INTERLUDE
Establishing Shot: A tombstone marked:
SAOTOME AKANE
1977 - 2062
Beloved Wife and Mother
"Where she was, was Eden."
A man's hand places a bouquet of red carnations in front of the tombstone,
and traces out the symbols in the name. Suddenly, the hand stops.
V.O. (RANMA)
He was here. <beat> Why?
SHAMPOO (O.S.)
Husband. We need to talk.
The hand clenches for a moment. The view changes to show SHAMPOO, who is
wearing a beige trench coat over her uniform.
RANMA (O.S.)
I have exactly nothing to say to you
Shan Pu. I told you, when last we
spoke, that we no longer lived in
the same world.
SHAMPOO
And I had every intention to respec--
RANMA (O.S.)
Respect? Shampoo, if you had *ever*
respected me, you would've kept your
word when you said "We'll never meet
again" to me.
SHAMPOO
This is not the time to drag out old
grudges --
RANMA (O.S.)
You're right, I shouldn't be forever
hateful towards you because you just
stood and watched while the Ghoul
beat Ucchan to death.
SHAMPOO is trying to keep her temper and not succeeding very well.
SHAMPOO
Ukyou issued the challenge, h--
Ranma. I would not have interfered
either way.
RANMA (O.S.)
Probably not -- either way, you came
out the winner, didn'tcha? One way
you get rid of Cologne, so that your
claim to the Joketsuzoku leadership
is unquestioned -- and the other,
you get rid of Ukyou. I'd almost
suspect that you engineered the
whole thing, but you're not nearly
smart enough to have done that.
SHAMPOO is right at the boiling point. Her voice is very strained.
SHAMPOO
Ranma, I have come here to tell you
something IMPORTANT.
RANMA (O.S.)
That's nice. I'm not going to pay
any attention to you. Tell me what
it is so I can leave.
SHAMPOO
Ryouga --
RANMA (O.S.)
-- is in Tokyo, and he wants a
rematch, sorry, not interested, just
passing through, bye.
We see a pair of slippered feet walking away from SHAMPOO, who is shaking
in anger.
SHAMPOO
<whispered> Ranma no baka.
In a blink of an eye, SHAMPOO is caught in a single handed grip around her
neck, another hand is held up and is glowing with his battle aura.
RANMA's voice is tight with cold fury.
RANMA (O.S.)
If you ever, ever, ever say those
words to me again I will *forget*
that I swore to never kill again,
Shampoo.
SHAMPOO, although her face clearly expresses the pain that she's in,
manages to swivel so that she lands an ankle blow into RANMA's side,
startling him enough that his grip around her neck loosens, and allowing
her to slip free. She jumps backwards, landing several feet away, in a
ready stance, with one of her bonbori slipping out of the arm of her
trenchcoat.
RANMA (O.S.)
Just out of curiousity, if I beat
you again is that grounds for
divorce?
SHAMPOO is breathing heavily.
SHAMPOO
Ranma! Shampoo not come here to
fight with you. Shampoo come to
tell Ranma what you *not* know!
RANMA (O.S.)
Reverting to type? What don't I
know?
SHAMPOO
Shampoo thinks Ryouga working with
your daughter!
An Inevitable Outcome Feature
Written and Directed
by C. Richard Davies
TOGETHER AGAIN
2937 Chapter
Based on the works of
Naoko Takeuchi, Rumiko Takahashi,
Suzuki Toshimichi, Haruka Takachiho,
Hiroki Hayashi, Yuuki Masami,
and various interpretations therof.
Dedicated to Gryphon, MegaZone, and ReRob.
Act III
Establishing Shot: A tidy living room, with lots of Sailor Senshi
memorabilia decorating the walls. Centered on the wall above the couch is
a blown up photograph of Mina, Lita, Amy, and Raye standing around Serena
and Darien on their wedding day. The sliding door opens up, and SHEILA
walks in, looking tired.
SHEILA
Mom?
JUPITER (O.S.)
I'm in the kitchen!
SHEILA drops the video camera she's been toting around on the couch, and
heads over to the swinging kitchen door. In the kitchen, JUPITER (dressed
in casual clothes, an apron, and oven gloves) is cooking up a storm --
desserts of all sorts line the counter, in various stages of mixing and
cooling. She pauses to look smilingly at SHEILA.
JUPITER
Hi, sweety. <beat> I guess you
heard?
SHEILA
One of my friends in the Checker
Club told me as soon as the list got
there. One million names! How?
JUPITER
Probably the various groups that are
trying to get this thing through
called in all their favours -- and
you can be pretty sure that they've
got their butts covered. Nobody on
that list is going to be ineligible
to vote -- having the Department go
to work is just buying us some time,
really.
SHEILA
Time that you're spending making
brownies?
JUPITER
<shrugs> Raye fences. Amy does her
yoga. I cook. Don't ask me how
Serenity deals with stress, because
I don't know.
SHEILA picks up one of the cooling dishes, and takes a bite.
SHEILA
Um. Major chocolate hit. So what
happens now?
JUPITER
<sigh> Now Serenity and Lord Tenchi
have a private strategy session to
decide what to do if the vote goes
against us. Which is why I'm here,
instead of watching over her like I
should be.
The buzzer on the oven sounds, and JUPITER heads over to take a tray of
cookies out of the oven, while simultaneously sliding in a cake pan.
SHEILA
Do you think it will? Go against
the alliance, I mean?
JUPITER
<shakes head> No idea, Sheila, none.
Each of the five times that Ordene
and his cronies have brought a
petition to junk Serenity in favor
of an elected President, the vote
has gotten a little bit closer to
even. This isn't, in the minds of
the voters, as big an issue as that.
But all we can do is get the truth
out as much as possible, and hope
they do the right thing.
SHEILA
Without meaning to sound cynical,
what is the truth this time?
JUPITER
That if Jurai, the largest planetary
confederation in the galaxy, steps
away from Earth, we'll be assailed
by "warm invitations" to join the
various local groups ... and if we
should choose to ignore or refuse
all those offers, the invitations
will get cooler. And sooner or
later they'll stop *being* requests,
and start being orders. <beat> And
then there will be war, and we'll
lose.
SHEILA swallows.
SHEILA
Even with our four new super-
carriers and Space Battleship
Mihoshi?
JUPITER
Dear, the Centauri Republic has
over three hundred carriers of the
same class as the Enterprise, the
Yamato, the Macroix, and the Skylark
-- along with enough Mobile Suits to
blot out the sun. And the Centauri
aren't the largest confederation --
just the closest, and the one with
the most ties to the other Solar
governments.
SHEILA
Then WHY? Why are these people
being so blind? I just don't --
JUPITER
Because the Jurains aren't human,
and there's enough xenophobia left
in humanity to lead them to think
that an alliance with any human
power is better than one with a
non-human one. Because it's a way
to challenge Serenity's authority
without appearing disloyal. And
for some of them, because they're
*so* loyal to Serenity that they
can't stand the implication that she
might *need* support from outsiders.
SHEILA
You mean --
JUPITER
One of the first five names on the
petition was the current Archdeacon
of the Cult of Serenity. <beat>
People can be blind when it comes to
things they feel strongly about.
<beat> Well, that cake's going to be
a while. Aside from everything, how
did your day go?
SHEILA is lost in thought, and seems reluctant to reply. JUPITER begins
to chop up some carrots.
SHEILA
I ... met someone interesting.
JUPITER
Who?
SHEILA
<pause> Priscilla Asagiri.
JUPITER pauses in her chopping, then resumes with a calm expression.
JUPITER
Really?
SHEILA
Mom ... she said that you ...
JUPITER
Sheila, Priscilla Asagiri is a very
bad person. A long time ago, she
did something so horrible that I
don't want to talk about it. I was
against the idea of allowing her to
come out of cryosleep, and I would
just as soon see her put back for
the rest of eternity. <beat> But if
you want to have her as a friend, I
will not stop you. But I'm only
going to warn you once -- she is an
unreliable person, and if you trust
her, I think she'll betray you. Do
not bring her home.
JUPITER has cut the carrots into a thousand thin slices, and her knife has
been thunking into the cutting board for some time now. She abruptly
realizes this, and stops.
SHEILA
Mom ...
JUPITER does not look up as she speaks, instead sliding the sliced carrots
into a bowl.
JUPITER
I only want what's best for you,
daughter. But I've long since
realized that I can't protect you
from everything. <beat> Just don't
bring her home.
SHEILA opens her mouth, then closes it, and nods.
SHEILA
Would it be okay if I crashed here?
I don't want to go back to my pad
this late.
JUPITER looks up, and smiles.
JUPITER
Of course, sweety.
Cut to SERENITY's throne room. SERENITY is seated on her throne with her
fingers steepled, while TENCHI holds the large folder in his hands and
reads it. Finally, TENCHI closes the folder with a frustrated expression.
TENCHI
And there's no way to stop it?
SERENITY
None. By noon, the Department of
Examinations will have confirmed
that it is a valid petition. And
tomorrow, the vote begins.
TENCHI
I can't believe that you didn't give
yourself *some* power of veto ...
for foreign affairs, at the very
least.
SERENITY
I have an absolute power of veto,
Tenchi. <beat> But each time that
I have exercised that power over an
issue of this significance, another
petition has been immediately formed
to have me removed from the throne.
TENCHI
But if you exercised the veto *now*,
we'd have more breathing --
SERENITY shakes her head.
SERENITY
They will undoubtably have drawn up
a petition, incorporating all of the
names, asking for my resignation "in
light of my manifest disregard for
the wishes of the people". Of
course, those who have no desire to
see me removed but who have made
common cause with those who *do*,
will doubtless have been assured
that it is only a device to compel
my compliance with the `real' issue.
<sigh>
TENCHI
<disgusted> Timocracy. I don't
pretend to understand what you were
thinking of when you came up with
this system, Serenity. Nobody
questions *my* decrees.
SERENITY
<mild> No, but if a powerful noble
disagrees with them, he will simply
leave court, and pretend that you
and indeed the rest of the universe
does not exist. And if he is a
sufficiently powerful noble, his
refusal to have his family engage in
commerce with other parts of the
empire can prove financially
disastrous for both sides in the
dispute. <hard> What was I
thinking of? I was thinking of the
people of Earth, many of whom had
fought a war on my behalf, against
autocratic tyrants whose acts would
make your blood run cold if I were
to describe them. Would you like to
hear about the fascinating practices
involving salvaged body parts that
the people of Zalem engaged in?
About the vampire lords that ruled
much of Northeastern Europe? <beat>
I fought a war against dictators,
Tenchi. I was determined not to
become one myself. So I gave all
the true power into the hands of the
people. Timocracy: the ultimate
form of democracy, eliminating the
concepts of representation and
politics. Or so it seemed. Perhaps
it was the last flare of the naivete
that everyone found so irritating
during Serena's adolescence. <beat>
I will not use the veto this time.
In fact, in every previous instance
of my use of the veto, I was, in the
end, compelled to make concessions
to those whom I had vetoed. And how
would I do that in this situation?
Give you a stern talking-to about
your human rights violations in
public?
TENCHI
Human rights violations?! What --
SERENITY
The right of humanity to dominate
everything, of course. For some of
those poor fanatics, that is exactly
what all this is about.
TENCHI
<sigh> Yeah. I should have guessed
that from what that assassin was
spouting. <beat> He's still in
custody?
SERENITY gives TENCHI a hard stare.
TENCHI
That's not what I meant!
SERENITY
Our legal system is swift, but not
that swift. He will be tried the
day after tomorrow, assuming all
goes according to plan.
There is a pause, and then they share a slow smile.
TENCHI & SERENITY
"Which will be a pleasant change."
After a brief spurt of almost hysterical laughter, they both sigh.
TENCHI
My grandfather told me to seize my
own destiny.
SERENITY
I was told to expect a millenium of
silence.
Another exchange of looks.
SERENITY
Come, we have been at this enough.
My husband misses me, and doubtless
your wives ...
TENCHI nods ruefully. SERENITY stands up, stretches, and walks with
TENCHI to the doors of the throne room. Our view of them as they exit is
from high above -- they seem very small and fragile.
Cut to a passageway. The CHIEF walks briskly down the corridor,
accompanied by SMITHERS, his younger assistant. They come to a door, and
SMITHERS presses a pad beside it. The door slides open, revealing a
lounge in which KEI is seated on a large couch facing the large screen of
a television, behind which YURI is fiddling with the wiring. YURI freezes
as the CHIEF and SMITHERS enter; they pause to stare at her.
CHIEF
Is something the matter?
YURI
Uh ... yeah! This darn set was only
getting a lot of static, so I tried
to fix it ... and it doesn't make
any sense at all!
CHIEF
Really? <beat> Well, I'll have a
tech take a look at it later today.
I daresay you wouldn't have enjoyed
the programming in any event --
government controlled news is so
unappetizing ...
YURI
Oh, right. I hadn't thought of
that. Silly me!
YURI comes to sit beside KEI (who is, one should note, holding a remote
control) on the couch.
KEI
Listen, Mr. ... you know, you still
haven't told us your name.
CHIEF
Understandably, I would prefer to
remain anonymous -- but you may
refer to me as Mr. Deacon.
KEI
Right. We're grateful that you've
brought us out of the cold, and all
that, but there's no way that you'd
do all this without expecting some
sort of compensation. So ...
CHIEF
You're wondering what do we want?
<smile> What we all want -- a better
tomorrow. But what you really want
to know is, what do we want the two
of you to do to ensure that we get
it?
KEI and YURI nod.
CHIEF
You may have guessed that we -- my
organization -- is dedicated to
removing Neo Queen Serenity from
power. We have, until this point,
pursued our objectives within the
boundaries of the law, but recent
events have convinced us that it's
no longer enough to do so. We must
now ...
YURI holds up a hand.
YURI
Before you go any further, I should
warn you that we don't do wet work.
CHIEF
<blinks> I beg your pardon?
KEI
We're not contract killers. If
you're trying to sell us on the idea
of taking out this Serenity chick,
you can stop right where you are.
CHIEF
I will admit that the thought had
crossed my mind ... but a perusal
of the historical records about you
convinced me to not do so. While
the two of you are responsible for
untold loss of life and property
damage --
KEI and YURI tense up.
CHIEF
<quickly> -- anyone can see that it
wasn't your fault.
They ease down, but are clearly irritated by the way that this is going.
CHIEF
In any case, we realized that
killing Serenity would only make her
a martyr to those who have taken her
cause as their own. So we came up
with another plan altogether ...
SMITHERS sets a small device down on the coffee table in front of the
Lovely Angels. The CHIEF produces a pointer, with which he gestures at
the device, causing a hologram of the solar system to project. It focuses
in on Earth and the moon.
CHIEF
Serenity's authority is more or less
limited to Earth and those orbital
stations which have accepted her
rule. The Moon is largely neutral,
a place of commerce and diplomacy.
If Serenity could be kidnapped or
otherwise compelled to travel to
the Moon, we have recieved the
assurances of several of the local
confederations that she would be
tried for her crimes against
humanity.
KEI
So you want us to do the kidnapping?
The CHIEF gestures again, and a large "X" appears in the hologram, with a
buzzing noise. KEI and YURI stare at it.
CHIEF
<smirk> Sorry. <serious> No, we've
found a group of mercenaries willing
to undertake that mission. What we
want the two of you to do is *much*
simpler. We want you to escort
Serenity, under guard, to the Lunar
colonies.
KEI
Huh? Why?
CHIEF
You have to understand, the era that
the two of you originate in is
looked back upon as a golden age by
many of the governments of the
galaxy. The intervention of the
WWWA was always seen as the final
sign that things had gotten out of
control -- that stern measures had
to be taken. The symbolic impact of
the legendary Lovely Angels handing
over Neo Queen Serenity for trial
could be immense. It would be like
saying to her followers that the
Galaxy as a whole condemns her to
her fate.
YURI
Would that really make a difference?
CHIEF
Not to her most fanatical followers,
no. They're the sort of maniacs who
would gladly give their lives to let
her advance her plans a bit. But we
could reach the less dedicated among
them ... and it would have an effect
on the neutral, silent majority.
<beat> Well, Kei? Yuri? Will you
help us?
There is a long, uncomfortable pause.
KEI
Yeah. To escort her? Yeah, I think
we can handle that. Yuri?
YURI nods slowly.
CHIEF
Excellent! Assuming all goes to
plan -- which doesn't happen all
that often, I'll grant you -- the
kidnapping should take place in two
days ... please, make yourselves at
home here, until then. Ladies.
He bows, and heads out, followed by SMITHERS. The door closes behind
them.
KEI
Does this whole set-up feel as weird
to you as it does to me?
YURI
Maybe even weirder. <beat> Damn,
that was close ... a few seconds
later, and ...
KEI
... and he'd have seen an even more
messed up T.V. Do you have any idea
what you're doing?
YURI
Hey! Give me a little credit. T.V.
technology hasn't changed that much
in ... eight hundred years. A few
more seconds, and I'd've had access
to any channel you wanted, instead
of that one we were getting on all
the stations.
KEI
Really?
YURI
Why do you doubt me?
KEI
I *know* you. <beat> We've got to
get another POV on what's going on
here. I don't trust that guy. Get
to work.
YURI makes a face at KEI, but starts working on the TV.
YURI
What I don't get ... is why I get
those ... hunches too. After ...
all, I'm not the one ... with the
alien ancestors ...
KEI
Geez ... it's been eight hundred
years and you still haven't forgiven
me for not telling you about that.
YURI glares at her.
YURI
It's been *two* years, and it wasn't
fun finding it out while we were
infiltrating that xenophobic militia
group, when they ran you through a
DNA scanner and we almost got
killed!
KEI
Two ... eight hundred ... same diff.
So my grandmother was an Kizarkan
... they don't *all* have psychic
abilities, you know. <beat> And
whose grandfather worked as a psi-
detective on Centauri Prime? Until
he got busted for playing the races?
YURI
Oh sure, Kei, dig up that old family
scandal!
KEI
Turnabout is fair play, Yuri!
Cut to a shot of a monitor showing them squabbling. SMITHERS watches with
a cold smile in a darkened room.
Cut to a large building out in the middle of nowhere. Those familiar with
"Mobile Police Patlabor" will recognize it at once as the headquarters of
the infamous Second Unit of the SV2 Division -- or at least, a reasonable
facsimile thereof. It is early morning as PRISS, in her motorcycle
leathers, zooms up the dirt road to the entrance on her hovercycle. She
comes to a stop near the huge garage doors, gets off,, pulls of her
helmet, and shakes out her hair, before ambling into the garage.
Several labors are in the process of being repaired or possibly upgraded.
It's a noisy process, and the shouts of workers barely rise over the
squeal of metal being soldered and bent. PRISS stares up at the humanoid
mecha with a distrusting expression -- then shakes her head.
PRISS
Nothing more than a great big
motoslave.
MEGUMI (O.S.)
Well, they're a little more advanced
than one of *those*, I think.
PRISS turns around to see a short-haired young woman (MORISATO MEGUMI)
wearing beige work coveralls with extensive "oil" stains on them and a set
of high tech eye protectors that incorporate a holographic heads-up-
display. (Think Sailor Mercury's visor and you've got the general idea).
MEGUMI
Priss Asagiri, am I right?
PRISS
Uh, yeah. I'm here to see Chief
Izumi ...
PRISS trails off and stares at MEGUMI, who seems oblivious to her
scrutiny.
MEGUMI
She told us to be expecting you, and
to send you up to the office.
MEGUMI jerks her head up at the catwalk above, where there are a number of
offices, one of which is lit from within. PRISS follows her gesture for a
moment, then goes back to staring at MEGUMI.
MEGUMI
So you should just head on -- is
there something wrong?
PRISS
<blinks> Uh? Oh. No. Well. Have
we met somewhere before?
MEGUMI
<thinks> Nnnno, I don't think so. I
died when you were probably still in
diapers.
PRISS
Say what?
MEGUMI
Long story, and you'd just have to
hear it again from the chief, so you
should head up to talk to her. See
ya round, Palladin.
PRISS watches MEGUMI walk off and start bellowing orders to the crews
working on the labors. PRISS heads for the stairs, muttering to herself
as she climbs.
PRISS
There must be something in the water
that makes everyone in this crazy,
nutcase city act like they've got a
hundred state secrets, and they
can't *help* but *hint* at what they
know, but Whoever forbid that they
ever *explain* anything. <beat> And
I'm really starting to get tired of
meeting all these people I feel like
I *oughta* know but don't ...
We see NOA eating some miso soup for breakfast at her desk. PRISS flings
open the door, and walks in, still in a huff.
NOA
Good morning, Ms. Asagiri.
PRISS
Where do I know you from?
NOA stares at her confusedly.
NOA
Well, we met in the anteroom at the
palace --
PRISS
That's not what I meant. I think I
know you from somewhere else, and I
wanna know how I know you.
NOA
Hum. I don't think that I ever met
you ... one of my granddaughters was
quite a fan of yours, but ...
PRISS
Lemme guess, you're an immortal?
NOA
Nope. I'm a clone. <beat> My name
is Noa Izumi the Second. I was born
for the first time that I know of in
1978, and was one of the first
officers assigned to the Second Unit
of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police's
Special Vehicle Division -- the
second Labor crimes squad formed.
Maybe you saw me on the news ... by
the 2030s we'd been almost forgotten
after the SV2 was merged with the AD
Police, but it wouldn't be a total
impossibity.
PRISS
You're a clone, huh? Did they steal
your DNA?
NOA
<angry> *They* did no such thing.
The Senshi took my DNA with my
permission, and made a recording of
my memories, right before I ...
passed on. <beat> After a while,
they realized that they needed a
Patlabor squad, and grew my new body
for me -- so none of that talk about
*stealing* DNA. Nobody *owns* their
genetic pattern ... it is given to
us by our parents, and we hold it in
trust for our children ... and their
children.
She has an odd expression when she says the last.
PRISS
But you aren't considered to be the
old you.
NOA
So what? *I* know that I am, and
that's all that really matters. The
Senshi have given me a second chance
at life, and an opportunity to do a
job that I love. I may not always
agree with their policies, but I
will always be grateful.
PRISS shakes her head.
PRISS
Okay, whatever ... I've been given a
short explanation of what happened
to your `labor pool' --
NOA holds up a hand, looking pained.
NOA
Please. I've heard *all* the puns,
at least once in both lifetimes.
PRISS smiles, obviously not sorry.
PRISS
Sorry. Three of them were stolen
from your main storage facility in
Crystal Tokyo, right?
NOA
<nods> Doing a lot of damage to it,
which is why we're temporarily
quartered out here.
PRISS
What I don't get is why were they
able to get away so easily? I'd
think that you'd have plenty of
reports about giant mecha running
away from the place ...
NOA
We think -- and this is just a
theory -- that they loaded them onto
hovertrucks and took them up.
PRISS
Up?
NOA stares at her for a long moment.
NOA
Yes. Up. <beat> You mean to tell
me that you haven't taken your hover
cycle up for a flight?
PRISS
I've only had the thing a week. And
I don't like the thought of zipping
around a thousand feet up exposed to
the air. It sounds too much like
hanging onto the wing of a plane
while in flight.
NOA
Well, the hovertruck drivers wouldn't
have had that problem, being inside
the cabs ...
PRISS
Okay, then wouldn't they show up on
radar?
NOA
<shakes head> We checked. They must
have been just under the legal max
altitude -- high enough not to be
easily made out, but low enough not
to get cited.
PRISS frowns.
PRISS
Okay ... I'm not sure where to go
from here. <beat> Maybe I could
scope for clues at the crime scene.
NOA
Sounds like a good idea. I've
taken the liberty of assigning you
a liason officer. <yells> NURIKO!
<normal> I'm sure the lieutenant
will be glad to assist you in any
way ...
PRISS
Uh, I prefer to work alone ...
NURIKO enters at a run, and salutes.
NURIKO
Lieutenant Chou Ryuuen, reporting as
ordered, sir.
NOA
Lieutenant, this is Priscilla
Asagiri, the Palladin.
NURIKO
Milady. <bows> If you'd call me by
my nickname, Nuriko, I'd be honored.
PRISS is silent for a long moment.
PRISS
Riiiight.
NOA covers a smile with a cough.
NOA
Nuriko, Ms. Asagiri expressed an
interest in seeing the main facility
downtown. Please escort her, and
assist her in any way possible.
NURIKO
Yes, sir!
NURIKO holds the door open for PRISS.
NURIKO
Right this way, Milady.
PRISS heads out the door, and speaks without looking at NURIKO.
PRISS
If you call me Milady one more time,
I'm gonna strangle you with that
ponytail of yours.
NURIKO makes an ugly face at PRISS' back.
PRISS
Let's go ...
They head out. NOA smiles wearily, shaking her head and settling back
into her chair.
NOA
Stolen DNA ... more like saved.
NOA yawns suddenly, and her eyes begin to droop closed. We see the room
from her point of view. Her eyelids close most of the way, then come all
the way open ... then slowly slide closed.
In the darkness, there is a distant thunder. There is another, and we
realize that it's actually an explosion. Eyes blink open, and we see the
inside of a labor -- a complicated array of controls in a fairly cramped
space, in front of a cracked window. Our view is tipped sideways.
NOA (V.O.)
Huh? <beat> Oh. Damn, I must have
blacked out for a second ...
NOA's arms reach into our view from the right, reaching for the maneuver
controls. (In case it's not obvious, we are seeing these events through
NOA's POV.)
NOA (V.O.)
I'm okay. Alphonse, are you okay?
<beat> I'll take that as a yes. Now
let's get you upright ...
ASUMA (RADIO)
Noa!
NOA (V.O.)
Asuma! I'm okay ... just got w-
ASUMA (RADIO)
Noa!
NOA (V.O.)
Asuma? <beat> Asuma, talk to me!
ASUMA (RADIO)
Damn you, you metal BASTARDS!
There is the sound of a powerful engine revving up not far away.
NOA (V.O.)
<whispered> Oh no. The radio ...
NOA's arms reach for the window, but she's restrained by her safety
harness. She fumbles with the straps.
ASUMA (RADIO)
YOU KILLED MY WIFE!
The Mark III Shinohara Armored Battlemover Carrier roars into view. It's
a tank-based vehicle, but lacks an artillery piece. A handful of mounted
smallarms are blazing away as it roars across our point of view ...
blazing more or less ineffectively at the handful of Boomers crawling over
it. The Boomers themselves resemble a more advanced "Doberman" type (in
other words, even more like the Alien than normal).
NOA (V.O.)
ASUMA! NO! I'M ALL RIGHT!
ASUMA (RADIO)
DIEEEEEEEEE!
There is a sudden huge explosion that paints the world outside the window
a reddish orange. A deformed boomer head lands a few hundred feet away.
For a few moments, NOA's arms are frozen. Then she starts to tear at the
restraints, freeing her upper body and her legs, then slamming her booted
feet into the window until it shatters.
We see, through a haze, NOA work her way out of the head of an Ingram
labor which is lying on its side. She turns to look towards the side ...
and freezes again, before slowly pulling off her helmet. Her once red
hair has gone completely gray, and from her appearance, she's in her
sixties.
She is staring at a crater a few hundred yards away, in which is the
hulking ruin of a self-destructed Mark III Shinohara Armored Battlemover
Carrier.
NOA
Asuma ... husband ...
Cut to the inside of a medical tent. The sounds of the wounded --
moaning, groaning, weeping, and gasping -- are clear. In the distance, we
can hear the sounds of explosions, and gunshots. NOA is seated on a cot,
swathed in a blanket, clutching a cup in both hands. Her face makes it
plain that she is in shock. A woman in a white nurse's dress holding a
kettle walks up to her, but NOA doesn't acknowledge her existance. Her
face is hidden, but her voice is unmistakably that of TENDOU AKANE.
AKANE (O.S.)
Would you like some more tea?
NOA doesn't look up.
NOA
Please.
AKANE pours the tea into the cup. NOA sips slowly. We see, from the
rear, a man in a brown trenchcoat approaching them. AKANE looks up (we
see her face for the first time -- she appears to be in her mid-thirties)
and steps away quickly. He comes to stand in front of NOA silently.
After a long moment, NOA looks up.
GOTO KIICHI is almost completely unchanged from his days as the commanding
officer of the Second Unit of the SV2 Division -- there are only a few
more lines on his face. He looks down at NOA with his usual lazy,
melancholy expression.
GOTO
Hello, Noa. It's been a while.
NOA blinks twice. GOTO pulls up a chair and settles to sit in front of
her so that they are on the same level.
GOTO
I wish that I'd had more time to
talk to both you and Shinohara ...
but there wasn't. Revolutionary
leaders don't have that sort of
time available to them, I guess.
NOA
... Captain?
GOTO nods absently.
GOTO
A friend of mine -- his name was
Lethbridge-Stewart -- would have
made a comment about old soldiers --
but I'm not a soldier. Neither were
any of you. And I'm sorry that I
let any of you get drawn into this.
<beat> They found what was left of
Ohta's labor a few hours ago.
Shinshi was standing guard over it,
but with his wounds ... <shakes
head> And Shinobu ...
NOA
Nagumo ... Shinobu?
GOTO sighs, and shakes his head.
NOA
Shinobu ... my daughter ...
GOTO
<nods> It seems that the rumors of
a system to coordinate the Boomer
actions are correct. <beat> I'm
sorry, Noa.
NOA is right on the verge of breaking down. GOTO stands up abruptly.
GOTO
Nurse!
AKANE comes over warily.
AKANE
Yes sir?
GOTO speaks quietly.
GOTO
I would appreciate it if you could
get in touch with your superiors,
and tell them --
AKANE
I'm afraid that I don't know what
you're --
GOTO
And I'm afraid that you're not an
agent of the Crystal Tokyo Society,
and I'm making an ass out of myself.
<beat> Well?
AKANE stares up at him.
AKANE
Expect ...
GOTO
<shakes head> I am not affiliated
with your society. I sympathize,
however, and I know certain things
that would benefit them. My price
for this information is the
evacuation of this woman and her
surviving family members -- a son,
and several grandchildren -- as far
away from MegaTokyo as you can get
them.
AKANE stares at him.
AKANE
What kind of information?
GOTO
<beat> Earthscreamer.
AKANE's jaw drops.
AKANE
You can't be serious.
GOTO
I am. Quincy is, as well. <beat>
I need to speak to your leaders, as
soon as possible.
AKANE nods.
AKANE
There's a base in Australia. We
haven't used it in over twenty
years, but it should be safe. I'll
go make the arrangements.
AKANE heads off. GOTO watches her go, and then turns back to look at NOA
... who is looking up at him confusedly. He smiles sadly.
GOTO
She's right ... it will probably be
safe, assuming that they don't use
those infernal devices. In which
case, we're all doomed anyway, so
you'll be with your family, at the
least. It's the least that I owe
you and Asuma. <beat> Sayonara,
Shinohara Noa. I do not think that
we will ever meet again ... but if
we should, please try and smile.
GOTO heads off.
NOA
Captain!
GOTO pauses, and looks back. NOA is staring at him with a cmpletely
bewhildered expression.
NOA
W-w-why haven't you ...
GOTO
It's a kind of magic, Noa.
He heads out of the tent.
Cut to the exterior of the tent a little while later. A helicopter has
just landed, and its rotor is still turning as NOA is led out AKANE and
another nurse, still wearing the blanket around her shoulders, and gently
sat in the back. The helicopter takes off as soon as the ground crew is
clear. As it takes off, we see a panoramic view of MegaTokyo burning ...
fires have broken out all over the city, and the sounds of violence fill
the air. At the heart is Genom Tower ... which from this point of view,
and under these circumstances, looks more like Mount Doom than a pyramid.
Our view finally comes back to NOA, who has been watching over all of
this, just as the tears begin to pour from her eyes. Fade to black.
Cut to a shot of a woman's face, contorted in agony and frozen in place.
MERCURY (V.O.)
Do we have word on the transplant?
NURSE (V.O.)
We have a match, but it's on the
other side of the world. With a
good pilot, it should be here by
ballistic jet within an hour.
ATTENDING PHYSICIAN (V.O.)
Shouldn't we at least *try* to
induce a regeneration?
MERCURY (V.O.)
It wouldn't work. The nature of
what was done to her won't permit a
normal healing.
Our view moves down the woman's body (she is SHAMPOO's secretary from
earlier) to see the small, fist-sized hole in her stomach. It doesn't
appear to be bleeding at the moment.
ATTENDING PHYSICIAN (V.O.)
I take it that you've seen this sort
of thing before, Lady Mercury?
Cut to a shot of MERCURY looking very solemn.
MERCURY
Yes, I have.
We see now that MERCURY (wearing a tight-fitting blue bodysuit under a
white lab coat), the NURSE, and the ATTENDING PHYSICIAN are standing
around a temporal stasis unit. Suddenly, MERCURY blinks, and looks aside
for a moment.
NURSE
Something wrong?
MERCURY
<slow> No. <normal> I'm going to go
scrub for surgery.
MERCURY heads out of the hospital room, and walks down the corridor a few
feet, before whirling and pointing accusingly.
MERCURY
How *dare* you come here!
RYOUGA slowly materializes, with a rueful expression.
RYOUGA
Ten years studying with the shinobi,
and everyone can see me ...
MERCURY
Give me one good reason I shouldn't
send you shrieking to Hell right
now!
RYOUGA smiles gently, and shakes his head.
RYOUGA
You have never killed anyone, Amy.
You are still a Sailor Scout, not a
Sailor Soldier. And you have sworn
the doctor's oath. "I shall turn
aside from any action or inaction
which would bring about the untimely
end of any being's life." And you
and yours keep your oaths, I know.
<beat> How are you?
MERCURY stares at him, and lowers her hand, sighing.
MERCURY
Why, Ryouga? Why did you do that
to her?
RYOUGA
You of all people know one of the
reasons. And I wanted Shampoo to
know that I was serious. She has
had problems comprehending the
important things at times.
MERCURY
Then why not eat *her* liver?
RYOUGA
I needed her to deliver the message.
Was it?
MERCURY
I don't know. She brought that girl
in early this morning, if that tells
you anything. <beat> What do you
want, Ryouga?
RYOUGA
Gennosuke wants the Dark Crystal.
MERCURY's jaw drops.
MERCURY
Is she *mad*?
RYOUGA
She would be, if she knew that I
were telling you this. But I'm just
the hired help, after all.
MERCURY
<scowls> Do you seriously expect me
to believe that you're `hired help'?
You haven't told me what *you* want.
RYOUGA
Proof. <beat> Amy ... if you give
me the Dark Crystal, we can avoid a
lot of people getting hurt.
MERCURY
So she can hurt thousands of others
with that damned thing? No, Ryouga.
You should have known that would be
my answer.
RYOUGA smiles, showing his fangs.
RYOUGA
Maybe I did. <beat> Are you going
to tell them about this?
MERCURY
Will you kill me if I say yes, or
just hurt me a lot?
RYOUGA shakes his head, and turns to go.
RYOUGA
I usually try to avoid *his* trick
of hurting those I care about. It
rarely works ...
He slowly fades out at the end of his line.
RYOUGA (V.O.)
Goodbye, Mercury. <beat> I forgive
you.
MERCURY stands alone in the corridor, bowing her head.
Cut to a balcony on the Crystal Palace. RYOUKO (in her blue, tailed
dress) is perched on the railing, looking out at the setting sun with a
lazy smile. She doesn't turn as AYEKA walks silently up to stand at the
railing a few feet away. Neither looks at the other as they speak.
AYEKA
Ill-bred mummy.
RYOUKO
Spoiled brat.
AYEKA turns and looks at RYOUKO with something akin to fondness in her
expression.
AYEKA
Now that *that's* out of the way ...
how are you?
RYOUKO shrugs, smiling faintly at AYEKA.
AYEKA
How is *he*? I haven't had a moment
to speak with him since his arrival.
Is he ...
RYOUKO
Ayeka, do you have any idea how hard
it's gotten to read him this last
hundred years? <beat> I'd swear he
was taking inscrutability lessons
from Washuu, if I didn't know he
avoids being with her whenever he
can.
AYEKA frowns.
AYEKA
And what about Tsunami?
RYOUKO
She's currently cloaked in orbit.
AYEKA
<slow> Ryouko.
RYOUKO
I don't think he's sleeping with her
either, okay?
AYEKA
Is he --
RYOUKO
Come ON! Do you actually think I'd
let him sleep around? <beat> With
anyone but me?
AYEKA
Has it happened recently?
RYOUKO
Nope. <beat> Not since Mihoshi ...
y'know. The phone call to hell.
And he doesn't realize it was me. I
don't think he remembers.
AYEKA
This can't go on. Jurai needs an
heir. If the Lords see the one
foreign power that we're on friendly
terms with turn hostile, it could
spell a serious challenge to his
power. And Emperors without heirs
tend to become the Emperors one
reads about in the history books as
the victims of coups d'etat.
RYOUKO looks very uncomfortable.
RYOUKO
You don't have to worry about that.
AYEKA
Of COURSE I have to WORRY about --
RYOUKO
NO. <beat> There have been ...
steps taken. I can't tell you about
them, 'cause you're not cleared.
But you're pretty smart ...
AYEKA
What possible steps could you have
taken to ...
AYEKA trails off, and a look of apprehension grows on her face. She
stares at RYOUKO, who grins sheepishly. AYEKA is shocked.
AYEKA
That's *REVOLTING*!
RYOUKO
It was the best we could come up
with on short notice!
AYEKA
You took his ... and you froze his
... and they're ... WHERE?!
RYOUKO pats her stomach.
RYOUKO
Mm-mm-good.
AYEKA looks like she's going to be physically ill.
AYEKA
I can't believe Tsunami consented to
something like that!
RYOUKO
Technically -- she didn't.
AYEKA
So when do they find out, praytell?
RYOUKO
Whenever Tenchi is incapacitated or
-- if it looks like he's not going
to be able to give Jurai the next
emperor. <beat> He'll tell me which
one, and I'll inform her, and ...
<beat> I'm not wild about the idea
either!
AYEKA
And I'm very glad to hear it! We
have laws against that sort of thing
on Jurai -- it's unnatural!
RYOUKO
What?
AYEKA
It is! Life should arise from the
union of two beings, not from a ...
test tube! That's ... horrible!
RYOUKO hops off the railing, and, walking on air, storms to get in AYEKA's
face.
RYOUKO
So I'm unnatural now, huh? Funny, I
thought we were a *little* beyond
that!
AYEKA
You arose from the union of ...
RYOUKO
She put one of her ovae in a test
tube with a masu and watched what
happened! If that's your idea of
*sex*, you're more *twisted* than I
thought!
AYEKA is working herself into a fury, and a faint glistening in the air
indicates that her little cylinders are about to materialize ... but she
slowly lets out a deep breath.
AYEKA
<slow> Ryouko, you are over-reacting
to my comments. I did not mean to
imply that you are unnatural because
of the way in which you were
conceived. I maintain my objection
to the way in which you and Tenchi
have decided to defraud the Empire
by providing them with an heir,
conceived by a form of artificial
insemination, whom you will present
as a legal and legitimate heir,
should Tenchi ever be killed.
RYOUKO and AYEKA stare at each other wordlessly for a moment. RYOUKO
seems a bit confused.
RYOUKO
Did you just ... back down ... from
a fight with *me*?
AYEKA
<nods> Now, if you still wish to do
battle with me, it will be entirely
your fault.
RYOUKO
Can't have that ...
RYOUKO hops back onto the railing, but she is now sitting directly in
front of AYEKA. AYEKA's hands are flat on the railing on either side of
RYOUKO's hips, and their faces are only an inch or so apart.
AYEKA
However -- returning to the issue of
my objection -- since I am, by my
own choice, not a part of Tenchi's
inner circle on Jurai ... I can't
expect to have any influence over
his decisions. Can I?
RYOUKO
Nope. I guess not. <beat> Let's
talk about other things.
AYEKA
Agreed. <beat> Have you found
anyone to share your bed on Jurai?
RYOUKO
No ... but I haven't really been
looking. <beat> There was this one
cute courtier, but ... <shakes her
head>
AYEKA
I see.
RYOUKO
And you?
AYEKA
No. I enjoyed a brief affair with
a poet a while ago, but it faded
quickly. <beat> Isn't it terrible
that we've both let a relationship
with a married man dominate our
lives for over nine hundred years?
RYOUKO
Yeah. Especially considering that
I'm the only one of us who ever got
anywhere with him.
AYEKA lifts an eyebrow in response.
RYOUKO
Oh, come on.
AYEKA smiles. She is serene bordering on smugness.
RYOUKO
What day, what month, what year did
this happen?
AYEKA
You'll never know.
A sudden alert siren screams in the night air, causing both of them to
jump.
RYOUKO
What the --
AYEKA
That's ... no, it can't be!
RYOUKO
What?
AYEKA
Someone is *attacking* the palace!
RYOUKO
Shit! Where's --
AYEKA
In the dojo, sparring with Mars.
Go!
RYOUKO flips over the edge of the railing, and flies downward. AYEKA
turns and heads into the palace. We get a split screen of RYOUKO's head
on the left, AYEKA's head on the right, both moving swiftly.
RYOUKO
*Lousy* timing.
AYEKA
As *usual*.
Cut to a shot of several armed and armored men and women leaping shouting
to land on a single figure, covering him for a second ... before being
knocked aside like dominos when he straightens up. It is RYOUGA. He
looks on them with irritation.
RYOUGA
Is this really the best that they
care to send against me? Why
doesn't anyone take me seriously?
KUONJI GENNOSUKE, an exact body double of KUONJI UKYOU except for her red
hair, dressed in the costume of an okonomiyaki chef and carrying a huge
spatula, steps out of the shadows, looking annoyed at RYOUGA.
GENNOSUKE
Maybe it has something to do with
wasting time fighting those who
can't hope to defeat you. Have you
forgotten why we came here?
RYOUGA
<glares> No. I haven't. Let's go.
Cut to a control room, and a video display of RYOUGA and GENNOSUKE moving
through the passages at high speed. Our view changes to include an
irritated looking JUPITER, who is wearing a red jacket over a tight black
dress.
JUPITER
Dammit. You were right.
Our view changes to show MERCURY.
MERCURY
Why did you ever doubt me?
JUPITER flashes MERCURY a quick grin, then becomes serious.
JUPITER
Serenity is in the bunker?
MERCURY
<nods> Raye and Ryouko were trying
to get Lord Tenchi in there as
well. <beat> While they weren't
staring daggers at each other.
JUPITER
Great. That's *so* like Raye to let
her personal feelings get in the way
of the job ...
MERCURY stares JUPITER open-mouthed, as she transforms to her sailor
fuku, and starts to head out the door.
MERCURY
I ... wait a minute, where are you
going?
JUPITER
<shrugs> We'll need someone who's
got mojo *and* martial arts to deal
with them, right? Raye and Ryouko
are continuing that feud of theirs,
gods only know where Mina's at, so
that leaves me.
MERCURY
Lita ...
JUPITER
If you say something about how I'm
nowhere close to Ryouga's level,
I'm gonna start screaming. So he
started training before I did. I've
had a thousand years of catch-up
time. <beat> He can't be that good,
can he?
Cut to a shot of JUPITER's bruised, bleeding face as RYOUGA holds her
throat in a one-handed grip, and energy crackles in his hand. His face is
cold. Finally RYOUGA tosses her aside, letting her slam into a heavy
vault door, and slide to the ground, unconscious. GENNOSUKE, standing
some distance away, is awestruck.
GENNOSUKE
Wow ... <shakes head> Okay! We just
have to get into that safe, get the
Dark Crystal, and we're out of here.
Do that Breaking Point move. We
just need a crack.
RYOUGA
Just a crack?
GENNOSUKE
Yes!
RYOUGA walks over to examine the vault door. JUPITER is beginning to come
around, but she's obviously dazed.
RYOUGA
Only a crack?
GENNOSUKE
You're really starting to confirm
my mother's opinions of you,
Hibiki-san! Yes, a crack is all
that's needed! I can do the rest!
RYOUGA
A crack. All right. I can do that.
<beat> You're ugly and your mother
dressed you funny.
There is a long, silent pause.
GENNOSUKE
What?
RYOUGA
That was the crack.
GENNOSUKE is not handling this turn of events very well. She has her
hands in her hair, her eyes are wide, and her teeth are clenched.
GENNOSUKE
Did you suffer brain damage sometime
and not tell anybody? Hibiki, this
is no time to make jokes! I brought
you here to break into the vault so
that I could take the Dark Crystal
and use it to --
RYOUGA
Yes, isn't it a shame that I never
had any intention of doing that?
GENNOSUKE
You ... I ... what ...
RYOUGA
All the while, I let you think that
you were using my `lust for revenge'
against those who made me ... what I
am ... to break into this fortress.
<beat> And you suggest I have mental
problems, Kuonji Gennosuke? I don't
hate them because of that -- if I
feel anything about it, I am sort of
*grateful*. <beat> *I* was using
you, and your ties to those idiot
terrorists, to get me into position
for one reason and one alone.
RANMA (O.S.)
Ryouga.
RYOUGA turns to look upward at a ledge on the far wall. Our view travels
up past a black slipper, balanced gracefully on the narrow ledge, up a
black pant leg, over arms folded sternly over the chest, pausing
momentarily to take in the dragon on the black silk shirt ... before
lifing up to see SAOTOME RANMA's eternally youthful face.
He's pissed.
RYOUGA looks up at him with many mixed emotions on his face. Hatred
predominates, with envy and jealousy (not the same thing at all) coming
close behind ... but there are other things, too. Wary respect.
Understanding. Perhaps even ... no, that must be a trick of the light.
RYOUGA
Is it not amazing the places in
which old friends meet?
GENNOSUKE
Father ...
RANMA turns his glare on GENNOSUKE. She flinches.
RANMA
I have more than a few words to say
to you, young lady, but they'll wait
until ...
Quite suddenly, RYOUGA has GENNOSUKE in a full nelson, with his free hand
glowing ominously.
RYOUGA
I wouldn't count on that.
RANMA
Ryouga, what the hell do you --
RYOUGA
I think I'm using my refinement of
the Blasting Point -- or perhaps I
should call it the Bleeding Point
Technique -- in a minute unless you
tell Shampoo to take several steps
back.
SHAMPOO suddenly materializes, as RYOUGA has earlier, with an infuriated
look. RYOUGA speaks without looking at her.
RYOUGA
My shinobi's better than your
shinobi.
RANMA
Ryouga, even for you, this is low.
Threatening girls?
RYOUGA
To make another crack, this is no
girl ... this is your daughter!
<beat> That didn't sound as good as
I thought it would.
RANMA
Okay, cut the crap. What do you
want?
RYOUGA
I want a fight, Ranma. <beat> An
all-out, anything-goes, final duel
between you and I. No interference
from outsiders. <beat> No running
away. Come now. Don't you, in your
heart of hearts, want to know which
of us is truly better?
RANMA
Ryouga, I already *know* I'm better
than you. I've *always* known. Why
should I accept this stupid duel?
RYOUGA
If you don't ... boom. <gestures at
GENNOSUKE> And then I likely get
carted off to spend the rest of
eternity in stasis. But I'll have
killed your only surviving child,
and you'll be in torment forever.
And that's punishment enough for
what you did to me.
RANMA
For God's sake Ryouga, can't you get
over that `I have seen hell' kick of
yours already?
RYOUGA
<furious> Hell? Hell would be a
pleasant journey compared to what
I've been through because of you!
Because of you, I lost all chance
for a life with any woman I ever
loved. Because of you, I have
bartered my soul and what scraps of
honour I've earned to gain new ways
to defeat you. Because of you, I
took a coward's way to immortality
-- I couldn't just luck into it like
you did. Because of you, I am hated
and despised by all that know of me.
Because of you, my family's school
of Kempo will never have an heir.
<beat> Because of you, I have
nothing. NOTHING ... except for
this fight. NOTHING BUT YOU!!!
RYOUGA's towering fury suddenly breaks off with his last statement. A
confused expression settles on his face, as if he is suddenly hearing his
own words for the first time. RANMA is looking down at him with a
revolted expression. SHAMPOO looks at him pityingly, while JUPITER, who
has just come to complete consciousness, is almost as confused as RYOUGA.
GENNOSUKE just looks scared.
RANMA
Ryouga ... that's *sick.*
RYOUGA
<absently> Shut up, Ranma.
RYOUGA suddenly twists, and points a shoed foot at the vault door.
RYOUGA
[DISTANT BREAKING POINT]!!
The vault shudders as if it has been struck by a gigantic fist. Tiny
cracks form, leading from the edge to the centre. RYOUGA twists the
opposite direction, and GENNOSUKE goes flying to slam into the door, just
a few feet from where JUPITER is slumped. RANMA sommersaults to the
floor, and closes with RYOUGA. RYOUGA does not turn from RANMA as he
speaks.
RYOUGA
Go in. Take the thing. Call back
your mother. Our bargain is ended.
GENNOSUKE peels herself off the wall, and grins/grimaces -- showing off
*her* fangs, which are sharper and longer than RYOUGA's. JUPITER sees
this, gasps, and reaches out to grab GENNOSUKE's leg ... just as the
Vampire GENNOSUKE transforms herself into a strangely glowing mist, and
flows into the cracks. SHAMPOO watches this with a stunned look.
SHAMPOO
<whisper> Oh no. Not that. Not
her ...
Suddenly, all eyes are drawn to the spectacle that is unfolding before
them. The ultimate, long-awaited, nothing-barred-but-retreat, final
battle between RANMA and RYOUGA.
It is a fight that is completely beyond this humble writer's ability to
imagine, let alone describe. Consider a typical RANMA/RYOUGA duel in the
series -- then add nearly a thousand years of almost-continual martial
arts training. Put simply, this is what Ragnarok will be like. Fight
scene enthusiasts can envision any technique from their favorite film/
anime/manga/comic book ... somewhere in this confrontation, it, or
something like it, will be used. And probably improved upon.
JUPITER
<hushed> Do you think we should ...
you know ... help out?
SHAMPOO shakes her head solemnly.
SHAMPOO
<hushed; accented> No. This an
affair of honour. Inta-ference
unask for and unwelcome. <beat;
unaccented> Besides, we wouldn't
last ten seconds. Neither of them
is holding back.
And then, quite suddenly, it ends. RANMA strikes a full-strength blow
following an incredibly difficult series of feints that have left RYOUGA
more or less totally lost. RYOUGA stands quite still for a full minute,
his eyes open but not seeing anything. And then, slowly, he crumples.
RANMA doesn't seem to be in much better shape -- he is sweating heavily,
bruised, and red in the face. He walks over to look down at RYOUGA, his
eyes shadowed.
RANMA
You shouldn't have threatened my
daughter like that, Ryouga ...
RYOUGA
<gasped> ... daughter is ... a
vampire ... know?
RANMA
I don't care!
RYOUGA smiles.
RYOUGA
And ... so ... it ... ends ...
RYOUGA closes his eyes, still smiling. RANMA, his face like a
thunderbolt, draws back his fist, and then it launches towards RYOUGA's
head like a rocket ...
Cut to back. Crunching noise. A long pause.
Cut to a shot of a crowded emergency room. TENCHI walks purposefully
through the confusion, looking until the look on his face indicates that
he's found what he's looking for. He heads over towards the bed that
RANMA's lying in, his shirt open, showing the bruises and cuts that he
has.
TENCHI
Hey.
RANMA looks up, and smiles.
RANMA
Hey yourself. How you doing?
TENCHI
Better than you.
TENCHI pulls up a chair while RANMA starts to chuckle which turns into a
cough.
RANMA
I'm gettin' too old for this ...
TENCHI
You? Never happen. You'll be right
in it when Serenity and I are
wandering around looking for our
teeth. <beat> You and Ryouga, huh?
RANMA nods, a trace of weary respect showing on his face.
TENCHI
That must've been ...
RANMA
It was. <shakes head> It was.
<beat> And in all the confusion, we
let Gennosuke get away with the Dark
Crystal.
TENCHI
<flinch> Ouch.
RANMA
Serenity's pissed, am I right?
TENCHI purses his lips in consideration as he slowly shakes his head.
TENCHI
Nooooo ... more resigned than angry.
<beat> Endymion would fit the term,
though.
RANMA makes a face.
RANMA
Oh, so the Prettyboy Warrior Tuxedo
Mask is upset. I'm terrified, can't
you see me quivering.
TENCHI
<smiling> That's mean ...
RANMA
<snorts; beat> I need a favor.
TENCHI
What?
Cut to RYOUGA's still face.
AKARI (O.S.)
Ryouga-sama ... wakie-wakie.
RYOUGA's eyes blink open. He seems much more relaxed, and much of the red
has gone out of his eyes. RYOUGA leans against a large tree, wearing his
old gold shirt and bandana. UNRYUU AKARI smiles down at him.
AKARI
You're so cute when you sleep ...
RYOUGA blinks.
RYOUGA
Akari-chan? But ...
AKARI
But what?
For a moment he looks like the old RYOUGA ... then he settles down.
RYOUGA
Nothing ... I guess I must have had
a nightmare. <beat> I can't even
remember much of it ...
AKARI
That's probably for the best. I had
a nightmare once ... but you don't
want to hear about that. <shudders>
RYOUGA
Huh? No ... no, if you'd like to
tell me about it.
AKARI
Well ... you were there. You were
threatening to *kill* a poor girl
just to hurt someone else! But you
wouldn't ever do that ... would you,
Ryouga-sama?
The question hangs in the air.
RYOUGA
Akari-chan ... if I thought that it
might help to end a fight before it
got out of hand ... I'd bluff about
something like that. <beat> But I
would never ever actually go through
with it ...
AKARI
Oh ... well, that's okay, I guess.
<beat> Come on! Akane wants to cook
for us, and you know how great her
cooking is!
AKARI pulls RYOUGA to his feet, and they head off together, laughing ...
for a moment, just as he leaves our view, RYOUGA seems confused again ...
but it passes.
Cut to RANMA's stern face, as he stares up at a large cryostasis tube in
which a naked RYOUGA hangs suspended.
MERCURY (O.S.)
Did your psychic interrogation
produce satisfactory results?
RANMA nods forcefully, then realizes that he's not alone. He turns to
look at MERCURY, who is standing some distance away, staring at him with
vague irritation.
RANMA
Yeah. <beat> He wouldn't have
really killed Gennosuke. He was
just bluffing ...
MERCURY slowly walks up to stand beside him in silence.
RANMA
And you're going to keep him like
that until you can find a cure?
MERCURY
Yes. Even though he's not as much
of a menace, in predatory terms, as
Ms. Kuonji, we can't let someone
like that wander around unhindered.
<beat> Mr. Saotome ... if you don't
mind my asking, what are his dreams
like?
RANMA is silent for a long time.
RANMA
He's perfectly at peace. It was as
if ... as if he'd never really been
interested in beating me as knowing
once and for all ... just which one
of us was better. <beat> He has the
three women that he's loved -- Akane
and Akari and ...
RANMA breaks off, and looks flustered at MERCURY, who merely lifts an
eyebrow, bidding him continue.
RANMA
... and there's one other -- with
him, in a place of utter contentment
and bliss. <beat> But a small part
of him ... a very small part ... is
aware that it's all an illusion.
That Akane died a long time ago ...
that he never was able to make it
work with Akari ... and that the
other one is --
MERCURY
I know.
RANMA
He did care about you, Mizuno-
sensei.
MERCURY
I know.
RANMA
But anyway, part of him knows that
he's making it all up. <beat> And
that part of him is in hell.
RANMA reaches to touch the pyrex of the stasis tube, just under RYOUGA's
face. His face is almost as cold as RYOUGA's was during their fight.
RANMA
That's punishment enough for what he
almost did to my daughter.
RANMA abruptly turns and walks away. We hear the door slide open, then
shut. MERCURY stands still, looking up at RYOUGA. We hear the door slide
open, then shut again. A YOUNG WOMAN with long blue hair, dressed in a
gray special forces uniform, walks up to stand beside MERCURY. There is a
long silence.
YOUNG WOMAN
Is that man my father?
MERCURY
Yes.
There is another long silence.
YOUNG WOMAN
I'd like to hear about him, mother.
MERCURY
He was the most gentle violent man I
ever met. <beat> And I loved him a
lot.
Cut to the interior of an undecorated apartment room. PRISS opens the
door and walks in with a disgusted expression, and dropping her jacket on
the floor.
PRISS
That was the most ... okay, *second*
most boring job I've ever wound up
doing. What was I *thinking*? Me,
a cop?
PRISS walks to her futon, flumps down on it, and stares up at the ceiling.
PRISS
T.V. On.
A panel of the wall shifts to form a television screen, and shows a black
and white image of a news ANCHORWOMAN.
TV ANCHORWOMAN
... and returning to our top story,
Crystal Palace spokesperson Lady
Jupiter has officially denied any
truth to the rumors that this
evening's aborted attack on the
Palace was intitiated by fanatic
proponents of a political union of
the Crystal Kingdom and the Jurai
Star Kingdom. While Lady Jupiter
refused to divulge any other
information about the attackers, she
remained adamant that it had nothing
to do with the upcoming referendum.
PRISS
<softly> What was I thinking? I'm
not a detective. I'm a ... <beat>
God, I don't know what the fuck I
am anymore. I'm tired.
TV ANCHORWOMAN
In a special advance poll of the
major North American city states,
of those surveyed, 60% indicated
that they believed that ending ties
to Jurai would benefit the Crystal
Kingdom.
Suddenly, there is the sound of a phone ringing. PRISS lets out a sigh,
pulls a small portable phone out of her jacket pocket, and flips it open.
PRISS
Hopeless Crusades Incorporated.
SHEILA (PHONE)
Priss?
PRISS is suddenly wary.
PRISS
Oh. Uh ... hi. <beat> How'd you get
my number?
SHEILA (PHONE)
I asked Raye for it.
PRISS
And she --
SHEILA (PHONE)
No, she told me to leave you alone.
So I had a friend of mine in medical
do some checking.
PRISS
Uh. So, this friend of yours also
knows.
SHEILA (PHONE)
She promised she'd forget.
PRISS
How the hell is she gonna --
SHEILA (PHONE)
Listen, I'm sorry that I scared you
when I told you about --
PRISS
You *didn't* scare me.
SHEILA (PHONE)
Surprised?
PRISS
Yeah, surprised sounds good.
SHEILA (PHONE)
Listen ... this has been a long day
for pretty much everyone in the
city. I want to talk to you ... but
you sound as beat as I feel. Would
you like to go out for coffee
tomorrow?
PRISS stares up at the ceiling.
SHEILA (PHONE)
Priss?
PRISS
Why?
SHEILA (PHONE)
I want to get to know --
PRISS sits up, her face tense.
PRISS
*Why* are you following me around?
SHEILA (PHONE)
I'm *not* following you! We just
keep running into each other by
coincidence!
PRISS
One time is an accident, twice is a
coincidence, three times is a --
SHEILA (PHONE)
It's only *been* two times!
PRISS blinks.
PRISS
But --
SHEILA (PHONE)
I don't know why I'm drawn to you,
either! I don't *like* violent
people! I don't like my *mother*
when she gets violent! I lost my
parents because they were Senshi,
dammit! <beat> I don't know why I
want to be around you. I just know
that it makes sense to my heart.
PRISS closes her eyes, and for a long moment there is silence.
SHEILA (PHONE)
Priss? <beat> Still there?
PRISS still has her eyes closed.
PRISS
Yeah, I'm still here.
SHEILA (PHONE)
So ... what do you say to a coffee
to discuss ... things?
PRISS
<opens eyes> I'll see what happens
... I'll call you back, okay?
SHEILA (PHONE)
O-okay. Listen, I'm sorry that I --
PRISS
Never mind. I'll call you.
PRISS clicks the phone off, sets it down, and stares up at the ceiling.
Cut to SHEILA, holding a corded phone to the side of her head with an
immensely dissatisfied expression. After a moment, she slams the phone
down.
CATTY (O.S.)
Please don't use hospital property
in anger.
SHEILA turns to look down at CATTY, who is sitting at the desk on which
the phone rests. She forces a smile.
SHEILA
Thanks anyway, Catty. I owe you one
now.
CATTY smiles.
CATTY
She's not quite what either of us
expected, is she?
SHEILA shakes her head, pain in her eyes.
SHEILA
No. No, she isn't.
Cut to PRISS. Her foot is rubbing against something, and she looks up to
see what it is -- the thick book "A Journal".
PRISS
Maybe I should get some reading done
tonight.
An image of Sylia's smirking face hovers over the book. PRISS blinks.
The hallucination vanishes.
PRISS
Maybe not. <head drops> Lights
off.
Cut to an exterior shot of PRISS' small appartment complex -- which looks
remarkably similar to Ikkoku-kan -- just as the light in the top middle
room.
Cut to RANMA's bed. A human form is wrapped up in blankets, and curled up
as if sleeping. SHAMPOO approaches, her face serious.
SHAMPOO
Ranma, we have a serious situation.
Orbital control just reported that a
small ship registered to a Kurenai
Konatsu just took off from Crystal
Tokyo starport after filing a flight
plan for Mars. <beat> From the name,
you can guess who it probably was.
She has the Dark Crystal, Ranma.
Mizuno-sensei has stated that she
was told that Gennosuke wants to
bring Ukyou back to life. <beat>
We *can't* let that happen.
TENCHI slowly sits up in bed and smiles at SHAMPOO, who looks at him
nonplussedly.
TENCHI
Very interesting.
SHAMPOO
Ranma is where?
He's standing behind her.
RANMA
And why should it be a bad thing if
she brings Ukyou back to life?
SHAMPOO turns to look at RANMA.
SHAMPOO
If she uses the Dark Crystal to
grant any wishes of her heart --
things that she desires above all
else in the world -- the Crystal
will twist and pervert the wish to
maximize the amount of chaos and
pain the wish could cause. <beat>
Bringing Ukyou back would fit into
that category, I think.
RANMA
<frowns> That could be bad.
SHAMPOO
Mars and I are going to Mars after
her. Will you come with us?
RANMA stares daggers at her.
RANMA
I'll come. I'm not coming to stop
her, I'm coming to protect my
daughter from you. That's all. I
don't want you to imitate Cologne.
<beat> One person that I loved dead
at the hands of the Amazons is
enough, thanks.
SHAMPOO closes her eyes. When she finally speaks, her voice slowly grows
in intensity until she shrieks the final words.
SHAMPOO
You are absolutely right. Cologne
killed Ukyou. <opens eyes> And
when she did, it was all that I
could do to STOP MYSELF FROM
CHEERING WHEN THE STAFF SPLIT HER
SKULL AND PULPED HER BRAINS!
RANMA is staring at her furious face in utter horror, and everyone else
has stopped in their tracks to stare at them.
RANMA
Wha -- what d-did she EVER do to --
SHAMPOO
*Nothing*. To *me*. I hated her
for the *despicable* thing that she
did to you after Akane died.
RANMA
You jealous ... she *comforted* me
after ...
SHAMPOO
After she --
SHAMPOO breaks off, closes her eyes again, lets out another deep breath,
and turns to walk away. RANMA grabs her arm. His face is white with
anger.
RANMA
After she *what*, damn you?
SHAMPOO slowly turns to stare at him.
SHAMPOO
After she murdered Akane.
To Be Continued.
ACT III
"the Centauri Republic": A confederation (which verges on being an empire
at times) consisting primarily of the governments of the inhabited worlds
orbiting Alpha, Beta, and Proxima Centauri, and several other worlds. It
includes non-humans as citizens, but they are almost all "second-class"
citizens. Political power is concentrated in the hands of several families,
generally called "Houses".
"the Cult of Serenity": A religion born in the Dark Ages, which views
Neo-Queen Serenity as a goddess. As Serenity is not permitted, under her
laws, to force anyone to believe something, she cannot compel the Cult to
disband, despite her basic disapproval of it. The Cult is believed to
have a global membership of roughly eight hundred thousand.
"`alien ancestors'": Kei's great-grandmother was Kuramitsu Mihoshi of the
Galaxy police. Her youngest daughter married a human.
"`psi-detective'": Yuri's grandfather was one of the last of the Kasuga
family to bear that name.
MORISATO MEGUMI: Sister to Morisato Keiichi, she was also the first cousin
(and lookalike) to Tsujimoto Natsumi, Priss' mother, which explains why
Priss found her so familiar. In the Crystal Tokyo era, her clone has
become the Chief Mechanic for the Patrol Labor Division.
GOTO KIICHI: Captain of the Second Unit of the SV2 Division and a
naturally occuring immortal -- essentially, he just doesn't age. His
exact age at the time of Mobile Police Patlabor is unknown ... for all we
know, he *is* in his mid-forties. In any event, following the Second
Kanto Earthquake, he became aware of Genom's dirty dealings, and began a
covert movement to topple the corporation, which went public during the
last boomer uprising of 2041. He is believed to have died during the
final act of the uprising, when Sylia Stingray nuked Genom tower. (The
concept of immortals just "naturally occurring" is taken from the "Brief
Lives" arc of Neil Gaiman's "Sandman" stories.)
"Lethbridge-Stewart": A false lead, intended to indicate that Goto is
actually Gallifreyan; he did know Brigadier General Alistair
Lethbridge-Stewart, but this version of the Brigadier was never the
commanding officer of the (non-existant in this timeline) United Nations
Intelligence Taskforce.
"Earthscreamer": Essentially, these nuclear weapons were intended as
Quincy's final suicide attack -- they were intended to basically drill
down to the Earth's heart and detonate, causing untold geological damage
if not actually shattering the planet. They were based on a design
developed nearly a century before this by a Professor Challenger.
"'It's a kind of magic'": Another false lead, intended to indicate that
Goto is a "Highlander"-type Immortal; he was actually just quoting the
film.
"'I shall turn aside from any action or inaction which would bring about
the untimely end of any being's life.'": Taken from the Hippocratic Oath.
"the Dark Crystal": This artifact appeared to have been created by the
Dark Kingdom General Nephrite using astrological magic. In reality, it
was given to him by an as yet unrevealed force. After Nephrite's death,
it was taken by his rival Zoisite, who tapped its power to a greater
extent than Nephrite had. Kunzite disdained the crystal, however, and
cast it aside. It was eventually recovered by Jadeite when he was freed
from his imprisonment just before the Dark Kingdom self-destructed.
Jadeite discovered what none of the others, even Beryl, had realized --
this artifact is the antithesis of the Silver Empyrium Crystal, and gains
power as its counterpart does. It was used by Jadeite in his campaign of
revenge against Sailor Mars, and recovered by Sailor Pluto following his
ultimate death. Since it is probably the most dangerous magical item in
existance, it is kept under very tight security in Crystal Tokyo.
KUONJI GENNOSUKE: An original character, the only daughter of Saotome
Ranma and Kuonji Ukyou. She was raised by a member of the Nu Ucchan's
staff after her mother's death some months after she was born, and
instructed in the Okonomiyaki School of Kempo. She became a vampire under
unknown circumstances (rumors persist that she made a blood pact with the
legendary Count Magnus Lee, making her a potential heir to the other title
he bore, Voivode of the Bloodline.) She largely avoids Earth and the
inner worlds of the Sol System, mostly because of the intense sunlight
that they recieve. She is not so much evil as she is, like her mother,
obsessed with achieving what she believes to be an important goal ...
namely bringing her mother back to life.
"wearing a red jacket over a tight black dress": Jupiter's clothing in
this scene is a reference to the usual attire of Katsuragi Misato of Neon
Genesis Evangelion, just as Mercury's clothing is a reference to the usual
attire of Dr. Akage Ritsuko of that series.
"Prettyboy Warrior Tuxedo Mask": Approximate translation of Bishonen
Senshi Tuxedo Kamen.
"'psychic interrogation'": One of the more formidable techniques that
Ranma has developed over the centuries, a natural outgrowth of his ability
to guess what his opponent in a combat situation is about to do.
Essentially, he possesses a limited telepathic ability -- very short
range, and requiring considerable start-up time.
"YOUNG WOMAN with long blue hair": Mizuno Ryouko, of the Special Forces.
She has considerable martial arts training, although not of the unique
Hibiki School, and much of her mother's genius as well. She is generally
thought to be one of the two or three best battlesuit pilots in the
Crystal Tokyo Armed Forces. Ryouko also has a long-standing adversarial
relationship with Sheila Tenkai. She is not close to her mother or her
half-sister. Her personality has similarites to that of Biko Daitokuji of
Project A-Ko and Umi of Magical Knights Rayearth -- she is cool,
calculating, and generally jealous of anyone who displays greater ability
than she does.