PRELUDE  

Blackness.

                               IN THE YEAR 2937

Establishing Shot:  The vastness of space, looking towards the Galactic 
Core.  Slowly, our view rotates to take in a section of the Sol System's 
Asteroid Belt.  It is one of the most densely occupied regions of the 
system, surpassed only by the so-called ARM (an obsolete term referring to 
the space between Earth and its moon, inclusively) in population.

                           MATTISE DALCASSIO (V.O.)
                    Log entry 2 of the Salvage Ship
                    Alita; June 23, 2937.  W.O. Matisse
                    DalCassio recording. BEAT My life
                    sucks.  Ever since they kicked me
                    off Earth, it's been one lousy thing
                    after another.  

Our view slowly encompasses the Salvage Ship Alita, an ugly thing that 
looks like one of the work pods from the film "2001" grafted onto the body 
of a rocket.  Its gripper arms dangle unused.

                           MATTISE DALCASSIO (V.O.)
                    It's not right!  Why should I be
                    expelled from Earth, just because
                    I think that bitch Serenity should
                    be taken out of office, by force if
                    necessary?  Just because the group
                    of dissidents I belonged to just
                    happened to be being run by an old
                    robot?  BEAT  Just because I
                    planted a few bombs?  I mean, no
                    one *important* died.  Hell, those
                    sorry twerps hadn't contributed
                    to the Realm's well-being since
                    maturity!  I removed a drain on our
                    resources!  Those ungrateful sods
                    should be enlightened by my
                    actions! SHOUTING I SHOULDA GOT
                    OFF! PAUSES.  POUTINGLY Instead, I
                    get exiled to the Asteroids for the
                    rest of my natural life.  And these
                    morons out here have *no* artistic
                    sensibility whatsoever!  Why else
                    should I, one of the greatest
                    authors of my generation, be
                    reduced to working as a pilot on a
                    crappy salvage ship like this?  

Cut to the inside of the cockpit of the Alita.  We see the rear of 
DALCASSIO's helmeted head (he is wearing a space suit).  A red light 
begins to flash on the control panel.

                               MATISSE DALCASSIO
                    Huh?  Oh!  Computer, overwrite log
                    entry, beginning at date.  Have
                    encountered drifting ship.  LOW
                    WHISTLE  Wow!  It's a big one!
                    I wonder why Space Command let it
                    get this far in?  Ah, bunch of
                    beareaucrats ... well, their loss
                    is our gain.  

Cut to exterior shot of the Alita approaching the drifting ship.  The 
Alita matches velocities, before extending its waldoes to grip the sides 
of the ship.  This accomplished, the Alita's retrorockets fire, slowing 
both ships down to a relative stop.

                           MATISSE DALCASSIO (V.O.)
                    The name on the ship is ... well,
                    it sounds familiar, but I can't
                    place it.  BEAT  Scanners show
                    no life signs ... but there's an
                    odd power flux showing.  I think
                    I'd better go in and check.  

A door opens up on the side of the Alita, and a metal ladder descends to 
the drifting ship.  DALCASSIO climbs down, and works his way across the 
ship to an airlock.  This opens after a few seconds of work, with only a 
little escaping air.  DALCASSIO enters.  

Series of shots of DALCASSIO exploring the ship.  As the scanners 
indicated, it's an empty ship.  The air quality is more or less nil, and 
it seems that any of the furnishings of the ship's rather sumptuous 
living quarters have disintegrated due to old age.  DALCASSIO's search 
finally leads him to the ship's dead reactor chamber.  Therein are two 
coffin-like constructions, connected to a large battery.  There are 
opaque windows on top of each coffin, and metal scribed writing beneath 
each window.  DALCASSIO inspects the writing on one of the "coffins".  He 
reacts as if greatly shocked.

                               MATISSE DALCASSIO
                    No WAY.  

He inspects the other "coffin."

                               MATISSE DALCASSIO
                    Oh.  MY.  GOD!  

Cut to exterior shots of DALCASSIO rapidly exiting the ship, making his 
way to the ladder, and climbing up to the Alita.  Cut to DALCASSIO 
climbing into the command chair, and flipping on a switch.

                               MATISSE DALCASSIO
                    Control?  This is the Alita.  I've
                    made an extremely important
                    discovery, and I think you'd better
                    get the chief on the line!  

Cut to an exterior shot of a larger vessel now accompanying Alita and the 
drifting ship.  The airlock of the drifter has been replaced.  

Cut to the reactor chamber, now brightly lit, and occupied by the CHIEF, 
two large BODYGUARDS standing on either side of DALCASSIO, and a SCIENTIST 
who is occupied with some diagnostic computer, examining one of the 
"coffins".  The CHIEF is a cold-featured man, who doesn't seem to be 
listening too carefully to DALCASSIO's speech.

                           MATTISE DALCASSIO
                    BABBLING Anyway, I get on board
                    the ship, and I find these things.
                    I can remember learning about some
                    sort of experiment that the
                    Galactic Union -- no, sorry, the
                    United Galactica, always get those
                    two mixed up -- that they tried an
                    experiment using transmat tech as a
                    life preserving method.  The idea
                    was that in an emergency, the crew
                    would get put in a transmat tube
                    and be converted into an energy
                    pattern, to be reassembled when
                    they were rescued.  Of course, you
                    ran the risk of something causing
                    an interrupt in the power supply to
                    the matrix, or the juice just plain
                    running out ... But that didn't
                    happen, you can see for yourself
                    that the battery is still running.
                    But I'm figuring, no way are they
                    gonna be intact, that experiment
                    was in the late 2140s, but I might
                    as well get the names, for history
                    if nothing else, and boom.  It all
                    comes together.  Their names, the
                    dates, the ship's name ... it's
                    THEM.  

The SCIENTIST stands up, and turns to speak to the chief.

                                   SCIENTIST
                    I've run every test I can imagine.
                    These two are still stable, and can
                    be revived whenever you're ready.  

The CHIEF nods, and turns to look at DALCASSIO.

                                     CHIEF
                    Mr. DalCassio, you're quite right,
                    this is a momentous discovery.  I
                    would like to congratulate you
                    personally.  

DALCASSIO bows, grinning widely.

                                     CHIEF
                    Unfortunately, we can't allow you
                    to live with the knowledge that you
                    have. TO THE BODYGUARDS Toss him
                    out the airlock.  

Each BODYGUARD grabs one of the stunned DALCASSIO's arms, and bodily 
carries him out of the room.  Cut to the exterior of the airlock.  The 
door opens for a moment, and DALCASSIO shoots out, obviously trying to 
hold his breath.  This is a terrible mistake to make in space -- the drop 
in external pressure causes a scene that would be distasteful to describe.  

Cut to the reactor chamber.  The CHIEF is looking at the coffins, and 
smiling evilly.

                                     CHIEF
                    This is incredible.  After those
                    idiots on Earth screw things up, we
                    have the perfect weapon to correct
                    their mistake!

                                   SCIENTIST
                    I wouldn't categorize them as a
                    weapon ...

                                     CHIEF
                    Why not?  After all, when we point
                    them at Neo-Queen Serenity, what
                    happens won't be ... THEIR fault,
                    will it?  

Cut to shots of the name plates on the coffins.  One reads "KEI".  The 
other reads "YURI".  Cut to an exterior shot of the space ship ... the 
name on its side is "LOVELY ANGEL".

                        An Inevitable Outcome Feature

                             Written and Directed
                            by C. Richard Davies

                                TOGETHER AGAIN

                                 2937 Chapter

                             Based on the works of
                      Naoko Takeuchi, Rumiko Takahashi,
                    Suzuki Toshimichi, Haruka Takachiho,
                        Hiroki Hayashi, Yuuki Masami,
                     and various interpretations therof.

                  Dedicated to Gryphon, MegaZone, and ReRob.

                                    ACT ONE  

Establishing shot:  A panoramic view of Crystal Tokyo from a great 
height.  The city combines the architecture of a city of the late 
twentieth and early twenty-first centuries with a unique crystalline 
style.  We see a booted foot tapping against a carpeted floor.  Our view 
moves up the red synth-leather pants to a red synthleather jacket, until 
we reach the head of PRISCILLA S. ASAGIRI.  She is staring at a window, 
and we can only see her face in a reflection.  Her expression is 
irritated.  Suddenly she flushes, and we hear the tapping noise stop.

                                     PRISS
                    What the heck is taking her so ...  

Our view changes to include a wider take of the waiting room, including 
the couch opposite the large picture window in front of which PRISS is 
standing, on which RAYE (aka LADY MARS), dressed in a Roman style toga 
with various pieces of red jewelry, is sitting.  Even the eyepatch over 
her left eye is red-tinted.

                                     RAYE
                    Serenity's probably just making sure
                    that everything's in order with the
                    *last* person that she spoke with --
                    determining the feasibility of his
                    petition, etcetera ...  

PRISS turns to look at her.

                                     PRISS
                    What I don't get is, why do I have
                    to go through all this *public* crap
                    so I can do *secret* work for you?

                                     RAYE
                    SIGH  I *thought* we'd gone over
                    this before.  You *won't* be working
                    for me, you'll be working for
                    Crystal Tokyo ... but I will
                    definitely try to get the most work
                    out of you.  There aren't many who
                    have *half* your experience in
                    piloting human-scale mecha ... but
                    anyway, Serenity has to approve ...  

PRISS turns to look out the window again.

                                     PRISS
                    FLATLY I've only got something
                    like three years experience, Raye.

                                     RAYE
                    Consciously, yes.  But unconsciously
                    you've got nearly *TEN*.  All we
                    need is unlock your memories --

                                     PRISS
                    *Which* were locked up without my
                    permission.  

RAYE lets out a deep sigh.  We close in on her eye.

                           MUSIC VIDEO FLASHBACK #1 
As a slow, gentle instrumental (piano and saxophone) version of "Konya wa 
Hurricane" plays, we see snippets of the life of Priscilla S. Asagiri, in 
sepiatone.  Being run off the road by a car, out of which steps Sylia, 
smiling.  Looking up at her with distrust.  ("Asu e Touchdown")  Suiting 
up in a blue hardsuit.  ("Blow Up")  Standing on top of a building with 
her visor open to a rising sun with the other Knight Sabres -- Linna, 
Nene, and Sylia.  ("Red Eyes").  Tapping Nene's hardsuit on the shoulder, 
seeing it fall over and reacting to the horrific sight of Nene's crushed 
face.  Seeing the Sailor Soldiers appear to destroy a group of boomers. 
Lifting her railgun arm to ward off Sailor Jupiter when she comes too 
close.  Sailor Jupiter breaking her arms with a cold expression. 
Screaming.  Lying down in a tube that slowly fills with cryogenic fluid, 
her expression all but dead.  Floating in suspended animation.  Awakening 
violently, and having to be wrestled down and sedated.  Working at a 
dull, pointless task.  Attending a meeting that suddenly turns violent 
when it is revealed that Raye is present incognito.  Helping Mars to 
escape into the sewers, then turning a stolen gun on her, which Mars 
takes away easily.  Breaking down in tears suddenly.  Mars removing a 
device from her back, that produces a hologram of Neo-Queen Serenity 
which restores her memories of some of these events in a flash.  Looking 
as hopeless as she had when she went into suspended animation.  Firing 
the gun at an approaching boomer.  Leaping at it as it prepares to fire 
its particle beam, shoving the gun down the emitter, and leaping back as 
it explodes, being caught in the explosion.  Looking up at a statue of 
the Knight Sabres standing in the position that we had seen them in 
earlier.  Watching Raye walk away in the rain, and calling out to her. 
Raye turns, and smiles.  Priss hurries to catch up to her.  ("Best of All 
The Years")
                        END MUSIC VIDEO FLASHBACK #1  

We pull back from RAYE's eye, and see that there is a look of fondness on 
her face.  She shakes her head

                                     RAYE
                    Priss, all I can do is promise that
                    as soon as we have you signed up,
                    I'll see to it that you're examined
                    by the best neuropsitechs that we've
                    got.  It shouldn't be too hard to
                    recover your memories ... I mean,
                    after all, you *have* them, they're
                    just locked up.  It could be much
                    worse, there are ways to permanently
                    burn memories out of a mind ...

                                     PRISS
                    HEAVY SARCASM Great ...  

RAYE is forming a reply to that as the doors to the throne room open, and 
a short woman with black hair and red highlights (IZUMI NOA II) wearing a 
Crystal Tokyo Police uniform walks out, muttering to herself with a 
furious expression.  She looks up at Raye suddenly, and gasps.

                                      NOA
                    Lady Mars, I need to speak with you
                    at once!

                                     RAYE
                    BLINKS Ah ... you're ... Chief
                    Izumi, correct?  Of the Patrol Labor
                    Brigade?

                                      NOA
                    Yes!  Well, Chief Izumi the Second,
                    if you want to get technical, but in
                    any case, your Excellency, I need to
                    speak with you right away!

                                     RAYE
                    Unfortunately, I have to speak with
                    her Majesty right now, but this
                    probably shouldn't take much more
                    than a few minutes ... can whatever
                    it is wait that long?  

PRISS stands back and watches as NOA visibly gets herself under control.

                                      NOA
                    I ... yes, I guess so.  But it
                    really is urgent!

                                     RAYE
                    I won't be very long.  

With a nod of her head, RAYE gestures for PRISS to follow her into the 
throne room.  NOA gives PRISS a strange look as she walks past.  It is 
almost as though she recognizes her, but not quite.  

The Throne Room of NEO-QUEEN SERENITY, Savior of the Earth, Defender of 
Humanity, and Soldier of the Light, is fairly small as such structures 
go.  It is a hexagon, with the throne itself at the center, and a single p
ath leading to the main entrance.  The walls are polished mirrors, except 
for the one with the door, which is a gleaming silver.  

SERENITY is sitting on her shining throne polishing off a dish of 
unrecognizable pasta when we see her.  She looks up while chewing, 
swallows, and smiles broadly.

                                   SERENITY
                    We meet once more, Ms. Asagiri.  I
                    would offer to share my lunch with
                    you, but there is not much left, as
                    you can see ...

                                     RAYE
                    SARCASTIC Wow, lunch was served
                    ten minutes ago, and there's still
                    some left?  You're improving ...  

SERENITY raises her eyebrows.

                                   SERENITY
                    BORED TONE Wah.  Raye, you are
                    always so mean to me.  And you set a
                    terrible example for Ms. Asagiri in
                    doing so ... after all, she cannot
                    expect to insult me and escape the
                    headsman's axe, as you do ...

                                     PRISS
                    Say what?  

Serenity smiles even more broadly.

                                   SERENITY
                    In any case, Mars, you should be
                    aware that Chief Izumi was kind
                    enough to share my chuz'engiatti,
                    despite being rather anxious.  I
                    would ask that you please at least
                    give what she has to say to you a
                    fair hearing.

                                     RAYE
                    NODS Right.

                                   SERENITY
                    Thus, we should get on with it.  

SERENITY sets the plate down beside the throne, stands up, and gestures. 
Pink light fills the room, concentrating around Serenity's outstretched 
hand and her eyes.  PRISS is visibly unnerved by this, but not as much as 
you might think -- or at least, she does a good job of hiding it.

                                     PRISS                    
So, do I kneel or what?

                                   SERENITY
                    Only if you so desire. WHISPERED
                    Repeat after me: "I ..."

                                     PRISS
                    I, Priscilla Serena Asagiri ...

                                   SERENITY
                    BLINKS THEN CONTINUES TO WHISPER
                    "... do swear to uphold and defend
                    the Realm of the Crystal Kingdom of
                    Earth from threats within and
                    without, advised by those whom the
                    people of the Realm have chosen as
                    their governance, and by their sworn
                    deputies."  

PRISS repeats the words, and the pink light glows even more brightly with 
every passing second.

                                   SERENITY
                    "This I swear by ..."

                                     PRISS
                    Uh ... this I swear by ...THINKS
                    by ... myself.  

SERENITY's mouth quirks up in a half-smile.

                                   SERENITY
                    And I, Serenity, do swear to never
                    advise you to act contrary to the
                    laws of the Realm of Crystal Tokyo,
                    to never advise you to act contrary
                    to your safety without your granted
                    permission, and to never advise you
                    to do what you will not do.  This I
                    swear by the One whose Name is at
                    the Heart of Time.  

SERENITY gently touches PRISS' forehead, and the pink light pulses becoming 
blindingly bright, overwhelming all else.

                                VOICE #1 (male)
                    BE THOU TRUE, PALLADIN OF CRYSTAL
                    TOKYO.  

The light level returns to normal.  PRISS blinks repeatedly, while 
Serenity settles back into her throne with a pleased sigh.

                                   SERENITY
                    Now, Mars, I have certain things to
                    discuss with Ms. Asagiri, and Chief
                    Izumi is waiting on you.

                                     RAYE
                    NODS Right.  Priss, come talk with
                    me when she's done bending your ear,
                    okay?  

PRISS nods with a certain degree of uncertainty in her expression.  RAYE 
walks out of the throne room, and out the door.  PRISS turns to look at 
SERENITY.

                                     PRISS
                    Palladin?

                                   SERENITY
                    That is the term that is used for
                    those who have sworn what you have
                    sworn.  

PRISS seems a bit annoyed by this.

                                     PRISS
                    So now I'm supposed to go about
                    smiting the unholy forces of
                    darkness?

                                   SERENITY
                    BLINKS No, actually, that is
                    *my* task.  The term means "great
                    warrior".  I do not think that
                    you are humble enough to attempt
                    to deny that describes you?

                                     PRISS
                    Uh ...

                                   SERENITY
                    Rest assured, Ms. Asagiri, you have
                    not been given any supernatural
                    powers by this oathswearing.  It is
                    merely a ceremony, that is all.
                    BEAT Unless you violate your
                    oath, but I don't believe you'll do
                    that.

                                     PRISS
                    So now what?

                                   SERENITY
                    Now you are free to do whatever you
                    so desire, until such time I or one
                    of my allies calls upon you for
                    your services.  Perhaps Lady Mars
                    will have need of you in the matter
                    that she is discussing now with
                    Chief Izumi ... or perhaps not.  Is
                    there anything that I can do for
                    you?

                                     PRISS
                    Can you fix my memories?  

SERENITY looks very sad, and hesitates for a long while before answering.

                                   SERENITY
                     I cannot, personally.  I must
                    confess a thing, Ms. Asagiri.  We
                    erred grievously when we had your
                    memories edited in the way that we
                    did ...

                                     PRISS
                    No shit?

                                   SERENITY
                    Please, Ms. Asagiri, hear me out
                    *before* you condemn me. BEAT
                    You realize, of course, that even
                    before your memories were interfered
                    with, you suffered from a form of
                    post-traumatic amnesia, arising
                    from the shock of the Great Kanto
                    Earthquake?  

PRISS looks distinctly uncomfortable.

                                     PRISS
                    Yeah, so?  A lot of bad stuff went
                    down that day ...

                                   SERENITY
                    I know, Ms. Asagiri.  I was there.
                    BEAT  Unfortunately, the
                    techniques that we used to seal
                    away many of your memories seem to
                    have paralleled the damage that --

                                     PRISS
                    This is leading up to telling me
                    that you don't have a clue as to how
                    to get my memories back, isn't it?  

SERENITY appears deeply apologetic and embarrassed.

                                     PRISS
                    Terrific.  Ter-rif-ic.

                                   SERENITY
                    It is not *that* severe ... after
                    all you are capable of remembering
                    some ...

                                     PRISS
                    VIOLENTLY I can remember a really
                    fucking *lousy* hour in 2041, and
                    that's it!  You morons cost me seven
                    years!

                                   SERENITY
                    I am sorry, Ms. Asagiri.

                                     PRISS
                    Don't say you're bloody sorry, *fix*
                    *it*!

                                   SERENITY
                    SIGHS We will certainly try to do
                    so.  I encourage you to make an
                    appointment with Lady Mercury to
                    have her give you a more expert
                    diagnosis.  

PRISS flinches at this.

                                     PRISS
                    SOTTO VOCE Great, she hates my
                    guts.

                                   SERENITY
                    Actually, she does not.  What gave
                    you that impression?

                                     PRISS
                    Well, she insisted that I not be
                    allowed within ...

                                   SERENITY
                    Oh, that incident.  I would ask that
                    you remember that you were, although
                    unaware of it, embarked on a covert
                    operation on our behalf -- and that
                    much of the deniability of that
                    operation rested on the fact that
                    you had not received any instructions
                    from any of the `Royal Circle', as a
                    psychic probe would have revealed.
                    But had Lady Mercury chanced to meet
                    you, it could have been argued that
                    she activated deeply buried psychic
                    programming which wouldn't have shown
                    up on a normal scan.  Therefore, she
                    avoided that possibility.

                                     PRISS
                    Uh.  I guess that makes sense ...
                    sort of.  So she's not angry about
                    the time that I broke her nose?

                                   SERENITY
                    Not any more.  At the time she
                    desired to have you ... ahem, in any
                    case, Lady Mercury is not the sort
                    of person to hold grudges.

                                     PRISS
                    LONG PAUSE Right.  I ... guess
                    I'll go see her first chance I get.

                                   SERENITY
                    Well, then, if there isn't anything
                    else you would care to talk about --

                                     PRISS
                    Nope.  Nothing.  

SERENITY stares at her, blinking several times.  Finally she shrugs.

                                   SERENITY
                    Then permit me to bid you good day.  

PRISS gives a brusque wave, and heads off towards the doors.  SERENITY 
watches her go, and we hear the doors close.

                                   SERENITY
                    Ah, Raye.  You will not have an easy
                    time with that one. SMILES But
                    when have you ever wanted an easy
                    job?  

Cut to PRISS closing the door behind her, and pausing for a moment, to 
look out at the view of Crystal Tokyo.

                              LADY JUPITER (off)
                    What are you doing here?  

PRISS turns rapidly, to look at LADY JUPITER, who is wearing a toga with 
green jewelry.  She gazes at PRISS with a flat, hostile expression.

                                     PRISS
                    I was in a meeting with the Queen.  

JUPITER says nothing, stares.

                                     PRISS
                    She gave me permission to be one of
                    her agents.  

JUPITER turns from her, and heads towards the doors to the throne room.

                                     PRISS
                    Uh ... listen.  I'm sorry that I hit
                    your friend.  

JUPITER pauses, but does not look back.

                                     PRISS
                    I ... overreacted a little.  I'll go
                    apologize to her.  

JUPITER speaks without looking back at PRISS

                                    JUPITER
                    It is hard, however, to apologize to
                    the dead.  

PRISS reacts as though she's been slapped.

                                     PRISS
                    I ... what?

                                    JUPITER
                    Where will you be in the moment of
                    crisis, Priscilla Asagiri?  When we
                    need you, as others have needed you,
                    will you fold on us, as you did on
                    them?  

PRISS' jaw drops.

                                     PRISS
                    W-where the fuck do you get off ...
                    No.  Screw this, I don't have to
                    stand here and take this shit from
                    you!  

PRISS turns and heads for the doors leading out of the waiting room.  Her 
hand is on the doorknob.

                                    JUPITER
                    Coward.  

PRISS' hand tightens on the doorknob.  We see her face.  She is furious, 
her eyes are almost glowing red.  She speaks without looking at JUPITER.

                                     PRISS
                    If I didn't know it'd be the most
                    lopsided fight since ...

                                    JUPITER
                    Whenever you're ready, Priscilla
                    Asagiri.  I am at your immediate
                    disposal.  

JUPITER opens the doors to the throne room, and goes in, shutting (not 
slamming) them behind her.  PRISS stands where she is for a second, almost 
quaking with rage.  She finally opens the door, steps through, and slams 
it behind her.  The slam reverberates.  

Cut to a shot of KEI's face.  Her eyes are closed, and she is apparently 
sleeping peacefully.  Suddenly, her eyes flash open, and she looks around 

without moving her head.

                                      KEI
                    WHISPER Yuri?  BEAT  Yuri?

                                  YURI (O.S.)
                    HALF ASLEEP 'N a minute.  

KEI turns her head to look at YURI, who is sleeping with a giddy smile. 
KEI's face expresses her extreme disgust and exasperation with her 
partner.  She lifts her head to look around, and we see that both of them 
are lying down on metal beds in a circular, undecorated room.  They are 
dressed in their standard uniforms, although unarmed.

                                      KEI
                    MOCK TERROR Eek!  Run, Yuri, it's
                    the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of
                    Traal!  I'll try and hold it off!  

YURI wakes up fully, and lets out a shrill shriek.

                                     YURI
                    Yaaagh!  Beast?  Where?  Wh- BEAT
                    Kei, I'm going to get you for that.

                                      KEI
                    You're gonna have to get in line
                    after whoever's got hold of us.  

YURI takes in their surroundings.

                                     YURI
                    Doesn't look like what I'd have
                    thought a Planet Pirate's brig would
                    look like ...

                                      KEI
                    Uh uh.  If the Planet Pirates had
                    been able to catch up to us after
                    the warp drive went out of control
                    like that, they'd have blown us to
                    atoms.

                                     YURI
                    Maybe they decided to hold us for
                    a big ransom from the 3WA.  

YURI and KEI share a long look.

                               YURI & KEI (sim.)
                    Yeah, right.  

The door slides open, suddenly.  KEI and YURI assume fighting stances, as 
the CHIEF steps in.

                                     CHIEF
                    Ah, good!  You're awake.

                                      KEI
                    Mister, you've got ten seconds to
                    tell us what's going on.

                                     CHIEF
                    My goodness.  The stories don't do
                    you justice.  You *are* very
                    intimidating ...

                                      KEI
                    FLAT Flattery will ...

                                     CHIEF
                    But I assure you that I don't mean
                    you any harm.  Could I interest you
                    in some refreshment?  

Cut to a table with several exotic looking dishes set on it.  KEI and YURI 
watch as the CHIEF demonstrates that none of the dishes are poisoned. 
Then they dig in.

                                     CHIEF
                    I take it that you *are* in fact,
                    Kei and Yuri, the famous `Lovely
                    Angels'?

                                     YURI
                    SWALLOWS That's us.  SMILES
                    Thank you for not using that other
                    name.  And who are you?

                                     CHIEF
                    My name is ... not really important
                    at the moment.  I run the salvage
                    company that chanced upon your
                    vessel as it drifted through space.
                    We brought you out of timefreeze
                    a few hours ago, but you seemed to
                    be comatose as a result of your
                    lengthy ... disjunction.

                                     YURI
                    Lengthy?  Just how lengthy are we
                    talking, here?

                                     CHIEF
                    History records that the Lovely
                    Angel was reported as lost with all
                    hands, on or shortly before May 12,
                    2147. BEAT  That was nearly eight
                    hundred years ago.  

YURI and KEI react to this as one might expect.

                                     YURI
                    Eight ... *HUNDRED*?

                                     CHIEF
                    NODS The accounts that we have
                    are confusing.  It appears that a
                    massive operation was mounted
                    against the so-called Planet
                    Pirates some months later, and
                    when their leader was captured, he
                    boasted of `having blown the ...'
                    uh, here he used that rather
                    uncomplimentary nickname -- `out of
                    space' ... but he subsequently
                    elaborated his claims to describe
                    various lewd and obscene sexual acts
                    that he had performed on both of
                    you ... I apologize ...

                                     YURI
                    Eight ... *HUNDRED*?  

The CHIEF appears a bit put out that they are both still reacting to that, 
and not to his other comments.

                                     CHIEF
                    Yes.  Eight hundred years.  It is
                    the year 2937.  And I bid you
                    welcome to the accursed, tyrant
                    governed world of ... Earth.  

There is a long silence.

                                     YURI
                    Eight ... *HUNDRED*?  

Cut to a hallway.  A young woman with bright red hair tied in a long 
French braid down her back and gunmetal gray glasses (SHEILA TENKAI) is 
walking down a crystal hallway, leafing through a thick pile of papers. 
She is dressed in casual clothes -- a sweatshirt (sleeves rolled up to her 
elbow) and jeans.

                                    SHEILA
                    Dammit, where is that stupid thing
                    ... Treaty of Hong Kong, Pact of the
                    Seven Kingdoms ... argh.  

Cut to PRISS walking through the hallway, her face still angry.  Suddenly, 
she slows down, takes a look at her surroundings, and comes to a complete 
stop.

                                     PRISS
                    Where the hell am I?

                                 SHEILA (o.s.)
                    ... personal letter from the Two
                    Princesses of Roshtaria to the Great
                    Queen of Tokyo ... Roshtaria?  Is
                    that some pre-Union country?  Never
                    mind ...  

SHEILA rounds a corner into PRISS line of sight, and walks past her 
without noticing her.

                                     PRISS
                    Uh ... 'scuse me.  

SHEILA pauses, and turns to look at PRISS.  Her eyes bulge.  Her arms 
loosen, and she is in danger of dropping her papers.  PRISS, who by her 
expression has seen this sort of hero worship several times already, 
sighs.

                                     PRISS
                    Yeah, I'm her.  Don't ask for an
                    autograph, it pisses me off when
                    people do that.  Listen, could you
                    point me in the direction of the
                    Royal Infirmary, or wherever Lady
                    Mercury would be found?  

SHEILA works her mouth silently for a few moments, then points down the 
direction she came.

                                    SHEILA
                    Uh ... g-go down this corridor, and
                    take a right at the third four way
                    junction.  You can't miss it.

                                     PRISS
                    Thanks.  

PRISS heads off.  SHEILA follows her with her eyes.

                                    SHEILA
                    Hoooooo.  

Cut to PRISS walking briskly down the corridor.  Suddenly, she pauses and 
looks back the way she came.

                                     PRISS
                    Now where the hell have I seen her
                    before ...  

PRISS shakes her head, and keeps going.  

Cut to a laboratory, a very advanced laboratory, with every sort of 
instrument imaginable, and a few that aren't.  We see LADY MERCURY bent 
over a microscope.  She is wearing a lab coat and has a pair of glasses 
perched on her forehead.

                                 PRISS (O.S.)
                    'Scuse me?  

MERCURY lifts her head to look up at PRISS who is standing on the other 
side of the lab table from her.  MERCURY blinks, then realizes who this 
person is.

                                    MERCURY
                    Oh.  Ms. Asagiri, it's nice to see
                    you again.

                                     PRISS
                    Glad someone thinks so.  Uh ... I've
                    been meaning to apologize for ...

                                    MERCURY
                    (laughs) Not at all, Ms. Asagiri.
                    After all, I wasn't overly injured
                    by your actions -- being immortal
                    means healing very quickly.  I was
                    more startled than anything else.
                    In any event, what can I do for you
                    today?

                                     PRISS
                    Well, I was told that you could
                    maybe get me started on the road to
                    fixing my screwed up memory?  

MERCURY's face falls.

                                    MERCURY
                    Well, first I should explain what
                    exactly is the source of your
                    difficulties.  I'll give you a
                    layman's version ...  

A musical interlude follows, in which a bit of mood music that describes 
Mercury overlays a series of still shots of Mercury lecturing to Priss, 
pointing out areas of a brain on a hologram, and Priss obviously not 
understanding any of it.

                                    MERCURY
                    So you see the problem.

                                     PRISS
                    LONG PAUSE Nope.  Didn't get a bit
                    of what you just said.  It sounded
                    very impressive, but ...

                                    MERCURY
                    SIGH I will simplify.  We can't
                    fix your memories because you seem
                    to have sustained physical damage to
                    your brain at some point.

                                     PRISS
                    PAUSE  That much, I understood.

                                    MERCURY
                    As yet, we are unable to fix brain
                    damage through standard medical
                    technology.  There are alternatives.
                    The first involves nanotechnology --
                    we would inject tiny robots into you
                    which would be programmed to fix the
                    damage.  

Our view changes to look at MERCURY and PRISS from a few yards away.  A 
woman's hand begins to pick up a number of devices that have been left 
lying on a table nearby.

                                     PRISS
                    VERY DUBIOUS Robots.

                                    MERCURY
                    The drawback of the operation is
                    that we don't have an exact idea of
                    what your brain was like before the
                    damage was done.  So the nanobots
                    would be working blind.  Fortunately
                    the artificial intelligence of the
                    current generation of nanobots is
                    very adaptive --  

The woman steps into view.  She has pale lavender hair, golden eyes, and a 
youthful demeanor and air of innocence.  Her name is, of course, CATTY.

                                     PRISS
                    *VERY* UPSET You want to inject
                    frickin' *boomers* into my brain?!
                    *Micro*-boomers?!  

CATTY reacts in shock to PRISS' words, dropping the instruments she is 
holding with a clatter.  Both PRISS and MERCURY turn to look at her, PRISS 
looking confused, MERCURY looking concerned.

                                    MERCURY
                    Caterina?  Is something wrong?  

CATTY turns, her face calm and composed.

                                     CATTY
                    No, Lady Mercury.  It was only that
                    I just now recognized your patient.
                    It is a bit of a shock to realize
                    that one is standing in the
                    presence of a demigod.  P

RISS flushes, while MERCURY smiles grimly.

                                    MERCURY
                    According to the cult of Serenity,
                    Caterina, you're `in the presence of
                    a demigod' whenever you're with
                    *me*.  I wasn't aware that you were
                    a venerator of the Knight Sabres.

                                     CATTY
                    I am.  In particular, Ms. Asagiri,
                    I have often admired your work ...

                                     PRISS
                    Uh ... thanks, I guess ... I didn't
                    think it was all that well known.

                                     CATTY
                    It became so within the last forty
                    years, when Lady Mars released her
                    interpretations of a number of your
                    unproduced songs.  

PRISS is a bit surprised by this.

                                     PRISS
                    She did?  Huh.  I knew she was a
                    singer, but ... BEAT  Wait a
                    minute, forty years?  You're not --

                                     CATTY
                    SMILES BRIEFLY I am older than I
                    seem, as are you, Ms. Asagiri.  I
                    was particularly fond of the song
                    `What A Fool I Am'.  BEAT  It was
                    very beautiful.  

CATTY begins to gather up the instruments she dropped.

                                     CATTY
                    QUICKLY Well, you doubtless have
                    many other things to be concerned
                    with, good day, Ms. Asagiri.  

CATTY walks away, stiffly.  PRISS follows her with her eyes, while MERCURY 
gives PRISS a very disapproving look.  We hear a door slide open and shut.

                                     PRISS
                    What ... what the hell was her
                    problem?

                                    MERCURY
                    It's never nice to realize that
                    one's idols are as flawed as ...

                                     PRISS
                    *What*?

                                    MERCURY
                    I don't think Caterina was aware of
                    your prejudice against boomers.  

PRISS stares at MERCURY for a few seconds, clearly not believing her.

                                     PRISS
                    How the hell does she think I'm
                    gonna act?!  I lost people I cared
                    about to boomers, dammit!

                                    MERCURY
                    I am aware of that.  I am also aware
                    that at least one of those people --
                    one Anri -- *was* --  

PRISS holds up a finger.

                                     PRISS
                    Anri and Sylvie were human! BEAT
                    In every way that mattered!  They
                    felt things, they bled, they --
                    You know, the lot of you are really
                    pissing me off!  Where do you get
                    off laying guilt trips like that on
                    me?  What does she care about --

                                    MERCURY
                    I see.  Without agreeing, I can see
                    your point.  I apologize.  PAUSE
                    You are unable to remember anything
                    past August of 2033?  

PRISS is startled by this sudden non-sequitur, but is clearly glad to get 
off a painful subject.

                                     PRISS
                    Uh ... it's not so much that I can't
                    remember them, it's more like it's a
                    blur, everything just a big mass
                    that I can't understand.

                                    MERCURY
                    Not unlike the memories of your
                    childhood, prior to the earthquake?

                                     PRISS
                    NODS Yeah.  And I *can* remember
                    a few specific incidents from that
                    too ... just like I can remember how
                    it all wound up.  BEAT I remember
                    the first time that I watched `Blade
                    Runner'. BEAT I was six.

                                    MERCURY
                    I see.  PAUSE  I take it that you
                    absolutely refuse nano-treatment?  

PRISS nods forcefully.

                                    MERCURY
                    Then I'll have to do some research
                    before I can make any suggestions,
                    other than the final alternative.

                                     PRISS
                    What's the final --

                                    MERCURY
                    Magic.  BEAT  I prefer not to use
                    arcane practices whenever there are
                    other options.

                                     PRISS
                    Geez.  I thought everyone in this
                    town believed in magic.

                                    MERCURY
                    Oh, I believe in magic.  If I didn't
                    I'd have to consider myself to be
                    dangerously delusional.  I just
                    don't *trust* magic.  PAUSE  I
                    will contact you in a week if you
                    don't get in touch with me before
                    then, Ms. Asagiri.  Good day.  

MERCURY goes back to looking through the microscope.  PRISS stares at her 
for a few seconds, shrugs, and heads off.  We hear a door slide open and 
shut.  MERCURY stands up, and heads in the direction that CATTY took, 
through a sliding door into a darkened corridor.  CATTY is leaning against 
the wall, the instruments she was carrying fallen to her feet.

                                    MERCURY
                    Catty ...

                                     CATTY
                    It is ironic, is it not, that one
                    whom I have considered to be the
                    greatest poet about my kind would
                    hate me if she knew what I am?
                    BEAT It would be like a lesbian
                    meeting Sappho and learning that
                    she is in fact homophobic.

                                    MERCURY
                    For what it's worth, she considers
                    Bu-33S types to be `human in every
                    way that counts'.  And you are
                    structurally closest to that line.  

CATTY is silent for a few moments, and then slowly lifts a fist to hit the 
wall.

                                    MERCURY
                    Please don't, we still haven't fully
                    repaired the damage from when you
                    lost your first patient.  

CATTY holds the fist, then drops it.

                                     CATTY
                    I would weep, except that my maker
                    neglected to incorporate tear glands
                    into my design.

                                    MERCURY
                    I'm sorry, Catty.  

MERCURY embraces CATTY, who gradually returns the hug.  

Cut to a street in Crystal Tokyo at dusk.  This particular street, lacking 
any crystalline structures, is not that much different from a street of 
Tokyo in the twentieth or twenty-first centuries.  Our view draws towards 
a butcher shop.  Cut to the interior view of the butcher shop.  A hand 
taps the bell on the service counter.  The OWNER of the butcher shop comes 
out, he is a robust man in his mid forties with a scraggly beard.  He is 
cleaning his bloody hands on his apron with an annoyed expresion ... but 
his face freezes when he sees his customer.  We see him shortly 
therafter.  It is HIBIKI RYOUGA, wearing his traditional headband ... and 
a heavy trenchcoat and mirrorshades.

                                     OWNER
                    Oh!  I ... I wasn't expecting you.
                    How ya been?

                                    RYOUGA
                    Fine.  Do you have what I need?

                                     OWNER
                    NODS Yeah, we've been setting it
                    aside for awhile now.  You haven't
                    been in, though, and I wuz starting
                    to think that you mighta found
                    another supplier or ...  

RYOUGA vaults over the counter without visible effort.  He closes the 
distance to the OWNER in an eyeblink, and seems to loom over him even 
though they are about the same height.

                                    RYOUGA
                    `Or'?

                                     OWNER
                    SWALLOWS Or somethin' else.  Look
                    -- it don't make no difference to me
                    that you are what you are.  It's one
                    o' those things, y'know what I'm
                    saying?  So what?  Big deal.  

RYOUGA steps around the OWNER, heading for the door that the OWNER emerged 
from.  The OWNER turns to keep talking to him.

                                     OWNER
                    An' hey!  You're probably my best
                    customer.  `Come to Crystal Tokyo
                    and open up a butcher shop,' they
                    told me.  They didn't tell me that
                    damn near everyone in town's a
                    firckin' vegetarian!  Me, I like
                    guys like you, what don't do the
                    veggie thing.  CAR-nivores.  

RYOUGA pauses, and turns to look at the OWNER, lowering his mirrorshades 
for a moment.  We see that his eyes are very bloodshot.

                                    RYOUGA
                    I try to eat a balanced diet.  Too
                    much meat is bad for you.  

The OWNER stares at him in confusion.  RYOUGA turns and heads into the 
back of the shop ... into the large, walk-in freezer.  The freezer door 
closes most of the way behind him.  

Cut to RYOUGA stepping out of the butcher shop sometime later (a couple 
hours, judging by the nightfall).  He absently wipes away a trickle of 
blood running down his chin from his mouth while he looks towards the 
great Crystal Palace at the center of the city.

                                    RYOUGA
                    Soon.  

Cut to a set of steps leading upward on a hill.  PRISS walks up the steps, 
arriving at the gate to a temple.  Specifically, the Hikawa Jinja.  (Or an i
ncredible likeness therof.)  PRISS heads over to the house, noting that 
there is a note on the door.  She picks it up and examines it.

                                  MARS (V.O.)
                    Priss:  Come on in, make yourself at
                    home.  I'm in the shower right now,
                    and that's one of the few times in
                    the day that I absolutely insist on
                    having to myself, so please don't
                    interrupt, okay?
                    Raye.  

PRISS opens the door, and walks into the house, taking off her boots at 
the entrance.  She ambles through the spartan kitchen into the living 
room.  The living room is homily cluttered.  A couch is set against the 
wall, under a painting by Yumeno Yumeni of a prince and a princess 
embracing.  PRISS notes the resemblence of the princess to SERENITY at 
once, and spends a moment looking at it confusedly, then shrugs, and walks 
past the poker table to the compact sound system -- incorporating a CD 
player, a tape deck, and several other less recognizable devices.   PRISS 
picks up one CD case, and stares at it.  The picture on the cover is that 
of RAYE, in shadows, wearing a blonde wig that hides her right eye, 
looking out at the world with a glowing red left eye.

                                  RAYE (O.S.)
                    I thought I heard you come in.  

PRISS looks up, a bit startled.  RAYE has walked into the room, wearing a 
heavy white bathrobe with a pink towel around her shoulders.  Her long 
black hair is still wet, which brings out her unusual purple highlights, 
and she has her red eyepatch on.  PRISS holds up the disc for her to see.

                                     PRISS
                    You didn't mention this.

                                     RAYE
                    Ah.  You found that, did you?  I did
                    that a while back when I was very
                    bored.  PAUSE  Is there something
                    wrong?  

PRISS sets the C.D. down.

                                     PRISS
                    Nah ... well, not really.  I ... I
                    met this girl who's apparently a fan
                    of my songs while I was at Lady
                    Mercury's to see about my memory.  I
                    wasn't expecting to meet fans of my
                    *music*, I guess.

                                     RAYE
                    Good music is eternal, Priss.  It
                    speaks to every age.

                                     PRISS
                    Uh ... there's something I've been
                    meaning to ask you about your eye,
                    and the picture kinda reminded me
                    of it ... when did you lose your --

                                     RAYE
                    My eye?  I lost it ... before you
                    were born.  I was using a cybereye
                    when you saw me in the club that
                    night.

                                     PRISS
                    Then ... why don't you now?  

RAYE's face tenses, and she speaks reluctantly.

                                     RAYE
                    I would rather not discuss that, if
                    you don't mind.  Suffice it to say
                    that I have my reasons, but they are
                    very personal.  When protocol
                    demands that I wear an artificial
                    eye instead of a patch, I will ...
                    but I greatly prefer not to.  

PRISS isn't sure what to make of this.

                                     PRISS
                    Okay.  Whatever.

                                     RAYE
                    So tell me what good news Amy had
                    for you.

                                     PRISS
                    BLINKS Amy?

                                     RAYE
                    Lady Mercury.  She didn't tell you
                    her real name?

                                     PRISS
                    Well, I didn't really *ask* ...

                                     RAYE
                    WORRIED Oh dear.  She must be
                    *furious* with you.

                                     PRISS
                    What?

                                     RAYE
                    She generally reveals her real name
                    to everyone she consults with ...
                    like I do.  Jupiter generally holds
                    her secret a little closer, while
                    Venus ... uh ... I don't think she's
                    ever told anyone ...

                                     PRISS
                    What about Serenity?  

RAYE is silent for a very long moment, and she stares straight ahead.  We 
get the feeling that she isn't looking at PRISS.  Finally, she blinks and 
looks at her.

                                     RAYE
                    That *is* her real name.  

The tension has shot up again.  RAYE lets out a sigh.

                                     RAYE
                    I'm sorry, Priss.  You seem to have
                    a talent for inadvertantly walking
                    into my emotional tripwires.

                                     PRISS
                    Right.  I ...  

RAYE holds up a hand.

                                     RAYE
                    Don't apologize, it's not your
                    fault.

                                     PRISS
                    Wasn't planning on it.  So ... what
                    is she gonna do, now that she's
                    furious with me? FLASH OF INSIGHT
                    She wouldn't ... lie about a
                    patient's condition to a patient she
                    was furious with, would she?

                                     RAYE
                    No, probably not.  Her fury is
                    generally limited to a single act.

                                     PRISS
                    And that act is ...

                                     RAYE
                    She refuses to tell the person her
                    real name.  

PRISS stares at RAYE for a second.  RAYE nods.

                                     PRISS
                    Petty, isn't she?  

RAYE looks like she's about to explain something, when there's a knocking 
at the door.

                                     RAYE
                    Hold that thought.  

RAYE heads out of the living room, and we hear the door open.

                                  RAYE (O.S.)
                    Oh!  Hi you two.

                                SHAMPOO (O.S.)
                    You not ready for game.

                                  RAYE (O.S.)
                    Ack!  It's poker night, tonight!  I
                    completely forgot!

                                 AYEKA (O.S.)
                    Obviously.  Can we at least come in,
                    or would you rather we wait outside
                    while you dress and clean in a mad
                    frenzy?

                                  RAYE (O.S.)
                    No, come on in ... I actually was
                    thinking about the game yesterday
                    ... I think I found a new fourth
                    player.  R

AYE leads AYEKA and SHAMPOO into the living room.  AYEKA is wearing her 
usual kimono and hairpiece, while SHAMPOO is wearing a gray military- 
seeming uniform, and has her two cords of hair tied back around her neck. 
(It makes her look a bit like Madigan.)  Neither of them notice PRISS 
initially.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    Who you find?  It long time since we
                    had ... NOTICES PRISS; UNACCENTED
                    Oh my.  

AYEKA is also visibly startled, but doesn't say anything.

                                     RAYE
                    Priscilla Asagiri, may I introduce
                    Lady Masaki Ayeka, Ambassador to her
                    Majesty's Court from the Stellar
                    Empire of Jurai, and Major General
                    X'ian Po, Special Forces.  

There is a long pause.

                                     PRISS
                    JAUNTY WAVE Yo.  

SHAMPOO imitates her gesture perfectly.  AYEKA bows politely.

                                     RAYE
                    Well, I'll let you get acquainted
                    while I get dressed.  

RAYE heads off in the direction of her bedroom.  There is a long, 
uncomfortable silence.  SHAMPOO looks from PRISS to AYEKA several times, 
noting their similar hairstyles and eye colours.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    You sure you really from Jurai?  Not
                    changeling?

                                     AYEKA
                    BRITTLE We don't *do* that sort of
                    thing.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    Interesting co-inc-idence, then ...

                                     PRISS
                    Stellar ... Empire.  You're from
                    space?

                                     AYEKA
                    In fact, yes.  Are you really *the*
                    Priscilla Asagiri?  The musician and
                    freedom fighter?

                                     PRISS
                    `Freedom fighter'?  SHAKES HEAD
                    Whatever.  Yeah, I'm really the real
                    article.  Haven't you been watching
                    the news recently?

                                     AYEKA
                    I've been a *bit* busy of late.

                                     PRISS
                    They pulled me out of coldsleep a
                    few weeks back.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    You not clone?  Shampoo had heard
                    tell of clone ... 

 PRISS stares at SHAMPOO, who blinks innocently.

                                     PRISS
                    No, I'm not a clone.  They let me
                    *think* I was a clone, but ...

                                    SHAMPOO
                    Ah so.

                                     PRISS
                    Hell with it.  You know that you
                    talk like an old, *dumb* stereotype
                    of how the Chinese talk?  Are you
                    gonna start finishing your sentences
                    with `no da'?  

SHAMPOO grins broadly.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    UNACCENTED It's always a relief to
                    meet someone discriminating enough
                    to see through stereotypes.  PAUSE
                    No da.  

AYEKA gives SHAMPOO a weary look.  PRISS tries to suppress a smile, and 
fails.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    It was a very useful disguise when I
                    first came to Japan ... well, the
                    second time, at least.

                                     AYEKA
                    Useful for getting people to treat
                    you like a twit?

                                    SHAMPOO
                    `Act stupid.  Be smart.'  PAUSE
                    I forget which number, `A Book of
                    Stratagems'.  Must reread that one
                    of these days.  

RAYE comes out of the hallway wearing a set of sweats and barefoot.

                                     RAYE
                    Alright, let's play some cards!  

They settle around the table.  RAYE pulls out a fourth chair, between her 
and AYEKA, amd gestures for PRISS to have a seat.  PRISS slowly sits down.

                                     RAYE
                    TO PRISS The three of us have been
                    playing poker irregularly since
                    1996.  

PRISS' eyes go wide.

                                     PRISS
                    Nineteen ninety -- you two are
                    immortal, too?  

SHAMPOO is about to say something, but is cut off by AYEKA

                                     AYEKA
                    SINGS SOFTLY `I have inside me
                    blood of kings!  Yeah!' NORMAL
                    I've always wanted to say that ...
                    in my case, I'm not actually
                    immortal.  My people are very
                    long-lived, and we have ways of
                    extending our life spans even
                    further -- but we can die.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    Unlike one whose soul partakes of
                    the Tao.  

A golden aura surrounds SHAMPOO, and she begins to quote Lao-Tsu in the 
original Chinese, with a look of utter bliss and tranquility.  RAYE and 
AYEKA stare at her irritatedly.

                                     RAYE
                    Cut it out.  

SHAMPOO's aura disappears, and she looks crossly at the others.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    Hmph.  Shampoo tries to bring them
                    enlightenment, and then they mock
                    Shampoo.  Shampoo show power of Tao
                    by take them for all they worth.  

PRISS is staring across at them as if she has stumbled into a den of 
lunatics.  AYEKA produces a deck of cards from her kimono and begins to 
deal out a hand of draw poker.

                                     PRISS
                    TO AYEKA Could you explain some-
                    thing to me?  How does an alien come
                    to know about the Knight Sabres?  

AYEKA continues to deal as she replies.

                                     AYEKA
                    Well, I've been living on Earth for
                    the last two hundred odd years.  In
                    that time I developed an interest in
                    the legends of the twenty first
                    century.  It was a long-lasting
                    interest -- I finally became bored
                    with the research ... oh, about
                    ten years ago.  I spent a lot of
                    time reading accounts of the Knight
                    Sabres activities.  BEAT The most
                    recent addition to the University's
                    collection on the subject, the
                    memoirs of Leon McNichol, were
                    donated by me, after I found them
                    in the Imperial Library back home.
                    BEAT Was he as much of a twit as
                    he comes across in the book?

                                     PRISS
                    LAUGHS I dunno.  I haven't read it
                    yet.  He was definitely annoying ...
                    had his moments, but they were few
                    and far between.  PAUSE You're the
                    ambassador from Jurai?

                                     AYEKA
                    Yes.  I'm also his Imperial
                    Majesty's great aunt.

                                     PRISS
                    BLINKS Oh!  "Blood of kings".
                    I get it.  

AYEKA nods.

                                     PRISS
                    So ... does Jurai have a lot of
                    trade with Earth?

                                     AYEKA
                    Not really.  My embassy isn't for
                    trade reasons though. PAUSE
                    It's for sentiment.

                                     PRISS
                    Huh?

                                     RAYE
                    His Imperial Majesty, Tenchi I,
                    Lord of the Jurain Stellar Empire,
                    was born on Earth.  He's also three-
                    quarters human.  BEAT  Sorry,
                    thirteen-sixteenths ...

                                     AYEKA
                    Precision to that degree is hardly
                    required, Mars ...  

MARS grins at her over the cards.

                                     AYEKA
                    At any rate, he feels a considerable
                    degree of loyalty to his birth world
                    and has been Queen Serenity's
                    firmest ally among the stellar
                    powers since the Realm's foundation.  

AYEKA looks malevolently towards RAYE out of the corner of her eye.

                                     AYEKA
                    In fact, it has been argued by
                    students of galactic history that
                    had Tenchi not personally enforced
                    the Galactic Union's quarantine of
                    Earth following the Apocalypse,
                    Queen Serenity would not have had
                    the chance to rebuild Earth to her
                    specifications ...

                                     RAYE
                    FLATLY It would have taken a
                    little longer, that's all.  

AYEKA proceeds as though she hadn't heard RAYE.

                                     AYEKA
                    ... and that in in accordance with
                    the tradition of TINSTAAFL, Queen
                    Serenity should acknowledge that
                    debt by declaring that Earth is
                    a vassal of the Empire ...

                                     RAYE
                    SHARP AYEKA.  

They stare at each other with mutual hostility shining brightly in their 
eyes.  PRISS looks between the two of them with a confused expression. 
SHAMPOO looks bored.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    SIGH Might as well put down your
                    cards, Priss, they're gonna be on
                    that topic alllll night.  

SHAMPOO's words seem to calm AYEKA and RAYE down.  After a moment, they 
smile wryly at each other.

                                     RAYE
                    I apologize, Ayeka.

                                     AYEKA
                    As do I, Mars. BEAT Those protest
                    rallies have made me nervous.  I've
                    come to love this world.  I don't
                    want to have to leave it.  

PRISS holds up her hands in a "T" gesture.

                                     PRISS
                    Wheet!  Time!  Would someone bring
                    me up to speed?  

RAYE gestures to AYEKA to go ahead.  AYEKA sorts her cards as she speaks.

                                     AYEKA
                    There *are* students of galactic
                    history who argue as I have said.
                    Their arguments are, understandably,
                    *very* unpopular on Earth.  BEAT
                    As a result, the forthcoming visit
                    by the Emperor has --

                                     PRISS
                    He's coming here?

                                     AYEKA
                    MOCKING Don't you read the news?
                    NORMAL Yes, Tenchi should be
                    arriving any day now.  And the fact
                    of his coming has been seen as
                    "proof" of Jurai's imperialist
                    intentions. BEAT; ANGRY Idiots!
                    Our imperialist age ended with my
                    *grandfather's* reign.  I'm
                    beginning to understand why the
                    Great Bard of your species
                    advocated the death of the legal
                    profession -- those *morons* at
                    the Imperial Academy should just
                    take their legal proofs and shove --

                                     RAYE
                    Easy!  It's not all their fault.
                    Like you said, a bunch of people
                    with nothing better to do took a
                    dry, academic idea about Jurai's
                    right to Earth and blew it out of
                    proportion.  They're calling for
                    an end to any ties between our
                    governments.  They'll probably have
                    an even larger protest rally when
                    the Imperial ship arrives.  We're
                    all a little on edge by this, as you
                    might guess.  

PRISS flashes back.

                                JUPITER (V.O.)
                    In the moment of crisis ...

                                     RAYE
                    Priss?  

PRISS snaps back.

                                     PRISS
                    Huh?  Um, yeah, I could tell that
                    you were all walking around on
                    eggshells, but I couldn't see why.  

SHAMPOO is studying her cards intently.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    We're not *all* on edge.  Not *all*
                    of us came to talk about politics.
                    Some of us came to play cards.  

AYEKA and RAYE give her a disgusted look.  SHAMPOO returns it with an 
inscrutable one.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    ACCENTED Shampoo know better than
                    worry about what will be.  When one
                    can *act* to change what *is*, one
                    should.  Worry only make act harder,
                    have spent all energy worrying so no
                    can act.  SMILES Besides!  Not
                    affect Shampoo one way or another!

                                     AYEKA
                    That is a *horribly* self-centered
                    world view that you've picked up
                    somewhere.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    SIGH; UNACCENTED Ayeka, you're
                    something like eight hundred years
                    older than I am, so I shouldn't be
                    telling you to grow up.  You just
                    said now that you're most concerned
                    because you'll be forced to leave
                    Earth if Jurai and the Crystal
                    Palace break off relations.  If you
                    go, I'll miss you.  I'll miss these
                    sessions.  But they are not the
                    focus of *my* life, so while I
                    sympathize, I refuse to get worked
                    up over it.  

RAYE is obviously annoyed by this attitude.  PRISS doesn't look too happy 
about it either.

                                     RAYE
                    By that logic, we should have left
                    your people to get liquidated by the
                    Chinese.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    But you didn't.

                                     RAYE
                    But maybe we should have.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    SMILES Any views I have on that
                    would be coloured by my loyalty to
                    my people, Mars.  And you've
                    benefited directly from doing so,
                    you'll admit.  How many of the
                    Battle Angels were of Amazon
                    descent?

                                     RAYE
                    SIGHS We won't go into that one,
                    or we really will be here all night.
                    SHAKES HEAD I just can't bring
                    myself to understand how you can
                    just not be concerned with anything
                    that doesn't affect you personally.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    SOFT It's how I cope.  You, your
                    friends, and your queen cope by
                    becoming control freaks.  I cope by
                    admitting that I can't control the
                    world, or even a small part of it.
                    SMILES We'll see who loses her
                    mind first, okay?

                                     PRISS
                    With that kind of an attitude, why
                    do anything?  I mean, why not just
                    take yourself away from everything,
                    go where nobody can find you -- so
                    that their problems *can't* impact
                    on your life?

                                    SHAMPOO
                    Many followers of the Tao do just
                    that.  I can't.  As I said, I feel
                    an obligation towards the people who
                    saved *my* people in their moment of
                    crisis, a bit over nine hundred
                    years ago.

                                     PRISS
                    TO RAYE You were really busy back
                    then, weren't ya?

                                     RAYE
                    More than you know.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    I sometimes think that's what my
                    husband has done.  

AYEKA and RAYE let out a long-suffering sigh.

                                     RAYE
                    This is your revenge for us starting
                    up that old argument again, isn't
                    it?

                                     PRISS
                    You're married?

                                    SHAMPOO
                    NODS Yes.  I was married at the
                    age of sixteen to the greatest
                    martial artist who has ever lived.
                    BEAT Now, if he'd acknowledge the
                    fact of our marriage, we'd be all
                    set.

                                     AYEKA
                    I believe it's my turn to point out
                    that a marriage based on defeat in
                    battle is not valid under Crystal
                    Kingdom law?

                                    SHAMPOO
                    ACCENTED It valid under Amazon law
                    that form basis of most of Martian
                    legal code.  All Shampoo need is get
                    husband to Mars, and --

                                     RAYE
                    The odds against your ever getting
                    him to go willingly to Mars are so
                    astoundingly poor that the bookies
                    on Nuevo Vegas wouldn't touch them.

                                     PRISS
                    So who is this guy, anyway?

                                     RAYE
                    Her husband, poor wretch, is named
                    Ran--  

RAYE and AYEKA suddenly stiffen.  They are very still for a second.  Then 
they exchange a look, and a nod.

                              RAYE & AYEKA (sim)
                    They're here.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    Already?  

RAYE, AYEKA, and SHAMPOO stand up, leaving PRISS alone at the table with a 
confused expression on her face.

                                     PRISS
                    Hey ...

                                    SHAMPOO
                    Where?

                                     AYEKA
                    Monument Park.  BEAT He's planning
                    on visiting her monument.  Oh Guide,
                    I hope he can take this.  

AYEKA touches her hair piece.

                                     AYEKA
                    Ambassador to Transport.  Need pick
                    up.  See you there.  

AYEKA is surrounded by a glowing green bubble, which fades, taking her 
with it.

                                    SHAMPOO
                    Handy.

                                     PRISS
                    Hey.  Can I get clued in on what's
                    happening?

                                    SHAMPOO
                    Can I catch a ride with you?

                                     RAYE
                    Right.  TO PRISS Priss, the
                    Emperor has arrived in orbit.  He'll
                    be making his official arrival at
                    Monument Park, and I have to be
                    there to greet him ... I'd take you
                    there, but I can only carry one
                    passenger when I 'port ...

                                     PRISS
                    Okay, okay.  I've got my new bike.
                    Monument Park is the place that they
                    put up the statue of ...  

RAYE nods, draws in a deep breath, and is consumed by fire.  When it 
subsides, she is wearing her sailor fuku and high heels.  SHAMPOO steps in 
close to her.

                                     RAYE
                    See you there.  

SHAMPOO and RAYE turn into horizontal columns of light, which dim.  PRISS 
checks each of the hands of cards that they left behind.

                                     PRISS
                    Shit.  I'd've won, too.  

PRISS heads out the door of the house, down the stairs to a paved road. 
There is a machine that looks like a heavy motorcycle, minus the wheels, 
parked near the stairs.  The letters "BAT" are painted across the side of 
it.  PRISS hops on, pulls on the helmet that is resting across the 
handles, and starts to flip switches on the control panel.  The "bike" 
begins to hum.  PRISS pulls back on the handles, and the bike rises up 
until it is about two feet off the ground.  PRISS smiles her trademarked 
`I don't really care if I live or die, so please get out of my way' grin. 
She hits the accelerator, and the hovercycle takes off.  

Cut to a stretch of deserted oceanside freeway.  PRISS zooms along at 120 
kph (about 75 mph), reveling in the power of the hovercycle.  

Cut to the gates of the Crystal Palace, at the heart of Crystal Tokyo. 
The 40 feet tall gates are guarded by a pair of 28 feet tall humanoid 
mecha.  Each has its hand on a very large firearm in a side holster. 
PRISS pulls up to the gates, flashes her identicard at one of the mecha, 
and is waved in.  

The roads of the Palace grounds are congested with people, a disturbingly 
large number of whom are carrying signs which say "JURAI MUYO!" and make 
similar pithy commentaries against the Jurains.  PRISS brings her cycle to 
the ground in a parking lot, gets off, and starts walking toward the gates 
of Monument Park.  The gates of the park are "guarded" by two carvings -- 
one of a young girl in a sailor fuku carrying a large glaive, the other of 
a startlingly similar looking young girl in a battered trenchcoat and skin 
tight body suit.  

The park is even more crowded than the rest of the palace grounds. 
Several small groups of protesters are gathered and singing obviously 
rousing songs that are, thankfully, not audible.  PRISS pauses for a 
moment before a large monument to get her bearings.  The monument reads 
"To the Sleeping Hero Within Us All".  Atop the monument is a hologram of 
Sailor Moon in her "I'll Punish You" stance.  PRISS does not notice this.  

PRISS finally arrives, pulling through a crowd to reach the edge of a 
cordoned off area.  Inside the area, SERENITY is seated on a less 
ostentatious version of the throne that she was seated in earlier.  LADY 
MERCURY, LADY MARS, and LADY JUPITER are standing on Serenity's right side 
while AYEKA stands on her left.  A small detail of Crystal Tokyo's armed 
forces is standing at attention nearby.  LADY JUPITER is smiling at 
something that MERCURY has just said, then picks out PRISS' presence in 
the crowd, and her face goes rigid.  

At that moment, the entire ambience of the crowd seems to dim.  Silence 
quickly spreads across the area, and everyone's eye is drawn almost 
involuntarily upward -- to the great, vast bulk of the Jurain Imperial 
Flagship.  The starship is truly immense, matched only by the size of the 
Crystal Citadel itself.  

A glowing ball of green light descends from the ship to arrive in the 
cordoned off area, and materializes a man in his mid thirties with dark 
hair wearing a lavender tuxedo and cape.  SERENITY's face lights up, and 
she rises from the throne to rush down and embrace her husband, ENDYMION. 
After a very passionate embrace, they take a step back from the area that 
Endymion was transported into.  

Cut to a shot of a man's hand reaching into his jacket and producing a 
piece of chromed metal.  

Another green ball of light descends from the ship to just in front of 
SERENITY and ENDYMION, materializing a pair of women.  SERENITY moves to 
greet TSUNAMI and WASHUU (who is in her "adult" form, and remains so for 
the duration of this story), the Imperial Wives of Jurai.  She seems 
genuinely happy to see TSUNAMI (and vice versa), while her greetings to 
WASHUU seem more formal.  TSUNAMI and WASHUU step back from the landing 
area, standing on either side of SERENITY and ENDYMION.  AYEKA comes 
forward to stand beside TSUNAMI -- again, there is a very happy reunion.  

Cut to a shot of the man's hand producing another piece of chrome, this 
time from his pants pocket, which he adds to an assembly of pieces that he 
holds in his hand -- which are beginning to look like a firearm.  

Still another green ball of light descends from the ship, this time 
materializing RYOUKO.  She spreads her arms as if she intends to take in 
all those standing before her in one big hug, smiling beatifically. 
Nobody moves to come into the embrace.  AYEKA is holding her right hand 
over her face as if the sight causes her pain.  RYOUKO shrugs, and heads 
over to stand beside WASHUU ... then pauses.  

Cut to a shot of the man's hand about to insert another piece of chrome 
into what is definitely a firearm of some sort.  He freezes, suddenly.  

RYOUKO appears to be considering something ...  

The man's hands are quivering slightly ...  RYOUKO shrugs, and takes her place beside WASHUU.  

The man's hands relax, and he inserts the piece into the firearm, which is 
practically complete.  

A final green ball descends slowly from the ship to the landing area.  It 
materializes TENCHI (who has grown a moustache) clad in the white robes of 
the Emperor of Jurai.  SERENITY steps forward to greet him.  She bows.  He 
bows.  

The man's hands add the final part of the firearm to the whole.  

Cut to PRISS.  There is a sudden whispering noise to her left.  PRISS 
jerks her head away from the sight in front of her to look to her left. 
She sees the GUNMAN, staring viciously at TENCHI and SERENITY.  

In a slow motion sequence which is accompanied by the sound of a heart 
beat, the GUNMAN raises his weapon up, and begins to shove it forward.

                                     PRISS
                    SHOUTED GUNNNNNNNNNNNN!  

The GUNMAN pulls the trigger.  A long bolt of metal shoots forward towards 
TENCHI ... and embeds itself in a cane that has been lifted to block it by 
ENDYMION.

                                   ENDYMION
                    Not today.  Not today.  

The GUNMAN attempts to flee through the crowd, but runs right into RYOUKO, 
who smiles malevolently down at him.

                                    RYOUKO
                    Going somewhere?  

The GUNMAN turns to run.  RYOUKO teleports in front of him.

                                    RYOUKO
                    Guess not.  

RYOUKO generates her sword, shoves the GUNMAN to the ground, and holds the 
sword at his throat, smiling all the while.

                                 TENCHI (O.S.)
                    Ryouko.  That's enough.  

RYOUKO doesn't move for a moment, then turns to look at TENCHI with an 
exasperated expression.  TENCHI is staring at her firmly, his arms folded 
across his chest.

                                    RYOUKO
                    You're gonna be an idiot about this
                    and insist that we turn him over to
                    the Earthcops, aren't you?

                                    TENCHI
                    Yes.  

RYOUKO lets out a deep sigh, and deactivates her sword.  She reaches down, 
lifts the GUNMAN to his feet, and hands him over to a pair of waiting 
police, who proceed to handcuff him.  Suddenly, the GUNMAN -- who has 
seemed to be in a state of shock until now -- begins to shout.

                                    GUNMAN
                    Abomination!  You will not triumph!
                    The stars belong to us, so it is
                    written!  Go forth, mankind, and
                    populate the universe ...  

As he is pulled away, SERENITY arrives to stand with TENCHI.

                                    TENCHI
                    Do you have any idea what he's
                    talking about?

                                   SERENITY
                    None whatsoever.

                                    TENCHI
                    Not quite the reunion we planned,
                    is it?

                                   SERENITY
                    It was worth a try.

                                    TENCHI
                    I think we'll postpone the visit to
                    her monument until tomorrow.  BEAT
                    Is that young woman part of your
                    security team?

                                   SERENITY
                    SHAKES HEAD No.  That's Priscilla
                    Asagiri.  The last Knight Sabre.

                                    TENCHI
                    Asa--  

TENCHI turns to look at PRISS, who is being debriefed by RAYE.  PRISS is 
explaining what happened, when she feels TENCHI's eyes on her.  She turns 
to look at him.  They stare at each other for a few moments.  

Cut to a shot of the Earth from space.

                                 FEMALE VOICE
                    It begins.  

The voice starts to laugh, maniacally.

                            To Be Continued.  


Together Again: 2937 Chapter, 04/21/97