Mirrors Multiplied

Part Eight

Ranko the Terrible

by Jared Ornstead

=====

A Huge Sack of Disclaimers:

(Author bounding along madly in glee) What A Haul! What A Haul!

All Oh! My Goddess (Ah! My Goddess, Aa! Megami-sama, whatever)
characters owned by Kosuke Fujishima.  I'm poor, don't sue me.

The characters portrayed within are not mine, but the property of Akira
Toriyama and a whole lot of other people who are not me, but who have a
lot more money than me, so please don't sue me!

Ranma 1/2 and characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. And all that other
good stuff. Proper licenses belong to respective properties and
characters.

All copyright notices apply.

The Characters from Tenchi Muyo, were created by Hitoshi Okuda, may his
wrist never go limp.

The original Patlabor series was created by Masami Yuuki. This is a
tribute to it, and thus is not intended to step on his toes or the toes
of anyone else involved in its production. :)

Bubble Gum Crisis is copyrighted Artmic Inc. and Youmex, Inc. I am just
borrowing the characters for a little while, and promise not to bend,
fold, or staple them - unless I can come up with a good reason to do so.
I can be contacted at the Email address above. C&C will be accepted, out
and out flames will result in a Boomer or two being sent after you.

Medication is available for those who think that characters from all
these disclaimers will actually appear.

=====

What has gone before:
    Go find out. There are archives of all previous parts at
http://www.tass.org/fanfic in what I hope will soon be their own folder,
seeing as how I've got a good half dozen parts to this coming. I've been
trying to put it down but the dang thing's just got too much life in it
yet.
    It keeps getting the better of me.

    If you're just stumbling new upon this, please read the previous
chapters to understand anything in this one. There's really too much to
summarize. If tass is down or unavailable then my friend Albert has
parts one and two stored on his page at http://www.albertliu.clara.net/
At least read them.
    And I *promise* to have my own web page soon (tries to hide crossed
fingers behind back).

=====

Random Universe 2

    Ranma and Ukyo, both in blue, danced together along the fence tops.
They did the opening suite to Carmen over high tension wires across the
business district, managed almost half the songs from Rogers and
Hammerstein while bouncing and leaping over traffic on it's way to work,
doing the more powerful love songs from the tops of moving buses...
    Ranma was dampening the noise of traffic and secretly amplifying
their own voices, coming across with sound stage quality as they danced
and twirled their love songs across the city.
    Ukyo and he ended up doing a full song over a bustling train station
packed with commuters. Lines stopped moving and film crews set up as
Ranma's ability brought a particularly powerful and lovely song their
way.
    The couple began dancing hip-to-hip on a two-story high railing
barely an inch wide as they sang. Their world contracting to just each
other.
**

"When the cherry blossom starts to bloom
meet me here, in my lonely room.

We'll find a passion-filled fantasy,
and this time you will stay with me.

All the misery we knew before
Stays away, when you are at my door.

My heart will sing out every time you touch.
And Oh! You'll love me twice as much!

(the pair of them leaped to, from, and across moving trains in giddy
love)

A new dimension of love!
A bold adventure waiting for you!
The true dimension of love!
A soaring flight, a dazzling view!

We're going to take it all the way.
We'll make the dream so totally real!
See greater wonders by the day.
Then tell the stars what glorious rapture we feel!

(They came to rest on reed-thin communications poles, bounding to and
fro in a gentle ballet, trading caresses and brief kisses in the air)

Soon, with the star of spring
we'll know our hearts are changing!
Leave the hurt behind
I'll be true and kind
Be the best thing you'll ever find!

(Ranma and Ukyo began to dance through unfinished girders, darting about
like the laws of time and effect had been suspended for just that
moment, as the sun dawned behind them)

We will never have to sigh or cry!
Something told me when I met your eye
You know that I won't be a butterfly.
I can't forget you, though I try!

(a news helicopter nearly drowned out their words. Ranma responded with
a micro-thin chi blast and soon the noise was gone, the pilot trying to
land the now-defunct chopper)

This is destiny, so why pretend?
Close your eyes and love me once again.
I'll always be the only one you'll need!
So go where your deepest longing leads!"

**
    The duet finished out both verses, then vanished over a line of high
rises to serenade each other over a lake.

    Nabiki hung up the phone and returned to the family table where the
TV anchor was still reporting on the strange couple who had disrupted
nearly a third of the early morning commuters with a Tokyo-wide song and
dance number.
    "That was the third major recording company to want to get ahold of
you two." Nabiki dryly informed their inter-dimensional guests.
    Ranma looked uncomfortably at the blue-shirted Ranko who sat at his
side. She put a trickle of cream into her bowl, slushing it with the
sweet mash inside.
    "You don't have to look so uncomfortable, Ranma. I'm only passing
through. I'm here to keep a promise, and I'll be gone before you know
it."
    Ranma flinched at the mild rebuke. The TV was now showing a clip of
this other Ranma and the matching Ucchan dancing across a moving
monorail. The phone rang again and he shook his head. He had no idea how
to relate to this person who seemed to know his every thought before he
said it. Kasumi'd offered her hot water and she'd  TURNED IT DOWN!
    "Simple," Ranko explained, reading his thoughts. "Your mother is
sure to come here this morning, and after all that's happened it would
hurt her terribly not to see the actual you. And you wouldn't want her
to see *two* of you. There's enough explaining to do already."
    Nabiki returned to the table. "Add another film studio to the list.
Has anyone ever heard of MGM? They were offering a four movie contract,
if you're interested."
    Ranma was pondering the justice of what Ranko had said. But it was
just too weird sitting here next to himself. Not that it helped the way
she got along with both Ucchan's.
    Besides, this other him seemed so *comfortable* as a girl.
    "I've spent more time as a female than all three Tendo girls have,
combined. You kind of get used to it after a while. Kasumi, is your
mother up yet?"
    The eldest Tendo girl was sitting at the table with the rest of the
group, flipping the pages of a catalog. She looked up and beamed. "Why
yes, Ranko. She's in the kitchen. Would you like to talk with her?"
    Ranko shook her head, smiling. "I wouldn't want to interrupt your
father. Has he stopped weeping yet?"
    Kasumi shook her head, and laughed. She had a bright laugh that was
really quite charming. "No, mother says he'll still going to be at it
for a week yet. He was crying as they made love last night."
    Nabiki and Akane reacted as if stung at this statement. "Do you have
to *talk* about it, Kasumi?" Nabiki asked, uncomfortable at the concept.

    "I won't say anything if it bothers you, Nabiki." Kasumi went back
to her book.
    The phone rang again, Nabiki went and took it off the hook.
    Two Ukyos sat opposite each other, both a little unsure of how they
should act. The native one had dressed in a skirt and done her hair up
to impress her Ranma, with the typical lack of results. Ukyo B had opted
to go for the other side, dressing male to avoid the confusion of people
mixing them up.
    Ranko squeezed Ukyo-kun's hand. They smiled at each other. A dance
routine could almost be seen forming in the air between their eyes.
    Nodoka entered and went straight to her son. Genma had made
explanations to her last night, and they served for little. Still, she
was dignified and determined and she swept her offspring up in a hug.
    "You are coming home to live with us." Nodoka commanded, brooking no
argument.
    Ranma could only nod. In the background Ukyo-kun leaned over and
killed the Television, which had been showing her and Blue Ranma's
rendition of Poor Wandering One while swinging from Tokyo Tower.
    There were many tearful reunions and things said that brought mother
and son closer. When she was finally satisfied Nodoka knelt in place
with Genma at the elongated table.
    Nodoka wiped her eyes. "Well, now there is only the engagement to
clear up." She leveled a firm but motherly gaze at Akane. "Akane, I
object to your killing my son. I know that you are very sorry, but that
doesn't change what you did. Were it not for a wandering sorcerer
happening by Ranma would be permanently lost to us. On those grounds I
feel that I must disallow your engagement."
    Akane nodded helplessly, unable to deny the justice of it, but very
unhappy with the decision anyway.
    Nodoka could see that she would be obeyed, however reluctantly. She
nodded. "Good. Well, that still leaves three Tendo daughters who could
fulfill the pact."
    Everyone looked up at her.
    "Three?" They asked with one voice.
    Nodoka nodded brightly. "I know that you've tried to conceal it. But
it is plain that Ranko is more than a cousin to any of you. Am I right?"

    Those assembled looked to Ranko. She blushed, ducking her head.
Nodoka needed no more answer than that. She'd suspected for some time
that Ranko Tendo was Soun's, even if she wasn't born on the proper side
of the sheets (a euphemism meaning illegitimate). And that could be
forgiven her. After all, Ranko was such a wonderful girl, truly a sweet
child.
    Nodoka gave a nod. "Then it's decided. Ranko shall marry Ranma."
    Akane and her sisters jerked as if a needle had just stabbed their
behinds. Both Ukyos looked stunned. Genma just froze.
    Ranko blushed and giggled. "Auntie Saotome, I already have someone
that I care about."
    Nodoka blinked.
    "But I thought you loved my son?"
    Blue Ranko suddenly realized that she was *done* doing good deeds
for the time being. If she didn't do something to stir up a little
trouble she was going to go crazy. It was all so dull and *predictable!*
She flung herself onto Ranma. "Oh, Yes! I love him! Ranma is the most
wonderful half-brother a girl could have!"
    The teacup shattered in Nodoka's hands. Her eyes were wild.
    Genma had pounced on Blue Ranko and was holding her mouth shut by
dint of hysterical strength. Nodoka gave him a hard glance and he nearly
fled out the window. Ranko caught him by the tail of his gi. She
glittered at Nodoka.
    "Yes, I'm afraid you know the shameful truth. Genma is my father.
I'm the same age as your son. Father kept leaving us to go on these
`training missions' until my mother finally discovered that he was
married to other women. We didn't know what to do. But dear uncle Tendo
was kind enough to take me in. And my mother found a good marriage after
her annulment. I was even at Father's last wedding, five years ago." She
frowned thoughtfully. "At least I think it was his last."
    Ukyo-kun was blinking in honest confusion. "He's *your* dad? He said
he was *my* father."
    Genma was clawing apart walls in his haste to escape. Ranko relented
and let him go. Nodoka tore after him, her katana ablaze with righteous
energy.
    As the trail of destructive fury faded from view Ranma turned a
sweaty gaze on his blue-shirted double. "How did you know about that?
He'd kept it a secret from *me* until two years ago. Actually, you are
me. Aren't you?"
    Ranko sipped her cup. "Hadn't a clue. I just made it up. Luckily, it
turned out to be true or Genma would've lost a whole lot of blood for
nothing."
    The family was gazing on Ranko with horror.
    "She'll kill him." Nabiki concluded. This was not an exaggeration,
it was close to fact.
    "Serves him right." Kasumi concluded to everyone's surprise. "He's
done worse things and gotten away with them. He needs to be on the
receiving end for once or he'll never learn that he shouldn't do them
anymore."
    Ranma just sat stunned.

    Later that day Nodoka returned. There was blood on her katana.
    Nobody asked.
    She asked to speak alone with Ranko (Ukyo-kun had wisely departed).
    Ranko was nothing if not good on her feet, and she'd had a whole day
to prepare for this. The conversation started on a brittle, almost
hostile note. Nodoka was a woman betrayed and the evidence of her
husband's unfaithfulness was sitting right before her. But it wasn't
long before full forgiveness was reached. Blue Ranko was *good*,
especially at dealing with her own mother.
    Nodoka had even been prompted to admit that she'd thought of Ranko
as a daughter for a long time, which had prompted the fiance choice.
Ranko `confessed' that her own mother was dead, and that she'd also come
to love Mrs. Saotome as her own.
    Nodoka hotly insisted that Ranko *never* use that name again. That
her family name was Masaki, and she had every intention of reverting to
it and pretending that Genma had never happened.
    Nevertheless she would be very happy to adopt poor Ranko as her own,
legitimate daughter.
    After that things became almost cordial. Mr. Panda returned later
that day with a deep chest wound. Ranko, without consulting the others,
took him to the vet and thence to the zoo, where she enrolled him in
their captive breeding program in return for care and a place to keep
him.
    She'd fix it later but she wanted the old man to sweat while
recovering from his injuries.

    Ukyo-kun came by again that evening, and confessed (after some
judicious prompting) that Genma had merely *claimed* to be her father.
And that he'd been trying to get some food at the time.
    Nodoka sweetened, lowering her hands and the cup she'd been holding.
"Oh. That *is* good news. I'd been afraid... Well, let's just say I've
had enough of Genma for one life. I didn't want to learn more of what
he'd done."
    Blue Ranko glomped her Ucchan. "I'm *so* glad, Ucchan!"
    The movement wasn't lost on Nodoka. "Daughter, you mentioned there
being someone else. Could it be Ukyo-kun you're in love with?"
    Ranma choked on his tea.
    Ranko glittered and beamed to her new mother. "Well..."
    The two of them burst into song. Ranko tried to serenade her Ukyo,
but the sometimes iczelion was not to get caught off guard so easily. It
became a duet and they danced together in the pale moonlight, out on the
porch and over the yard of the Tendo lawn.
    They danced together slowly even after the music had wound to a
close. Then Ukyo-kun slid to her knees before Ranko.
    "Ranko, I've loved you for a long time." The two universe travelers
shared a private smile in front of the gaping relatives. Ranko allowed
her `boyfriend' to take both her hands in her own. Their eyes met in a
romantic world of haze. "And so," Ukyo asked. "I'd like to ask. Would
you please marry me?"
    Ranko bobbed her head in fervent agreement, flinging herself into
Ukyo's arms. Ukyo-kun began stroking Ranko's hair as they held each
other.
    The chopsticks fell nervelessly from Ranma's grasp.
    Nodoka was smiling for the young couple. "Well," tears of
appreciation for the moment spotted her eyes. "Ranko has found someone.
Now we'll just have to choose a girl to be a fiance for Ranma."

    "Did you have to make such a scene?" Ranma asked Blue Ranko as they
ran to school together.
    Ranko was not just running but skipping along the fence. "I don't
know about you, but my plans don't include marrying myself."
    Ranma grimaced. She had a point, but still. "Yeah, but what about
that proposal stuff? *I'm* gunna be the one who has to deal with it."
    Ranko shrugged, using her book bag to block a pail of water thrown
at Ranma. "You'll do alright. After all, you were engaged to Ucchan
anyway."
    "Yeah, but not as a *girl!*"
    "Don't worry about it. It stops your mother from trying to set you
up with guys. Which would you rather? Sheesh, you get so uptight about
little things. Haven't you ever stopped to have fun once in a while?
Don't you play music or anything?"
    Ranma grunted. "No."
    Ranko beamed at him. "And haven't you ever caused just a *little*
trouble? Being on the receiving end of it is fine, but every so often
it's so fun to *cause*."
    Ranma scowled, the pair of them leaping over passing traffic to the
fences on the other side. "I got enough to worry about."
    Ranko shrugged, hurdling a post. "Maybe, but you don't do it very
well."
    Ranma skidded to a halt, leaping down off the fence. "And what is
*that* supposed to mean?"
    Ranko jumped down opposite him, hands on her delicate hips. "Just
what I said. You're content to let your father ruin your life, doing
what he says and never making a decision of your own. Do you think that
will *solve* problems?"
    Ranma got angry, thumbing his own chest. "Look, I gotta lot a crap
to deal with..."
    "I know." Ranko agreed, vaulting back on top of her fence. "But take
a look at your father's life and ask yourself if you want one just like
it. You have people who love you, who genuinely care for you, and now
you have a fifty-fifty chance of being married to Nabiki."
    Ranma shuddered.
    They continued on toward school.
    They were almost to the gates when Ranma spoke again. "Yeah, look. I
hate to intrude or nuthin, but I think I'm gunna ask my mom to engage me
to you anyway."
    Blue Ranko screeched to a halt. "WHAT????"
    "Look, you know alot of stuff." Ranma hedged. "And we'll both know
it's not serious or nuthin. I just want to keep you around for an extra
couple of weeks. Maybe you could even help me figure out the fiances."
    Ranko was torn.
    "Besides," Ranma added. "You're kinda cute."
    Ranko's eyes flew wide. She shook her head. "This can't be
happening. C'mon, we're late for school. You haven't thought this
through at all, have you? We're blood related, *and* I already have
someone mom approves of. Besides Ranma, you don't want the kind of
trouble I can cause. You're spoiled by having girls who *like* you. You
don't even know how painful and manipulative a woman can be."
    Ranma tossed his head. "Can't be nuthin I haven't dealt with
before."
    Ranko spared him a glance out of the corner of her eye. "Lesson
number One, Ranma-kun. Do not open your mouth unless you like the taste
of feet. Obtain some verbal skills before you get yourself killed
again."
    Ranma was unimpressed. "There ain't nuthin a word can do that I
can't handle. I'm not like Akane, going to cry every time someone says
something mean to me."
    Ranko smirked. "You asked for that one, Ranma. I will *not* become
engaged to you. But I will beat you to a bloody pulp using only a few
words. Maybe then you'll learn some."
    She sprinted past him into the school, skidding to a halt as a bunch
of biker gang members roared in around her and pulled up just inside the
entrance. One of them dismounted, pulling a bokken out of a saddle
holster.
    Kuno pulled off his biker helmet, tossing it to a subordinate
dressed, like him, exclusively in black leather and chains. Kuno's hair
was well oiled and slicked back into a racer cut. Silver sword earrings
dangled from each each ear.
    "Wassup?"
    Ranko cringed, her plans of mixing trouble for Ranma abandoned. She
tried to still the horrible creeping feeling. No poetry, no flowers.
What kind of Kuno *was* this?
    She ran shrieking off into class.

    Ranko leaned against the closed classroom door, breathing hard to
still her panic. The native Ukyo came up to her wearing a leather jacket
burned with crossed spatulas on the back.
    She tilted the cap back on her head. "Say, you're pretty shook up.
Care to tell me what happened?"
    Ranko looked bug-eyed at her. Then screamed. "Why is everyone
wearing BIKER gear?"
    Ranma wandered in.
    "Well, everyone except *him*." Ranko corrected.
    Nabiki came wandering by, idly slapping a short length of chain
against her leather boot. "Oh, we started to do this early in the school
year. At first it wasn't very popular, then the new principal showed
up."
    "New principal?" Ranko asked, thinking she knew who it was.
    "Sweeto!"
    Ranko batted Happosai out the window before he'd got a glomp on her.
"So who is this new principal?" She asked Nabiki.
    Nabiki blinked. "You just knocked him out the window."
    "WHAT!?!"
    Nabiki shrugged. "Like I said, the gangs started the leather craze,
but it became *really* popular when we girls discovered that el hentai
didn't care for it. Seems it takes him a few extra seconds to get a
thrill out of it, which is usually enough time to scrape him off."
    Ranko pondered. "That makes sense, I guess. He usually prefers to
get his thrills groping *cute* girls. It's so hard to look like anything
but a tramp in black leather that he probably doesn't like it a bit."
    The girls were steaming at Ranko. "What did you say!"
    Ranko shrugged. "That you're ugly dressed that way? Sheesh, you
would've *thought* you'd have figured out that's why he doesn't glomp
you."
    "Die Ranma!!!!"
    "No, he's over *there*."
    "Die RANKO!!!"

    They were barely into the second period of the day when Blue Ranko's
Sailor communicator beeped. She spied a free moment and hung outside the
window by her toes to answer it.
    "...then Jupiter goes for the safe and... Hey, who are you?!" Serena
broke off speaking.
    Ranko shrugged for the puzzled faces of the other Scouts in her
communicator. "Just another Sailor. So what's up?"
    "We are planning our next bank heist." Mercury supplied helpfully.
    Venus bobbed a head glittering with jewelry. "Yeah, so like, what
skills do ya got? Safe cracking? Disabling security cameras? We need a
good cat burglar."
    "Hey! I'm not *that* bad!" Objected an upset Mars. She was dressed
in what seemed to be a close-fitting bodysuit.
    Ranko blinked at the communicator in confusion. "Uh, sure. I do most
things. But why are you guys doing this?"
    Serena rolled her eyes. "Well, DUH! For the cash, of course, silly.
Why, do you have a *better* way to make a million bucks?"
    Ranko blinked again. "Several, actually. With our Sailor powers we
could enter pro sports and each earn five times that in a year. Why? How
much do you need? What is it for?"
    Several minutes later Ranko pulled herself back in the window,
rolling her eyes. "Jewelry and dates." She muttered disgustedly.
    Ranma was lounging at his desk. "So when are you gunna beat me up
with words?" He taunted her as she regained her seat.
    "Lunch." She muttered darkly.

    At lunch Kuno stood staring heroically, in his black leather, at the
monuments of himself that Sasuke had placed  in the school. When Saotome
was defeated, the pig-tailed girl had fled as well. He could not explain
it. But his days had been empty for want of her. Then he saw his goddess
running toward him her arms outstretched in love.
    "Sir Kuno!" She cried.
    Instantly he was beside her, yet somehow hugging a tree instead of
his one true love. He manfully abandoned it and went to embrace her.
    She held up a hand, stopping him.
    Ranko hid the devious and scheming look in her eyes as she began one
of the most vile and manipulative songs that she knew. "Take Me to the
Fair" from Camelot.
    Music began to play. Ranko glittered at Kuno coyishly.
**

"Do you recall the other night,
when I distinctly said you might,
serve as my escort at the next town fair?

(though she had never said it, Kuno could suddenly recall it with
instant clarity.)

Well,
I am afraid there's someone who,
I must invite in place of you,
someone who plainly is, beyond compare.

Saotome's power is more tremendous,
than I have ever seen anywhere.
And when a man is that stupendous
he, by right, should take me to the fair."

**
    At last! The logic of the situation was inescapably clear to Kuno!
The knave Saotome had yet to face an honest defeat at the noble Kuno's
hands! Surely the pig-tailed maid could require no less of her champion!

    And the vile culprit chose that moment to enter the school grounds,
confirming rumors that he had somehow cheated death.
    Apparently he was new to the biker theme, because in the energy of
the moment he reverted to his classical education. Kuno summoned nearly
the right words when singing his reply to the pig-tailed one. It was
flowery and poetic, but boiled down to merely, `I'll kill him.'
**

"My Goddess, let me wield sword and smite him!
Don't refuse me so abruptly, I implore!

Oh, give me the opportunity to fight him!
And gore will be divided once more!"

**
    Ranko was willing to play this for all it was worth, launching into
the half-sung dialog with all the gleeful venom of a maiden in heat.
**

(Ranko, eagerly)
"You will bash and thrash him?"
(Kuno, proudly)
"I will smash and MASH him!"

"You'll give him trouble?"
"He will be rubble!"

"A mighty whack?"
"His skull will CRACK!"

(Ranko twittered eagerly, blossoming once again into song)

"Oh my.
Then you may take me to the fair,
if you do all the things you promise.
If fact my heart should break
should you not take
me to the fair!"

**
    Kuno was all for starting at that moment, but Ranko caught his
sleeve and brought him with her as she addressed another male.
    "Ryoga-kun?"
    Ryoga turned to see Ranko approaching him. At first his lip curled,
but then he saw Ranma hanging around puzzled in the background. His eyes
flashed from boy to girl and to boy again. Then he essayed a tentative
smile. If this *wasn't* Ranma, then maybe some...girl??...liked him?
    Ranko clasped her hands remorsefully before her skirt and sang the
second third of the song to Ryoga.
**

"I have some rather painful news,
relative to the subject who's
to be beside me at the next school ball.

You were the chosen one, I know.
But it's tradition it should go,
to the unquestioned champion, in the hall.

And I'm convinced that splendid wench-man,
can easily conquer one and all!
And besting all our local henchmen,
he should sit beside me at the ball.

**
    Ryoga instantly became filled with violent rage. Here, there was a
girl finally paying attention to HIM and Ranma had to go and SPOIL IT
ALL!!!
    His reply lacked the poise and style of Kuno's.
    "Die Ranma!!!"
    Ranko caught him inescapably by the elbow before he could begin a
charge before she was ready to let him. Kuno was at his side in an
instant, prompting the Lost Boy with his poetic aid.
**

(Ryoga, hesitantly, being prompted by Kuno)

"I beg of you ma'am, withhold your invitation!
I swear to you this challenge will be met!

And when I have finished up the operation,
I will show your Highness how weak the man can get!"

**
    Ryoga repeated the words by rote and discovered that he agreed with
them. Taking out his umbrella he shoved it in the air.
    "Yah!"
    Ranko goaded him on.
**

(Ranko glittered)
"You'll pierce right through him?"

(Ryoga laughed)
"I'll barbecue him!"

"A wicked thrust?"
"He will be dust!"

"And should I ask?"
"He'll breathe his LAST!!"

**
    Ranko would have drawn this out a little further, but the Lost Boy
was already frothing at the mouth and ready to strangle the native
Saotome with his bare hands. Ranko sang a bit just to cap it off.
**

"Well, Ryoga-kun.
You may sit by me at the ball,
If you demolish him in battle!
In fact I know I'd cry
were you not by
me at the ball!"

**
    Taking both her captives in tow she went to where a startled Mousse
was hiding. In Shampoo's voice, and speaking Chinese, she sang the final
third, getting Mouse, if anything, more worked up than the other two.
They reached such a fervor that the three of them began to sing as a
trio. Ranma sweated as he watched from the sidelines.
**

(trio)
"Milady, we will put an end to,
that bally bag of noise and nerves.
When we do all that we intend to,
he'll be a plate of French Hors D'ourves!"

(Ranko)
"I do applaud your noble goals.
Now let us see if you achieve them!

And if you do then you will
be the three
who will go,
to the ball,
to the show,
And take me to the fair!"

**

    Ranko was paring her nails next to a swollen and bruised Ranma in
the nurse's office.
    "Think of it this way, Ranma-kun. It's the martial arts verbal
techniques. One can arm, disarm, parry, strike or spar with a foe. And
you are *completely* vulnerable to it, having not the least defense."

    Kami-sama called several of his daughters to him. They bowed,
already knowing the topic of discussion.
    "A pair of travelers have entered from another dimension." One
goddess stated the obvious. "The lines of destiny have been changed."
    Another goddess stepped forward to present her summation to her
father. "Two have been restored to life by this pair. While this is not
an evil action, it has had many repercussions. Plus, they are of such
power that to allow them to remain..."
    She did not conclude, but stepped back.
    Kami-sama raised a hand. "Their intention is good. They shall be
allowed to do good. See that they are sent on their way, but include a
provision in their auras that they will be brought back across the
universes again. There are many places that could use their
intervention."
    More goddesses nodded. A third stepped forward. "Father, I will send
thoughts to an agent of our enemy, leading him to confront them. During
this conflict the universe travelers shall be sent on their way, and
perhaps they will do us a final favor in their leavetaking."
    "See that it is done."

    After school blue Ranko met her Ukyo under a tree. "So did you talk
him out of it?" Ukyo asked.
    "Oh, sure, it was easy." Ranko laughed. "After I healed the worst of
his injuries, that is. Of course, he *is* still stuck going on dates as
a girl with Kuno, Ryoga and Mousse. But it will get Ranma to watch his
mouth in the future, I'm sure."
    "Are you?"
    Ranko considered it. "Well, I *guess* I'm not. If I remember right
from when *I* was like that he'll be stubborn and rather get beaten for
a few more months than give in." Sigh. "He'd *better* study those
`Martial Art Verbal Techniques' I gave him. They should make him less of
a boor. And I dropped off `The Martial Art of Sex' with your native
double. She'll give it to him when they marry."
    Ukyo giggled. "You *know* she'll study it."
    Ranko laughed. "I'd say she will, and if she *does* Ranma is due to
enjoy that engagement an *awful* lot. If she reads that book then she'll
be able to give him a thrill innocently holding his hand!"
    They shared some laughter, then fell asleep on the lawn, under the
shade. As they did so a small, wizened figure appeared in the shadows,
seeming to phase into existence.
    "So, these are the two. Nabiki was right about them having power
enough to trouble me. Unfortunate to lose two such sweet young bodies,
but they really *are* that powerful, and I don't have the inclination to
give up my control of the girl's gym and locker room."
    A sigh. "They'll have to go."
    Principal Happosai swiftly took out chalk and traced circles around
each sleeping girl. He had to pry their hands apart to do it, but he
soon got them completed. As he sat down to chant Ukyo sensed something
was wrong and sat up sharply out of her sleep. She tried to cry out but
no sound left the tracery of glowing lines on the grass around her. She
beat against the invisible wall but nothing happened. Then she sank out
of sight as a dimensional portal in the ground drank her in.

*****
Some Universe Somewhere, Call it Random 3

    The sky cracked open and spit forth Ukyo in school uniform. She fell
about thirty feet and flipped to land lightly on the balls of her feet.
    Right in front of the Tendo dojo.
    Ukyo could tell a universe hop when she'd been through one. She
fumed. It would be minutes before her armor could catch up with her and
she could charge up into an iczelion.
    But she knew already that there wouldn't be any point. She wouldn't
be able to find Ran-chan. The universe compass Skuld had given her only
worked one way, toward home. And her armor's AI wasn't up to anything
more.
    She leaned against the Tendo wall and sighed with disgust. Caught
off-guard by a man with a thing for undergarments. How embarrassing. She
was interrupted in her musings when the front gate opened in the Tendo
place. A woman emerged and put out a sign advertising they were open for
business.
    Hmm, maybe she could check in with the locals. Maybe they knew
something. Ukyo went up to the unfamiliar woman.
    "Excuse me, but could I speak to Kasumi please?" She knew her to be
Ranma's first fiance and probably at least knew how to find the others.
Out of all of them together there ought to be at least one that could
help her.
    The woman blinked at Ukyo. "How do you know that name?" She asked
kindly.
    Ukyo sized her up. "You're her mother, right? I think I've seen you
in the pictures that she brought over to Ranma's place. My name's Ukyo.
What's up?" She extended her hand to be shaken.
    Kimiko could not find a trace of deceit in the young girl before
her. "You know my daughter?"
    "Sure, we're both marrying into the same family. I guess that makes
us related, huh? Say, can we go inside? I didn't realize that it was
summer and I'm wearing my winter underwear. I'm going to die in a few
more minutes."
    Kimiko allowed the young girl inside, but was not quite ready to
surrender her questioning. She took Ukyo by both shoulders and looked
into her eyes. "When did you last see my daughter?"
    Ukyo blinked back. "A couple of days ago, why? Hey, wait a minute!"
Her face went pale. "Oh, I'm sorry. I guess I must have messed this up.
Ranma's used to this, I'm not. I guess this means that I'll be telling
you alot of strange stuff, huh? Well, to get it over with, I'm from
another dimension. Some guy cast my husband out of our universe and I
was just going after him. Now we're split up and it looks like I'll be
finding my way home alone."
    Ukyo sighed. "I sure hope Ranma can make it home without me. That
guy who got us was pretty tough."
    Kimiko's eyes swam above a smiling face. She consumed the young girl
in an all-embracing hug.
    Ukyo didn't have the slightest idea what was going on.
    Kimiko released her, looking down into the girl's eyes. "Now you
must tell me, Ukyo. You are honest in all you've said? There is a place
where I have a daughter still living?"
    Ukyo blinked. "Well sure. There's Kasumi, Nabiki, Akane... I know of
those three just because of some rather unorthodox wedding arrangements.
For some reason their father wants them all to marry Ranma. Kasumi's the
only one to agree that I know of."
    Tears and joy greeted her. "Kasumi, Nabiki, Akane... All three of
them alive! And my husband. But what of me?"
    Ucchan turned her head away, connecting facts. "From what I've
heard... Well, there's a rather large shrine in their house. And the
pictures Kasumi has of you are from when she was awfully small. Then, in
the universe we just came from, they were all alive and you weren't.
Ranma seemed to think that was normal."
    Kimiko's lips had firmed. "Then there is a place for me there." She
concluded.
    Ukyo's head snapped up. "What??"
    Kimiko released the young girl, sitting down and motioning for her
guest to do the same. "My history, what has happened here, is that my
family died of a mysterious wasting ailment. I have been here alone for
eight long years. I would give *anything* to see my family again. My
home, my universe, anything..."
    Kimiko raised a motherly gaze to Ukyo. "If you could help me see
them again... You would be my own *daughter* if you would do this for
me! I swear I will treat you as if you were my own. I will be a second
mother to you, anything you desire. I could even teach you sorcery."
    She motioned to racks and vials of things on the wall. "In eight
lonely years I've had nothing to do but relive memories. A few illusions
of my lost children were enough to motivate me to become quite skilled.
If there's anything you need, anything you desire. I will do it or find
a way to do it for you."
    Ukyo felt *very* strange, kind of like dizzy. "Thank you, but the
only thing I want right now is... Um, do you have any food around the
house? I feel really hungry, but it's like I'm going to throw up."
    Kimiko looked at her quizzically, then broadened into another smile.
She made a small pass of one hand and whispered some words, then smiled
again.
    "Yes dear, I do. Pickles and ice cream are *just* the thing for a
young lady in your condition." Her eyes brightened like they had not in
far too long. "Oh my. My first hint of family in eight years and already
there's going to be a grandchild!"
    Ukyo's eyes took up ninety percent of her face.

*****
Random Universe 4

    Ranko came to on the floor backstage. One of the stage technicians
was lifting her up. "Get *up* miss, you're on in less than 30 minutes!"
    Oh, joy.
    Ranko took a peek through the open door of the control booth out of
which the tech had emerged. Some *serious* equipment, and the monitors
showing the stage and audience. This was most definitely the BIG time.
There was a star onstage singing right now, and the amphitheater looked
fit to hold a quarter of a million people.
    And it was packed.
    Ranko nodded to the man who had helped her. "Thanks, is there a
place I can review really fast? I need to calm my nerves."
    The tech showed all the tolerance that was normally due skittish
performers, almost none. He'd help her, they always did, but it was in
the job description that he roll his eyes and not like it. He assisted
her to a computer.
    "Everything about your spot should be keyed in here. Go to it."
    Ranko spent half a second examining the board before her, touch
screen, very advanced. It made windows look like sanscrit tablets, which
she could *also* read, but still this was easier to use.
    She called up her spot, and shivered as if her seat was electrified.
There was *nothing!* This was actually tied in to the command sequencer,
the computers that controlled the lights, the sound, everything. And
there was not so much as a *keystroke* inputted.
    Ranko cracked her knuckles and addressed the screen. If she'd been
so lazy as to not submit her act for programming then it was time to
improvise. She called up the stage capabilities. Good, Greek columns
could be commanded to rise from the stage floor, that was something she
could work off of. She entered programming for the stage lights even as,
on split screen monitor, she reviewed the music files.
    Quite a broad selection.
    Then she noticed that she was wearing a martial arts gi. This would
*never* do! It was okay for lounge wear but whoever let her NEAR a stage
is this getup? She called up wardrobe files.
    Bad news.
    Okay, what could she improvise? Her Sailor costume? Out of the
question. She had no idea what repercussions would be if she did that.
They might shoot Sailor Scouts on sight.
    She looked over wardrobe again. Okay, if she took a blouse that was
left from a set from State Fair (white with plenty of ruffles, quite
cute actually), a few multicolor ribbons to tie around wrists and hair,
she could add that on top of the white one piece she still had left from
her fake Sailor costume. Heck, throw in the skirt, why not? She could
put that on top of some ballet slippers that were also available and add
lacings of ribbon up her calves.
    It would work, it would be cute, and only the stage hands would know
how last minute it was. She called for rush delivery of the items.
    So, what would a costume like that be good for? What kind of act?
Ranko quickly began hitting spots on the input panel, refocusing and
sequencing lights, adding the music cues...
    In less than no time she was slamming the last few key spots while a
stagehand was dragging her away from the monitor by the elbow.
    "Come *on* miss!"
    "Right!" Ranko hit the last key and sprang off, beating the stage
hand to the waiting point to go on and changing clothes in mid-rush. The
announcer was just beginning to come on as applause for the previous act
still roared within the stadium.
    Ranko frowned, noticing that the girl who'd been singing was *not*
the one she'd seen on the monitors. Were they all warm-ups for some big
act to follow? She couldn't tell, but this seemed more like a high-tech
vaudeville than a real stage show. What was up?
    The stage hand treated her just like a neophyte, taking her arm and
explaining slowly. "Now, remember. Just walk out, answer the questions,
and do your thing." He gave her a light shove and Ranko was walking down
a long, red carpet.
    The announcer was talking over the speaker system, some suave guy
that gave her the creeps. "Next in our competition." He called. That
explained *alot!* This was not a united stage show or concert. It was a
bunch of people doing separate acts. That explained everything but why
the audience was so huge, or why the equipment was so high budget.
    All this ran sort of dual-processor as Ranko walked on, listening to
the man speaking.
    "Is a young girl who visited our island from Nerima Tokyo and
decided to stay awhile." There was some audience snickering, which Ranko
couldn't understand. The announcer went on. "She has just celebrated her
nineteenth birthday, and considers martial arts her life. Please welcome
miss Ranko Saotome!"
    Ranko ended downstage center, right before a panel of judges.
Camera's whirred and clicked in the sidelines.
    The center judge looked between her and some papers. "Now, miss
Ranko. We don't get many warrior maids. Could you please tell the panel
what your feelings are on the subject of love?"
    Ranko blushed demurely, but turned on a cute glitter. What was going
on? "Oh, I think love is the most important thing in the world. With a
generous helping of it any problem can seem less bad, and good things
just get better!"
    This clearly had not been the answer the judge was expecting, but
the audience liked it. Ranko began exuding cuteness rays as a self
defense.
    "Oh." There was some discussion among the judges. "Then could you
please inform us of how this reflects on your views of martial arts?
Isn't there some conflict?"
    "Not at all!" Ranko said brightly, using some girlish enthusiasm to
bolster her position. "You see, the ultimate martial artist should be
willing to give up anything, even life itself, in pursuit what really
matters. That requires discipline and self-sacrifice. And sacrifice is
what love is all about! We give up things we care about to be with
another person. So the self control taught by a martial art actually
teaches us to be more caring and better prepared for when we eventually
marry!"
    There had actually been quite a bit of that in the Amazon lore, they
just sat on it most of the time. Only the occasional Amazon even looked
at those scrolls anymore.
    "But how do you justify the time that you spend at it? Isn't it true
that you spend anywhere from three to four hours a day *just* studying
martial arts? How does that impact on, say, a job, or a young family?"
    Ranko bobbed cutely, giggling. "Silly. My martial arts practice can
be *anything* I want it to be. Once you have achieved a certain level of
skill you can practice martial arts doing laundry or shaving your legs.
I know of some friends who have developed techniques for fighting based
on cooking styles or sewing. So, once you get *good* at it everything
you do takes *less* time. I have *more* time for play or study because I
know the moves for making chores go quickly."
    "Shaving your legs?" The man seemed confused. "How could that be..."

    Ranko twinkled. "Have you ever done it with a two-handed broadsword
while in the middle of flying reverse turning kicks? It's been awhile
since I nicked myself, you know."
    Her legs were evident in their smoothness.
    So what if her `former self' hadn't done it that way? She could if
she was asked. In fact it was more fun that way.
    The judges conferred. One of them referred to a card. "Well, that
concludes our questions. You may now go on to your talent, which is:
Martial Arts Katas."
    Ranko felt sick, but didn't let it show, that would be poor acting.
Martial Arts Katas. She could do them in her sleep, sometimes did. That
explained why there were no stage cues in the computer.
    She hated last minute improvising, but she could see that she would
have to alter her act. Taking a weapon quality ribbon from stuff space
she snaked it out to grab one of the overheads, using it to swing
herself out to center stage.
    Vaulting when she released the ribbon, Ranko did a triple barrel
flip in midair, coming down in a gymnast's presentation stance, right on
target.
    Cue music.
    Lights focused on Ranko, a blinking rainbow of color appeared in the
shadows upstage, framing her in an island of light. Good thing she had
switched the main spots over to auto-follow, otherwise this would have
been a BIG mess.
    Using her long ribbon she began a simple ribbon dance, weaving
shapes in the air as she began to sing.
**

"D r e a m,
dream, dream, dream.
D r e a m,
dream, dream, dream.

When I want you,
in my arms.
When I want you,
and all your charms.

Whenever I want you,
all I have to do is:

D r e a m,
dream, dream, dream.

(Her body moved fluidly and rhythmically through the moves of the dance
she had planned out, as breathtaking as such a flawlessly executed
display could be. But to deviate from her announced plan could
disqualify her, so she began to take liberties with the moves, fitting
them to the music even as she disturbed her flawless sphere of flowing
ribbon dance with darting attack strikes, like forks of lightning out of
a flowery globe).

When I feel blue,
in the night.
When I need you,
to hold me tight.

Whenever I want you,
all I have to do is:

D r e a m...

(She vaulted backwards with a double flip, letting her ribbon spin off
into darkness. Using the motion to cover the change in music. She landed
some twenty feet upstage, a minor hop really. Then she discovered that
several items and breakables had been lain back here by the stage hands,
probably under curtain while the preceding act had gone on. Well, she
could make use of them.)

A new dimension of love!
A bold adventure waiting for you!
The true dimension of love!
A soaring flight, a dazzling view!

We're going to take it all the way.
We'll make the dream so totally real!
See greater wonders by the day.
Then tell the stars what glorious rapture we feel!

(in a whirlwind of energy Ranko had tossed a pile of bricks in the air,
powdering them all with lightning kicks even as she blended in dance
movements and continued to sing. She leapt *through* a gong and busted a
stack of cement blocks with a negligent seeming swipe with one foot.)

Soon, with the star of spring
we'll know our hearts are changing!
Leave the hurt behind
I'll be true and kind
Be the best thing you'll ever find!

(A staff blurred around her body, and she incorporated several moves
from Chinese acrobatics, standing on the end of the staff balanced
precariously on the floor, swinging her body and legs about as she held
onto its top, continuing to dance in a sensuous and feline style. Then
several flips, aerial rolls and back to the ribbon, covering another
change in music.)

Darling, just for me can't I wait for you?
In your heart I wanna make you feel so brand new.
When you beckon, love comes at your call

(Two ribbons now, their ends juggling weapons and balls -the heavy kind
that you might ordinarily stand on to show your balance. The whole
display complicated enough that even Ranko had to stand still and
concentrate upon it.)

It's a love that's meant to be.
It's in the stars above...

(Ranko slowed, allowing the tone of the music to mellow her movements.
She'd meant for this to be a somewhat romantic piece, and allowed that
tone to filter through once again. Now she danced alone, no ribbons, no
props, just beauty.)

Why not fall in love?

**
    Ranko danced through the purely instrumental parts. The whole thing
had been fast, too fast. Ranko didn't want her audience to see just a
blur, which could happen if she let adrenaline cut in. She changed tone
and style as the next song came on.
    The columns raised out of the floor and Ranko was on them, being
smooth and demure while casually displaying the poise of an angel. A
song of bells and soft tones began, while Ranko moved in delicate
counterpoint to the music over a thirty foot fall to the floor.
**

Playing a folk song with his guitar,
Flashing his bright white, glittering teeth,
in all my dreams at night,
I fall in love with him.

I have this feeling,
for the first time in my life,
I feel I can...
Turn the Earth with my finger.

(Her arms moved slowly through the softest blocks, blending martial arts
and dance until one could not be told from the other. She kept this very
low key so as to build and not distract from the mood she was striving
for.)

I feel I can run on the clouds

(and to the audience it appeared she was doing exactly that)

I will follow you wherever you go.

**
    The song terminated early and the columns began to sink once again
toward the stage floor. Ranko bowed and pretended it was all part of
what she'd planned. At least the guy on the controls had managed a
decent cut-off. It had *sounded* like it was in honest truth the end of
the song, and Ranko played along.
    Actually, it might be that a stage director had thought she'd been
caught up on the pillars by accident, and had thought to bring her down
before she broke her neck.
    Well, they were sinking much more slowly than they had risen. Ranko
jumped from the top of her pillar and rebounded off the sides of several
others, hopping back and forth like they were tree trunks, ending by a
grand leap twenty feet taller than the pillars had been and landing in
perfect counterpoint as the stage reset to normal. She struck a
triumphant pose.
    The applause were thunderous. They were a tangible force that
buffeted her. Ranko took it gracefully and allowed herself to be cued
out.

    The show director, or his assistant, gave her the standard chewing
out for having changed her program. She endured it penitently, saying
the proper remorseful things.
    After that one of the hands took her downstairs. It was anything but
the cramped and overcrowded work area that such places often were. It
looked as much like a scene from a high class dormitory as anything.
There were several couches in the hall.
    Ranko was met by a young girl in a pink dress.
    "That was *wonderful!*" The teenager said in a friendly kind of awe.
She took Ranko to a seat beside her, handing her a cup filled with
something. "That was nothing like the show you practiced at my uncle's
house."
    Okay, this girl was her contact here. Which was good because the
rest of this stuff was pretty unfamiliar.
    Ranko smiled. "I panicked and changed everything at the last minute.
You'll not believe how nervous I was." She took a sip of whatever was in
the cup. Blech, coffee. Ranko didn't get her body in the condition she
kept it by chemical stimulation. She put the cup on a table and forgot
about it.
    The girl who was her contact was grabbed by one of the show people.
    "Come on, miss. You're the next one up."
    "I'll wait for you here!" Ranko called as the other girl was pulled
away.
    "Watch me on the monitor!" The teenager pointed to a big screen.
    "Break a leg!" Was the last thing Ranko could say before her
companion was gone. She turned to the big display. It did indeed show
the stage. Several of the other girls down here were watching it. Ranko
leaned back and hauled out a carton of milk from a conveniently placed
box of iced beverages. It was only a few minutes before the acts changed
again, bringing on Ranko's young companion.
    "And now, our very own, miss Lynn Minmei!" The announcer called.

    Shortly after came the swimsuit competition. They called everyone
out in revealing attire that was more or less modest.
    Minmei's was modest. Ranko's was less.
    Minmei wore a normal one piece in a grayish blue. Ranko's was a
variety of colors and had more frills and touches than real material.
She looked like she belonged back on Toma's island. In fact it was the
most attractive swimsuit on stage, and the package it wrapped wasn't
that bad either.
    Number twenty eight, at the other end of the line from where Minmei
and Ranko stood, seethed. Her bikini was rainbow fabric and was
obviously intended to steal the show. But it didn't compare to Ranko's.
    Ranko wondered where she'd gotten her own suit. In fact she wondered
many things. But with nothing to go on it all seemed sort of trivial.
She paid attention to the judges.
    It gave her something to focus on.
    Ranko soon had her turn before the announcer who was asking
questions of all the contestants.
    "So, miss Ranko." The announcer asked. "That was quite an impressive
kata. Is that standard for your martial art?"
    The microphone was in her face.
    She reacted with maidenly surprise. "Well, I *would* say yes, but
I'm afraid that would be boasting. However, I do frequently fight to
music. And the leaps and ribbons are part of the form. It just takes a
little extra breath control to add the singing to it."
    "If you wouldn't mind telling us, how do you learn to do things like
that? Is the training difficult?"
    She laughed merrily, relieved the questions were so easy. "You could
say that."
    "But you don't seem to quite feel that way."
    Ranko twinkled. "Well, the whole philosophy of the art is that
anything can be improved. I still regard myself as in training. But if
you mean how hard is it to start, well, a person can do things that
would surprise them in a very short while."
    The announcer thanked her and she retreated to her post. Steadily
they worked through the line. It turned out, when they'd gotten that
far, that the lady on the end in the rainbow swimsuit was some kind of
movie star. The announcer spent a while doting on her, then they let the
judges determine the finalists.

    And so Ranko found herself sitting on a chair beside four other
similarly seated contestants, while the audience decided who was to be
the winner. Ranko wished she could talk to Minmei, who was also in the
final five, but there was another woman sitting between them.
    Votes got tallied.
    There was a tense few moments.
    The movie star preened for victory.
    Ranko won.

    The newly crowned Queen of Macross (no official duties, she'd asked)
tolerated the award ceremony and let everyone dote on her for awhile.
But when they finally got over with it she went off to her locker,
feeling as tired as if she'd had to fight with a helicopter again.
    Minmei was waiting for her. Looking very happy for her.
    "Wow! I can't imagine it. My very own best friend, winner of a
beauty contest!" She clapped her hands in joy.
    Ranko was very tired, she smiled anyway. "You're taking it better
than that movie star. She's going to appeal based on the `special
effects' help I received for my talent."
    Minmei was happy in spite of that. "Oh, you'll just have to prove
that you can do it without any of that. Don't worry. I know you can."
    "Thanks, Minmei."
    "Excuse me." A lady officer, about twenty with long brown hair,
brushed into the dressing room they shared. Without ceremony she grabbed
ahold of Ranko's arm and picked up the bag Ranko assumed probably
belonged to her. "Pardon me, *miss* *macross* but I'd like a word with
you."
    The lady officer, somewhat upset by something, pulled an unresisting
Ranko out of the dressing room and down the hall. Ranko was too busy
examining all the things going on around her to resist as she was taken
down a pair of corridors and out into the parking garage.
    Ranko was hauled out of the stadium and put into a car with military
plates. Not knowing what was up she had no idea what to do, so she went
along. The woman put Ranko in the passenger side and got in the driver's
seat herself. She started the car with unnecessary acceleration and
pulled out into traffic.
    "What was all that about, Ranma. You were the one who told me
yourself that you wanted no part in this. Why did you go and win?"
    Okay, the officer was upset. She knew Ranma, probably better than
that Minmei girl did, and they were driving somewhere. Ranko's stuff was
in a bag in the back seat, and she had just won some sort of beauty
contest.
    Without anything to base it on Ranko still didn't know what was
going on. She lowered her eyes.
    "I'm sorry."
    The officer looked at her. "I don't want you to be sorry, Ranma. I
want you to tell me what's going on. That little stunt you pulled could
have caused us alot of trouble. And don't you care that you could have
spoiled some girl's chance for a real opportunity?"
    A bad spot, surely. Ever thankful for small favors Ranko discretely
read the name tag on the woman's uniform.
    "Lisa, I'm sorry. I don't *know* what came over me. I honestly
wasn't thinking."
    The commander looked at her out of the corner of her eye. She
hmmphed. "Not thinking, eh?" She sighed. "Yes, that's the Lieutenant
Ranma Saotome I married."
    Ranko struggled hard not to show any outward sign. Oh, man. This
just kept getting worse and worse! Acting because she knew it was the
right thing to do Ranko put her hand out and caressed the forearm of the
female officer.
    "Not sorry are you?"
    Lisa smiled. "No, I could never be that, darling. It just makes this
whole charade that much harder for us. It seems that things are getting
endlessly more complicated. First our marriage had to be a secret so my
know-it-all admiral of a father didn't bring the world down around our
ears because he didn't like the handsome young pilot his only daughter
was foolish enough to fall in love with. Then we get stranded out here
in space on this battle fortress and suddenly it's so much harder to
keep everyone sane, much less maintain our secret."
    She pulled into a parking elevator and the car was raised up into a
stall, the doors raised and they climbed out. Lisa went to a door,
searching for a key.
    "Your joining the military was the right thing. I'm very proud of
you for that, darling. But like so much else it just makes things more
complicated." They entered the dwelling, it looked palatial, but Lisa
seemed to regard it as normal, throwing her jacket over a sofa.
    Ranko had been looking around. You'd have to be told to know that
this was a spaceship. There seemed to be enough room for anything and to
spare. Military bases planetside wouldn't have quarters this big for a
couple, much less a single officer.
    Lisa was unbuttoning her top.
    "You haven't forgotten your promise, now. Have you Ranma?"
    Ranko feigned ignorance to disguise the real thing. "Well, let's
see. Was I going to remember to take out the trash or was it something
to do with the shopping?"
    Lisa laughed, throwing her shirt at Ranko. "No, silly. I arranged
for you being off duty tonight for a *reason*. Every pilot on ship
wanted to be at that contest."
    "You're dying for a game of blackjack?"
    "Close. The shower's that way, Ranma. In case you've forgotten."
Lisa looked at a clock. "We still have an hour before you have to be
back at bachelor's quarters."

    Ranma lay in his bunk, above his desk in his one room bachelor pad,
justifying what he had done. He was married, right? So, as far as this
universe went, that made it okay, right?
    Ranma rolled over. No, it didn't. He knew that. If he'd *been* from
this universe it would be alright. If this reality wouldn't exist after
he'd left it then maybe it would be alright. Well, it probably would be.

    He rolled onto his back.
    With the Destiny Ring he was never leaving families or lovers
behind. The laws of the moment ruled. If he was, in that history,
married to someone, then it was right, even appropriate.
    But what about when reality didn't change?
    As he lay in bed debating the morality of the issue there came a
knock at his door. He called for whoever it was to come in.
    A good looking officer poked his head in. "Man, you *must* be sick.
Every pilot I know was at that party. Oh, well. It's a good thing I
brought you something." He entered and tossed a few sandwiches on the
desk, which he followed with a bottle. The commander sat backwards on
the one chair.
    "Get down here, eat. That's an order." He waved to the sandwiches.
"Guys at mess say you've been in here all day, only going out to the
restroom once or twice."
    Ranma obeyed, his military pajamas feeling more than a bit weird on
him. He sat on the desk and opened a sandwich wrapper. Suddenly reminded
of its existence, his stomach made its presence known. Sandwiches began
disappearing swiftly.
    His commander watched him eat. "So do you want to talk about it?"
    Ranma paused in mid-devour. "Talk about what?"
    Roy Fokker (boy was Ranma ever grateful for name tags) played with
the neck of the bottle. He popped it open, pouring two glasses. "Oh, I
dunno. Your marriage to Lisa Hayes, maybe? Look, I know you two don't
get alot of time together, but I had a buddy pull hard duty today to
cover for your `sick leave.' I was thinking maybe there was something
you could do in gratitude."
    Ranma lowered his sandwich. "Name it."
    Fokker smiled, clapping the young `pilot' on one pajama clad leg.
"That's why I like you, Saotome. Ever ready to help a friend. Y'know, it
just so happens that I've arranged a little date between this guy and
his girlfriend to help him forget about missing that contest. She's
waiting for him now. So if you'll hop into your flight gear and get on
down to Prometheus he'll be able to get the second half of the shift off
and go on that date. What do you say?"
    Ranma grinned to hide a horrible sinking feeling. "I'd say where's
my flight suit?"
    The commander popped open his closet and indicated the garment with
a fine sense of show. "Go to it, kid. And thanks. I'll give Rick a call
and let him know you're on your way."

    Lisa Hayes rejoined the bridge crew, flushed and with a giddy sense
of euphoria. She'd not felt this good in a *long* time.
    Claudia Grant taunted her young superior. "Well, that must have been
some lunch break. Can I have some of what you're having?"
    "At ease, lieutenant." Lisa resumed her station with a smile. The
radar and communication girls giggled behind her. She pretended not to
hear them.

    Ranma rode down the lift tube, helmet in the same hand he lifted his
oxygen supplementation pack with. Fortunately, his computer had proved
to have decent records. And with military regulations on practically
everything it had been really easy to look up the official way to wear a
flight suit.
    A flight suit that also happened to be a lightweight spacesuit.
    Ranma was late, but then he'd also had to check his computer for the
path to this station. Asking someone how to find a place he supposedly
went every day would have been a BAD idea.
    He met the pilot he was to be replacing lounging on the outer
cowling of a twin engine fighter and got a good look at the
*comfortable* way to wear a flight suit. The pilot hopped down, clapping
a hand on Ranma's shoulder.
    "Thanks, Ranma. I owe you one. She's all prepped just on the odd
chance we *do* get a call. Enjoy yourself!"
    The pilot was gone. Back into the lift and off to his girlfriend.
Ranma hoped they would have a good time. In the meantime he visually
inspected his plane, giving the armaments a look-see. Then he accessed a
technician's terminal and went into more detail as to what kind of plane
this was. It didn't sound like anything was planned for this night, but
you never knew. And with *his* luck...
    A yellow light flicked on and a klaxon sounded. Lisa's voice came
over the speakers. "Unidentified craft in sector G. Launch scout
patrol."
    Ranma put on his helmet with a sense of dread. He didn't need anyone
telling him who the scout patrol was this evening.

    Lisa checked with the commander of Prometheus. Yes, the pilot had
launched and was prepared to intercept. She switch comm channels and
gasped as Ranma's face filled the screen.
    "Ranma, what on earth are you doing on patrol today? I personally
approved your sick leave."
    "My squadron leader had some things to say that made me feel alot
better." Ranma confessed. He followed with a shaky grin. "So where are
the bad guys?"
    Lisa mellowed. If Fokker knew then she didn't mind, so long as Ranma
wasn't upset by it. "They are in sector G, delta quadrant. I'm
downloading the tracking data to your veritech's computer now."
    Ranma nodded. The computers that he'd seen here were so powerful
they'd help you blow your nose. From what he'd seen of this craft's
stuff he was beginning to feel alot more competent. He could fly most
aircraft fine, but the last time he'd been in a battle in one had been a
triplane in the first world war.
    Not many men could say they'd been shot down by the Red Baron.
    The tracking data was easy to convert into a navigational track. He
pointed his aircraft on an intercept course and began to call up stats,
play with controls, and generally get a feel for his craft.
    It was, in all, an impressively fine piece of machinery.
    Lisa's face reappeared on the left hand vidscreen. "Ranma, your
flight path is erratic. Is something the matter?"
    For a solid instant Ranma considered chickening out. He was running
to face an unknown foe in an airplane he was flying through space. But
courage got the better of him.
    "Nothing, Lisa. The controls just seem a bit temperamental, I was
only trying to isolate it. Any ideas for if this guy starts whipping the
pants off me?"
    She smiled, amused by his banter. "Why don't you try going to
battloid mode and punching him? I swear you could stop a mack truck with
that fist of yours."
    He grinned. "Maybe. I've been working my way up from vans so far."
    The bridge girls enjoyed a good giggle at his joke.

    Ranma closed on the offending vehicle. The alien craft was huge and
bulbous, looking a great deal like a giant, one-eyed toad in flight.
Before he had closed to what he considered weapon range it spat four
missiles at him, each seeming as large as his plane.
    Had it been just him he would have dodged them like so. Even as he
thought it the attitude jets on his craft fired, putting him in line to
do so. Too bad Ranma had no time to act on that, as the oncoming
missiles compensated and he was forced to remember alot about aerial
combat in a hurry.
    Not enough, not swiftly enough. One of the proximity fused warheads
exploded close enough to shear off his left wing. Of course, this was
space, which meant that he could still fly. But it also meant that the
attitude thrusters that had been on that wing, not to mention the
missiles, were gone.
    Ranma fired off his remaining missiles, hoping that they entertained
the enemy as much as theirs had done for him.
    Guns blazing, more missiles launching, the vehicle turned on him.
His missiles didn't even leave significant impact craters on it's hull.
Okay, Ranma thought as he evaded the warheads, successfully this time.
I'm in over my head again.
    So I've got what left, a gun? He began to use it. The enemy scored a
hit upon him and shuddered his plane. Ranma didn't want to look at the
damage reports, but he knew that it was bad.

    Claudia and Lisa were watching the remote feeds.
    "Could it be that Ranma has finally bit off more than he can chew
this time?" Claudia asked.
    "I don't know, Claudia." Lisa Hayes replied, already keying up
additional fighter launch. "I've never seen that kind of craft before,
and something *must* be wrong with his controls. I've never see him fly
this way before."
    "He certainly is staying in jet form alot longer than usual. Could
it be that the controls are jammed?"
    "I don't know, Claudia." Lisa said in concern. She called up her
husband. "Ranma, what's happened with your controls? Why don't you
transform?"

    Ranma didn't spare a glance for the woman who was looking at him in
grave concern. "I wish I knew, Lisa. Look, I may not get out of this."
He admitted ruefully.
    "Hang in there!" His wife called. "There are reinforcements coming,
ETA six minutes."
    "Thanks." He admitted, dodging an energy blast that turned his
cowling gray with heat. The transmission failed.
    Okay, what am I missing here? He asked himself, glad that his enemy
finally seemed to have run out of missiles.
    Sensors pinged as an enemy cruiser began closing range to recover
its scout ship. A laser bolt from that same scout impacted on his
underside and totaled the main weapon of Ranma's plane.
    Ranma looked over his controls, dodging by instinct and hoping he
was right. Both times Lisa had said something about changing modes.
Okay, nothing left to try before he died, he saw three levers and
grabbed the one marked B.

To Be Continued...

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Author's Notes:

    YES!!!
    I, the Rampant Disclaimer Thief, have returned! (Ah, my silky
darlings) This is primarily a Ranma fic, but I will freely include
anything and all that strikes my fancy. This includes wildly
inappropriate disclaimers, fun situations, characters, riddles, and
anything that catches my eye.
    I'm in this to have fun, and you should be too.

    And now, those who are in the know don't need to be told what they
are in the know about. Those who don't can guess. The Mirrors series is
undergoing heavy rewrite. The only complaint I've got so far is that one
person didn't feel that Kodachi should have been introduced so early. I
couldn't read all the compliments because my mail box was full of
hysterical giggling.

    ANYWAY, forward work has slowed as we rewrote the past. Some special
things you'll become aware of as I post them. Till then, find me in a
dark alley and mug me. I'll *never* tell!
    Bwahahahahaha!!!!!