be excellent to each other

For some time, I had been struggling to find a good way to end this story.  After writing this tale five times, through several immense changes in my own life, my perspective kept switching.  Correspondingly, the battle continue to expand.

I hope the conflict was worth the wait!

While this segment is shorter, it serves the purpose of refocusing the characters on their primary goal:  Mecha-Nerti.  I also did not want to leave Oh in a stupefied state for the remainder of this story.  After the hell I have given her, she deserves to leave this story strong.

Also, I couldn't resist one more Torchwood reference.

And, don't think I won't make use of her in the final bout!

This segment took a long time to write for several reasons, not the least of which include changes in my personal life.  More to the point, how would everyone react to the ending of the previous segment?  A variety of answers presented themselves, and I debated on how to proceed.  Also, how should the enemy rise again?  I hope the reader enjoys the choices made here as we now steer toward the conclusion of this story.

This segment shortly before the end of its predecessor, focusing on how each pocket of characters reacts to their new predicament.  This was a good opportunity to make use of each character's unique skill set, and see how it fairs against their foe.  Also, it was a task juggling all the groups involved, as it will be for the next part too.

Also, I indulged one last time in referencing the Torchwood slogan as Oh took Mecha-Nerti to task.

This segment highlights Mecha-Nerti herself, giving some insight into her workings, both mechanical and psychological.  The style here is modeled after the previous work Frozen Fire, particularly Chapter 4 and Chapter 5.  While her mechanical aspects will be integral to her downfall, I thought it best to allude to her past issues briefly here.  Her mental structure will be mentioned again before the story's end, however briefly.

I hope to revisit Mecha-Nerti's origin in a rewrite of another story at some future date.

Like the last segment, this one was not planned, but considering Ryoko's storm out, Tenchi following her seemed natural.  Also like its predecessor, this segment was an opportunity to decompress and focus on characters.  Specifically, this segment develops the relationship between Tenchi and Ryoko by setting up a minor moral dilemma:  to get Ryoko to open up, will Tenchi drink alcohol before the legal age?  Admittedly, the image of Tenchi's first drink with Ryoko also made me smile. ^-^

Moreover, this segment was a chance to explore Ryoko's history in Universe again.  In the TV series, her family name is never given, and she has no direct ties to Washu at all.  While I speculate that the two are at least of the same species, they have no connection when they meet in Episode 4.  This opens many questions.  What is their planet like?  Who were Ryoko's parents?  How did she become a pirate?  All of these are possible hooks for later. :3