Managing to move on to the next fairly quick.

Sure, dangerous... but evil? You have to be able to make decisions for
yourself, to be evil... Like [the defenders]."

   -- Interview with survivor 'Yamamoto Kazuya' for G.N.N., Terran Year

2008

Not familiar with that one. Although now we know the good guys win in the
end.

   Ryouga edged away, not quite understanding what had happened, and
trying to sort things out. He blinked, as realization set in. "No," he
whispered. He glanced at Mousse, who was staring at Ranma with
undisguised anger, and the two shared a nod.

   Ranma had spirited away their loves, and Ranma would pay.

At least until they realize their loves are safe.

   Mousse lashed out with a length of chain, catching Ranma off guard
and tangling the redhead. "Saotome! What have you done with Shampoo?"

   "And Akane-san! Saotome Ranma, if you have let her come to harm, I
swear..." he trailed off, marching forward angrily.

Okay. I can see Ryouga misinterpeting this as if he's here, that would mean
Akane didn't leave after all. Ryouga might not be the most rational of
people, but even he should realize Akane it better off in space than here.

   Mousse had the presence of mind to answer, as Ryouga's face began to
color, "Ranma! You don't even remember your own fiancee?"

Ranma; I was engaged to you?! How gross.

   Nodoka stepped back, shaking her head. "No... no, you're not Ranma."
She giggled, slightly hysterical. "You're not even Ranko... I don't know
what you are..."

   Ranma was stuck by the emotional hammer-blow, staggering to fall to
her knees again. "No," she gasped, fighting back tears and confusion,
"Mom! It's me! I'm Ranma!" Nodoka stepped back further, disappearing
into the house, her hysterical and frightened laughter trailing her.
"But..." Ranma choked out, turning to Kasumi.

Yeah. I think we're forgetting about Genny here.

   Frowning, Seta shook his head. "That won't work." Oe blinked, setting
the clipboard down and drawing a small book that had been tucked into
his belt out. He flipped to an empty page, while Seta waited, then wrote
as the man spoke. "There's practically no usable space in a lot of those
freighters below decks. However, we _can_ take the existing freight, and
throw it out, leaving the boxes. Some of those could be converted to
temporary shelter."

There they go.

   Grimacing, Seta studied the map again. "Agreed. Keep in touch, and
say hello to Koalla-san when you see her."

Don't recognize these guys, though they might be other YUA characters.

   "...and thus, in accordance with the ruling of this, the Supreme
council, we will be dispatching the primary volunteer force to colony
0-315 later tonight. Through use of the Throne, a force of no less than
30 cruisers will be dispatched, with an estimated capacity not to exceed
twenty million refugees."

Blech. Not that many.

   >
   "The secondary task force, which should be able to contain the larger
mass of refugees will arrive at a point approximately five months from
this date --" he broke off muttering. "We're going to need to calculate
the exact hours on that one. Hmph."

Heh. Be a lot lesss people to transport at that rate.

   "I would prefer that... your grandfather... claim the throne."

Tenchi would as well, I'm sure. :)

   Tenchi's jaw slowly fell, and his hands twitched. Tsunami could tell
by his expression and demeanor alone that he was forcing himself not to
draw the tenchi-ken. "So," he grated out, breathing deeply, "you're
saying that you're letting my home be destroyed, and the people of my
planet die, simply because you want my grandfather to come back and take
over for you?"

It does sound rather like it.

   She sighed, shaking her head, and whispering to the silent, empty
room, "Oneesan, Yosho, I worry about you, and miss you... Ranma-dono...
I hope you are safe. I hope you are well when I return."

   ***

   Nabiki rubbed at her temples, shooting a particularly scathing glance
at Mousse and Ryouga, both of whom were still looking stunned. "Okay,"
she said softly, trying to put together what she could from their story.
"Your team fought a monster, and Saotome-san died killing it."

Tsk. Poor Genny. No one seems to be mourning him all that much at the
moment.

   "And then Ranma explained that he essentially sacrificed himself to
save Akane, Shampoo, _and_ Ukyou." She had to fight to keep a note of
admiration out of her voice. He was clever to manage that, more clever
than she had originally suspected, that was certain.

"Bastard didn't try to smuggle me in,' she mumbled.

   The next nod was very meek.

   "And then Ranma tried to talk to his mother, and she freaked out
because Ranma's gained some weird new powers, and called her 'Mom' in
his cursed form... and you just stood there, letting him suffer?"

Ryouga; We tried knocking him out, but he was too tough.

   He glanced up when Washuu stepped towards him, nodding. "Hello,
welcome to C.D.E. I'm Urashima Keitaro,

Not familiar with him either.

   Keitaro shrugged, turning back to his papers. "Don't worry about it.
I've got more than enough... Otohime-chan keeps bringing them over,

Shoot. Too many blanks here.

   Washuu smirked, relaxing as Ranma absently scratched its ears. "Yeah,
yeah, rat..." she whispered half-heartedly. Washuu's smile faded, noting
the luminescence of Ranma's own eyes... which meant that Ranma had
managed to lose enough mass to be replaced that she was actually
becoming less human. First the eyes, and then the other secondary
characteristics -- ears, teeth, the hair had already changed -- and then
the internal organs...

Hmm. Didn't know that. Becoming more Ryouko-like by the battle.

   Washuu blinked, studying the objects. Smallish projectiles, probably
self-sustained. That would distract the reavers, if they behaved at all
like living things, simply dodging about... "This is the... uh...
defensive screen, Koalla-san?"

   Koalla nodded, still rubbing her hands. "It's okay if you aren't
going to help," she said slowly, "and you can just call me Suu."

Blank here too.

   Suu looked at Nuku for a long moment, then shrugged. "Do you mind if
I help you? If I build another decoy, I think my head will explode."

Heh.

   She sat up, looking around, and said the only thing she could think
of. "Ryunosuke still can't play with Nuku-Nuku?"

   Washuu shook her head sadly, and whispered, "I can't fix that, dear."

Nice touch.

   Ranma sat on the ground rolling a watermelon into her lap and
examining it for a moment. Ran-oh-ki bounced off her head, then landed
on the watermelon from his height on the roof. "Hey, rat," Ranma

snickered.

   The creature sniffed imperiously, looking away.

Heh

   She walked towards the redhead, noting another man sitting near her
and chatting casually. Yosho, she remembered suddenly from seeing him at
Central. She heard Yosho's voice first, as Ranma hadn't noticed her. "So
he likes watermelon? Saves us trouble with carrots, in that case."

Heh

   "Hah!" Ranma retorted, wiping some watermelon juice from her chin.
"He'll eat anything. Seems to like scrap metal best. I'll be damned if I
can tell where he puts it, though."

Obviously it's been possessed by the spirit of Bolt Crank. :)

   Ranma colored slightly, managing a sheepish grin. "Uh... well... I
couldn't ditch any of them. I mean... I had to take care of all of them.
Honor, and..." she trailed off shrugging, but still smiling. "I live to
protect, I guess. Now, anyway." Her gaze hardened instantly.

   Yosho nodded knowingly. "The path of the warrior is never a friendly
path,

QD Shampoo: Don't I know it. Only have about a dozen people after my blood
during my rise to the top.

(And here you thought you could make it through without some gratuitous
reference to one of my works on my part. ^_^)

   Sobering, Nabiki nodded. "That may be true... but you shouldn't speak
unkindly of Kuno-san."

Ah. Must have bit it as well.

   Nabiki bit her lip. "How... you'd rather be a monster than dead?" She
winced a moment later, realizing what she had said.

My. How tactful.

   On the floor, Ranma's little pet glared at Nodoka balefully, angrily
chewing  -- and eating -- the Saotome family blade.

Heh. How symbolic.

   "Ranma... We... we wanted to apologize for our mistake. We, uh,
didn't really think about things, and we hope you can, you know, forgive
us for what we did wrong." Ryouga managed to stifle a laugh. Him, of all
people, _apologizing_ to Ranma!

   Mousse nodded slowly, seeming much less galled than Ryouga himself
felt. "We are sorry, too... You... you did a noble thing."

Well, at least they can admit it.

   Mousse nodded slowly. "As do we all. I'll help also." He hesitated a
moment, before nodding, and looking eastward. "We should tell Cologne
that he's back."

So she didn't go back home. Hmm.

   The scientist's eyebrows rose slightly, and she snapped her fingers.
"Excellent!" she crowed. "Just the bit of luck we needed. That will be
the first wave of rescue ships.

How does she know?

   The Captain stared, flabbergasted for a long moment before nodding
slightly. "It is... as they say it, Tsunami-sama. You are the voice of
Jurai." He swept a low bow to her, awe etched on his face, while she hid
a grimace of irritation. Bad enough the man was scared of her... why
could no one ever simply be comfortable around her?

Because she's a goddess to them?

   The Captain interjected suddenly, frowning, "This transmission is
being traced."

   Washuu waved a hand dismissively, shaking her head. "Don't worry
about that, it's just Ranma."

Heh. had me for a moment there as well.

   Ranma summoned his blades effortlessly. It wasn't even a challenge,
he thought, the more that he did it. Surviving intact, however... he
hadn't managed to destroy a single one that wasn't at cost to himself,
yet. The things learned _damnably_ fast, though, and the last had hurt
him badly even with Yosho's help.

Actually it hurt him badly before Yosho's help.

   "Hmm," he mumbled, shifting from stance to stance, finally drifting
upwards and out of the thing's range to consider. Incredibly, the reaver
began to edge away, slowly at first, then breaking into an all-out run,
abandoning the field and ignoring Ranma. "Uh," he managed, staring at it
as it receded. He didn't know what had made it run, but he didn't like
seeing it.

Hmm. That is a bad sign.

   "...yes, Tenchi-dono. That would be for the best. What was that,
Ranma?" He repeated the question, watching the reaver disappear over a
hill, and fade from his senses. "It ran away?" she asked worriedly.
"Maybe they're smarter than we thought. Ranma, be careful, and don't
leave the city.

Hmm. Perhaps they sense the fleet and are going for the ships.

   "...Yosho feels the same way."

Oops. That might make for a change of plans.

   He shook his head, trying to dismiss the scene, and walked out of the
house, latching the door behind him. Ran-oh-ki remained quiet,
understanding his feelings, as he rested one hand on the banister
momentarily, and sighed deeply. No, he decided. He'd never been normal
anyway,

True

 >

   Ranma blinked, slowly edging closer. "A kid?" he murmured, genuinely
surprised, despite the fact that Ran-oh-ki had sensed it. "Hey, I'm not
going to eat anyone. What are you doing here?" He drew towards the
corner that the voice emanated from, slipping around a tall stack of
boxes. Cowering beneath a ragged blanket, he could make out the form of
a small child, and nearby, a box of surplus rations and a small
collection of bottles of water. "Woah..." he murmured. "You okay?"

   The child -- a little girl, he guessed

"My name is Newt," she said.

(Kudos if you know what they reference is from. Scene reminded me of her.)

   The girl bit her lip worriedly. "Daddy is a policeman, and Mommy said
she was going to get Gramma. She said to wait here where it was safe
until she came home." She shivered weakly, though Ranma wasn't certain
if it was from fright, or something else. "Mommy... Mommy and Daddy
never came back."

S'not good.

   "Nonoko," she stated confidently. "My name is Nonoko."

If she's famous, don't know it.

   Ranma sighed, shaking his head, and lowering his hand. "This sucks,"
he muttered quietly.

Yes, it does.

   She nodded slowly, as Ranma picked her up, a warning flashing on the
edge of his perception. He pressed the girl to himself and flew
backwards, as the wall behind the girl exploded in a sudden storm of
masonry and earth. A mass of black claws followed, a reaver slowly
backing out of the depression it had dug, then quickly running along the
perimeter of the building and smashing everything. "Shit!" Ranma
whispered as it disappeared, leaving him alone with the girl, and one
entire wall of the basement simply torn out. "That's not good..."

Nope. It isn't

   The girl whimpered softly, not moving. Ran-oh-ki squeezed himself out
from between Ranma and the child, scampering to Ranma's head, and
sniffing the air cautiously. Given more warning, Ranma dashed away,
crouching low as another wall was destroyed. "Oh..." he groaned, seeing
what was going on. "The bugs are smart. They're trying to knock this
building down on us!"

Odd why they focused on him.

pillars that were nearly enough to sever them... but not quite. He
stared at the nearest column dumbly, as another wall was demolished, and
the building above them began to shake and groan violently. "They set a
trap for us..." he breathed, crouching over the girl protectively, while
Ran-oh-ki hissed at the last remaining wall.

Hmm. But how did they know he would know the girl was there?

clearly pronounced even then. One delicate hand rose, a slim finger
pointing towards something Tenchi couldn't make out yet. "Fire at that
target!"

Hmm.

   A slow hum began to build from around them, a whir that rose,
deepening in pitch until it passed beyond Tenchi's hearing range and
merely made his teeth rattle. He jammed his tongue against his teeth to
muffle the sensation, and sat up to stare at Tsunami, confused.

   The view changed, suddenly, the screen showing a targeting graph and
a target, a point of blackness near a collapsing apartment building. A
brilliant -- nearly blinding --

Heh. So she's watching out for him. How sweet.

   He released a breath, trying to find a martial technique that fit for
the occasion... perhaps if he had had some of Ryouga's endurance, or the
Lost Boy's raw strength... but his own style was suited more towards
evasion and dodging. A sudden and sharp breaking noise sounded, and the
pressure against Ranma's back slowly increased, causing him to grunt as
he tried to resist the crushing force.

Ouch.

"Ugn... collapsing..." he gasped

Both the ceiling and his back. :)

   Sighing, he took another sip from his coffee cup, glancing around at
what was left of the fleet. To his left, the Maine, another nuclear
submarine, much like his own Louisiana. To the right, the
Chancellorsville and the Cowpens, though the bulk of the Kitty Hawk
concealed them from his sight at the moment.

Hmm. Wonder if they are much longer for this world. If they're being focused
on, something bad is probably going to happen.

   Blinking, the petty officer looked over his shoulder at the harbor,
and saw the same sight that Norris had. People, lining every available
surface, trying to remain calm and avoid shoving one another into the
sea, packed tightly into as little space as they could fit. "I was also
asked to relay this message to you, Sir. 'Congratulations, Commodore.
Your new flagship awaits.' Captain Wellington was last seen in
Washington, before we left port, so command has been passed to you."

Heh. What a way to become a Commodore.

   ***

   Tsunami's eyes softened instantly, as Ranma materialized on the deck,
collapsing atop the child he was protecting the moment he arrived.

And smashing her flat.

"Oops." Ranma said.

   Ranma stared at Tsunami long and hard, then nodded slowly.

   ***

   Tenchi nearly choked, hearing the other boy's whispered words, even
as Tsunami missed them, and Washuu shot Ranma an amused look. "I will
_never_ understand women."

Heh

   Ranma gestured to the city below him. "Down there, somewhere. Been
around a lot, but that's where I'm pretty much from. I'm Sa..." He
trailed off, remembering, and cleared his throat. "My name is Ranma.
Just Ranma."

   She nodded, relaxing slightly. "Hakubi Ryouko. But you haven't
answered my question... how did you learn to do that?"

One would think she should just ask Washuu.

and I use this to talk,"

along with my mouth

   She shook her head, glancing at Ran-oh-ki, now lazily perched on
Ranma's head. "I suppose not. I'm just curious about meeting someone
else... like me."

New brother. :)

   He shrugged, staring away moodily. "Maybe you can help me, then. You
seem like you would know. What do you do when the people you want to
accept you the way you are... don't?"

   Ryouko winced, visible even in Ranma's peripheral vision. In a
sympathetic voice she said, "Well... that's... not always easy." She
loosed a quiet, rueful laugh. "Persistence isn't always the best answer,
I can tell you that much."

"Sometimes you kill them, and that makes you feel better," Ryouko assured
him.

   Washuu sighed, shaking her head and finishing what she was typing.
"That is Koalla-san. She needed a little rest." Ranma nodded, dimly
recognizing the similarities in the younger girl. She was hardly the
first girl that kind Ranma

that kind Ranma? Sounds a bit awkward to me.

(thought I wasn't going to find any grammar comments in the whole thing)

   Washuu frowned, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "It would be nice if
it were that easy. What we have right now in those ships is the ability
to carry about twenty million people." Ranma nodded, scratching
Ran-oh-ki's chin absently. "We have about twelve million people in Tokyo
at the moment."

That's a start

   The man nodded, looking away for a moment, and then back at the
screen. "That was the Freya-oh, there seems to be a number of reavers
headed towards the heart of the city. I'm afraid that the plan's going
to have to be changed. The civilian fleet should be capable of bearing
about five million people away, so we're going to start grabbing
refugees from the reavers' line of advance."

Hmm. Wonder if they're driving them out to sea.

   "I told you they learned," Ranma whispered.

   Washuu swallowed nervously. "We're going to need help, then, aren't

we?"

   Ranma shrugged, glancing at Yohito's image on the monitor briefly.
"Where are we going to get it?"

   A dry chuckle sounded, causing Ranma to shiver involuntarily as he
recognized it. "Help, Muko-dono?"

Muko?

Hmm. Want to read more already. Hopefully will get to that before too long
as well.


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