IT'S THE NAVEL LIFE FOR ME...

Author: Daferge

The characters in this story and the events of all the Tenchi Muyo shows are property of AIC and Pioneer. I have neither created them, nor do I own them.

chapter - 15...

( Dusk - Day Seven - North Atlantic )

Tenchi stood on the aft landing deck studying Mihoshi's handy work...

A number of boxes had been removed from the dropped containers... Tenchi had helped to set them, in order, on the landing deck against the hanger wall... Then he, Ayeka, Ryoko, Washu and the others moved out of the way as Mihoshi had stepped onto the deck... She'd looked around at the opened boxes and smiled at Tenchi...

He winked and she blushed...

Then, taking a deep breath, she'd gone to work...

With quiet efficiency she'd moved from box to box, removing parts and items, carefully putting them together... Tenchi smiled as he watched jaws drop and several people shake their heads in wonder and disbelief...

Kiyone watched her clumsy ex-partner move with the grace of a ballerina...

Who are you and what have you done with Mihoshi?...

Even Washu was impressed, she'd watched Mihoshi grow up, along with most of those present... She was proud of Mihoshi, she was proud of all of them...

Everyone lost track of time as they watched Mihoshi at work...

But then she stood up, stepped back and smiled at Tenchi...

He smiled back and nodded...

Finished...

On the deck before them was a large 'model' airplane, with an 8 foot wing span...

Tenchi bent down and took a firm grip on the models frame... He smiled as he lifted the whole model over his head, carefully... He saw the worry in Mihoshi's eyes, the last thing he needed was to break Mihoshi's work...

It was a lot stronger than it looked and lighter... The body and wings were constructed of special resins and fibers for strength... The wings were thin and hollow, for lightness... Rows of solar cells covered the top of the wings, these provided power in daylight and charged the batteries needed at night... Mihoshi had snapped the parts together, secured small locks that held it tight... He'd watched as she'd tested and inserted fresh batteries... It was ready to go...

He turned to those watching...

" OK... This is Vulture, an experimental reconnaissance drone... It can be flown by remote control and carries a small camera, with transmitter... This allows for real-time control and observation... In other words, it allows us to slip up on someone and observe them, without their knowledge ( we hope )... We've also tested it with a various of ordnance, small rockets and bombs... We've even attached a laser and used it to mark targets for smart weapons... "

Everyone was now eyeing both Tenchi and the drone...

" With luck we should be able to get a really good look at our shadow... "

Kiyone looked at the darkening sky, then Tenchi...

" Will we have to wait for dawn?... "

Tenchi smiled...

" The camera has infrared for night vision and although there's no moon, it's going to be a clear night and starlight will do... "

As he set the drone down, Ayeka noted a mischievous look in his eyes...

" Any suggestions as to who we could get to fly the drone tonight?... "

All eyes turned to Washu...

Washu put a hand over her eyes...

She knew a set up when she saw it...

Tenchi's low voice broke the silence...

" We'll even arm it for you!... "

She looked up into Tenchi's eyes... They were dancing...

She smiled... He always did know just the right thing to say...

She sighed...

to be continued...

( This looks like a good spot to "break"... But there WILL be more mischief coming, this was only the first week of the cruise... Watch for Week two of the cruise... )