Tenchi Muyo Fan Fiction ❯ Project Pinnacle ❯ Clean Slate ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: Tenchi Muyo and its characters are property of AIC and
Pioneer. The proceeding story, though based on pre-existing characters, is
the property of the author and may not be reprinted without permission.
All original characters found herein are also the property of the author and
may not be used without permission. (Did that sound official? I hope so.)

Note to Reader: I have omitted a few minor characters, because their
appearances would not have contributed further to content. This saga is
meant to be read after "The Masato Saga." If you haven't read it you
won't be totally lost, but it helps. As always, feedback is more than
welcome, so please drop me an e-mail.

Clean Slate

Chapter 1: Interruption

The pilot cursed his rotten luck as his crippled ship slid closer and
closer to Earth. He had been conscious for less than a week, and already it
looked as though he might be killed. He was about to smash his hand
angrily on the console in front of him, but he checked himself; no point in
damaging his ship any more than it already was.
Who's fault was it that he was in this situation to begin with? Was
it the doctor's, for giving him such a piece of crap ship? Was it his own
fault for not running a proper maintenance check? No matter; all that was
important was to find a way to survive, because there was certainly no way
that he would be able to fulfill his mission, the task he was born for, if he
was dead.
He checked his instruments again, and was at least relieved to see
that he was still on course. However, with the automatic navigation
system down, he would have to bring the smoking vessel in manually. He
had been flying manually for over an hour now, after the explosion that
had originated in one of the power couplings to the main engine. Luckily,
the ship was equipped with maneuvering thrusters, which he was able to
use to continue his trajectory. Now that he was so close to Earth, the
gravity was taking hold and the ship began to pick up speed.
Unfortunately, the reverse thrusters ran off the same power coupling as the
main engine, so there was no way he could slow down. All he could do
was put all maneuvering thrusters on full reverse, keep a level trajectory,
and hope for the best.
The fuselage of the ship tugged at the clouds as he passed through
the atmosphere. He looked down at the rapidly approaching ground, and
swore. Ever mindful of at least keeping his ship approximately on course,
he pulled up and flattened out as the ship roared at a very unsafe speed
mere meters from the ground. He saw himself rapidly approaching a
forest, which actually worked in his favor. If he could brush a few of the
treetops, he would be able to slow down enough to make a safer, if not
unbelievably rough, landing. He pulled up to the height of the trees and
noisily crashed through the treetops.
Twigs and leaves flew everywhere at the pilot's efforts to slow his
craft. He watched his speed indicator carefully, and was elated when the
speed of the craft began to go down. However, in a momentary lapse, he
failed to notice a tree larger than the others surrounding it that jutted
through the canopy. His ship impacted the trunk and sent the small vessel
spinning wildly. The pilot hurriedly manipulated the maneuvering
thrusters in an attempt to compensate, but the momentum causing the spin
was far too great. With the pilot unable to control the craft's descent, the
ship plummeted towards the earth. With each tree it impacted in its
downward spiral, the ship became more and more damaged, being ripped
apart piece by piece. Finally, a large hole was torn in the hull surrounding
the bridge, and a large section of trunk flew into the cabin. The log
glanced off the control panel in front of the pilot, barely missing his head.
However, the panel was ripped open, and much of the wiring was
dislodged. Some of this wiring fell into the lap of the pilot. He jerked in
pain as the wires sent a powerful current of electricity through his body.
The pilot let out with a loud scream. The shock hurt like hell, but
more than that he felt as though he was losing something. He felt as
though something important was being taken from him. Even more
agonizing than the pain was the feeling of emptiness that swiftly overtook
him. That horrifying sensation was the last thing he felt before he passed
out.

"I wonder what the heck that was?" Tenchi asked as he sat up off
of his bed, disturbed from his reading after the resonating crash that he had
heard. "I hope it's not another one of Washu's experiments."
Tenchi exited his room and loped down the stairs, anxious to see
what had caused the disturbance. As he reached the bottom of the stairs he
ran into Washu. "Washu," Tenchi began, in a light scolding tone, "has
another one of your experiments gone wrong again?"
"Sorry, Tenchi, but that wasn't me," Washu revealed. "It sounded
like something fairly big came down not far from here."
Suddenly, Kiyone came down the stairs, looking confused. "I
thought Ryoko and Ayeka weren't fighting anymore," she mused. "What
on earth was that?"
"Washu thinks something came down not far from here," Tenchi
explained. "I think maybe we ought to go check it out."
Kiyone's eyes brightened. "Maybe it's a criminal!" she thought
aloud. "This could be the big break my career needs. Mihoshi!" she
shouted, marching swiftly in the direction of the television, where Mihoshi
had parked herself earlier that afternoon.
Mihoshi did not even respond, so engrossed was she in the
program she was watching. Kiyone waved a hand in front of her vacant
stare, and still she did not respond. Finally, growling from behind
clenched teeth, Kiyone grabbed Mihoshi's shoulders and shook her
violently. "Mihoshi, snap out of it!" she commanded firmly.
Mihoshi blinked once. "Oh, hi, Kiyone," she said with a wide,
oblivious smile. "I was just watching TV."
"If you watch it any harder, you'll stare a hole through it," Kiyone
said. "A police matter has come up. Get in your uniform and follow me,
Tenchi, and Washu into the forest."
"Right," Mihoshi said as she stood up and saluted. "Detective
First-Class Mihoshi reporting for duty!" she hurriedly bounded up the
stairs to change into her Galaxy Police uniform. Kiyone followed suit.
As Mihoshi and Kiyone changed, Sasami poked her head from the
kitchen. Ryo-ohki was sitting on her head. "I heard a noise outside," she
said concernedly. "Is everything okay?"
"We're not really sure, Sasami," Washu said thoughtfully. "We're
going to investigate now."
"Can I come?" Sasami asked anxiously.
"You'd better stay here, Sasami," Tenchi said. "Whatever's out
there might be dangerous."
"Aww, nuts!" Sasami pouted. Ryo-ohki meowed a similar
sentiment.
"I promise I'll tell you all about it when we get back," Tenchi
assured her. "But right now we don't know if it's safe or not."
"Okay," Sasami said dejectedly.
Newly clad in their uniforms, Kiyone and Mihoshi raced
downstairs. "Alright," Kiyone said with a determined look on her face,
"let's go get him!"
"Not so fast, Rambo," Washu said firmly. "If it is a person, they
might need our help, not a gun in the face. Cool your jets until we find out
what's going on."
"Okay," Kiyone agreed, realizing that she was a bit gung-ho about
the situation. "But it never hurts to be careful."
"Point taken," Washu said. "Be careful, everyone."
The four stepped out the door and looked in the direction the crash
had come from. They did not have to look long; a column of thick black
smoke rose up from the forest about a kilometer away. "We'd better
hurry," Washu said as she quickened her pace. "This person might be in
real trouble."

Chapter 2: The Discovery

The crash site was a mess. Pieces of the crashed vessel lay out
over an area larger than a football field. Smoke and burning oil blanketed
the area, making even breathing a true task. Upon arriving, Tenchi and the
girls were surprised to see Yosho, Ayeka, and Ryoko already there. They
were staring in wonder at the wreckage. "What are you all doing here?"
Tenchi asked.
"We were at the shrine, having a conversation," Yosho explained.
"We heard the crash and thought we would investigate."
"Washu, did you by chance cause this?" Ayeka asked innocently.
Washu fumed. "Why is it, whenever anything blows up, it's
always my fault!?" she screeched.
"Because it usually is," Ryoko said under her breath. Washu shot
her a sharp glance.
"Washu, I'm sure all Ayeka wanted to know is whether or not you
knew what caused this," Tenchi said, sticking up for the princess.
"Well, when you put it that way," Washu began in a tone of forced
dignity, "I only know what you all see: A ship came down out here and
was torn to shreds. I suggest we start looking for survivors."
The group agreed and began to pick among the rubble for any
survivors or, if worse came to worse, bodies. As piece after piece of the
wreckage was inspected, no sign of life could be found; no blood, no
charred flesh, nothing. After several minutes of searching, Kiyone
suggested, "Maybe whoever piloted this thing got away. He could have
ditched the craft before it crashed."
Washu stared into a device she was carrying. The screen showed
seven dots in the center, and nothing else. "I thought of that," Washu said.
"So, I brought out my trusty life-form radar. This crash is relatively fresh,
so I took into consideration the fact that, if the pilot was still alive, then he
wouldn't have gotten far. But, I don't see any other life-form on the
screen."
"So you're saying that, whoever crashed this ship died in the
explosion?" Ryoko asked.
"If there was a pilot at all," Washu replied.
Suddenly, Mihoshi yelped as her foot came out from under her and
she fell on her back. She sat up and looked back where she had fallen.
Apparently, she had slipped on a small puddle of a gel-like substance. She
scooped up a small handful of the slime in her hand and brought it to her
partner. "What is this stuff?" she asked.
Kiyone examined the material. "Could be engine grease," she
speculated. "I saw some of that around, too."
"Hmm," Mihoshi mused. "Maybe Washu knows what it is." She
turned on her heels and sought out the pink-haired scientist. With the
globule held in her outstretched hand before Washu's face, she asked,
"Washu, what's this?"
Before Washu could respond, her life-form radar blipped once.
She glanced at the screen and found that another dot had appeared on the
screen, right where Mihoshi's hand was. Washu quickly summoned her
computer and began typing. Her eyes were wide as she began speaking.
"Mihoshi, that thing's alive!" she said with amazement.
"Eww, get it off! Get it off!" Mihoshi shouted as she dropped the
viscous blob and wiped her palm on her pants.
Kiyone walked to where Mihoshi appeared to be spazzing out in
disgust. She sighed and asked, "What have you done now, Mihoshi?"
Washu looked at Kiyone and said, "I think she may have found a
survivor."
"Well, where is he?" Kiyone asked anxiously.
Washu pointed to the ground where Mihoshi had dropped the gel-
like material. Kiyone raised her eyebrows. "You have got to be kidding
me," she said flatly.
"I'm reading biological energy coming off of that stuff," Washu
said. "I saw more of it all around the crash site, too. I need to run back to
the lab and grab some storage containers. Stay here until I get back."
Washu sprinted from the scene to retrieve her storage containers, leaving
Kiyone to wonder why Washu was acting so enthused. What was so
special about a few globs of goo?

Later that day, in her lab, Washu examined the material that had
been collected from the crash site. The gel was spread out over almost the
entire area in small pockets, but when all brought together in the same
container it occupied quite a bit of volume, at least fifty liters. For the
time being it sat static in the glass container Washu had set up in her lab,
and she continued to study it, finding out some amazing things indeed.
She hear a light knock on her door. "Come in," she said
mechanically, despite the fact that she did not really wish to be disturbed.
Tenchi opened the door and came in. "Washu, dinner's almost
ready," he said quietly.
"Don't bother making a place for me," Washu said as she did not
even break her gaze from her computer. "I need to run some more tests on
this stuff."
Tenchi stepped beside Washu and stared at the contents of the
glass. "So that stuff is... alive?" he asked in amazement.
"Not really," Washu said, taking a break from her typing as she
turned to face him. "For one thing, it doesn't have DNA."
"And... that's bad, right?" Tenchi asked.
"Well, everything living has DNA, Tenchi," Washu explained.
"It's the building blocks of life. If DNA is not present, then it cannot be
alive. But this substance still exhibits the same patterns as a biological
organism."
"So, is it alive or isn't it?" Tenchi asked, becoming a bit impatient
with Washu's roundabout explanation.
"It's not alive," Washu said, "but it perfectly simulates life. It has
cell structure, biological functions, even brain-wave patterns. Even my
equipment was fooled into thinking it was alive. What we have here is a
genuine synthetic being."
"You mean someone created this stuff?" Tenchi asked. "Kind of
like how you created Ryoko?"
"Not really," Washu said. "Ryoko was still built using wholly
biologic materials that all contained DNA, so she is herself biological.
However, this substance is not."
Tenchi tried hard to understand what was said, but ultimately gave
up. "So, who created this?" he asked, trying to steer onto a less heady
topic.
"I'm not sure," Washu confessed. "But I wish I knew what it was
created for."
Realizing what he had originally entered the lab to do, Tenchi said,
"Well, I'm going to get some dinner. If you change your mind, I'll have
Sasami leave you a plate."
"Okay," Washu said as she smiled and turned back to her typing.
Tenchi left the lab and Washu continued her research. However,
her mind remained on Tenchi. Even after refusing dinner, he would still
make sure a plate of food was left just for her. She smiled at Tenchi's
protective and slightly naive nature, which she found to be very endearing.
Washu chuckled at her notion that Tenchi would be the kind of guy who
would ask a drowning man if he needed a glass of water. But that was
who Tenchi was: a kind person who would bend over backwards to help,
even if he didn't know how. As she continued typing, Washu thought
about how much Tenchi's personality set her at ease.
She just happened to glance up at that point, and what she saw
made her gasp. In the glass container, where the gel used to be, was what
appeared to be a young man. She typed again, and was aghast as she saw
that the "man" was made out of the same material they had found at the
crash site. In fact, it was the exact same material. It had somehow formed
itself into that shape.
Washu's jaw dropped as she continued to stare in amazement.
"My God," she said with awe, "what the hell did we find?"

Chapter 3: A Scientific Explanation

For the next several days, Washu sequestered herself in the lab,
determined not to emerge until she found out exactly what she was
dealing with. She ran test after test, each time finding out another piece of
the puzzle. After a solid week of investigating, Washu had painted a
pretty clear picture of what the substance was, and why it had assumed its
form. After organizing her thoughts, she was ready to present her findings
to the household. After dinner one evening, she called for everyone to
meet in the lab. Upon finding seats among the chairs that had been set up,
they all turned their attention to the podium that stood before them.
Behind the podium was what looked like a large screen. Washu stepped
forward and assumed her position behind the podium, smiling wide.
"Thank you all for coming," she beamed. "As you all know, I have been
working tirelessly to unlock the mysteries of that odd substance that we
found at that crash site last week."
"So, do you know what it is?" Mihoshi asked.
"Please," Washu said as she held up her hand, "save all your
questions until the end. Now, then, after several tests, I believe I can
finally say what we have here." She picked up a small hand-held device
and pressed a button. An image appeared on the screen behind her. She
stepped aside to present a clear view to everyone. The image was of what
looked like a cell. "The liquid we found is actually composed of these,"
she continued. "These are artificial cells. Unlike the cells of animals,
these are silicon-based, and contain no DNA. Therefore, they are not
living. However, the organelles present are engineered to function just
like the organelles of living cells, and therefore can allow the cells to
function just like living cells. The cells run off of ambient energy found in
the environment in which they live. In fact, it appears that the cell's
vacuole is reinforced to store energy for extended periods of time, almost
like a battery. Just how much energy it can store, I am not certain. This
type of artificial cell makes up the bulk of the fluid's mass. However,
another type is present." She again clicked the button, and the image
changed to that of another cell, which was more elongated than the last,
and appeared to have tendrils sticking out from it in all directions. "These
cells here are more than likely designed to emulate brain cells. Inside each
artificial nucleus is a nano-processor, which is basically a microscopic
CPU, very similar to those found in personal computers. I was able to
hack into the database for the processor, and found that most of the
information it contained was erased, possibly a result of the crash.
However, what little information I could gather related to basic
information, such as voice articulation, muscle manipulation, and
rudimentary brain functions. However, I feel that the substance is capable
of much more than mere life imitation." She clicked the button again, and
the image behind her changed to the human form that the substance had
adapted. "Several days ago, the substance organized itself into this form.
It has remained as such since its initial transformation. I believe that being
immersed in an environment containing predominantly humanoid
organisms has something to do with its change, which leads me to believe
that it has some awareness of its surroundings, and is adapting to best suit
itself to them. In conclusion, while this substance is not alive, it exhibits
the same attributes of any living organism. It was definitely created, but
by who or for what remains unknown. It has demonstrated that it can
simulate basic biological processes, but I believe that the true nature of
this material runs much deeper. It is my belief that it was designed to
perfectly represent a higher organism, complete with thoughts, emotions,
personality, and consciousness. Now, are there any questions?"
Every brow among the seats facing Washu was furrowed in
confusion. Mihoshi scratched her head and said, "So... what is it again?"
Washu hung her head, and it smacked noisily against the podium she stood
behind.
"I think I understand," Tenchi said slowly. "So, we're dealing with
artificial intelligence?"
"In a manner of speaking," Washu said. "However, this is so
advanced, that it almost bridges the gap between artificial and real
intelligence."
"So what you're saying," Ayeka began, "is that this artificial being
can think and act on its own?"
"All the evidence I have found points to that," Washu confirmed.
"Did you find any information at all about what its primary
function is?" Kiyone asked.
"No, I haven't" Washu said. "The only information I was able to
gather is an encrypted message that appears in nearly every file, almost
like a water mark. All it says is: 'Project Pinnacle.' But I'm still not sure
what that means, other than the fact that it was definitely man-made. All
information regarding its function was erased."
"So," Mihoshi began with wide eyes, "what was it again?"
Washu shook her head. "Maybe it would be better if you all saw
for yourselves," she proposed. She motioned for everyone to follow her.
She led everyone to a table on which the humanoid form lay, completely
motionless. Everyone gathered around and stared at the naked form
stretched out before them. The visual inspections from the group
supported Washu's hypothesis; it looked like a human, plain and simple.
"I guess if we want to find out anymore about him, we'll have to
ask him," Washu said.
"Is he going to come around?" Ryoko asked.
"He will once I use these," Washu announced, holding up a pair of
chords.
Tenchi looked at her confusedly. "Jumper cables?" he asked.
"Believe it or not!" Washu said. "I need to give him a jump-start
so that his cells can begin functioning again. With no energy, they put
themselves in a state of stasis. A few volts ought to wake them up."
Washu placed the clamps from the cables on the top of the form's
head. She connected the other ends to an open power source, and turned
the current on. Nothing could be seen, but a low humming sound could be
discerned as the power coursed through the body of the naked form. After
several seconds Washu cut the power and stood over the body expectantly.
For several moments, the group stood with eyes wide, wondering if the
artificial organism before them would regain consciousness. Even more
than that, they wondered what it would do if it did wake up. Would it
shake everyone's hand, or tear them limb from limb? With anxiousness,
and a tinge of fear, everyone waited expectantly for something to happen.
The entity's eyes opened.

Chapter 4: The Awakening

Everyone took a few steps back as the humanoid form sat up on the
table and surveyed the faces around him. His eyes hopped slowly from
person to person, with no clear expression. The crowd around him was
visibly anxious, waiting for some kind of verbal or physical response.
However, none came as the humanoid continued to scan the crowd,
emotionless.
For what seemed like an eternity, no one spoke or moved. After
several moments, Washu, who was now convinced that a hostile
individual would have made some sort of aggressive move by now, broke
the silence. "Hello," she said softly.
The figure turned his eyes to meet hers. "Hello," he responded.
He stared at Washu for several more moments before asking, "Who are
you?"
"My name is Washu," she responded. "I took care of you in my
laboratory after we found you."
The artificial life-form continued to look around, expanding his
glances to the room in which he was contained. "Where am I?" he asked.
"You crash landed here," Washu explained. "You're on a planet
called Earth."
The entity nodded slowly. He again looked at the faces that
surrounded him. After glancing again at Ryoko's face, he seemed to
inspect it more thoroughly. Ryoko glanced away, uncomfortable that she
should be regarded in such a manner by someone whom she not only did
not know, but who was not wearing any clothes.
Suddenly, a pair of boxer shorts seemed to suddenly appear on the
entity, hiding his genitalia. Everyone was a bit taken aback at the display.
Washu raised an eyebrow. "How did you do that?" she asked slowly.
"I don't know," the entity responded. "I sensed discomfort among
several of you stemming from the fact that I was naked. That's when the
clothing appeared."
Washu's eyebrows were still raised high. He first hypothesis had
proven to be incorrect. The form in front of her was not designed to
imitate humans; it was designed to surpass them. "You're empathic," she
announced. "And you can change your appearance."
"Wow," Sasami marveled. "Is that true?"
The entity turned his eyes to her. "I don't know," he said flatly. "I
don't know a lot about what's going on."
"What's the last thing you remember?" Washu asked.
The entity thought very hard for several moments. "I seem to
remember some kind of pain," he said. "I was on the ship, trying to land
safely so that I could do something, but I'm not sure what. The next thing
I remember is being in your lab. I've been here for several days, haven't
I?"
"Yes, you have," Washu confirmed. "How did you know?"
"I had some sense of where I was," the entity responded. "Not so
much of this place, but of all the people here. I could feel them somehow.
Even though I couldn't see or hear, I could tell where everyone was."
Washu nodded slowly. The entity was indeed empathic, which
would explain why he chose subconsciously to take on a human form.
Washu supposed that the entity felt that everyone was so used to such a
form, he could blend in better as such. That also explained the boxer
shorts. His behavior was based on the emotions of others, which led her to
believe that more than the entity's purpose was deleted in the crash. She
decided to see if she could jog its memory. "Do you have any idea what
Project Pinnacle is?" Washu asked slowly.
The entity snapped to attention. "I know," he said. "I... think I
know. I should know. It sounds so familiar. It's like it's right there in my
head, but I just can't grasp it."
Washu pursed her lips in frustration. It seemed that Project
Pinnacle was a mystery even to its product. If the entity could not recall
something so deeply rooted within its programming, she decided that any
other information that she could have wanted would more than likely be
unknown to the entity. "Well, anyway, how do you feel?" Washu asked.
The entity looked at her puzzled. "How should I feel?" he asked.
"I don't know," Washu replied. "That's why I'm asking you."
The entity seemed to stare off into space. "I don't know. I don't
think I feel anything. I only feel what all of you are feeling."
Washu was shocked. Perhaps whoever created this thing didn't
intend the resemblance to humans to be complete. Like the human brain
that controls all of the nerve endings in the body and yet contains none of
its own, this entity could sense the emotions of others, but was unable to
experience its own. Despite the fact that she knew that whatever sat on the
table before her was not truly alive, she felt sorry for it. She decided to do
something about it. "There are a few more tests I would like to run,"
Washu said to the group. "So, if you'll all excuse me, there's some work I
need to do." She waited until everyone else got the hint and departed the
lab.
Alone with the entity, Washu turned to it and said, "You are a
remarkable creation. I don't know who made you, but I'm going to finish
what they started."
The entity looked at her with questioning eyes. "Why do you feel
so sorry for me?" it asked. "You don't know me, and I don't know you.
There is no reason for you to feel this way."
"I know it's difficult for you to understand right now," Washu said.
"However, after I put in some programming of my own, you will. I'm
giving you an upgrade."

Chapter 5: Version 2.0

Working tirelessly for another two weeks, Washu infused
personality traits and an ability to think and feel independently within the
mysterious visitor the household had received. The programming only
took a few days to download, but the diagnostic tests she had to run were
extensive; she had to make sure that, given the opportunity to think and act
freely, the entity would not adopt an angry or aggressive nature. After the
tests were completed, she was convinced that her programming was such
that the individual would not have a propensity for violence. Exhausted,
but excited, she finally emerged from her lab and called the household
together to introduce the newest addition to the Masaki household. With
everyone gathered around the entrance to the lab, Washu announced,
"Everyone, it gives me great pleasure to introduce all of you to Arcese."
She swung the door to her lab open, and out stepped the entity--
fully clothed--wearing a wide grin. "Hello, everyone," he said jauntily.
Everyone was very impressed with the figure that stood before
them, especially considering that a scant two weeks ago it seemed to have
the personality of a pile of wet leaves. Now it radiated at least some
degree of pleasantness, and the warm smile on its face certainly set
everyone's mind at ease. The entity sensed this from everyone. "I'm glad
I'm being received so well," he said.
Washu spoke up from behind her latest project. "Arcese has been
given his own personality, and he now has the ability to think and feel on
his own. I was able to use some of the original programming as raw
material to give his personality a major makeover. Thanks to my genius,
he is now the perfect gentleman." The entity chuckled and gave a polite
bow. "So, does anyone have anything they would like to say?" Washu
asked. "Praise is always more than welcome!"
"His name is Arcese?" Sasami asked. "How did you decide on that
name?"
"An excellent question!" Washu said. "His name is actually an
acronym. It stands for Artificial Robotic Cognizant Empathic
Shapeshifting Entity; A-R-C-E-S-E; Arcese."
"Oh," Mihoshi said slowly, having no idea what was just said.
"What a lovely name!"
"Washu," Ryoko began, "you said before that this thing is
telepathic, right?"
"Not telepathic; empathic," Washu clarified. "It means that he
cannot read thoughts outright; only emotions. He knows what you're
feeling, not what you're thinking. And, he is not a thing! Please, call him
Arcese."
"And he can change shape, too?" Ayeka asked.
"Yes," Washu said, "although much of the information regarding
that was erased. I was, however, able to give Arcese a rudimentary
understanding of shapeshifting. He can change certain aspects of his
physical appearance, but for the most part he must remain humanoid."
"Don't worry," Arcese interjected, "I'm not going to turn into a
dinosaur, or something. Besides, I think I like this form. It seems proper."
"So, did you find anything out about why he's here in the first
place?" Kiyone asked.
"No," Washu said. "However, I did root through his memory
banks, and I found some data files. They are all extremely damaged, but
with a little work I may be able to decipher them. But, for the time being,
I think we can put Arcese's past on hold, and welcome him into the
household."
Tenchi cleared his throat uneasily. "I'd be all for that," he said,
"but we're kind of tight on space as it is. I'm just not sure we can find a
place for him."
"Don't worry about that, Tenchi," Arcese assured him. "I can stay
just about anywhere. I don't need to sleep or eat, so I promise I won't be
much of a burden."
"Still, I'd feel guilty if we just stuck you in a closet somewhere,"
Tenchi said. "And, if you're-- hey, wait a minute. How did you know my
name?"
"I know everybody's names," Arcese said with a smile. "Washu
told me all about all of you. I must say that I am impressed by such an
eclectic bunch living in harmony under one roof."
"Well, mostly..." Kiyone trailed off.
"Kiyone, I can sense a strong bond between all of you," Arcese
revealed. "In fact, in terms of emotions, I can barely sense you
individually, but almost all as one. That is truly amazing. Tenchi, I sense
that you are the focal point."
"Well, I... it... it would certainly... seem that way," Tenchi
stammered tightly.
"That's right," Ryoko said playfully as she wrapped her arms
around Tenchi in a gentle hug. "We all care about Tenchi. But I love him
the most. Isn't that right, Tenchi?"
Before Tenchi could respond, Ayeka cut in by saying, "Speak for
yourself, Ryoko. Tenchi knows all about the love you have for him.
There's no use in beating him with it."
"I'm not beating anyone with anything!" Ryoko pleaded
mockingly. She then added with a sly grin, "Although you seem to be
itching for a good fight."
"You know me, Ryoko," Ayeka replied, adopting the same grin.
"Anytime, anywhere."
"Alright, it's on, now!" Ryoko said excitedly. "Get ready for a
whooping, Princess!"
"Come and get me, you demon!" Ayeka taunted playfully as the
pair ran outside.
Normally, the scene that would follow such an exchange of words
would involve people ducking for cover and many items of furniture being
destroyed in a seemingly no-holds-barred, borderline apocalyptic battle
between two of the most powerful women in the universe. However, no
one even gave the skirmish a second thought. Even Arcese, as a
newcomer to the household, was not worried; his empathic abilities sensed
the friendship between them.
Since Ayeka and Ryoko called a truce after the death of Masato,
they had made an effort to really get to know one another better. In doing
so, they found out that Masato had been right; they had a lot more in
common than they thought. In the ensuing months, the pair became very
close. Ayeka even grew to accept Ryoko's feelings for Tenchi, realizing
that they were deep and true. However, she would still tease her
sometimes about it, for old time's sake. Mostly, their sarcastic rapport
would amount to nothing but words, but on occasion they would actually
break into a physical confrontation, which had evolved more into a game
or an exercise regiment as opposed to a bitter catfight. And, for the benefit
of Tenchi, they only did so outside, away from expensive things. Now,
after fights, Ayeka and Ryoko, hair mussed and clothes singed, would
more often than not be laughing with one another as they discussed their
latest spar. Knowing the history of the pair, their friendship was very hard
to swallow for Tenchi and the others. But at least they weren't fighting...
Well, seriously, anyway.
"What an odd way for two people so close to one another to
express their friendship," Arcese puzzled as he watched the two begin to
fight on the lawn.
"This is nothing," Kiyone said. "You should've seen them before."
"Anyway, I still have no idea where we're going to put you,
Arcese," Tenchi said. We don't have any spare rooms."
"Don't worry about it, Tenchi," Arcese said with an understanding
smile. "Like I said, I can stay just about anywhere."
"I suppose he can stay in my lab for now," Washu suggested.
"That will work out well anyway, because there are still a few tests I
would like to run on him. Unless, of course, he takes your room, Tenchi.
Then you could move in with me!"
"What!?" Tenchi blurted. "No way!"
"Oh, come on, Tenchi; it would be fun!" Washu said, smiling
devilishly. "I promise I'll be extra nice. And I won't run all that many
experiments on you, honest!"
"No, no, no!" Tenchi said firmly. "I'm not going to move into
your lab, Washu!"
"Fine," Washu pouted. "Arcese, you can live in the lab."
"Okay," Arcese said without protest.
"See?" Washu teased Tenchi. "Arcese is too much of a gentleman
to turn down a lady like myself."
"Actually, this is more for Tenchi than for me," Arcese said. "I can
sense that Tenchi is very uncomfortable with the prospect of what you
might do with him in the laboratory. Also, I can sense that you have some
ulterior motives as well, Washu. I must say, it never dawned on me just
how naughty you are."
Washu's face turned a bright red. "Yes, well... I think now that
you've met everyone, you should come back to the lab with me, Arcese,"
she said tightly. "I still haven't finished testing you. And I think I'm
going to teach you how to be a little more tactful with your empathy."
"Alright," Arcese said as the two made their way back into the
recesses of Washu's lab.
With the exit of their newest houseguest, everyone turned to see
the front door open, and Ayeka and Ryoko step inside. They were
laughing and leaning on each other for support, tired after the solid effort
they had put up. "You should have seen the look on your face, Ryoko,"
Ayeka said through guffaws, "when I burned that hole in your kimono.
You looked like you were about to raise hell!"
"Well, I got you back, though," Ryoko chuckled. "I sliced off
some of your hair! I've still got my trophy!" She had a lock of Ayeka's
violet hair in her palm and held it up triumphantly.
"Give that back!" Ayeka commanded sarcastically, attempting to
wrench the hair from Ryoko's hand.
"Make me!" Ryoko shouted back with a smirk. "I got it fair and
square."
"What on earth are you going to do with it?" Ayeka queried.
"After all, it goes much better with my eyes than yours."
"Are you kidding? This is going over my wall!" Ryoko said.
"How much do you think a taxidermist would charge to mount it for me?"
Already caught up in the merriment of the moment, Ayeka finally
busted out laughing at Ryoko's comment, clutching her sides and doubling
over as her guffaws filled the house. Ryoko joined in, and the two once
again had to lean on each other to prevent themselves from falling over.
"We'd better go clean up," Ayeka was able to spit out between attacks of
uproarious laughter. The pair made their way upstairs, continuing to laugh
loudly, leaving everyone else to wonder what exactly was so funny.
Tenchi sighed. "Just when I think things can't get any weirder," he
said.