Part Two
Can I Get a Witness?
South Docks, Manhattan Island, New York, 8:45 AM:
Loading cranes worked steadily about the piers of
Manhattan's shipping docks, lifting enormous crates of
goods bound to markets overseas. Along the piers,
truck delivered supplies, stevedores and longshoremen
working steadily to keep up with the demanding
schedules.
The SS Roanoke currently prepared to get underway
bound for Central and South America, her holds filled
with newly crated machinery parts and other goods for
their neighbors in the lower hemisphere. Her captain
stood on the quarterdeck watching as the final pallets
were lowered into the ship. This would be a good run,
he thought. Drop off this load, pick up fresh fruits
and materials in Brazil, then head home with a quick
stop in Barbados for some well deserved R and R.
The First Mate came up, reporting that the cargo
was secure and they could get underweigh anytime he
desired. The Captain ordered the Officer of the Deck
to have the brow broken down, when he stopped noticing
a black car gliding down the pier, coming to a stop at
the foot of the gangway.
Out stepped a tall slim black man dressed in a
black suit and tie staring up at the ship, looking it
over. From the passengers side a woman stepped out,
dressed the same as the man, holding what appeared to
be some kind of cellular phone to her ear. She said
something then called to her companion, nodding to the
ship. Curious eyes followed the two as they walked up
the steps to the quarterdeck.
"Knock, knock," said the man smiling at the
Captain.
He was not amused. "Something we can do for you?"
the Captain asked them.
"Uh, yeah. I'm uhm, Agent McNabb and this here is
my partner Agent Ketchum. We're from the Trades and
Exports Department."
"The Trades and Exports Department?" The Captain
cut his eyes over to the OOD, scratching his head in
confusion. "I've never heard of any Trades and--,"
"Not many people do," the woman cut in. "We got
word you might have an illigal trade item in one of
your shipments."
"An illegal what!"
"A trade item not authorized for export,"
explained the man. "You know, kind of like giving
Monday Night Football to TBS."
The woman hit him lightly in the side.
"I don't know what you're talking about," replied
the Captain. "I don't have anything illegal on my
ship."
"Oh really now," answered the man. He looked back
at his partner, and she pulled out the cellular phone
again. Tapping something on it's keypad, a beep
sounded as her readout became active.
"Manifest number 694. Destination: Panama City."
She read off to him.
"That ring a bell?" added the man.
"I've got several shipments bound for Panama
City."
"So I guess that means we need to go down and
check'em out?"
The Captain gave them a skeptical eye. He placed
his hands on his hips. "Not until I see some
Identification," he said defiantly.
With a deep sigh, the man reached into his jacket.
He pulled out a pair of wide Ray-Bans and put them on.
The woman did likewise, then he drew a silver colored
cylinder out turning the strange narrow red strip at
the top towards them.
"What is that?" asked the Captain.
"This? Oh this! This is ah, a relay camera.
Yeah, we've got to record this for legal stuff and all
that."
"Just look at the red strip, everyone," instructed
the woman.
"I don't know what this is all about," began the
Captain. "But--,"
FOOSH!
Rubbing his eyes, the Captain blinked while his
vision returned. He shook his head staring at the two
people standing in front of him.
"Well?" questioned the man.
"I'm sorry, what?" he replied.
"You were going to take us down to the hold to
check that strange cargo you brought onboard."
"Oh. Oh yes, that. Come along its right here in
the forward cargo bay."
Exchanging sly looks over the tops of their
shades, the agents followed the captain to the ladder
heading into the ship. Minutes later, they stood at
the access hatch as it was unlocked. The Captain
started to follow them inside, but the woman held up a
hand stopping him.
"We'll need to be alone," she said. "Legal stuff
and all."
"Right, I'll be up on the quarterdeck finishing
underway checks."
"Yeah, but remember we're down here," said the
man. "So don't like uh, heave ho on us. Okay?"
Nodding, the Captain stepped out and shut the
hatch behind him.
After his steps faded off, the woman rounded on
her partner. "Jay . . . Monday Night Football? Give
me a break!" she said.
Agent J shrugged. "C'mon, Elle. It was just a
figure of speech."
"You could have thought of something better. Next
time let me do all the explaining, okay?"
"Hey, it worked didn't it?"
Agent L shook here head, following Jay as he
looked around at the stacks of containers around them.
"It's a wonder we get away with what we do now,"
she said.
Jay smirked but continued his search. "We've been
working together for what, a month?"
"So?"
"Well by now you'd be used to my smooth delivery,
my fast thinking."
"Yeah. McNabb and Ketchum. Very original."
"Like that, eh?" replied Jay, laughing for a
moment. "So are you going to tell me where our friend
is at?"
Elle pulled her scanner out and made a quick sweep
of the space. She stopped, pointing over to a short
stack just ahead and the two agents walked over to it.
Jay smacked his lips eyeing the two boxes.
"Which one?" he asked.
"Top."
Nodding, Jay stared at the box. "Yo, man. You
might as well come clean now. You busted, pal."
No reaction from the box, Jay crossed his arms.
"Hey. Hey I know you hear me! Let's stop this frozen
cockroach bit and make this easy for all of us."
Still there was no response. Jay looked back at
Elle.
"Give him an `A' for hopes," she said arching a
brow.
He shook his head. Spotting a crowbar on the box
next to them, Jay picked it up. "Let's go, let's go!"
He started banging the side. Suddenly, a quick,
Brooklynian voice called out to him.
"Ow! Hey, hey, watch dat thing will'ya!" it said.
Jay stepped back. "Speaking to us now, hmm?"
On the side of the container an eye appeared.
Round with dark pupils, it panned over to him, then
another eye opened next to it.
"Hey, Agent Jay, Agent Elle. What a surprise!
Didn't expect to see you twos down here."
"Ahuh," sounded Elle, not believing a word the
alien said.
"So's what brings you down to see me off on my
trip?"
Jay and Elle laughed trading looks.
"I, uh, hate to burst your bubble, Ozx m'man, but
you ain't going nowhere's," answered Jay.
"What! But, but, but I'm cleared for this. I've
got all the right paperwork here. Zed signed'em
himself!"
"Yes, we saw the authorization certificates. Nice
forgery, except its Z-E-D, not Z-I-D," said Elle.
Ozx let out a loud gasp. "Uh, wha, y-y-you think
I'd go and do some'n like that? Why this is
outrageous! I'm gonna--,"
"Hold up, hold up, hold up," said Jay waving his
hands cutting the alien off. "You might as well keep
that story for NBC. I hear they're look'n for
something to replace `Seinfeld'."
Ozx's mouth hung open, a protest hanging on his
lips. He glanced back and for the between the two,
then sighed. "Damn," he muttered.
Elle and Jay calmly walked over and leaned on
either side of him.
"Ozx. What in the hell were you think about?"
asked Jay. "This is the fourth time we've busted you
trying to go down south?"
"Fourth? Dat many, eh?"
Elle looked at the readout on her scanner. "Yep.
Last time we caught you pretending to be a bench on a
train in Mexico."
"Yeah, and I'd a gotten away with that too if that
fat lady hadn't sat down on my back. Gosh, she must'a
weighed a ton!"
Jay leaned down. "I'll give you credit for
effort," he said. "You ain't pulling anything over on
M.I.B., man. We got everything covered."
A smirk appeared, Ozx glaring up at him.
"Come'on, Agent Jay. Give a guy a break, will'ya?" it
pleaded.
"We can't do that," answered Elle. "You're a
Symbiod. You get loose down in Central America without
proper precautions and God knows what will happen."
"Yeah, look what we had to do to Noriega," added
Jay.
"Okay, bad incident, but it wasn't me that screwed
up!"
"Not a chance," said Elle. "Now what'll it be?
Peaceful and quiet, or kicking and screaming?"
The side of the box creaked, brows forming close
together as the alien pondered it's choices. "Am I
going to get deported?" it finally asked.
"I don't know. Zed's not to happy with you for
playing with his name like that," answered Jay.
"Eeeew, that's a bad sign."
"Look, I'll tell you what. You come quietly and
give us no trouble, and we'll put in a good word for
you."
"You'd do that f'me?"
"Sure. I mean we're not out to get everybody,"
said Elle.
"Just the stupid ones," added Jay.
Ozx finally reached a decision. "Okay, you win.
I'll go quietly."
"Good!" Jay and Elle stepped back. "Now you
going to half'ta shift, Gus."
"Shift? In ta'what?" asked Ozx.
"Something we can carry without drawing
suspicion," replied Elle.
"So like in the words of that famous Co-median,
`Let's Get Small'," said Jay.
"Oh, oh I see some cramps now. Should'a ran when
I had the chance."
Elle snapped her fingers. "Come on, we haven't
got all day."
The sides of the box started quivering, then it
stretched with a creak before slowly compressing down
on itself. The colors shifted from light brown to a
dark black and the two agent recognized what it was the
alien was shifting into.
Jay laughed, walking over to the medium sized
briefcase. "Yo, Ozx. Not bad. Is that real leather?"
he joked. Elle placed a hand to her face, shaking her
head.
"Just carry me out, okay?" replied the briefcase.
"This isn't exactly comfortable."
Jay grabbed the handle and started walking back
towards the hatch.
"You know Jay, sometimes a little professionalism
would be appreciated," complained Elle.
"Nah, that's not me, girl. I like to have just a
little fun on the job."
"Well a little too much fun might get us both
hurt, or worse."
"No chance in that, Elle."
"Meaning?"
Jay shrugged. "We're too good!" he replied
stepping out the hatch.
Elle sighed. "My partner," she muttered.
* * * * *
Covering their tracks, Jay and Elle placed their
charge in the trunk and were soon heading back to
M.I.B. Headquarters. Before they could get halfway
there, the monitor on the dash beeped. Elle switched
it on, and Chief Agent Zed appeared. From the serious
expression on his face something was not right.
"Hey, boss. Mission accomplished," Jay greeted
him.
Zed's eyes cut over to him, then Elle. "J, L, get
back here on the double," was the only thing Zed said.
The screen when blank, leaving the two agents
lost.
"Maybe I should change my greetings," said Jay
after a moment.
Slowly, Elle shook her head. "No. Something bad
happened. Something really bad," she said.
"That a woman's intuition speaking there?"
She smirked, looking over at him. Jay grimaced,
edging slightly to the side.
"I know, I know. Can the jokes," he said.
"Thank you. Now you heard Zed. Let's move this
thing."
"Whoa, whoa, I'm the senior agent here. I give
the orders."
"Yeah, by fifteen minutes. So are you going to
speed up, or should I take over?"
Jay hit the gas and the car shot off down the
highway.
* * * * *
M.I.B. Headquarters, Central Manhattan, 9:18 AM,
M.I.B. Headquarters was unusually busy when Jay
and Elle returned. It looked like the trouble Elle
predicted went way above normal. Humans and Aliens
alike were hunched over monitors, operators working
feverishly at the their consoles. Jay frowned and
looked up at Zed's office situated above everything.
Inside, three agents stood in front of his desk, each
taking notes on pads in their hands as Zed issued
orders.
"Elle," said Jay, motioning for her to follow him.
They walked up the steps to the office.
"Yo, Yo, Zee," said Jay, knocking on the glass as
he entered. "What up, what up?"
The three agents taking Zed's orders looked
sharply over at them, faces held in shock. Elle rolled
her eyes up, dreading the wrath sure to follow.
"That will be all, gentlemen," said Zed. The
agents quickly exited, and Zed locked a withering gaze
on Jay.
"First off, Agent J, it's not 'Yo, Yo Zee', it's
Zed. Clear?"
Jay swallowed the sudden fear lump in his throat.
"Yeah, I gotcha', Zed."
"Good." Zed's eyes cut briefly over to Elle, then
he looked down at a file on his desk. "Both of you sit
down."
As Jay took a seat, he glanced up at the series of
small monitors just behind Zed's desk. Each one was
labeled with a major city; the one marked Tokyo covered
with static.
"Uhm, Zed. Somebody forget to pay the cable bill
in Japan?"
"Jay, will you shut up!" snapped Elle.
Zed slowly looked up. Cutting a sideways glance
to the monitor, he sat back. "Ironically, Agent J,
that is the reason why you two are here."
"It is?"
Zed continued. "A couple of hours ago, M.I.B.
Tokyo was attacked."
That made Jay and Elle sit up straight in their
chairs. The news stunned them. An attack on M.I.B.?
"Got an ID on who did it?" asked Jay.
"Yes, and there's more," replied Zed. He swiveled
his chair around to the main screen behind him.
Punching a button on the armrest of his chair, it came
to life displaying an exterior view of Earth.
"Before the attack, we tracked a ship entering
Earth atmosphere. From what the sensors could tell, it
appeared to be in trouble."
A streak flashed across the sky, flames arcing
back as the glowing hull of a small round craft headed
towards the ground.
"So is that who attacked M.I.B. Tokyo?" asked
Elle.
"No, I believe that honor will go to our next
visitor."
Jay and Elle's mouths slowly sagged open as
another, larger ship appeared. The front end was long
culminating from a bulbous prow tapering back to a disk
shaped main hull, two vertical fins extending up from
either side of the center structure. It made a slow
turn to adjust it's trajectory, and abruptly faded out
of view.
"Wow, who's the owner of that Cadillac?" said Jay.
Zed turned back around. "The owner is one
Inentimus Krin. A pirate wanted in several parts of
the galaxy for everything from Kidnapping, to
Assassination."
"A nasty one," said Elle.
"Quite. Incidentally, M.I.B.'s on other planets
have had brushes with him. They did not turn out very
well."
"So it's M.I.B. zero, Krin one?" Jay said.
"More than one, but now he's really screwed up."
Zed leaned forward, an angered gleam in his eyes.
"He's come to my planet and killed my agents in my
backyard, and that I will not stand for."
"We're going after him," Elle guessed.
"You damn right we going after him!" declared Jay.
"We heading up the posse to go bust this guys ass."
"Not yet, J," Zed said. "I'm sending you and
Agent L to assist what agents are left in Tokyo. Your
main tasking is to find out what it was that Krin is
after in that first ship."
"Hmm. It must be something important for him to
get up nerve and attack an M.I.B. station," said Elle.
"Yeah, and if he's willing to do that, who knows
how far he'll go to get it," finished Jay.
"Precisely," said Zed.
Jay thought a moment, glancing back at the Tokyo
screen. "There's only one small problem with all
this," he said.
"What's that?"
"I don't speak Japanese. I'mean, Elle you speak
any of that stuff?"
"No, never had the opportunity," she answered.
"Yeah, best I can say is Hi."
Zed's eyes narrowed. "That's Hai, Agent J," he
corrected him.
"Hello," replied Jay.
The room got deathly quiet, then Jay started
laughing; Elle fighting hard to suppress her giggles.
"Heh, heh, I'm sorry, boss. Just trying to
lighten up the mood a little bit," Jay managed to say.
Zed's glower stayed firmly in place.
"Yeah, but ah, heh, heh, I can see you ain't
laughing, uh . . . yeah, uhm . . . heh, uh, right, not
funny . . . hmm, not a snicker, not a chuckle . . .
woo, yeah, no humor."
Zed arched a brow. "Thanks for reminding me,
Agent J."
Reaching into one of his desk drawers, Zed placed
a silver, thermos sized cylinder on his desk. It
reminded both Agents of their Nuralizers, and they
traded worried looks. A narrow panel snapped open at
the top exposing a dim blue glow.
"I want you both to look at the window," he
instructed them.
"Zed, man. We cool, right? I'mean it was just a
joke, okay?"
"Yeah, Jay was only kidding! There's no reason to
zap us," Elle said.
"I'm not going to zap you," Zed replied. "Just
look into the light."
"Can we put our shades on first?" asked Jay. Zed
stabbed an angry finger at the light.
Jay and Elle gave each other one last look.
"Well, it was nice working with you," Jay said to
her.
"Yep, same, same. I guess it's back to cadavers,"
replied Elle.
Zed was starting to get impatient. "Agents. The
light," he said again firmly.
They swallowed, looking at the cylinder. There
was no flash, instead the glow intensified, then a
strong wave of dizziness and nausea hit them. When it
started to subside, Jay and Elle found themselves
slumped down in their seats.
"Oh, man!" exclaimed Jay. He placed a hand to the
side of his head, slowly pulling himself back up in the
chair. Elle let out a moan, shaking her head.
"What did you do to us?" she asked Zed.
"Quick training lesson," he replied, placing the
cylinder back into his desk. Zed tossed each of them a
book. "Now you can speak and understand Japanese,
however; read those books while you're flying to
Japan."
"Flying?" gasped Elle.
"Yes. I'd shoot you through the tube, but Krin
managed to knockout the Pacific hub. You'll have to
get there by jet."
"Flying?" Elle gasped again.
"Don't tell me you're afraid of flying, girl,"
said Jay.
"Ah, well . . . yes," she reluctantly admitted to
them.
"Don't worry, Agent L. It's a quick four hour
trip. You won't even notice."
"Four hours? I thought it took all day non-stop?"
said Jay.
"Not with M.I.B. jets. It would be faster, but we
don't want every earthquake sensor in the world to go
off and track your flight."
"So do we get lunch?"
Zed closed the file on his desk sharply handing it
to Jay. "This is a dossier on Krin and what available
activities we have on file. Sorry, there's no pictures
of him or any of his people. You'll have to root him
out. When you get to Japan, Agent T will be waiting
for you."
"Tee?"
"And no Golf jokes either, Agent J. T is
currently in charge of the remainder of M.I.B. Tokyo,
so give him all the support you can. Understood?"
"Oh yeah, you got it, no problem from me, boss."
"Good. Now both of you get moving, there's a car
waiting to take you to our plane."
Jay and Elle stood up. Before they could depart,
Zed called to them.
"Remember, you're both expendable," he said.
"OOOkay," replied Jay after a moment. "I guess
this is where we say, `Ko-nnei-chi Wa'?"
Zed smirked. "Get out," he said.
Elle jerked Jay out the door.
Zed pondered the events so far, hoping that Jay
and Elle could cover the case and bring Krin and his
band in before things really got out of hand. Looking
back to the fuzzy monitor of Tokyo again, he stood up
and went over to the front, watching as his two agents
headed for the exit; Elle giving Jay an ear full of her
mind.
Well, they are the best of the bunch, thought Zed.
A brief chuckle escaped from him.
"Konnichi Wa," he said laughing at the thought.
* * * * *
The Pirate ship `D'stka', somewhere near Mt. Fuji, 04:00 AM
The bowels of Krin's ship prevented the long
warbled moans of his current prisoner from escaping
into the early morning countryside, the unrelenting
interrogation/torture proving futile. Krin and the
rest of his pirates stood around a wide flat metal
table watching as the fluctuating shape encased in a
tight blue bubble of energy writhing in horrid agony.
Ribbons of light played through the imprisoning shell
drawing a fresh series of moans from the prisoner.
Finally, Krin ordered a stop.
He waited until the bubble settled, then leaned
close to the head-like portion of the prisoner,
grinning his evil grin.
"Now then, Guardian. I trust our question will
finally be answered, hmm?" he said.
The Guardian's translucent-yellow body quivered,
the multi-layered limbs limp at its sides. From
several gapping wounds a thick white fluid oozed, it's
life juices slowly draining away. The bubbled opening
of its mouth made a sound, then the head turned towards
him.
"Froym . . . mye you wiyll gain . . . noything,
Inentymouse Kryn," rasped the Guardian.
Krin drew back with a scowl. Motioning to Qu'tok,
his henchman threw a lever forward on the panel next to
them, sending the energy flowing across the Guardian
once again. It's moan carried through the space before
Krin ordered another stop.
"Now, you sorry mound of jellatious feces, tell me
where you hid the Regent. Tell me, or the creators
will, you'll suffer worse than before!"
The Guardian writhed, but remained silent.
Krin growled. He moved up face to pseudo-face
with his prisoner, eyes lit with a dark fury. "Tell
me, you slug! Tell me where you hid the Regent!"
A trickle of white fluid ran from the corner of
the Guardian's mouth, bubbles frothing up as it fought
to speak. Krin turned an ear to him.
"Speak. Where is the Regent and I'll make your
death quick and painless."
A gurgle sounded, then the Guardian managed to
form it's words.
"The Regent . . . is . . ."
"Yes, the Regent is?"
"Is . . . well prytected, you leeyching drung
layiden scumwoyrm!"
Krin shot back, teeth grit tight. He glared at
the Guardian and Qu'tok feared what was going to happen
next.
"Krin," he said trying to head off the anger, but
it was to no avail.
Abruptly, Krin forced Qu'tok aside. He grabbed
the lever and leered menacingly at the Guardian on the
table.
"Wrong answer, fool!" he growled, throwing the
lever all the way up.
"Krin, no!" exclaimed Qu'tok.
Too late came the warning. Thick ribbons of
energy washed over the imprisoning bubble, haggard
moans drowned out beneath the hiss of sizzling ozone
and matter. In seconds the deed was done, nothing left
but a fluid puddle of misting white liquid simmering at
the bottom of the bubble. Krin turned off the energy
and stared down at the table.
"Great, just great," said Qu'tok. "You've just
killed our only lead, Krin. What are we going to do
now?"
Slowly, the pirate turned his head brows set
close, giving his second a hard stare. Qu'tok
nervously pressed his lips together, awaiting Krin's
fury, but he turned away.
"Alid, Koo. Clean up this mess," ordered Krin
moving off to the forward portion of the space.
Cheerfully, Koo clasped his hands together. "Hey,
Alid. It's time for breakfast," he said reaching for
the table.
Meanwhile, the rest of the pirates followed Krin
over to a curved console at the center of the space.
Sitting down in his command chair, Krin propped his
feet up and began mulling around thoughts in his mind.
"It is a good question," said Binimi inching up
next to him. "What are we going to do?"
Krin looked up, rubbing the slowly graying skin
concealing his features. He paused then gazed at a
large flat monitor on the bulkhead in front of them.
"D'skta," he called out.
[Yes, o'wise and brilliant leader,] answered the
ships main computer.
Krin ignored it's barb. "Display an overlay of the
surrounding dwelling," he ordered.
[You mean the city?]
"Do it, D'skta. I'm in no mood for your antics."
The screen lit up displaying an overhead view of
Tokyo and it's surrounding suburbs. Krin shifted,
setting his gaze on the outlying area of Nerima.
"Binimi, where was it that you and Teq captured
the Guardian?"
Binimi reached down to the console, guiding a red
cursor over the display. "Here, in this area," she
replied.
Krin studied the cluster of buildings for a
moment. "The Guardian must have hid the Regent
somewhere there," he said.
"I don't think so, Krin," said Teq. "We were too
close for the Guardian to have time to do that without
us seeing."
"Then it has to be back along it's track,"
surmised Krin.
Binimi arched a brow. "That is more likely the
case," she said. "When we caught up, the Guardian was
exiting one of the enclaves."
"Exiting?" questioned Krin.
She nodded. "And since the Incubus chamber was
empty, I would think it hid the Regent somewhere along
the way up to that point."
"Yes," said Krin staring back up at the display.
"Yes!"
"But there is a problem," added Binimi. "One of
those human females was there, and she saw me."
"What!" shouted Krin. "What was she doing there,
and why did you not kill her?"
"She seemed no threat, Krin. Kind of a scrawny
thing, would make a good snack. However, she was
calling after the Guardian."
"We didn't expect to run into her again, Krin,"
said Teq. "Why waste the effort?"
"But now we must return, and this female might
have alerted the authorities," answered Krin. He
paused to review what Binimi had just said. "Calling
to the Guardian?"
"Yes," answered Binimi.
"Hmm. The Guardian was not stupid. If it hid the
Regent, then it had to have told somebody where it was.
This female could be our best lead. Where is this
dwelling."
Binimi scrolled the cursor over to a building on
the corner street. "It had a name, but I can't
pronounce it."
"Write it down."
She took up a near-by electronic pad, drawing as
best she could what the sign had on it. Krin read the
scribbling, lips forming letters and phrases.
"Uuuuuuu-Cchhhi-aaannnnsss?" he read.
"Told you it was hard," said Binimi. "Now if my
understanding of this worlds time partitions is
correct, this dwelling will not be open until a time
period called Ten o'clock."
"Translate that, Binimi."
"A very long wait."
Krin sat back. Behind them, Alid and Koo joined
the group fresh from their feast.
"You know, Krin. When you finally retire, you
should pursue a cooking career," commented Alid.
"Excellent job on the Flamb�' Oui'Guardian."
"Perked just right," said Koo.
Krin just growled, ignoring them. Morea came up
on the other side giving him a light nudge.
"Are we going back out?" she asked.
"I don't advise it," said Qu'tok. "Blindly
ransacking this Ucchan's might scare off the earth
female."
"No," answered Krin. "We'll wait until this Ten
o'clock occurs, then pay a visit on her."
"And if she does not know, or will not co-
operate?"
A smile came to Krin, evil notions dancing in his
mind.
"Then . . . then we tear this `city' apart," he
finished.
* * * * *
Tendo Dojo, Nerima, 07:45 AM,
Akane sat on the patio watching the rays of the
morning sun slowly beam across the sky, announcing the
start of a new day. She shuddered pulling her robe
tight, then gazed down at the small black piglet asleep
next to her. P-chan's snore made her smile and she
looked back out across the back yard.
I should be asleep, she thought solemnly. But I
can't help but think about that poor old woman I left
at the mercies of those strangers last night. Akane
could still picture the threatening stare from that
woman as she walked by, a look that sent fear through
her. It wasn't normally like her to do that,
especially if someone needed help. It was as if her
body willed itself away, the strong desire to protect
herself from harm overriding everything else.
From the stairs, light steps sounded. Kasumi
Tendo, eldest daughter of the Tendo sisters, walked
down stretching her arms as she yawned. She noticed
the cool draft flowing through the Dojo, peering in
through the living room doors.
"Akane?" she called.
"Good morning, Kasumi," answered Akane, gaze
remaining fixed outside.
Kasumi frowned slightly, walking over. "Shouldn't
you be a sleep after coming in so late from work?" she
asked.
Akane tilted her head to one side, pondering for a
moment. "You know, I should be, but for some strange
reason I don't really feel a need for sleep."
That certainly sounded strange to Kasumi. She
reached over placing a palm to her sisters forehead.
"You don't feel warm," she said.
"I don't feel sick either," replied Akane.
"Although I could use a little water."
"I'll get you some," replied Kasumi standing up.
As Kasumi headed to the kitchen, Akane found her
mind straying once more. Her eyes seemed to shift
slowly from side to side, head heavy. Maybe the
missing hours were starting to catch up, she thought.
Slowly, her mouth sagged open as a lost expression came
to her face. She drew in a slight breath, then all of
a sudden let out a long, sorrowful moan that carried
through the Dojo.
Akane started surprised by the sound, then heard
the lower bedroom door slide open. Heavy steps
sounded, Ranma Saotome stepping into the living room
looking around.
"What the hell was that!" he exclaimed.
P-chan's timid squeal called, Akane noting the
wide look of fear on her piglet's face.
"Oh, P-chan, I'm so sorry I woke you up," she
apologized. When she reached down to pick him up, P-
chan backed away quivering in terror.
"Was that you, Akane?" asked Ranma coming over to
the patio door. Before she could answer, Kasumi
returned with a glass of water, eyes darting about the
room.
"I heard a noise," she said, handing the glass to
Akane.
"It was Akane," said Ranma.
Kasumi paused. She glanced down at Akane.
"Yep, I think is was me," she said. Akane placed
the glass to her lips, then began drinking down the
glass of water. Ranma and Kasumi both watched in mild
surprise as she slugged it down with nary a pause.
"Ah," sounded Akane smacking her lips as she
handed the glass back to Kasumi. "Another one,
please?"
Kasumi regarded her sister with a suspicious look,
moving back towards the kitchen. Through the living
room doors, Nabiki Tendo entered stretching and yawning
as she made her way to the nearest futon.
"So, was that the new breakfast gong, or did we
buy a cow?" she said flopping down.
"Neither. It was Akane," answered Ranma.
Nabiki paused, blinking her eyes at her younger
sister. "You're kidding?"
"Nope. Akane found the deepest bowels of her
lungs and pulled out the yawn from nine hells."
Sharp tacks sounded, Ranma hopping madly around
dodging the sudden appearance of a number three mallet
attempting to crush his toes.
"I did not yawn from hell, Ranma Saotome!" scowled
Akane.
"Well I can see it's nothing serious," said Nabiki
giggling at the couple.
Kasumi returned handing Akane another glass of
water. "Oh, you're awake," she said to Nabiki.
"Yep. Its been so peaceful around here the past
few mornings since Father, Mister Saotome, and that
leach Happosai went off on one of their training
expeditions."
Ranma sat on the floor rubbing the pain from his
foot. "Don't you mean long distance raid?" he
commented amidst his grunts and sighs.
"Call it what you will. Now little sister here
has found a new way to shake up the household."
"It was a fluke!" cried Akane. "It just . . .
came out."
"Don't listen to her," said Kasumi. She knelt,
staring deep into Akane's face. "Are you sure you're
alright?"
Akane took a sip, nodding her head. "I don't feel
one hundred percent, but I'm not sick."
"Hmm. Maybe after a good breakfast that small
percent will go away."
"Now there's a good idea," said Ranma.
Kasumi patted Akane's cheek, rising up to start
breakfast. Akane drank the last of the water in her
glass and set it down. She turned back to the open
patio door, then paused.
"Ranma," she called.
Ranma arched a brow, noting the change in her
voice.
"Yes?"
She looked over her shoulder, a gentile smile on
her face. Akane patted the spot next to her, motioning
him to join her. Nabiki re-adjusted herself on the
futon expecting a show.
"You want me to come over there?" questioned
Ranma. She nodded again. This did not feel right at
all to Ranma, and he scratched his head. "You're not
planning to hit me are you, Akane?" he asked.
"Ranma, come here."
A quick glance to the grinning Nabiki, Ranma went
over and cautiously sat down. They were quiet for a
moment, both of them stealing short looks at the other,
then Akane scooted close. She laid her head on his
shoulder, wrapped her arms around his, and leaned
against Ranma. Total surprise could be felt through
the room, Nabiki, Ranma, and even poor P-chan gapping
in shock.
"A-A-Akane, what do you want?" asked a nervous
Ranma.
The Tendo girl nuzzled her head into a comfortable
position, smiling as she closed her eyes. "Warmth,"
she replied.
"W-w-warmth?" stammered Ranma. "Uh, let me . . .
let me get you a blanket then."
Akane sighed deeply. "I don't want a blanket. I
want you."
Nabiki did a double take.
"Me? That's it, Doctor Tofu is definitely on his
way over here right-EEEEYYYOOOOOWWWW!"
Ranma sprang from the floor, P-chan latched
tightly to his rear chomping down with all his might.
"P-CHAN!" exclaimed Akane. She snatched the
piglet from off Ranma, sending more waves of pain
through him. Placing him on the floor, she turned P-
chan around. "You stop that right now," Akane scolded
her pet.
Ranma froze in mid-dance eyes locked wide on
Akane. Nabiki also sat in disbelief, reclining to one
side resting her head on her hand. P-chan gazed sadly
up at Akane. Usually this would gain immediate
sympathy, but today Akane's heart was somewhere else.
"Ranma and I want to be together today, so please
behave yourself."
That hurt. The corner of P-chan's lower lip
quivered, a low squeal sounding. He turned away,
pausing briefly to stare angrily at Ranma, then slowly
trundled off towards the stairs. The piglet stopped,
glanced back over at Akane one last time, then exited
the room.
"I'm sorry about that, Ranma," Akane said.
From his current position, Ranma fell back,
shocked by her apology. After the words registered, he
sat up.
"What, no `Ranma stop picking on P-chan'? No
`You're always trying to hurt him' speech? Akane what
has gotten into you!" he said.
The glowing smile returned to Akane's face, her
hand patting the spot next to her beckoning him over.
Ranma started to feel afraid. He cast a worried eye
over to Nabiki in search for help.
"Don't look at me, and don't you pass this
opportunity up," she said.
"Opportunity?" Ranma look at Akane again.
"What's going on here?"
"Nothing, Ranma," answered Akane. "I thought,
maybe you would want to be with me today." Akane's
head lowered, a sad pout forming. She tapped the tips
of her index fingers nervously together. "I mean . . .
aren't you my Guardian?"
"Now that's original," said Nabiki. "I like that
approach. Going to have to use that on Tatewaki."
Ranma could only stare speechless at Akane. Her
eyes cut up to him, the innocence in them tearing away
every resolve that he had.
"Why sure, Akane," said Ranma, walking over to
her. "I'll always be here to protect you. You know
that."
"Good," muttered Akane. "Because I don't even
know why I said that in the first place."
A giggle escaped from Nabiki, then Kasumi stuck
here head into the room.
"Breakfast will be ready in a moment," she
announced. "Ranma, you're not cleaned up yet? I
thought you were opening up Ucchan's today."
Ranma grimaced. He took a look up at the clock
and yelped rushing for the bathroom.
"Ranma!" called Akane.
He stopped and they stared at each other like two
forlorned lovers.
"Ah, look I've got to go," Ranma finally said.
"But what about--,"
"I'll see if Ukyo can do without me after the noon
rush. We'll talk then, okay?"
Reluctantly, Akane agreed not wanting Ranma to get
fired from his job. He left, leaving the two women
alone.
Nabiki sat up and began to clap her hands.
"Nicely done, little sister," she said.
"What? I didn't do anything," replied Akane.
"Oh contraire. That show of emotion has tweaked
Ranma's interest. I don't know what made you admit to
your feelings, but this was one big step in the right
direction."
"I'm not admitting anything, Nabiki. Ranma's my .
. . Guardian, and I must be with him."
Nabiki stood up, shaking her head as she walked
over. "Akane, I don't know what you mean, and I don't
know what's come over you, but don't loose it, okay?"
Akane rolled her eyes. "I don't have anything,
Nabiki," she said.
"So you say. Come on, let's go set the table
unless there's something else you'd like to do."
"No." Akane picked up her glass. "But I could
use another glass of water," she finished holding it
up.
Nabiki smirked, not used to serving others.
"Okay. Just this once," she said taking the glass.
She chuckled as she went to the kitchen.
"Guardian . . . how silly."
* * * * *
M.I.B. Airfield, Norita Intl, 08:15,
The whine of 747's taxiing their way across the
tarmac of Norita International Airport marked the start
of another day at one of the worlds most busiest
airports. Departures and take-off's vied for position
along the invisible highways in the sky, bring in
commerce and carrying off vacationers as was the norm
for this time of year.
Off in a specially penned section of the airport,
a lone black car sat awaiting one very important flight
to arrive. It's driver stood with hands folded behind
him staring down the near-by runway watch a small Lear
jet glide in for landing.
Agent T ignored the chill, actually welcoming its
bite after so many hours of lost sleep trying to
recover what was left of M.I.B. Tokyo. Dressed in the
standard issue uniform, the black raincoat he wore
flapped in the wind reminding those who saw him of a
Jesuit priest awaiting his congregation to appear. T's
well groomed dark brown hair made him appear younger
than he really was, but he could recall years of
extensive service in the field, some good, some bad,
never once regretting any of it, or the long past life
and relations he left behind. He could remember his
old mentor, the Chief Supervisor of M.I.B. Tokyo tell
him that it was a lonely life, and that much was true.
Never though did he think he'd ever feel the pain of
loosing a friend again.
That was not until yesterday, when he found the
shattered remains of the only person he considered
family now lying dead in the control room.
The shriek from the engines of the jet taxiing to
a stop broke him from his thoughts. The fully
automated plane shut down and a door slid open, folding
stairway extending down to the ground. Someone inside
let out a moan, then a tall black man staggered to the
opening. He walked down the steps with difficulty,
then a woman appeared briefly leaning against the side
before joining him on the tarmac. T managed a thin
smile, walking over to great them.
On the bottom step, Agent J sat holding his head
trying to recover from the very turbulent ride he and
his partner had just endured. A glance up found Agent
L leaning against the railing muttering a low prayer.
"I am going to get Zed's ass for that little
trick!" he exclaimed.
Jay noticed T's approach and tapped Elle on the
leg. Together they stood up, trying to maintain some
semblance that they had all of their faculties in
order. T stopped and extended a hand.
"I am Agent T, current leading Agent for M.I.B.
Tokyo."
Jay shook his hand. "Yeah, I'm Agent J, and this
is m'partner Agent L," answered Jay.
"You can call me Elle," said Elle shaking his
hand.
"Well, I see you have experienced a safe flight,"
said T.
"Quite interesting ride we got there. It's a good
thing we didn't get lunch."
"Ah, then come. We'll get breakfast, then start
work tracking down Inentimus Krin and his gang."
Elle blanched, the thought of food upsetting to
say the least. "Uh, I think I'll pass on that, T," she
said.
"Ditto," said Jay.
T nodded conceding to their wishes. He lead them
to the car, a mid-sized Honda Accord.
"Yo, Elle. Looks like you're backseat driving,"
said Jay. "You know how it is with us black folk.
Big, tall and beautiful."
Elle rolled her eyes, climbing into the back of
the car. T got in and Jay paused staring at him for a
moment.
"Yo, man. This mean I got'a drive?" he asked.
Elle opened her window. "No, Jay. They drive on
the right side of the car here in Japan. You didn't
read any of the manual, did you?"
"Oh, yeah, right! Dyaa, that part. Pwshaw,
totally forgot about it!"
Yeah right, muttered Elle as he came around the
other side. Jay got in, and soon they were on the road
heading back to Tokyo.
"So, what's the current situation, T?" Elle asked.
"Not very good. Most of our agents are either
dead or injured. There are only three active personnel
left. One tech, one medical staff, and me."
"So you the only working field agent," said Jay.
"Yes. I had been on a call to one of our
transient visitors when the attack occurred. By the
time I returned, it was all over."
"They did a number on the station, eh?"
"Krin hit the most immediate areas, Computer
section, Command Center. The fire did the rest, but we
are fortunate that it was contained before irreparable
damage could be done."
"How long before regular communications with
Headquarters can be reestablished?" asked Elle.
T shook his head. "Hard to say. Been working
since the attack to salvage what we got, and sanitize
the witnesses before we were discovered."
It looked like this would be harder than they
thought, Jay pondering the tough job ahead. With only
three Agents active, and most of their resources down,
it wasn't very promising an outcome.
"Anybody get a look at our man Krin?" he asked.
"A few fuzzy pictures of the attackers, but
nothing to mark him significantly."
Jay thought, then looked back to Elle. "Any
ideas, girlfriend?"
"Hmm. I think we should concentrate on figuring
out what it is Krin is after," she replied.
"It is apparent they took human forms, so they had
to have struck somewhere else first," said T.
"Yeah. Too soon for the hot sheets," said Jay.
"What about police reports?"
"We still have some terminals up in local mode.
We could try and access the police databases from
them."
"It's a plan," said Jay, clasping his hands
together. "Inentimus Krin, you just made the biggest
mistake of your life."
"If we can find him, Jay," said Elle.
"Oh we'll find him. You can bet big money, M.I.B.
is going to get some payback."
"That and much more," said T, eyes narrowing.
"Much more."
* * * * *
M.I.B. Tokyo was a mess when the trio finally
arrived. Jay and Elle stood gazing around at the
shambles that used to be the command center in total
disbelief. Not much had been accomplished clearing
away the debris scattered about the room. Carefully, T
led them further in.
"As you can see from all the blast marks and flame
damage, Krin wasted no time neutralizing our best means
of coordination," he said.
Elle stood looking up at what was left of the
directors office. She shook her head, turning around.
"I don't know how we're going to manage tracking
him down," she said.
Jay, examining a piece of glass in his hands, had
to agree. "Krin ain't no joke. But I'm not about to
let him run free in this city. Not after all this."
A shuffle from behind the consoles along the far
wall made the two agents look over. Something shifted,
a brown colored appendage briefly snaking over the top
to reach into a tool box, disappearing back behind the
console.
"Who is that?" asked Elle.
T walked over, peering over the side.
"[Yokloyeet]."
"[Okkli Gropvektc]," came a reply.
Up rose a short, brown skinned alien, what
uninjured tentacles it had left handling tools and
other equipment in their grip. It's three red colored
eyes at he center of its body reflected on the two,
then a thin mouth opened.
"[Kowqq]," it said.
"Ah-uh," answered Jay.
"He said `Greetings'," T translated for them.
"And `he' is?" said Elle.
"This is Evsik from the Gamora Quadrant, but he
likes to be called `Ringo'."
Jay laughed. "Ringo, huh? Heh, heh, heh, Fab
Four fan, eh?"
Ringo looked up at T. "[Sgreevdcoo]?" he said to
him.
T smiled. "[Lilieekiou]," he replied.
The alien looked back at Jay, then grunted
uttering a laugh of its own.
"Hey don't be playing `He don't Understand' on me
now, T."
"It is nothing, Jay," replied T, but Jay thought
he saw a glint of mischief in his eyes.
Elle went over to the consoles and glanced over
the controls. "T, which one of these units can we use
to start our search?"
T asked Ringo if things were ready. The alien
slipped back down behind the console, and one of the
panels next to Elle lit up. She sat down, Jay and T
peering over her shoulders as she began to call up the
interface.
"Okay, where to start, where to start," Elle said
reading over the display.
"Zed said that Krin and that ship arrived sometime
around nineish," Jay pointed out to her. "Giving time
for them to get their stuff together, let's say we
start from there on."
Elle called up the records for the preceding
night. "Hmm. A few reports on strange lights in the
sky. Another here about rumblings around the Fuji
area."
"What about that?" asked Jay.
"Nothing much. It's flagged as volcanic
activity."
"Common occurrences here," added T.
Scanning further on, Elle suddenly stopped on a
report that caught her eye. "What's this?" she said
displaying the contents. The report described a
complaint from a local woman in the Nerima district who
claimed she was attacked by a person resembling
herself.
"Somebody had just a dab to much to drink,"
commented Jay.
"The claim is from an eighty-five year old woman,
Jay," said Elle. "More like senility."
"I don't think even being senile would produce
this kind of reaction, Elle," said T.
"Okay, let's tag that one for future reference and
see what else we got," said Jay.
Elle pulled the report aside and continued paging
through the reports. It did not take long to come
across the next suspicious report.
"Looks like a mugging report," said Jay.
"It's not the mugging I'm interested in. It's the
victim," replied Elle.
"What about it?"
"The victim is an old woman, Jay."
Jay took another look at the report. Sure enough
it was an old woman who fit the description of the
woman in the report they had set aside.
"Wait a minute. How close are these two
locations?" he asked.
"By the addresses, not very far," said T. "A good
twenty, thirty minute walk even for an elderly person."
Elle pulled out her field scanner. Calling up a
map of Tokyo and the surrounding suburbs, she located
the area they were looking for.
"Nerima," she said to them. "Jay, that's our hot
spot."
"Think so?"
"Yeah, look here." Elle enlarged the picture on
her screen. "Now I plugged in the estimated impact
point from the report Zed gave us. The first ship
landed somewhere's close by Nerima. Then the report of
a doppelganger, and now this report of a mugging of an
old woman."
"Could be, girl. Could be. Does make sense,"
said Jay. He looked at the console again. "Yo, T.
Did you guys send Agents out to check on this landing
spot?"
"I was out, but Ringo would know."
T directed the question to the alien. A stream of
gibberish followed, Jay trying to guess what the two
were saying, to no avail. T rubbed his chin deep in
thought before answering.
"He says they sent out two agents, but there has
been no report from them."
"That's not a good sign," said Elle.
"No it ain't."
"Then I suggest we move fast," continued T. "From
what I can see, our best starting point now is to
question the person making the mugging report."
"Yeah. Who is that anyway?" asked Jay.
Elle scrolled up the report. "A woman by the name
of Akane Tendo. Says she's a waitress at a restaurant
called `Uuchans'."
"I know that place," said T. "Excellent food."
Jay patted his stomach. "Good, since we missed
breakfast anyway, and I feel my appetite returning,
let's go pay a visit to `Ucchans' and take in a little
lunch."
* * * * *
Tsubasa Kurenai filled another order for the
customers seated at the grill inside Ucchan's. On the
floor, Ranma worked taking orders and clearing tables
as the beginning of the lunch hour rush started to
trickle in. Back in the office, Ukyo Kuonji took the
moment to update the books, make out the schedule and
other things a manager needed to do.
Another order from Ranma came in, Tsubasa reading
the slip.
"And she really called the police, Kurenai?" Ranma
asked.
"Yep," replied Tsubasa, ladling on more batter.
"Ukyo got the call late last night. The police were
here till close to midnight."
Ranma pondered the information. "Hmm, that could
explain the weird way she was acting this morning," he
said. "Did the police find anything?"
"From what I can tell, no."
"Akane could be upset about that." Ranma slapped
the order pad against his hand. "Damn, why didn't she
call me. I would have been here to help in no time."
"Maybe she did not want to disturb you?"
"I don't know what's been eating her lately.
Hell, this morning she was up staring out the patio
door like some lost zombie."
"Hmm. Maybe she's got the flu."
"She said she's alright, but I don't know."
Tsubasa flip the okonomiyaki onto a plate, placing
them on the counter. Ranma took them to their
customers, checking on the rest of the patrons in the
restaurant. The front doors opened, Tsubasa looking up
to see who it was. He started slightly then called to
Ranma.
At the door way stood Akane, a slightly lost
expression on her face. She blinked, then cut her eyes
from side to side stopping on Ranma. Out of the
ordinary wasn't the word Ranma was thinking as Akane
made her way over to him. She stood looking up at him,
eyes full of sorrow.
"Akane?" said Ranma.
"You didn't call me, Guardian," replied Akane.
There was that Guardian stuff again and Ranma
turned his head to one side regarding her strangely.
He spotted Ukyo and Tsubasa watching the couple close;
Ukyo giving him a shrug.
Shaking his head lightly, Ranma guided Akane over
to an open stool and sat her down.
"Akane, what are you doing here?"
Akane drew in a sigh. She reached out gabbing
hold of his arm hugging it tight. "I, I was alone."
"At home? Where did Nabiki and Kasumi go?"
"Not them," replied Akane shaking her head. "No
Guardian . . . you."
Ukyo and Tsubasa traded confused looks.
Cautiously, Ukyo made her way down to that end of the
counter.
"Akane," she called. The girl looked back at her.
"You want something to eat maybe?"
"Water," answered Akane. "A large glass of water
would be fine."
Ukyo smirked slightly, but went to get the drink.
A call from one of the customers caught Ranma's
attention. He told them he'd be right there, pulling
his arm from Akane.
"What's wrong?" questioned Akane, acting as if
he'd just slapped her.
"Well for starters I am working," he replied.
"And if you can remember, you have to work this evening
to."
"But I want to . . . I need to be with you,
Ranma."
Ranma's jaw sagged open. The customer called
again and he came out of his shock. "Look, I've got to
get back to work. Let me finish taking these orders
and well talk, okay?"
Reluctantly, Akane nodded, Ranma returning to
work. Ukyo returned with the glass of water setting it
down on the counter. Akane seemed not to notice, eyes
following Ranma around the room.
"Akane," called Ukyo, gaining no response. She
watched her for a moment longer then called again.
This time Akane started, turning around to the counter.
"Your water," said Ukyo.
Cheerfully, Akane picked up the glass. Just like
that morning she drained it without pause, smacking her
lips as she set the glass back down.
"Akane, what is wrong with you?" asked Ukyo
leaning on the counter.
"Nothing, Ukyo. I'm my usual cheerful self."
"I'm not buying that, Akane. You're acting
strange, and the way you've been staring at Ranma only
confirms my suspicions."
"Isn't he wonderful," said Akane. She looked over
at him, Ranma stiffening slowly turning around. He
shuddered quickly diving back into his work.
"He's my Guardian," said Akane brightly.
"Ahuh . . . and?" replied Ukyo.
Akane leaned closer. "He's not going to let
anything bad happen to me," she said.
Time paused for a moment, Ukyo thinking about the
strange comment from her friend. "Is that so?" she
finally said. "Akane, I think you need to take the day
off, go home and let Doc Tofu give you a check-up."
Angrily, Akane sat back. She planted her fist on
her hips and let out a huff. "Why does everyone think
I'm sick?" she said. "I am no different from yesterday
than today!"
"Now this is the Akane I know," said Ukyo. "But
I'm not buying it. Why do you keep calling Ranma your
`Guardian'?"
Akane frowned. "You know, I don't know," she
replied. Her features softened again. "But he is."
"See, that's what I'm talking about. You need to
go home. I'll cover your shift tonight."
"But I'm fine Ukyo!"
"No you're not, and you need to go home!"
Akane crossed her arms, looking away. "Well you
can't tell me what to do," she said.
"As a friend, no. As your Employer, yes. I don't
want you sick on me, and I don't want what's ailing you
to be spread to the rest of us. You need to go home."
"Ukyo," pleaded Akane, buy Ukyo was having none of
it.
"Home," she said sternly.
Akane sagged, pouting like a young school girl.
She peeked up, hoping Ukyo would change her mind, but
the only reaction she received was a sharp arch of a
brow. Akane picked up the glass.
"More?" she said handing it to Ukyo. Smirking,
Ukyo went to refill it.
Through the doors another couple walked in.
"Nihao!" announced Shampoo, Mousse; her co-worker and
constant companion at the Neko Hanten, falling in step
close behind as she went to the counter. Tsubasa
tapped the stems of the spatulas together as if
sounding an alarm.
"Hey, hey, Ukyo. Better get on the phone and tell
Cologne she's got a couple of stray worker bee's in our
neck of the woods," he joked.
"Stop it, Kurenai," snapped Shampoo. "We just
come in to see if you have repair kit for flat on
Shampoo's bike."
Ranma turned in another order. "Oh, need some
help from the compition now, eh?"
"Things happen, Ranma," said Mousse. "Shampoo ran
over something outside, but I think its an excuse just
for her to come in here."
A smack on the head sent Mousse's glasses askew.
"Stop stupid ramblings, blind-boy," snapped
Shampoo. She started to move closer to Ranma, when the
sight of Akane at the counter made her pause. Ranma
noticed, looking back to Akane for a second.
"Hey, Shampoo, tell'ya what. We'll let you use
our kit if you and Mousse do me a favor and take Akane
back to the dojo."
"Why? Cannot silly-tomboy find way home?" asked
Shampoo.
"I think she's sick, but she won't admit it. How
`bout it?"
Shampoo thought a moment. "Okay, I do just for
you, Ranma-chan," she replied giving him a quick peck
on the cheek. Behind them, Akane's eyes narrowed
slightly.
"Uh, okay. Why don't you keep her company while I
go back and get the kit."
Shampoo agreed taking the seat next to Akane. She
smiled at the girl. "So you need help going back to
dojo?"
Akane arched a brow. "Why are you touching my
Guardian's face like that, Shampoo?" she said. "For
some strange reason I don't like that."
That caught Shampoo off guard. She frowned,
looking around to Tsubasa. "Why stupid Akane talk so
funny?" she said.
"Been doing it ever since coming in here," he
replied.
Ukyo returned placing another glass of water on
the counter. "You think that's something, wait till
you see this," she said.
Shampoo stared in shock as Akane virtually poured
the glass of water down her throat. Suddenly, she was
up off the stool peering close around Akane's neck.
"What are you doing, Shampoo," asked Akane.
"Shampoo look for gills. Did not know Akane part
fish."
Before Akane could respond, through the side doors
three people walked in gaining the immediate attention
of everyone in Uuchans. Shampoo sat up slowly;
Tsubasa, Mousse and Ukyo narrowing their eyes at them.
The newcomers attire immediately drew dark looks from
others, and it grew ominously quiet. Ukyo did not like
the implications of this, always dreading what she knew
eventually would happen.
Yakuza, the Japanese version of the mob. Ruthless
and cunning, their touch could be felt throughout the
business community. Ukyo had managed to stay out of
their grasp, thanks mainly to the efforts of Ranma,
Tsubasa, Konatsu, and Akane, still the threat remained
ever so close waiting for the chance to spring.
The three looked around the room, then one of them
pointed to a vacant table and they sat down.
"Hey, have things gotten so bad that we've got to
import outsiders for help?" said Mousse. "What's with
the gajin Yakuza?"
Tsubasa sneered contemptuously at them. "Do we
run them out?" he asked Ukyo.
She wanted to, but they had done nothing and gave
her no reason to do anything hostile. Slowly, Ukyo
shook her head. "I want no trouble in my restaurant.
Let's serve them just like we serve our regular
customers."
Out the back Ranma appeared. He came around the
counter, took one look at the newcomers and froze in
his tracks. "Hey, I thought we kicked these guys out
this side of Nerima?" he said tossing Mousse the repair
kit.
"Ranma," called Ukyo. "Behave, please. I don't
want any trouble, okay?"
"Oh no trouble. I'll just pound them into puddles
of unidentifiable mush and that will be it."
"She doesn't want any trouble, Ranma," said Akane.
"So be cordial."
Ranma looked back and forth between her and Ukyo.
"But--,"
"Please," said Ukyo.
He frowned but reluctantly agreed. Grabbing three
menus, he went over to the table. As he approached,
the tall black man seated at the center locked a steady
glare on him.
"Well, it's about time somebody decided to serve
us," he said. "Was beginning to think we'd contracted
the plague or someth'n."
Ranma stopped, sneering slightly at him. He
remembered Ukyo's request fighting back his sharp
remarks. "Can I help you?" he said through strained
lips.
Jay waited for the menus to be handed out, but
when the waiter remained immobile he clenched his eyes
tight. Pressing his hands to either side of his head,
Jay appeared to concentrate.
"Did you get that?" he asked looking back up at
him.
"Get what?" replied Ranma.
"Our orders. Since you holding all of the menus,
I suspect we have to guess what we want and
telepathically project it to you."
"What!" shouted Ranma.
Elle nudged Jay. "We're not here to start any
trouble," she said.
"Hey, I'm not the one with the attitude here,
Elle," replied Jay.
"Attitude!"
Ranma slammed the menus down on the table leaning
angrily over towards him. Jay frowned, rising slowly
up out of his chair.
"Yo, you best get your young punk ass back up out
my face before I do something you're not gonna like."
"Punk? PUNK!"
The infamous Akane Ponytail Pull drew Ranma away
from the table with a loud cry. She dragged him out of
earshot and proceeded to rage at him.
Jay sat back down, watching the two bickering at
the center of the room.
"Jay, that was not needed," said T.
"What do want me to do? He's the one coming off
like wrong, and what's with all this sudden hostility I
seem to be picking up around us?"
"My guess is they think we're Yakuza."
"Yaka-who?"
"Japanese Gangsters. See, if you had read the
book you'd know that," said Elle.
"Our attire is similar," added T.
"Ahhh," trailed Jay looking back to the two. He
listened for a moment, then started chuckling low.
"What's so funny?" asked Elle.
"That's got to be his woman," he replied.
Elle turned to face him. "And how would you know
this?"
"No man's going to take no stuff from no woman
like that unless she means something to him."
Elle cast a forlorned look to the ceiling, shaking
her head.
Jay's snickers increased as Akane drew up close
into Ranma's face. "Heh, heh, heh, look at her, Elle.
Just get'n UP into that ass!"
Akane backed away, stabbing an angry finger in
their direction. Ranma paused, then started to
protest, but another sharp gesture made him cringe. He
grit his teeth and returned to the table.
"I'm . . .," A brief look over the shoulder
brought a commanding gaze on him. "I'm s-s-s-sorry for
my bad display of . . . emotions."
"She's really got a hook in you," teased Jay.
"He's apologizing, Jay. Give him a break," Elle
said.
"Okay, okay. We cool, man."
Ranma fought down the knot in his stomach, wanting
to teach this arrogant foreigner some long overdue
manners. "Your orders?"
"I'll have Udon," said T.
"Nothing heavy for me," said Elle. "I'll have the
osushi platter."
Ranma wrote down the orders. "And . . . you?"
"Yeah, uh, I'll have some of these Japanese
Pancakes here," said Jay. "You guys have maple syrup
and butter with that?"
Ranma shook, eyes clenched tight. He could feel
Akane's withering gaze on his neck, and sighed. "That
is Okonomiyaki, sir. Ucchan's specialty."
"Oh, right!" exclaimed Jay peering close at the
picture on the menu. "It's past breakfast anyway.
Okay, Gus. I'll have one of these Yoko Ono things."
"It's Ranma, sir."
Jay squinted at the name tag on his chest. "So it
is."
Ranma narrowed his eyes, turning to place the
orders. A call stopped him.
"One more thing, Ranma," said T. "We're looking
for an Akane Tendo. Is she here?"
"Akane?"
Akane suddenly pressed her way past him. "I'm
Akane Tendo."
The three exchanged surprised looks. "Ah, Miss
Tendo," continued T. "We would like to speak with you
about last night, if you have the time?"
Akane bit her bottom lip nervously. "Are you
police?" she finally asked.
"Ah, related," answered T.
"And them?" said Ranma nodding to Jay and Elle.
"We're on kind of an exchange program," said Elle.
"You know, like college students," added Jay.
Ranma looked down at Akane waiting for her word.
She gave him a nod, and he went to place the orders.
Akane sat down.
"So you believe me?" said Akane. "The local
police acted like I was crazy or something."
"We believe you," replied T. "We're interested in
the persons pursing the old woman you mentioned in your
report."
"Did you find her?"
"The old woman? No," answered Elle.
Akane sagged, the pout returning to her face.
"She mean something to you?" asked Jay.
"She was my . . ." began Akane, her voice cast in
a strange tremolo pitch. The three traded confused
looks, then Akane looked up.
"I can't tell you much about the other two," she
said.
"Tell us what you can," said Elle.
"Well, I didn't see the one slinking around in the
dark to well, but he was running funny."
"Funny?" said T.
"Yes, kind of like a . . . a dog, or a large wolf
on the hunt."
"What about the other one?"
A visible shudder passed through Akane. "She was
creepy. I got a strange feeling from her, and she
stuck her tongue at me as she passed by."
"And you found that odd?"
"Well . . . I didn't tell this to the police
because I wasn't sure in the dim light, but it seemed
to be long."
"How long?" asked Elle.
Akane held her hands apart. "Oh, as a guess,
three maybe three and a half kilometers."
"English, Elle," said Jay.
"Geesh, that's about a foot and a half," she
replied.
"Well I'd say that'd be something to be scared
about."
T did not like the implications of this. Akane's
descriptions meant there was more than one type of
alien amongst Krin's group of pirates.
"What street did they go down?" he asked. Akane
pointed out the window behind them. "Thank you, Miss
Tendo. Can you ask your cook to make those orders to
go?"
"Sure."
Akane left, T looking to Jay and Elle.
"Something on your mind, T?" asked Jay.
"Yes. I want to check that street. See if
there's any trace we can pick up."
"If it's not to old," added Elle.
"We best get going then," said Jay. "To bad. I
wanted to check out this food too."
"When we're done, Jay," replied T.
* * * * *
After the three agents left, everyone gathered
around Akane at the counter curious to know what it was
they wanted with her. She sat on the stool, head held
in her hands obviously in some sort of discomfort.
Ukyo shook her lightly and she looked up.
"So what'd they want?" she asked.
"They wanted to know what I saw last night," she
told them.
"Oh, that," said Tsubasa. "So what are they if
they weren't Yakuza?"
"I think they were detectives."
Ukyo shook her head. "All dressed in black. Nah,
Yakuza. That old woman had something they wanted."
"Shampoo think Akane need to be more careful now
that Yakuza know who you are."
"Here, here," said Ranma.
Akane smiled, then suddenly grimaced. She placed
a hand to her chest leaning forwards. "Ranma, can you
take me home?" she asked.
"It's catching up with you isn't it?" said Ukyo.
Akane grimaced again, and Ranma placed an arm
around her. "Akane?" he said.
"I need to go home," she said.
"I was going to have Shampoo and Mousse take you
back," he said.
"No!" protested Akane. "You, just you."
Any other circumstance, Ranma would have said no,
but the threat of the Yakuza about made that option
null and void. "Is it okay, Ukyo?"
"Yeah, and I'm going with you," said Ukyo. "You
might need help."
"Shampoo go too."
"Thanks. Mousse can you stop by Doctor Tofu's and
ask him if he can come to the Dojo?"
"Yeah, I'll get him."
Ranma scooped Akane up in his arms and headed for
the door. Ukyo pulled off her apron, donning her
bandoleer and Battle Spatula. "Tsubasa, call Konatsu
and have him come in. Tell him Ranma and I will take
his shift tonight."
"Right. Take care, Akane."
Akane waved goodbye to Kurenai as Ranma carried
her out the door.
* * * * *
Konatsu arrived a short time later and the two
rivals/friends handled the lunchtime surge of customers
without any problems. Soon, things started to die down
and Kurenai manned the counter while Konatsu went in
the back to record the transactions. There were a few
customers in the restaurant, but all in all it had
grown quiet. The front bell chimed and in walked the
Kuno siblings.
Great, what do they want? wondered Kurenai. He
placed the paper he was reading down and stood up.
"Help you?"
Tatewaki Kuno stood dressed in his training
outfit, bokoto sword tucked neatly in his sash, looking
around the room. "I was told the Fair Akane was
slaving away in this lower establishment," he said.
"This is not a lower establishment, Tatewaki,"
replied Kurenai. "We serve very good meals here, so
please just a little respect."
The Kuno's walked over to the counter and sat
down.
"So, is it true?" he asked.
"About Akane? Oh yes, she works here."
It appeared that something just hit Tatewaki in
the heart, eyes clenching tight as he reached for his
chest. "Oh the indignity," he said. "I could have
taken her away from all of this, made her a respectable
woman in a household of standing. Instead, she would
grovel amongst this . . . place to toil in suffrage and-
-,"
"Brother," Kodachi Kuno finally said breaking his
tirade. "Melodramatics are not needed. Akane can
choose any form of work she wishes."
"But to chose this over me! Why, it is
unthinkable."
Only in your dreams, Kurenai thought humorously.
"Hush, brother," continued Kodachi. She smiled,
unsettling to Kurenai, arching a brow. "And what of my
darling Ranma. Is he here too?"
"Yes, he's working here also."
"I see." Kodachi rubbed her chin in deep thought
for a moment. "So when does my darling Ranma slave, I
mean work here?"
"I caught that. Usually, he's working the day
shift with Ukyo and myself."
"And of Akane?" asked Tatewaki.
"She and Konatsu work the evenings."
The Kuno's exchanged pleased looks. If this was
true, then Ranma and Akane were for the most part
separate, and that meant golden opportunities for them
to exploit.
"Sooo, Ranma is here now?" asked Kodachi.
"They were," answered Kurenai.
"They?"
"Yeah. Akane came in here a little while ago.
Then we had some very unexpected visitors that sort'a
disrupted things."
"Trouble?" said Tatewaki.
"Nothing apparent, but were not sure. Anyway,
Akane became ill, Ranma, Ukyo, Mousse and Shampoo took
her home."
"Akane ill!" exclaimed Tatewaki. "I must go and
procure flowers then and pay my respects."
"I don't know if you want to, Tatewaki. Whatever
she had looked very nasty. Akane was acting strange,
drinking like a fish, calling Ranma her `Guardian',"
"What!" cried Tatewaki. He shot to his feet.
"How dare that impetuous subling take claim to my
position!"
"It had to be a trick by Akane to get Ranma all by
herself," said Kodachi. "Some poison will fix things."
"You will not harm her, Kodachi," snarled
Tatewaki.
"Just try and stop me, brother dear!"
Tatewaki was reaching for his bukoto; Kodachi
fingering the sash around her waist, when through the
side doors a large group of customers walked in. The
tallest thumped his head on the upper door jamb, but
grunted low as he ducked underneath.
"Say can you two control your squabbling, or take
it outside, please," said Kurenai. He went over to
greet the newcomers. "Welcome to Uuchans. Please have
a--,"
"I seek the human female that was here last
night," demanded the man standing at the fore of the
group.
Tsubasa was taken slightly aback by such brash
behavior. The sneer he was receiving from the stranger
brought his senses on edge, a personal alarm that meant
trouble brewed in the wings. Behind him, Tatewaki and
Kodachi broke from their fight suddenly curious what
these people wanted with Akane.
"Uhm, yes we have plenty of seats available to
accommodate your party," replied Kurenai.
The brows of the man furrowed. He glanced over to
his companion. "Did I speak in the wrong tounge,
Qu'tok?"
"No, Krin. I believe our friend here is being . .
. funny."
Two figures stepped out from behind the hulking
man and Kurenai grimaced recognizing the suits they
wore. Definitely trouble, he slowly inched back
towards the other end of the counter. The group
followed him.
They deployed strategically around them, blocking
off any routes of escape. Krin took up a stool,
resting his chin on the tips of his fingers as he
stared at Tsubasa for a moment.
"Ha, ha," he said. "I want the female that was
here last night, and I want her now."
Kurenai paused then look back over his shoulder.
"Konatsu!" he called out.
Konatsu appeared from the back. He came to an
abrupt stop, starting at the gathering of persons
around the counter.
"That's not her," said Binimi. She squinted her
eyes, giving Konatsu a closer examination. "I don't
know what this is, but it looks tasty."
Krin cast her an angry glance, Binimi shrugging
with a grin.
"Trouble?" asked Konastu standing next to Kurenai.
"This guy here wants Akane," he said.
Krin paused catching the name. "Aaakkkannee?"
"That's A-kan-ne, sir."
Mouthing the proper pronunciation, Krin nodded his
head. "So where is this `Akane'?"
Konatsu noticed that Kodachi had removed her
battle ribbon, twirling it in her hands; Tatewaki
palming the hilt of his bokotu. If there was to be a
fight he knew they would be there to help.
"Akane Tendo is currently at home." Konatsu told
them.
"Where is this `home'?"
Konatsu frowned. "This one is a very demanding
person," he said to Tsubasa.
"Quite rude."
Krin's anger started to build. He leveled a dark
gaze on the two men and snarled, "Where is this Akane
Tenduu?"
"Why?" asked Kurenai. "You guys already talked to
her."
"We did?" said Qu'tok.
"Yes. Not you inparticular, but some other of
your associates," he replied gesturing towards Alid and
Koo.
Morea moved up next to Krin with some urgency.
"M.I.B., Krin. M.I.B.!" she said.
Krin placed a scowl on his face, turning slightly
to one side thinking. Obviously their raid was not all
as effective as hoped. Now plans would have to be push
up if they were to stay one step ahead of them.
"Tell us where Akane Tenduu is," demanded Krin
once again.
"It's Tendo, and we're not allowed to release
employee information to strangers," said Konatsu.
"I see."
Krin sat back, the scowl still etched on his face.
"Persuasion is needed here."
"We don't want trouble," said Konatsu.
"Well, you have found it. Glator!"
Two beefy hands flashed out, Konatsu and Kurenai
gasping in surprise as they were taken roughly by their
throats and lifted from the floor. Almost
simultaneously, Tatewaki's bokoto appeared pointed
menacingly close to Glator's left eye.
"Put them down," he ordered the giant humanoid.
Beside him, Kodachi took stance. Her deadly
ribbon cut a swirling figure eight through the air,
holding Teq and Binimi at bay for the moment. Tatewaki
made a light thrust poking Glator. He let out an angry
snarl and dropped his two victims.
"I will kill you, little man," Glator said turning
to face Tatewaki.
"Hold on, Glator," called Qu'tok.
Coming around, he stood between his compatriot and
Tatewaki curiously eyeing the bukoto. Tatewaki drew it
back, aiming it at Qu'tok.
"Do not give me grounds to hurt you as well,
stranger," he said.
If he heard, Qu'tok paid no mind still examining
the weapon. Suddenly he opened his mouth, and before
Tatewaki could react, rapidly chewed halfway down the
wooden shaft.
Tatewaki's mouth sagged; Kodachi letting her
ribbon come to a stop as they both stared at what was
left. Qu'tok's mouth chewed rapidly, and he swallowed
letting out a hum of satisfaction. Tatewaki started to
draw what was left of his bukoto away, but Qu'tok
reached out taking it effortlessly from his grip.
"It is good," he said taking another bite as he
walked aside.
"Oh, we are in trouble," declared Kurenai inching
back to the far wall.
Krin laughed, a rarity for him. "Now then,
humans. Let us resume our discussion on the
whereabouts of this `Akane Tendo'.
The pirates around the four started closing in.
* * * * *
A few blocks up the street from Uuchans, Jay,
Elle, and T scanned the surrounding area searching for
any evidence of offworlder activity. They were
currently searching an alley, Elle running soil test
through her scanner as T and Jay kept a look out.
Suddenly, Jay frowned tipping an ear back down the
street.
"Something the matter, Jay?" asked T.
Jay listened, then shook his head. "Naw, I
thought I heard something familiar," he answered.
Elle called waving them over.
"I've got a trace," she said showing them her
screen. T studied the readout, letting out a low click
of his tongue.
"This is very bad," he said. "Lupicanus, that
would be Akane's stalking creature."
"So what's a `Najelian' anyway?" asked Jay.
"A very bad lifeform, Jay," answered Elle. "Krin
certainly knows how to pick'em."
"What is that last one, Elle?"
At the bottom of the screen there was one last
lifeform reading. `Polymorian' it read. T let out a
hum.
"Polymorian . . . a shape-shifter?" he finally
said.
"You mean like the blob?" said Jay.
T laughed. "Close. If memory serves me right,
Poly's are grouped into several categories. One is
Shape-Shifting, another is Absorption, and I believe
there is one that remains fluid."
Jay was lost. He swore he'd review every M.I.B.
book he could find once he got back to headquarters.
"Uh, Elle?"
"Layman's terms, an intelligent mound of Silly-
Putty," she said.
A dim crash was heard, Jay turning back down the
alley. He knew he'd heard something like that before,
the old instincts of a cop returning.
"Maybe we should go and check that out?"
"Why?" asked Elle.
"Sound like a fight to me."
"Let the police handle it, Jay," Elle said.
"We've got more important things to worry about.
"Yeah, but it sounds like it's coming from where
we just came from."
"Ucchan's?" questioned T.
"Could be. I wonder if that punk Ranma is getting
his butt kicked by Akane."
Something clicked inside T. Pointing thoughtfully
to Jay, he started to hurriedly head back to the
street.
"T, what's up?" called Jay following him.
"It might be that we are not the only ones looking
for Miss Tendo, Jay."
Jay realized what he was getting at. "Come on,
Elle," he said breaking into a run.
* * * * *
Tables cracked, Konatsu slamming one down across
the backside of Glator. At best it only tingled, the
hulking humanoid turning around to hit him with the
side of a hand. Konatsu sailed across the room into
the far wall and slid to the floor in a daze.
Near the center of Ucchan's, Kurenai held a chair
before him, deflecting the swipes and blows Qu'tok
made, desperately trying to keep out of anyone's
clutches. Tatewaki appeared briefly beside him,
letting out a cry while ducking a burly swipe from Teq.
"Tsubasa, give them any address so they'll leave!"
he said frantically.
"Why me. You know where Akane lives too!" shouted
Tsubasa.
"Ahh, holding out on us, eh?" said Qu'tok lashing
out at Tatewaki. His jab send Tatewaki across some
tables, rumbling to a stop next to Konatsu. A foot hit
Qu'tok in the chin knocking him back. Kodachi;
spinning on her hands, made a graceful twist connecting
with Teq, then landed on her feet.
"How dare you hit my brother like that," she
shouted at them. "Only I am allow such liberties."
Gossamer strands of fiber suddenly snaked out
entwining themselves around Kodachi. She cried out,
struggling desperately to get free, but they pulled
tight binding her limbs together. Alid and Koo stole
up, leering smiles on their faces.
"Neatly done as usual," said Alid.
"Do we drink our fill?" asked Koo.
"Not yet. This human female might have uses for
Krin still."
Together, they picked Kodachi up, tossing her
screaming across the room to join the others.
Tsubasa stood in terror as he was slowly
surrounded by the pirates. At the counter, Krin,
Morea, and Binimi sat watching the fight, waiting
patiently for their victims to be subdued. Krin's eyes
drifted to the crowd peering in through the outside
windows. He sneered, waving them away and the people
quickly ran off.
"Such nuisances these humans are," he said.
"Qu'tok, are you through playing with them?"
"Yes, Krin, I believe we are done now."
"Then bring that scrawny one over here with the
others."
"Right away, Krin. Glator."
An effortless toss sent Kurenai smashing into the
wall above his downed colleagues. He crumpled to the
floor panting hard as the pain continued to wash over
him.
"Oh, Konatsu . . . you awake?" he managed to say.
"I'm coherent."
"Good, then you can explain to Ukyo why her place
is a mess. I don't think I'm going to be able to talk
much after this."
Krin walked over standing triumphantly above the
four on the floor. "Now then. The location of Akane
Tendo. Are you prepared to give it to me?"
Tatewaki rolled onto his side glaring defiantly up
at Krin. "We'll not buckle to your will," he said.
"Hold on, Tachi," said Kodachi. She wriggled her
way over to him. "Maybe we should consider this
gentleman's request."
"This is not the time for weak wills, sister."
"But if he happens to kill Akane, then my chances
with Ranma increase."
"And did you consider Saotome might be there when
he does arrive, hmm?"
Kodachi paused, letting out a low pout. She
looked up at Krin. "Sorry, sir. I'm afraid we'll have
to decline giving you that information."
With a loud growl, Krin reached down and snatched
Tsubasa from the floor. He held him up by the scruff
of his shirt and snarled.
"Since you were the first to resist me, I'll let
you be the first to feel my wrath." Extending a pinky
finger, Krin pressed it up to the corner of Kurenai's
left eye.
"What I am going to do, little scrawny human is
ask you one more time where Akane Tendo is. Now you
can tell us, or you can take us to her, I do not care."
Tsubasa swallowed the lump in his throat. "A-and
if I don't?"
"I'm going to push my finger into your eyesocket,
grab what stem I can get a hold of, then slowly pull
until it snaps. And that's only the beginning."
"Oh great. Eyes!" said Koo cheerfully. "I wonder
if these humans have seasoning around--,"
"Shut up, Koo!" snapped Krin. He drew Kurenai
closer.
"Akane Tendo. Where is she?"
Shudders traveled through Tsubasa. Konatsu,
Kodachi and Tatewaki watched helplessly awaiting what
he would say. Before he could answer, the door bell
behind them chimed.
"E'scuse me!" called a loud voice.
Krin and the pirates turned to see Jay standing at
the door holding a white takeout bag in his hand.
"Hey, check it out," continued Jay, placing the
bag on a chair. "This Sushi stuff you sold us, it was
cold and that ain't going to hang, man. We'd like our
money back."
T and Elle walked in standing at either side of
Jay angry gazes on their faces.
"We'll be right with you, sir," said Kurenai.
Krin growled, roughly tossing him back to the
floor. He moved up front recognizing the M.I.B.
uniforms. "Always problems," he said with a sigh.
Jay crossed his arms. "So which one of you is
Inentimus Krin?"
The pirates were surprised that he knew the name
of their leader. Krin stepped forward.
"I'm Krin. What is it to you, M.I.B. man?"
"Not much," replied Jay, reaching into his jacket.
"I just wanted to know who to tell to put your stupid
hands over your dumb-ass head, turn your silly butt
around and kneel with the rest of your pack of losers.
You are busted, pal!"
Jay drew his blaster, T and Elle mimicking the
move.
A chuckle came from Krin. He laughed more,
casting looks to his team humored by the command.
"These little M.I.B. agents are all the same no
matter where we go," he said.
"Extremely overconfident," remarked Binimi. "Do
you want us to take them out?"
"Glator kill M.I.B. scum!"
"You go ahead and come at us, big stuff," said
Elle waving him over. "It will be no problem placing a
few Ion burst into your pointed head."
"Inentimus Krin, you have a lot to atone for," T
said leveling his stare on the pirate leader.
Krin smirked. "Not anytime soon."
On the floor, Tsubasa and Konatsu managed to
regain enough of their sense to crawl over to Tatewaki.
He knelt tugging at the strands holding his sister fast
trying to pull them off.
"Tachi, who are those people?" asked Kodachi.
"I don't, ugh, know sister, but they must know who
these people are."
Tsubasa began pulling on the strands. "That's the
Yakuza that came in here looking for Akane earlier," he
said.
"They're Yakuza?" said Konatsu. "I do not think
so."
"Whatever the case maybe, who's side do we take?"
asked Kodachi.
"Obviously the lesser of two evils, sister,"
answered Tatewaki.
Back at the confrontation, Jay had enough of the
small talk from Krin and his team.
"Okay, look. Talk is over, Krin. You and your
sorry bunch better just turn around and place those
hands over your heads before things get real ugly for
you all."
"I'm not surrendering to you, M.I.B. pest,"
replied Krin. He looked down at Morea. "I believe you
are on, my dear."
Morea smiled. She started walking seductively
towards the agents. Blasters came up, the release of
safeties sounding. Reaching up, Morea started a slow
gyration of her hips while undoing the front buttons of
her blouse.
"That's far enough," said T.
"What are going to do, little girl. Striptease me
into submission?" said Jay.
"I say we let her have it," Elle said to them.
T agreed, and was just about to fire a shot, when
a bright flash from Morea blinded them. Jay, Elle, and
T cried out shielding their eyes. Hidden guns appeared
in the pirates hands, Glator pointing two stubby
pistols in Jays direction.
"Look out!" shouted Tsubasa, and Jay instinctively
dived for the floor. A loud boom sounded and the side
of Uuchans shattered with a roar. The pirates
scattered taking cover behind whatever was handy as
shots were exchanged.
Tsubasa, Konatsu, Tatewaki, and Kodachi cried out
in terror, huddling close on the floor as the carnage
increased.
"We are definitely out classed here!" shouted
Kurenai.
"Tell us something we don't know!" replied
Tatewaki. Peering up, the scion of the Kuno clan
watched as Glator's hulking frame rose up from behind a
table firing at T and Jay. They dived over what
remained of the wall behind them, hunkering down on the
pavement as the blast tore into the street beyond.
"Man, this is getting out of hand, T!" shouted Jay
above the din. Elle stepped around the corner of the
shattered doorway braving the gunfire. She took aim
and fired, hitting one of Glator's hands. A loud roar
followed the blaster clattering to the floor. Angrily
he turned to fire, but she repeated her action and the
giant tucked his wounded fist protectively to his sides
growling in pain. Glator let out a yell as a berserker
rage rushed through him. He charged Elle and she
screamed diving for cover. T and Jay rose up trying to
cover her, but a furious barrage from Qu'tok, Alid and
Koo drove them back down.
"Get out of there, Elle!" cried Jay.
Tatewaki acted. "Tsubasa!" he said grabbing the
end of a near-by table. Together they heaved it with
all of their might across the floor. It might not have
been enough to hurt Glator, but it was enough to trip
him up. As Glator hit the floor, Krin snarled looking
back at them.
"Binimi, kill those fools!" he shouted.
Binimi rose up from behind the counter a slim
pistol in her hand. She let out a hiss moving for the
far end. Tatewaki and Kurenai cried out diving away as
she fired, rolling up against the base of the counter.
Binimi leaped over the top landing over a still bound
and helpless Kodachi.
"Tachi!" she yelled, squirming around trying to
escape. It was Konatsu who came to her rescue, an
upwards kick propelling Binimi back over the counter.
She rolled into the back office slamming up against the
desk.
Shaking the stars from her eyes, Binimi hissed
ready to rejoin the fray, when she noticed a calendar
up on the wall next to the door. A list of names were
written on the side, what little kanji she had learned
drawing out `Tendo' in one block. Snatching it from
the wall, Binimi realized she had hit the jackpot.
Outside, Krin helped Glator scramble back behind
an overturned table under the cover of Alid and Koo.
The sound of sirens from the street only signaled more
trouble was to come, and they were no closer to finding
this Tendo female as long as M.I.B. pressed them.
"Krin!" called Binimi.
"What is it, and I thought I told you to--,"
"I've found her!" she cut in.
"Who, the Tendo female?"
Binimi held up the calendar, pointing to the
address on it. Krin understood. "Qu'tok, Teq, we're
leaving!" he shouted to his henchmen. Immediately the
two bounded over the counter; Alid and Koo laying down
a furious barrage covering Krin and Morea as they
helped Glator towards the front entrance. Binimi
rushed to join them, stopping briefly before Konatsu on
the ground.
"I'll get you later, little whatever you are," she
said flicking her slender tongue at him. Krin called
and she retreated through the doors.
Jay peered up noticing the pirates escaping and
leaped to his feet. He dashed for the corner spotting
them running up the street and took aim.
"Jay, no!" shouted Elle. She pointed to the crowd
of people around them.
Damn, mutter Jay quickly covering up his weapon.
"Come'on, Elle. We've got to get after them!"
"We can't go, Jay," said T. "Too many witnesses."
"So let a clean up crew get in here and--,"
"We are the clean-up crew, remember?"
Realizing that there was only the three of them
left in the field, Jay muttered a curse staring at the
pirate's retreating forms. "Yeah you better run,
Krin!" he shouted.
Ucchan's was a shambles before they got there, now
it was a disaster. Elle stood looking over what
remained and shook her head.
"Is this going to take some time," she said.
T reholstered his pistol. "Yes, so we better get
started." He pulled out his nuralizer. "I'll take
this group."
Elle drew hers, setting the controls.
"Uh, ladies and gentlemen can I have your
attention please."
* * * * *
Konatsu sat perched on a stool gazing around at
his former place of employ wondering how he and Kurenai
were going to explain this to Ukyo. Behind him, with
his head face down on the counter, Tsubasa sobbed
muttering over and over, "She's going to kill us.
She's going to kill us!"
Kodachi stood next to him, lending a comforting
hand on the shoulder, trying to calm the man down.
Several unusual bright flashes reflected from the
street, and Konatsu turned to the man talking quietly
with Tatewaki.
"So let me get this right. You and your
associates are `Insurance' representatives?"
"Uh, yeah," answered Jay. "I'm uh . . . what the
hell, I'm Jay from Shone Knife Inc. That's my partner
Elle, and Tee is our Tokyo rep."
"Konatsu. I'm still at a loss why insurance reps
need such sophisticated weaponry."
"Hey, next to lawyers, we need all the protection
we can get."
Tatewaki introduced himself. "My sister; Kodachi,
and our sobbing friend is Tsubasa Kurenai. I trust you
will need statements from us."
"Right, just as soon as my partners clean, I mean
finish up things outside. You know that was a pretty
brave thing you guys did standing up to those thugs
like that."
Tsubasa sat up, turning around. "Didn't mean to
do that," he said. "They just pushed us a bit to far."
"Speaking of which, who were `They'," asked
Tatewaki.
Jay stuttered, trying to think up a quick
explanation they four would buy. He did not need to, T
and Elle re-entering the shattered restaurant.
"Everything is fixed, Jay," said Elle. "T called
Ringo and told him he'd have to come down here tonight
and fix this place up."
"He wasn't very happy about it," added T.
"Good, good. I guess we can get off after Krin
and his gang now," said Jay.
"Krin. I don't remember hearing of that Yakuza
clan," said Kodachi. "Are they new in town?"
"No, madam," answered T. "They are--," Jay
nudged him lightly in the ribs, and he quickly
understood. "Yes! They kind of moved in overnight."
"Bastards. I definitely want revenge on those two
comedians for netting me like they did. I am not a
fish to be pluck out of the water."
"Not me," said Tsubasa. "They can stay gone for
all I care. Bad enough Ukyo's going to be after our
heads for letting this happen."
Elle inched closer to Jay. "You ready to zap'em,"
she muttered out the corner of her mouth.
He nodded. Putting on his protective sunglasses,
Jay produced his Nuralizer switching it on.
"What is that?" asked Konatsu.
"This? It's a camera," Jay said. "Now you guys
get over here against the counter so I can get a
picture."
"It's for legal purposes," said T.
Konatsu frowned looking to Tatewaki, then gave
them a light shrug heading for the counter. Moving
close together, they stood waiting for Jay to take his
picture.
"Look into the light and--,"
"Hold on a minute," said Tsubasa. He broke from
his position, moving around towards the back office.
"Something wrong?" asked Elle.
"I want to make sure this is okay with Ukyo. I
mean if there's to be any legal stuff going on, I'm
sure she'd like to know about it. Besides, it's better
that she know now, then later on."
"Oh don't worry. She's going to know," lied Jay.
"I still want to call her." Kurenai picked up the
phone. He stepped in back for a moment then stuck his
head out again.
"Hey, Konatsu. Where's Akane's phone number?"
"Should be right there on the calendar above the
work schedule."
Kurenai disappeared again, the sounds of rummaging
being heard. "No it's not," he called out.
"Right next to the door, Tsubasa."
"It's not here!"
"The number?"
"The calendar!"
"That's strange. It was--,"
Konatsu froze, a lost expression on his face. He
recalled the fight, remembering who it was that was in
there just before it ended. His jaw sagged, and slowly
Konatsu turned around. Kurenai was already ahead of
him, eyes wide as he stood in the doorway, speechless.
"We have got to go!" Konatsu exclaimed hurrying
for the front doors.
"Yo, hold on a minute!" called Jay. "We can call
this Ukyo later."
"You don't understand, Mister Jay," said Kurenai.
"'WE' need to go now!"
"Why?" asked Elle.
"That calendar had our addresses on it," explained
Konatsu.
"Oh my goodness!" exclaimed Kodachi.
Tatewaki shot to the door. "That means the Fair
Akane is in danger!" he shouted bolting out.
"Uhoh," said Jay. "Looks like this ain't over
yet," he said.
Kodachi rushed after her brother, Konatsu and
Kurenai close behind. T went after them, then Elle
followed.
"Come on, Jay!" she shouted.
"We gonna run all the way?" he replied.
"Come on!"
Jay shook his head. "And me without my Air
Jordans," he grumbled running after her. Jay stopped
just long enough to turn the `Closed' sign out before
heading up the street.
