"Fascinating . . . "
The sun was setting in the western sky, the bright orange orb
slipping behind Fuji-san. Sitting in the dining room of the rotunda
at Welcome House, Kaeru finished tapping information into his personal
data-computer. An opaque, three-dimensional image of an expanded
rotunda floated a foot in the air over the data-computer. As the
image shifted to project the subsystems needed to keep this habitation
liveable for his siblings, the engineer nodded. "Sufficient given the
technological levels this planet possesses."
Landing his cloaked ship on the back lawn, straddling the large
swimming pool, Kaeru had spent the last two local sub-day temporal
units called "hours" exploring his siblings' habitation to better
understand what sort of sentient beings they were. That had resulted
in the collecting of quite baffling data, especially from their life-
journals; "diaries" as they were called here. Still, the overall
picture forged from that collected data informed the Nagussan that his
relatives were decent sentient beings, worthy of close emotional
association. Certainly not of the sexual nature, Kaeru noted after
reading his twin's diary. That was seen as improper here on Earth.
During his explorations, Kaeru noted that his siblings' habitation
was in the midst of structural modifications meant to create an
increase in terms of overall living space. Rooms belonging to Ataru
and his new life mate Saotome Ranma, Hinako and Aria were slated for
expansion. A new habitation for Ataru and Ranma's adopted offspring,
Reiko and Kaneko, was being installed on the rotunda's second level
over the entrance. Shirayuki's and Yotsuba's rooms on the third level
were being converted into multi-room apartments to house friends of
the family, including Yotsuba's new life mate, Tendou Shinshi. The
spare room on the third floor, beside Rinrin's, was being expanded for
friends of the family, including a private loft for a woman named
Miree. Yet, to the Nagussan's surprise, the rooms assigned to Karen,
Sakuya, Kaho, Haruka, Chikage, Marie, Mamoru and Rinrin were not
scheduled for expansion.
Concluding that all his relatives deserved expanded spaces, Kaeru
immediately launched a plan to grant them such. After all, Nagussans
believed that, in spite of the logic that governed their lives, an
appropriately positive show of emotional support was required when
walking on strange shores. It was such a show of emotion -- in the
form of a seduction planned by his mother on her life mate -- that led
to Kouhae and Raikue stumbling on the dying Moroboshi Kaeru fifteen
Terran-standard solar revolutions ago.
Fortunately for his siblings, Kaeru had the means to express such.
A finger tapped a button on the data-computer. "Units Five, Six,
Seven and Eight. Report to me in the dining hall at once," he
ordered.
Four semi-humanoid construction/maintenance robots floated in.
Equipped with multiple manipulator arms, an anti-gravity air-
floatation system, micro-thruster units for manoeuvrability and a very
advanced central processor "brain" to carry out complex tasks, this
model of robot was most often used to help Nagussan engineers maintain
their starship's vital systems. Kaeru had specially built these four
units to assist him and his shipmate Naromo aboard their home
starship, the star cruiser "Ganshiki."
"*Unit Five, reporting as ordered, Master Kaeru.*"
"*Unit Six, reporting as ordered, Master Kaeru.*"
"*Unit Seven, reporting as ordered, Master Kaeru.*"
"*Unit Eight, reporting as ordered, Master Kaeru.*"
"Engage habitation modification programs," Kaeru ordered as he
indicated the data-computer. "Download all information about this
habitation from the data-computer. Then commence the modifications
I've indicated to this habitation. Remember to adhere to Terran
technological levels save for what I have indicated. Proceed at
once."
"*Compliance,*" the con/maint-bots replied as one as they went to
work.
Kaeru watched them go, and then he sighed. "Now for that special
model android Rinrin is presently constructing," he mused.
* * *
"Hello, Shanpú, Mùsi. Thank you for bringing dinner for us."
"This one is more than happy to do so for you, clan-sister," Shampoo
replied with a friendly smile as she pulled out plates from her
delivery box. Mousse did the same from the box he had hidden in his
sleeve. Seated around the table, expectantly waiting for their
dinner, were the current residents of the old shrine the Moroboshi
family owned, plus their temporary guest.
"Negako-oneechan, are these some of Ranma-san's friends?" Ten then
asked.
"Yes, they are."
"Who is he?" Shampoo asked.
"Currently, he lives under the name 'Ryooki Tennosuke,'" Negako
answered.
"He's actually Lum's cousin Jariten," Chigaiko added.
The two teens from the Nekohanten stopped as their eyes focused on
Ten. "Then where's his horn?" Shampoo demanded.
"After last week's events, Shampoo-sama, what do you think Ten-chan
should've been made to look like when he acquired his body?" Kimiko
asked with an amused titter before she reached over to ruffle her hand
through Ten's hair.
Shampoo and Mousse peered intently at Ten. "Ah, I get it now! Ten's
like Nabiki, Shinshi and yourself, Kimiko-san!" the latter concluded
with a snap of his fingers. He gazed on Negako. "If he's alive, is
Lum . . .?"
"Yes, she is. I will say no further about that." She then paused
for a moment before her eyes focused on the Nujiézú warriors. "Tell
me, Shanpú: You are aware now of what has happened to Ranma because
of Zhòuquán-xiang?"
Shampoo nodded. "Hai. Hibaa-chan told this one about that."
"Do you look forward to becoming Ranma's blood-sister when Kelun and
her fellow elders grant you that right?"
A determined nod. "Hai! This one thinks she knows what Ranma will
do."
"Very well, then. Mùsi, what are your feelings about this matter?"
Shampoo gazed on her would-be suitor. Mousse closed his eyes as he
took a deep breath. "Much that it would make me very happy if Ranma
used the Blood-Sibling Law to elect me as her successor as Shan's
husband, I can guess what her decision toward that end will be in the
long term. In fact, it would surprise me if Ranma chose any other
path other than fully freeing Shan of any martial obligations
whatsoever, granting Shan the freedom Ranma herself was long denied by
her idiot father." He then gazed on Shampoo. "I will always love
you, Shan. No power on this planet will change that fact. But the
choice as to whom you'll marry in the end must be yours. It MUST be
yours!"
"Well said," Kimiko declared with an approving nod.
"I see," Negako then spoke up. "Mùsi, you are aware of the wish of
Kelun and the others to forge a marriage alliance between your tribe
and my family. If you were given the opportunity, would you help
forge such an alliance?"
Mousse blinked. "You would want me to marry one of Ataru's
sisters?!"
Negako shook her head. "Not exactly. But the one I have in mind has
been fully adopted into our family, thus would qualify as a candidate
under these circumstances. And if you would not desire her, she
possesses a younger sister who might be more agreeable to you. If
you, Shanpú and Kelun would return tonight at nine o'clock, you will
get a chance to meet them."
Silence fell as the weapons-master considered the ninjutsu
grandmaster's words. He stared at Negako. "If the Elder goes along
with that -- and if they are as suitable as you say, Negako-san --
I'll be happy to consider it."
"What would you desire this one to tell Hibaa-chan?" Shampoo asked.
A serene look crossed Negako's face. "Tell her a name, Shanpú." A
pause. "'Naho.' She will understand then."
Shampoo and Mousse exchanged a look before they nodded.
* * *
"SHINOBU!"
"Mom!" Shinobu cried as Kimiki raced over to scoop her into a
protective hug. "S-s-sorry I'm l-late," she burbled, sniffing back
tears as her mother nearly smothered her. "You wouldn't b-BELIEVE
what happened at school today!"
Kimiki wearily laughed as she pulled away from her daughter, she
giving Shinobu a look-over to ensure all was well. She glanced over
to see Ryuunosuke chatting warmly with Sawada Minako and Izumo
Sakiko. "Ryuu-chan!" she called out with a wave to get the other
women's attention.
Ryuunosuke waved as she took Sakiko's hand in her own and walked over
to join her guardian and her best friend. "Hi, Aunt Kimiki!" she
called out as she warmly embraced Shinobu's mother. "We're all here,
safe and sound!"
She linked hands anew with Sakiko. "So I see." Kimiki looked around
the front lawn of Tomobiki High, it crowded with relieved parents
greeting their children, all of whom had been beamed from the
Zephyrite courier moments before. "Where're Ataru-kun and his
sisters?! Are they okay?"
"Darling and his sisters had to go somewhere for a while, Mrs.
Miyake," Sakiko explained. "They should be back on Earth by
tomorrow."
Shinobu perked. "Sakiko-chan, do you know where they went?"
The Seishin-turned-Nendo-kata nodded. "Yes, I do know where they're
going, Shinobu-chan. But I won't tell you."
"Why?!" Kimiki and Shinobu demanded at once.
"Put simply, it's none of your business," Sakiko replied with a shake
of her head, a sympathetic smile crossing her face. "If Darling
wanted you to know what he was doing, he would've told you, Shinobu-
chan. Ne?"
Silence fell as the Miyakes gazed on her. Kimiki's eyes then widened
as she realized something. "Wait! You call him 'Darling' . . .!"
Her voice then suddenly stopped as it hit her, and then she covered
her mouth. "Lum . . .?!"
"No, this is Ran." Ryuunosuke then held up a finger. "Sorry.
*Part* of Sakiko-chan used to be Ran. It's a long story."
Kimiki gazed on the tomboy, and then at Shinobu. Seeing the
accepting look on her daughter's face, she crossed her arms. "Why
didn't you tell me about this, Shinobu?" she asked. "You know people
would want to know . . .!"
"That's why I didn't." Shinobu returned her look with an apologetic
smile. "Sakiko and Seiko . . . " Her voice dipped low as she glanced
around. Fortunately for them, the parents were too busy chatting with
their children to overhear anything from the Miyakes, Ryuunosuke or
Sakiko. "Well, after what they were put through by the Noukiites,
they didn't deserve any more grief from anyone here, especially after
what happened last week."
Kimiki took that in. "I think I need this further explained . . . "
"Shinobu-chan!"
Marubeya Momoe ran up. Shinobu was quick to notice the concerned
look on the other girl's face. "What is it, Momoe-chan?"
"Have you seen Mie-san anywhere?" Momoe wondered.
"Oh, she stayed behind," Sakiko reported.
Momoe spun on her. "Why?!"
"There was something she wanted to talk to Darling about."
Momoe's eyebrow arched. "What about?!"
"That's between Mie-chan and Darling." Sakiko wagged a warning
finger as she slipped an arm around Ryuunosuke's. "I'm sure if Mie-
chan wanted to tell you, she'd do it. C'mon, Ryuu-chan, let's get you
and Shinobu-chan home so you all can get some sleep! It's been a long
day for you all!"
"Hai!" Ryuunosuke smirked as they headed off.
The Miyakes and Momoe watched them go. The latter then gazed on her
classmate. "Do you know what this is about, Shinobu-chan?"
"Iie," Shinobu replied, and then she shrugged. "Then again, it's
their way, remember? Violating other people's privacy behind their
back IS a bad thing to do, you know. Anyhow, I'm going home." She
gave Momoe a concerned look. "You make sure you get some sleep, Momoe-
chan, okay?"
Momoe blinked, and then she nodded. "Hai!"
Shinobu waved as she guided her mother off the property. Momoe
watched them go with a sigh. "Yeah, that's true, isn't it?"
* * *
"AH-CHOO!"
Catty gazed concernedly over her shoulder. "Are you alright, Mie?"
Mie moaned as she rubbed her nose. "Someone's talking about me."
"You could tell that from just a sneeze?" Pony asked.
Mie stared at the two doctors before a smirk crossed her face.
Damn, they really hadn't changed at all.
* * *
"Oooh . . . "
"Marie-chan, are you alright?"
Marie's eyes fluttered open as she once again found herself staring
at the deckhead of her cabin. This time, it was Akane whose face was
the first thing she saw after her vision cleared. "Akane-chan, what
happened . . .?" Marie moaned as she reached for her forehead. "That
girl . . . "
A black-haired version of Seikou Mie then leaned over her, she
holding what appeared to be a scanner. After passing it over Marie,
the newcomer smiled. "It's alright, Marie-sama," she assured her.
"No one dies on Catty's or Pony's watch, even a stone-headed, love-
crazed de'ne like Makoto. Now, let's just make sure you're alright,
and then we'll decide what to do next."
She drew out a hypodermic to inject a stimulant into Marie. Watching
this from the doorway of the bespectacled teen's cabin, the others
exchanged looks. "I must confess, Hotaru-san is a most diligent
doctor," Haruka mused.
Hotaru grinned. "I'm only a nurse, Haruka-sama." She reached up to
tap the rank insignia on her shoulders, they indicating the three
square tabs of a Sagussan Navy chief petty officer. "Catty and Pony
are the doctors."
"Is there some reason you're addressing us so formally, Hotaru-san?"
Karen then asked, her eyebrow arching in confusion.
She looked nonplussed. "You're Ataru-sama's sisters, that's why."
"It's okay, Karen-chan!" Hinako declared. "They all do that to Onii-
tama because they really, really, really love him."
Silence.
"***EH?!***" the other sisters shrieked in chorus.
"Whattayamean they all love Ataru?!" Ranma demanded. "What for?!"
Hinako blinked. "Uh . . .!" She then giggled as she bopped the side
of her head. "Hina's not really sure about that, Onee-tama!"
Shirayuki gazed on the nurse. "Hotaru-san?"
Hotaru looked up, she giving the other sisters a sympathetic look.
"It would take me a VERY long time for me to explain everything about
our relationship to Ataru-sama to your satisfaction, Shirayuki-sama.
Gomen nasai. But I believe you'd all agree that Marie-sama's needs
come first."
Marie found herself blushing. "I wish we had nurses like you at the
convalescent home when I was there," she whispered.
Hotaru took that in, and then she found her own cheeks reddening.
"Arigatou, Marie-sama." She then giggled. "Lucky for you that we've
all had about a decade or so to practice on our bedside manner. If
this was sometime during the year after Ataru-sama first visited us,
you'd probably want to kill me because I'd be heaping that 'doctors
are divine' morality all over you."
The sisters took that in, and then they found themselves gazing at
Ataru. He, standing by the door leading into Marie's bathroom, had
remained silent throughout the conversation, his eyes fixed on the
nurse as she continued her work on his sister. Noting that, Ranma
walked over to gaze concernedly into his eyes. "Hey, Ataru, you
okay?" she gently asked.
"Ranma?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Would you do me a real great favour?"
"What's that?"
"Pinch me."
Ranma blinked, and then she reached over. Ataru yelped as her
fingers squeezed the flesh of his buttocks, and then he focused once
more on the young woman administering to Marie. Taking a deep breath,
he asked, "Not a dream?"
A sympathetic smile crossed Chikage's face. "It's not a dream, Ani-
kun." A pause, and then she added, "Say 'hello' to your harem."
Ataru blinked several times, and then the strength in his legs went.
"Excuse me, please . . .!" he moaned before he passed out.
Ranma caught him before he bounced his head off a bulkhead. The
others gazed concernedly at him. "Ani-chama sure didn't check that,
did he?" Yotsuba noted with a rueful chuckle as she gazed knowingly at
Shinshi.
"He certainly didn't," he acknowledged that with a nod.
"Onii-chan," Karen whispered.
* * *
An hour later, most of the people who had ridden out on the
"Windrider" gathered together in the pilotage. Ataru, Ranma and
Seiko, along with Reiko and Kaneko, were in the former's cabin, he
still unconscious from the shocking words Chikage had dropped on him
in Marie's cabin. Marie and Akane were together in the former's
cabin. Aria was still asleep in her own cabin. "So you met these
girls on the bioroid factory when you went to get Akane's new body,"
Sakuya recapped after Hinako had explained about events earlier in the
day. "And you even met the girl who bonded Onii-sama and Onee-sama
together. Hinako-chan, why didn't you think to tell us about this?"
"Because Sylia-san told Hina not to," Hinako replied, trying not to
pout. "Sylia-san, Lufy-san and the others were really, really, really
afraid that if baka-bakas like that Oogi found out about Onii-tama and
the Sagussans, Onii-tama would be really, really, really hurt!"
"Was that when they learned of us, Hinako-chan?" Chikage asked.
"Hai!"
"They've been keepin' an eye on Darling all this time?" Nobuko mused.
The youngest sister considered that for a moment. "Hina thinks so."
The sisters stared at the replica-bioroids, they quick to notice the
nods and understanding looks. "What do you think?" Haruka asked.
"It's quite simple, Haruka-chan," Shinobi breathed out. "Darling's
the Chosen One of the Eternal Voyager."
A chorus of uncomprehending looks responded. "The who?!"
"What does that mean, Shinobi-san?" Karen wondered.
The Oni/Avalonian sighed. "For as long as recorded history has
existed in our part of the galaxy, this very large starship has
wandered about, obtaining the bodies of young, recently slain, human
and humanoid women . . . "
"They're zombies?!" Mamoru exclaimed.
"Mamoru-chan, do any of them look like zombies to you?" Chikage
wondered.
The tomboy considered that before she flustered. "Well . . . "
"No one is exactly sure WHY this ship has done that, but people have
drawn some surprisingly similar conclusions about its mission since
reports on it began," Miree spoke up. "The Eternal Voyager was an
agent of a society that possessed almost-magical levels of scientific
and medical technology, far beyond Vosian or even Zephyrite levels.
If the bodies of the women the Voyager obtained -- the 'Maidens' as we
call them -- couldn't be restored to life, cloning could then be
used. Plus, there was the odd fact that the Voyager seemed NOT
interested in obtaining recently slain human or humanoid young MEN to
be husbands for the Maidens. That eventually led many people to
conclude that after the last of the Maidens was obtained, a special
man would be chosen to be the leader of them all. That theoretical
person eventually came to be addressed as the 'Chosen One.'" The
Hollywoodite high priestess then sighed before she added, "For the
last fifty years, people across the galaxy have wagered quite a lot on
who that man might be."
Karen stammered. "And this Chosen One is Onii-chan?! OUR Onii-
chan?!"
"Most likely, Karen-chan," Yukiko replied.
"That certainly explains where Darling's harem dreams came from,"
Mika then mused. "If Darling met the Maidens before Negako-san got
fired into his mind and his memories got wrecked, maybe all his girl-
chasing was . . . "
"Anigimi-sama's subconscious attempt at locating them," Haruka
finished.
"Hai."
"Poor Nii-sama," Shirayuki said, sniffing back tears. "All the time
he was made to act like an idiot . . . "
"That's beside the point, Shirayuki-chan," Chikage cut in. "What we
have to accept about this situation now, minna, is this: These
Sagussans clearly care for Ani-kun in ways that even we could not
equal. We have to accept the fact that they will have a place in Ani-
kun's life."
"What about Onee-sama, Chikage?!" Sakuya demanded.
The sorceress smirked. "Sakuya-chan, didn't you hear what Hinako-
chan said? It was one of Mie's people who bonded Ani-kun and Ane-
kun. In fact, I suspect it was that encounter that led the Sagussans
to seek Ani-kun out."
"That is more correct than you could believe, Chikage-chan."
Eyes turned to the doorway, where a certain chestnut-haired, blue-
eyed woman in a black-and-gold jumpsuit currently stood. Seeing her,
Shinobi and Mika's eyes went totally wide on their recognizing Uru's
most famous hero of legend. "Noa-sama . . .!" they gasped in unison,
the urge to drop to their knees and prostrate themselves before this
woman nearly overcoming them.
"From Izumi Noa from 'Patlabor?!'" Rinrin wondered.
Noa tittered. "Close!" she responded. "Actually, in my first life,
I was known simply as 'Noa.' After I died, I later came to be
addressed as 'Aruka Noa.'" She pointed at Ran's replica. "As Damasu
there can tell you, members of Ran's family claim my sister Honey and
myself, along with our kinsman Syl, as members of their overall clan."
Hinako perked. "Ah! You mean Sylia-san, right?!"
"Hai!"
Hotaru walked up. "Minna-sama, may I present to you the Elder Mother
of All Sagussa, Daishi'cha #19282, Noa," she introduced her
countrywoman with a wave. "Ashi'cha, the Daimon'cha's sisters and
friends."
"Welcome aboard, Noa-sama," Haruka greeted the newcomer with a deep
bow.
Noa clasped her hands together in a splayed-finger prayer as she
bowed in turned. "I bid you all peace, logic and harmony."
"'Peace, LOGIC and harmony?!'" Rinrin parroted the Sagussan greeting.
Noa straightened herself, giving her hosts a dazzling smile. "As I'm
sure you might have heard by now, when we first encountered your
brother, we were no better emotionally than the androids that help man
this ship. Ataru . . . " -- her smile turned wistful as the memories
of that time replayed in her mind -- " . . . helped change that very
much. Almost TOO much in some places. Which has, much to our regret,
necessitated our return to his life. Believe me when I say this,
girls: If we had learned of all of you much earlier, we would've
worked to make this encounter far less overwhelming as it must seem."
A pause, and then Noa tearfully added, "Our love for Ataru is as
great, in our own way, as your own. Please, I beg you, don't look at
us as enemies."
The sisters exchanged looks, and then Sakuya sighed. "You guys are
all head-over-heels for Onii-sama, aren't you?"
"That could be said," Noa replied.
Laughter responded. Catty and Eluza stepped in. "Ah, Catty-san!"
Hinako called as she waved to the doctor.
"They even got an Eluza?!" Rinrin asked, her jaw dropping in shock on
seeing the "Hasei'cha's" shipmistress.
"We do," Noa replied. "Eluza even has a twin sister named 'Fortin.'"
Rinrin's jaw dropped. "From 'Rhea Gall Force?'"
"The same."
Some of the sisters laughed. "Well, I suspect that even names like
that are better than you using those numbers stitched into the sleeves
of your suits," Chikage noted as she indicated the line of dot-and-
slash glyphs on the upper arms of the uniforms the four Sagussans
currently wore. "I assume that when Mie initially called Makoto
'Aoaiuiui'io,' she was using the registry number that was stitched on
the right breast on her flight suit."
Noa gave the sorceress a look as Yotsuba zipped up to give Eluza's
sleeves an inspection with her spyglass. "It seems that even if
Sakuya-chan is older than you, Chikage-chan, you're the real 'elder
mother' of your family."
Chikage grinned. "I prefer to keep my own skills under wraps, Noa-
chan."
"That's what I have to do, too," Noa confirmed with a wink before she
stared at her bond-mate. "Let's hear it, love."
Catty took a deep breath. "Makoto has five hours minimum. Maximum
six."
Stunned silence fell over the bridge. "Until when?" Yotsuba asked.
The doctor closed her eyes. "Until she dies, Yotsuba-sama."
The sisters blanched. "Can't you save her?!" Sakuya wondered.
"Not without destroying her spirit along the way," Catty responded.
"Tre'cha?!" Eluza asked.
Catty shook her head. "We can't do it, Eluza. I dare not consider
moving her body out of the suspension field unless we can guarantee
the safety of Makoto's soul while in transit. And if we can't
guarantee that, hoping to regenerate her aboard the 'Hasei'cha' . . .
"
"Is too big of a risk to take," the shipmistress finished for her.
"Hai."
Seeing the sad looks on the Sagussans' faces, Kaho started to cry.
"Can't you do anything to save her, Catty-sensei . . .?"
Catty stared at the cheerleader before she shook her head. "There is
one possibility," someone then spoke up.
Eyes locked on Chikage. "I was HOPING you'd say that!" Sakuya
exhaled.
"What do you have in mind?" Noa asked.
The sorceress smirked as she pointed to Hinako. "Think of what we
were going to obtain when you decided to visit us, Noa-chan."
Eyes locked on the youngest of the sisters -- and the device in her
hand. "Tsue-san?!" Hinako then asked.
"Exactly," Chikage responded with a smirk.
Noa stared at Catty. The latter was nodding, a spark of hope
flashing in her golden eyes. With that, the Elder Mother took a deep
breath before she gazed at Eluza. "Shipmistress, I do believe we
better burn anti-protons to get to the Planet of Shadows as quickly as
possible."
"Agreed," Eluza said before she tapped her bracelet. "Shildy?!"
"What is it, Eluza?" the "Hasei'cha's" first officer called back.
"Send Patty and Rabby over here, plus yourself," Eluza ordered.
"You'll be taking nominal control of the 'Windrider' for the trip to
the Planet of Shadows. As soon as you're over here, we're heading out
right away. We're on a strict time limit here, Shildy, so let's shag
it!"
"Right away!"
"If you don't mind, Eluza . . . "
Heads turned as Seikou Mie stepped into the pilotage, dressed in her
old duty jumpsuit. "Mie-san . . . " Sakuya whispered.
"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaai!" Hinako gushed. "Mie-san remembers
everything!"
Eluza and Mie gazed on each other, and then the latter raised her
hand to give the former a smart salute. "Daishi'cha #337, Pilot Chief
Petty Officer Seikou Mie, reporting for duty, Shipmistress," Mie then
declared.
Eluza returned her salute. "You've been AWOL for eleven years,
Chief."
Sensing her concern, Mie smirked. "My sister took care of that."
Eluza blinked before she smiled. "Your place is at your lover's
side, Mie. In case we don't make it."
Mie took that in before she nodded. "Hai."
She turned to leave. "One more thing, Chief," Eluza then spoke up.
Mie looked over her shoulder. "Ma'am?"
Eluza gave her a look. "Don't ever do that again, Mie. Please?"
"I promise, Eluza," Mie vowed before she headed to the cockpit.
"Ano, Noa-san . . .?"
Noa gazed on Karen. "What is it, Karen-chan?"
"Are you the one who bonded Onii-chan and Onee-chan?"
The Elder Mother blinked, and then she grinned as a flash heralded
the arrival of people from a certain OTHER special mission warpsloop.
"Actually, no, Karen-chan, I'm not the one." She pointed at Lufy.
"She did."
"Ah!" Hinako whooped as she waved the Staff. "Lufy-san! Ayumu-
chan!"
"Konban wa, Hinako-chan!" Ayumu hailed with a wave of her own hand as
she walked up to Hinako. "Are you guys alright?!"
"Hai, we're okay!" Hinako then frowned. "Except for Makoto-san."
The master chief petty officer of the Sagussan Navy smiled even
more. "Don't worry, Hinako-chan! We'll save her . . .!" Her voice
was then cut off as a yawn stole all her oxygen. "Oooh! We'll save
her after I get some sleep first!" she added tiredly, covering her
mouth.
Snickering, Hinako reached over to pull Ayumu with her off the
pilotage. "Hai, hai! You can sleep in Hina's bed, Ayumu-chan!"
"Really?! Thanks!"
They left the pilotage. The others exchanged looks. "They even got
girls from 'Azumanga Daioh,' too?" Mamoru asked.
Rinrin then asked, "Do you call her 'Os- . . .?!'"
A hand slapped the teen inventor's mouth closed. "Rinrin-sama, a
word of advice!" Catty hissed. "If you don't want to have every
porthole on this ship blown into space by Ayumu screaming her heart
out, **don't call her *that!***"
Rinrin blinked for several seconds, and then she nodded.
"Right . . ."
Eluza sighed as she stared at Noa. "Don't tell me, let me guess:
Sylia pulled one of her UNODIR messages again?"
"She did!"
People turned as a certain rose-haired, Ellsian-born, Pathfinder-
trained master chief petty officer stepped onto the pilotage.
"Someone clearly has gotta be a Sonoda Ken'ichi fan on their planet,"
Yotsuba mused on seeing Nene.
"Got that right," Shinshi added with an appreciative nod.
"What are you guys doing here?" Eluza demanded.
"What do you think?" Nene retorted. "We're gonna sit aside and let
you guys have first crack at Ataru-sama? Get real!"
"Nene . . .!" Noa hissed.
Pathfinder Troop Six's coxswain then snapped her fingers. "Oh, by
the way! Sylia asked me to pass you a message, Eluza."
"Oh? What's that?"
"'Last one to the Planet of Shadows has no sex with the Daimon'cha!'"
Eluza jolted. "SAY WHAT?!"
Laughter echoed from the front of the pilotage. "Lufy!" Noa moaned.
The "Kiboo'cha's" shipmistress placed herself in the chair set aside
for Reiko. "What Sylia really means is that they're heading to this
place right away and we'd better get the lead out if we don't want to
miss out on the action!" She stared at the other people in the room.
"Hey, whoever of you guys're helping flying this thing, get to your
stations! We're heading out!"
"Ah . . .! Um, r-right!" Shinobi stuttered as the replica-bioroids,
Miree and her daughters moved to other places on the pilotage.
As the "Windrider" unfurled her sails for a run to the Planet of
Shadows, the sisters shifted down to stand around Lufy. "Ano . . .?
Lufy-san?" Karen then asked. "Are you the one who . . . well, bonded
Onii-chan and Onee-chan?"
Lufy stopped before turning to gaze apologetically on Ataru's
relatives. "I am." She then bowed her eyes. "And there's not
a . . . "
She awked as most of the sisters let out a cheer, the younger ones
leaping over to swamp the blonde Pirpirsiw'r with warm hugs. Watching
this from nearby, Noa smirked as she exchanged a knowing look with
Eluza.
* * *
To be continued . . .
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