Planting seeds

[ryoko_set_free]

From the inside, Ryo-ohki's interior was dominated by the fact that it appeared to be open to the vacuum, naked stars and planets on display without an apparent hull to keep the atmosphere in. It was actually a real-time projection to allow for three-dimensional maneuvering; the floor could also be made to appear transparent to eliminate the last

Comments

[delicate_royal]

Okay, so she wasn't quite prepared to see that.

As far as Ayeka knew, Maka had been deceitful all along, toying with Ryoko's emotions so she could lure her to her death on Verakel. Now that Nagi had appeared and stole Ryoko away, she fully expected Maka to be pleased, or at least smug that fate saw to spirit her away from death.

But this frantic behavior wasn't that of an unrepentant madwoman. Maka seemed sorry for what she did...but then again, that was true before. Ayeka was calmer now, though she still didn't fully trust Maka. But it was telling that she at least didn't take Maka up on her offer. "And why do you sound so contrite all of a sudden?" Ayeka asked, looking at Maka with a mixture of lingering frustration and confusion. "You were quite pleased with the idea of doing us in before. Is this another plot that all went sour?"

Ayeka remembered that Ryoko was getting further and further away as they talked. She needed to find Ryo-Ohki so they could get out of here...but for some reason she wanted to know the truth from Maka. The absolute truth.

[roguebranch]

Her shoulders slumped. "Everything's gone wrong," Maka said brokenly, not lowering the blade yet. She'd do it if she knew for certain that it would really save Ryoko, but there was still that chance; maybe it wouldn't fulfill the deal, or what would Nagi do if she realized that she lost her chance but still had Ryoko in her power? Hot tears spilled down Maka's face. Her deception was destroyed anyway; what did it matter now?

"I had to lie to make it easier for her to let go, but it's me, *I'm* the one who should die. You would both be free and some of the damage I did would have been worth it." She squeezed her eyes shut as an upsurge of despair rolled through her. It was almost enough for her to make that fatal motion, but the thought of duplicitous, thieving, hateful Nagi speeding away stayed her hand another moment.

[1/2]

[delicate_royal]

Ayeka could only stare at Maka as she explained, still huffy but silently trying to process what she was talking about. At first, nothing she said seemed to make sense. But as she processed it, it suddenly became clear. "You planned to stage your own death, didn't you?" It was crazy, but it would certainly fit Maka's modus operandi as far as Ayeka was concerned.

"All of these pointless theatrics, the threats you levied against us...all of it was because you were too stupid to just come out and tell us what was going on?!" Yes, Ayeka understood that Maka was trying to help in her own way. But that didn't change the fact that her actions caused Ryoko to get kidnapped, or that simply talking things out like they were supposed to could've prevented all this.

"I wanted to vouch for you, you know." Ayeka shot back, but quieter this time. Taking a breath, she continued. "When I saw that vid you sent us, I wanted to believe that you had been wronged by Mearden just as I was. If that was true, I was prepared to allow you to remain loose, regardless of any consequences with my grandmother." Ayeka wanted Ryoko to have a say in that decision too, since she suffered far more from Maka's actions than she did. But if Ryoko wanted Maka to go free, Ayeka would back her to the hilt. Regardless of the difficulty, she didn't want her relationship to be based on an innocent person's imprisonment. Or death.

Ayeka cast an accusing glance at Maka. She was still upset, but at least she wasn't filled with rage was she was a few moments ago. "You could've avoided all of this if you were just up front with us. Now we've got a horrific mess we need to clean up." Ayeka strode up to the other woman and forced the knife from her hands. With authority, she grabbed her wrist and began moving her to the exit. "If you wish to kill yourself, I suggest you do it on your own time, Maka. Right now, you're going to help me find Ryo-Ohki so we can catch up with Nagi. We've milled about here long enough, don't you think?" From the princess's tone, she wasn't taking no for an answer.

[2/2]

[your_mine_ryoko]

Meanwhile, up on Ken-Ohki, Nagi had just gotten Ryoko settled into her glass prison. Much like on Shunga, she was sitting cross legged in the tank with everything from the hips down encased in some type of body-conforming glass. It all seemed too complicated a set up for Nagi's tastes, but Ryoko's proven that she could slip away from even the most secure traps. This prison was far more secure than even the capture gel.

Nagi strode up to the prison, and Ryoko would've noticed that her injuries were making her the worse for the wear. Now that the adrenaline fueled confrontation with Maka was over, she was certainly starting to feel ever stab of pain inflicted on her by both women. But that hardly seemed to matter now.

"Is anyone awake in there?" Nagi taunted as she tapped on the glass. "I hope you aren't surprised to see me. You should know by now that you're not going to get away from me so easily."

[ryoko_set_free]

Maka could not resist Ayeka. Mentally she reached out to Ryo-Ohki, who was confused and frightened again. The ship was desperate to chase after Ken-Ohki but didn't know if she should just leave Ayeka behind.

Forcing herself to think past her maddening guilt, Maka realized that she could still help. "Ryo-Ohki, meet us on my ship. We'll get there faster if you both ride with me, then you can go get your friend when we've closed the distance, okay?" Maka spoke aloud for Ayeka's benefit. The mind leech wasn't able to look Ayeka in the eye but she did lead the way to her own ship; the Far Star was one of the fastest things running. They'd catch them, but whether or not it would be in time was the question, and Space knew what would happen then.

Ryoko realized she was being held in something even before she opened her eyes, but it was Nagi's voice that jerked her into full consciousness. A frantic look around told her that Ayeka was nowhere to be seen, and neither was Maka. Of course the pirate was desperate to know what had happened while she'd been knocked out, but she'd rather go to hell than beg Nagi for information.

Ryoko stared daggers at the bounty hunter, fully aware that she was well and truly caught for now. "Nagi, nothing is easy, especially with you. You look like hell, by the way."

[your_mine_ryoko]

Ayeka nodded at the plan, glad that she was able to whip Maka into action. There was plenty of recrimination to go around, but it would all have to wait until Ryoko had been rescued. Though at this point, Ayeka felt helpless once again. Now that the rescue party was in motion, all she could do now was wait until they caught up. *If* they caught up in time. The princess frowned and clenched her fists tightly. If Nagi did *anything* to Ryoko, she'd make sure she didn't live to regret it.

But Nagi wasn't planning on doing anything to Ryoko. No, Nagi wanted to do more than kill Ryoko in battle -she would've won if that blasted noble hadn't interfered anyway- she wanted to beat her at her own game. To humiliate her. What better way to do that than to hand her over to the very woman she was working for.

Smiling, Nagi responded. "I've seen better days. But it certainly beats your situation, now doesn't it?" The battle wounds she endured during this venture weren't a source of embarrassment for her. Not in the slightest. So let Ryoko take whatever little digs she could before the end. She wouldn't be so smug in a moment. "Which reminds me, I need to call up an old aquaintance of mine. I need to let her know that a precious package is heading her way." Nagi entered the code for Mikagami, a special sequence Seto provided just for her. It's a testiment to her skills as a bounty hunter that Seto would allow her such access.

With the code in place, Nagi got a direct link to Seto and started talking. There was no vid for Ryoko to see, and all she could hear was various snippets of information from Nagi's end. Finally, Nagi turned and looked at Ryoko. "She wants to talk to you." Nagi said simply. The bounty hunter wasn't usually keen on elaboration.

She punched a few buttons on Ken-Ohki's panel and a crystal viewscreen appeared with Seto's image. The princess of Jurai looked over Ryoko's trapped form and shook her head. "So it's true. But then again, I hardly have reason to doubt the word of a top notch hunter like Nagi. I'm rather disappointed that you weren't able to take advantage of my generous offer, Ryoko." She relaxed her body and rested her head on her hand. She seemed rather calm, considering...but given her reputation that was to be expected. "And I can't understand why my darling Ayeka would allow her friend to get seized so easily. Well, perhaps that's not *entirely* true...Nagi told me little bits here and there about the confrontation with Maka. But the woman can be rather stoic and evasive...comes with the profession, I imagine. So I'm rather keen to hear your version of events, Ryoko. It's always more intersting to get both sides, anyway...and this whole event has offered no shortage of amusement." What did she mean by that? Best to focus on that, later.

[ryoko_set_free]

As Nagi connected to Seto, Ryoko felt the heat of helpless rage rise in her cheeks. It was the oldest feeling; all her long lifetime she'd been the plaything of people like this, to be shoved around for their ends and their amusement. Dance, puppet, dance. Why should you ever be a real girl? You're much better as a toy; much more useful.

Found someone who treats you like a person and actually *helps* you? Can't be allowed. Machines don't get happy endings. Keep us entertained and as a reward you'll get to keep doing it until we decide to kill you or lock you away.

Well no more. Seriously. Screw that. When Nagi finished her little recap of events and their attention turned back to Ryoko, she met Seto's eyes with a cold, level gaze of her own. It wasn't an attempt to convey anything; Seto had already shown that she didn't give a shit who she hurt, even her own family if these games were any indication. It was just all such a contemptuous person deserved.

"That depends. Which story would be more entertaining for you? I could go as far back as Nagi setting an entire station of lowlifes after Ayeka, then kidnapping her personally? But no, it's Maka you want to hear about, right? I can tell you about how she *gave* us her location while pleading innocence, then trapped us anyway but didn't actually harm either of us?"

Ryoko was no fool; if Maka wanted her dead she would never have woken from the drug. From the snippets of information Nagi had given and how well Ryoko knew Maka, enough seemed off-kilter that she was almost able to put the truth together.

"Whose pain would amuse you most? Not mine, because who cares? Maka's? Ayeka's? Void knows she's had enough on this trip. I've got plenty of details, and you know I live to serve." It was crazy to talk to Seto like that, especially considering Ryoko's situation, but she was so *over* dancing on command as if all the pulled strings didn't cut at her.

And Nagi hadn't cashed her in for the prize *quite* yet.

[devil_princess8]

Seto waited paiently as Ryoko finished her speech, that ruby smirk never leaving her lips. It would probably surprise many that she did *indeed* care about people other than using them as playthings for her amusement. Usually. Of course, there was always some left over benefit for herself, but she'd be happy to point people in the right direction in life -or give them a 'friendly' push- if the mood fancied her. And given her desire to flex her manipulative talents and relieve her bordom, the mood fancied her a lot.

"You seem rather cross at me, Ryoko-chan." Seto teased, the rant not dampening her mood a bit. "But remember dear, it was out of the kindness of my heart that I allowed you to work out that little deal we reached. I could've arrested you on Mikagami and that simply would've been the end of that. But I bent the rules for the sake of my dear little Ayeka. In the short time we had together I could tell she was quite fond of you." Seto stared back at Ryoko confidently. She wasn't making threats, and to make Seto loose her cool would take a lot more bile than what Ryoko was shelling out. She just wanted the pirate to remember what the score was.

"And as for your little adventure at the truce zone? Yes, I'm well aware about that." Seto revealed. "My agencies eyes and ears are everywhere...if you believe the rumors the other nobles tend to spread about me." She chuckled a little bit. "Nagi got a little rough with Ayeka did she? Hmf. I'm not surprised. She's just as spirited in the battlefield as she is in bed. I'd expect no less from you, Nagi-chan~." Nagi frowned and blushed a little, but otherwise kept silent. The princess liked to embarrass *everybody* the first chance she got it seemed.

"But really, you underestimate Ayeka, Ryoko. And that's rather disconcerting considering you intended to be her girlfriend." Seto explained. "We Jurai are a warrior caste by tradition, even though *some* of us tend to laze about in recent generations." She rolled her eyes a little. "Ayeka has grown to become a strong warrior, both in mind and body. She's more than capable of dealing with Nagi, pirates, and all that sort. Further, I suspect that she's already recovered from my old lover's little surprise assault and is already rushing to your rescue. It's quite romantic, really~."

Before Seto could say any more, a breep sounded from Ken-Ohki's control panel. Seto paused in her monologue and allowed Nagi to investigate. After a while, the bounty hunter explained, "There's a ship coming up on our rear." Nagi gave Ryoko a sharp look. "Anyone wanna take three guess as to who it is?"

"I hardly think that's necessary." Seto replied, smirking. Even though she was rather used to it by now, it still felt so good to be right all the time. "Can you be a dear and patch me through to them, Nagi-chan? I wish to have a chat with my granddaughter."

Nagi obeyed, and soon Ayeka and Maka would be greeted to Seto's confident image broadcast to them on the Far Star. Ayeka had been single mindedly focused on getting Ryoko back ever since take off. Now this familiar face had caused her to be frozen with shock. She didn't know what to say.

"Hello, dear~!" Seto called out to her. "I can tell you're rather surprised to see me. Understandable, I suppose...this is rather sudden. But I couldn't help but check up on you. I hear you've been having some difficulties in your quest. I know because Nagi was kind enough to inform me on your progress. Or lack thereof." Seto's gaze then turned to Maka. "Hmmm? You must be the little mind-leech pirate Nagi informed me about. You're cuter than I imagined. How are you doing, by the way? I know me hunting you by proxy must be rather taxing."

[roguebranch]

Ryoko was not in any way underestimating Ayeka's ability to be a warrior, but should she be happy that the woman she loved had been through the hell that they'd endured? Everything Seto said made Ryoko angrier.

She did stare incredulously at Nagi, and saw that the teasing comment was confirmed by the bounty hunter's blush. First of all, Ryoko didn't know Nagi *could* blush; she was always so cold and calculating. Second of all, Seto and Nagi, and the earlier revelation about Seto and Washuu...geez! And Nagi had picked on *Ryoko* for liking weirdos.

But the Far Star was coming, and that meant Maka. It had *better* also mean Ayeka. Worrying about her lover's safety wasn't underestimating her, was it? Maka was dangerous, even if she wasn't entirely on the 'enemy' list.

On the Far Star itself, Maka had been struggling to come back from the brink of madness she'd been on since Mearden had shown her the 'consequences' of her help to Ryoko and Ayeka. Since that moment nothing had been right in the galaxy or her own mind. It was odd, but having Ayeka projecting her determination nearby was a steadying influence. The gash from the scalpel throbbed as Maka clenched her fist around the bandage, but that was it for an outward expression of her current state of mind.

When Seto appeared on their screen, Maka appeared to be at peace, almost distracted, the way she'd been before all this had begun. "Taxing, my lady? A bit." She even wore a slightly vague smile, but there was a set to her eyes that was not so easy-going. "I'd like very much to rest, in fact. But more importantly, I understand there is a transaction that can be concluded when I turn myself in to the proper authorities. Would that be you? Or would the nearest Galaxy Police officer be suitable? My ship can get me either to you or to a nearby station far quicker than Ken-Ohki, noble and swift though he may be."

It *did* take some self control not to reach out and start tearing at Nagi again. A few more hard pushes at those wounds and the whole problem would go away. But of course it wouldn't, really. No matter how satisfying it would be.

[devil_princess8]

It was all so surreal, her grandmother showing up now.

It took a few minutes for Ayeka to gather up the wits to respond. Of course by then, Maka had already made her statement and Seto was already responding. "My. Such a well spoken young thing! And do my ears decieve me, or did I just hear you offer to turn yourself in to me? I have to say, I'm quite impressed with you, Maka-chan, despite the rather unfortunate profession you've chosen for yourself."

She leaned back in her chair, and pondered things for a moment. "But simply allowing you to waltz into my clutches seems rather anti-climatic after the fun I'm sure you've all had. How about this? Let's make a challenge of it, hmmm? Since you're so confident in your vessel's ability to outrun Ken-Ohki, I should like that put to the test. Mikagami is in quadrant 23-U. Which ever party manages to enter my chamber first will be declared the victor of this little game. Simple, no? Much better than getting the Galaxy Police involved in this...rather complicated situation." One way or another, she'd have Maka or Ryoko within arms reach this way, and she'd be able to rectify things on her own terms rather than having to deal with the Galaxy Police directly.

"Oh, and little Ayeka. You've hardly uttered a word to me during our chat." Seto spoke. "I hope you'll mind your manners a little better once I see you on Mikagami. Have a joyful journey, ladies. I quite look forward to seeing all of you~!" Seto cut off before Ayeka could respond. Normally, the princess would be angered at the thought of someone toying with them like this. But something about Seto's aura was offputting to her. That had always been the case since she was a little girl. Her grandmother had her games and everyone had to play whether they liked it or not. Well, if she *had* to, she damn well wasn't going to lose!

"Maka!" She spoke up. "You heard grandmother! We mustn't let Nagi's ship get a greater lead on us! We must get to Mikagami post haste!" Ayeka pointed space-ward for added effect.

On Ken-Ohki, Nagi just rolled her eyes and ended the connection, glad *that* embarrassment was over. "Crazy old woman..." She muttered. "...still obsessed with her insipid games just like always." She looked up at one of Ken-Ohki's crystals. "But she's more senile than I thought if she thinks that mind-leech is going to steal my prize. I *never* lose, and it's time I reminded her of that. Set course for Mikagami, now, Ken-Ohki!" The ship let out a loud 'yeow' as it raced off in the direction of Seto's ship.

[roguebranch]

"Her, Nagi? *Really?* I know there were a few slow centuries while I was away but... her?" Still trapped in Nagi's bottle and completely unable to affect the outcome of this final race, Ryoko couldn't resist adding to Nagi's irritation; it mitigated a tiny bit of the helplessness.

On the other ship, Maga responded to Ayeka's dramatic order almost dreamily. "Of course, your Highness." Her fingers danced across the controls, setting course. The engines of the Far Star reached an even higher pitch than before as their speed increased.

"I know, love, I know," Maka murmured aloud to the ship, stroking a hand across the curve of the console. "But this is the last time. Run your hardest now and we can both be done." Of course the ship didn't respond; she didn't expect it to. She wasn't *that* far gone. She had always sort of envied Ryoko her bond with her living ship, but the Far Star had been hers for quite some time, and she knew it almost as well as if it could speak.

And even if it seemed to Ayeka that the ship was screaming in protest, Maka knew that it was humming happily, like a powerful steed finally allowed to go flat out. It paced along at an incredible speed, and even so it felt as if it could go faster still if it wanted to, outrunning even the starlight that flew all around it.

Catching up to Ken-Ohki took only minutes; passing them took seconds. Entirely positive that Nagi would not be content with it just being a race, Maka knew that shots would be fired. The beauty of being a mind-reader in a battle with a living ship is that there was a mind to read, and it provided warning.

As Far Star blew past Ken-Ohki, Maka could not help but extend her mind out, reaching for Nagi and applying a stinging blow to the wound in her side. An action meant to distract certainly, but also because under Maka's near-madness and suicidal impulses, she was very, very, *very* angry. Her plan would have been executed perfectly if it hadn't been for that hateful bounty hunter.

[your_mine_ryoko]

Nagi paid no mind to Ryoko's jabs. As always, she was focused on the task at hand. "Save your breath, Ryoko." Nagi told her. "You'll have plenty of time to work on your witty banter once you're rotting away in one of Seto's prisons." *That* would give the pirate something to think about. Inspite of her mischievious behavior, Seto's name inspired fear in most pirates. Nagi was rather impressed at how Ryoko stood up to her initially, -though she'd never admit to that, naturally- but that attitude was likely to change once Ryoko had to deal with her face to face.

On the Far Star, Ayeka barely paid any attention to how distracted Maka sounded, or the strange way she talked to her inanimate ship. The creaking sounds the ship was making *did* catch her attention, but it was more from worry that they would lose Ryoko due to the ship breaking down rather than concern for her own safety. She saw Ken-Ohki fall behind them, and for a moment she wanted to call out to Maka and ask her to forcibly board the ship. But no, they had to do this Seto's way. Ayeka knew that she wanted her pawns to play by her rules.

Back on Ken-Ohki, Maka made her presence known as she mentally assaulted Nagi's battered body. "Damn mind-leech..." She whispered, clutching the control panel tightly. Ken-Ohki could sense his mistress's distress, and wasn't about to have any of it. The ship targeted Far Star and opened fire with his powerful lasers.

[roguebranch]

Threats of Seto's dungeons just didn't have the same effect as they used to, not to Ryoko. It wasn't that she didn't think Seto capable of cruelty to match and possibly exceed that of Kagato or Shoma. But right at this moment, everything Ryoko ever cared about was on that flimsy ship. Yes it was fast but not far enough away to be safe, not yet. If the Far Star were destroyed right now Seto would have to do her worst just to get Ryoko's attention. Ryoko's hand moved unconsciously to the glassine wall that held her. She watched Nagi's body clench and heard a mutter, and then Ken-Ohki fired.

"So loyal. Such lovely creatures," Maka murmured. As Ken-Ohki lashed out in retaliation for his friend's pain, Maka lifted a switch-guard and pulled the red toggle underneath it. Immediately the Far Star rocked violently as several charges went off on the outer hull, sending a cloud of silvery ribbons into the path of the lasers. The shrapnel was reflective, scattering the beam in a thousand different directions. What was once one heavy, deadly beam was now a thousand smaller deadly beams going all over, including hundreds back at Ken-Ohki due to the clever initial spread of the stuff.

The Far Star was not unharmed by this; several of the beams scored through the hull of the living quarters, causing a noisy decompression and engagement of the blast doors. One beam arrowed through the bridge where Ayeka and Maka were. Not only did both breaches start whistling loudly but it also set off a terribly polite-sounding warning in vaguely male robotic tones: [HULL INTEGRITY has been comprimised. Calculating fifteen percent likelihood of life support failure. RECOMMEND immediate action.] A quick systems check showed that the engines were untouched for now; thank providence for tiny favors.

"Princess, I do hate to impose while you're a guest on my ship, but if you wouldn't mind terribly, could you seal those two holes before you and Ryo-Ohki leave?" Maka was too busy taking evasive action and maintaining their speed ahead of Ken-Ohki to point out the standard-issue breach kit on the back of the pilot's chair physically, but she could point Ayeka to it mentally if need be. Especially since the warning system was very politely expressing that the percentage had been recalculated to twenty-two percent, and hadn't they better do something about it?

[delicate_royal]

Holding on to a side wall to steady herself, Ayeka let out a yelp as Ken-Ohki's stray laser fire ricocheted over her head. She crouched down on the floor, ducking her head down to avoid any resulting debris. Since these blasted beams were so fast, Ayeka had no idea how close it was to hitting her. But she wasn't bleeding, or had a gaping hole in her chest, so that was a good sign at least.

But the robotic monotone warning about life support failure wasn't. Ayeka slowly stood up, wondering how long the ship would last before it fell apart. Ayeka looked at Maka in confusion when she mentioned sealing the holes. "You mean those breaches? Miss Maka, I'm afraid that metallurgy isn't exactly in my skill set. I've no experience..." Then the voice increased the likelihood of system failure to twenty-two percent. The princess frowned determinedly. "...but I'm not going to let that stop me! What can I do to get started?" She was probably going to need that guide to the breach kit.

Back on Ken-Ohki, Nagi just impassively weathered the shock the deflected shots were giving off. Ken-Ohki was made of sturdier stuff than the Far Star, and the ship hardly slowed down. Ken-Ohki wanted to send another shot their way, but Nagi overruled him. 'Don't bother.' She contacted him in thought. 'That foolish move of theirs did a lot more damage to their craft than it did to us, and I'm not wasting any more time on them. Just keep going.' Nagi told Ken-Ohki to focus all his efforts in reaching Mikagami. In the end, Ryoko's defeat was all she really cared about.

[roguebranch]

"It's not difficult. Open this, prime this bottle and apply it to these places," these cryptic verbal commands were actually very clear when coupled with Maka's mental touch. The method she used was not the invasive push but the inviting-in sort that Ayeka experienced from Rem. Due to the confusion and her multitasking, chaos would be apparent in every thought, but the important thing was sealing those holes.

The mental connection showed Ayeka how to open the breach kit, prime the bottle of expanding silicate sealant and shoot it into each of the two punctures. Glass-like fibrous material would crystalize and unfold to make the seals airtight. Their flight path had straightened out somewhat so at least Ayeka wouldn't have to fight a rolling deck to fix the holes.

Maka was too distracted to close the link to Ayeka after the instructions were passed along. If the princess wasn't careful she could wander in quite a ways. At the moment Maka was occupied with flying; fuel consumption, maintaining speed, and making sure the path they were taking to Mikigami was the fastest. They were pulling farther and farther ahead of Ken-Ohki still, so that was good. Maka's public mind was so open one could trip over it but her inner thoughts were there too, just a step beyond.

[delicate_royal]

Ayeka didn't object to Maka's mental touch. In fact, she was rather glad they didn't have to waste valuable time trying to coach her through the process of ship repair. She already had a close brush with the vacuum of space during their first confrontation with Nagi and she wasn't keen to repeat the process.

The princess retrieved the kit and expertly sealed both of the holes. Ayeka was aware thata something was a bit 'off' with Maka's mind, but for the first couple of minutes her main focus was on not dying. Only once the holes were sealed did Ayeka pause long enough to consider anything else. "I believe this is done, Maka." Ayeka called out, putting the tools away. "Is there anything else..." The mental link hadn't closed, and thus Ayeka was able to feel all of the run off coming from Maka's thoughts. Ayeka knew how over taxed Maka was in keeping them alive. It was another thing to actually feel it.

Nagi watched the Far Star pull farther and farther away with little concern. Her hunter craft could out run that outdated piece of junk any day of the week. 'Persistant, aren't they?' Nagi thought to Ken-Ohki. 'I don't understand why the little princess is so keen on saving Ryoko's sorry hide. With her status, she'd be better off forming a relationship with someone who doesn't cause so much trouble.' Nagi absently rubbed her wounded side as she thought this. Funny, she was hardly one to talk obessive relationships. 'That's enough, it's time we won this race! Ken-Ohki, full speed!' Ken-Ohki let out a yowl and shot forward in a burst of speed, bypassing the Far Star.