Subject: [FFML][C&C]Thoughts and comments on Quantum Destinies
From: "Allen, Michael" <MALLEN@alldata.net>
Date: 10/27/1998, 3:45 PM
To: Fanfic Mailing List
CC: "'jurai-knight@home.com'" <jurai-knight@home.com>

First off, I want to say that I have really enjoyed the fic thus far.  I
hope that you can pull everything together!

I want to comment on a few things:

The author stated that Scholar-Ranma (R-Q0) has been enhanced such that
he is developing mentally and physically to be as close to genetically
perfect as he was able to be made.  He had been worn with a debilitating
genetic disease and Nodoka and Genma allowed him to become part of the
experiment.  The enhancements gave him an eidetic memory, high
intelligence and the potential for great athleticism (triggered at the
beginning of the fic).  This is why he was able to retain and use the
trained ability of the Martial Arts Ranma we know and love (R-Q16).  

So far, so good.  However, the author then stated that the other Ranma's
because they weren't enhanced this way would be unable to retain the
knowledge R-Q0 leaves behind in their brains.  I have a slight problem
with this.  The problem being that R-0 is having to find a reality where
a quantum match can be found with him.  To me that means the match found
should be within the same parameters intellectually and possibly
physically as R-Q0.  Elsewise, why does he always "leap" into a Ranma
Saotome?  

R-Q16 is generally seen as canon Ranma (or close to it).  Canon Ranma
did not suffer from any genetic defects as a child (as far as canon
goes).  Without the mental enhancement, he is expected to slowly lose
any gains that R-Q0 left behind.  I find this wrong.  I believe that
R-Q16 would have as much of a connection with R-Q0 as R-Q0 has with him.
R-Q0 has an avatar of R-Q16 resident within his mind.  R-Q16 should also
have the same.  If not, then R-Q) should be able to leap into anyone's
doppelganger that he has a quantum signature for.  Ie. He could visit
the any Nabiki or Genma in addition to any of his other selves.  In
fact, he should be able to "visit" Genma-Q0 or Nabiki-Q0.  Something
that the Intelligence Directorate would dearly love to get their hands
on.

I like the fact that R-Q0 made a mistake and that his application of the
theory is more of a side effect than the main effect.  "Sliding" will
definitely complicate matters.  Just as long as Continuum Police
Detective Mihoshi doesn't show up...

If you made it through my ramblings, thanks.

Mike Allen