I had a really cynical and funny comment to put here and then I forgot it. Ah
well, I'll probably remember it later.
Anyways, I didn't really do much except clarify some hair color of Kiyone and
Sasami, so I'm mainly reposting this for the new blood on the FFML
C&C welcome, but it has to bring the drinks.
-Agreeable Komodo
Just say yes to anyone pointing a bazooka at you.
"If little green men land in your back yard, hide any
little green women you've got in the house."
-- Mike Harding, "The Armchair Anarchist's Almanac
*************
Prologue.
". . .And tomorrow is the coronation of the New Juraian Emperor. Personally
selected by Emperor Azusa, he's from Earth." The young man watching the TV
turned it off. He had seen it before.
"Damnit Azusa." Said the young man behind the desk into the darkness. "Why
did you have to saddle me with this?" He looked up as the door opened.
"You wanted to see us?" Asked the shorter of the two women who had entered.
"Yes. Please. Come in and sit down." They complied. "Tea?"
"No. Thank you."
"I'll have some Sake." The other woman said, pulling out a bottle from
somewhere. "So what's this all about?" The man behind the desk pressed a
button, causing a hologram of a planet to appear.
"What planet is this?"
"Planet Saradin. Second only to Jurai in terms of technology and population."
Said the shorter woman after a moment.
"Ninety-Five percent of all information and electronic money transfers pass
through its computer banks as well. Its the information and financial center
for the entire empire." The young man steepled his fingers in front of his
face, resting his elbows on the desktop. His face was oddly lit by the
greenish glow from the holochromatic planet slowly rotating before his eyes.
"Not only that, its sufficiently far away from Jurai that corruption breeds
like rabbits. Even the governor dabbles in embezzlement I understand."
"So what does this have to with us?" Asked the taller woman.
"Tomorrow, I'm to be crowned Emperor. At that point, its expected that I will
announce who the First Empress will be."
"And?" Both Women asked, leaning forward.
"It'll be Sasami."
"Sasami?"
"Why?"
"The ten Light Hawk Wings. Sasami is tied to Tsunami in ways that even Washu
doesn't completely understand and I need that kind of power to secure my
position. There are other more. . .personal reasons as well."
"So who will be the Second Empress?"
"There won't be one."
"But-"
"I may be one quarter Jurai, but I'm still human. Two wives is an Alien
concept to me. Not only that, running the Empire is going to keep me
extremely busy. I wouldn't have the time to give two wives the. . .attention
they deserve."
"So what does this have to do with us?" Asked the taller of the two women.
"You didn't tell us about Planet Saradin for fun."
"You're right." He picked up a small card from the desk. "This is a copy of a
statement that will be made tomorrow. Surprisingly, Princess Ayeka, long
believed to be the new First Empress, will leave Jurai to take over Noa."
"That's the corporation that's embodies the royal family's fortune."
"And its seen as semi-exile. The Media will boo hoo her loss and then turn
its eye towards the new Emperor."
"I smell a cover story." the taller woman purred.
"Noa, strangely enough, has its headquarters on Saradin."
"I. . .I don't quite understand." Said the shorter woman, her voice grief
stricken.
"Galaxy Police is convinced that the legends of a Crime HQ, a nexus where all
crime in the Empire is run from, is true, and somewhere on Saradin."
"You mean the so called 'Kingpin'?"
"Exactly."
"I'm afraid I still don't understand."
"Going with Ayeka will be the other candidate for First Empress. Space
Pirate-excuse me, reformed Space Pirate Ryoko."
"Get to the Point." Growled the taller of the two.
"Galaxy Police wants the Kingpin, I need the information leak that the
Kingpin's control of Saradin embodies. More specifically, I need it replaced
with a leak I can trust. Someone who can sift the information that passes
through their hands and get it back to me. Someone with the political
experience nessacary to be ruthless enough to take the Kingpin down, replace
the Kingpin, and still be loyal to me."
"In other words. Me." said the shorter woman. "But where does Ryoko fit in?"
"Every crime boss needs an enforcer. A luitentent. A right hand man. You,
Ayeka, will replace the Kingpin." He looked at the taller of the two women.
"You, Ryoko, will keep her alive long enough to do it."
"Sounds like fun." Ryoko said.
"Understand, I can provide no official support. Washu will provide a secure
laptop terminal which you can use to keep me updated. Galaxy Police does not
know about this operation, even Washu doesn't know why I wanted the terminal.
You will have to use your salaries from Noa to finance your way into the
ranks of Saradin's organized crime circles."
"So in other words, no support, no way out except to succeed and no one but
you knows what we're doing."
"Yes."
"If anyone but you came up with an idea like this. . ." Ryoko let that hang
in the air.
"I know."
"When do we leave?"
"Day after tomorrow."
"Great." Ryoko said, hauling the stricken Ayeka out of her chair. "See ya at
the Coronation." With that, both women vanished.
***************
"How can you just blindly accept this Ryoko?" Ayeka demanded as soon as they
rematerialized in the hallway outside. "Lord Tenchi not only exiled us, but
he's turning me into a. . .a. . ."
"Criminal?" Ryoko offered.
"Well, yes."
"He didn't exile us, he's putting us where we can do the most good."
"It's still exile!" Ayeka raged. "And you're going to roll over and accept
it?"
"On the contrary. I intend to do something about it."
"Which is?"
"Get sloppily drunk." Ryoko said as she took a long drink from the bottle in
her hand. "Care to join me?" Ayeka hesitated for just a moment then snatched
the bottle from Ryoko's hand and took an equally long drink.
"How could he do this to us?" Ayeka pleaded. Ryoko shrugged.
"Think of it as an indication of his faith in us."
"I suppose." Ayeka said, brightening a little. "And its not like its not a
challenge."
"Succeed or fall on our own merits." Ryoko agreed, taking the bottle back and
taking another drink.
"And the Kingpin is a threat to the Empire, which I am sworn to protect."
"That's true."
"So its not like its a complete loss of face."
"That's a good way to look at it." Ryoko said, giving her one time rival a
lopsided grin. "So what do you say we go find some more Sake?"
"Yes. Let's."
Part 1
Ayeka closed the folder and lay it on her lap. Apparently, she had her work
cut out for her.
"I still say we should have taken Ryo-Oki." Ryoko grumbled. "And why do I
have to wear this thing?" She plucked at the hand tailored bisnuess suit she
wore.
"Its called Professionalism Ryoko." Ayeka said, trying to hide a smile at
Ryoko's discomfort. "We're supposed to present a proper businesslike attitude
when we arrive on Saradin." Turning to the small terminal built into the
chair arm she began inputting a series of commands.
"Yeah, and then what? Go up against the biggest criminal this side of Kain?"
"That is our assignment." She responded primly.
"I still say there's nothing to stop us from staying onboard when this crate
moves on to Dakau."
"Tell me Ryoko," Ayeka said as she glanced out the window of the passenger
liner Jurai's Dream. "Have you ever been in the con game?"
"What? You mean pulling scams? Sure. First thing I got arrested for
actually." She shrugged. "I found robbing banks more exciting though." She
paused. "Why?"
"Allow me to offer you a proposal Ryoko." Ayeka said as she poured some wine
into a fluted glass and held it up to the light. "Stay with me on Saradin and
I will teach you to play the biggest con game of all."
"Oh? What's that?"
"Politics." Ayeka breathed reverently as she watched the light flicker in the
depths of the purple liquid.
"Politics?" Ryoko asked.
"The biggest con game there is. . ." Ayeka said as she raised the glass to
her lips.
"And I suppose you're a master at it?" Ryoko asked with sardonic amusement.
"I'm a Princess of Jurai." Ayeka said softly as a maniac glint appeared in
the depths of her eyes. "I was made to play it."
***************
When they exited onto Noa's Orbiting Space Station, they were met by a greasy
haired man.
"Ah Lady Ayeka, welcome to Saradin. I trust you had a pleasant journey?"
"Tolerable." Ayeka said. "I would like to get started immediately. Where is
the shuttle to the surface?"
"Bay three." He said automatically.
"Thank you." Ayeka said and swept past him. As soon as they moved out of
earshot she spoke quietly. "Lesson One Ryoko. Reading people. What's your
opinion of that man we just spoke to?"
"He's a footstool. Not to bright."
"Very good. Now watch closely." She glanced at the timepiece built into her
sleeve. "Three, two. . ."
"Why are you counting?"
"One." Ayeka finished. Almost as though on cue, the man shouted.
"Um, Lady Ayeka! Lady Ayeka wait a moment please!" A small smile crossed
Ayeka face and then quickly vanished as she turned.
"Yes?" She asked pleasantly. He held up a com unit.
"Lord Tenmark wanted to speak with you."
"The Vice President? Of course. Over here, away from the crowds." So saying,
she led them into a small hallway. The man held up a com unit and the head
and shoulders of a man appeared. He was powerfully built, with a short,
neatly trimmed beard and hard blue eyes.
"Lady Ayeka. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to Saradin."
"Thank you Lord Tenmark. I hope to do my best to guide Noa towards prosperity
and new heights."
"Yes, that's what I wished to speak with you about." He cleared his throat.
"The position of President is largely ornamental. The Board holds controlling
interest and, if you'll forgive my saying so, you are more or less a. .
.figurehead. You'll be well taken care of though. A sumptuous mansion is set
aside and your every desire will be taken care of."
"How nice of you." Ayeka said, smiling and then looked down as her timepiece
beeped. "Oh! Excuse me Lord Tenmark. The stock report." She took out the
radio and clicked it on.
"And in Bisnuess news, an as yet unidentified individual has purchased
controlling interest in Noa. The massive acquisition, valued at nearly 30
billion, is the largest hostile takeover ever committed by a single person."
Ayeka clicked the radio off and looked back at the com unit.
"I rather like the sound of 'Lady Ayeka'. 'Madame President also sounds good,
don't you think?"
"Yes Madame President."
"I'm glad we're getting along so well Lord Tenmark." She said and then tilted
her head as though something new had occurred to her. "You know, Lord
Tenmark, now that I've thought about it, I think I rather like the sound of
'Lady Ayeka, President and CEO'."
"It does have a nice ring to it."
"I think so. And one more thing. There is a Penthouse Suite at the
headquarters, isn't there?"
"Yes Madame President."
"Good. I think I'd prefer to live there. If I lived at the mansion you
mentioned, it would take me too long to get into the city."
"As you say."
"Good. I'll be at headquarters in 20 minutes. Have the Board of directors
there waiting for me. There's some things that I think need to be taken care
of immediately."
"We'll be waiting."
"Very good." Ayeka said as she reached over and switched the com unit off.
"And that, Ryoko, is how you perform a hostile takeover."
Chapter 2
"Wheels within wheels, webs within webs, and at the heart, the spider sits
and waits."
-Author Unknown
#--#
Juraian Battleship Tsunami,
in orbit around Forest Planet Esa
Tenchi Masaki, the new Emperor of Jurai, lay in his bed, staring out the
window at the planet Esa.
>From up here, the green of the forests looked so peaceful. Like the woods
surrounding his grandfather's shrine.
Still bemused by sleep, he almost didn't hear the soft footsteps as the blue
haired woman entered the room and slipped back into the bed, pausing only to
let the soft silk robe she wore fall to the floor.
"So what did the little one want?"
"Just some water," She said as she snuggled into the crook of his arm.
"She's a good kid." He said as he kissed her forehead.
"She's yours after all."
"Ours." He corrected, putting a note of finality in his voice.
"Ours." She agreed. "Mayuka, first princess of Jurai."
"If we can get the Council to support the ruling."
"Hold it." She said, placing a finger on his lips. "We had a deal. No
discussing court bisnuess on the honeymoon."
"So that's what this is." Tenchi grinned. "I thought I was just lying naked
in a bed with a beautiful woman."
"Just a beautiful woman?" She growled as she straddled his chest.
"Okay," He amended. " A beautiful, smart, woman, who happens to be the one I
love." He gave her a mocking glare. "Unless there's more to you then I know."
"Plenty." She agreed as she began moving down the bed until she sat astride
his knees.
What she did next is a tale in and of itself that is perhaps best left to be
told another time.
Suffice to say, sleep and Tenchi did not meet for some time.
***************
Planet Saradin
Noa Corporate Headquarters
Boardroom.
Ryoko was not the type of person to admit she was wrong about anything. At
least not out loud and certainly not willingly.
Privately, she had to admit that this mission was forcing her to look at
Ayeka in a whole new light.
>From her seat behind and to the right of Ayeka's chair, the reformed space
pirate watched as Ayeka quite calmly plucked the reins of power from the
board and made them hers before giving each board member back enough to do
their jobs while making it clear that their future was in her hands.
"Remind me never to play poker with you." Ryoko said as they walked through
the hall to Aykea's office.
"You mean the boardroom?"
"Yeah, I've never seen a con job that smooth before."
"Con job? Hardly," Aykea's tone was dismissive, but she couldn't quite keep
the glee out of her voice. "I'm barely getting started."
"So when do we start shaking down the underworld?"
"In a few weeks." Ayeka said. "Noa is crumbling under its own weight. I need
to get it back on its feet before we can start our mission."
"Why are you bothering?" Ryoko asked. "You just bought this place out."
"And where do you think I got the money?" Ayeka asked as they entered the
office. "My own fortune, Tenchi's, even Sasami's is tied into Noa's. I have a
responsibility to my family."
"I can understand that," Ryoko said as she slipped into the chair in front of
the desk. "guess I'm just impatient."
"That's your second lesson Ryoko." Ayeka said as she dropped into the
high-backed pure Rendon Leather chair behind her desk. Made for the sensitive
skin of the Gelon, the chair was merely comfortable to the hairless,
thin-skinned race. For a Juraian, it was heaven. "Patience is absolutely
essential to anything you do. Success of any kind in politics absolutely
demands patience."
"That's funny," Ryoko teased, "considering when we were searching for Tenchi,
I was the one advocating patience."
Ayeka opened her mouth to reply when the soft beep of the com system caught
her attention.
"Incoming call. Private frequency, audio only."
"From?" Ayeka asked as she traded looks with Ryoko.
"Unknown."
"Put it through." She waited a moment. "Hello."
"Hello Princess." The voice was male, pleasant and tempered with authority.
"Please, Ayeka will do nicely. Might I have your name?"
"Eventually. I'm calling to welcome you to Saradin."
"Thank you."
"You're quite welcome. There are several bisnuess opportunities that are
available to you provided you are a risk-taker."
"I might be," Ayeka said after a moment. "provided the rewards are worth the
risk."
"They are, to the right person. I will contact you soon and we can discuss
the details."
"Until then,"
"Until then."
"Transmission terminated by caller." The com system announced a moment later.
"Could you effect a trace?" Ayeka asked.
"Negative. Transmission was bounced and scrambled."
"Try working your way through the bouncing and see if you can't find where it
might have come from."
"What will that do?" Ryoko demanded.
"Two things. One, that person is part of Saradin society that we need to
contact. That call originated on Saradin, there's no doubt in my mind about
that. Two, it will establish our cover."
"Okay, I'm lost."
"Look at it from outside. Lady Ayeka, sent into semi-exile by the Emperor.
She's disgraced, revenge for the wronging she's just suffered is burning
inside her. Draw her into the underworld just enough so that she and the
Royal Family will be shamed should she be exposed."
"So?"
"In return for your silence," Ayeka continued, steeping her fingers as she
turned the chair to face the floor to ceiling windows behind her desk.
Outside, darkness was falling, and the lights of the city seemed almost as
Christmas lights. "you ask her for one or two nuggets of information.
Something minor, perhaps a inconsequential military outpost or such. Then, as
time goes by, you carefully reel her in until by the time she wakes up, she's
in far too deep to get out."
"I get the picture." Ryoko interrupted. "So where does the trace come in?"
"Again, look at it from the outside. Ayeka is naive, a little curious.
Naturally, she'll want to know who called. If she didn't trace it, it might
seem like she was expecting the call."
"Wait, you were expecting that?"
"Of course I was expecting it, just not this early."
"You've got that 'this is trouble' tone." Ryoko said as she walked around and
leaned on the desk, resting her elbow on the back of the chair.
"It is troubling." Ayeka admitted. "That was an offer that has probably been
made to every new CEO that's ever set up shop on Saradin."
"What? You think every CEO and bigwig on the planet is on the take? We knew
that."
"No, we knew the corruption was widespread, but not on the level that call
seems to indicate. To get any work done, it appears I shall have to be 'on
the take' as well."
"You don't sound happy, I thought that was the plan."
"It is." Ayeka replied in a quiet voice.
Ryoko tried to get her to say something else, but she wouldn't speak. She
only stared out into the night, her magenta eyes revealing naught of what she
might be thinking.
***************
Chapter 3
One week later. . .
Ayeka nodded in satisfaction as the Vice President of Noa's Transport
Division, what the humans would call a trucking company, finished her report.
"Excellent, excellent," Ayeka said smiling at the faces gathered around the
table. "I am most pleased."
"Thank you Lady Ayeka," they chorused.
"You're all more then welcome." Ayeka replied and turned to the Vice
President of Finance. "Authorize a two percent bonus for all employees and a
four percent for those of us who are in this room as a thank you for all
their hard work."
"Yes Madame President."
"Is there anything else?"
"No Madame President."
"Then I'll see you all at the regular meeting next week," Ayeka said as she
stood.
Tenmark watched as Ayeka carefully packed her bag while speaking quietly with
Ryoko as her secretary, a pleasant faced Juraian named Koachi stood nearby.
As he watched the three women turned and headed for the door, chatting
amicably.
Suddenly, Koachi pulled a small dagger and turning, plunged it towards
Ayeka's face. Ryoko was suddenly there, knocking the blade aside.
With a dispairing little cry, Koachi pulled a second dagger and plunged it
into her own side. Moments later, she stiffened up like a plank and fell over.
For a moment, Ayeka stood still then she seemed to shake herself and started
issuing orders in a rapid fire fashion. When done, she announced that she
would be in her office.
***************
"What the hell is going on?" Ryoko asked as Ayeka entered her office and sat
her desk where she began typing.
"Be quiet," Ayeka snapped, "I have to concentrate and I don't have much time.
I'll explain in a minute." Ryoko shut up, her curiosity much stronger then
her distaste for being told what to do.
"There." Ayeka said with satisfaction after about an hour had passed.
"Well?"
"Koachi was being forced to assassinate me."
"How do you know that?"
"She's a gentle person who couldn't harm a fly. She also has a husband and
three small children, all physically disabled, one of them is also mentally
disabled."
"So you're making an assumption."
"Many of what I have done here is assumption," Ayeka sat down in her chair.
"However, there was also a large amount of money deposited into the account
she shares with her husband. Enough for him to take care of the children and
himself for the rest of their lives. Fortunately, Noa also takes care of its
own. Though they weren't before, the family is now on full benefits and under
protection of Noa security."
"Not bad. Now what?"
"Now we teach her murderer a lesson," Ayeka said grimly.
"Am I going to like this?" Ryoko asked.
"I think so. The deposit was made by a courier on behalf of one Graird Bonea,
a well known philanthropist and art lover. However, according to Galaxy
Police, he's a known murderer and drug lord."
"I am going to like this," Ryoko purred. Ayeka handed her a scrap of paper.
"This is the location of one of his factories. I want you to go out tonight,
find some individuals who can keep their mouths shut and don't ask questions.
Take them to that factory and level it. I don't want even a tiny bit of it
standing."
"No problem. So what was all that typing for?"
"I had to act quickly to protect her account and family before Bonea got to
them," Ayeka pinched the bridge of her nose before she continued. "If he's
depraved enough to force an innocent woman to do his dirty work, then he's
certainly willing to freeze them out of their own money." She smiled a sad
smile. "Now, come with me. I want to personally speak with the family."
***************
The small apartment where Koachi lived with her family was a simple, but
neatly kept three bedroom in a less then elegant section of the city. Her
husband, a plain faced man with a visibly deformed left side eyed the armed
guards as he placed the cup of tea before Ayeka.
"I apologize for the quality of the tea, Princess," He said with a smile,
"Koachi. . ." He trailed off, tears forming in his eyes.
"Please, call me Ayeka, and the tea is fine." She raised the cup to her lips
and sipped it. "I've found that a properly made cup of tea owes a great deal
of its flavor to the person who prepared it."
"You honor me Ayeka," He said as he placed a second cup of tea before Ryoko.
"If I may, what exactly happened? The police won't tell me anything and the
guards won't let us talk to anyone."
Quickly, Ayeka explained to him what had happened.
"Bonea. . ." He growled when she had finished, his eyes flashing with hate.
"Excuse me?" She asked.
"Before she got the job, she was a. . ." He trailed off for a moment and then
seemed to strengthen his resolve. "She was a prostitute. We met when I. .
.sought her services."
"Go on," Ayeka prompted gently.
"We started talking and I convinced her to start over, go to college. We
thought Bonea wouldn't notice her that. . .that she was too low on the ladder
to be missed if she left. We got married as soon as she graduated from
school. We were so happy when she got the job with you, we had plans and now.
. ." He shook silently, his obvious grief threatening to overwhelm him.
"You will have those plans fulfilled," Ayeka said as she moved to sit next to
him and laid her hand on his shoulder. "I promise. As of this morning, you
and your family are on full benefits. I will arrange for your children to get
the education and medical care they need."
"Ayeka. . ." He started and she smiled.
"Just say 'thank you.' Its more then enough."
"Thank you, thank you, a thousand times, thank you."
"You're more then welcome," Ayeka said as she stood up. "Now, if you'll
excuse me, I have to deal with the police. Doubtless they'll have questions
and its better that they bother me instead of you." He nodded mutely as he
escorted them to the door.
"Bonea will pay." Ayeka vowed as the door closed behind them. "He will pay. I
want you to bring his organization down around his ears. Destroy every single
one of his buildings. Find a hacker, destroy his accounts. Ruin him."
Ryoko's grin was savage.
"With pleasure."
***************
It was nearly sunrise by the time Ryoko returned.
"Easy as pie," She grinned as she sank into one of the guest chairs. "Man,
that was fun." She pulled out a bottle of sake and drank deep. "Been years
since I did that."
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." Ayeka said, her eye on the com system.
"What're you waiting for?" Ryoko asked as the com bleeped.
"Incoming call. Private frequency, audio and visual."
"From?"
"Graird Bonea."
"Put it through." On the screen a fat man, balding, sweat gleaming on the
rolls of fat that was his neck appeared.
"You little bitch!" He screamed, "I'll kill you!"
"You will address me as Lady Ayeka."
"I'll do no such thing!"
Ayeka's eyes narrowed and Ryoko felt the faintest flicker of Juraian Power as
Bonea clutched his chest.
"I hate repeating myself." Ayeka said quietly.
"Why you little-" Bonea started to say and clapped his hand to his face as
his right eye exploded.
"Are you prepared to be civil now?" Ayeka asked pleasantly. He nodded mutely,
fear on his fleshy face. "Good. Now, here are my terms. You will leave
Saradin immediately. You will take no one but family with you and you will
never return."
"You can't make me do that!" Bonea screamed then his voice went higher as his
face twisted into an expression of extreme pain.
"The thought of you reproducing disgusts me by the way," Ayeka said as she
poured herself a cup of wine. "So I did something about it." She sipped from
the glass reflectivly. "And as for your earlier remark, I can and I have. You
are finished on Saradin Bonea, I suggest you cut your losses and leave."
"Why?" He gasped out.
"An professional assassin is one thing, forcing an innocent woman to do your
dirty work is something else."
"But she was just a-" He started to say and then broke off as Ayeka's eyes
narrowed speculatively.
"You're learning," Ryoko threw in from her seat in the guest chair.
"I could have easily killed you the minute you appeared on screen Bonea,"
Ayeka said quietly. "But as melodramatic as it sounds, death is far to good
for you. There are four people in this city suffering because of you. So you
will suffer along with them."
"Y-Yes Lady Ayeka."
"Good. You have fourteen hours until sunset. I suggest you make good use of
them." With that, she pressed the button and the screen blanked.
"You," Ryoko said as she raised her glass in a toast. "make me so glad you're
my friend."
"Thank you," Ayeka said, returning the toast.
"One question though, if you could do that, how come you never did that to
me."
"It takes concentration and you made me too mad to be able to concentrate."
"I do tend to do that to people," Ryoko admitted grandly.
"Secondly, Tenchi never would have forgiven me and considering your origins,
I couldn't be sure it would work."
Ryoko started to make another comment but was interrupted by a knock at the
door.
"Come in!" Ayeka called.
"Excuse me, Lady Ayeka," said the security officer who entered. "But there's
a Galaxy Police officer here. She says she's primary on the Koachi case and
she has some questions."
"Of course. Show her in."
"Yes Ma'am," the officer said and then stepped back as a woman dressed in
black pants, military dress boots, white sweater and long, light blue coat
entered. Her blue black hair was tied back and a red earring glimmered in the
light.
"Kiyone," Ayeka said as she came around the desk, genuinely pleased to see
her. "How have you been?"
"Tolerable," Kiyone admitted as she clasped hands with Ayeka. "I heard you
were on Saradin these days."
"Tenchi felt Ryoko and I were best suited for what has to be done here."
"Hey Kiyone!" Ryoko called from her chair.
"Please, sit," Ayeka said as she resumed her own chair. "Where's Mihoshi?"
"Got married, if you can believe it," Kiyone said, shaking her head.
"Somebody married that ditz?" Ryoko asked. "Who's dumb enough to do that?"
"My brother, apparently. Mihoshi dragged me to an auction and that's where
they met." Kiyone removed her coat before she sat. "They hit it off
instantly. I will never understand it."
"Love is a mysterious thing," Ayeka pronounced as she poured Kiyone some tea,
remembering the other woman's preferences against alcohol. "Now, what can I
do for you?"
"Just some follow up questions." Kiyone took out a notepad and pencil and set
up a recorder. "Now what, in your own words, happened this morning?" Speaking
in short, brief sentences, Ayeka related the events of the morning. Kiyone
listened without comment.
"Well that's concise enough," Kiyone said when Ayeka finished, "and you have
no idea why Miss Koachi would want to kill you?"
"None at all I'm afraid."
"Very well, thank you for your time Lady Ayeka," Kiyone said as she shut the
recorder off. "Now, corporate smoke screen aside, what the hell are you two
really doing here?"
"Tenchi placed us in charge of Noa."
"That's a load of crap Ayeka. I checked into Koachi's background before I
came here. She was a prostitute, and she worked for Graird Bonea, a known
criminal mastermind. Last night, a group of people led by a flying woman with
blue hair torched most of his buildings and he himself was spotted not five
minutes ago checking into a hospital for treatment of a crushed eyeball and
damaged genital organs. I'll ask again Ayeka, what are you both really doing
here?"
"What needs to be done," Ayeka said firmly as she stood up. "If you'll excuse
me, I intend to attend Koachi's funeral and I'd like some sleep before I need
to leave."
"Of course," Kiyone said as she stood up. "It was nice seeing you again."
"Likewise," Ayeka replied as she escorted Kiyone to the door.
"She's gonna be trouble," Ryoko noted as soon as the Police officer had left.
"Kiyone knows us both and she knows something is up."
"It can't be helped," Ayeka said and yawned as she glanced out the window at
the sunrise, "We'll just have work around her."
"Yeah, well, I don't know what else you have planned, but I'm going to get
some of that sleep you mentioned. Besides, I think you want to be awake when
that mysterious friend of yours calls again."
"Good idea," Ayeka said.
They were almost to the door when they heard the soft beep of the com.
"Incoming call. Private frequency, audio only."
They traded looks.
"No way," Ryoko said quietly, "No freakin way. . ."
"From?" Ayeka asked.
"Unknown."
"Put it through."
"Timing is everything, don't you think so Ayeka?" Came the voice.
"I've heard it to be so," Ayeka said carefully. "What can I do for you?"
"Oh nothing much, I simply wanted to thank you for getting rid of Bonea for
me. He was beginning to annoy me."
"I'm glad to be of help."
"At this point, I'd bring up the bisnuess opportunities I mentioned when we
last talked, but as you told the good detective, you need your sleep. Good
night."
"Transmission terminated by caller."
"No way," Ryoko repeated. "No freakin way. . ."
*********************
About the Author:
Komdo is the pen name of an uberchocolate chip cookie eater who has spent
the past 22 years and some odd days attempting to take over the world with
paper napkins. Unfortunutly, paper napkins keeps rejecting his ideas as
"silly"
When not plotting world domination, he spends his time selling
merchandise for a local amusement park, writing fanfics, and pretending he
can actually draw.
He lives at home.