[center][h3][b][u]The Imperial Palace, Bushu, Musashi System, The Musashi Empire[/u][/b][/h3][/center]

    As James search around the palace looking for Saeko his heart felt saddened. As he was unsure of how the future looked. Would the Dominion go to war or is he just being recalled to claim earth with faust. As unlikely as it was James had to think positive he had done so much in two centuries yet all could crumble so soon and he'd be left with nothing. Just before he gave up hope however he saw Saeko in the hallway "Princess" he called out to her if it wasn't for his he would have be frightened but he must stay strong as he walked towards the princess.
   
        
    "Ah Conrad-dono" Saeko said as she turned towards James. She slowly walked towards him, gesturing for her bodyguards to take up position further up and down the hall. She had a tired look about her, but it was not the weary type of tired. It was the type one suffered after staying up till two a.m. to watch TV. "What brings you to the Imperial palace today?" She asked.

    "Well Princess I wanted to tell you personally that I've been recalled by Faust. Is there somewhere we could speak quietly?" James asked some what tired from looking for her.

    "Hmmm.... Well follow me" Saeko began to lead the way. "You said you were being recalled. What for? Is there something afoot in the Dominion?"
    
        
    "I can only guess but that is why I'd prefer to speak to you alone behind closed doors." James said he followed her.
    
        
    "I see. Very well then. Nice weather we've been having" Saeko commented as she led James through the halls of the Imperial palace. "It will only be a matter of time before the skies here are overcast and storms a daily occurance. Ah! Here we are." One of her guards was holding a side door open for them. She led the way into the small room. "Now then, what was it you wanted to talk about?" She asked as the guard closed the door, sealing the two of them in alone.

    
    "If I'm being recalled then that means plans are in motion and war will soon begin especially with Uther's increase in territory. I want to make sure you're going to be safe and Musashi is prepared." He said as he began to take off his mask as they were alone.

        
    Saeko slowly removed her own mask as she asked "Will the Dominion be fighting Uther's Remnants?" Her expression was one of worry and anxiety. Despite this one could clearly see that the gears of her mind were moving as she mulled over the situation and its possible consequences. "Yes. Yes I will be safe here and Musashi has been prepared to fight a war for some time now. I am grateful for your warning Conrad-dono."
        
    "I can only guess. I assume at the very least we'll be fighting Uther I'm sure others will join." James then began to slow down and look at her "Why would I be worried about the future empress of Musashi. Besides we are nearly the same. Both in our pssonic connection but more I can feel it." James said with a smile as he looked into her eyes.
    
    "Naturally. We are both servants of the gods afterall." Saeko said, her mouth forming into a smile. "I am sure they shall grant you success in whatever endevour you undertake back in the Dominion. I shall be praying for your success."
    
    James slowly nodded "Indeed we're both servants of the gods." James then took a moment clearly nervous of what he was about to say "Seako-Denka," James looked away clearly to shy to say.
    
     "What is it Conrad-dono? Ah, do you wish to converse with the gods?" 
     
     James raised eyebrow curiously "What do you mean converse with the gods?" 
     
     "I mean exactly what I say" Saeko answered. "They speak to and through me. Perhaps they will be willing to speak to you."
     
     "What do the gods say to you princess? Do they give you fortune or merely advise you?" He asked misunderstanding what she meant.
     
     She laughed before answering "Fortunes? Don't be silly. Advise, orders, prophecies. There is so much they can tell, if you but open up your mind." She held a hand out to him. "I will act as a medium for you, if you wish to hear them."
     
     James shook his head "I don't think that'd be a wise decision. We're both strong beings if we were to do something like that I'm afraird of what could happen. Perhaps you could tell me what they think of me?" He asked in a calm manner.
     
     Her hand fell to her side as she closed her eyes and tilted her head slightly upwards. For a minute she simply stood there, but then she opened her mouth. "You... are destinied to be remembered for all time. You shall be the catalyst that brings great change to the galaxy. They..." She suddenly seemed strained, "will not tell me what this change will be, only that its effects will be felt for generations." Sweat was forming on her forehead as her breathing became labored. "I see... I see...."
     
     James eyes widened perhaps she could speak to something greater or perhaps something was playing tricks on her. Yet James wanted to know more and so he pushed "What is it that you see Princess?" James asked
     
     "I see... Who [i]is[/i] that. There is someone with..." She gasped for breath. "Emperor. Is that a man or a woman?" Her expression became pained. "I... [i]What[/i] is this?"
     
     James began to wonder perhaps this wasn't the future she saw perhaps it was the past that day 200 and some year ago when he ended the Imperium and brought about this "What's going on Princess what do you see. Do you need help?" He said louder waiting for confirmation.
     
     "I don't understand... Why?" She shifted her head, eyes still closed, towards a far portion of the room. "Is this inevitable? Is... this...."
     
     James turned his head to the part of the room Saeko looked at slowly backing up next to Saeko. "What is inevitable?" James said as he looked back at her
     
     For a moment Saeko didn't reply, simply standing there. Suddenly she repulsed, as if struck by some great force, just barely remaining standing. She slowly turned towards James as she opened her eyes, a wide smile spreading across her face. "That..." She said, "is for [i]us[/i] to know and you to find out." If a person's eyes were a window to one's soul, then Saeko's eyes were a window to something that didn't belong there. "You had best hurry James Conrad."
     
     James looked to Saeko in the eyes. He then grabbed her shoulders "What's going on? Tell me." he said angrily.
     
     As he touched Saeko a thousand distinct voices could be heard, each one seeming to say something, although it was impossible to make out what was actually being said. Saeko looked at where James touched her and shook her head. "We are not obligated to answer that." The smile on Saeko's face widened further. "You are wondering what [i]we[/i] are exactly." She laughed. "Perhaps you shall find out one day. Now if you will take your leave Saeko-chan has found this whole conversation to be overly taxing."
     
     James let go and backed away confused unsure of what to do. "Why fight we could work together if you're as powerful as you say." 
     
     Saeko laughed. "Who said anything about power?" It almost sounded like their were other voices whispering in the room now. "[i]We[/i] have no need for your arbitrary rankings." Saeko laughed again, ending the laugh in a fit of coughs. "[i]We[/i] shall do as is necessary. Nothing more nothing less. [i]You[/i] are free to do as [i]you[/i] please," Saeko looked at James, "so long as it does not interfere with [i]us[/i]."
     
     James smiled "If you truely believe me to be of little use of powerful then you all are mistaken and not what you claim to be. I suggest you leave the Princess alone." James eyes narrowed as he looked at her.
     
     Saeko responded with a laugh lacking mirth. "In all times and places are there those who believe that all revolves around them. [i]We[/i] assure you it does not. [i]Your[/i] destiny lies not here. It never has nor will it ever. And before you dared to tell [i]us[/i] to leave her alone perhaps you should not have pushed dear Saeko-chan so far. It was [i]your[/i] thirst for knowledge that let [i]us[/i] in afterall. Ah... but [i]we[/i] have truly pushed her too far. It would be unfortunate for her to suffer from any... lasting side effects. We will not be speaking again James Conrad."
     
     Saeko closed her eyes, her body convulsing as the whispers of those not present ceased one by one. When the last one had been silenced Saeko's legs gave out from under her and she collapsed to the floor gasping for breath.
     
     James knelt down next to her and held her "Princess are you alright? It seems as though something terrible happened do you remember anything?" He asked truely worrisome.
     
     "I... am fine" Saeko's sweat drenched face possessed a euphoric expression. "But you... need to hurry. Now." She took a deep breath before saying "I don't understand what, but something is being set into motion."
     
     James nodded slowly "Very well then Princess, I will go. But I hope to see you soon in the future." James then stood up and headed off.