A Very Scary Bet, Rough 
part 4a:  Limedrops keep fallin' on my head.
by greggsharp, metroanime@mindspring.com
http://metroanime.home.mindspring.com
   various people own the various char. no
trademark infringement is intended.
    much thanks for my pre-readers who have
helped enormously.
    this is written for enjoyment, distributed for
others to enjoy, and has accomplished its 
purpose if it has a few fun moments. 
----------------------------------------------------
 A small four-wheel drive vehicle
moved through the streets of Nerima. This
was unusual in a number of respects. First,
because this was Nerima and automobile
traffic in the residential sections was pretty
rare. Second, it was unusual because this
wasn't a sedan, coupe, or similar vehicle
but an SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) in 
Tokyo.

 While both of these factors
were unusual, they were not so out of the
ordinary as to draw any particular attention.
That there were two women and a cat in the
car was also not particularly noteworthy.

 That the driver was a quite
attractive seventeen year old, while the 
other was an equally attractive woman
of perhaps nineteen might have turned
a few heads but still not especially worthy
of note.

 But then, if you were to identify
the passengers, then things got decidedly
more interesting.

 "I still don't trust this guy. How
do you know that HE wasn't the one who
showed up with magical food!"

 "So we go in cautiously. Besides,
it looked to me as if he were heavy into the
high-tech sorta thing, not..." Makoto slammed
the brakes, and three set of eyes tracked the
commuter that ran through the intersection.

 "Ami," said Makoto in a small
voice a few moments later. "Did you see 
what I just saw?"

 Ami was frantically pressing
buttons on her computer keypad and didn't
answer.

 "A unicorn? In Nerima? In Japan?
Why and how is there a unicorn in Japan?!"
Luna stopped when she realized that nobody
else would know either. "It's GOTTA be one
of the Dark Kingdom generals."

 "I'm detecting the same sort of 
energy that Sailor Moon's attacks emit. The
same sort of healing energies." Ami found
herself twitching and tried a deep breathing
exercise to calm herself. Well, why not a 
unicorn? Was that any less hard to believe
than reincarnated soldiers of an ancient Moon
Kingdom? To hear stories was one thing,
to actually SEE the unicorn another.

 "Let's just get going and see if
we can find the Tendo dojo. Now remember,
if there's trouble DON'T transform, Ami."

 "I remember," Ami said meekly,
remembering what had happened when she
and Makoto had tried transforming to their
Senshi identities. Jupiter had powered up
with her sudden aging, while Ami hadn't
transformed into Sailor Mercury at all.

 She blushed again, remembering
the odd sensations she'd gotten.
--------------------------------------
 Somewhere near Okayama, the
greatest genius mad scientist of the universe
monitored her flying crab remote probe and
decided she needed more of them immediately.

 That vehicle had very interesting
power readings, the unicorn was itself quite
an interesting phenomena, and the strangeness
all seemed to either head towards or away from
that odd house with all the odd energy signatures.

 Wasshu sat back and smirked, only
to nearly fall off her chair when an alarm buzzed
at her.

 There in a monitor, was Kiyone?!
Accessing the instant clothing machine. She'd
put it away from her lab as she'd figured that
Mihoshi would be drawn to the device. But 
Kiyone?

 In the monitor, Wasshu watched the
Galaxy Police detective shrug into...a sailor fuku?

 Wasshu stroked a control lightly and
then nodded in satisfaction. Kiyone was at least
going out well-equipped. Forcefield generator in
the belt, laser in the tiara, electroshock knuckles
in the gloves, a contragrav device built into the
suit itself. A somewhat tasteful blue-grey coloration
to the ensemble.

 Another control was stroked and Kiyone's
muttering was loud enough to hear.

 "...dang it. Got to help 'em if they're like
the Warrior Blades, but couldn't they have a less 
embarrassing uniform? I mean, seriously..."

 Wasshu's smirk returned. So that was it.
She'd have to upgrade the systems on that fuku.
Kiyone was entirely too useful and too competent
to allow her to go into battle without the proper
equipment.

 Wasshu flicked to the other rooms in
the house, seeking whatever had caused Kiyone
to act tonight instead of spending more time 
gathering data. What she saw made Wasshu
begin to laugh.

 Oh yes, she'd have to record this for
posterity. Then, thousands of years later, she
could play this all back and still laugh herself
silly with it.

 "Begin recording and tracking. Mihoshi.
Ryoko. Aeka. Sasami. Poor Tenchi, maybe I ought
to get you a tuxedo..."
---------------------------------------------------------
 A large recreational vehicle shot through
the night at a fairly good speed.

 Ranma clicked a status report for the
workbots and smiled. Tunnel and first chamber
already excavated and sealed. Slight drop in the
power efficiency of Larry. He'd have to check that
out later when he did the planned upgrades.

 Ranma's eyes flicked back to his cargo.
Furinkan hadn't been the only location struck by
these hit-n-run life-energy draining attacks. As near
as he could see, Furinkan had been attacked by
Panther Zora who usually attacked Bluebird Senior
High School. Bluebird had been attacked by some
really nasty creatures who had just abruptly left.

 Saint Hebereke's School for Girls had
been attacked (no one was quite sure why) by
creatures that had been an odd mix of human and
animal parts. They suffered less damage than was
usual due to the presence of some paramilitary force
with fairly old combat rifles. It was a pity that the
Saint Hebereke computer lab got trashed by a stray
missile, but these things happen. At least the school
had been evacuated by that point.

 "Gurk."

 "Don't try to draw unnecessary power,"
Ranma advised. "Whoever you ran into did a really
nasty job. It may take me a few days to put together
the necessary parts but bionic systems ARE my 
specialty."

 "Gek."

 "I'd suggest shutting down to your
maintenence mode. Though, yeah, I should be
able to put you back together by the end of the
week. At least minimal functionality at that point." 
Ranma paused. "I think you managed to
hold them off long enough for the students to 
escape but the school's a wreck."

 The android's eyes closed. She'd
failed to win, but still succeeded in saving lives.
It would do, for now.

 Ranma noted the telltale that indicated
that the android had shut down to a rest mode. 
Adjusting course slightly for the river, he made sure 
his stealth systems were active. 
--------------------------------------
 Nabiki added the kairaishi mushroom bits
to the stew, just "helping out" Ukyou. She silently
chuckled at the double meaning to her offer of 
assistance.

 Besides, if this worked out, she could
get HUGE sums the next day and satisfy her own
insatiable curiosity at the same time.

 Ukyou didn't notice, once again lost
in the gulf that had developed between her fiance
and herself. It was familiar ground, she kept coming
back to the same ideas over and over again.

 Fortunately, she _was_ the master of
Okonomiyaki, and a lot of attention was not really
necessary.

 Therefore she missed the lemon drops
being added to the tea, the bits of mushroom 
added to one particular okonomiyaki, the little
eyedropper of fluid that went poof into the cabbage
of another okonomiyaki.

 Nabiki looked at Ukyou, back at this
last okonomiyaki, back to Ukyou, and added another
eyedropper of "honeymoon sweet." Some things
were more difficult than others.

 Nabiki didn't particularly notice Vanilla 
come in, stir the pot briefly as if idly curious as to what
was for dinner, then exit. She definitely didn't notice
Vanilla give a subtle nod to Shampoo.

 If she had seen Shampoo's grin and
thumbs up to Vanilla, she most likely would have
become concerned.

 If she had known what Kasumi had
added to the soup earlier in the day, she would
have become far more concerned. But you already
knew that.
-------------------------------
 Ranma finished connecting fluid and
energy connectors to the head on his workbench.

 His scan of internal systems was interrupted
by a sound he hadn't expected. His phone was ringing.

 "It's always the shower or when you're just
getting into an intriguing bit of work, you know," Ranma
explained to the android. "Just a minute. Computer, use
ident routine, basic level. Origin of call?"

 A voice that sounded vaguely familiar 
spoke. "Call originates from London. Call is scrambled,
using standard UNIT cipher four. Video and audio
components."

 "UNIT? Now why would the Doctor's 
associates with the United Nations be contacting
me?" Ranma shrugged. "Accept transmission, use
monitor two."

 "Well, Ranma Saotome, back in your 
home territory are you?" An elderly fellow with
a certain roguish charm smiled from the monitor.

 "Q?! Using a UNIT cipher? How _did_
you get my number?" To say Ranma was surprised
was mildly understating it. He'd left on good terms
with Her Majesty's Secret Service, but hadn't 
exactly expected their paths to cross again.

 "Oh, those chaps over at UNIT found
your location yesterday. When you called that
older sister of yours to explain you'd be late for
dinner they backtracked it."

 "And naturally you dug into their
computer files."

 "Ranma!" Q looked mildly indignant.
"We've had trapdoors through UNIT's computer
systems for decades. After all, we had to close up
all the ones that OTHER nations went and put in."

 "Of course," agreed Ranma, acknowledging
the other's point. "So why did you call? Not that I'm
complaining if it's just a social call."

 "Well, it's that too. According to the
seismic records you're digging some pretty large
chambers into the earth and rock below Tokyo."

 "Ah, and you wanted to caution me
about using or developing too much high tech."

 Q actually looked shocked. "Heavens, no.
Actually, I wanted to schedule a visit, once you have
some gadgetry to play with."

 Ranma nodded after a moment. "Just don't
bring HIM."

 "Turn Sir James loose with all the girls you
have there? I understand your concern. Oh, and just
so I can charge this call as a business expense, you
WILL engage in a mutual backscratch when the 
opportunity arises and no previous loyalties are 
compromised?"

 "Confirm that, Q. Hey, in three days, I'm 
planning a labwarming party. Can do?"

 "Will there be gratuitous sex & violence?"

 "Not my cup of tea, as you well know."

 "Well, pencil me in, then. No promises, though."

 "Understood. Ranma out."
---------------------------------------
 Shampoo took off for her pre-dinner run, wanting
to check on Kasumi and work off some additional tension
in the joy of flying.

 Lavender tresses billowing behind her, the 
Amazon twisted the throttle and sent her hovercycle past
a startled looking group in a four-wheel drive vehicle before
gaining altitude and sailing above the houses.

 She'd been introduced to a number of musical
styles during her travels, and to the horror of both Ranma
and the Doctor, Shampoo had gotten addicted to karaoke.

 So it was with Steppenwolf's "Born to be wild"
blaring out of speakers on a hightech hovercycle, being
sung along to by a Chinese Amazon as she raced a little
under one hundred feet above the road.

 Shampoo was not aware of a moon cat in the
car she'd just passed, currently swearing off Tender 
Vittles for life. Shampoo was also not aware of Makoto
exclaiming repeatedly "I want one of those!"

 Shampoo was not even aware five minutes
later that a combat helicopter was closing.
-------------------------------
 Ukyou opened the door, wondering who
could be here at this hour. 

 A tall girl with a pony tail, and a smaller
girl with short hair who had a superficial resemblence
to Akane. Both of whom were holding up "Fiancee to
Ranma" membership cards.

 "Hi, is Ranma in? My name's Makoto Kino and
this is my good friend Ami Mizuno. May we come in?"

 Ukyou paused as she considered how to handle
this, but decided to just be herself and maybe they were just
here to chat? Ukyou silently prayed, then smiled. "Of course. 
Numbers five and seven? I think I remember you. Ami, you're the one
who helped out in that Flatulence Phantom caper, weren't you?"

 Ami blinked. "You're the one who was trapped in
the well with Ranma? Your spatula isn't the only thing that's
grown."

 Makoto winced. "Ami. You didn't say that you'd
gone off on one of their adventures."

 "Sorry. It's been a few years." Ami paused. "I
remember now, that was one of the things you did to train
in the martial arts. You went to investigate these hauntings
and such, travelling across the country with your okonomiyaki
cart 'the Meal Machine' solving mysterious events."

 Ukyou and Ami shared a mischievous look, though
Ami was a little shy about it.

 "Oh come in, you two. Ami, you've got to tell me
how you've been doing."

 Ami humphed as she nodded. "Is Akane still as
danger-prone as ever? Is Nabiki still running scams and 
'accidently' leaving with part of the treasure? Is Kasumi 
still patching up..."

 "Is Ranma still as cute as ever," put in Makoto
then clapped a hand over her mouth as if she couldn't 
believe she had said that.

 "Yes, yes, yes, and I'm not going to say. Come on, 
I'll get you some tea while we talk." Ukyou shook her head. 
"I'll fill you in on some of the details."
-------------------------------
 Shampoo said something in her native tongue,
it was not flattering.

 Smoke pouring from a hole in the side of her
vehicle from the first missile strike, Shampoo guided her
hovercycle into brushing the ground and cornering 
buildings like a shadow.

 Poison One responded with machine guns
blazing and a spread of missiles.

 Shampoo knew full well that her airen hadn't
installed any weapons systems beyond her vibro-spear.
That didn't do her any good with the readout telling her
she was at 79% structural capacity and 45% power
output.

 Shampoo thumbed a button. "Airen. Airen?!
Shampoo really could use help now. Someone please to
bring Shampoo ranged weapon?"

 Another missle exploded near enough to throw
Shampoo off her hovercycle. She watched in dismay as
another two missles exploded on the vehicle, reducing it
to scrap.

 Gritting her teeth, Shampoo faced the copter
as it circled for a shot. "FLAME ARROW!"

 There was a clang as the chi blast bounced 
off Poison One's armor. There was a dent, there was a burn
mark, and that was about it.

 Shampoo realized that she was about to be
hit with hundred of rounds of ammunition and managed
what she imagined would be her last act of defiance.
-----------------------------------------------

and for those who wanted to update the char guide i
posted (no, still not finished adding to it.)

 Kiyone. Galaxy Police detective 1st class.
Quite competent. After hearing that the Senshi are
the equivelant of the Warrior Blades, determines that
she has to help them protect this planet from what are
essentially extradimensional criminals. Uses Washu
built gadgets in an ersatz Senshi fuku as Sailor Cop.
Series: Tenchi Muyo

 Mihoshi. Galaxy Police detective 1st class.
She's...lucky. Mihoshi uses a Washu designed fuku
that turns her into a version of the "Greatest American
Hero" - including the skill with landings. aka Sailor
Galaxy. Series: Tenchi Muyo

 Ryoko. Space Pirate capable of phasing,
teleporting, projecting energy blasts and a psi sword.
In RIFTS terms a fair level Mind Melter. Is one of the
girls pursuing Tenchi. Uses Sailor Pirate as her "Senshi"
name. Series: Tenchi Muyo

 Aeka. Princess of planet Jurai. Has some
fair powers due to the tiara that is all but grafted onto
her forehead and her descent from the Royal House.
Mainly forceshield and electrical generation abilities.
Rumored to be skilled with the whip. Uses Sailor 
Princess as her "Senshi" identity. Series: Tenchi Muyo

 Sasami. Aeka's little sister. Bonded with
THE tree of Jurai, Tsunami. By agreement with 
Tsunami, Sasami can transform into the magical
princess Pretty Sammi. From this form she can
power up further into manifesting Tsunami herself.
Series: Tenchi Muyo, Pretty Sammy

 Tenchi Masaki. Doesn't feel so bad about
his own lot in life when he watches Ranma's problems.
Descended from the Royal House Of Jurai himself, and
can manifest some power. Also carries the Tenchi-ken,
a sword of power. Series: Tenchi Muyo

                   Wasshu. Number one genius mad scientist
in the universe. Has a thing for a crustacean motif.
Series: Tenchi Muyo

 Yosho. Would much rather stay at his shrine
than get involved in all that Tokyo craziness, thank you.
Series: Tenchi Muyo

 Yohko Mano. A professional Devilhunter
who finds herself in a love triangle with Akira Fudoh
and Minako Aino. Series: Devil Hunter Yohko.

 Serjeant Benton. UNIT squad soldier who
gets a lot of the dirty assignments, because despite his
complaints, he somehow manages to slog through where
others might go the way of Ensign Extra. Series: Doctor
Who.

 Brigadier Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart. One of the
founding forces in UNIT. Considers himself a good friend of
the Doctor in at least two incarnations.

 Ryo Saeba. City Hunter. A professional
shootist with ties to the Yakuza, other ties to the police,
and a penchant for pretty ladies. SLIGHTLY more 
controlled than Happosai or Ataru Moroboshi. Series:
City Hunter.

 Umibozu aka Falcon. BIG gaijin who is in
at least semi-retirement from the Yakuza in order to
work a small coffee shop with his wife Miki. Partially
blind but still an excellent shot. Unlike Ryo's surgeon
approach, Falcon is more likely to use MASSIVE amounts
of firepower. After Ranma's offer to build him a bionic
eye, becomes VERY protective of the "little guy." Series:
City Hunter.

 Major Misato Katsuragi. Major of NERV
rescued from certain death by Ranma attempting to
send Rei back to her own timeline, and snagging a
bullet-wounded Katsuragi just before the bombs or
going "splut" would have occurred. 

 Gina Diggers. Genius mecha designer in 
Atlanta Georgia. Discovers that both Seance and 
Ryan Talbot are interested in her and drops her interest
in Ranma (he's kinda young anyway) though the two
start exchanging technology and resources. Series:
Gold Digger by Antarctic Press.

 Brittany Diggers. Werecheetah married to
Prince Stripe of the K'ryn city of Eldorado. Is dragged
into an adventure by Gina, makes a Senshi costume 
and kicks some serious butt in an adventure, though
she has her own adventures to keep her busy most of
the time. Series: Gold Digger.

 Brianna Diggers. "Sister" to Brianna and Brittany
created through an attempt to free them of a curse. Instead
they created a clone with a combination of their traits. Brianna
is a weapons otaku who will immediately discover a soul
sister in Shampoo. Series: Gold Digger.

 UNIT. United Nations Intelligence Taskforce
a group of paramilitary specialists under UN semi-autonomous
control that are charged with saving the world from time-
travellers, aliens, ancient evils, and are hopelessly outgunned
and underbudgeted for this task. Still, they make do with a 
stiff upper lip, determination, and a little help from their friends.
Series: Doctor Who.

 K-9 IV. Robot developed with Gina Digger's help
that resembles a bionic doberman. K-9 is planned as a plucky
nonhuman android to whom various characters can explain
a number of things to. Series: Gold Digger/Doctor Who/????


OPENING ANIMATION:
characters walk in and stand next to Ranma as their lines come up.
background is a yellow stage with logo in background.

Ranma (curious): What would you do if I sang out of tune?
Ukyou (pleading no): Would you stand up and walk out on us?
Kasumi (politely): Lend us your ears and we'll sing you a song,
Nabiki (smirking):  And we'll try not to sing out of key.
ALL: Oh, we get by with a little help from our friends,
          Oh, we get high with a little help from our friends,
          We're gonna try with a little help from our friends.
Shampoo (watches Ranma): What do I do when my love is away?
Rei/Vanilla (calm): Does it worry you to be alone?
Sash (softly): hai...
Akane (confident): How does it feel by the end of the day?
Ryouga (turned wrong way): Are you sad because you're all alone?
ALL: No, we get by with a little help from our friends,
          Oh, we get high with a little help from our friends,
          We're gonna try with a little help from our friends.
Kodachi (as if lecturing the camera): Do you need anybody?
Makoto Kino (sadly nods): I need somebody to love.
Ami Mizuno (consulting computer): Could it be anybody?
Minako Aino (sulking): I want somebody to love.
Nuku Nuku (bouncing): Would you believe in a love at first sight?
Akira Fudoh (grim): Yes, I'm certain that it happens all the time.
Kiima (ominously): What do you see when you turn out the light?
Happosai (grinning): I can't tell you, but I know it's mine.
       other characters begin filing in. Misato Katsuragi, Nodoka, Genma,
the Doctor, Pantyhose Tarou, Sash, Serjeant Benton, Alistair Lethbridge-
Stewart, Cutey Honey & John Talbain are carrying the logo.
ALL: Oh, we get by with a little help from our friends,
          Oh, we get high with a little help from our friends,
          We're gonna try with a little help
              with a little help from our friends...