship you have," Kinshou sighs as she gazes around the "Lyna'cha's" bridge, staring out the portside windows to see Hawaii below, now feeling the new day on her skin. "Thank you," Feb smiles, turning aft to see their android doubles come onto the bridge for the night watch. "Please make yourself at home, Kinshou-san. You know where your guest bedroom is. If you need anything else, just call out for Bianca and she'll help you. In the meantime, April and I're going to bed." "Have fun," Kinshou smiles as the organic crew walk off the bridge, then gazes at the androids as they assume their stations. With Janny and Negau aboard the Eliminator for the trip to Phentax Twenty-three, their android doubles (Negau's was finished at the same time as Asuka's) had been spending all their time helping run the ship. Sighing, she looks around one more time, then blinks as Feb's double approaches. "Do you require anything special, Kinshou-san?" she smiles warmly. "Perhaps some company?" Kinshou blinks, then feels her cheeks redden. "No, thank you, Feb-chan. Besides, you're all young enough to be my children." "That doesn't bother any of us," April smiles. "Well, I'm afraid it does bother me," Kinshou admits, then heads for the turbolift. "Good night, girls." "Good night," the androids smile as she steps into the shaft. "*Where to, Kinshou-san?*" Bianca's voice calls out. "Somewhere where I can have something to eat," Kinshou sighs. "I had dinner not three hours ago and I'm already famished." "*Main Cafeteria, then,*" Bianca announces. Kinshou is seized by a transporter, then placed by the front door of the cafeteria. The doors automatically open, allowing Kinshou to see that few people were inside, many moving to head to bed. Atako and Asuka are there, as are Ushina, Rio and Maya. "Kinshou-san!" Maya smiles. "Aren't you going to bed?" "I'm not really tired yet, Maya-san," Kinshou shakes her head, then notices their companion. "And who is this fine young man?" "Mama, this is my brother, Ushina," Atako smiles. "Pleased to meet you, ma'am," Ushina bows. Kinshou blinks. "Oh, my! You didn't tell me you had a brother back home, Atako-chan!" "Think of what Mie-san's going through introducing her sister Hotaru to her adopted family," Asuka smiles. "Well, let's see," Kinshou moves Ushina to stand between Rio and Maya, then steps back. "My, you do look nice together!" "Thank you, ma'am!" the three beam. "Mama, are you sure you're going to be okay?" Atako wonders. "I've survived much worse, Atako-chan," Kinshou squeezes her daughter's hand, then embraces her and Asuka. "Now, you two should go to bed, hold each other tightly and remember why you fell in love with each other. You three as well," she smiles at Rio, Maya and Ushina. "Now, go on! Don't worry about me!!" "Good night, Mama!" Atako smiles as they head out of the room. Kinshou sighs, then pours herself some coffee, then notices there is one person left in the room, sitting at one table still dressed in her battle uniform. Blinking, she walks up to her. "Aren't you going to bed, Axia-san?" Axia blinks, gazing at her, then smiles. "I've no need to go now, Moroboshi-san. When my body runs low on power, I'll place myself in my recharge cubicle, then shut down for the night." Kinshou blinks. "You're an android?!" "Yes," Axia nods. "Will you join me?" "Of course," Kinshou sits beside her. "Forgive me, you look so human! I'd find it hard to believe you were otherwise!" Axia blushes; any android designed to resemble an organic would always take such comments as a compliment. "Thank you, ma'am. However, there is my strength; I needed it to defeat the Frankens. I'm faster and far stronger than the normal person." "Axia-san, when you live in a town that has Shinobu and Asuka as residents, you're used to seeing women heft things the size of tanks without much exercise," Kinshou smiles, then gazes at her. Axia was a statuesque woman Sakura's height, with straight-cut black hair combed rakishly over her right eye. Her very dark brown eyes pierced a well-sculptured face. Under her battle uniform, she has a well-exercised body, something which didn't once hint that she was anything other than a lovely woman in her mid-twenties performing a risky, physically demanding job. "Could you show me?" Axia nods, pulling back her sleeve to open a maintenance hatch. Kinshou looks, then notices the thickness of her skin plates. "This is different from Deanna and Tasha." "They're companion androids," Axia nods, closing herself up. "They're not built for combat like I am. Even though I have such a demanding job, it doesn't mean I shouldn't stand out of place with my friends and co-workers." "No, I guess not," Kinshou muses, then gazes at her. "Axia- san, don't you have someone to be with tonight?" "No, not me," Axia frowns. "Marianoshoo...my creator, my mother if I may...is in the process of building a companion for me, someone who would also work with the Team. But she's still a week from being assembled and activated. Creating a combat android takes more time than a companion android; our special requirements demand more precision and lots of patience. Further, Mother does think herself as a bit of an artist. I'm not built to resemble anyone, so she...indulged herself." "She indulged herself well," Kinshou smiles. Axia blushes, then shrugs. "You want to go for a walk?" "Sure," Kinshou rises... * * * An hour later, the two wind their way into Maintenance Lab Two. "I was constructed in a lab like this," Axia waves as Kinshou steps inside. "Back on Sagussa." "It doesn't look like much," Kinshou gazes around the clean room. "I don't see any androids here." "They're all in storage; Megane-san's been after the others to keep the place clean," Axia walks her over to a storage bin, then opens it to reveal a clutter of arms. "That's a very good thing; I'd be very scared walking in if they were hanging from those posts," Kinshou indicates the empty hooks over the bins. Axia laughs, then walks her to a side chamber, opening it to reveal a partially completed female android her size, clearly showing the signs of being a combat model. "This will be my companion," she sighs. "Doesn't look like much now, does she?" "No," Kinshou quivers on seeing the android's head. Without any skin, it resembled nothing more than a metal skull with much of the front plates missing, a tangled forest of circuits and wires hanging haphazardly out. "Does she have a name yet?" "No, not yet," Axia smiles. "I won't name her until she's done; I have to see what Mother'll make her look like before then." With that, she closes the chamber up, then escorts Kinshou into the preparation lab. A companion android endoskeleton lies on one table. Horn buds on the skull indicate this will be an Oni when she is completed. Ataru's mother blinks, realization dawning. "This'll be Lum-chan's double, won't it?!" Kinshou blinks. "Yes," Axia nods. "Megane-san prepped her earlier tonight. We have enough scans of Lum-san to commence the initial work. She can't be programmed until the real Lum-san is present to help, but your son will make sure of that tomorrow." "Everyone's so confident," Kinshou muses. "Of course they are. Aren't you?" "I don't know," Ataru's mother admits. "I mean, yes, Ataru has come home every time he's gone out there...but who's to say when his luck'll run out and someone dies? Even with your people around to watch out for him?" "Please don't be afraid," the android smiles. "We love your son very much. We'll never allow him to be hurt." "Arigato, Axia-san," Kinshou nods. The two then walk into the testing lab. "This reminds me of a love hotel," Kinshou looks around, then walks into the storage labs, noting that save for Deanna and Tasha, the doubles of the "Hasei'cha's" crew and Pathfinder Troop Six were back on their recharge pads. "Complete with very willing prostitutes." "Ma'am, they're not that," Axia laughs. "Forgive me, Axia-san, but I am set in my ways," Kinshou pats her hand, then walks down the rows of deactivated women. Stopping at Shinobu, she gently parts her hair. "There are times I wish it was just you with my son, Shinobu-chan." "Would you like them activated?" Axia wonders. "Oh, no, that's alright!!" Kinshou blushes, then notices the one standing at the end of the row behind her beside Honey, across from Atako. "Who is this?!" she walks up to her. "This is Noa." Kinshou gapes at the chestnut-haired Seishin teen's double, awed by her beauty, her intelligence, everything about her. This was the woman Ataru and Lum loved so much, the one the latter had bonded with, the former now going to rescue? Even just staring at her deactivated android double, Kinshou can sense Noa's force of personality, her willpower to obtain what she desires, her desire to love whomever she wants with all her heart and soul. No wonder Ataru and Lum had been so affected; only THIS person could halt the latter's outrageous excesses and the former's innate uncertainties. "Would you like her activated?" Axia wonders. Kinshou blinks. If Noa, Lum and Ataru formed a family bond, the Sagussan would also become her daughter-in-law. She shakes her head; she wanted to be surprised. "No, I'll wait until Ataru and Lum bring her home," she turns to leave. The two walk back into the testing lab, sitting on the bed. Kinshou feels Axia take her hand, then stares at the android. "Everyone's taking your suggestion, Kinshou-san," the latter smiles. "No one's sleeping alone tonight. You shouldn't either." "I...you?! Me?!" Kinshou gasps. "Young lady, I am a happily married woman...!" "Who's child-mate is now in sick bay where you can't be with him," Axia smiles. "Kinshou-san, I don't think your child-mate would desire that you be lonely even for one night." "But...!!" Kinshou flushes. "We don't have to do anything if you don't desire it," Axia smiles reassuringly. "Please stay with me tonight, Kinshou-san. I don't want to be alone, either." Kinshou blinks, then gulps. "You promise you won't...?" "I promise," Axia holds up her hand. "Um...al-alright," Kinshou nods. Axia beams, then asks Bianca to beam them to the Terran's quarters in the superstructure. It is a comfortable VIP room fit with a large bed and full amenities. The two walk over to the bed, then face each other. Axia leans down, gently kissing Kinshou, then reaches behind her to unzip her bodysuit. She then slips her arms out, then leans down to push the black cloth off her, stepping out to stand there before Kinshou. "Gods, you are so perfect!" Kinshou gapes. "I'm not perfect," Axia shakes her head. "In this body, I'll never feel a life grow here," she rubs her lower abdomen, "...never know the joys of childbirth, the delight of nursing my baby here," she then feels her breast, "...never know the intimacy of a bond- mating, never know all the things you organics take for granted." Kinshou stares at her as Axia leans down to lift off her blouse, then undo her skirt. "How did it feel, when your sons and your daughter grew within your womb?" she strokes the Terran's abdomen. "How did it feel when you knew a life was growing there, a life you helped create? What was childbirth like? Did you feel the agony of your babies being forced from your body...or the sheer joy of knowing you have given new life to the world?" Kinshou feels her eyes sting. "You know...?!" "We all know," Axia nods. "We all know the agony you felt at Kaeru's loss, the fear that drove you to give Nokoko to Komeru to raise, the guilt you felt when Nokoko ran away and disappeared, the uncertainties you felt which soured your relations with Ataru. Please, Kinshou-san, I won't moralize what you did; in the end, you must answer to your own conscience." Kinshou looks down, then fiercely embraces the android, sobbing uncontrollably. "What have I done?!!" "You were being human," Axia smiles. Kinshou stares at her, then smiles as she leans up to kiss Axia, then stands back to undo her bra and slip off her panties. "Tell me, Axia-san...do you desire to grow old...feel your body slowly break down as time passes...and one day finally die?" "That's part of being human," Axia gazes at her. While time and the demands of three babies had long had their way with Kinshou Moroboshi, even now at thirty-nine, she was lovely. When she was a teenager, she must've turned many heads, been very popular. "You're beautiful." "I won't have sex with you," Kinshou warns. "If that is your choice, I will honour it," Axia nods. "You must live by your society's laws as I must with mine. But I will say this, Kinshou-san. Were you unattached, I would desire you, not just as a lover...but as a life-mate, a bond-mate were we both organic. One day, perhaps very soon, I will be organic; we have that right if we prove ourselves ready to take that." Kinshou blinks, then feels her cheeks flush. The honesty the Sagussans, even this android, demonstrated was overwhelming. She had long outgrown the need to have people tell her how beautiful she is, to satisfy her ego; she had her husband and that was good enough. Still, to be seen even now as attractive to someone as voluptuous as Axia was a heady narcotic. No wonder Ataru had so easily surrendered himself to these people's desires. Still, one day, he would finally stop pining for other people's compliments. He was already taking that step by solidifying his bond with Lum and forming one with Noa, moving to make them his family. "Shall we go to bed?" Kinshou smiles. Axia nods as they lay down... * * * From her quarters, Maria watches her android daughter gently takes Ataru's mother into her arms as the lights are shut off and they go to sleep. Unlike companion androids, who, to guarantee the confidentiality of the system, never revealed their location to their templates when with company; Axia had a locator beacon built into her, her location quickly known to Maria with the press of a button. Staring at the content face of her child, Maria smiles as she switches off the viewer, then calls up the design program for Axia's companion. Some changes needed to be done to her looks... * * * To be continued...^Z