Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Disclaimer: The characters used within this are mostly the property of others. I have a few originals, but the vast majority are not original. Everything here is fiction. This is for entertainment only and not for profit.

Jenna, Villa, and Ranko accepted the receipt of one of the White Star class from the Babylon 5 universe. Neroon and Kosh had gifted the Alliance with one in thanks for the Alliance's previous help. It seemed that the Shadows were pulling back. The worst of it was over for now, and hopefully would remain over for another thousand years. They had considered doing more, but nothing appeared to justify it. The biggest worry was the potential telepath mess, but they were already addressing that by training who they could and giving them the option to return. It wasn't perfect, but doing more would not necessarily help. Some of the Psi Core's moves were correct and everything was very fragile right then.

Kosh had further installed the Vorlon equivalent for a dimensional drive, of which the Nox and Asgard had already studied in great detail. It was clearly equivalent to their best and limited only by the energy a white star class could generate, which, while substantial, was little more than a single Asgard plasma neutrino reactor such as used on Nozomi could generate.

The first thing they did was to have added Asgard shields and an Asgard neutrino ion generator as a secondary power source. They didn't expect to get into the trouble requiring it, but it was always good to be prepared. Additionally, they added their own control interface as well as one of the Vulcan food replicators, which they now had enough power to run at least if they were patient.

It was shortly after they finished up there that Luna reported one of her surprise missions, which according to the information sent was a complicated mission that may take quite some time, though an initial part was, apparently, urgent.

Jenna asked, “So, does everyone want to go?”

Ranko said, “I see no reason not to take a look.”

Villa was behind Ranko with her gently against him. He said, “Sure, why not.”

They arrived in the new universe to once again be above an alternate Earth. This time there were many hour glass shaped space stations in orbit.

They had loaded a copy of Avon's Talia assistant into the White Star.

“Detecting ship loaded with nuclear missiles heading towards a space colony. The missiles are armed and ready to fire,” said Talia.

“Crap,” Villa said even as he and Ranko dropped down to the primary piloting seats and interfaced with the ship, rather than relying on the slower automatics.

Jenna said, “I'll help process the incoming targeting data and line them up for you.” She said that even as she quickly slipped on her own diadem and bracelets.

They rushed in front of the station.

Ranko said, “Jenna, you speak. We will stay focused on defending.”

“Got it.”

“Attention to all parties. The ship that is preparing to launch nuclear missiles is to halt or be destroyed.”

“Damn. They are launching,” Villa cursed.

Ranko said, “Firing.” A few seconds later she added, “Ship destroyed.”

The screen cleared to show a blond haired man, leading a table of mixed men and women. He said, “I am Siegel Clyne. We thank you for your assistance.”

Jenna said, “I'm Jenna Carter of the Alliance. The others here are Ranko Tendo and Villa Carter. We hoped they would stop, but they had a lot of missiles onboard ready to fire. I'm not sure we would have got them all if they managed to complete the launch sequence they had started. Can you explain why we had to do that? Our scans showed their primary target was an agricultural colony.”

Another spoke, “I am Patrick Zala, and I would think the reason obvious. They intended to starve us.”

“Why?” asked Villa.

Siegel said, “We are, for the most part, those that have had our genetics modified with various improvements. They dislike this.”

Another woman at the table said, “The radioactive contamination in space near the PLANT is a serious concern. The readings are quite high, and at least half will fall back onto Earth in time. Can you do anything about it? At minimum we don't want it sticking to any PLANTS.”

“We are on it. Would you care to assist?” Jenna asked.

“Sure.”

She vanished in a flash of light and appeared beside Dana.

Jenna said, “Our tether fields will not work well on something that is already diffuse, but we are going to do it anyway. At least we prevented the full reaction from occurring.”

“What can I do?”

“Take a spare station. Monitor our progress. Look for gaps in our work.”

“Alright. My name is Eileen Canavar. It is good to meet you.”

“Jenna. That is Villa and Ranko.”

They spent hours using their tether fields as a net to scrub the section of space before beaming collections of matter into an orbit that would be pulled in towards the sun. Then they returned back to where they were.

“Eileen, were you able to confirm cleanup?” asked Siegel Clyne.

“I was, well most of it. It truly is a difficult problem, but I think we can handle any we missed.”

“Good.”

“Back to where we were, the Alliance generally frowns on genetic modification beyond repairing actual problems, though there are exceptions and members with such enhancements. We certainly aren't going to kill people over it. Our main concern is the children. If you don't know what your doing, you can create some very hard to solve problems,” said Jenna.

Siegel nodded. Several of the others, including Patrick Zala also nodded.

Villa said, “We killed thirty four people on those two ships. I doubt that helps end the tensions between your two sides, but it had to be done, without a doubt.”

Siegel said, “Agreed. Killing is a grim business. We did not actually think they would go this far.”

“You did not think,” said Patrick.

“Fair enough my friend. Fair enough.”

Patrick nodded.

Siegel asked, “Would you like to come aboard to talk, and maybe learn about each other?”

Jenna said, “I'm wondering if they will just launch another craft and if we need to address that. Destroying nuclear weapons in the atmosphere is something to be avoided. I suggest we open a com line to who did that and attempt to stop further action.”

Patrick said, “Agreed, though we do not know for sure who did that. It is likely Blue Cosmos members of the Atlantic Federation. I would guess, if I had to, that Muruta Azrael gave the attack orders, but I do not know that for certain. If you wish, I will have my people forward over what information we do know.”

Jenna asked, “Eileen, can your help with the file formats?”

“Some, though you may need more than just me.”

Jenna asked, “Can you have an expert bring it and help us figure out your file formats? We can transport them over here.”

“I'll go,” Siegel said.

“I will as well,” Patrick added.

Ranko said, “Then we will reconvene when you have the information collated.”

Siegel said, “We notice you appear to have full gravity over there. Did you solve that problem?”

Villa said, “Some friends of ours did.”

“I see. That would be a very valuable thing to know.”

Ranko said, “Generally the Alliance does not give out technology easily, particularly if there is a conflict brewing or in progress. We will attempt to try to help prevent this conflict, then we can talk more.”

“And if we wanted to be members in this Alliance?” Siegel asked.

Jenna said, “Nothing would really change. You can apply, and show that you have an interest in the Alliance mission and goals, but the current situation must be resolved first, somehow. I would also like to have your medical data forwarded on for analysis, to be sure your changes are stable. It is a lot harder than most think.”

“And if they were not?” Siegel asked.

Jenna said, “Then we better deal with it. If your changes are considered too aggressive that may mean at least a partial rollback. Alliance members are not permitted significant genetic engineering, though it is likely that most of what you have, or all, if it is stable would be accepted, since it occurred before meeting us.”

Patrick asked, “Are you saying you are genetic engineers?”

Ranko said, “No. Villa and I are quite good at healing, and might know enough to identify a problem, but we are not qualified to repair a damaged genome. Others in the Alliance, however, are.”

Siegel said, “We will be over in about an hour.”

Siegel, Patrick, and their two children beamed onto the White Star's flight deck along with Eileen who was already there.

“This is my daughter Lacus and Patrick's son Athrun,” said Siegel.

Ranko said, “We are pleased to meet you all in person.”

Lacus smiled at her. Athrun still looked a little confused as to what was going on.

Patrick handed a small portable computer to Villa.

Villa fiddled for a bit, managed to turn it on, and soon enough Ranko and him were going through the data.

Ranko said, “Talia, please scan the data from this device, directly if possible, or indirectly as we access, if needed.”

“Confirmed. Wireless access interface detected. Attempting to determine protocol.”

Siegel said, “If I could have the device for a moment?”

They handed it over, and less than a minute later he had the pages open on the communications protocol used. Ten minutes after that Talia began to download the information.

Jenna said, “Once you have downloaded the information, begin accessing Earth based systems and attempt to figure out where the people that are behind the attack are.”

“Confirmed.”

“You have an AI?” asked Lacus Clyne.

Jenna said, “Talia is not truly intelligent. She is just a collection of expert systems really. Most like that to be the limit.”

Ranko asked, “While they are doing that, would you like any of us to check you for obvious issues?”

“I will volunteer,” said Lacus before giving them a hesitant smile.

Ranko said sweetly to Villa, “I better not hear the words pretty lady from you.”

“I would never.”

Ranko laughed. “It's a conditioned response with you. Come on.”

Ranko turned to face Lacus directly, “Come sit. I should tell you the first time delving a person can feel very pleasant. Ignore it. We also learn a lot of information about you.”

Lacus nodded thoughtfully.

Ranko and Villa sat on the floor side by side. Lacus sat in front of them. Ranko took one of her hands and Villa the other. Ranko and Villa held hands as well.

A wave of energy swept out from both of them into Lacus who clearly enjoyed it, if the annoyance on the other young person in the room was any indication. It stopped less than a minute later.

Villa said, “That's a new one. You've changed, not technically more than the Abh did, but it is some interesting targets. We are definitely going to have to check this more.”

Ranko asked, “Would you mine lying in our bio bed so we can get a better idea?”

“No, that is fine,” Lacus said.

“I'll go instead,” Athrun said.

Ranko shrugged. “As you wish.”

They followed them into the small med bay that the white star had. It had two Asgard bio beds.

“Hop in. One of us can if you want, but really they are fine,” said Ranko.

Ahtrun dubiously got in the bed.

“Okay the shield will come up to isolate you, but you can still talk. I doubt we are going to attempt to do anything but scan, and certainly not without your permission,” said Villa.

“Fine.”

The shield came up. The initial analysis continued. The screen quickly displayed, “No current health problems detected, but genetic variance from human norm exceeds current system design.”

Ranko continued to manipulate the display. Several minutes later she said quietly, “I'm sorry, and I'm sure we can fix it, but as you are now, in a few generations, you will probably be extinct. You have gone too far in areas you should not have. You have even cut your affinity for life energy. That is likely the most important change, since it causes most of this.”

Lacus and Siegel gasped.

“Impossible,” Patrick said. “Let me see.”

Jenna said, “I don't have a problem with him seeing the full analysis. They clearly have near skill. It's a computer analysis so has to be taken with some caution.”

Ranko moved out of the way, as Patrick and Siegel began to manipulate the controls. They spend several hours at it, not stopping for anything before Siegel finally said, “They are right.”

Athrun was finally let out of the bed.

Villa said, “As we said we can fix it, well not us, but the Alliance has people who can. You will likely lose some of your gifts, but better to live and be able to have children right?”

“Of course,” Lacus said without hesitation.

Athrun looked at her funny, as if he could not believe what she just said.

Talia said, “The records search has confirmed that Murata Azrael is the person who gave the order. He has been located.”

Jenna said, “Well this is lovely. Let's bring him up and give him a chance to explain himself. Everyone else take no action. We will disarm him, if he is armed.”

Siegel Clyne said, “Agreed.”

Jenna said, “Beam Murata up without weapons.”

He appeared in front of them all. “What is this? How did I get here?”

Jenna said coldly, “You ordered a nuclear attack on a farm with many civilians. Please explain this to us.”

The blond haired shifty guy looked around, seeing who was there and backed up several steps.

“I don't know what you are talking about.”

Ranko sighed. “Talia, play the recording you found.”

They watched in mid air as he said, “You are authorized to proceed with nuclear launch. Authorization 47239134. Let this is be the first strike for a pure world.”

The person on the other end said, “Authorization confirmed. Proceeding.”

Jenna asked again, “Why did you do this?”

“It was necessary to protect Earth.”

Villa asked, “Why? I'm not questioning if you believe that. You actually do. I want to know why you believe that.”

“Do you really think regular humans would exists in a few hundred years if they were allowed to continue and spread their filth?”

Ranko asked, “Have they tampered with the genetics of any person who did not ask?”

“What? They can't do that. It has to be an embryo,” Murata said.

Ranko nodded.

Jenna asked, “And if we could assure you that regular humanity was going nowhere, would that end this?”

“They have to be destroyed,” Murata insisted.

“So be it,” Jenna said sadly. She then walked up to him and touched him gently on the heart. A flash of light was released as she touched him. He started to fall. She caught him and eased him to the floor.

“That won't fix anything you know,” said Siegel.

“It had to be done,” Ranko said. “The nuclear launch fairly well insured his fate. That he would repeat it... It had to be done. He intended to commit genocide and his mind would not be changed.”

“Talia return Murata to where he was,” said Jenna.

He vanished in a flash.

“No, it doesn't fix this mess, but by removing the worst you may get to someone you can deal with. He wasn't. Fortunately, he doesn't seem to have had the wider authority of his group. This might be stopped, for now, however long that lasts,” said Villa.

“Was that truly necessary?” asked Lacus softly.

“I sure hope it was, or I have a lot of explaining to do. What is your analysis? How could this have been avoided?” added Jenna.

“Could you not have imprisoned him?”

“Wouldn't work well.. They would keep trying to free him. You would continually tie up resources for someone like that. You would just have several more rise up to free their savior. Like this they may not know why he died. The people we killed are blood on his hands, since they forced us to protect the innocent. That being said, if your saying your group wishes to volunteer to incarcerate such,” added Villa.

“I preferred he be dead,” said Patrick.

“I'd have preferred it if he would have never been born. What a mess, and yes I'm honest enough to admit that I really don't want to deal with jailing the monster that just tried that,” said Siegel Clyne.

“Well if your group is willing to relocate together we could probably move the whole lot of you and avoid a lot of pointless death, since even if we can fix your genetics, getting people like that to believe that everyone can be a happy family now, seems unlikely in the near term,” said Ranko.

All of the Coordinator eyes widened.

“That is possible?” Patrick asked.

Jenna replied, “Yes. You'd have to obey the laws and rules of where you end up, unless we tracked down a new planet for you, which we could do. Don't misunderstand. It is a big task. It is in fact a horribly big task, and you would have to do a lot of the work yourselves. We are just saying that if the prejudices are ingrained enough for preemptive nuclear attacks, well we have a big problem to solve and it may be a smaller task to, for now, to just separate both sides, with your group obviously being the easier group to move.”

“And what would you want for all this?” asked Athrun.

“Helping us later would be nice. We aren't going to insist on it, though if you want more help from us, well preventing a genocidal war we will try to do for free. There, are, however, limits. The multiverse is a big place and we are generally busy,” said Ranko.

“Do you really think you can stop the evil in the hearts of people by simply separating us?” asked Lacus.

“Forever, of course not, but for likely a hundred or so years, sure. It would allow you time to grow without having to worry about your fragile colonies being destroyed,” replied Jenna.

“Orb on Earth is mixed Coordinators and regular people. They have a Colony up here as well,” said Lacus.

“Well we aren't going to say only you can go. You have to accept regular people that want to go, within reason. I assume that isn't a problem,” said Villa.

“It isn't,” said Siegel.

“How long will it take to repair our genetics?” asked Patrick.

“It won't be quick. The most likely answer is to focus only on your children, and repair it there, and then whomever else we can get done. We may be able to teach you to do it yourself. I'm not sure. That may or may not be allowed,” said Ranko.

“Moving your population is actually way easier,” added Villa dryly.

“How?” asked Siegel.

“We are familiar with how to build gates that allow travel across much of a universe. Building say three, is certainly feasible. You would have to deconstruct your homes for raw materials, but you certainly have the infrastructure to do it,” said Jenna.

“Then where would we go?” Lacus asked.

“The world Villa and my parents met is usually available. What to go take a look?” asked Jenna.

“Sounds good to me,” said Ranko. She then turned to the others and asked, “Would you like to take a look at a world that may work?”

“One of us need to make sure they don't launch more nuclear weapons. Siegel, if I do that, can you go with them?” asked Patrick.

“Just please don't retaliate. We are trying to protect the ones down there that didn't order your deaths as well. If they come at you again, do what you have to do. We can leave you a radio as well,” said Villa.

Patrick nodded. “Had you not done what you did, we would be at war now. I'll do what you want for now, but if they start killing our people that may end.”

Jenna turned to face him. She said quietly, “We are trying to save lives and solve this. Your contempt, for those not like you is somewhat easy to read. I assure you that none of you are as fast or as strong as we are, and we are all unmodified. You may have us beat in intelligence, though probably not by as much as you think. We were taught by those who know how to squeeze every ounce of potential out of a person.”

Seigel said, “Patrick, calm down. Do what you have to do, but no more. That is an order.”

Athrun said, “Do you really think you are faster than a Coordinator?”

Villa shrugged. “Your welcome to try against one of us.”

“You.”

“Fine. Come at me, whenever,” yawned Villa.

Athrun came at him with a strange leg sweep, that he easily dodged. He tried a dozen more attempts, but Villa kept dodging by the narrowest of margins, seeming to barely notice Athrun was even there.

“That may work against untrained civilians. Oh finish it Villa. This is boring,” said Ranko dryly.

Villa chopped him on the back of the neck dropping him, before lowering him to the floor.

Patrick said, “Interesting. It seems we have a great deal to learn. I will do as you wish, and not kill naturals beyond what is necessary to protect our colonies, which we call PLANTS. I will not, however, gamble to save natural lives.”

“No one is asking you to. I'll go get you the radio and show you how to use it,” said Ranko.

He nodded. A few minutes later he was beamed back.

Lacus walked on the beautiful shore of the river of this lovely new world. It was remarkable. Siegel and Athrun were studying it in more detail from the ship. She was down here with Jenna who walked to her side.

She said softly, “It must be hard to do what you do. Going all over, trying to fix things and making painful choices.”

“It is. We can usually read whether or not people are lying and a bit more if we try. I do not like to kill, but left alive he would have resulted in more deaths, of that I am certain. If blood must be on my hands, then I would not have it be the blood of innocents.”

“Can you really take so much responsibility?” Lacus's pink hair was caressed by the wind.

Jenna was caught by the beauty and kindness for a moment before catching herself. “There is a saying. The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing. I meant what I said. Do not hesitate to challenge any of us if you believe we have made a mistake. I would rather correct myself and prevent future mistakes.”

“I could wish more thought like you do. So much pain could be avoided, and perhaps you would need to make fewer painful decisions.”

Jenna walked softly from the bank out on to the water, carefully controlling her energy to stay afloat, every now and then turned and looking on Lacus.

“I can't do that,” said Lacus.

“I could help?” Jenna offered.

She held out her hand to her.

Lacus smiled and then bravely held out her hand to her, even as Jenna's energy enveloped her gently. Soon they were walking on the water hand in hand, even if Jenna was doing all the work.

Lacus said, “It is such a warm feeling.”

“I'm afraid part of that is you.”

“Me?” Lacus replied, slightly amused.

“You really don't see how special you are.”

Lacus blushed. They continued walking, bathed in Jenna's life energy as she casually forced the water to support them.

A bit later Lacus asked, “Why do you say all that? I truly am nothing special.”

“You thought of saving that man's life. I suppose, I noticed that first.”

Lacus turned to her in curiosity. She asked, “How was that special?”

Dana blushed as she looked at Lacus only for them to fall into the water. Dana quickly swam for Lacus and brought her out of the water before flying out of the river.

She then took Lacus's hands gently in her own and used her energy to remove all the water from Lacus before removing it from her own body.

All the time Lacus looked at her, with such an adorable wonder on her face.

Jenna said, “Your a touch addicting you know that? I probably should refrain from so much casual life energy use.”

“But it is colder now.”

“Shh. Come here. Lean on me. I'm still warm I hope, at least if you don't mind.”

“Why would I mind?” Lacus asked curiously before she lay down gently in Jenna's arms.

Jenna asked softly, “Are you seeing anyone?”

“Father wishes me to marry Athrun one day.”

“And what do you want Lacus Clyne?”

“To stay here in your arms for a little longer.”

“Talia, beam us a blanket please.”

The blanked from Jenna's bed appeared just over them and settled, still with the heat from the ship on it.

“Well then, why don't we do that?” asked Jenna.

Almost an hour later Ranko walked up slowly to the clearing. Jenna was still awake, though Lacus was sound asleep.

Ranko asked softly, “Comfy?”

“Parts of me are,” whispered Jenna.

Ranko whispered, “The others are done, not that we mind finding one excuse or another to delay. They have the radio and it is calm here.”

Jenna whispered, “Thanks. I had a feeling they would be done soon.”

“Does she know that you are this attracted to her?”

“I think so. She is great. I walked with her on the river. It was probably something I shouldn't have done, at least till she understood how much insight I gained by having my ki flow through her. She truly is remarkable. I was afraid to do to much more, afraid I'd screw up and create a link by accident.”

“I'm happy for you. I really am.”

“How are you and Villa doing?”

“I love him dearly and he loves me just as dearly. I can feel him now, or even talk if I push it a little. I have no regrets. You do know your sleeping beauty is awake now, despite our whispering.”

“Must I move?” asked Lacus.

“No,” said Jenna.

“Lacus, do you think you could have a true relationship with Jenna?” asked Ranko.

“Isn't that what we are finding out?” asked Lacus with a touch of confusion.

“Will you please come here? I want to examine you again, and Jenna doesn't quite trust herself at the moment,” said Ranko.

“This link you mentioned?”

Ranko sat down by them. “Yes, Jenna knows better than to use so much life energy on someone without a clear purpose. The intimate setting was just asking for trouble, particularly with how truly attractive you are on many levels.”

“Yah, I was bad. You truly were a breath of fresh air and I should not have done that. I so wanted to share with you the wonder that I seriously risked life bonding us. Oh I could have severed an early one easy enough, but you in no way deserve such pain that would linger for months. I truly am sorry.”

“Don't you think I can choose my own path for myself?” asked Lacus.

“That's actually rule one for the Alliance, so yes, we agree. We just don't want you swept up in things because it seems romantic or anything like that. We don't want to affect your decision making in any way. Now, as I'm not nearly as attracted to you as Jenna is, will you let me check you, just to be safe, and see if Jenna's efforts bore fruit?” asked Ranko.

“Bore fruit?” she asked.

“What she did also doubles as a way to awaken life energy if any potential exists, and she did a very remarkable job from the glance or two I did from the ship's sensors. That was a very thorough attempt.”

Jenna and Lacus blushed furiously.

“What must I do?”

“Just walk over and give me your hand. Face or well almost anywhere works, but hand will do.”

Ranko accepted Lacus's hand gently as her life energy gently swept through her. A couple minutes later Ranko smiled.

Ranko said, “She did it. I can sense the potential in you, even though I didn't sense it before.”

“I thought you said we had messed that up.”

Ranko said, “I thought you did, but not all things can be explained, particularly with matters such as life energy. I won't try to teach you anything today. Let what you two made settle a bit and then I'll try, and you Jenna be careful with her.”

“Always,” Jenna said without thought causing Lacus to blush.

“I need to get back. Villa and I are going to do some high speed precision mapping of the planet.”

“You mean having fun,” Jenna countered.

“That too.”

Jenna rolled her eyes. “The degree in precision you will gain is minimal, and you know it.”

“True, but sometimes it is time to dance.”

“Do you dance?” was on Jenna's lips before she could censor herself.

“Shouldn't you ask my father if you can go out with me first?” asked Lacus amused.

Jenna suddenly paled. “Can we leave off the whole thing we talked about please?”

Lacus smiled then bent down and kissed her softly on the cheek, before turning.

“Was that a yes?” Jenna asked.

“Let's go do your task. It sounds quite fun.”

Ranko laughed. She said more seriously, “Lacus just don't sleep in Jenna's arms tonight and you should be over any influence that might come from her ki resonating with yours, more or less, then make your own decision if you want to continue.”

Lacus said softly, “I will also need to tell Athrun. We are said to be genetically compatible. It was one of the reasons they wanted us to marry.”

Jenna suddenly blushed.

Ranko said, amused, “Well if you two do work out and want a child, we do know people. We could even give you a chance at a boy child though we might have to ask Villa or Avon for the use of certain genes.”

Lacus blushed furiously. “Would it be possible to fly once more before we go?”

Ranko said, “Sure, I can take you up, though with you two as an example I may have to turn in a bit early this evening.”

“You two,” Jenna exclaimed.

Lacus pinked.

Ranko pulled off her necklace. She said, “I'll tell you what, in the spirit of cheating as much as possible to help you out, because I also like you, I will introduce you to my friend here. Luna say high to Lacus.”

“Hi Lacus,” said the blue gem on her necklace.

“And who might you be?” asked Lacus in curiosity.

“I'm Luna!”

“It is good to meet you Luna.”

Ranko asked, “So Luna, if you use my energy, do you think you could maybe transform Lacus for say ten minutes or so and let her fly?”

“Oh please?” Luna begged. “It will be fun, I promise!”

“What do I have to do?” Lacus asked.

“Simply put on the necklace. I'm afraid I'll need my dear friend back when we are done, but if she can have a little fun and give you a bit of joy, then that is fine with me.”

Lacus carefully took the necklace and slipped it around her neck.

Luna said, “Say Moon Princess Power Make up.”

“Why?” she asked.

Ranko rolled her eyes. “It is just Luna wanting to have some fun. Don't worry, the words don't do anything themselves.”

“Moon Princess Power Make Up!” exclaimed Lacus.

Lacus was astonished at the ribbons and light show that seemed to swirl around her. Ranko stuck her hand in front of Jenna's eyes and turned away when she was the least clothed.

“Thanks, I think,” Jenna said.

When Ranko removed her hand, Jenna just starring at her.

“She cleans up pretty well doesn't she?” Ranko said obviously amused.

“She's gorgeous,” Jenna said as she admired what Luna had no doubt intended to be Sailor Moon's daughter. Her pink hair really fit the part.

Lacus blushed again.

Ranko said, “Your powered up no doubt, cause I can feel the energy drain, so don't touch anyone until you get the hand of it.”

“Okay. How do I fly?” Lacus asked.

“Luna knows the way. Just focus and she will help for now.”

She rose up in the air and before they knew it she was singing softly.

Jenna and Ranko followed her into the air and just listened for two songs.

A bit later Ranko said, “Better land now.”

Lacus landed and the transformation ended. She yawned.

Ranko asked, “Were you able to pull a bit safely from Lacus Luna?”

“I was. Since we were trying to increase her potential I managed to pull about ten percent safely.”

Lacus carefully handed Luna back.

“What does that mean?” asked Lacus.

Jenna said, “It means that you will probably sleep like a rock tonight, and may be tired in the morning. Don't worry, it will cause you no real harm. You attempting to use your own power tonight is something I'd not have risked, even for the benefits, but Luna knows what she is doing. It will help.”

Lacus smiled.

Luna said, “That was fun. I wonder if we can get the whole group together.”

Ranko smiled. “Sorry Luna, we probably aren't recreating all the Sailor Moon characters. Besides, I hear Dana is starring as Arturia Pendragon these days.”

“Sailor Moon and Friends then,” Luna said.

Jenna said softly, “If I get to see Lacus like that more often, then I'm game. Who do I become. Jupiter perhaps?”

Ranko said, “Probably Sailor Uranus. Lacus would have to change to Sailor Neptune, but it could work.”

Jenna asked, “And is Villa Tuxedo Mask?”

Ranko blushed furiously. “No comment.”

Villa said, “Hey guys.”

“Hey Villa, How goes things?” Ranko asked fondly.

“Thor reports he has the gates we asked for modified. They are just old ones but they will do the job.”

“Will they fit in our ship? We did kind of load up the cargo bay.”

Villa said, “Thor has them in a container we should be able to tether easily enough.”

Jenna said, “Beam us up.”

They all vanished in a flash.

When they got there Lacus asked, “Did you not want to map this world?”

“I turned over the scans she has already made. They are more than sufficient. Well pretty lady,” replied Villa. He turned to Ranko. “Shall we get going?”

Ranko smiled and leaned into Villa's side as she slipped her own diadem on.

“I already checked over our D-Drive, but Jenna, if you could,” asked Villa.

“Of course.” She sat down and a station and carefully went over the records. “Well there is no doubt that the Vorlons truly know their stuff. I wonder why they don't travel more. Either way, your good to go.”

Siegel and Athrun looked on.

Ranko said, “The White Star is diving.”

“Where are we?” Lacus asked in wonder.

Jenna said, “We have stepped completely outside of your universe into what is known as the dimensional sea. We are going to our allies to retrieve what we need to begin allowing some of your people to move to that planet, should you wish it.”

“It's beautiful,” Lacus said before yawning.

“And very deadly,” Villa chimed in. “Without a ship that is designed to walk these paths you would be very dead.”

Athrun asked, “Are you okay Lacus? Your not usually tired out so easily.”

Lacus blushed furiously again.

Athrun looked confused.

“I am fine Athrun.” She then turned to look at Jenna and both blushed again.

Her father smiled, but said nothing. Athrun just looked worried.

Siegel asked, “Will Patrick be able to call us from where he is?”

Villa said, “That shouldn't be a problem.”

“How long will this journey take?”

Ranko said, “About thirty five minutes in the dimensional sea then close to an hour in hyperspace. She is a very good ship, though I still kind of like the ones we made more. Ours are a bit faster, but this is still a very impressive gift.”

“What was it for?” asked Siegel.

Rank said, “The Alliance helped save a galaxy from a bloody war. We weren't actually involved. It was others, but they offered the ship in thanks and the people most involved already have a better ship, so we said thank you very much.”

Jenna said, “We could have probably got one of ours, but they usually are reserved for larger crews.”

Athrun said, “It certainly looks like a nice ship. Is there any chance of getting one someday?”

Villa said, “Likely no time soon, though if your truly interested you could join the Alliance under one of the existing members and perhaps eventually get there. I suppose you could also join the group in the universe that made these. It's a dangerous, but a worthwhile job.”

“What do they do?” Athrun asked.

“The same thing as us, more or less, just in the one universe.”

“Interesting,” Athrun said thoughtfully.

Lacus looked at him in curiosity before beginning singing softly.

They met with the Asgard who picked up their scans and also, at their request took scans of Lacus and Siegel. When they were done the Heimdall from this universe came out to talk to them.

He waited till they were all siting around the table before speaking.

“The scans we have are interesting. You are correct, that while they no doubt believed they understood what they were doing, they actually did not. The Asgard made similar mistakes long ago with cloning. It happens, though thankfully you caught it early. It is repairable. I have encoded a crystal with my own recommendations, though since there are apparently changes that are different in every person this gets somewhat complicated.”

“Alright,” Siegel said.

Villa asked, “So I assume they are going to need multiple experts and a lot of genetic re-sequencing?”

“The changes cause no actual harm to those who have them. It is future generations that are most impacted, thought the breaking of the life energy pathway is a serious concern. If that is left alone, your race, like ours will forever be out of reach of skills such as Ranko and the others have, and may be forced like us to use cloning.”

“Wait,” Lacus said, “They said they fixed it, that I had the ability now.”

Heimdall blinked. “I'm sorry, but they did not. They in fact made matters significantly worse. Your body was not ready for what happened.”

“What?” Jenna exclaimed.

“Please be calm. This is repairable, we think. This is at a very esoteric level. As things sit you have repaired some things, but the foundation was not there to support what you did, which I believe will cause problems sooner or later. This could perhaps be mitigated with a bond, for a time at least.”

Jenna said, “I won't force someone into that. There must be another way.”

Heimdall blinked again. “The most likely other path to repair this correctly is to ask to visit the Furlan ancestral home. They are the absolute experts on such things, though the Nox would be a good second choice.”

With obvious worry Ranko asked, “It is that bad?”

“It is fine now, but it likely will fail in time.”

“How long do we have?” asked Jenna.

Heimdall said, “I believe you have a few weeks. I do have my personal ship, which is somewhat faster than your own. I would assume Jenna, Lacus, and I could go and get this fixed.”

Jenna said, “I can't believe I did this to you. That should not have caused harm.”

Heimdall said, “Your actions triggered the genetic flaw. It is certainly not your fault. I have never seen such a thing. The Furling will no doubt need to re-sequence her genetics to some extent. In this case, I will leave this to them. I have already talked to Ayiana about this and she agrees this is the best course.”

Siegel asked, “Is Athrun okay?”

“He is fine, though I would recommend against any further exposure to life energy until things are better understood.”

Ranko said, “Alright. We will take the gates back and do what we can, while you get this sorted.”

Jenna got up and bowed her head to Heimdall. “I greatly apologize for this. My attraction to affected my judgment. I cannot help but thank you enough for your help.”

Heimdall blinked. “This was of course beyond what you could have been expected to expect, nor was the analysis within what could be done even by one of our healing beds. There is no fault here. The important thing is to fix it.”

“I agree,” Lacus said softly.

Luna said, “I too am sorry. I did not detect this either. Perhaps they can teach me something so I do not make this mistake again.”

“I can't say I'm happy to have to split up from my daughter, but I see she is in good hands. When do you think she will be back?” asked Siegel.

Heimdall said, “I'm not sure. Perhaps in a couple of weeks.”

He nodded.

“We should go, so they can get on their way. Thanks again Heimdall. I suppose this is another lesson to never become complacent,” said Ranko.

“Yes, those are ever present. The attack you stopped was one of those as well,” said Siegel.

“Are you going to be okay alone Lacus?” asked Athrun.

Lacus asked, “Can I speak with Athrun for a few minutes before we leave?”

“Of course,” Heimdall said, and then everyone else was beamed away.

“You like her?” asked Athrun.

“I do.”

“She made you sick.”

“No, we did that to ourselves. Perhaps the genetic changes were not a bad thing, but we pushed it as far as we could. It seems we were not wise to do so. You and I know we were having trouble conceiving already, which is why they pushed us together so much. We were theoretically compatible.”

“You believe we did wrong?” asked Athrun.

“I believe we made a mistake, just as Jenna made one, though I do not truly think it was. Go Athrun. I will get well and we will lead our people to a safe place. Perhaps in time both Coordinators and Naturals will gain the wisdom we so desperately need.”

“I wish Kira was here,” said Athrun.

“You should find your friend. He is in Heliopolis, is he not?”

“I think you would like him,” mused Athrun.

“Perhaps, though I believe it is time to go.”

Athrun nodded.

Lacus could scarcely believe what she was seeing. It had taken them quite awhile to gain permission to approach the world, if you can call it that, that they approached now. It was so very big.

Lacus asked, “What do you call it?”

Jenna said, “The Earth name for such a thing would be a Dyson sphere. This is one of only two we know exist. This one is hidden right in the deepest part of hyperspace from what I could puzzle out purely from visual. Heimdall has the exact info, but he is going to delete it once we are back. They created a place for their honored ancestors to live, and it grows as time passes and resources are added.”

“It is unbelievable that a people could do such a thing. They literally built heaven. Words fail me.”

Jenna said, “I've not had the honor of coming here before. We should probably return to our rooms and get ready.”

“Your right. I shall return shortly.”

“If they ask, I will beam down. If not, I'll respect their privacy and remain up here,” said Heimdall.

“I'll tell them you are up here and are okay with staying up here or coming down according to their wishes,” said Jenna.

“Thank you.”

Jenna thought Lacus looked even more beautiful in the simple white robe with her hair unbound and free. She stifled that thought as they walked towards the gathering place they were ask to meet. A single Furlan ancestor awaited them. Her form mostly transparent, yet still defined and detailed.

“Greetings, I am Matriarch Belan. I asked the others to give us a small amount of privacy for a time. First, we wish to thank the Alliance for cleaning up the mess we made, even if Dormammu remains a threat. I would also like to thank you for not bringing up the group that threatened your planet Mars. I fear very much that their actions by manipulating events will cause you trouble, and there was no reason for it. We are deeply sorry for it.”

The Matriarch bowed deeply to Jenna.

“I was only dimly involved in most of those events,” said Jenna.

“You represent the group that was, and you are the only one who has come. Please convey our deep apologies.”

“I will. I promise.”

“And who is this one?” asked the Matriarch.

“She is from a people that use genetic manipulation. They made some mistakes. I made it worse in my foolishness. I was so attracted to her I wanted her to show her the joy that simple games with life energy can provide, and in doing so I partially repaired something too broken to be safely repaired,” said Jenna.

“I do not blame you,” added Lacus.

“Nevertheless, the responsibility is mine.”

“We have the necessary technology here to repair your body. Do you have those who you would wish to provide the missing code?” asked the Matriarch.

Lacus's eyes widened.

Jenna said, “I believe that Heimdall has a record of most Alliance members on file. He remained on his ship and will stay or beam down according to your wishes.”

“Then please have him come.”

“I don't have a com unit, or anything. Can you get him a message?” said Jenna.

“We can. Please wait a moment.” She vanished only to return about half a minute later.

Heimdall beamed down.

She again bowed low.

“There is no need,” he said.

“We compounded our shame by that group causing the attack on your allies, and yet you did not call us out on it. They were so scared you might harm this place in your efforts.”

“It is over and done with. A beginning can be made again with your help with this one,” said Heimdall.

“Of course. Come, I will lead you to our research center.”

The room they were in was massive and contain many Furling, about one third of which were alive as they worked side by side with those who had passed on. They went up to an unused area. A very beautiful Furlan ancestor came up to them.

“Greetings. I am Lexi's mother Sarna. I met some of your group last time you were here. What seems to be the problem?”

Matriarch Belan repeated what she had been told.

Heimdall held out a small crystal. “This contains all the records we have on Earth human genetics, as well as the stable variant called Abh, and what we know of the situation with Lacus and the others, including the scans we took, all recorded conversations including the initial opinions Ayiana and Lya provided.”

Sarna said, “Place the crystal in the reader. This will take me some time to go through. In the meantime if Lacus can please lay down in our diagnostic scanner I would appreciate it.

Lacus did so with a little help from Jenna. Sarna and Matriarch Belan quickly scanned over the computer summary of all the available details.

“Your case is interesting, but repairable. I also note what could very easily become a bond between her and Jenna,” said Sarna.

“I always thought you had to try a little harder,” said Jenna.

“But you did. You tried your very best to gain her as a friend or more. You may not have consciously shaped it into one, but then neither did your parents,” said Matriarch Belan.

“What does this mean?” asked Lacus.

“It means you have a choice. There is no wrong answer here. The problem is significant because the life energy matrix you have created is above what you can sustain, and for us to repair your body you must either abandon that...”, said Sarna.

“No,” Lacus found herself saying.

Sarna continued, “Or have another hold it, and ideally most of your soul while we repair your body. That means, like it or not, a bond that will seal even if you try to make it temporary. We can ease you apart afterwards. We can diminish most of the effects of it.”

“And if we kept it?” Lacus asked.

Jenna said, “You don't know me. Heck I killed a guy not long after I met you.”

“You killed the man responsible for trying to slaughter thousands of innocents and our food supply.”

“I still killed him, and I don't feel all that guilty about it. You probably shouldn't be so quick to do this. I am so much more tainted than you are. You actually wanted us to find a way for him to live.”

“You said your Alliance is about choice. Are you saying I can't choose this? You said it could be undone later, with pain yes, but it is possible,” asked Lacus.

“No, but I feel like I have no right to hope for someone so perfect.”

Lacus laughed. “I am hardly perfect.”

“You could have fooled me,” Jenna muttered.

Sarna and Belan smiled.

“If your sure, you could create one now, then we could get started,” added Sarna.

“Wait, if we are bonded, and stuck together for two weeks how will you treat her DNA?” asked Jenna.

Belan blinked. “You will get in with her. Are you saying your version doesn't support this?”

“It does not. We have not yet done the required work to do so safely.” Heimdall answered.

Matriarch Belan said, “We will release a copy of our plans to you before you leave.”

“I thank you,” Heimdall replied.

Jenna bent herself to one knee before Lacus.

“Most say this is more intimate than marriage, and while I have never created a life bond, I think they are correct. Are you sure you want to proceed with this?”

Lacus nodded. Her expression was soft and concerned.

Jenna held out her hands palm up in front of her. White light seemingly far too thin to be water formed in her palms.

“This is how the bond between my sister Dana and her dear friend Canal was created. She thought it might be superior to how we normally do it. Touch briefly only then think more about this.”

Lacus glowed brilliant white as her finger briefly touched Jenna's palm. She then looked at her even more fondly.

“You said I was so attractive, but you sell yourself so very short. What I felt there I want more of, if you will permit it.”

“I will.”

“Jenna only a few drops. Her body cannot take more at this time,” said Sarna.

“Hold out your hands Lacus.”

Lacus held out her hands and Jenna ever so carefully dropped three drops of her life essence onto Lacus's hands. It was immediately absorbed by her body making her glow silver for almost a minute. Jenna reabsorbed the rest before holding out her hand to Lacus who quickly took it.

“That was unpleasant, before you touched me.”

“Sorry,” Jenna said. “I've never created one of these before. Are you okay?”

“I feel great.”

Matriarch Belan said, “Unfortunately, That will end in time. You would probably remain stable up to the point you let go. We need to fix you now. I already had the others come up with our recommendation for the changes to you. I'll summarize, but basically we are using a mix of genes from members of the Alliance for a total of a twelve percent change to her genetics, but the actual goal is for the end result to not be noticeable, save you will have a stable genome where you and your children and their descendants can have children. We have also done what we can with her life energy affinity. It should be probably similar to Jenna's. We can modify this, but something must be lost to gain something else.”

Heimdall asked, “May I review this plan. That is a significant change.”

“Of course, though it really isn't a large change.” Sarna said. “Much of it is undoing some of what they did, since I assume the Alliance doesn't want us to try to perfect their design. I'm honestly not sure it is possible, and would recommend against trying.”

Heimdall looked through page after page of notes, then added filters based on common human DNA. The actual changes showed up as four percent from that baseline.

“One percent of this is Furlan DNA.”

“We can remove that if you wish. That segment is perfectly compatible. We do breed with humans and others. Our children remain Furlan, but do contain human DNA sequences. The pattern there will not change her children or herself in any meaningful way beyond a continuing small improvement in abilities. It allowed us to keep her current abilities with essentially no degradation. She would lose a few percent without it,” said Sarna.

The others remained quiet as Heimdall continued reading and studying.

Finally after nearly an hour and a half of studying their changes he said, “I have confirmed the analysis. You can accept her plan, ask for the Furlan DNA to be removed, or ask for anything else within reason.”

“I would be honored to have a small piece of such a brilliant people as part of me. We can do it as is, unless you think it is inappropriate for me to have these improvements?” asked Lacus.

“Asgard intelligence is partially a result of our tinkering. We almost became extinct from our mistakes. I have looked at this closely, I see no reason to believe this is more dangerous than fully reverting to a human baseline or the one without the Furlan DNA,” said Heimdall.

“The other two plans are available. The pure human reversion is seventeen percent, yet that number is not entirely meaningful. Some of the Coordinator changes are perfectly valid DNA that could exist in regular humans. There are simply no known examples in either you or our archives. The other is, as we said, save a few percent off,” added Matriach Belan.

Heimdall looked through them for several minutes.

Lacus asked, “Okay, ignore me for the moment. Assuming the rest of my race does this or something like it. Assume I have children and so on for say ten generations. Can we predict a best outcome there?”

Heimdall continued to work with the interface. Several minutes later he said, “I believe I have began the necessary simulation. This will, by necessity, use averages. It will assume some may choose to have children with regular humans, Abh, Coordinators, and other allies and then gather the results.”

“How long will that take?” Lacus asked.

“I believe it is done,” Heimdall said.

“They truly do spoil us here. I think you will find our design comes out better than the other two. The others that prepared this did a similar analysis,” added the Matriarch.

“The difference is small, but it is up to seven percent better. Most likely these differences are irrelevant, since you could likely ask us or others to correct for any genetic issue your children and their children may have, but the design they made was, theoretically, the best,” said Heimdall.

“What do you think Jenna?”

“I have no interest in changing even if there is an improvement, unless it is genetically necessary. You have to change to fix things. We grew up with Heimdall's dimensional twin. I see no reason to trust this one any less. He is saying all will work fine, so it really is your choice, but, well, choice number one is the least noticeable changes, except the bits you wanted changed right. Did you want to learn how to heal with life energy or maybe fly someday or all the rest? I know you want children someday, or you wouldn't have asked that question.”

“Your right. I was a little wary getting DNA that was not purely human, but to refuse it would be silly. Much of our DNA was custom made by scientists from nothing. I have been silly.” She turned to Sarna and Matriarch Belan and said, “Please forgive me if I gave offense. I will gladly accept your first plan.”

Sarna said, “You did not give offense. Please follow us down to the our equivalent to the Asgard healing bed.”

A few steps later she added in amusement, “We don't have many doubles.”

They got in still holding hands.

Lacus asked, “Will we sleep or how will it work?”

Sarna asked, amused, “How do you want it to work?”

“I don't know. I've never been in one.”

Matriarch Benej said, “Unless you both truly wish to be asleep the entire time, our system will encourage Lacus's consciousness to mostly live in Jenna's body with her. It will drain her of energy to support both, but it is mostly within her recovery capacity and we will supplement as necessary. Lacus's body will then be repaired and she will have to reintegrate when she leaves, but there should be no problems.”

“How does that work? If genetics affects my brain, personality, and abilities, but I am not connected to any of those things?”

Jenna said, “You will live as pure energy. Some of the ships we have have people that have transitioned to such. They are fine, I promise, and I certainly will do my absolutely best to make sure you come to no harm.”

“That seems so strange,” she said softly.

“I promise I'll teach you as much as I can, assuming we can teach in dreams.”

Sarna said, “You can, though you may have to fix some of your training after you come out. You will be in there almost four days. This is a delicate job. We are actually changing some of your DNA multiple times to make sure the transition is smooth. Whoever is designing your children needs to learn how to do it correctly or preferably just stop. This incomplete knowledge is dangerous. If you didn't get help from someone, you would have gone extinct, even if you had children sometimes with regular people. That would have just delayed it.”

Lacus said, “We were told as much by Heimdall. Can this be taught?”

Heimdall said, “I would appreciate your findings recorded. I would like to discuss this with the full Alliance before a final decision is made. At this time, I'm inclined not to teach the level of skills necessary for this. I believe that giving the technology to people that were trying to make their race perfect may end poorly.”

“You are probably correct,” said Lacus.

Heimdall nodded.

“We owe a debt and the Furlan have the people and resources to fix this. We are not saying that helping them fixes our debt to you, but we can do this. I will send a note back with you signed by all the major leaders here. They will do it,” said Matriarch Belan.

“That is a better option than giving them the knowledge necessary. I would also ask you to prepare a set of information which does not teach them significantly but does show then at least enough to see what they are doing wrong. I have my own work there, so you can start with that if you wish. I had also thought about bringing in Abh genetic engineers, but their changes are significantly different. They could possibly figure out the corrections, particularly with Asgard and Nox help, but we would then be increasing their expertise in that area. I am not entirely against that plan, since they are a serious candidate, though while they are still in a partial war with half their galaxy, their Alliance membership is mostly on hold. We really want them to solve that problem first. We know it is not easy, and are helping keeping the lives lost to a minimum, but this is their membership test,” said Heimdall.

“Can we help?” asked Matriarch Belan.

“I didn't bring the details down, but your certainly welcome to try and I will get them to you,” added Heimdall.

“Thank you. You should know that this world is also a resource in the fight against Dormammu should it be needed.”

“I'm not sure I understand,” Heimdall said.

“Let me put it plainly then. Our races efforts to not admit their partial culpability in Al-Hazard's creation and thus Dormammu's creation, and then our partial cover up was to protect this place. I am telling you flat out, if the only way for this monster to die is for all of us to sacrifice ourselves one after another obliterating his essence then we will do this.”

Heimdall's eyes widened. “Right now our best plan is likely Avalon going toe to toe with as much support as we can muster. Lexi and Liara often attend our planning meetings. We just don't know enough yet, but while I thank you for the offer, I pray dearly it is not required.”

“Please give Avalon our exact dimensional coordinates and ask them to visit. We will teach them all we can. Perhaps it will help,” added the Matriarch.

“I will.”

“Shall we get this done?” asked Jenna.

“What, don't I get carried over the threshold?” asked an amused Lacus.

“Your wish is my command my lady,” Jenna said in amusement as she picked her gently up and laid her down on the right side of the double bed then crawled in herself, just barely maintaining contact.

The force field came up and the process began.

“Where are we?” Lacus asked.

She then looked down at herself and blushed before focusing and her previous clothes suddenly were there.

“Your idea?” Lacus asked.

“I don't actually know. It could have been.”

“Where are we?” she asked.

“This is Othalla. Hey, rather than life energy training, would you like to attend some of my lessons?”

“Must we?” asked Lacus.

“It is an excellent opportunity for you to get up to date on the tech we use. If you learn life energy like this it might not be quite right, since it is only a dream. You also can meet my family and such.”

“I thought you weren't supposed to give us tech.”

“Are you going to give it out without the Alliance's permission even if you choose to go your own way?” asked Jenna.

“No, of course not. I wouldn't do that.”

“Then why not learn what you can?”

“You've got me all alone. I half thought you would want to do other things,” mused Lacus.

“No. Not while I am responsible for your soul. I have messed up enough, and I will take no more chances I might hurt you. When you are fully healed, healthy and after our two week period to seal the bond if you still want to go through with finding out then we will see. For that matter if you don't want to go through with sealing that, that is fine too. I still will ask you then.”

“Ask me what?” Lacus asked.

“For a date?” Jenna asked hopefully.

“Deal, but if you are sharing your past, then I want to spend time on mine as well.”

“Alright.”

Both smiled.

Lacus smiled as Jenna pulled her to her. They were in orbit over the world they were on previously.

Heimdall said, “So an analog to this world is the one where your mother and father met.”

Jenna nodded.

“It is a nice world in a quiet part of the galaxy. It is a good place for a new start,” mused Heimdall.

“I thought so as well,” said Lacus.

“Are you two ready to beam down? They have a gate there. There are already many people there. I don't detect the White Star. I could contact them before you beam down,” said Heimdall.

“Please,” Jenna said.

“Jenna?” Ranko's voice asked.

“We are well. Is everything okay?”

“It seems to be. We are just making sure it all stays peaceful here. Where are you? No wait, I can tell. Why don't you two go down and enjoy the new world. Spend some time there, and maybe in a couple weeks you can take a shift up here?”

“You know,” Jenna said in realization.

Villa said, “We do now. Before we only guessed. Any regrets?”

“Oh god no,” said Jenna quickly.

“Don't forget both of us got a pretty good read of her, and then Ranko did it again after interacting with you, and well we remember our early days. Congratulations,” said Villa.

“You make it sound like we are married,” added Jenna.

“Dana and her friends are really good at infusing designs into metal. I bet they plus maybe Kagome could make you an awesome set of rings,” added an amused Ranko.

“Do you have a set?” asked Jenna.

“I just thought of it,” complained Ranko.

“Well you first,” said Jenna.

“We might at that, when we get time. Take care you two.”

Jenna said, “Please beam us down Heimdall.”

“Good journey. If you need us you need but call,” said Heimdall.

“I'm sure we will always need you, but we will just do our best to make it for advice rather than fixing our mistakes,” said Jenna.

Heimdall smiled. “That would be appreciated.”

They vanished in a flash of light.

They were there six months, taking two weeks at a time on the white star while the other two were here. Over time they slowly deconstructed all the material from the inside of the colonies, and then the colonies themselves. Now the population of the colonies and all from Orb who wished to go were now on their new world.

Those remaining at Orb were offered treatment by the Furling first. Most took it. Some did not, but also agreed not to have children. When they were done Siegel, Lacus, Kira, Athrun, Jenna, Ranko, and Villa beamed into a high level meeting of the Atlantic Federation on Earth.

Guns were drawn on them, but Talia was already programmed to beam them away.

Siegel said, “We will not stay long. We just want to speak for a few minutes. Surely that is no great harm.”

“Why are you here? Where did you go? Why did you destroy our ship and threaten to destroy the others?”

Siegel said, “We are here to say goodbye. For what it is worth, the genetic engineering we did for ourselves did have problems that thankfully others have fixed for us. We went to another world. No, we aren't telling you where. We didn't destroy your ship. We would have, but your ship was a surprise to us. It was about to launch nuclear weapons at one of our agriculture colonies. Thousands would have still died and so many more would have potentially starved.”

Ranko said, “We destroyed your ship. Trying to launch nuclear weapons at innocents will get you dead if any member of the Alliance is around. We also killed Murata Azrael as he gave the order. We threatened to destroy other ships to get them to back off and let our friends work in peace.”

One asked, “Was it truly necessary for you to leave?”

Villa shrugged. “Getting people to get along that really don't want to is hard. That doesn't mean you won't meet again someday, in this time, or your children's, or their children's. As far as your finding reasons to try to kill them, well that was a bit sad. There is a lot of potential in men and women. Heck, we have no genetic modifications and well we have many of the same skills as Coordinators to. If anything, it was them that had the long term weakness. Our friends fixed it so they are fine, or will be once they are done.”

“What potential?” another asked.

Villa suddenly dashed beside the new voice. No one even saw him move. Seconds later he was back.

“How did you do that?”

“Training. You will figure it out someday. We normally help train, but, well, a lot of you people were in on the plan to do what you did.”

“So that's it, your leaving? Why not use that tech you flaunted in that ship to help us.”

“You don't need our tech to help you. Just stop wasting so many resources building up your war machine to fight imagined enemies. We did, of course, notice. We never were seriously threatened,” said Ranko.

“I would lay a wreath for the men on the ship that died if you would permit it,” said Lacus.

One said, “I can show you where to go.”

They spent a few hours laying wreathes at each tomb and then moving onto the next. At the last, Villa told the person that had been helping them, “For what it is worth. We are not providing the Coordinators any new technology either. We just gave them a fresh start so the war that was brewing never truly started. We believe they may join the Alliance one day, but for now we are going to just let them find out who they are.”

He nodded soberly.

As Lacus left on the White Star, she could not help the tears streaming from her eyes.

Jenna pulled her to her and even kissed the back of her head.

“You know they can call if they have real need, and we did leave the one gate on Orb, even if very few there know about it,” said Villa.

“It seems I don't know, not wrong, just perhaps a little cruel for us to be testing them like we are,” said Lacus.

“Heimdall set the same test for them as the Abh and the others supported it, including Villa and Jenna's parents. Their Earth has a similar test. It is not of technology, but of simple kindness. Will their humanity one day unite them in a common whole, or not? We stopped the likely war, or at least delayed it, protecting all those in the fragile colonies and all those on Earth that would be hurt gravely when they got serious. The rest is up to them,” said Ranko.

“Why am I an exception?” Lacus asked.

Jenna smiled. “You know the answer. It was one of the reasons I was attracted to you from the start. The kindness to even care for those who would destroy you. The Alliance needs more, not less of that.”

“I sometimes think I should have stayed.”

“We can go back if you wish.” Jenna then swallowed hard before adding softly, “For the best you would have to go alone. If you go back with me, then it is the Alliance guiding them to find unity which is not as good as they finding it on their own. You also could never tell them, or lead them to the answer.”

“Actually, she probably could ask for peace and such. She would just have to make the case that she would have done so without us,” Villa said.

Jenna nodded thoughtfully.

“I'm not leaving you, but we can return from time to time, can't we?” asked Lacus.

“Of course, I was hoping we would go back in a year or two and see how they are doing. The Furling have promised to teach them basic adept skills. I believe they will do well.”

Lacus turned and kissed her softly.

“So you think we should take them to see our Mom and Dad?” asked Villa.

“Why not? You haven't seen them for awhile, have you?”jasked Ranko.

“I hate to interrupt, but, well, there is another alert.” said Luna.

Jenna still looked a bit lost with a dopey expression on her face when Lacus asked, “What is that?”

“Luna has a built in thing that gets messages from Ascended Furling, and maybe others, that points out areas we can make a difference, and, well, get in trouble,” said Ranko.

“Like my home?” asked Lacus.

“Yep,” Villa said.

“So where too now?” asked Lacus.

Jenna seemed to recover, even as she glared at Luna for interrupting her kiss.

“Let's find out. Shall we?”, asked Villa.

All four of them wore civilian clothes and walked to a local baseball field in Japan on another random Earth. Few people were there. It was just two local adult teams playing a friendly game.

“It is an interesting game that I think the naturals played sometimes, but I do not understand why we are here,” said Lacus.

“Nor I, but let's just enjoy the game for now,” added.Jenna softly.

Lacus and her leaned into each other. Ranko and Villa did the same.

They were surprised when near the end a young woman, perhaps middle school age, or early high school came and took over the pitchers mound. Her first pitch answered their question. It screamed down towards home plate.

“Strike!”

“Did you catch it?” asked Jenna.

“She is.. She is using life energy?” asked Lacus.

“Yes she was. It is not under her conscious control, but that most certainly is a potential life energy adept right there, perhaps even one that will become true one day. They are so very rare to find like this,” she whispered in awe.

“Do you see the car that pulled up? Someone else has noticed her,” whispered Villa.

She struck out the batter with ease, after giving him three balls for her warm up.

After that they were surprised when a sandy haired boy about the pitchers age came onto the field. The boy teased her and riled her up causing her to get furious. She managed to get two strikes on him, before he hit the third, breaking his bat in the process.

The fierce pitcher managed to catch the ball even though it knocked her back almost ten feet. Ranko was out there before anyone saw her move, gently touching her arm as she glowed softly for several seconds. Ranko then smiled and helped her up.

“What was that?” the pitcher asked in surprise.

“I think it was the sun,” lied Ranko. “Do you feel okay?”

“Um, yes, I do. Why do I feel fine? Maybe I should go to the hospital. I shouldn't feel fine right now.”

Ranko mused, “You seem fine to me. You should take care of yourself. That arm of yours is precious, as are you. Never forget that.”

“Um okay.”

Ranko then turned and saw the middle aged guy looking at her. He was the same one who was acting as umpire, who had also glanced at the car up on the road several times. She waved cheerily to him before moving off a few steps.

The young pitcher blinked even as the batter walked up and asked, “Hey you okay?”

“I'm fine.”

“Come on, get on my back. You can't be in any shape to walk after that.”

“I really am fine,” she said in surprise.

Ranko turned back and said to her, “I already have Villa, but he is kind of cute, perhaps you should fake an injury and let him carry you home?”

The batter and the pitcher blushed furiously. The batter then harrumphed and stalked off.

“Gee thanks,” the batter said.

“Sorry.”

“You did something,” he accused.

“Did I?” she asked innocently.

“She had better really be okay, or I will find you.”

Ranko said softly, “Perhaps she needs less of a knight in shining armor and more of a friend.” With that she walked off to join the others.

The woman in the car was now behind a fancy desk with the label of principal, that was itself in a very larger office The scruffy man that acted as catcher walked in.

“Kido, what did you make of those other four that were there? One did something to Ryo. She glowed.”

“I talked to Takasugi. He followed her home from a distance to make sure she was well. She seemed fine.”

“She shouldn't seem fine. Not after that. If she drugged Ryo there will be hell to pay.”

Ranko came through the door, followed by the others.

“I did no such thing. Ryo is fine, I promise you that Keiko Himuro-san,” said Ranko.

“Explain,” she demanded, in the tone of someone used to being obeyed.

“I'd like to know why the one has pink hair, including at her roots. That seems impossible. No die job is that good. The hair on her skin is exactly the same as well. I'd have called it impossible,” added coach Kido.

“So does no one want to know why we went through the albeit minor trouble to track you two down?” asked Villa.

“That is another good question,” said Himuro.

“Ryo is what we would call a natural life adept. She is one of very very few that comes by such skills nearly instinctively. Her use of it during her pitches caught our eye. We would like to help her, if we can,” said Jenna.

“We are all adepts. Villa and I class as true, meaning we can heal almost anything without much of any risk at all. The others have some, and Lacus, who has the lovely shade of hair is still learning,” said Ranko.

“You expect us to believe that?” said Kido.

“Not particularly, but we can of course prove what we say,” said Jenna.

“Prove it. Use him,” said Himuro.

“Must we?” asked Ranko distastefully.

“You just can't do it. I knew it,” said Kido with a knowing smirk.

“No it is probably the fact that you desperately need a bath. Fine, I'll do it,” said Villa.

Villa walked over and asked, “So do you consent for me to try?”

“Yah sure kid whatever.”

“Hold your mouth shut,” Villa commanded, just before he grabbed his arm and speed healed him. Before coach Kido could so much as open his mouth Villa stopped. Villa said, “Your not done, but clean yourself up and we will finish sometime. The effect you felt is mostly one time, and I made sure to do just enough to get through it.”

“How do you feel Kido?” asked Keiko.

“I feel great.”

“Villa probably just mostly burned off most of the alcohol residue in his system, but he is right. First he can take care of himself a bit better if he wants our help,” added Ranko dryly.

Villa nodded.

“Okay, assume we believe you for the sake of argument, what do you want with Ryo?” asked Keiko.

“We thought we might combine our plans,” added Lacus.

“I came down last night and read your plans. It was terribly rude of me I know, but, well, we do that.” She shrugged. “Either way, you want to form a baseball team for girls. We can help with that, as well as teach those who wish to learn our own skills,” added Jenna.

“How can you help?” asked Keiko.

“Well we don't carry a lot of wealth on us, but we can go find precious metals, gold, diamonds, whatever. It means little to us. That would give you what you need financially to make sure this happens, and not necessarily just here.”

“And the other. The healing?” she asked.

“That is an advanced skill. Any who learn that much, will, no doubt win every game they play of baseball. It is a game changing advantage, but for the sake of helping out young women, we are willing not to advertise that,” added Ranko.

“They they could crush their competition and win against the male team at Koshien?” asked Keiko hopefully.

Ranko just nodded happily.

“Tell me more.”

“I like this mission,” Lacus said from Jenna's arms that night aboard the White Star.

“Yes, no rushing to prevent deaths, or complex tactical issues; Just helping. This one group will no doubt teach others. The boys will be a little delayed, but they will learn and perhaps the delay will help a bit in the grand scheme of things.”

Lacus kissed her softly and she was soon kissing her right back.

They had several emergencies they needed to leave for before the game at Koshien, but in the end, they did it. An All girls team won at Koshien. One, the assistant principal's daughter had not only helped win the game, but was well on her way to becoming a doctor. Ranko and the others even said she could help her friends, provided she wasn't causing cells to replicate. That would require more work, but they would come back from time to time and teach her and the others, who would in time teach many more.

“What's up Ryo? You should be happy. You are national champions,” her boyfriend asked even as she leaned into him.

“Now that is all over, I kind of feel we cheated.”

“It didn't look like cheating to me.”

“The others asked we wait till after this game to say anything. You see we had trainers that helped us a very great deal, even if they would vanish every time you or the others got close.”

She looked at him with a slightly annoyed look. “Do you know how much training you cost me Takasugi?”

“No, but I hope your going to tell me,” Takasugi replied softly.

“I'm not mad, not really. We just will miss them so, even if they promised to keep in touch. They were there, if you will remember, at the beginning.”

Takasugi said, “The one that healed you. Wait, was she the one that kept you all in tip top shape the entire time?”

“They all did. They all could do such amazing things, even if Lacus was still learning.”

“Lacus, who was she?”

“Come here. I can show you this now. It was from our training trip to the mountains. They sang for us. I've got it on a blu-ray.” They watched.

The night time fills the sky

Stars alive go floating by

So still the evening air

So warm and soft.

Is everywhere

I see a world in harmony

A world of peace and humanity

Where people walk free

Like water in a streaming

Flowing on forever more.

“That's wonderful Ryo. I am so glad you met them.”

Ryo asked, “Aren't you going to ask me to teach you? They said we could if we wanted now.”

“The principal is right. We do not give women enough respect. I'm okay and I'll support you.”

“Please?” Ryo asked.

“Why do you ask Ryo?”

“Sooner or later it will come out and we don't want people to think we are cheats, or biased against men. We were hoping your could learn enough that by the time school started next year we could um come clean and tell people. I was hoping you would help.”

“Alright. Tell me about it.”

Ryo opened her hand. A flickering flame of brilliant white formed in it. “This is how it began. I was using this even at the beginning. I just did not know it.”

“Can I touch it?”

“This one you can. They can be made dangerous. You should assume it is, unless you know otherwise or have the senses to tell.”

Takasugi touched it gently. He said, “It feels warm.”

“My fault. My life energy tends to be warm. I keep working on neutrality. They say it will come with time and there will be no real danger from what I have for years yet. They are sure I'll get there before then.”

“What danger?”

She told him.

“That sounds so wild, but it does kind of make sense. So how fast can you throw a baseball if you are actually going all out?”

A tear fell from Ryo's right eye.

“What have I said to make you so sad Ryo?”

She said softly, “I can quite easily kill with a baseball now. They demonstrated by letting me go all out against trees. The trees shattered and fell. Oh Takasugi if I teach you you may not be able to play either. I'll have to stop soon.”

“Or,” he said, “We could start a new level. Not men, or women, but those like you Ryo. I bet people would pay a lot to see them. Sure we might have to tweak things or change things, but I would bet there is a path forward.”

Ryo lunged for him knocking him down before she daringly kissed him briefly on the lips and then stepped back.

Takasugi suddenly wore a dopey expression on his face.

“Um, Are you okay Takasugi?”

“I'm fine. Why would I not be?'

“For a moment I feared I had ki boosted that lunge. Your right. We will figure it out. I might have to get Izumi to help teach you. She has a similar feel to her ki, so she might work better, but we will teach you all we know.”

“That minx,” he said.

“Don't be mad at her. We all agreed.”

“I knew their was something up with you all, but could never figure it out, and Izumi was even more silent. She kept saying she would tell me one day, but not today.”

“But I stole that from her. Sorry,” Ryo said.

“Don't be, though we should go find her. Hey maybe I can tease her and make her feel guilty for hiding it from me.”

“You will do no such thing Takasugi!” Ryo said sternly.

“Just kidding. Izumi is like a sister. So what else is interesting about your new friends?”

“Did I mention they have a really cool space ship? They took us all on a field trip one weekend where we played a game at this gigantic thing they called a Dy, no Dyson sphere. People of all types and forms were there. We played against a group of Narns I believe they were called. It was great fun!”

Takasugi looked at her closely. He said, “I believe you Ryo. I wish I had seen it.”

“As I said, they will be back one day, unless perhaps you have gotten bored of me already?”

“I don't know Ryo. I mean your attractive, skilled, strong, you have a great since of humor. I just don't think it is enough,” Takasugi teased.

Ryo punched him.

“You enhanced that one didn't you?”

“A little.”

Takasugi laughed. “Now can you make it stop hurting?”

Ryo nodded absently.

“Will you make it stop hurting?” Takasugi asked hopefully.

Ryo said, “This could be good practice. I can injure you, then have a reason to place my hands on you and heal you. That is probably a bad idea, but it does sound tempting.”

“Yes it does.”

“Masochist.” She then pulled up his shirt at the arm and placed her hand on his shoulder. It glowed white for almost a minute and then stopped.

“That's great Ryo.”

“I just soothed the tissue a bit. We aren't approved to actually heal others yet, though Kanako is getting close.”

“It is still great.”

“You goof. Come on, let's head back to the school. I want to race you around the track.”

“Won't you just beat me?” he asked.

“Nah, I won't use any life energy, and I want Izumi to be with us when we start teaching you.”

“Sounds fun,” said an amused Takasugi.

They were surprised to meet Izumi along the way.

“Hey Hayakawa,” Izumi said.

“Hey Izumi. Want to go practice on the track?” Ryo asked.

“You know we can't...”

“The other track,” Ryo corrected

“You told him.”

“She did,” Takasugi agreed.

“Sure,” said a suddenly bright Izumi.

They had to take a cab several miles out of town to a seemingly random place in the countryside. Izumi unlocked the doors of an old house and then led them downstairs, and then down again.

“What have you done to this place?” Takasugi asked.

Ryo said, “They set us up this secret place to train. It is a bit of a pain that we can't beam here anymore without their ship, but it is still a very nice place, and look there is a track on the outside edge.”

“That must be more than a kilometer long,” Takasugi exclaimed at the underground wonder.

“Yah, it is a bit small,” Izumi said. “You ready Ryo?”

“I told Takasugi I wasn't going to use life energy.”

“Boring. Don't you want to show off at least once?”

Ryo's expression changed.

“Yes,” she said sharply.

They each quickly checked their tennis shoes, which seemed to glow softly. Izumi started off at a fast dash, which quickly became a blur, even as Ryo poured on the speed. They quickly lapped him and then again, but Ryo never quite caught up to Izumi. They kept that up for the better part of a half hour before Izumi suddenly came to a halt by Takasugi, quickly followed by Ryo.“

Ryo said, “She lapped me four times. I never seem to catch up to her speed.”

Takasugi said dryly, “Seeing as you could steel all the bases before anyone noticed you're not there I'd say your fast enough. I guess that is why it explains that you don't expect to play longer. We are really going to have to find a way to make the game harder or something.”

Izumi said, “I can't do what she does with a ball either. Oh I'd crush any normal team. We all would, but she is accurate and powerful. Here I'll show you. I'll set up some targets at the far end.”

She did and then tossed Ryo her first baseball. Ryo wound up and threw. It gently fell over. She got handed three more balls. Each target gently fell over.

Izumi said, “Don't let her control fool you. She can utterly destroy the targets. Just barely hitting them is way harder.”

“I believe it. So where do I sign up?”

“I don't know,” Izumi said. “The Alliance does, after all, have standards. Do you really think we should teach him?”

“Izumi, stop teasing him and go do it. I know neither of us has the skill to mimic each others energy, and you are the closest.”

“Alright.”

A bit later Takasugi was sitting in front of Izumi as she slowly talked him through finding his life energy for the first time.

Ryo brightened as she saw the flashes above his hands. “I knew you had it in you Takasugi.”

“You could have shown him this Ryo.”

“I know. I'm just worried. They told us all about bonds and cautioned against us teaching anyone we had strong feelings for.”

“You think I don't have strong feelings for him?”

“I know you do, and I know this is cruel of me, but I trust Takasugi.”

“And you don't think there will be enough resonance to be an issue,” Izumi said dryly. “For what it is worth Hayakawa, I think your right.”

“Could someone explain all this?” Takasugi asked.

They did.

“So, Ryo is afraid to teach me till we know more in case something happens we may not want?”

“More or less, and she does have a point. I could feel her on you right here.” She said and touched him on the shoulder right there. “Her residue was not neutral as it should have been. Having problems controlling your feelings are we Hayakawa?”

“I'll get there. It isn't that bad with the others,” Ryo said softly.

“I'm sure you will, but don't worry I'll take care of your boyfriend for you Ryo.”

Ryo rolled her eyes. “I know you would, no matter what. I do not doubt you. I never have.”

Izumi joked, “Better watch out Takasugi, Ryo might be trying to get a threesome for herself.”

Takasugi blushed furiously as he tried to slip away.

“Did you have to put that idea in his head Izumi?”

“Yes, I did.”

“So you haven't given up,” said Ryo softly.

“No, and don't you dare leave Takasugi. I know you love Ryo, and you will never leave her to come to me, but I'm not giving up that easily. I'm not. I refuse to just give up, so yes, if both of you would consider it, I would as well.”

“This is crazy,” Takasugi said.

“But not unheard of,” Ryo said. “Triple bonds do happen and if we did ever bond, a bond also to Izumi would give you the chance of living if I were to die.”

“Your not dying,” Takasugi insisted.

“Some of us want to go out there,” Ryo said.

“And it is dangerous out there. People do die. Several times during our training they had to leave to help others. They nearly died on one of them, and I assure you they are anything but weak,” added Izumi.

“Well I don't know about that possibility, about all three. I wasn't raised that way, but I do know you both mean the world to me, and I'm not giving up on either of you,” said Takasugi.

Izumi smiled.

“You planned this,” said Ryo.

“I did. Are you upset about it?” asked Izumi.

“No, not really. I saw how many times Lacus and Jenna spent kissing quietly off to the side. You can't just forget that.”

“Oh, and what do you think about me?” Izumi asked

“May I?” Ryo asked.

“Sure.”

Ryo cupped Izumi's face softly in her hands as her energy flowed over the green haired young woman. The green hair suddenly came undone from its tightly coiled twin tails, with each strand glowing and flying free and then forming her face in a lovely halo of hair.

Ryo had such a thoughtful and warm expression on her face. Izumi glanced over at Takasugi and saw bedazzlement on his. Ryo drew back her energy, but the luscious hair continued to frame her face highlighting the beauty that lay within.

“Hair Takasugi. Ryo fixes my hair and now you look at me like that?”

Takasugi snapped out of it. “I don't know what your talking about.”

“Oh no you don't. I'm definitely not giving up now.”

“You look amazing Izumi. You too Ryo,” he hastily added.

“Feh. She could stand to grow her hair a bit, and what am I going to do with this. It is only Ryo's residual energy that is even keeping it in this shape.”

“Well we could save it for private, and I certainly don't mind,” said Ryo.

“You are going to grow your hair out some then. Then I can have some fun as well.”

“Alright.”

“Why do I think that nothing will ever be the same again?” asked Takasugi.

“Because it will not,” said Ryo softly.

“She is right. If you stay with us there will be fame, whether you want it or not. You can make a difference, and if we do all get together many will hate us for it, particularly for us being three. Nothing will ever be the same again, and that is only if we stay here. If we go to the stars, the possibilities are endless,” said Izumi.

“I'm not going to let anyone's opinion tell me who or who not to like,” said Takasugi.

“I know,” Izumi said, even as her hair glowed and shifted into an even more glowing halo. She saw a repeat of Takasugi's reaction and smiled. “I still can't believe it was hair. I blame my mother.”

“You are the one who copied,” said Ryo.

“I still blame my mother,” insisted Izumi.

Takasugi laughed. A minute later he asked, “So, how do I sign up?”

“To?” Izumi asked.

“See the universe with you two?” Takasugi asked hopefully.

“They hope to check on us in a month or so, but they admit, at times they get busy and it is hard to find the time for things that aren't an emergency,” said Izumi.

“They privately hope we succeed in teaching many more. I think they could use the help, but they always stress how dangerous it is. I should have told you this before, but just training as much as you did can be noticed by those who sense such things. It is enough to increase your danger, but not enough to fight back,” said Ryo softly,.

Izumi said firmly, “There is no way we are leaving Takasugi with so little training.”

“How do you fight back?” Takasugi asked quietly.

Ryo began the motion of throwing, and before her arm was even fully extended there was a ball of crackling energy formed in her hand which she threw like a baseball. It impacted a remaining bottle at the far end of the massive underground base obliterating it.

“Ryo is very good with those. I haven't got it figured out yet. No one has but her. Kanako is a great healer. Mao has figured out how to shroud herself in life energy. I mean we all can do it, to an extent, but she is really good at using it for defense. I think she could bat one of those away if it wasn't so dangerous to even risk the attempt. She can catch one of Ryo's true fastballs. The others are awesome as well.”

“That can obliterate trees?”

Izumi nodded.

“Izumi, do you want to do one more thing before we quit for the day?” asked Ryo.

“What do you have in mind?” Izumi asked.

“There is a lake outback, and Takasugi is here.”

“Your on Ryo.”

Takasugi could hardly believe that Ryo and Izumi were dancing on water. They called it kata, but it looked like dancing to him. It was beautiful, particularly since Izumi had left her hair to sway in the wind. When they started tossing balls of light back and forth he quickly looked around to make sure they were alone, and only relaxed a little when he didn't find anyone.

It was nearly the end of their break when he headed up to the old cabin once more. The girls were arriving separately since they had some other tasks to take care of. He quietly opened the door and walked into the living room only to see all four of their outer space friends laying there. Jenna and Lacus were sleeping on one couch, while Ranko and Villa were on another, though Villa was clearly awake.

“Apologies,” he said very softly.

“Let them sleep please,” said Villa.

“Alright,” he whispered, even as he returned to just outside the house and sat on the old swing that was designed for two or three people. He was wakened by Ryo and Izumi a bit later.

Izumi asked, “Why are you out here Takasugi?”

“They are inside sleeping,” he said softly.

“Actually,” a beautiful though sad voice said. They looked at the door and saw a pink haired beauty who added, “We just woke up. Won't you come in?”

Ryo and Izumi rushed in.

Izumi was the first to speak. “Are you all okay?”

“We killed Dormammu. Hurrah,” said Villa bitterly.

“There is more to the story. You wouldn't be so sad if it was that simple,” said Ryo.

Ranko said softly, “There is a forbidden thing. Rommie knew it and taught us all it. It was the only way. We had to each burn part of our souls for the strength to kill that monster. It was so horrible.”

Suddenly Ryo pulled Izumi to her. She said, “Follow my lead. We will fix it later.”

“Alright,” Izumi said

Ryo asked, “Will you come as well Takasugi? This is me asking for you to choose us always.”

“What are you doing?” Jenna asked warily.

Izumi said, “Making our choice. I don't intend to ever leave Ryo's side Takasugi. What is your choice?”

“Need you ask?” He sat down with them and quickly joined their hands with his own as a swirl of power formed in the room.

“You figured it out,” Villa said softly.

“No, you must stay in balance,” said Jenna in almost panic.

Ryo said, “Let us do this for you please?”

“Alright,” Lacus answered even as she and Jenna crowded around them with Ranko and Villa making up the outer circle.

The room was bathed in warmth and healing as three committed to a new life and four regained part of their old in the warmth of it.

The next morning they were all in a disorganized pile of bodies, with random aches and pains of not finding actual beds. Jenna was the first to wake. She made sure Ryo, Izumi, and Takasugi were all touching as she gently shook Ryo awake.

Jenna said softly, “Don't move. Don't lose your connections. That was a very risky way to establish a bond. You didn't even know what an unbalanced start would do, nor have we taught you to do that.”

Izumi and Takasugi woke as well.

Jenna repeated, “Don't let go. You will regret it very quickly.”

The others quickly woke as well.

Ryo asked, “Did it work?”

Villa said, “It did, and I for one thank you very much. Oh it still hurts, but so much less. We will help you re-balance. Don't worry about it. Jenna is just scared how that could have gone. It could have gotten out of control, though I imagine your worry for us kept you focused.”

Ranko said, “You are all three still ridiculously warm, but I think we can keep you from taking any actions your not ready for. So, before we fix this, do you think you can come with us and visit some others?”

“Sure,” Izumi said.

Jenna said, “We need to talk to your parents. Talia, please beam them here.” Less than a minute later, Izumi's and Ryo's mother along with Takasugi's mom and dad were flashed into existence near them.

Keiko Himuro said, “Izumi told me, but it seems things have advanced.”

“I knew as well, well most of it,” said Ryo's mother.

“Would someone like to explain?” Takasugi's father asked.

Villa said, “Your children helped us a great deal, even if they may not contemplate fully the trouble they have made for themselves.”

“What are you talking about. I better not find out you got one of these girls pregnant.”

“Relax dad. It is not that.”

“Would anyone be terribly missed if we took a day off?” asked Jenna.

“I'd like to at least call my secretary,” said Keiko.

“You can do that from the ship,” said Villa.

“What ship. What are you talking about?” Takasugi's mother asked.

Takasugi said, “We should be good. It's Friday and they normally lie in quite a bit on Saturday.”

Ryo's mom said, “I suppose I can take the day off.”

“Great!” Ranko said. “Talia, beam us all up.”

They vanished in a flash of light.

Once they were on the bridge admiring the Earth as it sat in space Ranko said cheerily, “Villa, let's do our thing.”

He pulled his own interface from the pocket on the chair as Ranko took out her own. They sat down quickly going through things.

Ranko announced, “Our checks are good. How about you two?”

Lacus finished her own scan at nearly the same time Jenna did. They said together, “You have a go.”

“Then diving. Next stop is Pern.”

“Dragons?” asked Izumi in excitement.

Ranko chipped in, “The others are there. Bringing us up to our max speed, so we will have to stay focused.”

The White Star roared as its engines slid gracefully through the dimensional sea.

Villa said, “In case your wondering, no we are not in outer space.”

“But,” Keiko said.

Izumi said, “Oh that helps. Next time introduce them to the space travel part before the sliding between different dimensions.”

Keiko looked at her daughter sternly, “Explain. I didn't even get to send a message.”

Jenna said without guilt, “I faked a few. Sorry, those three have deliberately unbalanced themselves, and we need to fix it soon, but for now they can perhaps help the others.”

“What does that mean?” Takasugi's father asked.

“It means,” Keiko said, “That their new abilities are affected by emotions, and they have deliberately allowed it to turn one direction. Affection and warmth I think, at least if the little training my daughter has given me is accurate.”

“I agree. Ryo's spent quite a bit of time teaching me, though this thing with all three. She mentioned bonds. She didn't mention three,” said Shino Hayakawa.

“Would you believe it is all Izumi's fault?” asked Ryo.

“In that tone, no.”

“We are fine, we um just or well not married, but some say its more, and well we have to stay touching for well two weeks,” laughed Izumi.

“Including when you go to the bathroom,” Villa chipped in.

“So not helping,” said Takasugi.

And so they got a lesson in life bonds 101. Takasugi's mother said, “You did this, without even asking us?”

“It was kind of a spur of the moment thing. We were planning on it yet, but they were hurt badly, and Ryo came up with the idea. It made sense and we went with it.”

“It really did help. Don't worry, we will help them balance themselves, even if it takes awhile,” said Villa.

Twenty minutes later Ranko said, “Coming out of the sea and transitioning to hyperspace. ETA is thirty four minutes.”

Takasugi's dad sad, “So, training from aliens. I suppose that explains.... Oh don't get me wrong. I know women can be good, but there is good, and then there is Ryo's team.”

Ryo and Izumi grinned.

“They are probably good enough to win now without the enhancement, but no one would ever believe they did. That is the one thing that really annoys me about this,” said Keiko.

“I really want to see the dragons. Ryo mentioned them. Oh, and maybe I could cook for everyone. That would be fun,” said Shino.

“I could show you the kitchen if you want. None of us are very good at cooking. We just abuse the food replicator, which right now we couldn't use if we wanted to,” added Jenna enthusiastically.

“Why is that?” Takasugi's father asked.

“All the energy produced in the ships reactors is directed to flight. There is nothing left for something power hungry like matter replication.”

“You can create matter?” he said dumb founded.

“Well, not everything, and we do try to minimize its use. It is not an efficient way to make food, though we, um, have been a bit wasteful of late. I suppose we could see what is in the stasis box, or find a world and go shopping. Of course that usually means locating some precious metal or gems and selling it, then shopping, so it can be time consuming.”

“The scholarships Himuro group did to young women all over the world. That was you too,” said Takusugi's father.

“It was, though indirectly. I am now the owner of both a platinum and a titanium mine,” said Keiko.

“Your faking ownership of mines?”

“No, I really own them. They just found the right locations to buy, on the condition I use the profit to help young women. That was a very easy choice.”

“Yep, it only took us a couple days of discrete scanning to locate the best sites, and provide Keiko with exact maps of where everything is. She doesn't use the maps often. It would be too obvious, though I hear occasionally she has a hunch,” added Villa in amusement.

Keiko smiled.

Ranko chipped in. “It also means we have credit cards to buy food with. Keiko takes care of the balances, and we don't have to go through a lot of aggravation. We really should stock back up and give the replicator a rest.”

“I assure you the amount spent by your four is negligible. I'd have funded that even without the mine many times over, just for your help of Izumi, Ryo, and the others. It was, and is, nothing other than a task for my secretary to take care of. The only word I ever got from him was concern if you were eating enough and offers to make dinner for you all, which you really should agree to this time. He would really appreciate the opportunity to do this. Lord knows I'm home seldom enough.”

“Alright,” Lacus said. “We will make the time.”

“Agreed,” Ranko said.

“Everyone here is of course invited,” said Keiko.

“Would he mind if I helped?” asked Shino.

“I'm reasonably sure he would be thrilled as long as the person helping isn't me. I tried once. Never again.”

“Then I will be glad to come,” Then in a more amused lilt she added, “And if you want to actually learn you can stop by my bar sometime after we close up and I'll see if I can teach you not to starve if ever you have to fend for yourself.”

“I might take you up on that,” Keiko said, then added, “Think we should have brought Kido?”

“Probably, but too late now,” replied Ryo.

Ranko said, “It looks like there will be a small delay. I'm getting an inter-dimensional distress call. Its an Alteren coding, if you can believe that. Changing course and heading for dimensional intersect.”

Ryo laughed. “I was sure all the stories were true, but I somehow never dreamed we would get in one of them. How can we help?”

Villa said, “Hopefully this ones is easy. It's just a ship in distress, so let's see.”

They emerged out onto the dimension in question right near a dark gray blended wing design.

“They have no power, and oxygen isn't great. I'm beaming them over. Be ready guys,” said Ranko.

Suddenly an older man and a young pinked hair girl with hair shooting off but in all directions formed in the middle of the bridge.

The girl said, “A very advanced transporter. Who might you be?”

“I'm Jenna Carter with the Alliance. The rest of us are a mix of Alliance, friends, and family.”

“Washu Hakubi with no one.”

“I'm Katsuhito Masaki. Thanks for saving us. Washu is very good at fixing things, but, well, we didn't have the parts.”

“We can sense the glamour. We don't care. We just figured we would let you know,” said Ranko.

“In that case, I think I'll keep it. It is so tedious to restore,” said Katsuhito.

“How can we help?” asked Jenna.

“That ship is toast. If you could get our things we would appreciate it, beyond that, please blow it up. It would be easier to build it from scratch than fix that thing. This is all Mihoshi's fault. I had no idea she had gotten down there, or I'd have actually run checks, rather than assuming the automatic overnight ones were sufficient,” said Washu.

Jenna said, “Not a problem. Talia can you identify personal affects and beam them over.”

“Confirmed.” Several pieces of clothing, some books, and what seemed to be an old sword hilt was beamed over.

Washu said, “Hmm, not bad. No real personality, but follows orders reasonably well. Can I have a copy?”

“We don't know each other that well yet. Is that everything?” asked Jenna.

“The only thing of real value was that hilt. You can blow up the rest.” said Washu.

“Alright. Firing main cannon. Ship is destroyed,” said Villa.

“I don't suppose you are really close by where we can drop you off?” asked Jenna.

“We came from Earth, but were bound for Jurai,” said Katsuhito.

“We don't know the second. Do you have coordinates?” asked Villa.

“Oh, how foolish of me, they were on the ship,” Washu tried.

Villa laughed. “We may not be able to read a near ascended, or are you more? Either way, we may not be able to read you, but if your going to lie surely you can get the tone right?”

Washu said sadly, “I'm none of that anymore, and yes, I would like to spend a little time with you to understand just who you are.”

“Our trip was not urgent either. I certainly don't mind if we don't get to where we are going right away,” said Katsuhito.

“We appreciate you being okay with a delay,” said Jenna.

“Resume the course it is. Diving,” said Ranko.

“And inter-dimensional travel as well, and done better than I've ever seen it or thought it could be done. Would you mind if I saw your emissions data?” asked Washu.

“You certainly are knowledgeable. I'm a bit surprised you had that ship,” said Jenna.

“As I said, it was junk. It has been awhile since I made a ship I cared about. I seem to remake Mihoshi's far too often. She has actually burned through most of my supplies for such things. This, on the other hand, is most certainly not junk, nor is it native to this universe, nor are you native to the ships universe I think.”

“And who was saying they weren't special?” Jenna asked amused.

“She was a gift. We have our own, but well, the line when it comes to getting new ships tends to go to full teams on assigned patrols not the three of us who originally requested it. This one was a gift for some help our friends gave not too long ago,” said Villa.

“A living ship, gifted from an elder race that I do not know. Fascinating. I could do better, but not easily, particularly given this was part of a production run. Remarkable.”

“This is such fantastic technology, compared to what I've known all my life,” said Lacus.

“That color hair is not remotely natural,” she said.

“You have a similar color,” Lacus pointed out.

“I know, but vanity aside, you four are all remarkable. And the three of you have been training I take it. Recruiting?”

“Would you believe our master plan was to help them win a baseball game?” asked Villa.

“No,” Washu said amused.

“They did win the game,” Takasugi's father pointed out.

Washu laughed. “They could have had any outcome they wanted in the game. It is irrelevant.”

“True. We don't plan to play on the high school team much longer. They wanted us to teach others,” admitted Ryo.

“Don't you get tired of holding hands?” asked Washu.

“Do not be rude and ask inappropriate things,” said Katsuhito.

“Apologies,” Washu said. “That was rude of me. Ignore it, though you should deal with that imbalance at some point soon.”

“We will,” Ranko said then added, “But there is something we hope to do first.”

Washu said, “I know. I can sense it. Just where do you find knowledge from the dark times and what did you do with it?” The last was more of a demand than a question.

Jenna said softly, “Our group is the one who removed Al-Hazard from existence. We eliminated what spawned from there. It was the only way we knew. If you know of another... It even severely weakened Avalon and her crew. It was not easy. I can still not believe that no one died.”

Washu bowed deeply. “Then all of existence owes a debt we cannot repay. Had I known you were going after him, or attempting to fix that forsaken land I'd have volunteered. I knew someone had. I felt the wave as well, but I did not know who. Jurai sent ships, but by the time they got there all was gone. How many died to clean that mess up?”

Ranko said, “No one died to clean it up, but one hundred and two were inside the event horizon when the space was sealed. Everyone else had been evacuated to safety.”

“How?” Washu asked. “Oh I get the sealed space, and I doubt I'd have gotten out either. I had a similar plan on the drawing board, and was thinking of presenting it, and then this happened.”

“They thought the energy wave from the seven living ships doing with all the backup they had would propel them out. They looked for every other plan. It was an utter mess and had to be destroyed as one event,” said Ranko.

“I agree with most of that, but anyone capable of creating that, knew they were likely dead as soon as they started, trapped in a collapsing pocket of existence as the walls closed in. How did they survive?”

“I'm not sure I'm going to tell you that. I assure you we did nothing unethical. Everyone knew what their actions meant,” said Ranko.

“You already did,” she said softly and with obvious sorrow. “I'm very sorry. Perhaps if I was there it would have been fewer. I'm so sorry.”

“Seven,” Jenna said softly.

Washu nodded. “Perhaps to make a new one I suppose. No that wouldn't work. It wouldn't be remotely enough. There must be something else. Tenchi and Tsunami in full rage could not slice through such a sealed space.”

“Haven't you learned enough? They did their job, and arguably part of our own. Let it be enough. They should know that if help is needed, come to the Masaki shrine in Tokyo and I will come, and so will probably many others,” asked Katsuhito.

“Your right of course. I just so hate a mystery. It's not like they were the only ones to know of that place. Hell I've helped prop up its walls a couple times in existence because I did not have a plan to take it down safely, or even with so little loss of life, and I have spent a lot of time working on it.”

“You mean it wasn't potentially hundreds of years from collapse?” asked Ranko.

“No, that was about right. I doubt we could have propped it up again, and there is a risk of it birthing another Dormammu, to say nothing of not being able to kill the first.”

“The Alliance really could use people like you. We have the best, or we thought we did. It seems you are easily among them,” said Villa.

“Of course, I'm Washu. The greatest scientist in the universe.”

“And your modest too,” added Jenna.

“Exiting the dimensional sea above the skies of Pern. The no longer rouge fifth planet may interest you. It used to send down lethal organisms across the gulf in space,” added Ranko.

“More of your handiwork then?” asked Katsuhito.

“I'd say I wish, but we really don't. That was all Avalon and her crew.”

“Please let me use a console,” begged Washu.

“Fine,” Jenna said, “But keep your commands at a rate I can somewhat follow.”

Jenna unlocked a station and Washu immediately got to work. She also pulled up the Alliance record of the move and then cheerily announced, “I think I've figured out the rest. I can't imagine you pulled that bit of trick off intentionally, and the ones you mentioned didn't die in the fight for Dormammu, so that indicates they have stabilized. Really, if it wasn't all the interesting things I'd call it boring. I'm used to having to figure things out to solve problems, not arrive too late and only be able to say job well done.”

“I'd say thank you, but most of that was others. You should thank them,” said Jenna.

“I will, and as Katsuhito said, if you need help, you know where to find us.”

“Why the Alteren distress call?” asked Villa.

“I was into my really old supplies when I built that ship. I presume that radio came from there. I didn't honestly check. Why? Come to think of it, how do you know about the Alterens. They are dead or Ascended.”

Ranko said warmly, “We know one, presumably the last. She was frozen in ice so very long ago. We checked for others in many universes, but never found another.”

Washu said, “They are disease carriers. Someone engineered something particularly nasty. I looked at it so very long ago. Wait she is alive, and healthy? How?”

“Why don't you ask her? We are almost there. Hey Lacus, Jenna, think you could swap in?” asked Villa.

“Sure,” they responded and did so.

The emerged out of the dimensional sea and entered the planet's atmosphere. As they got near the ground the two vanished in a flash of light, only to appear far ahead of the ship flying, and then they transformed.

“And I said it was almost boring. Would you all be my guinea pigs?”

“Make no mind of her. She is mostly not serious,” said Kasuhito.

“Did they just change into Sailor Moon and that warrior king thing Tuxedo mask sometimes changes into?” asked Takasugi's mother.

“Yes,” Katsuhito replied in amusement.

Far ahead two great dragons, one Golden, one Bronze appeared out of no where. The Golden one was even larger than the Bronze. You could just barely make out the forms of humans on top of them. Ranko and Villa flew to them. Villa got behind the Bronze rider and Ranko got behind the Golden dragon rider before they vanished.

“Mostly?” Keiko asked.

Washu waved the principal off. “Minor adept ability and training. Your not remotely as interesting as real dragons that have learned to fold space, nor all the others. Perhaps I could get some tissue samples and design an even more powerful ship than Ryo-Ohki.”

“Please don't,” Katsuhito begged.

They approached a field just filled with ships. Surrounding it were dragons of all types. The pair that flew off with Ranko and Villa were just touching down.

“I'm glad we added landing legs to her. We could have beamed down, but this seems better somehow,” said Jenna.

They gently touched down in the large field.

Their view screen lit up. Captain Picard appeared on it.

He asked, “To what do we owe the pleasant surprise? We had thought you went to be with the others you had recently helped.”

“Please ask everyone who did what they had to do in the last battle to meet us on Avalon, and assign someone to watch over the rest of the people here,” said Jenna.

“Alright. I'll tell them, and I'll do the second part myself if you want.”

“Thanks.”

Jenna, Lacus, Takasugi, Ryo, and Izumi vanished in a flash.

“They left us,” Washu complained.

Picard beamed in.

“Can we go to Avalon as well, or at least near the ship?” asked Washu.

“Do you know what is going on?” asked Picard.

“Only guesses. Can we go?”

“Enterprise. Beam everyone here to near Avalon and have someone secure this ship.”

“Now just what is going on?” the Captain asked.

“Healing I think,” said Washu.

“You want to do what?” Rommie exclaimed, and then her counterpart nodded.

“Just sleeping near their bond helped us. We figure let them maybe kiss a bit and we not automatically reject their input and let the whole thing resonate a bit, if carefully,” said Ranko.

“I'm unsure if this is wise, but we need it I think. Too many of us hurt too much,” said Lya softly.

“I can't believe we are contemplating a controlled resonant cascade of well love, lust, whatever,” said Ayiana.

“Sounds good to me,” said Aya. Kasumi, leaning into her only smiled a sad yet fond smile.

“I think it will be safe enough. This is controlled. We need to heal, and yes it will unbalance every single one of us, but I'll take unbalanced over this in a heartbeat. I say we do this,” said Canal.

“I agree. We hurt too much. We can't heal, because we all hurt and it circles,” said Lafiel. Jinto and Dana nodded.

“I too agree. This is necessary. We need supervision though. Connect me to Heimdall,” said Deanna.

The screen lit up showing the Asgard in his usual state of lack of clothing. “How can I help you?”

“We are going to initiate a controlled well warmth, love, maybe lust energy wave. Can you please monitor us and beam us out if it becomes a good idea to do so. Yes, we know this will unbalance us all,” stated Deanna.

“I understand. I will monitor and take necessary actions.”

“Thank you my friend.”

“You are of course always welcome,” the Asgard replied.

“So you want us to kiss or what? No pressure of course,” asked Takasugi.

Ayiana said from next to Lya, “The four you brought will amplify it, as will this ship. Just focus on the warmth you feel for each other, and try to avoid, well, more interesting emotions. You probably will wish to stand, since it is easier for a group hug that way.”

The groups formed up in layers, each around the next. The ship hearts were no exception, with Avalon easily hosting them all.

All three blushed furiously even as they did what was asked tightly pulling each of them to each other as they released the control they had over their life energy and gladly let it flow into the room. Lacus, Jenna, Ranko, and Villa were around them next with all the others in rings around them.

“It's coming,” said Washu.

Picard felt it then. It was like laying on the beach at Risa with Vash curled at his side. Remarkable. It lasted for nearly an hour and then it was gone. They felt so much less from the loss.

“They will be fine,” Washu said more than a bit fondly.

“I'm sure they will,” agreed Picard.

Heimdall noted that they all appeared intent on sleep, and quickly started beaming over pillows and blankets. A real bed would be better, but this was more important he thought. He sent a polite request to Avalon's system to raise the temperature a couple of degrees and was unsurprised that one of them had already done so. He walked down the hall to the kitchen and the replicator and ordered one of Sisko's raktajinos before carying it back to his station and sipping on it. He would be up the rest of the night monitoring them, but that was fine.

He was a bit surprised when the new pink haired not child walked in an hour or so later.

“I was sure that I locked the exterior door.”

“Don't worry. I have a way with technology. I assure you it is locked it again.”

“What can I do for you?” the Asgard asked.

“Could you tell me about this Alliance?”

“If you like, or I could unlock a station and you can read about it.”

“I'd rather hear it. I know dimly of your species which is amazing really. Space and dimensions are so very vast that one as old as I barely knows of ones as old as you.”

“Alright. It seems I will be up watching over them anyway. Would you like something to drink?”

“Perhaps, what your having?”

“I'll show you how the replicator works.”

They got down to the kitchen. “Another gift?” she asked.

“We had never seriously considered using matter replication for food. We can do it, but this is designed to do it, and yes, it was a very much appreciated gift, even if it does shorten the lifespan of our neutrino ion reactors.”

“I know a thing or two about such technology, maybe I can help you improve them.”

Heimdall nodded, accepting the possibility that it may be true.

She took her cup and walked back with Heimdall to the bridge. They talked through the night. At lunch the next day they announced that they had, they believed, solved how a living ship could recharge their own zero point modules. Full capacity was not yet possible, though they though they might manage twenty or twenty five percent.

Canal was the first to speak. “Avalon's are completely flat. We used the rest on our last mission, and while we seldom need them, being able to recharge them even to ten percent would be a great comfort.”

The others had returned, but Ryo, Izumi, and Takasugi were still on Avalon. It was just over two weeks later and they could finally let go of each other, though it was still something they did seldom. They hadn't kissed since the bonding. They had been warned that such things might be best to avoid until they had stabilized everything and balanced their energies.

Ryo well remembered the nights of being so cold, even if Izumi and Takasugi were with her. They were better now finally, and so was everyone else. They all resolved to need to resort to the soul of ice as little as possible.

Washu, Heimdall, and Katsuhito were there as well as they sat in the back of Avalon's main power room.

Canal announced, “I'm taking her into the Corona. Is everyone ready to try this?”

Jinto said, “As we will ever be.”

“It will be fine,” Washu assured them.

“Let's do it,” Dana said.

“Agreed,” Lafiel said.

Washu walked over to the top of the round column in the power room that held all the ZPMs and pushed on the little octagonal plate. Nothing happened.

Jinto chuckled. “She won't obey any request like that without one of us approving. Try now.”

Washu rolled her eyes as she pressed again. The roughly two thirds sized zero point module slowly rose from its place. Its glow was completely absent.

Jinto, Canal, Lafiel, and Dana sat on the floor facing each other. Washu handed the module to Canal gently, who set it down between them.

Washu said, “You are linked to a universe. That is of course cheating, and I won't ask how you pulled off that particular miracle, but it does help you here. That too, is a universe.”

“Please explain,” asked Lafiel.

“It is an artificial pocket universe engineered and slowly built over time to contain astronomical amounts of energy in the form of proto matter, or in other words matter that is ready to spontaneously decay to energy.”

Dana asked, “You mean like our hidden weapons space?” She pulled out a communicator and a small vial out of nowhere before she put them back.

“What a silly name, but yes, it is somewhat like that. I assume you all know the dangers of such spaces. Don't let one collapse, and if you must destroy it, take everything, and I mean everything out and do so slowly.”

“We know,” Dana said.

“Of course you do. Did anyone die to gain that bit of knowledge?”

“No,” Dana said. “It was, however, instrumental in saving Ayiana.”

“Remarkable. So that is how they did it. Don't tell anyone that.”

They nodded.

“Now you can use your skill with life energy to slowly and carefully open that pocket now that its empty. I repeat do not ever try this on a module with any power whatsoever left. You will be dead, and probably many more as well, unless it resists the attempt. It should, but don't count on it. Verify it is absolutely empty as many times as it takes to be absolutely and completely sure.”

Dana asked, “Are you saying we open it and refill it, then let the seal snap shut?”

“In essence, but it is going to be difficult to balance the energies. Take your time. Open it as slowly as you can. Close it twice that slowly.”

“This is not unlike building drones, just much higher energy levels,” said Canal.

“I've never studied Alteren drones, so I don't actually know, but what you say fits.”

“What else?” asked Jinto.

Heimdall said, “The main thing is to have that control program Washu and I built ready and active. It doesn't actually recharge the modules, but if it detects an instability it will force a temporary stable state into the module and the transporters will force beam it away as fast as possible. That temporary stable state is just that, temporary. It is ten to fifteen seconds at best. After that it will explode violently. There is no recovery if that is activated. Do not try. The program will bring shields to absolute maximum as well, if they aren't already there. You can augment that if you react in time. Do so, if you can.”

Dana said, amused, “This is even more fun than building our improved drone modules.”

“That is the problem with extremely powerful power sources. At least with these the danger is over a brief period. I assume you don't want a warp core, given you are all tied closely now to the ship,” said Heimdall.

Many heads shaken made that much obvious.

“Sometimes, I wish we could take the long way,” said Jinto wistfully.

“The Furling are willing to give us their next set as planned in a couple months, but it will be years before they have more after that. They need those if they can keep them,” said Dana.

“We did repair and upgrade the previous outpost you found, as well as repairing the region of space and adding suitable security. That will generate about two a year. We also built a second site with similar security that will do about the same rate. It isn't enough. Our burn rate is much higher than that. It is slowing, and we are considering changing to warp cores for some of our capital ships, to get the energy we need for weapons and propulsion. That would mean we could keep most of the power modules for the living ships, who would probably never be able to stand a warp core,” said Heimdall.

“Aren't we also facing fewer threats that need the additional energy?” asked Lafiel.

“Maybe. It is too soon to tell, and new ones could come at any time. I'd rather be prepared,” Heimdall responded.

“We are in position. Shields are doing fine against the Star's plasma. Are we ready to do this?” asked Canal.

“I vote yes,” said Jinto.

“Yes,” Dana added.

“Yes,” Lafiel said.

“I vote yes as well,” Canal said.

They joined hands. Their power swelling between them.

“Do not pull power from your universe. For one, we haven't modeled that kind of inflow rate. For another, no one else can do it. We want to keep this the same as the others. Only use that power to protect yourselves, us, and the ship,” said Washu.

“We are opening the bottle,” said Dana.

“Use your soul of ice technique to increase your focus and bring the temperature of the power module down as cold as you can,” added Washu.

It suddenly became bitterly cold.

“Good, you have made a connection with the pocket universe. Now, you don't want any of your life energy in here. That is a dumb power module, not a living universe. Pull what you need from the star only and channel it inside. Your life energy is only to protect and guide it, never to mix.”

At the top of it it seemed to become brighter than the sun as energy came in from somewhere, even as the ship got colder. Washu began frantically typing at her terminal.

“There, that rate will do. Keep it up, no faster, and no slower. At this rate you have two hours to go, and we might manage twenty percent.”

They proceeded without further words, slowly sealing the pocket universe mere seconds after the two hours was up. Washu typed some more, and kept reading and analyzing for several more minutes. Heimdall also took a station and began his own, pulling in Washu's work.

“It worked as planned,” he said, not a little surprised.

“Do you doubt the greatest scientific genius in the universe?”

“No, I would not do that,” Heimdall replied drolly.

“We taught him his sense of humor,” added Dana.

“I believe it was mostly you. You were always getting into trouble as a child,” Heimdall pointed out.

“Because I knew how much you loved to run around and find us.”

“You are mistaken,” Heimdall insisted a touch quickly.

“Am I?” Dana asked softly.

“The others will not have missed you so much.”

“Because time hasn't come round yet. We still have years yet.”

“Perhaps we taught you all too well,” Heimdall mused.

“I'd say you taught them just right,” Katsuhito responded.

“What about the other six? I don't think I trust myself to do another of those today. That was not easy,” asked Jinto.

Heimdall said, “We will of course wait. Since this ship has the maximum ability to pull this off safely, we likely will do all seven here before trying with anyone else. Hopefully we can learn something in the process to improve on it.”

“Well I'll pulling us out of this star then. Even if I know the shields are keeping us safe. We still feel the heat as if it is on our skin,” added Jinto.

“Would you like me to do the honors?” asked Washu.

“Sure, why not?” Canal asked, before handing the module to Washu who deftly checked over the now brightly glowing module before slipping it back in its slot and pressing down on the close mechanism. It lit up even brighter before the case closed fully.

Canal said, “All my initial checks seem good, but we need to check one under load, which means wasting the energy in one and potentially having to redo it, though I guess we don't have to waste all the energy.”

Jinto said, “We could take those three home. If we do it emergency speed and then make sure our trip was clean on the way back we should probably use up a chunk.”

Ryo whined, “I don't want to go back to school so soon.”

Dana said, “You might as well enjoy it while you can. We were just showing you this, just in case you are ever called on to do similar in the future.”

Takasugi asked, “Do you think that is likely?”

“No,” Canal said. “I think we are okay, though you might end up flying a ship like the Nirvana class or similar. They are slower, but still very good. Come on, let's head to the bridge. I've already let the rest know we will be back before long.”

Washu said, “My daughter is looking for me.”

“Your link?” asked Kasuhito.

She nodded. “It isn't as strong as what all you have, but certain things do get conveyed no matter how far.”

Canal asked, “Should we go there first?”

“Please do. I can't tell exactly why she is looking for me, but she seldom does very often without need.”

“Does it appear life or death?” Lafiel asked.

“She is worried, but not that much I don't think.”

Canal said, “Updated plans sent. Bringing plasma neutrino reactors to maximum and bringing online what will shortly be a less than twenty two percent ZPM. Heimdall please do a second check.”

Heimdall worked at a his console quickly and ten seconds later he said, “Your good to go.”

They all four said as one, “Diving.”

Washu said, “Remarkable. You don't even need to be on the bridge anymore do you? You cooperate as if you are one from anywhere? I assume you are all still retaining individuality.”

“We are fine,” Dana said, “And yes, we are still who we always were.”

“We will be there in a few minutes,” said Jinto.

Washu looked at her screen. “Your drive emissions are not great compared to what the White Star was doing, but your also going nearly ten times faster.”

Heimdall said, “They are well under our maximums, but I think it may be time to lower those maximums, particularly for non emergency situations.”

“Your probably right,” Dana said, then added, “Though I can't see us ever using a ZPM or risking pulling power from that universe for a non emergency situation, and without the extra power we literally can't go fast enough to be a problem. This is especially true now that we know the effort to fill them, even partially.”

Heimdall said, “It would be more for other ships than you. Have you done any more fold jumps?”

“No,” Canal said. “In principle they were simple, and I'm sure we could do them again, but something makes us wary if it isn't important enough, and so far it hasn't been.”

“The Throne from Jurai can do them,” said Katsuhito.

Heimdall asked, “You have a ship that can cross space and dimensions in an instant with a proven technology?”

Katsuhito said, “Crossing space, yes. I do not believe that even Jurai's top ship can cross dimensions.”

Washu snorted. “And that is likely why it cannot. If you think about it, that ship uses Jurai power, which can cross dimensions. The ship could too, with the right one in control.”

Heimdall blinked then said, “I would like to see this ship. We thought we were the first.”

“Fifth I think,” Washu said, then added after a few seconds, “Though you are the only other one I know that still exists. Still, creation is a big place, and as you have just pointed out there is a lot even I don't know, which is perhaps, as it should be.”

“We will be there very shortly. We should go to the bridge. We will need more than just a dimension soon,” said Canal.

Washu said, “I can give you a direction once we exit.”

Washu's directions had them head first to Jurai. They emerged onto a scene out of nightmare.

“We are fully cloaked. I suggest we remain that way until we understand the situation.” said Canal.

“Something is gravely wrong. Those are pirate and criminal vessels, and there are hundreds of them. Where is the Emperor? Where is Tenchi? Where are the others?” asked Katsuhito.

“I wish Lumiere was here right now, but we left without her,” added JInto.

Washu glanced over momentarily but was back to furious typing. “My daughter is vaguely in the direction of Earth, but I can't tell you more. Not Earth. Maybe a third of the way. Let me try to open a signal with my own security codes. Ryo-Ohki should hear.”

A battered pirate, Tenchi, Ayeka,Sasami, and two slightly older women were in the scene.

“Washu, where are you?” asked the pirate.

“I'm over Jurai in a cloaked vessel. What happened?”

Tenchi said, “The king is dead. Killed by an assassin. Jurai won't hold out long. We tried to fight them and only barely got away in time.”

“We will take care of it Tenchi. At least Funaho and Misaki got away,” said Washu.

“You can't Miss Washu. There are too many of them.”

“And if Jurai falls, this whole region of space will descend into chaos. I think my new friends can take care of it, if they are willing.”

“What you say must be proved before we will kill on that level,” said Canal.

“I'll get you what you need,” said Washu. Then she turned back to Tenchi and the others. “Stay out of it. We will come for you when we can. Take care of those two.”

The screen went dark.

“Why haven't they landed? Our sensors detect probably less than a hundred of the invaders on the planet,” added Jinto.

Ryo asked, “Do you have to kill them?”

“We have a Stargate here, but unless you can give us a target gate, we physically don't have a place to keep them all. I suppose we could forge another. This all assumes they have no shields and we can collect them,” said Dana.

“Show me this gate,” Washu said.

It appeared in the air before them as a three dimensional hologram.

“I've got one of these. Do you have plans? I could modify mine to connect, and then dump them all in a nice subspace jail on Earth. We'd have to figure out how to feed them and a few might die, but not nearly so many.”

The plans appeared on her screen.

“I can do this,” she said a few minutes later.

Lafiel said, “We are now en-route to Earth to drop you off. Could you also take care of these three. They cannot easily help, and they would be in danger here.”

“Are you sure? You will be nearly all alone,” Washu said.

“You probably need the help more than us right now, and we do have Heimdall here,” said Jinto.

“There is plenty of space in the house,” Katsuhito said.

Dana said, “I'm sending where a spare dimensional com is stored. Go get it. I know you could make one in time, but getting the details right would probably take awhile.”

Washu quickly fetched the little cube and returned. They waited several more minutes to get to Earth before they beamed down to the coordinates she gave.

Katsuhito said, “You three can make yourself at home in the main house. I'm going to help Washu.”

“Can't we help?” Ryo asked.

“I'm willing to train people with potential, when there is time. There is not now. Yosho, I mean Katsuhito is enough,” said Washu.

They all sat on the couch with the wall sized television turned on the news before they gave up on that too and turned it off.

“I wish we could have stayed,” said Izumi,

“I didn't want to distract their focus by arguing. I figured it would make matters worse. Let's hope they can do it,” said Takasugi. Both girls leaned into either of his sides as they were reluctantly lulled to sleep.

Washu came up eight hours later to see them still sleeping. She said cheerily, “You can wake up now. It is over.”

“Are they okay?” asked Ryo.

“They are fine. Katsuhito is asleep in his new bed on Jurai. The crew of Avalon is in orbit over Jurai. They are exhausted but they got the job done, with some help from the galaxy police. Tenchi and the others are returning to Jurai.”

“How?” Takasugi asked.

“They beamed them out of all their ships and over an open wormhole into my counterpart gate which ended with them all locked up at my latest test of a Mihoshi proof area. Well it is proof against everyone but Mihoshi at least. They had to destroy a few ships, but by then the galaxy police were showing up. They just gave the Galaxy Police the Stargate and notes how to connect here and a second communicator to talk to me. I've been funneling prisoners back to the Galaxy Police cells all night.”

Washu yawned.

“And those on the planet?” Izumi asked.

“They got those as well. They just beamed up everyone they suspected to a holding cell on a GP ship. There were a few easily sorted mistakes, but it was done mostly bloodlessly. The Jurian forces caught the three they missed and as I said Katsuhito, or should I say Yosho is sleeping in his bed on Jurai. He, was, in fact the former Emperor's son. He didn't particularly want the job, but he will do it, till Tenchi is ready. I even got what I wanted.”

“What was that?” Izumi asked.

“I get all the pirate ships. It will fill my subspace laboratory back up with raw material. Sure they are junk, but I can use them as a starting point. My goal, once I get them, is to build a decent ship for myself. I could get you home if it came to that, though it would probably take me months to build a ship and more months to find the right dimension. Fortunately, you don't have to wait. They will be here tomorrow.”

“That's great,” Izumi said, obviously not meaning it.

“Get your parents to agree and you can probably stay, if you want, but you still have to go back to school,” Washu said.

“Oh sure that's going to work,” said Takasugi.

Washu smiled. “Tenchi and the others are remaining on Jurai for now. It might turn out permanent, now that Tenchi's grandfather is Emperor. I'm honestly not sure I'll stay here beyond building a ship and connecting my lab to it, though I know Katsuhito would appreciate three new shrine acolytes taking care of the place.”

“We are partly trying to avoid the mess when we finally fess up how we won those games. Sure it is putting more on the others, but then if we are gone they can blame some of it on us and everyone wins,” said Ryo.

“You probably should return and do your work there. If you need the help, I can come.”

“What about this place?”

“Tenchi's father may watch it. I don't know. Maybe this Alliance has some people willing?”

Ryo asked, “Can we help some while we are here?”

“You can go clean the shrine. Feel free to practice your skills. Just don't break anything.”

“Alright. Do you have any food first?” asked Takasugi.

“I'll show you the kitchen. Does anyone here cook?” Washu asked.

“I can,” Ryo said.

Washu smiled. “That is good to hear. Without Sasami here most of us might starve.”

Canal and the others walked the halls of the Galaxy Police space station until they came to a large auditorium. They were led inside by the overall commander of the Galaxy Police. The room was packed with several thousand officers of all races and gender.

“I just wanted you to see what your help helped save. Everyone here was heading for Jurai. We were still expecting heavy losses before we got that under control, if we were able to. They had reinforcements coming too.”

Canal replied loud enough to be heard to the gathered crowd, “We just had a different transporter technology and the right people at the right time. Washu's habit to collect things also helped.”

“We got readings on your transports. There are techs already trying to copy it, which means that sooner or later there will be techs trying to update the standard blocks to such technology. It doesn't matter. You saved lives. Let's give them all a warm welcome ladies and gentlemen.”

They got a massive standing ovation.

Canal looked at the others, seeing if anyone wished to speak.

Lafiel said softly, “If you do not wish it...”

Canal said, “Please do.”

Lafiel walked up to the podium. “Hello, my name is Lafiel Abriel. At one time it seemed that I was destined to, if I didn't die, rule half a galaxy.” She looked them all briefly in the eyes as she swept over the crowd. She continued. “In truth that expectation has been something I've been dreading for a very long time. How could I be nearly as wise as those who came before me? I had no idea, but I do have a duty, and that duty will almost certainly yet come to me one day or another.” She paused again and then she smiled fondly.

“In truth, the calling that most appeals to us now is the traditional duty ships like ours took in days long ago. Avalon is part of the Alliance, of which we hope the Galaxy Police will also become part one day, and Jurai as well. Our ship, Avalon, was called into being through great sacrifice to first save our friends. Together, we have great power to destroy. Too much, most would say. We have tried, together with the rest of the Alliance, to instead heal when we could; to stop the madness and the hatred, or if not then to at least buy time for tempers to cool. That is a hard ideal to live up to. When we were there before Jurai facing all that we almost committed to the grim duty of destroying them all.”

She let her words sink in for a bit before continuing. “Fortunately a friend we recently met, that another of our party fell head first in love inspired us to work harder at finding non lethal solutions. Another we recently met asked the same. Even more fortunately, yet another had just the thing to make it possible. That is the strength of the Alliance; the people you meet. Their contributions make us so much stronger than we would be alone. We can't thank Lacus or Ryo enough for reminding us to preserve life when we can. There is so much darkness in the world, and you certainly don't want to end up dead giving second and third chances to people that are trying to kill you or innocents, but alongside the darkness there is so much light, if you only look around to see it. We also can't thank Washu enough for actually having a gate that with could pair with our own, though I suppose I should say your own now. We will build or pick up another.”

She paused again and once more looked at what they had here and smiled just a bit more. “It seems such a short time ago that I formally swore the oath. Actually Canal, can you project the original, perhaps using their systems?”

Canal walked up to the podium. “I can. It was shortly after Avalon was truly born. We were in a bit of a desperate situation then, but the Oath of a ranger is sacred to us. I was to be, once again, the heart of a Ranger ship. It was not a role I ever wished to have again, and thanks to more good fortune than any deserve, we share that role equally now. I told them then, “If you will be my strength, then I will be yours, and together we will wander the stars and guard what is precious to us. Now here is Lafiel's response as requested:”

The lights dimmed and in front of them the floor of Avalon seemed to form as Lafiel prepared to swear alongside the others.

She swore, “I Lafiel Abriel, daughter of Plakia Lexshue and Dubeusec Abriel, granddaughter of Empress Erumita Ramaj do so swear to uphold the honor of my ancestors, the Alliance, and my partners; to defend the innocent, to stand on the bridge, so that while we exist no evil may cross until the day I step down or die in this service.”

Lafiel spoke again. “That is our duty. It is what we swore, and how we wish to live and one day die, with our friends at our side.”

The place was silent.

“What we see here is simply amazing. It truly is. Look around. See through our eyes what you have achieved here. People from all parts of the galaxy, all working together for a common purpose; all taking their time to stand on that bridge. You are a dream given form and something we yet strive to achieve so many other places. You are the ideal made whole for what we hoped to achieve so many places. We salute you all.”

Lafiel and all the other three did just that, and were half surprised when all there did the same, and then the moment was over.

Just as she was about to leave their host asked, “Won't you stay for questions?”

Lafiel looked sheepish, and quite greatful when Jinto stood and stepped to the podium. He said, with amusement in his tone, “We totally were not just trying to just sneak off.”

The crowd laughed.

He said, “Feel free to ask anything you like. I can't promise all will be answered.” He turned to see Lafiel and Dana looking at him fondly. He smiled back before facing the audience again.

A few chuckles were added to that.

“What part of the Galaxy does the Alliance serve?”

Jinto responded, “None. We are from different dimensions. We came here originally to answer a distress call. Quite honestly, unless we are called, we are unlikely to spend much time here as we do not seem to be really needed here. You don't know how nice it is to say that. Perhaps we could plan a vacation here?”

Several shouted their agreement, and even suggested planets. Then several more asked, “Do you need help?”

“Sometimes. We will make sure we leave a radio so we keep in touch.”

“Are you married to those three?” asked Another.

“I am bonded to Lafiel and Dana. No, we are not formally married, but the commitment is greater, if anything. I treasure them both in ways I cannot begin to express. Canal Volfield did us the great honor of joining us on our journey. We love her dearly, but not like that.”

“Will you marry them?”

Jinto blushed furiously. Behind him Lafiel and Dana did the same.

“What kind of question is that to spring on a guy?” he complained loudly.

Calls urging him to do it now were yelled from the crowd.

He sighed, though the sigh ended with a smile. He then turned and looked at the pair fondly. Paying no attention to the fact that he was still amplified, he said, “I've thought about this for a long time, though in my dreams I always was far more prepared than this.”

Dana and Lafiel smiled urging him on.

Jinto calmly used his own ki to slice a long chunk of his hair away, carefully splitting it into two piles. He then used it to weave an intricate ring of his own hair, still somehow thin and fragile, despite the amount of hair he included in it. He then repeated the process a second time, forming an identical ring. Then then knelt before them both, making sure to be exactly between the pair.

“Will each of you do me the honor of helping me complete these rings for the other?”

“We will,” they said as one. Lafiel and Dana soon detached a similar amount of hair. First Jinto and Dana together wove their hair together along with a trickle of each of their own personal thinner than water like essence. The ring glowed softly as they gently set it down. Lafiel looked on it fondly and then helped Jinto repeat the process with Dana's ring. Together they held it out to her as she accepted it, intertwining a trickle of her own essence in it as they together slipped it on Dana's ring finger.

Dana and Jinto then did the same for Lafiel as she too twined her own essence in it as they slipped it on her finger. Finally, Lafiel and Dana then took their remaining hair and together built Jinto his own ring repeating the process once more. He accepted it twining his own essence with the precious seemingly delicate ring. Suddenly a wave of warmth burst from them all, enveloping the room to vast applause.

Dana kissed him softly on the lips. He treasured it for nearly a minute before cautiously backing away and approaching Lafiel, who gave an equally sweet kiss, before Dana and Lafiel kissed leaving him with an even dopier look.

The audience cheered again.

Their host said, “And if you want to get a formal marriage, I hear Jurai holds the absolute best weddings.”

Dana rescued him and said, “We will talk.”

The crowd chuckled.

Dana walked up just before them, took each by a hand and rose in the air before they all flew away and out the way they came.

Their host met up with them a few minutes later in the hallway. “Nicely done. Do you need any help making sure those rings hold up?”

Canal said, “If you don't mind, Hiemdall and I can work on that.”

“Thank you,” all three replied.

“Then I wish you well with but one more thing. Instead of you having to make one of your own and give it to us, I'll give you one of our own dimensional radios. We do not have many ships that can cross, but we do have some, since criminals do sometimes flee that way. If you will follow me back to my office I will get it for you.”

“Thank you,” Canal replied.

“It isn't a problem. I know there are times we all could use a hand. I am glad you were able to transport them mostly from stealth and end this before it got messy. I'd have probably been glad if you had to end most of them. Oh, I'd regret the loss of life, but at the same time be glad so many of ours would come home this day.”

Dana said, “We understand.”

“I suppose you do at that. I won't keep you. Let me get you that radio and you can go, unless you want a medal or something,” he said amused.

“Please no,” Canal said. The others nodded.

“I didn't think you would care for such things. The offer of aid, however, was real. Don't forget it.”

“We won't,” Jinto promised.

“Captain's log. This respite on this very lovely world was nice. Seeing Avalon refill their energy source was impressive, though I still preferred a warp core, or two in this ships case, even if they are smaller. The sentience that is slowly emerging clearly has them under full control, much like well trained puppies. We stayed until Avalon recharged several and then Nozomi recharged her first. There were differences for sure, but the number of things that were the same were remarkable. Geordi reports that Heimdall had turned over their planned warp core designs for their new capital ships. They wanted to avoid using the things, and he thought they would soon be relegated to the dust bin of history, except for those ships like their own that needed such vast quantities of energy. Their power modules were the better option, if you had the time, which, they sadly didn't, at least not for everything.”

He drank a sip of his tea and then continued, “Geordi offered to hand carry them to Utopia Planetia where they would be studied and reviewed by Starfleet's finest to look for problems and improvements. This sharing and cooperation was what the Federation had been about in the beginning, yet it seemed to lose its way for a time. I am glad we are finding it again.”

He paused as he drank nearly the rest of his cup before resuming. “The method they used to destroy the entity known as Dormammu should not be used again if there is any other alternative, and perhaps not even then. If I had the skill to use such a thing, which I do not, I would prefer to die in the process than become what I saw them becoming after the one sustained use. They sacrificed a portion of their souls to do what they did, and while they may recover in time, it is a horrible risk. They recovered some here, but I'm sure it was not all, and the miracle inspired by the young baseball players may not be so easy to repeat in the future. If such a horrible skill was ever used in a long protracted war then I very much fear those who used it could easily become worse than what they fight.”

Another pause. “That is the problem though. The Enterprise launched every quantum torpedo we had. The others worked similarly, but with launched and energy weapons. They didn't work. Even their strongest attacks failed. Dormammu could become as nothing one instant and launch devastatingly lethal attacks the next. Only one ship putting itself in the way of another kept anyone's shields from failing totally, and it had been very close. Had the entity been able to summon more power at a single moment there is no doubt in my mind that we would all be dead now. His amorphous nature both protected him and weakened him.”

One final drink and the cup was empty. The looked at it sadly before sitting it down.

“In the end they had been forced to use the plan they really didn't want to use, and it was not quick, or pretty. Their ships enhanced it to a ridiculous degree, particularly Avalon, but it was a very slow and awful slog. May I never see such a thing again. You could see it in their expressions every time they called on that forbidden power, it not only diminished Dormammu, but also the ones calling on it. Everyone on the Enterprise, including Data, could feel it. It is with my highest recommendation that we minimize calls on the Alliance for help until they have more time to recover and be ready to help where we can. They did their duty, no matter the personal cost. We need to do ours as well. Ezri believes they will heal now, with time. She was less than certain before. Life grows. When together it heals and renews. They invoked its opposite, knowing the consequence.”

“Computer end log entry and classify as Top Secret with access limited to those on the Dormammu project or their successors.”

“Log entry recorded. Classification updated. As per protocol this record will not be sent over subspace, but will be updated the next time we are within matter transmission range of a destination approved for record storage and transmission of such entries.”

“Computer record new entry.”

“Begin when ready.”

“Ezri Dax returned to us from time away with the Alliance as she recovered and healed from the completely unplanned and unsought merging with the Dax symbiont. I believe the time away did her a great amount of good and gave her time to find the balance she needed once more. I wish to note that I have received many notes of appreciation from my crew and others for her help after the last incident. She helped me as well. She understands more and did a remarkable job with not just our crew, but many of the members of the Alliance during the weeks afterwards that we spent recovering from that mission. Because of her remarkable work operating at a level far above what I would expect of her current rank I recommend her immediate promotion two ranks to the rank of Lieutenant commander. This is not simply a result of her joining. That originally looked uncertain. I think Ezri herself found the strength to bring all aspects of herself together into something new. My talks with Commander Sisko reveal that she is much different than the former Jadzia Dax, yet no less strong for it. She is still deciding if she will stay with us on the Enterprise, or return to her new friends in the Alliance, or even return to DS9. I think she has been searching for the place she is needed most. If the occasion occurs, perhaps we can help her find it. Perhaps there should be such a thing as a dedicated medical vessel, but one that focuses on healing that which doctors do not. I do not know, but perhaps it should be explored. In fact, I think I will bring it up with the Alliance. Computer end recording and send to Starfleet command.”

Picard left his room and met Captain Riker in the conference room on the bridge. He asked, “You sent the recommendation in for Ezri?”

“I did. I also noted I would approach the Alliance.”

Riker smiled. “I did as well. I bet you she gets such a ship. Well, it will probably be an existing medical with a larger than normal counseling staff for now. I know that such missions do come up far too often to just leave them up to whichever generic ship gets to the scene. I hate to lose her, and now we both need to find new crew members.”

“I'm still annoyed you got Data to sign up with you,” Picard said.

“Well, I'm the one that just got the normal ship. Yours makes tea before you get to the replicator. I need the help.”

“You might at that Will. You might at that. Did your new ship get a name?”

Riker said, “I asked the TSAB if they would mind if we took the name of the ship that was nearly destroyed saving one of our planets. They said yes.”

“Artha then. It is a good name.”

“The others?” Picard asked.

“Two more are in the testing phase, putting us at six so far. If a Borg ship comes we will be ready, including for their dividing trick, or at least we hope we will.”

Picard nodded.

Canal answered the call from the Enterprise. They had not quite finished their ZPM energy reload, partly because they had been reloading others. The newer hearts and partners were not entirely confident of their ability to safely do this task, so they gladly did two dozen more. Kasumi, Aya, and Rommie did four of their own, as did Nabiki and her partners. The extra got divided up between those who did not yet feel comfortable with the task, which was fair enough, given that they had to walk into the outer regions of a sun and do a task at least three times as difficult as building drones this way.

She opened the connection.

“Greetings Canal. The others are busy I take it?” asked Picard.

Canal smiled. “Now that they are actually a more adult age in body, not just in soul, Eclair and Lumiere are on separate dates. I suspect nothing will come of it, but they did seem to be having fun. La Muse is docked with Avalon and Wirbelwind is eager to help. As to the other three. They are somewhere far south on Pern, getting into some trouble I'm sure. They earned it.”

“Of that I have no doubt. I forwarded an idea to the Federation that I hoped I could get a bit of your help with. In truth it is a tiny bit of a ruse, unless it is not. Will and I wanted to propose a new class of medical ship, that has primarily counselor support. We are hoping Ezri will be key to that. We also might have mentioned contacting the Alliance to see what you thought.”

“Your hoping your people will be more eager to support this, if only to keep us from poaching more of your people?”

“We are actually good if it works out either way, but yes, the thought did occur to us,” admitted Picard.

“I suspect we can come up with something. I assume you won't mind if we try to fill multiple goals?”

“Of course not,” Picard said.

“Would you like us to discuss it, and then talk to Ezri?” asked Canal.

“If you could that would be great.”

“I think I'll beam down there and see what they are up to, then get their thoughts. I could fly, but there is no real need. Our range away from Avalon seems to be well at least as far as a planet now,” said Canal.

“Sounds good. Now is there anything we can do to help you? I noticed the other five were enjoying shore leave, yet you are not.”

“I'm fine. I truly am. Oh, I have never found my true love in life, though perhaps it was Kain and I missed it. I hear that does happen. Either way, your suggested mission, does sound like a good idea. I think we might also do something to help Jinto's people. I know they are devoting so many resources there to their war machine. We might be able to help. Do you think we could borrow someone with better medical skills? Ours are not bad, but as you saw with the Teplan we do not consider our knowledge base sufficient to do some things safely. Actually scratch that. I bet we can get help from either the Abh or the Coordinators. Getting them involved would be useful. Coordinator doctors might be better. We will just leave off the bit about them being genetically modified.”

Picard chuckled. “I assume somewhere at the end you will let that little fact slip at an appropriate time.”

Canal replied, “Perhaps. Perhaps not. How goes the situation with the Dominion?”

“Stable for now. Some of the Vedeks insist that passage through the wormhole be permitted again. We are adamantly refusing and given that they don't want to be left without Federation protection they are dealing with it.”

“Good. The work we did there. We still aren't sure if it will change the Founders, though we have hope. It is probably best to leave them alone for now and wait till they approach us. We could of course be wrong. It is a complex issue, but a lot of good people are going to die if we force it. Some will die if we don't. Perhaps in a year or so we can visit if there has been no contact.”

“That is more or less the Federation consensus. The Borg are considered the primary focus of our resources. Some want to actively go remove them from existence,” added Captain Picard.

“Be very very careful. Coordinate any such attack with the Alliance. Even if they don't agree to commit large resources, it is likely some will be sent to try to be sure your technology is not captured. You can also call us. We still don't like the solutions we have found. The Ion cannons seem to work, for now at least. Perhaps you need a Stargate or something to push all the bodies through to medical stasis on an isolated planet? Your own medical abilities can and have repaired the damage, if you have enough time.”

“If we did such a thing, we would want to try to pick off a ship that we could prevent from communicating and process them all. If they get knowledge of the attack out, I bet it will fail next time. When could you provide the gates?”

“I need to confirm it, but I can probably give out the design plans and theory, to at least your group, then you could build what you needed to build. These things have risks. They are all very manageable, but if your going to use the technology you need to understand those risks.”

“Of course. We will be grateful for the help. What is the biggest risk?”

“Connecting to a gate near a black hole once happened on Sam's Earth. That could have destroyed the planet. It is also possible to, by mistake or intention introduce material into a sun that will destabilize it. The stock gates have layers and layers of protections against this, but even if we gave you those, you know more than enough to work around those protections without fully understanding the risks. Better to know them from the beginning.”

“Agreed. That knowledge will have to be extremely limited if it can do what you say.”

“It isn't exactly wrote on the gate anywhere, and if it did happen and we learned quickly enough we could fix it, probably. You could do a similar effort with the phasing bombs tech, which is another reason they are as classified as they are. I also have no doubt you could design shields that last long enough to inject such material into a star. Simple ablative armor would probably last long enough. There are lots of ways to do bad things if you know enough. The subspace weapons you banned could certainly destabilize a star, if not worse. In some ways they are the precursor to actual dimensional bombs. There are certainly too many ways to do these things.”

Picard nodded soberly. “Go enjoy this time off and stop thinking about such dark thoughts, and when you get time, well let us know about the other.”

“I think often of things like Jack O'Neills simple dream of when it is all over spending lazy days fishing, but it will never be all over will it? For every one who avoids the madness and leaves behind creation just a bit better than they arrived, there are so many that do the opposite, often unintentionally. I think I dreamed of turning the page because I could not have what I truly wanted. They were gone. This is not a bad life though, be it long or short, we have made a difference and if all goes well we will continue to do so.”

She added, “I think you are right, not so much about specifically a councilor ship, but about helping people live more fulfilling lives. There are so many ways. In truth, I doubt I would pass the psych tests they gave to Rommie's generation anymore. I have dreamed many times of obtaining a temporal core and stepping back in the past, just to see them. I don't think I would ever do it, but for those of us who have lived so very long our lists of regrets is equally long.”

“And your list of things your proud of?”

“I know. I've heard the lecture, and as some would say, I even have the T-shirt.”

“I'm the last one to lecture anyone on overworking themselves.”

“It is not that. That helps, as does their love. They love me deeply, and if I wished it they would do their best well with other things as well, and in time I think they would mean it, but I don't wish it. Do you know they worked out a way that it makes sense for Lafiel to become Empress, so I could spent time teaching, and that is fun and all...”

“But still not entirely what you are looking for,” he responded.

She nodded.

“Well, I do have a small bit of news for you.”

“Yes?” Canal asked curiously.

“You have a ship and crew that can go anywhere and do almost anything. Perhaps you won't find the ever distant Utopia your ship is named for, but isn't the journey itself a precious thing?”

Canal smiled. She said, “Thank you,” even as tears fell from her eyes.

“No need. I am here to help or to listen, should you ever need it.”

“Thanks, now I'm going to go see what they are doing. They have found something quite interesting. If I focus, I could probably see it, but I want it to be a surprise.”

“Then I wish you a good journey.”

Picard contemplated the conversation he just had. Perhaps this mission could be one to heal more than he thought, though he thought she would be okay. So many were like her, searching for their purpose in life, and forgetting to live it, but he had a feeling that she wouldn't always be so, at least no more than anyone else.

Picard turned to find Q leaning against a wall. Picard nodded his head to him.

“You never were one to surprise easily,” said Q.

“Good evening Q.”

“I suppose it is at that. Remarkable creatures these dragons. Their going between isn't quite the folding that Avalon and a few others can do. It is not instantaneous, but still quite remarkable for an ability born on this planet.”

“Loki thought the dragons were genetically engineered.”

“Oh they are. I stepped back to look. Don't worry I looked, not touched. Kitti Ping Yung was pretty much the top geneticist in the Federated Sentient Planets. She genetically modified a species native to the planet to be used as an aid to fight the menace of Thread. They were smaller then, but she designed in the genetic changes that have led to those in the present day, as well as the increased intelligence. She truly was a brilliant woman. If not for her, the people on this world would be quite dead, though the original species is still around.”

“They just found some, didn't they?” Picard said.

“Perhaps.”

“Should I be doing something to prepare?”

“No need.”

“Did you setup this little event?” asked Picard.

“Only in the smallest of ways. I was uncertain if them meeting was wise, with as complex as their ties are now, but upon a closer look, well, it should be fine. Would you like to watch? This moment will also change this world, and others, in time, if mostly in small ways.”

“Why not?” asked Picard.

Q waved his hand and the display on the wall was soon looking at a new region of Pern.

Canal slowly walked along the beach. The others were up ahead perhaps a half hour away, but she was enjoying her walk, and in no hurry to meet up with them just yet. They were still excited about something, but she wasn't entirely sure what.

She continued to slowly walk, glad to have a real body again. She decided on a whim to beam her shoes and clothes back to the ship and beam in place one of the bathing suits Sam had bought her before. She then continued to walk only to see something tumble down the side of the cliff. What was that in the sky? Some larger bird was attacking it, and starting to dash for what fell. She channeled life energy to her eyes and sharpened her focus. There was a tiny golden dragon fighting off a much larger bird, and the thing that fell was several eggs.

She ran with all her might, never thinking of simply beaming closer as she got closer. Both tiny golden dragon and big whatever bird thing it was ran away when they saw her.

“No!” she screamed. She knew without the mother the eggs would probably not live. She looked for the eggs. Broken. Broken. Both dead. Not broken. She took it softly in her hands and gently caressed it with her own energy. Alive. She had no idea how to treat it, or if even she dared beam it and her, even as she continued to gently caress the egg with her own warmth and energy. She needed help. She didn't know how to keep this wonderful child alive and healthy.

She called mentally for the others. They used their own connection to the ship to transport themselves in front of her.

“You found one,” Dana said with reverence.

Lafiel said, “We saw the little dragons, but never found a nest.”

“Go, find someone who knows how to raise these things. Warm sand I think, but I'd rather be sure, and I don't want to beam the egg without knowing more.”

They vanished. Minutes later Lessa and great Golden Ramoth came out of between above them, with all three on her back.

Lessa listened to the explanation before saying, “The first thing is warmth. If they are like dragons that is in no way warm enough. Warm or hot sand will do for now.”

“Here let me,” Dana said even as she flowed her life energy into the ground and caused it to flow into a small one foot tall hill of sand with a depression in it before she changed what she was doing and the ground was soaked in heat.

Lessa came over and felt it. “Too much. Back off some.”

Dana quickly placed her hands on the ground again, pulling some of the heat away.

Lessa checked again. “That works for now. Place the egg in and cover it with a shallow layer.”

Canal carefully did so.

“Now maintain that temperature. I'm going to go get some others, but for now that is probably enough.”

Canal was lost to the world as she fretted over the precious egg.

“I can take a turn next if you want help keeping the sand warm,” offered Jinto.

Canal nodded absently, even as Lafiel offered to go after.

Less than an hour later they had dozens of experts traipsing around, though they gave her and her precious egg a wide birth. Some suggested dragons flying the egg the long way to safety. Canal snorted at that, even as she mentally commanded Avalon to launch and come get her.

Seconds after that she heard Eclair's communication asking why La Muse, which was still attacked was moving. She informed her. Both transported back to the ship a few minutes later. Lumiere agreed to work on an incubator for her. Lya informed her that she was going to fetch her husband Anteaus who had a greater affinity to animals than her and Ayiana did.

Canal continued to stream the smallest trickle of her own live energy into the little egg, trying to give it the greatest chance of life she could. None of them tried to heal it or anything complex like that. They didn't know enough to risk it.

Avalon arrived less than an hour later. She had not pushed it, and they were quite far into the southern continent.

Lumiere and Eclair beamed down. Eclair was holding a clear round container about a foot in diameter.

Lumiere said, “We have set it to the temperature you recommended. I figure we can load sand in it, then put the egg inside.”

The guild's best dragon healer looked at it with wonder, even as he touched the inside carefully. He said, “Still a little cool, but close.”

Lumiere touched the side, then asked, “Try again?”

He touched it again and then nodded. “Amazing. How does it work?”

Lumiere said, “It is a basic resistance heater. I just used a transparent resistance element inside the glass. There is a roughly thirty day battery in the base. I made sure to add vents so fresh air could enter.”

“Efficient,” the Master Builder said to their side.

“Set it down here please,” said Canal.

Eclair did so. Canal then did something with her life energy and the entire column of sand came up as one unit that she slowly lowered inside the new container before and then with a bit more of her energy she caused the sand to gently spread evenly around the container before putting the lid on the impromptu incubator.

“Thank you Eclair, Lumiere. This is, I think, exactly what we needed,” said Canal softly.

“Your welcome,” Lumiere said. Eclair simply nodded.

Canal picked up the container. “Let us walk a bit. I don't want to fly with this, nor transport it. Avalon found a place to land about a mile away.”

All of the experts that had been brought on dragon back slowly walked with them towards where Avalon landed. When they got there they found Antaeus waiting for them with Lya by his side.

Canal handed the incubator to Antaeus who gently set it on the ground before flowing his own energy into the egg inside the glass.

“She is quite healthy. The temperature is even good,” he said.

Antaeus brought the incubator inside and at Canal's direction brought it to her room where he helped her secure it against movement. Lafiel, Dana, and Jinto hung around the doorway.

Antaeus said, “Come in.” The door slipped closed behind them.

“All four of you already have a tie to the little one, though Canal's is by far the largest. I highly advise you continue what Canal has begun and trickle in about that much life energy now and then. It doesn't have to be continuous though I recommend about an hour a day from each of you, if possible. She will grow stronger for it.”

“We wanted to give one to her, not take one for ourselves,” said Lafiel.

“I know. I could read it in your residue. Remember to keep your life energy untainted. This is especially true when tending a little one. You have the skill. Use it. That way you will all remain linked so there will be no imbalance, and you won't confuse the little one.”

They nodded thoughtfully.

“What about me?” Canal asked hopefully.

“By all means continue to lace your energy with the warmth you already have. The little one will need a mother, and already at some level considers you her. Just balance yourself after. I know you have the skill to do it.”

“We will help, if you want,” offered Lafiel.

Canal nodded thoughtfully.

“We will have to find out what they eat soon though, so we are ready when this one hatches,” said Antaeus.

“We watched a mother feeding her young. We can go back and learn more,” offered Jinto.

“Please do.”

“We will be back after we find what we can. Then we will go try to find others to study. We will get this done for you,” said Dana.

“My thanks.”

They left and the door closed.

“They truly do care for you you know, even if it has became as a child to a parent,” said Antaeus.

“I know, and I am grateful beyond words.”

“Lya and I are going to study these dragons more, and learn what can be learned. For now you should probably gently turn the egg several times a day.”

“Thank you for coming.”

“You found something unique in the universe and they don't appear to grow to such an inconvenient size as their cousins. How could I not come? The Nox take it as our mission to protect precious creatures like these. We certainly would not pass up this opportunity.”

Canal nodded thoughtfully.

Antaeus waved and slipped out the door.

“You can disconnect Q. I should have asked before, but it was all so fascinating. Will the little one be healthy? No, that was a silly question.”

“The event with the eggs being lost was likely to occur without my intervention. I simply slightly orchestrated their initial discovery and attempted to coax events to give her this chance, no more, no less. The rest will be up to her mostly. The little one will not help them save worlds, nor do they need the little ones ability to move between for messages or anything else.”

“A gift then Q?” he asked.

He nodded. “For one who has come so far and seen so much. I considered doing something for the one they found buried under all that water, but she is doing well.”

Picard nodded, saying nothing else.

“No witty repartee?” Q asked.

Picard smiled. “You could try flowers.”

Q scowled and vanished.

Picard laughed.

As they waited and just enjoyed the peace of this idylic Japanese shrine Ryo and Izumi sang softly a song they had come up with a little while back.

A little ways away Takasugi sat with Washu and listened to them sing.

Believe in tomorrow, that's all we can do

Let's forget about yesterday's bitterness

Standing on the Earth, We can hear

The song of courage you are humming

My heart is racing

We almost want to run away

We have been dreaming of an eternal green field

Don't give up, just do it.

We will find our true selves there

Author's Note: There are obviously a lot of characters in play. This chapter was a bit of a break and another view. I left the death of Dormammu off screen, because, while important, I didn't see a need to write it in detail. It has been awhile since I wrote this, but this was basically the plan from back when Rommie's alternate was healed, though how the others were recovered, well that kind of surprised me when I wrote it.

If your curious, the baseball team is not quite done, though I haven't wrote a larger arc yet. If your really curious, watch Princess Nine. It is a fun series, and currently even seems to be on youtube. The previous song came from the subtitles to that, though I did change it to plural.

The interesting thing about all this was to try to weave so many things together, and still make it all fit. It's still a work in progress. So, what do people think of Canal, possibly getting a Fire Lizard? I can't see Q, if he was interested in someone, every giving a gift as boring as flowers. But an intelligent pet who can teleport. Well, that seems a more interesting gift.

At any rate, write a note or something, if you don't mind.