The World of Urusei Yatsura's Lum
Urusei Yatsura - RPG, Movies, Episodes & Stories => RPG Storylines & FanFiction => Topic started by: Lum-chan on October 24, 2004, 04:47:47 AM
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By Jocko on Tuesday, December 28, 1999 - 20:56:
(RP ON)
TIME: Wednesday, November 7, 1985. 7:09AM
LOCATION: Tomobiki, Japan. Sakaguchi's Video Rental
Megane walked into the video rental shop slowly. "Hi Sakaguchi-san."
The man behind the counter, obviously in his mid-30s, smiled; "Magane-san! I've got the Laserdisc you wanted..." he rummaged around under the counter and presented the hard plastic case to him with the words: Eraserhead (1976, David Lynch).
Megane smiled, "outstanding. Has Hudson-sama dropped by to pick up his movie yet?"
"Yes, he did so last night. I must say, you're going ot have fun tonight. Kubrick's Paths of Glory is Kirk Douglas's best performance."
Megane chuckled, "I wouldn't expect anything less from Kubrick-sama. I'll pick the disc up after school around six, Sakaguchi-san."
"All right, have a nice day Megane."
Megane looked down, "I'll try," and left, he began walking down the road towards school.
Tonight was the night Hudson and Megane watched movies together, happily reviewing and arguing. Sometimes even making fun of the movies, they did that alone since everyone else was busy. Even Shutaro and Ryouko had other things they needed to do on Wednesday night. And recently Megane had been having a lot of downtime on his hands. His parents were out of town for a few months on business and pleasure so he had the entire house to himself. Also the formation of Cygni's Stormtroopers and Ataru's acceptance of Lum gave Megane even more unwanted free time.
And so Megane frequently walked alone to school these days. More and more depressed with each passing day at how Lum wasn't even noticing he existed. Hell, she didn't even seem to WANT to see how he was doing after the drunken disaster at the Mendou Mansion last month.
Nearing Tomobiki High Megane felt himself getting misty-eyed, he willed himself to calmness, but what he saw at the gate made him even more depressed.
He saw Lum and Ataru sharing a milk carton before school, Shinobu and Ran trading stories about Inaba and Rei, Sakura laughing with Onsen-Mark about Tsubame's latest folly, and even Kotatsu-Neko was showing the Principal a picture of a lady cat spirit he'd been dating. And yes, Shutaro was mooning over a picture of Asuka, and Cygni's Stormtroopers were chatting enthusiastically about Cygni.
Megane felt like screaming, all at once he realized that he had been a complete jack-off for the past two years. What had he to show for it? Indifference from Lum? Superficial sympathy from Ataru? At 18 years of age Megane hadn't even been on a real date or had a girlfriend...close calls, yes, but nothing. He also all at once realized that he probably was the only virgin left in his class.
Megane sneered, he found a bench and opened up his satchel and took out his walkman, with rather bulky but powerful headphones. He put a tape in it, his personal mix of the Stones' "Paint it Black," and put the headphones on. He cranked up the volume to max.
As he walked into school with blaring music providing the backdrop he discovered that no one was in earshot. As Megane proceeded to Onsen-Mark's homeroom, he grimaced, "No sympathy for the Devil. Keep that in mind," he told himself, "you buy the ticket, take the ride."
(RP OFF)
Megane should have a terrible time at school today. Hope this is a good start.
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By Parias on Wednesday, December 29, 1999 - 01:15:
Great start, pretty deep, I'm gonna have to think out my post before I type it up >)
I've all of a sudden gotten busy.. working on a hardware review page and my Allegiance beta is supposed to come in today, so I may be in and out for a little while. I'll contribute something ASAP.
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By Parias on Wednesday, December 29, 1999 - 08:22:
(RP ON)
Cygni and Sergei walked up the street together, arm in arm. Sergei had found a lot of spare time on his hands after the events of the last couple of months had cleared up, and he eventually came to the rough decision to temporarily "take a leave of absence" as Hayes had put it while he was literally handing Sergei his resignation papers, so he could spend more time with Cygni. Hayes had taken the UNO in for extensive refit and upgrades, and was currently also taking time off near the ship, just glancing out into space and thinking. Meanwhile, Sergei and Cygni had finally settled to the fact that they couldn't do without each other. The wedding was scheduled for a couple of weeks.
As they walked past the school, Cygni glanced at the teenagers pouring in with distaste. "I never liked school much.." she muttered. "Too much like a damn prison."
"You dropped out of school?" Sergei asked, raising an eyebrow.
Cygni nodded. "At 14.. it took a hell of a lot of effort, but I managed to get away and begin educating myself my own way."
"How did you learn anything?"
"By not sitting in class zoning out and being bored. If I wanted to learn about bugs, I'd go hunt them down and take em under a microscope. If I wanted to learn about space travel, well, I've already got that thing down.. you getting my point?"
"Ah, so you believe the only method for education is to go out and do it youself?"
Cygni nodded. "Sitting in that damned prison all day doesn't teach you nothing."
She glanced over a few of the "extensions" that had been added to the school as a result of Terra's giving to Onsen-Mark. She still remembered the day. After learning that Onsen-Mark had gotten a large sum of money from Terra, and then had proceeded to put it in his personal account in the bank for his personal spending, Cygni had gone straight to him and threatened massive pain and injury should he use the money on something other than school. After three discharged bullets from her Desert Eagle into the air and some taunting and general threats, Onsen-Mark had been kind enough to agree, and quickly took the money back out and put it into the schools funding. The results were seen immediately, as each student began paying more attention, or so she heard, and Onsen-Mark was in a slightly cheery mood, as he was getting paid more.
The pair watched as the teenagers rushed into the building, then classes began. She sighed.
"I can't believe I actually ordered him to use that money for the school.. I'd prefer seeing it torn down.."
"It's what Terra wanted, isn't it?"
"You got a point there.."
They continued walking onwards. A small breeze began floating down the street, and Sergei extended his coat, pulling Cygni close and covering her small frame.
"You should consider wearing something a bit more.. warm. It's getting cold out these days."
Cygni laughed. "Hah! Over my dead body.... literally. You know why I wear as little as possible."
Sergei nodded, and they said nothing more as they continued walking down the street.
Inside of the school, Onsen-Mark cracked a wide grin. The whispering among the classroom picked up.
"He always does this when he has something horrible planned..."
"Yea, get ready, here it comes.."
Onsen-Mark cleared his throat. "Kids, I have a little surprise for you today..."
Ataru rolled his eyes.
"..we're going to go on a little field trip! I've been doing some arranging with Mr. Invader, and he's agreed to take us on a little tour of our solar system!"
The class couldn't believe their ears. Ataru tried to recover. There had to be some kind of catch.. he had to know.
"What's the catch??" he yelled out.
"I expect you all to be taking notes while we go along, and for god sakes try not to mess anything up! I'll be expecting a detailed report from each of you once we return."
Ataru sighed. It figured, there was always some kind of paperwork involved.
Lum spoked out. "Can I take darling along in my ship? We've already seen a lot of the galaxy together!"
Onsen-Mark raised an eyebrow. The girl had a point, Ataru and Lum had been directly involved in the destruction of an entire planet in a whole different solar system. On the other hand, they hadn't really learned anything other than how to blow things up. He shook his head.
"You can go together in your ship, but you're sticking with us."
Lum pouted. "But this system is boring! I want to take darling somewhere exciting!"
"Go some other time."
Shutaro spoke up. "When do we leave?"
"In a few hours. In the mean time, I want to you open your language books to page 234 and..."
Most of the class sighed and began zoning out from here on, with Lum being the only one interested, since she was learning about the culture of a foreign species. Foreign to her anyways.
(RP OFF)
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By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Wednesday, December 29, 1999 - 16:14:
excerpt from Meganes post Lum obsessoin log ch 1
"My name is Megane! After getting over my traumatic loss I decided to live life to the fullest. I'm a rebel without a cause!"
Matcho sounding disco music blared in the background as Megane walked down the hallway. He walked into onsen marks room and sat down. onsen mark screamed "Your late Megane!"
Megane said "And your point is?"
Onsenmark "Get out in the hall and carry those water buckets!"
Megane "No! I dont like water buckets why dont I carry something or better yet just sit here!"
Onsen mark :Why youuuu!!!!!!!
Onsen Mark got out of his seat and headed toward Megane
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By Jocko on Wednesday, December 29, 1999 - 21:23:
I'm thinking that eventually Sakaguchi will be revealed to be an extremely old film student at a local upper-level college who gets picked on by the younger punks in his class.
Either way, Sak knows about Megane's filmmaking skills and asks him to go with him to a Mt. Fuji ski resort to shot footage of the college's annual ski race and do a narration with him.
(RP ON)
Onsen glared evil and put his face in Megane's. "YOU'D BETTER CHANGE YOUR ADDITUDE MISTER!"
Megane laughed, "Onsen-Mark, will you go out on a date with me?" he fluttered his eyes femininely.
The entire class started to gaffaw.
SMACK! The teacher brought down his bamboo pole on Megane's head.
Normally, the student would just pipe down after that, but not today, Megane snatched the pole out of Onsen's hand and, with vengeance, threw it out an open window.
Onsen was simply agast at this change in developments. Before he could speak, Megane growled low but loud: "Screw you, pig."
Onsen-Mark threw a punch but Megane caught it and tripped Onsen to the floor.
Megane slowly walked to the door and, before leaving, looked at the shock on his classmates' faces, then down at Onsen; "learn how to punch asshole, or better yet, learn to be a REAL teacher who doesn't have to torment his students to get results."
Soon after that Megane was slapped with an eternity of detention, it would've been more if he had left school grounds, he didn't. Nurse Sakura found him sitting up in the clock tower nursing a Pepsi.
But it wouldn't be long before Megane was bailing himself out of jail for reckless driving...
That afternoon he angerly walked home, when a most unexpected thing happened, Lum approached him.
"Megane-san? Are you all right?"
Megane casually regarded her for a second, "No," then stormed off down the street leaving a bewildered Lum behind.
When he got home Megane needed something to do to clear his mind. He dropped his satchel and made his way into his room where he dropped to his knees and pulled two large metal briefcases out from under his bed.
He opened both, one held an old rifle, sniper scope, and ammunition. It was his great uncle's rifle from the war. The other held his AK-47 from the proxy war during the encounter with the memory of Tomobiki. It was technically a Mendou weapon but after the battle Megane had conveinantly forgotten to give it back to Shutaro.
He took the rifle out, screwed the scope on, and loaded it. He went into his family's small garage and fueled the motorcycle his mother maintained for daily errands.
Soon he was on the road with the rifle concealed in a gulfbag. He grinned, and got on the freeway to the countryside. By the time he got to his favorite stretch of roadway it was nearly 5:00PM, with several roadsigns all arranged up and down the road.
Megane had his walkman on, blaring Talking Heads' "Life During Wartime", he drew the rifle out of the gulfbag and aimed for the nearest sign, he waited a second, then fired ripping a good size hole in the middle of the sign advising him of the speed limit.
Megane laughed loudly. The next sign which read: Tomobiki - 22 kilometers, was completely ripped off its post from a well-placed shot.
This continued until the police nabbed him and dragged him back to Tomobiki.
(RP OFF)
I think it would rock if Megane calls Hudson asking him to give him a ride home, but tells him he'll provide the money to post bail.
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By Parias on Wednesday, December 29, 1999 - 22:06:
(RP ON)
Beavis and Butthead, chuckling as usual, watched from the other side of the highway as Megane sped past, blew up a couple of signs, then got nabbed by the cops a ways further.
"Huh huh, that was cool." Butthead said.
"Heh, yea, we need guns and stuff so we can be cool too. Too bad we don't have any money."
Butthead smacked Beavis on the face.
"Damnit Beavis don't you remember? We got chicks, and money for like saving that Hudson dude. We should like, uhh, go buy guns and stuff, and then we can be cool."
"Heh, yea!"
They walked off towards town, laughing.
Cygni and Sergei returned to their house. They had purchased a sizeable plot of land and had a place quickly built up over the last month. Money was not an issue, as the bank account Radicus had given to Cygni was still active. It took some convincing, but Cygni had managed to withdraw the entire account before it was closed.
She walked over to the kitchen, and noticed out the window a group of police vehicles going past, sirens blaring.
"Wonder what they're going after.." she murmured, picking up the phone and dialing the nearest pizza delivery place.
"Pizza again dear?" Sergei made a face.
Cygni nodded. "You know I hate cooking and cleaning. Hell, this place would be an utter mess if it weren't for these handy nano-droids."
"You put far too much use into those things.. some people would call you lazy."
"I just prefer living in style. Cleaning dishes and vacuuming isn't style."
She turned back to the window, placed the order, and hung up the phone. The police vehicles wailed on by again, and she spotted Megane in the back window of one of them.
"Hmm.. he's the last person I'd expect to see being hauled off to jail.. wonder what made him snap?"
Hudson was sitting down to an early dinner himself when a servant walked over. "Phone sir, it is for you. Megane again."
He nodded and picked it up.
"Hudson here, what can I do for you Megane?"
"They took me off to jail... listen, I need a ride home. I'll pay bail alright?"
Hudson furrowed his brow.
"Wait.. in jail.. what the hell is going on?"
"I can't talk about it right now. I just need a ride home, ok?"
"We need to talk about this."
"NO! I JUST NEED A-"
The line went dead. Hudson cussed. The police probably suspected the boy of being in charge of some kind of kind of gang... this was going to be difficult.
He picked up his coat, shrugged it on, and went to the door. He had to get to the bottom of this, before it blossomed into something worse.
(RP OFF)
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By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 01:22:
Beavis and Butthead were both giggling like idiots when someone jumped out of the bushes at them! It was Kintaro! Kintaro pointed his ax at them and said "Normaly I'd ask you for your money or your lives but thistime is different. I'm starting a Yakuza gang and I need some muscle. I'll let you guys be part of my gang if you help me spring Megane from the slammer. I could use a good shot like his!"
Butthead said "Hhehehehe! This sounds like fun! Chicks will think were cool! Hhehehe!"
They all got in a pick up truck that Kintaro had stolen earlier and headed off for the jail.
Beavis looked at Kintaro who was driving. Kintaro had forged a liscense and had a fake beared on to make him look older. The beared was some hair he shaved off his bears head who was now bald.
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By Jocko on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 01:43:
(RP ON)
Hudson was about to get into the driver's seat when a Kuroko stopped him, "Ryouko-sama doesn't want you to drive downtown, you're not...familiar with the roads."
"Oh? It's that bad at six o'clock?"
"Yes, Hudson-sama."
When they got down to the Tomobiki police station, Hudson told the driver to stay put. As he was walking in a policer officer stopped him, "hey I know you! You're Warren Hudson!"
Hudson groaned inwardly, the last thing he needed was a nosey policeman.
"Uh, yeah," Hudson said without much feeling. He abruptly walked past and up to the counter, he almost stopped half way. The receptionist obviously had bad vibes towards him.
The receptionist nodded, "what can I do for you, sir?"
"I'm here to post bail for a friend of mine."
The receptionist looked like he was about to laugh loudly, "sir, if I may say so, you don't look like you'd be bailing out a drunk, a general Tomobiki bum or a petty thug."
Warren wasn't amused, "listen pal, what I look like is none of your concern. I'm here to-"
The receptionist was cocky, "watch your tongue or you're gonna find that nice coat of yours mine."
'Okay,' Hudson thought, 'I'm gonna have this guy's balls on a plate when I'm through with Megane.'
"Do you know who I am, officer?" Warren asked shortly.
"Yeah, you're an old American businessman who wandered too from Shinjuku and is skating on thin ice," a fellow officer working the reception desk tapped his shoulder, but he ignored it and continued talking big to Hudson. "So if you don't want me ruin the Armani suit you better start showing some respect to a true Japanese lawman. You can't screw around here like you can in Kyoto, chump!"
'Is this guy for real?' Hudson almost laughed. He noticed the receptionist' fellow hurriedly whispering something in his ear. The man's mouth gaped open for a second.
"So..." he sneered, "you're that sicko Hudson. How does it feel to bang teenage girls? Especially Ryouko Mendou!" the receptionist bellowed. His fellow officer's eyes bugged out at this exchange and the man silently ran away down a hall, not alerting his cocky soon-to-be-excoworker
Before responding Hudson had a disturbing thought, 'this guy could be in charge.'
But he was saved when a police captain arrived and glared at the receptionist. "Huji!!!"
The man spun around in his seat as Hudson smiled wide, "aaah a er..."
(RP OFF)
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By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 02:03:
Suddenly a pick up truck smashed through the front door and Kintaro jumped out. He was wearing a Jason mask. Beavis and Butthead both had Sailor moon masks over theyre faces. Beavis and Butthead were carrying machine guns. Kintaro had his ax and he was also carrying several grenades strapped around his waste. Kintaro shouted "No one moves or I'll blow you all to peices!" Kintaro jumped up on the desk and grabbed the recptionest who was giving Hudson trouble by the tie. "I know youve got a guy in the slammer here who goes by the name of Megane! Were here to bust him out! Kintaro put the receptionest in a headlock and said "You can be my hostage! Now take us to Megane!" Beavis said "Woah dude! I wonder if were gonna be on cops? Hhehehe!"
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By Parias on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 03:32:
(RP ON)
Cygni was starting to get concerned. Additional police vehicles had passed by their house, heading towards the station, sirens wailing. She was about to call a few of her personal contacts to find out what was going on, when a news reporter appeared on her TV, with the police station in the background. She turned up the volume.
"..And it appears that three people, one small bearded man and two kids are commencing a holdup at the local police station. So far local forces have not attempted to move in, as these kids are heavily armed and extremely dangerous. Sergeant Wang is here to answer our questions... over to you Wang."
The camera shifted to a heavily bearded and tall man.
"What does the police plan to do Sergeant?"
"Well, we don't want to risk loosing officers in a sudden counter-attack, so we are currently preparing negotiations...."
Down at the station, Kintaro ran to the jail area and blew open the door to Megane's cell, while Beavis and Butthead waved their guns around at anything that moved.
Megane was a bit surprised to see Kintaro rescue him. When he was asked to join a gang, he shrugged. "What the hell, why not?"
Beavis turned to Butthead, pointed, and laughed.
"Heh heh, you look like a girl."
"Damnit Beavis this is like, uhh, our disguise and stuff, so like, people don't know who we are."
"Oh yea, heh heh. We're like, undercover operatives or something. Heh heh. This is cool."
"Huh huh, yea.. we're gonna kick ass."
An officer walked up from outside and opened the door, holding his hands up. "We want to negotiate.."
Beavis spun around and yanked on the trigged of the Mp5 he was carrying. Gunshots splattered all over the ceiling as the gun flung out of his hands from the recoil, spun around, and smacked him in the face, knocking him against the wall. Butthead's eyes bugged out.
"Woa, that was cool! Huh huh.."
Hudson had had enough. He pulled his gun out from his coat and aimed it at Butthead's face. "Are you finished yet?"
Butthead clumsily aimed his gun at Hudson's midsection. "Uhh, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to kick your ass. Huh huh."
Beavis laughed from the corner. "Yea, heh heh. Come out with your pants down!"
Hudson was about to pull the trigger, when the door suddenly burst down and three officers piled into the room, aiming their guns at Butthead's head. "Freeze!"
One of them delivered a kick to Butthead's stomach, sending him flying against the wall next to Beavis.
"Uhh, this sucks."
"It doesn't just suck Butthead, it's like, it really.. uhh, sucks! Heh heh."
Kintaro tossed a smoke grenade into the room and dragged Megane into the waiting truck. He then grabbed Beavis and Butthead and tossed them into the back, then backed up and drove away.
The police officers recovered after the smoke cleared. One of them went outside to ask if anybody had gotten a good look at the truck, while the other turned to Hudson and helped him up.
"Are you OK sir?"
Hudson merely nodded, straightened his jacket, and proceeded outside to the waiting car.
"Did you see where the vehicle went?"
The driver nodded.
"Follow them."
At Ataru's house, Lum yawned and leaned back on the small porch outside the window. She had been feeling strangely tired over the past few days. Doctors assured her it was just exhaustion from the events of the past few months, but to her it felt like she was slowly drifting away, and it was becoming harder and harder to stay away throughout the day.
Ataru was having mixed emotions. On one hand, the trip into space had been cancelled today due to "unforseen circumstances", much to the dismay of many of his clasmates. This made him happy, since it was one less report to turn in. On the other hand, he was also worried about Lum, who, for the first time, had fallen asleep in class. It had taken the small disturbance Megane caused to wake her up again. She seemed to be acting very odd..
He decided he would go pay a visit to Sakura over the next couple of days, as much as he despised the idea. He had to know what was going on. Cherry had mysteriously vanished a couple of days ago, and Ataru was having trouble deciding if that was good or bad.
He glanced out the window from his desk where he was doing homework, and saw Lum lying on the small porch outside, sleeping. He checked the time. It was 6 PM. They hadn't even had dinner yet. He sighed and brought a small blanket over, covering her body, then returned to work. He would definately have to go see Sakura about this.
(RP OFF)
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By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 04:12:
Several police cars were after Kintaros truck. Kintaor told his bear "You drive I'm gonna blow these suckers away!" The bear grabbed the wheel and they drove into a shopping mall. Beavis, Butthead and Megane were trying to shoot back at the cars. Kintaro said "Get down I've got something special here!" Kintaro took out a duffel bag from the back seat inside was a Bazooka. Kintaro was to small to hold it properly and fired a missile up into the ceiling! The second floor came crashing down ounto the police cars. They ran over some Manikens and drove through the window.
Beavis shouted "Man! Were probably on TV chicks will dig us! We'll be on cereal boxes hehehehe!"
Kintaro took the wheel and drove over to his hideout.
His hideout was in another garge in a dumpster. Megane asked "So Kintaro just what are your plans?" Kintaro said "I've got big plans after robbing a bunch of people I've got enough money to book us some plane tickuts! Now that I have my gang together were going to Vegas! I heared about what happened with Lum Megane. Well dont worry about that! From now on you and me are gonna live like men! We'll drive around in big shiney convertables and carry powerful guns! Women will adore us and we can say as many four letter words as we like! Theres only one thing standing in our way. The police know your identity Megane! Your going to need a disguise!"
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By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 04:17:
Whoops forgot one thing
RP on
Kintaro took out a cell phone "Hello is this mr large? Yeah mr large! Were leaving tonight!"
Megane said "Whos that? Whys he called mr large?"
Kintaro said "He's called mr large because mr Big is to unorigenal! He's a fat midget who lives in Vegas he's hired us to do a job! He wants us to take out mr above average size. Were gonna get paid big bucks!"
Megane thought "Hmmm this kids got issues. Oh well to hell with it all at least I'm gonna live like a man."
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By Parias on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 07:37:
(RP ON)
Cygni and Sergei were eating pizza when a pickup truck drove past their place, with two boys firing out the back, followed by Hudson, and multiple police vehicles.
"What the hell is going on out there?"
Sergei shrugged. "Must be related to that holdup."
Cygni sighed. "Listen hon, I hate to bug out on you, but I've gotta find out what the hell is going on." She grabbed another slice of pizza, wolfed it down, and headed for the door. Sergei cut her off.
"You're going to freeze to death out there. At least put something on."
She shook her head. "Too damn cumbersome! And since when did I start letting other people worry about me?"
"Since you met me." Cygni tried to push past, but Sergei didn't budge an inch. She sighed in resignation.
She stepped out of the house five minutes later in a white sweat shirt and black track pants, with her belt on the outside, in case she needed to grab her gun. She took off into the air and went into the direction the vehicle had gone. She flew over a scene of destruction at the mall, and noticed tire marks heading towards a large run-down building, stopping at a large dumpster. Cygni cracked a smile.
"Come now my friend, that's the oldest trick in the book!"
She landed near the dumpster, pulled it open with a heave, and, after digging through a bit of trash, found a small panel underneath. She opened it up and hit the green button.
The dumpster flipped upwards, revealing a large dark cavern. She slowly moved inside, and whirled around in surprise when the dumpster closed behind her.
"Automatic door.. nothing to be scared about.." she whispered to herself. She walked onwards, and found the tunnel to lead to a complex series of sub-tunnels. Reacting on gut instinct, and making good use of her watch, she finally came to a large garage area, where a small group was chatting ahead. She crouched down and moved behind a large container, peering around the edge. She saw Kintaro, Beavis, Butthead, and, most surprisingly, Megane.
"What's he doing here? I figured he was a bit more.. stylish than to hang around with some underground gang..."
She began listening in.
"Uhhh, so like, we're going to Vegas and stuff?" said Butthead.
"Yea, we meet Mr. Large, and he pays us for getting this gang together. After that, we get some additional jobs, and more money." said Kintaro.
"Yea! And chicks! We're gonna score! Heh, this is cool!" yelled Beavis, getting excited.
"Huh huh, yea, we're gonna score..." replied Butthead.
"Vegas... I always was interested in that place.." said Megane, adjusting his glasses slightly.
"We leave in a couple of hours by plane, I've got the tickets set up." Kintaro shifted slightly and pulled out four red tickets.
("You'd better head out of here and go tell Hudson.. this doesn't sound good.")
"Right.."
She shifted slightly, getting ready to stand up, when suddenly the container came toppling down, making a clatter that would wake the deceased.
The group of four spun around, glaring right at her.
"Oh.. SHIT!"
("RUN!")
She rushed towards the door, but was stopped when it slammed in her face. She spun around and saw a scowling Megane holding his palm to a bright red button against the wall. Kintaro began moving towards her, while Beavis and Butthead stared, laughing.
"Heh heh cool, another hot chick!" Beavis began advancing towards her.
"Hey baby.. uhh, wanna like, check out my gun? Huh huh huh.." Butthead began advancing as well.
Megane picked up his Ak-47 that was lying on the ground and aimed it at her.
"You bitch. It's all your fault that my friends stopped respecting me. It's all your fault that I'm never noticed by Lum. It's all your fault that my life is a LIVING HELL!" He punctuated his last words by discharing a couple of rounds, which bounced off the door next to Cygni's head. She flinched.
"I don't feel like hurting him.." she thought to herself.
("Yea well, he seems intent on turning your head into a meat popsicle. Time to make a choice girl.")
She growled and reached for her Desert Eagle. Megane saw this, and yanked on the trigger of his gun, hard.
Cygni had never known what it felt like to have one's stomach explode. The bullets penetrated the sweatshirt and ripped into her midsection, tearing apart the flesh and burying the fine materials of the shirt inside of it. Then an intense pain, far beyond anything she had ever felt before, shot up into her head. She let out an earpiercing scream that would have been heard for miles if it didn't come from underground, then slowly sagged to the ground, clutching her stomach. She looked up at Megane, her vision beginning to fade into red. He saw him gasp in surprise, dropping his weapon to the ground and holding his hands up to his face. Everything was going in slow motion. She saw Kintaro, dragging on his arm, saying "Cmon! We gotta go, they'll be coming soon! And our plane leaves in 30 minutes!" Kintaro began dragging him towards a rear exit. Beavis and Butthead, followed, laughing. The last thing she heard before going unconsious was Beavis asking "Um, why did we have to shoot that hot chick? She's like, cool and stuff!" and Butthead replying "Uh, she was like, a bad girl."
"Oh yea, bad girl.. heh heh!"
She faded out.
Cygni awoke with a start four hours later with a groan, rubbing her head and feeling sick. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Aren't I... supposed to be dead?" she asked herself.
("Remember? You regenerate, unless 90% of your body is destroyed.")
"Shit.."
She checked over her belongings. Everything was still there. They had apparently left right away. She shrugged off the torn shirt and checked her stomach. Aside from a massive red bruise and some small amounts of bleeding, she appeared to be in one piece. She looked at her watch.
"Holy shit.. four hours.. they're long gone by now. I've got to go tell Hudson.."
She struggled to her feet and opened the door, then limped back to the surface.
(RP OFF)
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 15:16:
On the plane Beavis and Butthead were both giggling and making noises behind the seat Megane and Kintaro were in. They were lloking at a sports illustrated swimsuit issue. Kintaro turned around and shouted "Shut up or I'll feed your magazines to my bear!" Beavis "Aww man but theres chiks in these magazines! We cant feed them to a bear! Unless theyre bad girls huhuhuhu!"
Butthead said "Yeah badgirls like Megane!"
Kintaro grumbled and sat down. Megane was dressed up like a girl so people wouldnt recognize him.
After a another few hours they arrived at the Vegas air port. They had just picked up theyre luggage when a waste can started to follow them. Kintaro had gotten his ax out of his luggage and swung it at the can. It fell over and a little guy wearing sunglasses and a trenchcoat jumped out. "Whoa! Put that thing away! I'm mr Larges right hand man they call me the One armed bandit!"
Kintaro said "But you have both arms!" The one armed bandit said "Who cares it sounds cool!"
He took them outside where a limo was waiting in the back seat was mr Large. Mr laarge looked suspicously like Kotatsu Neko. But he had dark glasses on like The one armed Bandit.
Kintaro said "So your mr Large? The crime lord mr Large? Hmmm somehow I expected something different."
Mr Large said "Hey you arent exactly good looking yourself. We'll discuss plans when we get to my hideout."
-
By Jocko on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 18:55:
(RP ON)
Mendou Mansion....
"Ryouko-chan! I have to go now!" Hudson found Ryouko holding onto his arm as he was going through the door.
"Warren-kun, be careful," she nearly wailed, "who knows how much Megane has snapped."
"Cygni told me that he seemed very remorseful after shooting her...maybe I can reach him. But Kintaro and those two kids from that alternate Texas are gonna be a different story," Hudson snapped his fingers, "I know, call Jariten and see if he can go to Las Vegas with me!"
Ryouko nodded as Warren jumped into his BMW, and as he was driving away she heard the strains of the Rolling Stone's "Jumpin' Jack Flash."
(RP OFF)
Remember, we can't have Megane screwing up too badly. He can't go to jail and no one can really hate him. It would screw up what I have planned for him down the road.
BTW, Is it Mt. Fuji or Mt. Fiji I should have a ski resort on?
-
By Parias on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 21:00:
Hmm, now there's a good question.. I really have no idea >)
(RP ON)
Cygni slowly made her way up the driveway and entered her house. A Kuroko had given her a ride home after she had stopped at Hudson's place. Sergei greeted her at the door.
"What the hell happened to you? Are you alright?"
Cygni coughed. "Just goes to show.. you hesitate, you die. If it weren't for my body's ability to regenerate, I'd be a corpse."
Sergei put an arm around Cygni and helped her inside. "What did you find out?"
"Megane is sure as hell pissed about something, and it seems to be related to me.. although after he unloaded a good half clip into my stomach, he seemed to change his opinion that killing someone was bad.... ah hell!"
"What?"
"You didn't leave me any pizza!?"
Sergei grinned. "I was getting a tad worried when you didn't report anything after a few hours.. I had nothing else to do."
Cygni spun around and weakly grabbed him by his neck. "Next time leave me something to eat!"
Sergei just grinned and kissed her. She calmly accepted and closed her eyes.
("You guys have one hell of a relationship..")
"We're made for each other.."
That night, Cygni had the same dream she had had occasionally for the past few months, ever since Terra had died. It involved the same scene playing over and over, Terra in her death throes, screaming, while various other images of her life played over. Some would call it a nightmare, she referred to it as "the nights hell decides to invade my mind."
Right when it felt as if it were about to end, she suddenly felt a strong presence in her mind, something far beyond "the voice". She struggled to reach out and make contact.
"Who.. or what are you?" she asked.
There was no response, but the scene in her head shifted to an image of Lum, being held in Ataru's arms while he walked down a dark hole. Suddenly Lum began drifting away, downwards. Ataru tried to catch her, but he was rooted in place.
She then saw Lum lying in a pool of water. The water then turned into blood, and the skin on Lum's body seemed to peel off, leaving a raw skeleton, which disintegrated.
"What.. what is this?" she asked. Still no response.
In the next scene, Cygni suddenly found herself cuffed and strapped to a cold hard table, unable to move. A man hovered above her, but his face was changing every couple of seconds, showing the face of each and every person she had despised in her life.
The figure pulled out a large dagger, and aimed it above her face. The multiple faces began laughing, then they brough the dagger down. The scene felt so real, Cygni was sure she was going to die.
After practically feeling the dagger plunge through her skull, she let out an ear piercing scream and leaned up in her bed, breathing hard. She brought her hand up to her forehead. Nothing, not even a small scratch.
Sergei, who had nearly fallen out of the bed from the scream, sat bolt upright and stared at her.
"Another dream?"
She nodded. "This one was... different somehow.. there was something else.. I've got to go."
She moved her legs out from the bed and onto the floor and began getting up, but Sergei grabbed her arm.
"At least get some sleep, this is one of the rare times that you do. It's 3 AM."
She shook her head. "I've got more important things to worry about than fatigue." She flashed a grin.
"And when the hell did I give you permission to start worrying about me? Go to sleep, I'll be fine."
Sergei sighed in acceptance and leaned back in bed, closing his eyes. She walked down the stairs and opened the door, and was instantly blasted by a wave of cold air. Closing the door and muttering through chattering teeth, she put on some jeans and a brown trenchcoat and headed outside, down the street, with no real destination in mind. She needed to clear her head before getting started.
Ataru was beginning to panic. Lum hadn't woken up since 5 AM, and it was now 3 in the morning, and she still hadn't stirred. He knew she was still breathing, but that was about it. Sakura would be asleep by now. He needed some real help.
He sighed and leaned back against the wall, trying to figure out who he would go to. He heard someone moving outside, and saw Cygni walking up the street. He ran to the window and began waving madly.
"Hey! Hey!"
Cygni stopped and looked up at him. "What the hell are you doing still awake? It's 3 AM!"
"It's Lum! There's something wrong!"
Cygni's eyes went wide. "Oh shit.."
She floated up to the window and looked over Lum. She was still breathing, and had a pulse. Any normal person would think she was just sleeping. But gut instinct told her there was something deeper...
She turned to Ataru. "What's she doing out here anyways?"
"She came out here and just went to sleep at 5 PM.. I didn't want to risk moving her... she hasn't even moved an inch since then. And she fell asleep in class for the first time ever!"
"Alright, well, get her inside, she'll freeze to death out here, even with this blanket."
Ataru nodded and took her inside, setting up a pillow and putting her on the floor.
"When did this start happening?" Cygni asked.
"A few days ago.. I don't know why. It was around the same time Cherry disappeared.."
She growled. "There's something really screwed up about all of this.. I just had the strangest dream..."
Ataru looked up. "What was it?"
"It's... no, never mind. Listen, I need you to take her to Sakura ASAP. I'm still learning a lot about this place, but I can say with confidence that she can help a lot more than I can. I've got some investigating to do."
Ataru nodded. "I'll take her early tomorrow morning."
"Good. Alright, I'm out. Be careful."
Ataru nodded, and Cygni hopped out the window, landed softly on the ground, and headed back out onto the road, deep in thought.
"Strange dreams.. Lum going to sleep and not waking up.. Cherry disappearing, Megane going all whacko.. man, something is definately going on!"
(RP OFF)
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 21:33:
Megane was sitting in another room at Mr Larges penthouse. He was feeling kinda guilty about blasting Cygni and hoped she didnt die.
In another room Kintaro was sitting down to some tea with Mr Large. Mr Large pulled a phot out of his bag and tossed it on the table. He paused to puff on his cigar and said "This is Mr Above average size." In the phot was a shadowy figure with indestinct features.Standing next to him were none other then Sigfreid and Roy! "This is the best photo we could get of him. He's put out a contract on my life because our operations have clashed farily often in the past. The reasone I chose you guys to get him out of the picture is because nobody would expect a little kid with an ax,two idiots and a guy with glasses to be working for me!"
Kintaro said "Whoer you calling a little kid?!?"
Mr Large said "woah I ment that as a compliment! But rgardless you guys will have this waiting for you after you get him out of the picture!"
Mr Large took out a big suitcase of money. "By the way have you scene my brother Kotatsu Neko? He lives in Japan."
Kintaro wondered "Whys a cat spirit a crimelord?"
Something funny was going on but as long as he got paid he wasnt going to ask.
-
By Jocko on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 22:48:
(RP ON)
Megane sighed, he was dressed up like a woman and guilt over shooting Cygni was eating him up inside. 'I'm...worse than a jack off I'm a hired thug,' he thought furiously. Meanwhile Beavis and Butthead were watching an Oni/Playboy produced porn movie on hotel Pay-Per-View.
"Huh-huhuuuhhh-huh...ass, Beavis." Butthead gasped.
"Uh-heheheheheheh! Boobs!" Beavis grinned his usual grin.
Megane picked up the phone, before he did anything else he needed to set things straight with Cygni, Hudson, and Sakaguchi.
Sakaguchi's shitty one room apartment in Tomobiki...
"Erm...Megane?" Sak gasped, "Is that you? I heard you went nuts and tried to start up a gang."
[No! It's just I've gotten caught up in something big. I just want to thank you for being my home video retailer these past years.]
Megane hung up.
Hudson's BMW heading to the Moroboshi residence...
Warren's car phone rang loudly, he picked it up.
"Hudson here, it's your dime; spill it."
[Hudson-sama...it's Megane.]
"!!!This better be good, pal!"
(RP OFF)
-
By ataru devo on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 04:36:
I'm new at this, please pardon any suckage.
(RP ON)
[Listen, Hudson-sama, and listen good. What if I
offered you the whereabouts to the others in
exchange for my own freedom?]
Hudson chuckled slyly.
"Kid, it doesn't matter what you wanna offer me.
I'm gonna track down you and your lowlife gang
down and send you straight to prison, if not to
hell with a revolver."
Megane gulped.
[I know, I know. But I just want this thing to
end. I can give ya the location, they're right
here with me. All you have to do is clear my
record, let me off the hook so I can slip away.
It'll be much easier on all of us.]
Hudson rubbed his chin in thought. It was an
interesting proposition. He could always double
cross and track down the punk afterwards...Just
then, he pulled up to the front of the Moroboshi
household.
"Okay, kid. Let me know where you and the others
are now, and I'll give ya a clean getaway."
As Beavis and Butthead continued to giggle, and
Mr. Huge sipped his tea, Megane thought. He would
be able to slip away for now, but it sounded like
this "Mr. Above Average" character wouldn't have
any problem tracking him down and offing him. He
could claim a narrow escape, maybe? No, this whole
gang business had been a bad idea, he didn't want
any more connection with it. Maybe he would wait
for now.
"Kid? KID!!!"
[Sorry, but I gotta reconsider. I'll call back
momentarily.]
"You bastard! You think you can just make offers
like that and then take them back, like some damn
corporation exec? You screw with me, I'll-"
Megane hung the phone up, and sat at the edge of a
bed. What now?
Suddenly, without warning, he saw the odd head of
a familiar old monk pop up in the corner of a
nearby open window, and nearly had a heart attack.
Cherry signaled for him to be quiet and slipped in
as stealthily as a ninja, making his way past the
easily-distracted Beavis and Butthead.
"I'm glad I found you, Megane-San..."
Meantime, Hudson tapped the radar screen of the
call tracer installed on his carphone, and
grinned.
"Offer or none, I've got you now, you now, you
little dirtbag."
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 05:45:
Pretty good, ataru devo. If you have any Gonzo ideas just let us know and welcome to the club. :)
(RP ON)
Meanwhile, Hudson stopped off at the Moroboshi household to get Ten. It was a tough sell...
He knocked at the door, and Ataru answered; seeming oddly awake.
"Ataru!" Hudson tried to keep his voice down. "I need to talk to Ten-chan, now!"
"I need to get Lum to Sakura-sensei right away! Can you give us a ride?"
Hudson stood shocked in the pre-dawn chill, "sure."
Ataru showed him Lum asleep on the floor. "You can move her to the car, right?" Hudson whispered.
Ataru nodded and picked Lum up in his arms and quietly moved out the door.
Hudson removed his shoes and began stalking up the stairs, no sense in risking an encounter with those freaky parents of Ataru's.
When Warren reached Ataru's closet he found Ten asleep in his futon.
"Jariten!" Hudson said as loud as he dared.
"...mmm?" he opened his eyes and yawned, "Hudson-sama? What're you doin' here?"
"Kintaro and Kuma are in trouble."
Jariten sprang up and floated around the room, obviously looking for Lum or Ataru. "Lum's sick and Ataru's taking her to Nurse Sakura," Hudson nodded downwards, "they're in my car."
"Where's Kintaro!?!" Ten nearly screamed.
"Las Vegas, Nevada. It's in the United States."
Jariten looked up at Hudson, "when do we leave?"
"Now, get whatever you need together for weekend getaway."
In a few moments Hudson, Ten, Ataru and Lum were in the car heading to Sakura's shrine. When they arrived, Hudson violently blared the BMW's horn until Sakura angrily came out to see what the hell was going on.
After Lum and Ataru got out Sakura faced Ten. "Ten-chan? You aren't staying with Lum-chan?"
"No Sakura-onii-chan," the alien toddler yawned, "me and Hudson-sama are gonna save Kintaro, Kuma, Megane and those two idiots from themselves."
Sakura glanced to Warren; who nodded tensely, "that's about it, Sakura-sensei. Do me a favor, all right?" Sakura nodded carefully, "in a couple hours go over and wake Ataru's parents up and explain the situation to them. I don't need a kidnapping accusation on my back."
"No, you probably don't," Sakura grimaced. And Hudson and Jariten were soon off to the airport.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 06:08:
Welcome aboard Ataru Devo, nice to have you on!
Man, my ISP borked up and died most of the day, so I've been stuck offline.. and my Allegiance beta came in today.. joy!
(RP ON)
Sakura bent over Lum's body, examining it closely, nodding, and simply mumbling "Mmmhmm..."
Ataru was getting tired of this act. "What the hell is it? What do you see?"
Sakura cast an icy glare at him. "Be quiet you fool! I'm trying to see if her mind hasn't been ripped away from her!"
Ataru looked surprised. "Her.. mind?! But who would.."
"SHHHH!!!"
Ataru sat back, deep in thought, trying to figure out what was going on.
Meanwhile, out in Vegas, a plane landed, and Hudson, Sergei, and Cygni dis-embarked. Cygni had caught Hudson before he had stormed into the plane, and managed to delay him enough so she could get Sergei and head off together. She had a feeling a piece of the puzzle would lie in this city.
Upon leaving the plane, Cygni found the city to be surprisingly warm, and removed the large trenchcoat she was wearing, handing it to Sergei.
"You're going to attract a lot of unwanted attention.. especially in a place like this.." he said, making a face.
"They can shove it." Cygni put on a determined smile, and they walked outside of the airport area, flagging down a taxi.
Before Cygni could enter, a man in his 20s walked up to her, nearly creating his own small lake from his drool, and his eyes never glancing above her chest. She glared at him.
"I'll give you two thousand dollars if you stay with me tonight!! You're the most beautiful girl I've seen in my life!" He dug into his pocket and removed two crisp $1000 bills.
She snatched the bills out of his hand, cracked a smile, and delivered a hefty punch to his face, breaking his nose and knocking him unconsious. She kneeled down and shoved the two bills into his mouth, stood back up, and entered the taxi.
"I stand corrected" said Sergei, grinning.
Cygni nodded. "So Hudson, you said you managed to trace where that phonecall came from?"
Hudson turned around from the front seat and nodded. "Yup. And if we're lucky, they haven't moved yet." He turned to the driver and fed him an address, and the vehicle took off with a lurch.
"What an ungainly vehicle.." Sergei said, making a face.
"It'll keep our profile down" Cygni replied.
Hudson turned around in his seat again. "Not to sound rude, but a sexy green-haired girl going around Vegas isn't exactly 'low profile'."
Cygni delivered a playful punch to his arm. "Thanks for the compliments."
The vehicle stopped suddenly, nearly sending the passengers flying out of their chairs. Hudson recovered, paid the driver, and opened his door.
"We're here."
"That was quick.."
After warding off a few more gawking on-lookers by patting her gun, Cygni and the group entered the run-down building and began scaling the steps.
"What floor was it again?"
"Fourth..room 51."
Cygni signalled them to stop. "In a place like this, people don't go by here very often unless it's for a good reason. They'll hear us coming up. I'll head on ahead. If you hear screaming, people dying, or gunfire, that's your signal to come."
"Erm, ok.." replied Hudson.
Cygni lifted her feet off the ground and slowly floated up the stairs, stopping at the fourth floor. After spotting the door marked 51, she kicked it open and glared around inside. Megane, Beavis, Butthead, Cherry, Kintaro, and Mr. Large all looked up in surprise.
She quickly raised her Desert Eagle, flipping on the laser sight. She looked in surprise at Cherry.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"It's fate" he mumbled. She aimed her gun squarely at Megan's head.
"Drop the godamn gun! Everyone, now! Hands on your heads!"
Mr. Large shook his head and stood from his desk. "You dont have a warrant for our arrest, and you certainly don't look like a police officer. Will you kindly leave us in peace?"
"Hah! I'm not leaving this damn room untill I get some answers! I'm not interested in your pathetic gang crap."
Mr. Large nodded. "You talk the talk, now walk the walk. What do you need?"
She growled at Megane. "What the hell inspired you to try to kill me?"
"I... uh... er...." He froze. "How do you explain to a girl who had a gun to your head why you tried to kill her?" he asked himself.
Cygni realized his confusion and lightened her face a bit. "If you come with me, I'll forget the whole damn thing happened. Just drop this gang crap and come home."
He nodded, and was about to take a step towards her, when Cherry yelled out. "STOP! Going in that direction is very unlucky!"
Mr. Large nodded and rose above his desk with a grin, and a gun in his hand. "I agree, going in that direction IS very unlucky. We don't treat desserters well."
Cygni growled. "Megane, get the hell behind me. This is going to get ugly."
Mr. Large moved his gun and pointed it at her. "I'm waiting on your shot lady."
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Thursday, December 30, 1999 - 07:37:
(RP ON)
Cygni and Sergei were eating pizza when a pickup truck drove past their place, with two boys firing out the back, followed by Hudson, and multiple police vehicles.
"What the hell is going on out there?"
Sergei shrugged. "Must be related to that holdup."
Cygni sighed. "Listen hon, I hate to bug out on you, but I've gotta find out what the hell is going on." She grabbed another slice of pizza, wolfed it down, and headed for the door. Sergei cut her off.
"You're going to freeze to death out there. At least put something on."
She shook her head. "Too damn cumbersome! And since when did I start letting other people worry about me?"
"Since you met me." Cygni tried to push past, but Sergei didn't budge an inch. She sighed in resignation.
She stepped out of the house five minutes later in a white sweat shirt and black track pants, with her belt on the outside, in case she needed to grab her gun. She took off into the air and went into the direction the vehicle had gone. She flew over a scene of destruction at the mall, and noticed tire marks heading towards a large run-down building, stopping at a large dumpster. Cygni cracked a smile.
"Come now my friend, that's the oldest trick in the book!"
She landed near the dumpster, pulled it open with a heave, and, after digging through a bit of trash, found a small panel underneath. She opened it up and hit the green button.
The dumpster flipped upwards, revealing a large dark cavern. She slowly moved inside, and whirled around in surprise when the dumpster closed behind her.
"Automatic door.. nothing to be scared about.." she whispered to herself. She walked onwards, and found the tunnel to lead to a complex series of sub-tunnels. Reacting on gut instinct, and making good use of her watch, she finally came to a large garage area, where a small group was chatting ahead. She crouched down and moved behind a large container, peering around the edge. She saw Kintaro, Beavis, Butthead, and, most surprisingly, Megane.
"What's he doing here? I figured he was a bit more.. stylish than to hang around with some underground gang..."
She began listening in.
"Uhhh, so like, we're going to Vegas and stuff?" said Butthead.
"Yea, we meet Mr. Large, and he pays us for getting this gang together. After that, we get some additional jobs, and more money." said Kintaro.
"Yea! And chicks! We're gonna score! Heh, this is cool!" yelled Beavis, getting excited.
"Huh huh, yea, we're gonna score..." replied Butthead.
"Vegas... I always was interested in that place.." said Megane, adjusting his glasses slightly.
"We leave in a couple of hours by plane, I've got the tickets set up." Kintaro shifted slightly and pulled out four red tickets.
("You'd better head out of here and go tell Hudson.. this doesn't sound good.")
"Right.."
She shifted slightly, getting ready to stand up, when suddenly the container came toppling down, making a clatter that would wake the deceased.
The group of four spun around, glaring right at her.
"Oh.. SHIT!"
("RUN!")
She rushed towards the door, but was stopped when it slammed in her face. She spun around and saw a scowling Megane holding his palm to a bright red button against the wall. Kintaro began moving towards her, while Beavis and Butthead stared, laughing.
"Heh heh cool, another hot chick!" Beavis began advancing towards her.
"Hey baby.. uhh, wanna like, check out my gun? Huh huh huh.." Butthead began advancing as well.
Megane picked up his Ak-47 that was lying on the ground and aimed it at her.
"You bitch. It's all your fault that my friends stopped respecting me. It's all your fault that I'm never noticed by Lum. It's all your fault that my life is a LIVING HELL!" He punctuated his last words by discharing a couple of rounds, which bounced off the door next to Cygni's head. She flinched.
"I don't feel like hurting him.." she thought to herself.
("Yea well, he seems intent on turning your head into a meat popsicle. Time to make a choice girl.")
She growled and reached for her Desert Eagle. Megane saw this, and yanked on the trigger of his gun, hard.
Cygni had never known what it felt like to have one's stomach explode. The bullets penetrated the sweatshirt and ripped into her midsection, tearing apart the flesh and burying the fine materials of the shirt inside of it. Then an intense pain, far beyond anything she had ever felt before, shot up into her head. She let out an earpiercing scream that would have been heard for miles if it didn't come from underground, then slowly sagged to the ground, clutching her stomach. She looked up at Megane, her vision beginning to fade into red. He saw him gasp in surprise, dropping his weapon to the ground and holding his hands up to his face. Everything was going in slow motion. She saw Kintaro, dragging on his arm, saying "Cmon! We gotta go, they'll be coming soon! And our plane leaves in 30 minutes!" Kintaro began dragging him towards a rear exit. Beavis and Butthead, followed, laughing. The last thing she heard before going unconsious was Beavis asking "Um, why did we have to shoot that hot chick? She's like, cool and stuff!" and Butthead replying "Uh, she was like, a bad girl."
"Oh yea, bad girl.. heh heh!"
She faded out.
Cygni awoke with a start four hours later with a groan, rubbing her head and feeling sick. Her eyes widened in surprise.
"Aren't I... supposed to be dead?" she asked herself.
("Remember? You regenerate, unless 90% of your body is destroyed.")
"Shit.."
She checked over her belongings. Everything was still there. They had apparently left right away. She shrugged off the torn shirt and checked her stomach. Aside from a massive red bruise and some small amounts of bleeding, she appeared to be in one piece. She looked at her watch.
"Holy shit.. four hours.. they're long gone by now. I've got to go tell Hudson.."
She struggled to her feet and opened the door, then limped back to the surface.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 06:10:
Ack, posted around the same time you did Jocko, sorry >)
The two posts manage to tie into each other pretty good though.. we'll find some way to put Ten into there.
-
By Jocko on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 06:50:
Okay, thanks... I really wanted to have something with Ten and Hudson trying to eat cross-continental airplane food and, of course, Ten needs to be there to smack some sense into Kintaro. Cool?
-
By Parias on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 07:51:
No problemo seniour >)
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 20:24:
Mr large said "Hhehehe! take your best shot at me I dare you." he put down his gun. Cygni blasted him and a bullet wiwizzed through his head breaking his sunglasses. Mr Large stumbled and said "Ahh just what I needed to wake me up." He picked up his gun and said "You forget like my brother Kota chan I'm a spirit cat. You'll need spirit weapons to kill me." Mr Large picked his gun back up and said "Now what do you intend to do now?".
Outside the building sigfreid and Roy steped out of a limo. In the back of the limo was a shadowy figure poofing on a cigar. "Mr large is in there. You two go in there and take him out like we planned."
-
By Parias on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 21:41:
(RP ON)
Cygni grimaced. "What a day to leave my sword at home.." she muttered to herself.
Hudson, Jeriten, and Sergei came up behind her, thundering up the stairs like a stampede of elephants. She turned around and held up her hand. They stopped half way up the final flight of stairs. When she turned her head again, the room was empty, save for Cherry.
She walked over to the monk, who had pulled out a small pack of food and was eating contently, and put a scowl on her face.
"Where the hell did they go?"
He shrugged. "It does not matter to me. They are doomed to unluckyness."
"The hell it doesn't!" She grabbed him by the neck and held him in the air.
"Did.. not.. see.. where.. they.. went..." he gasped.
She sighed and dropped him to the ground, then turned around to the group.
"Sorry guys, they bugged out. I learned one thing though. Seems Megane is an unwitting pawn in some greater conspiracy... he was ready to drop the whole damn thing and come home if we forgot what had happened."
Hudson nodded. "Glad to hear.. at least he has some decency left."
Cygni nodded back, and paused, looking around the room. "How the HELL could they have all gotten away so fast?"
Sergei shrugged. "Maybe some kind of.. cloaking device?"
"How would one stupid gang get ahold of advanced technology like that?"
"Don't underestimate them my dear.."
"Right... anyways, I guess we're back to square one. They could be anywhere by now."
Hudson nodded. "I've booked us a room..we should head to the hotel and rest for a bit, see what we can do."
"_A_ room?" Cygni said icily.
"Yes.."
"You mean a COUPLE of rooms."
Hudson shook his head. "Prices are pretty damn high around here, and it's been awhile since I've checked my American account.. we're gonna have to live with one for now."
"You know perfectly well I've got an assload of cash sitting in my pocket.."
"They don't take yen."
Cygni cussed, walked out of the room, and headed downstairs, muttering. Sergei gave Hudson a face.
"One room was the best you could do? There's two of us, not counting Ten, and one female. Hey, where did he get to anyways?"
"Ten? I think he went down with Cygni.."
"Poor kid. With Lum unconsious, he's got nobody else to turn to.."
"He's a trooper, he'll be fine. Anyways, don't worry about the room, it's pretty large, so you guys can have your 'intimate moments' undisturbed."
"What? I.. er.. um.."
Hudson laughed. "I'm kidding. Come on, lets go."
The couple chuckled to themselves and began walking down the stairs to the street level, leaving Cherry alone in the room, munching on food.
"Such unlucky faces.." he murmured.
(RP OFF)
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Friday, December 31, 1999 - 22:23:
Mr Large got up on top of the roof through a trap door with Megane in a headlock. Kintaro said "Hey howed we get up here? What are you gonna do with him?"
Mr Large held Megane over the side of the roof with one hand "I'm gonna make street pizza out of him because he's a squeeler!" Megane tried to get loose of Mr Larges grip but he was to strong. Meganes glasses fell of his face and ounto the street. Kintaro said "Hey wait a minute! Dont you think it's little harsh droping him off the roof?"
Mr Large pointed his gun at Kintaro "You gonna argue with me to?"
Just then a whip cracked mr Larges hand sliceing his gun in half. Mr large said "You! You wont take me alive Beastmaster!"
Sigfreid and Roy steped out of the shadows. They glowed and fused together. Beastmaster the combined Sigfreid and Roy steped foreward with his whip "Mr Large! Youve been a thorn in the side of my boss for to long. It's curtans see! And the curtans arent pastel theyre red! The color of blood!"
Kintaro got destracted and mr Large yanked the ax out of Kintaros hand and flung it at Beastmaster. Mr Large jumped off the roof and landed on top of Hudsons car making a big dent in the roof. He ran off on foot. Beastmaster Grabbed Megane and Kintaro "You two are coming with me!" Beast master jumped off the roof and landed on Hudsons car again leaving two foot shaped dents in the hood and took off after mr Large carrying Megane and Kintaro under one arm.
-
By Jocko on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 04:11:
(RP ON)
Hudson and company ran out of the building to find the rented Buick had crazy dents on its roof, hood, and trunk.
For a few moments everyone just stood there stunned. Ten spoke first, "well I guess they were hiding on the roof all along."
"Viva Las Vegas," Warren murmured.
Sergei nodded, "no use in looking for them now...shit, if only *one* of us had stayed behind with the car!"
Cygni jabbed Sergei in the ribs and pointed at Jariten. "Oh...er."
Ten yawned and floated over to Hudson's arms, "I'm tired, and need a diaper change."
"Oh...nuts." Hudson sighed as they got into the car and went to the hotel.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 05:47:
(RP ON)
As the dented vehicle drove on down the street, Cygni made a face.
"..Black Erotica Hotel.. Dance-me-to-sleep...Bug your eyes out.. I hope you're not planning on stopping at any of these."
Hudson smiled. "Of course not. We have a young passenger with us... and I prefer going for something a bit more.. classy."
After driving for awhile, they stopped in front of a hotel marked "El Gamblore."
"French hotel?" Cygni made a face.
"No, but the name does inspire you to go there, doesn't it?"
"A bed's a bed to me. And I don't even want to imagine how much you paid to get a room in this place.." Cygni got out of the car and looked upwards at the towering golden behemoth that called itself a hotel.
"Ten dollars."
"What? Let me guess.. run down room?"
Hudson shook his head, smiling.
"Rats? Broken pipes? Dented ceiling? Torn wallpaper?"
Hudson continued shaking his head.
"What the hell is the godamn catch?"
"That we keep quiet. I'm friends with the manager..."
"Keep quiet eh? No problem there.."
They entered the building. Inside was a large classy lobby, with various elevators lining the walls. A few doors led off to other areas, marked gambling, food, theatre, and others.
"A hotel I would have killed to been in a few years ago.." Cygni whistled.
They walked over to a receptionist standing behind a desk. "May I help you?" the man said, obviously tired and bored.
Hudson held out a small card. "I have a reservation for room 346..."
The man slid the card through a small slot, then returned it to Hudson. "I'm sorry sir, but there's a small problem in that room.. your reservation has been moved to room 468."
Hudson shrugged. "It happens. Thanks."
"Mmmmmhmmm..." The man leaned back on his stool and returned to the issue of Playboy he was reading.
The group entered one of the elevators and proceeded to the 36th floor, then headed to room 468. Hudson gaped in surprise after opening the door.
"Wow.. looks like we got a room twice as large as the last one! Privacy definately won't be an issue..."
Even Sergei was impressed. "A lot better than those damned closets they call quarters I used to live in.."
Jeriten shrugged. "It's average."
A couple of hours later, Sergei and Hudson sat in the room on a couple of large chairs, watching TV, while Cygni and Jeriten were out cruising the city. Cygni had mumbled something about "getting real money and a real car" and Ten had simply followed without saying a word.
Hudson looked over at Sergei and grinned. "So you guys haven't been at each other ahead of time?"
Sergei looked insulted. "I treat my women with respect, that's the true way to win them over. And besides, we haven't even discussed it yet. I'm waiting on her call."
"When's the wedding scheduled for anyways?"
"Well, thanks to a few extra events, such as what we're doing now, we've pushed it back a few days untill this is all cleared up.. it'll be around the first week of December at the latest..."
"Buy her a dress yet?"
"I don't know if I should.. she'd probably complain about it being 'too cumbersome' and take the skimpiest clothing possible, naturally embarssing the entire crowd in the process. It's hard to decide if she's a curse or a charm!"
Hudson smiled. "You two get together fine.. I'm sure it'll work out."
Sergei's face went dark. "It's not always prim and perfect with us.. she gets all defensive whenever I begin 'caring' for her. We haven't had any arguments yet, but it's only a matter of time..."
"As I said my friend,, I'm sure it'll work out."
Sergei sighed, and they turned back to the TV.
Deep in downtown Vegas, inside of a casino, Cygni was attracting a lot of attention. Ten watched over her shoulder as she popped a quarter into the large slot machine, yanked the handle, and had a pile of money fall out. It happened over and over and over again.
"What kind of machine is this?" Ten asked. "You just put in a quarter, and it turns into a lot more money! I fail to see the practical application of it.."
"I'm just really lucky or something. Generally you're only supposed to get money one time out of ten.. or something like that." She yanked the handle again, and reached for an extra bowl as more money spilled out. A crowd was forming behind her.
"Lemme try!" said Ten.
"Sure, why the hell not?"
Ten hovered down to the large pile of quarters sitting next to the machine, picked one up, slid it into the slot, then, with a large amount of effort, slowly yanked the handle down.
Cygni gawked as 3 pictures of a large bag of cash rolled into place. Lights began flashing, alarms sounded, and a massive amount of quarters began spilling out of the machine, most of it overflowing from the small tray and spilling onto Cygni's lap, and then the floor. A young man shoved his way past the crowd and began yelling at her in excitement.
"Congratulations miss! You've hit the one-in-one-thousand jackpot! You've got yourself ten million dollars in American cash and the car on display up there!"
He pointed to a large stage, where a Lamborghini was slowly turning around. The man began pumping her hand wildly.
"Congratulations again! What's your name?"
"Cygni...." she said, still trying to take all this in.
"Congratulations Cygni! Please, if you will allow the press a few pictures..."
She turned on her stool as various media reporters began yelling at her. "Miss Cygni, please, this way! Smile for the camera!"
After absorbing all of what had just happened, she flashed a grin, and flashes went off all aroud her as cameras clicked and reporters began sending thousands of questions her way.
Ten hovered over and whisper in her ear. "Uh.. did I do something wrong?"
"Just the opposite kid.." she said out of the corner of her mouth.
Back in the hotel, Hudson and Sergei were preparing to head off to sleep, when the door burst open and Cygni stumbled in, carrying four oversized bags of cash on her shoulders. Ten hovered in behind her, holding a pair of keys in his hand.
Sergei and Hudson gawked, stunned, as Cygni dropped the bags on the floor with a loud thud and extended a hand towards the wall, leaning against it and catching her breath.
"What the hell did you do, rob a bank?"
Cygni grinned. "No, I hit the jackpot. Whoever said gambling would make you go broke must be spinning in his grave.."
"Gambling?"
"We're in Vegas, I figured I'd go take the chance."
Hudson made a face. "What I'd like to know is how you got Ten in there."
"Well, there were some strange reactions to him floating, so I just kinda gave em a glare and they went on their way." She patted the gun on her hip.
"What are the keys for?"
"Our new method of transportation."
"Wha?"
"You'll see it when you wake up tomorrow. Now, why don't we get some sleep, so we can get this damn mystery out of the way?"
They stood there, simply gaping in shock.
"Well, you guys can sleep standing up if you want. I'm heading off to bed."
She walked over into the second room, closing the door behind her. Sounds could be heard of her taking off her bikini top with a snap and crawling into bed. Sergei and Hudson attempted to recover.
"How.. much money has she got in there anyways?" Sergei asked.
"Too much... too much.." Hudson held a hand to his head.
Sergei sighed. "I'm heading off to bed too. Good night."
He walked over to the closed door where Cygni had gone and turned the handle, which resulted in a clicking noise.
"Seems to be.. locked.."
Hudson smiled. "She probably wants a bit of time to herself.. it's been a living hell for her lately. We'll take the couches."
Sergei sighed and nodded.
"She'll be the death of us all sooner or later..imagine how many people spotted her lugging that cash up here."
"I doubt they'll be a problem. Come on, lets get some sleep."
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 07:32:
Happy New Year to all UY fans everywhere.
(RP ON)
Hudson woke up at around 2:30 AM shaken, not stirred. He was lonely, after he and Sergei managed to give Ten a change of diaper, they had pretty much fallen right to sleep. But all this talk about sex, relationships, and marriage had gotten to Warren. He missed Ryouko. Hudson had been wanting to take her on a grand tour of the States for a while. First it would be the house his first wife and him maintained in suburban Lincoln then Washington DC, New York, New Orleans, and then finally Las Vegas.
Abruptly Hudson realized that it was daytime in Japan. He grinned, got up and went into the next room and seated himself in a chair. He picked up the phone.
Tomobiki, Mendou Mansion...
Ryouko was lying in bed reading a book when the phone rang.
She picked it up, "Yes? Warren-kun?"
[Yeah! Well, we got to Las Vegas all right but couldn't stop Mr. Large, or Smalls, or whoever the hell we're after.]
"What about Megane-san?"
[He's a pawn in this, Kintaro seems to be a bit more enthusiastic about it as usual, but is still in way over his head. Beavis and Butthead are just following the money, chicks and guns.]
"Be careful, Warren-kun!"
[I will, Ryouko-chan. Rest assured of that.]
"Isn't it early morning there? Why aren't you sleeping?"
[To be completely honest, Mendou-sama. I missed you. I kept thinking how great it would be to have you here in the States with me on pleasure, and not damage control.]
"Warren-kun, does any of your political friends know you're there?"
[Uh, no. I've tried to keep this as hush-hush as possible. Only my Marine pal Hal Allynsdale, the General Manager of this hotel, knows I'm here.]
"You never talked much about war comrades, Warren-kun..."
[True, a lot of them who are still alive took a dislike to the level of esteem the Japanese people hold me, and my forgiveness and constant "looking ahead." I don't think my defense of homosexuals in the military endeared me to them either. And there is also the question of my open negotiations with ETs, my marriage to a Sorceress, and my lack of support for the Vietnam War that still gets me into bar fights sometimes... Oh yeah, there's this wonderful rich brown girl in Japan who likes me a lot too.]
Ryouko smiled innocently, "Oh? Anyone in Tokyo?"
[Yes...]
"You know, I can be out there with you by this afternoon," she mused.
[We'll probably be finished by then, to be honest. Although the thought appeals to me, dear. I'll try to be back in Tomobiki tomorrow, Ryouko. I promise, and I'm bringing everyone home with me.]
"How's Ten-chan?"
[Okay. He got a sour stomach from the airline food, had to change him three freakin' times...]
Ryouko giggled.
[Hey stop that laughing...it ain't funny.]
"I'm...sorry!" she laughed this time.
[Anyways, I read Ten-chan a story and he's out cold. As a matter of fact, he's floating in the bathroom doorway as we speak.]
"What story did you read?"
[A sanitized passage from Hunter Thompson's "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72," it was the only thing I had with me! Politician's honor!]
Ryouko laughed, "Your secret's safe with me, dear. Hurry home, Warren-kun."
[Bye, dearest. You're only thing I have to keep me going now. Oh yeah, Cygni won ten million dollars playing the slots with Ten, so I won't be needing any money wired to me.]
Ryouko was speechless as Hudson took a sip of water half a world away in the gambling/sex capital of the Western World.
[...So how's Lum and Ataru?]
(RP OFF)
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 07:35:
Kintaro kicked his legs andand tried to punch beastmaster who had him tied in a chair with Megane. Kintaro said "I'm an innocent bystandard you hear! I was framed!"
Beastmaster diffused back into Sigfreid and Roy. Sigfreid and Roy opened a curtan and the taco bell dog jumped out. Kintaro said "Hey are you that Bakuto guy in disquise?"
The dog said "Hey this guys trying to insult me! tie his mouth shut!" The taco bell dog walked over and said "My real name is of no concern of yours. You may call me mr Above average size. I'm a gangster who had a curse placed on me by mr Large. But my time of revenge has almost come. I've whiped out most of his men and have moved in on his operation. Now you two! Tell me everything you know about mr Large! Call in the enterrogator!"
The interrogator walks in. It's that kindergarten teacher who interrogated Kintaro when he visited the earth kindergarten in Japan! Kintaro said "Oh no Megane! Were done for!"
Cygni had gone to sleep in her room. When she woke up she saw Cherry and Beavis playing cards with her money "How did you get in here?!? I thought I locked the door?!?" she shouted. Cherry answered "Fate let us in." Worse yet she noticed Butthead lying on her lap! "huhuhuhu! soft!" Cygni blasted him!
-
By Parias on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 09:22:
(RP ON)
After sending Butthead flying against the far wall with a lightning blast, Cygni took a moment to consider her situation. There she was, topless, in a room with three males. Her gun was somewhere under the bed, and chances were that all the lightning bolts in the world couldn't end her problems. There was only one course of action.
Sergei was finally nodding off to sleep when a sudden blood-curdling scream erupted from beyond the wall next to him, sending him sprawling from the couch. He uttered a long string of obscenities, got up, and marched towards the door. He counted to three, and kicked it open.
He saw three things. One, he saw Cygni, glaring around the room and holding her sheets up to her chest with white knuckles. He then saw Butthead, lying in a gaping hole in the wall, chuckling. Then he noticed Beavis and Cherry digging through the piles of money sitting in the corner. Beavis looked up at him and said "Hi can I help you? Heh heh."
Hudson, who had fallen out of his chair after hearing the scream, nearly smashing the phone in the process, told Ryouko to hang on a moment. He got up, reached for his gun, and walked into Cygni's room, where Sergei was standing. He noticed Butthead slowly peeling himself out of the wall, and pointed his gun at him.
"What in hell is going on?" muttered Sergei.
"Isn't it obvious?" Cygni yelled. "Do something!!"
Cherry stuffed as many dollar bills as he could into his pocket, murmured something about "prophecy" under his breath, and lept out the open window. Beavis continued stuffing his overflowing pockets full of cash, while Butthead walked over and joined him, chuckling.
"Shit, I've had enough!" Cygni extended her arm down under the bed, pulling up her bikini top and snapping it on in one smooth motion. She then got up from the bed, grabbed her Desert Eagle, flicked on the laser sight, and aimed it at Beavis' face. Butthead chuckled.
"You always looked good in red Beavis. Huh huh."
"Heh, yea, I'm cool."
Cygni scowled. "You kids got 3 seconds to get the hell out of my room!"
"Uhhh.."
She aimed to the left slightly and yanked the trigger. The gun echoed a loud report, and a large bullet whizzed past Beavis' face, clipping him in the nose slightly and impacting against the wall. Beavis stumbled about.
"Owww!"
"Uh, this sucks. Lets get out of here."
"Yea heh. Ow.. we'll like.. um.. be back and stuff. Heh heh."
They ran towards the window and leaped out. Loud screaming was heard from outside, followed by a thud. Cygni sighed.
"Sorry to get you all out of bed like that, but I wasn't about to let em see me.."
Hudson held up his hand. "Say no more." He grabbed Sergei by the arm and pulled him out, closing the door behind them. He then ran to the phone and picked it up.
"Ryouko, are you still there?"
"Yes."
"Sorry, a bit of odd trouble. Beavis, Butthead, and Cherry, yes Cherry, invaded Cygni's room and caught her.. erm.. 'exposed'."
"Exposed? What was she doing?"
Hudson grimaced. "Uh, poor choice of wording. Lets just say she was having a hard time deciding between moving from bed and exposing herself, or sitting there and screaming. She chose the latter. Anyways, how is Lum and Ataru doing?"
"I haven't heard much from Sakura, but it appears some kind of odd force is slowly stealing her mind. This may be linked to Megane's odd behaviour, or so she says."
Hudson rubbed his chin. "Interesting..."
There was a knock at the door. Hudson sighed.
"I'm sorry Ryouko, I must go. Do take care of yourself."
"And you Hudson. Be careful."
"I will."
He hung up the phone with a click and walked over to the door. He opened the small eyepiece.
"Who is it? It's late.." he muttered.
A figure with dark glasses and a suit poked his face into the eyepiece, shoving his badge into it. "FBI. Open the door."
Hudson raised an eyebrow. "What could they want?" He reached over and thumbed open the lock, and opened the door.
"FBI, Agent Scourge. We have reason to believe you are in possestion of illegal firearms and devices. If you will come with us..."
"I don't know what you're talking about." He slowly uncovered his gun from his coat. "I've got a license for this gun."
"According to our records, you don't."
"Whaaat? Bullshit! I've got my license right here..."
He patted around in his pocket where he always kept his important things. He dug in deep, but nothing touched his hands.
"Where did it... oh shit.." He recalled seeing Cherry jump out the window. He had brushed into Hudson before doing so...
"That pickpocketing thief.." he muttered.
"Will you please come with us sir, and your group. We don't want to have to use force."
Hudson heard muttering beind him, and Sergei walked out of the darkness. "What's going on?" he asked.
"A mistake.." Hudson replied.
"I'll repeat myself again. I must ask you, both, to please come with me."
Sergei sighed and pulled out his registration card for the 3rd fleet navy. "According to this, I have command over all special undercover operations. So I'm ordering you to get the hell out of here and let us get some damned sleep!"
Agent Scourge looked over the card, then handed it back to Sergei, chuckling. "Is this a joke? I've never heard of any '3rd fleet navy'."
Sergei turned to Hudson. "I thought you said the world knew about what's happened?"
Hudson shook his head. "Just Japan..."
The door to the other room clicked open, and Cygni walked out, standing in the doorway. "What the hell is going on?" she asked, obviously miffed at not getting any sleep.
The agent looked surprised a second, then whispered. Hudson listened intently.
"...It's her. Requesting instructions.... right."
Two other agents came down the hallway and stood behind Scourge. He brushed his way past Hudson and Sergei and moved towards Cygni, picking up his pace. Hudson held out a hand.
"Hey hold on a-"
One of the other agents inturrupted by kicking Hudson in the mid-section and shoving him against the wall, holding a gun to his face. The other did the same with Sergei.
They saw Cygni back away from the doorway. "What the hell...?"
The agent pulled a pair of cuffs out of his pocket. "I'm going to have to ask you to come with me ma'am."
Cygni scowled. "The hell I am! What the hell do you want?"
The agent picked up into a run. Cygni held up her fists, then raised her leg to deliver a punch when the agent came in range. He used his hands to block it, then lifted it up further, flipping Cygni onto her back. The agent dove at her, reaching for her hands.
Hudson was growling at the agent holding a gun to his head, trying to figure out if he would be able to kick him in time to deflect the gun away, when massive lightning zaps began flashing around the room. The agents didn't even seem to notice what was going on. No opening.
After a moment, the lightning ceased. Sergei began to crack a grin, which quickly collapsed when he saw the agent pulling Cygni's unconsious form out of the room and pulling a pair of rubber gloves off his hands. He began struggling wildly against the agent's hold, only to stop when he discharged a bullet into the wall, sending chunks of wood flying into his face.
"You bastard.." he hissed. Hudson remained calm, but with a growl on his face. Getting them killed wouldn't help matters any. Then again, sitting there doing nothing wouldn't help any either. Stalemate. Where was Jeriten?
The agent took Cygni out of the room. The other agents nodded.
"We have what we came for. All charges are dropped. Have a nice day sirs." They kicked Hudson and Sergei in their midsections again and ran out the door, slamming it behind them. Sergei yelled and ran to the door, ripping it open and looking both ways. He continued looking wildly about. Hudson came up behind him.
"They're... gone..." he said. He let out a deep breath and leaned against the wall, pulling a dark look over his face. Hudson sighed.
In a dark corner of the room, Ten stirred and woke up. He had been dreaming about Lum, and the lightning flashes had brought him around... albeit a tad too late. He floated out the open door and inquired what was going on. His face hardened after Hudson explained it.
"This could get complicated...."
(RP OFF)
I want to wish a happy Y2k to everyone else as well! G'luck people!
-
By Jocko on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 19:58:
(RP ON)
Hudson caught his breath and stumbled over to the phone and called Ryouko; explaining the situation. Next he placed calls to several news agencies, politicians, military brass and friends. First up was the Governor of Nevada, the Senators, Congressmen, and Mayor of Las Vegas. Then he called two of his former Presidents and the former Governor of California with whom he was on very good terms with.
After he was done he turned to Sergei, "those bastards are gonna get a wake up call tomorrow when they open up every major newspaper from Portland, Maine to Portland, Oregon to find this all over the pages. And it won't help to have the combined anger and pressure of several politicians."
"What..." Sergei stammered, "can they do to her?"
Hudson put a hand on his shoulder, "if they do do anything; rest assured I will spend the rest of my life making sure they don't get away with it. Just because they're the FBI doesn't mean they can screw around with harmless people like that. I didn't fight for my nation for that."
(RP OFF)
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 22:15:
The kindergarten teacher interrogator smacked them again "They dont know anything! Weve been at this for hours and they havnt given us any useful info."
Mr Above average size said "All right you two.Since you cant give me any useful info I'm going to set you guys up for a pair of cement shoes!" Kintaro shouted "Thats a cliched execution you should be more creative!" Mr Above average size said "All right if you want it that way."
An hour later Megane and Kintaro found themselves tied to a lamp post with some barby dolls. Mr Above average size walked over and said "Each of those barby dolls is filled with a volitile explosive. The slightest move could set it off and this is also the most origenal gangster execution ever so no complaining! I'll be leaving you two now if anyone should find you I've planted several booby traps around you to set off the explosives."
Cygni woke up in a rubber room. Something strange was going on. Someone knocked on the door and a man in a rubber suit came in. "My name is Radicus 2.0. But you can call me mr Rubber." She could see behind his mask that he looked like Radicus before he got all burnt up.
-
By ataru devo on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 22:56:
(RP ON)
Megane grimaced. "Well this is just great! Why the
hell did I ever join up with you people!? Now I'm
in some idiotic deathtrap with NO hope of escaping
and even LESS hope of returning things to the way
they were before this mess started!!"
Kintaro scowled. "If you'd shut up for a moment,
we might be able to find a way out of here, fool."
Megane sighed a long, tired sigh. How could he
possibly have gone from asmall-time hoodlum to a
pawn in a gang war? All he had wanted to do was
rebel against the conformist society and lifestyle
he had seemingly been cursed with. Had it started
with the taking of another's life? Was this god's
punishment, to forever be trapped in a swirling
nightmare of absurdist crime and revenge, of
depression and murder? This world almost didn't
seem real, it was just a shperical dome, inhabited
by the criminals and the heroes, no right or
wrong. Rather like the dreamworld he was once
trapped in before as a result of Mujaki, the dream
demon who used Lum's dream to...Lum! Is THAT how
it all started? His angst of the deprival of Lum,
the protection of Lum, the rebellios anger of not
being able to have her? How could-
His thoughts were interrupted as he noticed
Kintaro ever so gently slipping his hand down to
his pocket and taking out a small black console,
no larger than an american dime.
"The others forget I had this" he grinned, and
pressed it. A metallic beeping sound emitted.
Somewhere in the icy, infinite blackness of space,
a single outpost of human technology was
continuing it orbit around the planet earth. There
were no living inhabitants on it, at least not
organic. The computers had taken care of it's
complicated controls, leaving no possibility for
simple human errors. But this moment was
different. The mechanisms stopped in an instant,
and a long pole portruded from a hole on the front
end. A nanosecond later, a beam of brilliant,
glowing, pure light was fired towards the earth
below.
The light continued it's descent towards the earth
and the journey was done with in seconds. At
exactly 2.5 seconds after Kintaro had activated
his satellite-guided laser, it had clevery
disintegrated all the deadly dolls.
Megane had avoided the laser. Kintaro had not
fared quite so well.
(RP OFF)
By the way, this thing REALLY should've been
called "Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas".
-
By Parias on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 23:03:
(RP ON)
Ataru sighed and boredly played with his food, much to his parent's disgust.
"Eat dear, eat!" his mother urged.
"I'm not hungry."
She sighed. "First he goes out of his way to make Lum feel unwelcome, then when she gets in trouble he starves himself!"
She moaned and put her head on the table. "I never should have had him."
The phone rang in the distance. Ataru rushed towards it and picked it up.
"Ataru? It's Sakura."
"Sakura! What's going on? What did you find?"
"The source of the trouble lies some place in the United States. I can't trace it any further than that. And it's not a natural force taking her mind, it's a person that's doing this, or a group of people, I don't know."
"What can I do??"
"The focal point of the energy seemed to come from Las Vegas.. somewhere around there. I suggest we join Hudson and gang to assist them."
Ataru nodded. "When do we leave?"
"Now. Get your things ready, I'm coming by in 5 minutes."
Ataru cracked an evil grin and hung up the phone.
"Now will be my revenge... hee hee."
Cherry, Beavis, and Butthead spied upon Megane and Kintaro from a distance away. Cherry rubbed his chin in thought.
"The prophecy must be completed. It's fate."
He pulled out a small knife and ran towards the lamp post, while Beavis and Butthead remained behind, chuckling.
"Um, hey Butthead, how do people get so small?"
"Uh, it's like, the older you get, the more you shrink, or something. Huh huh."
"Oh yea heh heh. Fit in the palm of my hand..."
"Yea. Huh huh."
They watched as Cherry took careful aim, then tossed the knife straight upwards. Megane and Kintaro began screaming.
"NO! NO!! IT'LL EXPLODE!!!"
"I told you it was a very unlucky direction! I am here to save your souls!"
The ropes split in half from the sharp knife. Cherry spun around and lept away from the lamp post while Megane and Kintaro landed hard on the ground. A second later, explosions surrounded the entire room. Cherry grabbed Beavis and Butthead and hid behind a few boxes. After the explosions ceased, a blackened Kintaro and Megane struggled to their feets, coughing.
Cherry waved to them. "Come! We must go quickly!"
While the pair struggled over to him, Beavis and Butthead looked over the scene of destruction in front of them.
"Heh heh, that was cool."
"Yea, we should like, uhh, try it ourselves sometime."
"Heh, yea! Rule!"
They grouped together and rushed out of the building, towards an unknown destination.
Cygni growled and flexed her arms slowly. The effects of the tranqulizer were still there, she could move, but only from massive effort. Radicus stepped forward.
"You've caused me quite a bit of trouble my dear. I must find out how you do it.."
He reached out with his arms, extending them towards her forehead. "Hold still while I suck your mind dry..."
Radicus grabbed her head with a strong grip, holding it strong. Cygni felt a dark presence enter her mind.
("This isn't good. Try and think of something to do, I'll hold him off as best I can.")
"Stop resisting.." he said. "It's just delaying the inevitable...
She attempted to deliver a few weak punches to his mid-section, but they didn't have any effect. Lacking any other course of action, she summoned all her remaining strength and, shoving hard against his hand, shot out with her head and bit down on his neck, hard. She found to some surprise that she punctured the skin perfectly, and blood began seeping into her mouth. She coughed.
Radicus screamed and let go of her head, stumbling backwards and holding his neck. "What.. what are you, some kind of vampire?"
Cygni didn't reply, simply wiping the blood from her mouth and trying to get the horrible taste out.
Radicus attempted to regain his composure. "We'll try this again later.. things work a little differently around here. You scratch my back, and maybe you'll go a day without getting hours of pain. You do the opposite, and.. well..."
Three large guards entered the room, holding bright red rods in their hands. Radicus nodded to them and walked out of the room.
Cygni knew what was going to happen next, and there wasn't much she could do. She weakly rose to her feet and attempted to fend off the first guard as he rushed towards her. He jabbed the stick into her stomach, injuring her and knocking out her breath. The stick also discharged an intense amount of head into the impact area, causing further pain. She screamed.
The other two guards swarmed around her and together they began unleashing a constant barrage of attacks. Cygni managed to hold out for one minute before collapsing to the floor, tears of pain flowing from her eyes. The guards nodded to each other, and walked out the door, with one of them delivering one last strike that caused her whole body to shudder.
Cygni heard the door close with a loud thud. She could feel herself bleeding in many places, and was utterly unable to move.
("You did everything you could. You've got at least four broken bones and your ribs are in pieces.. you'd better not try to move.")
"Shit..." she gasped before loosing herself in the void of unconsiousnous.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 23:05:
Ack! Posted at the same time as you Ataru Devo.. we'll go with your post for the Megane/Kintaro situation.
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 23:16:
Kintaro shouted "Yowwwww!" it had caught his hair on fire. He beat the flame until it was just smoking. Kintaro looked over at Megane and Megane looked at Kintaro. They both shouted "This is all your fault!" Kintaro jumped up on Meganes face andstarted to punch it. Kintaro was just a kid but was a very strong kid. Megane nose got kinda busted up. Megane flung into the air and into a brick wall. Kintaro picked up a baseball bat from the garbage and Megane picked up a garbage can. They both rushed toward each other.
Dr Ginkobot looked into a room to see a green glow. Standing next to Ginkobot was what looked like a cybernetic onsen Mark. He had managed to capture the glowing green babey thing that lived under Tomibiki that caused all the wierd stuff to happen in movie 4. He had taken it to a hideout in a dream diamension he had created with the help of it and his phaze missiles. The green glowing babey thing said L-U-M.
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Saturday, January 1, 2000 - 23:24:
Gee I posted at the same time too.
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By Jocko on Sunday, January 2, 2000 - 01:44:
Ataru Devo, just wait until this immediate situation is over and done with. Megane and his friend Sakaguchi (Duke and Dr. Gonzo) are going on assignment with a big suitcase full of drugs.
(RP ON)
"Yes sir, yes, I'm sorry about this misunderstanding." Hudson hung up the phone and looked up at Sergei and Ten. "Those weren't FBI agents who took Cygni. I think Ginkobot is back, goddamnit!" Warren slammed his fist on the table.
Jariten floated over to Hudson and handed him a can of cola. "Thanks, Ten-chan."
Hudson took a big drink. "The government is on alert to look for anything suspicious but I don't think Cygni is in the country anymore."
Sergei nodded, "Ryouko...?"
Hudson picked up the phone, "calling her right now."
(RP OFF)
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By ataru devo on Sunday, January 2, 2000 - 03:15:
Just following the situation which was above me.
-
By Parias on Sunday, January 2, 2000 - 03:47:
Sok Ataru >)
(RP ON)
Radicus was inside of his luxury quarters, examining various reports and sipping from a drink. The only source of illumination was from the desk he was sitting at. The door chimed.
"Enter."
An officer, looking ragged, entered. "Sir, we've been interrogating her for five hours straight, but she refuses to co-operate. We've thrown everything we have. If it weren't for her regenerative abilities, she'd be long dead."
Radicus growled. "There's got to be a breaking point, everyone has one."
"Well, her's might be beyond what we can achieve..."
"That's not good news to tell me officer. I expect progress to be made, and soon, or I shall consider reversing the roles.. I'm sure our captive would take great joy in performing revenge on her tormentors."
The officer's face whitened. "Yes... sir.." he mumbled, saluting and leaving the room.
"Yes.. everyone has a breaking point.. even you my dear..." he said to himself, turning to a monitor that showed a view of the cell Cygni was in. She was unconsious on the floor, and blood was splattered everywhere. He watched as one of the large cuts began to close in on itself, grinding the flesh together and flushing out the damaged tissue and organs while new ones regenerated inside of the body.
"But there is more to this.. I must find out just where your power comes from. You have elevated far above your specifcations... I must know how."
He sighed and returned to his work.
(RP OFF)
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By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Sunday, January 2, 2000 - 04:24:
Cygni felt very strange. Her head was killing her not just from what these guys were doing to her but something else. Suddenly she felt something odd happen. She moved her hand up ounto her head and felt a third horn had just grown in.
The interrogator was about to go in for another sessoin when he noticed that the door to cygnis room was ripped off it's hinges. Radicus looked at the monitor witch was going nuts with static. The cameras were out.
Several guards with the interrogator fired some missiles at her. Cygni raised a hand and a shockwave came out taking out the missiles and splattering the guards and interrogator all over the hallway. (Cygni something strange is happening I think your begining to evolve into a super oni!)
more guards started coming Cygnis head started to hurt again. She was begining to feel a very strange sensation simular to Vertigo. The guards stoped Cygni started to laugh and energy was building up around her body.
Radicus: "Come in! Whats going on down there?" There was only static.
Megane and Kintaro were still fighting in the alley. Suddenly Cherry poped up and said "Your faces look very unlucky! Megane those glasses are unlucky!" They both started beating up Cherry.
Mr Large looked around the corner to see them. "Hmmm they escaped mr Above average sizes trap. Well I cant have any witnesses." He loaded a machine gun. "I hope Beastmaster isnt around."
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Sunday, January 2, 2000 - 04:34:
forgot one thing! Heres another fun plot twist
RP on
Hudson was calling Ryouko when there was a knock heard at the door. They opened it and to everyones suprise it was Moojockey! Ten said "You! What are you doing here?" Moojockey said "Oh it's just awful! I dont have anywhere else to turn! My son has been kidnapped! I have reasone to believe it was done by the same people who took the one known as Cygni!" Sergei said "Your son? Whos that?"
Moojockey said "You know awhile ago frozen dreams apeared all over Tomibiki. That was my sons doing. The leftovers of the dream I gave miss Lum eventualy took on a conciouness of it's own. It feeds off of memorys related to Lum. It just a child and they took it! .It was created by Miss Lum and myself in a sence were both it's parents. I'm very worried about him please youve got to help me! If you do I'll give each of you a good dream!"
-
By Parias on Sunday, January 2, 2000 - 07:50:
(RP ON)
Cygni could feel the power coursing through her veins, begging to be released to unleash their destructive force.
"What.. the.. hell... is.. happening...?"
("It's probably a special fail-safe.. if various pieces of your body needed to be regenerated more than 10 times in 24 hours, the fail-safe would activate in an attempt to keep you alive. Each time you regenerate, the waste gets transferred to your blood stream, having a similar effect to poision. However, it's usually so small that it's dealt with immediately and is never a problem. But if you end up regenerating too much within a certain period, you'll eventually die from the buildup. The fail-safe injects a number of toxins into your system, temporarily increasing your attributes to something that can withstand it untill the poision has subsided.")
"Alright... I guess I should start trying to figure out a way to get out of here...gotta find my guns.."
She began making her way through the passageways, blasting away any opposition.
(RP OFF)
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By Jocko on Sunday, January 2, 2000 - 21:18:
(RP ON)
Hudson was trying to take all this in, he glanced down at Mujaki, "you're the one who caused all those supernatural disturbances last year?"
"Er..em, yes sir." Mujaki took off his hat and whipped his forehead.
"Then your son resulted in my car being totalled six months ago..." Hudson kneeled down to bring himself to the Dream Demon's level. "You also kidnapped a lot of people against their will. Sure we'll help find your son, but you have to know that you'll be held accountable for your previous actions."
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Sunday, January 2, 2000 - 22:57:
(RP ON)
After various explosions rocked the complex and hundreds of screams were heard coming down the corridor nearby, Radicus broke into a sweat and began gathering his things, preparing to leave. He looked up as lightning began encircling the door, disintigrating it after a second. A dark figure walked in.
"How did you..."
Cygni walked into the light, a stern expression on her face. "We finally meet again you ass. You're not getting away from me this time."
"No! I must know what this is! How are you doing this?"
She rubbed the back of her neck, wincing from the stinging that still came. "You killed millions, including one of my better friends. You know I'm not going to just shrug that off and get on with my life."
"Millions?! What are you talking about?"
"Don't try to pull the wool over my eyes. I've been listening to Sergei, who's been telling me about the things you've done.. did you happen to know that your ex-wife was on that single planet you decided was 'useless' and destroyed?"
His face whitened. "How.. this is insanity! Please, stop now! I must know.."
Cygni shook her head. "This is the end. I'm sick and tired of hunting you down. Goodbye."
She raised her hand in front of her, and a flash of lightning snapped out, enveloping Radicus. He began to slowly float into the air above his desk. She closed her hand slightly, and he began gagging and clutching his throat.
"GO TO HELL!" she screamed, clenching her fist together tightly. His neck completely snapped, and his head flung from his body, landing in a dark corner of the room. The lightning coursing through the remainder of the body began fluctuating wildly, finally exploding, destroying the body completely. Her face went dark.
("Darth Vader eat your heart out..")
"So this is finally it.. it's all over... I finally got the bad guy.."
She looked behind her down the hallway, where there was a scene of mass destruction and gore. Dead bodies were littered everywhere.
"But what about the people I killed to get to him? In my rage I came down here thinking nothing about killing, but now that it's over..."
("You did what you thought was right at the time..")
"They were in my way. If they had stayed out of the damn way they'd still be alive to go to their wives or husbands, and kids. Damnit!" She said the last word out loud, punching her fist against the wall and leaning against it, looking down. Tears began filling her eyes.
She began to feel weak, then noticed the excess energy pouring out of her body, and the third horn retracted into her head.
"At least that's gone... it sure as hell didn't look good, sticking out like that..."
("You'd better go..")
"Right.."
She glanced at the wristwatch she had recovered earlier and checked where she was.
"Unknown location? Where the hell did I go, a whole other dimension or something?"
She saw a small sign down the dark hallway marked "Ladder" with an arrow pointing towards the left. She nodded and grabbed her Desert Eagle, slid a clip inside, and began slowly walking down the hallway.
When she reached the ladder, she turned and looked behind her once again at the death and destruction. She sighed.
"Damn.."
Down at the Las Vegas airport, Ataru and Sakura dis-embarked from the plane, and were instantly surrounded by thousands of gawking onlookers.
Ataru glared. "Get back! She'll put a curse on you all!"
Confusion arose on everyone's faces. Ataru scratched his head. Sakura looked down at him
"They don't speak Japanese.. let me handle this."
She rose her head and began yelling out in fluent English. "Get the hell away, I'm loaded!"
Panicked expressions were shown, then they began running around, screaming.
"What did you tell them?" Ataru asked.
"That's my little secret. Come on."
"Shouldn't have flunked those English classes..." Ataru muttered, following Sakura out of the airport.
(RP OFF)
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Sunday, January 2, 2000 - 23:42:
Dr Ginkobot Was in his room with the cybernetic "onsen kid" who came from Shotaros dream. Ginkobot looked at some monitor "Darn she killed Radicus 2.0. I'll have to make another Radicus now! Erveryone in the entire area was destroyed as well. Onsen kid! Go down there and restore some order I cant have her finding our freind here!" he motioned toward the green glowing babey thing behind the glass. The onsen kid moved out and Ginkobot prepared to leave just in case.
Cygni was trying to find her way out of the base but it seemed to be impossible. Ity was all screwed up like Tomibiki school in Mujakis dream world. Whenever she went down one hallway she always ended up at the same spot.
At the hotel Ataru shouted "THE SON OF MUJAKI AND LUM?!? MUJAKI WHAT DID YOU DO?"
Mujaki said "Hey it's not like that! It was an accident I say!"
Mr Large steped out of the shadows and and blasted his bullets at Megane, Cherry and Kintaro. The the three of them ducked behind a truck while mr Large fired at them. Mr Large didnt notice beastmaster sneaking up behind him.
-
By ataru devo on Monday, January 3, 2000 - 01:24:
(RP ON)
With a mighty animali-like swipe, the Beastmaster
promply sent Mr. Large flying to the side and
crashed through a pane of glass. Quivering in a
bloody heap on the ground, Mr. Large summoned all
his strength and was able to pull himself off of
the ground and began limping away in retreat. The
Beastmaster followed after him. Cherry simply
observed that in his own humble opinion, it was
fate.
Ataru was now violently shaking Mujaki by his
brightly-colored collar as Hudson and the rest
attempted to pull him off.
"It wasn't enough you once used her dream to trap
me in an alternate reality, was it? You actually
fathered a child with her, you perverted lecher!"
Look who's talking, thought Sakura.
"Hey, hey, take it easy! It wasn't like that all,
ok?" Mujaki pleaded. "As a demon, I don't go
through the same...'procedure' you humans do when
spawning!"
"He's right, Ataru. Leave him be for a moment"
said Sakura. "No!! I'm going to kill this
bastard!" he continued. Sakura pulled out a
strange looking bamboo pole, the kind used for
spells. "I can use this purification wand to keep
him encased in this area without chance of
escape."
Mujaki scowled, then sighed. Ataru gave him a look
of disgust, then slowly released his hands. Mujaki
began to explain the origins of his own son to the
others.
Sakura thought a moment, looking down. She slowly
raised her head. "Mujaki..." "Yes, madame?" he
replied. "Do you think...there's any possiblity
your son might be producing dreams right now?"
"Of course" responded.
"And do you think he might have created another
eternal dream from another human desire? As you
did with Lum?"
Mujaki shrugged. "I suppose so." Ataru stared
quizzicaly at Sakura. "What are you saying, huh?"
Sakura turned to Cherry.
"Uncle, can you think of any humans who have
connections to this incident who would have strong
enough desires to make a neverending world of?
Cherry nodded. "The young boy, perhaps?"
"Of course!" said Hudson. It was his desire to
become gangster or a rebel or whatever that this
alternate world was created! That means Means that
Megane is at the center of all this!"
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Monday, January 3, 2000 - 02:23:
(RP ON)
After encountering the same dark and gory hallway for the 50th time, she sighed and put her back against the wall, leaning on it and crossing her arms.
She glanced at her watch. It confirmed that she was indeed in a different location than before, but the map view just showed a repeating patern of the same thing when it showed where she had been.
"I almost feel like I'm in System Shock... what was that SHODAN said again? Look at you hacker, panting and sweating as you run through my corridors...?"
("..How could you possibly hope to defeat a superiour being.. something like that..")
"Yea... god, I've never felt so alone.. what a freakin mess!" She peered down the hallway on her left, with the same destruction and death she had seen at every other area. Even the body placement was the same.
("There's a way out of here. Keep going.")
"Alright.."
She began walking down the hallway again, and stopped a minute later when she found herself in the same area. She turned off to the right, and once again was in the same area.
She looked at a body lying against the wall, then raised an eyebrow.
"That body moved. It was right against the bloodstain before, now it's a little ways next to it."
She turned around. Everything else was still the same. Turning back to the body, she noticed it was now in it's proper location.
"Very interesting..someone's playing with me."
("You don't think SHODAN would be real, would you?")
"Considering all the other crap that's gone on, I wouldn't be surprised. But I don't think so, not untill I find myself being hounded by zombies and cyborgs."
("There's got to be some way out.")
"Yea, but where damnit?"
She looked up. The ceiling was dark, with an occasional spark flying from a broken light. She floated up to it and cautiously felt around. It was warm. She turned around when she heard a shuffling behind her.
A haggard and broken voice called out from the darkness. "The.. many..... sings to us..."
Her eyes raised in shock. "The hell? I recognize that!"
("I think there's more to this than meets the eye.. whatever is doing this must have picked up on your memory of System Shock 2..")
A dark figure stumbled out of the darkness below her. She could see it's face, which was horribly contorted in pain and agony, with a large cut running over one of it's eyes. It's jaw was slightly displaced, and there was a large organic tube running from the top of it's head down to it's midsection. It was holding a large pipe.
"We... hear.... flesh...." it muttered, looking around.
"Shit.."
It looked up suddenly, hearing her voice.
"Are.. you.. of us?" it asked, glaring upwards.
She shook her head, still looking surprised. "I hope to god you aren't what I think you are.." she said.
"Your.. flesh.. will welcome.. us..."
It began jumping up at her, waving it's pipe around trying to connect with her legs. She curled up against the ceiling, out of it's reach.
After a moment of this, she heard a monkey scream out, and it ran into view, glaring upwards as well. Cygni's eyes went wide.
"Oh shit!"
It yelled out again and unleashed a large blue blast towards her, connecting with her shoulder and causing a small bruise. She cussed in pain, nearly loosing her concentration and falling. She recovered quickly and dove up again, out of the zombie's reach, then pulled out her Desert Eagle, flipping on the laser sight. She took careful aim at the monkey's head and pulled the trigger. A loud report echoed down the hall, and the monkey's large blue head exploded, sending the creature sprawling. The zombie didn't seem to notice, and continued jumping and flailing at her.
She put the gun away, then sighed when she heard more monkeys running down the hallway, the pattering of their feet echoing.
("This thing picks up on what you're concentrating on apparently, with a delay of a couple of minutes. I'd suggest thinking of being some place else.")
"I'd think home would do just fine.." she said through clenched teeth, clutching her shoulder where the blast had hit her.
("It wouldn't be real.")
"Fine, I'll settle for 'calm beach' untill I can figure this crap out!"
She put a picture into her head of a beachside, with water rippling gently against the sand and colours of yellow being splayed everywhere from a sunset, and concentrated on it, slowly floating downwards as a result.
("That should be enough. Now you wait.")
Another monkey ran into view and began yelling, preparing to send a blast her way. Twenty others also came in, surrounding the jumping zombie and yelling.
("Get the hell out of here, you can't dodge this!")
She took a breath and then dove downwards, soaring past the monkies and the surprised zombie, then landed on the ground a short distance away, taking off down the hallway and running as fast as she could. Pattering feet could be heard behind her as they took up pursuit.
A large blue bolt came out of the darkness behind her, barely missing her head. She turned down a tunnel as five more blasts flew past. She stopped suddenly when a larger zombie, holding a shotgun, turned around and crammed it's head in her face.
"Kill.... me..." it uttered. She happily complied, discharging a large amount of lightning into it's head, stunning it. She kicked it down, then took up running again as more blue bolts flew towards her.
She turned a corner, and found herself suddenly cut off by a swarming pair of monkeys. She turned around, and a large snarling beast with fangs and claws on nearly every single part of it's body came up out of the darkness behind her. She began turning towards the hallway she had came from, but stopped when her pursuers ran up. The 3 groups began moving towards her. She growled and reached for her Desert Eagle, flicking on the laser sight.
"I'm going to take as many of you bastards with me as I can.." she said, aiming squarely at one of the monkeys.
The large beast to her right swiped out at her with one of it's large hands, catching her off-guard and knocking her against the wall behind her. The gun somehow remained in her hand, but a large gash was opened in her arm.
The monkeys yelled and fired off hundreds of blasts in her direction. She closed her eyes as they whizzed towards her, thinking it was the end.
She was caught off guard when the ground below her vanished, and opened her eyes, surprised to see a large blue sky. She looked around, the ground had vanished.
Gravity suddenly came into effect, and she was so surprised she couldn't concentrate, and went plunging downwards. Right when she thought she would die, a large mass of water came into view, reaching out to consume her, or so it looked. She plunged into it, going so deep that she nearly touched the ground deep under. She spun around and aimed upwards, swimming as fast as she could.
She finally emerged on the surface, gasping for air and looked around. There was a beach nearby in the distance, and the views looked exactly as she had thought of it.
"Nice timing.." she said. "So can you clue me in as to what's going on?" She began swimming towards shore.
("I'll try. It appears that after you killed Radicus, somehow you ended up shifting dimensions. That would explain the energy you felt rushing out so fast. It was supposed to slowly dissipate over the course of a few hours, but instead it discharged when you shifted. Don't worry about the poisions though, it appeared that you held out long enough for them to disappear. So anyways, you changed dimensions, and now you're here.")
"Oh great...and how would I go about getting out?"
("I'm working on that... in the mean time, I suggest relaxing and avoiding thinking about a massive army of undead tearing you limb from limb..")
"Easier said than done, considering the stuff I think about. I'll try though."
She pulled herself up onto the beach, turned around, and sat down, watching the sky. After a short time, she sighed, leaned back against the sand, and fell asleep.
(RP OFF)
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Monday, January 3, 2000 - 03:02:
Remember if it's Meganes dream theres going to be at least one Lum in it.
RP on
The onsen kid "Ginkobot after the zombies came she disspeared into another diamension."
Ginkbot said "hmmm very interesting."
Someone was trying to wake up Cygni."Hey wake up!" Cygni woke up to see a strange girl who looked Chinese standing next to her was a guy who looked sorta like xellos but with out the purpul hair and he had a chinese symbol on his fore head. Cygni saked "Who are you guys?" The girl said "I'm pai and this is Yakumo! He's my datchinko!"
Just then somone apeared behind them accompanied by allot of monsters. Yakumo looked over and said "Oh no it's Benares!" Benares said "I've come for the Sanjiyan!" Cygni had just fallen into the 3x3 eyes world!
In mr Above average size's hideout there was a slide show that showed a picture of Megane and Kintaro "These two know my secret! I want every one of you to get out there and rub them out!" The room was filled with dozens of bizzare thugs who were being hired to take out Megane and Kintaro.
Mr Large is out of the picture and these two are the only thing that stand between me owning this town!"
Megane and Kintaro snuck into some adult bar and were trying to get some beer. Then Megane saw her! He rubbed his eyes but there was a girl who looked just like Lum sitting a few seats down "Are you cygni?" he asked. "No my name is Lum. Your that guy Mr Above average size was after." Meganes head hurt "Wait your name is Lum but you dont seem to know me! And how do you know about mr Above average size?" She said "I'm his wife. But he's a despicable man and he's a dog. I couldnt stay with him. He probably looking for me too. You shouldnt be here with me." Megane said "Wait... Your a Lum but your not Lum or are you?"
she said "Your not making any sense. Whats your name?" Megane said "I'm Megane! I'll protect you from Mr above average size!" Kintaro said "Man theres sure allot of you around lately!" he said pointing at the new Lum.
-
By Jocko on Monday, January 3, 2000 - 05:39:
(RP ON)
Megane felt like crying, here was a woman who needed his protection and accepted it. She was so much like Lum and yet, in all the areas that counted, she wasn't. But there was still this messy business with her being Mr. Above Average Size' former girl.
"Uh," Megane pitched his voice as dignified as possible, "is Mr. Above Average Size after you now, Lum-san?"
She laughed, "Lum-san? I figured you guys were from Japan...so what are you doing in Las Vegas getting into this kind of business?"
"Well..umm," Megane really didn't have much of an answer. 'What should I say?' he thought, 'I'm just another natural Japanese street freak in town for the Debbie Reynolds show?'
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Monday, January 3, 2000 - 11:07:
(RP ON)
Cygni gaped. She hadn't thought of any of this, didn't even have much of a clue as to what was going on.
("Maybe someone is toying with the dimension?")
"Whoever the hell it is, I don't like it." She glanced at her watch. "I only got 15 minutes of sleep too.. damnation!"
She watched as the group in front of her began attacking each other in a snarling tangling mass.
"No rest for the weary.."
Sighing, she began concentrating on the thought of a bar, with a table all to herself and everyone else too pre-occupied to notice her. She didn't really concentrate on who the other people were, just random people.
After a second or two, she suddenly found herself in the scene.
"That was quick.."
("I guess it measures a threshold based on need. If you need to get out right away, it'll wait a few minutes. If it doesn't really matter, it'll send you right away.")
"Not something to rely on if a nuke is about to go off in my face..."
She peered around. It was apparently an adult bar, with strippers dancing along the room, a few skipping from table to table, much to her distaste. She then noticed Megane, talking with what appeared to be Lum.
"How the hell did he end up here? Somehow I get the idea that's not a fake.."
("Maybe it isn't. Why don't you walk over and say hello?")
"I'll wait and see what's going on."
She strained to listen above the noise as a large bearded man approached the table and pulled out a large sum of cash.
"Quite a hot catch you got here kid.. $2000 for her."
Megane coughed. "Excuse me?"
"Hah, playing tough guy huh? Alright, $6000."
He caught on and shook his head. "She's not for sale-uh, I mean, she's not into this stuff. We're just meeting here.."
A grunt was his reply. "Huh, alright... your loss, but look me up if you change your mind.. I'm always around here..."
He turned, looking around the room, then spotted Cygni. Her face whitened.
He walked over to the bar, talked with the bartender, and gave him a large wad of dollar bills. The bartender nodded and passed him a couple of large glasses. The man then turned around and began making his way towards her table.
She raised an eyebrow. "Quite a bit for just a couple of drinks.."
She turned her head, pretending not to be watching him untill he reached her table and spoke up. "I've got a little proposition for ya.. mind if I sit down and we discuss it over a couple of El' Fettos?"
She put on a sly grin. "Is that a come on?"
"Maybe."
"Alright, lets hear what you got to say."
He smiled and pulled up a chair, then put the glasses on the table, sliding one over to Cygni's side. She eyed it cautiously.
"How strong is this stuff?"
"It'll knock you on your ass. If it looks like too much.."
"Naw, just the way I like it. So what is this 'proposition'?"
"I'm going to put this bluntly. You're hot. We'd make a hell of a lot of money together, go on world tours, be famous..."
"...And all I need to do is dance around on a bunch of tables while taking my clothes off. No deal." Her expression dropped into something stern.
"Why not?"
"Because number one, I have a lot more important things to worry about, and number two, I'm not into that kind of stuff."
He grunted. "What is this, hot girls wander into an adult bar, saying that they're 'not into this stuff'? What is it you people come here for?"
"Various things. Hey look, I think one of your buddies is getting a tad pissy.."
He spun around in his chair and looked around the bar, while Cygni put a grin back on her face and quickly and silently changed the glasses around. He turned back.
"I don't see anything.."
"Sorry, guess I've almost had a bit too much to drink.. anyways, lets see how hard this stuff is. Tell ya what, we'll make a bet. If this thing goes so harsh that it really does 'knock me on my ass', I'll spend a couple of days working with you. If it doesn't, you resign and get out of this disgusting job."
He grinned. "Deal."
She raised her glass up, and he raised his, and they clanged together. She took a large sip out of her glass, wincing as the hot liquid poured down her throat, nearly catching it on fire, literally. The man downed his, and didn't seem to be fazed in the slightest.
He grinned. "Harsh stuff, isn't it?"
"I haven't been knocked on my ass yet."
"It'll come, give it a second."
Suddenly the man's face contourted into a sick expression, then he fell over backwards in his chair with a loud clang, landing hard on the floor, snoring loudly.
"Uh, was that it?" she said, raising her voice a little. The crowd laughed.
She was preparing to take another sip from the drink, thinking it wasn't so bad, when suddenly a massive force came slamming up from her stomach, smacking her in the head. She coughed and leaned over the table, moaning. Her head began to hurt as more waves of pain began shooting up to it.
"Guess he wasn't kidding.." she gasped. She suddenly felt her stomach begin to send it's contents upwards. Her eyes went wide and she rushed towards the door marked "Bathroom", cussing wildly.
Megane and the supposed Lum watched this with a smile on their faces. "Must've given her the El' Fetto.. good things to serve to people you hate."
Megane laughed. "I know the feeling too well..."
(RP OFF)
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Tuesday, January 4, 2000 - 01:32:
Kintaro got frunk and started making a commotion. He got into a fight with one of the guys at the bar. Kintaro smashed a bottle ove rhis head and started slapping his face "Gimme your money!"
Several guys at the other side of the room were watching this. They spoke in a radio communicator "Unmistakable it's them and Meganes flirting with you girl mr Above average size!" Above average size said "What? It's curtains for all of them especialy Megane! Give them the curtains ye here!"
They reached behind some nearby curtains where weapons were hidden. One of them had a bazooka another had an assault rifel and the rest had machine guns. Beastmaster walked in the front door at the other end of the room.
-
By Jocko on Tuesday, January 4, 2000 - 06:37:
(RP ON)
Megane gulped. 'Looks like its curtains now,' he thought feverishly, but nervousness soon subsided.
"It's all right," he said to no one in particular, "if I survive I'm sure the hospitals in Las Vegas are nice...and after that, well Carson City isn't a half-bad jail; besides a lot of good movies were made about prison."
"What," the Lum lookalike asked, "are you talking about?!? You have to leave NOW!!!"
Feeling like a monster reincarnation of a knight of old, he stood up from his bar stool and said to the supposed Lum: "Get behind me, we're leaving together from the bathroom."
The thugs were closing in now, Lum hid behind Megane's back, "we don't have a chance!"
She was right, Megane sighed, 'oh to have my AK-47 now...' he looked down to find his gun in his hand. He grinned evil.
"All right hotshots!" he screamed out at Mr. Above Average Size's men; grinning as they approached their kill, "why don't you boys step right up...AND I'LL WIPE THOSE SMILES OF YOUR FACES!!!"
Megane was getting closer to the bathroom that Cygni disappeared into.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Tuesday, January 4, 2000 - 06:49:
(RP ON)
After upchucking her food for the last 3 days into the toilet, Cygni rubbed her mouth and stood up, then nearly fell over when she found she had accidentally rushed into the men's room.
After noticing her face turning beet-red, she made her way to the door, but was cut off by a large man, who was laughing. "Aw c'mon sister, lets have a bit of fun first!"
A couple of others began closing in from behind. "Heh, yea, we're gonna have a little party!"
Her ears perked up as she heard the familiar sound of a clip being clicked into place in the distance. She smiled and pulled out her Desert Eagle.
"Sorry boys, I've got another party to attend to. Now I suggest you get out of my way, unless you feel like being a red smear."
The man's eyes went wide and he quickly shuffled away from the door. Cygni walked out, and was about to replace the gun on her hip when she noticed a large beast standing on one end of the room, while another group of people were holding up a bunch of guns at the other. All were pointing at Megane, who didn't seem to notice.
Beastmaster rushed towards Megane, picking him up by the neck and flinging him against the far wall, making a large dent. The crowd stopped chattering and all eyes went to them.
Cygni switched on the laser sight of the Desert Eagle and aimed it at the back of Beastmaster's head.
"One on ten. Not very good.. lets even the odds a little, mmmm?"
Beastmaster spun around and growled at her, then waved to the mass of people sitting in the corner with guns. "Take care of her, I want to deal with this incompetent fool myself."
Megane's face whitened as Beastmaster turned back towards him and began making his way closer, while the troops rushed past and took aim at Cygni.
She took careful and and fired the first shot, capping the soldier with the bazooka in the head. The crowd began to scream and panic, running around in circles, while the soldiers began opening fire. She dove behind the bartender's counter while glass and wood exploded all around, and the bartender began screaming. "Not here! Augh! I'm charging you for all the damages!!"
She grabbed his arm and yanked him down, then dove up and fired off a couple more shots, capping two more soldiers. The rest scattered and continued firing at her, so she ducked down again, curling up as more fragments exploded around her.
On the other side of the room, Megane attempted to bury himself further in the wall while Beastmaster loomed closer, chuckling. Lum suddenly came up behind him.
"Leave him to me, I'll handle him."
"But.."
"Do you have a hearing problem? I want to take care of him myself!"
"Y-yes..."
"And tell the troops to lay off that girl! They're wreaking havoc on the place and they haven't even hit her once! I'll handle them both."
"..Yourself?!"
"Yes. Now get out of here!"
He bowed, waved to the troops, and then rushed out of the building. Megane's face completely drained of colour.
"What.. are. you going to do to me?" he gasped.
"I'm going to take care of you." said Lum, cracking a grin and extending her hand.
Megane shakenly accepted it, and she helped him to his feet. He watched in the corner as Cygni got to her feet and looked around at the destruction.
"What was that all about?" he asked.
"Beastmaster is an idiot, not as bright as he looks. He's not aware as to my intentions, and thanks to that I still have some command over him. Now come on, I think we should leave, now."
Megane nodded. "Lets go."
The pair began walking towards the door, but Megane stopped when they walked past Cygni. He put a dark look on his face and turned to her.
"Listen.. I'm..sor-"
Cygni shook her head. "I'm sure as hell not going to trust you to cover my six anymore, but lets just say it was an accident and leave it at that."
He nodded. "Thanks.."
They walked out the door together. Cygni watched as the crowd slowly staggered to their feet, then followed a short time later.
When she stepped out of the door, however, she suddenly found herself covered in darkness. She couldn't even see her own hands.
She began walking forward, looking for a way out, but didn't come into contact with anything. She looked at her watch, which illuminated the area with a small glow, but it didn't show any solid objects around at all.
She began running straight ahead, looking for anything. After a minute, she stopped to catch her breath.
"Where the hell am I?"
("Looks like a null zone.. maybe something is happening to the dimension?")
"I don't like this one bit.."
Her vision then exploded into whiteness, then she suddenly felt her eyes open. She found herself suspended upside-down inside of a large tube, with green liquid running through it. There were wires connected all over her body. She struggled to breathe, and found she could, but barely. Her body felt all numb, and she couldn't move her muscles.
A figure in a white lab coat walked around outside. He seemed to notice her, then walked over and spoke. A loud and sinister voice pierced her mind.
"Ah, I see you are finally awake. That idiot Radicus failed to extract certain amounts of information from your mind, so I shall have to do it myself..there seems to be some kind of blockage going on, but I shall soon penetrate that."
She put a growl on her face and summoned all the strength she could to move, but was completely unable to. She couldn't summon forth her lightning either.
She watched as the man walked over to a nearby console and pressed a few buttons. A large force of pain entered her mind and seemed to be trying to pierce into her brain itself.
("Can't... hold.. off.. much.. more...") the voice groaned. The pain subsided, and the man rubbed his chin in thought, scribbled down a few notes, then left the room.
("Phew.. this is getting tougher.. he'll have to toss a lot more than that to get through me though.")
"Hang in there.." she thought. "Looks like the only weapon I have right now is time..."
She struggled again to move, unsuccessfully.
"..And time just may not be on our side..damn, I hate having to wait for others.."
She spied her watch and weapons sitting on a table nearby, outside of the tube.
("Use the force Luke.. use the force...")
She stifled a laugh. "I'm afraid my 'force' is about run out right now.. but if you get any better ideas, let me know.."
Cygni attempted to relax her stiff muscles and simply resigned herself to being immobilized. The only fight she could do right now was in her head, and she didn't even have direct control over that.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Tuesday, January 4, 2000 - 06:55:
Yack! Posted at the same time. We'll go with yours.. and I'll replace the chunk involving Megane with something else..right when Cygni was threatening the man blocking the door with her gun.
(RP ON)
The man didn't budge. He didn't seem to be afraid of guns.
She clicked on the laser sight and aimed it at his forehead. He still didn't move. She heard gunfire in the distance behind the door.
Suddenly it came crashing down, and Megane, who was waving his Ak-47 around and firing it everywhere stumblind into the room, stepping on the unconsious man's face in the proccess. Cygni took up a position next to the door, holding the gun close to her face. Megane looked up in surprise.
"What are you doing here?"
"I ran into the wrong godamn door. Now I don't know what you have planned here, but I suggest you do something fast!"
She turned around and rolled into the open doorway, firing off a couple of shots. Suddenly a large missile flew towards her. She attempted to dodge out of the way, but it was too late. She screamed, and then, blackness.
(RP OFF)
From there we'll just move on to the tube scene.
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Wednesday, January 5, 2000 - 01:55:
When the missile hit cygni she just seemed to sort of poof. Kintaro ran over and shouted "Oh my god they killed Cygni! The bastards!"
Kintaro pulled out his ax. Megane said "Thats strange I thought his ax was left back at that place." Megane remembered when Shutaros sword grew back in the dream world. "No it cant be!"
Another missile flew into the bathroom blowing out the wall. Megane grabbed Kintaro and ran through the hole with Lum. The thugs and Beastmaster ran through the hole in pursuit!
Cygni said "Wait! This means that all that suff with Megane was in my whole head this whole time! it wasnt real! This is just like in the matrix!"
Suddenly Cygni had a vision of a weird glowing babey looking thing. It said "Reality is subjective. What happened at Las Vegas is just as real as what happening here. You must escape and find me!"
-
By Parias on Wednesday, January 5, 2000 - 23:46:
*whistle* Gotten quiet all of a sudden.. overburden of homework from school or something? >)
I'm working on trying to think of what to contribute.. temporary creativity block or something.. not to mention I'm suddenly flooded with work from a hardware page I'm about to launch with a friend >) I'll be back in awhile and see if I can post something more up.
-
By ataru devo on Thursday, January 6, 2000 - 04:02:
I apologize for scarce postings as well. It's
kinda difficult, what with midterms for the U.
-
By Jocko on Thursday, January 6, 2000 - 04:14:
School sucks. Luckily I'm a senior.
(RP ON)
Hudson received a call from a distressed Las Vegas PD Captain named McKnight. Saying that Cygni, Megane, and Kintaro were found in an adult bar on the strip. Only thing was that they appeared to be ghosts having a bloody battle.
And so Hudson, Sergei, Sakura, Cherry, and Mujaki were soon out the door on the way to the Vegas Strip. Ataru was left behind to call Ryouko to catch her up on current events and to contact Oyuki and get her to Las Vegas ASAP.
-
By Parias on Thursday, January 6, 2000 - 05:16:
(RP ON)
Cygni was deep in thought. The message she had gotten a short time ago had her extremely confused.
"Ok, so assuming any of this is true, then how much of what I've done is real? Hell, this could have started years ago!"
("I'm willing to believe this is just another trick.. the reality you're in now FEELS real, doesn't it?")
"Yea, but so did the others."
("Well, what do you intend to do?")
"Keep thinking about it, for lack of anything else.. keeps me sane.."
She winced as Ginkobot pressed another button on his console, sending another wave of pain into her head. The voice seemed to shrug it off.
("His pulses are getting weaker.. I wonder what he's trying to do?")
Outside of Tomobiki highschool, the remainder of Cygni's stormtroopers gathered together. Chibi, who had temporarily been assigned leader, spoke up.
"Ok, we know three things. We know that Cygni went to Las Vegas. We know that she went missing. And we know that that idiot Megane almost tried to kill her!"
The rest nodded.
"What we don't know is where she is. But I plan to resolve that situation soon, because we have an ultimate weapon on our side!"
"Ooh, what weapon?" asked Perm.
"Behold!" He stepped back and admitted Cherry, Beavis, and Butthead into the group.
"Cherry?!" yelled the group, temporarily loosing their balance and falling into a heap.
Cherry nodded. "I can pick up unlucky traces miles away! And Cygni had a very unlucky face." He stuffed an apple into his mouth, chewing noisily and spitting out the seeds.
Kakugari looked skeptical. "What about these other two?" he said, pointing at Beavis and Butthead.
"Uh, we're like gonna kick some ass and stuff. Huh huh." said Butthead, chuckling as usual.
"Yea, we're gonna score!" said Beavis, picking his nose.
"But how will we get to Las Vegas?" asked Perm. "I spent my last yen at the beefbowl!"
Cherry dug into his pockets and pulled out $2000 in american dollars. "Cygni was looking very unlucky, so I stole this from her to aid her in her quest."
"Stole it? How does stealing money help her?"
Cherry closed his eyes, still noisily munching away. "It's fate."
Chibi raised his arm and pointed towards the airport. "To Cygni, and our fate!" he yelled out.
They yelled out in return and together rushed off towards the airport.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Friday, January 7, 2000 - 04:15:
(RP ON)
After Cygni's Stormtroopers passed, a Kuroko popped his head out of a bush beside the school's main gate. He whispered something into a commlink at his wrist and returned the bush for more surveillance.
Mendou Mansion...
Ryouko was on pins and needles in her room as reports from her secret agents in and around Las Vegas reported what was going on. A Kuroko entered the room, bowed, and handed her a piece of paper. She acknowledged it and read it, Ryouko looked up at the silent Kuroko.
"Contact Hudson-sama," Ryouko said sternly, "and tell him the Stormtroopers are coming. Also dispatch an undercover team to shadow them and keep them out of Hudson-sama's way."
The Kuroko nodded and left the room. Ryouko picked up one of Hudson's books, and flipped through it wistfully. The book's title was "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A savage journey into the heart of the American Dream."
Apparently, as Hudson told her, it was a true story.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Friday, January 7, 2000 - 08:17:
(RP ON)
Cygni was feeling extremely tired. Ginkobot had long since walked out to go to sleep, and her attempts at following the process failed. She simply resigned to being in a semi-consious state while trying to figure out what was going on.
Right when she felt herself finally nodding off to sleep, a large wave of pain shot into her head, knocking her into blackness.
She suddenly felt herself wake up and attempt to sit bolt upright, resulting in a dull thud as she bashed her head on some kind of surface. She leaned back down slowly, holding her aching forehead.
She looked around. The area she was in was completely dark, but she made it out to be some kind of long tube by feeling around with her hands. She was lying on some kind of hard long surface, like a table.
A loud hiss was heard from outside, then the surface began moving, pulling her outside of the tube and stopping once it was fully out. She winced at the bright light suddenly coming over her unaccustomed eyes.
She sat up and shakily put her legs on the ground, then stood up. The surface retreated back into the tube with a hiss, and a small door closed behind it.
She looked around. There were various other tubes scattered around the room, 5 to be exact, with monitors above them showing what appeared to be vital signs in some unknown language. The one above her tube had a large red alert showing on it.
("You'd better get moving, they'll be coming soon..")
"Who the hell is 'they'? And I don't even know where the hell I am!"
("I haven't a clue who 'they' is either, but I'd assume it's whoever put you here, and they'll be trying to figure out just what the problem is.")
She heard footsteps slowly approaching down the hall in front of her. She spied a door leading off to the right, and sprinted towards it. A small keypanel was next to the door, with symbols all over it that she didn't recognize.
She began madly stabbing away at random combinations, cussing as it bleeped in error each time. The footsteps were beginning to get closer, and the shadows of whoever was coming were seen on the far wall.
She cussed and delivered a hefty punch to the panel, shattering it and sending sparks flying everywhere. She rubbed her knuckles in pain as the door screeched open, then rushed in and spun around, stabbing a red button on the panel behind her. The door whooshed closed just as the figures walked past. Thankfully they didn't seem to notice her.
Cygni looked around the room she was in. It was a small storage area, with crates stacked up to the ceiling and various papers scattered everywhere. The low hum that couldn't be mistaken for the engines of a starship were heard somewhere deep below.
She made her way around the towering crates, barely catching one as it prepared to fall over, and spotted a small desk sitting against the far wall. Her covetted Desert Eagle, 3 clips, and various knives of hers were scattered onto it, apparently under recent examination. She grabbed the belt, fastening it around her waist, then put her belongings in their appropriate places. She then began looking around for another exit.
Outside, someone was heard muttering, then a loud clanging was heard on the door. It began to get louder, and small dents were beginning to appear.
Cygni looked around, worried, then spotted a small ventilation grating sitting in the corner, next to the desk. She grabbed her watch, attached it to her wrist, pulled out her knife, and proceeded to begin hacking away at the grating.
Behind her, the door began to bulge and heave, buckling under the massive pressure it was being put under. Beads of sweat appeared on Cygni's face as she hastily hacked away at the large bolts around the panel, managing to chip one off. She cussed.
"This isn't going to work!" she said through clenched teeth.
Suddenly the door exploded inwards, knocking against a pile of crates with a clatter and sending them crashing down. Three figures in blue suits and holding menacing weapons entered the room and aimed their weapons at her.
Drawing on her last chance, she discharged a mass of lightning into the grating, melting it into a steaming mass. She grabbed it, wincing at the pain from the heat, tossed it behind her, then dove into the duct, managing to squeeze inside. She heard footsteps as the figures took up positions behind her, one of them ducking down and poking his weapon into the duct. Cygni turned a right and managed to crawl out of the way before he began firing. The heat from one of the pulses caught one of her legs, tearing a small amount of flesh from it as the rest exploded against the area she had just been at.
Growling in pain, she slowly turned around in the small tunnel, giving herself a massive cramp in the process, and slowly pulled out her Desert Eagle, aiming it down the dark duct, waiting for the aliens to come in pursuit.
She held the position for 5 minutes, then breathed out a sigh of relief when nothing came.
"This has got to be a reality, not a dream. I actually felt like I was waking up, I know this is real."
("I'm getting the same impression. But if it is, you're in for a rough time.. check the watch, it can scan the ship you're in and figure out where everything is.")
She slowly pulled her right arm in front of her and pressed a few buttons on it. The blank display showed the words "SCANNING..." and a massive complex of tunnels and doorways began to appear on the map. She waited a couple more minutes while it sought out points on the ship and identified them as best it could. She noted the area marked "Bridge".
"Be a good place to start.." she mumbled, checking the watch and plotting a route.
("I suppose, but the bridge is probably one of the more heavily defended areas..")
"If you've got a better idea, I'd like to hear it." She began crawling forwards through the ducts, wincing as pain shot up her leg whenever she moved it.
("Shuttle bay, or escape pods, or something..")
"Number one, I haven't the slightest clue where the hell in the galaxy I am. Number two, I don't even know if any of their ships would have the fuel to take me home."
("Which is why you should make the navigation area your first stop. Actually scratch that, head into the armoury first, then navigation, then head for the shuttle bay.")
Cygni sighed as she came across a large vertical shaft heading both upwards and downwards. She checked her watch again, then slowly crawled out into the small open space, turning on her back and heaving herself upwards with a grunt, then began climbing upwards, bracing herself on the jagged edges of the small tunnel.
"Assuming the damn map picked everything out correctly, and assuming I AM able to get home in one piece. A plan is better than nothing I suppose.."
She froze in mid-climb as she had a quick flashback of the area where she had emerged from the tubes. She remembered the faces she had seen on the monitor.
"I swear I saw Lum and Kintaro up there..but.. how?"
("Might be related to the same way you got up here. If so, then you've got additional complications... make sure to stop by the tube area before leaving. You'd better start moving quicker, they've probably set off all sorts of alarms..")
She nodded and grunted again as she resumed her climb.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Saturday, January 8, 2000 - 21:55:
(RP ON)
Hudson and company arrived at the adult bar, without Cherry; who mysteriously disappeared in transit. Sakura thought it was suspicious and Mujaki offered to find him, but Hudson declined.
"To hell with Cherry anyway," Warren bit out as he parked the Buick, "I'd rather have Tsubame here." Sakure shook her head negatively, "that fool's off somwhere in Alaska studying with an Eskimo Shaman."
"Swell," Hudson deadpanned as he picked up Ten and sheilded his eyes from the strip bar's neon erotic displays.
They entered the bar as Ten was arguing with Warren. "Awh come'on, Hudson-san! I'm a good boy! I won't look!"
"Yeah right..." Sergei mumbled, but Ten heard and gave him a dirty frown.
McKnight approached and greeted them in English while Sakura translated into Japanese for Ten. "The images started down there," he indicated a pit area near the bar, "your friend Miss Cygni had a drink and started losing her lunch; she ran into the men's room...while a nearly identical woman was having a conversation with the toddler and the teen with glasses."
McKnight took a sip of water from the obviously freaked out bartender. "A group of toughs started over there," McKnight pointed to the other end of the bar near the slot machines, "and started advancing toward the kid and his lady friend. At first the kid seemed sure he was gonna be killed, but a mean looking machine gun appeared in his hand; no doubt giving his courage a boost."
Sergei grimly finished, "and then they fought."
McKnight regarded Sergei for a moment; then nodded, "yes, they disappeared around the bathroom area. Before that, the kid took out two of the guys coming after him and the lady. The 'ghosts' have not made anymore appearances since."
Sakura looked around and raised her spirit wand, it reacted somewhat but nothing major. She faced McKnight, "how long did the images last?"
"About forty-seven minutes," McKnight sighed, "at first the images were just of a normal bar scene with gambling, stripers, and drinking over the er...*normal* things going on tonight, which were much the same; just real and tangible. These images," he once again gestured to the pit area, "you couldn't touch them or hear them, you could only watch them and even then they were fading in and out. Any other questions?"
Mujaki raised his hand, "what did the real folks do when the 'images'," he stumbled over the term, "appear?"
McKnight chuckled dryly. "They freaked out, of course. The patrons ran out into the streets, and the staff immediately called us. The patrons are probably down at Circus-Circus or the Golden Nugget trying to convince themselves they were only drunk or high, by getting even drunker or higher. We're trying to track some of them down to make statements."
Hudson nodded, "thanks, McKnight. And please pass along my gratitude to your staff and the police chief in this matter."
McKnight smiled, "You're quite welcome Ambassador," he moved closer to Warren, "my father served in the army during the occupation of Japan in the forties; he said you were the most honorable man he ever served with," McKnight shuffled over to the bathroom area to talk with some of the cops taking EMG readings of the wall and doors.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Saturday, January 8, 2000 - 23:07:
(RP ON)
While Hudson went looking around the area, Sergei turned to Sakura.
"Where is Lum anyways? In safe hands I would assume?"
Sakura nodded. "I had Ataru take her back to his house before we left."
Ataru's face suddenly turned a heavy shade of white. He glared at Sakura.
"B-b-but I thought you were going to take her back?"
Sakura blinked, then scowled.
"You idiot! If nobody took her back, who was going to watch over her?"
"But I thought you said..."
Sakura shook her head. "This is all your fault, as usual."
Ataru looked offended. "My fault?! You're the one who's always-"
Sergei held up his hands. "Settle this elsewhere. It would appear that Lum may have had the same fate as Cygni.. wherever they are..."
Sakura nodded. "I'll check afterwards and try to figure out where she is. Without his help of course.."
She turned to where Ataru had been standing, only to find him gone. She turned around and noticed him wandering around the bar, staring at the strippers. She sighed.
"I'm surprised he even held out that long...."
Cygni squinted, trying to get a good view beyond the grate. There were three guards inside of the room marked "Armoury", each one looking bored or lazy. They were all well within view of each other, and had their weapons at the ready. She let out a small sigh.
"This is going to be.. interesting.. any ideas?"
("If you take one down, there's still two left to sound the alarm and start shooting at you. Although from the looks of it, it would take a moment for them to notice..")
"I'd have to blow open this grate, shoot one, then shoot the other, and finally that guy in the rear.. it'd take me about 5 seconds to pull off, assuming my shots were able to penetrate their armour."
("Sounds like a good plan.. I can't think of anything else.")
"Alright, lets try it. Here goes nothing.."
She took a breath, flexed her hands a moment, then pulled out her Desert Eagle, flipping on the laser sight. She closed her eyes a moment.
"One.. two.. THREE!"
She quickly discharged a blast into the grating, knocking it clear off the paneling it was attached to. One of the guards looked up in surprise. She stuck out her Desert Eagle and shot the first one in the head, smiling when he went down in one shot. The other two stood and went for their weapons. She quickly took aim and fired off two clear shots, capping them both in the head. She began slowly crawling out of the vent, untill two more guards ran in from an area out of her view. She stopped quickly as they raised their weapons, then quickly crawled out and rushed against a nearby arch, getting out of their view. She poked around and fired off two more careful shots, killing them both.
Cygni breathed a sigh of relief. The alarm hadn't been sounded, and all the guards had been killed quickly and efficiently.
("Nice shooting.")
She dropped the empty clip from the gun, dropping it on the floor with a clatter, then slid another full clip inside with a click.
She walked over to what appeared to be a closet and pressed the palm icon next to it, grinning when it slid open with a small hiss. Large rifles lined the back wall, with pistols more towards the front and small canisters of what appeared to be batteries sitting on the bottom. She holstered her Desert Eagle and began looting, keeping a wary eye on the door in-case someone else decided to poke their head in.
"One down.. next stop, navigation.."
(RP OFF)
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Sunday, January 9, 2000 - 04:12:
Ataru was watching the strippers when somebody put their hand on his shoulder. It was the cyberntic onsen Mark who Mendo fought in his dream.
Onsen kid: Hey Ataru you wanna see some really hot strippers?
Ataru: Uhh yeah... Say you look kind of familiar.
Sakura looked over to see Ataru and the onsen kid starting to get kinda fuzzy looking while they began to fade away.
Ten said "uhoh somethings happening to Ataru and look at the stripper!"
Several strippers gathered around Atrau and they all vanished.
Sakura said "I dont like this... Something strange is happening and one of us will be next. We all need to stay toggether."
Ataru found himself in some kind of ritzy penthouse looking place full of women.
Ataru: Wow what is this?
Voice: I am your wish made manifest!
-
By Parias on Monday, January 10, 2000 - 11:17:
(RP ON)
Cygni tried to wipe off the sweat that had gathered on her hands as she crawled through the ventilation tunnels towards the area marked "Navigation". The air began to feel humid, as if someone had cranked up the heat.
"They couldn't be trying to flush me out, could they?"
("It's a possibility, you've got no idea as to what kind of surveilence they have..")
She finally reached the grating and squinted, peering out. The area was a large tall room, with a massive tower in the center that had a star map on it, rattling off information in the strange language the aliens had.
She reached behind her and pulled the oversized slug launcher off of her back. When she had been deciding on a gun to take back at the armoury, she naturally chose the biggest possible weapon. Operation looked easy enough, simply slide the battery cell into the holder and let the gun do the rest. It had a standard trigger and a display for ammunition. Unfortunately it was also in the cryptic language, rendering it useless.
Cygni watched as techs walked around the area, working at their consoles and inspecting the starmap, while a few scant guardsman looked on from above. She peered in closely at the starmap.
"Shit, I can't see worth a damn from here, I need to get in close..."
She looked to her right, and noticed the grating was right next to a group of large consoles, with a small room at the far end of the wall. She cracked a grin as a tech walked in, apparently stopping to check reports or something.
"This'll call for a little subterfuge..."
She holstered the rifle onto her back again and slowly pushed away the grating, making as little noise as possible. Placing it onto the floor, she climbed out and replaced it, keeping a low profile and ducking behind the nearest console. Nobody saw her. She took a breath, then slowly moved behind the next one.
She readied herself to move on once again, when suddenly a soldier walked in front and stared down the pathway, his back turned. She sucked in her breath suddenly, then turned and quickly moved to another part of the console where the soldier couldn't see her. She heard him grunt in surprise, turn around, then turn back again, apparently satisfied it was just his imagination.
After a moment she heard him shuffle about, then then began walking. Unfortunately, the clicking of his boots on the floor was getting closer.
She held her breath as the tall soldier walked past her, not even glancing down the pathway, then moved on. She slowly let her breath out, then moved out towards the back of the console again, continuing towards the room.
After another incident where a tech nearly spotted her, she finally managed to reach the room and scurry in, palming the door closed behind her. The tech looked up in surprise, then uttered off a question in the alien language.
She stood. "Sorry bud but I've got plans." The tech gasped then bowled over, unconsious, as Cygni kicked him in the ribs.
"Pretty weak..hello, what's this?"
She plucked a small black device from his ear and looked at it closely. It had a label on it, in Japanese.
"Scrambler 9000.. pro edition? What the hell?"
("It looks like there's a lot more to this than meets the eye. Try it on.")
"Alright...."
She carefully slid the device onto her ear, and felt a small suction come on, holding the device firmly in place. A voice spoke in her ear.
"Welcome to the Scrambler 9000: Pro edition. For all your undercover conspiracy needs. Please speak a moment while I calibrate to your voice."
"Uh-"
"Calibration complete. Have a nice day."
"That was- what the hell?"
She noticed instantly she was speaking in the strange language of the so called "aliens".
"This could prove useful.."
She crouched down and took off the unconsious tech's uniform.
"No name tag..hmm.."
("Easier to blend in. As you said, time for some subterfuge..")
"The hair.."
("Blend in, just play along, you'll do fine.")
"Alright.. if you insist.."
She shrugged on the large white uniform and put on his pants, eying his underclothes with some distaste.
"Sailor moon underwear? What will they think of next..."
("Better do something about the body, he's gonna be real pissed when he gets up.")
She looked around and noticed a large closet at the side of the room. She took a breath and picked up the body.
"Heavy bastard... needs to lay off the junk food.."
She slowly worked her way over to the closet and deposited the body inside, then palmed it closed, smashing the control panel with her fist. She rubbed her hand in pain as sparks flew from the dented panel.
"Godamn things hard as hell..."
("No, really?")
She sighed and put on the last piece of clothing lying on the floor, a large white baseball cap with the words "MSS" emblazoned on the front. She walked over to a mirror and took a look at herself.
("Cute...the cap is a nice touch..")
"Well hopefully I'm not so 'cute' that I attract the attention of the entire godamn ship... I guess it's time to figure out where the hell I am now..what the hell does MSS stand for anyways?"
("Microsoft Secret Services? Now THERE's a scary thought...oh well, we'll work that out later. Better do something about the guns..")
She picked up her weapons off the floor and placed them into a large duffel bag sitting on the desk, zipping it shut.
She took one more glance at the mirror, made a face, then walked towards the door, palming it open and stepping out.
She looked around in awe as the starchart finally opened itself to her eyes, as she could understand what the words were now.
"So I'm some 30-odd systems from Earth..."
She stopped a moment and blinked.
"How the hell did I get this far out?!"
She began walking closer towards the starmap when she was intercepted by a surprised looking soldier.
"How did you get out here Lum? I thought you were down in the chambers.. come on, this way..."
The solder grabbed her arm and began dragging her towards the door at the far side of the room. Cygni growled and yanked her arm back.
"You idiot! I'm one of the spies sent in to take her place! Damnit, you just messed up my hair, I spent 3 hours working on that! I'm filing a report with your superiour!"
The soldier nearly bowled over in surprise.
"N-now miss lets not get hasty.. uh, I didn't.. see your rank or anything.. s-sorry.. here, you better take this so there aren't any mis-haps.. any more I mean..."
He shakily pulled out a white card from his pocket, handed it to her, saluted, then staggered off.
("Nice move..")
"Guess Sergei wasn't kidding when he said I'd make a good drill sergeant.."
She glanced at the card.
"Phi level access.. that's pretty damn high, assuming I'm thinking along the proper lines."
She dropped the card into the uniform's left breast pocket then began walking towards the starmap again, with the intent to work out how to get back.
Down on Earth, NASA was preparing to launch a space shuttle. Mission Control was a flurry of activity. A gawky man with glasses and a name tag of "Burns" looked on at the confusion below. The speakers blared.
"We have green-line on all systems. Fuel line is checking out OK.. life support ready.. looks like we're good to go.."
An officer walked up and handed him a pair of papers. He looked over them, then nodded.
"Good, it looks like we're all clear then.. signal them to initiate launch preperations."
The officer saluted, then turned to the mass below and began screaming. Burns held his ears in pain.
"EVERYONE GET READY AND INITIATE COUNTDOWN FOR THREE MINUTES!"
Burns sighed and turned to the officer. "We have a P.A. system for a reason.."
"Aye sir, but they don't get the point unless you shove it in their faces!"
He turned to the crowd again and began screaming off commands at the top of his lungs. Burns continued holding his ears, wondering why he ever signed up for this job.
Inside of the shuttle, the three pilots sat down in their respective chairs and strapped themselves in. The one on the right turned to the rest.
"Man, can't wait to try this baby out.. alien technology huh?"
The middle one nodded. "Yea, they mixed in a bunch of Oni tech with this.. wanted to keep it very hush-hush for some reason though.."
The one on the right laughed. "And we all owe it to Warren Hudson!"
The other two looked at him, making a face.
"Who?"
"You know, Warren Hudson! I'm one of his biggest fans!!"
The other two pilots stared at him for a moment, untill the radio crackled.
"We have a pre-launch prep and are ready to begin countdown for three minutes."
The pilots began working at their consoles, flipping switches and getting the ship ready for flight. Suddenly the hatch behind them opened and a small monk poked his head in. The pilots screamed.
"Who the hell? What are you doing here?! Get out!!" yelled the one on the left.
The monk closed his eyes. "I must requisition this vessel, the fate of many lies on it!"
The pilots stared at him a moment. The middle one laughed.
"Get real shorty, no way we're getting out of here. YOU, on the other hand.."
The monk snapped his fingers, then began waving a large stick in the air. The pilots suddenly vanished with a poof. The monk turned behind him and nodded, then lept up to the middle man's seat. Beavis and Butthead followed behind him, getting into their respective seats and strapping themselves in, laughing.
Outside, the pilots suddenly found themselves at the bottom of the craft, below it's massive engines. They began screaming wildly.
Cherry nodded as the panels lit up green. The radio crackled.
"We have an ETA of 20 seconds. Get ready people, you're gonna make history today!"
Butthead chuckled. "This is gonna be cool. Huh huh."
As the countdown slowly ticked to zero, the massive fusion engines that were a combined effort between Oni and Human engineers began warming up, emitting a massive blue glow from their exhause ports. The pilots below began screaming even louder.
When the countdown finally reached zero, the massive engines sparked to life, emitting a large glow. The craft instantly took off and shot into the sky, as opposed to the long dramatic launches the normal engines provided. The pilots stopped screaming and looked up in surprise when they noticed they hadn't been burned to death, then began pathetically attempting to claw their way out of the pit the engines had been nestled in.
As the ship shot up into space, Cherry expertly put in a set of coordinates and watched as the vessel changed it's heading towards a new destination. He closed his eyes and put his hands together as the radio began crackling from the surprised officers below, asking just what the pilots were up to. He nodded.
"This is fate."
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Tuesday, January 11, 2000 - 03:48:
(RP ON)
The Edmond family of Des Moines, Iowa was watching CNN news around a nice family dinner...
"...a newly souped-up Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off the launch pad fifteen minutes ago, and Mission Control reports everything is a-okay!"
The reporter was given a new paper. Little Billy Edmond eyed the TV suspiciously.
"...our Las Vegas newsroom has reported that it appears Ambassador Warren Hudson is in town, and it doesn't appear he's there for a boxing match. No folks, our political analysts are saying this is only another chapter in a possible Warren Hudson candidacy for the Democratic nomination in 1988."
Mr. Edmond swallowed a piece of chicken and smiled, "Billy, you remember the story about how I met your mom, dont'cha?"
Billy sighed, "yeah, you met on that old-timer's campaign *years* ago!"
"That's right son," Mr. Edmonds beamed, "and if he runs again, the whole family is going to every debate and rally in the state!"
Mrs. Edmond laughed, Billy scowled; "oh man..."
The CNN people continued, "our Tokyo bureau also reports that love is chasing the Ambassador in the form of the beautiful, and quite young, Ryouko Mendou, daughter of the heads of the Mendou Coglamorate."
Mr. Edmond jaw dropped as a picture of Ryouko falshed on the screen. "She's only a teenager!"
Las Vegas...
Sakura ran up to Hudson who was talking to the Governor of Nevada on the phone, she didn't wait: "Ataru has disappeared."
"I have to go, Governor. Bye," Hudson barked and slammed the phone down. "How?" he asked Sakura.
Ten floated over, "somebody looking like Onsen-Mark-sensei was talking to him and then they went poof!"
Hudson shook his head, "what do you mean someone looking like Onsen-Mark?"
Sakura sighed, "it has to do with the Memory at the Center of Tomobiki."
Warren glared, "MUJAKI!"
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Tuesday, January 11, 2000 - 06:26:
(RP ON)
Burns stood, looking down amidst the commotion below. Apparently his prized ship had unexpected veered off course, and the pilots weren't responding. He sighed.
"Where did I go wrong?"
Suddenly the three pilots, still in their white spacesuits stumbled into the far end of the room. He looked up in surprise, as did everyone else in the room.
"What is the meaning of this? What the hell is going on?" he yelled out. One of the men stumbled a moment, then spoke.
"Some.. wierd.. monk person, he broke into the craft and stole it! And he waved this stick around and teleported us to the bottom of the-"
"Stop babbling and tell me what happened! What's this teleportation nonsense?"
The second one then began calling back across the room.
"This monk guy said he needed to requisition the craft or something to save a bunch of lives.. then he waved this staff in the air and we suddenly found ourselves at the bottom of the craft! We barely avoided getting killed!"
"Utter nonsense! Nobody could possibly do what you're describing, much less a rogue monk!"
The third one then began speaking.
"But sir, why don't you try calling Warren Hudson? I'm sure he can explain this!"
The other two pilots turned to the third. "What is with you and that guy anyways?" one asked. Burns shook his head and turned to a nearby attendant.
"Get me Warren Hudson on the phone pronto, I have a hunch he might be able to clear this up.. and for godsakes someone get those pilots out of here, they're making a mess."
Out on the mysterious ship, Cygni took a close look at the starmap. Apparently she was indeed some 30-odd systems from Earth, but she hadn't the slightest clue on how to get home.
"Astronomy.. never my strong point.." she muttered.
("I don't think you'll figure out much here.. may as well head down to the launch bay and see if you can figure out a way home.")
"Right."
As she left the room, two soldiers watched from a distance. One of them nudged the other.
"She gave ya a chewin eh Ron?"
"Shut up, I had no idea."
"I'd keep your eye on her if I were you.. looks like she might have the hots for ya!"
Ron gave the other a long stare. "I didn't sign up so I could marry a damn drill sergeant!"
The other began walking out of the area. "Sure, sure...anyways, shift's over, I'm out."
Ron stared a moment at his retreating form, then chuckled.
"Drill Sergeant.. heh heh heh.."
(RP OFF)
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Wednesday, January 12, 2000 - 02:18:
Ten was wandering around the room while Hudson was yelling at Mujaki. Ten thought to himself "This is so boring I wish we didnt have to just sit here and wait."
Someone by the bathroom said "Psst hey kid come over here!"It was the onsen kid cyborg and what apeared to be Sakura."
Sakura: Ten I know how youve felt about me. Come here Ten. I've got a private sweet reserved at our hotel.
Ten (nervous): R-really! I'm so happy I didnt think you liked me! Wait that guy was by Ataru!
He looks over at the Onsen kid "Your not Sakura!"
Pseudo Sakura:What difference does it make? Reality isn't solid. You can make your own reality Ten. Now come to me, dont resist your dream.
Ten: I-I-I
Suddenly the window explodes and someone barges in! It's Bakuto!
Bakuto: Ten get aaway from them!
The onsen kid opens up his arm fireing missiles at Bakuto who dodges!
-
By Jocko on Wednesday, January 12, 2000 - 03:07:
(RP ON)
Hudson and Mujaki ducked under a table. "What's goin' on here?!?" Mujaki wailed.
Hudson looked around the table, "SHIT! It's that freak Bakuto! Mujaki, can you lend me the use of your friend Baku for a bit?"
Mujaki nearly gasped, "...oh...all right. But you have to pay his food bill!"
Hudson smiled, "I know, there are some bad dreams I've been waiting to have eaten for a long, long time."
Just then Warren's cell phone rang while Bakuto was smashing through walls with Onsen-Kid. McKnight and Ataru were busy blasting at Onsen with high powered American rifles and Sakura was taking cover with Ten by the telephones.
Hudson shrugged and opened the phone, "Hudson here? Better make it fast buster, I'm stuck with a dream demon, a horny teenager, a hot Shinto Priestess, and two dream freaks tearing apart a titty bar in Vegas but other than that I'm okay." Warren listened to the man at the other end of the line and looked over at Mujaki, "say 'hello' to the nice man in Florida named Burns, Mujaki."
Mujaki smiled, "hello, sir! How may we help you on this fine night?"
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Wednesday, January 12, 2000 - 05:06:
Note: Since I'm barely even familiar with who Mujaki is, I'm not really going to touch him at all, I'll leave that to you guys for the most part >)
(RP ON)
As Cygni walked down the long corridors of the ship, glancing down at her watch for directions, she bumped into another officer, who appeared to be highly decorated. He spun around, a snarl on his face.
"Why don't you watch where the hell you're going?"
Cygni's face hardened. "Why don't you watch where the hell you're standing?"
"What makes you think you can speak to a superiour officer that way?"
"The same thing that makes me think you're gonna get the hell out of my way or meet my fist!"
The officer's face brightened a moment. "I can respect a girl with attitude.. what's your name?"
("Uh oh.")
She stopped a moment, groping for words.
"Classified information. Spies could be anywhere you know."
"This ship is as secure as a tied down bondage victim!"
Cygni raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting choice of words..."
He looked surprised a moment. "Erm, uhh.. carry on then." He shouldered his way past her and walked down the hallway. She smiled, then continued walking towards the launch bay.
In the security room, Ron glanced around on the monitors, then smiled when he saw what he was looking for.
"So where the heck are you headed, mmm?"
She watched as Cygni made her way down to the launch bay, bumping into an officer and yelling at him.
"Great, she's got an attitude, but I can't get her out of my mind. I won't be able to live with myself if I let her pass by..."
He sighed and lifted up the large box of chocolates he had bought, examining it closely.
"Well, I guess I may as well try.."
He turned and walked out of the room, the expression on his face somewhere in between excitement and hopelessness.
Back on Earth, Mujacki listened intently on the phone, nodding, untill a stray stream of bullets flew past, obliterating the phone. On the other end, Burns cussed as the line suddenly went dead.
"Damn.. this is big trouble..thousands of dollars, and it's gone. Hijacked. How in the hell did he get in there in the first place anyways?"
An officer walked up and saluted. "Sir, we've been able to get a trace on the shuttle.. or at least we did for a few seconds, then it vanished! They may have brought the experimental jump drives online.."
"Any idea where they were headed?"
"None sir, and all of our Oni representatives are out on vacation. It appears that Warren Hudson is our only chance."
Burns sighed and dialed the number again, only to get a voice telling him it was out of service.
"Dispatch a squad of troops to his location immediately. Tell them not to bother coming back without him. We need to talk."
The officer saluted again and ran out of the room. Burns leaned back in his chair and sipped a cup of cold coffee.
"Hard day.." he mumbled to himself.
-
By Jocko on Thursday, January 13, 2000 - 04:08:
(RP ON)
Hudson threw up his arms as the cell phone was blown to hell and Mujaki actually yelped in shock. Warren leaned in close to Mujaki, "Ataru tells me you keep the horn in your damn hat; let me have it!"
Mujaki took his big tophat off and produced the horn.
Bakuto was happily fighting Onsen-Kid and Evil Sakura in the men's room by tearing sinks, urinals, and toilets out of the wall and throwing them. Thus making the bathrooms into the "splish-splash show."
Ataru and McKnight had barricaded themselves with several Las Vegas SWAT team members behind the bar and were doing their best, but were still getting nowhere. For McKnight the final straw came when Onsen-Kid flipped open his head and launched a granade at several of his men.
"Jesus H God! We're gonna have to retreat!" Ataru nodded, and signalled to Sakura and Jariten. He looked over to the bullet-riddled table under which Mujaki and Hudson hid.
Just then the entire bar's ceiling was vaporized as fifty Kuroko dropped into the room and, simultaneously, pointed Mendou 44 Laser Cannons at Onsen-Kid and Evil Sakura.
For only the second time in his existance, Onsen-Kid was scared at this turn of events. "Oh...no...!"
Bakuto snickered and kicked Onsen-Kid in the crotch, "not so tough now that my friends are here, huh?"
Two Kuroko figures walked foward towards Onsen-Kid and Evil Sakura while being flanked by guards. One lifted their helmet to reveal...Shutaro Mendou! And the other was Ryouko Mendou.
Onsen-Kid, nearly pissing his pants now, just stared in shock. Shutaro laughed, "fancy meeting you here."
Ryouko pointed her cannon at Evil Sakura's head, "we've come for our friends Lum, Kintaro, Megane, Cygni, and the two drop-outs from Texas!"
Evil Sakura glared, "so what?"
Ryouko shrugged, "so? So indeed? I don't believe you've ever been acquanted with my Kuroko's newest tool, the M44. It WILL vaporize any selected target an official member of the Mendou conglomerate specifies with their thoughts. So essentially, you better do as I say and better (censored) do it fast!" Ryouko Mendou was shouting and cursing by the time she finished the sentence.
Watching this from the table Hudson grinned dreamily, "that's my Ryouko-chan."
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Thursday, January 13, 2000 - 06:14:
(RP ON)
Beavis and Butthead watched Cherry as he slept, or appeared to, as he was humming softly to himself. Butthead looked over the controls.
"Uhh, this is like, some kind of video game or something. Huh huh."
Beavis bit his lip.
"Umm, yea, like, um, what's this thing do?"
Beavis flipped a switch, and a small light above the console that read "Oxygen pump" turned red. Butthead noticed and looked up.
"Cool, it like, uhh, turned the light off or something."
Beavis laughed and began madly flipping the switch up and down.
"Heh heh, this is a cool game."
Deep inside the housing of the ship where the small unit that provided oxygen to the ship was contained, one of the cords leading to the device began to slowly heat up. A single spark flew from it, bouncing harmlessly against the nearby panelling.
Butthead laughed and then unstrapped himself from his chair and got up.
"Uhh, I'm like, gonna find some food or something."
He walked towards the back of the room. Beavis turned around in his chair.
"Like, um, bring me back something and stuff. Heh heh." He then turned back to the switch.
"Light goes on, light goes off. Light goes on.. heh heh, this is cool."
Down in the launch bay of the ship, Cygni studied the ships scattered around intently as various flight engineers swarmed around, doing maintenance. She nearly had a heart attack when someone came up behind her and placed a hand on her shoulder, then spun around, quickly bringing her fist up to the person's face, stopping inches from it. She held the pose for a few seconds, then slowly withdrew.
"Not a good way to keep your nose in one piece buddy."
The person looked embarassed. "Uh, sorry about that.."
"So? What is it? Hey wait a sec, you look kinda familiar..."
She studied his face intently for a moment.
"Oh I remember you, the bumbling idiot in navigation who got in my way. What the hell is your name anyways?"
"Ron. Listen.. uhh, I came to apologize about that.. with these..."
He withdrew a small container from his back and handed it to her. Cygni popped open the cover and glanced over the small round chocolates inside, then popped one into her mouth, chewing for a moment and swallowing.
"Not bad... apology accepted. Somehow I doubt you're here for just that though. If it's about a personal relationship, you'll probably be sorry to hear I'm engaged already."
Ron stiffened up. "Uh, no, of course not! Just making sure you're alright and everything.."
Cygni shrugged, popping another chocolate into her mouth. "Alright, just lettin ya know.."
"So, uh, what brings you down here?"
"Lookin for a method of transportation to Earth."
Ron grinned. "I'm a pilot."
"Well now, maybe we will get along after all. How soon can we leave? I got important... ah, business on there."
"Right away if you want."
"Sounds good... hmm."
She stopped in mid-sentence. "Shit.."
Ron paused. "Something wrong?"
"Oh, uh, just remembered I still got some things of mine to get.. can we leave in about 30 minutes, Earth time, or so?"
Ron shrugged. "I suppose, it'll give me a bit of time to get ready for the flight as well, it's pretty far."
"Alright then.. which craft will we be using?"
Ron pointed to a red craft sitting at the far end of the launch bay, with a large squat cargo pod on the bottom and a small cockpit with two seats in front.
"I call her Hell's Angel.. took me awhile, but I bought it, my personal craft."
"Not bad. I'll meet you over there in 30 minutes then."
"Alright, till then."
Cygni nodded and turned around, walking off the flight deck and heading to the elevator.
("Close, was wondering how long till you'd remember..")
"Getting em out of here is gonna be a pain in the ass.."
("There's probably some way..")
Cygni examined the elevator buttons.
"Laundry/Maintenance? Hmmm.."
She stabbed the green button and felt the elevator begin it's ascent.
"Hopefully they won't notice two green-haired girls and one squat little kid walking around in uniform.."
("Assuming your luck holds out anyways, and hell, that could start running out any minute now..")
"Gee I never knew you were such an optimist."
She sighed and leaned against the wall of the elevator as it slowly climbed to deck 22.
In the conference room down on the 15th deck, where Cygni had initially escaped, the scientists held a meeting.
"There hasn't been ANY word of her whereabouts?" one of them asked.
"Nothing! Our cameras spotted a small disturbance in the armoury, but things seem to be ok right now. Guards spotted four unconsious men in the room with bottles of vodka in their hands. Small traces of blood around the room as well.."
The first shook his head. "She's clever, she could be almost back to Earth by now."
Another one also shook his head. "No, she wouldn't leave without coming for her friends. We've seen her thoughts."
The first one nodded. "That is a possibility.. double surveilence around the probe chambers. Nothing gets in, or out, without us knowing. By the way, how is our double for her doing?"
The third consulted a few documents. "She's been spotted around the ship, conferring with officers and yelling at anybody who gets in her way.. she seems to be adopting the attitude quite well, I'd almost swear it WAS her!"
The first smiled. "Good, at least that part is going to plan. No-"
He was interrupted a knock came at the door.
"Enter."
A meek looking scientist walked in. "We have another one, Lum's lecherous boyfriend."
The first one's grin went even wider. "Is he set up in the pods?"
"Yes, we're commencing probes now."
"Very good.. be sure to inform the mistress of our progress as soon as you have a report ready."
The fourth saluted with a "Sir!", then walked out of the room. The first one nodded.
"Then people, if there is no further business..."
The other two shook their heads.
"...then I declare this meeting adjourned."
The scientists piled up their papers and walked out of the room, smiling to themselves.
-
By Bladeofkintaro (Bladeofkintaro) on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 02:38:
Onsen kid was crying and sitting against the wall.
Hudson walked over to Mendou: Mendo this guy seems to know you. Who is he?
Mendo: I beat him up about a year ago in a dream I had. It was a really good dream where I was an invincible battle champion and I was married to Sakura, Shinobu and more women then I can remember.
Hudson: Uhhh yeah... I see.. Hey wait a second didnt Ataru disspaear... But he's back again!
Mujaki said "Theres something different about him. I'd keep an eye on Ataru."
Then another Ataru walked out of the bathroom.
Bakuto walked over and said "Hey remember about a month ago the place was flooded with Lums well I think it's happening again but...
A bunch of Atarus were surrounding the room and some of them were packing some serious weapons!
Onsen kid got up and said "You didnt notice that my allies have arrived! Now Mendo!I shall have my revenge on you now!"
All the Atarus prepared to fire.
On the shuttle something happened and a large exploshion was heared. An astronuat who Cherry had missed was out cold on the floor somewhere in the shuttle. This astronaut looked just like Tom Hanks. He came to and looked out the window "Oh no the oxygen tank is ruptured!"
-
By Parias on Friday, January 14, 2000 - 10:24:
(RP ON)
The Kurokos raised their weapons, preparing to fire back. Silence was heard all over the room, with one side waiting for the other to fire first.
Suddenly the roof exploded and various soldiers and security guards lept in from helicopters that were floating above, holding large and deadly automatic weaponry. As the final soldier landed, the Ataru clones noticed they were outnumbered 2-1 on almost every person from the new soldiers and Kurokos combined. Onsen-Mark cussed.
"You may have won this day, but I assure you, we will be back!" And with that, the figures vanished into thin air.
One of the soldiers walked towards Hudson and shook hands. "Major Brad. We've been sent to find you."
"Looks like you arrived just in time.. this would have been rather bloody."
"Well, you're not entirely out of the woods yet. General Burns from NASA has requested your presence at mission control. Our prototype shuttle that you helped build, well, it's been er.. hi-jacked."
Hudson recovered from his surprise. "Hi-jacked?! By who?"
"The pilots, who claim they were 'teleported' from the ship, state that it was one small bald-headed monk."
Hudson grimaced. "Cherry... it could only be.."
"Our choppers are ready to take you to MC now sir."
Hudson nodded, then turned to the rest of the group.
"You guys coming?"
Shutarro shook his head. "I'm going to do a bit of investigating of my own to see what's going on."
"Suit yourself. Ryouko?"
She smiled "Of course, you didn't think I came all this way just for a little chat, did you?"
Sakura, Jeriten, Majaki, and Bakuto came over and nodded, and in a few minutes they were onboard the helicopters heading to the shuttle launch site.
(RP OFF)
I'm making a peanut-sized post here since I'm tired as hell, it's 1:40 AM, and I haven't the slightest clue as to why I'm not sleeping right now >) Oh, and if you guys want a really good laugh, check out this: http://hawkworld.dhs.org/yamato.html
-
By Jocko on Saturday, January 15, 2000 - 20:08:
(RP ON)
A few hours later everyone arrived in Florida and were being escorted to Mission Control. Everyone except Jariten, Mujaki, and Bakuto were suitably impressed with the various rockets and space vehicles on display.
"Too crude," Ten and Bakuto yawned.
"I'll say..." Sergei agreed quietly while marveling at the Saturn V. "But what raw power..."
Mujaki shrugged, "can't you humans just teleport?!"
"Not everyone's a demented monk from Tomobiki, Mujaki." Sakura sighed, she had called Tsubame in Alaska; trying to get him down to Florida to help out. Her fiance had said he would be there as soon as possible, but he was promptly hit by a flying Igloo. The hospital stay would be three days and a nice charge to his health insurance; already legendary on the Pacific seaboard in both Japan and the United States.
The group was escorted into the impossibly large mission control building and through winding corridors and halls; almost always several USMPs snapped to attention when Hudson walked into a room.
"ATTENTION!" barked Major Brad at every opportunity.
Hudson acknowledged this attention everytime with a salute and flashing a small bemused smile to Ryouko. "So Ryouko-chan, ever been to Florida?"
"Yes, twice," she said as the group walked past the stone faced MPs; who's watchful stares were not completely vacant, but filled with admiration. "Once when I was six and another time when I was nine. We went to Walt Disney World."
Hudson winced, he had gone to "The Rat" once for a press junket in the winter of '75; for him it was enough for several lifetimes. It was a friggin' candidates' forum for the Florida State Democratic Convention and subsequent straw poll...which he did not win; but polled a healthy and safe fourth place. Thus allowing him to go to Iowa and New Hampshire to campaign not looking like a completely doomstruck judas goat...and it paid off. Ryouko smiled and drew closer to Hudson, "but I'd like to go to the gulf coast someday."
Warren winked and put his arm around her slender frame. Yes, the Gulf Coast of Florida had some of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in the United States.
Major Brad stopped and faced Hudson, he pointed to a bald yet smooth looking man with a headset on. He was arguing with several technicians over some technical matter. "Ambassador Hudson, General Burns," Brad smiled and saluted once more.
Protocal and tradition...
"Thank you, Major," he saluted in response.
Hudson slowly walked over to Burns' area. Several technicians were starting to whisper. "That's him, man! Hudson's gonna be prez someday! Didja see that pretty girl with him? Know your roles and shut up, we've got jobs to do here!"
Warren noticed one of the wall monitors; in one corner there was his name and some text.
Hudson '88
The man from Nebraska returns!
He laughed, getting General Burns' attention.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Saturday, January 15, 2000 - 23:14:
Phew, been busy for the past few days.. just recently launched a new hardware page (*shameless plug* www.hardnews.org */shameless plug*) and I've been responsible for the morning shift on news.. blah!
(RP ON)
Butthead was digging through some compartments in the back room of the cockpit when an explosion was heard and the ship suddenly lurched with a groan, sending Butthead flying from his feet and into a pile of spare garbage bags.
He stumbled to his feet, laughing.
"Huh huh.. that was cool.." he said, then began making his way back to the cockpit.
Cherry had recovered suddenly when the explosion had occured. He looked over the intruments, confirmed that they would still reach their destination alive, mumbled "It's fate", then went back to his meditation.
Beavis flipped the switch a few more times, then bit his lip.
"Um, the light's broken or something. Heh heh."
He turned around as Butthead walked into the cockpit. "Damnit Beavis, the ship like, exploded or something. Huh huh."
"Yea and the light's broken and stuff. This sucks."
Butthead was thrown off his feet again as the ship suddenly came out of sub-space with a lurch.
Inside of the massive ship, Cygni peered down the darkened hallway. The night shift had just come into effect 5 minutes ago, and most of the ship's lighting was toned down as a result.
At the end of the hallway was the group of pods she had first awoken from. She was in a crouching position at the other end of the hallway, holding a bag that was nearly filled to overflowing. She closed her eyes slightly and tried to make out what was at the far end.
"Looks like a couple of security cameras.. disarming them will be difficult, since they're both in perfect view of each other. They weren't there before.."
("Looks like they're expecting you.")
"Whoever the hell 'they' are anyways. Lesse here.."
She unzipped the bag and pulled out a small white grenade. She read the label.
"Flash Grenade. DO NOT SET OFF IN FACE. Duh..."
She carefully pulled out the pin and chucked it down the hallway. It landed right between the two cameras.
"Here's hoping.."
She covered her ears and closed her eyes, and felt a loud rumble as the grenade went off. A small flash echoed down the hallway.
("Better move, NOW!")
She quickly rushed down the hallway and punched in the lens on both of the cameras, easily destroying them. She then walked over to the pods and looked around.
"Hey, Ataru? What's he doing here?"
("I don't know, but the whole damn ship is gonna be down here in a minute or two, so you better hurry.")
She stabbed the green button next to Ataru's pod, and it rolled open with a hiss, revealing his unconsious form. She then went around the room, repeating the process for Lum, Kintaro, and Megane. After a moment they stirred and recovered to consciousnous.
Ataru looked around in shock. "Where.. what.. what the hell is this?"
"Where am I?" asked Megane.
"I'll explain later, but unless you feel like dying horribly, I'd suggest you come with me." said Cygni, pointing down the corridor.
The group looked at her, stunned. Cygni suddenly remember the ear piece, tore it off, then repeated herself.
Kintaro sneered in defiance as the rest nodded and began following her down the hall. "I'm a man! I don't need anybody!"
Cygni shrugged and said "Suit yourself", then turned off into a small storage area, similar to the one she had first escaped into. Kintaro stopped a moment, looking in surprise, then began running to catch up, yelling "Hey! Wait for me!!"
Once everyone was inside of the cramped room, Cygni palmed the door shut and smashed the panel, sealing it.
"Oooh nice one, now how do we get out?" said Ataru.
Cygni glared at him. "Are you gonna work with me here, or should I just leave you behind?"
Lum glared back at her. "You wouldn't THINK of leaving my darling behind!"
"Try me." said Cygni, clenching her fists. Megane held up his hand.
"Now ladies, lets not start a cat fight here..I think we have a bigger problem on our hands.."
("He's got a point you know.")
Cygni sighed, then crouched down and reached into the bag, pulling out 3 white uniforms similar to the one she was wearing.
"You're gonna kinda stand out, so I suggest you put these on.."
Megane, Lum, and Ataru reached over and grabbed a uniform for themselves while Kintaro scowled.
"Hey, what about me?"
"I couldn't find any extra-extra-extra small ones, so you're gonna have to ride in here." she said, holding up the bag. Kintaro looked mortified. "WHAT?"
Cygni glanced at her watch. "It was the best I could think of under the circumstances, and we've got 15 minutes untill our ride leaves, so either shut up and get in or stay here and figure out something yourself."
After making a variety of faces, he sighed in resignation and crawled into the bag. He fit perfectly inside.
"Hey there's lots of guns in here!"
Cygni smirked. "And if you want to stay alive, I'd suggest not setting them off." She zipped the bag shut, leaving a small crack open for air, then looked over at the rest of the group. Lum glanced over at Ataru, who had just finished putting on his uniform, and smiled.
"Oh darling you look so professional!"
Ataru scowled. "I don't want to look professional, I want to get back HOME!"
"Ok, everybody ready?" said Cygni. Loud footsteps were beginning to echo outside of the door as a massive commotion was heard.
"I guess so, but Ataru does have a point, how do we get out of here?"
She reached into her pocket and pulled out 3 more of the ear pieces that allowed them to communicate in the other language. "Slip these into your ears, they'll let you speak in the other language they're using."
"Who's 'they'?" asked Megane.
"The hell if I know, and I'm not sticking around to find out. Now hurry up."
Cygni slipped her own piece back into her ear and watched as the rest copied the process.
"All set? Good. Now.."
She put her ear against the door as yelling was heard from outside, and listened intently.
"THEY'RE GONE! All of them!" yelled one person.
"DAMN! They'll kill us for this!"
"Everyone split up and find them, now!"
Additional footsteps were heard, and Cygni suddenly stepped back as a rapping sound was heard on the door. Additional talking was heard.
"Sir, this one has been sealed off! I think someone is inside!"
"Breach it!"
Ataru's face whitened. "They'll find us for sure!"
Cygni smiled. "Exactly what I'm expecting. Now play along."
The group stepped back from the door as lightning sparks began flashing along side of it, then suddenly the door came crashing down, and 3 armed soldiers stepped in, their weapons raised.
"It's them sir!"
Cygni scowled. "YOU IDIOT! When the explosion went off, it damaged the panel! I've been here TRYING to give a tour to our fresh recruits, and here you are bumbling around and making a mess of everything! And put those damn guns down, you're scaring them to death!"
The soldiers reluctantly lowered their weapons. One of them began stuttering "But.. but.. you, and.. uh.."
"Do I sound like I have time to sit here answering questions all day? Get your ass out of our way and let us through!"
The soldiers snapped to attention and arranged themselves at either end of the door in an impressive display.
"Thank you. Come on."
She waved to the group behind her and walked out of the door. They stared a moment in shock, then began following.
The group had nearly reached the elevator that led down to the launch bay when suddenly alarms began going off. Cygni cussed.
"That was quick.."
A loud voice boomed over the ship's PA system. "ALERT! Unknown vessel has emerged from subspace! Possible hostile intentions! All units, intercept and destroy!"
Cygni blinked, then sighed in relief. "Close... come on guys, lets hurry up."
They piled into the elevator. Cygni quickly stabbed the button marked "Launch Bay" and the doors began to close. Suddenly a hand stabbed out and held it open, nearly giving her a heart attack. Three pilots and one guard piled into the already crowded elevator, filling it to capacity and shoving everyone elbow-to-elbow with each other. The elevator began to descend, and Cygni let out her breath silently in relief when she noticed the people weren't there to capture them.
The trip downwards was for the most part silent, untill Cygni adjusted the bag slightly and heard a muffled "Ow!" One of the large pilots looked down in surprise.
"Something in that bag miss?"
Cygni glared back. "None of your godamn business!"
The pilot smirked, then occupied himself with watching the gauge marking the elevator's progress.
Ataru shuddered as he found himself standing next to a largely oversized female pilot. He attempted to look away, but it was no use, a small part of her flabby body was always visible in his peripheral vision. Lum smirked at him from across the room, taking great joy at watching him finally run into a girl he had no interest in.
Megane unconfortably glanced up at the massive guard, who seemed to take great joy in cracking his knuckles in front of his face. He looked so strong that he could easily smash Megane into the ground just by breathing on him.
The elevator finally finished it's descent and the doors opened with a chime. The pilots and guard piled out. Cygni looked around at the empty elevator, and the busy hallway behind it, then waved to the group and checked her watch.
"Alright, 5 minutes, lets go!"
They ran out of the elevator just as another group of people piled into it behind them and rushed towards the flight deck.
When they finally reached it, Cygni looked around at the bustling activity going on around it, as various pilots piled into their craft and took off into space. She spied the large red craft sitting at the far end of the deck, away from the confusion, then nodded to the group.
"This way!"
They rushed across the deck, gathering around the massive cargo pod sitting at the bottom of the craft. Cygni checked her watch and cussed.
"2 minutes, damn, I hope he's not late.."
Ataru looked at her in surprise. "Aren't you flying it?"
Cygni shook her head. "I could probably learn, but I'd prefer to have someone experienced with us. And anyways, I haven't the slightest clue how to get home, while he does."
Megane spoke up. "So when are you going to tell us what is going on?"
"When we have some time to ourselves. A luxury currently not available.."
She checked her watch again.
"Geez, he's waiting right till the last second. He damn well better not be late, or I'll have his head.."
She sighed and leaned against the side of the cargo pod while the rest of the group looked around at the massive activity going on in the bay.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Wednesday, January 19, 2000 - 08:46:
*The sound of crickets chirping fills the room*
(RP ON)
Burns took an excessive sip out of his mug of Coffee, wincing as it burned down his throat. He set the chipped mug on his desk and glanced at it. An old mug that said "NASA: Taking me into space", and had a worn out image of a shuttle taking off. He turned to Hudson.
"As you probably already know, a small monk has taken over one of our prototype shuttles and, well, took off with it. I was told you could help us out."
Hudson nodded. "I'm quite familiar with this person.. a buddist monk named Cherry is probably the one you're talking about. He's a bit crazy, but when he wants something, he usually gets it."
Burns raised an eyebrow. "So you're familiar with him then. But why would he want our shuttle? The pilots say he mumbled something about 'great lives in danger' or some other prattle."
Hudson stopped to think a moment. "Could Cherry have... no, it couldn't be..."
"What? What is it?"
A faint hint of a smile was seen on Hudson's face. "General, do you have a fix on the ship's current position?"
He nodded. "Yes, we do, but it's in an unknown system... and our star map exchange with the Oni hasn't been completed yet. Why?"
Hudson's grin extended further. "Because, General, I do believe that your prototype may end up playing a crucial role in a dilemma of mine.. can you show me where it is now?"
The General turned and pointed to the large screen at the front of the room. "Right there, the green blip."
Hudson turned and waved to Sergei, who was chatting with a few techs nearby. "Sergei, I'm gonna need your help over here."
He nodded in acknowledgement and walked over, then turned to the screen and looked it over.
"It looks like it's in the... Omicron Erandi system.. "
Hudson nodded. "Excellent. Now we need a method to reach there.." He glanced at Sergei expectantly, who reached into a pocket on his coat and pulled out a small transmitter. He switched it on.
"Captain Hayes, this is Sergei. We need a lift on Earth, get here as soon as possible." He pressed a green button, then closed up the device and returned it to his pocket. General Burns simply blinked in surprise.
"Is there something I don't know about?"
Hudson turned to him and grinned. "All in good time General, all in good time..."
Onboard the mysterious ship in the Omicron Erandi system, the scientists gathered together in the meeting room. The leader spoke.
"You have failed. The subjects have gotten away, and we have no clue as to where they are on the ship."
The guard who was the subject of his speech, a small person who was shivering nervously, stammered out a response. "I-I, er, that is, I'm sorry sir!"
"You have one chance. Find them."
The soldier managed a shakey salute, then turned and walked out of the room. The leader turned to the other 2 scientists.
"Things are not going to plan. The mistress will not be pleased."
The larger of the 2 grumbled. "These incompetent guards couldn't find their own hides if they were expanded to 3000 times their size and delivered to them on a platter!"
The leader shook his head. "The guards merely follow orders. The execution is irrelevant, so long as the task is completed. And our tasks are NOT being completed. This is disturbing. How do they get away?"
The smaller scientist, a stout man with glasses and white spikey hair spoke up.
"According to my analysis, they seem to be using a method of subterfuge in order to move around the ship. They could be anywhere."
The leader raised an eyebrow. "What of the double?"
The smaller scientist referred to a few of his notes. "This is where it gets confusing. We have one report that says she is in her quarters, partaking in... er...."
A small hint of red was seen on the scientist's face as he worked out the words.
"...uh.. personal activities.. while the other says she is in the launch bay preparing to leave."
The leader nodded. "She was given orders to depart soon for Earth. The one in the launch bay must be the double."
The large scientist sighed. "That may be, BUT, our records do not indicate that the REAL Cygni partakes in such acts as those going on in the quarters right now!"
The leader frowned. "There may have been a mis-calculation..."
The large scientist slammed his notes onto the table and rose from his chair, leering over the leader.
"Why are you so intent on letting her get away? Are you too blind to see it? It's her, in the launch bay!! The real one!"
The leader snapped his fingers, and 3 armed guards walked into the room. The large scientist looked up in surprise, then scowled. "You won't get away with this! She's the one, I'm te-"
He was interrupted as one of the guards walked over and delivered a blow to his mid-section with the butt of his rifle. The other two guards walked over and grabbed him by the arms, then escorted him out of the room, kicking and yelling. The leader straightened his notes.
"Incompetence such as that will not be tolerated. Understand that." He nodded to the smaller scientist, who nodded back.
"I will get on finding her true location immediately."
"I expect progress."
The leader turned and began walking out of the room. The smaller scientist cleared his voice.
"One more thing. What of the mysterious ship that warped in?"
The leader paused a moment.
"Have it brought aboard, and it's inhabitants interrogated. I wish to know how they found our location."
"It could have been an accident."
The leader turned and stared at the smaller scientist, who coughed.
"Right, this place is too well secure.. sometimes I loose myself in my work.."
"Progress. Remember that."
The leader then walked out of the meeting room, leaving the smaller scientist to ponder what he had gotten himself into.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Thursday, January 20, 2000 - 05:14:
Hmmm, I'm not so sure how to handle Hayes' entrance so I'll just stick to background noise.
(RP ON)
Burns tapped Hudson's shoulder, "hmm?"
General Burns whispered very low, "the press knows something is wrong. I'll have to make a statement in about twenty minutes...they also know, er, that you are here with Mendou support."
Hudson frowned, "oh great... Who told them?"
Burns grimaced, "they mainly connected the dots between Tokyo, Las Vegas, and here. Not to mention that they called Mr. Mendou and he eagerly told them damn near EVERYTHING."
"And the Mendou end of things is primarily my responsibility when I can help it," Hudson nodded. "Y'know, General. I've worked with that family closely for damn near ten years and the only thing I've learned is that I love them (especially their daughter) and what can be summed up in two words...know what they are?"
Burns smiled, "Don't ask?"
"Smart man," Hudson grinned.
NASA Press Room...
Reporters clicked pictures of the two at the podium.
"And so," General Burns declared, "there is no cause for alarm at the moment. We have everything under control, the shuttle WILL be found, the culprits arrested-" Hudson gave him a hard stare, "-or properly dealt with. Please direct any and all questions to Ambassador Hudson."
Hudson took over the podium, a flurry of questions assaulted him. Hudson winced, "let's start with the man in the blue blazer," he pointed.
The AP man stood up, "Ambassador Hudson, I believe I speak for all, when I ask why...and how you are here in Florida when you are the United States Ambassador to Japan? There are also reports that you were in Las Vegas not more than two hours ago."
Hudson smiled, "I helped design that space shuttle. It's part of my responsibilities in association with the Oni agreements."
Warren pointed to a slim woman from another wire service, "yes miss?"
She stood up, the woman was obviously from Japan, she spoke in Japanese; "Hudson-san, does this have anyhting to do with Dr. Ginkobot?"
Hudson smiled, and gave his answer in fluent Japanese, "I honestly don't know."
Everyone immediately began murmuring, Warren turned to Burns, "What did I do?" he asked perplexed.
Burns chuckled, "most people in this room are not as talented with languages as you."
"Oh...yeah."
Another reporter raised their hand, "yes?" Warren authorized.
"Who is Ryouko Mendou and what is she to you?" the reporter smiled.
Hudson smirked, "a rather bold one at that! Can we please keep the questions on topic? I'll be having a semi-personal interview with Time magazine in a few weeks; so I can discuss my public-personal life then."
Meanwhile, back in Vegas...
McKnight was at his desk doing paperwork when a knock was heard at his door.
"Come in, Jenkins."
Jenkins opened the door, "we have three teenage boys downstairs who insist they should be in space."
"Probably tripping," McKnight snorted.
Jenkins sighed, "they're from Japan, sir. And they demand to see Warren Hudson."
"Christ..." McKnight grounded out.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Thursday, January 20, 2000 - 06:50:
(RP ON)
The stormtroopers piled into McKnight's small office, each pulling themselves up a chair. McKnight set his papers down and looked them in the eye.
"So, you want to see Hudson, eh?"
Chibi nodded, then spoke, sounding out the best english he could.
"Yes, we must find Cygni! We believe she's in danger!"
"Oh really?"
"Yes! And Hudson can help us find her! We must hurry!"
McKnight sighed. "Well kids, I hate to break it to ya, but you basically just missed him. He's down at NASA."
"Can you us there?" The group peered at him with excitement. McKnight sighed.
"How do you propose I go about doing that? Do I look like a taxi service?"
Perm fumbled about in his pocket for a moment and pulled out a crisp $1000 bill, then delicately placed it on McKnight's desk. His eyes widened in shock and a hint of a smile appeared on his face.
"Er, right, taxi.. uhh.."
He coughed and stood up from his chair.
"This stuff can wait anyways. Come on, lets go!"
The group cheered and followed him out of the room.
On the stolen shuttle, Beavis and Butthead watched as 3 fighters came out from the massive ship in front of them and deployed large arrays around the vessel. It gave a massive shudder as a pulling force was applied to it from all sides, then began slowly moving towards the cruiser. Cherry stood in his chair and nodded.
"This is-"
"Uhh, why do you always like, say that and stuff. It's getting annoying. Huh huh." Butthead frowned.
Cherry didn't reply, but instead raised his staff into the air and began chanting. After a moment, their figures vanished, aside from their eyes.
"This will disguise us so we can complete the prophecy" he murmured. Beavis laughed.
"Heh heh, we're like, eyes and stuff. This is cool."
They watched as the cruiser loomed closer. Deep at the back of the shuttle, the stray pilot stepped into a small pod marked "Escape Unit X-221A" and hit the green button inside, jettisoning it and sending it on a direct course back to Earth. It disappeared into subpsace in a flash.
Onboard the cruiser, Cygni tapped her foot impatiently and checked her watch.
"Shit! He's 10 minutes overdue! When the hell is he gonna get here?" she said outloud. Megane turned to her.
"Are you sure he's coming?"
"I hope so, for his sake" replied Cygni, letting out a small growl. She peered behind him as a helmetted figure walked into the launch bay and began walking towards the group. She hissed at Ataru and Lum, who had wandered off to check out the bay. They heard and came jogging back. The pilot came to them a few moments after and removed his helmet, revealing himself to be Ron.
"About damn time you showed up!" Cygni said, glaring at him. He shrugged sheepishly.
"Sorry, was a little bit delayed..." He turned to the group. "These are your, uh, personal things?"
Cygni made a face. "They happen to be my backup. You have the room?"
Ron nodded and pointed to the large cargo pod at the bottom of the ship. "It'll be a bit bumpy, but it'll do."
Cygni nodded, then turned to the group. "Alright people, pile in and lets go!"
The group slowly piled into the cargo pod, glancing around and sitting down on a few crates. Cygni placed the bag inside then silently signalled to Megane to open it up once the pod was closed. He nodded, and she turned back to Ron, who bowed and pointed to the rear seat of the open cockpit.
"Ladies first.."
She offered a small grin in return, then scaled the small steps leading to the cockpit and hopped in. Ron followed shortly after, hopping into the front seat and flipping a small switch that lowered the canopy. He then pressed a button on his console and a loud whine was heard behind them. A female computerized voice spoke.
"Cargo pod closed and sealed. Life support systems: online."
Ron began strapping himself in, and Cygni followed suit. She glanced around the cockpit.
"Not a bad craft.."
Ron chuckled. "May not look like much, but she's got some kick where it counts. You ok back there?"
"Yup. Mind if I ask a question?"
"Shoot." Ron began pressing buttons, bringing the ship up to power.
"What the hell does MSS stand for?"
Ron laughed. "You don't know?"
"Never bothered to ask."
"It stands for Miss Shin-huh?" Ron began listening intently to the radio attached to his ear.
"What, what is it?"
"Ah, nothing much.. just been temporarly refused launch clearance, they say they're hauling in a big ship of some kind."
Cygni made a face. "I'd like to get going right away."
"Same here, but I also prefer to keep my job, y'know?"
Cygni sighed and leaned back in her chair, glancing out the cockpit. She watched as a small ship approached the launch bay, then gradually began floating inside. She peered at it closer.
"Looks almost like one of NASA's shuttles.. but it's been modified.."
The ship slowly floated across the launch bay, then settled down with a loud thud. Security teams began piling inside. Ron spoke up.
"Alright, that should do it. Ready to go?"
"I've been ready to go for the past 40 minutes! Lets haul ass already!"
Ron pressed a green button on his console, and the computerized voice spoke.
"Systems startup initiated. Weapon systems: Online and charged. Capacitor status: 100 percent. Cargo pod: Secure and loaded. Navigation, ready. All systems: Nominal."
"Here we go" said Ron, pulling back on the flight stick. The ship lifted itself off of the flight deck and slowly began cruising forward. Ron hit a button and the landing pads retracted. After a few moments, they shot clear of the cruiser and out into open space.
"You're SURE they're ok down there?" Cygni warily asked.
"Safe as a whistle. It'd take quite a concentrated stream of fire to break through that old crate." Ron chuckled, then continued. "The sub-space drives are charging now.. it'll be a little while before they're up to speed, so we'll just float around for a bit."
He brought the ship around and began commencing a few low passes near the cruiser. Cygni simply folded her arms and watched the view.
Down at NASA, the group gathered outside as the UNO slowly settled down in the empty parking lot. A short moment later, the airlock opened, and Captain Hayes walked out. Burns sighed.
"I'm still not going to get used to this.."
Sergei walked up and met Hayes half way, saluting smartly. Hayes nodded and spoke.
"So you said you need a ride?"
"Aye, I believe I've got a good idea as to where Cygni has gotten to."
Hayes raised an eyebrow. "I didn't even know she was missing."
"I didn't want to concern you with this unless it was necessary. You don't get time off that often."
Hayes sighed. "The distraction would have been welcome.. they've been making me drill new recruits for the past month."
Hudson walked up and shook hands with Hayes, who then turned to Burns.
"And you are..?"
"General Burns. My pleasure." He walked over and shook hands as well, then coughed.
"It's a tad nippy out here, so why don't we go inside.."
"I agree, I'll need to know where were heading before we can go there.."
They walked inside, the automatic doors closing behind them with a hiss.
(RP OFF)
-
By ataru devo on Friday, January 21, 2000 - 05:51:
You've probably figured it out by now,
but there's no way I can post anymore;
there's just to much work. It was
fun, though. Enjoy the rest of it,
no matter where it may lead. ^_^
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By Parias on Friday, January 21, 2000 - 21:26:
Sorry to see you go, even though you didn't post much, it was interesting to read >) Hopefully we'll see ya around again sometime!
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By Jocko on Saturday, January 22, 2000 - 01:10:
Awhh, damn it! Bye Ataru...hmmm were has the Blade of Kintaro disappeared to?
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By Jocko on Saturday, January 22, 2000 - 01:39:
(RP ON)
7:37PM
Cape Canaveral, Florida
Meanwhile inside a NASA waiting room Sakura was calmly waiting; smoking a cigarette. Ryouko was absently watching TV. Various news channels were blaring about the "Space Hijacking," she sighed, when a strange thought hit her.
"Sakura-sensei?" Ryouko asked.
"Hmm?" Sakura looked over to her.
"Have you seen Shinobu-san recently?"
Sakura blinked, "well, of course...eh." When she really starting thinking about it, though, she realized she had not seen Shinobu ANYWARE for at least a week. "No, now that I think about it, Ryouko."
Could Shinobu be in trouble? Without wasting another moment she picked up a phone and started pecking out numbers. Ryouko dialed the Miyake residence but received no answer.
"No one's answering," she said to Sakura.
Sakura took another drag, "call Ran."
Tomobiki...Ran's wonderful spaceship...
Ran had just gotten finished feeding lunch (an entire convenience store load) to Rei, who was now snoring happily in his Tiger-Bull form on the floor.
Ran giggled and began cleaning dishes when the phone rang. "Hello...? Oh Ryouko-sama! How are you? !!! In Florida?!? Oh I'm going to get Rei-san to take me there-what? Where's Shinobu-san? Where else would she be? Not at home and you haven't seen her around lately. Okay, I'll go see if I can find her. Yes, I'll check with Inaba too. Bye, Ryouko-sama!"
Ran hung up the phone. "Now where could she be...?"
In the next room Rei belched loudly in his sleep and Ran giggled, thinking 'he's sooo sweet!"
Back in Florida....
Ryouko hung up the phone and Sakura sighed, "why Ran?" Ryouko asked.
"Well, why not?" Sakura huffed, "nobody else is there, except for Onsen-Mark. And you never know when Ryuu or her father smashes their telephone! And I don't have a means of contacting Inaba or Kotatsu-Neko..."
"True, their numbers are at the very least unlisted." Ryouko nodded.
(RP OFF)
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By Jocko on Saturday, January 22, 2000 - 04:30:
(NOT AN RPG POST)
http://a148.g.akamaitech.net/7/148/51/8206a1102dcdc9/www.apple.com/main/media/trailers/newline/magnolia/magnolia_t_trlr/magnolia_t_trlr_ISDN.mov
Okay, kids. This is the type of format I would want a trailer for our UY RPG to have.
Cool enough neighbors?
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By Parias on Saturday, January 22, 2000 - 07:59:
Uh, wow. So you're actually planning on making a trailor for this? Or did I just mis-interpret? >)
While I'm as enthusastic about having software from Apple on my machine as I am for having a tornado run through my house, I may make an exception...
And yea, where did Blade-O-Kintaro go? Seems like he vanished off the face of the planet..
I'll get an RP post done in a bit, just having some fun with Unreal Tournament..
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By Jocko on Saturday, January 22, 2000 - 19:23:
Yes, you misinterpreted. If I COULD make a trailer for this, I would.
It appears that Kintaro is just plain as gone as gone can be. :)
I wonder how many people read these rpgs anyway?
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By Parias on Saturday, January 22, 2000 - 20:58:
Who the hell knows? We DO need more people around here however.. I just may end up getting one of my pro-writer friends to join us, he's got a kick ass character that would be good to introduce.
Hmmm.. lemme ask him.
(RP ON)
Cygni glanced around the co-pilot's area, centering her view on the small screen sitting in front of her. She hit the button marked "Menu", then called up the camera views. She looked over it, then nearly turned white when her eyes rested on "Cargo Pod Camera". She selected it, then frowned. As she had expected, Kintaro had already gotten out of the bag and was sitting in full view of the camera, chatting with the rest of the group.
"Damn! Hopefully Ron's too busy to look.."
She winced when Ron spoke up. "Hello, what's this? Looks like we have a stowaway.. that looks like one of the kids from the chambers.."
Cygni's hand moved to one of the large pockets in the uniform where she had hidden her Desert Eagle.
"Wait a sec... these guys suddenly look familiar...you wouldn't happen to be.."
He turned his head around to look at Cygni just as she pulled out her gun and aimed it at him, growling.
"You know I don't want to do this." she said. Ron's head turned back to the front of the cockpit, and he cussed.
"Where to?" he muttered.
"Earth, same as before. And I suggest you get your hand away from that ejection switch, or I'll fill you full of holes and take over this thing myself."
He sighed and returned his hands to the flight controls, checking over his instruments.
"3 minutes untill we jump."
"Fine." Cygni relaxed into her chair a little, keeping the gun pointed towards the front of the cockpit.
Down on Earth, the group boarded the Under New Ownership. Burns had elected to stay on Earth to keep the press down while the rest went after the shuttle.
As they walked onto the bridge, Sergei took his chair and gave it a little spin. "Ahh, it's good to be back!" he said, grinning.
Hayes took up his post at the front of the bridge, while the rest of the group sat down at various places. He turned to Sergei.
"Are we ready?"
Sergei hit a few buttons on his console. "Airlock secured and ready for launch."
"Very well, take us up."
"Aye skipper!"
Burns watched from the entrance to the base as the landing pads retracted into the vessel and it took off into the sky. He muttered to himself about "bad day, need more coffee", then turned and walked inside.
(RP OFF)
A bit short, but I'm busy at the moment, so I had to make it quick >)
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By Jocko on Monday, January 24, 2000 - 06:10:
(RP ON)
Just as the UNO was blasting its way out of NASA Cygni's Stormtroopers arrived on a special charter flight from Las Vegas.
Once they arrived at the launch/control complex Kakugari pointed at a small point of light which winked out after a few seconds, "We're too late!"
Perm moaned, "now we'll never rescue Cygni-sama!"
Chibi snapped his fingers, "Never say never, Perm!" He walked over to one of the news people who were reporting on the current situation with the hijacking of the shuttle.
Kakugari watched as Chibi began communicating rapidly with one of the news people. "What's he doing?" Perm asked.
"I have no idea..." Kakugari replied as he watched with wonder as Chibi was telling an American reporter whats-what.
Meanwhile on the UNO...
Hudson, Ryouko, Sakura, several Kuroko, Mujaki, and Jariten were sitting in a large common area enjoying refreshments.
Hudson sighed, he glanced to Ryouko and Sakura sitting besides him, "You know, I should really get around to telling Sergei and Hayes what a nice decor this starship has."
Sakura shrugged, "why?"
"Because I've only gotten to appreciate the beauty of the UNO on the outside," Warren said softly, "and even then I was mostly contemplating the best way to vaporize her with fusion warheads." He grimaced darkly, "and I almost did."
Ryouko regarded him for a moment, "maybe you should get some rest, Warren-kun."
"Yes, maybe." Hudson sighed, "for the first time in the last six months I'm starting to really *feel* my age."
Ryouko got close, "you were up writing letters again last night, weren't you?"
"Yes," Hudson whispered. "I'm down to 153 now, pending that I don't send anyone to their deaths this month..."
Ryouko took his hand firmly, "thank you," Hudson whispered.
Since July, Hudson had spent almost every spare moment writing letters to the families of the people who, as he saw it, had lost loved ones by his direct, or even indirect, actions and/or orders. Each letter was as personalized as possible, extending his deepest sympathies.
Ryouko remembered an incident a few days after the first war with Dr. Ginkobot when she had found Hudson sitting at a desk in a very dark corner of the Mendou Mansion crying as he wrote a letter to a Mendou guard's mother who had died under his command. When Ryouko made her presence known she had asked him why. All Mendou staff and their families know the risks and perils of duty when they sign up and serve. There was, of course, financial compensation for loss of income, life insurance, etc. The families and spouses were all taken good care of by the conglamorate. Ryouko understood that Hudson had some ugly personal baggage from command but she felt he honestly shouldn't be damn near killing himself over personally apologizing to everyone.
Hudson had nodded, but gestured to the healthy stack of letters from that night, and to the official list of all wounds and casualties in the battle. And he slowly said, "because I know that somehow I probably could've done better, and maybe some or all of these people would still be alive."
"Come," she had said to him, "at the very least you should not be doing this alone, Warren-kun."
So she had stayed up with him writing another one hundred letters of condolence and apology until 3am.
Ryouko was shook out of her reverie by Mujaki huffing something about "humans always crabby about age." Ten floated over, "hey Mujaki, you should try to be a bit more happy."
Mujaki shrugged, "oh I guess you're right, little tyke."
Ten frowned, "I'm GOOD BOY! Not a...a...little tyke!"
(RP OFF)
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By Parias on Monday, January 24, 2000 - 07:16:
(RP ON)
Onboard the cruiser in the Omicron Erandi system, a security officer rushed to the launch bay, calling over a flight engineer. He waved his ID card and sternly spoke up.
"I was told officer Ron had left the ship with a few passengers.. where is he?"
The engineer looked around a moment, then turned back to the officer.
"Ah.. he left a few minutes ago, right after we brought in this shuttle.."
"Alright, get flight control to retrieve his vessel ASAP, I need to know something."
The engineer sighed, nodded, then turned and ran to a large control deck at the far end of the bay.
Onboard Ron's ship, in the cargo pod, Megane was discussing his dream.
"And then.. then she bowled over and rushed into the bathroom! It was so funny!" He nearly fell over laughing, while Ataru fumed.
"Yea but who's this Mr. Above Average Size Lum was hanging out with? I thought you were devoted to ME!" He glared at Lum.
"Oh darling I was just teasing, and anyways, I thought you didn't care?" She gave him a sour look.
Ataru was at a loss for words. A few months ago it had been easy to accept Lum, but it was starting to get difficult again.
"But.. but.."
"Oh, so you do care?"
"Yes! I mean, no! I mean... er, uh..."
"Come on darling, say it!"
"NO! I refuse!"
Ataru turned towards a dark side of the pod and sulked. Lum sighed.
Megane turned to Kintaro, taking off his glasses and cleaning them with a cloth he always had in one of his pockets.
"So what did you dream about? I didn't see much of you.."
Kintaro struck an indignant pose. "I was too busy being a man!"
"Ah, I see. And just what did this 'being a man' entail doing?"
"Uh, well, I stole lots of money!"
"Oh. How interesting." Megane put a bored look on his face that riled Kintaro, who pulled his axe out and began swinging it in Megane's face. He easily dodged each swipe.
In the cockpit, Ron paused to listen a moment to the radio, which caught Cygni's attention. She perked up.
"What the hell is going on?"
"We're being recalled..." he grunted.
"Shit! I guess they finally put 2 and 2 together.."
"I'd assume we're not heading back?"
Cygni cracked a grin. "You're not half as stupid as you look, y'know?"
"I'll take that as a compliment I guess. 1 minute untill jump drives are ready."
"Keep going like this and this cockpit might not be a red smear when we get home."
("You don't need to keep pushing it. You're not a thug, just trying to get home.")
"Yea but if I don't keep him on his toes he'll try something..."
On the bridge of the UNO, Hayes turned to Sergei.
"How are we doing?"
"All systems ready! Our jump will take approximately 5 minutes."
"Alright. Power up sub-space drive and make ready for the jump to Omicron Erandi."
"Aye sir. Jumping....now!"
The viewport exploded into the bright flash of sub-space and the ship began it's journey to a system half way across the galaxy.
Meanwhile, on the stolen shuttle, 3 pairs of eyes watched from a dark corner of the cockpit as various security teams began swarming inside, tearing apart the equipment and attempting to figure out it's origin. The smaller pair of eyes looked upwards.
"Follow me" the invisible form of Cherry whispered. The eyes began slowly moving down a dark hallway. Beavis and Butthead followed, chuckling.
(RP OFF)
By the way, good news, my buddy has plans to join us, he'll be starting the next storyline we do. He's got a great universe of his already going, and has a web site at http://powerpub.net/ so if you're interested in seeing what he's got, go take a look!
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By Jocko on Wednesday, January 26, 2000 - 04:47:
Great news! Just remember this thread has a way to go...
(RP ON)
Megane was busy dodging Kintaro's axe swipes, "Hey man! Calm down, you can steal all the money you want for all I care!"
Kintaro stopped and laughed, "Look who's talking! You couldn't even break into crime without being nabbed by the cops on your first destruction of public property rap."
Lum and Ataru sat shocked, Lum spoke up, "Megane-san? What does he mean?"
Kintaro chuckled, "Megane was shooting up road signs outside of Tomobiki and got busted!"
Ataru shook his head, "I'm speechless..."
"Oh come on!" Megane glared, "I've never done a tenth the bad deeds as you. I was just...cutting lose." Megane sat down in the corner, "Now if you three don't mind, I'm not feeling well and would like to be left alone until we get home, okay?"
Kintaro shook his head, "Okay." He went over to Lum and Ataru. "Lum-chan?" he asked quietly.
"Hmm?"
"Do you think Ten-chan will be made at me?" he nearly wimpered.
Lum shrugged, "Maybe. But if you say you're sorry I'm sure he'll still be your friend."
Kintaro's face brightened up, "oh really?"
Lum nodded, then frowned, "Darling?"
"Hmm?" Ataru turned to her. "Where's Ten-chan?" Lum asked, very serious.
"Oh?" he groaned, "that brat's with Hudson and Nurse Sakura."
"Why?" Lum asked, with an even more serious tinge to her voice.
"Because Hudson wanted Ten to help him track down Kintaro and Megane in Las Vegas."
Lum frowned more, she would have to have a talk with Hudson, she decided. Maybe if he needed a zapping it would be a good idea to make sure Ryouko wasn't in the room...
Lum lowered her voice to a whisper, Megane appeared to be asleep. "Should we discuss this later?" she asked.
"Yes," Ataru hissed, nodding toward Megane.
Lum nodded back, "how's your parents handling all this?"
Ataru was about to answer when he realized that Sakura had forgotten to let his parents know what was going on.
"Oh no..." Lum groaned.
"Shit! I hope they don't have every cop in Toyko looking for us!"
Meanwhile Back in Tomobiki...
Mr. Moroboshi and Mrs. Moroboshi were enjoying sukiyaki in silence for the fifth time that week. The TV blared delightfully in the background.
"Dear?" Mrs. Moroboshi asked.
"Yes, Dear?" Mr. Moroboshi answered from behind his newspaper.
"I was in the market today, and I met Ran-san..."
"Oh really?" he turned the page.
"She said she was looking for Shinobu-san."
Mr. Moroboshi lowered the paper some, "Oh?"
Mrs. Moroboshi frowned, "Ran-san said she couldn't find her on Earth."
Mr. Moroboshi's hands shook slightly, "that's too bad, Dear. I came home again early today, hoping to find Ataru and Lum."
Mrs. Moroboshi started to cry, "and I tried to call that Warren Hudson and Ryouko Mendou, but a Kuroko said they were 'indisposed' and could not come to the phone."
"That's the seventh time this week!" Mr. Moroboshi wailed, tearing apart the wrestling scores.
(RP OFF)
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By Parias on Friday, January 28, 2000 - 11:17:
Gah! Sorry for not posting the past day or so, ISP going nuts, been busy with a site, ganking the new Soldier of Fortune demo, etc. Been just a little bit busy >) Geesus, I'm trying to write here and I want to do a blockquote whenever someone speaks..been coding too much HTML, ack ack ack!
(RP ON)
Cygni switched her gun to her other hand to give her right one a rest. Ron spoke up.
"10 seconds untill we jump."
She nodded. "About friggin time."
A few moments later the cockpit exploded into the shimmering and bright view of sub-space. Shortly after the vessel left, the UNO emerged. On the bridge, Hayes and Sergei looked in awe.
"Damn! How did they manage to hide such a cruiser in here?" muttered Sergei.
"We'll worry about that later. My guess would be that our answers are inside."
"Sir, we're being scanned.."
The comm system came online.
"This is Commander Brad, leader of the 294th Omega bomber squadron. You have 20 seconds to evacuate the area, or we will open fire."
"Enemy ships approaching!"
"What kind?" Hayes rubbed his chin in thought.
"I've never seen them before.. a new design. The sensors show some high-powered warheads in their banks, they could pose quite a threat."
"Hmmmm.."
Just then, Hudson and Sakura walked onto the bridge.
"What's going on? I heard alarms." asked Hudson.
"We've got a small problem.." Hayes continued stroking his chin. The comm unit came online again.
"You have 5 seconds, please evacuate, or we will open fire."
Hayes rose from his seat and flicked the reply switch.
"This is Captain Hayes of the Under New Ownership. I surrender my ship, your weapons are too strong for us and our jump drives are offline."
There was a pause at the other end.
"That was a bit hasty.." came the response.
"I'm more worried about my crew than anything else."
"Fine, hold your position UNO."
Hayes turned to the group, as did Sergei. Hudson made a face.
"Have you gone mad?"
Sergei shook his head, grinning.
"We used this same tactic awhile ago down at Barnard's Star..those crazy fools didn't know what hit them!"
Hayes nodded. "Now, if you'll just follow me, I'll show you to the armoury.."
Hayes began walking towards the back of the bridge. Sergei followed, then the rest of the group.
(RP OFF)
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By Jocko on Saturday, January 29, 2000 - 04:30:
(RP ON)
Ran proceeded down Tomobiki Ginza strip, mumbling.
'Damn Ryouko Mendou! Sending me to find Shinobu-san and not being able to find her!'
Just then she passed a TV shop with several televisions televising Chibi screaming something in English. At first, she just grumbled, 'Hi Chibi-san,' then she stopped, and looked closer.
"...We save Cygni-chan!!!! Hudson-sama must help or *I'll* start airing dirty laundry!!! Cantact us immediately!"
An American reporter came back on camera, his voice was translated into Japanese.
"...And well that was *most peculiar*, Ed. I just hope we can make sense of it later. If that kid means 'dirty laundry' as in Ambassador Hudson's relationship with Ryouko Mendou...it won't have much effect."
Ran was astonished, "What the hell is going on here??!?"
(RP OFF)
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By Parias on Sunday, January 30, 2000 - 01:22:
(RP ON)
Hayes led the group to a large room filled to the brim with powerful weapons and devices. He walked over and picked up a long black rifle with a small tube protruding from the top. He began performing maintenance and loading it. Sergei grinned.
"Mr. Buster. Gotten us out of a lot of hard situations.. the Captain never goes on an assault mission without it!" He looked around the room. "Help yourselves."
Ten minutes later, the group was prepared. Each person was lined with strips of ammo, grenades, and other items that would come in handy. The ship shuddered as it was brought into the cruiser. Hayes nodded and led the group towards the airlock, where they took up firing positions behind the crates lining the area.
"Alright people, as soon as that door opens, we open fire and work our way outwords into the ship. We then find Cygni and the others, get back here, and leave. All in one smooth motion" Hayes ordered. Hudson was a bit startled.
"Do you really expect that we can take on the whole ship ourselves?"
"No, but with any luck we'll be able to work our way through without making TOO much of a disturbance."
"Too much of a disturbance? I wouldn't be surprised if the entire ship comes as soon as we start shooting!"
"It'll take em a few minutes to get down here, and by then we'll already be gone. Now get ready, here they come."
Footsteps were heard outside of the door. Hayes tightened his aim on his rifle. Sergei took up a prone position at the back of the room with a large slug launcher. The rest maintained covering positions.
After a moment, the door slid open.
"FIRE!!" yelled Hayes, squeezing down on the trigger. A large yellow blast came out of the rifle, ripping the first soldier in half. The others behind him gaped in surprise, only to get cut down by Sergei's slug launcher. Hudson took careful aim with his plasma launcher and nearly flew backwards from the recoil as a massive green blob emerged from it's barrel and sliced right through 3 soldier's legs, ripping them off. They screamed, bleeding in agony.
The response was quick. Additional soldiers attempted to enter the ship, only to get quickly gunned down. A few took up positions outside of the airlock, firing inside with everything they had, but managing to stay out of the firing radius of the group. Sergei cussed as bullets and small blasts bounced off of the bulkhead directly above him. The soldiers continued firing while the group waited patiently.
After a moment, a large green grenade was flung inside, landing right next to Ryoko. She paused a moment, then picked it up and flung it outside with all her might, hearing a satisfying explosion outside, then turned to Hudson, grinning. He smiled back.
Hayes grunted. "Looks like they've got us pinned in here, luckily I was expecting this.. Sergei, go to plan B."
"Aye skipper!" Sergei pulled a black panel out of his uniform and hit a few buttons. A massive whir of machinery was heard above and below as 2 turrets were brought to bear and began firing. Screaming was heard outside.
"Lets GO!" yelled Hayes, making a run for the hatch. The group hesitated a moment, then followed, with Sergei bringing up the rear.
With the turrets providing covering fire, they rushed across the flight deck mostly unhindered, taking up cover behind an overturned vehicle that had been caught up in the chaos. Hudson looked around a moment, then pointed. "There, that's the runaway ship!"
Hayes nodded, then peered around the side of the vehicle as he watched the soldiers recover and concentrate their fire on the turrets, disabling them with a shower of sparks. He grimaced.
"Spent a good couple of months repairing those by hand.."
Shutaro leaned around the other side and began firing off rounds from his large gattling gun, the spent bullets piling up at his feet. He managed to gun down 2 soldiers before being forced to turn away from the counter-fire.
Sergei was preparing to provide some cover of his own when he spotted the hatch open on the shuttle. Soldiers began piling out of it, in full view of them. He cussed.
"Damn! This is going from bad to worse.."
Shutaro grunted. "I'll give you guys covering fire. Make a run for it!"
Hudson turned to him. "No, you'll be gunned down!"
"The hell I will! Get moving."
He leaned around the side again and began firing. Sergei sighed.
"As much as I would prefer to join you, he's going to need a bit of help. I'll distract the soldiers from the shuttle while you 6 head to the exit to the bay." He pointed to the large door at the far end. Hayes nodded.
"Keep yourself in one piece Sergei. Everyone else, lets go!"
With Sergei taking sniper shots at the soldiers from the shuttle and Shutaro covering the other direction, Hudson, Ryoko, Mujaki, Ten, Sakura, and Hayes made a mad dash for the far side of the bay where the door was located. Surprisingly they weren't shot at once, as the soldiers were too busy firing at Sergei and Shutaro.
Sergei watched as the group reached the door and entered, breaking to the right. He paused his sniping a moment to reload, dropping the old clip and sliding in the new one, then continued sniping.
"We're gonna need a way out of here. Any ideas?" he yelled out. Shutaro stopped firing a moment to brush away the massive pile of spent bullets piling up around him.
"No, I'm making this up as I go along!" he yelled back, then continued firing. Sergei looked around, then spotted a large grating a short distance away from them. He ducked as bullets began exploding around him, then fired again, taking down the soldier that was shooting at him.
Suddenly Shutaro called out in pain, then ducked back behind the vehicle, cussing loudly and holding his shoulder. Blood began pouring out.
Sergei pulled a large flash grenade from his waist and clutched it tightly. He turned to Shutaro.
"We're going to make a run for it towards that grating. Can you still walk?"
Shutaro was about to respond when unconsciousnous overtook him.
"Damn! Alright, here we go."
He chucked the flash grenade towards the shuttle, watching as it went off and blinded the soldiers. He then picked up Shutaro and flung him over his shoulder, then ran as fast as he could towards the grating. Once he got there, he kneeled down and attempted to open it. Surprisingly it popped open easily, and he hopped in, dragging Shutaro in and closing it behind him. He spied a small ladder directly below him, and began descending it without hesitation. Additional gunfire was heard above as the soldiers recovered and began firing again, trying to figure out where they had gone.
Cherry, Beavis, and Butthead watched from a corner of the launch bay, still in their invisible state. Cherry nodded.
"It's fate."
"Huh huh, this is cool." said Butthead. Cherry began walking towards the door, and the 2 followed, laughing as usual.
(RP OFF)
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By Jocko on Sunday, January 30, 2000 - 23:16:
(RP ON)
Hudson's group found themselves in a long deserted corridor. He checked the life sign indicator at his wrist, "Great, everyone's still with us," he said with relief.
Mujaki shrugged with Ten, "Y'know son, I just don't like fighting with guns; its just too messy. I've always prefered power bursts."
Ten nodded, "Fire bursts and ultra-sonic hammers for me."
Ryouko looked around, "what now?"
Hayes indicated a tricorder on his wrist, "It's found Cygni...but no sign of the others yet. Let's go."
They started down the corridor, led by Hudson and Hayes, occasionally shooting someone who tried to stop them.
"Y'know," Warren hissed to Hayes beside him, "I really think this ship has the worst surveillance and alarm systems in the galaxy."
"Amen, as you Americans say," Hayes murmured.
"Not me," Hudson snorted. In his youth, his Uncle had forever soured his view of Christianity. It was his wife who had enabled him to hold some amount of spirituality in his later years.
"This way," Hayes said, and they started down another corridor. Ryouko spoke up behind Hayes, "are you sure Cygni's signal cannot be artificial?"
"Positive," Hayes said shortly.
One minute later, the group was stuck in a fire fight in a galley near the place where Cygni was being held.
Hudson, Ryouko, and Hayes were both stuck behind a buffet table.
"Hey, I hope they're just screwing with us," Hudson shouted to Hayes, "I'm not ready for this kind of shit now!"
"Damn straight," Hayes chucked a granade over to the enemy.
BOOM!
The shooting stopped, replaced by screams of agony and silence.
"I hope they didn't suffer too much," Hudson said as he scanned the room. All clear.
As they neared Cygni's location, more fighting began.
Hayes grunted as he put another clip into his gun, "take Ryouko and Sakura; free Cygni!"
Hudson nodded, he, Ryouko and Sakura moved while everyone else provided cover fire.
When they arrived at the door, Hudson turned to Ryouko. "Are those Kuroko outside the ship?"
"Yes, proceeding across the hull to the bridge," she grinned, "they'll be ready."
Sakura glanced at the door. "We don't have time to overide the door controls. Stand back," they did so as the Shinto Priestess/School Nurse raised her spirit wand and uttered a long incantation.
A red glow appeared around her and then a single blast obliterated the door.
They ran inside and stopped frozen, "oh my word..." Hudson stammered.
(RP OFF)
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By Parias on Wednesday, February 2, 2000 - 02:06:
(RP ON)
The sight that greeted the group was one worthy of the front page on a pornographic magizine. A green-haired girl was being forced into an awkward position while another girl nearby did...
Hudson felt his face turn a deep shade of red and he quickly backed out of the room. Ryoko and Sakura stumbled after him, and they palmed the door shut as soon as they were out. Hudson steadied himself against the wall, breathing hard. Sakura made a face.
"I doubt that was Cygni.." she said. Hudson nodded.
"Unless there's some deep secret we don't know about anyways.. but it looks like they didn't see us..."
Hayes walked over.
"You look like you've seen a ghost Hudson, what happened?"
Hudson stumbled for a response, but couldn't find anything to say. Ryoko covered for him.
"Lets just say that wasn't Cygni. Are you SURE that scanner of yours is working correctly?"
Hayes pressed a few buttons on the panel on his wrist and nodded. "I've got it fine-tuned to search for any girl with Cygni's attributes. It couldn't be wrong.. and the warranty expired yesterday."
Hudson winced. "Ouch, I don't even want to imagine how much that'll cost to repair or replace." He paused a moment to think.
"Didn't that thing go off a moment before we exited sub-space?" he asked.
"Yea, but all of our instruments do that, it's because they have to be automatically rebooted before we return to normal space.. why?"
Sakura gasped in surprise. "Hudson, you wouldn't mean that..."
Hudson shook his head. "We've gone through too much trouble already to back down, so I'm definately not saying that she could have already left. She MUST still be here, somewhere!"
Just then another squad of soldiers came running around the corner, guns blazing. The group took cover and began firing back. Ten looked behind the group, then yelled out in surprise when another group of soldiers came running up behind them.
"Uh, guys, we've got more trouble!"
Hayes stopped firing a moment and turned around, then cussed.
"Damn! We need some cover, fast!"
He looked to the right and spotted a closed door right next to him. He reached up and punched the panel, sending the door whooshing open. He waved to the group.
"In here guys!"
Sakura rushed in first, followed by the rest of the group, with Hudson bringing up the rear. When everyone was in, Hayes shot the panel, sending it exploding in a shower of sparks, then rushed inside as the door closed.
They looked around. The room appeared to be a massive luxury bedroom, with a low blue light coming from the far end where the bed was, and there was a massive kitchen nearby, followed by a den, and a bathroom.
A loud pounding was heard from the door as the soldiers outside began attempting to break their way in. Hudson looked around a moment, then pointed to a large desk. "There, use that to block the door!"
Hayes, Hudson, Ryoko and Sakura rushed over and began shoving against the desk. Surpringly it didn't budge. Hayes looked at it a moment, then crouched down and snapped his fingers.
"That's our problem, it's bolted to the ground to prevent it from flying all over the room when the ship is under fire."
He pulled out his rifle and fired a few small accurate shots at the 4 legs, disintegrating them and sending the desk crashing to the floor. He nodded again to the group and they began to slowly push the desk towards the door, which was beginning to crack and groan from the pressure.
After what seemed like minutes of pushing, they finally managed to position the desk in front of the door. Much to the group's dismay, however, the desk was only high enough to cover half of the door. Hayes sighed and looked around for more objects.
After another minute of pushing, they finally finished blocking the door entirely, using an overturned bed, a T.V. (much to Ten's dismay), 4 large steel blocks that were found in the closet, and a few various other objects. Hudson rubbed the sweat from his brow and let loose a sigh of relief as he heard the soldiers give up trying to break in and began dispersing. Hayes grunted.
"If they don't get in this way, they'll find another. I'll imagine we only have a few minutes to ourselves in here, an hour if we're lucky."
Sakura nodded. "Of course we don't expect to be here that long, do we?"
"I'm working on that... for now, lets get a bit of rest while I figure out what we're going to do."
The group nodded and began moving around the room, checking out the details.
Deep within the bowels of the ship, Sergei pulled himself up against the side of the tunnel he was in and took a moment to rest, breathing heavily. He looked over at Shutaro. The bleeding in his shoulder had stopped, but he was still unconscious, and the small make-shift bandage torn from Sergei's uniform probably wasn't helping much. He cussed.
"Damn, I should have payed a bit more attention during medical training.. how ironic, never thought I would need it.."
He glanced down the tunnel. Up ahead was the engineering section of the vessel, or so his personal mapping unit told him. There were bound to be some medical supplies in there.
He propped Shutaro against the other side of the tunnel, making him as comfortable as possible, then began slowly making his way forward, keeping a low profile.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Wednesday, February 2, 2000 - 03:22:
I want to extend my congratulations to Bill Bradley and John McCain for kicking ass in New Hampshire!
Hmm, maybe someday I'll write a filler fanfic about Hudson's political life in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. This would also include his wife as Governor of Nebraska, her death, and Hudson's unsuccessful but triumphant 1976 campaign.
(RP ON)
Ryouko knelt down and adjusted her boots; she winced. Definitely bruised, she thought. "What's wrong?" Hudson asked very near to her.
"Nothing," Ryouko tried to smile.
"You sure? Maybe you should have Sakura look at it later." Warren squeezed her shoulder.
"Yes, maybe," she smiled at him.
Hudson glanced around the room, everyone was either resting or plotting their next move. "Do you think the Kuroko can help us?" Warren asked quietly.
Ryouko sighed unhappily, "I don't know...no, they're much too far away to help us. They can knock out the bridge, that'll help us in the long run but not if we have one hundred soldiers hunting us now."
Hudson nodded. He leaned in close to her, "I love you," he whispered.
"I love you too," she whispered back.
Warren Hudson smiled serenely, got to his feet, and went over to Hayes and Mujaki.
"Any ideas, gentlemen?"
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Saturday, February 5, 2000 - 03:42:
Just to let you know, I AM still alive, I've been HELLISHLY busy for the past few days with HardNews, and my brains been on the fritz leaving not much for creativity >)
Jocko, you can continue on for a bit if you want, I'll probably join back in soon, I just need a bit of a breather here to get my stuff done. The fact that we're gonna be doing an overhaul soon doesn't help much either >P I'll be checking the forum daily, even if I don't post.
Thanks, and like I said, I'll start contributing again soon, just need to clear my head.
-
By Jocko on Saturday, February 5, 2000 - 08:08:
Okay, I'll try to ask more questions. :)
-
By Jocko on Sunday, February 6, 2000 - 05:03:
(RP ON)
Mujaki shrugged, "I can't seem to get a fix on Cygni with my powers."
Hudson looked down at him, "I thought your powers exclusively dealt with dreams."
"I know sir," Mujaki took his tophat off to wipe the sweat from his brow, "but I do have a few tricks in the, uh, 'real world,' as you humans call it and I still can't find her."
Warren groaned, he glanced to Hayes, "any sign of the others?"
Hayes angrily smacked the side of his locater insturment, "no..."
Ten floated over just then with Sakura, Hudson glanced over at Ryouko worried.
"I see three possible scenarios at work here," Warren said with grim conviction, "one, this is an elaborate trap by Ginkobot or persons unknown in order to majorly screw with the people of Tomobiki. I personally feel that if Ginkobot is involved (which I doubt for some reason), that he's obviously an idiot for thinking he could defeat us with ease, or a master illusionist in that we are currently right where he wants us."
Hudson motioned toward the hull, "two, and currently the most likely explanation, is that we simply missed the real Cygni and she's far away from here and safe. It would also make sense that if she was abducted to this ship then the same would've happened to Lum, Ataru, Megane, and Kintaro."
"Then that means they're all safe?" Ten interjected hopefully.
Hudson nodded, "hopefully," he motioned around the room, "the third, and most terrible scenario, is that all the leads we've had up to getting on this ship were false and Cygni along with the others are dead and we soon will be too."
"What do you believe?" Sakura asked.
"I think," Hudson thought for a moment, "that number two is what's what. But all the signals we've gotten from tricorders should be taken with a grain of salt."
"But of course," Hayes said slowly, "you're just thinking positive, right?"
Hudson glanced at him, "someone has to besides Ten-chan."
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Sunday, February 6, 2000 - 10:30:
I think I managed to get enough sleep to make a contribution here.. >)
(RP ON)
Cygni watched out of the cockpit as the glimmering stream of sub-space exploded back into normal space, and Earth came into view a distance ahead. She grinned.
"About damn time.. good to be back home.."
"So are you taking me hostage or just gonna let me waltz back home?" asked Ron while he brought the engines online and began moving towards Earth at a good pace.
"It's up to you, I was just looking for a way to get me and my friends home. This 'holdup' thing is just a side-effect, sort of speak, like I said, I didn't want to do it unless I had to."
"Well that's a relief, since most of the other people who take me hostage usually want quite a bit before letting me walk out.."
Cygni looked surprised. "You've been taken hostage before? I thought you were a damn guard!"
"Yup, it used to happen quite a bit when I was a freighter captain.. I barely managed to make the ranks for security detail because of it."
"Interesting.." Cygni had a thought.
"By the way, what does MSS stand for again? You were telling me earlier, but.."
"Oh, right. It stands for 'Mistress Shinobu's Services'."
Cygni gasped. "Shinobu?! As in, the same Shinobu from Tomobiki?"
"Yep, why?"
"Shit! We're gonna have to have a little chat once we get back..." she said, growling. The ship continued it's course towards earth.
Deep inside of the cruiser, Sergei cautiously poked his head out of the ventilation hatch into the main engineering area. Aside from the steam blowing in his face, the place seemed to be clear. He cautiously pulled his way out and replaced the grate onto the hatch, then crouched down and checked his surroundings.
The vast majority of the room was shrowded in a thick fog from various pipes and exhausts all over the place, revealing that the ship was run on an older reactor. Just when he was about to make a move forward, a hand grabbed his shoulder. He whipped around, gun at the ready, only to see 3 pairs of eyes floating in the air staring back at him. He gaped in shock.
"Going in that direction is very unlucky!" said the lowest pair of eyes. Sergei gave a shrewd expression.
"Cherry? What in hell are you doing here?"
"There isn't much time, for the unlucky boy has doomed us all. We must hurry and leave."
The left pair of eyes, revealing itself to be Butthead, spoke.
"Uhhh, we like, just got here and stuff, dillhole. And we haven't seen any chicks!"
Cherry nodded, or rather his eyes did, if that was possible.
"He is the one. We must return him quickly so the marriage can take place and he can become the power."
Sergei once again made a face. "What the hell? I get more confused every time I talk to you! Well, anyways, Shutaro is in the tunnel behind you, and I'm not leaving without him, or the rest of the group on this ship for that matter. Can't you do something for him?"
Cherry shook his head. "There is no time. We must leave, now."
Before Sergei could protest, the pair of eyes that was Cherry pulled out a large staff from somewhere and waved it in the air. He suddenly found himself, Cherry, and the rest of the group, along with Hudson and HIS group together on the bridge of the UNO, right in the middle of a surprised group of soldiers. Before they could raise their weapons or call for help, Cherry waved his wand again and they vanished into thin air. He noted that Cherry, Beavis, and Butthead were no longer semi-invisible. Beavis bit his lip.
"Um, couldn't you have like, done that from the start, or something? This is stupid. Heh heh."
Cherry simply bowed his head down and mumbled "It's fate" in reply. Hudson looked around in surprise.
"How the hell did we get here??" He spied Cherry and glared at him, letting out a sigh.
Sergei rushed over to his console and began stabbing away at the controls, preparing the ship to lift off before the troops could retaliate, while Hayes joined Hudson in glaring at Cherry.
"I'm going to have a long talk with him when we get back..." he muttered. Hudson grunted in agreement. After a moment, the ship quickly lifted out of the launch bay and took off into space without incident, entering sub-space a few seconds later.
In the conference room of the cruiser, the lead scientist stared into a large viewer as the words "Establishing Connection" flashed by. He mopped his forehead with a small rag from his pocket and sighed in frustration.
After a moment, the glaring face of Shinobu appeared on the screen.
"I told you I was busy!" she yelled. "What do you need?"
The leader sighed. "Bad news mistress. It appears Cygni, Lum, and their respective comrades have gotten away.. furthermore, so has Hudson and HIS group..."
"WHAT?????" Shinbou's retort was so loud that the entire ship was nearly rocked from the sound. The leader was thrown from his chair, and he scrambled back to his feet and attempted to regain his composure.
"I tried mistress, but these soldiers are so incompetent.."
"I want them found, NOW! Do you hear me? I will have my revenge on Lum and all of her helpers!!!"
Zard's voice drifted in from off-screen. "Please quiet down dear, I'm trying to listen to the holoviewer.."
She looked to her right and yelled out in reply. "Shut up! I'm busy commanding this crappy cruiser you gave me!" She returned to looking at the leader.
"You heard me, get them back, and soon. You won't like it if they get away!"
The leader stumbled. "Y-y-y-y-yes mistress, I'll have the bridge set a course for Earth immediately!"
The display winked out. The leader madly mopped his brow with his now soaking wet rag and turned to his console.
"Patch me into the bridge..
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Tuesday, February 8, 2000 - 06:13:
(RP ON)
The Miyake household in Tomobiki...
Everything was dark and dusty except for a flashlight beam peering in from a window. The beam panned around the room a bit then stopped, a figure at the window shut off the flashlight and went away from the window. A few moments later the figure returned struggling with something. A few more moments later a fairly big rock crashed through the window and the figure climbed in.
Ran sighed angrily, "I'm gonna pound Mendou AND Shinobu when I see 'em!"
She began snooping around, the house seemed to have been empty for at least two weeks.
"Anyone home?" Ran shouted. No answer.
She proceeded up the stairs to Shinobu's room; she found it empty, of course. But something caught her eye on the desk. Shinobu's Diary.
Ran picked the book up, broke the lock open, and flipped through it.
"Gods below..." she gasped. She shut the book and immediately left the house. 'I have to get this to somebody who can help,' Ran thought frantically. The safety of Tomobiki depended on it.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Friday, February 11, 2000 - 04:21:
(RP ON)
Seconds after the UNO left the Omicron Erandi system, the massive engines at the rear of the cruiser roared as additional power was pumped to them. Slowly the cruiser came about and began heading in the direction of Earth, many systems away.
On the bridge, the lead scientist watched over the navigation officer's shoulder at his console and nodded.
"10 minutes untill sub-space drives are ready.. excellent. Keep me informed."
The officer nodded, and the scientist returned his gaze to the front viewscreen, watching as the craft moved through space.
Over near Earth, Ron suddenly looked up in surprise. Cygni noticed.
"What the hell is it now?"
"Sensors are picking up an incoming jump signature.. pretty big too. Looks like they sent someone after us.."
Cygni cussed. "Screw them, just get us on the ground and we'll worry about them later."
"You mean _I_ will worry about them later. You're the one who's scuttling remember?"
Cygni frowned. "Don't give me that bullshit, we got this far, and I'll be damned if I'm letting you die on me now."
"Of course, that explains why you had me at gun-point.."
"What? Hey listen here, I-"
Ron cut her off. "Here it comes!"
Cygni turned around in her chair and glanced behind the small craft as a massive white flash appeared a distance behind them. Her scowl changed to a grin when the familiar scarred form of the Under New Ownership emerged and began heading in their general direction. She turned back to face Ron.
"Hold up."
"Huh?!"
"I said hold up. These are friends of mine."
Ron glanced over a sensor readout of the UNO. "For 'friends' of yours, they sure are heavily armed. Then again, I guess it runs.."
"Cut the wise cracks and give me the comm."
"Yes ma'am, would you like coffee with that too?"
Cygni was considering clubbing Ron on the head with the butt of her pistol when she suddenly cracked a grin and burst out laughing.
"You're alright Ron, hah hah hah!"
Ron, looking confused, slowly brought the ship around to face the UNO.
On the bridge of the destroyer, Hayes and Hudson glanced out of the viewport as the small ship in front came about to face them. Behind them, Sergei scratched his head.
"It's another unknown design.. probably from that cruiser."
"Any weapons?" asked Hayes.
"A few point defense lasers, nothing we can't handle. It's also got a large cargo pod.. hold on, it's beginning to move towards us."
"Could be a bomb.. charge up the main guns."
"Aye s-"
The comm unit crackled to life.
"Cygni here, damn what a sight for sore eyes!"
Sergei blinked in surprise, then grinned fiendishly. "That little devil, she could work her way out of hell and back again!"
Hayes nodded and picked up the mic. "Good to hear you again Cygni! You wouldn't have happened to have seen Lum and the rest of the missing group, have you?"
"What a co-incidence, they happen to be sitting in the pod right below me!"
"Excellent! We'll dock with you immediately, I'm sure Sergei is looking forward to seeing you again."
"Damn straight." Sergei said from behind him.
"Alright, we'll be waiting for you guys. Cygni out."
A few minutes later, Cygni and the rest of the group waited in the docking bay of the UNO while the group on the bridge made their way downwards. Sergei was the first to enter the area. As soon as he saw Cygni, he rushed towards her and they embraced.
"I thought you were gone for good.." he said, running his hand through her hair.
"Psh, takes more than some damn psychos to stop me!"
"Always my little hellcat."
"Hellcat.. I like the sound of that.."
Lum glanced on at the group, then turned to Ataru, who scowled.
"Don't even think of it!"
Lum was apalled. "But darling.. what about before?"
"That's because I was worried, and bored! More bored than anything else though..."
"You... used me?!" Lightning began to crackled through Lum's hands. Ataru, who had avoided being shocked for so long, had forgotten about Lum's powers, and he began to shake in fear.
"NO! I, uh, that is.."
Lum screamed and sent a lightning bolt his way, barely missing his head. He yelled out and began running for the door. Cygni spotted this and took a moment from embracing Sergei to stick her leg out and catch Ataru in the feet, tripping him and sending him crashing down in a pile of crates. Lum ran by and leapt after him, and the entire docking bay was bathed in a blue light as lightning was flashed all over the place. Ataru continued wailing in agony.
Hudson and Hayes finally came onto the deck, followed by the rest of the group. Hudson sighed.
"Looks like things are starting to get back to normal.."
He turned to Megane. They stood and stared at each other for a few moments. Megane shifted unconfortably and was about to speak, when alarms began blaring all over the ship. A digitized female voice came on the P.A.
"Warning: Massive incoming jump signature detected! Hostile configuation, armanent size and capacity exceeds all known specifications! Contact in 30 seconds!"
All activity on the bay ceased, apart from Ataru, who simply lay in a smoking heap, groaning. The silence was pierced by Cygni's cussing.
"Godamnit, when the hell do I get a freaking BREAK?"
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Saturday, February 12, 2000 - 07:59:
Parias, I just hope Ataru doesn't go back to his old ways. But it would be fun to examine Ataru dealing with his feelings in an honest manner with Lum in a more in-depth fashion.
(RP ON)
Hudson, Hayes, Sergei, and Cygni ran out into the corridor.
"How well are we equiped?" Hudson barked to Hayes.
"Pretty well, considering..." Hayes broke off as Ryouko and Ten joined them. Hudson spared a moment to tell the two to take charge of the people in the shuttle bay.
"And don't let Ron outta your sight!" Cygni shouted after them.
The group was now in a turbolift to the bridge. Hudson looked to Hayes, "...you were saying?" he prompted.
"Considering that whoever's after us didn't manage to screw with the ship while we were there." Hayes finished.
"Shinobu." Cygni stated out of the blue.
"WHAT?!?" everyone shouted.
"The MSS," Cygni frowned, "Mistress Shinobu's Service."
"Oh Jesus H God!" Hudson declared, "tell me this is only a friggin' nightmare!"
"I thought you didn't believe in God," Hayes snorted.
Warren composed himself, "I only stated that I was not a Christian...but the matter at hand is why Shinobu is doing this and who's helping her!"
"And how to stop her from blasting us to atoms..." Sergei trailed off as the lift opened to the bridge.
"Well they won't get us without a fight," Hudson sneered, "I can have ten cruisers here in five minutes."
Sakura walked up to Hudson, "There's a ship breaking Earth orbit now...it's Ran's scout."
Hudson groaned, "this better be good."
Back down in the shuttle bay...
Megane was sitting on a couple of crates minding his own business, when he heard a muffled voice coming from a duffle bag beside him. Megane shrugged and opened the bag to find Kintaro waking up from his nap.
"Are we there yet?" he yawned and spied Jariten hovering above Ryouko's shoulder while she talked to Ron, Ataru and Lum.
"Ten!" Kintaro shouted.
"Kintaro!" Ten beamed and flew over.
The two friends now reunited began talking about various things, like where Kintaro's bear had gone.
"Last I saw him he was flying around Tomobiki looking for you," Jariten said.
"Really? Then we have to get him and start the underground gang up again!" Kintaro declared gleefully, bringing anger to Ten's face. "You still haven't givin' up that stupid idea yet, have you?!?"
Megane huffed and starting minding his own business again but was interrupted when Ryouko walked over. From the look on her face, Megane felt she wasn't in the mood to playfully shoot the shit, as it were.
Ryouko locked eyes in silence with Megane for a few moments just as Hudson had done before.
'They really are a lot alike,' Megane thought. Ryouko's fondness for practical jokes coincided with a young United States Occupation officers' fondness for wild goose chases in the "wild west" of Japan between 1945 and 1952. Only difference between the two, Megane decided, was that Ryouko Mendou did it for shits and giggles while Warren Hudson had done it to maintain his sanity and faith in humanity during his more than depressing stint as chief US occupation officer of Tomobiki and a liberal slice of Shinjuku.
As was generally known, because of his language skills Hudson had personally been charged by his superiors with carrying out the death sentences of nearly one hundred convicted Japanese war criminals after the conclusion of World War II.
Megane regarded Ryouko with awe, 'imagine her courage,' he thought, 'even most modern Japanese would have problems dealing with a man who had that on his shoulders directly.' Even Megane had trouble keeping that out of his mind sometimes when he talked to Hudson, to think that this generally good humored man once held life or death power over his grandparents and nearly 200,000 of their countrymen in the Tomobiki/Shinjuku area. And yet he had dealt with everyone in a just, fair, and benevolent manner. Warren Hudson seemed to live his life as if he was just a character in a satire on the evils of war only punctuated with moments of happiness and despair. Megane remembered a statement a reporter had made after interviewing Hudson in the late 1970s.
"When that man dies, he'll probably go to hell. But he'll make sure he dies with a song from Perry Como's Irish Christmas in the background even if he's being cut down by machine gun fire; and some Frank Sinatra when he meets the Devil."
This gave Megane one hell of an odd image when he read it two months ago. But he was soon shook out his contemplations.
Ryouko Mendou sighed, "I hope you can appreciate all the trouble Warren-kun has gone through over the past week for you, Megane."
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Monday, February 14, 2000 - 07:46:
Don't worry, I've been chatting with my friend (who's gonna start off the next thread) and I just got a pretty damn good idea as to when his character could drop in.. I won't spoil it yet, but lets just say that this isn't the end of Ataru and Lum's relationship >)
(RP ON)
Hayes, Hudson, Cygni, and Sergei rushed onto the bridge, taking their positions, with Hudson standing near Hayes at the front, looking out the main viewport. Activity could be seen all over the hull of the ship as various weaponry unsheathed from it's protective covering and came online.
"Give me a full scan of that ship!" yelled Hayes.
"Damn, just a second, the thing is so massive the sensors are having trouble getting the mass of it down."
He tapped away feverishly at his console, waiting for the sensor data to appear. When it finally did, he frowned.
"Hey.. remember our little ambush down in the Sirius system?"
Hayes' face whitened. "Oh no, you couldn't mean.."
"What?" asked Hudson, confused.
Sergei nodded. "They've got some big firepower on that ship, and I'm showing some massive energy spikes off of that main gun of theirs. If it goes off, we wouldn't want to be caught in it..they've got one hell of a fighter escort too."
"So what the hell does this have to do with Sirius?" asked Cygni.
Sergei turned in his chair to face her. "We had a massive force set up to ambush some pirates coming through the system.. when we were all poised to attack, they pulled their trump card.." He paused a moment. "I've never seen that many fighters in years.. it was a slaughter, we barely got away."
"Shit.." muttered Cygni. She then turned to Hayes.
"What chance in hell do we have of taking on this fleet?"
Hayes scratched his chin a moment in thought.
"I've still got those cruisers waiting." offered Hudson.
"That's right.. hopefully they'll get here in time. Call em in."
Hudson nodded and turned to Sergei to have him help get the message sent. Hayes pulled up a schematic of the cruiser on the small screen in front of him and began studying it intently, searching for a weak point. Cygni simply continued starint out the viewport at the massive fleet of fighters flying towards them at an average pace. She shifted unconfortably, being in a situation where she couldn't help much didn't sit right with her.
Down in the shuttle bay, Ten and Kintaro studied Ron intently.
"So your Ron huh?" asked Ten.
"Uw twa netch yu" was the response. Ten scratched his head in confusion.
"Oh, I know, that idiot!" said Kintaro, leaping up and yanking the small device out of Ron's ear and taking a small amount of flesh with it as well. Ron yelled out in pain, holding his ear.
"Ow! What the heck did you do that for?!" he seethed, trying to stop the small amount of blood pouring from the wound. Ryoko noticed and walked over, applying a small bandage to the wound, while Kintaro proudly presented the device to Ten.
"This is some kinda language thing, it makes you speak differently!"
Ten picked it up and looked it over. "I've never seen this kinda thing before.. hmm." He stored it in his diaper, resolving to examine it more closely later.
Megane, who had a lot on his mind, decided to stare off into space, literally. He walked over to the small viewport at one end of the bay and glanced out, looking at nothing in particular.
After a moment he stumbled over backwards and screamed loudly. Ataru and Lum ran over and asked him what was wrong.
"Shi-shi-ships!! LOTS OF SHIPS!!" he yelled out psychotically, then passed out. Ataru glanced out the viewport, then yelled out and joined Megane on the deck as he also stumbled over backwards in fear. Ryoko finished bandaging Ron's wound and joined Lum in looking out the viewport. The sight that greeted her eyes made her gasp in shock. She quickly ran over to the communications panel near the exit to the bay and called up the bridge.
"Sergei here, we're a bit busy..."
"Are you aware that we've got a massive fleet of fighters coming down on us?" asked Ryoko in a slightly nervous voice.
"I SAID we're a bit busy..." replied Sergei, a bit miffed. "Don't worry, the good Captain is working on a plan."
"Alright.. sorry." she said.
"Don't worry about it, it's not every day you're about to be overrun by a massive enemy force. I'll keep you posted." The link went dead.
Ryoko sighed and steadied herself against the wall. She had to calm down, but it was difficult, seeing such a massive amount of weaponry aimed at them was a tad unnerving.
Lum continued looking out the viewport, using the imaging system installed on it to get a better view of the swarming mass of fighters that was getting closer by each second. She called Ten over.
"Ten, do you recognize these ships? They look kind of familiar.."
Ten fiddled with the view controls, utilizing the sensors to bring up a schematic of one of the fighters. He scratched his head in thought.
"I've never seen that particular design before... wait, I remember, from a long time ago.. some prototypes or something, they had to be scrapped because of engine problems. I guess they fixed that situation..it looks like they'll be here in 2 minutes."
He continued fiddling with the controls, getting more precise readings. By this time, the entire remaining group on the bay was piling up behind him, including Ataru and Megane, who had recovered.
"Well, what is it?" demanded Ataru. Ten studied a moment longer, then he turned back to the group, his face hauntingly white.
"Each of those ships has a beam cannon on it, one with extremely long range. It's capable of ripping anything it touches to pieces! It's something to do with high-powered crystals inside or something."
Lum stared at him a moment. "Weren't those ships the same kind that daddy's best scientists were working on?"
Ten nodded. "I think so.. stuff like that goes up pretty high. Could be a spy."
All eyes suddenly turned to Ron, who shrugged sheepishly.
"I just guarded em, I never pilotted one or checked out the details.. as far as I knew, they were just always there."
Megane approached him menacingly. "That's not good enough damnit, we need more information!" He struck out, punching Ron in the nose and breaking it. He stumbled backwards in pain.
Megane was just about to lunge towards Ron when Ryoko stepped between them, stopping him cold.
"Stop it, this isn't getting us anywhere. Ten, go to the bridge, you'd better let Hayes know about this in person."
Ten nodded and floated out of the bay, leaving the rest of the group to stare at the incoming fighters in cold fear. Cherry simply sat off at the other end of the bay and acknowledged that once again, fate had struck. Beavis and Butthead lay next to him, snoring loudly in sleep.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Wednesday, February 16, 2000 - 05:09:
(RP ON)
Ten floated onto the bridge. "Hayes-sama!" he wailed out.
"What's wrong?" Hayes looked at the toddler.
"We think that Ron guy might be a spy!"
Hayes, Sergei, and Hudson both smacked their foreheads hard and shared pained looks.
Once he recovered Hayes sighed, "Anything else?" he prompted.
Ten shook his head in the negative.
"All right," Hayes turned to Sakura. "Maybe you should go down with him as support."
Sakura nodded, she and Jariten left the bridge.
Meanwhile on Ran's scout...
Ran violently activated the comm board. "UNO, this is Ran! I'm commin' aboard like it or not!" she raged.
On the UNO, Hudson hit his comm board. "Ran! Look around you! We're surrounded! Get the hell outta here now!"
Ran reverted back to her sweet self, "oh why won't anyone listen to me...?" then to her psycho-bitch self, "Hudson, clear the hanger! I've got a score to settle with Ryouko and Shinobu!!!"
Ran could practically hear Hudson's face darkening.
"Ran let me tell you something...YOU WILL NOT HARM RYOUKO AND SHINOBU IS THE ONE COMMANDING THAT ARMADA!!!"
Hudson had made his point loud and clear, since Ran backed down, but said: "I'm still coming in."
"It may be your funeral...but all right." Hudson clicked the comm board over to the hanger.
"Kids, Ran-chan has come for a visit." Hudson's voice sounded weary to the people in the hanger bay.
Lum smiled, "Oh Darling! Ran-chan's come to visit!"
Ataru sighed, "Now why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
Cherry popped into Ataru's vision, "Because your hair is parted in an extremely unlucky way!"
Ataru gave Cherry a good smack on the head with a mallet.
Megane glanced over at Ataru and Lum as Cherry fell to the floor momentarily unconcious. "You've gotta admit, that was pretty original as far as Cherry's usual doomsaying goes."
Ataru nodded, "True."
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Wednesday, February 16, 2000 - 11:26:
Quick note regarding Ran: She's another character I haven't had the luxury of seeing yet, so in the stuff I write on her, I'll attempt to adopt her obviously fiendish attitude as best I can based on the information I've learned >)
(RP ON)
While Ran's ship docked with the Under New Ownership, Hayes turned to Sergei.
"How much time have we got left?"
Sergei grunted. "Assuming they don't kick in their burners or something to begin their attack run, I'd estimate about 1 minute.... hold on, I'm getting a data-feed from the shuttle bay.."
He examined the screen a moment. Hayes and Hudson stood over his shoulder and watched.
"Well, what is it?" asked Hudson.
"This is going to be a lot tougher than I initially anticipated.." groaned Sergei. "Those fighters have advanced beam weaponry. Just one would give us a run for our money.. we don't stand a chance aginst hundreds!"
Cygni walked over.
"Well if Shinobu wants me and the rest so bad, I'd doubt they'd annihilate us on the first pass.. just cripple us."
"That doesn't help us much though.." said Hayes, turning back to the schematics he was examining.
"30 seconds!" called out Sergei.
"Damnit we need a plan, and NOW!" said Cygni, glancing out the viewport as the flares of the hundreds of fighters could be seen getting close.
"Well we certainly won't stay in one piece by just standing around." said Sergei, bringing the engines up to maximum emergency power. "How long untill your fleet gets here, Hudson?"
"At least a few more minutes.."
Suddenly Hayes turned around and snapped his finger. "I've got-"
"Here they come!" yelled Cygni.
Massive green particle beams stabbed out towards the ship, most narrowly missing it. A few grazed against the long hull in front of the bridge, completely annihilating a row of gun turrets. The bridge shook violently, sending Hudson crashing to the ground.
Down in the shuttle bay, Ran was just leaving her ship to greet the group when she was suddenly flung from her feet by the massive shuddering. She recovered and looked around, noticing everyone else aside from Ten were also kissing the deckplates.
Ryouko struggled to her feet and looked around with a worried expression. After a moment, she called out.
"Where's Ron?"
Ataru glared around the bay, but didn't see him.
"That guy probably got sucked up into space or something, good riddance."
"How could he get sucked into space if there's no breach?" asked Ten, a sour look on his face.
Ataru whirled around. "Well if you have a better idea, lets hear it!"
While the pair argued with each other, Ran began approaching Ryouko, glaring at her. Ryouko glared back.
"Is there something you need Ran? Why did you come here anyways?"
Ran was about to reply when another series of blasts impacted against the ship, sending everyone crashing to the deck plating. Ataru rubbed his head in pain, then noticed activity at the other side of the bay. He watched in horror as the internal armour began melting away, and a bright red stream of molten framework began working it's way horizontally across the wall, untill finally the beam barrage impacting against that section from the outside ceased.
Beavis and Butthead, who were now fully conscious, pointed and laughed.
"Heh heh, that was cool." said Beavis.
"I think we should leave. Now." said Ryouko, turning towards the exit. She pointed to Cherry's unconscious form. "Someone grab him."
Ataru grumbled. "No! Leave him here, the old guy deserves it!"
"Oh darling you're so cruel!" came Lum's leering response as she grabbed his arm and began making her way across the bay towards the exit.
As the rest of the group began heading out of the bay, Ryouko cussed and headed to the other, nearly breached end and grabbed Cherry's body, then began making the long trip back over to the exit. When the last person, who turned out to be Butthead, left the bay, another salvo of beams began impacting against the hull. Ryouko turned around and watched as the molten framework suddenly melted and a bright green beam broke through the hole and impacted against one of the shuttles, barely missing her and tearing a clean hole through it. At the same time, various loose objects lifted off the ground and began flying towards the breach, behind sucked into the hole, while a computerized voice droned on from somewhere far above, repating over and over "Warning: Hull Breach in main shuttle bay, evacuate immediately. Pressure lockdown in T minus twenty seconds."
Ryouko ground her teeth together and ducked under the beam, the intense heat from the proximity melting away a small chunk of her clothing around the shoulders. She began running towards the exit as fast as she could, which seemed like miles away. She listened as the voice continued counting down.
"T minus ten seconds.."
"Almost there..." she panted. Behind her, the green beam continued penetrating the inside of the bay, breaching through the wall it was impacting against and going into some other secluded area.
"T minus five seconds..."
"Just a bit further.." She could see Lum and Megane at the other side of the open door, beckoning to her.
Suddenly, the green beam ceased it's relentless fury, but not before severing a link that led up to a loose conduit far above. She heard a horrible grinding noise as the massive tubing broke free and began descending towards the ground, right in front of the door. A quick calulation showed that it would land before she would be able to reach it.
Time had slowed now, and she glanced at Cherry, who was beginning to regain consciousnous. Ahead, Megane was screaming something out, but it was difficult to hear above all the other noise. Reacting on gut instinct, she lept up and began a graceful dive towards the door, heaving Cherry towards it with all her remaining strength. He spun through the air, landing roughly in Megane's face and sending him crashing to the ground. She landed a few meters in front of the door, and was about to get up when the conduit finally impacted against the ground, blocking the doorway. Almost immediately after, it slammed shut, and the light next to it turned red. The voice droned on above.
"Shuttle Bay successfully sealed. All remaining personel, please evacuate via shuttlecraft for rescue. Estimated air pressure time: twenty minutes."
She looked behind her at the scarred shuttles. The cockpits of all three of them had a smooth hole right in the glass, rendering it useless for space travel. She turned back to the door to see Megane pounding on it, screaming. She simply stood there as sparks were flung about her, without a clue as to what to do.
On the bridge, Hayes groaned and slowly returned to his feet, nursing a large gash on his forehead. He turned to Sergei, who was bleeding from the repeated impacts against the console.
"Damage report." he croaked.
"I'm showing a hull breach in sectors 12 through 14, on decks two, five, and seven..."
He stopped a moment, worried.
"...And the shuttle bay.. complete containment failure."
"Did they evacuate ok?" asked Hudson, worried.
"Hard to tell, the internal sensors are totally jammed up.. but we have slightly worse things to worry about at the moment.."
Cygni, who was the only one who had managed to avoid injury, nodded. "They hit us pretty godamn hard, and it won't let up untill we're a piece of drifting scrap waiting to be boarded. Hayes, you said you had an idea, you'd damn well better speak up, because we might end up literally dying from the suspense if you don't."
Hayes nodded, a small grin breaking through the massive injury on his face. "One word. EMP."
Cygni stared at him a moment, stunned, then made a face. "If you had one of those all along, why the hell didn't you let us know? Then we could have avoided all this crap!"
"It's been sitting in our weapons hangar so long, I forgot it was there.. but we'll need to get it loaded first."
Cygni grinned. "I'll have that sucker ready to go in no time!" She turned to leave the bridge, only to be shoved aside as the door flew open and the group from the shuttle bay stumbled in. Sergei turned to them, a frown on his face.
"What the hell happened to you? You look like Earth just blew up or something."
"It's Ryouko.." Megane gasped out. "She's..." He stopped for air while Hudson's face turned white.
"Oh no..." he groaned.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Friday, February 18, 2000 - 03:52:
(RP ON)
Warren Hudson suppressed the urge to vomit, cry, shout, and generally lose it. Would the Spirits ever leave him alone? Hadn't he already paid what he owed? Must he always endure loss?
"But she's still alive?" he blurted out.
Megane gulped, "...we believe so."
Warren felt his knees nearly buckle, luckily Sergei was behind him.
"How much air is down there?" Hudson's voice was hoarse.
Hayes shook his head sadly, "we don't know. It could be none or a day's worth. Depending on the hull breach."
Warren looked around the bridge, "I'm going down there with a laser drill setup, Hayes, you talk to my people," his face darkened, "tell them to blow Shinobu out of the stars..."
Hayes nodded solemnly, Hudson continued, "inform Earth, we'll need everything they've got."
Megane, Cherry, and Sakura stepped forward, "Hudson-sama, I'd like to go down with you," Megane said; Sakura and Cherry merely nodded.
Warren nodded, "I appreciate it," he turned violently around and faced the approaching ships. "Hail them," he growled.
A beep was heard.
Hudson composed himself. Then began, "Shinobu, you very well may have your first murder victim. Now, before I dedicate myself to possibly spending the rest of my days making sure I sink a knife into your chest, I'd like you to talk to Ataru about this."
Warren snapped around, thumbed in Ataru's general direction and strode off the bridge with Megane, Sakura and Cherry following.
Once in the turbolift, Sakura leaned close, "The drilling robos are getting started."
"Good..." he sighed. He felt around in a jacket pocket for a small crystal. A Sorceress' crystal, something professional magic users in North America and Europe generally give to a surviving spouse upon death if they can manage it. Sakura noticed it, "Do you think it will work...if all else fails?"
"Possibly."
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Sunday, February 20, 2000 - 22:07:
(NOT AN RPG POST)
Hudson turned to Sakura, "Well?"
Sakura sighed, "we seem to've hit a snag."
"Just ducky, and when I was having a great dramatic moment!" Hudson huffed.
Jocko steps onto the set, "People, people, that was all wrong!!!"
So where is everyone?
(END NOT RPG POST)
-
By Parias on Sunday, February 20, 2000 - 23:26:
Well, lets just say I've gotten a few things introduced to my life that seem to have the intent of destroying it..
-Dug up my old copy of Starcraft, went on a playing spree
-New stuff coming up for HardNews.. keeps me busy
-4 2 AM nights in a row, umgah!
And yet, somehow, I managed to survive >) Gimme a few minutes here while I set my brain from "studly psychotic killer" mode to "creative" mode, and I'll make a contribution >)
-
By Parias on Sunday, February 20, 2000 - 23:56:
(RP ON)
As Sakura, Hudson, Megane, and Cherry made their way down to the shuttle bay, Cygni turned to Hayes.
"Before I end up making an idiot of myself, where the hell do you keep all the spare weapons anyways? I doubt we have the time for me to go hunting all over the ship for the elusive EMP weapon.."
Hayes nodded and pressed a few buttons on the console next to him. After a moment, however, the screen exploded in a shower of sparks. Hayes and Cygni shielded their eyes from the mess while Sergei quickly switched on the fire suppression system. After a moment, 2 long tubes extended down from the top of the bridge and sent an accurate spray of an adhesive towards the fire that quickly doused the flames. He cussed.
"Follow me, it's quite a ways back on this deck. We'll have to grab it and haul it down manually to the weapons bay, since the automatic arming system is-"
He was interrupted by the fleet's response to Hudson's message as more green beams lashed out angrily at the ship. The group watched, stunned, as three of them narrowly missed the front side of the bridge. The fighters that shot them screamed past shortly after. Most of the shots either missed or impacted against already damaged areas, doing minimal additional damage. Hayes recovered and nodded to Cygni.
"We'd better hurry. Sergei, you've got the bridge. Keep us in one piece, alright?"
Sergei nodded. "Aye sir. And.. be careful." He said the last part looking towards Cygni. She nodded back, and they walked off the bridge through the back door.
Onboard the large cruiser that was still making it's way towards Earth, the lead scientist turned aroud as Shinobu stormed onto the bridge. She shoved him aside and walked over to the captain's chair, barking "report!" over her shoulder.
The scientist consulted his notes a moment, then looked up. "Moderate damage inflicted on the vessel. Their entire hull is buckling under our assaults, and it isn't long before that ship is destroyed..."
"Good. Call the fleet off."
"What? But we could destroy them now and.."
"I SAID CALL THEM OFF!" Shinobu yelled, spinning around and glaring at him. He sheepishly nodded and turned to the comms officer to issue the order. After a few moments, the massive fleet of fighters aborted their attack runs and began heading back towards the cruiser.
On the bridge of the UNO, Sergei scratched his head with one hand while attempting to replace a bundle of loose wires with the other.
"I'll be damned, they're retreating.. they nearly had us. I guess Cygni was right.."
Shutaro, who had busied himself under the sensors console to keep his mind off of the events that had happened down in the shuttle bay, simply grunted in response, pausing a moment to swap tools. Beavis and Butthead just laughed from a dark corner of the bridge.
Somewhere within the bowels of the ship, a figure moved about stealthily in the shadows. He paused and held his breath as footsteps were heard coming down the damaged hall. He stopped a moment and crouched down, waiting.
Hudson and his group slowly walked past, carrying some equipment and heading towards the shuttle bay. Bringing up the rear was Cherry, who stopped a moment and stared right at the dark figure. All time seemed to stop a moment.
After a few tense seconds, Cherry simply nodded and began following the group again. The figure tensed up and checked his sharp throwing daggar.
"He's got to go... first.."
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Tuesday, February 22, 2000 - 03:36:
(RP ON)
Ran was leaning against a bridge wall minding her own business whe she remembered something. She gasped.
"Ran-chan, what's wrong?" Lum noticed.
"I know why Shinobu's doing this!" Ran shouted loudly.
Everyone was looking at her.
Ran reverted to her cute self, "you see," she giggled, "Ryouko-sama asked me to find Shinobu-san a few days ago and I broke into her house and took a peek inside her diary."
Ataru walked up, "What did you find?" he asked in a small voice; obviously not taking this well.
Ran produced the diary and opened it.
"Over four month ago...August 7th, 1985...Ataru and Lum had a picnic at lunch today. It makes me so mad!!! I broke eight desks and five windows in the Music Room. Mother says I should look to spending more time with Inaba, or Shutaro. Wish I could...but Inaba's bosses have given him a new assignment involving stock market analyses in the bunny futures accounts. I haven't even...talked to him since before Ginkobot's attack. All I have is a picture..."
Ran took a deep breath.
"Shutaro is a loss cause. He still tries to be my friend but between his attention to Asuka, and his frequent efforts to keep Ryouko and Warren Hudson apart simply leave me to be shoved aside. Not to mention the fact that Lum still warrants quite a bit more attention than me... At the current time, the only bright spot in my life is Zard. I'm not so sure if he really is my father, but at least he hasn't pushed the issue, prefering to get to know me as a friend."
Ran accepted a glass of water from Shutaro. She gulped it down savagely. Then continued in girlish lilt.
"Today I received an invitation to Ryouko Mendou's seventeenth birthday party. No doubt a double bill with 'Shutaro Mendou schemes to keep the dashing Warren Hudson away from his baby sister.' Haha. To tell the truth, I'm not really so sure I like Ambassador Hudson. Maybe it's the fact that he's carousing with a girl young enough to be his grandaughter that gets to me. I never thought in a million years that Ryouko would choose him...and any denials or attempts to play coy about their relationship doesn't work with those two."
Shutaro sighed, there were still things he wanted to apologize for.
"I some ways I can understand why Shutaro is trying to keep Hudson at arms length. In a lot of ways Warren Hudson is ten times as dangerous as Ataru is. He can make a person see inside themselves and ask that golden question, 'what is it that I really want?' Still, for a man of his age, Hudson is pretty good looking. Who knows? Maybe I'm just jealous of Ryouko...she has no complaints."
(RP OFF)
I've gotta get to work, sorry. But I'd like Shinobu's diary to be a window into the whys of this, okay?
-
By Parias on Wednesday, February 23, 2000 - 11:55:
Sounds good!
Zug zug.. must.. *twitch* get more.. *cough* sleep..
(RP ON)
Hayes led Cygni through a winding series of passageways that composed of the rear section of Deck 1, eventually leading her to the weapons storage room. Before Hayes could palm open the hatch, Cygni motioned for him to stop.
"Woa, hold on a second, you notice that we're not getting our asses kicked around?"
"Come to think of it, yes.. it looks like they stopped attacking. Either Sergei pulled a stunt to get us out of here, or they've got other plans. Either way it's good, more time for us to prepare our little package.."
He turned back to the door and switched it open, then stepped inside. Cygni followed, slowly closing the door behind her and glancing around in awe.
"Geesus, you've got so many nukes on here that anything attacking this ship would be doing a suicide run if they managed to destroy it.."
Hayes smirked. "Last ditch. When I first got ahold of this thing, the people I.. 'borrowed' it from weren't too happy..we almost lost it right there, untill I found their little weapons cache.. we happened to catch it just as they were transferring some strong arms. I didn't call it the 'Under new Ownership' for nothing.. although I was a bit rusty on ideas at the time.."
"Obviously not, I can think of hundreds of better things right here.. just who are 'they' anyways?"
"That's for another time. Now, lets see.." Hayes walked over to a large pile of weapons that was covered by a large dusty blanket. He slowly pulled the blanket off, then began digging through the pile, searching.
After tossing a random variety of ancient pistols, rifles, and other weapons on the ground nearby, he rolled away a few spare missiles, then grinned devilishly when he found a large long black torpedo, with the name "EMP-100567913 Mk II" emblazoned on one side, slightly faded. He motioned to Cygni to give him a hand.
After a few minutes of heaving and grunting, they finally managed to remove the warhead from the pile. They carried it a few meters into the center of the room, then set it down for closer inspection. Cygni steaded herself against a shelf and rubbed the sweat from her brow.
"Phew, one hell of a package there.. dusty as hell though!"
Hayes was checking over the weapon, removing a few panels and making sure everything was still functional. "I'd expect, this thing hasn't been seen in.. what.. 50 years?"
Cygni gawked. "50?! Just how old are you anyways?"
"40, but this thing's been here longer than we've owned the ship... and I checked the manifest records before they were wiped, this thing was just some long-forgotten cargo." came the chuckling response. "Nobody figured they'd need to use it, not since they started pumping out ships with extra insulation."
Cygni's look of surprise changed into a frown. "Then what in hell makes you think it'll work against our little friends out there?!"
Hayes ignored her a moment, digging deep into a bundle of wires. After a moment, he produced a small white box.
"This. Thanks to Sergei's little box, it'll mix an extra wave of heat through the EMP blast, just enough to melt down any insulation they have... enough to punch through and shut them down."
Cygni smirked. "That bastard, always a trick or 2 up his sleeve.. you won't believe the tricks he pulls just to avoid the trouble of putting his damn shoes away! Disappearing act or something.. if it weren't for those nano droids, I'd be kicking his ass."
Hayes began replacing the components, obviously satisfied that the EMP was functional. "You two getting along ok?"
Cygni made a face and put her hands on her hips. "Since when did you care?"
Hayes grunted under his breath and grinned. "We've been together for god knows how long. Not only am I his superiour, but also the equivilent to a bigger brother of sorts.. of course, don't tell him I said that."
Hayes finished putting the last panel in place and moved to the front of the warhead. Cygni nodded and took her place at the rear.
"On 3... one... two.. THREE! Lift!"
They slowly brought the weapon up and began making their way towards the door. Before they could reach it, however, sparks began shooting out of the single light in the room, and after a second it burnt out, sending the room into darkness. The only illumination was the door panel behind Hayes, as the green light on it's display switched off, and the word "AUX" appeared in red lettering. Hayes grunted and slowly backed through the open door, Cygni keeping pace on her end.
On the bridge, Sergei cussed loudly enough to get everyone's attention, aside from Shutaro, who was nursing a rash on his hand from sudden feedback on the console he was working on.
"What's wrong?" asked Ran.
"Damn!! The main power grid just gave out, we're on auxillary batteries. 1 hour of power in them, and then...."
"...then we're screwed." finished Ataru.
"Aye. At least the main lifts are online.. Hayes and Cygni are going to have enough trouble as it is getting that weapon down to Deck 3." He glanced at Shutaro's bright red hands. "You ok?"
"I've felt better.." he muttered. Sergei pointed to a locker above and behind. Shutaro nodded and walked over, pulling it open and making use of the medical kit inside.
Ran walked over and took a look at Sergei's console. "So what's the fleet doing?"
"The hell if I know, all non-essential systems are offline now, including advanced sensor usage! We're blind for anything that's not nearby."
Ataru glared in response. "Well that's just great, they could be swinging around behind us right now, and we wouldn't even know it!"
"And what would you propose we do if we did?" Sergei mumbled back while continuing his work of digging into the console with a large wrench and extra wiring.
"Blow them up of course!!"
"Well, since our rear-mounted weaponry is offline, along with nearly everything else, I suppose we could just have you go out and push.." Sergei paused a moment to cuss and smack the blank screen a couple of times. It shot out a few sparks, and then slowly came to life, bringing up a damage report of the UNO.
Lum looked horrified. "You wouldn't dare do that to my darling!"
"I'll do whatever's needed to get this ship running again." He stood up and walked over to a large bundle of loose wiring that had fallen from the ceiling and began setting to work, salvaging what was disconnected and fixing what wasn't. Lum simply glared at his back. Ran looked on at the scene and giggled.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Thursday, February 24, 2000 - 04:27:
(RP ON)
Hudson and his group arrived and quickly set up the equipment. Warren took off his jacket and began helping Megane and Sakura set the laser drill to the right specifications.
A small computer console sprang out from the side of the drill and beeped. "Target area scanned. Estimated drilling time....five minutes, 7 seconds."
A narrow bright green light began to slowly vaporize the sealed shuttle bay door.
Hudson glared at Cherry and Sakura. "Isn't there any magic to make this thing go faster?!?"
Cherry glanced at the drill, "There is. But I would not advise it, lest Ryouko-sama is right on the other side and could be vaporized."
Warren winced, Megane was looking solemnly at the door deep in thought. He grinned; snapping his fingers. He dropped to his knees and began tinkering with the computer console.
Sakura glared at him, "Megane what the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Just a little trick that may help us..."
Warren nodded, "Do your best, boy," he whispered down at Megane; nodding sharply in response.
Sakura moved over to Hudson and Cherry's side. She put her hand on Warren's shoulder.
"Yes..." he nodded, "we should."
Silently the three who weren't working began to pray.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Saturday, February 26, 2000 - 10:55:
Well that's ducky, I temporarily ran out of ideas on what to write.. seeking inspiration, I smacked in some of my older games, like Terra Nova, Outpost 2, and Heavy Gear. After still not thinking of anything, I decided to clear my head by causing some gory mayhem in the kick-ass Soldier of Fortune demo, and now I think I'm ready for a bit more fiction >)
(RP ON)
While Hudson's group was working on drilling through the door and praying, Ron slinked through the darkness amongst some bulkheads behind them. He carefully pulled out a poision-tipped throwing daggar and carefully set up his shot to go straight through the back of Cherry's large bald head.
After a moment of intense concentration, he wound up and threw.
Hudson was about to check on Megane's progress when a loud *thunk!* was heard to his left. He whirled around and stared at Cherry, who was holding his staff in the air while sparks of energy dissipated around him. Behind him, Ron stumbled out of the darkness and fell onto the deck plating, his eyes in shock. Warren looked at his hand and gasped as he noticed the small blade that had been driven right through it, the potent green liquid beginning to work it's way into his blood-stream. Cherry simply continued praying, while Hudson and Sakura rushed over to him.
Ron saw them moving towards him and attempted to withdraw, but the immense pain that shot up his arm was too great whenever he moved. Sakura began examining the wound while Hudson pulled out his gun and testily aimed it at him. He uttered a simple question.
"Why?"
Slowly, Ron raised his head to stare Hudson straight in the eyes. Warren nearly doubled over from looking into his eyes, he seemed entirely changed from the shaky pilot only a few minutes earlier, and his gaze seemed to burn deep into his skull.
"Yeffman, Ron, MSS number two-zero-five-nine-eight-three-one" he slowly croaked out, before the pain overtook him and drove him into unconsciousnous. Hudson turned to Sakura.
"Can you do anything for him?"
She nodded. "It's extremely strong poision, but I can sterlize it, given time.. I'll do what I can to slow it down for now."
Hudson then turned to stare at Cherry. He was simply sitting there, quietly praying, without any sign about what had happened. He grimaced, things were changing in a big way.
Up on Deck One, Cygni and Hayes slowly worked their large package into the small turbolift, barely managing to fit it inside and still be able to close the doors. Once they had finally put the EMP down and started the elevator on it's descent, Cygni exhaled deeply while Hayes stood at the other side of the elevator, staring at the EMP and keeping to himself. She leaned back and also stared at the weapon.
"What do you find so interesting about it anyways?" she asked.
"Relics from the past.. always held my mind.. heck, take away all the upgrades and overhauls, and this ship is almost twice as old as I am!" He rummaged around in one of his pockets a moment, pulling out an old watch and fiddling with the dials. Cygni made a face.
"I've never really been interested in old stuff.. I'm more of an up-to-date kinda person. Give me a laser-sighted Desert Eagle over a pitch fork any day!"
After a few more adjustments, Hayes returned the watch to his pocket and looked at her with the faintest hint of a smile on his face.
"This watch is over 100 years old.. got it as a present from a person who had stopped by Earth so many years ago.. never saw him again after that."
The rest of the trip went in silence, aside from the quiet whirring of the electrical systems powering the turbolift. After a few minutes, the doors opened and the duo picked up the EMP and continued their journey to the weapons loading area.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Saturday, February 26, 2000 - 23:29:
(RP ON)
Meanwhile in the ship's galley Beavis and Butthead, Mujaki, Kintaro, and Jariten had been told to behave themselves.
"Huh-huhuh-," Butthead turned to Beavis; busily devouring a box of alien candy, "Beavis?"
Beavis didn't respond. "Hey Beavis!"
Ditto.
Butthead raised his hand for a strike; across the room Mujaki sighed, "Oh, here we go again."
Kintaro and Ten looked on, "Man, how much do they go at this?" Kintaro asked.
"Too much," Ten sighed.
Butthead concentrated (or what passes for it with him) a few more seconds then asserted himself.
"OWWWW!!!" Beavis wailed. "What the hell was that for assmunch?"
"Huhuhuhu, for not, like, share-and-share-alike or something." Butthead chuckled.
Mujaki sighed, Ten turned to him. "Mujaki-san, why don't you cast a spell on them?"
"I can't son, I've been away from the realm of dreams much too long." Mujaki opened a can of Centauri brand beer and took a long drink.
Ten nodded solemnly, "You mean you can't go back?"
Mujaki chuckled, "Oh nonsense, I can go back anytime I please its just I need to find my son!"
Kintaro looked on as Beavis and Butthead started fighting over a porno mag one of them stole from Ataru. Eventually, Butthead won and Beavis turned back to consuming as much sugar as possible.
Ten smiled and pointed at the duo, "Mujaki-san, you could just feed on their dreams for a while!"
"Hmmm, no," Mujaki decided; very quicklike. "It's too dangerous son; I could come out of it just like that fool Ataru."
Ten blinked, "I've never thought of that before..."
Kintaro made a face, "Yeah, that would be a fate worse than death!"
Beavis was now all sugared up, he pulled his T-shirt over his head and put both his hands up in the legendary position. He began pacing around the room repeating those same time-worn phrases.
"I, AM THE GREAT CORNHOLIO! I SEEK TePe FOR MY BUNGHOLE!"
Meanwhile Butthead continued to check out Ataru's porno mag.
On the other side of the ship Cygni and Hayes arrived at the weapons loading area to be greeted by Lum and Ran.
"We thought you two could use some help," Ran said sweetly; Lum readily confirmed.
Hayes and Cygni were agast. "Uh, then why didn't you just come with us in the first place?" Cygni deadpanned.
Ran snapped her fingers, "So THAT'S why you wanted to follow them Lum-chan!"
Lum groaned, "If only you hadn't tried to be sweet on Darling I would have!!!"
Ran began her "little old me" act.
"ENOUGH!" Cygni bellowed. "You two start helping!"
At another end of the ship Megane was crossing wires with one hand and tinkering with circuit boards and microchips with a wrench in the other.
Cherry was praying while Sakura and Hudson were trying to save Ron's life. Every so often Hudson would cast an agonized look at the shuttlebay doors.
Hudson watched as Sakura injected something she got from her Nurse's bag. "Is he a cyborg?" Warren asked darkly.
Sakura shrugged, "I would have to cut him open to find out."
Just as Hudson grunted an affirmation. The drill beeped and began to hum in a strange way.
Megane grinned wild, "Rockin' good news!!!"
The drill's beam turned from green to blue and seemed much denser now. The target area in the center of the door seemed to literally melt. A moment later the drill stopped and beeped, "Operation complete."
Megane and Hudson quickly sprang over the drill and practically muscled it out of the way. Warren inspected the one foot diameter hole clear through the door.
He nodded to everyone; together they pried the door open with their hands.
(RP OFF)
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By Parias on Tuesday, February 29, 2000 - 03:49:
Blarghy! I've really gotta start posting more, or we'll never get finished.. only problem is, my creative streak has run dry again, I'm scrounging about for any ideas I can get, which isn't much.. argh! I'll post something as soon as I'm able >)
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By Jocko on Tuesday, February 29, 2000 - 04:32:
Okay, but make it snappy all right? :)
BTW, should we start peddling the storylines around to UY fanfiction archives?
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By Parias on Wednesday, March 1, 2000 - 11:24:
Well gee, this is good, to further delay my attempts, the Klingon Academy demo was just released today, ARGH! Must.. avoid.. playing.. long.. enough.. to.. post...
As for the FF archives, sounds like an idea.. we aren't half bad are we? >)
(RP ON)
The very second the door was opened, Hudson and his group all felt the air begin to rush out of the surrounding corridors into the breached shuttle bay, with enough force to almost wipe them off their feet if they weren't careful. Hudson glanced around and instantly spotted Ryouko a short distance away, her legs trapped under another fallen conduit. They rushed over, Hudson and Megane taking positions at either end of the conduit.
"One... two... HEAVE!" barked out Hudson. They strained to lift the conduit, but it was no good, it was too heavy. Ryouko, who was cussing loudly from the pain jolting up from her legs, raised her arm and pointed in Cherry's direction. "Get him to help! He's the main reason I'm here in the first damn place!"
Noticing he was needed, Cherry awoke from his semi-meditative state and wandered over to the conduit. He lifted his staff and uttered a few words. A moment later the conduit slowly began rising upwards. Hudson immediately dashed over to Ryouko and lifted her up, pulling her clear.
"Yoda, eat your heart out..." mumbled Megane, aghast. A loud and horrible grinding was heard coming from the breached wall, and the small fields that were preventing all the air from being sucked out at once suddenly flared brightly and began to die.
"Warning, decompression event imminent. Please move immediately to the nearest airlock-secured sector. Decompression event imminent."
Hudson nodded. "I'd assume that's our signal to get the hell out of here, fast!" They all began to run towards the open airlock at once, with Hudson making sure Cherry was the first to get out. Once they all reached the airlock safely, Megane yanked the door shut and tore open a panel nearby, triggering the auxillary seals. Heavy panels came down on both sides of the door, completely sealing off the shuttle bay from the rest of the ship.
Hudson carefully propped Ryouko against the wall and looked at her, worried.
"You ok? I almost thought you were a goner."
"I've had better days, but I'm not too bad, aside from 2 broken legs, I guess I got off pretty good.." She paused a moment to make a face at Cherry. "He still owes me."
Cherry grunted in response. "It's fate, we are even."
"No really, you still owe me big, if it weren't for you I wouldn't have to be carried around for the next few hours!"
Cherry simply muttered about fate again and sighed. Megane glanced around, as if looking for something.
"Uh, where did Beavis and Butthead get to?"
Sakura pointed to a nearby storage closet, which was locked shut. Faint banging and yelling was heard coming from inside.
"It was getting difficult to tend to Ron and keep them at bay at the same time, so I had to make a quick solution." She quickly finished with Ron, then moved to tend to Ryouko's legs. Megane stifled a laugh. "You should try that on Ataru sometime!"
"Believe me, I have...."
Up on the weapons loading area, things were progressing a bit smoother. Lum manually operated the heavy equipment required to load the EMP into the missile racks a short ways above, while Cygni and Hayes stayed below to guide her and make fine adjustments as needed. Ran simply stood off to the side, feeling slightly left out.
Hayes and Cygni finished attaching the EMP to the lifting equipment and stood back. Cygni waved to Lum. "Alright, hit it!"
With a loud groan, the small crane began to lift the EMP off the ground to begin it's short ascent to the waiting racks. The group watched on as Lum skillfully guided it upwards, managing to avoid most of the loose but live wires that were hanging from the ceiling a short ways above the racks. A short moment later, the warhead was loaded into it's special rack. The functioning equipment scanned the EMP and moved the rack inwards, where the missile could be fully armed and ready for launch. The process only took a few seconds, and Lum could see the progress on the crane's instruments. When the indicator turned green, she flashed a thumbs up and began climbing out.
Suddenly, the lights flickered a moment, then shut down completely. Shortly after the soft hum coming from the engines of the crane stopped, then the rest of the lights in the room winked out, plunging the room into total darkness, save for the few viewports scattered around the far side.
Cygni was about to unleash a flurry of remarks that would make a hardened sailor cringe when the doors burst open and Sergei rushed in.
"Sir, we've got a problem, we've just lost reactor containment!"
Cygni could make out Hayes in the darkness, a shocked look on his face. This was the first time she had seen him so worried.
"What? What about the backups?"
Sergei shook his head. "Completely gone sir, they're floating in space! The whole damn power grid is offline! And with containment gone, we've got 10 minutes to evacuate the ship before it blows! There's no stopping it!"
"What about the EMP?" asked Ran.
"With no power to launch control, someone has to fire it manually.." mumbled Hayes. His eyebrows shot up a moment, as they usually did when he had an idea. "Sergei, how long untill that cruiser gets in range?"
"Eight minutes sir.... wait, you don't mean.."
Cygni looked confused a moment, then gasped and turned to Hayes. "You're joking right? There's no way that I'm gonna le-"
"I'm an old man in an old ship who's lived through hundreds of fights. Pretty soon I'm going to be 104.. thanks to advanced medical methods, I don't seem to be much over 40, but I'm still expected to die some time soon. I'd prefer to go up with a bang, if you know what I mean.."
Cygni was going to reply when she was cut off again as Hudson and his group burst into the room. "What happened to all the lights?" he gasped out, panting for breath. They had been forced to take the emergency ladders in order to get to the weapons bay. Sergei turned to him.
"Reactor's lost containment, this whole ship is going up in 9 minutes."
Hudson put Ryouko down, and she steadied herself against a nearby wall. "Isn't there anything you can do?" she asked.
"Nothing! It's completely beyond my control, if I even tried to get near it I'd be vaporized in an instant!"
Ran switched over to a cherry attitude in an attempt to brighten things up a little. "So you obviously had luck in getting Ryouko out.. you didn't happen to see the state of my ship, did you?"
Megane's jaw hit the floor. "Uh... right.. your ship was in.. the... shuttle bay..er,, oops?"
Ran's smile instantly faded and turned into a scowl. "What do you mean 'oops'?"
"We, uh, sealed off the shuttle bay..."
Ran was about to pound Megane into submittion on the spot, but Ataru beat him to the punch. He tackled Megane and began madly punching him in the face, yelling out "You idiot! That's our only ride out of here!!"
"Isn't there some way we could break through the barrier?" asked Hudson. Sergei shook his head. "Not unless we had a few hours..."
"...or this..." said Cygni, digging into one of her pouches and pulling out a pistol. It was small at the rear, but the muzzle looked large enough to hold 3 hand grenades. Sergei cracked a grin. "Yea, that'll do nicely!" Cygni turned to Hayes.
"I guess there's no damn way of talking you out of this, is there?"
"Out of what?" asked Hudson, confused.
"Someone has to stay behind and launch the warhead manually if we're going to have any chance of stopping that cruiser..." said Hayes gravely. "Even your fleet wouldn't be a match for it Hudson."
He turned to Cygni and dug into his pocket. "Here, take this and keep it around for when there's trouble.. you'll probably get a lot more use out of it than I will." He dig out his old watch and handed it to her. She stared back, her expression grim. Sergei walked up and snapped off a salute. Hayes returned it.
"Take care sir, I know you'll give them hell."
"Always have, always will... now you've got about 6 minutes to get the hell out of here, so I suggest you get moving."
The group nodded and slowly began walking off the bridge, each paying their respects to Hayes as they passed by. Cygni stopped at the open door and turned back to him.
"I'll be sure she pays for this."
"Just don't go getting yourself killed." Hayes then turned and walked into the darkness, out of the illumination the various flashlights lying around provided. Cygni sighed and walked out of the bay.
(RP OFF)
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By Jocko on Thursday, March 2, 2000 - 03:12:
Okay, about converting this into a viable fanfiction...we'll need to do some editing to make some of the rough edges go together. Like inconsistencies for example...I honestly thought that we left Shutaro on Earth. If he was on the UNO, then he would have gone down with Hudson to save Ryouko or else there would've been a quick exchange about duty etc, etc.
I'm also thinking about writing those filler pieces about Hudson and/or that Time magazine article upcoming for the December 1985 issue. ;)
We'll also, of course, credit everyone involved; with special mention to Blade of Kintaro for getting us started and being the comedic soul of these threads.
About Hayes, is he really buying the proverbial farm? Remember that Hudson has that magic good luck charm...
(RP ON)
A few minutes before...
Shutaro was on the bridge giving the order to evacuate to anyone who hadn't heard already.
"I DON'T CARE IF YOU THINK THE DAMNED UNO IS INDESTRUCTABLE!!!" the rich boy blared into the commlink.
The engineers on the other end were still hesitant.
Shutaro sighed loudly, "LISTEN, YOU TWITS. IF YOU WANT TO DIE, FINE. BUT THIS SHIP IS GOING UP IN NINE MINUTES AND I AM NOT GOING TO BE ON IT!!!"
The engineers were silent.
"If you want to live get to the shuttlebay immediately; that's an order." Mendou clicked off the commlink violently and looked around the mangled bridge. He was slightly surprised to see no one was there.
Mendou grabbed his sword and jumped out of Hayes' chair and made for the rear of the bridge. He allowed himself to look one last moment at a monitor. It showed Shinobu's fleet floating some distance away.
Shutaro exhaled brokenly; feeling a dull ache inside his heart. Maybe it was his fault in a way...
Abruptly he unsheathed his sword and smashed the monitor and the console below it; momentarily showered him in sparks.
In silence he left the bridge...
(RP OFF)
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By Parias on Friday, March 3, 2000 - 11:14:
Yea, interactive fan-fiction like this can have a bit of a tendacy to screw things up.. not to mention I suppose I've been slacking a bit lately when paying attention to detail... I'll brush up! Honest! *pathetic pody eyes*
(RP ON)
Moments later, the group rushed down to the sealed entrance to the shuttle bay. What remained of the engineering staff was already gathered around the hardened panels that led to the shuttle bay, looking slightly confused.
Sergei was the first to enter, and he quickly explained the situation.
"Alright, we've got about.. 5 minutes before the ship goes up, and we've got to get out of here before that happens, as you no doubt figured out."
"But how? That there durn shuttle bay iz'a sealed off!" asked one of the engineers in a heavy Redneck dialect.
"We've already got that part worked out. Did any of you bring along any EVA equipment?"
Another one of the engineers nodded and opened up a large case, revealing 6 breathing devices inside. Sergei frowned.
"Damn, that's not enough for everybody.. anybody else have one?"
The rest of the engineers shook their heads. The remaining group members came up behind him. Hudson bringing up the rear while he helped Ryouko along. Cygni budged her way to the front and turned to Sergei.
"How we doing?"
"Not enough breathing devices for everyone... we need another idea."
Cygni nodded. "Me and Lum can fly you guys over to Ran's ship pretty fast, then come back and pick up the rest, untill everyone's on board. It'd be a lot faster than just having a person run back and forth, since her ship is at a far end."
"It's a good plan, but what about the people who wait in the hallway? Once we open that seal, there won't be any backups left to block it again.." said Hudson. One of the engineers, the redneck one who had spoken earlier walked over to a section of the wall with loose panelling, kneeled down, and yanked the panel away. He pulled it completely out, then stood up and tapped a small button on it. It expanded to 3 times it's size.
"This here outta be enough ta cover that little hole." he remarked, flashing a toothy grin. Sergei nodded.
"That should hold it long enough untill we're completely evacuated."
"Alright, we're set.. head count!" Cygni called out, hovering above the crowd slightly and counting out who was there.
"...Hudson.. Beavis.. Butthead.. Ataru.. that looks like... wait, where's Ron and Sakura?"
Hudson glanced behind him and noticed an empty space. "They were right behind us while we were climbing down.."
Sergei grunted. "I'll hunt him down, you start getting everyone out of here!"
Sergei turned to go, but Cygni grabbed his shoulder. "Don't wander off too far, because there's no way in hell I'm leaving without you."
He flashed a grin in response. "Never missed a deadline yet!" And with that, he was gone into the dark corridors, the small floodlight on his rifle providing the only illumination.
"Ok, so aside from Sakura and our fun-filled friend, I guess everyone's here.. engineer, you ready?" She turned to the engineer holding up the panel, and he waved a thumbs up. "Lum, you ready?"
"Only if I get to carry darling first!" came the cherry reply, with a familar grumble of protest coming from Ataru.
"Everyone else is set? Then get the hell back!" She pulled out the pistol and flicked it on. A low humm began coming from it as it charged. The rest of the engineers and the group slowly backed down the corridor with the redneck standing near the blockade, ready to block it as soon as it was breached.
A green light winked on the side of the pistol and a barely audiable beep was heard. Cygni took careful aim, and fired.
Meanwhile, up in the weapons loading area, Hayes kneeled down near a small console labelled "Manual Launch Control" and pulled a small battery out of his pocket. He fumbled about with the single flashlight he was carrying, setting it up in a good position, then he yanked off the covering below the screen and dug around a moment untill he saw the familiar box that housed the power cells, with a small area for any backup power source. He carefully plugged in the battery, then used a small switch inside to signal the system to use that power source. The screen above flashed a moment, then slowly blinked to life. It brought up a space-bound view of the incoming fleet, with various sensor data at the bottom along with range, targetting, and weapon information. He checked the timer.
"5 minutes untill the ship sparks out. 3 minutes untill firing range. Going to be interesting..."
He began putting in calucations that would guarantee the delivery of the warhead to it's intended target, the cruiser bearing down on them.
(RP OFF)
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By Jocko on Saturday, March 4, 2000 - 04:55:
Okay...just remember who your true friends are. ;)
Namely...Lum and ersatz rpg threads.
(RP ON)
Shutaro Mendou ran along the corridor, down a ladder and around a corner; stopping cold.
That pilot Cygni had captured, Ron (and how the hell did an alien get a name like that?) was dragging a woman on the floor behind him. Shutaro gasped as he realized it was Nurse Sakura; unconcious.
Mendou hung back in the shadows; his katana ready. He couldn't get a clear shot...
"Five minutes until core containment is lost," the computer blared loudly.
"...shit..." the rich boy grated.
Ron had dragged Sakura out of view and Mendou realized he would have to act now. Just then Sergei crept past.
Shutaro sighed; relieved. Mendou stealthly caught up behind Sergei and tapped his shoulder in one move.
Sergei spun around in a flash and almost smacked Shutaro in the jaw before stopping; he smiled.
"Glad to see you, Mendou."
(RP OFF)
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By Parias on Sunday, March 5, 2000 - 11:06:
(RP ON)
The blast that came out of the pistol wasn't exactly what Cygni was expecting, but it got the job done. The massive green ball leaped out of the barrel and plunged itself deep into the panelling, blasting open a large hole into it and sending Cygni backwards off her feet. The engineer quickly rushed forward and applied the panel he was holding against the breach. It sucked it's way into position easily, filling enough of it to keep the air in the corridors for plenty long enough. Cygni got back to her feet, grumbling, and waved over the group.
"Alright people, lets get this show moving!" She commenced flight and floated over to one of the engineers, picking him up and straining a bit. Ran protested.
"I should be the one to go first, since it's my ship!"
"That may sound all fine and dandy, but I have no idea what it's going to be like in there. For all I know, the second I head in I may end up spinning off into space, and that wouldn't help the rest of you guys any. Since it is, after all, your ship."
Ran comtemplated a moment, then grumbled in assent. Cygni shifted her position slightly and grunted down at the engineer.
"..Might wanna lay off the beef a bit pal.." she muttered, looking over at the crudely sealed airlock. Lum was floating nearby, Ataru in her arms. She signalled her readyness.
"Alright Lum, stick close to me.. we're gonna hang near the walls as much as possible, I'm not up for getting near that breach."
"Right."
She nodded to the redneck engineer, and he put both his hands on the 2 bars connected to the panel and pulled. The panel didn't budge. He pulled harder, but still wasn't able to bring it off. Cygni's face whitened slightly. With that much force keeping the panel in place, there was probably going to be quite a current inside of the docking bay.
One of the remaining engineers noticed and walked over to help him out. Their combined efforts finally managed to yank the panel free. The sudden decompression created a massive draft that nearly sucked Lum right through the hole. She quickly compensated and managed to stablize herself. Ataru looked on the verge of screaming.
"Alright, lets do it!" called out Cygni. She pulled her passenger in close, took a breath, and dove into the shuttle bay.
Upon entering the bay, she immediately veered right, but noticed she was being pulled off course slightly by the massive air current, despite her strongest attempts to stay near the wall. She was still able to stick near it, and the current would slowly guide her towards Ran's ship, as one of the larger holes was directly behind it. She stole a moment to glance over her shoulder, Lum was behind her and managing to keep pace. She seemed to be faring slightly better as well.
"Years of practice would do that I'd suppose..." she mumbled out to noone in particular and continued making her way towards the ship, picking up speed a little.
Elsewhere in the ship, Ron continued his course towards the weapons bay, patting his hip and affirming that the needler he carried was still in there. He suddenly heard a thud on the deck plating behind him.
He whirled around, temporarly dropping his unconscious captive and yanking out his small deadly pistol. He looked around a moment. Nobody was there. He squinted into the darkness and thought he could see a moving shape...
A loud scream was heard above him, and before he could react a large boot impacted against the back of his head, followed by the rest of the body it was attached to. He landed on the deck, face first, the impact breaking his nose. He felt the sharp touch of a sword contacting slightly against his neck.
Shutaro held the pose a moment, then looked up as Sergei walked out of the darkness in front of him, grinning.
"Not bad kid.."
"Not bad yourself on being a diversion.. now, what say we get the hell out of here?"
"I'm inclined to agree.."
Sergei moved to pick up Ron. Shutaro delivered a hefty punch to the back of Ron's head, rendering him unconscious once again, then stepped off and slung Sakura over his shoulder. Sergei did the same with Ron, and they turned to walk back to the ladder that would take them the short distance to the shuttle bay.
(RP OFF)
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By Parias on Sunday, March 5, 2000 - 11:08:
Ooh by the way, all Patlabor fans be advised, the Metal Fatigue demo is here, and it kicks utter ass! If you're interested, grab it at www.psygnosis.com, it's pretty frikken good!
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By Jocko on Sunday, March 5, 2000 - 18:26:
(RP ON)
Cygni and the engineer arrived at the airlock to Ran's ship and easily opened it. Cygni stood in the inner corridor with the redneck engineer and motioned insistently to Lum carrying Ataru.
Once they were in the engineer palmed the door shut and a rush of cool, fresh oxygen filled the small corridor.
Ataru pulled the mask off, "Wow, don't wanna do that again anytime soon!" he shook his head.
Lum breathed deeply, "you can say that again..." she caught her breath, "Darling."
The engineer was at the wall panel checking the interior condition of Ran's home. "Hot damn! It's clear," he opened the inner door and everyone piled into Ran's spacious living room.
Cygni turned to the engineer, 'sounds like he's from the American deep south,' she thought for a moment. "Contact the others and tell them to send the other group," Cygni frowned, "better make it Hudson and Ryouko."
(RP OFF)
Sorry, but I have to go. But I'll probably do a longer post later if nothings been added.
BTW, I've sent an e-mail to Sak's UY fanfiction archive telling them about this place. If we can't convert this into a viable fanfic then the least we can do is have more UY fans know about the board itself.
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By Jocko on Sunday, March 5, 2000 - 23:56:
I'm back! Can't keep me down for long!
Oh yeah! Cygni and Lum were supposed to go back and pick people up!
(RP ON)
Confirmation came and Hudson pulled his group together. Along with he and Ryouko, Kintaro and Jariten would be going to.
"Hey watch it!" Kintaro cursed at Warren as he secured him and Ten to his belt. Ten frowned, "Why do we have to do it this way?"
Hudson grunted as he knelt down with a syringe, he was busy with Ryouko; who would need a shot of morphine for the pain. "Elementary children... Ten, you can't fly as well as Lum; but you, like your cousin, have a higher tolerance for low oxygen atmospheres along with Kintaro. Freeing up two oxygen masks...unfortunately we can't take more with us."
Mujaki stepped forward; looking sick. "Why, sir?"
"Simple," Hudson noticed that Lum and Cygni were back and being helped through the make-shift seal, "Ryouko will require more help because her injury and I'm the heaviest one here. But luckily," he smiled at the two toddlers strapped to his belt, "you two can be carried like so with only a little more effort."
Warren faced the others, "after this, six can go at once and we can get the hell out of here."
Beavis and Butthead laughed. Butthead chuckled, "Hey Beavis, huhuhuhu. We're like, huhu, gonna get *carried* by one of those chicks!"
"Yeah, hehehe-heh-heh. Cool."
Cygni and Lum walked up to Warren, "ready?" Lum asked. Warren put the breathing device on Ryouko's face (who had fallen asleep from the sedatives) and put his own on. He gave a thumbs up and helped Cygni pick Ryouko up before Lum snatched him and the toddlers up.
"Kintaro-chan! Ten-chan! Hudson-san! Just hold on tight!" Lum smiled.
(RP OFF)
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By Parias on Tuesday, March 7, 2000 - 21:14:
Gargh, there I go allowing myself to get bogged down again by "work" (*cough* X-Wing Alliance */cough*) and forgetting to contribute here..
Any word on if we'll have some extra viewers around? >)
(RP ON)
While all this was happening on the crippled UNO, the cruiser was almost in range to bring the destroyer on-board. Hayes watched the count-down timer from his dark spot in the weapons loading bay as it slowly worked it's way down to 0. Currently it read 1:30. He ran through the pre-launch check yet again, making sure the trajectory was correct, the launch tube was as clear as possible, and that nothing would malfunction. A horribly distorted voice boomed above.
"Warning.....core... meltdown... 3.. minutes..."
Onboard the brige of the cruiser, the science officer on the bridge called out in alarm.
"Sir, uh, ma'am! We're getting some high energy spikes coming from the UNO! It looks like they may have triggered a self-destruct sequence, or their reactor is loosing containment!"
"How long?" asked Shinobu, annoyed.
"3 minutes!"
"We'll be upon them in 1.. just enough time to grab the crew and scuttle the ship. Continue!"
The science officer was about to protest, but thought better of it and returned to his duties.
In the heavily damaged shuttle bay of the UNO, Cygni glanced over behind her as Lum followed closely, with seemingly little effort.
"Where the hell does she get that strength?" she muttered to herself.
("Probably from all of her encounters with Shinobu..")
Cygni let out a small gasp as quietly as she could. "Where the hell have you been?"
("Away. Doing... things.")
"Things huh? Well you're gonna have to fill me in later..."
They quickly reached Ran's ship, a little faster than before since they had taken a slightly more direct route. The airlock was already open and the engineer was waving to them.
The pair quickly dropped off their load, Cygni carefully helping Ryouko into a nearby chair, then grabbed the respective breathing devices. Hudson nodded.
"Thanks.. we've only got 3 minutes left, so you'd better hurry."
"Right.. Hayes will be launching the EMP shortly as well, and things might go downhill for us if we're caught up in the blast.." replied Cygni. "Lets just hope our luck holds."
Cygni turned around and headed out the airlock, going towards the other end of the shuttle bay as fast as she could. The return trip was quicker since there wasn't any cargo to worry about, and since she was working against the vaccuum she didn't have to worry about mis-judging and spinning off into space. She shivered a little, the air was starting to get cold as the heating systems were failing.
She was half way across when a loud groan was heard from above, and a massive support fell from the ceiling, landing directly in front of her with a crash. She lept back, yelling out "Geesus!", then cautiously worked her way over it and continued her course.
Lum turned to go as well, but was stopped by Ataru, who grabbed her arm. He slowly leaned up to her ear.
"This is kinda hard to say.. but... be careful Lum."
Ten, who had overheard, was about to make a lewd remark, but was stopped by Lum's stern glance. She nodded at Ataru and grinned.
"Thanks darling!"
She then took off.
(RP OFF)
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By Jocko on Wednesday, March 8, 2000 - 05:57:
Haven't heard anything yet...
Are you or your friend good at extensive editing? I don't think the webmaster has a problem with us doing something with the story.
I'm depressed...Super Tuesday isn't what it's cracked up to be. But it'll help me write.
(RP ON)
Lum joined Cygni at the shuttlebay doors a few moments later and randomly grabbed three people just as Cygni did.
Unfortunately for Lum; she picked up Mujaki, along with Beavis and Butthead.
The duo from Highland, Texas immediately tried to take advantage of Lum in her bikini but were rewarded with a decent electric shock.
But they, as always, took it in stride.
"Huhhuhuh-huh-huh, Beavis. She's touching me." Butthead glowed as one of the engineers violently strapped the air device to his face.
"Yeah-heh-heh-heh me too...cool." Beavis responded through his mask as he admired the ship going to shit all around them.
Mujaki had the good sense to shut up and simply looked away from Lum as he held on to her left leg.
Cygni picked up two UNO engineers and Ran. She also had the good sense to shut up except for one instance...when Cygni accidently touched Ran's breasts.
"Hey watch it! I'm not that type of girl!" Ran lilted with just a touch of menace. It was highly disconcerting to Cygni.
"Uh...right, sorry." Cygni grumbled.
After Lum, Cygni and their group left only two UNO crewmembers remained to be picked up last along with Shutaro, Sergei, Ron and Sakura.
(RP OFF)
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By Parias on Wednesday, March 8, 2000 - 06:47:
As a matter of fact, I believe I do.. it happens to be the same guy who's gonna help out in the next thread. Says it'll probably take more than a week, but not too long, hopefully >)
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By Jocko on Wednesday, March 8, 2000 - 23:00:
That's good. BTW, in the next post forget about that bit with the "two UNO crewmembers" its just Megane and Cherry left.
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By Parias on Friday, March 10, 2000 - 08:40:
Just when ya thought it couldn't get any worse, I had the gall to pick up my now 9-year-old sis Final Fantasy 8 (PC version) for her b-day, and now I've been bitten by the plague.. harsh. One second while I attempt to peel myself away long enough to post.. Cerberus is kicking my sorry ass anyways >) Any tips for that guy? He's annoying the hell out of me.. my strongest guy (Squall) is at level 31, the rest are around mid-twenties (I've got Zell and Rinoa with me, and quite a collection of GFs (think I missed a few though).
Anyways, gimme a few minutes here and I'll rig up something to post >)
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By Jocko on Friday, March 10, 2000 - 17:47:
Well...I had to start my game over at the beginning of disc 4 because I was too weak to win.
Where in the storyline are you?
Who's hotter; Quistis, Rinoa, or Edea? :)
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By Parias on Friday, March 10, 2000 - 22:59:
Me saying that Edea is hot would be kind of like admitting that I'm attracted to a female sumo-wrestler (no offense to any who happen to be reading this >)). Quistis is kinda cool with her whips and leather and stuff, but it's not exactly my, er, "thang" if you know what I mean... so I guess that deducts it down to Rinoa. Although quite frankly, I'd prefer grabbing Shiva for a date... *drools*
At the moment I'm in the Galabadia (probably a typo, these names are whacky) Garden after ramming it with the other Garden.. from what I know, it's near the end of disk 2.
Ok so I took a bit longer than "a few minutes" to write up my next post, but hey, I was tired, sue me! >)
(RP ON)
As Cygni and Lum brought their respective loads across as fast as they could in the shuttle bay, Hayes continued his work inside of the weapons loading area, staring at the monitor and gripping the firing control with an iron fist. The timer continued counting down.
"20 seconds.. no turning back now..."
The 2 bars slowly came together into a cross, indicating the ship was almost in range. His eyes narrowed.
"10 seconds..."
They continued moving together. After what seemed like an eternity, they finall finished converging, creating a perfect cross. The cross turned green, and a barely audible chime sounded.
"From hell's heart, I stab at thee.."
He punched down on the button on the small joystick, hard. The monitor blanked out as power was drawn from the small battery to the launching systems. After a moment, a loud clunk was heard, then a whoosh as the warhead was propelled into space, now under it's own power. He turned and glanced at the exit door a ways below longingly.
"It'll take at least 3 minutes to get down there, especially thanks to the fact that we have no power for the lifts, it's dark, and I'm not in the best of shape.."
He slowly stood up and grinned. "..Then again, what have I got to loose? I'd hate to spoil Sergei's wedding anyways..and since they're not expecting me, they won't be waiting on me either..."
He grabbed a small flashlight and began his descent down the ladder, pausing a second to check his electronic timer. His eyes widened a second and his heart rate tripled.
"1 minutes and 20 seconds.. going to be tight."
He lept off the ladder and dropped the last 10 meters to the ground, cussing as the impact shot pain up his legs, then began running towards the exit bay, huffing and puffing.
On the cruiser, the tactical officer's head shot up in alarm. "Mistress, a small warhead has been launched from the ship and it's headed our way, contact in 10 seconds!"
Shinobu simply laughed. "A small missile is all they retaliate with? That's really pathetic! Ignore it and resume course!"
"10 seconds! 7... 5... 2..."
Suddenly a loud crackling soud was heard as the EMP detonated against the hull. The sensors officer screamed as lightning shot up through his console, then went through him, frying him to death. Similar things happened all around the ship, but most of the officers managed to avoid getting killed by the EMP coursing through the systems. Shinobu saw a massive wave of lightning spreading away from the ship and shutting down all the fighters before it too shut down from the interference. Eventually the lights went out and the familiar drumming the reactor caused stopped.
All was quiet on the dark bridge, aside from a few officers groaning in pain and medical staff rushing around. They were dead in space.
(RP OFF)
-
Hi Guys!
Nope, I don't mind, I still continue to read and enjoy your creations of fine writing art.
I was thinking of compiling the other two pieces to a more readable piece of text in .txt or .html format. Which one should be suited best for your ideas? I recall something about posting/annoucing it to some rpg/fanfics archives.... But never heard anything about it again... I guess FF8 is keeping you a bit back too? ^_^
Having a second question: Are all of you entering these huge piles of text online in the small window or are you copying and pasting it in to it? Looks like a huge problem when using it straight online and trying to get rid of some typo's....
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By Parias on Saturday, March 11, 2000 - 11:06:
Wow, our humble offers ARE being read?
*Mr. Burns Impression*
Someone out there likes me Smithers...
When greasing together my posts, I pretty much just type away at whatever's on my mind instead of putting it together ahead of time... hence the occasional typos, which I try to correct when I preview, but I occasionally miss a few.. and I'm a pretty damn coherent person too >)
I'd say put em into a text file if it's not too much trouble, that way you can work with it easier if needed instead of digging through a bunch of HTML to change a thing or two... more flexible.
As for the posting/announcing stuff, well, I believe Jocko was handling that..have any progress on that man?
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By Jocko on Saturday, March 11, 2000 - 21:36:
Guys,
Hehe. I haven't gotten jack-shit back from Sak's archive...I'll give him another week.
The only other option I know of is posting this to rec.arts.anime.creative.
To answer Lum-chan's question, I just do everything on the fly...although I try to keep thinking a scene or two ahead. I try to proofread for spelling and readability, and the preview window is a great thing, too. But really all the threads need a good edit/cleanup job.
On format...I'm not too sure. Sak's archive at Tomobiki.com requires submissions to be zipped.
-
By Jocko on Saturday, March 11, 2000 - 22:13:
(RP ON)
Lum and Cygni arrived on Ran's ship and immediately collapsed to the floor; exhausted.
Ran and Hudson were at the controls.
Warren leaned close to Ran as she activated the reactor and engines; creating an odd hum throughout the ship, "Ready Ran?"
Ran nodded. She was about to tell Hudson to scream at everyone to hold on when she noticed something on one of the outside surveillance monitors...
(RP OFF)
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By Parias on Sunday, March 12, 2000 - 10:32:
..So I'd assume Sergei-n-company are already on board? We'll just go with that >)
(RP ON)
Cygni and Sergei ran over and stared at the monitor a moment.
"That looks like..."
"..Hayes! The old bastard always finds some way to pull through, not the first time he's pulled this on me!" finished Sergei, cracking a grin. He was about to turn to Cygni, but she was already at the airlock.
"Be back in a second" she yelled, getting ready to open the hatch. Before she could, a massive rumbling began shaking Ran's ship, and multiple explosions were heard deep below. More wiring and conduit fell from the ceiling of the shuttle bay..
Cygni didn't hesitate to proceed. She opened the airlock, then winced as a blast of cold air and vacuum washed over her, seeping into the rest of the ship. She cussed, lept out of the airlock and slammed it shut behind her as quick as she could, making her way at top speed towards Hayes. He was collapsed at the broken seal, hanging on to the edges, barely, to avoid being sucked out.
She glanced over to her right. Massive flashes were seen towards the breaches around the shuttle bay, the containment systems were about to fail. The horribly distorted computer system attempted to relay the status of the ship somewhere far above.
"Warning..... core.. meltdown....... 20...... secSFAHJKF-"
It was cut off as another explosion rocked the ship. She growled in determination and continued towards Hayes. Only a few meters left...
She caught him by the sleeve of his uniform just as his grip gave out. "Gotcha!" she called out. No response, he was unconscious. She immediately spun around and began rushing towards Ran's ship, she could see it's engines already coming online, ready to leave. Multiple blasts were heard behind her.
The trip back to the ship was easy, aside from the massive bucking of the ship and the occasional chunk of debris landing nearby. Lightning had begin coursing through the walls as the reactor lost it's containment and began to let loose it's powerful energy. An amount of it snapped out of a loose wire and tore itself down her left arm. Surprisingly it didn't have any effect, aside from creating a small barely noticable burn mark.
She reached the airlock of Ran's ship and rushed inside into Sergei's waiting hands, exhausted.
"Punch it!!" she yelled, then blacked out. Ran was only too happy to comply.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Sunday, March 12, 2000 - 21:53:
(RP ON)
In the first few seconds as Ran's ship jumped forward Megane, Shutaro, and Cherry were thrown back against the wall. Everyone else was lucky enough to be strapped in or holding onto something stable.
Hudson smiled happily as the ship quickly cleared the UNO and sailed safely into open space. Earth shown prominently ahead.
"Hi-O-Silver!!!" Warren gave a good rebel yell and slapped his knee hard; well...as hard as he could. He tried to point ahead at the blue planet, "I think I see my house!!!" he shouted to no one in particular.
Meanwhile on the back wall of Ran's living room Megane strained his eyes to glance at Shutaro. "Hey Mendou!" he shouted; barely audioble over the engine's rumble. "Bet you didn't think you'd be doing this last Saturday, eh?"
Shutaro shook his head, and looked over to find Cherry holding onto his leg with his face pressed into the wall.
"This is destiny..." the monk could be heard muffling into the bulkhead.
Kintaro and Jariten were strapped into the same couch with Lum and Ataru eating popcorn and wearing 3D glasses. Enjoying the show.
The ship's inertial dampeners adjusted; making the ride smoother. Ran clicked on a few monitors in the cockpit, bedroom, living room, and kitchen to display the UNO's last few seconds.
Ran, not relaxing, continued adjusting controls rapidly and speeding the ship towards Earth at top speed.
Meanwhile, a scanner panel to Hudson's left reported a new group of ships entering the area. The ID singnatures identified them as ships from all five of the Earth's Space Navies and a few Oni vessels.
"I'll be damned." Warren said calmly.
"What?" Ran glanced over, "rolling out the big guns?"
"Hell yes."
Back in the living room Cygni came to in the unconcious Sergei's arms, and across from the still unconcious Hayes. She had a splitting headache but was otherwise all there.
"Oh man..." she sat up and looked over at Ten, Kintaro, Lum and Ataru on the couch. "You haven't missed it yet," Ten said through a mouthful of popcorn; indicating the monitor on the wall.
Cygni frowned and started shaking Hayes and Sergei's shoulders, "guys? Your precious ship's about to go sky high."
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Monday, March 13, 2000 - 10:09:
(RP ON)
The pair slowly came to, but Hayes seemed to only be half-conscious. Sergei helped him come to his senses, then they turned their attention to the monitor as the Under New Ownership shuddered violently in it's last moments.
Lightning was already coursing through the outer hull, streaking over the destroyed gun turrets and disabled engines. The front of the ship suddenly burst open in flame as it was engulfed in the explosion. Then the bridge, along with the shuttle bay they had just exited. It began to slowly tumble from the concentrated force of the repeated explosions.
The reactor finally gave way, and the hull of the ship tore itself in half, ripping into 2 pieces with an extremely loud groan that was heard right through the hull of Ran's ship. Sergei gritted his teeth. Secondary explosions began consuming the two halves while a massive blue shockwave shot out from where the reactor had once been. Ran's ship buckled slightly, easily coping with the blast. The explosions continued streaking around the half with the main engines on it, slowly consuming the entire portion untill there was nothing left except flaming debris. The forward section, however, simply floated away from the explosion, trailing flames and sparks but remaining intact. Barely. It was over. The ship was destroyed.
Cygni touched Sergei's shoulder affectionately. "I'm.. sorry..."
He shook his head slowly. "Not your fault, it's that damn wench. Her number just got bumped up the list."
Hayes was unresponsive, he seemed lost, deep in thought. Cygni thought it best to let him be. She stood up.
"I'm gonna go check on the rest of the gang.. make sure Hayes is alright, he's come through too much to be lost now."
Sergei nodded. "Way ahead of you."
Meanwhile, on the dark bridge of Shinobu's cruiser, loud excessive profanity was constantly heard coming from the captain's chair while the crew busily worked on trying to get the ship back online. They had long since given up on trying to block the noise.
Shinobu finally shut up and leaned back, frustrated. She was startled when Zard came up behind her.
"All this screaming.. this isn't like you at all. What's so wrong?"
She waved around the bridge. "Look around! The whole ship is down! I can't do ANYTHING!"
"..And just what is it you're trying to do? You're sure riled over something.." replaied Zard, kneeling down in front of the chair and taking her hands. She was about to pull them away, then thought better of it.
"It's that bitch Lum and her friends! I'm sick and tired of being embarassed over and over by them, I want them GONE!" She sighed as a tear dropped down her cheek. Zard calmly wiped it away.
"As odd as it might sound coming from a guy like me, mass destruction isn't necessarily the answer to everything.. surely there's another way. And anyways, this attempt has obviously failed.."
"But I've tried EVERYTHING! There's just no damn way to get rid of them! I just wanted Ataru.. everything was going so well untill Lum showed up!" She broke down sobbing into Zard's hands. He simply nodded and stroked her hair.
From the shadows near the exit of the bridge, the lead scientist watched with narrow eyes.
"Excellent.. this is going perfectly... if it continued, I'll soon be able to assume command of this ship, taking it from that worthless retch of a woman." he mumbled to himself, chuckling. He turned and walked off the bridge, he had much work to do.
(RP OFF)
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By Jocko on Monday, March 13, 2000 - 21:10:
(RP ON)
Shutaro Mendou and Cherry were dragged off the floor by Warren Hudson; shaken, then slapped into conciousness.
"You two still with us?" Hudson asked. Receiving groans in response. Cherry dropped to the floor and immediately ran into the bathroom; slamming the door behind him.
Warren shrugged and walked over to Ryouko's chair and knelt to examine her with a tricorder. He smiled as Shutaro walked over.
"How is she?"
"Fine, fine," Hudson glowed, "she just needs to rest," Warren moved the tricorder down to Ryouko's legs and feet, "and her ankle needs some attention from Sakura."
Mendou looked over to Ran's bedroom where Ron and Sakura had been dumped on the bed. "I think Sakura will be the one needing the doctor more..."
Warren glanced up at him, "why? What happened to her anyway?"
"Ron knocked her unconcious," Shutaro sighed, "I'm not so sure *how*; he did not have any weapons with him when Sergei and I caught up with him."
Warren stood up, "you saying he used those ESP powers that almost turned my brain into roast beef?" he moved into the bedroom; Shutaro following, "or just that Ron clobbered her over the head real hard?"
Mendou produced handcuffs and quickly started to secure Ron's arms to the bedpost. Warren noticed the handcuffs, "where'd you get those?" he asked absently while checking over Sakura.
"Artistic liscense," Mendou grunted and was finished.
Hudson gave Ron a quick scan and clicked off the tricorder; Warren looked over at Shutaro, "they both check out from what I know," he indicated the tricorder, "which isn't much."
Shutaro shook his head, "should we try to wake Sakura?"
"I don't know," Warren sighed, "probably doesn't matter; we'll be home in twenty minutes anyways."
Hudson and Mendou walked into the kitchen and found Megane, Sergei, and Hayes watching the remnants of the UNO floating and "burning" in space on the viewscreen.
All were silent; Hudson gazed at the viewscreen, the wrecked ship, and Shinobu's dead space fleet beyond.
"It's been a helluva day," Warren whistled.
"Yes...I guess it has," Sergei sighed and cast a sideways glance to the stone-faced Hayes, "at least we won't have to pay the repair bill..."
Meanwhile...on the outer hull of Shinobu's flagship a Kuroko Commander (frequently spelled with a K in English) used handsignals to communicate with his subordinates.
Things had been hard since the Lady Ryouko and Master Hudson's ship abruptly left. The plan was unfolding according to schedule; they were about to ambush the bridge and sensitive areas of the ship from the outside.
But something had happened, and the proper chain of events did not unfold and the Commander ordered a halt until they could figure out how to proceed next. It would be most unfortunate to call the mission off and make the long return EVA to the ship to make the equally long trip back to Earth undetected.
After about an hour of eavesdropping into the MSS ship's comm channels the Kuroko were able to determine what had happened to Lady Mendou's group. The Commander decided he was not willing to commit Lady Mendou's Kuroko to a fight in a "burning house" and was about to give the order to withdraw when Lady Luck smiled upon them in the form of Hayes' EMP warhead.
Now they were ready to move in and make Shinobu's day worse...
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Tuesday, March 14, 2000 - 10:31:
(RP ON)
The communications officer on the bridge of Shinobu's cruiser let out a silent breath of relief when his console came online and his headset began filling with the chatter of the engineering team working on the ship.
His expression quickly sank, however, when he began hearing a transmission over hailing frequences demanding they surrender their ship and dis-embark. He was hesitant to tell the news to Shinobu, considering the bad mood that she was in, but at the moment she also seemed occupied with Zard.
"I don't get payed enough for this.." he groaned after a moment's thought, standing up and heading to the captain's chair.
Zard was still holding Shinobu in his arms. She had long stopped crying, and was either deep in thought, or sleeping. He hoped it wasn't the latter. He turned when a tap came on his shoulder.
"..Yes?"
"Sorry to bother you sir... communications just came online.. we're being ordered to surrender.."
Zard noticed Shinobu was indeed asleep and leaned her comfortably in the chair, then stood.
"From what? We saw the UNO go up."
"It appears they may have called for re-enforcements sir.. there's quite a fleet from what the comms said, but we can't get confirmation with the rest of the systems down. I don't even know if it's a prank or not!"
Zard grunted. "How long untill we're capable of fighting?"
"At least another few hours.. the reactor's cold, and all the batteries are being used for life support and essential comms."
"And the fighters?"
The comms officer shook his head. "No clue, for all we know they could be dead."
Zard thought a moment. "Give me the headset, patch me through to our friendly visitor."
The comms officer nodded, took off his headset, and handed it to Zard, who put it on. He turned up the volume slightly.
"This is Zard, acting captain of the Martyr, to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"
The voice on the other end was heavy, and gruff, but seemed to have the un-mistakable traces of the Oni accent in them. Zard was good at knowing voices.
"This is Zrugg of Oni megadestroyer Zergla. You surrender now, or we smash."
Zard let out a small chuckle. "Direct and to the point my highly coherent friend.. however..."
"YOU NOT INSULT ZRUGG FOR WORDS! ZRUGG SMASH ALL OTHER PERSONS WHO INSULT ZRUGG! YOU NO HAVE POSITION TO INSULT!" came the booming reply. Zard held his head in pain and the comms officer looked at him in worry, along with the rest of the bridge, who could hear the Oni's voice right through the headset. He stumbled for a response.
"Uh.. right... well.. why do we need to surrender? What have we done?"
"You no take Zrugg for fool. Zrugg know Lum and Hudsmon. Hudsmon tell Zrugg all about big boomies you make on Hudsmon's ship. Zrugg no like that. Tired of talk, you surrender now or we smash!"
Zard winced, his preference for more intelligent conversation was hurting him here, not to mention this particular Oni's obvious difficulty with words.
"Hudsmon...?" he muttered to himself. "Please give us 5 minutes to meet and decide, then we shall contact you with our decision."
"Zrugg give you 3. No more, no less. Zrugg have big Oni date in hour."
"Fine, 3. See you then." He gave the headset back to the comms officer and called over the bridge engineering sergeant, who was busy hacking away at a panel with a wrench in frustration.
"How soon untill we have engine power?"
"At LEAST 3 hours sir, and that's if we're very lucky.. the reactor is TOTALLY cold, it's kinda of like setting fire to ice. We can't turn it on suddenly, it just won't work."
"Is there ANY way at all we can get immediate power?"
The engineer paused a moment to consult his datapad. "Well.. if we shunt everything from the batteries into the engines, we might get moving slowly.. but we'd only have 5 minutes of oxygen and absolutely no helm control besides what we pre-program into the system."
"How slow?"
"We'd get a sudden burst of speed, I could probably toss an explosive charge in there or two to amplify the process.. although we'd junk the drives. I could probably get us moving at around 5,000 units a second..hmm, hold on."
He tapped away at his datapad again, then smiled slightly.
"I just factored in the explosives.. if we decided to junk the drives, we'd be going faster than our normal cruising speed.. we'd be flying along quick enough to outrun the average missile!"
Zard nodded. "Get on it, now. And wait for my signal."
The engineer saluted and took off out the door, running as fast as he could. He hit a button on the captain's chair.
"Battery control, this is the bridge. Transfer power from communications to helm for 30 seconds, then send it back to comms."
"..We might blow a few relays, but I think we can manage that.."
He clicked off the comms and walked over to the helmsman.
"Get ready to pre-program coordinates to the engines... point us towards Earth. They won't escape that easily.."
Elsewhere, down in the escape pod area, a security officer was sitting back, having a smoke and staring at his blank monitors tirelessly, as if his sole will could magically restore power to his station and end his eternal boredom. At least the emergency systems had "Pong" to occupy him...
He was inhaling deeply from his cigarette when suddenly the wall beside him exploded open, and the air instantly began rushing out. In surprise, he swalled his cigar and began choking wildly while at the same time reaching for and pulling down the emergency bulkhead switch. It immediately came crashing down from the ceiling, blocking off the breach. He fell to his knees, coughing.
He finally managed to digest the ashes of his cigarette, and slowly rose to his feet.. only to see ten hooded figures emerge from the darkness.
A loud scream was quickly flashed out by 3 silenced gunshots. The Kurokos left the body in the storage closet and began moving.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Wednesday, March 15, 2000 - 02:06:
(RP ON)
Hudson sank into the chair next to Ran while Megane watched over his shoulder.
"Who is it?" Warren asked over his shoulder. "Captain January; of the USS Arizona," Megane replied with awe. January was a fast rising star in the new United States Space Navy.
Warren nodded and pushed the button on the console. "Captain January, this is Ambassador Hudson."
[Copy that, are you all right Ambassador?]
"We have a few injuries onboard, Captain."
[Affirmative sir. Do you require any sort of assistance besides a medical detachment?]
"No..." Hudson turned to Ran, "do we need anything else?"
Ran frowned a second while piloting, "well...I'm out of flour and nutmeg," she adjusted the nav computer for atmosphere reentry.
"Flour and nutmeg?" Megane snorted, "hell, Cherry's ate EVERYTHING in the kitchen!"
Hudson's mouth gaped open. "You saying everything? Even after puking his guts out?"
"Well..." Megane shrugged, "yeah...you know Cherry."
"Yeah well apparently not well enough," Ran bit out viciously.
Megane and Warren shared a shrug and Warren turned back to the console, "Uh Captain? When we land in Tomobiki we'll need a medical detachment and somebody to go to the gorcery store for Miss Ran-"
"-AND I AIN'T PAYIN' FOR IT!!!" Ran shook her fist at Hudson, Megane, and the board.
"Okay..." Warren conceded, "got all that, Captain?"
[...More than enough, sir. Do I charge the grocery bill to your account?]
Warren winced, he had once had dinner at Ran's and knew the extent to which the girl held good cooking and a fully stocked pantry in her heart.
"Yes Captain," Hudson sighed loudly, "to my account..." he clicked off the comm.
Both Megane and Hudson glanced at Ran for a few seconds, saying nothing, then turning back to the cabin only to be interrupted by a strange beeping.
Ran glanced around the cockpit at the various consoles and displays. She shrugged, "well I'll be damned..." she trailed off then glanced back at the duo, "what the hell is that?"
Megane checked his pockets, "it's not me."
Back in the living room Beavis and Butthead chuckled.
"Hehehehehe hey Butthead, I've got a beeper. Wanna see? Hehehehe."
"Uh, no." Butthead concluded.
"Hehehee it's like, in my pants, or something."
Butthead smacked Beavis. "Damn't assmunch, we've already been through this with Mr. Bluevein!" Butthead continued to slap Beavis.
Ataru picked up a lamp on a table and chucked it at the back of Butthead's head (pun intended and needed).
SMACK!
Butthead fell to the floor taking Beavis with him; applause erupted all over the ship.
Lum hugged Ataru, "Oh Darling you're so wonderful!"
Ataru smiled with content and the beeping noise continued.
Hudson felt around his pockets, his face brightened up, "found it," he drew out a traditional Japanese fan, folded.
Megane looked at it, "You've gotta be kidding me...THAT?" he pointed at the fan.
"But of course," Warren chuckled, "Ryouko-chan gave it to me. She said it may come in handy..." he shrugged, and unfolded the fan.
[Kuroko Kommander reporting, Hudson-sama.]
"Where the hell are you?" Hudson could hear the signal was breaking up.
[Inside the designated target.]
Hudson grinned at Megane then turned back to the open fan, "You've earned your pay for the month, continue the operation," Warren closed the fan.
"What was that about?" Megane asked; baffled.
"Megane..." Hudson giggled (actually giggled), "I'll tell you over a beer when we get home."
Megane tapped Ran's chair, "where are we landing?"
"Where else?" Ran snorted gruffly, "my house!"
"But this is your house," Megane deadpanned.
"Well Megane-san, you will just have to trust me," she giggled sweetly.
(RP OFF)
I'm intending to add Rei into mix here. Maybe as a fighter escort for Ran's ship under Zrugg's command?
-
By Parias on Wednesday, March 15, 2000 - 11:15:
Sounds good!
(RP ON)
Zard smiled, things were coming together. The engines had the necessary coordinates, Engineering was nearly ready with the explosives, and they even had sufficient time to vector the coordinates of Ran's ship and find out where it was going to land, and as thus they had compensated so they would crash nearby. There was a matter of minor concern though...
Shinobu, who had woken back up, smacked the communications area on the Captain's chair repeatedly in frustration.
"Escape pod section, come in! Where the hell are you?"
Zard rubbed his chin in worry. "Could be a problem if the escape pods aren't ready.. there's a chance the ship would break up on atmospheric entry.."
"I know that! I'm going to go see what's going on..."
She was about to stand up, but Zard waved his hand. "I'll go, you command from up here. If we get hailed again by Zrugg, tell him that we're surrendering and need time to get our crew to the escape pods."
Shinobu leaned back and huffed. "Fine." Zard nodded and walked off the bridge, only to run into a mass of hooded figures at the door.
"Excuse m-" He was cut off from a kick to the stomach. The bridge crew spun around and noticed the commotion. One pulled out a small laser pistol and aimed it, but couldn't get a shot in without hitting Zard.
Calling back on his training, Zard pushed the pain into the back of his head and leapt backwards, executing a perfect back-roll. He landed smartly and dodged a series of punches that came his way, then shot out with his leg, tripping the closest Kuroko to him. The others surrounded him and began hacking away. Zard was so busy trying to dodge that he never managed to get another shot in. Eventually one of the punches connected with his jaw, spinning him off balance against the wall, breaking his nose. He groaned and tried to recover, only to be kicked in the face. Shinobu yelled out in worry.
Down in the area housing the massive engines, a burly engineer finished placing the last explosive charge and climbed up the ladder that would lead him to a safe zone. When he reached the top, he wiped his hands, saluted to the chief engineer, and nodded.
"She's all set ta go sir!"
"Alright, lets punch it! Hand me the detonator."
The engineer dug into his pocket and pulled out a small electronic pad with a single red button on it, and handed it to the chief. He then retreated down the hallway with the rest of the group.
The chief walked over to the nearby wall and flicked a couple of switches. A panel opened up with a small lever on it with the words "Emergency Boost" ingrained on it. He nodded and smiled.
"These lil babies have taken us through hell and back again.. time for one last shove..."
He reached up and grabbed the lever with one hand, then yanked down, hard. The machinery groaned in protest, then gave way, and a loud whining was heard as the engines began sparking to life.
He waited untill the ever-familiar sound of ignition came on, then stabbed down at the red button on the pad. At the same time he backed away slightly and put on a pair of glasses to shield his eyes, as well as grabbing a handhold from the ceiling.
The effect was immediate. A massive white flame shot out from the engines, then went even brighter as the explosive charges went off, igniting the system further. The ship lurched heavily as it went from sitting still to shooting along at an insane speed in less than 5 seconds. A few secondary systems came online for a moment to align the vessel with it's pre-programmed destination, then shut off. After a moment, the crippled engine also gave out from the severe damage the explosives had inflicted and coughed offline, leaving a heavy trace of smog as the only sign they had ever fired. The chief released his handhold and continued smiling.
"Our push has given way.. now it's up to the gods to make sure we make our destination..."
Suddenly, his face turned white. "Oh crap, didn't Zard say to wait for his signal? Uh... it just 'malfunctioned'... yea. .that's it.."
He coughed and turned to slowly head for the bridge.
On the bridge itself, chaos was erupting. Most of the crew had been thrown to the wall at the back when the engines had fired, and were unconscious, save Zard who was already against the wall. Various Kuroko were attempting to pick themselves up, but were knocked down again by additional shuddering as a few stray fighters impacted and exploded against the external hull. Zard wiped the blood from his face and slowly stood up, pulling out his personal Argon-class slicing laser. He aimed at one of the Kuroko agents.
"Now I'm not exactly sure just who you guys are, but I do know who you work for, and I suggest you stand down, unless you feel like having roast Kuroko for dinner."
The commander, currently not seeing a viable option, waved to the rest of his troops, who slowly dropped their weapons to the floor, keeping a few well-hidden ones inside their protective casings for later use. Zard nodded and handed off command of the "hostages" to one of the recovering officers, then walked over to a viewport near the front of the bridge and looked out.
Earth was getting closer extremely fast, along with the bright red glow of Ran's ship as it entered the atmosphere. Ran would probably touch down first, but it didn't matter much. He looked over to the right and noticed Zrugg's fleet powering up it's engines to pursue, but they were already far out of weapons range.
"Perfect..." said Shinobu, who had recovered and walked over beside him, staring at the same sights. She glanced up at Zard.
"Thanks for your help."
Zard sighed and turned back to her. What he had on his mind at the moment was going to be difficult to say.
"I may be helping you, but it's for a different reason. I understand how you feel, as nothing else is working to win Ataru from Lum, but what went on back there was madness. Who knows how many people were killed in that explosion, and during your attack?"
Shinobu's expression dropped, and she frowned a moment, in thought.
"People... killed? But I would have never thought..."
"Ahh.. battle rage.. we all go through it at some point, when you loose all caring and touch with reality and just want to destroy everything. But still, that doesn't cover what happened. Once we land, you're going to apologize."
Her expression then went from a frown to something extremly sour, then to whiteness.
"What? No! It's too late, I'm already too deep in, I've got to.."
Zard turned his back and began walking towards the back of the bridge. "If that's your decision, then fine, but I won't assist you further in this." he threw over his shoulder, leaving Shinobu in a state of heavy confusion. She eventually grumbled and tossed it off, continuing to look out the window at the rapidly approaching Earth.
On Ran's ship, Hudson looked up in alarm as he saw the engines on Ran's cruiser spike, then alarms started flashing as the ship began closing on them at an insane speed. Cygni, who had just walked into the room, also noticed.
"What the HELL? I thought we knocked that damn thing out!"
Megane examined the sensors. "I don't know how they did it, but they did. They must have used explosives or something to amplify the blast.. although how they got the engines started in the first place is beyond me..."
"They probably kept a few spare batteries in a specially insulated area for just such an occasion." said Hudson, groaning. He turned to Cygni.
"You'd better go tell the rest."
"Sergei will have a fit.." she sighed, turning and heading out of the room.
When she entered the room Sergei and Hayes were in, however, she wasn't very impressed with the sight that greeted her. Ron had somehow recovered, broken free of the handcuffs, and now had grabbed Hayes' pistol and was pointing it at his head while standing in the corner of the room, dis-allowing any flanking maneuvers. Sergei and Shutaro stood tensely, looking for an opening.
"Let him go you bastard." Sergei hissed.
"Not untill you give me free passage off this ship, with.." His eyes widened a moment as he spotted Cygni entering the room, and he pointed with his one free hand. "..her!"
"You gotta be kidding!" growled Cygni, slowly moving one hand behind her back and charging a small lightning bolt. Ron didn't notice.
"I assure you it's no joke. You either come with me or the old guy gets it. 10 seconds."
He cocked the pistol to prove his point. Hayes groaned and rubbed his head in pain from the massive aching he was getting.
"There's no way in hell I'm.." started Cygni, only to be cut off by Ron.
"Seven.. make your deicision.."
"Damnit Ron! Don't do..."
"FIVE..." he called out loudly.
("Go for it, this isn't going to work the other way, trust me.")
"But I'll hit Hayes.." she replied to the voice.
("He'll only get a bit of the splash if you hit the wall right next to Ron's head.. it'll rebound and hit him directly. Trust me.")
"Three..." Ron's hand began squeezing down on the trigger.
Cygni winced, then clenched her fist tightly, concentrating the build up energy.
"Damn you to HELL!" she yelled, punctuating her last word by throwing her left arm out and letting loose the lightning blast. Her aim was true, and sure enough it hit the ceiling next to Ron's head, then rebounded hitting him directly in the ear, stunning him long enough for Hayes to break free and move away, his ears ringing.
Cygni didn't hesitate. She yanked out her Desert Eagle, flicked on the laser sight, and aimed it at Ron. "I've had enough of you." she said quietly, then pulled the trigger 3 times, just as Hudson came up behind her to see what all the commotion was about. 3 loud reports echoed across the ship.
Massive spurts of green liquid shot out from the 3 holes in Ron's torso, as he coughed, staggered one step forward, then collapsed on the ground. Hudson was about to say something when he was pushed aside by Ran who shoved her way into the room, then gasped.
"I am NOT cleaning that up!!"
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Wednesday, March 15, 2000 - 22:57:
Say Parias...I need a good joystick or a gamepad that can do everything. I have several flight sims and first person shooters I'd like to play and I'm getting sick of the keyboard and mouse.
What do you recommend?
Price is not an object, I'm only looking to kick ass smoothly and with ease.
(RP ON)
Mujaki burst out of the bathroom and tripped over the unconcious Beavis and Butthead.
"What...? What's happening in here?" the dream demon picked himself off the floor.
"Fate has sent Ron-san on his way to the next life," Cherry clasped his hands together and began to pray for Ron's soul.
Ran angrily walked over to a closet and opened the door. She dragged out various housekeeping equipment and slapped a broom in Hudson's hand, a bucket of water in Cygni's, a scrub brush in Sergei's, and cleaning solution in the redneck crewman's hand. Ran stormed into the kitchen and threw out a large black bag.
Warren picked it up, "a body bag...? Where the hell does she get this stuff?"
Ran stomped out and glared at her appointed clean up crew. "WHEN I COME BACK IN HERE I WANT THIS ROOM TO BE AS NEAT AS A PIN!!! GOT IT?"
"Yes Ran-chan," everyone said quietly.
"Uh Ran-chan?" Warren raised his hand like a school boy, "who's minding the store?"
Ran fluttered her eyes sweetly, "Hudson-san? Whatever are you talking about?"
"The ship Ran, the ship," Hudson inclined his head back towards the cockpit, "who's flying it?!?"
"Uh...I don't know..." Ran ran back across her living room.
Meanwhile in the cockpit Megane had taken over after Ran left to investigate the gunshots and the screaming without bothering as to how would take over.
Now to say that Megane was an amatuer isn't exactly fair, he could pilot the ship a whole hell of a lot more than Ataru or maybe even Hudson, but Megane was still only mostly acquainted with World War II flight simulaters.
Things went fine with our intrepid hero for about three minutes.
Five alarms sounded at once all over the board. "Oh Shit!" Megane kept his eyes on the rate of atmospheric descent. He smacked the comm board.
"Ran get back in here!!!"
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Thursday, March 16, 2000 - 10:12:
Whelp, as far as joysticks go, the best place to look would be www.neoseeker.com, a pretty damn good site with a massive archive of reviews and stuff on a given chunk of hardware. Should answer your questions pretty good >) Although as far as using it for playing an FPS.. well I just can't recommend it, nothing beats a good Keyboard/Mouse combo. Although you're welcome to try..heheh
(RP ON)
Almost immediately after Megane called for Ran, she burst in, sat down, and brushed Megane away in one swift motion, then immediately set to work on stablizing the ship without a single word. Megane simply blinked and went back to the sensors control, opting instead to to make use of something he was at least slightly familiar with.
Back in the living room, Cygni grunted in frustration as she assisted Sergei in cleaning up the stinking mess of gore surrounding the area Ron's dead body was in. Hudson had already picked it up and disposed of it properly, but not before Sakura had taken a quick look at it to see just what Ron was. She was going over a couple of samples she had grabbed in the bedroom, and Cherry had wandered off to join her.
"Nice shooting..." Sergei commented absently while scrubbing away at a large mess of the green liquid that refused to disappear.
"The lightning or the gunshots?" Cygni grunted in return.
"Well, I'd say both, but this isn't the most enjoying thing I've done all day.."
"Gee, thanks." She sighed. "Wish I'd brought those damn nano-droids along.."
"And of course you had full knowledge that you were going anywhere.." Sergei remarked sarcastically.
"Point."
They continued scrubbing. Sergei was beginning to feel that it would be more effective to just blow a hole in the wall than to continue trying to clean up the stubborn mess, but said nothing.
Down on Earth, the remainder of Cygni's stormtroopers shuffled around Tomobiki in sorrow. Their attempted campaign to raise enough cash to go to space themselves and launch their own rescue mission had failed miserably, and future side-attempts almost got them a trip into jail. Suddenly Perm looked up, something had caught his eye.
After a moment he yelled out in joy and pointed. "Hey look, it's Ran's ship! Maybe she found something!!"
The rest of them yelled out and began chasing after the ship, trying to figure out where it was going to land.
(RP OFF)
Slightly shorter one tonight, I've been busy since the word "Go" this morning and am just slightly pooped >) I'm assuming Ran was planning to land somewhere in Tomobiki, but if this wasn't the idea, I'm still leaving it open for her to land somewhere else.. the gang would probably hound her ship down if it was landing in the North Pole! >)
-
By Jocko on Thursday, March 16, 2000 - 21:46:
Thanks for the suggestion, Parias. These days are gamepads better than joysticks?
And yes Ran is landing in Tomobiki, Rei is there with the medics and people to go shopping for Ran.
BTW, we missed out on a killer Pulp Fiction reference about "brain detail." Maybe I can fix that later...? I have to be going just now.
-
By Parias on Thursday, March 16, 2000 - 23:29:
Whelp, when it comes to flight sims, nothing beats a good joystick. Gamepads these days are kinda going down in usefulness.. I've only seen them be any good in arcade/sidescrolling games, and for those I generally just wuss out and go with the keyboard >)
As for the Pulp Fiction thing, go for it! >) I haven't even seen Pulp Fiction, although maybe I should pick it up sometime..
-
By Jocko on Friday, March 17, 2000 - 03:28:
Okay, thanks for your help. Pulp Fiction is the bomb, along with everything else by Tarantino.
BTW, where's Dr. Ginkobot?
(RP ON)
Hudson gazed at the green mess and sighed, he looked down at the broom with disgust. Cygni and Sergei looked up from their labors, "what's wrong?" Sergei asked.
"Ran gave me a friggin' broom," Warren dropped the broom to the floor and went hunting in the kitchen for a mop.
When he returned, he and the redneck crewman went to work with the pools of blood that had collected on the walls and floor.
Ataru walked out of the bathroom and chuckled at the cleaning. "You don't actually think that can be clean in five minutes, do you?"
Hudson dipped the mop into the blood and began soaking that shit up. "Gee Moroboshi, I don't know!" he sarcastically threw over his shoulder, "at least I'm not on brain detail this time around!" Warren wrung the mop out in the bucket of water.
Everyone in the room shrugged. "What are you taking about?" Cygni asked.
Hudson stopped and stood up, "the clean up after a military execution in the old days," he said darkly.
Cygni nodded and returned to her work. Sergei leaned over to her and whispered, "what does he mean?"
"Remind me to tell you about Hudson's past in this country later, Sergei."
Hudson, Sergei, Cygni, and the redneck managed to clean up decently; leaving only light green stains behind. Sakura and Cherry were eating a bag of chips while the others screwed around in the kitchen or bathroom.
"Well," Cygni gazed at what was left of the mess, "think Ran'll kill us or have a cow?"
"I'll tell her I'll pay the steam cleaning bill," Warren snorted.
"Brave man," Sergei laughed.
"What about Ron's body?" Sakura asked; still visibly fatigued from the bump on the head Ron gave her.
"What about it?" Hudson collapsed in a chair, "proper documentation will have to be made and statements to the police and possibly other agencies by all the parties involved-" Warren propped his feet up on a coffee table, "-not to mention lots of signed affidavits with high sounding language; the kind my attorney loves."
Everyone groaned, "another trip downtown..." Sakura lamented.
"On top of that," Warren raised his right hand and ticked off the points on his fingers, "there's the fact that we're still facing an interstellar incident and that Megane will almost immediately be taken into police custody when we land. Beginning a nice evening with me pleading with the Judge not throw him in the pokey. I'll also have press statements of every kind to make, meetings with top brass from two countries and four planets, and possible war consultant work, not to mention revenge against Shinobu..."
He cracked a smile when he was finished, "and who knows? Maybe I'll get a Christmas bonus this year after all."
The intercom clicked on, "We're landing, everyone find a place to sit or hold onto," Megane reported.
Warren began walking towards the bedroom where Ryouko was moved to after Ron and Sakura made room, "but at least we're home!" Hudson shouted over his shoulder, "yeah...me for a nice hot bath, a cold beer, cup ramen, and Jet Hashimoto versus the Iron Yuppie...." he disappeared into the room.
Meanwhile as Ran's ship made its way over Tomobiki's skyline three military vehicles, five civilian police, and three ambulances screamed along down the streets following the ship. On the sidewalks a group of ten people ran along with the ship as it slowed down.
Then arrived two fighter escorts from space. One an Oni fighter, and the other American.
Various helecopters from the Mendou, Kuroko, and Mizonokouji forces also filled the skys but kept their distance.
Ran's ship arrived at her lot in the uptown section of Tomobiki and gently touched down; it was 4:17 PM on November 13th.
Ten figures ran up to the ship as the vehicles and fighter escorts arrived.
Included in this group was Cygni's Stormtroopers, Ataru's parents, Shutaro and Ryouko's parents, Tobimaro, Ryunnosuke Fujinami, and Onsen-Mark.
Inside Ran's bedroom Ryouko was awoken by the ship's landing.
"Warren-kun...?" she yawned.
"We're home, dear," Hudson held her hand firmly, "how do you feel?"
"Terrible," she grimaced at the pain.
"I'll have you at the hospital as soon as possible," Hudson leaned down and kissed her lightly on the forehead, "just hold on a few more minutes while Ran powers the engines down."
"...how?" she looked around. "What happened?"
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Friday, March 17, 2000 - 10:38:
Ginkbot's pretty much out of the scene for the moment, "preparing for other plans" >) The references to him were during the time Cygni was in Shinobu's little dream world, that was about it... hehe
(RP ON)
While Sergei was grabbing his belongings, he noticed Cygni digging out her FN-P90 from a duffel bag and loading a clip into it. He walked over and laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Haven't you had enough action for one day?"
She shook her head, checking the aim of the weapon and tweaking it slightly. "We've still got Shinobu to worry about..."
"Surely she won't be so much of a problem as to require firepower.."
"I've still got to find out what's going on..."
She finished preparing the rifle and holstered it, then picked up her Desert Eagle and slid a clip in with a click.
"..Personally!"
She checked a nearby monitor quickly, confirming the projected impact zone of Shinobu's cruiser, then turned to leave. Sergei stopped her.
"There's something about this whole thing that stinks. You can't just go running off and.."
Cygni made a frustrated sigh, cutting him off, then motioned to Hayes as paramedics swarmed around him. "Look after him, I'll be back soon." And without another word, she walked out, leaving Sergei speechless.
Hudson was checking out Ryouko at the ambulance outside the recently touched down ship when he noticed Cygni coming out, a determined expression on her face. He waved to her.
"Where you headed Cygni?"
The stormtroopers, who had just caught up with the ship and were out of breath, also noticed Cygni and began frantically waving. She ignored them and headed towards the schoolgrounds, breaking into a run. He noticed the familiar black FN-P90 slung over her shoulder as well, but wasn't too concerned.
Hudson was about to shrug it off as fatigue when Sergei burst out of the ship, yelling for her to wait.
"What's going on? And why's she so moody just now?" he asked.
"I'm not too sure, but I think Cygni just went a bit over the edge in regards to Shinobu.."
Hudson's face paled. "And she was armed! Oh shit..."
They both looked up and saw a faint burning ship in the distance, slowly making it's way down to the schoolgrounds. Lum, Ataru, Sakura, and the rest burst out of the ship, wondering what was going on.
"Cygni's going to have a showdown with Shinobu!" explained Sergei, turning to pursue. Hudson stopped him and pointed to a nearby car that had pulled up recently with Kurokos to check on Ryouko. "We'll catch her faster if we drive.."
The rest of the group nodded and piled into the vehicle, filling it up to the brim. Lum and Ataru entered last, chatting.
"I think we should just leave Cygni alone.." commented Lum, smirking. Ataru put on a horrified look. "But.. but.."
"Oh darling don't tell me you still worry about that silly girl! She almost tried to kill us!"
Ataru stopped and thought a moment. Lum had a point, but then again, Shinobu pretty much did that on a regular basis. He was starting to feel torn up inside, being ripped apart both ways. On one hand, his respect for Lum was beginning to build again, especially after what had happened. On the other, he still had a place in his heart for Shinobu, despite all the problems they had been through. He simply sighed as he stepped inside the car, giving up for the time being and letting the world go to hell.
"Ok, everyone inside?" Hudson grunted under the pressure of the overflowing mass of bodies, then gunned the engine and took off down the street.
Beavis and Butthead found themselves in an odd position on top of Lum, in perfect reach of the back of her bikini top. Butthead chuckled while Beavis shifted his hand slightly.
"Huh huh, go for it Beavis.."
Megane was deep in thought, reflecting upon the events of the day and trying to figure out where his life was going to go after the cops caught up to them when his thoughts were jarred by an ear-piercing scream by Lum, who was sitting directly to his left. Then chaos ensued as massive streaks of lightning coursed through the entire vehicle, causing great pain and injury to all it's passengers.. and it's driver. Hudson yelled out and attempted to regain control of the vehicle, but it was too late. They veered off the road, impacting against a building and doing a good deal of damage to the front of the car. Smoke began pouring out of both the damaged engine and his burnt clothing. He groaned and attempted to re-start the car, to no avail.
He leaned back, took a deep breath, and slowly counted to 3. He then suddenly understood why it was clearly not a good idea to have so many passengers in a vehicle at a given time, especially when one of them was Lum and another was a pair of overly horny teenage boys. Sergei simply grunted, opened the door, and ordered everyone to exit the vehicle. Those who were able to move complied happily.
(RP OFF)
Hope my quick turn of events isn't going against what you had planned or anything >)
-
By Jocko on Friday, March 17, 2000 - 22:45:
Hmm, no I guess not. I just need to clear up that Ryouko has, of course, two broken legs. I have no earthly idea why I wrote Hudson saying she was fine...oh well brain fart.
(RP ON)
The car left with Ataru, Lum, Hudson, Sergei, and Megane occupying it. Shutaro had stayed behind to stay with Ryouko and confer with his parents.
Perm shook his head sadly, "what now?"
Sakura and Cherry started running down the street towards the nearest Metrorail station.
"Hey!" Chibi screamed, "where are you two going?"
"Back to my shrine!" Sakura shouted as she and Cherry ran through traffic; nearly causing another accident.
Kakugari punched the brick wall where the Kuroko car had crashed, "Now what are we supposed to do?!?"
"CYGNI-CHAN!!!!" all three wailed.
"Uh," Butthead chuckled angrily, "will you, like, shut up or something?"
"Yeah, hehe. I almost scored...hehe" Beavis smiled as best he could.
"Damnit Beavis!" Butthead glared (or tried to), "it was my idea to cop a feel!"
Onsen-Mark stomped his foot on the ground, "you boys shut up or I'll have your school expel you!"
Butthead thought this over for a second, "Cool!!!"
"Yeah, hehe," Beavis laughed rapidly, "like please expel us...sensei," Beavis seemed to like the Japanese word for teacher because he began to say it to himself over and over.
Chibi abruptly smelled business opportunity in these two dill-holes.
"Say guys...we have pictures of Lum-chan WITHOUT her top on..." the little stormtrooper laughed lewdly, "you can have them for a price!"
"Whoa!" Butthead turned to Beavis, "these Japanese dudes are pretty cool, Beavis."
"Yeah, hehe. Lum-chan topless, hehe-hehe," Beavis started to salivate.
Onsen-Mark wasn't having any part in this. The Tomobiki High teacher began raising more hell than any teacher at Highland High had ever raised because of Beavis and Butthead.
But he soon realized he was raising hell to a damaged brick wall; Beavis and Butthead had already been dragged off by the stormtroopers.
Mujaki, Ten, and Kintaro, utterly disgusted with this exchange in its infancy left to find a safe place to hide until everything blew over. They soon ended up at an icecream stand and later at Kintaro's garage.
Ran's ship was a mess. She had six US Army and Oni people there to help clean up, remove Ron's body, and go shopping. She also had Warren Hudson's US Treasury debit card, her first act using the card was to call Kurokawa Steamers for an emergency top to bottom on the ship.
The only good thing was that the officer assigned to go shopping for her was Rei. Who was eating a candy bar while Ran made up a twenty page grocery list while happily giggling and talking sweet to Lum's former fiance.
As Rei was about to leave Ran decided it would be a better idea to go with him.
An American officer named Burke watched the couple leave, piling into the dump truck that had been requisitioned for this operation.
Burke shook his head and motioned to his Oni counterpart, Kal. "Burke?" the Oni asked.
"Warn the marketplace, Kal. Double R alert."
Meanwhile at the hospital Shutaro was pacing around the waiting room with his parents. Ryouko was being examined by Oni and Mendou doctors and the prognosis was good. A few hours here and the bones would be repaired, after that a few days of rest. The only thing Ryouko would be complaining to Warren about was sore legs and an ankle.
Right now the topic for Shutaro was Shinobu. "Father, I don't know why she's doing this!" Shutaro said for the fifth time.
"Well son," Master Mendou said simply, "you're her best friend."
"Maybe..." Shutaro trailed off and sat down, "one day she was at school and everything was normal and the next she was not. And I didn't notice," he said completely disgusted with himself.
"What about," Madame Mendou searched for the name, "Inaba-san or Mr. and Mrs. Miyake?"
Shutaro chuckled darkly, "good question. No one can find him at the current time."
"But you mentioned something about a diary," Madame Mendou sat down beside her son.
"Yes," he then related to his parents Ryouko asking Ran for help in finding Shinobu, "Ran broke into Shinobu-san's residence and found her diary," Shutaro grabbed a cup of water and gulped it down.
"Where is it now?" Master Mendou asked.
Shutaro eyes nearly bugged out. "I'm...not entirely sure where we left it."
Tomobiki school grounds...
Cygni arrived at Tomobiki High to find students doing various after school activities like baseball practice and club meetings.
One by one the students looked up and noticed the steadily enlarging ship heading for the ground. Most had already seen Ran's ship in the distance and weren't too concerned at first.
That all changed when the helicopters filled the sky and police sirens were heard. Then the tanks began arriving.
Ryuunosuke had followed Cygni from Ran's ship and tapped her on the shoulder. Cygni spun around and saw the tomboy standing besides Kotatsu-Neko staring at her quizically.
"So," Ryuu pointed at the sky, "Shinobu's become a warlord and wants revenge against Lum, eh?"
"It seems that way," Cygni confirmed shortly.
"Man," Ryuu shook her head, "what a shitty Tuesday this is turning out to be," she walked off with the ghost cat to talk to the Principal.
Right then a car breaking nine traffic laws speed through the school gate, it was a Kuroko outfitted BMW, but with both headlights and the grill smashed out. It puttered to a stop besides Cygni as its radiator exploded.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Saturday, March 18, 2000 - 12:41:
Bah, happens to the best of us >)
Wow, big post.. my position as "longest post maker" in our little stories is being challenged, and probably overrun! AAAAUUGH! *cough*
Hehehe >)
(RP ON)
Sergei rushed out of the vehicle towards Cygni, stopping and gasping for air when he reached her. His and Hudson's combined efforts to move the vehicle back onto the street and get it running again had been stressful, to say the least. Cygni simply offered a glare.
"Didn't I ask you to look after Hayes?"
"He's fine... and I never was too good at following orders I didn't like." He put up a small grin, which dropped quickly when he looked up into Cygni's frowning face.
"I'm able to handle this by myself. What Shinobu's done just isn't right.. it's completely broken my trust, plain and simple. A lot of good people were killed up there..."
She turned around and looked at the schoolyards, where chaos was ensuing and the military was attempting to evacuate the students from the area. Sergei came up beside her.
"What's happened? You weren't like this an hour ago."
"That deal with Ron.. got me thinking.. I've never hesitated to shoot something when needed, but I've also never seen it up close and personal.. the mess.." She flexed her hands uncomfortably.
Hudson was watching the conversation from a distance when he looked up as a faint screaming was heard, slowly getting louder. Cygni and Sergei also noticed and looked up, along with the rest of the group that had followed along.
A blazing fireball greeted their eyes. Shinobu's cruiser was coming in fast, and crippled already. Large chunks of the ship had already been torn off or melted from the intense heat, thanks to the fact that there were no protection systems available to shield the ship. Sergei checked his watch.
"She'll hit about a minute.. are you sure you want to go through with this?"
Cygni nodded.
"Then I suggest we get to some cover.. I'd assume getting melted isn't part of your plan."
Hudson, who had come closer to inform them that they should move away, spoke up. "Nor mine.. shall we?"
Cygni was about to turn away when something suddenly caught her eye. She quickly grabbed the pair of electronic binoculars Ataru had around his neck, nearly choking him in the process, and looked up at Shinobu's cruiser.
Massive chunks of the vessel were still being peeled away, and all that remained now was the protective armour around the bridge area, leaving a smooth round shell about the size of two semi-trucks.
"Looks like we won't have to.. there's so little of the ship left, I think the worst we'll get is a minor quake.. especially if the shock-resistant plates are still in place. Although I'd imagine the crater is going to be a pain in the ass to cover up.."
She was pulled from her thoughts when a large chunk of flaming debris crashed to the ground nearby, completely smashing the BMW into the ground and nearly taking Megane with it. A few more flaming pieces were falling all around town. Hudson sighed deeply and put his hands to his face. Explaining all of this would be a task within itself.
Onboard the bridge of the soon-to-be-lost cruiser, Zard, Shinobu, the surviving Kurokos, and what was left of the bridge crew desperately clung to their chairs in an attempt to avoid being thrown to the front of the bridge and smashed to pieces under the debris falling from the rear. The roof section of the bridge suddenly let loose a loud groan, then tore itself loose and flung away from the derelict section, heading to god-knows-where. A cold blast of wind rushed in.
"Get ready, here comes the ground!!" yelled Zard over the noise. Shinobu clung to him closely, her eyes shut tight in fear. Various thoughts were racing through her head. Everything seemed to be so easy to do when she was up in space a few hours ago, with a massive fleet under her command. And now here she was, in a crippled chunk of her cruiser on a suicide trip to hell. She hadn't felt this afraid in months, maybe years. For the first time since she had assumed command of the cruiser, she began to seriously reconsider her position of authority.
She longed for the simple life of not so long ago, the petty struggles between her and Lum over Ataru, the interesting adventures that had happened.. all of her friends..
"I wonder if it's too late to change.." she murmured under her breath. Zard seemed to somehow pick it up, and took her chin in his hand and gave a re-assuring smile. Then, a loud crash and scream came from somewhere below, and her whole world turned upside down.
Cygni had to wince as she saw the bridge section plunge directly into Onsenmark's classroom, completely crushing it and leaving a small crater.
"Wouldn't wanna be caught in there.." muttered Sergei. He turned to Cygni, but she had taken off again, running towards the debris before it had even settled. He sighed and began wondering what the hell he had gotten himself into.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Saturday, March 18, 2000 - 19:58:
All right, short post for me this time...
(RP ON)
Warren, Ataru, Lum, and Megane stood stunned for a full minute.
"D-d-damn..." Ataru exclaimed.
"No shit," Megane blinked.
"That'll leave a dent," Hudson frowned, "and one hell of a tax hike."
"And Onsen-Mark-sensei will need another room...and I hate tax hikes!," Lum frowned. Ataru and Megane looked at her stunned.
"No he won't," Ataru said a little too quickly. He wasn't about to pass up another week off from school.
"Yeah, I agree," Megane smiled hastily, "Onsen can just lock himself in his boarding house for the next six months for all I care."
Hudson turned to Lum as the group began to jog over to the school entrance, "why do you hate tax hikes, Lum-san?"
"They make Darling's parents sour."
Meanwhile across town at Sakura's shrine Sakura and Cherry were doing various Shinto and Buddhist type deals in order to insure the successful outcome of today's events.
"Exorcise, Purify, Exorcise, Purify..."
"Praise Buddha..."
CRASH!
The entire shrine shook and pieces of the ceiling fell down. One extinguishing Sakura's altar fire and the other konking Cherry on the head.
Sakura and Cherry stood up and ran over to the door. "What the...?" Sakura breathed.
"It looks like a chunk of the ship we escaped from, Sakura," Cherry rubbed the swelling bump on his head.
Sakura smacked him and made the bump bigger, "Of course it does, Uncle!"
The piece of the ship had an open end on it. A hooded figure jumped out, then another, then another, and then another until ten Kuroko stood in Sakura's front lawn.
"Pardon us," the lead one said formally bowing, "but we calculated we would be landing at a salad bar."
The Kurokos began walking off the shrine's property, "Our most humble apologies about the mess! Please alert a Mendou operative as soon as possible and do not inform the police" one shouted as they left the property.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Sunday, March 19, 2000 - 10:47:
I must admit I'm getting quite a chuckle out of your posts Jocko, your humor is pretty damn good >)
(RP ON)
As Cygni neared the wreckage, she saw a chunk of flaming debris shuffle. Zard groaned and lifted it up, with Shinobu under him making sure she was still in one piece.
Cygni instantly stopped and unslung her FN-P90, aiming it directly at the two and clacking off the safety, letting loose a small growl. The pair instinctively raised their hands. She could hear Sergei calling her name somewhere far behind, but she shut out the distraction and concentrated on the task at hand.
"I want answers. NOW!"
"I... I..." Shinobu stammered in response.
"Damnit I trusted you, you're sure as hell the last person I'd expect to slaughter off a bunch of people just for one person!"
"I'm.....sorry." she said quietly.
"What of all those people killed in the attack? The strange abuse of our minds? Why? Surely there's something deeper than your hatred for Lum!"
"There.. isn't." She turned away, red faced and ashamed. Zard looked at Cygni expectantly. Various military officers and policemen were scurrying around, gathering up the surviving bridge officers, but ignoring Cygni, Zard, and Shinobu.
"I think she's had enough, she understands what happened." said Zard, touching Shinobu's shoulder.
"That's not good enough. I can't even trust her anymore." Cygni restlessly flexed her trigger finger.
"Then what are you going to do, shoot us? I fail to see what that will accomplish."
("He's got a point.. what do you plan to do?")
Before Cygni could think, Sergei finally caught up to her, out of breath again.
"Cygni.. this is nuts, what are you doing?"
Her eyes widened as she stopped to think a moment. "What the hell AM I doing?" she asked herself. "I've got one girl who I'm extremely pissed off with, a smart-talking purple haired person who claims to be her long-lost daddy, and I'm holding them both and gunpoint for no real reason."
("...Course of action?")
She sighed, loosening her grip on her gun slightly, unsure as to what to do.
Ataru was making his way through the debris when he suddenly came upon Cygni, holding Shinobu and Zard at gunpoint, with Sergei trying to talk her out of it. He didn't notice Sergei though, mainly just Cygni's gun and Shinobu.
"I must do something!" he whispered, eyeing Cygni. He let out a blood-curdling scream and leapt towards her.
Cygni's nerves were starting to loosen up as her adrenaline wore off when she suddenly heard a loud scream behind her. Reacting on pure combat-honed instinct, she whirled around, pointing her rifle at the percieved threat and yanking down on the trigger, only to find...
"...Ataru?" she said in confusion, before he made contact with her mid-section, sending her reeling backwards and her right arm flying up, bullets still being firing at a rapid pace. It was released from her hand and sent slowly spinning upwards, it's muzzle silencing as soon as her finger left the trigger. It seemed to take ages to slowly come down and impact on the ground nearby at the exact second Cygni's head impacted against a slab of concrete, sending massive amounts of pain jolting through her entire body. She grunted in pain and tried to move, but the jarring shock of the collision with the debris was still shooting through her nerves, rendering her immobile for the time being.
Sergei became concerned and annoyed at the same time. Concerned for Cygni's health, and annoyed because Ataru was lying directly on top of her chest and not making any effort to move. He didn't care if he was unconscious or injured or not, but the past events of the last few hours was starting to push him over the edge. Lum beat him to the punch before he could make a move, however.
"Darling what are you doing??" shrieked Lum, rushing towards him. A groan was her reply. She bent down, picked him up, then turned to throw him into the flaming debris so she could electrocute him without anything being in the way. She was stopped cold when she noticed drops of blood coming from his back and midsection, along with the fact that he was unconscious. She gasped. Hudson walked over and cried out in surprise when he also saw what had happened.
Cygni finally managed to recover and slowly rose to her feet, rubbing the throbbing pain on the back of her head. Sergei rushed up to her.
"Are you alright?"
"Yea.. except for one hell of a splitting headache.. but I'm more concerned about Ataru.. is he.."
Lum suddenly dropped to her knees, sobbing loudly, Ataru in her arms. Hudson stared at Cygni, searching for an expression to suit how he was feeling. Not finding one, he turned and yelled for a medic.
"My god... what the hell have I done?" said Cygni slowly, tears filling her eyes. Sergei embraced her, and she let it all out painfully, silently wondering if there was room in hell for another lost soul.
(RP OFF)
Before anyone asks, no I'm not planning on killing Ataru, just adding to the drama >)
-
By Jocko on Sunday, March 19, 2000 - 19:57:
Uh, just so you know, later on in the series Shinobu doesn't hate Lum. There aren't exactly best friends either...steady rivals in a way, but not for Ataru. Yeah, for 80% of the series Shinobu pursues Mendou then Inaba comes along.
On humor; most UY fanfiction of this type sometimes degenerate into needless Out of Character cruelty. Just look at Fred Herriot and Mike Smith's UY: The Senior Year as an example. Although they are capable writers...
(RP ON)
Megane ran over to Ataru, "How badly hurt is he?" Hudson asked.
Megane looked at the collecting blood on Ataru and back to Lum sobbing.
"No..." he glared viciously at Shinobu and Zard.
The medics arrived and Megane tried to coax Lum into letting go of Ataru so the medics could get a closer look and carry him away.
Warren, narrowing his glare, drew his .357 Magnum from its holster and slowly pointed it at the cowering pair.
"Ryouko is the hospital with two broken legs and who-knows-how many else are in body bags because of your goddamn silly little game!" Hudson raged.
Shinobu' eyes began to water and she opened her mouth to say something but no sound came out.
Hudson felt white hot rage extend out into his hands; almost magical in its intensity. "And that piss-poor reason I heard you give Cygni ain't gonna cut it!"
(RP OFF)
Should any of the other characters make an appearance. Maybe one of the Mendou siblings or Ran wanting to have a picnic with Rei in the ruins?
-
By Parias on Sunday, March 19, 2000 - 23:11:
Shinobu actually not at Lum's throat every 5 seconds? Dear god, I've REALLY missed out on stuff.. thus the reason I'll re-double my efforts to obtain more episodes beyond 1-8 >) There's an anime/console gaming store around town somewhere with an anime addict helping run the place (last I saw).. I'll stop in there and see if I can find something... thanks for the heads up, I'll note it for future reference >)
As for other characters showing up, but of course! Hope you don't mind if I leave that mostly in your hands though, due to the aforementioned reason.. hehe >)
I'll make my post in a bit ("bit" meaning anywhere from an hour to sometime late tonight, depending on how complicated everyone on my ICQ list feels like making my life today *grin*)
-
By Parias on Monday, March 20, 2000 - 10:50:
Woa baby, Diablo 2 Beta signups are now happenin at http://www.blizzard.com/scripts/signup.dll !! Go check it out if you're up to it! Yeeehaw!
(RP ON)
Cygni peeled herself away from Sergei in time to see what was going on.
("It's a tight situation.. you know what you need to do.")
"Yea.. but....... damnit, there's so much going on.. I'm not sure.."
She heard a click as Hudson pulled back on the hammer of the .357, readying it for firing.
("I'd give you about 5 seconds before she's a pile of gore, assuming Zard doesn't do anything. Don't get pushed into a checkmate.")
She looked at Hudson, and swore for a moment she saw fire dancing across his retinas. Then she turned and looked at Shinobu, who's face seemed to have completely drained of colour. Zard was at a loss for what to do, but seemed almost ready to take the bullet. Cygni was between Hudson and Shinobu, just slightly out of the line of fire, with Sergei behind her. He touched her arm and whispered into her ear.
"Do it."
Taking a breath, Cygni took a step forward, blocking Hudson's line of fire.
"Get the hell out of the way Cygni, this has to be done!"
"The hell it does!" she retorted. "Her ship's gone, her armies crushed, her rage gone. Whatever the hell possessed her in the first place to do this isn't there anymore!"
This seemed to only make Hudson angrier. "I've known that Shinobu and Lum have been alright with each other for quite some time. For her to pull something like this means a lot of going about in the dark behind everyone's back! Especially mine!"
"And how do you know that what occured was entirely her fault?"
Hudson looked surprised. "What do you mean?"
Cygni paused a moment to put together her thoughts. "Where the hell do you think Ginkobot has been all this time? Where did she get the damn cruiser from? Zard right? Zard got his equipment from Terra, who got her's from Ginkobot!"
Hudson slowly dropped his weapon as realization dawned on him. "Of course.."
"Wheels within wheels! That dream-bending machine wasn't meant for just this petty struggle, it had a much deeper meaning to it. It's way too advanced!"
"Wuh.. wait.." came a weak voice behind her, as Shinobu tried to recover from her fear. "When I was attacking.. I felt completely in control.. like everything going on was.. my.. decision.."
Cygni turned to her. "Transparent suggestions implemented during some certain time within the last month or so.. or maybe something a bit different from that.. either way, you were doing it even though it wasn't your nature, and yet it still felt natural." She shrugged. "Sorta like being drunk.."
"But how did you figure all this out? And better yet, how do we find out if it's true?" asked Sergei.
"I just put it together now.. it just seems so obvious. Ginkobot's hardly gone, there's been some deep manipulation going on, and..."
She was interrupted by a series of nearby loud screams, followed by a few groans. Cygni and Hudson glanced over to where Lum was still sobbing, with a few paramedics lying nearby, seriously injured.
Cygni's stomach cramped up. "Oh shit, I forgot about that... I'll handle it." She cracked her knuckles and walked over to Lum, feeling certain that bungie jumping into an active volcano would probably be safer than what she was about to do.
("At least you're immune to her lightning attacks, lets just hope there aren't any easily liftable large objects nearby...")
She walked over and knelt down by Lum.
"Listen, nobody's gonna be able to help Ataru if you keep..."
"YOU KILLED MY DARLING!!" was the ear-blasting reply as Lum dropped Ataru and stood up. Cygni rose as well, measuring a few inches larger than Lum at full height. She sighed and winced.
"I know.. I wasn't expecting him to jump me like that.."
The medics that could still walk siezed the opportunity of distraction to grab Ataru and rush him off to the waiting ambulance.
"It's all your fault you.. you...."
"Bitch? Yea, that's about how I'm feeling right now, so why don't you take it out on me?"
Lum let out a loud growl that shook loose some small pebbles of stone nearby
("Get ready, and don't underestimate her.")
"I'm feeling pretty damn shitty right now as well so it's not like I'm just going to stand here and let her pound the living daylights outta me." she replied to the voice, baring her fists and letting loose a small growl of her own.
Sergei, Hudson, and Megane watched as a massive struggle ensued between the two. Sergei winced as Lum landed a harsh series of blows, only to be beaten back by an equally fierce attack.
"Catfight.." muttered Megane, polishing his glasses.
"Uh, shouldn't we try to break it up?" asked Sergei, looking worried.
"If you're able to, you're a better man than I.."
Sergei grumbled at this, but made no attempt to move forward. Hudson continued watching a moment as the fighting pair took the battle to the air, then turned back to Shinobu and Zard, who were still waiting patiently. He sighed, wondering what to do next.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Tuesday, March 21, 2000 - 03:10:
Pretty clever spin, Parias. I've gotta hand it to you...
So what did you cut your teeth on? I started out with Star Trek as a brat; but earned my skills from David Lynch and Stanley Kubrick films before coming to UY and anime.
(RP ON)
Warren collapsed on a conveinantly placed desk. He withdrew a hankerchief from his coat and wiped away some blood from his left nostral.
Megane smiled grimly, "I doubt you're having lewd thoughts just now."
"Mmm? Oh," he chuckled, "its all this dust."
Hudson stood, "Kuroko!"
Fifteen figures jumped up from the shadows of the rubble, the door, several holes in the walls, and two in the ceiling.
Hudson nodded, "Are the injured away?"
"Yes, Hudson-sama," said one from a ceiling hole; directly above Hudson's head.
"Casualities?" Warren whispered.
"Six so far," the Kuroko sadly reported. Shinobu' eyes started welling up with tears again.
"Have they been taken to the medical examiner yet?" Hudson looked above him.
"No, Hudson-sama. I elected to consult you or Ryouko-sama before letting the authorities know."
"And the medics are having enough trouble with the living at the current time..." he clapped his hands; everyone looked up at him, "let's tag 'em and bag 'em boys. Save the parameds some work."
"Yes, Hudson-sama," all at once the Kurokos disappeared except for the one in the hole above Hudson's head.
"Some of the dead's hoods have been lost..."
"Find them, or give them your own if you have to." Shinobu and Zard seemed shocked; as did Sergei.
Hudson's gaze narrowed at the Kuroko above him, "If anyone attempts to interfer; prevent it. Tell the Coroner we'll do all the IDing."
The Kuroko was gone an instant later.
Hudson began approaching Shinobu and Zard as Sergei tapped Megane's shoulder.
"What was that all about?" Sergei nodded towards Hudson.
"It's considered a sign of respect and honor for a Mendou Kuroko to never be unmasked, even in death."
Warren stopped above Shinobu and Zard. "On your feet," he said.
They obeyed. Zard putting his hand on Shinobu' shoulder.
"Do you two require any medical attention?" Hudson asked in a business-like manner.
Zard looked to Shinobu who looked to him; both shook their heads in the negative.
"Listen...I'm sorry...for what happened back there," Hudson danced around his words uncomfortably, "I almost lost Ryouko up there and I don't know what I'd do without her."
Shinobu averted Hudson's gaze and stepped forward quietly, "I should apologize to Ryouko and Shutaro personally..." she trailed off, and glanced up at him.
"Where are your parents, Shinobu?" Hudson asked, his tone a bit softer.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Monday, March 20, 2000 - 10:50:
Woa baby, Diablo 2 Beta signups are now happenin at http://www.blizzard.com/scripts/signup.dll !! Go check it out if you're up to it! Yeeehaw!
(RP ON)
Cygni peeled herself away from Sergei in time to see what was going on.
("It's a tight situation.. you know what you need to do.")
"Yea.. but....... damnit, there's so much going on.. I'm not sure.."
She heard a click as Hudson pulled back on the hammer of the .357, readying it for firing.
("I'd give you about 5 seconds before she's a pile of gore, assuming Zard doesn't do anything. Don't get pushed into a checkmate.")
She looked at Hudson, and swore for a moment she saw fire dancing across his retinas. Then she turned and looked at Shinobu, who's face seemed to have completely drained of colour. Zard was at a loss for what to do, but seemed almost ready to take the bullet. Cygni was between Hudson and Shinobu, just slightly out of the line of fire, with Sergei behind her. He touched her arm and whispered into her ear.
"Do it."
Taking a breath, Cygni took a step forward, blocking Hudson's line of fire.
"Get the hell out of the way Cygni, this has to be done!"
"The hell it does!" she retorted. "Her ship's gone, her armies crushed, her rage gone. Whatever the hell possessed her in the first place to do this isn't there anymore!"
This seemed to only make Hudson angrier. "I've known that Shinobu and Lum have been alright with each other for quite some time. For her to pull something like this means a lot of going about in the dark behind everyone's back! Especially mine!"
"And how do you know that what occured was entirely her fault?"
Hudson looked surprised. "What do you mean?"
Cygni paused a moment to put together her thoughts. "Where the hell do you think Ginkobot has been all this time? Where did she get the damn cruiser from? Zard right? Zard got his equipment from Terra, who got her's from Ginkobot!"
Hudson slowly dropped his weapon as realization dawned on him. "Of course.."
"Wheels within wheels! That dream-bending machine wasn't meant for just this petty struggle, it had a much deeper meaning to it. It's way too advanced!"
"Wuh.. wait.." came a weak voice behind her, as Shinobu tried to recover from her fear. "When I was attacking.. I felt completely in control.. like everything going on was.. my.. decision.."
Cygni turned to her. "Transparent suggestions implemented during some certain time within the last month or so.. or maybe something a bit different from that.. either way, you were doing it even though it wasn't your nature, and yet it still felt natural." She shrugged. "Sorta like being drunk.."
"But how did you figure all this out? And better yet, how do we find out if it's true?" asked Sergei.
"I just put it together now.. it just seems so obvious. Ginkobot's hardly gone, there's been some deep manipulation going on, and..."
She was interrupted by a series of nearby loud screams, followed by a few groans. Cygni and Hudson glanced over to where Lum was still sobbing, with a few paramedics lying nearby, seriously injured.
Cygni's stomach cramped up. "Oh shit, I forgot about that... I'll handle it." She cracked her knuckles and walked over to Lum, feeling certain that bungie jumping into an active volcano would probably be safer than what she was about to do.
("At least you're immune to her lightning attacks, lets just hope there aren't any easily liftable large objects nearby...")
She walked over and knelt down by Lum.
"Listen, nobody's gonna be able to help Ataru if you keep..."
"YOU KILLED MY DARLING!!" was the ear-blasting reply as Lum dropped Ataru and stood up. Cygni rose as well, measuring a few inches larger than Lum at full height. She sighed and winced.
"I know.. I wasn't expecting him to jump me like that.."
The medics that could still walk siezed the opportunity of distraction to grab Ataru and rush him off to the waiting ambulance.
"It's all your fault you.. you...."
"Bitch? Yea, that's about how I'm feeling right now, so why don't you take it out on me?"
Lum let out a loud growl that shook loose some small pebbles of stone nearby
("Get ready, and don't underestimate her.")
"I'm feeling pretty damn shitty right now as well so it's not like I'm just going to stand here and let her pound the living daylights outta me." she replied to the voice, baring her fists and letting loose a small growl of her own.
Sergei, Hudson, and Megane watched as a massive struggle ensued between the two. Sergei winced as Lum landed a harsh series of blows, only to be beaten back by an equally fierce attack.
"Catfight.." muttered Megane, polishing his glasses.
"Uh, shouldn't we try to break it up?" asked Sergei, looking worried.
"If you're able to, you're a better man than I.."
Sergei grumbled at this, but made no attempt to move forward. Hudson continued watching a moment as the fighting pair took the battle to the air, then turned back to Shinobu and Zard, who were still waiting patiently. He sighed, wondering what to do next.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Tuesday, March 21, 2000 - 12:03:
Thanks for the comps >)
As for my roots.. whelp, I got started off on Star Trek as well, along with Star Wars and a whole bunch of other sci-fi stuff.. that's always been my taste >) Got my first lick of anime with Robotech, not to mention I used to read anything I could get my grubby paws on (Battletech novels were good). And as you can see, I'm still honing my skills, this is pretty much my starting point in my writing career (assuming I pursue it further) for me >)
(RP ON)
Shinobu looked surprised. "They're not home?"
Hudson shook his head. "We've had no luck in contacting them.. infact, the house was empty when Ran.... uh.."
She folded her arms. "When Ran WHAT?"
"Never mind, we'll cover that later. But do you have any idea where your parents could be?"
Shinbou muttered to herself, then shook her head again. "I really don't know.. they were there when I last left to take over the Martyr."
"Martyr? So that's the name of the cruiser.. anyways, I suppose your parents probably spooked when you didn't come back and went hunting for you."
Shinobu sighed. "I guess so... can we find them?"
Hudson nodded. "It shouldn't be a problem. But what do you plan to do in regards to the deaths? As was said earlier, this isn't exactly something you walk away from.."
Shinobu shifted uncomfortably. "Um..."
Zard took over. "We've decided that she'll send a personal letter to the fellow family members of each person who died on the UNO. It's the last she can do."
Hudson smiled. "It's a start." He looked over at Sergei, who was scanning the skies with a worried face, wondering where Cygni and Lum had gotten to.
"I'm sure they're alright.. probably needed to vent." offered Hudson.
"If that's her way of venting, I think I'm going to need to have an escape plan ready at all times.." Sergei shuddered.
A loud commotion was heard a few meters away. The group turned to look, only to see a massive pile of dust rising into the air from a large pile of debris. Hudson and Sergei ran over, only to see Cygni and Lum, heavily bruised lying on their backs near each other, gasping for air.
"Dear god, are you alright?" asked Sergei, leaning down to help her up. Cygni grunted and rose to her feet slowly, holding the few cracked ribs she had recieved in the fight. She put on a sly grin.
"Despite our massive injuries, I think we both needed that.. of course, when we finally managed to resolve it peacefully, we were so pooped out that we couldn't fly anymore.." She walked over and helped Lum up as well, who was nursing a large scrape on her leg from the impact.
"We managed to work things out." affirmed Lum, then put on a sour expression. "But did you REALLY have to grab my horns like that?"
Cygni shrugged. "I said I was pissed, sorry."
Sergei chuckled and took her in his arms. "Come on dear, lets get you patched up."
She nodded and turned to Hudson as they walked past. "We'll be down at the hospital in a few hours.. meet us there, I've still got a few extra ideas I wanna share.."
Hudson laughed. "Hah, they'll have to boot me out of there at gunpoint untill I spend at least a day in there with Ryouko!"
The pair walked away from the school, heading for home.
Hudson was about to pursue the matter of Shinobu further when a massive roaring was heard all around as an Oni shuttle and it's fighter escort touched down nearby. He trotted over to see who it was.
The rear hatch of the shuttle slowly swung open, and two elite guards walked out, standing at attention to either side of the shuttle. Then a massive burly Oni, who's size rivaled that of Invader and then some slowly stepped out into the sunlight, some of it refracting off of the shiny silver plate covering his left eye. Hudson smiled.
"Zrugg come see Hudson to make sure everything ok!" boomed the large Oni, flashing a grin.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Wednesday, March 22, 2000 - 08:17:
Hehe, I also draw a little bit from the old Twin Peaks TV series and FF. Not to mention Frank Herbert's books.
(RP ON)
Warren extended his hand out, "Zrugg!" the Oni with deliberate care shook the human's hand.
"It's been a while," Hudson looked back over at the fighter escort, the pilot seemed to be coming out.
"Zrugg need make reports to Invader about incident," he nodded towards the ruined school building.
"Uh..." Hudson stammered. He could not just tell Zrugg that Shinobu and Zard were inside; it would be a disaster in five seconds.
Zrugg looked down speculatively at the human. The Oni and Hudson went back pretty far to the peace negotiations of 1983 and the technology exchanges of '84. Zrugg had been Warren Hudson's host; while an Oni of few words, he did have a certain bluntness of point and a way of getting to what was really important in a discussion.
"Zrugg," Hudson sighed, "Ginkobot is taking us for a ride; with Shinobu-san as a pawn."
Zrugg rumbled, shaking the ground under Warren's feet, "Brainwashing?!?"
"Something..." Hudson stumbled; held balance, "...much more insidious."
Zrugg's escort walked up then; Warren knew who it was before he took his helmet off.
"Hi Rei."
"Hi." Rei held out his right palm in front of him while eating Tomobiki Ginza cotton candy from the other.
Zrugg smiled, "Lieutenant Rei is leader Concussion Squadron!!!" the big Oni stomped a few times gleefully.
Rei reached inside his flight suit a moment and produced an elegant letter; not one of Ryouko's, Hudson could see.
"You...from Ran-chan," Rei took another mouthful of cotton candy and began walking back to his fighter.
Hudson looked down at the letter, addressed to him from Ran; the writing in English.
"Zrugg go bye-bye to see Captain January," he looked over at the hole in the school where Hudson had appeared out of.
Warren followed the Oni's gaze to where Lum was accepting the help of some paramedics into a nearby ambulance.
"Does Princess Lum need Oni Doctors?" Zrugg looked down.
"We already have more than a few here on tour or something," Hudson chuckled.
Zrugg grinned and returned to his shuttle.
Hudson went back into what was left of Onsen-Mark's classroom to find it empty. Warren walked around the room a few times wistully until he noticed hastily scrawled writing on a desk in heavy black marker.
Hudson,
Ataru's parents showed up while you were talking to that Oni dragging Cherry and Sakura with them and started freaking out. Nice run-on sentence, eh?
Warren smacked his forehead and uttered a phrase sounding akin to "motherflapper," from a distance.
I, Shinobu, Zard, and the rest have been dragged down to the hospital to check on Ataru and Lum. See you there.
Sincerely,
Megane
Hudson smiled at Megane's trademark signature; the diagram of his glasses.
Silently he left the school and began flagging down police cars, ambulances, or any other vehicle he could have take him down to the hospital. Suddenly he remembered the Kuroko fan, he opened it and had a car with a driver in three minutes.
Once Hudson was sitting in the car he relaxed for the first time in a week. He then felt pain, lots of it from the accumulated stress on his muscles. He drew Ran's letter out, opened it, and nearly screamed.
Dear Warren Hudson,
You're total debt is 53,000 of your American dollars and payment is due by the end of the month. Just thought you'd like to know!
Love,
Ran
Hudson wondered whether Ran was giggling or growling when she wrote the letter.
(RP ON)
-
By Parias on Wednesday, March 22, 2000 - 11:42:
ROFL, that's good! >)
(RP ON)
A few hours later, the group was assembled in Ryouko/Lum's room in the hospital. By special request, the pair had been put in the same large room so that the gang could go about matters with litte fuss.
Cygni took up station by the window and began unveiling her ideas.
"..Ok, so as I was saying earlier, Ginkobot's so called 'dream machine' probably has quite a deeper meaning than what Shinobu.. er.. had in mind for it." Shinobu shifted her feet uncomfortably, but said nothing.
"So what's your idea?" asked Shutaro.
"That's where the complications begin. I have no idea what the direct intention was, but it's evident that those of us who were exposed to the device have come away different somehow. It wouldn't simply be something so complex that you get in and out of it, no problems. I've got a gut feeling that we've got something on us Ginkobot may end up using later..."
Lum nodded from her post by Ataru's bed. "Sakura looked over us... but she found nothing."
Sakura affirmed. "Absolutely no traces that we could find that anything is different.. I checked everything I could think of."
Hudson sighed. "I'm inclined to agree with you.. But the question is, what do we do from here?"
"Wait for results I'd imagine... unless anybody else has a better idea?" She looked around the room, but everyone else shook their head or just shrugged.
A small commotion was raised by Lum as Ataru began to groan and work his way back to consciousnous. He slowly opened his eyes.. only to see a female face with green hair behind it. That was enough to freak him out and cause him to go unconscious again. Lum looked confused.
"I thought darling would be happy to see me!"
Cygni frowned. "Lum, we look exactly the same, and since his last real conscious image was of me.."
"Ohhhh...."
Ataru began to stir again. "Maybe you two should wait outside.." suggested Hudson. Cygni nodded and walked out of the room, Lum following a moment after, casting one last longing look at her darling.
Outside, Cygni walked over to a nearby pop dispenser and put in a couple of coins, then grabbed the two colas that dropped out, handing one to Lum. They leaned against the wall at opposite sides of the door, saying nothing for the first few moments.
"Hey... sorry again about that shooting thing.. I can't believe I lost control like that.."
Lum grinned and pointed to the small bandage around Cygni's ribs. "It's ok, I got you for that one. But really, it's alright, I forgive you."
("That makes one of you.. when are you going to get rid of the guilt? Don't tell me, sometime within the next 3 years?")
"When I need your snide comments, I'll ask for 'em." replied Cygni to the voice, putting on a frown. Lum noticed.
"What is it?"
Cygni was caught off-guard. "Huh? Oh, uh, sorry, just a lot on my mind.." she stammered out, coughing into her hand.
The door opened and Hudson poked his head out. "Alright, I think he's calmed down enough now... we explained what happened."
Cygni pointed to the door and looked at Lum. "You first."
She nodded and slowly walked in. Cygni waited a moment to make sure that there wasn't any loud screaming or lightning bolts flashing around, then followed in shortly after. Ataru greeted her with a frown.
"Sorry." she muttered.
"I can't believe you shot me! What were you thinking?"
"Hey I SAID I was sorry! And what were YOU thinking, jumping me like that when I was so damn tense?" Cygni growled and bared her fists. Hudson laid a hand on her shoulder.
"Now Cygni.. you already look like Lum, isn't that enough?"
After Lum gave Hudson a death stare, Cygni nodded and slowly backed down, finishing off her cola and tossing it into the nearby waste bin and resuming her position by the window, still frowning.
"Oh darling, I'm so glad you're okay!" said Lum, grinning widely and kneeling down beside Ataru's bed. "But you shouldn't be so mad.. she really didn't mean it. And anyways, I already made sure that she was really sorry!"
Ataru looked surprised. "How?"
Lum sniggered and pointed to Cygni's bandage. Ataru glanced over and began laughing as well, then stopped when his sides began to ache and stared at Lum.
"You were really that worried about me?"
"Of course darling, what did you expect? After all this time..."
They were interrupted when Sergei, who had told the group earlier that he would catch up in a couple of hours burst in, panting and, as was starting to become his habit, out of air.
"Wedding.. tomorrow....." he gasped, then stopped a moment to let himself catch some air. "It's all set!" he pronounced after a minute. All eyes turned to Sergei, then to Cygni for her reaction.
Her expression slowly went from the frown she adopted to a sort of half-smile, then something of utter shock. "Tomorrow? Isn't that a bit early? Damn, I'm hardly even ready!"
Sergei looked at her carefully. "We've saved each other's asses quite a few times, been involved in the biggest explosion I've seen in awhile, survived a massive attack, and you're still not ready?"
Cygni thought a moment.
"....Good point, lets go! Catch you guys later!" She rushed out the door, Sergei right behind her.
Hudson stared out at the empty hallway incrediously for a moment.
"Tomorrow? Something tells me he's been planning this all along..."
Megane noticed a white envelope that had been hastily dropped onto the table. He picked it up and scanned the subject.
"Well, as I figured, we're invited.... and hey, what's this?"
Megane pulled out a large cheque, confused. Then he tripped over his own feet and landed on the hard floor with a thud, gasping for air.
"What's wrong Megane?" demanded Hudson.
"Big.... cheque..." he grunted, weakly waving it in the air. Hudson snatched it out of his hands and looked it over. His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when he saw the amount.
"Seventy thousand dollars?!" wheezed Hudson, aghast. He carefully tore off the small note attached and glanced at it.
Hudson-
Since it was such a pain in the ass to get that mess on Ran's ship cleaned up, and since she's no doubt going to get you to try and cover the costs, I decided to loan you a bit of the cash that Cygni had left over to help out.. sort of a payback for helping me get her back. I'm sure she won't mind. Hope this is enough!
-Sergei Grana
Ex-Officer, Under New Ownership
"Where do you get all this money?" groaned Megane, struggling to his feet. "And better yet, can I have some?" He cracked a fiendish grin, and Ataru, overhearing, followed suit.
(RP OFF)
Hope you don't mind me moving things along a little quicker here, since I don't wanna keep my buddy waiting for TOO much longer.. hehe
Also, have I posted Sergei's last name before? I seem to recall that I have, but I scrolled around a bit and couldn't find any mention of it.. just worried about consistency >)
-
By Jocko on Thursday, March 23, 2000 - 05:00:
No you didn't post his last name. I've meaning to have Hudson ask Sergei, Hayes or the redneck UNO engineer why they have so many similarities to Earth culture.
You know, Hudson asking the redneck if he's from Montgomery, Alabama or something.
(RP ON)
Mujaki, Kintaro, and Jariten showed up after Cygni and Sergei left.
The magic-deprived dream demon sat down with his young companions between Ryouko and Lum's bed.
Ryouko was still unconcious after surgery; but everyone was relived that she would not need casts. The Oni medical techniques had worked its wonders; just a few hours of bone regeneration, some microscopic laser work and Ryouko would be back at the mansion and her own bed by 8:00PM sharp.
Warren had taken to a seat next to her bed. An Oni nurse had stopped by to examine him, recommending that he take a shower, sleep a day, and get himself a good meal.
"And so..." Mujaki intoned, "I believe that this Ginkobot fellow kidnapped my son from under Mendou's Tarouzakura in order to harness my baby's power to interpret and grant dreams and subconcious desires."
"He's done that," Sakura and Ataru nodded, "but what about what happened to Shinobu?"
"Uh," Mujaki took his hat off, "merely an extension of the same principal, Ma'am."
Kintaro and Ten were picked up by Lum and gently rocked in her arms; obviously tired.
Mujaki continued, "Dr. Ginkobot has corrupted my son into amplifying the emotions jealousy, disatisfaction, and anger in selected individuals."
Hudson frowned, "You say amplify, Mujaki. Am I to take it that these emotions have to be already present in the target?"
"Yes, sir." Mujaki wiped his brow and put his hat back on.
Outside in the hall a Doctor Yamazaki was talking to Master and Madame Mendou and Mr. and Mrs. Moroboshi.
"Doctor," Ataru's father spoke, "when will Ataru be ready to come home?"
Yamazaki sighed, pursed his lips, "we would like to hold him a few days for observation."
Madame Mendou stepped forward, "What about Ryouko-chan and Hudson-san?"
"Ryouko will be discharged at 7:30," the doctor smiled, "she'll just be sore and tired for a few days."
Ataru's mother wondered just why Ryouko Mendou would be going home tonight while her little boy would have to stay.
Yamazaki pressed on, "Ambassador Hudson will need rest and lots of it. Honestly I'm surprised that he hasn't collapsed from exhaustion already. And I'm worried about all the American officials waiting outside for him and the press."
Ataru's mother raised her hand and bowed, "Doctor, it may not be my place, but why is Mendou-sama going home tonight?"
The Mendou parents frowned and glared slightly at Mrs. Moroboshi.
Yamazaki didn't miss a beat, "Ryouko-sama only broke her legs and sprained an ankle, Moroboshi-san. Your son was shot by a high powered alien rifle." Yamazaki bowed and walked off down the hall.
Ataru's mother lowered her head in momentary shame.
Just then Bakuto walked by mumbling something about missing out on all the action and the "fiendish Ataru."
Across town, in an alley behind the Mach-Speed Noodle stand, five figures stood and chuckled.
Chibi greedily counted the American dollars the Highland High duo had forked over while Perm and Kakugari nodded dreamily in time with each dollar.
Butthead handed Beavis a large, glossy, colored photo.
"Beavis, Lum's boobs..." Butthead said quietly, chuckling.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Thursday, March 23, 2000 - 11:02:
Mmm.. yea.. be some interesting details to work out >)
(RP ON)
Later that evening, while the sun was setting and casting an orange hue across the town, Cygni set down on a small resting area overlooking the town of Tomobiki. There were few people around, aside from the occasional person stopping by the store a ways behind her. She walked over to the railing and spent a few moments just staring at the sights.
"Where the hell did I go wrong?" she asked to nobody in particular with a sigh.
("Wrong? You've saved a hell of a lot of lives, have a lot of money, about to get married tomorrow...")
"Yea but I'm starting to realize how screwed up it is. I mean, a few months ago I was just some geek trying to make a living.. this whole sex-change issue has flipped over my life from day one. And then there's the marriage thing..."
("Whatever's left of your old life is pretty much behind now. I doubt you'd have anything to worry about.")
"But it's gonna feel so damn wierd, I mean, inside I'm still a guy, sort of, and then I've got a female side that seemed to just come with the body... ARGH! I'm not gay damnit!" She yelled out the last part and slammed her fist into the railing in frustration, bruising it in the process.
"Something bothering you?" came a familiar voice from behind. She gasped and whirled around, staring into Sergei's smiling face.
"How long have you been here damnit?"
"Just arrived.. I figured I'd find you up here."
"You didn't overhear anything.."
He chuckled. "Hah hah, no, and considering the way you just dented that railing, I think that's a tad fortunate."
She looked over at the place she had smashed in surprise, and saw that there was quite a a noticable indent.
"Gargh." she simply said, looking out over the town again.
"A penny for your thoughts." Sergei offered. Cygni laughed.
"All the frikken money in the world probably wouldn't be enough to get even a vague idea of my thoughts, or most of them anyways...."
"Worried?"
"Not too much.. just working out a few issues."
Sergei walked up besider her and steaded himself against the railling, joining her endless gazing across the town.
"Are you sure you want to go through with this? It's as much my wedding as it is yours, and I can't do this alone..."
Cygni thought a moment, hard.
"Lesse.. I'll be devoting my life to living with another male, despite the fact that I was a male myself a few months ago, although nobody really knows that yet.. and I suppose that if things DO go wrong, I can just get a divorce.." She cracked a small grin at her thoughts.
("Face it, you're a female now, and from the looks of it you don't have any real intention of going back anytime soon, assuming you could without problems. Go for it, you don't have much to loose, and you can't live your life solo.")
After a few more moments, Cygni slowly nodded. "Alright, I'm in." She turned and drew a bit closer. "..But we'll discuss the 'intimacies" of our relationship later..."
Sergei's smile got wider and he nodded in return. "I'm glad you took the time to think it through. Wouldn't want you diving in without knowing what you were doing."
They turned and headed back towards the road that would lead back to Tomobiki. A ways nearby the place they had chatted, a figure trotted up and sniggered. He examined the dent in the railing with one hand, while looking at the wedding invitation he had recieved in the other.
"Wow.. doing this could be rather hazardous to my health.." he muttered, eyeballing the damage closely. "But the world must know of this injustice!" With some semblance of glee, he also headed down the road that would take him back to Tomobiki, skipping merrily.
(RP OFF)
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By Jocko on Friday, March 24, 2000 - 05:07:
I've been theorizing about a couple story ideas....okay, first Cygni gives Megane a nice chunk of change.
I have a straight comedy idea, a love-potion raygun arrives in Tomobiki and changes hands several times. What if both Benten and Oyuki get hit by the beam and think they're in love with Warren?
More of a drama idea, Benten gambles herself into a hole and needs money fast. She can't go to Lum, Oyuki, or Ran. So she goes to Megane, and he says yes, but wants her to be his girlfriend for a month.
(RP ON)
9:52PM
That evening after Ryouko had been discharged from the hospital, Warren and Megane went to the Tomobiki Police. They got good news; apparently several records had been lost so they just decided to let Megane off with a warning and a 50,000 yen fine.
"My parents are still gonna castrate me, right?" he asked as Hudson and he sat in the backseat of a Kuroko BMW.
"Look," Warren sighed, "if you keep your nose somewhat clean I'll...vouch for you or something if they ask questions."
"Thanks," Megane looked out the window. He looked down, "it means a lot to me."
"So what are you going to do now?"
"Hhm?"
"Megane," Hudson gazed out the window at the passing Tomobiki scenery, "from what I know you've been jacking yourself off with this whole 'Lum's Stormtroopers' deal for the past two years!"
For a long time Megane was silent, "what can I say? I love her."
"Yeah," Hudson looked back over to Megane; still looking out the window, "damn near everyone in the world knows that, Megane. But I don't think you should be doing this to yourself."
"Doing what?" Megane glanced to Hudson.
Hudson gestured around him, "it's...it's an effing brick wall, Megane."
"Oh yeah," anger tinged Megane's voice, "like you're one to talk," he poined across the backseat. "You tamed Ryouko Mendou and you're old enough-"
"-To be your grandfather," Warren groaned, "yeah, that's my selling point this year..."
"I mean, I've given Lum EVERTHING, that I am and beyond. And...and it wasn't worth shit to her!"
"Oh come on, Megane!" Hudson said annoyed, "she considers you her friend."
"So what?" Megane clenched his fists, "during all the times Ataru treated her without concern; I didn't. I respected and loved her from Act One Scene Two!"
"That's the thing about love, sometimes it doesn't happen for the one's who earn it," Hudson said quietly.
Megane glanced back at him viciously, "again, what do you know of it?"
Warren looked up at the car's ceiling. "Because I did the Stormtrooper thing myself; but longer."
"W-what...?" Megane blinked.
"When I was younger than you are now, I was in love with a girl named Jessica Daniels," Hudson smiled wistfully. "She was popular, pretty, and seemed quite nice."
Megane looked down, "when was this...?"
"I pursued her from 1938 to 1942."
"Shit..." Megane marveled.
"Yes," Hudson's eyes started to water, "I used to help her everyday with school work. Whenever she needed a pencil, sheet of paper, money," Hudson had begun ticking off the points on his fingers, "test answers, or even completed assignments..."
"By Buddha..." Megane shook his head.
"I had it terrible, I asked her out to a dance. She refused, but said she still liked me. I then thought, 'hey, if I get to know her more, she'll come around.'"
Now it was Warren's turn to clench his fists. "After four years I found out she never even liked me after I had made a complete ass of myself acting like her knight in shining armor."
Megane reached out had put a hand on Warren's shoulder. Hudson continued, "I said I loved her," he laughed sarcastically, "and she had her popular boyfriend and his friends attempt to beat me up."
"Attempt...?"
"Already by this time I was a tough little bastard and a student of eastern thought," Hudson gave a triumphant little smile, "I lead everyone on, I acted like a meek little scholar all the time until that glorious day on April 29th, 1942 when I was jumped near Gary Russel's barn."
"You won?" Megane smiled.
"Three against one," Warren blushed happily. "Pricks never KNEW what hit 'em!"
"What then?" Megane asked.
"The war and the Marines for ten years then...Lucilla." Hudson smiled.
"No one in between?"
"A few grateful British and French prostitutes but..." the American shrugged.
"What about after your wife died, but before Ryouko-sama?"
Hudson shook his head, "Ryouko gave me my heart back, to put it simply. She made my life...fun again."
Megane looked out the window again, "two years ago Lum-san came to Earth," he said reverently, "I didn't have much reason to be happy then. I was just another geek on a University fast-track...but Lum showed me there was something more worth fighting for in life; an intangible *something* peeking around the corners of everyday existance. She simply made everything better and more real for me and everyone on this planet. And yet through it all," Megane removed his glasses as his eyes teared up, "she was always just a woman. All I ever wanted was her."
Hudson nodded silently, and clasped Megane's shoulder, "are you going to be all right?"
"Probably not, but I'll try not to destroy public property or shoot anyone while I'm at it."
And at that they both laughed.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Friday, March 24, 2000 - 11:01:
Those ideas almost sound like something I'd expect to see in an average episode of UY! Look forward to seeing em in the future >)
Nice insight into Hudson's past by the way, you're pretty good at doing that stuff.
(RP ON)
Cygni awoke from a restless night at 5 AM the next morning, and, lacking anything better to do, decided to hop on the computer and surf around a little. Out of pure curiosity on how their new bank account was doing, she pulled up the page, logged in, and nearly fell out of her chair in surprise. She could hear Sergei climbing out of bed from upstairs.
"Sergei?" she yelled. "You wouldn't happen to know why $70,000 has mysteriously vanished from my bank account, would you?"
Apparently barely managing to stay awake, Sergei slowly walked down the stairs while struggling a black shirt on. He walked over and glanced at the screen. Cygni gave him a glare.
"Well?"
"Uh.. mis-calucation I'd imagine?" he replied, shrugging sheepishly.
"Sergei!" She sighed and stood up, laying a delicate hand on his shoulder. He stifled a shudder.
"..Listen. If you're going to go around handing out massive mounds of cash, at least make it easy for me to handle the math with! One hundred thousand would have been a bit easier to calculate than seventy." She grinned.
Sergei gave a sour look. "You enjoy doing that, don't you?"
"Get some coffee, we've got a big day ahead." She turned and sat back down at the computer, still smiling.
In downtown Tomobiki, things were already bustling along. Workmen were attempting to rebuild the destroyed sections of the school under Onsenmark's screaming orders while cleanup crews moved away the debris. Sunlight was already illuminating over the city, despite the fact that it was December, and a cold breeze began sweeping around.
Inside of Ataru's room in the Hospital, where Lum had elected to stay untill he was released, Lum was awake wide and early, making a commotion while searching around through some of her packs. Ataru grumbled and slowly woke up, then inquired as to what was going on.
"We've got to give Cygni a gift for her wedding, but I just don't know what to get! The best thing I can think of is this..." She held up a small pink figure that vaguely resembled Sergei. "All I need is a strand of his hair."
Ataru groaned. "Giving one of those, especially to Cygni, could be chaos! Are you nuts?"
Lum glared. "If you have a better idea, lets hear it!"
Ataru thought a moment. "Well.. uhh.. we could go into town and buy her something.." He cracked a small grin. "Or maybe we could get Cherry to.."
She smacked him across the face with a nearby book. "Don't even mention Cherry, I still remember that so called 'gift' you gave me two years ago!"
They continued arguing, much to the annoyance of the sleeping occupants around the hospital. It took 3 nurses to quiet them down.
(RP OFF)
Still working on where the wedding is gonna take place.. any suggestions? You're probably way more familiar with Tomobiki than I am >)
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By Jocko on Saturday, March 25, 2000 - 05:15:
As for my ideas, these would work better as stand-alone fictions than rpg storylines. Also, I need to write Megane and Sakaguchi's drug-addled trip to a ski resort and their "attempts" to stay on the straight and narrow. Basically, my rip-off of Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas as this thread was originally intended.
For the wedding...there's Sakura's shrine! There's also a church or two in Tomobiki-Cho. But the design for the city changes according to whatever a particular episode or movie demands.
Hell, Takahashi's design for the exterior of the High School is dull as a mud fence compared to Mamoru Oshii's.
If there's going to be a wedding song we could all have the characters break into fits of old Devo tunes...but fairly new in the UY timeline.
Animeigo is releasing UY TV24 this Tuesday...if all goes well we'll have up to episode 106 by year's end!
BTW, who do you think Hudson should look like? Harvey Keitel, Michael Douglas, or Kirk Douglas twenty odd years ago? I still think Keitel has the best all around picture and voice.
(RP ON)
7:26AM November 14th, Wednesday.
Kotatsu-Neko was sitting down with Cherry for breakfast in the latter's vacant lot.
On the Menu for today was two discarded Egg McMuffins cooked in stew. A pretty good breakfast, as usual things go for Cherry when he can't get into the Moroboshi household.
"All right, Kota-chan," Cherry licked his chops, "Just you wait..." Kotatsu put a bib on.
Various hyper-chuckling was heard as Beavis and Butthead walked in front of the lot on the sidewalk. Holding a photo in front of them entranced.
Cherry and the ghost cat watched for a moment, shrugged, and turned back to breakfast.
"It's fate..." Cherry muttered to Kotatsu.
Mendou Mansion...
Ryouko woke slowly to the distant sound of running water in her spacious bathroom. Her legs were still sore, but she could walk as she found out. She groaned as she threw the covers back and slowly got out of bed. Slightly intrigued that the hospital gown she arrived back home in was replaced by one of her pink nightgowns.
Last night was a blur of conciousness, Hudson, dull pain, Warren leaving, sleep, Hudson coming back; requiring help from a Kuroko to get his cloths off, then joining her in bed, kissing her goodnight with a three-day beard growth, wrapping his arms around her gently, then drifting off himself.
Ryouko looked at the large clock on the other end of her bedroom wall facing the bed's occupant. It read 7:30AM.
With deliberate care Ryouko moved across her room towards the bathroom. As she got closer she could faintly hear music on a tape player hooked up to the bathroom intercom, once she arrived at the door she could place the song as "Working In The Coal Mine," by Devo.
She smiled, Hudson had gone to great lengths to introduce her to his eclectic taste in music. Ranging from old American Country and Western, to New Wave and Heavy Metal. With stops in the middle for Southern Rock and special emphasis on Texas rockabilly, punk, and blues.
Not to mention the fact that Hudson was an avid fan of a few select Idol Singers...
"These days you can literally hear eight different types of unique music from one end of Texas to another," he had told her.
Warren could literally go on for hours on the merits of each.
Ryouko found the door unlocked, she grinned slyly, and opened it.
Inside she found Warren sitting on the floor of the six person shower stall seemingly meditating; naked. 'Well, of course,' Ryouko told herself, 'Hudson hasn't been drinking recently.'
He noticed her after a few seconds; smiled warmly.
"Good morning, Ryouko-chan," he stood. "Shouldn't you be sleeping? Not walking? Did I wake you? How do you feel?" Hudson asked rapidly; worried.
"Yes you did wake me. I feel better, thank you," she smiled looking at Hudson; in more ways than one.
"Uh, Ryouko-chan? What time is it?" Warren blushed.
"7:30, why?"
Warren seemed ashamed, "I, uh, came in her at six...I guess I lost track of time."
Ryouko laughed, "that's all right. How long have you been in there?"
"Well," he sat back down on the floor, "I woke up, discovering I really smelled horrible; didn't want to offend you. I came in here with the intention of taking a quick shower, discovered I looked like a North Michigan hobo with a beard bordering on alcoholic trim."
Warren motioned to himself, "and here I am."
Ryouko waved her finger at him as if to admonish him for dodging the question, "but how long have you been sitting on the shower floor meditating?"
"That's a difficult question..." he sighed. "I'll pay this month's water bill for your room," he snickered. Knowing full well that the Mendou Estate had its own water supply with purification plants thus making a water bill a moot point.
Warren noticed Ryouko's unsteady posture. "I really think you should sit down, Ryouko."
She nodded, smiling slyly, pulling her nightgown over her head.
Delicately Ryouko walked into the spacious shower and let Warren help her to the ground beside him; taking special care of her legs.
She snuggled up close to him, sighing happily.
Hudson hid his amusement, saying nonchalantly, "Not exactly what I had in mind, but workable," as if appraising a new luxury car with a bad starter.
"You can catch me up on current events while I wash your back..." Ryouko smiled devilishly as she grabbed a handcloth and soap.
"Cygni and Sergei are busy planning, saying we'll know all the particulars about the wedding when they work them out."
Hudson winced slightly as Ryouko gently scrubbed the place where a German bullet got him over forty years before when he had been a military journalist doing a quick one-hundred words on a group of fifty Marines guarding a well on an insignificant French farm...
Ryouko frowned at the noticeable scars that Hudson had on his back from his childhood and young adulthood. Warren had told her that they had been a lot more prominent and painful before Sorceress Lucilla started a years-long healing process.
"How's Megane-san?" Ryouko asked merrily. She knew Warren had gone with Megane to talk to the police.
"He's off the hook. They just slapped him with a 50,000 yen fine, confiscated the weapon, and gave him a citation. Megane's a bit broken up about the rifle, his Great Uncle gave it to him."
Ryouko nodded, "maybe I can have Big Brother talk to the authorities..."
"Gee, I don't know," Hudson sighed, "I mean, I love guns and all that, but Megane DID break a law with that particular gun and I kind of feel, if only as a symbolic punishment, that the rifle should've been confiscated."
Ryouko stopped, "did you tell Megane that?"
"Yes, and he agreed. Besides, it's not like he probably doesn't have another, or can't get one in this town when he needs it."
"True," Ryouko agreed, Tomobiki was frequently called the firearm capital of Japan.
"I have an idea for what we can go to the wedding as if Sergei and Cygni decide to do a costume party type idea..."
Ryouko stopped scrubbing, "Costume party wedding?"
"Yes," Hudson glanced back at her, "they seem pretty desperate for ideas. I was thinking we could go as Mr. and Mrs. Death," Hudson chuckled.
Ryouko smiled, she had a companion death disguise made for Hudson for the Mendou Halloween bash two weeks ago.
After a minute Warren reached across to Ryouko's free hand; gently brushing against her breasts in the process.
Warren stopped, "my turn," he stood and sat behind Ryouko. He began scrubbing in silence; the doctor had pulled him aside at the hospital telling him to lay off any "extraneous intimate contact" with Ryouko for a few days; saying Hudson would understand.
Truth be told, the difference in their sizes always bothered Hudson. Ryouko stood more than a head shorter than his six feet, there was also the question of weight, Hudson being a muscular 200 pounds to Ryouko's 100 pounds soaking wet.
"I'm...sorry, Warren-kun," Ryouko said quietly.
"No, don't be sorry, we'll just have to be careful for a few days, then I'd like us to take a week off and go stay in my house in Lincoln. I have a stack of Wall Street Journals at the post office with my name on it and I need to have a decent Kansas City steak."
Ryouko giggled, "How different is that part of your country?"
"Hmm, not excessively. But you can see ten miles or more in either direction. Hardly any trees, no hills."
After a while Ryouko said, "I heard Ataru-sama's mother thought I was getting preferencial treatment from the doctors..."
"That woman and her husband bother me," Hudson said, "they make TV movies-of-the-week about parents like that back in the States."
Hudson finished washing Ryouko's back as he noticed that the song on the tape player had changed to Devo's "Through Being Cool."
"Megane-san and I ending up at Kanzaki's eating beef-bowl playing this on the jukebox, over and over, from 10:10 to 11:24PM. Singing along. Megane figured it fit his situation."
Ryouko turned in his arms, "didn't anyone complain?"
Hudson shook his head, "you've never been to Kanzaki's during the graveyard shift. We were *encouraged* by Kanzaki and the two other salary men there to stay longer! And sing a couple Blondie songs with them..."
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Saturday, March 25, 2000 - 11:48:
After checking out a few pics for the various persons described, I'm inclined to agree.. Keitel looks pretty good.
Glad to hear that Animego is starting to crank out more stuff... man, I still gotta score me that DVD player >)
(RP ON)
Later that morning, as classes began, the students of Onsenmark's room began to shuffle in, glancing around slightly in surprise. Instead of the usual wall on the left with windows, there was a massive grey/reddish panelling in place, with some burnt out consoles and whatnot still attached. A few repair men were busily working away at it, from both inside and outside.
As the class took their respective seats, Onsenmark himself finally entered. He took one look at the wall and began yelling at one of the repair men.
"What the hell is the meaning of this?!"
"Uh, well, we couldn't find any remaining parts of the wall left, and since it'll be a few days untill the new parts and materials arrive, we decided to jury-rig something.. of course, if you'd prefer, we could just take it down and leave you in freezing cold.." The burly man shrugged while his comrades laughed.
"Don't get smart with me! If I don't see a REAL wall back soon, I'll-" He was cut off when a snowflake fell from a hole in the ceiling and landed on his head, followed by several others.
Slowly, his fist closed around the pen he was holding, snapping it in half. His pure anger seemed to be far sufficient to melt the snow into a wet mess that dribbled down his head and onto the floor. Quickly, one of the repair men grabbed a roll of duct tape and a ladder, climbed up, and applied the entire roll to the hole, completely sealing it and then some. Noting that Onsenmark was on the verge of exploding, he motioned to his buddies.
"Uh, guys, I think we should be heading out now.."
They nodded and quickly scuttled out of the room, slamming the door behind them.
Onsenmark fumed for a few moments, then turned to Megane, a devilish look on his face.
"Megane.. how wonderful of you to FINALLY join us.. your absence these past few days has caused quite a pile-up of homework..." He pointed to a large stack of papers sitting on his desk. "I'd suggest you devote the next few weeks on getting caught up."
Megane was about to issue a rebuttal, but then recalled what had happened the last time he had. Swallowing his remarks, he wordlessly stood up, grabbed the papers off of the desk, and put them in his pack, then returned to his seat.
Class then began in their normal fasion for that day, at least as normal as could be considered. Morale was slightly lower though, thanks to the absence of Ataru and Lum, the former of who was expected to be released later that day.
Cygni was walking through Tomobiki to clear her head and prepare for the day when she suddenly heard a loud scream behind her. Instinctively she ducked as a figure came flying over her head, landing a few meters in front. She rose to her full height and took a close look at her attacker, only to recognize it as Ryuunosuke's father. She gave a sour look while he chuckled.
"You have good reflexes.."
"Shouldn't you be picking on that tomboy or something? I'm a bit too tired at the moment to put any effort into a fight."
"I'd doubt that, I've seen your skills. Come on, show me what you've got!"
"What the hell's with him all of a sudden?" she asked herself.
("Either he's gone off the deep end or just bored out of his skull. Just remember, him being male, you can take him out with minimal effort.")
"Ahh.. right.." She continued her frown, letting nothing slip. "I told you I'm a bit too tired, so if you'll just get out of my damn way.."
He let out a yell and ran towards her, leaping high into the air. Cygni promptly rolled forward, then brought her leg up behind her, impacting her heel into his groin. He yelled in pain and plowed head first into the ground, holding his crotch with both hands and groaning. Cygni offered no more than a secondary glance, then continued on her way, wondering if the whole world was starting to go to hell again.
Back at her household, Sergei was busy making calls like no tomorrow, arranging for an oversized cake, specially shaped to his specifications, various services, and many other things. His original statement that it was "all set" was a tad of an overstatement, but he had confidence that things would work out. He fumbled around the map, trying to figure out a location and scratching his head.
"Damn, I never was good at this stuff.."
He looked anxiously between the phone, to which he wanted to call someone slightly more experienced in this matter, the fridge, which held the salvation to his complaining stomach, and the bathroom, which he sought to empty his overloaded bladder into. Taking a worried glance at the clock, which read 10 AM, he decided to do all three at once, grabbing the portable phone and a slice of pizza and rushing off to the bathroom, phone book under his shoulder.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Saturday, March 25, 2000 - 20:51:
Yeah, AE is getting back on their feet with the Macross TV set!
Keitel is the man, and looking like pretty good for 60+, exactly what I was aiming at for Hudson. A man who refuses to act his age with style.
I wonder what would happen if Beavis and Butthead were forced to attend Tomobiki High and had to put on those Japanese High School uniforms...
(RP ON)
Sakura sat at her desk in the clinic with Cherry on the table eating a bag of chips.
The phone rang and Sakura picked it up absently.
"Tomobiki High School, Nurse's Office, how can I help you?"
Cherry looked up as Sakura's face contorted into anger.
"YOU TELL HIM THAT HE CAN'T HAVE ICE-CREAM FOR EVERY MEAL!!!"
Sakura slammed the phone down. Cherry burped, "Ataru harassing Yamazaki-san again?"
"Damn him! He told the hospital that I was his practicing physician!"
Cherry muttered about fate and began to pray but received a punch in the nose from Sakura. Greedily Sakura thiefed the bag of chips from Cherry's hands and began morosely munching.
Meanwhile in the Principal's Office...
"And so..." the Principal said softly to his guest, "that is what happened this week."
Tsubame Ozuno shook his head, "Some story, Sensei, some story..."
Kotatsu-Neko puffed his pipe, and began motioning towards the Japanese translated "New York Times" sitting on the Principal's kotatsu.
Sakura's fiance gingerly reached out and picked up the paper; he gasped. "My God...!"
"Exactly what Kota-chan and I thought," the Principal and ghost cat nodded.
Back in Onsen-Mark's room...
English class had begun, Onsen filed down the rows reading, "Mr. Paddington walked into the general store...he ordered six gallons of ice-cream from Mr. Collins..." and so on.
Ryuunosuke leaned back in her chair, spying across the room to Megane, back to Shutaro, then over to Cygni's Stormtroopers.
All in all, missing were Shinobu, Ataru, and Lum.
Lunch arrived and Megane stood up against the wall talking to Sakura.
"How're things?" Megane asked as he sipped a bottle of water.
"Tsubame's back from Alaska..." Sakura smiled, "Ataru will be leaving the hospital this afternoon."
"So Mrs. Moroboshi did twist a few arms," Megane chuckled.
"Mine included," Sakura grimaced. "Shinobu is hunting for her parents with the police. I haven't heard anything from her since she left the hospital last night."
The Nurse gesticulated towards Shutaro, who wasn't even touching his lunch. "Shutaro seems to be more than a little worried about her. He went to the hospital this morning to talk to Lum-chan about contacting Inaba somehow in the Room of Destiny."
Across the room, Chibi, Perm, and Kakugari were giggling and avoiding looking at their former leader.
Sakura lowered her voice more than normal, "and your former cohorts seem to've sold a picture of Lum from the first tag race to Beavis and Butthead..."
Megane groaned, "I suppose the dynamic duo didn't realize that they could've just gone through ANY old newspapers and gotten the same picture?"
Sakura simply shrugged.
"I've already...replaced..." Megane's head hung low, "most of my Lum Otaku equipment."
The School Nurse nodded, "it's a start. You don't need three huge posters of her."
"I'm keeping a couple of the albums, though."
"All right," Sakura acknowledged with a brief inclination of her head.
Megane had replaced the Lum posters with a few he had from a large book of his favorite movie posters. Now adorning his wall where the posters for John Boorman's "Deliverance," Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange," and Ridley Scott's "The Duellists."
Outside on the sidewalk Warren Hudson was having his morning jog. From one end of Tomobiki to the other in a circle, taking him from the Mendou Estate to the Tomobiki River then passing the High School on his way back.
But today was different, he was joined by Kintaro and Ten riding Kuma. Mujaki had seemed to disappear or just gone into hiding after leaving the hospital last night.
"Hudson-sama! We're gonna beat you!" Ten declared gleefully.
"Come on," Hudson huffed, "I can't fly!"
As Hudson turned onto Main Street Tomobiki, he saw the school with its new scaffolding surrounding it.
"Hey Ten!" he looked up at the flying bear. "Wanna go see Sakura-onii-chan and Kotatsu-Neko?"
"Sure!" Ten and Kintaro happily shouted and began flying over to the school.
Two Kuroko appeared besides Warren running, "Guys, I tell you every morning," Hudson glanced beside him, "I'm all right."
"Just a procaution, Hudson-sama," one answered.
"Just a procaution, Hudson-sama." the other answered.
"Swell," Hudson huffed, and sped up his pace running into the Tomobiki High school grounds.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Sunday, March 26, 2000 - 11:46:
Beavis and Butthead in Tomobiki high? Now THERE's a scary thought.. >)
(RP ON)
Sergei was still busy back at the household. He was talking feverishly on the phone with a Kuroko commander and nodding every few seconds.
"..Yea, there's this abandonded warehouse on the eastern side of town.. can you have it ready by four-ish? ...Great! That's another I owe you. Alright, I'll be by in a couple of hours, thanks." He hung up and let our a cheer, just as Cygni walked in the door.
"My, you've been busy."
"Just making sure everything is correct."
She laughed. "Throwing everything together at the last second eh? Reminds me of myself.."
Sergei grinned in reply, then dropped into a slightly more serious expression. "I've got an.. interesting question for you."
Cygni shrugged. "Since I'm gonna be spending the rest of my life with you, a few 'interesting' questions are bound to come up here and there. Fire away."
He thought a moment to put together his words. "I'm just curious regarding the wedding dress issue.."
Cygni chuckled and nodded. "For one, it's getting cold out there and the snow isn't helping. For two, I'm not some selfish bitch who only thinks for herself, so I know how you feel regarding this. And for three, I pretty much doubt anybody would be stupid enough to launch an attack during the wedding, so I don't need to worry about it being cumbersome.. for now anyways."
Sergei coughed into his hand. "That was a lot easier than I figured it would be."
"What can I say? Things change."
Sergei returned to his seat near the phone. "So, have a nice walk?"
"Aside from getting blasted by the wind a few times, yea.. although Ryuunosuke's dad seems to have lost a few screws... the guy wanted to 'test my skills' or something.. got him where it hurts!" She winked and laughed. Sergei joined her.
Down at the Moroboshi household, a shady figure was slowly watching the clock drone on, chuckling to himself.
"Soon... soon.." he quietly remarked as the clock hit 12 PM.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Sunday, March 26, 2000 - 23:56:
So who's the sleazy character? Uninvited wedding guest? Or a dude with a grudge?
(RP ON)
12:17 PM
Chilly wind blew snow flurrys everywhere down the Tomobiki streets as people bustled about in front of the hospital.
"Now Darling..." Lum cooed as she pushed the wheelchair with Ataru occupying it out of the hospital front entrance, "...the Doctor says not to walk for the next few days and get plenty of rest."
Ataru's parents followed the two out, his mother bemoaning the fact that Ataru and Lum just told them about a wedding they simply HAD to go to at four o' clock.
"Now I have to use the credit card to buy the gifts..." Mrs. Moroboshi sighed.
"More bills..." Mr. Moroboshi said as he grabbed a newspaper from a newstand. Paying for it with a couple ten yen coins.
Lum heard their bitching, "Don't you worry, Mr. and Mrs. Moroboshi! I'll have my daddy pick up the bill..."
Ataru looked up at Lum as the medical assistants began helping him into a car. "Your father's coming here?"
Lum nodded happily, "And Momma too!"
Tomobiki High...
Sakura, Shutaro, Hudson and Megane were hanging out near the school's baseball field talking about the upcoming wedding while Ten, Kintaro, and Kuma played with their eager fan club of Tomobiki High girls.
Many people attending or working at Tomobiki High had received wedding invitations during lunch by odd means ranging from exploding toy robots to smoke signals.
Shutaro finished up telling the gang how he was informed by his captain of guards and turned to Sakura, "So that's the plan."
"Damn, I wonder how Sergei managed it," Megane looked off across the campus. Kids playing various sports, and Beavis and Butthead were loitering by the school's front gate.
The dillhole duo chuckled while looking from a picture, to a magazine, to the girls of Tomobiki High.
Shutaro gave a little smile, "it seems that the major preparations are being set up by my little sister."
Hudson, the only one sitting on the ground, glanced up at Shutaro. "Ryouko-chan running things from her room..." he laughed as he gulped down more water from a bottle. Then began stretching his legs with the agility of a gymnist.
"Ryouko should be resting, correct?" Sakura sounded critical.
Both Shutaro and Hudson shared a unique moment of mutual insight. They both chuckled and shared a knowing glance.
"Sakura-sensei," Shutaro smiled, "Ryouko and the Kuroko do not rest."
Sakura looked down at Hudson, "but you essentially live with her, you should tell her she's recovering from surgery and should not, I repeat, should not be helping plan a wedding."
"Well..." Hudson finished his stretching, "she's still obeying Doctor's orders, I think."
Sakura gave Hudson a light kick in the rear, "and I trust you're doing the same?"
Warren gave a mock salute, "Yes ma'am!"
Sakura wagged her finger at him sternly, "Thanks to people like you coming to town I have to dispense sexual advice daily!"
Megane and Shutaro seemed briefly shocked before bowling over in laughter.
Warren seemed nonplussed from his perspective on the ground. "It's called being a teenager and being in love," he winked.
Before Sakura could respond Kotatsu-Neko walked up, carrying Cherry in his right paw.
"Uncle..." Sakura knelt down to get a better look at Cherry.
The monk had a wedding invitation stuffed in his mouth, addressed to Kotatsu-Neko.
Hudson reached out and snatched the invitation from Cherry's jaws, "How'd you get this?" Warren grinned.
"Kota-chan and I were taking our afternoon nap, I woke with this," he motioned to the invitation, "in my mouth."
Kotatsu smiled, nodded, and pointed to himself.
"I received mine in a toy police car placed outside my front door this morning," Megane mused.
"I, too, received mine early this morning," Cherry yawned. "It was at the center of an Egg McMuffin. Ah yes," the old monk salivated, "it was good..."
Shutaro looked down at Hudson and Sakura, "I received mine when I was on my way to school, a large truck pulled up alongside my limo. What about you two?"
"Tsubame had ours in his cape," Sakura chuckled. "Those two Kuroko boys gave it to me while I was running," Warren stood up, "I'd love to stay and chat but it is time for me to depart."
Before he turned, Warren's expression grew solemn, "I wonder if Shinobu or Zard will be invited."
"Or Mujaki for that matter," Shutaro muttered.
"Probably not," Sakura and Megane snorted in unison.
As Warren passed the Fujinami's he shouted back, "I'll see you all at the wedding!" and began running off the school grounds.
Ryuunosuke and her father approached the rest, "we found these at the center of a watermelon during a fight," Ryuu held up two invitations.
Megane kicked the ground, "Man now I have to find something decent to wear..."
Shutaro's expression brightened, "I wonder if Asuka-chan or Ton-chan may attend?"
Sakura walked off grumbling about how she needs a dress.
Megane felt a tap at his shoulder and turned to see Ran, gleefully she held up an invitation.
"Rei burped it up, right?" Megane was almost afraid to ask.
Ran giggled, nodded in the affirmative and trotted off.
'Hmmm,' Megane thought, 'I wonder if Perm, Kakugari, or Chibi will be invited?'
As Hudson left the school, he waved to Beavis and Butthead. They seemed busy, Hudson thought, looking at the school's rooftop being repaired.
Butthead chuckled, "Hey Beavis, somebody's going to that chick Cygni's wedding."
"Yeah, heh-heh, and they have the same names as us," Beavis squinted his eyes at the large block letters in English on the roof.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Monday, March 27, 2000 - 12:11:
Mm.. not exactly uninvited, nor holding much of a grudge, just a whacky person with an unmatched desire to get the truth out >)
(RP ON)
Cygni downed her third cup of coffee, watching Sergei with some concern as he dialed numbers with the speed of an insane lunatic, talking a moment on the portable phone, then placed it down and thumbed through the phone book, repeating the process after a few moments. Cygni watched the pattern intently, then got an idea.
She stealthily made her way behind him, then when he put the phone on the small table nearby, she picked it up and replaced it with her half-filled white coffee mug. She stiffled a giggle as he picked up the mug and began to attempt to dial into it, only to stop and stare in confusion. He turned in his chair and finally noticed Cygni, who winked.
"I'm surprised your damn fingers haven't fallen off already.. take a break!"
Sergei tried to grab the phone, but she backed out of his reach. He frowned slightly.
"It's already 1 o-clock, and the wedding starts at 4!" He snapped his fingers and a small nano droid swooped in behind Cygni, then quickly dove in front, grabbed the phone, and dropped it into Sergei's waiting hands. She made a playful sour look.
"Cheater. Anyways, who'd you send invitations to?"
"Pretty much everyone we know.." he threw over his shoulder absently while thumbing through the phonebook. "I had a friend of mine who specializes in this stuff.. he pretty much sent invitations all over the place, using any means possible."
"And who is this guy?"
"One of my older friends, Pentheus.. he can pretty much be classified as 'intergalactic delivery boy'".
"Mmmmkay.." She put her now empty mug into the sink, staring out the window as the snow poured down. "Geez, really coming down out there.. what's the word on the dress?"
The sound of the doorbell ringing was her answer. She walked over and opened the door, and welcomed a young teenage male who was struggling to hold up a large cardboard box.
("Most of the weight is probably just that foamy stuff..") remarked the voice. Cygni took the box off of the person's hands and placed it inside, then thanked him. The teenager coughed and held out his hand.
"Picky aren't we?" she said, digging into her pockets and pulling out 20 American dollars. The teenager considered a moment, then accepted it and wandered back to the waiting vehicle in the driveway. She sighed and closed the door.
"Answer your question?" came Sergei's voice wafting in from the kitchen admist his constant chatting on the phone.
"Yea, I'd think so.." she called back in reply, throwing the box over her shoulder and heading towards the bedroom. "I'm gonna go check this out.. hopefully I'll be able to preserve some method of breathing while wearing it.."
A few minutes later, Sergei was interrupted from his 500th call by Cygni's yelling from upstairs. "How the hell do you put this damn thing on?!" He slowly grinned and stood up, finally deciding that the wedding was about as prepared as it was going to be, and spending Cygni's entire multi-million dollar fortune on it probably wouldn't help too much.
(RP OFF)
Another shorter post tonight, primarily due to the fact that I'm suffering from LOS syndrome (Lack of sleep *grin*), and the fact that Messiah, Star Trek Armada, and Soldier of Fortune are now gold.. 3 very good games that I'm going to devote my pitiful life to getting. Joy!
*mumbles about how his life gets 30x more complicated each day and shuffles off to bed*
-
By Jocko on Tuesday, March 28, 2000 - 04:09:
I need to keep things short myself! ;)
(RP ON)
American Embassy Tokyo...
Hudson walked into the building stridently.
"Ambassador?" one of his chief assistants, Becket, called out as he walked through the door.
"Bill, I just came to get my uniform. After that I'm out the door."
Hudson walked into the elevator with Becket following. A female with a Brooklyn accent had quickly joined them.
"Ambassador! We've been dealin' with the press on one hand and various Senate and House committees on the other. All wantin' you to testify in Washington."
The elevator stopped on one floor to admit, Captain Gargan USMC. The man in charge of security at the Embassy.
"Ambassador!" Gargan saluted.
Hudson returned the salute, "Captain."
Gargan leaned close in the cramped elevator, "The Secretary of Defense would like a word with you as soon as it is conveinant."
"All right, the wedding should be concluded by...nine o' clock."
Everyone fainted.
The elevator stopped to admit Representative James Craknell (R-MI).
"Shut up, Jim. I'm busy." Hudson waved at him as he stepped out of the elevator with Becket the only one following.
Warren happily waved at his staff as the elevator door shut.
Becket smiled, "You did it again."
"Oh yeah," Hudson grinned wide. "It never fails, Craknell ALWAYS tries to harass me on the elevator from the eighth floor. Because he always sees if I'm in my office, right?"
Becket loved the anecdote, so Hudson always told it at least once a month since 1981.
"Craknell sees I'm not in, calls around and waits until I arrive and goes to the elevator."
Becket finished, "and if everyone is in there with you thinking you're going up to the conference room, you wait until Craknell steps in, jump out at the last moment, and you lose them."
"It's the only way to live," Hudson laughed as he and Becket arrived at the former's office.
"Is it ready? Dry cleaned and everything?"
"Yes, delivered half an hour ago," Becket smiled.
Hudson delicately picked up the uniform of a United States Marine Corps. Colonel with several medals in a case beside it; shined. "Hard to believe this is the third one I've had..."
Becket coughed, "three Kuroko and Lady Ryouko are waiting up in the conference room."
"Oh?" Hudson thought for a moment. "Let's see...its only three of them so..." he snapped his fingers. "Her Kuroko horse!"
"Gargan had kittens when her helicopter first landed on the roof," Becket motioned up with his head.
Hudson and Becket laughed before the latter remembered something else. "A guy named Megane called from Tomobiki. Saying he needs you to stop by his house."
"Hmm, probably needs something to wear."
(RP OFF)
Parias, you DO know how Ryouko usually travels around, right?
And I'm setting up a useless scene with Warren and Megane looking at the latter's movie posters.
Hehe, I can just imagine Megane actually being a huge fan of Boorman's "Deliverance" as well as "Excalibur".
-
By Parias on Tuesday, March 28, 2000 - 12:59:
It was a tad difficult to figure out from my limited sources of knowledge available (like, three sites *cough*) but after browsing through that online UY manga collection I think I know what you're talking about with the "horse" thing >)
(RP ON)
As the day hit three-o-clock, the students were released from school, where they immediately headed home to prep for the wedding. Ryunnosuke was seen arguing with her father over what she was going to wear to the wedding, and after a few moments the argument came to blows. A few students trickled off from the flow leaving the school to watch and cheer on.
The stormtroopers had already long prepared their items for the wedding, and immediately veered off towards Cygni's house to provide "personal escort". Beavis and Butthead were left admist the confusion, chuckling as usual. Beavis bit his lip.
"Um, hey Butthead, heh, aren't we like, supposed to start going to that wedding, or something?"
His reply was a smack in the face. "Damnit Beavis, it's not untill four, so we've got like forty ten minutes, uhhh or something. Huh huh."
"Heh, oh yea." He shivered a moment. "Damnit Butthead it's getting cold. Lets like, go inside."
They wandered inside of the school just as the last person left. A janitor wandered up to them and scratched his head.
"Huh? Oh hey, you must be them there volunteer workers.. whelp, heres ya go, and thanks!" With that, he handed Beavis a mop and Butthead a bucket, then walked out of the school, leaving them dazed and confused.
"Uhh.. what a dumbass." remarked Butthead, overturning his bucket and draining it all over the floor. Beavis had the sudden urge to through his mop through a nearby window, and he did, with a loud shatter and a groan. Onsenmark poked his head up from the other side, holding his bruised forhead. Butthead's eyes shot up in surprise.
"Woa, that was cool! Let me try!" Butthead tossed his bucket towards the smashed window, braining Onsenmark in the face and rendering him unconscious. The pair stood in the small puddle of water, laughing.
Back in the soon-to-be Grana household, Cygni was, with Sergei's assistance, trying on the wedding gown. She had spent the past hour fiddling with it, making sure everything was "just perfect". It was a simple sleeveless dress coloured in silk satan with various bows around. She surprisingly found that it barely choked at all.
("Just goes to show that you can't believe EVERYTHING you read..")
Sergei finally finished, and she stepped back a second so he could get a good view.
"So, how do I look?"
"Stunning" he commented with a smile.
"It's not a half bad dress.. although it's not exactly Japanese.. might raise a few questions."
He shook his head. "Naw, should be fine. I doubt anybody will have a problem."
"Lets hope not. How the hell do you know so much anyways? I'd practically expect this to be 'just another planet' to you.."
"I've come here quite a few times in the past."
"Lemme guess, tourism?" she asked with a grin. Lum and Ataru had filled her in on how most of the other aliens had stumbled across the planet earlier.
"Yup, pretty much, looked like an interesting place.. definately one of the better places I've been. What about you? From the gist of it, I get the impression that you aren't exactly naitive of this planet either."
Cygni sighed. "Actually, I am.. how I came to be what I am now is one hell of a long story, and I might share it with you sometime.."
("Keeping out a few important details of course.")
"I'd be most interested to hear." He glanced over at the clock. "Three fifteen.. got about 45 minutes to ourselves. What do you want to do?"
She thought a moment, then heard the doorbell ring.
Sergei grumbled. "I'll get it."
The stormtroopers were eagerly waiting for someone to answer the door outside. Perm pressed the button again, just to make sure.
"Hee hee, I hope Cygni answers!" said Chibi, jumping in excitement.
"Yea!" cheered the rest. Their expressions dropped when Sergei answered the door, slightly annoyed.
"Is.. uh.. Cygni here?" asked Perm slowly.
"She's a bit busy right now.."
"Can we see her?" blurted out Chibi, holding out the box of chocolates he had behind his back. Sergei grinned.
"Sorry, you'll see her enough at the wedding, but I'll make sure these get to her.."
"Really? Thanks!"
Sergei nodded and closed the door, then opened up the box and took out a round candy, placing it in his mouth and chewing slowly.
"Mmm.. caramel.."
"Hey!" came a surprised yell from Cygni, who had gotten bored of waiting on him. Sergei shrugged.
"I was... uhh.. making sure they weren't poisioned or anything."
"Share!" she simply demanded, scurrying over and grabbing a few.
"From your die-hard fans.." he murmured through a full mouth. Cygni grinned.
"I'd doubt you have to worry about competition, I don't just flash off people at random.. not unless they're shooting at me anyways."
("See? Being a female isn't so bad!")
"It does have it's moments...." she thought back, savoring the deep chocolate and slipping into relaxation.
(RP OFF)
-
By Jocko on Wednesday, March 29, 2000 - 06:26:
I've gotta hand it to you, Parias. You're really staying on the ball with your posts.
I'd like to add to the mythos that Hudson has authored quite a few screenplays since the 1950's...several had been produced and he has worked on a lot more that weren't produced or co-writing things.
Maybe an odd Academy Award Nomination along the way...
I think it's a logical extension; I mentioned that Hudson was a journalist before being elected to the Senate. Hell, I'll probably even have Hudson the author of five or six books on topics ranging from his experiences in WW2, his politics, to "The Tomobiki Experience."
And you do know that Megane is Tomobiki's resident movie buff as well as Lum Nazi, right?
To anyone else reading this wonderful UY fanfiction, just remember that it's exactly that, a fiction. Eventhough it contains some nonfictional details such as names of famous people, political situations and figures, and period details only as to lend to a sense of realism (or is that unrealism?)
(RP ON)
Hudson stood in his office' private bathroom. He turned around looking in the mirror appreciatively. His medals gleaming nicely.
"...But it's all right, I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash..." Warren sang softly.
He still looked good in a Marine dress uniform after all of these years, frankly it amazed him.
Hudson opened the bathroom door to find himself face to face with a Kabuki theater prop-horse.
"I had Mr. Becket bring me down here," Ryouko smiled on top of the horse with two Kuroko providing the legs. Another in front provided the horse noises with two cocanut (sp?) shells.
Hudson looked upon Ryouko's dress with admiration. It was blue with a matching bow through her brown hair.
"You look like a Goddess," Warren breathed.
Ryouko smiled, blushed and accepted this silently. "You look quite nice...Colonel Hudson," she giggled.
"Megane needs help getting ready," Hudson coughed.
"Oh..." she snapped her fingers, "I've already anticipated this problem. I had Big Brother send him a tailor and wardrobe crew."
"Thanks," Hudson reached out and took her outstretched hand; gently kissing it. "But I think I should go over there anyway."
Ryouko nodded and with the horse trotting sounds the pair made their way up to the roof and the Kuroko helicopter.
The Megane household...
3:26PM
The suit was nice, Megane admitted, and he was happy to see Cygni and Sergei getting hitched but he had been dealing with his own personal troubles lately.
"No matter how you slice it," Megane turned to Hudson sitting in his living room, "I'm still going to have a shitty time."
Hudson sighed loudly, "You're still screwing yourself up subconciously. Come on! Be a man, nurse a glass of scotch while you're there and you'll be fine."
"You know," he turned to Hudson, "you're really not helping."
"Oh well, excuse me," Warren stuck his tongue out.
Megane walked into his room with Hudson following behind him. "I still don't know what shoes to where and what flower to put in my lapel..." Megane snorted.
"Well why did Shutaro's guys leave you five of each...?" Hudson stopped as soon as he was in Megane's room.
"Damn," Hudson beamed, he walked over to the movie posters on the wall above Megane's bed.
"Yeah," Megane confirmed proudly.
"Where...did you get this?" Warren pointed to the poster for "The Duellists."
"Uh..." Megane thought for a moment, "a catalogue that's dead now."
Hudson stared long and hard at the "Deliverance" poster. "You know what I was thinking the first time I saw that?"
"Poor Ned Beatty," Megane nodded.
"I..." Hudson searched for the right words, "almost worked or DID work with everyone there," he motioned to the three posters.
Megane nodded, "Kubrick?"
"We talked around '57 about me doing a draft for...something I can't remember," Warren chuckled.
"Ridley Scott?" Megane said next, "I heard a rumor from Sakaguchi-san that you were considered as a replacement writer on Dune around '80."
Warren nodded, "I was too busy here," he frowned, "I seriously doubt I could've done Herbert justice at anything less than 300 pages anyway."
"Boorman?" Megane knew all these pieces of International Film lore, but it still was something else to actually hear a participant talk about it.
"A persistant rumor Megane, nothing more." Hudson turned away from the "Deliverance" poster, "we talked on the phone after I lost an award for 'Reach Out.' He didn't mention anything about 'Lord of the Rings.'"
Megane glanced over at the clock on his bookshelf; it read 3:42 PM. "We better get going," Megane blindly picked up a pair of shoes and a rose. He ran out of his room before running back in to bodily push Warren out and slamming the door behind him.
(RP OFF)
-
By Parias on Wednesday, March 29, 2000 - 12:14:
Thanks for the compliments, I really appreciate it. You're not too shabby yourself >) Pretty frikken good actually..
Man, I've REALLY gotta get more episodes, so much I've missed.. but then again, I've only seen 8 out of.. what, 200+ episodes? Just a small gap there >)
(RP ON)
In Cygni/Sergei's household, almost the very second it hit 4 PM, an alarm went off as well as the phone, both at the exact same time. Cygni switched off the alarm while Sergei answered. After speaking for a moment, he hung up and nodded.
"Effecient little bastards.."
"Everything's ready?" Cygni asked.
"Yup, right on schedule!"
Outside, they could see a few vehicles driving past as a long black limo pulled up to the driveway and honked it's horn.
Sergei took his arm in Cygni's. "Shall we?"
She smiled. "Lets."
They headed out the door to the three Kuroko who were waiting to take them to the designated location.
Inside the Moroboshi household, Ataru, who was feeling strong enough to walk now, grumbled as he read over the address again while putting on a coat.
"I swear, this place is some kind of abandoned warehouse! What kind of person would have a wedding there?"
"I'm sure they've got a plan." said Lum re-assuringly.
"Probably has something to do with all those Kuroko we saw going past earlier.." muttered Mr. Moroboshi. They finished preparing and headed out towards the east side of town.
Cygni eyed around the limo as they sped towards their destination. It was roomy inside, with it's own TV, food stores, even a small hot tub in the middle section seperating the front from the back of the vehicle.
"Isn't this a tad on overkill? We could have just walked" remarked Cygni, giving Sergei an annoyed look.
"Okay so maybe it is a little much, but I've always wanted to ride in one of these things, and why not take the opportunity to make a grand entrance?"
"You got a point.." She hit a button next to her, and a small table emerged from the floor, a bottle of champagne and two white glasses placed in the middle.
"I'd assume that this won't be our only trip in this vehicle?" Cygni asked with a smile.
"What, you think I blew $2000 just for some class? We need SOMETHING for our honeymoon.." Sergei replied with a nudge.
"Point. I hope this place is big enough.. it looks like the whole damn town is coming!" She could see various people running along or travelling in their own vehicles up ahead.
"Don't worry, I picked the largest place around."
"The Mendou mansion? I'd love to see how you pulled THAT one off.."
"Hah, no, not exactly that, but close enough. You'll see."
"So who's our designated flower girl?"
Sergei stopped a moment, thinking. "Uh.. I'm not entirely sure.."
"Forgot? Ah.. don't worry about it, I'm sure it'll work out."
"Lets hope so."
They continued on, Cygni going deep in thought as to what was coming up.
(RP OFF)
Man I'm happy, finally got an old classic of mine, Terra Nova, running on my new system.. I loved the error it kept spitting out at me.. "Cannot Allocate 0 bytes". To me, that was like the ever-lovable error, "Keyboard not found, press F1 to continue", you know? Hehehehe >)
-
By Jocko on Thursday, March 30, 2000 - 02:39:
Thanks for the compliment! I wished I could spend as much time as you playing games...
I've only seen up past episode 87 of the TV series, that's the beginning of season three of five. TV24 will have episode 91 to 95.
But I have seen all the movies and OVAs.
(RP ON)
A Kuroko was standing at a chain-link fence' gate. "Please park in F-9, thank you."
Other Kuroko were actively coordinating parking details and the several busses. Plus the flow of human traffic pouring in.
The main core of Cygni and Sergei's friends assembled where the Mendou limo had parked near the entrance to the warehouse.
Hudson and Megane were the last to arrive. After greeting everyone, taking special care to thank Ataru and Lum, the two split up with Megane going over to talk to Cygni's Stormtroopers and Hudson going over the wedding checklist with Ryouko.
"I'm taking special care of the cake with the Cygni and Sergei robots in them," Ryouko said with glee, "it is so much more fun with these robots instead of plastic figurines."
"I agree," Warren smiled. "I suppose the band is here and set up?"
"Oh yes," Ryouko smiled, taking his hand.
Master Mendou also took his wife's hand, "Dear, this is almost like our wedding, isn't it?"
Madame Mendou giggled politely behind her fan.
Grandfather Mendou slapped Warren on the back, "You remember that, don't you?"
"How can I forget?" Hudson looked up at the sky. "1965, I was sent here as part of the official US good will trade welcome wagon. Two weeks of panel discussions and the Mendou wedding."
The old man dragged Hudson down to his level, "And I intend to see at least TWO more Mendou family weddings before I die, got that?"
Warren smiled, "Yes, old man, I've got it."
A glitter was seen in the old Mendou's eye, "we were both young men when you first came here, remember? I still can't figure out how you stay so young!"
Hudson took a look around the vast parking lot and the warehouse, then remembered.
"This used to be part of Oshii's farm..."
Old Man Mendou grinned brokenly, "things have certrainly changed around here..."
"Yes they have..."
Shutaro coughed, "Pardon, but I believe it is time we make our way inside."
Ryouko smiled, "where are we seated Big Brother?"
Shutaro glanced down at the ticket handed to him by the Parking Kuroko, "H-7 through H-15."
(RP OFF)
I figured I should leave the details of the wedding and Cygni's Stormtroopers up to you...
And is Shinobu going to be there?
-
By Parias on Thursday, March 30, 2000 - 12:31:
Hmm.. I believe she shall..
(RP ON)
As the stretch-limo Sergei and Cygni were in approached the warehouse, Cygni could begin making out the details of the area. There were what looked to be hundreds of people milling about outside as Kuroko directed them around, and there was a massive banner hanging atop the front of the building that read "Wedding" in big bold red letters. The entire building was painted in white, and thanks to the massive decorations scattered all around, it barely looked like a warehouse at all.
"Geesus.." said Cygni, drawing in a breath. "You must've really pulled some strings."
"I've got a few friends here and there. Ah, here we go. Ready to make our grand entrance?" Sergei glanced out the window as a Kuroko approached to guide them in.
"That depends. What exactly is planned for our 'grand entrance'? Nothing I'd mistake as incoming weapon fire I hope."
Sergei laughed. "Hah hah, no, just the red carpet deal all the way inside, then we'll just party a bit untill the actual wedding begins.. should be about 15 to 20 minutes from now."
Cygni nodded and touched his arm affectionately. "Thanks, I really appreciate this, even if I'm probably going to be confused to hell the second I step out."
"No problem my lady, just stick with me and everything will be fine!"
Nearby, the ever-lovable Stormtroopers were chatting with Megane when they heard a call for attention. They directed their eyes towards the long white limo that had pulled up as a pair of Kuroko slowly unrolled a long red carpet from the end of the car to the small side door into the building.
"Here she comes!" said Perm in glee.
"I can't wait!" said Kakugari excitedly.
"I hope she liked our chocolates!" said Chibi. Megane tripped.
"You gave her.. chocolates?!" he yelled in astonishment.
"Well, yea!"
"Are you idiotic? She's about to get married, trying to steal her away will only get your faces pounded in!"
"Who cares?" cried Perm.
"As long as she's happy!" chimed in Kakugari. Megane was about to continue ranting when the door to the limo finally opened, and Sergei stepped out, straightening the bow on his suit and helping Cygni get out. Everyone let out a cheer in almost perfect syncronization, with Cygni's Stormtroopers practically breaking their own hole in the sound barrier. Megane simply muttered, untill he noticed Cygni winking at him. He couldn't help but sheepishly wave back, then go back to muttering again as the Stormtroopers, who were nearby, thought she had winked at them and reacted by promptly passing out.
The duo quickly made their way inside, out of the cold, and the remaining guests slowly began trickling in.
Inside the building, Cygni's astonishment continued as she looked around, finishing up with a glare at Sergei.
"Are you SURE this is a warehouse?"
Sergei shrugged. "Either that or I got my directions wrong.."
The inside was huge and extremely spacious, with tables scattered all around and comfortable chairs put around them. At the far end was a stage with multiple rows of seats lined up in front, all prepared as if a massive performance was going to take place. And considering what Sergei was going through, Cygni thought, one probably was. Or many.
She didn't have much time to consider as she was instantly surrounded by various residents and friends, all congratulating her. She simply nodded in kind and thanked them best she could, but they seemed to keep coming. Sergei noted what was going on and stepped in.
"I'm sure you'll have all the time to congratulate her later.. for now, lets just celebrate." Sergei grabbed her arm and led her over to a table, where a servant was filling 2 glasses with wine from an unmarked purple bottle while another placed dinnerware around and prepared the food. She noticed Ran somewhere at the far end, barking out orders to the chefs and preparing food of her own. Rei was there as well, sampling anything he could find.
They sat down. Cygni took a close look at the clear bubbling liquid inside of the glass, picking it up and giving it a once-over. Sergei chuckled.
"An old favorite of mine from Cygnus 7.. this one doesn't leave a trail of fire down your throat, rather something that goes down a tad smooth, and leaves a nice feeling.. I figured you might like it. I've always had some stashed away in the UNO."
"Looks almost like an active volcano.. oh well, bottoms up!" They clinked their glasses together and downed them in unision. Sergei was right, instead of a hot wake as it coursed down her throat, it was more of a cool trail of water with a small minty taste that left a nice sensation in her mouth.
"We'll have to score more of this stuff." she said, grinning.
"I figured you'd say that, so I plunked my remaining stash in the trunk of the limo. There's enough to last us for weeks. Uh, don't have too much though, it has some uncanny side-effects.."
"So long as it doesn't make my head explode."
They laughed together.
Over in another crowded section of the make-shift wedding house, Lum and Ataru were looking around in awe at the massive action around them.
"I've never seen so many people gathered in one place before.." muttered Ataru.
"Look darling, we can dance together!" Lum pointed to the stage, where a few bands were preparing.
Ataru was about to consider this when he thought he heard his name being called. He stopped a moment and squinted, trying to figure out where it was coming from. It slowly began getting louder.
"Ataru!"
"Wait a sec.. I know that voice.." he said, looking around the crowd. After a moment, a familiar hand rested on his arm. He turned and grinned.
"Shinobu!"
"Oh Ataru, I'm so glad you're okay, I saw what happened.."
Lum simply stared, wondering what this was going to turn into, when she was distracted by Ten and Kintaro, who seemed to be doing something to the bowl of punch a short distance away. She turned and began walking over to investigate.
"Did you find your parents?" asked Ataru.
"Yes, they're waiting at a table a ways away. You protected me though.. I never knew you cared so much to risk your life like that!"
"Hah! I'll gladly give my life to protect ANY girl! Right Lum?" he prounounced proudly, turning to the empty space where Lum was standing.
"Uh, Lum? Uh oh.."
Shinobu nodded. "I understand.. we can work this out later. Go find her."
Ataru blinked in confusion. "I never really would have expected to hear that coming from you.."
"It's such a happy moment right now, lets just try and keep it, OK?" Shinobu looked into his eyes.
"Alright. But I'll be back!"
She nodded and wandered off into the crowd. Ataru headed off into the opposite direction to search for Lum.
The female in question was currently at the bar, talking with Ten and Kintaro.
"What are you doing Ten?"
He giggled a moment. "Kintaro said he learned about something called 'spiking the punch', it's supposed to make everybody panic!"
Lum put her hands on her hips in a scolding manner. "Ten, you wouldn't.."
"Aww cmon, lemme have some fun!"
"It's too late anyways." said Kintaro with an evil grin as he tossed a small flask over his shoulder.
"Oh.. well lets hope nobody finds out then." said Lum, turning to the source of massive screaming nearby. "Come on, lets go see how Ran's doing!"
They wandered off. Kintaro got lost in the crowd, however, and lacking anything better to do, he pulled out his axe and promptly swung it menacingly at a tall man.
"Give me your money!" he demanded. He cringed shortly after as a loud crunch was heard when the man cracked his knuckles. Shortly after he was found somewhere on the other side of the wedding house on top of a pile of boxes, bruised.
(RP OFF)
I might need a bit of a hand when it comes to the bands. Truth to be told, I barely know the difference between Metalicca and Nine-Inch-Nails, never mind listening to them.. my pitiful life as a hardcore gamer doesn't leave room for too much else >) Although thanks to Napster (wonderful program), I'm able to download a given song at a moments notice and listen to it, so I remember it for future reference.. think you can help out a tad though? I appreciate it >)
-
By Jocko on Friday, March 31, 2000 - 04:08:
Well...I wonder just how popular Cygni and Sergei are? And plus this wedding is only on a days notice so it should probably just a few Tokyo wedding bands.
My experience slightly skewed towards alternative music of the UY era. So I'll have someone request a Talking Heads tune or something like that. Maybe some early U2. The major aim was to have everyone singing "Whip it" by Devo.
(RP ON)
The Principal of Tomobiki High and Onsen-Mark had taken charge of Beavis and Butthead as all four sat down at a table being tended to by Ran.
Beavis chuckled, "Hey baby, how about a little...uh, whipped cream, you know?"
Ran giggled, and gave Butthead a whole can.
"Hehe, you struck out, dillhole." Beavis chuckled.
Butthead was about to respond in his usual way when Rei came up behind them in tiger bull form.
Rei simply roared and squealed out, "RAN-CHAN!!!"
Ran happily motioned to an oversized empty seat as Onsen-Mark turned to his boss, "Principal, I believe we should move."
"Oh yes," Tomobiki High's elder Principal said, "I believe we should introduce Tomobiki High School's newest additions to Kota-chan."
With that Onsen-Mark pushed Beavis and Butthead out into the aisle.
"Ow!" Beavis shouted, chuckled, "hey Butthead, what are er, additions...?" Beavis seemed to like the new word.
"Uh...I dunno." Butthead said, almost amused.
Kotatsu-Neko, Jariten, Hudson and Ryouko were sitting on two large leather couches in the exact center of the warehouse.
Jariten and Kotatsu were eagerly devouring pretzels and soda-pop. Hudson and Ryouko had had some champagne and while not drunk, were a little tipsy and whimsical.
"Kota-chan, I'm interested in what your opinions of the mortal plane are in the 1980s...?" Warren led the conversation.
Kotatsu-Neko stopped feasting, looked to Ten, then back to Hudson as his eyes appeared to grow larger.
Jariten translated, "Kotatsu doesn't acknowledge calendars anymore."
"Oh..." Hudson nodded, dragging the moment out.
"Oh..." Ryouko did the same.
The giant ghost cat continued to look at Hudson intently. As if contemplating.
Hudson simply not caring, soldiered on, "I know your story, Kotatsu. But I'm curious if you've only been hanging around in the present and when you were alive in the past?"
Ten translated for his friend again, "Kota-chan doesn't know what you're talking about."
Ryouko took over enthusiasticly, "The question Warren-kun has been asking is thus: Has Kotatsu always been hanging around on the mortal plane since his death?"
Kotatsu-Neko simply shook his head slowly.
"That was rather anti-climatic," Hudson marveled.
Across the way Ryouko spied The Principal and Onsen-Mark dragging Beavis and Butthead along behind them.
Ryouko was on her feet and pulling Hudson along behind her in a second.
"See you two later!" Hudson waved at the Sumo Kitty and alien toddler.
Moments later Ryouko and Hudson were standing by the excessively large stage.
Hudson spied at the bands setting up, one a standard rock quartet, one a synth-pop group, and the last a larger orchestra with conductor.
Warren noticed that the leader of the rock band was American. In English Hudson shouted, "Hey you up there!"
The American turned in Hudson's direction, "Yes, you sir!" Warren nodded, "come over here a moment."
"What are you doing, Warren-kun?" Ryouko said in Japanese; her English comprehension wasn't that great.
The man in question walked over to the end of the stage and looked down at a middle-aged US Marine Colonel with a very pretty oriental girl hanging on his arm.
"Colonel...Hudson?" the American read the nameplate on Warren's right breast.
"No, Ambassador now," Warren laughed. 'Actually somebody who doesn't know me from TV,' he thought happily.
"I was wondering," Hudson ventured, "if you would play...'Viva Las Vegas,' at that Ryouko giggled.
"Well my Elvis impersonation skills aren't great, so it'll probably come out sounding like the Dead Kennedy's rendition-" the American trailed off.
"That's fine, that's fine," Hudson smiled. "By the way, what's your name stranger?"
"Lewis, Colonel. Frank Lewis," the guy on the stage smiled and turned back to his band; who were mostly Japanese.
(RP OFF)
You do know "Viva Las Vegas," right? I figured it fits considering the first portion of this story.
-
By Parias on Friday, March 31, 2000 - 12:29:
Just nabbed it today through Napster (both original Elvis and Dead Kennedy renditions), so I've got the gist of it in my head >) Not too bad a song..
(RP ON)
As Sergei finished his second glass of the as-of-yet unnamed beverage, he checked his watch.
"Just a few more minutes.. we're going to have a band perform first, then we'll go on with the actual ceremony, and spend the rest of the night partying! Sound good to you?"
"Assuming my muscles don't give out, it should be one hell of a time!" replied Cygni with her usual grin. "So who's performing?"
"Ahh I wasn't too sure what you'd like, and I'm not familiar too much with the songs and bands on here yet, so I let my friends worry about that."
"Sounds good.." Cygni glanced at a passing couple with an odd expression. The female had a small tentacle snaking out between her eyes with a thick blue colour. "Where did you get all these people?"
Sergei shrugged. "I know quite a few friends.. told them about the wedding, had them invite anybody they could!"
"Well hopefully the lot of them don't have odd appearances.."
"Well, most of them do actually, but I had as many as possible go through a camoflauging process first, so it wouldn't arouse any alarm. A few refused, however.. but it seems to be managing fine so far."
They turned their attention to the stage as the lights dimmed and an announcer took the mike. A few various spotlights concentrated onto him while Kurokos moved around a few objects to make room for a dance floor.
"Ladies and Gentlemen.." he started, taking a sip from a glass of water while the noise all around the area ceased at once, as if switched off like a lightbulb. "..May I have your attention. First off, I'd like to thank each and every person here for joining us on this fine evening to celebrate the bonding of two souls. It isn't too often a wedding of this magitude takes place in our town, and I'm grateful for everyone being here."
He cleared his throat. "We've got quite a lineup tonight. As you've probably noticed, we're going to have lots of music and dancing, but we've also got contests, a massive buffet that's being prepared as I speak, and much much more! Please, feel free to help yourselves to whatever you need, it's here for a reason."
He stopped to check the massive clock hanging against the front wall of the building and listened for a second as an assistant whispered something into his ear.
"But anyways, I won't bog things down much longer. We've got a group lined up to set things in motion tonight before we go on with the actual wedding. So without further ado, here's 'The Jolly Ranchers', playing the hit 'Viva Las Vegas'!" He motioned towards the waiting band and stepped back to admit them as they moved forward and began setting up their equipment. Additional spotlights were trained onto the dance floor that was simply a storage area for crates a few moments ago, and people began filtering into the wide open space.
Sergei took Cygni's hand. "Shall we dance?"
"Don't get left behind." she replied, with a wink. They stood and headed towards the dance floor.
Nearby, Ataru was out of breath as he finally caught up to Lum.
"Lum.. sorry... earlier..." he gasped, collapsing to his knees. She turned around and helped him up, smiling.
"Oh, Shinobu? Don't worry about that." She paused a moment and cast her eyes downwards. "..If you really want to dance with her though.. I guess I understand.."
"Are you kidding? I didn't spend 15 minutes digging through crowds for nothing! Come on!" He grabbed her arm and began leading her through the throbbing masses before she could reply. Shinobu watched with a small smile on her face.
"That was pretty impressive... he DID take a bullet for you." said Zard, laying a hand on her shoulder.
"More like 20.. but anyways, I need to pay you back for lashing out earlier." She turned to him and held his hand. "Will you dance with me?"
"Of course." They turned and headed off to take their place on the floor.
After a few moments, Frank signalled that they were ready and grabbed his mic. He nodded to the rest of his group, gave a three second countdown via hand signals, and began.
(RP OFF)
Hope I'm not out of whack or anything with that quickly-thought-up band name, assuming that one is already taken by something else (couldn't find anything in Napster) then we'll use something different for future posts >)
-
By Jocko on Saturday, April 1, 2000 - 05:54:
Parias, I like, NEED this Napster tool!
BTW, should we do something with Blade of Kintaro's old characters?
And what about Shinobu's Diary? Conveinantly burned up along with the UNO or floating around somwhere? :)
We could also have them sing some UY songs since they constantly use them in the shows themselves.
You know, "Space is Super Weird!"
(RP ON)
Warren and Ryouko were the first to begin dancing. Followed by Sakura and Tsubame.
Frank Lewis of the Jolly Ranchers happily belted out...
"Bright light city gonna set my soul
Gonna set my soul on fire
Got a whole lot of money that's ready to burn,
So get those stakes up higher
There's a thousand pretty women waitin' out there
And they're all livin' devil may care
And I'm just the devil with love to spare
Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas"
Lum and Ataru joined the two couples on the floor. Soon things were very crowded in front of the stage...
Hudson and Ryouko stopped dancing as Frank stopped singing; motioning to the band to draw the music out, and for Warren to get up on stage.
At first hesitant, Ryouko gave him a good shove. Warren was then practically lifted onto the stage by three fast moving Kuroko.
Immediately Lewis threw Warren a mic; landing it square in Hudson's right palm.
Frank nodded to Warren and gave the band a hand signal. Hudson took over...
"How I wish that there were more
Than the twenty-four hours in the day
'Cause even if there were forty more
I wouldn't sleep a minute away
Oh, there's black jack and poker and the roulette wheel
A fortune won and lost on ev'ry deal
All you need's a strong heart and a nerve of steel
Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas
Viva Las Vegas with you neon flashin'
And your one armbandits crashin'
All those hopes down the drain
Viva Las Vegas turnin' day into nighttime
Turnin' night into daytime
If you see it once
You'll never be the same again
I'm gonna keep on the run
I'm gonna have me some fun
If it costs me my very last dime
If I wind up broke up well
I'll always remember that I had a swingin' time
I'm gonna give it ev'rything I've got
Lady luck please let the dice stay hot
Let me shout a seven with ev'ry shot
Viva Las Vegas, Viva Las Vegas,
Viva, Viva Las Vegas"
The song ended and the entire warehouse erupted into applause. Hudson took a bow, and turned to Lewis, "thanks. I didn't think I had it in me."
"Heyyy," Frank said in perfect Fonzie mode, "it was my pleasure."
Megane had joined Ryouko, Sergei, and Cygni in cheering Hudson to the point of breaking the sound barrier.
Already by this time Megane had had three drinks: two glasses of scotch, and he was working on a vodka/tonic. It was a good thing, he thought, that they didn't card.
But he was taking his time, not getting too smashed. Just enough to get him through dealing with Ataru and Lum.
Shutaro was being more responsible, making various good impressions with Asuka and her parents while Tobimaru discussed "real" baseball with Onsen-Mark, Kotatsu-Neko, Jariten, and The Principal.
Beavis and Butthead had split up, Butthead attempting to dance with unescorted ladies (and some escorted ones as well) while Beavis had just stood in the middle of the dancefloor with Cygni's Stormtroopers while Sergei and his bride-to-be happily danced in front of them.
But Beavis was there for different reasons altogether. He firmly believed that "Viva Las Vegas" was actually "Beavis Las Vegas." It was a misunderstanding he and Butthead had had for years...
So Beavis just stood there during the song screaming out the lyrics as best he could. Sergei would later recall that Beavis was almost poetic in the way he was screaming his interpretation of what Lewis/Hudson were singing.
(RP OFF)
You remember that episode of B&B, right?
Viva Las Vegas
Elvis Presley
(words & music by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman)
-
By Parias on Saturday, April 1, 2000 - 13:04:
Well, I've got some sad news to report.. I can't contribute any longer to this fiction. I'm just too damn busy lately, and my life's going to hell, and...
...Oh damnit, I always sucked ass when it comes to this stuff >) Happy April Fools everyone! Try not to get whacked in the head with a bucket or anything! *grin*
Anyways, as for Napster, you can grab it at www.napster.com, an URL which is so difficult that even the FBI has difficulty hunting it down (or something). Just download the little util, register, and go nuts! Simple to use, and it has everything you need! Even a built in Mp3 player if you haven't ganked WinAmp yet.. which I strongly suggest you get, because there's a whole assload of plugins and stuff.. there's even a UY skin sitting way back in the archives, although I'm probably gonna wait for a better one.. or try my hand at one myself >)
Heh, B&B and Viva Las Vegas.. that one was hilarious!
(RP ON)
The crowd began dispersing again as the announcer took the stage.
"That was quite a performance, and we've got a lot more where that came from! But now, let us get on with the reason you're all here. May I have Cygni and Sergei up on the stage please?"
Cygni's heart nearly jumped into her throat when a spotlight was illuminated on them, but she calmed down quickly enough before her reflexes made a move for the knife she had hidden under her dress, "just in case". Sergei nodded to her began walking forward, his arm in hers. She kept pace with him, the crowd parting to form a line at either end.
("This is it!")
"I almost feel like I just got whacked with a concussion grenade.." she thought back.
("Never been on the stage before huh? Don't sweat it, it'll pass. You're doing great.")
They stepped up onto the stage via a hastily placed staircase and walked in front of the small pedestal that had been set up. The announcer walked behind it and took out a small book, then whispered to Sergei.
"You ready?"
He nodded. "Ready as we'll ever be, shouldn't have any complications."
"Good. Alright, lets begin." The announcer took out a pair of glasses from under his suit and put them on, then began thumbing through the book. Cygni felt a small burning sensation at the back of her skull, she knew how many eyes were on them at the moment.
"Great, no pressure.." she thought, letting out a small sigh and squeezing Sergei's hand. He squeezed back and winked at her.
The announcer began speaking. "We are gathered here today to celebrate the bonding of two souls, dedicated to spending the rest of their lives together. Through the hardest of times, they will be together..."
Cygni droned out a moment to consult her brain. "Man, I'm still having trouble biting this thing down.."
("Well, why don't you just stop the whole thing now and forget about it?")
"You're kidding!"
("Either spend hours wallowing in self pity or get on with it, but for godsakes do SOMETHING!")
"You got a point, screwing around like this won't get me far.." She tuned back into the announcer's speech.
"..And now, if there is anybody who feels that these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace."
"Like anybody ever says anything.." she silently muttered to herself. Her ears pricked up when she thought she heard someone yell out.
"No freakin way."
Her ears confirmed it as the voice yelled out again, a bit louder. The announcer looked around the crowd a moment for the source of the yelling. After a moment, a stubby hand was seen as someone tried to work himself onto the stage. When the figure finally did, another spotlight came on and fumbled a moment, trying to focus on him. He didn't bother waiting.
"I say this wedding should be called off because Sergei is marrying a GUY! And that's not right, is it?"
The crowd drew in various gasps as the spotlight finally centered on the figure, and Cygni felt her gut wrench up as she clenched her fists.
"Bakuto? What the HELL do you think you're doing?" She was about to run over to him and strangle him to death, but Sergei laid a hand on her shoulder, laughing.
"Hah, no need to take it personally! Calm down.. he's just kidding, probably drunk." He paused a moment and looked at her. "Uh, right?"
Cygni coughed into her hand and looked back, straining to smile. "Right."
"Now surely there's some mistake.." began the announcer. "No! I have proof!" Bakuto declared, holding up a large yellow envelope.
"YOU IDIOT!" came a scream from somewhere above, as a figure swooped down on a loose thick wire and landed in front of him. "Could you get any stupider? You already embarassed me enough in front of Invader before, and now you're trying to screw up a wedding? ARGH!" The figure lept towards Bakuto, knocking him off the stage and into the crowd.
("That was close..")
"A bit too close if you ask me, I'm going to have a talk with him later." Cygni replied, as the pair turned back to the announcer.
"Well, uh, if there are no further problems..." he said with a cough. "...then may I have the rings please?"
Jeriten's familiar form drifted up from the crowd and floated over to the pedestal, carrying a small black box. The announcer accepted it and thanked him. Ten nodded and returned to the crowd, muttering about how he always had to do everything.
The announcer handed the 2 rings to Sergei and Cygni, respectively, the former who winked to the latter and motioned her to just follow along.
"Sergei Grana, do you take this Cygni to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do." he instantly replied with, slipping his ring onto Cygni's middle finger.
"Cygni.. uh..." The announcer fumbled a moment, digging through his notes. "Just Cygni." she said to him. All records of her previous life had been dumped when Radicus had performed the change and updated them.
"Right. Cygni, do you take this Sergei to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
("Spring it, don't hesitate. DO IT!")
"I do." she calmly said before she could think, slipping her ring onto Sergei's finger.
"Then I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride!"
Sergei did so, and very passionately at that. Cygni managed to notice over his shoulder that the small diamond on the ring was changing colour, it went from white to red. They held the position for almost 2 minutes while the crowd cheered on loudly. The announcer, grinning, stepped back and admitted another band onto the floor, who instantly set up and began getting ready to play.
The pair finally seperated, not saying anything but simply gasping for air.
"That's.. got to be one of the longer kisses in history." said Cygni. She held up her ring. "This changed colour.."
"Yea, it's a mood ring, picked a couple up for us.. mainly for my benefit so I know when to avoid you."
Cygni landed a playful punch on his arm and turned to the roaring crowd below. She noticed Ran over at the bar, personally serving food to Rei.
"I'm starving, lets grab something!"
"Read my mind!"
They laughed and hopped down into the crowd below, Cygni making a conscious effort to land on Bakuto's head.
(RP OFF)
Hopefully I got at least something right with the wedding thing, it's been a long time since I've heard any of those, and I couldn't find any quick-reference stuff, so I had to make it up as I went along >)
Jocko, you pretty much got this thread going, so would you like the honor of ending it? I've pretty much played all my hands for this story *grin*
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By Jocko on Sunday, April 2, 2000 - 07:35:
All right. It'll end in on a slightly dark note...
Ever seen the film "Trainspotting?"
Well, Megane's about to choose something other than life...but not suicide, mind you!
(RP ON)
Ryouko and Hudson were shedding tears as they approached Cygni and Sergei. Telling them how happy they were for them.
Cygni laughed, and leaned in close to Ryouko, "Just make sure we get front row seats," Cygni winked and motioned her head to Warren who was giving Sergei repeated slaps on the back and shakings of the hand.
Ryouko grinned, "Don't be surprised if it is bigger than this," she elegantly motioned around the warehouse.
Warren and Sergei laughed hardily, "Man," Hudson said, "so where's the Honeymoon going to be?"
Sergei frowned, "I'm not exactly sure; this was all so rushed..." he smiled at Cygni and Ryouko talking and giggling.
"All right..." Warren said with a lecher's leer, "should we just have food delievered to your house for the next week?" Hudson winked.
Sergei smiled coyly, but said nothing.
Next up for congratulating the happy couple was Sakura and Tsubame, Shinobu and Zard, and Lum and Ataru.
Last up was Cygni's Stormtroopers, Beavis and Butthead, and Megane.
Everything passed by in a blur for Cygni and Sergei except for Megane, who's face was ashen.
"Everything all right?" Cygni inquired.
Megane nodded with effort. "Will I ever be truly happy in life?" Megane asked this of Sergei.
"I truthfully don't know," Sergei sighed, "but I do know one thing, Megane..."
"What's that?"
Sergei smiled slightly, "that sometimes you have to grab life by the balls and squeeze until it's something you can love."
Megane nodded, "Okay, when I find life's balls I'll grab on, Sergei. Thanks a lot," Megane didn't seemed convinced.
Cygni stepped forward, "Put your hand out, Megane."
Megane did so. Cygni put a small card in his left palm. Megane looked closer and his eyes bugged out.
"THIS-THIS-IS...!!!"
"Five Million American Dollars," Cygni grinned wide.
Megane looked at her, "But-but, why?"
"Well," Cygni chuckled, "if you hadn't flown off the handle, I would have never gone to Las Vegas and Jariten would have never pulled that lever on the slot machine."
Megane shook his head, "I cannot-"
"Yes, you can."
Megane casted his eyes downwards towards the floor, "Thank you, Cygni-san."
Cygni simply replied by giving Megane a hug. She whispered, "I want you to do whatever is necessary to make things have meaning for you again. Unless you want to hurt people," she chuckled.
Megane nodded and disengaged himself from the hug as Hudson came up and inspected the card.
"Shit!" Hudson exclaimed, "that's more money than I've made in my life!"
Ryouko playfully punched Warren in the arm, "Warren-kun, don't act modest."
Everyone laughed as Hudson blushed.
"All right, all right, I've made a *little* more than five million in my life..." Warren smiled.
This caused Ryouko to mimic Warren's trademark whistle and "innocent me" stance.
Ataru chuckled, "Hey Hudson, I bet Tobimaru-san will buy you a whole round of drinks for getting Ryouko-chan off his back!"
Ryouko beamed, "Already happened at my birthday party, remember Ataru-sama?"
"Lum and I were still climbing your birthday cake."
Everyone in on the conversation laughed at the memory.
Right then, Cygni and Sergei sank into another long-winded kiss.
Not wanting to be left out, Lum glanced to her Darling, and decided to take the initiative.
Lum gently grabbed Ataru by the hips, turned him around, and kissed him full on the lips in one fluid motion...and Ataru didn't fight it.
Jariten made a smartalec remark while Shinobu and Zard laughed.
Tsubame Ozuno smiled at the two couples kissing, and turned to Sakura.
The two shrugged, "I guess nothing can interrupt us if Moroboshi and Lum are kissing," Sakura slyly grinned. Soon Tsubame was holding Sakura in his arms...
"We're being left out," Hudson said simply and leaned Ryouko over for a 1950's Hollywood-style kiss. Ryouko happily reciprocated, thereby enabling them to hold the kiss longer than Sergei and Cygni.
Megane let a tear slip down his cheek freely. He was happy for them, all of them.
The synth-pop band was set up on the stage and the singer was a woman named Kyoko Tsuyouko; another Idol Singer wannabe.
The song she sang was "Good Luck-From Forever With Love."
"It's so wonderful--All right"
We can still make it...
"It's so wonderful"
...while there are birds
flying in the sky."
If there was any doubt Megane had in his mind about whether he could get through the day without crying like a lovelorn fool; they were confirmed now.
"It's so wonderful--All right"
Looking at it from here...
"It's so wonderful"
...it's just like a panorama
surrounded by light."
Shutaro was beside him, "Megane, you all right?"
"Mendou, this must be what heaven sounds like."
"Earth is a beautiful planet--
the only oasis
floating in the cosmos.
"Good luck"--I will protect
the planet of love on which you live.
How exciting it is!"
For a moment, Shutaro was able to tap into what Megane was feeling.
"Yes," Mendou said quietly, "it probably is."
"It's so wonderful--All right"
Tomorrow will be too late...
"It's so wonderful"
...because the sun will fade soon."
Warren and Ryouko finished their kiss; it was a good thing too, even Ataru was about to ask them to get a room.
"Travel to the East of Eden.
Even without a map,
you will return for sure--Boomerang."
Megane wasn't sure if he was about to have a nervous breakdown or turn into a superbeing right then and there.
"Good luck"--An angel's kiss
turns into a cobalt-blue star.
Terribly exciting!"
Sergei and Cygni were beginning to sing along. With Sakura and Tsubame following suit. Then Ataru and Lum.
"Earth is a beautiful planet--
the only oasis
floating in the cosmos.
"Good luck"--I will protect
the planet of love on which you live.
How exciting it is!"
Now Megane and Shutaro were singing.
"Good luck"--I send you telepathy
from here, with eternal love.
Truly exciting!"
The song ended slowly, the way it should.
Sometime later, cake was served; one for Rei and one for everyone else.
Cherry was giving blessings on stage and avoiding thrown objects with great agility.
Megane had found his home video retailer, Sakaguchi, sitting at a table slightly dazed but still there. The daze Sak was in seemed slightly different to Megane than just being drunk.
When Sakaguchi was asked he simply told Megane to meet him in the Men's Room later.
This puzzled Megane somewhat. But he was soon dragged onto the stage by Hudson.
"What're we gonna do?" Megane asked.
"We are going to make Devo proud," Hudson glowed.
A question mark could practically be seen next to Megane's head.
Warren was handed the mic. "Everyone, everyone, can I have your attention, please?"
The entire warehouse was soon silent. "Thank you," Warren smiled, "you may remember this next tune as 'Working In A Coal Mine' as performed by Devo."
Some people were heard clapping and cheering.
Hudson acted cool, "But now...it's our turn..."
"You drunk enough to be as confident as I am?" he whispered to Megane.
"Right now I feel like I could conquer the world in thirty minutes," Megane nodded eagerly.
"That's the spirit, lad."
The song went well, every so often Hudson would stop singing and let Megane have the spoken line: "Lord...I am so tired...how long can this go on?"
Afterwards, Megane remembered what Sakaguchi had told him. So he left the party and proceeded to the Men's Room.
No one was inside, Megane sighed, "Hey Sak! Where the hell are you?"
A stall opened and a fat guy around 37 years of age stepped out. "Hiding and waiting for you, Megane."
"Well what do you want?" Megane sighed, looking at himself in a mirror.
"I know you've been acting really shitty lately...and if you want something to...you know," Sak looked around; suspicious.
"No, I don't think I do," Megane using his trademark deadpan.
"You know what Dr. Johnson said, right?"
Megane shook his head in the negative.
"He said: 'He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.'" Sak smiled toothfully.
"Cool," Megane turned on a faucet, and began washing his face.
"I can take all the pain away, Megane."
"How?"
Sakaguchi grinned and went back into the stall he appeared out of, he returned with a metal briefcase.
Sak set it down on a sink, clicked it open, and produced a small bag with a white powdery substance in it.
"Heroin?" Megane knew his smack.
Sak nodded, "I'm not going to lie to you. The life of a junkie is simply one black and white channel day in and day out until you die. There are some, like me, who can moderate and maintain something resembling a normal life on top of it. But a lot go down, some linger along for awhile, then there are those who get off of it and live."
"Why bring this stuff to me?" Megane asked, plaintively.
"I know that you're hurting, Megane," Sak smiled in a self-depreciating fashion, "You're a smack junkie waiting to happen ever since Lum and the Stormtroopers aren't what they used to be. You've never even been laid or had a girlfriend...your parents don't know or don't care what you're going through."
Megane glared at Sakaguchi.
"Hey," Sak threw up his hands, "you're my biggest porn and anime consumer, what am I to assume?"
"How did you know?" Megane frowned.
"A good home video retailer in the 80's has to be more than what a good bartender was in the 30's."
"Even if it means selling scag to high school students?" Megane glanced up at his friend.
"Even if it means making sure a friend doesn't screw himself up anymore than he needs to be," Sak smiled warmly. "It's a dangerous drug world out there, Megane. I'd rather you always know your dealer and only take what you can handle. After that, come what may," Sak gestured to the mirror.
Megane crossed his arms, "How long have you been a junkie?"
"Three years," Sak said slowly, slightly regretful.
"I never knew," Megane shook his head then chuckled, "you hid it damn well."
"Thanks," Sak motioned to his gear, "here I have smack, mescaline, pot, and coke," he turned to his customer, "you can shoot up with me for free, or you can forget this ever happened, you can also think about it."
Megane stood looking at the illegal substances. What was so wrong with it? It's not like there was anything he had to stay straight for. He had five million American dollars, that properly invested could set him up real nice for life or death. Whether that be for a life as a filmmaker or a quick, but albeit possibly brilliant, death as a drugsucker.
It would make a killer ducumentary, though...Toyko Smack Junkies in the mid 1980's.
Either way, he was only taking *himself* down. Frankly, that appealed to him in this moment and time.
"So what's it going to be?" Sak said gently, "I'll be your home video retailer and friend always, no matter what you choose."
"I choose the smack," Megane looked up at Sak, "but not here, I wouldn't want Cygni to find out that you came to her wedding with a briefcase full of drugs."
"Yeah, that's what I figured," Sak said, "these are all just fakes anyway," he clicked the briefcase shut.
Megane's jaw dropped, he laughed, "those are just your showpieces, right?"
Sak nodded, "Yes, it cuts down on risk if the police catches you when you're setting up a deal."
Later, when Megane shot up for the first time in Sakaguchi's one room apartment, he would remember a fleeting thought as the pain of his life turning to loose jelly shit around him was temporarily chased away.
"I was cured, all right..."
Even Later still, Megane began writing on a new Oni Laptop Computer he bought with the money Cygni had given him before getting a top-notch stockbroker and opening several bank accounts and safe deposit boxes.
"I feel like a monster reincarnation of Adlai Stevenson, a man on the move and just sick enough to be totally confident."
(THE END)
Sorry for ending things so negatively, Parias. I ripped some of the ending dialog from A Clockwork Orange and Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas.
Megane will survive. He just has a drug habit and the money to support it, he's disciplined enough not to squander the money as to endanger his future. He'll keep his grades up, and things will continue.
"Good Luck" is the ending theme for a few UY OVAs and it was the last ending credits theme used in the TV series. It's one of my favorite UY songs...
Official Credits...
Ending Theme: Good Luck - Towa Yori Ai o Komete
(Good Luck - From Forever With Love)
Performed by Minami Shooko * Lyrics by Agi Yooko
Music by Izumi Tsunetomo * Arranged by Mizutani Koosei
Special Thanks to Animeigo's online Liner Notes!
Proper legal stuff...
Urusei Yatsura © Kitty Films. Translation, Subtitling & Dubbing © AnimEigo. All Rights Reserved
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By Parias on Sunday, April 2, 2000 - 09:16:
*Applause*
A damn fine ending if I do say so myself >) Good job!
For the congrats, I'd like to stick one out to Blade of Kintaro again, for the time he was here, for the humor of his posts, Bakuto was a pretty funny character. And of course you, Jocko, for being so knowledgable and helping me out where I needed it, half the time I didn't know where the hell it was going to go, but you always seemed to straighten it out in your next post. And I'd like to thank everyone, contributing or not, for putting up with my blatant ripping off of several games, movies, and other things along with my continual integration of Lum-like characters (in appearance anyways) and my "make-it-up-as-I-go-along" attitude in posting. Good job people! >)
..As for our next line, I've told my friend that we're finished on this, and he's considering on if he'll join or not. If he is, he'll start us off on the next line, if he isn't, well, I'll let you go Jocko, since you seemed to have a couple of ideas. He'll have his decision by Monday, at latest.
Phew, that was one of our longest running storylines yet...
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By Jocko on Sunday, April 2, 2000 - 19:41:
Damn straight! I just spent all night watching Apocalypse Now twice and watching the clock lose an hour...
I'll be the first to admit that I know very little about true drug addition besides what I've read in Hunter Thompson books and what I've seen in some select movies. But I'd like to think I can portray both the good and bad...the story of Megane's artistic reinassance has appeal.
Example, Sakaguchi and Megane go "on assignment" to film the former's college ski team's ski meet whatever...basically the UY answer to Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas at a Japan ski resort. Like I said before, Sak is a blue collar guy who's clawed himself up into a high-class college film studies program. He gets a lot of shit from the young punks.
I'd like to figure out how I can also squeeze in Hudson's Time Magazine cover story, Benten's debt problems, and the love-raygun story.
And hell, maybe as a side story I'll do that "Ataru gets a job at a lady's evening wear store" anecdote. Or you could do that, Parias. You have the proper knowledge of the UY story to make it a success.
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By Jocko on Sunday, April 2, 2000 - 19:52:
Oh yes, maybe we should forget about getting started on another story until we figure out how this can be assembled/edited/ironed out into a fanfiction.
I'd like to present this to the larger world of UY fans who have never seen anything like this before...for good or ill. Just think of the personal glory...a UY continuation primarily based on the foundation of psycho-political black comedy crossed with drug-addled sentimentality.
It would also rock for all of the fanfic archives to have to archive a series called...
"Urusei Yatsura: The Adventures of the Amazing One Million Pound Shithammer"
Hey, we needed a general umbrella title, didn't we?
We should also thank Ataru Devo for his contributions here, AD and Kintaro had potential.
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By Parias on Monday, April 3, 2000 - 23:58:
Oh yea! Almost forgot about AD.. blargh!
Hahaha, love the name there.. truely original >) Alright so assuming we're gonna get this thing posted, what's the plan gonna be to do that?
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By Jocko on Tuesday, April 4, 2000 - 02:33:
I wish the name was my own...I have a Chapter heading/thingy in HST's Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72 to thank for that.
I also heard of a book about Punk Rock in Britain called "The Fascist Bathroom."
Since Megane is frequently discribed as a fascist...why not?
I guess we need to basically edit all three storylines, credit an introduction, transfer this to txt., zip it for some of the archives, and generally post on rec.arts.anime.creative.
It'll be a big job, but not too hard...I hope. We just need to reread everything with a fresh perspective and clear head...then correct any and all errors.
I mean realistically, how many out there read this on the board?
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By Parias on Wednesday, April 5, 2000 - 01:50:
You got a point, be nice to get this thing out to the masses.. heh
Now the fun part is getting all this stuff done... hmm..
Might I suggest we begin another thread for this? Even though I'm on a big fat pr0n pipe, the page still takes a hefty 20 seconds to load >)