(continued from part 2)
-----------------------

  In the end none of the Terra Combine fleet survived the onslaught of 
the Dominion's numbers. However, the Dominion only barely succeeded in 
rescuing the Heir-apparent from his Siberian prison, as the forces under 
Major Hibiki set up a fierce defense. Unfortunately for the Combine, the 
entire defense force was wiped out. Ryoga died a warrior, as did those 
who died in the heavens above before him. 
  The Terra Combine was crushed under the heels of the Saotome Dominion, 
but at what price? Following Kuno's final war cry and blazing death, the 
truth of the Halydis Massacre was revealed to all in the Dominion fleet; 
records within the Combine archives and Kuno's own black box and logs 
verified that it was Saotome, not the Combine, responsible for the 
eradication of House Kuno. None of them would look at their leader, 
Genma, in the same way any more. 
  Ranma watched as the surviving enemy were lead to the prison ships, 
among them Shampoo, who somehow survived the destruction of her own ship 
(she wanted to kill herself, but the escorts prevented her from doing 
so). Nowhere Ranma saw a trace of Ukyo, and he felt a pang of guilt in 
his stomach, even if he did know she was dead already. 
  I could've saved you, Ucchan, Ranma thought. If it weren't for these 
damned wars, everything would've been different between us. In the end, 
you chose your duty over friendship. I have to respect that. 
  Good-bye, Ucchan. Your sacrifice will not be in vain. 

  So it came to pass that when Ranma returned home he memorialized Ukyo 
and those under them for their duty, honor, and loyalty, in the face of 
death. Posthumous honors were bestowed upon the defeated officers, and 
their families were provided with full benefits of other military 
families. Genma wanted to punish those who acted against the Dominion 
during the war, but Ranma dissuaded him, arguing that it was time for 
things to heal. With those who participated in the final battle against 
the Combine behind him, Ranma threatened to make Genma's treachery 
public. Reluctantly, Genma agreed. 
  When it was time that Ranma became head of government sweeping reforms 
were made throughout the Dominion to make it a better place. For Ucchan. 
For the people.  


Closing theme: Let's Be Platonic
-----------------------------------------------
Author's Rant

  As of Version 2: I've taken comments to heart and rewritten the scenes 
between Ranma and Ukyo, added a few more bits to make the Kuno siblings 
more 'Kuno,' and added some other minor details. Fixed a few mistakes I 
missed in Version 1. Added interaction with Taro in the story. Added 
extra event involving Genma. I must say, I'm happier with this version. 
  The ship name 'Wild Stallion' can mean two things to you; take a pick 
which one was foremost in my mind when I wrote it :) 
 
<!-- End File -->
-----------------------------------------

  So ends my tale. If you've read this far, then congratulations; I 
couldn't help but write a revision to it after its initial post, which 
resulted in revision of certain events (thanks to comments made) and 
expansion of others. The scene with Kodachi and the fighters was 
inspired after watching one particular episode of Babylon 5 (guess which 
ep, B5 fans), and my desire to let Kodachi get in her licks before she 
bought it. 
  Indirect references to Battletech, Wing Commander, and any other space 
story you can think of are purely accidental; I didn't have any of those 
in mind when I first wrote this. Of course, in certain areas you CAN 
tell what has influenced my writing ^^;;;
  The only reason this story was partitioned as such was all due to 
Hotmail's e-mail composer. Thank them....


"That's my story and I'm sticking to it."--JMS, creator of Babylon 5. 
"If you go to Z'ha'dum, you will die."--Kosh, Babylon 5.
"Jump. Jump now!"--Kosh, Babylon 5, making some sense. 

--Razorclaw X

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