Zaphod Beebelbrox at the start of his sentance on Earth (2).
Part Five
Two's Company
The immense size of D'skta's engineering room
could not contain the angry shouts coming from inside.
This time it was not Krin who was raging, but Qu'tok
venting his fury at the ships computer system.
"D'skta! You have nothing to do but maintain
monitoring guard on our systems, and yet you've allowed
this to happen?!"
[I did not allow `this' to happen, Qu'tok,]
replied the sarcastic computer. [It was backfeed from
our esteemed leaders action during the interrogation.]
Qu'tok let out a growl ready to uncover the
computers mainframe and physically rip out its innards.
He was only stopped but the sound of the main hatch
opening, Krin, Morea and Binimi walking in.
"Okay, Qu'tok," said Krin leaning on the railing
of the upper deck. "What sort of problem do we now
have to face?"
"It's the Matter Cells, Krin," replied Qu'tok,
walking over to a large panel on the bulkhead behind
him.
"What about them?"
"When you fried that Guardian, the extra energy
drain was more than our power system could handle."
"Meaning?"
Qu'tok rolled his eyes. "We've burned out our
primary coupling unit, and if you plan on lifting off
anytime soon, forget it."
Morea shook her head. "Without the PCU, Krin,
control of matter to energy conversion is null and
void," she explained.
"In short," added Binimi clasping her hands
together. "Boom."
Her expanding gas gesture made Krin frown. "So
replace the part and that should solve our problem," he
said.
Lowering himself down by a thin strand of webbing,
Koo hung suspended over the center of engineering.
"Sorry, Krin," he said shaking his head. "We've no
spare right now."
"WHAT!"
Krin's voice shook the very foundations of the
machinery, his people shirking back with ears covered.
"Why, why do we not have another part, Qu'tok?"
"It was one of the items we were supposed to pick
up on our next stop to the Planetarium, but this little
job side tracked us."
"Can it be repaired?"
"Alid's down there now looking it over. He'll let
us know in a short while."
"Make it quick, Qu'tok," growled Krin. "Once
we've retrieved Regent I want to be off this accursed
rock immediately."
Krin turned and stormed out the doors.
Binimi and Morea traded worried looks. "Qu'tok,"
called Morea. "What are our chances of repairing the
PCU?"
Qu'tok remained silent, slowly shaking his head.
* * * * *
M.I.B. Tokyo's control room was quiet, several of
the newest members sprawled out catching what little
sleep they could. Once Elle and Jay had returned,
everyone pitched in trying to clear up what remaining
debris was left, fixing what they could. It was long
work, but now at least it was beginning to resemble a
control room again. Over at the center table T, Jay,
Elle, and Ringo sat milling over their status, trying
to come up with some sort of plan to find Krin. Jay
snored lightly in his chair; Elle asleep with her arms
across her chest, head tipped back.
T twirled a thin semi-transparent green circuit
board in his hands looking over the carbon scoring that
marred it's edges.
"And all we need is one of these and we can have
comms back up with Headquarters?" he said to Ringo.
Ringo babbled a stream of words, pointing to parts
of the card.
"And all of the spares were destroyed in the fire.
That is very unfortunate. Have you tried using parts
from the other consoles?"
[Fledklelee], replied Ringo.
"No luck. Then we must go and buy a new one."
T set the card down and reached over tapping Jay
on the arm. He sprang upright as if startled.
"No, man she's the one who let me in, cuz!" he
cried out.
Not startled, just guilty.
"Jay, it's me, T."
Blinking, Jay yawned stretching his arms. "Whoa,
that was some dream I was have'n. Thanks for waking me
up, T."
The commotion brought Elle from her slumbers.
"What time is it?" she asked rubbing her face.
"Quarter till seven," answered T.
"In the morning! Man, wake me when its time for
breakfast," said Jay.
"Come on we have work to do," ordered T. The two
reluctantly fought to remain awake, listening in on
what T had to say.
"First, Ringo has got most of our control consoles
ready to go. All we need now is replacement card and
we can contact Zed directly."
"So what's stopping us?" asked Jay.
"No part. Now I know a dealer here in Central
Tokyo who might have what we need. He's usually not
open until nine, so we still have some time to go."
"So until then?" said Elle.
"We should be looking for a message from Zed. I
chanced a standard call to New York last night queering
him about our mystery Polymorph. I am guessing that
Krin is, or should I say was after it."
"If that's true, he's already got it based upon
our findings."
"Maybe. There still is this missing connection
with Akane."
"Yeah, how is the `Fish' anyway?"
"She's been complaining about heartburn, and
wanting to stay near Ranma twenty four and seven."
"Hell of a crush," said Elle. "Odd if you ask
me."
"Saotome thinks so as well," replied T. "She's
holding something back. Something that's got her
frightened out of her wits."
Jay glanced over at the dotting couple cuddled
asleep in one corner of the room. "Ain't they cute,"
he said.
"It's obvious that the only person Akane's really
going to trust is her immediate family and Ranma," Elle
said.
"Yes. Once everyone's had enough rest, get them
together and see if they can get Akane to open up.
While you're doing that, I'll take two of our
fledglings with me downtown and see if I can get a
replacement part for Ringo."
"And if Zed calls looking for answers?" said Jay.
T shrugged. "Just hope he's not upset."
"Zed? Naw, not a chance. Mister Mount St.Helens
himself . . . please."
* * * * *
"This?" questioned Krin holding up a thin film of
circuitry panel in his hand. "This is what is causing
me all of my troubles?"
"Yes, that is the culprit, Krin," answered Alid.
He had just closed up the PCU, making what repairs he
could. Now all that remained was replacing several
sheets of the fibrous wiring that relayed commands and
controls to the unit, and that would not be easy to do.
Krin could not believe his luck. Stupefied by
this mishap, he sat down flipping the film from one
side to the other. Point zero two microns of
electrical circuitry, that's all it was. It might as
well have been one hundred meters thick, the technology
of this planet having nothing close to what they
needed.
"Qu'tok, I hope you are delving ideas in that
sinister mind of your over there," he said turning
around to face his exec.
Qu'tok stood before a monitor running through the
latest ads from merchants in the near by quadrants. So
far his search came up with nothing that would help.
"Not looking very good for us, Krin," he said.
"Closest I can get is a dealer off the path near
Gandemede."
"Have you tried the blackmarket yet?"
Qu'tok shifted to one side. He reached into a
cabinet and pulled out a data disk, slamming it into
the computer's slot. "This data has not been updated
in some time," he said to Krin.
"Just see if you can find us somebody on this
planet that might be able to help."
Skimming the list, Qu'tok came across one name
that might suit their needs. He told the ship's
computer to display the location up on the main screen.
"S-s-sh-sh-hin-juuu-koouu?" grumbled Krin.
"There is a merchant in a place called the `Nomura
Building' if I read this right," Qu'tok said.
"Hey, that will take us near M.I.B.," added Morea,
pointing to the Fuji T.V. station.
Krin did not want another confrontation with his
opponents, not just yet. Once D'skta was back up to
full power, then he'd try another attack on their
building. However, this might just prove to be a
golden opportunity in its own right.
"Qu'tok, take Alid and Koo with you to this
Central Bank dwelling and see if our merchant is still
doing business."
"Alid and Koo? You want me to be killed, Krin?"
"Spare me your snivels, Qu'tok."
"Okay, but don't say I did not warn you."
Krin's teeth grit tight together for a moment
before he resumed control of himself. "Are the
Listeners ready?"
"Yes."
"Then while you are on your way back, let them
loose on M.I.B. I want to know what our friends are
planning now that they've lost track of us."
Qu'tok grinned. "As you wish, Krin," he replied.
* * * * *
The Nomura Building, 09:45 AM.
Traffic was terrible T not liking the delay he,
Mousse and Shampoo endured driving down to the center
of Tokyo. Finally they arrived at the Nomura Building
situated among the myriad of new high rise
constructions that sprang up out of the heart of the
capital city. Parking in the underground parking lot,
the trio stood waiting for the next elevator to arrive.
"T," said Shampoo. "Why we come here for parts?"
"Because, Shampoo, most off-world merchants
operate incognito," answered T. "They will use any
guise to conceal their true identities, and their true
customers."
"But don't you think this is kind of obvious?"
asked Mousse.
"Not really. Our `merchant' we'll say, is located
on the upper floors. Not to high, not to low, perfect
for dealings without drawing any attention to himself."
The elevator arrived, and they stepped inside. T
hit the button marked 114, and the elevator started its
way back up.
"So why here?" asked Shampoo again.
"I thought I explained that already," said T.
"No, no. I mean why aliens come to Earth to sell
goods only other aliens can use?"
"Opportunity, Shampoo. Earth is a goldmine if you
will pardon the expression."
"It is?"
"Of course. You don't think flat screen
televisions were invented by our scientist now, do
you?"
"You see I told you, Shampoo," Mousse said. "It's
all the same no matter where you go, even in space.
Greed and Money, the two most powerful forces known."
T laughed, humored by Mousse's analogy. He was
not far off the mark though, sad but true. If M.I.B.
were not here to regulate and control such activities,
who knows what shape the Earth might be in now.
"Uh, boss," said Mousse. "By small chance do you
happen to know who it is we are going to see.
"Oh yes, Mousse. I know him very well. You might
say he's one of my . . . charges."
"Ah, he crook then. Shampoo like to straighten
out crooks."
"Hopefully it won't come down to that, Shampoo.
But hold that thought."
They arrived at their floor, T leading them down
one corridor to a set of double doors at the end.
Mousse paused to read the sign on the wall.
"Zaphod Beebelbrox?" he said. "Financial Business
Investor and Consultant?"
"Crook. This why country in such trouble now,"
snapped Shampoo.
They went in finding themselves in a modestly
decorated waiting room. The floor was made of black
marble, four plush chairs off to the right across from
a receptionist desk. The young lady seated behind it
looked up from her work.
"May I help you?" she asked smiling brightly.
"Is Mister Beebelbrox in?" said T.
"Mister Beebelbrox is in, but he's on the phone
right now."
"Could you tell him his `Agent' is here to see
him."
The receptionist frowned looking them over. She
reached over and picked up her phone dialing into the
private line. After a few minutes she hung up.
"Mister Beebelbrox will see you now," she told
them.
T thanked her leading Shampoo and Mousse into the
main office. More suited as a penthouse than anything
else, it was designed with maximum comfort in mind for
its current occupant. A large bar and kitchenette sat
to the right of the room, the same black marble
adorning the floor. Two stupendous panoramic views of
Tokyo could be seen through the wide bay windows on
either side of the office. Centered to the left was a
large desk of dark ebony, several chair in front. A
high back chair sat behind the desk, it's occupant
could be clearly heard chatting with somebody on the
phone.
"Yes, yes, Ichinochi. I have moved two hundred
million Yen over to the Indonesian Bank Charter Funds
as you instructed. When? Why just yesterday. They
should be able to access the account by this afternoon.
What? My fees? Oh let's say I did this as a
`friendly' gesture."
T's brows furrowed together in obvious annoyance
at the last statement. He cleared his throat drawing
Beebelbrox's attention. Zaphod's handsome features
locked down on the three in mild surprise. Wearing a
dark gray pinstriped suit that seemed a tad bit large
around the shoulders, Zaphod's long dark hair was
pulled back into a ponytail, the standard fashion among
these new business executives, crisp blue eyes
carefully studying the agents. Raising a finger to
give himself some time, Zaphod concluded his business
on the phone.
"Look, Ichinochi I've got some other associates
here waiting for me. Can I call back? Sure, anytime.
Chow, and give my love to Soyia."
He hung up, resting his chin on his hands and
gazed at T. "Agent T, what an unexpected surprise to
see you here. What brings you into my neck of the
woods?"
Striding up to the desk, T narrowed an eye at him,
drawing a light gulp form the rep. "Spare me the
insult of stupidity, Zaphod," said T leaning slightly
over towards him. "Did I hear you right? Did you just
say--,"
"Say I just transferred two hundred million Yen
over to the Indonesian Charter? Why yes you did, T my
good man," cut in Zaphod. "My `donation' to stem the
tide of economic erosion that seems to be affecting
much of Asia right now."
"Don't bull me, Zaphod. I distinctly remember
that part of your sentence here was to avoid all
dealing pertaining to world marketing gains and
capital. Why are you violating that stipulation?"
Beeblebrox placed his arms protectively across his
head ready to shield himself from any blows T might
throw at him. As the echo faded, he peek out between
them.
"Now T, really. How am I violating my parole by
bringing aid and goodwill to all of my clientele."
The steady glare T held on him felt uncomfortable;
Zapod tugging nervously at his collar.
"I can see you are not quite as trust worthy as--
,"
"How much, Zaphod?" asked T.
Zaphod acted aghast by the accusation. He pushed
himself away from the desk. "T, don't you have any
sense of trust in a poor, ex-galactic president like--
,"
"Shampoo!"
Shampoo walked up next to T, cracking her knuckles
ready to conduct some servere damage to the man.
Zaphod eyed her shapely figure, letting out a low
hum of pleasure. "This your new muscle, T? I like
her."
"How much, Zaphod?" T asked again.
Innocently, he rolled his eyes up towards the
ceiling. "Oh . . . a mere twenty percent off the
interest."
"Shampoo."
A fist slammed down on the top of the desk. It
creaked, then split in half.
"My desk!" cried Zaphod. "Do you know how much
that cost me?"
"Are you going to tell me the truth?"
Shampoo reached over taking a handful of
Beebelbrox's suit. When she jerked him up, it pulled
slightly to one side. Out popped another head
identical to the first. She let out a squeal jumping
back ready to attack.
"Please, please!" cried the second head, a third
arm rising up to protect it.
Mousse started to reach for his blaster, but a
hand from T held him back.
"Meet Mister Zaphod Beeblebrox's other, less know
half," said T. "No need to quote the old clich� about
two heads, but in this case both are not thinking like
they should.
"Hey, that's not nice, T," said Zaphod.
"Spare us, Zaphod. Now, tell me the real figures
before I unleash my two assistants upon both of you."
Mousse and Shampoo moved to either side of the
cowering Beebelbrox, and he paused taking double
glances at them.
"So M.I.B. has to resort to strong arm tactics now
to--,"
"Zaphod!"
"Fifty percent, plus twenty percent royalties off
of every commission, I swear that the truth, T!"
Tension followed as the beleaguered consultant
waited for the next events to happen. T quietly took a
chair. He drew up close, then sighed.
"Zaphod, Zaphod, Zaphod," said T shaking his head
with a chuckle. "Still the con you always were. Now
the Galactic council sent you here to finish out your
sentence clearly stating that you were not to have any
type of influence in this worlds affairs."
"And I have not, T," replied Zaphod.
"Yeah, all we did was trigger a few stock
insecurities to raise a little interest points,
GGGGUUURRRKKKK!"
"Will you be quiet!" rage the Primary Zaphod,
gripping his erstwhile associate by the throat.
"So you're the reason why our business rent went
up," said Mousse. "That's grounds enough for a good
pounding, isn't it Shampoo!"
"You bet it is!"
"Hold on," said T. He glared at Zaphod again.
"You've violated your parole by doing this, Zaphod. I
should report you to Zed. He's just looking for an
excuse to bounce you off Earth."
"Wait a minute, T. We, we don't have to go that
far."
"Oh I think we do." T paused sitting back to let
Zaphod stew for a moment. "However; I need something
from you."
All the fear rushed from Beeblebrox, the smell of
profit welling up in both his minds. "Oh really," he
slurred feeling confident.
"Don't start getting any ideas," continued T. He
nodded to Mousse, and the small circuit board appeared
in his hand.
"Got any of these?" Mousse asked showing it to
Zaphod.
The consultant took it, holding it up to the
light. "Yes, I do believe I have several of these
available . . . for a moderate price of course."
"Still not thinking straight, Zaphod?" said T.
"Oh I'm thinking quite clear, T. A lowly
parolee's got to make a buck at every chance he gets."
"Now, T. Now?" growled Shampoo clutching a fist
full of collar.
"Hheellpp!! TT ccaallll ooffff tthhiiss
vviioolleenntt wwoommaann ooff yyoouurrss!" cried the
heads in unison.
"Do we get the part, or is it time for a knuckle
music concerto to be performed?"
Zahpod quickly conceded to the demand and Shampoo
roughly let him go. "Geesh, Earthman. You don't have
to be so rough," he said straightening himself out.
"Normally I would not be so forceful, but this is
an emergency. The Part?"
Keeping one head locked on Shampoo, Zaphod knelt
down to the shattered desk. "Let's hope this still
works," he muttered, depressing a button just under the
edge of the top. The far wall suddenly split, exposing
a computer terminal and full wall screen. Zaphod
stood, walking over and turned the terminal on.
"Okay, let's see here. One Alta Seven Three
Isocrystal Conduit Card. Say there's a newer model
out, T. I could get you one for half--,"
"Zaphod."
"Okay, just thought I'd ask. Can't blame me for
trying."
Inputting the request, Zaphod stepped over to
another panel. He tapped in a few codes on the face
and it snapped open. Speckles of light formed inside,
then the card they were looking for materialized into
view. Mousse and Shampoo gaped in astonishment.
"Like that, kids?" asked Zaphod noting their
looks. "Had an old friend named Roddenberry fix me up
with this little gadget."
T pulled out the card, holding it up to the light
checking for flaws. It appeared to be good, but he'd
have Ringo run a complete check on it before they
installed it into the system.
"This had better not be a dud, Zaphod," he warned.
"Otherwise you might get a return visit from my two
associates with very special instructions from me that
won't be in your favor."
"Now T is that anyway to treat an old friend?"
"I know you, Zaphod," replied T. Reaching into
his jacket, he pulled out his wallet. "And to let you
know how much I know you, I'll even debit you from
M.I.B. funds for your services."
A grin stretching from ear to ear formed, Zaphod
eagerly taking the card from T. A heavy hand suddenly
came down on a shoulder.
"Take only what's owed you, Beeblebrox," said T.
"And not a credit more, my dear friend T,"
answered Zaphod. "Uh, how should I account this?"
"A friendly gesture."
"A Friendly Gesture, ah yes very fitting indeed."
Mousse stepped up next to T as Beeblebrox
registered the transaction. He leaned close and
whispered into his ear.
"Are you going to trust this guy, boss?"
"It will be fine, and knock off that `boss' stuff.
I told you we're not Yakuza."
The transaction completed, Zaphod handing T back
his card. "Anything else I can help you with T, just
give me a call."
T motioned Mousse and Shampoo towards the doors.
"Just see that you correct your little stock tickler by
the time I return, Zaphod," he replied.
"Oh do I have to?"
"I hear the Vogons still have quite a price out on
your head."
"It will be corrected in no time."
T smiled. "Good day, Zaphod," he said following
after his two assistants.
"This is good," Zahpod's second could be heard to
say. "Two sales in one morning. Looks like we won't
have to wait for that yacht after all."
Mousse and Shampoo just opened the double doors
when T came to an abrupt stop. Two sales? he muttered,
his curiosity aroused. Turning, T lowered a dark brow
at Beeblebrox.
"Two sales?" he said again.
"Why can't you keep your mouth shut!" whispered
Zaphod at his alter ego.
"I'm sorry. We just don't talk enough."
Zaphod threatened to smack him before addressing T
question. "Yes I made an earlier sale about fifteen
minutes before you arrived."
"And to whom did you make this sale to, Zaphod?"
"Well he wasn't rude like you've been, T. A tall
fellow. Looked rather in need of several full course
meals."
"A name?"
"Can't remember right off, but he did pay me in
hard Titanium ingots for two small spools of fiber
conduit."
T started walking towards him. "Close the doors,"
he called over his shoulder while picking up his pace.
Zaphod could clearly sense that his life was about
to be threatened once again.
"T, what do you want from me!" he cried backing
away.
"You mean us," said the second head.
"Yes us, oh will you shut up!"
"Zaphod, if you can't give me a name by the time
my fingers are wrapping themselves around your throats,
Zed won't have a need to deport you!"
Frantically, Beeblebrox searched for a name to
give the angered agent before he ceased to exists
anymore. "KLUTER!" he suddenly exclaimed.
T stopped. "Huh?" he said.
"I-I-I mean Qumora!"
Mousse traded looks with Shampoo. "Do you mean
`Qutok'?" he called to him.
"Yes that's it, the very name. Qu'tok."
Immediately, T spun around. He glanced down at
his watch estimating that if Qu'tok was still in the
vicinity they would have to hurry to catch him.
Shampoo and Mousse were already sprinting out the doors
and he ran to catch up with them.
Beeblebrox shuddered. Staggering over to the bar,
he poured himself a double shot of brandy taking a long
swig. The things one does just to keep ones head on
straight, he thought thankful to be alive and unhurt.
"My, my. Such an ungrateful person that T is,"
commented his second head.
Zaphod smirked at him. "Oh shut up," he said,
pouring a mouth full of brandy down it's throat.
* * * * *
T tapped his foot impatiently, watching as the
indicator lights counted down the floors they were
rapidly passing. By mear minutes they had missed the
best chance of catching one of Krin's people. Why
Qu'tok was here did not matter for the moment,
relocating him did. Traffic might have held him up,
but what if he was on foot? The pirate could be
several block away by now, and it was too risky to do a
scan in the middle of civilians. Finally, the commlink
synced.
[M.I.B., Nabiki speaking.]
[Nabiki, this is T. Put Jay on and hurry!]
There was a short pause, then Jay came on line.
[Yo, T. Got the goods?]
[No time for small talk, Jay. One of Krin's
people is here in the same building we're at!]
Jay sprang out of the chair he was reclining in.
[What! You guys need some help? Say the word, man!]
[I'm saying the word, Jay. Get a team down here
ASAP! Mousse, Shampoo and I will try to gain contact.]
[Okay. You guys be sharp. Don't get your ass's
hung out on a limb, okay? We'll be down in a flash!]
T frowned at his comlink. "Ass's hung out on a
limb?" he questioned.
"You must be talking to Jay," said Shampoo.
"Strange man, he talk funny."
"Ah huh," replied T holding back the rest of his
words. While this was going on, Mousse had been using
the scanner trying to pick up a trace of their
opponent. The green jewel flashed intermittently, not
meaning much to him, but meaning a whole lot to T.
"He's a bug," he growled drawing his blaster.
"Better set your weapons to maximum power."
A casual flick had Mousse's weapon out; Shampoo
reaching behind her back pulling her blaster out from a
holster set at the small of her back inside her mini-
skirt.
"I was wondering where you would hide that thing,"
commented Mousse as he charged up.
"Remember, we don't want any shooting around
civilians," ordered T. "Use force only in self
defense."
"So what are we going to do if we run up on him
unexpectedly?" asked Mousse.
"I just want to maintain contact until Jay arrives
with reinforcements. Then we will try to apprehend
him."
"You say something about bug," said Shampoo.
"Yes, our mister Qu'tok is of the Insectus
Cabeovoeous species."
"So he not what man appear to be, just like crook
upstairs."
"Right. So watchout for things like extending
pincers, claws, or adhesive appendages."
Shampoo shuddered appalled by the image in her
mind.
"He might not be alone," said Mousse as the
elevator reached ground floor.
T closed up the scanner and put it away. "We'll
find out in a moment," he replied leading them out into
the lobby.
* * * * *
Qu'tok's patience was starting to wane as Alid
tested the filaments just acquired minutes ago.
Finding out if they were bad back on the ship was not a
good idea, especially with Krin running on edge like he
was. Alid sat at the back of their commandeered
Landrover scanning the filaments carefully.
"Well?" asked Qu'tok.
"High quality. Very fine construction, no
immediate flaws found so far," answered Alid.
Qu'tok took a brief look up around the underground
parking lot checking for any unwanted eyes lurking
about. "So you're saying we can go now."
Alid looked up. "Yes, Qu'tok."
"Good. Let's get Koo and depart. We've wasted
too much time as it is."
"Where is Koo?"
"Looking out for--,"
Qu'tok's voice trailed away as he noticed that Koo
was nowhere to be seen. "Now where in the stars flames
has that idiot gone off to?" he growled. I warned Krin
about sending both of these troublemakers with me.
"I'll bet he went back up to find something to
eat," said Alid.
Qu'tok shook violently, the strain stretching the
covering he wore to it's limits. Gasping, he settled
down and regained control of his emotions.
"Alid, go find your . . . no that's only adding
more problems to the situation. Stay here, I'll go and
get him."
Grumbling untold curses, Qu'tok went off in search
of his wayward charge.
* * * * *
Koo's primary stomach grumbled increasing the need
for him to find something edible to eat before he
starved to death. This lobby area was full of humans,
all ready for a quick snatch and kill. He pushed back
the idea knowing full well that Qu'tok would not
approve of his actions, and worse Krin would melt him
down just like that Guardian. The taste of cooked Poly
returned to his mind renewing the grumbles his stomachs
were making.
"Got to find something to eat," muttered Koo
making his way through the crowd.
Several of the humans around him seemed to be
devouring small items in their hands. Koo observed for
a moment then found the source of their nourishment.
Set inside a small recess on a wall stood three tall
machines with large lit windows on the front. Inside
in several shelves were small bags or metal cans that
the humans were eagerly pulling from a slot at the
bottom. Some sort of public feeding dispenser, he
thought stepping up to one.
Nothing happened, Koo expecting one of the
containers to be instantly dispensed to him. "Come
on," he said punching it. Still the machine remained
inert.
"You need money, sir," a voice said from behind.
Koo looked back finding a young female standing
there, obviously waiting for him to make a selection.
"Uh, yeah," he said.
"Do you need change?" she asked.
Realizing that he had none of the monetary
currency of this planet on him, Koo grinned and shook
his head. He stepped aside allowing the woman to make
her selection. Closely he watched her drop a few small
round pieces of metal into a slot then press a button.
The machine hummed and out dropped one of the small
packets. Quickly, the woman pulled it out and moved
away eyeing him suspiciously.
"So all I need to do is drop metal bits into this
hole and I've all the food I want," said Koo to
himself. But to find the metal bits, that would be
difficult.
An idea formed. Koo took a few quick glances
around making sure that nobody was watch then pressed
his hands together and started rubbing. In seconds he
had spun a small flat disk of webbing about the same
size as the metal the humans were using. Careful to
leave a strand attached to it, he dropped his homemade
coin into the slot and made a selection. His trick
worked, the machine dispensing one of the packets to
the bottom.
Giggling with glee, Koo proceeded to deplete each
machine. He stood with arms full of sodas, chips and
candy ignoring the various complaints from the people
around him as he headed back to rejoin Qu'tok and Alid.
Unfortunately, another terrifying sight brought
him to an abrupt stop in the middle of the lobby.
The far elevator doors opened up and out walk the
last three persons he expected to see this early in the
day. It was that M.I.B. agent and two of those ultra-
violent humans they had fought just yesterday. By the
looks on their faces they were in no mood for casual
conversation. At the same time they spotted Koo, and
time suddenly froze.
"Uh oh," said Koo dropping his newly acquired
booty to the ground.
"It him!" shouted Shampoo. "One of men with funny
sticky rope!"
"FREEZE!" shouted T.
That did not do much good, Koo dashing off in the
opposite direction and the chase began.
People cried out as Koo forced his way desperately
through the throng of people moving through the main
doors as he sought to escape. Breaking out onto the
busy sidewalk, he ran up the block hoping the crowd
would conceal his movement. No such luck, the three
M.I.B. agents were hot on his trail and rapidly closing
the distance. Qu'tok was going to be mad, thought Koo
rounding the corner. Maybe if he was lucky he would
kill him instead of Krin.
The entrance leading down into the underground
garage came into view and Koo made his way towards it.
Something small whisked pass his head imbedding itself
deep into the concrete. He chanced a look back
spotting that strange human wearing those thick eye
coverings holding a small knife blade upheld in his
hand ready to throw. Not used to being a target, Koo
vaulted the rail across the opening. A guard stepped
out to stop him, but let out a cry as Koo leveled him.
By the time the agents reached the guard, Koo had
disappeared inside.
"Damn," growled T as he knelt next to the
unconscious man.
"What now, boss?" said Mousse.
"Get after him, but be careful."
Mousse and Shampoo rushed on after Koo.
T slung the Guard over a shoulder. "How am I
going to explain this to Zed," he said looking around
for a place to him.
* * * * *
Shampoo signaled a stop to Mousse moving into a
low crouch eyeing the row of cars around them. Loosing
sight of their quarry was not a good thing to do in the
tight confines of the lower parking lots. Though they
were under strict orders not to use their weapons
unless it was necessary, they both were sure no such
rule existed for Krin's people.
"What now?" whispered Mousse.
"We look around, silly," replied Shampoo. "Skinny
man not leave this level Shampoo sure of."
"He can be anywhere, Shampoo. If he gets the
notion to start shooting at us we might not get the
chance to take cover."
"You want him to get away?"
"No."
"Then we try to find man."
Mousse frowned knowing that they had to at least
try despite the danger. He stood up and started
walking slowly down the driveway; Shampoo maintaining a
few steps behind covering his back. Carefully he
peered between the cars every sense he possessed
straining to pick up even the slightest hint of their
elusive foe. A slight shift ahead made him pause.
Mousse glanced back and Shampoo nodded slightly. As he
continued to move forward, she reached back letting her
right hand rest on the grip of her pistol ready to draw
in a moments notice.
They reached the turn leading down to the next
level but still there was no sign of the man they were
after.
"Mousse, he can't be this far. We would have seen
if he go down to next level."
Mousse stopped and looked around. "He had to have
gone this way, Shampoo."
The sound of an approaching car from the lower
level made them quickly step off to the side. It
rounded the turn headlights briefly shining in their
eyes. As it passed, Mousse watched to make sure it was
not who they were after. The car turned and for a
brief second the dark recesses of the overhead were lit
as it passed. A figure shifted and Mousse spotted Koo
perched up on the wall. Their eyes met and Koo sprang
down at Shampoo.
Mousse knew trying to warn her was to late, so he
threw a body tackle knocking Shampoo out of harms way.
Koo crashed down to the hard concrete. Rolling, he
turned greeting Mousse's fist with his chin. Rocking
back, the pirate moaned then locked an angry gaze on
him.
"Don't move!" shouted Mousse as he drew his
blaster.
Staring at each other, Koo sneered then launched a
wad of sticky goo at him. It was unexpected, Mousse
snapping off a shot as he dived out of the way. Koo
pounced, landing on his chest.
"Stupid, silly M.I.B. man," he said. A sharp thin
probe extended out towards Mousse's face. Barely did
the man shift his head to one side. He could hear the
asphalt crack next to his ear and grimaced. Lifting a
leg, Mousse levered Koo up over him towards the far
wall. Much to his surprise instead of smacking head
long into it, Koo latched on to its smooth surface. He
laughed looking back with a derisive grin then leaped
away.
Mousse watched him disappear behind some cars.
"Damnit!" he growled trying to draw a bead on the
escaping pirate. It was of little use, the blaster
gummed up with the thick webbing. Koo's figure darted
around the corner towards the next level. Hurriedly,
Mousse went over to help a bruised and dazed Shampoo.
"Shampoo, Shampoo are you alright?" he asked
kneeling next to her.
She looked up rubbing the side of her head. A
sharp slap sent Mousse back on his rear. "Why you hit
Shampoo so hard!"
"I had to do something, Shampoo. That weirdo was
just about to skewer you like a piece of Yakatori!"
"Oooo, idiot. Now strange man escape us!"
Footsteps echoed from the up the way, T appearing
in full stride around the corner. Mousse called to him
and he stopped.
"I assume our pirate friend?" he said.
"Yeah. Ran down to the next level," replied
Mousse.
"Silly blind-man let him escape," accused Shampoo.
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Okay, lets argue later," T said. "Right now
we've got to get after him before we loose the trail."
Helping Shampoo up, Mousse started pulling at the
strands fouling his blaster. "Hey how do you get this
stuff off?" he asked.
"We'll do it later. Let's go."
T ran towards the next opening with Mousse and
Shampoo in close trail.
* * * * *
What the hell is M.I.B. doing here, wondered Koo
as he scuttled through the lower levels of the garage
trying to get back to his companions. Such a mess,
such a mess! Hoo Boy is Krin ever going to be mad.
Entering an intersection, Koo stopped trying to
get his bearings. A couple entered the lot through a
door and he ducked down behind some cars. Not M.I.B.,
but it might be better to stay out of sight of anyone
right now. They left and he moved on.
Koo found a floorplan and looked it over. Unable
to read any of the strange script, he cursed himself
for not paying more attention to Binimi's brief.
"This is useless!" he scowled turning around.
Standing quietly behind him stood Qu'tok, a slight
sneer on his face. Koo let out a yelp and pressed up
against the wall.
"You bumbling idiot!" shouted Qu'tok lashing out
to grab him in a tight choke hold around the throat.
"Qu'tok . . . I'm so . . . happy to . . . see
you!" said Koo.
"But not for long. What the hell are you doing,
and why are you shooting you gun off?"
"It's not me, Qu'tok. It was one of those M.I.B.
people!"
In a flash Qu'tok jerked Koo around the nearest
corner. He looked around the lot then hunkered low.
"M.I.B.? You've led M.I.B. to us!"
Koo winced. "Nnno, they kind'a led themselves to
me," he answered.
Qu'tok slapped him across the top of the head.
"Idiot! How many of them are there?"
"Three. Two human males and a female."
"The same three we first encountered?"
"One of them was, the other two are from that
Akane Tendo place, but they both were dressed like me."
Qu'tok let him go. He thought realizing that
M.I.B. must have recruited those violent friends of
Tendo's to help search for them. Why are they here?
Could not be because of any tracking devices. No, I
would have found those. He glanced down at the
cowering Koo, then shook his head. Blind luck that had
to be it, he surmised.
Jerking Koo to his feet, Qu'tok peered around the
corner of the wall. Hmm, maybe we can use this blind
luck to our advantage.
"Koo, where did you leave these M.I.B. agents?"
"Well behind me, Qu'tok. We should be getting
back to Alid and leave before they--,"
"I want you to find them again."
Drawing back, Koo looked at him lost. "What did
you say, Qu'tok?"
"You heard me. Go find them!" snapped Qu'tok.
"But what am I going to do once I find them?"
Qu'tok jerked him back around to the floorplan
again. "We are here," he began pointing to their
current location on the plan. "I want you to lead them
through this portion where I will be waiting."
Tracing a finger along the main concourse, Qu'tok
stopped near the far end. "Don't screw this up, or
Krin might have a good excuse to vaporize you once we
get back . . . if we do."
"Are you going to try and kill them, Qu'tok? If
you are, please leave just a few good chunks I can--,"
Another sharp slap sent him staggering.
"Still thinking about stuffing your gullets! By
the Cache of the Mother, will you get going before I
kill you!"
"Yes, right, I'm going now," replied Koo running
back up the way he came. He suddenly stopped, then ran
back over.
"Forgot where I was leading them," he said
grinning as he peered at the floorplan once more.
"Koo!"
Koo broke up the driveway.
* * * * *
Careful eyes scanned the dimly lit garage, T
walking carefully down the center driveway; Mousse and
Shampoo to either side pacing him. Each possible
hiding place their quarry could hide was carefully
searched, but so far they turned up nothing. T's
comlink beeped and he stopped.
[T.]
[Yo, T,] replied Jay. [I'm about five minutes
away from you. What's your status?]
[Not good. We encountered one of Krin's people
and chased him down into the lower parking garage but
lost him.]
[Okay, man. You keep looking and we'll cover the
place up here.]
[Roger. See you.]
T put it away and resumed his pace. "This is not
looking good for us, kids," he said.
"He had a good lead on us," said Mousse. "Who
knows where he could have gone."
"I'm hoping not out of the building again. Jay is
not in place yet and won't be for a few more minutes."
Shampoo sighed. "We fail then."
A light shuffle sounded ahead. Koo stumbled out
in to view at the center of the intersection much to
the three agents surprise.
"Oh, so there you are," called Koo to them.
"Thought you had gotten away from me."
The three exchanged confused looks, then T drew
his blaster.
"Don't move!" he shouted.
"Yeah, right," replied Koo. He cartwheeled back
up the way he came and the Agents set out in pursuit.
A merry chase ensued, Koo staying just within
sight of his pursuers, laughing loudly as he made his
way along. He hit the intersection and started towards
the last part of the run when it dawned on him that
Qu'tok did not tell him what to do after he arrived.
Panic started to manifest itself at the back of his
mind.
"Oh Qu'tok. Qu'tok! What do I do now?" he
called.
"Will you shut up!" came Qu'tok's voice. "Are you
trying to spoil this?"
"Well you've left me with no instructions after
I've led these M.I.B. agents here!"
"Idiot!" Keep heading down to the next level.
Alid is there."
Koo reached the end and stopped. He looked back
making sure that he had not lost M.I.B.. Nope, still
there and definitely pissed off. He laughed again and
ducked out of sight.
Halfway down, T suddenly slowed his pace.
"T, come on. Strange man getting away!" called
Shampoo.
"No," he said and they stopped. Something was not
right to T. It seemed to him that Krin's man was
actually leading them along, and that smelled of a
trap. T signaled to Shampoo to draw her blaster as he
walked slowly forward.
In a far row to wards the back of the garage
Qu'tok skulked low listening for the sounds of the
approaching M.I.B. agents. The shadows provided him
with the perfect cover and slowly he peered up, gazing
through the windows of the car he hid behind. Ah, yes!
There they were, the overconfident agents walking right
into his trap. It wasn't death he wanted, no far from
that.
Slinking back down, Qu'tok reached into one of his
pockets and pulled out ten black marble like objects.
"Wake up. Wake up my little ones," he whispered
brushing a warm hand over them. The marbles twitched,
then four tine pairs of legs extended as a pair of
beady round eyes opened up through slitted lids.
"Time for work," said Qu'tok. He raised his hand
up allowing the creatures to see their targets. Warmth
flowed through Qu'tok's hand signaling to him that his
cache of Listeners had registered and were ready to
conduct their mission.
"Go, my children and report back what you find."
The ten Listeners extended thin wings from the top
of their backs and silently whisked away.
Now that the second half of his mission was
accomplished, Qu'tok waited until the three agents had
passed. With extra caution, he slipped along down the
aisle and darted through a near-by door leading to the
stairs.
* * * * *
Alid was starting to get worried about Qu'tok and
Koo. They had been gone for far too long to be
considered normal, and he wondered if he should not go
in search of them. No, that might only complicate
things, he thought. Still, it might be a wise idea to
start this vehicle just incase a quick getaway was
needed.
His thinking was right, Koo suddenly appearing
down the driveway in as much of a full stride as his
covering would allow.
"What happened?" he asked as Koo frantically
jerked the door open.
"M.I.B.."
"M.I.B. here? What for, and where is Qu'tok?!"
"Qu'tok told me to lead those silly M.I.B. agents
to him, but when I got to where he said, no Qu'tok."
Alid did not like the implications of that. He
put the Landrover into reverse. It was time to leave
and at least get back to Krin with the circuitry film.
Qu'tok can handle himself.
The Rover shot out of it's stall and raced up the
driveway. No sooner had they started rounding a turn,
several Ion burst flashed precariously close behind.
T, Mousse and Shampoo stood at the other end trying to
stop them from escaping. A burst hit the top rear
corner, sending sparks and smoke through the cab. Both
pirates cried out, the rover skidding scrapping the
side as it turned the corner. Koo told Alid to floor
it and he did shooting out into the next level. A
figure suddenly burst out of a side door to bar their
path.
Alid immediately cried out hitting the brakes.
Koo slammed up against the windshield and rocked back
into the seat. He clutched the now shattered nose of
his disguise and rounded angrily on Alid.
"What are you doing? There's three trigger happy
M.I.B. agents on our tail and you're stopping for some
human!"
Alid pointed forward. That human turned out to be
Qu'tok.
"I figured you two would do something like this,"
he scowled walking around to Koo's side of the rover.
"We didn't know where you were, Qu'tok," Alid said
trying to defend their decision. "We--,"
"Save it!" shouted Qu'tok as he climbed in. Koo
retreated to the back as Qu'tok angrily slammed the
door shut. "Get us moving!"
Tires screeched as Alid applied the gas once
again. Around the corner ran Shampoo just in time to
see them zoom away. Desperately she snapped of a shot,
but it was wide blasting a divot out of the concrete
wall. T and Mousse came up.
"Damn, I miss!" cried Shampoo.
T could see they would never catch them now unless
Jay could cut them off. Pulling his commlink he call
desperately for him.
Jay, Tatewaki, Ranma, and Ukyo sat astride two
M.I.B. motorcycles slowly cruising around the street
outside of the back waiting for any sign of Krin's
pirates. Already a large crowd was gathering near the
exits wondering where all the loud explosions were
coming from. Several police cars rolled up further
complicating things. Hearing his commlink beep, Jay
patched it through the mic in the helmet he wore.
[T, what's going on, man? You guys fighting World
War Three down there?]
[No. Krin's people have escaped in a Landrover
and are heading up your way.]
[Well they're going to get out with no problem.
We've got police and civvies out here. Not good if you
know what I mean.]
For the first time he heard T mutter a curse in
frustration. [Okay, Jay. Try to get on their tail and
follow them. Maybe we can trace them back to Krin's
hideout. We'll get to the car and catch up.]
[Right.] said Jay.
A loud screech cut the air startling those on the
street, then out from the garage exit roared the rover
bursting through the blocking arm into the street. Jay
tapped Tatewaki on the shoulder.
"That's our group!" he said.
The motorcycles raced after them.
For an alien, Alid was a surprisingly capable
driver. He skillfully weaved through the traffic
drawing several cries from his companions as they near
missed trucks, cars, and other solid objects in the
street.
"Slow down you idiot!" shouted Qu'tok.
"Can't," replied Alid.
"What! Why not. We've lost those bumbling M.I.B.
agents,"
"Then who's that following us on those two-wheeled
vehicles?"
Qu'tok looked back, growling as he spotted the two
motorcycles racing after them. He rolled his eyes back
in disbelief.
"How do I get in situations like this?" he cried
to the heavens.
"Could be our great luck," said Koo. A sharp slap
to the face silenced him.
Alid turned the rover out onto Ome-Kaido street
hoping to find an open highway and a chance to ditch
their unwanted tail. Instead he found the street
congested with traffic and barely was he able to bring
them to a jolting halt next to a large commuter bus.
"Idea's?" he said to Qu'tok.
Sirens could be heard above the dim, no doubt the
city police responding to all the trouble they had
caused. "Out!" he cried kicking the door open. Like
rats fleeing a sinking ship, the three abandoned their
vehicle running through the traffic. First on the
scene was Ranma and Ukyo, screeching to a stop behind
the now empty rover. Ukyo called his name and pointed
to a figure just reaching the other side of the street.
"This ought to be easy!" said Ranma. He gunned
the engine and guided the motorcycle through the narrow
gaps of the cars in an attempt to catch up with the
fleeing pirates. Suddenly, Alid appeared over the side
of the embankment leveling his weapon at them. Ranma
cried out juking the motorcycle over and they slammed
up against the center divider.
With a groan, Ranma pushed the bike off his leg
and sat up against the concrete. "Ukyo?" he said
looking over to her slowly moving form next to him.
She doffed her helmet and was about to answer when
several bolts chipped up the top of the divider.
Debris flew everywhere driving the two closer to the
street, then a car was hit bursting into flames.
[Hey, Hey, Jay these guys are shooting at us!]
Ranma reported over their circuit.
Jay did not need to see what was happening. He
and Tatewaki could hear the shots and resulting
explosions from their position a few blocks down.
[Hang tight, Satman. We're coming help you guys.]
[Ta'hell with that, we're gonna shoot back!]
[Negative!] called T's voice. [Not while there
are witnesses around.]
More of the concrete shattered around them, people
fleeing their cars to escape the potential death trap.
[I don't think it's going to matter much now, T!]
replied Ranma.
All this time, Jay had been working his way closer
to the fight. He could see none of the cars were
moving now, and mayhem had broken out all across the
street. Spotting a narrow flatbed truck, an idea
popped into his head.
"Hang tight, Tate," he said giving the engine
power.
"What are you going to do?" asked Tatewaki.
"Jump this divider and get around all this
blockage."
"What!" shouted Tatewaki.
His words turned into a long cry as Jay opened the
throttle up as far as he could. M.I.B. technology took
over then, the onboard computer converting the wheels
over into two hoverpads. They shot through the air,
the thrust and added lift from the surface of the
flatbed pushing them over the embankment and onto the
far sidewalk.
Alid had no time to turn his fire on the
approaching hovercycle. He quickly abandoned his
position and scuttled off down the street behind him.
Ukyo leaped over the embankment followed by Ranma in
hot pursuit of their quarry.
Jay brought the hovercycle to a stop. "Watch the
bikes," he told Tatewaki as he dismounted running after
the two.
People cried out as Alid forced his way past not
caring who he hit in his flight. He reached the alley
of two buildings and ran around the corner. Ukyo
reached the edge, but stopped extending a hand to halt
Ranma in his tracks. Jay caught up soon after that.
"Smart move, girl," he said noting the narrow
confines of the alley.
Carefully, she peeked around read for any sudden
strike. Several garbage dumpsters made seeing the
whole length difficult. A perfect place for an ambush,
she inched back.
"Risky," she said to Jay.
"Hey, you know what they say in America," he
replied.
"No, I don't."
"Gotta take a few risk to get ahead."
"Yeah, but it's my head I want to keep on my
shoulders," said Ranma.
Jay moved up to the edge. He quickly darted
around drawing at the same time. Nothing was there to
greet him and he waved Ukyo and Ranma to follow him.
The nearest dumpster provided some cover as Jay made
his way slowly along. Pressing up against it, he
readied himself drawing his blaster up close to his
chest. A quick peek brought no response, then he
motioned Ranma to go ahead.
That wasn't exactly what Ranma wanted to do, but
stepped out pressing up against the wall. He could see
Ukyo kneeling poised ready to cover him if any trouble
started. That was a slight relief and Ranma inched
along. Clearing the dumpster, Ranma started for the
second one when a figure darted out. He took no
chances and dived rolling across the ground.
Shots rang out, burst of energy scorching the side
of the building. Ukyo and Jay quickly returned fire
and the pirated darted back behind the second dumpster
again. It caught the hail of blaster fire Jay and Ukyo
unleashed, quickly potmarked with holes as the burst
cut through its thin sides.
Ranma saw the pirate stagger back. "Freeze!" he
called training his pistol at him. Alid grimaced
pressing up against the building.
"Guy's you can stop shooting, I got him . . .
huh?"
In total shock, Ranma could only stare at Alid as
he started climbing straight up the side of the
building. In seconds the pirate was at the top, Ukyo
and Jay not believing their eyes.
Alid turned giving them a quick wink then
disappeared from view.
"What are we up against?" said Ukyo breaking the
silence.
"I don't know, but it ain't good whatever it is,"
replied Jay.
"Well let's get after it," said Ranma shooting to
his feet.
Jay shook his head. "No, he's long gone by now,
and there's no way we could track him anyway without
the bikes."
That left a bitter feeling in them, but Jay was
right. He thought then started laughing lightly to
himself.
"What's so funny?" asked Ranma.
"He was a decoy," answered Jay. His laughs grew
louder. "We followed him, and I'll bet his two cronies
hot footed it the other way."
"Damn," Ukyo grumbled angrily. "Bunch of suckers
we were."
"Yep. Krin's folks win this round, but we'll run
into them again you can bet on that."
* * * * *
Returning back to the street, traffic was still a
tangled mess and looked to remain so for several hours.
Helicopters were busy taking pictures of the scene for
the afternoon news; police cordoning off the area in an
attempt to bring some sort of order back to the
situation. Through the crowd they could see T, Mousse
and Shampoo casually going along interviewing
witnesses, sanitizing those who'd seen more than they
needed to see.
"Looks like it's clean-up time," Jay said putting
on his shades. "Get the bikes. I'm going to go help T
out."
"We're going to try and flash every one here?"
said Ukyo.
"Gott'a try," he replied. "Bad enough Zed's going
to see this on the six o'clock news. Don't know if I
want to reestablish comms with HQ now."
Ukyo shrugged, not sure who this Zed was that had
Jay so scared. She put on her shades and went to go
help.
Meanwhile, Ranma had gone to bail Tatewaki out of
the large crowd that had formed around him. A rain of
questions were bombarding the beleaguered agent,
questions he was having a hard time answering.
"Hey is this the new Mitsubishi F2000 that's
supposed to be coming out?"
"Uh, yes. We were just, uh . . . testing it of
course."
"What about all that light and those explosions?"
"Mearly . . . part of the, ah . . . introduction.
Special Effects."
"Well my deliveries are way behind because of
this, Pal!"
"Yeah, I had a doctor appointment I missed, who's
going to make up for that?"
"I, uh--,"
"You look like Yakuza! This is some gangster
trick to cover a turf war!"
"Uh--,"
Ranma stepped through the crowd. "Ladies and
Gentlemen please let's not get excited here. We are
from the City Commission for Law and Order and will
explain everything to you shortly."
"To hell with an explanation. I want to get over
to my bank before they close!" shouted an angry driver.
"And you will all be on your way in a few minutes,
but first we have to ah, . . . take pictures for our
record keeping purposes."
"We do?" said a briefly lost Tatewaki. Ranma's
sharp nudge quickly had him back online. They put on
their shades and produced Nuralizers. Several bright
flashes had the surrounding people staring absently
into space.
"Now tell them anything and get out of here,"
Ranma said, picking up the downed bike.
"Like what?" asked Tatewaki.
"I don't know. Tell them there was a gas main
that cracked, a truck has a flat, tell'em anything.
They'll believe you."
"Hmm. In that case I'll tell them of my greatness.
That will be an honor for all to receive."
"We just need a cover, not a bunch of mindless
drones."
Leaving Tatewaki to his work, Ranma rejoined T and
Jay conferring at the side of the road. They were both
upset, casting pained glances around the area.
"So do we like, disappear?" he asked them.
"Magically, no. Physically, yes," answered Jay.
"We better do it fast then. There are more
reporters and police arriving by the second, and I
don't think we have the time to flash all of Shinjuku."
T could see he was right, the rapid flashed from
police cars up the street looked like a wave of molten
lava heading towards them. This would definitely not
sit well with Zed. He signaled to Ukyo, Shampoo and
Mousse motioning that it was time to go. Ukyo made a
final flash then hurried over to Ranma waiting on the
motorcycle. They speed off and T went over to
Tatewaki.
"Jay, take the car back. I'm going to get this
part to Ringo ASAP."
"Right, man. We'll see you back at the crib."
T paused, a brief frown on his face. He shrugged
it of and pulled on the helmet in his hands. Tapping
Tatewaki on the shoulder, they cycled their way through
the gaps in the crown and were gone.
Jay went to retrieve the car and the last two of
his newbies. Shampoo and Mousse were on their way over
to join him when a swift blurred figure hopped out of
the crowd landing in front of them.
"AH-HA!" cried a very angry Cologne startling the
two.
"Great Grandma!" exclaimed Shampoo, darting behind
Mousse.
Mousse laughed nervously. "Why, ah hello there
Cologne," he said giving his collar a nervous tug.
In a flash Cologne's staff smacked both of them
neatly on the side of the head.
"Don't you `hello' me! Why have you two not
returned to your jobs. What are you doing carousing
about the center of Tokyo dressed like a harlot and
dockside thug?"
"Thug! I'll have you know Cologne that we're,
MMMRRRPPPHHH"
Shampoo placed a tight hand over the enraged
Mousse's mouth before he could tell Cologne what they
had become involved in.
"We just go for long walk, Great Grandma," she
said smiling.
"Walk! You have jobs to do back at the restaurant
and you're both abandoning them to walk? Why I'm going
to--,"
"Hey is there something going on I should know
about?" Jay said from behind Cologne. She whirled
staring up at him with a sneer.
"Who is this gajin?" she asked of her two charges.
"That Jay. A friend of ours," answered Shampoo.
Cologne looked him over, then narrowed her eyes.
"So, I see what is going on here. Yakuza trying to
make my granddaughter a call girl, and recruit my
employees."
"Look, Granny. I'm not--,"
"I will not allow it. Take that, you offshore
hood!"
The knobby head of Cologne's staff hit Jay square
in the stomach and he gasped, doubling over.
"Great grandma!" cried Shampoo.
Mousse quickly took hold of the staff before
Cologne could really do any more damage as Shampoo
rushed over to help Jay."
"You all right?"
Jay took in a few breaths. "Oh yeah, fine. Just
a little winded that's all."
He stood back up, then leveled a hard gaze on
Cologne. She and Mousse struggled with the staff,
raging at the man ignoring his attempts to explain what
was going on.
"Hey!" shouted Jay stopping them. "Now, Miss, uh-
-,"
"Great grandma," said Shampoo.
Mousse rolled his eyes. "Cologne," he told Jay.
"Cologne, if you will give me but a short minute
here, I can explain everything to you."
He put on his shades and the other two quickly
understood.
"Now if you'd just look at this red light,
everything will become clear."
Cologne squinted at the light on the Nuralizer.
"How is this thing going to--,"
FOOSH!
Shampoo lifted her shades up and looked at
Cologne. The old woman stood still as a pillar of
marble. Walking over, Shampoo waved her hands before
her eyes.
"Oyi. You stiffen Great Grandma," she said. "I
not think it possible to do."
Mousse clasped his hands together eagerly. "Oh
yes, this is my chance!" he said.
"What'cha gonna do?" asked Jay.
"Make myself a suitor, . . . and a full time
partner," he replied.
A strong stiff arm forced Mousse back; Shampoo
interposing herself between them with eyes narrowed.
"Do not even think about it," she said.
"But Shampoo! Darling! This is our chance to be
rid of that Amazon tradition and be together!"
"Feh, you not worm way into good graces that
easy."
"But Shampoo--,"
"No but. Shampoo not for silly blind-man anyway,
Ranma is."
The broad shoulders of Mousse sagged, Jay feeling
sorry for him. He could not help but notice for a
woman who held no concern, it seemed odd that she would
select the same type of glasses as Mousse did as well
as fashion of clothing.
"Look we need to stop playing around," he said.
"I'll take care of your granny, you two head on back to
the car."
"Yeah, alright," said Mousse dejected for the
moment.
"You not make Great Grandma forget to much, Jay,"
said Shampoo.
"No sweat."
He paused, then started chuckling at the two.
"What so funny?" asked Shampoo.
"You two look like two fugitives from `Tommy'," he
said.
"'Tommy'? What that?"
Jay waved her along. "Go on, girl. I'll be with
you guys in a moment."
The couple departed, Jay kneeling next to the
mesmerized Cologne. "So, Granny. What are we going to
do for you?."
* * * * *
Anxious eyes watch and waited while Ringo worked
duefully behind the main console. His tentacles
reached over the top pulling tools and probes from the
kit, then he finally stood up.
[Gquish Ckoo], he said to T.
"Well this is it," T said.
"Maybe we should just hold off for a few days,"
suggested Jay. "You know, wait until he's done flaming
the top off of M.I.B. Headquarters."
"We can't wait, Jay," said Elle. "We need all the
help we can get to track down Krin."
"Is this Zed person really that bad?" Kasumi asked
Elle seated beside her.
"You ever heard of `Raging Winds'?"
"Yes."
"He's ten times worse."
Kasumi placed a fearful hand to her chest. "Oh,"
she muttered.
Ringo powered up the console and Elle tapped in
the codes to reconnect M.I.B. Tokyo with their parent
command. Above, the main monitor rezzed then a picture
started to fade in. Elle donned a headset and made
voice connection.
[This is M.I.B. Tokyo calling M.I.B. Headquarters,
come in please.]
The picture on the monitor focused and there
seated behind his desk was Zed. The dark expression on
his face told the three primary agents that they were
in for some rough words. Their intimidation was also
felt by the rest of the gang behind them. Even Ranma,
never the one to be cowed easily, felt the sudden urge
to find a nice heavy rock to hide under.
Zed stared at them for a long moment. [Well it is
about time,] he said. The words chaffed their ears.
"Uh, hello . . . Zed?" answered Elle.
[Hello is not the words I am expecting from you.]
"Ooo, are we in for a good skinning," said Jay.
[Not even a Thrawn's face close, Jay,] snarled
Zed. He leaned towards the monitor. [What in the
Spiral Arms of Dega are you three Agents doing!]
Everyone jumped slightly as Zed's furious words
echoed through the control room.
"Ouch, I could feel the heat cut through my body,"
muttered Ryoga.
Zed's eyes cut over to the new agents. His eyes
grew wide. [And who are those people standing behind
you?!]
"This man Chi is powerful," declared Konatsu
staggering a few steps back.
"Well he needs to stop, he's hurting me," said
Akane hugging Ranma's arm tighter.
Zed glared at them, then looked at T. [Well?]
"Uh, yes Zed, we've seem to have a lot of
explaining to do."
[T, I expected better from you, but now I'm
looking at World News Tonight and what do I see?
People rioting in Central Tokyo. New faction of Yakuza
creating mass mayhem for Tokyo Police."
"You see, T. This Yakuza stuff has got to end,
man!" said Jay.
"Not now, Jay."
Zed continued. [Do you know what the worst part
of all this is, people?]
Nobody could answer him.
[I'll show you what the worst part is.]
The screen shifted over to the local new network.
<And here is exclusive footage of the mysterious
`Cameramen' taking pictures of the crowd during Tokyo's
sudden gridlock and--,>
No one was listening to the reporter, their eyes
staring in shock as Jay's image appeared on the screen.
Several other pictures of Ranma, Ukyo and Tatewaki were
shown, then the screen returned to Zed.
[So what do you have to say for yourselves?] he
said.
Elle looked back at Jay. "They got your bad side,
Jay," she said.
"Yeah I know. I'm going to have to go down there
and school them on profile shots."
[Agents!]
"Zed, I can explain," said T. He shot Jay and
Elle a brief glare then quickly updated Zed on their
current status. When he finished, Zed sat quietly
thinking over the information.
[And you think it was wise to allow your
`outsiders' in?] he asked T.
"It was for the best of everyone's interest."
Zed thought some more, then stood up coming around
his desk. [A moment alone,] he said. The others got
the hint and moved away out of earshot. Elle switched
the display to one on the console and the Agents
gathered around.
[T, this is probably the biggest leak M.I.B. has
ever had,] said Zed. [I am not comfortable with your
decision one bit.]
"Zed, what else could we do. Leave those kids to
Krin's mercy,] replied Jay.
"Instead of hearing about a traffic jam, you might
have been hearing a story about a mass massacre in
Nerima," Elle pointed out.
[I said I was not comfortable, people. I did not
say what you did was not without merit. T, Jay, Elle,
this Krin problem has to be shutdown quickly and
quietly. Is that understood?]
"Yes, Zed."
Zed regarded them, wondering if there were to be
anymore surprises to endure in the now not so promising
future. This was going to take careful work covering
up their tracks, but the most important thing to do was
get Krin before he strikes again. The picture was
returned to the main screen and Jay called the gang
back over.
[So, Miss Tendo. You seem to be a hot item for
Krin,] Zed said to Akane.
She peered out from behind Ranma. "I really wish
I knew why," she answered him.
"So what about the information we passed to you?"
Elle asked.
[Oh. Good point, Elle. We ran a scan and it
turns out your polymorph lifeform fits the profiles of
the Mocabians out in Zignus Gamma Xion.]
"That's just around the corner and down the street
for you folks not in the know," joked Jay to the
others.
"Yeah right, ha, ha, funny," snapped Ranma.
Zed cleared his throat ending any further chatter.
[We contacted the Mocabian Emirate, and they have
expressed great concern over your report.]
"So Krin was after something of importance to
their Government," said Elle.
[Not just their government, but their Royal
Household. You see, The current ruler is about to be
replaced by his heir who was being raised on one of
their planets in another quadrant. The barge carrying
him to their homeworld has not reported in as
scheduled.]
"So we put two and two together and come up with
Krin," said Tsubasa.
[It all fits. The Mocabians are sending a
battlegroup to our galaxy to search for their Regent.]
"Uh oh," Elle suddenly said.
[Problems, Elle?]
"There might be. It looks like Krin captured the
polymorph yesterday. That's why we're not sure why
he's so interested in Akane."
[Captured? I find that hard to believe.]
"Why?" asked T.
[Because the Regent had gone into hibernation
pending merger with his elder host. The Guardian
transporting him should--,]
Zed stopped, noting the astonishment that had
appeared on the faces of the agents in M.I.B. Tokyo.
[Did I say something wrong?] he asked.
"Not wrong, Zed," answered Elle.
"You did say `Guardian'?" asked Jay.
[Yes.]
"That's what I thought you said."
Slowly, everyone turned towards Ranma. He
smirked, glancing around.
"Hey, hey, don't look at me. I wasn't there that
night!"
His own words made him paused, then he noticed
another fact. Akane was not latched on to his arm
anymore.
He turned around to find her sitting dolefully in
a chair, peering sheepishly at the floor. The silence
was to much and Akane looked up.
"I . . . think I want to go home now!" she said
darting for the exit.
"FREEZE!" shouted Kasumi, bringing her to a
screeching halt.
T faced the screen again. "Zed, we're going to
have to sign off for a short while and check out a
hunch."
[Let me know what you come up with,] replied Zed.
The screen went blank.
A strange agitation could be seen in Akane as the
agents moved around her. Elle smiled placing a
friendly arm around her shoulders.
"I, I didn't do anything," Akane said.
"Of course not, Akane," replied Elle. "But let's
go down to sickbay. I'd like to check out that
`heartburn' of yours."
* * * * *
Up in one of the corners of the control room, a
small black insect like object monitored the happenings
below. It relayed it's findings to its kin stationed
strategically about, every word being transmitted back
to its master. It did not care what was being said.
Its one blind ambition, one driving factor the last
orders given.
Watch and report. Nothing less, nothing more.
The beings below started heading out of the room.
With a quick burst of energy, the Listener passed the
alarm on along their private network, then glided down
to follow.
* * * * *
There were no words to describe what everyone in
sickbay was thinking right about now. In the center of
the room, Akane Tendo lay sandwiched between two glass-
like screens of an examination table. Her insides were
virtually exposed for all to see, but what they found
was definitely not part of her current anatomy.
"What-is-that?" said Ukyo.
The area around Akane's chest and sternum were
blurred out by a bright oval shaped object. A smaller
oval set at the top, and a multitude of appendages
extended out like roots through her body. Elle arched
a brow while zooming the view in closer.
"I would say that is the Regent," she said.
"It looks like a giant Ginseng Root," commented
Konatsu.
"Whatever it is, we've got to get it out of her,"
said Tatewaki.
"No," Elle replied shaking her head.
"Why not, Elle," said Jay. "We can protect it
better now that we know where it is."
"That's not why I'm objecting." She pointed to
one of the stalks. "These appendages are like a second
nervous system. Akane and the Regent have somehow been
grafted together."
"Meaning?" asked Nabiki.
"They are sharing the same consciousness.
Extracting the Regent without knowing how, or what kind
of after effects it will have on them could be fatal."
"So they must stay together?" said Kasumi.
"For right now, yes."
Ranma moved up next to the table and stared at the
display. He looked down on Akane's face and their eyes
met. She smiled, Ranma leaning close.
"Why didn't you tell us?" he asked.
Akane's brows twitched, then her expression
wavered. "I was scared," replied the strange tremolo
voice.
Elle move up to the other side. "You've nothing
to fear from us. We're here to protect you."
"But what about the pirates? Krin?"
"Krin ain't doing nothing without having to go
through us first," declared Jay.
"Yeah, I'd like to see him show up again," added
Ryoga. "I owe him a good thrashing."
The Regent/Akane looked around at the people
around her. "Thank you," they said.
"No prob. You in good hands with M.I.B.," said
Jay.
"This does make protecting the Regent easier," T
said. "Krin is still in the dark as to where he is,
and that gives us an advantage."
"How's that?" asked Nabiki.
T rubbed his chin, thinking hard. "Krin will
probably try to attack us again here. Let's oblige
him."
"You want him to attack us?" asked Ranma.
"Yes."
That did not sit well even with Jay, Elle, and
Ringo.
"Yo, T. I'm not one to objet to most sensible
things, but Krin and his boys pack a lot of firepower.
In our current shape he's got a good chance of pulling
an attack off even if we are ready for him."
"I don't think this building or the surrounding
ones are ready for the mini disaster you're proposing,"
said Elle.
[Drrytki Hambaba,] Ringo said.
T held up his hands to settle them down. "Krin is
after Akane right?" Everyone nodded. "Well he cannot
get to Akane if Akane is not here."
The agents thought about it for a moment, then it
became cleared what T was about to do.
"So where do we keep Akane while this is all going
down?" asked Kasumi.
T smiled. He slowly walked over to Ranma and
placed friendly hands on his shoulders. "That I'll
leave up to our Guardian here."
"Me?"
"You are her Guardian if I remember the term
correctly."
Ranma was quiet. He was not sure he could protect
Akane from Krin, and if the pirates managed to discover
their whereabouts it would be certain that Akane would
not escape.
"I guess I could--,"
T stopped him. "I don't want to know," he said.
"If we do fail to capture Krin, I don't want anyone
here to know where you are. It would be better that
way."
Ranma agreed. "What about our watches?"
Elle reached down and hit a button on Ranma's
watch. "It's off now. Any trouble, you turn it back
on and we'll come running."
"Right, but I'm going to take Konatsu along just
in case."
"I go with Ranma!" exclaimed Shampoo.
"No, I will!" shouted Ukyo.
Ranma stopped them. "It's better if Konatsu and I
go alone, girls. Besides, There's going to be a need
for everyone here when Krin does show."
The issue was settled, although Shampoo and Ukyo
did not like Ranma running off with Akane. "When do we
leave?" asked Konatsu.
"As soon as Elle gets Akane off the table,"
replied T.
"Good," said Akane, now in her normal voice. "I
need some water anyway."
"This is perfect," said Jay. "We got Akane safe
and sound, and Krin is about to get the ass kicking of
his life."
"Let's just hope he shows soon," said Elle.
"I believe he will show up," T said. "This is the
only place he can go."
Elle unstrapped Akane from the table. She
immediately retook her familiar spot on Ranma's arm,
hugging it tight. He smiled, patting her hand
affectionately. That made both her and the Regent feel
secure.
"Come on Konatsu. Let's get going," he said.
"Hey, guys," called Jay as they headed for the
exit. "Look man, be careful. Find a place to hide and
stay there."
"How will we know when its safe to return?" asked
Ranma.
"Watch the news," replied T. He pointed up
towards the ceiling, Konatsu and Ranma quickly
understanding.
"Gatch'a boss," said Ranma. "And don't worry
gang, Krin won't even get a glimpse of Akane's face.
Just lay a few hammers on him for us, okay."
"He's dog meat," said Mousse.
The trio waved good-bye and left the room.
* * * * *
Krin was pleased.
Seated in his chair, the pirate leader sat humored
by the comments being relayed by Qu'tok's Listeners.
Around him, most of his crew sat waiting to hear what
Krin had planned.
He smiled, the covering of skin stretching back
into an insidious mask of pointed teeth.
"I've never seen you like this before, Krin," said
Morea.
"This is excellent," he replied. "Qu'tok, your
units have proven to be quite useful."
"I hate to admit this, but I could not have done
it without Koo's stupid foray."
Krin laughed. Glancing back, he stared at his
hapless crewman lying prostrate inside a large round
holding area. The atmosphere had been turned up
several levels, pressing down on Koo with just enough
force to make him uncomfortable without doing any real
damage.
Teq clicked his tongue. "Krin, can we let him out
now? I think he's had enough."
"No," snarled Krin turning back around. Looking
up at the main screen, he watched a blue dot moving
through the overhead layout of Tokyo. One of Qu'tok's
Listeners had attached itself to Ranma and was quietly
marking their position.
"Look at them," said Krin. "As I said before,
overconfident in the face of superior forces. Such
fools."
"So what do we do now?" asked Binimi.
"Qu'tok, how far along is Alid in replacing the
filaments?"
"He's reconnecting them now, however; we still
have to run a current through them to check for
conductivity levels."
"And how long will that take?"
"Seven, maybe eight bises tops."
"Cut it short. We will need full power to extract
the Regent from Akane Tendo."
"That will kill her, Krin."
Krin looked over, an evil leer set in his eyes.
"So?" he replied.
Qu'tok shrugged. "Okay, but if the circuits fail
don't blame us."
Thinking, Krin stared up at the screen once more.
"Qu'tok, you stay here with Alid and Koo. Finish what
repairs are needed, then prep the ship for departure.
The rest of us will go and retrieve Tendo and her
escorts."
"Why do we need the other two?" asked Morea.
"Got to have something to snack on while enroute
to the Planetarium. Tendo is to small even for you."
He let out a low laugh that slowly built in volume
as the rest of the pirates joined in.
