Urusei Yatsura - Tales of the Daishi'cha: "Reunions, Remembrances and Returnings" Part 2 by Robert Geiger PHPN65A@prodigy.com **** **** **** Edited by Fred Herriot and E.B Kushnir gorgo@kwangju.net and kush1@iaw.or.ca **** **** **** Based on the series "Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year," in turn based on "Urusei Yatsura," created by Rumiko Takahashi **** **** **** IN PART ONE OF "REUNIONS, REMEMBRANCES AND RETURNINGS," a clerk from Topeka, Kansas, Toren Smith, meets Noriko, second-in-command of the Warsuit Brigade's Lima Squadron. Drawn together by some unseen force, Toren and Noriko begin a relationship resulting in the birth of their first child, Jung-Freud, plus the first ever Terran-style marriage on Sagussa, now in progress as Noriko remembers some of the reactions to the announcement... **** **** **** And now...ON WITH THE SHOW!!!! **** **** **** Noa sighed, watching Noriko stand before her getting her wedding dress made. Noriko's android double worked industriously with needle and thread. Noriko had insisted on a home-made dress instead of having one made at some factory. "Really, Noriko," Noa said. "I have to wonder where your mind is these days." "My mind is right inside my head," Noriko grinned, extending her arm. "Care to check?" Noa sighed again. She was doing a lot of sighing these days. The stresses of her role as Elder Mother kept piling up, with her growing number of children, Ataru and Lum leaving for Earth, the loss of Henry and Koishii...it was no wonder her hair was starting to turn grey! She had just come from a tense session with several diplomats from Uru who wanted aid in cleaning up the radiation from the nuclear missiles used against the Imperial Round on Toshitto. Plus reports on the rumblings several other nations were making towards them. Zephyrus had ben acting like an old lion who's turf had been invaded by a young rival; now that Sagussa had been shown to be less then indestructible, the Holy Republic was taking a harder stance with any treaties made between the two. When Noa had heard Noriko was going to marry her child-mate, her eyebrows shot up like most other *daishi'cha*. She would have passed it off for other more important things, but there were more mutterings that had to be dealt with. Such as people thinking the stunt Noriko and Kazumi had pulled years ago with testing the Inferno had burnt out their social programming (to which James had firmly said, "*Impossible!*"). They were now proposing tighter restrictions on immigration to prevent "Corruption of the Great Design"...which would happen over Noa's dead body! "I am hoping you are aware of the possible consequences," Noa said. "Your both going to be living with a vast social rift between the two of you. Have you thought how this will effect your children and how other relate to you?" "I'm fully aware of what is going to happen, and what might happen," Noriko said. "I'm going to marry the man I love. I doubt very much that I'm going to abandon the Great Design to become a housewife...or start a fad for marriages, or that Jung will be tormented at school. As for the social rift, Toren was willing to come here to live with me despite this being a matriarchal society. It's only right that I make compromises for him as well." "I see," Noa sighed again. "You're upset?" Noriko asked. "Perhaps," Noa rubbed her arms. "I guess it's only natural that you are worried," Noriko said. "I heard that many mothers feel that they are losing their daughters when they get married." Noa was stunned. "Noriko!" Noriko turned to face Noa. "'Elder Mother' isn't just a title despite what others might think. Many of us gained our names from you and Ataru that day. And if that doesn't make us your children...I don't know what will." Noa's heart seemed to swell. "I...don't know what to say." Noriko smiled. "All I'm asking is for your blessing on my wedding day. And to give me away." Noa grasped Noriko's hand. "I will. You have my blessing. And may Lyna smile upon you both..." * * * ...and so when Noa appeared to lead Noriko up the aisle, all mutterings were silenced. Noriko looked absolutely stunning in her wedding gown, which earned Toren many jealous glances. The couple swept down the aisle to the waiting hovercar at one end of Lima Squadron's hangar bay, which had been hastily converted to a makeshift church for the occasion. A gaggle of children lifted up Noriko's long train as they passed by well-wishers. Kazumi was waiting by the door with Jung in her arms. Kazumi had been more then happy to watch after Jung while Noriko and Toren were on their honeymoon and considered it good practice for when her time to become a mother came. Tita was at the front door with Unapuma and Anapuma. Noriko had since buried the hatchet between them and made sure they were the first to receive their invitations. "Gee, Noriko!" Tita grinned. "I don't know about this wedding stuff. Next thing we know, you'll start wearing underwear!" "Underwear?" Noriko grasped the hem of her gown. "You mean something like this?" Noriko lifted her skirt up to show the white lace panties and garters that matched her gown perfectly. The entire hanger shook as people fainted from shock...and some from the large amount of blood shooting out their nose! "What a woman!" Tita gasped at the bottom of a pile of bodies. "Toren," Noriko said. "Would you do the honours?" Toren grinned and slipped the garter off Noriko's leg and then handed it to her. Noriko held it over her head. "Heads up!" she yelled, and then tossed it into the air. Time seemed to slow down as eyes tracked the garter arcing through the air. "What was that for?" Tita asked. "I think we're supposed to try to catch it for good luck," Unapuma answered. "Isn't it undignified to dive for a piece of cloth?" Anapuma wondered. "TO THE MASTER'S KEEP WITH DIGNITY!!!!" a voice cried out. "DIVE FOR IT!!!!" Just as the garter started down, a mass of bodies leapt through the air and ended up in a very massive pile! The pile suddenly shook and bodies flew everywhere as Mari stood with the prize clutched in one hand. "Keisuke-kun! Keisuke-kun!" she called out. "It is a sign from the heavens!" This was followed by a scream as Keisuke made a break for the back door with Mari in hot pursuit! Noa shook her head. *My daughters...what shall I ever do with you?* Noriko and Toren entered the hovercar and waved to the crowd gathered outside the hangar as it pulled away. The hovercar flew up into the sky and towards the spaceport where they would take a honeymoon trip on a cruise ship before heading to Earth and spending some time at a quiet mountain village. Noriko curled up next to Toren. "Tired?" he asked. "No," she laid her head on his shoulder. She rarely got tired. A benefit of the boosting ability that made her and Kazumi the heart of the Inferno-X they piloted as commanders of Lima Squadron. She did sort of wish that she could just gently drift off to sleep without having to meditate first. "I can't get tired now, we have quite a journey ahead of us." "Still going here," Toren grinned. "I could go on like this forever." He said as he relished the sensation of flying as the hovercar swooped through the city. *Yes!* Noriko thought as she wrapped her arms around him. *We'll keep going no matter what...* * * * Noriko read the e-mail from Kasua and sighed. Kasua had said that the arrangements were about to begin and hoped that she would finally be able to meet Noriko, Toren and Jung in person. She also said that Noriko should now talk to Toren about her becoming Noriko's *marei'cha.* Noriko walked into the kitchen where Toren was getting a drink. She came up behind him and wrapped her arms around him. "How are you doing?" Toren asked as he slid a hand along her arm. "Okay," Noriko kissed the back of his neck. "Toren, you know my penpal Kasua Tongapp?" "From Kagamasei right? How is she doing?" "Very well. She and a number of her friends are planning to arrange to leave Kagamasei and seek asylum here. Kazumi has also been told of this by her penpal Kumie." "And they're asking for our help?" Toren asked. "Yes." "I'll be glad to help in any way I can," Toren said. "I suppose we need to be briefed on our mission." He chuckled. "There is something else," Noriko tightened her arms around Toren. "Yes?" "Kasua wants to become my bond-mate." Toren was silent for a moment. "And how do you feel about this?" he asked in an even tone. "I want us to. I've been feeling an urge I've never felt before I met her. I do love her." Noriko's voice carried a small trace of fear. Toren turned around in Noriko's arms and gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Are you planning to talk to her again anytime soon?" "Yes," Noriko replied. "Can I talk to her with you? I think it's best I get to know her before she comes here." Noriko's eyes brightened. "Of course!" she hugged Toren. * * * Toren stood in the shadows in Tere'na-korgh near Lyna's grave as Noriko and Kasua kneeled on their prayer mats. Both awoke from their trance and embraced each other, drawing each other down next to the crystal coffin to make love as so many other lovers have done before them. Toren's eyes flicked away and he felt a quick sting of jealousy. He promptly kicked himself mentally for feeling that way. *Idiot! After all the times that this has been talked about between the three of us. After I still know I love both of them with all my heart...how can I have that feeling? I'm such a fool.* <> Toren suddenly blinked as mists filled his vision and he found himself in the *te'a* with the glowing form of Lyna before him. "How could it not be foolishness?" Toren asked. "You see the woman you love making love to another. That is a natural reaction. If you were a fool, you would have never made it this far." "Your right, I can't let that eat me up," Toren said. He gave a small smile. "You know exactly what to say." "If it makes it any better, I've felt jealousy as well," Lyna said. "You?!!" Toren was amazed at the mere notion that Lyna could ever have a negative thought. Lyna blushed slightly. "When it started becoming tradition for couples to make love here, I felt jealousy that I could not make love like they did. But I came to realize that physical love is only a mere fraction of true love and I have all the love in the galaxy to sustain me." Toren smiled. "Leave it to you to solve all problems." Lyna gave a sly grin and whispered conspiratorially into Toren's ear. "When you're stuck in a chunk of glass, you learn to change the way you think very quickly." Toren was about to faint when a he was brought out of the *te'a* by a loud, "TOREN!!!!" Toren blinked and saw Noriko and Kasua looking at him with arched eyebrows and pursed lips. "I turn my back for one second," Noriko said with hands cocked on hips, "...and you're fooling around with another woman!" Toren hit the ground. "You didn't even wait for me to turn my back before getting down!" All three glared at each other before they suddenly felt very silly and laughed. "You're looking rather neglected, Toren-kun," Kasua mused. Noriko and Kasua beckoned to him. Toren's feet carried him where they lay. "You sure you're not tired?" he asked Kasua as he kneeled next to her. "Not at all," Kasua said as she slid her hand along his chest. It was true, her entire body hummed with a vibrancy she had never felt before. "I want to feel like this forever," she whispered as she touched her lips to his. * * * "C'mon, Marian!" Jung called as she ran down the hill. "Ah! Wait for me!" Marian yelled as she sprinted after her. Jung watched as her friend thundered down the slope. Even though Marian was about the same age as Jung, she towered over her friend. She inherited her height fromm her mother. This didn't seem to help her much in keeping up with Jung who ran circles around her and everyone else. Marian panted as she reached Jung. "Hey, Jung!" she said. "Let's rest for a bit." "Rest?" Jung pouted. "But we still haven't visited the orchard!" she pulled on Marian's hand. "I know you can make it!" "Well..." Marian started feeling better after the brief stop. She guessed that she had just got her second wind. "Okay. Do you want to stand on my shoulders?" "Sure!" Jung smiled as Marian hoisted her onto her shoulders and ran towards the trees in the distance... * * * "Marian! I need to get down and use the restroom." Both Marian and Jung had been spending quite some time at the orchard. They alternated helping the workers pick fruit...and then eating the fruit...and playing. Jung and Marian had been sort of a tag-team with the former on top of the latter's shoulders. "Okay," Marian said and set Jung down. Jung ran off to the warehouse while Marian stretched her shoulders tiredly. Jung came running back after a short while. "Marian! I'm back!" No response. "Marian?!" she called again. She suddenly saw Marian lying down on the ground a short distance away. "Silly! Are you sleeping?" Jung grinned as she went up and shook Marian. Marian didn't move however. "Marian!! You shouldn't go to sleep out here!! MARIAN!!!!" Jung shook Marian again. She suddenly froze as she saw Marian's face all pale and sweating. "Marian!!!" Jung cried. She shook Marian again and gaining no response, tore off to the warehouse. "Help!! Help!!!" * * * "It seems like she fainted from overexertion," the doctor told Mari when Marian was examined at the hospital. "It is strange though. Jung said Marian was doing just fine after she left to use the restroom. Nothing serious has happened though. Marian just needs plenty of rest." There was a collective sigh of relief from the group gathered at the hospital. Mari took Marian home leaving Noriko, Toren, Kasua, Kumie, Kazumi and Jung in the office along with the doctor and Misato. Kazumi's twins Kocgh and Ajira, along with Noriko and Kasua's newborn sons Issac and Irad, were in daycare. "So," Toren mused. "Why are we all here? Wasn't it a simple case of fainting?" "No, it wasn't," Misato said. "You were not here when it happened. But the symptoms that Marian suffered were exactly like those Unapuma had a number of years ago. Marian's case seemed a bit unusual so her case was checked with the hospital's computer files. The symptoms were confirmed as extreme exhaustion. But it was also noted that this particular situation had happened when Unapuma was in prolonged contact with Kazumi and Noriko. And noted the research I had conducted on them when they were training for their new Warsuits. That is why I have been called in." "So it seems that Jung has the same ability as Kazumi and I?" Noriko asked. "It seems so," Misato sighed. "But this seems to be a bit more serious. Unapuma didn't have this extreme reaction. Either it was from Jung's and Marian's age or some other factor hasn't been determined. I do think it's time that we get to the bottom of what exactly this 'boosting' ability is. I should have continued the research but ran into military politics who wanted the project moved along ASAP, and so I dropped it. But now there is nothing standing in the way." Misato pulled out a folder. "I decided to do some more checking into Noriko and Kazumi's background and pulled the back-up files Henry had on the *daishi'cha.* In the files, Henry had found both of you in the wrecked remains of an unidentified fighter ship." "Though you were found fifty years apart, Kazumi first and Noriko later, Henry then discovered that the wreckage belonged to the same craft. Further examination revealed you both to be Terran in all aspects and so that was how you were classified even though Terrans had never developed the technology to get out that far. Henry guessed that you both were just from another race that is very similar in genetic makeup." Misato turned a few sheets over. "Regeneration went well. Although due to brain damage you both sustained, there would be heavy memory loss. Social programming went without any problems. It was noted that your first memories would begin when you emerged from the regeneration matrix." "That's true," Noriko said. "Neither Kazumi or I remember anything of out past lives." Misato nodded. "Henry makes no note of any special abilities beyond the standard enhancements the *daishi'cha* receive. Possibly the regeneration and programming triggered something, it's impossible to say right at this moment. I would like to run tests on Noriko and Kazumi first. Toren, Kumie and Kasua would come later since they don't have the ability but suffer no adverse effects due to bonding. Jung's case is that she has gained this due to her being Noriko's child. And Kocgh, Issac, Irad and Ajira will not be tested due to their young age. Is this okay with you all?" Everyone nodded. "Excellent," Misato smiled contently. "I'll have things prepared ASAP and will notify you when we're ready." As everyone filed out of the office, Misato mused. *You could do a lot better if you wanted to conceal something, Henry. And even if they had suffered brain damage, reconstruction of past memories wouldn't be that difficult. Why were you hiding something?* * * * Noriko and Kazumi lay down on side-by-side diagnostic tables. Over their heads were scanners that would examine them and relay the information to the waiting computers. Small electrodes were also attached to their temples, chests and arms. Misato stood by a bank of monitors with some assistants. Toren, Jung, Kasua and Kumie were sitting in the observation booth overlooking the room. "Let's get started," Misato said. The machines hummed to life and the scanners moved up and down over Noriko and Kazumi's bodies. Data scrolled past on the monitors which was quickly stored by the computers. <> Noriko psi-linked to Kazumi. <> Kazumi replied. <> "Please don't psi-link," Misato said. "It's interfering with the readings." Both Noriko and Kazumi gave silent nods to each other and grasped hands. Instantly they slumped back on the tables. "What?!!" Misato gaped as the readings went wild. "You two! Why can't you listen for once?!" She went over and grabbed Noriko's arm to shake her out of it. As soon as she touched their minds, she froze as she was drawn into the swirling image of flame and of their shadowy forms going deeper and deeper... * * * "When I grow up, I want to be the captain of a starship, just like my papa!" The first thought was of a young girl, gazing up at the stars where her father flew. Only able to come back once a year for her birthday. But she never despaired. And hoped one day she could fly by his side. And so she worked towards her dream. Through joy, pain and humiliation. She gained a sister who gave her strength. And flew out to the stars together like a small spark of light against the blackness... Death. A wall of death that approached without malice or mercy. All light was snuffed as the wave of flesh rolled across space, and only the bright points of light stood to hold it back. Love. The first love, of shy glances and second hand kisses which brought hope to the isolation of space. Death of love. Because of inexperience the love was snuffed out and replaced by shame and sadness, which became determination and fed the spark to a bright flame against the darkness. Peace. Of a brief time where they could rest under the sun and live in the same time as everyone. But once again the wall of darkness advanced. And the sisters escorted what would loose oblivion against the wall, for there was no other choice. Of despair, of another love that was flickering weakly home, one that might not survive from the sisters' prolonged absenteeism. Of love that brought hope. And the fire turned into a blazing sun that became the heart of a titan that scattered the darkness before it. Of peace. One sister left to live with love for a short while. Her place was taken by a friend whose head was wreathed in flame. Who helped watch for when the darkness returned. And it did return. In such a magnitude that a machine was built that would tear a hole in space and suck the darkness into one even deeper. And piloting it was the other sister, who came to stand at the end with the other. Against the darkness that swallowed the bright points of hope that stood against it. But always, the sun blazed brightly against it. But the last hope was damaged. And so the sisters had to descend to its heart to trigger it and in doing so doomed themselves to never see the ones they held dear again. For time would pass them by while they raced away from the widening jaws of oblivion... * * * "Everything is going as planned," Noriko said as she watched the Gunbuster thrust away from the growing black hole. "Hmm..." Kazumi replied absently. She was silently gazing at the origami hanging her students had given her. Suddenly, an alarm blared. "Space-warp detected!" Kazumi said, instantly snapping to attention. "Next to us?" Noriko gasped. "How?" Suddenly, space warped next to them. And a huge being resembling a giant caterpillar lunged out, with its flesh burning off its body. It opened its jaws as it hurled itself at them, energy bulging from its internal cannons. "It's going to kamikaze!" Kazumi shouted. "Defense!" Noriko reached behind her and the Gunbuster mimicked her motions. She drew her arm in front of her and the Gunbuster drew out...tattered cloth! The monster slammed into the Gunbuster and fired a point-blank blast that blew the mammoth machine in half. Noriko heard Kazumi scream which was echoed by her own as the side of her cockpit caved in and she felt a jagged piece of metal slam into her side. "NO!!!!" Noriko screamed as blood burst out of her mouth. She thrust her left arm forwards and drove the Gunbuster's arm into the monster's head. Armour plates blew off and rods slammed into it. A blast of energy shot into the monster's head which blew it apart and destroyed the last arm! Noriko felt no joy, for she was struggling against the pain that was spreading up her body. Her hand groped at the metal spike that pinned her to the wall. "Onee-sama?!" she groaned. "Onee-sama?!" No reply, the screen showed nothing. "Status?" she addressed the computer. "*Systems failing,*" the computer's voice said, unconcerned of its own demise. "*Collapsar engine nonfunctional, all systems from Buster Machine One nonfunctional. Life signs of Kazumi Amano terminated.*" Noriko wailed at this. "*Life support systems failing,*" the computer continued. *I have a choice of my deaths,* Noriko thought bitterly to herself. *Blood loss, suffocation or freezing.* "Outside view." A flickering image of a starfield appeared before her. The stars were visible and still. They were no longer in warp. "Location?" Noriko whispered. A chart flickered into view, showing them to be far from the galactic centre. "Communications possible?" "*Attempting,*" the computer beeped. "*Unable to establish communications.*" A short whir. "*All functions will fail in two hours. Due to extreme blood loss, Noriko Takaya's life signs are failing.*" "Enough!" Noriko snapped. The computer fell silent. Noriko looked out at the stars. She would stay like this, looking out at the bright points of light that were so far away even though they seemed so close together. She felt so alone. "Jung, Kimiko, Takami...I'm so sorry..." And the light was extinguished... * * * ...then soon reborn. "*Fascinating,*" a British-like accent mused... * * * "AUGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" Both Noriko and Kazumi screamed as their bodies arched up from the tables. Misato fell to the ground stunned as she came out of the vision. Noriko and Kazumi shot straight up, the electrodes tearing off their heads as they looked wildly around the room, their gazes fell upon each other. "Onee-sama!!" "Noriko!!" Both women leapt into each others arms and slumped to the floor sobbing. Misato was helped to a chair. "Lyna's Soul!" she whispered. "Who are they?!" Suddenly there was the sound of running feet. The door burst open and Noriko and Kazumi's family rushed in with distraught looks. They rushed to the pair and swept them up in a mass embrace. Slowly the sobbing stopped and they all sat on the floor with their heads pressed together. "What's happening?" a technician asked Misato. "Don't bother them," she replied. "This needs to be handled by them." Shortly, the group parted with Noriko and Kazumi wiping away their tears. Noriko looked at Toren. "How could I ever forget you?" she stroked his face. "Can you ever forgive me?" Toren smiled and held her hand. "I never forgot you, and I followed you here. It cost me my memories for a while but it was worth it. And there is nothing to forgive, it wasn't your fault." "May I ask what is happening?" Misato said. Kazumi turned to her. "As you have seen, Noriko and I were the pilots of a Warsuit-type vehicle called the Gunbuster. When we were attacked after triggering the Black Hole Bomb, I was killed and Noriko critically wounded. Somehow, we ended up in another place. Perhaps due to the effect of the Bomb and the failure of the collapsing engine that was supposed to take us home." She then sighs. "Another reality, no doubt since there has never been a record of Earth being involved in a war of such magnitude. And after that, we died. Somewhere along the way, the parts of the Gunbuster housing us were separated. Henry picked me up first, then Noriko fifty years later and we became *daishi'cha.* Why we never remembered until now I don't know. And Henry is no longer here to tell us why." "Toren here..." Noriko added, "...was my first love. I guess he just followed me here waiting for the chance when we could meet again. Just like you, right Jung?" "Of course, Momma!" Jung grinned. She suddenly had a much more mature look about her, especially in the eyes. Her smile faded to a more sombre mein. "I grew old waiting for you. All of us grew old looking up at the skies for the ones who gave our future back. I died so lonely," she sighed. "With all these reunions," Kumie said with a small grin. "I'm surprised that Coach isn't here." "My husband," Kazumi said in answer to Misato's questioning look. "We had only a short time together that we could show our love. But our hearts are content and he is at rest." "It seems we have even more questions," Misato said as she rubbed her temples. "Quite a bit more," Kazumi said. "But as for the talent Noriko, Jung and myself possess...I guess we just pass along our inner fire. We'll just have to learn to be more careful." Noriko and Jung nodded. "And so now what?" Misato said as the group picked themselves up. "Now...we go back to our homes here," Noriko said. There were more questioning looks. "What happened in our past still needs to be dealt with. There are questions that need to be answered. But not until we can live full lives here as we were unable to before." "So do I still have to call you 'Mom?'" Jung asked as the group filed out the door. "I should hope so!" Noriko grinned. "Oh well, I guess being a kid again isn't so bad," she sighed. "Although I looked much better with red hair." "Your hair looks just fine," Noriko said. "I guess you're right," Jung then looked down her blouse. "I wonder if my breasts will be as large as they used to be?" Everyone fainted! * * * Epilogue... Somewhere in space. Year 30 of the first age of Ataru'cha. Numerous ships hovered in the darkness while stars shone around them. Many were Sagussan, with the sleek form of the "Ossa'cha" in front. On the bridge, Ataru Moroboshi sat in the shipmistress' chair. His gaze moved down to the group that stood looking at the viewscreen in front of them. Kasua Tongapp, Kumie Allak, Toren Smith and their children Jung Freud, Jarec, Irad, Kocgh and Ajira, now fully grown and beginning to start families. They all stood together and watched the shape on the viewscreen. It stood like a giant sculpted out of obsidian. A dark titan with the symbol of the phoenix emblazoned on its upper chest which matched the starburst design that formed its head. And inside, at its heart, two people sat together with their thoughts... * * * "What do you see when you look up at the stars, Noriko-chan?" Kasua asked. Noriko, Toren and Kasua lay together in the large tub that was under the skylight in their home with their arms wrapped around each other. "Although they're far apart," Noriko mused, "when you look at them another way, they fill the sky and seem so close together." "No matter how far apart some people are," Toren twined his fingers through hers. "They always carry the thoughts and love of those close to them. So they are never more then just a thought away." Noriko held both closer to her. "Yes, your light will always be in my heart, as I have passed my light to you..." * * * Noriko opened her eyes and smiled softly as she glanced over at Kazumi, who was wandering in her own thoughts... * * * Kazumi sat silently as Ataru read the folders that sat on the table between them. After closing one file, Ataru sat back and let out a breath. "Amazing. I had no idea that something like this could ever exist. How did you come by these?" "After Noriko and I regained our memories," Kazumi began, "I began to wonder why they had been suppressed and so accessed the files Henry had stored. I purposely asked for specific information on myself and Noriko, along with the Gunbuster. The first thing I saw was an apology." "Henry had a specific reason?" Ataru asked. Kazumi nodded. "He said he was frightened when he examined the remains of the Gunbuster, because it reminded him so much of the machines of destruction employed during the Clone Rights War. He wanted to destroy all traces of it. But he changed his mind when he talked to Noriko and I before erasing our memories." "And why is that?" Kazumi sighed. "The Gunbuster was created because there was no other choice. The Earth of my reality was facing a force that would not talk, would not stop, it existed only to reproduce and would've swept Earth clean of all life just so they could feed. We were forced to make weapons that kept getting faster, bigger, deadlier. And it wasn't enough. We not only had to rip planets apart, but to tear apart the heart of our galaxy." Kazumi wiped away a tear. "Henry suppressed our memories and destroyed the Gunbuster because there was no foe here. No foe to keep the Gunbuster as a last resort. To give something like the Gunbuster to the *daishi'cha* when they already had so much would be courting disaster. Because the *daishi'cha* are such a young race, we aren't able to look back and learn from our mistakes like we can with the Fourth Republic." "But Henry realised something good was gained. The technology amazed him and he knew that if used correctly it could do great good. He had plans for the Collapsar engine to be modified so that it could be available for all. It could cut travel time to a fraction of normal transwarp speeds. And he had designed the Inferno and Inferno-X as scaled down versions of the Gunbuster to be a potent addition of the Warsuit Brigade. And he knew that if the Gunbuster brought us here, it could take us back. Thus he left a key in us so that even though our minds would forget, our souls wouldn't. And kept files on his modifications to our technology, most notably the Supernova." "A more reasonable version of that monstrosity I had in my hand once," Ataru grinned, remembering the *haijo-ju.* "But still, why have you brought this to me? If you want any assurances or authorization, Noa would be more than happy to give it." "Because you have had personal experience with a weapon of last resort...and what drives one to make one." "The Cyborg?" Kazumi nodded. "I could practically see the drool off the technicians' mouths when they saw the plans for the Collapsar engine, although they almost had fits when they saw the Supernova. I came to you to ask that you do whatever you can to make sure the Supernova is used only as a true last resort when it is made. That it only is used when all will be cast into oblivion otherwise. For you are *daite'cha,* and your word will be heeded." Ataru nodded. "I will do all I can to make sure of it." Kazumi smiled. "Thank you." * * * Kazumi opened her eyes and looked over and Noriko and smiled, squeezing her hand. "Ready?" "Yes, Onee-sama." Kazumi opened communications with the "Ossa'cha." "We're ready. Activating collapsar engine." "Acknowledged," came the reply. Deep inside the Supernova came a rumbling, a display of the systems showed a light pulsing in its centre... * * * "Collapsar engine climbing towards prime levels," came the report on the "Ossa'cha." "Warp capability will soon be reached." The technician had a confused look on her face as she stares at Ataru. "I don't understand how this will get them home." * * * Inside the Supernova, Noriko and Kazumi grasped each other's hands. They slumped back in their seats with peaceful looks on their faces... * * * Suddenly the screens on the "Ossa'cha" flared. The light turned into a ball of flame that pulsed in time with the pilot's hearts. "Warp capability ready!" the report came. "Readings are going to go off the scale. It's just like when they were testing the Inferno!" "Their hearts," Ataru heard Jung say. "Their hearts will bring them home." Her face beamed as she clasped Toren's and Kasua's hands and were joined by Kumie and the others. All aboard suddenly felt a wave of love wash over them. For a moment, they were all connected by the *te'a* and saw the form of the phoenix appear around the Supernova. And they received a promise in their hearts, that their loved ones would return to them. And they would not have to keep looking up at the stars waiting for them. They would be able to keep them in their own future. Space suddenly seemed to fold and the Supernova moved it aside as if parting a curtain. Passing beyond it from this reality to another. Suddenly, all screens went blank, showing nothing but empty space and a residual energy that was quickly fading. "No sign of the Supernova!" came the report. "Computer's coming up blank with what happened." "They just went home for a while," Toren said. "Just for a little while to say hello to those who have waited for them to come home." "Home," Ataru hummed, then nodded. "Let's all go home, to the ones who wait for us." The ships turned and leapt through the vastness of space to home, leaving the stars shining brightly against the darkness... *** The End (?) *** **** **** **** ENDING NOTES: I'd like to thank Rumiko Takahashi for creating "Urusei Yatsura;" Fred Herriot and Mike Smith for creating the world of "Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year" and its sequels; E.B. Kushnir for editing it all; and Gainax for creating "Gunbuster." And for those who wonder "When did Noriko and Kazumi return to Earth?" Well...watch the OVAs to find out. ^_^ **** **** ****