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Episode 21 -	No Need for a Checkpoint!
	Sekisho muyō!
First aired -	20th August 1995

The episode begins on a flashback to Sasami's earlier childhood, as she walked hand-in-hand with her uncle in a beautiful forest on planet Jurai.

The fugitives' journey towards Jurai is nearing its end, but there is one major hurdle still to clear; the Juraian defence grid, which completely surrounds Juraian space and can instantly vaporize any unauthorized intruder, even blasting stray meteors. The only safe way through is via a number of controlled checkpoints, and the gang know that their wanted status is a huge obstacle to overcome. However, they already have a cunning plan in effect; to pass through the checkpoint disguised as female students on a school field-trip. Even Tenchi has to dress up as a girl! All is going well until they reach the check-in desk, where their plan is almost scuppered by Mihoshi's usual empty-headedness. Before letting them through, the Juraian officials tell them that they need to inspect their ship. Luckily, the Yagami has been disguised with fake body panels, and Azaka and Kamidake are waiting on board to hypnotize the officials into granting them clearance to proceed.

Finally, the gang proceed to the checkpoint itself, where a sophisticated security system scans their DNA, skeletal structure and retina pattern. Fortunately, Washu has anticipated such measures, and provided everyone with fake data to fool the scanners. Washu, Kiyone and the princesses clear the checkpoint, thinking they have got away with their deception, but are unaware that they, and Sasami in particular, are being watched closely by a mysterious Juraian man. When Tenchi arrives at the checkpoint, he too passes the scan (although not without the officials observing that he has quite a masculine figure for a girl!). He has a narrow escape when a smooth-talking youth named Sagami tries to pick him up! Finally, Mihoshi steps through the scanner and the alarms go off; the ditz detective has left her Galaxy Police-issue pistol and identification in her pocket!

Elsewhere, the others are alarmed as sirens sound all over the checkpoint station. Knowing they will be rumbled if the Juraians see their ship, no matter how heavily disguised it is, they rush back through the security doors and back towards the docking bay.

Meanwhile, the charming Sagami has managed to separate Tenchi and Sasami from the rest of the group and takes them for drinks at the cafeteria. They are saved from Sagami's charms when Ryoko and Mihoshi rush through the cafeteria pursued by Juraian guards. The guards spot Tenchi and Sasami as well, and they are forced to make a run for it. Fortunately, Sagami trips the guards, allowing them to make a clean getaway.

Kiyone, Washu and Ayeka also have a run-in with the Juraian guards, but Kiyone knocks two of them out with her combat yo-yo, and Nobuyuki floors the third with the strike of a wooden pole. With the way ahead clear, they are joined by the others and make a dash for the docking bay. They reach a fork in the corridor, and decide on the correct path by doing the exact opposite of Mihoshi's suggestion. However, their fortunes are about to take a turn for the worse when the secondary security systems kick in, trapping Sasami behind an automatic security door.

On the other side of the security door, Sasami tries to find another way around. She remembers the time in her earlier childhood when she was separated from her uncle and became lost in the woods; the very same trees that form the corridors of the checkpoint today. She cries out to the others, and hearing her voice two guards rush to capture her. However, she is saved when a mysterious Juraian man knocks them both out. She passes the unconscious guards, but suddenly becomes trapped as a pair of security doors close either side of her and the room begins to fill with gas. Finding they have trapped one of the fugitives, one of the officials in the station control room rushes to investigate. He removes the security gates and picks up the unconscious Sasami.

Meanwhile, the others have come to another dead end. They retrace their steps and try a different route, but find their way blocked by guards. They are about to engage in combat when Sagami appears and throws Tenchi a staff to fight the guards. Moments later, every last guard lies unconscious, but Sagami is nowhere to be seen. They rush to find Sasami, and eventually locate her slumped against a wall, where the mysterious stranger left her, just as she comes around.

Finally, they arrive at the docking bay, but find they are too late; the Yagami has been ejected from its bay. Ryo-Ohki transforms into her spaceship guise and breaks through the side of the docking bay, and the gang flies to the drifting Yagami. As they head away from the checkpoint station, Sasami looks back and spots a familiar face watching them leave; her beloved uncle, the same mysterious man that helped them all through the checkpoint.

<< Episode 20 - No Need for Swimsuits!

Episode 22 - No Need for Knights! >>

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