This is a disclaimer, it is only a disclaimer, do not be alarmed. Seriously the characters of the Tenchi Muyo series are the property of AIC, pioneer and whoever else has a claim on them and are not my creation. Please do not sue, as it would be a waste of everyone’s time expect the lawyers and who cares about them? I am not profiting from this work, expect in the hope that it might entertain my readers for a little while. Tenchi Muyo Possibilities: Farewell and Goodbye Song: Wash Away those Years (Creed) Time: 20 years in future Location: R&D Lab 3, 2 miles under San Diego ruins Light flashed in the R&D lab, as the portal opened and the time travelers stumbled out. Tenchi stopped and stared at his stark, gray surroundings. Various computer terminals dotted the area, as did workstations with arcane workings upon them. They stood in a circular indention at the center of the large room, almost a shallow pit. In front of him a massive black man, well over 6ft, sagged. A blue hair woman and a dark hair man, both dressed in black leather armor were supporting him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Taro stepped forward. Taro walked to them and took the black man's weight from the woman. "Sir, what happen?" Taro asked the dark haired man. "Father Time 'found' you. We realized when you were, so it was decided to bring you back. We weren't sure what was going on... " The dark haired man answered. The blue haired woman had walked up to Tenchi at this point and was staring intently at him. Ryoko and Ayeka noticed this and moved behind Tenchi, standing over him possessively. "Tenchi Masaki?" The blue haired woman asked cocking her head to one side. "Yes..." Tenchi answered on guard. "Daddy!!!" The woman cried wrapping her arms around Tenchi. "Daddy!?!" Tenchi, Ayeka and Ryoko cried out shocked. Sasami cast quick glances between the Mayuka in her arms and the Mayuka in front of her, blinking rapidly in shock. Ryoko and Ayeka could only stand there perplexed. Tenchi numbly embraced his grown daughter as a means of staving off collapse. Mihoshi giggled at the sight of all this. "Hello Mayuka, do you remember me?" Washu said somehow appearing almost magically at Mayuka elbow. "Aunt Washu!!!" Mayuka disengaged herself from her father and wrapped her arms around Washu's slight form. Washu found herself being swept off the ground by a surprising strong Mayuka. Washu could feel Mayuka through the leather armor; it was pure muscle. "Sister Dark. I believe we should continue this in a more... appropriate location." Said the dark haired man casting a look at a few of the young men and women in the lab who were openly staring. At his glance they quickly found other matters to attend to. "How about Father Time quarters?" Taro asked. "Good idea, Brother Light." The dark haired man approved. "Come on! I'm sure you have a lot of questions!!" Mayuka said grabbing Ryoko and Ayeka by an arm apiece and dragging them along. Washu and Tenchi followed. Mihoshi and Sasami shared a look. After taking baby Mayuka from Sasami, Mihoshi and her followed the group. They crowded into an elevator. Taro hit the up button and rocked back on his heels as the elevator began its climb. "You are???" Tenchi asked of the dark haired man. "Ah, yes, we mustn't have met yet. My name is Brian Hadthorn, they call me Father Steel now though." He responded. "We've heard quite a bit about you." Ayeka said. Father Steel laughed weakly at that, looking over to Taro. "How much did you tell them?" Father Steel asked Taro. "About 20 years worth." Was Taro's answer. "Right, well... All of you know what's happen? Why we sent Brother Light back?" Father Steel asked. "To prevent my death." Tenchi said quietly. "Yes, to prevent a large number of people's death. They killed you first for a reason." Father Steel said "What reason?" Tenchi asked. "I don't know." Father Steel said. Ayeka eyes grew wide at that, she opened her mouth to demand just what that meant. Washu however, saw it coming and as she was standing right next to her elbowed her in the ribs, cutting her off. Ayeka shoot a villainous glare at Washu who just held a finger up to her lips. Stay quiet and wait that gesture said. Weighting in her mind, Ayeka decided to follow Washu lead, there were worse people to follow than the greatest scientific genius in the universe after all. The elevator opened on a living area. They spilled out onto the empty corridor. Taro looked up and down, perplexed. "Why is it so empty here?" Taro asked. "We're evacuating. They know where we are now. They got 6 legions outside the gates." Father Steel answered grimly. "They?" Ryoko asked "The Night Children." Mayuka said. They moved down the corridor a little ways and entered a room. Father Steel and Taro laid the black man down on the bed that was set in the corner. The bed's aluminum frame squeaked at taking the big man's mass. "Moving things through time takes a lot out of him. He'll be asleep for a few hours and won't be able to do it again until tomorrow." Father Steel said turning to face everyone. He tapped a button that was under a screen set on the close by wall. A bearded face appeared on the screen. "Ladies and gentleman, meet Father Matrix, also known as, David Erin. David, you remember our guest." Father Steel said. "Yes, yes, I could hardly forget could I?" Father Matrix said. "Stayed tuned to us would you? Also could you send up Father Blade?" Father Steel requested. "Of coarse, he's on route." was the answer. "Good. Now, Brother Light, tell me what happen when you arrive on Tenchi's doorstep." Father Steel ordered. Taro, aided by the other told the story quickly, ending with their appearance in the lab. "So, they knew??? How unless..." Father Steel whispered, his hand coming up to cup his chin. "The Night Children, must of had us under watch." Washu said. "So when they saw Taro and the Eld Wraiths..." Ayeka continued. "They rushed us, thinking their cover blown..." Ryoko finished. "Makes sense." Father Steel said nodding. "How do we know they didn't send a group back?" Tenchi asked. "They completed the experiment that gave Father Time his powers a month ago. The operations and testing took almost 2 years to complete. There just isn't time to create someone and use his powers. Also how would they know to what, when we sent Brother Light to?" Father Steel pointed out. Washu nodded in agreement. "Good point." Tenchi admitted. The door slid open, a tall lean form stood in the doorway, shadowed by the light. "Well, boy have you been practicing?" Asked a familiar voice. "Grandfather!!" Tenchi cried. "Brother!!!" Ayeka gasped. Yosho stepped into the light; the years had not treated him well. A red patch covered his right eye. He was missing his pinky on his left hand. Scars could be seen tracing their way across his hands and face. Beyond that he was unchanged, he wore the same priest’s uniform he always had. An energy sword was belted to his waist. "Sir, thank you for coming at my request." Father Steel said bowing deeply at the waist. "It is of no moment. Is Atlantis completed?" Yosho asked. "Yes, the first group arrived a few hours ago. We have been sending people there as often as we can manage, Sir." Father Steel said. "What is Atlantis" Sasami asked. "It is the last refuge. A base under the ocean floor, where the pressure of the water crushes all ships, protected by miles of rock. We have a direct line to it; we're using that line to move everyone out while we can. Before The Night Children break in." Father Steel answered. "Won't they just follow the line to Atlantis?" Ryoko asked. "We've got them rigged to blow." Mayuka said with a dark smile. Yosho nodded a small smile curving on his lips as well. "We'll send all you back tomorrow, Brother Light as well. That the soonest we can manage safely." Father Steel said, looking at Yosho for approval. "We can't just leave you here like this!" Tenchi said. "Tenchi! If you succeed in the past, this will never happen. Believe me boy, I am proud of your courage, but it is need in your own time. It is to late for us here." Yosho said "Surly something can be done?" Ayeka asked "Show them." Yosho said standing. "Are you sure?" Father Steel asked. Yosho nodded, Father Steel sighed and shook his head. He stood and gestured for Tenchi to follow him. The others rose to follow but Yosho signaled them to stay. Father Steel led Tenchi out of the room and down to the end of the corridor. The corridor seems to end in at a wall, but Father Steel just laid his hand on it and spoke. "Open." He said. The wall spiraled open revealing a small, floorless chamber with rungs set on the wall directly in front of Tenchi. Father Steel grabbed the rungs and started climbing up. Tenchi quietly followed. They climbed for some time, Tenchi was beginning to sweat and he was in good shape from his grandfather's teaching and working in the fields. Tenchi was unsure just how long they climbed, just that his arms burned and he was covered in sweat. Father Steel halted for a moment stopped by a metal cover. The metal cover was made of two interlocking pieces and had a small keyboard in the center. Father Steel typed in a short code and the cover slid open. Father Steel and Tenchi climbed out into the cold night air. Song: The Kids Aren't Alright (Offspring) Time: 20 years in future Location: San Diego Ruins They were standing in a vacant lot amongst the ruins. Wrecked building towered over like the dead bodies of ancient beast. Tenchi could see a street that was warped and twisted as if exposed to extreme heat. An overturned pickup truck lay in the middle of the destroyed road; its cab had been crushed like an old soda can. Tenchi's mind shed away from considering what force was capable of such raw death and destruction. "Welcome to the corpse of the world, Tenchi." Father Steel said softly. Father Steel raised his arm and pointed east Tenchi turned and looked, he could vaguely see mountains in the distance, but overshadowing them was the sick green glow that faintly pulsed in the sky. "We on the other side of a fucking continent. Two mountain ranges between us and it, whole states and we can still see it every night...” Father Steel said bitterly. "What is it?" Tenchi whispered, feeling dread rise up in him. "What's left of the Eastern Seaboard, from Florida to Nova Scotia. Just one big radioactive playground now. I don't know why it glows like that, something to do with the weapons they used. But, I do know that nothing can live east of the great lakes now, that the whole Atlantic Ocean is contaminated and that it will stay that way for the next 1,500 years... Bastards. Japan in worst shape. Europe's not much better. They say the polar ice caps have started melting to... Hell, the whole planet dying and it's going slow." Father Steel. "Why... Why did they do this?" Tenchi asked. "They want to rule everything, everyone. That's reason enough to them. Besides, the human genetic code is real malleable compared to most other species. Makes us perfect for their experiments. They keep trying to make the perfect slaves for various purposes." Father Steel said. "This is insane." Tenchi said. "The whole universe is insane now. It's getting worse to." Father Steel said with a sick smirk. "What do you mean?" Tenchi asked turning to face Father Steel, brown eyes wide. "Matrix, halo of plan B please." Father Steel spike into his wrist. He then took of a small object from his wrist that looked like a cross between a watch and a small computer screen. He laid the object face up on the cracked ground. A picture sprung up of a missile. It was tall and sleek with massive engines at its base. "Tenchi, you're plan A. This is plan B, the Interplanetary Ballistic Missile, IPBM for short. Range of over 1,000 parsecs, a parsec equals 3.26 light-years by the way. We have made about 300 of the things, stashed them in Atlantis, be ready to launch in a year. Just one of the things has enough power to wipe out half a planet. We're making more." Father Steel explained. "Do you expect this to solve anything?" Tenchi replied horrified. "No, I expect it to hurt them. I expect it to bleed them so badly they'll have to lift the siege on Jurai. They will be confused, disoriented, but they'll recover. They always recover. They're drawing on resources we can't even begin to match and they have to firm a foothold to be thrown out. Even if I blow their worlds out from under them." Father Steel said. "Then why?" Tenchi asked. "I can't win, but maybe I can make victory worthless to them. They turned Earth... The whole universe into one giant hell. All I can do is return the favor has best as I can." Father Steel said gazing off into the east. He took a deep breath and continued. "But, if you stop them before they even start... Then this will never happen. We might even live happy ever after. Anything's possible." Father Steel finished. "What should I do?" asked Tenchi. "Don't hesitate, never hesitate. Remember this is what will happen if you fail. So do whatever you must, sacrifice whomever you must, but for the sake of all who live don't let them beat you. Or else this. Hell on Earth, on every world. For everyone and everything. You cannot afford to show mercy to the enemy, or the universe pays for it” Father Steel instructed. "You have my oath, I will not allow this to happen. No matter what comes to pass." Tenchi whispered finding resolve in the bones of what had been a great city once. A city filled with men, women and children, filled now only with death. Father Steel looked at Tenchi and nodded slowly. "Come, we better go back. The longer we stay the more likely The Night Children will stumble over us." Father Steel said turning back to the hidden cover. Tenchi gladly followed, anything to put some distance between him and this nightmare. Song: Ava Adore (Smashing Pumpkins) Time: 20 years in future Location: Father Time's room Ayeka watched Tenchi leave the room. She leaned back in her seat, her head spinning. This was really too much! How could anyone cope with this? Ayeka internally groped for mental ground to stand on. In the last couple hours her whole universe had been spun upside down and give a vigorous shaking. She seen old myths come to life, a future she hadn't imagined in her worst nightmares and down her brother stood in front of her, scarred and disfigured. She wasn't even going to think about the young Mayuka that sat in front of her, Ayeka gave Mayuka a careful look. Mayuka was dressed in tight leather armor. Leather black as night, like Taro and Father Steel himself. Only tighter, much tighter. It showed off her rather shapely figure, a figure that was shaped by pure muscle. Struggling for a means of opening conversation, as Yosho was in a corner with Taro deep in speech. Father Time lay asleep in his cot, while it seemed rude to Ayeka, no else seemed to see anything strange about staying in the room. "Why did you cut your hair so short?" Ayeka blurted out. Mayuka blinked, her hand going to her blue hair. "Huh? Excuse me?" Mayuka asked. "She asked why you cut your hair so short. It’s really beautiful, why chop it down so short???" Mihoshi said before Ayeka could change tack. "Long hair gets in the way in a fight. Do you really think my hair is beautiful?" Mayuka asked Mihoshi. "Oh it is! It is! Such a lovely color. Besides I just put my hair up and no problems!" Mihoshi replied. "Excuse me, but I think we have more serious things to discuss." Ryoko snarled. She couldn't believe that they were talking about hair, now of all times! Tenchi was in danger from some freaks that couldn't even stay in their own universe and they're talking about hairstyles? "Yes, you're right Aunt Ryoko, I'm sorry." Mayuka said. "What are the Night Princes? I heard all of you talking about them but I have no idea what they are, or how many of them there are?" Ryoko asked. Five thousand years of combat had taught her to always identify her opponents and find their weak spots. The better to destroy them. "They're the leaders of the Night Princes. There are hundreds of them throughout the galaxy. We think there might be more. They seem to draw their power from somewhere. Or maybe some ones... We don't know for sure. They can destroy entire cities, Marson destroyed the planet Kitora's moons, all 7 of them. 100 million people gone just like that... We know they very powerful and very cruel." Mayuka explained. "Do they have any weaknesses?" Ayeka asked, urged by her court training to find a weakness, no matter how small. "They get tired. They're very sure of themselves." Mayuka answered. "Excuse me, but who is Marsons?" Washu jumped in. "He seems to be the overall leader of the Night Children. He and Bri...Steel have been trying to kill one another for a long time..." Mayuka trailed off, absently wringing her hands. An uncomfortable silence reigned until Father Steel and Tenchi returned a few minutes later. Tenchi had a haunted look in his eyes that kept even Ryoko from going to him. Father Steel took a deep breath. "You will be leaving in the morning. We'll take you your rooms, you going to need your sleep. Taro, take princesses Ayeka and Sasami to room 3, and Mihoshi to room 4. Mayuka take Ryoko to room 26 and Washu to room 27. I'll escort Tenchi to his room. Father Blade, you will be leaving on evac train number 3 correct?" Father Steel announces. "Yes, and I'll escort Ayeka and Sasami to their rooms. I think the baby should go with Washu, don't you Mihoshi?" Yosho turned to Mihoshi who was cradling baby Mayuka in her arms still. "Oh, My Yes! I couldn't handle her all night!" Mihoshi said with a giggle. Washu took the child from Mihoshi and turned to the babe's adult self. "Well, I certainly am sleepy! Corridor we go, Mayuka?" Washu said. Mayuka nodded getting up and heading toward the door. "Well, lets go Ryoko!” Washu called out over her shoulder as she left. "I'm coming." Ryoko grumbled as she flew off after them, fleeing the site of a haunted Tenchi, she couldn't comfort. "Ayeka, Sasami, corridor we go? It is getting late." Yosho said gently. Ayeka and Sasami quickly agreed and left. Taro and Mihoshi shortly followed them. "I think I going to hurl." Tenchi finally said. "If it helps, you're taking it very well. Come on, it'll look better in the morning. Seriously, it will." Father Steel said. Tenchi got up and waved at him to lead on. They moved down the corridor, quietly and in the opposite direction of everyone else. "I thought you'd prefer not to have anyone drop in on you tonight." Father Steel explained as they stopped in front of a plain gray door about a 100 or so feet down the corridor. Tenchi nodded, it would be a long enough night as it was without company. "One more thing, could you give this to Brian, when you see him." Father Steel said handing Tenchi a small clear crystal. "I thought you were?" Tenchi asked. Father Steel smiled tiredly. "I stopped being Brian Hadthorn a long time ago. Now there is only Steel, it's better that way. Goodnight Tenchi, rest well, it's a long trip tomorrow." Father Steel said as he turned to go. Meanwhile Mayuka had escorted Ryoko and Washu to their rooms, which were right across the corridor from one another. Ryoko for once went to bed without any games. Washu stopped in the doorway and spoke to Mayuka. "Tell me, Mayuka, you and Father Steel know each other well?" Washu asked slyly. "Uh, you could say that..."Mayuka answered. "So, how long have you two been sleeping together?" Washu asked with a smirk. "How did you know???" Mayuka exclaimed. "I seen that look on a girl face before. I also saw the way he looked at you when he thought no one else was looking. So really, how long?" Washu spoke her eyes gleaming evilly "About a year." Mayuka whispered. "Why the big secret?" Washu asked. "He thinks I'm safer that way." Mayuka said with a shrug. Both she and Washu rolled their eyes at that. "Men." They said at once. "You know if this works, you and Father Steel might never..." Washu begun to explain. "I am aware of that, Aunt Washu, but if that means avoiding all this pain and misery... Then how can I not take this one simple chance? If I'm meant to be happy, I will be." Mayuka answered. Washu impulsively embraced her 'niece,' her eyes brimming with tears. "Know this Mayuka, no matter what happens I am proud of you and will make this sacrifice worth to you, I swear it." Washu whispered. She had lived for over 20,000 years and few were the times she had seen such displays of character. "Thank you, Aunt. This means more than you can know." Mayuka replied hugging her back. They held the embrace for a moment and released each other, with a small smile Washu retreated into her room. Ayeka sent Sasami into the room ahead of her to settle down, promising to tell her a story before they went to sleep. Once she was sure that Sasami was out of earshot, Ayeka turned to her brother. "Yosho, how did this insanity come to pass without Jurai notice?" She asked. "I am unsure of the details, but am all to familiar with the method. They infiltrated the Royal court, took advantage of our arrogance and greed. Distracted us with intrigue and infighting. In short, The Night Children did this because Jurai was to caught up in herself to pay any attention or even care." Yosho explained. "Surely no one would have sold out to them!" Ayeka hissed in dismay. "The Nobles are close minded and short sighted, you know this. They see only their own power and splendor. They did not react until Edwei fell. Then it was to late." Yosho whispered. "I see. What of yourself? What happen to you?" Ayeka asked her beloved brother. "War, I lack Steel's regenerative powers, so the injuries I sustain do not heal as well. Mayuka and Taro are too young and as of yet too lucky to have collected any scars as impressive as my own. Although they do have one or two." Yosho said with a shrug. "Will you see us off in the morning?" Ayeka asked. "I'm afraid not. Father Matrix and I will be leaving in an hour, on the next evacuation train to Atlantis base. It is against our usual operating policy for all 3 of us to be in the same spot for very long. As long as all of us are together one lucky shot could behead the entire resistance." Yosho explained. "I understand. Do you have any messages for the others?" Ayeka asked. "Tell Tenchi to stay strong. Remind him to keep his guard up as well, he has a tendency to drop it after a pass." Yosho said with a smile. "I will, be well, Yosho." Ayeka said with a bow and stepped into her room. Song: Unforgiven (Metallica) Time: 20 years in the future Location: Main Base, 1.5 miles beneath San Diego Ruins Tenchi woke up to a siren screaming. The lights had come on and were now red. In the corridor outside he could hear men running and yelling to one another. He realized that someone was pounding on his door. "Tenchi! Open up! Tenchi, we have a situation happening!!!" A voice Tenchi recognized as Taro's penetrated the metal door. Alarmed and fully awake Tenchi leapt out of bed and pulling on his pants headed for the door. Opening the door he saw Taro, dressed as always in his black leather, gripping Tenchi-Ken. "What's wrong?" Tenchi asked. "The Night Children have broken through the surface lines, they’re trying to penetrate the main gate! Father Steel sent me to get you, we have to get back to the lab, NOW!!!" Taro yelled over the siren. Tenchi grabbed his shirt and he and Taro took off at a run toward the lad. They passed solders, in camouflaged uniforms, running in the opposite direction. The solders were of widely different ages, the leader of this small unit seemed well into his fifties, if not older, the youngest seemed barely 15. They all clutched Juraian rifles and had their faces set in an emotionless expression, however. "What about the girls?" Tenchi cried. "Mayuka getting them, they will meet us at the lab. Hurry for Kami sakes!!!" Taro cried. Taro and Tenchi reached the elevator, to find Mayuka and the girls already in it. "Everyone alright?" Tenchi asked. Washu comforting a whimpering baby Mayuka nodded absently. Sasami her face pale and her eyes huge with fright spoke up. "Tenchi what's happing? I'm scared!" "The enemy coming through." Tenchi answered Sasami gasped. "Do not worry, by the time they break through, you will have returned to your own time." Taro reassured the group as the elevator began to drop. The elevator doors opened at the lab level, the group moved out as a unit of soldiers moved onto the elevators heading upward. Taro and Mayuka lead the others down the corridor into the lab. Father Steel and Father Time stood at different terminals in the lab typing in commands. "Dropping blast doors!" Father Time cried triumphantly. 'That'll delay them about 20 minutes." Father Steel calculated. "Then what?" Father Time asked. There was a small red button beside Father Steel, cover by a square glass case. Without even looking or considering Father Steel smashed his fist through the glass pressing the red button. The siren stopped plunging everything into an eerie calm, the light stilled into their normal phase. Father Steel grabbed a nearby headset with a microphone. "Attention all personnel, self destruct in 30 minutes. Evacuate by sections, last train leaves in 25 minutes." Father Steel announced. "It's that easy to activate the self destruct!?!" Father Time asked. "Anyone can do it, because you never know what will happen and who will be close enough to do it." Was Father Steel's answer. They turned to face Tenchi and the others gathered at the door. Grim acceptance in their eyes. 'Well Tenchi, ladies, sorry you can't stay. It was nice having y'all though. Safe trip home." Father Steel said with a wry smile. "You could come with us." Tenchi offered. "Thank you, no. There's no place for two of me in your time. I'm too damaged... However..." Father Steel looked meaningfully at Mayuka. Mayuka, her face hard just stubbornly shook her head. Father Steel smile turned sad, but calm as if accepting something he already knew. His gaze turned to Taro. "Brother Light, I have one last mission for you. Go with Tenchi and protect him from our enemies, ensure his success." Father Steel ordered. "Thank you for your trust Father. However, I will not leave you now." Taro answered calmly. "No, I supposed you wouldn't... Very well." Father Steel offered his hand to Taro. With a proud smile Taro took it. "Know that I am always proud of you and of what you've done." Father Steel said. With that he slugged Taro across the face. Taro's head snapped to the side, his eyes looking betrayed as he sagged to the ground. Father Steel tenderly picked him up and handed him to Ryoko, who took his weight easily. "He is, in all that matters, my son. Please make him understand." Father Steel said staring into Ryoko's golden eyes. Ryoko silently nodded. "I must go. Tenchi, Ryoko, Mihoshi, Washu, Ayeka, Sasami, good luck." Father said has he left the lab. "Goodbye, Father." Mayuka said with a bow. Tenchi returned the bow. Mayuka turned and followed Father Steel. Father Time motioned them unto the shallow pit in the middle of the lab. "Good luck and don't lose." Father Time said as the glowing disk appeared above them. "I hate this part." Ayeka muttered as the disk rushed down on them. With that they were whisked away back to the past. "You and me both." Father Time said to himself as he sagged against the wall. Wearily his hand thrust into a pouch tied to his belt. He pulled out a stim shot and jabbed it into his arm. Instantly he felt better as energy filled him. "That's more like it." Father Time said. He couldn't get any pay back if he couldn't stand up now could he. With a chuckle he left the lab the door automatic sliding shut behind him. He jogged down the corridor to catch up with Father Steel and Sister Dark. "It's done?" Father Steel asked. Sometimes he could be redundant like that. "It's done." Father Time answered. "Let's go then." Sister Dark said, stepping into the elevator, all business. Father Steel and Father Time followed. The elevator slid smoothly upwards as they lend back on the walls. "What's the plan?" Father Time asked. "Fighting withdrawal most like. Just get on the last train, or you're going up in radioactive smoke." Father Steel said. "What you use?" Father Time asked. "Old-School fission bombs" Father Steel answered. "For that retro 90's charm?" Sister Dark asked. "Something like that." Father Steel answered with an indulgent grin. The elevator stopped and they stepped out. A lieutenant turned and reported. "Sir, they've been steady burning through for the last 5 minutes. Companies Alpha through Delta has been successfully evacuated. Fox through Gamma are boarding the trains now." The Lieutenant said. "Good, have everyone fall back to India sector. We'll set up new post there." Father Steel ordered. "Aye aye, Sir!" The Lieutenant replied turning to go. "Shouldn't he have saluted or something?" Father Time asked. "I modeled our formalities after the Marines not the Army. Marines don't salute indoors." Father Steel said. The solders began to withdraw, as they turned to go Sister Dark stopped. "What's wrong?" Father Steel asked. "Do you hear that?" Sister Dark asked. "Hear what?" Father Time replied cocking his head. "Wait, what's that hissing... Oh, Lord above! Everybody out! Now! It's going to!!!" Father Steel never finished, as that's when the main gate exploded throwing everyone down the entrance corridor. "Retreat!!!" Father Time cried picking himself up when the shrapnel stopped fling. The rebels picked themselves up and begun to move when a great shout was heard. "KILL THEM, KILL THE SCUM!!!" Howled a massive voice. An answering roar echoed down the corridor from a hoard of throats. Red armor figures started to pour through the ruins of the gate. "Retreat by squad order!!!" Screamed the Lieutenant as a squad lined up. Father Steel grabbed Sister Dark and Father Time. "We've got to get to a comm unit!" Father Steel cried. The unit of rebels was divided into 3 squads of 12. One squad would stop and fire covering the retreat of the other two. The two squads would run about 20 steps, and then one would stop turn and fire covering their fellow’s retreat. They pour shot after shot into the foe, but the red plated hoard advanced over the bodies of their own dead, howling with bloodlust. Father Steel sprinted to a comm unit set into the wall and activated it. An officer wearing Captain insignia appeared on the screen. "They have broken through! Get Omega, Tango and Zulu companies to sector Manga, blunt the assault and attempt a withdrawal. Get as many as you can on those trains!" Father Steel ordered. "Understood, Sir!" Came the reply, the screen black out. Father Steel turned to the other two. "Father Time, proceed to evac sector, see if you can hurry the evacuation. Sister Dark and I will follow after we enable the traps." Father Steel ordered. "Got it." Father Time said, taking off. "I'm surprised you didn't try to get rid of me." Sister Dark said watching Father Time go. "If I thought it would work...”Father Steel answered ruefully. Sister Dark just grinned and shook her head. "No way old man, you're stuck with me forever." She said. "Not a bad fate all things considered. You take right, I'll take left?" Father Steel asked. "Sure." Sister Dark said, leaning toward Father Steel. They shared a single fierce kiss and parted going opposite ways. The last remaining squad continued to fall back in fire team order. Refusing to break in front of the overwhelming forces against them. The Lieutenant was dead. The Sergeant, who ran the platoon, anyway was in command. His fire team hustled toward the elevators that would lead to freedom. He heard the fire team behind him hit the ground, dead from the silent lasers that were the staples in this long war. He stopped the fire team and turned them. They opened fire, 4 beams of light flashing into the barbarian hoard reaping death. Answering shots flashed back One by one they fell around the Sergeant, until at last the Corporal that he had known all his life slumped to the ground, lifeless. Cold and calm the Sergeant turned and murdered his brother's killer. "Enough. This cur is mine.” said a gruesome voice. A creature covered in blue horn, wearing red plate mail stepped forward. It's insect-like legs bringing it closer with every step. The Sergeant showed no fear, he merely trained his rifle on his opponent and opened fire, pouring shot after shot into center mass. It was to no avail. The alien monster stopped in front of him, grabbed the Sergeant by the throat and began to squeeze. The Sergeant's hands moved to his chest where his last grenade sat. Whispering a prayer to a half remembered God, the Sergeant pulled the pin. The explosion knocked the thing off its feet. It sat up and check itself, its plate mail had been completely destroyed, but it was otherwise undamaged. Standing up it waved it arm forward. "Onward!" It shouted. With a bloodthirsty roar the hoard rolled on. Seven levels down, Sister Dark armed the traps for that sector. She turned and leapt, flying down the corridor, she was only one level above sector Manga. She stepped into the elevator, where Father Steel was waiting. It slid down the shaft and halted. They stepped out; Omega, Tango and Zulu were dug in. The elevators had opened into a large room with 3 corridors leading from it. The 3 companies had dragged out heavy furniture, tables’ beds, etc, to make a barricade. Father Time stood behind it, back up by 300 rifles. Father Steel briefly inspected the position. It was good enough. "Good Job. How long do we have left?" Father Steel asked. "Ten minutes before the last train leaves. Everyone just about out, expect us." Father Time reported. "Good." Father Steel looked about him and saw the company commanders standing close by. He gestured the officers over. "Father Time, take Zulu company, Sister Dark take Tango, and I’ll take Omega. We'll each proceed down a different corridor way to the evac point. Fall back by platoon order of coarse." Father Steel said. "Sir, the corridors Tango and Omega are taking meet about 600 meters down. We've erected defensive positions there as well in case of necessary." The Zulu commander reported. "Very good Captain. We'll hold there if necessary. I'd rather get on the train though, wouldn't you?" Father Steel replied. A low chuckle was his answer. The officer went back to their units to pass on the orders and prepare to implement them. They stood waiting, they could hear above them explosions and the odd scrams as the invaders found the various 'gifts' left for them by Father Steel. Soon they hear the hum of the elevators raising up and then sliding down the shafts. The five elevators opened disgorging the red plated hoard. The rebels opened fire mowing their foes down with blazes of silent laser fire. Again and again the elevator doors opened to release even more opponents upon them. "Time to go boys! Our train leaves in 5 minutes!" Cried Father Steel signaling the retreat. The rebel companies fell back, followed closely by their foes, who bayed for blood. Despite heavy enemy fire and the heavy causalities that went with it the rebels did not break, but gave ground grudgingly, covering every inch with a carpet of enemy dead. Father Time hurried his troops down the corridor. They were so close; he could almost taste escape. He felt a sudden burning in his left leg and went down. He had been hit. Thinking quickly he dragged himself into a side room. He heard the last of his solders pass by. Heard the first of the enemy pursue. Thrusting his hand into his pouch he made a final choice grabbing a pain killer and a trio of stims he jabbed them into his arm. The pain disappeared and the world seemed to slow down. Grabbing a pair of Juraian pistols and pressing them to his lips in silence prayer, he kicked open the door and leapt out into the corridor. He landed behind the first group of the enemy pursuers. With a wild cry he opened fire, his shots slamming into the opponents backs. They fell like wheat before the scythe. He turned, one man against the tide and opened fire, reaping bloody revenge for his many pains. Lost in the painkiller's haze, he did not feel the dozen shots that burned through his great bulk. He did not feel himself sagged to his knees, he just kept firing. Until one of the foe got to close, an orange skinned creature with a pair of crimson horns. It knock him down to his back, lifted it foot and stomped down on Father Time head once. Then moved on leaving the corpse behind it. Tango and Omega reached the last position, the Night Children right behind. Soon it was hand-to-hand. Vibro bayonet against sonic blades. Father Steel grabbed a carved handled that hung from his belt, the handle was as long as his forearm. He held in one hand and one silver energy blade came to life, his other hand grasped the handle and a second blade burned into existence. Eyes glowing silver, Father Steel leapt into the battle becoming an angle of death. Sister Dark sliced through the enemy with her energy blade. She floated above the fray, diving down upon her prey like a hawk. She assaulted an enemy officer, gutting him. She looked up from her fresh kill. She saw a tall, thin humanoid in green robes. "Marsons..." She snarled in hate. His back was turned speaking to an underling, perfect. Marsons finished giving his orders. He was annoyed; he had brought 9 legions of troops and enforcers into this complex and would be lucky to bring back enough live troops to make up a single legion. Those traps along with the stiff resistance were decimating his force. He himself had taken injury from those damn traps... Marsons was distracted from his thoughts by a small breeze he turned to see Sister Dark bearing down on him energy blade in hand. With a curse he flung a blazing bolt of dark energy at her. It slid right though her image and burned through his own troops. "Sucker." Sister Dark said from beside him; swing her sword down on his arm, severing it. Marsons screamed in pain. "Insolent cow!" He cried grabbing her with his other arm and slamming her into the corridor wall. She crunched into the wall, the impact creating an imprint of her body on the wall's surface. Marsons floated back gripping the stump of his right arm. It began to grow, seeping an orange fluid as it regenerated. "You should know better by now, a puny being like you cannot hope to harm me." Marsons said with a sneer. "I'll show you puny!" Sister Dark cried attacking. Marsons easily avoided the assault. He blasted Sister Dark with a wave of energy forcing her to her knees. Marsons then reached down and grasped her neck holding her up in the air her feet dangling has she choked. Marsons held up his newly regrown right hand, the fingers stretched and hardened into claws. With one swift move he gutted her, releasing her to fall to the ground with a scream. Hearing the scream, Father Steel turned and saw her hit the ground. He dropped his energy staff in shock. The silver glowing blades faded as if they’ve never been. "MAYUKA!!!!" He screamed in rage. Silver fire began to burn around him driving all back. The fire surged over his skin, bled from his eyes, oozed from his fingertips. With an incoherent roar he launch himself at Marsons burning through enemy ranks. Marsons looked up from his triumph, right into Steel's fist. Steel's blow landed with enough force to rip apart a small city. It caused a shock wave that threw all those nearby into the walls, shattering their red plate mail, killing them on impact. Marsons responded in kind with his own blow, just has powerful has Steel's. These two beings had fought a war, over a decade and a half, unlike any other in the history of the universe. They were primal opposites, the dark tyrant and the unrepentant rebel. Their hate for the other had reached the breaking point. One of them had to die, they could longer share an existence between them, and there was only room for one. All thought left them they reacted on sheer bloodlust. No energy blast or tricks just sheer strength as the battered each other with their fist in the dreadful climax of a long brutal war. Unseen the rebel companies retreated as the Night Children were forced to take cover. The walls cracked and the floor and roof buckled from the titanic fury of the clash. Father Steel reared back clasping both hands together and struck. The blow swept Marsons off his feet and though the wall into a room. Father Steel flew in after Marsons, eager for the kill. He swooped down on the prone Marsons, the urge to kill howling in him. He flew face first into Marsons feet. Marsons kick sent Father Steel through the roof of the room into the chamber above. Marsons flew after Steel claws out to rend. Father Steel grabbed the claw and threw Marsons out of the room, through the wall that separated it from the corridor. There they slammed into one another beating each other near senseless. Marsons claw swept around at Father Steel's knees. Father Steel leapt up above the strike, kicking down at Marsons face with both booted feet. The force was too much for the floor, which gave way under them. They fell to the corridor under them, where they had started. As they landed Marsons struck, knocking Father Steel away down the corridor. "I have had enough of your rebellion! It ends here!" Marsons cried gathering energy in his hands. "I'm going to send you back to your masters in Hell!" screamed Father Steel; silver fire streaking around his hands. They fired, the waves of energy surged down the corridor bearing years of hate, rage and pain. The blasts missed each other screaming pass each other at unbelievable speed to hit their targets. Father Steel fell as he was hit in the chest. Marsons screamed as the silver fire, power of a long gone race, wrapped around him eating away at him. With a last wail, Marsons burned to cinders. Father Steel dragged himself to his knees, looking pass the ashes that was Marsons he saw Mayuka's body. Slowing agonizingly he dragged himself down the corridor towards her. Finally after a supreme effort he reached her. He could heal he knew that, but it would take months, maybe a full year to even regain the ability to walk, he had 3 minutes before the place went up in a mushroom cloud. He looked at Mayuka pale face and took her limp hand. "Mayuka, I'm sorry." He whispered closing his with a finial sigh, surrendering for the first and last time in his life. He heard the computer's voice begin a finial countdown. "3, 2,1" and then everything faded into a bright light. End Part III “The war isn’t over yet, it hasn’t even begun.” Polgara, Castle of Wizardry, part 4, chapter 26 Author After word: Sorry it took so long, I’m on a ship in the pacific right now, it’s difficult to edit in a troop berthing. The grammar and spelling should be mostly correct, due to my recent acquiring of Microsoft Word. Or so I hope. Well thanks go out to by brother Thunderrage for his constant aid and support, so he gets some of the blame to. Due to uncontrolled events I’ve lost contact with my other proofreaders Drak and Zervon. If one of you two is reading this, drop a line. All flames, criticisms, praises and offers of employment (I can dream, damn it!) should be sent to frigidmagi@hotmail.com . Next up, a moment of peace as Tenchi and company prepare for the darkness. Part IV, It Begins Again.