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Ice Squared
by Lerris Smith
“No daughter. A parent must know when it is time for the child to leave the nest.”
“But they are so young. They try so very hard.”
The graying haired man said, “Have faith daughter. Do not worry overly much of Yggdrasil's prediction. Skuld puts too much faith in computers and not enough in people.”
“Yes, Father.” With that Belldandy bowed as she prepared to leave. She could not like her father's decision but she respected it. The people of the Earth were on their own. No help would come from any member of heaven, by command of the Father.
Of course, Keiichi was on Earth. Her resolve almost slipped as that thought crept into her mind but she thought she managed to avoid letting any of it show. As Belldandy was walking out she turned and asked, “And if they fail?”
Kami-sama smiled a friendly smile as he said, “Then I will start anew.” Belldandy gave a small tightly controlled nod as she tried to keep her composure. A few seconds later Kami-sama walked over the short distance and pulled his daughter into his arms before saying, “Have faith. All will be well and soon she will return.”
Tears in her eyes, Belldandy looked in her father's eyes as understanding dawned on her. She had been gone so long and no one save Kami-sama knew where, and now she was going to return. She let the tears of happiness fall for several more minutes as she enjoyed the time with her father. As she was about to leave her father said one final thing, “Daughter, remember what the newest protectors carry and who ran the analysis.”
Belldandy looked at her father in confusion before a small smile crept onto her face. Yggdrasil could simulate anything, but security only allowed the simulations to use data the user was authorized to access. Skuld's simulation was incomplete. With a lighter heart Belldandy walked through the door.
As they walked, Samantha asked in English, “I was wondering if we should try to stay with one language. My Japanese is fairly rusty, but I think I can pick it back up reasonably quickly.”
Sailor Pluto replied in English, “We might as well speak Japanese then. We are in Japan after all, and besides, it will do Jack good to remember what I taught him.”
Jack said in English, “Great, just great,” but he did not disagree with the idea. As the minutes passed, quiet seemed to settle on the group until Dr. Jackson finally broke it by saying in excellent Japanese. “So, when do we get to see the spaceship?”
Carter's attention immediately went from the ocean to Sailor Pluto who seem to be the default leader of the other group.
Pluto replied, “Now actually.” Jack turned to her to try to puzzle out what was being said, as Pluto pulled a small gray rectangular device out of her personal storage space. It had a tiny screen and several buttons on the bottom. She pressed the button on the lower right. Several seconds later a rumble could be heard and the surface of the water started to froth. Almost a half a minute afterward the rectangular shuttle rose from the ocean depths and settled on the edge of the beach. The shuttle was perhaps forty foot long, fifteen foot wide, and about nine foot tall.
Visitors to the beach gaped as the seven quickly got inside. A few minutes later the visitors overcame their hesitation and approached the ship that had just emerged from the ocean. Just before they got within about fifty feet of the shuttle it gently lifted off from the beach and settled back into the ocean.
Captain Carter said in halting Japanese, 'Wow. This is great. I have got to study this,” as she ducked under the long half cylindrical obstruction that seemed to run the entire length of the ceiling.
Dr. Jackson said, “So, if this is an alien spaceship, then why is this display showing Japanese text?”
Jupiter said, “Canal fixed it so we could use it.”
Jack said in English, “Ah come on. What did you guys just say?”
Dr. Jackson quickly told him. Somehow, he had the feeling that he would end up as Jack's personal translator.
Jack said in English, “Well thats nice. I thought you said you were out of gas.”
To Jacks annoyance, Pluto responded in Japanese, “There is a tiny amount left, but not enough to go very far.” As Jack tried to figure out just what Pluto had said, Pluto turned to captain Carter and asked, “I've never been much of an engineer, but I do know some things. I'm hoping you can figure out the refueling process. I have a feeling that this shuttle may be needed soon.”
Carter looked at Jack and said in English, “Sir, if you have no objections, I'll get started.”
“Go ahead, Carter.”
The others took seats where they could. The shuttle was crowded with seven people on board but still manageable. Endymion whispered a question to Setsuna who replied out loud, “Endymion raises a good point. If we are to work together a certain amount of trust is needed, at least among ourselves. Jack already knows who I am, and I think he will agree not to release our names as long as we don't do anything that makes him think we are on different sides.” Of course, Pluto mused, there would come a point where keeping their names secret was the least of their problems.
Endymion nodded before lettings his transformation fall to reveal the normal clothing he wore to college. He said, “My name is Mamoru Chiba, and well, my transformation is slightly draining to maintain so well here I am.”
Jupiter glanced at Mars and with a shrug they released their transformations along with Pluto. They had long ago discussed it, and it seemed obvious that if one or two of their identities were known then something with as many resources as a government could easily find out the others. That didn't mean they had to like it though.
Dr. Jackson said, “Pleased to meet you Chiba-san. Now I'm still looking for an explanation as to why my studies were based on a fiction.” He really was gonna hate it if all of his colleagues turned out to be right in their ridicule of him, even if it wasn't for the reasons they thought.
Captain Carter started to ask the two girls their names, but seeing their reticence decided it could wait.
Setsuna said, “Not all of your studies. Just the ones that dealt with your theory that aliens influenced Earth culture in the time of ancient Egypt. From the records I have, the artifacts and such that you found were fabricated and planted a long long ago, in an attempt to delay discovery of some of the limited remaining technology from the Moon Kingdom.” Setsuna was once again glad that she could mislead or outright lie with nothing whatsoever showing. It was such a handy skill.
She went on to cover a basic history of the Moon Kingdom, them being the reborn princesses from that time as well as some of the battles they fought in the past. Daniel was kept busy doing continuous translations, much to the amusement of Setsuna. Carter kept herself busy between the flight deck and an area in the back of the shuttle that she kept trying to open. She had managed to ask a question from time to time, so it seemed that she was able to mostly follow the conversation.
Suddenly a small beeping could be heard and Jack fished a slightly larger than normal cell phone like device out of his shirt pocket. He said in English, “Dang, I thought this thing could get reception anywhere.”
Mamoru said in English, “Well, we are underwater.”
Setsuna asked in English, “Is it important?”
Jack replied, “I don't know. It has never acted like this before.”
Carter, who had been on her way to the back of the shuttle, said in English, “It is probably out of range to establish two way encrypted communications, but still within range to at least signal the phone. We would need to get out of the water and maybe on top of the ship for it to work.”
Jack said, “Well, how do you drive this thing? I had better check in.”
Setsuna showed Jack the controls and what she had puzzled out, and with some help from Captain Carter they managed to switchover to manual controls and and at least surface the ship, while Carter continued to work on refueling.
Jack had just started to open the door they had come in, when Carter said, “Um, you might. . .” As Jack finished opening the door several inches of water sloshed inside the ship. Samatha finished with, “Never mind.” Jack gave her a, “It's not my fault look,” before his phone rang.
“Colonel O'neil here.”
Jack listened for awhile and then said in English, “The general says there is a ship up there the size of a football field. I don't suppose those could be friends of yours?”
Setsuna asked, “What color is the ship?” while Captain Carter brought the ship up enough that the water began to run outside again.
Jack asked the question, and then after a moment he said, “Dark gray.”
Setsuna said in English, “That is the one that got away before. I suggest talking to them for now. Maybe you'll learn something, or at the least buy some time. We weren't really given the opportunity to talk before.”
Jack nodded before relaying Setsuna's idea. After a moment Jack said, “Good luck sir,” and hung up the phone before palming the control to close the outer door.
As he ducked under the obstruction in the middle of the ceiling he said in English, “So, we have a probable hostile space craft in orbit that is about ten times bigger than us and we are stuck here trying to find the gas cap?”
Setsuna said in English, “That about sums it up Jack. This is only a shuttle after all, even if we did at least mount a weapon on it.” Mars and Jupiter were doing their best to keep up with the English conversations, although it did seem the idea to stick to Japanese had failed.
Jack said, “Well, can the weapon destroy the other ship?”
Setsuna said, “Maybe, although we haven't had a chance to test it yet. It is pretty much certain if we get hit we are toast.”
Jack said, “Great. Just Great. Carter, how much longer until we are ready to fly?”
“A few more minutes sir. It is a delicate process and I don't really understand it all.”
“Okay, what about communications. I need to be able to keep in touch with base.”
Setsuna said, “I think i may be able to fix that. I was wandering through the ships controls before and figured a few things out. If I can configure the ships communications to amplify and pass through the frequencies your phone uses, then we should be set.”
jack said, “Are you saying you can tap this? I thought it was secure.”
Carter said, “Tap no. What she is saying is the ships communications system may be able to blindly receive and pass the frequencies of interest inside the shuttle.”
“Huh?”
“Sir, just think of it sort of like an extension cord.”
“Okay, well as long as it works.”
Dalan had traversed a smooth parabolic course to the third planet of what they presumed was their home system. Their course was actually slightly faster than a purely direct course due to taking advantage of the different planetary and stellar bodies gravity so they should have made it there before their enemy.
Captain Panar said, “Good, now the question is what do we do about it?”
A young woman sitting at a station said, “I should think that was obvious. We eliminate the threat to the Empire.”
Captain Panar sighed. Janet was always a bit too eager, mostly believing that the right form of science based offensive weaponry could solve any problem. Panar replied, “But how do we eliminate the threat? We are only one ship after all.”
Janet replied, “Sir, initial sensor scans seem to indicate a technologically inferior civilization. No evidence of modern drive or energy systems is detected.”
Panar said, “Interesting.”
A middle aged, yet still quite beautiful blonde haired woman said, “There is something else. There is a magical construct tied into the planet. Some kind of biosphere regulation matrix and I think it may already be weakened and I bet no one from here even notices it.”
Panar glanced at his ships engineer. She had always been exceptional, especially at large magical constructs. Now if only she would once again give him a chance. She had given him the cold shoulder for months since she caught him having dinner in a public restaurant with Janet. It meant nothing. Janet was interested in the ship's pilot anyway, but no, she wouldn't listen. Still, now was not the time for such thoughts. He said, “Why would they not notice it, if it is their planet?”
Clara seemed amused by the question, or was it just because she was always amused with him? Panar didn't know. Clara said, “Do you notice the hum of the drive system?”
“Well no, but I just sort of tuned it out a long time ago.”
“Exactly. Only high adept magic users would ever notice it in the first place, and since they have felt it their entire lives they would be unlikely to pay attention it.”
The captain said dryly, “I don't suppose you can point to a single location that I can blow up, and call it mission accomplished.”
“Why yes, I do believe I can,” said the blond in a mischievous tone.
“Your serious?” inquired a stunned captain.
“Well, I can't be certain until we get closer, but heading to the planet's north pole would be a good start.”
Setsuna frowned as she noticed Jack's expression pale ever so slightly as he quickly flipped the cell phone open. Jack was not one to overreact. Did the different ring mean something? She watched Jack listen as his expression became more focused. Finally, about half a minute later, he said, “Yes sir. We will head out immediately.”
Jack quickly flipped closed and pocketed the phone before saying, “Carter, we have got to go. That ship has ignored our attempts at communication and Norad says its heading in the general direction of the north pole. They have launched fighters from the Alaska base, but we have orders to intercept it as well.”
Carter closed the panel she was working on and said, “We are ready, I think. Well, as long as someone can fly this thing.”
Jack moved over to the pilot seat as Captain Carter glanced at Setsuna. Setsuna said, “The seat is pretty good sized, I think we will both fit.”
Captain Carter nodded before sitting beside Setsuna. The seat was certainly not designed for two people, but they did fit, if barely. Carter figured that they both might be needed now, since Setsuna had worked with the system before and could read the Japanese easily and she was who she was.
While Jack had managed to surface the ship before, it seemed that flight took a little more effort. After several false starts and destroying a coral reef Jack seemed to get the hang of it. He directed the ship up and out of the ocean. With the copilots help a course was set for the north pole.
A few minutes into their trip they were high into the sky and far away from Japan when Captain Carter said, “Sir, I think the green control on your right brings the main engines on-line.”
Jack said, “Cool,” as he tapped the button. Suddenly those in the back were almost ripped out of their seats as the main drives engaged. Jack tenaciously held on to the controls and kept the course steady as he eased back on the throttle control.
Jack said in a sarcastic tone, “Note to self: Throttle back before doing that.”
Captain Carter remained quiet, although Sailor Mars voice could be heard yelling from the back saying in Japanese, “Who the hell is driving this thing?”
Setsuna said, in a soft yet fond voice, “Baka.”
She walked over to the sleeping form of her unexpected co-captain and said softly, “It's time.”
Nabiki turned to silently look at Canal as the meaning of her words registered through her sleep fogged brain before she began to sit up in the bed. She said in almost a yawn, “I'll be right up.”
Canal nodded before exiting through the door and then after the door was closed reappearing just in front of the bridge door and entering.
As she walked into the bridge the remaining crew members looked at her with curiosity and anticipation. Usagi asked, “It is time, isn't it?”
Canal nodded before saying, “Nabiki will be here soon.” With those words, Dr. Mizuno got up and exited the room. A few minutes passed before her daughter walked through the door, fighting back a yawn.
Nabiki quickly sat down in the pilot's seat and said, “I'm ready.”
Usagi said, “Your half asleep.”
Nabiki gave her an irritated look but just said, “I said I was ready.”
Canal said, “There is about an hour left before the last shell needed is complete. The coordinates are set, and with your permission I will start the phase drive and move us to our destination.”
Nabiki said, “Let's go.” As she said the words she felt the pressure of the psi system increase as the phase drive pulled them through hyperspace towards their destination. She had barely managed to count to ten before they were there, but then spatially speaking they had very little distance to travel. Still, it was a very good thing that Canal had woken her an hour before she had to be in top form. Somehow getting splatted out of the sky because she was half asleep would seem to be an ignominious end.
Dr. Mizuno returned a couple minutes later with a tray containing a small sandwich, a half dozen chocolate chip cookies and what appeared to be a milkshake to which she held out to her daughter who gratefully accepted. It wasn't much to eat, but given that she had to fight soon, too much food might almost be worse than too little. Of course it might have been better if the milkshake hadn't spilled on the sandwich, but Nabiki supposed the slight jolt from exiting hyperspace was the likely cause. It didn't matter really. She was hungry.
The hour seemed to pass in the blink of an eye before Canal said, “In a couple of minutes the final shell needed will be ready and loaded. Swordbreaker is in peak condition. Its offensive capabilities are at about four hundred percent its original design, and about 12 percent stronger than what they were in our last battle. We are ready.”
The others had been sitting at stations for some time now and were eager to begin. They didn't know what they would face, but Canal was right, they were as ready as they were going to be. Usagi said, “Okay guys. Let's transform,” and three transformations later the Senshi on board were ready for action.
Sailor Mercury noted that during the time she was awake Canal had completely filled the psi energy reserve. Of course, it wouldn't last long in a battle, yet it was nice to see. She watched as the seconds on the display ticked down and as they hit zero she said, “Let's do this.”
Canal stood proud and said, “Primary psi system safeties cut. Deploying boost chips for psi barrier enhancement. Psi barrier on-line. Opening the electromagnetic rails and charging rail system. Awaiting final command.”
Mercury winced as the psi system started to aggressively leech energy from her. She would definitely have to leave it a notch below where she had it last time, seeing as most of the help she had last time was missing. She hoped it would be enough.
She had looked at Canal's analysis of the process of creating the temporary rift into the other type of hyperspace and was quite impressed. She doubted she could have found a way quicker, even if she had all the theoretical knowledge about hyperspace that Canal had. She certainly couldn't have built what Canal did in time.
The shells internally bore little resemblance to the cruder leap rail gun shells. They even had linked computer systems to refine the hyperspace bombs parameters up until the last moment. Of course, much of Canal's work was based on guesswork. Rather than a carefully controlled reaction that was designed to tear a temporary hole into the enemies form of hyperspace, it might all blow up and take them with it. It didn't matter. They had to go.
She said, “Do it.”
Canal said, “Launching shells one through four and engaging drives.” Nabiki once more was amazed at what Canal could do. Each shell was launched at a slightly faster speed with Swordbreaker following along at the fastest speed such that when Swordbreaker was right in front of the shells, the shells would be in a perfect diamond formation.
There was no fear on any of the assembled with the possible exception of Ami's mother. If anything they all looked eager as Canal said, “Detonation in 5,4,3,2,1, Now!”
Four points of light blossomed in front of them as the center of them took on an orange cast, with Swordbreaker slipping through with only a loud rumble and a twenty percent drop in the psi energy reserve.
Canal said in astonishment, “It worked,” to which Uranus, Moon, and Dr. Mizuno stared at her before a beep was sounded. Dr. Mizuno, who was sitting at the damage control station said, “They are in trouble!”
Canal said, “Changing course. Interception in forty seconds.”
Mercury watched as the indicator slowly recovered. It seemed she could supply psi energy at a rate greater than that the engines used, even at maximum, but only just.
They arrived to see an entire fleet easily twice the size of the one they fought before bearing down on the shuttle craft. Mercury wanted to yell for them to go faster, but they were at their top acceleration and yelling at the laws of physics would not let you break them entirely, not even in a lost ship.
Canal winced as the other half of herself was reintegrated into her being. Seconds passed as the memories were integrated into herself, although she had kept a portion aside to make sure the shuttle and Swordbreaker maintained the optimum flight paths. There was not even any question of dodging, since only a direct route had a chance of getting to the shuttle first. She said, “Shuttle collection in fifteen seconds.”
On board the shuttle Alex could see the home guard fleet out the window. It was time. He summoned his own magic against the bindings that restrained him. He was a little surprised that it took so much effort, but ignored it as he jumped across the room and grabbed the brown haired girl to himself before activating a tiny locater implant he had received years ago.
The feel of the transporter beam crawled along his skin as he ignored the woman he held and the others shouts. He only needed seconds and a simple mage barrier would give him that. Seconds later they were gone.
Ranma yowled as something fierce overcame him, and then somehow the wildness in his eyes dimmed, yet the anguished scream continued.
Five seconds after that, Canal executed a seemingly impossible maneuver by dropping the shield, using the engines in reverse to quickly match speeds, collect the shuttle and raise the shields.
Canal said, “The shuttle is collected,” as beams bounced off Swordbreaker barrier, sometimes inflicting damage on their own ships. Mercury looked at the psi energy usage and the size of the fleet and knew they had no choice. They had to retreat, but at least they had saved them.
Canal continued with, “Launching stealth tracking probe.” As the little probe exited Swordbreaker it seemed to vanish. Canal continued with, “I am retreating, but we have a problem. The others are okay, but they captured Kasumi.”
Mercury exclaimed, “What! We have got to get her back!”
Canal said sadly, “We can't. Not now. That fleet is too big and with Kasumi there we can't even fire on them. We would all die.”
Mercury said weakly, “But, its Kasumi. We have to do something.” Mercury knew she was being unreasonable, but for once, reason was having a hard time winning over emotion.
Canal said, “I attached a probe to one of the bigger ships, so we should be able to find them later.”
Mercury nodded weakly before slumping in the chair. It seemed at least one person was keeping her cool. She watched as more shots bounced off the psi barrier. The reserve was steadily dropping, and she knew her despair was reducing the rate it recovered. She had to focus.
Suddenly Ranma-chan ran onto the bridge leaving a trail of wind in her wake as she jumped in beside the distraught Mercury. Mercury felt the burden of the psi system lesson as Ranma shared in it.
Ranma engaged the piloting interface and was about to follow when Canal said firmly, “We can't win, not even with your help, and your barely holding onto sanity as it is. Please stop. We have got to get away first.” The last was said with resolute pleading.
Ranma-chan's red aura flared and Canal could feel the negative psi energy flood her systems. It might have even been enough to give them a chance, but it would certainly destroy her captain if it continued. Mercury turned and put her arms around Ranma-chan as she gasped out, “She's right. We can't save Kasumi if we die here.”
Tears leaked from Ranma-chan's eyes as she said roughly, “Let's get out of here.” She continued a few seconds later with, “But we are coming back.”
Neptune ran onto the bridge, panting slightly, before quickly sitting beside her lover and grasping her hand. It seemed Ranma in a hurry untransformed could be faster than a Sailor Senshi. Sailor Moon said, “We will return for her. By Serenity, I swear it.” The others shouted their agreements as Swordbreaker ran away.
“No sir, we are accelerating at our top rate.”
As Alex stepped onto the bridge a junior officer shouted, “Attention. Emperor on deck.”
The captain looked over before swiftly getting out of his chair and bowing as everyone else did as well. Alex let them do one quick bow before saying, “At ease. I have what I want. Let's go home.”
“But sir, they will get away.”
“They are going to do that anyway, are they not?”
“Very well sir. Plot a course for home. Best possible speed.”
“Changing course for planet Amalar.”
As they started their journey home Alex wondered how exactly that ship had entered hyperspace. Was it there all along after that battle and only now found them, or did it find another way?
Uranus said, “Maybe they were afraid of us. Maybe we have a chance now.”
Canal said sadly, “No, they just realized they couldn't catch us so they decided not to waste time.”
Mercury said, “She's right, and we need to get Ranma to the sick bay. There is something wrong with him.” She had pondered for a split second saying her', as it seemed more correct right then, but didn't want to risk Ranma's ego.
Ranma-chan said, “I'm fine,” in an obviously shaky voice.
Canal said sternly, “No, you are not. I can't determine the extent of the damage here, but I'm guessing you are holding back the madness by sheer force of will.”
Mercury said, “Come on, lets go to the sick bay. The sooner your fixed up the sooner we can save Kasumi.” Ranma grumbled but went as Canal changed course.
As Mercury and Ranma were about to walk out the door, Mercury asked, “Where are we going?”
Canal said, “To pick up the escape pod that Alex guy was in. I'm hoping it will contain in its memory the locations of other hyperspace gateways, although I think I already know where they are taking Kasumi.”
Sailor Moon asked, “Where?”
“Their home world. A planet called Amalar. I got that much data from one of the crude machines they had connected up to me for navigation before, and it matches up with their current heading.”
Mercury nodded before half hauling Ranma out the door followed quickly by her mother. She truly didn't seem to be physically hurt, but it was as if she was fighting off a massive headache or something.
After they left Canal said, “I am needed in the sick bay as well.” She looked at Sailor Uranus and Neptune before saying, “Can you two see about collecting that escape pod?”
Neptune said, “Go, see to Ranma. We will do our best.”
Uranus smiled a small smile. It seemed wrong to get any joy now, yet she had really wanted to try a hand at piloting, even if she couldn't use the fancy way yet.
Venus kept quiet, yet she couldn't help but feel betrayed. She knew it was silly, since she had no reason to trust him, even if she had asked if he had a girlfriend.
Hotaru asked softly, “I wonder why he took Kasumi.”
Neptune said, “Now that is the question.”
Canal walked up quietly and held her right hand to Ranma's head and said softly, “Rest, my Master.” A few seconds later Ranma-chan was peacefully asleep and Nabiki was letting her down and covering her.
Canal said, “Okay, I know a little from what you said in the shuttle, but now I need to know everything you know about this Nekoken.”
Mercury nodded as she finally let the transformation drop. She covered everything she knew as quickly and concisely as she could, sparing nothing. Dr. Mizuno was tempted to leave since this was very private, yet it was like a bad horror story that she couldn't make herself turn off, and it concerned her daughter's husband which was an important topic for her.
The sad part was, it seemed that Ranma's father really did not mean any wrong and that Ranma had managed to thrive under such conditions. It was amazing really, but it seemed the bill had come due.
Canal said to Nabiki, “Thank you. Knowing will help me help him. Now, if you will keep hold of his hand, I will begin in a moment.”
Canal went over to the sink and filled a small cup with hot water. Usagi and Venus walked through the door as Canal shut the faucet off. Usagi said softly, “The pod is in the second shuttle bay.”
Canal replied, “Good. For now it might be best to relax. Haruka and Michuru can continue practicing piloting if they want, but I recommend leaving the area.”
Venus said, “I'll tell them,” while Usagi took a seat out of the way as Canal poured the water on Ranma-chan changing him back to his birth gender while Dr. Mizuno used a small towel to wipe off the excess.
In response to the unasked question, Canal said, “He seems a touch more comfortable when he is in his normal body.” Canal glanced around the room before saying, “I don't know how long this will take.”
Nabiki gave a half nod before Usagi said, “Take as much time as you need.”
Canal nodded. She would have done so regardless, but it was nice when people supported your actions. She bent over, in what looked almost like she was going to kiss him, before touching her head to his and disappearing.
Dr. Mizuno studied her daughters face, finding the slight traces of jealousy she expected. She didn't think it was anything to worry about though. Canal was a friend, a companion, or maybe even a mother in her own way, but that seemed to be the end of it. Satisfied she turned back to the monitors to try to make sense of it all.
She drew on Nabiki's psi energy through their joined hands as she focused on the wall he had made so long ago. She gently repaired and smoothed that wall using tiny amounts of her own spirit and the energy Nabiki freely gave to her. The repaired wall was thinner but resilient. It would give, but hopefully would not break completely until Ranma's mind had time to fully heal.
Canal's wasn't sure what the end result would be, but she suspected much of the power from the Nekoken would be gone, as the purity of the spiritual construct would be diluted. Time would tell.
Minutes after she began, Canal's form appeared with her head again touching Ranma's head before she stood fully. Nabiki turned to her with questions in her eyes. Canal told the others what she had done and why she had done it.
Usagi said, “So he will be okay now?”
Canal said, “It partly depends on him. He may have to fight it for a long time, perhaps all his life, but this way he can grow stronger with losing very little of himself. Of course, if it is necessary I can do more, but for now it is probably best to leave things alone.”
Nabiki nodded. Ranma never did like taking the easy way out of anything, well unless it won him a battle he would otherwise lose anyway.
Akane coughed and sputtered as Ukyo and Shampoo dragged her the rest of the way. So what if she wasn't the best swimmer in the world. She made it didn't she?
Akane coughed some more and spit up some water, and was that a minnow? Oh well, at least there was only a few inches of water down here, although she wondered how that was possible. They were under a lake right?
Shampoo said, “We must hurry. The book says that this area sometimes fill with water.”
Ukyo said, “Great, just great,” as she pulled on Akane's leaden body.
Akane said, “I'm coming.”
Mousse said, “I don't understand. If what they are doing is supposed to save the world or something then why the heck were all those things trying to kill them?”
Happosai said, “It's just a bunch of cranky demons that wouldn't mind the Earth becoming a barren wasteland, if it got rid of the annoying humans.”
Genma said, in a scared voice, “Demons? We are fighting demons?”
Happosai had really learned to almost loath his former students. They had no spine whatsoever. He said, “Those were just low level demons. We can handle them.” That much was true of course, but whether or not they would be that lucky next time was another matter.
Soun winced as he twisted the wrong way and caused the gash on his chest to pain him. He ignored it and said, “At least my Akane is fine.”
In a depressed tone, Ryoga added, “Yes. Akane is fine.”
Happosai turned to Soun before saying, “Had you or Ranma at least forced her to learn her true skill level, she would be a lot safer.”
Soun had no response to that. He knew his skills had atrophied, but he also knew that he in his worst day was heads and shoulders above his youngest daughter's skills. Would she die because he had failed to train her properly? No, that was what they were here for.
Shampoo paused in thought for a few moments as she tried to think of the best answer. Finally she said, “Only the entrance to this place is underground. This place is.. Shampoo not know where this place is, but according to the book it not much further.”
Shampoo's words turned out to be prophetic as they entered a room with a large domed ceiling. The ceiling looked almost like a night sky full of stars except you could see that it was solid. There was only the one entrance. The sides of the rounded cave were lined with thick vines that glowed a soft green and gave the room an eerie feel. The tops of the vines wove into the ceiling. At the exact center of the room was a nearly circular pool that was perhaps one hundred foot across. It dominated the room, taking up almost two thirds of the floor space. The occasional vine dipped into those still clear waters. Those vines were easy to see, for they were bigger and glowed brighter than their companions.
Shampoo said, “We here.”
Dalan said, “ETA to the planet's geographic north pole is six minutes.”
“Sir, at our present rate of speed we will reach the north pole in about twenty minutes.”
“What about that weapon?” asked Jack.
Setsuna said, “We will see about getting it ready. Did I mention we haven't tested it yet?”
“Great. Just Great. Got any more surprises for me?”
Setsuna said, “Don't worry. Mercury almost never makes mistakes with these things. I'm sure it will work fine.” Setsuna loved annoying Jack, and really they couldn't be sure about that weapon. Now where were the notes Mercury made?
The captain said, “Details on shuttle?”
Dalan said, “According to records, that shuttle was on Swordbreaker when they captured it. Should we turn and engage it?”
The captain said, “No, I'm familiar with the type. It has no weapons. Raise shields and continue on course. As for the other craft, I doubt anything they have can penetrate our armor.”
Carter said, “We will be at the north pole in about ten minutes, if that is their destination.”
Dalan said, “There is nothing here!”
Clara said, “Do you think whoever made it would put a sign up to reveal its location? Besides, from what I can tell this is only the key point. There are likely a few others scattered throughout the planet.”
Panar asked, “What do you have to do?”
Clara said, “Drop me off. It will be best if I pierce the protective spells first.”
“Very well. Hurry up. We will make sure you are not disturbed.”
As her feet touched the ice she adjusted the level of the suit before walking a few hundred feet and sitting down. The spot seemed the same as every other spot, but she could feel the truth. She felt for the fringes of the construct. It was so massive, yet at the same time so very frayed. With painstaking care she pulled thread after thread. Around her, the Earth started to shake in protest.
Akane said, “Huh? I thought it was only you that had to come here.”
Ukyo looked questioningly at Shampoo, yet started to undo her clothing. If asked at that moment she would be hard pressed to answer why she was doing what Shampoo asked, other than it felt like the right thing to do.
Shampoo said, “It rare opportunity. It make you stronger, live longer.” Shampoo mentally debated whether this was a good idea as she quickly pulled off her clothing and jumped in, just as another tremor hit the place. Yes, she decided, they might need all the help they could get, and it was not as if she had any need to fear punishment anymore.
As her body hit the water the room seemed to be filled with light and Shampoo's body took on a soft blue green glow. Ukyo and Akane were momentarily mesmerized by it before they finished getting their clothing off.
Akane said, “Well if Shampoo can do it, so can I!” as she jumped into the water and nearly drowned before she discovered she could stand. Ukyo followed as well, and before long all three of their bare bodies were aglow with the blue green light. Had Akane thought about what she was saying she might have been more hesitant of course, but impetuousness was, as always, a great friend of hers.
The tremors continued, yet the walls held. Specks of browns and golds traveled up the vines surrounding the room, seemingly in response to the tremors.
Clara said, “I'll be done by the time you get back here.” Clara again focused on the net as she pulled more threads away. Minutes later she plucked the last and suddenly she was standing on fertile grass and almost touching an impossibly tall tree. The tree had seen better days though. It's leaves were badly withered and some branches showed signs of rot.
Clara reached out and lightly placed her hand near but not on the tree. She understood now. It had been almost untended for so very long, and the people on this planet had weakened it with their harm to the environment, except there was something, or was it someone? Her musings were interrupted as she suddenly disappeared.
In the cockpit, Jack could see it in sight now. It was huge and coming down fast. Suddenly a massive bolt of energy shot forth from the front of the craft and impacted into a tree. What was a tree doing here? Such was his surprise that he almost forgot to follow when the ship righted itself and started to head away.
Jack said, “Carter, are you ready?”
“I think so sir.”
“Then fire!”
“Firing.”
Out the front of the shuttle a beam of energy that dwarfed the shot from before screamed out and annihilated the enemy ship. In the back of the shuttle the core of the weapon had partially exploded showering hot shrapnel, some of it hitting the Senshi present and Endymion as well. All were burned, but thanks to their transformations the worst was only second degree and already healing.
She almost let out a small sigh before chastising herself mentally. She half wondered if this was a result of that one time she had been jealous that it was always Akane who was kidnapped. Oh well, it seemed that someone else would cook for a change, and that was always a good thing, right?
Shampoo said, “Out now. Get out now!” Just what had happened? She didn't know, but hopefully her great grandmother would. Hopefully, it was not already too late.
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