Subject: [Fanfic] BGC - The Tempest Chronicles II : 4th Helping
From: Robin Smith
Date: 11/11/1995, 8:58 PM
To: fanfic@andrew.cais.com

I was asked by <Francis.Gilbert@newcastle.ac.uk> asked if Mackie was
going to get some coverage.
The answer's *yes* but you may not like what happens and I had some
free time today so I nailed this chapter down.

Be warned the next lot will be slower in coming as there's one or two
loose ends that need tying up from chapter 6-10 onwards.

As usual C+C appreciated and who knows you may just influence the
story line.

I haven't had a lot of reaction thus far so :
a) Is it pure drivel ? 
     Remember 'pure' drivel is better than any other sort :)
b) Is everyone asleep ? 
     In which case should "Punster" be set loose again ?
     And maybe have a session with PunKnight ? (double jepardy)
c) Have the large number of Ranma fanfics taken their toll ?

<--- Begin include --->


                           Bubblegum Crisis
                                 ****
                      The Tempest Chronicles II
                                 ****
                        (c) Robin Smith 1995

                 Bubblegum Crisis is copyright Armtic,
                     Youmex and Toshimichi Suzuki.
          Other copyrights belong to their respective holders.
                              =========

  Chapter 2.4
  -----------

  Suddenly my vision began to swim and I felt very light headed.
  "Ahh not agai..."
  <whump> I dropped into a heap on the floor and blacked out.

  Nene took one step towards Tempest then paused as a beep sounded in
  her ear. She closed her visor to check something,
  "Sylia I'm detecting a power surge and it's rapidly building up."

  "See what you can do to stop it."

  Nene raced over to the access port and linked up. Again her fingers
  danced rapidly over the keyboard then she let out a cry and pulled
  all the connections free, rapidly stuffing the cables back into
  their compartments.
  "We've got about FOUR minutes to get out of here before this place
   goes up in smoke and there's NO WAY I can stop it."
  She yelled.

  "Mackie your suit has the best carrying capacity, you take Tempest.
   Everyone get out of here, as fast possible."

  Priss was first into the lift and noticed the lights on the control
  panel were out.

  "Sylia looks like the lift's out of action, doesn't seem to be any
   power on line."

  "Okay, Linna give Priss a hand and take out the roof so we can fly
   up the shaft. Don't forget to make it large enough for Mackie
   who'll be carrying Tempest."

  Nene saw Linna race into the lift and heard several muffled
  explosions as Priss and Linna blew away the roof of the lift.
  She'd gone to the closet Tempest had hidden in after he took the
  pictures of their rough and tumble with Sylia. Frantically looking
  around for anything that could be useful she pulled open the drawers
  and emptied their contents into a small blue shoulder bag.

  "NENE GET OUT OF THERE NOW"
  Sylia shouted over the comms link.

  "I'm coming, I'm coming"
  Seeing nothing else she ran out and was about to grab the case when
  she remembered what Tempest had said about its explosive power.
  Leaving it behind she swept the remains of the data unit into the
  bag along with the letter Tempest had left on the table. Nene used
  her flight system to boost her over to the lift shaft.

  Flying up the shaft she just glimpsed Mackie's feet go through the
  upper doorway when her suit's monitors warned her that there was
  just over a minute and a half to go.

  "NINETY SECONDS LEFT" she yelled.

  Priss, Linna and Mackie were already on top of the building where
  KnightWing was parked when she and Sylia who'd held back to make
  sure Nene got out all right, began their flight.

  Pushing their thrusters to the limit they zoomed up to KnightWing
  and tumbled inside. Priss and Linna had got Tempest who was still
  unconscious strapped down and Mackie had KnightWing airborne about
  fifteen seconds after Sylia closed the door.

  "This is going to be close."
  Muttered Linna.

  "Fifteen seconds left."
  Nene sounded worried.

  "Hang on this could get a bit rough."
  Mackie called from the cockpit.

  There was a bright flare of light from behind KnightWing and then
  it bucked, swayed and jumped around like a leaf caught in a gust of
  wind before Mackie managed to get everything on an even keel again.
  "Everyone okay back there ?"

  "Shaken not stirred, but otherwise all right."
  Priss called back.

  Nene who had been watching the scanners, turned round,
  "No damage registered I've green lights across the board."

  "What about Tempest's place ?"

  "Well there's not a lot left, just some very hot rubble.
   You certainly won't get anything useful from there now Sylia."

  "How's he doing Linna ?"

  "He's still out cold, blood pressure is on the low side so he may be
   bleeding internally. Feels like he's got some major damage to his
   upper rib cage."

  "Nooooo"
  Priss let out an anguished cry. The thought raced across her mind
  as why she seemed to have this innate ability to screw up badly
  around people she cared for in one way or another. She reflected on
  past events; her boyfriend, Sho's mother, Sylvie, Anri and now
  Tempest, though she didn't know why she felt this way about him.

  "Mackie do have we enough fuel to call at Raven's and still make
   the hanger ?"

  "I'll check. Yeah, no problem sis.
   You want to drop Tempest off there first ?"

  "Yes, depends on a phone call, but make for Raven's anyway."

  "You got it."

  "Nene see if you can get Dr Raven on the phone."

  Nene rapidly hacked into the phone system and patched her call
  through a telephone kiosk line; baring the lines use by the kiosk
  as she did so.

  After four rings a gruff sounding voice answered,
  "Moshi, moshi, Raven's."

  "He's on line Sylia."

  Nene sent a short coded signal down the line. Now to anyone who had
  tapped the line it sounded like random noise, what happened was
  a small green light next to the phone flashed twice.

  Dr Raven pulled a small device from his pocket and pressed a button.

  "Go ahead, I'm set."

  "Sylia here Doctor."

  "What's up ?"

  "I've got a man here who's got what looks like a crushed ribcage,
   but I don't want him in a hospital or clinic.
   Call our doctor and ...."

  Sylia quickly outlined her plan with Dr Raven.

  "Yes, that should be convincing enough so he doesn't get overly
   curious.
   You owe me one for this Sylia.
   What's your ETA ?"

  "Three minutes.
   Mackie will remain and help you set-up.
   I'll take the rest of us back to base."

  "All right, see you in a bit."

  Mackie set KnightWing down behind the garage and Linna carried
  Tempest into the workshop that now had all shutters closed.

  She supported him carefully whilst Mackie slipped a set of grease
  stained overalls over Tempest's clothes and then she laid Tempest
  down on a crawler board and retreated back to KnightWing.

  Mackie changed into his overalls and then carefully smeared a few
  strategic oil stains over his and Tempest's faces. Then he wiped an
  oil soaked rag over Tempest's hands before doing the same to himself.

  Whilst all this was going on, Sylia had taken off with KnightWing
  and the rest of the Sabers, heading towards the hangar.

  Meanwhile Dr Raven was speaking to their 'tame' Doctor on the phone.

  "Yes, that's right, the hoist slipped and the engine fell on him."

  <pause>

  "No, it wasn't a big impact, just some bruising I think but he's out
   cold. I want to keep this quiet so don't call an ambulance."

  <pause>

  "Yes I'm sure we can work something out."

  <pause>

  "You're coming over ?"

  <pause>

  "All right knock on the shutter when you get here, thanks."

  "I've checked Tanaka over with the hand scanner Professor and his
   ribcage seems to be okay there's heavy bruising still apparent
   though."

  "Good, that should be all the more convincing for the Doctor."

  "I've put the bug on the bottom of the crawler board."

  "When he gets here let me do the talking and you can monitor from
   the office."

  About ten minutes later there was a knock on the shutter.

  Dr Raven checked the security camera.
  "Okay that's him, stay here in the office.
   Camera three should supplement the view you've got.
   When he's inside activate the security system I don't want him
   able to leave in a hurry without first 'discussing' it."

  "All right, you can count on me."
  Mackie had already thought it all out for himself but he wasn't
  going to let Dr Raven know that just yet.
  He'd have to talk to Sylia about it later; right now he had to watch
  over the Doctor.

  Dr Raven had made a very convincing accident scene for the Doctor to
  see; Tanaka in grease stained overalls had apparently been under the
  Genom microbus when the hoist holding the engine had failed, letting
  the engine drop onto his chest.
  However, he was saved from being crushed when the chain had snagged
  on the exposed front suspension strut, halting the engine's downward
  plunge.
  The end result was; it gave him a very badly bruised ribcage and
  knocked him out.

  The Doctor spent some time carefully checking Tanaka over, before
  confirming what Dr Raven had said and whilst they were talking
  Tanaka had begun to come round.

  Dr Raven noted that Tanaka seemed to grasp the situation quickly
  and the answers he gave convinced the Doctor he was just feeling
  a little winded. What Dr Raven couldn't know was that Mackie had
  of course communicated the plan to Tanaka as soon he'd come round
  sufficiently.

  The Doctor was satisfied with the story and Tanaka's condition,
  "He'll get a bit of pain from the bruising for a couple of days but
   that's all there is to it, the padding on the crawler board's head
   rest saved him from concussion. I didn't really need to come over,
   I've seen worse cases after a bar fight."

  "Thank you for coming though Doctor, I'd rather be safe than sorry.
   What do you want to do about a 'fee' ?"

  "Well my car is overdue for an overhaul and I think one tyre needs
   replacing ..."

  "I think we can manage that without too much trouble.
   When do you want to bring it in ?"

  "How about next Tuesday and I could give Tanaka-San a quick look
   over as well when I drop it off."

  "Yes that'll be fine but Tanaka-San is going home on Thursday.
   You see he was only doing this part time."

  "All right I don't foresee any problems but give me a call if he has
   a relapse."

  "No problem, thank for coming.
   Goodnight."

  "Goodnight."

  The doctor made for the exit and Dr Raven waved to Mackie held his
  his right hand up in the shape of an 'O'.

  Once the Doctor had driven off, Mackie secured the workshop again
  and went over to Tanaka and Dr Raven.

  "How are you feeling Tanaka-San ?"

  "Just a bit sore."
  Tempest answered indicating his chest.
  "I could use a drink if that's all right, err sorry didn't get your
   name"

  "Dr Raven.
   What would you like to drink though I haven't got much here just
   coffee, tea or sake."

  "If you've got a cola then that would be nice otherwise a tea will
   be fine thank you Dr Raven."

  "Mackie could you give me hand please, I feel downright silly lying
   here on this board."

  "Sure. Ready ?"

  I nodded. Mackie pulled me to my feet.
  "Ungh, be a bit more gentle please."

  "Sorry Tanaka-San."

  Dr Raven had gone through to a back room and rejoined us shortly
  with three steaming mugs.
  "Sorry the machine's out of cola, so I made some tea."

  "Thank you very much Dr Raven."

  I took a sip, ugh no sugar.

  "Pass the sugar over please Mackie."

  I dumped seven large spoonfuls into it and stirred. Dr. Raven looked
  at me with surprise.

  "No it's not your tea making at fault Dr Raven I need the energy
   and not having any glucose this is the next best thing."

  "If you say so.
   Now I don't know what this all about but a very good friend of
   mine has gone some considerable trouble to ensure your safety."

  "That's all right Dr Raven. Now let me see how to put this ..."
  I paused for a second as though considering my next words.
  "Let's just say Sylia and I are working acquaintances and I'm aware
   of her business activities and hobbies."

  Dr Raven looked to Mackie, who said
  "It's all right Professor, Tanaka-San is in the know."

  "You know the others then ?"

  "Yes we've been having a very cosy little chat over at my place
   for the last couple of days. And my name's not Tanaka, that was
   purely a cover for the doctor you called, my real name is Tempest."

  "You're Tempest ?"
  Dr Raven looked shocked.

  "Yes."
  I took another mouthful of tea.

  "*The* Tempest ?"

  Now I almost gave one of my smart-ass replies at that point but
  thought better of it, after all I didn't want to upset him after
  the trouble he'd gone to.
  "From that I take it you've heard of me ?"

  "If you are who I think you are then you'll be able to answer the
   following question.
   What's the link between a bear, daybreak and genesis ?"

  Swallowing my tea, I answered without pausing.
  "Oh that's very easy.
   The bear is the USSR, an oblique reference to Boris Stengovich.
   Daybreak is the rising sun, for this read Japan.
   Genesis was the name of Yasha Stingray's project."

  "And the link ?"

  "I'm the link."

  "Then you have to be Tempest only two other people in the world
   would have been able to answer that and they are both dead."

  "I don't think we've met before have we Dr Raven ?"
  Swilling the tea round the mug to make sure all the sugar was
  dissolved I quickly upended it and drained the last of the tea in
  one gulp.

  "No and much as I would like to discuss things with you, from what
   Yasha once said you are not a person to tangle with. Looking at
   your condition I'd prefer to leave it that way for the present."

  "Now what do you mean by that ?
   Ahh, wait a minute ....
   Yes if Yasha told you about that incident then I can see you'd be
   concerned.
   Very well I'll trespass on your time no further and head on home.
   Thank you your help, Sylia has a very good taste in friends."

  "Err Tempest, well you could have a small problem."
  Mackie sounded a little nervous.

  "Okay calm down, what's up ?"

  "Well your pad got toasted, we only just got you out of there before
   it went ka-boom."

  "What !"
  That caught me by surprise for a second.
  "Oh of course, without Marvin the power plant had no limiter on it
   and it would been sufficient to detonate the case as well so there
   would be nothing left. Looks like it's back to the apartment.
   Only thing is how to get there."

  "Can you ride a motorcycle Tempest ?"

  "Haven't ridden one for a while Dr Raven, but yes no problem.
   Why ?"

  Dr Raven turned round pulled open a drawer, lifted some papers
  aside and tossed me a set of keys.
  "There's a red Genom Ninja in the far corner that I loan to Priss
   when she's broken her own bike.
   There's some old helmets in the back room that may fit as well."

  On top of the lockers in the back room were three helmets one of
  which fitted me, just. It was an old open face with no visor but
  there were a pair of old goggles in a box that were usable.
  With the greasy overalls, the old goggles and helmet I looked like
  a throwback to the 1960's, hmm, there's an element of truth in that
  thought I mused.

  I returned to the office to talk with Dr Raven,
  "Let's see it's now early Sunday so I won't be able to return this
   stuff or the bike until Monday evening.
   Is that going to cause a problem ?"

  "Well unless Priss breaks hers again, that's all right."

  "Anything I can do for you in return Dr Raven ?"

  "I'll think of something.
   Now I just want to get some sleep."

  "Thank you very much. I'm sorry to have put you to so much trouble."

  "Need a lift Mackie ?"

  "Yeah sure just let me call sis to let her know what's happening."

  "But you don't need to call ..."
  I stopped, Dr Raven wouldn't know about Mackie's "abilities".
  "Oh yeah you better let her know we're safe."

  Mackie called Sylia, it was more of a show for Dr Raven since we
  could fill her in on the details as we rode. He went to the back
  room and came back in a tatty set of leathers and carrying a black
  helmet. He ran over to the bike, waving to Dr Raven who was closing
  the shutters, jammed the helmet on his head and leapt on the back.

  'Okay, are you ready Mackie ?'

  'Yeah, hey this sure beats those bike intercoms.
   Hmm pity we can't market it; we'd make a fortune.'

  'Hi Ho Silver and Away !'
  I revved the bike and let the clutch out. The back-end twitched
  momentarily fish tailing a bit, then the tyre gripped and we shot
  off down the road.

  'Hey where did you learn that trick even Priss doesn't get that
   good start from this bike.'

  'Dunno it just seemed right.'

  'Tempest to Sylia.
   Tempest to Sylia, are you receiving ?
   Over.'

  'Yes I hear you and what's that noise ?'

  'Motorbike, it's not bad for a loaner but it's a bit slow.'

  'Motorbike ? You mean you're up and on a bike ?'
  Sylia sounded concerned.

  'Yes, we're heading over to my apartment to pick up a few things,
   then I'll swing by your place to drop Mackie off.'

  'Mackie don't say you're taking Tempest to his apartment ?'
  Hmm she'll be even more concerned in a moment.

  'No I'm not sis, Tempest is driving'

  'WHAT ! Oh my god I don't believe it.
   One hour after he's fallen unconscious and he's riding round on
   bike with my brother on the back.'
  The words "shit" and "fan" sprang to mind at this point.

  'Come over to my place right now Tempest.'

  'Hey, now that's a great pickup line Sylia.'

  'Damn it Tempest quit the clowning around; I'm serious.'

  'Well it's bit late we're just turning in to the street where my
   apartment is now.'

  'Get out of there; I think there's a trap been laid.'

  'Ahh now you tell me; it looks quiet enough.'
  How wrong could I get ? Try totally.
  Two thugs came out the bushes pointing guns in our direction.

  'HOLEEEY SHIIIT.
   Hang on tight Mackie.'

  I snicked the bike into first, revved it towards the red line,
  dropped the clutch and wheelied it into the first goon whilst
  lashing out with my left leg at the second. Fortunately they both
  went down on the first attempt. Letting the bike down onto two
  wheels again I paused as Mackie snatched up one of the guns.

  I had a sudden sense of trouble.
  'Mackie leave the other and hang on tight. I think this is about to
   get interesting. Make sure the safety is ON and stuff the gun into
   my overalls please.'

  'TEMPEST what's going on ?'
  Sylia's voice screamed in my head.

  'Sylia can you chat to Mackie please; I'm rather busy trying to save
   both our lives at the moment.'

  'Mackie what's going on ?'

  'Well you were right Tempest's place was an ambush.
   There are two goons with guns here; both are down.'

  'Thank goodness for that.
   Now tell Tempest to get over here quick.'

  'I think that's what he's got in mind. Uh oh.'

  'What do you mean "uh oh" ?'

  'There's a third one blocking our exit.'

  The third goon was big ....
  Then he got bigger, oh shit buma !

  I backed the bike up with my legs towards the two unconscious goons.
  'Grab the other gun Mackie we're going to need it.'

  'You can't take out a buma with these !'

  'Not with one, but with both it's just possible.
   Now change places and drive; get as low as you can as well please.
   When I say go, ride straight at it and don't flip us over.'

  'Sylia keep quiet please, we both need to concentrate very
   carefully if we're going to get out of this alive.'
  An image of Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny suddenly flashed up.
  "Be vewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbit."

  'All right Tempest, though this could be a short ride.'

  Loosing off one shot towards the buma's head, the bullet crashed
  home obliterating the left eye.

  Then it opened its mouth, bellowed loudly and stood there mouth
  agape.

  'Now Mackie go for it.'

  "I hope you know what you're doing Tempest", Mackie thought to
  himself, "Or sis is going to be the only Stingray left in a minute."

  As Mackie gunned the bike at the buma and as the distance closed,
  I took careful aim and emptied both magazines into its throat.

  Mackie glanced at the buma; it was still standing !
  'Uhh Tempest that didn't work.'

  'Give it chance and I'd suggest going round the corner please.'

  Mackie cranked the bike over and swung round the corner just about
  keeping control. Once he'd negotiated the corner he slowed as he
  glanced in the mirrors and saw a flare of light behind.

  'Bye-bye sis, see you in heaven.'

  'MACKIE NOOOO.
   TEMPEST WHAT HAVE YOU DONE ?'

<End of Part 2.4>

TO BE CONTINUED ....
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Robin Smith 1995                       Tempest@ktsabers.demon.co.uk
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
<--- End include --->

Warning :
  This is the fool who went to the masquerade dressed as "Kiki"
  for a laugh; and got it ! ^_^
 
-- Tempest   aka Robin Smith                 Author: "The Tempest Chronicles"
^[$B%m%S%s^[(J ^[$B%9%_%9^[(J        Lichfield, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Miyazaki, Sonoda, Shirow, Suzuki, Takahashi <-Unsorted            All Hail UF