Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year:  "Final Hymn"
by Robert Geiger
PHPN65A@prodigy.com
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Edited by Fred Herriot and E.B Kushnir
fherriot@hotmail.com and kush1@iaw.on.ca
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A side story based on the fanfic series in turn based on "Urusei Yatsura," created by Rumiko Takahashi
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WRITER'S NOTES:

1)	Although this is labelled a UY-TSY side story, it actually covers a period of time from Ataru's last battle with the Mikado (in "GFA Stage Seven:  Re-Birth"), to when the "Hasei'cha" is destroyed (about a year after "Shinobu:  The Hair of Medusa" and two years prior to "Towards The Unstoppable Future").  Specific dates are not given due to a lack of knowledge on my part on the amount of time it would take for the characters to do what they do.  Please bear with me.

2)	Sagussan terms (for those who haven't read "A Remarkable Destiny"):

Te'righ do'a va - I'll kill you.
Neka do hagh wae ronghki wae joghza va - I wish you peace, logic and harmony.
Yongh va'shi do - Please excuse me.  Oh, I'm sorry!
En - Yes.

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And now...ON WITH THE SHOW!!!!

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	Vos Colony Four...

	Two figures watched scenes flashing by on security monitors.  Both were Vosians with captain's rank on their drab jumpsuits.  In fact, if not for those marks, both of them could have been mistaken for janitorial staff.  And if addressed in this manner, one might be taken aback by them not taking offense at this.

	One of them, CASSUR on his upper chest, frowned at the pictures that showed a figure of flesh, black and gold cloth and gunmetal armour tearing through the hunters deployed through the temporarily isolated Earth city district of Tomobiki.  Shorter than his companion, he was a bit broader in the shoulders.  His brown hair was cut extremely short; his brown eyes darting over the multiple monitors.  "So what should we do now?!"

	"Leave, very quickly," the other, ORINSUR on his tag, replied.  He scratched the back of his head, then smoothed the short black hair down.  "I don't think our visitors have mercy on their minds."

	"Quite," Cassur said.  "Race you to the hangar?"

	"Sounds good.  Should we pack?" Orinsur said as they hurried out of the room.

	"Bare skin is much better then no skin," Cassur quipped back as they rushed down the hall.

	Orinsur grinned as he followed Cassur.  Cassur was his unofficial "brother" ever since childhood.  Both had been drafted into the Special Hunter Corps due to their psi-tracking abilities.  Both had weighed the benefits and disadvantages of rebelling like Nassur and most likely losing their heads.  Or being good little soldiers and get their heads shot off like the others now uselessly throwing themselves at Ataru Moroboshi's Cyborg persona.  So they decided to walk a tight path between both extremes together.

	And so they took their orders, but did the bare minimum.  They never shot more people then was needed to make a point, or took the initiative when others were more eager to raise their hands.  They followed orders to the letter but no more, thus they were the one who ended up shuffling papers back at base while others got the bonuses, the promotions and all the perks that rewarded the ones who got things done.  This was also perhaps why they were able to make a dash for it while the go-getters were being shredded to confetti right at this moment!

	"Think we can break through?" Orinsur asked as they rounded a corner.

	"Pretty sure," Cassur replied.  "The Sagussans seem to be more interested in..."

	WHAM!!!!

	Cassur slammed full-tilt into someone rounding the corner.  Both of them dropped and Orinsur cursed as he drew his pistol, aiming it at the figure who struggled to sit up.  "Gilsur!" he exclaimed on seeing the Mikado's chief hacker lying in a pile of portable computers and data disks.

	"Great minds think alike, bro," Gilsur said as he rubbed the back of his head.  He promptly started gathering up his possessions.

	"A definite increase in the hostility level around here," Cassur grunted as he picked himself up.  "How were you planning to get out?"

	"Hitch a ride with two pilots...IF they wouldn't mind!" Gilsur replied.

	The PIQ...pilots in question...grinned.  "Sure thing!" Cassur said as they started off again.  "I'm surprised that you hadn't left sooner."

	"Can't leave without my baby," Gilsur grinned as he patted his portocomp laptop.  "Plus I had to yank a few files."

	"Hmm..." Cassur mused.  "That gives me an idea.  Let me tell you after we get into the air."

*    *    *

	"Whoa!" Gilsur's eyebrows shot up.  "A surprising amount skimmed off the ol' warchest."

	The three of them were now holed up in some nameless apartment building on Colony Fourteen, Gilsur's portocomp making faint hums as data rolled up the screen.  They had escaped with scant time to spare before the Sagussans had thrown an iron-clad security net over Colony Four, scooting over into the next solar system.  Reports of the Mikado's death came over a radio, mostly ignored to since they were intent in their current project.

	Since they had escaped with little more then their ships and skins, Cassur suggested they retrieve their final payrolls with Gilsur's help.  This also included everyone else's payrolls, the Mikado's war funds and various hidden caches of graft, embezzlement and "confiscations."  After all, the previous owners had little use of it now.  "The treasurer was a naughty boy, wasn't he?" Orinsur snorted as Gilsur tapped a few keys and shifted numbers and funds.

	"The slimy little bastard was doing it long before I arrived," Gilsur snorted in reply.  A few more taps and the ex-treasurer's funds were transferred.  "That does it for Phase One," Gilsur announced as he stretched his muscles.  "Phase Two coming up."

	"Wipe them all out," Cassur said.

	He watched as Gilsur started bringing up their files.  With a few keystrokes, the existence of the three men were wiped out of all known databases.  After a bit, Gilsur leaned back.  "Done!" he said.  "As of now, we don't exist as we used to.  New IDs can be made with no problem."

	Cassur and Orinsur sigh with relief.  "So what do you plan to do?" Cassur asked Gilsur.

	"Bury myself somewhere and enjoy being dead," Gilsur grinned. "How about you two?"

	"That sounds like a good idea," Orinsur smirked.

	"Ditto," Cassur added.  "We have enough for two lifetimes or anything we want.  But I think the idea of being just another face in the crowd is very appealing."

	Gilsur scratched his chin.  "Well then.  I'll get started on our new IDs.  Then...we'll just take it as we see it."

	Cassur and Orinsur both nodded as Gilsur bent once more over the keyboard...

*    *    *

	Years later...

	<<We're being followed,>> Cassur psi-linked to Orinsur.

	<<Did you just notice this?>> Orinsur replied.  <<I had him pegged a couple of streets back.>>

	<<No,>> Cassur said tersely.  <<I just wanted to make sure if he really was following us.  Never thought anyone could be that obvious.>>

	<<Hmm...>> Orinsur mused.  <<Let's go into a bar and figure things out.>>

	Both strolled until they came to a small pub.  Going in, they ordered drinks and took small sips as their minds talked.  <<Staying outside,>> Cassur commented as he sensed their follower loitering outside.

	<<So what do you think?>>

	<<A very bad thought at the moment,>> Cassur scowled.  <<I want to find out why we're being followed.>>

	<<Any ideas?>> Orinsur emptied his glass.

	Cassur took a coin out of his pocket and flipped it.  <<Heads or tails?>>

	<<Uh...heads.>>

	<<Oh, dear.  You get to be the bait.>>

	<<Trenchwave!>>

	<<Love you, too,>> Cassur quipped.  <<Now here's a suggestion...>>

*    *    *

	The man standing across the street from the bar pressed back against the wall as the two men he was tracking exited.  He followed a short distance away as they both walked down the street and into the milling crowd that was enjoying the city's nightlife.

	After a while, the two stopped and exchanged goodbyes.  One went back into the main street while the other headed for the park.  Making a choice, the man followed the one headed to the park.

	A faint rustle of clothing, followed by a steady hiss alerted the hunter that his prey has chosen to relieve himself in the bushes.  Deciding that now was a good time to bag his quarry, the man drew a pistol from his clothes and crept through the foliage towards his goal.  He was in sight and raising his gun when he felt a tap on his shoulder.  He spun around just in time to catch the fist of his target's companion on his chin which sent him crashing back!

	Fighting the haze in his head, he tried reaching for his gun when a foot came down on his arm.  "Never saw anyone as rotten as you," his ex-mark said before he slammed a blackjack into his temple.

*    *    *

	SPLASH!!!!

	A bucket of water thrown into the face of their would-be hunter, shocked him into consciousness.  The man was tied up in a chair in an unidentified back-room.  "Wake up!" Orinsur said as he slapped him sharply acroos the face.

	Their captive looked groggily around the room.  Cassur was sitting at a table thumbing through some cards.  "Bounty hunter, hmm?" Cassur said as he looked at one card in particular.  "Surprised that you got in.  Bet you had to pay a lot of bribes to get this, considering how talentless you are."

	The man just scowled.  "We know why your after us," Cassur gestured to himself and Orinsur.  "What we want to know is how you managed to find out about us.  We took steps to cover our tracks, but it seems we weren't able to erase every bit.  So where did you get your info?"

	The man just glared at him.  "Don't want to talk?" Cassur hummed.  "I can understand that.  You understand, right, Orinsur?"

	"Perfectly," Orinsur said as he raised his blackjack...

	SPLASH!!!!

	"Ready to talk now?" Cassur asked.  "If you're not ready, perhaps we could try to convince you again."

	"Okay!!" the man snarled.  "I got the bounty on you two from a hunter's list!  It had been posted just recently on all the major boards!!"

	Orinsur frowned.  <<Could it be Gilsur?>> he psi-linked.

	<<He could have done it,>> Cassur replied.  <<But it doesn't sound like him.>>  "Who in particular posted the bounty?"

	"It was just a general posting by the *an'san-Mikado.*  They posted a big list of the Mikado's cronies that they wanted eliminated...!"

	Orinsur raised his blackjack.  "I SWEAR!!!!" the man yelled.

	<<Enough,>> Cassur told Orinsur.  <<We won't get any more info out of him.  We need to talk to Gilsur.>>  Both of them got up and started to leave the room.  "I think we're forgetting something."

	"Oh, yes!" Orinsur replied.

	He  shot the man in the head.

*    *    *

	Both Cassur and Orinsur sat in a room waiting patiently for the third member of their party to arrive.  From outside the door, the sound of music came through loudly.  This was one of the reasons they decided to meet in the back of a nightclub.  The noise from outside could cover anything short of a major war.

	The door opened and the noise rolled in like a wave.  Standing in the doorway was Gilsur.  He had his ever-present portocomp under his arm...and surprisingly, from the bulge under his jacket, a sidearm!  "Glad you could make it," Cassur said.  "I hope you weren't followed."

	Gilsur shook his head.  "My security made sure of that," he pointed over his shoulder where a human-sized guard-droid stood.  "Good thing I always keep him around.  He kept the real world hunters off of my head while one of them tried to ICE my brain."

	"So what were you able to find?" Cassur asked.

	Gilsur set up his portocomp and pressed several buttons.  "I checked the lists and we're posted all over the place.  I don't know about you, but I never recall ever being this busy!"

	He pointed to some numbers.  "I never killed half that many people!" Orinsur scowled.  "Who the hell has been padding our records?"

	"I'll get to that," Gilsur said.  "But here was something interesting.  This reports that we stole LOTS of money from the Mikado and his cronies.  Now that money does belong to the Vosian government, but I made sure to cover our tracks.  I severely doubt that this much could be pinned on us even if they decided that we did some pilfering.  Someone had to know about it...and it wasn't the Treasurer since he was blasted away when the Sagussans attacked Colony Four.  I found that out in the obituaries by the way."

	"Someone else on the inside?" Orinsur asked.  He had a creeping feeling that they had left their backs wide open.

	"Yeah," Gilsur said as his fingers moved over the portocomp.  "I did a lot more digging to see where this info came from.  And to make a long story short, it seems one of the Mikado's toadies got caught and spilled his guts to save his head."  Gilsur pressed a button and an image flashed on the screen.

	"TARSUR!!!!" Cassur roared and slammed his fist on the table at the sight of the informant.

	"Informant" was a pleasant way of labelling Tarsur.  He was a rat-fink of the first-order, an expert on snivelling and ferreting out information.  His skill at this and many contacts was about the only reason the Mikado ever tolerated him.  He served the Mikado only because the Mikado was such a domineering person.  Tarsur worshipped strength and thrived in a strong person's shadows, always ready to betray others to his master...yet would also betray his master if he became weak.  The only people Tarsur NEVER crossed were the strongest hunters, those good souls dedicated to making a stronger Vos, people like Mujanba, Varena and Grisur.

	"The only way I figure that Tarsur kept his info safe was if he kept it on a closed system.  If it was ever even on a computer!" Gilsur shrugged.

	"And if anyone would keep dirt on us, it would be him!" Orinsur scowled.  "All set to betray us to his master."

	"Yeah!" Gilsur replied.  "I figure he might've had the same idea we had when we swiped all those funds.  It wouldn't be to hard to farm the blame on someone else."

	"You said he got caught?" Orinsur asked.

	"Yep," Gilsur replied.  "I dug through a bunch of records and learned he was caught by the *an'san-Mikado* not too long ago.  He started talking a lot and managed to keep his head by divulging all sorts of 'secret' information.  Such as a number of hunters still loyal to the Mikado, several reserve bases...and all of those who had bugged out during the Colony Four attack.  Like us."

	"And where is he now?" Cassur asked.

	Gilsur gave a disgusted snort.  "Doing what he's always been doing, except on a shorter leash.  He's now part of the NVDU...New Vosian Dirty Underbelly.  With an axe over his head that won't come down as long as he is 'their' rat-fink.  Same as before."

	For awhile all that could be heard was the music behind the room's door.  Gilsur spoke again.  "Due to our past with the Mikado...and helped by his little extras to our record...we're rather hot targets.  Besides the bounty, there's a percentage of the stolen funds offered depending on how much is recovered.  I've heard that several other bounties have been dropped so they could switch to going after us."

	"We're dead men!" Orinsur said simply.

	Nobody tried to correct him.  "So now what?" Gilsur asked.

	"If I'm going to die..." Cassur said, "...I want that little shit to go with me."

	"Same here," Orinsur said.  "But you know how far Tarsur likes to bury himself.  He'll be in the midst of some of the best.  We won't be able sneak in.  The *an'san-Mikado'll* detect us in an instant."

	"So what do we do?" Gilsur asked.

	"We bury ourselves," Cassur replied.  The others look surprised.  "If we are going to get him, it's going to take time.  And we need to stay alive to figure out a way to get him.  So we bury ourselves somewhere and wait until some of the heat dies down.  Then we leap out and smash him before anyone can act."

	"And then what?" Orinsur asked.

	Cassur sighed.  "If we kill him, it'll just start the hunt for us again.  Despite being a small loss, there will be little doubt who killed him.  And killing him means we'll be right in the middle of things.  Right now, I see little chance of getting out of it alive."

	Orinsur grinned.  "Not a bad way to go though.  Any ideas?"

	"Like I said, it'll take time," Cassur replied.  "But if we're going to do this, we should do it right.  And we'll need help.  Are you in, Gilsur?"

	"Seems I've got nothing to lose," Gilsur nodded.  "I do know some people who'll help anybody as long as their paid.  Good thing we have lots of money."

	"Might as we'll spend it while we can," Cassur said.  "Let's get started."

*    *    *

	Cassur stood on a catwalk looking down on the floor of a hangar.  On the floor, a number of Vosian fighter craft were being attended to by technicians, prepping them for take-off.  Outside, there were several other ships moving into position.

	Cassur frowned.  He didn't want it to be this way, but it seemed that there were no more options.  The *an'san-Mikado* and every bounty hunter in the Confederation were still on their trail and there had been several close calls.  Even those who would still do business with them were becoming leery.

	Cassur walked back to the office as he looked down at the ships.  Every credit and favour had been spent for these, one last attempt for revenge.  They had learned that Tarsur had been assigned to the Vosian Embassy on Earth.  He was the unofficial spy in the group.  Having heard this, both Cassur and Orinsur had scowled but were ready to hunker down and wait.  He wouldn't be there forever.

	However, the numerous hunters on their cases wouldn't wait.  It was only a few weeks ago that they barely survived an attack.  The hunter had divulged in his final moments that the bounty was going up due to their past successes.  It was even said that foreign agencies like the Holy Inquisition and the Imperial Corps of Executioners were taking interest.

	And so they set the date for a raid.

	They couldn't smuggle themselves into Earth, since alien immigration was controlled with an iron fist.  Not surprising considering what had been happening around Earth the last few years.  Under other circumstances, this wouldn't be too difficult since Earth was only recently starting up a serious space defense program.  A quick fly-in, a quick-hit, then a quick fly-out.  And they would be out of reach of the Earth Defense Forces before anyone knew what had happened.

	The biggest problems with that plan was the Sagussans.

	Now, neither Orinsur or Cassur had any personal problems with the Sagussans.  They had a healthy respect and fear of the *daishi'cha* and expressed that by vowing to stay far away from them.  However, the Sagussans usually had a ship or two patrolling around Earth, at least until Earth had built up its defense force, another decade away.  Neither Cassur or Orinsur had ten years.  And trying to fly past them was just stupid, especially since the ship now in orbit was the legendary R.S.S. "Hasei'cha."

	So, with some thought, Cassur and Orinsur decided they needed three major things:  speed, firepower and back-up.  They were able to purchase a number of old Vosian fighters; those that had survived the Sagussans' attack on Lecashuto were being sold to help pay rebuilding costs.  The problem was the back-up.  Orinsur said he would handle this, promising it would be quite a surprise...

*    *    *

	"So you have the pilots?" Cassur asked as they walked to the security room.

	Orinsur nodded.  "Took a bit.  I asked myself who might have the biggest grudge against the Sagussans?  Someone who want a crack at them so bad they don't really care about the consequences?"

	Orinsur flipped on a switch and a monitor flared to life.  On the screen were several figures practicing with flight simulators.  "Humanoid Lannarkites!!!" Cassur exclaimed.  "How in Lecasur's name did you find them?!"

	"A planet in the general direction of the Planet of Shadows," Orinsur said.  "Ataru Moroboshi and company made a LOT of noise there before the Battle of Lecashuto.  And despite what they thought, not all humanoid Lannarkites are open-minded.  These ones were kind of a sad-case, outcast because they were humanoid, but still wanting the approval of the bug-forms.  They were spitting mad when a whole bunch flipped over to humanoid and skipped off to Sagussa.  A lot of the bug-forms were talking about wiping these guys out from what they say.  One said that if the they can prove themselves by striking out at the Sagussans, they would be allowed into one of the hives.  They're willing to die so that the rest of their tribe can have that chance."

	Cassur hummed.  "How good of a chance do you give them?"

	"Against the likes of Lufy, Rabby and Mie Seikou?!" Orinsur replied.  "Slim to none, even with the training.  Getting shot at in real time is a lot different then in a simulator.  That's why I've obtained a little something extra," Orinsur brought out a small vial.  "Red Veil."

	Red Veil was a drug often found used in illegal blood-sports.  It invoked bravery and dampened pain.  It also tended to drive people into murderous frenzies and gave their vision a red tint.  Hence the name.  "Nasty stuff." Cassur said.  "No way I'm using that."

	"Course not," Orinsur smirked.  "I gave them the option of using it or not and a couple of them sprang for it."  He shrugged.  "I did get something else you might be interested in."  With that, he took out another vial.  "White Noise."

	Now this surprised Cassur.  White Noise was extremely hot.  Not that it was dangerous in the way Earth's crack cocaine or mayaku dust was.  It was dangerous because of what it did.  It made one a supreme warrior.  More correctly, it expanded one's awareness in some way.  The closest that Cassur could describe the effect was the way the Sagussans could draw on the mysterious *te'a* to enhance their abilities.  It was said that one dose could awaken latent psionic talents.  In this way, it could be used medically to help cure damage inflicted by psionic attack or by brainwashing.  The big problem was that the more taken, the greater the risk of overload due to the barrage of sensation and information flooding the brain.  Thus is was tightly controlled.  This didn't stop people from taking it to give themselves that edge.  It was the ultimate state of the warrior, to be where "everything is white."

	"I don't think we'll have to worry about an overdose in this case," Orinsur said.

	"How true," Cassur replied and took the vial.

*    *    *

	*Would that be a good way to die?* Cassur thought as he continued down the hall.  *To die battling your foe head-on instead of having a garrote slipped around your neck?* he fingered the vial in his pocket thoughtfully.

	Anyway, Cassur had his own surprise for Orinsur.  The thought of flying a standard Vosian fighter against the Sagussans made him shudder.  The Sagussans had nearly the entire galaxy beat on the technological level.  At Colony Four, the Mikado's fleet had been swatted aside like flies and the marines and hunters had been crushed under Ataru Moroboshi's feet.  There was only one approachable race that had the ability to match them...

*    *    *

	"Gladiators!!!"

	Orinsur had been extremely impressed as he looked at the two transformable fighters.  "How did you manage to snatch these?"

	Cassur smirked.  "I would be dead very quick if I tried to snatch any of their hardware.  Look close," he pointed at one.  "They are Gladiators but the technology and construction are very different."

	Orinsur took a closer look.  "I'll be dipped!  This is T'kon manufacture!"

	"Yep!" Cassur confirmed.  "It took every last credit but I got them.  They were supplied by Kagamasei Home Security.  A lot of them were royally ripped when they got slapped down by the T'kon and the Sagussans over that clone incident we heard of last year.  A few hints that this might be aimed at Sagussa and I got missile pods thrown in as a bonus."

	Orinsur sighed a bit as he ran a hand over the surface of one.  "So are we set now?"

	"I guess so," Cassur said simply.

*    *    *

	Later, Cassur entered a small room where Orinsur was running through some last minute checks.  "All set?"

	"Just waiting for you," Orinsur said as he brought out two glasses and a bottle of premium brand super-vodka.  Both of them drank down one glass and then smashed both glasses and bottle against the wall.

	"So we can have one last drink when we meet in the elsewhere," Cassur said.

	"And the first to arrive will have it ready for the other," Orinsur replied.

	Both men then left the room and began shouting orders at the pilots still on the ground as they headed to their ships...

*    *    *

	On the dark side of the Moon...

	A small fleet hovered in its shadow.  Most of the ships were Vosian dogfighters and intercepters.  Two, however, were very different.  They hung behind the others like huge hawks.  Both were mostly alike in appearance except for two large boosters on one and large detachable missile bays on the other.

	Orinsur checked his scanners.  The "Hasei'cha" was indeed patrolling above Earth.  The plan was for Orinsur to race past and then for the Lannarkites to engage the "Hasei'cha" to delay it.  Cassur would then open fire with his missiles and then enter the melee.  Hopefully this would give Orinsur enough time to locate Tarsur with his tracking sense and either capture him if able, or kill him if not.

	Flipping on the communications line, Orinsur addressed the others.  "Is everyone all set?"

	A number of affirmatives and several Red Veil-induced yells came through the speakers.  "Okay, then," Orinsur said.  "I'll go in first.  The rest engage the 'Hasei'cha' on Cassur's orders.  When he says so, break away or get caught by his fire.  Then re-engage the 'Hasei'cha.'  Remember, if they break off, DON'T follow!  Your job is to protect our backs!"

	Some affirmatives and grumbling were his answer.  Orinsur looked over at Cassur's Gladiator.  He couldn't see him from here, but he could feel his presence through their *pe'cha* bond.  Orinsur sent a pulse of brotherhood to Cassur and got one in return.  "Starting run!" Orinsur said and flipped on the boosters.

	The Gladiator's engines flared like small suns as he shot towards Earth...

*    *    *

	Shildy was enjoying a cup of tea as she manned the bridge of the "Hasei'cha."  It had been quiet on their patrol and this tea break was a welcome addition to the boring routine of scanning for threats that might endanger Earth and the *daimon'cha.*

	Suddenly, an alarm blared and the screens showed a rapidly incoming ship.  Shildy scowled and then noticed that it was a Gladiator.  Opening the comm-channels she hailed it.  "You in the Gladiator!  What in Lyna's name do you think your doing?!  Stop right..."

	The Gladiator flashed by the "Hasei'cha" and towards Earth.

	"...there!!" Shildy finished, then hit the alarm switch.  "Intruder heading towards Earth!  Everyone to battle stations!"

*    *    *

	"Go!!!" Cassur gave the order and the ships around him leapt towards the "Hasei'cha."

*    *    *

	"Rabby!!  Lufy!!  Mie!!  Get in your Gladiators and shoot them down!" Eluza took her seat.  "I want a live capture if possible but you know what to do if you can't."

	"Yes, ma'am!" the three Gladiator pilots replied as they headed to their ships.

	"Who in Lyna's name is that?" Eluza scowled as the "Hasei'cha" started to swing around to follow the rapidly vanishing craft.

	"Shipmistress!" Spea yelled from her position.  "That's a T'kon-model Gladiator!!"

	Eluza's eyes widened.  "What in Lyna's name is going on?"

	She got her answer when the first wave of lasers impacted against the hull!

*    *    *

	Cassur looked on as the fighters engaged the "Hasei'cha."  They had the advantage of a surprise attack, but that quickly faded as the warpsloop's armaments sliced into their ranks.  He guided the crosshairs over the image of the "Hasei'cha" on his screen.  MISSILE LOCK flashed up on the screen and he pulled the trigger.  All around the Gladiator, the panels of the missile bays opened.  Like hungry wolves, their payloads snarled out.

	"Break!"

*    *    *

	"WHOOO!!!!" Lufy yelled as she destroyed another fighter.  Currently, she was the only one out fighting the Lannarkites.  Rabby and Mie were pinned down in their cradles by a number of the ships.  Lufy however, had been running for her Gladiator as soon as the alarm had sounded.  Her goal now was to clear out those mobbing the "Hasei'cha" so Mie and Rabby could launch.

	Suddenly, all of the fighters veered off.  "What the...?!" Lufy wondered.

	Her alarms blared and her scanners showed a huge group of missiles in a cascade wave, bearing down on the "Hasei'cha!"  "ELUZA!!!!" Lufy yelled as she swung her ship out of the way of the approaching wall.  The "Hasei'cha's" engines propelled it out of the way and the anti-missile batteries fired.  The front row of missiles were destroyed, but the remaining waves adjusted their on-board guidance and smashed into the side of the "Hasei'cha!"

*    *    *

	Eluza was knocked out of her chair by the impact.  The monitors crackled, still-intact screens showing that the missiles were using a cascade assault.  As each wave impacted, the wave after that hit home in a constant barrage of destruction.  The lights flickered and alarms blared.  "Shipmistress!!" Patty's voice came over a speaker.  "The engines have been hit!  They're aiming right for them!  If the shields go, we'll lose the ship!"

	Another blast rocked the "Hasei'cha!"  "Shields down to last layer!" Amy yelled.  "And failing!!"

	Eluza gritted her teeth.  "Abandon ship!  Everyone to the escape launch!!"

*    *    *

	Cassur ejected the missile pods and looked on the burning form of the "Hasei'cha."  He then sighed and took out an injector from his vest pocket.  Pressing it against his neck, he shot the White Noise straight into his veins!  "I'll keep it cool for you!" he said as white mists filled his gaze.  His craft then leapt forward like some great beast...

*    *    *

	"DAMMIT!!!!" Lufy howled as she heard Eluza's order.  She ground her teeth.  "Mie!!  Rabby!!  I want both of you to protect the escape craft!  I'll handle these bastards!!"

	"Lufy!!  You know we can't let you fight alone!" Rabby voice came over the comm-channel.  "Mie can cover them..."

	"No!!" Lufy snarled.  "SOMETHING out there just ripped up the 'Hasei'cha!'  And I don't want it coming after ONE Gladiator and an escape launch!  You have got to protect everyone and make sure to get word to Sagussa or anyone else about what's happened.  There's no time to argue!"

	This was true, as the scanners showed that the Lannarkite fighters were swinging around to attack.  "Lufy..." Rabby began.

	"She's right!" Eluza's voice came over the comm.  "Now that the ship's gone, safety of the crew is paramount.  That's a direct order, Chief!"

	"Yes, ma'am!" Rabby mumbled.  "Make them pay, Lufy!"

	"I always do!" Lufy replied. She turned her gaze towards the approaching ships.  She barely saw the shapes of three ships escaping from the dying "Hasei'cha."  Mist was beginning to cloud her vision.  "***TE'RIGH DO'A VA!!!!***"

	She flew into their midst.  In seconds, space was littered with billowing explosions and scattered wreckage!  The last fighter exploded as Lufy executed a seemingly impossible turn, dodging out of its line of fire and raking its hull with her guns!!  She paused slightly, then felt something approach before the sensors alerted her.  She looked up and saw another Gladiator bearing down on her.  In its cockpit was a figure that was unusually bright in the mists of the *te'a!*

	Plunging beyond red-hot anger into a more pure colour, Lufy opened fire...

*    *    *

	Cassur was laughing.  The White Noise sang in his veins and the Death Hymn was on his lips as both fighters dove and fired at each other.  Even within the whiteness, the Vosian was outmatched.  Particle fire struck his shields and alarms blared as he pushed both himself and his ship past their limits.

	His laughter faded as the Hymn continued.  He could see his opponent out there, more clearly then any sensor could show.  He could see her.  Lufy.  The Enchanting Princess of Falcros in her previous life.  Reborn as *Daishi'cha* #29363.  One of a beautiful inner circle of friends who had changed the destiny of a galaxy.

	He could feel her glare, feel the waves of her rage vanish as she abandoned the crippling chains of emotion for something more primal.  Neither hated the other now or felt glee at the death that would come.  Cassur knew he would die by her hands, but he wouldn't have it any other way.  For she was more then his sister.  More then his mother or lover.  She was...his angel of death.

	And then the whiteness took a silver hue...

*    *    *

	"Amazing!" Orinsur said as he flew lower over the Earth...

*    *    *

	"Impossible!" Lufy gasped as she saw glowing eyes

*    *    *

	Cassur had no comment at the time since he was swinging hard right to avoid slamming into Lufy's Gladiator.  He was rather amazed himself.  Recognition with a Sagussan?  He had heard that this was impossible.  No doubt that this might be due to the White Noise.  The question now was, what should he do?

	Lufy's Gladiator was swinging around.  He was at a crossroads right now.  However doubtful, he could surrender right now and perhaps gain a chance for Lufy's hand.  But if he did that, he would be betraying his brother down there on Earth.  And if he attacked her, he would be betraying his feelings.

	"Duty or love," Cassur mused.  "I can't choose."

	He sent two last empathic bursts out, and then swiftly punched a series of numbers on a small keypad.

	Then his world exploded around him!

*    *    *

	"As you will, brother," Orinsur sighed and continued on.

*    *    *

	Lufy stared out at the fading explosion.  "You couldn't've stayed anyway, could you?" she whispered, powering back as she swung around to rejoin her friends.  "Too many sins that had to be paid for, Cassur?  I'm so sorry for you.  *Neka do hagh wae ronghki wae joghza va*..."

*    *    *

	Orinsur's Gladiator flew low over the Atlantic.  His monitor showed the location of the Vosian embassy in the city of New York.  His tracking sense stretched out and he began to sense Tarsur's brainwaves.  He gritted his teeth slightly as even sensing the brainwaves seemed to carry Tarsur's vileness to him.

	Knowing he had to act quickly, Orinsur flew low into Manhattan, causing people to scream and stagger as they were caught in the Gladiator's backwash, blowing out dozens of windows in his wake.  Reaching the embassy west of Central Park, Orinsur shifted the Gladiator to Battledroid form and touched down, making the area shudder.  Several figures rushed out to see what was happening and promptly ran back in.  Orinsur suddenly sensed a spike of panic erupt in Tarsur.  Using this to pinpoint him, Orinsur reached out and ripped the roof off the embassy.  Screams sounded as people ran from the metal giant that was destroying the building.  Tarsur was running frantically around the building and Orinsur went to the other side to intercept him.  He came upon a large window that let light stream into the main hall.  Tarsur was running down the stairs trying to make a break for the main doors.

	Orinsur shattered the wall just as Tarsur reached the floor.  He screamed and tried to run back up the stairs but a large metal hand scooped him up.  Sensing that no guards were near...and what mere guard could possibly harm a sixty-metre tall robot?!...Orinsur popped the hatch and drew his pistol as the Gladiator's hand brought Tarsur closer.

	He hadn't changed a bit.  He was, to all appearances, an ordinary Vosian with stringy black hair and dull grey eyes.  But to those who were aware of such things, he radiated a vile cheapness.  Everything that came into contact with him seemed to come away with a disgusting taint that made you want to wipe your hands off and then rush to the bathroom and franticly scrub at your hands.  It seemed that his essence was oozing out of the seams of his body.

	"Hello, Tarsur," Orinsur hissed as Tarsur was brought right up to the cockpit.

	The informant's eyes bulged and he started to say something.  "SHUT UP!!!!" Orinsur roared, sending both a verbal and mental command to Tarsur.  He, one who attacked weakness without mercy, crumbled in the face of strength.  "Get in!!!" Orinsur gestured with his pistol to the seat behind him.  "Or I'll start with your toes and work my way up!!"

	His pistol was pressed right up against Tarsur's face.  Shaking with fear, the informant clambered into the rear seat.  Orinsur hit a button and metal restraints clamped into place on Tarsur's legs, arms and body.  He whimpered pathetically as he struggled vainly against his bonds.  The blaring of an alarm brought Orinsur's head around to the monitor.  Several shapes appeared on the long-range sensor, the words describing them as United States Air Force jets scrolled along the bottom.  Orinsur closed the hatch and brought the Gladiator upright, sprinting a little down the street, then leaped into the air as booster jets propelled him into the heavens, whereupon he shifted to Fighter mode and streaked away.

	Orinsur continued his flight away from Earth, the blue and green planet started to grow smaller as he relaxed.  Ignoring the whines behind him.  Orinsur made a sensor sweep of the area, even though he knew what he would find.  Nothing.

	He sighed and prepared for transwarp when his alarms blared.  Suddenly, shapes began to appear on the sensors.  Even before the words popped up on the HUD screen, Orinsur knew who they were...

*    *    *

	"That's the other one!" Asuka told Sylia.  "Just as Eluza said."

	The commander of Pathfinder Troop Six grimly nodded.  "Blow it to ashes.  Tell this to the others!"

	"At once," Asuka opened a line to the flight of Fourth Defence Squadron Gladiators.  "Attack!!"

*    *    *

	Orinsur spun his Gladiator away as energy bolts screamed towards him.  He tried to jinx away from some missiles and caught a blast across the back of the ship.  Alarms blared as screens showed that the shields were failing and damage was mounting up.  Tarsur was gibbering in fear behind him and the stench of smoke and urine filled the cockpit.

	Orinsur didn't notice any of this because he was singing.

	Many races have their battle hymns.  Songs before battle to boost their courage, songs that were little more then curses as they clashed with their foes and songs to celebrate victory and to mourn the deaths of their comrades afterwards.

	Few however, had the Death Hymn.

	It wasn't some mere defiance of death, or even one that welcomed it.  It was acknowledging that one is going to die no matter what and thus the single most important thing one could do was to fill those last few moments with living.  Whether it was a final session of lovemaking or  fighting with every ounce of skill one had, it didn't really matter.  To lie down and die while singing it bordered on blasphemy and to recklessly throw your life away was stupidity.

	It was to be...who you are.

	Orinsur arced his Gladiator up and seemed to hover in space.  He looked out the cockpit window and saw the Earth below him and the vastness of space above.  All around, twenty Gladiators and the "Kiboo'cha" were bearing down on him.  "Trapped between Heaven and earth," Orinsur mused.  "I guess I've done all I can."

	He then turned the Gladiator towards Pathfinder Troop Six's command ship and kicked in the boosters.  The Gladiator leapt towards her and into her erupting weapons...

*    *    *

	Lufy gazed out of a window on the "Kiboo'cha."  The battle had ended and everyone was heading back home after picking up the pieces.  She had half-heard reports of the Vosians yelling up a storm due to the attack on the embassy, of the rumours flying about the T'kon being involved in on the attack and people wondering what this had all been about.  But she paid them little heed.

	Footsteps behind her brought her out of her thoughts.  Turning around, she saw Eluza.  "Is everybody okay?" Lufy asked.

	"Some bruises to the body, but mostly to the ego.  But that should fade in time.  How are you?"

	"I'm okay.  I'm just depressed."

	Eluza nodded.  "You did wonderfully.  People are saying you deserve a medal.  I'm recommending you for the Order of Lyna."

	Lufy smiled.  The Order was Sagussa's highest award for bravery.  "I guess I do.  I saved the ones I care about."

	Nodding, the shipmistress left.  Lufy returned her gaze to the stars.  *Could of there been one more?*

	Perhaps a trip to the Forge could help...

*    *    *

	"Ah!  Glad you got here finally.  I was about to drink all of this myself."

	"At least I was going to make it.  I thought you were going to leave me to chase some skirts."

	"Trenchwave."

	"Love you, too.  By the way, I brought along some company."

	"Hmm?  Oh, I see.  Well, come over here and have a glass.  I have a feeling that we're going to be here a while.  Might as well learn how to get along."

	"...!"

	"*Yongh va'shi do.*  May I join you for a bit?"

	"Eh?!  Now what brings a beautiful lady like you here?"

	"Oh, a...very recent acquaintance of yours wanted to know if you were alright.  Since even one of my people would put their lives at considerable risk if they tried to search This Place themselves, I volunteered my time to help her.  She is...a good friend.  Then again, they all are on Sagussa."

	"Sagussa?!  She asked you to...?  Then you must be...!"

	"*En.*"

	"Please tell her I'm fine, Miss Lyna...and that I hope to see her Here one day...when her time comes.  And thank her for caring."

	"I'll tell her that..."

*** The End ***