Alternative Urusei Yatsura Fanfic by *Lewis Burden* (file: jad10_uy.txt )
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This Fanfic is not yet finished and currently consists of 12 parts. Every
part will be uploaded and made available on a weekly basis on the Internet.
Files are available vie email request or ftp at world.std.com in:

ftp: ftp.std.com   /pub/uy-fanfic    email request: uy-fan@lexicor.com
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This Fanfic was first uploaded to GENIE and is now available on the Internet.

note: This is very alternative UY and highly recommendable UY fanfic
=====

Enjoy,

        Yat Siu

        - ysiu@lexicor.com


                       Alt-Urusei Yatsura
                                X
                    No Need to Dream Anymore

                      Written by Lew Burden
                      Edited by Joe Rispoli

  (Based on Characters and Situations Created by Rumiko Takahashi
               in her manga series, Urusei Yatsura.)
                   _________________________

     The evacuation had finally begun.  Lum was in one of the
main flight hangars overseeing the bulk of the crew transfer.
Ataru stood next to her, dressed in the traditional garb of a
royal servant.   Ataru had to admit that his new set of clothes
didn't look half bad, and he was finally out in the open.  There
were Uruseians everywhere.  They were busy hauling supplies
around, and checking room assignments.   Flights were coming in
and out.   A line of people formed in front of Lum.  She, with
the help of Ataru, was directing them to their new assignments.

     It wasn't going to be quite as comfortable.   People were
doubled and tripled up, except, of course, for the generals.
Lum did finally make that concession.   Though she still had the
pleasure of making a few of them unhappy with the room
assignments.  She felt that single occupants should get single
sized rooms, instead of the suites that they wanted.  Lum
reserved the larger suites for those who were forced to triple up
because of the Generals.

     In the midst of checking people in, Lum saw Benten's fighter
swinging around for its approach.  Benten was a little late, but
that didn't surprise Lum.   No doubt she had tried to stuff her
life into a couple of garbage bags, and then, after a thousandth
of refusing the laws of physics, finally conceded and got a third
bag.  Benten made her home at wherever she was, but she didn't
move well.

     Benten landed, and the canopy opened.   Lum nearly dropped
her computer board.   Benten stepped out of her fighter, and
Mendo followed after her as if it was no big deal.

     "I don't understand," Ataru said.

     "Take over!" Lum commanded shoving the board at Ataru. "I'm
sure as hell am going to find out."

     Lum made straight for Benten.   Benten greeted her with a
friendly wave. "Hey ya Lum!  Looks like all this fuckin' sneaking
around was for nothing."

     "Keep your voice down," Lum urged in a hoarse whisper.  She
was conscious of people watching them.

     "What?" Benten said in a softer voice.  "Who ya hiding now?
Old Aho's right over there, signing people in."

     "We're still hiding him.  He's a present from Rei now, and
don't call him 'Aho.'"

     "You're a little touchy.   Rei?! When did Rei join our
little troop?"

     "It's a long story, but first I'd like to know why Mendo
isn't back on Earth."

     "Oh, you mean my brother."

     "Your brother?" Lum inquired skeptically.

     Mendo walked forward.  "You see, we got to talking."

     "He speaks Uruseian," Lum observed.

     "Yeah," Benten said, and then went on to explain, "Well, I
had spent all this time on Earth with him and was never even able
to say hello."

     "It's a neat machine," Mendo added, "and I'd also wanted a
chance to talk to Benten."

     "And it turns out that we had a lot to talk about.  I didn't
think a couple minutes . . ."

     "But we started to doze off,"  Mendo interrupted.

     "I didn't show him the bridge!" Benten protested.

     "I was hoping that we'll be able to do that later."

     "Well, nobody said anything about an evacuation last night!
What's so funny?"

     Lum was desperately trying to hold back a laugh against the
rather comic situation in which she was thrust.   She wasn't sure
whether she should laugh out loud or lay into Benten for
disobeying orders.   Lum decided that this was probably a good
situation for Benten, and there wasn't anything they could do
about it anyway.  There'd be no more trips to Earth for a while
now.   But Lum wasn't going to let Benten off easy all the same.

     "Ataru," Lum called, "would you bring the room assignment
list here, please."

     Ataru left the line and came over.  "Hi, Mendo what's your
story?"

     "I'm Benten's brother," Mendo announced. "And yours?"
     "Lum's personal slave."

     "Ooh, a love slave perhaps?"

     "I'm hoping."

     Lum snatched the clipboard from Ataru's hand.  "You're too
eager," she clipped.  She studied the board momentarily and then
looked up at Benten.  "Your brother, huh?"

     "Yeah, I figure if Rei's sister can visit, then my brother
can."

     "Oh yes, perfectly acceptable," Lum agreed cheerfully,
making Benten a little suspicious.  "It's pretty crowded, but if
he's your brother then I'm sure you wouldn't mind sharing a room
with him."

     Mendo's mouth dropped.  Benten's response was in her own
fashion.  "The hell I won't!  I don't room with anyone!
Besides," she said moving closer to Lum, "he's a guy."

     "What's that?" Lum said in a voice that she had learned from
Ten.  It was a voice that held nothing but sincerity, but at the
same time unmistakably conveyed to the listener that the speaker
was having endless amounts of fun at the listener's expense.  "Is
that modesty I'm hearing?"

     "No! Hell. But all the same I don't want him gawkin' at me.
I'm used to having my privacy."

     "Well, as far as privacy, you did have your own room.
You're the only one below the rank of Fleet General who does, or
did, rather.  And that's only because you've built such a
reputation for orneriness that the other women would rather
triple up than room with you."

     Benten grinned.  "I do good work."

     "Hmm.  As it stands there's no other place to put him.  We
certainly can't put him in with other Uruseians.  You two will
just have to work something out.  You're at 251E.  I'm afraid
it's a bit small, but it was supposed to be a single."

     Lum had that look of triumph that Ten got.  It was a look
that Benten just wanted to hit.   Mendo was red with
embarrassment.  He was also a little frightened.  He was more
than willing to be Benten's brother, if it meant staying on the
ship, but rooming with her?  Besides the gender problem, there
was her house keeping habits, and her temper.

     Benten muttered an expletive and brushed past Mendo on her
way to her fighter.  She pulled a garbage bag stuffed with
clothes out of the cargo hold in the belly of the fighter.  She
threw it roughly at Mendo, who had to work to keep his balance
against the impact.   She pulled two more out and closed the
hatch.  Grumbling all the way, she drug the two bags over to
Mendo and shouted, "Come on!" as she passed.

     When she reached Lum, she stopped and noticed Ataru.
"Where's he staying?" she asked Lum.

     "He's staying with Ten," Lum answered.

     "Couldn't they triple up?"

     Lum sighed.  "What did you tell me when I suggested we leave
Mendo on the planet?"

     "That I'd look after him," Benten admitted reticently.

     "Right!" Lum said and went back to the 'check in' line.

     Ataru glanced between Mendo and Benten.  He shrugged his
shoulders and went after Lum.

     Benten watched him for a second and started moving again.
Mendo moved up beside her, not knowing if it was safe to speak or
not.

     Almost to the door out of the hanger, Benten stopped and
turned to him.  I got two rules.  The first is: My stuff is my
stuff.  The second is: No gawkin', and definitely no touchin'!"

     Mendo nodded his acceptance, convinced that it was the only
safe response.

     They went through the door, but once through Benten stopped
again.  She didn't say anything for a moment.  Mendo wondered if
there was going to be a third rule.  She turned to look at him.
She studied him intently up and down his body, then she met his
eyes and smiled.  "You can gawk a little," she said, and then
continued on.

     Mendo was little shocked, but pleased.  It was certainly
much better than the war he was expecting a minute ago.  He
rushed to catch up with her.

     When he caught up with her she said quietly.  "But
definitely no touchin'."

                           * * *

     After they finished overseeing the crew transfer, Lum and
Ataru returned to Lum's ship to give the remaining crew their
final orders.  These were simply to pull back and enter orbit
around Mars rather than Earth.   Earth was off limits for any
visiting, though joy rides on Mars were perfectly acceptable.
ATV rides on low gravity planets were quite popular in the
Empire.   Additionally, of course, they were ordered to continue
the repairs.   Lum promised to try and be back before the repairs
were completed.   No one believed that.

     After she had dismissed the crew.  Lum felt faint, weary
from the long day.   Ataru had to catch her.  "It's been a very
busy day," she to him.

     He helped her back up.  "Neither one of us has slept in over
a day."

     She smiled at him.  "There's nothing to do until my Father
calls.  Why don't we go to my room?"

     "I thought you wanted to sleep?" Ataru asked.

     "I do," she said meeting his eyes.  "I intend to sleep, but
I think that I would very much like to fall asleep in your arms
tonight."

     With that, she took him to her room.  Entering it, she noted
how empty it looked.  Ran had been in charge of moving Lum's
things.  She obviously had been very thorough.  All that was left
were the two chairs which were standard to all rooms.

     "I've never shown you my bed, have I?" Lum asked.

     "No," Ataru agreed, but after looking around said, "And it
doesn't look like I'm going to see it any time soon."

     "Oh it's here," Lum said.  She turned to look at the area
where her bed was.  "It's going to be hard sleeping on a regular
bed on the Seq carrier.   This is the one luxury that I've
allowed myself, and I'm afraid I've gotten spoiled."

     "What is it?" Ataru said moving closer to see at what Lum
was looking.

     Lum took a couple steps forward and turned to face Ataru.
She smiled at him and then said, "Computer: Zero gravity."
Soon, Lum was floating in the air.  Her hair too, was floating
freely around her.  "Ahh," she said and stretched back.  "Now
this is comfort."  She turned to the amazed Ataru.  "Care to try
it, Darling?"

     Ataru tentatively stepped forward and encountered the
inertial field surrounding the bed.  It felt like walking into a
wall of jello.  He stepped back.

     "What's wrong?" Lum asked.

     "There's something in the way."

     "It's all right," Lum said.  "Just push through it."

     Ataru did and soon found himself floating next to Lum.  "It
feels just like the lifter belts."

     "It's essentially the same thing," Lum said and pulled Ataru
close to her.  They kissed.  They kissed passionately, turning
and spinning in the weightless environment.  After a time their
mouths separated, but they continued to hold each other.

     "I'm scared, Darling,"  Lum admitted.

     "Of what?" Ataru asked, wondering about what such a person,
who showed nothing but confidence, could be scared.

     "Of so many things.   I've never been allowed to be
frightened, but I am.  We're going to change everything I've
grown up with.  Sugoi accused me of trying to destroy the Empire,
and maybe that's what I'm doing.  A lot of people are going to
die because of what I'm doing, and if I'm wrong then they'll die
for nothing."

     "Even with my short taste of slavery, Lum, and also with
what Benten told me, I know that slavery is not living.  I think
that the slave planets would follow you into Hell if you offered
them freedom."

     Lum pulled back and looked into Ataru's eyes.  There were
tears welling in her own.  "You scare me most of all."

     "I would never hurt you."

     "Not intentionally, I know, but . . . Darling, you're the
most dangerous man in the Galaxy, right now.  Do you realize how
much power you have?  Especially over me?   I would sacrifice the
Empire and everyone in it for you, and I can.  And maybe I
already am.  I love you so much.  You're everything I thought you
would be and more.  I only wish I could have be the Lum I was in
the dreams for you.  The real me must be such a disappointment."

     Tears were forming in her eyes.  The honesty of the
inadequacies that she felt hurt.  Lum pushed away from Ataru.
"That's what scares me, Darling," she continued,  "Somewhere
inside me is the Lum you knew.  I can't find it.  I have her so
neatly locked away.  I'm scared that you'll grow tired of waiting
for her.  I'm just a shell with nothing real inside."

     Ataru pushed himself to Lum, and held her again.  "I ran
from the Lum in my dreams," he said warmly, brushing away her
tears.  "I loved her, but I still ran.  Maybe I was waiting for
the more complete version.  You're everything that Lum was and
more.   You're no shell, that's certain.  You're complicated and
real.  I'm in love with the Lum I've found here, the real one.
I won't run from you anymore."

     They kissed again.

                               * * *

     Lum opened her eyes.  She felt the warmth of Ataru's body
next to hers.  His arms were around her.   They had fallen asleep
shortly after their conversation.  They had slept in their
clothes.   Lum clasped her hand over Ataru's.  "Soon, my
Darling," she said quietly,  "soon we'll have time."

     She felt a little refreshed after her rest and much more
comforted.   She wondered what time it was, but she dared not
call the computer for the risk that she'd wake Ataru.  She
carefully opened his arms and pushed away from him.  She stepped
through the barrier and turned to look back at Ataru.

     It occurred to her that she did not dream.  It was the first
time in months that she didn't spend her night in Tomobiki with
her Darling.   Looking at his sleeping features she realized the
reason.  She finally had him in her real life.  She finally felt
his love when she was awake.  She didn't need to run to him when
she dreamed.  She left the room, and called, "Computer: time."

     "Point 45:21."

     She had slept for nearly two tenths.  It wasn't a lot, but
it was enough to get her through another day.  "Point 45," she
thought.  It was late morning already.  Why hadn't her father
called?   She looked back to the door to her room.  "No," she
thought, "let him sleep."   She made her way to the
communications room.

                             * * *

     Sugoi had been given Earth clothing, a school uniform, and
was sitting in the nurse's office.   She was there for two
reasons.  The first was that the government people had arrived.
They were the typical suit and dark glasses type.  Onsenmark had
invited them into the Principal's office where he and the
Principal were explaining the fantastic events of the earlier
evening.

     The second reason that Sugoi was there was so Sakura could
have a look at her.  Sakura was concerned with the possible
spread of alien diseases, or conversely any disease that Sugoi
might not have an immunity to.  Sugoi had explained through
Megane that Uruseian science had long ago developed universal
vaccines, and that there was no risk of any kind of
contamination.  Sakura, however, was not convinced.  She argued
that there was no such thing as a universal cure.  It was best to
be safe.

     The real reason for Sakura's insistence was curiosity.  How
often does a school nurse get a chance to examine an alien life
form?  Sakura did a complete work up, reflexes, blood test,
tissue sample, throat examination.  It wasn't long before Sugoi
realized that she was being turned into a lab experiment.  She
was getting a little testy.

     "The hand on your wall clock has gone completely around!"
she snapped.  "When is your witch doctor going to be done?"

     "She's just a nurse, actually," Megane answered.

     "A nurse?  If she pokes me again with another of those
primitive needles I'm going to strike her.  You tell her that.
I am getting tired of this.  I'm not carrying any diseases and
she knows it."

     "It's best to be sure," Megane said, wishing he could be
somewhere else.  He had long ago given up devoting his emotions
to patriotism for the Earth.  Right now, he wished that he had
never heard of Urusei.  He wished that he could hide somewhere.
He didn't like being a translator.

     "'Sure' nothing!" Sugoi continued her tirade. "She could
have been sure in a quarter of the time, with a quarter of the
jabs.   She's lucky I let her do this to me at all!"

     "Sakura," Megane said, switching languages.  "Are you going
to be done soon?"

     Sakura looked up from her microscope, where she was studying
the blood sample she had taken.  She made a couple notes and then
turned to Megane.  "Done?" she said.  "There are quite a few more
tests that I have yet to do."

     "I don't think your patient is going to last that long."

     "Oh?  Is she ill?"

     "No, just annoyed."

     Sakura looked over to Sugoi and her sullen expression.  "Oh.
I suppose I can hold off further tests until tomorrow.  But
still, we have to wait until Onsenmark gives us the 'all clear.'
Ask her if she would allow some more tests until then."

     Megane already knew the answer, but he turned to translate
the request anyway.  He was saved by  Professor Onsenmark
entering the room.  Sakura uttered a curse under her breath, and
turned to Onsenmark.

     "They have gone?" she asked.

     Onsenmark sat down.  He looked exhausted.  "They grilled me
for an hour," he said.  "I don't think I convinced them of much.
They're going to ask around to try and confirm my story."

     "If you gave them Sugoi, you would not have a problem."

     Onsenmark sighed. "I promised Lum that I wouldn't.  And
she's right, they'd examine Sugoi to death.  We had better keep
her."

     Megane rolled his eyes, but kept silent.

     Onsenmark continued, "I hope Lum moves the fleet away soon.
I told them of her promise."

     "Where will Sugoi stay while we wait for Lum to return?"
Megane asked.

     "I don't know.  Lum mentioned that she may never come back.
Sugoi could be here permanently."

     Sugoi listened to them talking.  She didn't understand any
of it, but she knew they were talking about her.  She felt very
vulnerable.  She was beginning to realize how much she was at
their mercy.  She cursed Lum for leaving her here, exiled, an
alien on a backward planet.  She looked to Megane.  He was her
link to this world.  Her best option was to gain his trust so
that she could use him to contact her family.  Onsenmark had a
subspace transceiver somewhere.  He would have hidden it, but it
would not be impossible to find.

     She turned to Megane.  "Megane," she asked sweetly, "what
are they talking about?"

     "We're trying to decide where you should live while we wait
for Lum."

     "Couldn't I stay with you?  I'd feel so much safer."

     Megane studied her eyes.  Her change of heart was
suspicious, but he couldn't detect any deceit.  Actually, all he
was really noticing was how dark her eyes were.  He shook his
mind free.   Staying with his family was the only logical
solution because of the language problem, but he didn't trust
her.

     He turned back to the conversation.  "It would probably be
best if she stayed with my family, at least until she learned our
language."

     Onsenmark turned to Sakura for her opinion.  She shrugged.
Onsenmark turned to Megane.  "She was placed under your care, I
guess that will have to stand.  Just see that she doesn't get
away from you.  If she's dangerous to Lum, she's probably
dangerous to us as well."

     Megane turned back to Sugoi and took her hand.  "I guess
you'll be staying with me."

     Sugoi stood.  "Thank you!" Sugoi squealed and threw her arms
around a surprised Megane.

                           * * *

     No sooner had Lum reached the communications room when her
father called.  She stood before the holo-audience as his image
coalesced.  "Greetings, my daughter."

     "Hello, Father."

     "You have heard the news?"

     "Yes.  I've already evacuated our carrier, and transferred
my flag.  We're ready to go immediately."

     Her father smiled.  "That's my girl.  The Redet Fleet is
already under way and will meet you there.  I suggest you contact
them soon.   What do you expect from the Seq Fleet?"

     "They won't come.  They'll wait and let us destroy each
other.  Father, I don't think we can win this one.  This fleet's
power is barely a third of what it should be.  Without the Seq
Fleet we won't be able to stop the combined Pochik and Azu
Fleets, plus their allies."

     "What do you propose?"

     "Let them fight it out.  We should take a lesson from the
Seq and just let them destroy one another.  Otherwise, we risk
being completely dominated by the Seq after the war is over."

     The Emperor's face took on a look of disappointment which
shot through Lum.  "I did not expect you to give up so easily.
Our job is to protect the Empire and everyone in it, no matter
how stupid they may be.  If we let the Families go to war, then
chaos will not be far behind."

     Lum lowered her head.  "I'm sorry, Father.  I just don't see
another way."

     Lum's father smiled.  "Your father has not been idle.  I
have a wedding present for you."

     Lum looked up.  "A wedding present, Father?  I don't think
that . . ."

     "Now, now.  I understand Rei gave you a present, it is only
fair for me to give you one as well."

     "You've already heard about that?!"
     The Emperor's smile grew broader.  "I am the Emperor.
Actually, it was your mother who told me.  She heard it from Seq
Yedis.   She's very excited about it.  An Earth boy, wasn't it?"

     "Yes, Father."

     "Quite an unique present.  I wonder how Rei came by him?  I
recall that you had banned trips to the planet.  How do you feel
about Rei's present?"

     Lum studied her father's features.  Did he know?  All her
plotting and scheming, and then half way across the galaxy had
her father discovered her plans in less than a day.  Perhaps, it
wasn't just a matter of getting information, but more likely it
was a measure of how well he knew her.

     "I love my present, Father," she said.

     "Good!  Then my wedding present will be most appropriate.
These are your orders.  Proceed immediately to Uinod, and do
whatever you can to cool tensions there.  Make sure that the Seq
Fleet shows up, it's imperative that they don't miss the party if
it turns out there is going to be one."

     "Yes, Father."

     "Good girl.  Come home as soon as you can.  Good-bye."  The
image faded away.

     Lum stared at the empty space, confused.  Her father amazed
her.  She was an open book to him.  Everything she did, he found
out about.  Everything she felt, he knew.  But it didn't go both
ways.  There was also some secret planning behind her father that
she could never get in touch with.  She hoped she could be as
mysterious, when she became Empress.  Well, she had her orders
now.

     Lum paused to look around the communications room.  She felt
the emptiness of the ship.  She so hated to abandon it.  It was
her first command.  She had gone from a First Officer to a Fleet
Commander, but it was this ship alone that she felt attached to.
She went up to the bridge.  There were only two crewmen manning
it.  It usually required twenty.   She went to sit in the
Captain's chair.   One of the officers noticed her sitting and
went to her.

     He stood at attention.  "Princess!  Do you have any orders?"

     Lum smiled.  "No.  I'm just saying good-bye to an old
friend."

     The man was returning to his post when Lum called to him.
"What's your name, Ensign?"

     "Renning Dall, Princess!"

     "Renning?  Wasn't it a Renning Dall who saved my great-
grandfather from a sniper?"

     Dall returned to position next to the Captain's chair.  He
smiled, filled with the pride of being noticed by a superior.
"That was my grandfather.  I was named after him."

     "I'm sorry I hadn't noticed your name before.   Such loyalty
must run in the family."

     "Very much so, Princess."

     "You have just one planet, don't you?"

     "Yes, ma'am.  It was a gift to my grandfather."

     "That's also when you were entered into the list of
Families."

     "Yes, ma'am.  My grandfather was born a peasant."  The
Ensign was starting to look a little uncomfortable.  That
admission bothered him.

     "You're not comfortable with your grandfather being born a
peasant, soldier?"

     "No, ma'am.  I've often been the butt of jokes about it.
Especially since I was named after him.  My Family also has had
trouble gaining acceptance because of it."

     Lum shook her head.  "I met your grandfather just before he
died.  He was often a guest in the palace."

     "Yes, ma'am.  I know."

     "He was a good man who knew who he was and where he came
from.  He earned his name.  Very few of the other Families can
say that.  The fact that he is recent makes no difference.  A
thousand years ago, Redet was a peasant name.  Fifteen hundred
years ago Seq was as well.  A thousand or a hundred makes no
difference, your grandfather was a good and honorable man.  Even
if he was never entered into the list of Families, he would still
be so.  It's a great name that you carry, don't let anyone tell
you different."

     The Ensign was trembling.  "May I serve your Family as well
as my grandfather did,"  he managed to spit out.  Having been
told that he was second class all his life, he was not ready to
be raised to such heights.

     Lum put her hand on his shoulder, and met his eyes.  "I
expect nothing less.  Who was placed in charge of the repair
crew?"

     "Commander Redet Im, ma'am."

     "Of course.  I want you to go immediately to her.  Tell her
what your name is, and then tell her I want you as the First
Officer, in charge of repairs."

     "But ma'am, I'm only an Ensign.  Lt. Seq Tedec is the First
Officer."

     "How long have you been in the service?"

     "Six months, ma'am."

     "You're a Lieutenant.  Now move!."

     The officer saluted smartly and rushed off the bridge.  Lum
watched him go with a smile.   She knew that he would bend over
backwards now to make sure that he did a good job.  The repairs
would go quickly.  He would stumble some, but he would get them
done, or die trying.

     It was personal involvement that really got things done.  He
wasn't working for the Empire now, he was working for the
Princess.  He'd remember the words of encouragement.  He'd
remember the promotion, and he'd remember his grandfather.  She'd
trade a green Ensign like that over a hundred seasoned veterans
who felt that they actually deserved their post, or worse,
deserved better.  That kind would do just enough to get the job
done, or to make it look like the job was done.  Lum had little
use for them.  There was no love in what they did.

     Lum got out of the Captain's chair.  She took a last look at
the bridge.  "You have to love something," Lum said aloud.  This
ship had been a good friend to her.

     "Princess?" inquired the remaining officer.

     "Nothing," Lum shook her head.  She left the bridge and made
her way to back to her room.  Ataru was awake and waiting for
her.

     As they made their way to the shuttle bay, Ataru noticed
that there were tears in Lum's eyes.  He reached over and wiped
away one of her tears.  "Why?" he asked.

     "This ship was my first command," she began.  "Actually it's
more than that.  This is my ship.  It was a gift.  It's him I'm
supposed to be taking into battle.  I hate leaving it."

     Ataru took her hand.  "It'll be here when we come back."

     Lum stopped, and turned to Ataru.  "Before we leave, I
should tell you that the odds are against us.  We may not come
back.  I'll try to get them to talk peace, but honestly, we're
going to war."

     "What kind of Emperor would I be if I didn't put my life on
the line when my Empire needed me?"

     Lum hugged him.  "That's what I hoped you would say," she
said, and then whispered in his ear.  "It's okay to be scared,
though.  I'm terrified.  Don't tell anyone."

     He whispered back, "That makes two of us."

                                 * * *

     Soon the Fleet was off, leaving Lum's carrier behind.  The
Fleet accelerated to .25c  which was as fast as their
conventional engines could take them.  They needed to escape
Sol's gravity well before they could enter subspace.  Otherwise
the effect on the ships and the star system would be unpleasant
to say the least.  In interstellar travel, leaving a star's
gravity well was the majority of the trip.  It could take days
depending on the size of the star.  The subspace wormhole trip
itself was almost instantaneous.

     Lum felt uncomfortable as she stood on the bridge of the Seq
carrier which now carried the Imperial flag.  Ataru was on her
right.  Seq Yethiz, the Commander of the carrier stood a little
off to her left.  Ataru felt uncomfortable being in the same room
with him.

     "We'll be able to jump into subspace in five tenths," an
officer reported.

     Lum and Yethiz acknowledged it simultaneously.

     "I'm sorry, Princess."  Yethiz bowed.  "I have not yet
become accustomed to the change in command."

     "It is all right, General," Lum said. "I understand
completely."   She changed the subject.  "When will we be able to
expect the Seq Fleet?"

     "I have not heard specifically," Yethiz lied, "but I am
afraid that they might be a bit late.  They are currently
subduing a world in the Tarsed sector.  It  was a high technology
planet, and time for repairs will be required."

     "That's a shame," Lum said.  "I've been considering that we
should not allow either the Pochik or the Azu to retain this
planet, in order to punish them for their lack of restraint.  I
thought the Seq House would be the better recipient of the
planet's wealth.  But it would be difficult to award a planet to
a Family that did not participate in the battle."

     "I see," Yethiz commented.  Ataru did not like the look in
his eye.  "It is also true," Yethiz continued, "that after this
war the Azu and Pochik military will be sorely depleted.  Perhaps
if their required contribution to the Imperial Fleet was lessened
to a number that they could better maintain.  I'm sure that there
are enough Seq soldiers to cover during the interim of recovery."

     Yethiz was asking a lot.  The Seq contribution was already
dangerously close to the Redet.  Lum needed the Azu and the
Pochik Families to have a significant number, to help keep the
Seq in line.  However, she had to have the Seq in the battle and
therefore she had to give them something.  "Do you believe that
cutting their numbers by five percent apiece would help them?"

     "I would imagine ten percent would be closer.  It will most
likely be a bloody war."

     "It will," Lum agreed.  "Perhaps seven percent."

     "Eight," Yethiz said.

     "Eight, and the Redet House will cover the Azu cut, while
the Seq covers the Pochik."  The Azu was the greater House.
Their percentage cut would be greater.

     Yethiz didn't like that arrangement.  He was hoping to close
the gap between the Seq and the Redet numbers.  He studied Lum's
face, which clearly showed that the negotiations were finished.
Yethiz had worked with the Princess long enough to know that she
would negotiate only so far, and then she wouldn't budge.  The
deal was already sweet enough.  Uinod alone was worth fighting
for.

     Yethiz spoke.  "I will call my sister and see if the repairs
can be accelerated."

     "Thank you."

     Yethiz looked over to the obviously brooding Ataru.  "What
do you think of the might of an Uruseian Fleet, boy?"

     As Ataru worked up an answer, he kept repeating to himself,
"If you let him get to you, he wins."  He calculated his answer
with this in mind.  "We have large war fleets on Earth,"  Ataru
stated as if he was bored.

     Yethiz was a bit annoyed at Ataru's tone, but he felt he
could still win.  "Large fleets, eh?  They didn't seem to do you
much good during the invasion."

     "If you had been willing to fight us face to face,
honorably, instead of sneaking up on us, perhaps things would
have gone differently."  Again Ataru said this without emotion.

     However, the suggestion that he fought dishonorably incensed
Yethiz.  "Boy, sooner or later we will return to your planet, and
we'll have this out again.  I personally will invite you down to
your planet on my shuttle so that you will see first hand its
devastation, and know how pitiful your forces are."

     "There will be no return invasion," Lum interrupted.

     Yethiz was caught short.  Ataru smiled at him, making him
angrier.  "Princess," he bowed and, barely holding his rage, left
the bridge.

     Ataru was full of himself.  "That felt good," he said
quietly.

     "Don't play with him, Darling.  He won't forget and he will
pay you back."

     "That's part of how this game works, isn't it?"

     "It is, but I wish you would start with someone smaller.  If
you get him angry enough, he may stop worrying about offending me
and apologize later."

     Ataru thought about this.  "Maybe then, this would be a good
time for you to teach me how to fight, Uruseian style."

     Lum turned to Ataru, thoughtfully.  "Maybe it would."

                               * * *

     In 251E, Benten and Mendo were encountering some problems.
Their first shock when they entered the room, was its size.  Lum
wasn't joking when she said it was a small single room.  It was
half the size of Benten's other room, and she had always felt
that too small.  The second greater surprise was the bed.  There
was only one, and it too was small.  Benten stood and stared at
it for a long while.  Mendo checked around the rest of the room.
There was only one other chair and a desk.

     If Mendo had been Uruseian there would be no issue.  Benten
would insist that he sleep on the floor, and only if he bowed to
her every whim she might offer him a blanket.  But Mendo wasn't
Uruseian, and Benten sort of liked him, but that bed!  She
imagined them both sleeping on it.  It was far too cozy a picture
for her tastes.

     "I'll sleep on the floor," Mendo offered, guessing and
sharing her dilemma.

     Her eyes darted his way and then back to the bed.  She threw
both her garbage bags into a corner, then she took the one Mendo
was carrying and did the same.  Benten turned back to Mendo
without speaking.  Looking at him, she was seeing Lum as some
sadistic matchmaker.  Bunks could have easily been placed in the
room.  Benten knew that Lum would not have made such an oversight
unless it was intentional.  The question now was whether to get a
bunk herself, or to tough it out.

     The reasons for toughing it out were questionable, but they
were typical of Benten.  She had an unbreakable stubbornness that
she was proud of.  And the fact of the matter was that Benten had
shared small beds with her brothers before.  Her family was not
wealthy enough to afford beds for everyone.  This would be no
different, she felt.  Getting another bunk would be the logical
thing to do, though.

     Mendo couldn't believe the situation that he found himself
in.  Forced to share a small room with a beautiful girl, and an
alien besides.  He could think of worse situations.  And here she
was apparently considering letting him share a bed with her, even
after he offered to sleep on the floor.  This was much better
than his imagination.  Still, he was extremely nervous about the
whole idea.

     Benten turned to Mendo and smiled.  "Ya know what?  Right
now I just don't care.  Come on, let me show what they have on
these fancy ships."

                             * * *

     Ataru let the Uruseian attendant dress him in the garb of
this rather strange game that Lum was going to teach him.  There
wasn't much to it: two gauntlets, rubber bottomed shoes and a
pair of black shorts with shoulder straps.  Ataru almost wanted
to call the straps suspenders, but they were thicker than that.
Ataru hoped that this game wasn't too rough.  He didn't have much
protection.  There was a lot of exposed skin with the outfit.
The attendant seem rather pleased about something.  It unnerved
Ataru a bit.

     "What was this game called again?"  Ataru asked.

     "Ossak," the attendant replied, chuckling.

     "What's the joke?" Ataru asked.

     "You'll have to ask Commander Rei," the attendant said.  He
then stood and pointed.  "Through the far door is the playing
field.  It's at 10% gravity, so you might feel some initial
dizziness.   Watch out for the ceiling."

     "The ceiling,"  Ataru acknowledged and slowly made his way
toward the indicated door.

     "Good luck," the attendant called.

     "Thanks," Ataru said turning.

     The attendant laughed.  "Not that it's going to help."

     Ataru watched the attendant leave the locker room.  He felt
what little confidence he had oozing away.   What was Lum getting
him into?

     Ataru stepped out into the Ossak room.  He immediately felt
the change of gravity.  He felt very light.  Looking around the
room, it occurred to Ataru that this was a very strange playing
field.  The room was a large box, very tall.  White bars stuck
out all over the walls.  There were also several hanging from the
ceiling.  Around the higher part of the room was glass or
something glasslike, behind which were viewing rooms.  There
seemed to be quite a bit of activity there.  Ataru could see many
Uruseians filling the rooms.  This must be a very popular game,
he thought.

     Looking across the room, he finally noticed Lum.  He almost
fell over.  No matter how often he had seen her before, he was
not prepared to see her in a tiger-striped bikini here and now.
He nearly fell over laughing.

     Lum was a bit annoyed.  She walked over to Ataru, dragging
her feet all the way.   "You find something amusing?" she asked
dryly.

     Ataru tried to speak between peals of laughter.  "Well, yes,
no.  You look nice, but the outfit.  I didn't expect. . . "

     "I happen to like tiger-stripes.  But Darling, if you find
the familiar bikini funny, I'm sure you'll get a kick out of
this."   She reached down and touched his shoulder, sending a
considerable amount of electricity through his body.

     Ataru jumped back in surprise.  Lum blew imaginary smoke
from her finger.  "You may have wondered where the lightning
bolts came from," she explained, rather pleased with herself.
"Welcome to Ossak."

     "How did you do that?" he said rubbing his shoulder.

     "Don't worry," Lum said, "It's the gloves.  They magnify a
body's natural charge.  I can't do that without them."

     Ataru looked at his own gloves, and formed an evil smile.
"Do you mean I can shoot lighting bolts, too?"

     "Well, not shoot them," Lum said stepping back.  "It's not
quite that powerful.  You have to touch the opponent."

     "Opponent?" Ataru asked.

     "Yes, this is a game.  My favorite."  Lum leapt into the air
and caught a bar three meters up.  "Come on up."

     Ataru jumped, but too hard.  He shot straight for the
ceiling, and slammed hard against it.  Lum swung up to catch him,
but he wasn't knocked out.  He grabbed a bar on the way down.  "I
misjudged a bit."

     "Are you okay?  I should have warned you.  It's only ten
percent gravity here.  If you were on a planet, or more likely an
asteroid, you could probably jump right into orbit."

     "I don't think anything's broken,"  Ataru said feeling sore.
"How do you play this game?"

     "Maybe we should wait," Lum said, worried that Ataru was
more injured than he let on.

     "I'm all right.  How do you play?"

     Lum hesitantly explained the rules to Ataru.  About the
electricity, building a charge and keeping it, the point system.
They also practiced a few maneuvers and swings.   Ataru was
initially awkward, and his side hurt a little.

     "All the bars are painted white," he said.  "How am I
supposed to tell which are metal and which are plastic?"

     "Trial and error.  Just don't forget once you've found the
plastic ones."

     "I think I'm ready to start," he said.

     "Are you sure?" Lum asked.  "You still look sore."

     "I'm fine."

     Lum nodded and dropped to the floor.  Ataru followed her and
moved to the other end of the room.

     "Computer," Lum called. "Begin game between Redet Lum and .
 . ."

     "Moroboshi Ataru," Ataru finished.

     "Darling," Lum protested.  "You were warned about using your
family name."

     "Are you personally offended?"  Ataru asked.

     "No, but. . ."

     "Then what does it matter?"

     Lum smiled.  "It doesn't.   I'll go easy on you for this
game."

     Ataru grinned devilishly.  "If you think that's necessary."
He began rubbing his feet against the floor.

     Lum followed suit.  She grinned back at him.  "I'll have you
know that I haven't been beaten in three years."

     "Then you're due."

     Lum leapt to a bar.  She was determined to get a good first
hit, to wipe that smile off his face.  Ataru watched her, but
kept building up a charge.  Lum began to leap around, mostly
jumping off the walls, but occasionally hitting the two bars she
knew were safe.

     Ataru stayed where he was.  It was becoming difficult to
keep an eye on her, she was moving so fast.  Suddenly, she was
heading straight for him.  He had little time to react.  He dove
into a roll, and kicked off the wall into the air.  He went for
one of the bars that Lum had used.

     Lum was a bit shocked at how fast he moved.  She recovered,
and sprang off her hands.  She too, bounced off a wall.  She had
quickly noted where Ataru was and directed her bounce toward him.
She hoped that a second immediate attack would catch him off
guard.

     He turned barely in time to see her coming, and then swung
up, keeping hold of the bar.  Lum was completely caught off
guard.  With her target gone, she had nothing to check her
movement.   Ahead of her she saw a bar, but she knew it was
metal.  Her only other alternative was slamming into the wall.
She was moving too fast to turn to use her feet.  She was just
moving too fast.  She reached out for the bar, and immediately
felt her charge drain away.

     Before she could fall to the ground to build up another
charge though, she felt hands on her back.  Her body went numb.
She let out of shriek of surprise and they fell to the ground
together.  When they hit the ground, Ataru was concerned for Lum.

     "Are you all right?  I didn't mean to hurt you."

     Lum turned hard on him.  Her ego was bruised.  "Claim your
point," she said through her teeth.

     "What?"

     "I'll be fine.  Claim your point."

     "Oh. Touch," he called out.

     "Moroboshi Ataru: 10 points /  10-0," the computer
responded.

     In the observation lounges, excitement was mounting.  The
Terran had gotten the first point.  Originally, only the
attendants were there to watch the Princess bury the slave in her
favorite game, but now the word was going out.  As the game
continued and Ataru's lead grew, soon the entire Fleet knew.
The lounges were filled to capacity, and the game was being
played over the ship's intercom.  Someone had started announcing
it.

     Bets were being made, and everyone was filled with
anticipation.  There was a steady din of activity that only
became silent when Rei entered the room.  He immediately felt
self-conscious when he noticed everyone turn to him.  He was
going to leave, when Ran called him over.  He nervously went to
her.  Hushed whispers followed him.  His eyes were darting
between all the faces.  He was starting to sweat.  Noise resumed
after he sat down.

     "Isn't this wonderful?" Ran said, as Rei sat down next to
her.

     "Yes, wonderful," he repeated absently.

     "He's actually beating her, and by quite a bit."  She
glanced over to a lighted panel affixed near the ceiling which
displayed the score.  "My heavens," she said. "It's 94-60.  He's
nearly won."

     Benten had also come.  She was with Mendo, who was a little
embarrassed about being next to her.  "Come on, Aho!" she
shouted, "It's about time that royal bitch got shown her place!"

     Everyone turned at that line.

     Benten smiled nervously back at them.  "The Princess and I,
we're friends, remember.  Close  friends."  However, seeing that
the people were still giving her accusing looks, she got annoyed
and then yelled.  "Mind your own fucking business, ya Uruseian
bastards!  You're missing the damn game!"  They turned.  Benten
nudged Mendo.  "Any other slave said that, they'd be shot on the
spot."  She smugly leaned back.  "Ahh, it's fuckin' great being
me."

     Mendo just lowered his head in shame.  He was convinced that
he had hooked up with the most obnoxious woman in the galaxy.

     Benten turned to him, and noticed his embarrassment.  "Hey
kiddo, I'm sorry," she said softly, "I get carried away that's
all.  It's just the way I have to be to get along here.  I don't
mean any of it.  Well, most of it, anyway."

     Mendo sat up and  studied her for a second.  "The act is
hard on you, isn't it?" he said in a concerned voice.

     Benten stopped short.  Briefly, her eyes showed the truth,
and then she turned back to the game.  "Waaaooow!  One more hit!"

     Lum was breathing heavily as she faced Ataru across the
floor.  Going easy on him went out after the first hit.  She was
playing the hardest game she had ever played.  She felt much more
tired than Ataru looked.  He was dodging her almost every move.
She couldn't hit him, and he remembered where the plastic bars
were.  She glanced up at the glass separating the arena and the
observation areas.  It was full up there.  The entire Fleet must
be watching, and soon the Empire would know.  The Princess was
finally beaten.  She glanced to Ataru, and smiled with about as
much energy as she had left.  "And why not?" she thought.

     But she wasn't going down without a fight.  She dove at him,
expecting him to move out of the way.  She would catch the wall,
and then hit him coming back.  But he didn't move out of the way.
He caught her.  The combined charge was too much for her tired
state and she fell unconscious.  The force of her leap sent them
both slamming into the wall.  Ataru absorbed the impact.

     He was a little dizzy when he called, "Touch."

     "Moroboshi Ataru: 19 points / 114-70.  Moroboshi Ataru
wins."

     Lum awoke in time to hear the computer announcement.  Ataru
still held her as he sat against the wall where they had landed.
She smiled weakly.  "You won, Darling.  You deserve a present."
She moved up and kissed him.

     The shock in the observation lounge was profound.  Everyone
pressed up against the glass.

     When the kiss was done, all eyes turned to Rei.  He was
oblivious to their attention, though.  He stared sadly out the
window at the two figures.  "Good-bye, Lum," he said quietly.

     Jariten, who had been standing at the door during the last
half of the game, simply said, "Sealed with a kiss."

     Benten said, "Shit."

                          [End of Part 10]