Urusei Yatsura - The Senior Year:  "Final Hymn"
by Robert Geiger
PHPN65A@prodigy.com
**** **** ****
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.

**** **** ****

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

**** **** ****

	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  turned and 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 to fight 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 wonderful.  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 ***