Nightelf (nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu) presents... The Circe Project Part 1 Bubblegum Crisis characters created by Kenichi Sonoda Ranma 1/2 characters created by Rumiko Takahashi Don't do anything stupid with this fanfic without the author's permission. If you want to, ask. I'm not unreasonable...usually. As for those who've seen this on the Solaris feed before, Megazone didn't get it, so I'm resending. Part 3 at least should be coming in a couple of days...and maybe part 4, if I can swing it in time. Enjoy the show... *************************************************************************** The bar had seen better days...the wooden tables and chairs, truly a rare sight in this day and age, were cut, rotting, and seemed on the verge of collapsing. Sawdust covered the floor, serving as automatic spill control for whatever may end up there. A few broken souls dotted the place, their humanity crushed under a corporation's heel, the pieces shadowed by the darkness, unable to see the stars covered by the sterile light of the city, burying whatever humanity remained underneath uncertain sips of cheap synthetic. The smell...the smell was a strange mix of alcohol, sweat, vomit, and a few other less-identifiable odors, proving a perfect match for the shards of civilization scattered about. Through this cesspool, a woman entered and walked across to the bar, bringing the impression that the deities had decided to base themselves by walking amongst the mortals for a time. She was young, in her early twenties, with smooth pale skin and relatively short black hair. Her expression was a picture of calm stoicism, with little reaction to the people around her, though her eyes showed a depth rarely seen in humanity. She wore an immaculate red business suit, cut neatly and conservatively, subdued and exquisite. She sat down at the bar and quietly asked for a glass of water. She sat there for a moment, slowly drinking, paying little attention to some mumbling idiot a few stools down. A shuffling. One of the fragments rose from his table seat, walked to the bar with a surprising degree of control, and sat down next to the goddess in scarlet. He was a rather nondescript man, in his early thirties, with disheveled sandy hair, a day's growth of facial hair on his chin, and tired eyes. His clothes, a true contrast to his companion's, consisted of a dirty, threadbare gray coat, dingy brown slacks, and worn brown loafers. Neither one turned to the other as they began to speak. "Hello, Sylia." "Hello, Fargo. What job do you have for us?" "...(sigh)...An information-raiding party. Biotek, inc. wants your operatives to break into a Genom research lab, copy its files, and get out." The young woman raised an eyebrow. "What kind of information?" The man shook his head. "Frightening stuff. Damn frightening. Have you heard about the Circe Project?" Sylia, for once, looked surprised. The Circe Project...it made Genom's boomer research look like a freshman chemistry experiment. There were few rumors...but what rumors there were would be enough to frighten anyone. Rumor had it that high-ranking Genom execs who got on Quincy's bad side once too often were transferred to Circe - as experiment fodder. Other rumors - of men turning into swine and other animals - were usually dismissed as fantasy. Unfortunately, some of the evidence found on the project suggested it was more than fantasy... "Circe...that's going to be expensive. And dangerous. How much?" "125 million, 75 in advance." "Why so much?" "The lab's in a remote section of China...all the information you'll need is on here," he said, handing her a small disk. "Thanks. I'll let you know in a day or two." Finishing her water, she slipped the disk into a coat pocket, left money for the tab, and left. She didn't notice the fool sitting near her shift over a couple of seats and take hers. A few minutes later, as an immaculately clean and shiny red Mercedes-Benz roared through the streets of MegaTokyo, Sylia pondered this new job offer. "Something's wrong here...It's too...too...convenient? A job against Genom, something we rarely turn down...a potentially power-shifting type of information...a place far away from the familiar confines of MegaTokyo...the amount of payment...this is just screaming 'trap'. But...who would value our lives at 75 million? Are we _that_ much of a thorn in Genom's side? Also. Fargo would have double-checked for any traps. Oh well...if the information on the disk checks out, I'll probably accept...Genom with a weapon that can transform people is just too powerful." She then shifted gears, put the pedal to the floor, and buried any doubts in a rush of speed. Three days later... "So what's this place we're hitting again?" Priss' question echoed through the Knightwing. "Didn't you pay attention in the briefing?" Sylia's voice, canned somewhat by the helmet, showed the briefest hint of annoyance. Priss looked sheepish even with the hardsuit on. "Yeah, but...I kinda forgot." "...(sigh)...It's called the Jusenkyo Bioengineering Laboratories. Do you remember the plan?" "Yeah, yeah...(starts going by rote) Enter the area from the north side, cross over a group of springs, and, while Linna and I run interference outside, you, Nene, and Mackie run in and download their computer into our files. Right?" Sylia smiled beneath her armor. "I'm glad you remembered something." "We're almost there. Get ready." Mackie's voice projected barely contained excitement. Sylia needed his expertiece, so he came along, clad in a bulky yellow hardsuit. At his warning, the others began to make last-minute checks and preparations. "Jump in five seconds...Now!" Setting the 'wing on hover, Mackie leapt out of the craft along with the others and landed softly, his jump slowed at the last second by retro-rockets. He watched as the others drifted down, their agile movements silhouetted against the moonlight. "This is Sylia. Everyone copy?" "Yeah, I'm here." "Copy." "Copy, sis." "I copy." She looked at the others one by one, checking to see if there were any problems. "Okay. We're about one kilometer from the laboratory. Keep it quiet and don't fall into the springs. There may be traps, so be careful." The group walked through the woods, ready for any possible resistance. Nene was worried as the group walked through the woods. Something didn't seem right about all of this... "I don't like it. Why would they leave the springs relatively unprotected?" "I don't know. Maybe they figured that any force strong enough to attack would be hindered by the springs." "Or maybe it's a trap waiting to happen..." "Quiet!" Sylia's voice hissed over the radio. "We're almost there." They cleared the woods and looked at the springs in awe. There were hundreds of them...of every imaginable shape and size. No wonder it wasn't well defended. No large force could go across without serious logistics difficulties. Also, there was no dry cover. "Nene, are you reading any traps?" Sylia's voice was showing a little bit of strain. "Only the usual sensors...no big deal." "Good. I don't want any surprises here." They started walking through the area, taking care to avoid the springs. Water doesn't float, after all...they had gotten about halfway through when Linna heard a *click* underfoot. "Sylia..." "Sylia! A bunch of sensors just flared up! Something else too..." Nene's voice was on the edge of panic. "Holy..." Metal tendrils shot up from the ground, looking for something to latch on to. The group tried to avoid as best they could. "Sylia! I can't affect these things!" Nene was getting hysterical. "Get out of the area, _now_!" Sylia fired the boosters on her jets, soaring above the reach of the tendrils. "Sylia! I'm caught!" "Sis!" Nene and Mackie screamed as the tendrils grabbed them, then slammed them into the springs. "Sis! The water..." The next thing Sylia saw was a message on her HUD. *** EMERGENCY - SECURITY ALERT 507 - SUIT 5 *** *** EMERGENCY - SECURITY ALERT 214 - SUIT 4 *** "impossible..." She was so taken aback by the messages that she put herself in reach, narrowly missing getting caught herself. She watched as the two suits fired their emergency boosters and flew to the Knightwing. A shudder went through her as she saw Nene's suit: it flew by itself, carrying its helmet underneath one arm, creating the impression of a twenty-first-century Headless Horseman. Pulling herself together, only one option remained in her mind. "Linna, Priss, get out of there, now! Head back to the Knightwing!" She turned around and headed toward the aircraft. "Chikusho...*SPLASH*..." "PRISS!!!" *** EMERGENCY - SECURITY ALERT 214 - SUIT 2 *** Only Linna was left. Sylia watched, horrified, as Linna fired her boosters, was caught by a tendril, and slam-dunked into a spring. Priss' suit, like Nene's, rose from the water, its headless body flying through the air providing a none-too-subtle reminder: This was the death of the Knight Sabers, and the springs, their graveyard. She barely heard Linna's screams, then stared in fascination at the readings coming in: *** EMERGENCY - SECURITY ALERT 507 - SUIT 3 *** *** CRIT FAILURE - WEAPONS SYSTEMS - SUIT 3 *** *** CRIT FAILURE - MOTOR SYSTEMS - SUIT 3 *** The hardsuit flew clumsily from the spring, like a broken marionette. Sensing trouble, it launched the suit far higher than it was supposed to go. Sylia watched as damage reports mounted. *** CRIT FAILURE - SECURITY FAILSF - SUIT 3 *** *** CRIT FAI------------------------------------- : : : : : The hardsuit sputtered, died, and fell to earth, its strings cut, and all Sylia could do was watch. Fighting back tears, she headed back to the Knightwing, her hopes crushed. As she sank into the pilot's seat, she noticed the combat boomers scouring the area, looking for anyone left. "I'm sorry...all of you," she whispered, gunning the engines, trying to dull the pain by outracing the night. **************************************************************************** End Part 1 **************************************************************************** Here we go... Nightelf (nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu) presents... The Circe Project Part 2 Ranma 1/2 characters created by Rumiko Takahashi Bubblegum Crisis characters created by Kenichi Sonoda Nodoka Hibiki created by me, with large influences from the Ranma 1/2 characters. As always, don't do anything stupid with this fanfic without the author's permission...If you want to, ask. I'm not unreasonable. **************************************************************************** The dark form of the Knightwing cruised slowly toward MegaTokyo, its silent running keeping it from the watchful eyes of radar towers. Its lone occupant, a young, raven-haired woman, sat in fromt of a computer screen, her crying eyes trying to find some sense of the tragedy in the mission's data logs, occasionally mumbling to herself as she absorbed bits and pieces of information. "Okay...let's see...here's the readings from Nene's suit...no problems...here's where...what the..." She stopped as the readings suggested the impossible. Disbelieving, she replayed them in slow-motion. Somehow, in an instant, Nene...disappeared. One second, it was reading her blood pressure and neural readings, the next there was...nothing. "Hmmm...Nene and Priss showed the same malfunction...I wonder..." Priss' information was nearly identical. There one second, gone the next. A determined sigh escaped from her lips. "Okay. So the same thing happened to Nene and Priss. But what about..." She pulled up Mackie's readings. "Here's where he gets caught...here's where...ohmygod..." Sylia was dumbstruck. In an instant, Mackie's heartrate and neural readings... changed. It was as though another person had put on the suit. Sensing the interloper, the suit anesthetized the unwanted occupant and flew back to the Knightwing. Her metallic fingers raced across the keyboard to pull up Linna's readings. She, like Mackie, changed, but something else happened... Somehow, the systems were being destroyed...crushed from the inside...as though the occupant of the suit was too large? Only one thing could do that...She pulled up the lifeform readings in the security hold. A smile creeped across her tear-streaked face as the monitor confirmed her suspicions. Three heat sources, one in each of the hardsuits. The ones in Nene's and Priss' suits were small and squirmed around in the body space. The one in Mackie's was human, but smaller than his size. After commanding the computer to take water samples on each of the hardsuits and establish a medical quarantine, Sylia clasped her hands together tightly, hopeful, praying beyond all reason that she was right. *************************************************************************** Mackie woke up...in the security hold of the Lady's 633 HQ. A small groan escaped as a hand rose to wipe the drowsiness from tired eyes. It took a few seconds for the circumstances of the situation to sink in. She sat up, slowly, every movement a little piece of agony from several days of lethargy. She stopped for a moment, eyes blurred, but fixed as she looked down at her body, her fogged mind trying to figure out what the internal warning bells were for. The eyes widened as she realized...Hands reached around, groping through the fabric, hoping beyond hope that somehow touch would contradict sight. Screams were frozen in her throat as she staggered over to a mirror on the wall, her eyes hesitantly shifting from one view to another. A younger version of Sylia stared out from the looking-glass: Short black hair, smooth, noble face, well-endowed body... "Ahhh. You're awake." A monitor screen in the corner flickered on in the corner. Mackie turned to look at her sister, then back down at herself, a sinking feeling of dread spreading throughout her body. Words tried to find their way to her throat. "Sis...what...how..." she stammered, surprised at the voice's pitch. "Mackie...it's...it's a long story. Unfortunately, I have to identify you first." "Huh?" "What did I do to get revenge on you after you were caught using the security cameras to peek in on us as we were changing?" Mackie didn't know whether to laugh or cry. This was too ironic... "You installed a camera in my room, invited the others over, and made comments over the intercom as I changed." Sylia smiled. "Okay. Sorry." The door to the cell opened, leading to the living room. Mackie walked out, hesitantly, as though learning to walk for the first time. She gasped as she surveyed the living room. Sylia Stingray had seen better days. So had the room. Her hair, normally combed neatly and styled, was completely disheveled. Her face, with sagging eyes and wrinkles, suggested several sleepless nights. She wore a flimsy lavender nightgown, of the type that, under normal conditions, would give Mackie nosebleeds. Around her were reams of computer printouts, on subjects ranging from chemistry to genetics to magic. Garbage, primarily drink containers, littered the normally immaculate floor around her. In her lap was a toy poodle, white with strange pink accents on the head, feet, and tail. It eyed Mackie suspiciously as Sylia stroked it gently. She invited her to take a seat. Mackie sat down, a storm of confusion in her eyes. "The last thing I remember, I was at the Genom lab...(unable to contain her anxiety) What the hell happened to me? I'm...I'm a girl!" Sylia raised her hand, in an effort to calm her down. "Take it easy, Mackie..." Mackie blew up. "TAKE IT EASY?!? I go through an overnight sex change, and you tell me to take it easy?!?" Sylia looked down, unable to meet her fiery gaze. "When we got to the springs, a trap sprang up. You were caught by one of the tendrils and dunked into a spring." "So? How does that explain this?" she yelled, gesturing expansively. Sylia looked ready to cry. "I...I messed up. I didn't research the area enough. I recently looked up an old Chinese legend, of a 'Training Ground of Accursed Springs'. According to the legend, falling in a spring curses the victim with the body of whatever drowned there. The place's name...was Jusenkyo." "There are chains of DNA in each spring, floating around...When you are soaked with water from one of the springs, the chains enter your body and attach themselves to your own DNA. In other words...when you fell in...you gained the DNA of a woman. There...there are a few other things, but I haven't figured them out yet...It could be black magic, for all I know." "Somehow, when the DNA affected you, your body changed to match the DNA. When the suit sensed a strange person inside, it anesthetized you, then headed for the Knightwing. You've been out for the past few days." Mackie looked down, startled, as a black cat suddenly leapt into her lap, purring softly. She picked up the cat, snuggled her, then instantly pulled her away. The cat stared back at her with an almost human curiosity. "Sorry...I'm not used to these," she stammered, gesturing downward. She then gently brought the cat in closer to her chest. "By the way, sis, what's with the pets?" Mackie saw something not seen since Father's death: Sylia's broken heart. Tears welled in her eyes as the pets began to whine mournfully. She bit her lip, trying to find the right words to say. "It's...it's time I introduced them to you. Mackie...this is Nene. The alley cat in your hands is Priss." Mackie fainted. *************************************************************************** Personal Log April 12, 2034 It is with a heavy heart that I write this entry, as it is the last that I write as a member of the Knight Sabers. With this message, I officially disband the group - for all time. Twelve years ago, Father enlisted me in a war to stop Genom's continued rise and abuse of power. Three days ago, that war ended...badly. We accepted a job to break into a Genom bioengineering laboratory, with the intention of stealing the information from its computers. The job, as it turned out, was a trap...and we fell right into it. I escaped unharmed. The others...changed. Somehow, the place transformed them into something (or someone) else. As yet, I do not know how to reverse the process - and fear I never will. Their situations are as follows: Priss - Priss was changed into a black cat by the springs there. Her days of dazzling the Hot Legs Club are now replaced by days of lounging around the apartment, staring mournfully outside, perhaps thinking of the days when she danced across the skies... Nene - Nene has the form of a toy poodle now. Her days of electronics and computer wizardry are done. Still, she seems to be taking it better than Priss - she seems as energetic and cheerful as ever, though that may be just to cheer me up. Mackie - Mackie will never have a girlfriend, never become a father, never become the man that Father and I always knew he'd become. You see, Mackie fell into the Spring of Drowned Girl. My younger brother has become my younger sister. And, I fear, she will never forgive me for it. She woke up this morning, for the first time since the incident. The look on her face...the fear, the anger, the frustration...the betrayal... I will carry with me to my dying day. It was a stranger who stared back at me...a woman I'd never met...with only the slightest hints of the young man she once was. When Mackie changed...something...died...inside of him/her...something that can never be replaced: her innocence. Linna - Linna was the lucky one. She is missing, presumed dead. Her change damaged her hardsuit, causing it to malfunction in midflight. If the fall didn't kill her, the boomers did. Wherever you are, Linna Yamazaki, I pray you are at peace...for I can never be. ***** END FILE ***** Sylia laid her head down on the desk, unable to hold her tears any longer. She'd fought so hard...for so long...used every bit of her life-blood to thwart Genom's plans...and lost. Lost everything. "Rowr?" "Priss..." The cat stared at her from atop her desk, her yellow eyes staring at Sylia with concern. A weak smile spread across Sylia's face as she picked Priss up, placing her on her lap. She stroked the cat gently as she stared out into the rainy night, finding comfort in her friend's company. Tears continued to pour down her face, though, as she looked at the shadows in the darkness. "What am I going to do, Priss...the Sabers are gone...Mackie's a girl...You and Nene...I can't fight anymore. Not after this..." Sylia whispered hoarsely to her friend, purring softly on her lap. "I don't know anymore...I just don't know..." "SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Sylia snapped to attention at the voice: A young tenor, not yet fully mature...Mackie?!? It couldn't be... The door to Sylia's room burst open, revealing Mackie for all to see. He was wet, naked...and definitely masculine. Sylia smiled for a moment, laid an equally ecstatic Priss on the desk and threw him a blanket. "So...how..." "I..I don't know", Mackie blurted, wrapping the blanket around himself. "I was in the shower...I felt...something...I looked down...and..." She walked over and hugged her brother, tears of anguish replaced by joy. "It's...it's good to have you back, Mackie." Releasing her hold, she led him out of the room and back to the bathroom. They stopped just before entering as they saw... Nene knelt on the floor of the shower, holding herself as the hot water caressed her human form. All of the bottled-up frustration of the past few days was being released uncontrollably, her body shivering in spasms, her face contorted with every imaginable emotion known to man. Not wishing to disturb her, Mackie quietly reached in and grabbed a towel, then began to dry himself off. Finishing, he turned to Sylia, a sober expression on his face. "Sis...I know right now you want to check me over medically...to make sure I'm all right...but could you let it wait a few hours? There's something I need to do first." Sylia raised an eyebrow. "And that is?" A mischievous glint caught Mackie's eye, a remnant of the Mackie Sylia knew. "Go out, find a nice hooker, and lose my virginity while I still can." "Uh...Mackie...are you sure you want to do that?" "Do you blame me?" Sylia smiled gently. "Just...be careful, okay? And if you start to feel a little...strange, head back immediately. Got it?" "I got it. And Sis...thanks." Sylia turned around and headed back to her room. Making a cup of coffee, she sat in front of her computer and began to type. Personal Log (supplemental) April 12, 2034 Perhaps...perhaps there is hope after all. Mackie and Nene have both changed back to their natural forms, and I am confident that Priss will shortly. Still, I'm not convinced that this is over...if the springs could be cured that easily, why even mention them? I'm certain that the return to normal is only temporary. After all, the DNA should still be bonded to them...the transformation may be triggered by something else, or may happen slowly over time. There's no way to tell...until it happens. At least there's hope. With Priss and Nene back, the Knight Sabers, given time, can be back in business. ***** END FILE ***** Sipping her coffee, she turned around and stared into the night, dreaming of a time when the Knight Sabers would fly once more. She just shook her head and sighed as a high-pitched scream came from the rain outside. ************************************************************************** Mackie sat cross-legged on his bed, piles of disks, pictures, tapes, and magazines strewn about. The look on his face was one of...horror... as he glanced from picture to picture. "What's happening to me...I... I don't want these anymore...Am I...(his face twists further) Am I becoming a girl...in mind...as well as in body?" "No. You're just viewing things from a different point of view." Sylia entered the room and leaned against the wall, a gentle smile adorning her face. She held a glass of water in her hand. "Huh?" "Mackie...I need to talk to you...*SPLASH*...woman-to-woman." "What about?" Mackie asked, annoyed at the change. Sylia sighed. This wasn't going to be easy..."Would you be willing to train in your cursed form and fight as a member of the Knight Sabers?" Mackie's eyes grew wide at this. "Me...a Knight Saber? You mean..." Sylia's face darkened for a moment. "Because of Linna's...death, it'll be months before the Knight Sabers will be able to go back out. I plan on using the time to build new suits...train you...and Linna's replacement." "You've selected a replacement for Linna?" Sylia nodded. "Come with me." **************************************************************************** It was a side of MegaTokyo that had seen better days...then again, most of MegaTokyo had seen better days. Offices and shops dotted the streets, selling everything from food to antiques to boomer parts. Mackie watched all this from the passenger side of the Benz, store flashing against store and person flashing against person until it all became one panoramic blur. She was seriously uncomfortable...she hadn't really been out since... "Sis, why do I have to go out like this? I mean...I don't really feel comfortable going out in public as a girl..." "Then you'd better get comfortable - fast. Any inhibitions you may have about your girl-body will have to disappear once you put on the armor." "But...the dress?" She gestured to the business attire she was wearing. "As I said, you'd better get used to it quickly. Besides, we need to make a good impression on our prospective Knight Saber." Mackie wrinkled her nose. "What's so special about her, anyway?" Sylia sighed. "She's heir to one of the finest martial-arts schools in Japan. The dojo that had been in her family for generations was torn down by Genom two years ago. Also...I have reason to believe she knows about Jusenkyo." This got Mackie's attention. "What?!? How?" "Her grandfather...apparantly was cursed...judging by records and photos." "In what way?" A wicked smile spread across Sylia's face. "Let's just say you have someone to talk to." The boy/girl's eyes lit up. "He's still alive?" Sylia nodded. "Yes, and runs the dojo with his granddaughter." The car came to a stop in front of a fairly large office building. On the front was written the words, in both old-style kanji and modern English: Hibiki School of Anything-Goes Martial Arts The two got out of the car. Mackie adjusted her outfit slightly, then followed Sylia inside, her high-heeled steps wobbly and uncertain. A most unusual sight awaited them inside. Two combatants flew all over the dojo, their moves a blur of attacks, counters, and blocks. Noticing the visitors, the pair flew into place, then stepped forward. The younger of the two was a woman, about 18 years of age, with haunting sky-blue eyes, smooth, expressive face, and jet-black hair tied back into a pigtail. She stood barely five feet in height, her karate gi a few sizes too large for her small, though muscular frame. The other one was an older man, in his fifties, with graying hair tied back into a pigtail and unusual Chinese clothing over his still-muscular frame. The girl warmly approached the two, extending her hand in greeting, as the old man shifted uncomfortably. "Hi. I'm Nodoka Hibiki. Are you the ones who contacted me about a job?" Sylia accepted the hand with her usual diplomatic grace. "Yes. My name is Sylia Stingray, and this is...Mackie." "Mackie? Isn't that a boy's name?" the old man whispered, almost to himself. "Uh...It's a long story." Mackie didn't quite know how to explain herself. "Oh. I'm sorry. Forgive my manners. This is my grandfather, Ranma Saotome. He helps me run the dojo. Come on back, I'll make you some tea." Ranma rolled his eyes. "Uhhh....Nodoka-chan? Do you think that's wise?" Sylia and Mackie covered their eyes as they saw the frightening power of an unfocused battle aura. "Are you saying I can't even MAKE TEA?!?" Ranma, unconcerned by his granddaughter's anger, whispered softly, "Nodoka-chan...there are many things you do well...but cooking isn't one of them." "GRANDFATHER NO BAKA!!!" Pulling a mallet out of nowhere, she hammered Ranma into the wall, creating a sizable dent in it. Remembering her visitors, she turned beet red and tried to hide the mallet behind her. Eyes wide in amazement, the two approached Ranma's broken form, full of concern. "Sir...are you okay?" The old man smiled weakly. "You know, Nodoka-chan...you remind me a lot of your grandmother..." Once he fell unconscious, Nodoka pried her grandfather off the wall, hefted him over her shoulder, and walked to the living area, setting him down in a chair. The Stingrays meekly followed, sitting down quietly. Nodoka filled up a pot with water, filled a tea strainer with some substance that vaguely resembled tea, and put it on the stove. She then sat down, a curious look on her face. "So...what's this job you want me to do?" She smiled as Ranma woke up from his forced slumber. "The job is twofold. First of all, I would like you and your grandfather to give private training to Mackie." She looked over Mackie suspiciously. "How much training have you had? Not much, by the look of it." Mackie shrugged. "True enough." Sylia coughed, then continued. "Before we talk about the second, I have a few questions to ask you. First of all, sir, have you ever been to China?" The old man looked surprised by this, then answered, "Sure...a couple of times when I was younger and in training." A predator's smile spread across Sylia's face. "Did you ever come across a training ground called Jusenkyo?" Both of them looked like they'd been slapped in the face. Nodoka jumped up, a blue corona of battle aura emanating from her body. "Listen, if you intend to blackmail us..." Sylia raised her hand calmly. "No...It's just...so have we." Needless to say, this was not a response that they'd been expecting. Nodoka's jaw hung down to the floor in shock. Ranma, at least, was taking it well. "So...Mackie is..." "A man, yes." Ranma got up, walked over to the sink, and stuck his head under the tap. The others watched as his features shifted...She then grabbed Mackie by the hand and led her out into the dojo. "Come on, kid. We need to talk." Nodoka turned to Sylia after they left. "Is she really..." Sylia laughed. "Uh-huh. Believe it or not, he's my younger brother." "How did it happen?" Sylia locked eyes with her, her face suddenly sober. "That's the other job I wanted to offer you...tell me...have you ever heard of the Knight Sabers?" **************************************************************************** Mackie silently stared down at her feet as Ranma led her into the dojo, her tongue held by the multitude of questions in her mind. Before her was someone...like her...a man, cursed into half-womanhood...who had apparantly lived with it for years. Someone who knew all the pain, hardship, and problems she was going through, and had apparantly lived a normal life despite it. What do you ask someone like that... "So..how long have you been cursed?" Ranma stared at her, a wry smile on her face. "Uh...about a week. How about you?" Mackie asked sheepishly. "Well...I was about your age when it happened, if that gives you any idea. Sorry if I'm being a little forward, but it isn't everyday you meet...someone like yourself." Mackie nodded. "I know. This may seem a little personal, but...what was life like for you after the change? I mean...was it easy for you to go on dates and have relationships...even with _her_ around?" It started with a small burst of laughter, a bit that Ranma could no longer contain. In seconds, she was doubled over, her laughing uncontrollable. Needless to say, this did not ease any of Mackie's tensions. Seeing the horrified look on her face, Ranma staggered over to her, put her hand on Mackie's shoulder, and tried to catch enough breath to explain. "Four...four fiancees...at once..." she blurted out, trying to ease her companion's worry. This helped...a bit. "All female, I hope?" Ranma straightened up, in mock indignation. "Of course. Let's see... there was Akane, Nodoka's grandmother...a childhood friend named Ukyou... this Chinese Amazon named Shampoo, of all things...and a psycho gymnast named Kodachi." "How did that happen?" Ranma shook her head. "Loooong story. Give me enough sake sometime, and I'll tell you. So...how'd it happen?" Mackie looked nervous. "Well...I don't know if I can tell you yet... If Sylia lets me, I'll tell you later. How'd you end up cursed?" A nostalgic sigh escaped from Ranma's lips. "Pop was...Pop was an idiot at times. He dragged me all over Japan and China to teach me martial arts. One day, we came to Jusenkyo to train, and..." She gestured expansively down at herself. A long moment passed as Mackie looked down at the floor. There was a question she'd been wanting to ask, but... "What am I? I mean..." she blurted out, instantly regretting she'd said it, covering her mouth in embarassment. A look of sympathetic understanding appeared on Ranma's face. "Ahhh. You're worried that being a woman will make you less of a man." Ranma locked eyes with Mackie, making sure she had her undivided attention. "Listen to me, Mackie. I've been where you are now. Manhood isn't in the flesh. It's in the soul. Believe in yourself, and you'll be fine." She looked down at Mackie's less-than-manly attire and shook her head. "Just...don't make it a habit of dressing up like that, okay?" She looked back up at Mackie. "Why did you wear that, anyway?" Mackie groaned, shifting uncomfortably. "Sylia wanted me to get used to it." "Trust me. If your life ends up half as strange as mine, you'll get used to it. As for girlfriends...be patient. There's someone out there even for people like us." Mackie shook her head, doubting her words. "I dunno...this is all too strange for _me_ to take in. How can I expect someone else to?" Laughter escaped from Ranma's lips - laughter tinged with sadness. "You'd be surprised. There will be difficulties, but nothing that can't be worked out. Akane and I...we had a lot of fights in the early years... but...we looked out for each other. Eventually, we got past the stubbornness and admitted how we felt." "Gee, Grandfather, do you think it had anything to do with the fact that you thought she was dead for awhile?" Nodoka entered the dojo, followed by Sylia. "Hey, now...we would have admitted it eventually..." Nodoka walked over to Mackie, looking her up and down. "So...you're supposed to be a guy? I'm envious." Mackie blushed. "Please. It's hard enough without the comments." Nodoka turned around to face her grandfather, an excited look on her face. "Grandfather, I've accepted a most...unique...job offer, on behalf of the dojo. Part of it will be training...er, him. The other part... the other part the four of us will be discussing over dinner tonight. Uh... do you mind if Mackie borrows some of your clothes? I think he should change before we go out." ***************************************************************************** "Rain sucks," Mackie thought as the Benz roared through the wet streets of MegaTokyo. "To have the evening end like that...oh well. She's going to be working with my girl-body anyway...it's just...I wish I could have said goodbye as a guy." She looked out her window into the night...occasional shadows racing past...lights...Mackie started to lose herself in the blur of the city. *beepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeepbeep* Sylia pushed a button on the car's computer, punching up a most disturbing sight. ***** SECURITY ALERT 001 ***** On the screen, Genom agents and boomers stood in the lobby of the Silky Doll, trying to get through the armor and ceramic of the back door. The door would hold for awhile, but not forever... Sylia looked sad for a moment. She had invested a lot of time in that shop..."Computer, activate computer core 002 at Raven's Garage and transfer all temporary memory currently at computer 001 there. Initiate Security Protocol 009 to destroy the suits. Upon completion, initiate Security Protocol 001. Authorization code: Sigma Upsilon Lambda Iota Alpha 633." ***** COMMAND ACCEPTED ***** ***** COMMAND ACCEPTED ***** ***** COMMAND ACCEPTED ***** ***** COMMAND ACCEPTED ***** "I hope you don't mind losing your collection, Mackie," Sylia whispered, changing course toward Raven's Garage. **************************************************************************** At the dojo... "So...what do you think of Mackie?" Ranma chimed, smiling at her granddaughter. "What do you mean, Grandfather?" Nodoka blushed, trying unsuccessfully to look innocent. "You know perfectly well what I mean, Nodoka-chan. I saw the way you looked at him." A goofy smile spread across Nodoka's face. "Well...he's so cute when he's embarassed...he's so afraid of what the world thinks about his curse... I dunno...He's..." "Enough said, Nodoka-chan. Enough said." ***************************************************************************** Okay. This is the end of Part 2. Part 3 will have Priss' return to Hot Legs, and a dinner date...as well as an Ukyou cameo. Part 4 will unveil the new hardsuits, and some familiar bathroom produ...er, faces. Any C&C is appreciated. Thanks to Takahashi-sama and Sonoda-sama for their creativity. Thanks to the ML gang for their help and comments Thanks to Doug, my roommate, for the use of his computer Nicholas W. Leifker "Nightelf" nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu Nightelf (nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu) presents... The Circe Project Part 3 Bubblegum Crisis characters created by Kenichi Sonoda. Ranma 1/2 characters created by Rumiko Takahashi. Nodoka Hibiki created by me, with serious Ranma 1/2 influences. "Konya wa Hurricane" lyrics by Tomoko Aran. As always, don't do anything stupid with this fanfic without the author's permission. If you want to, ask. I'm not unreasonable...usually. enjoy... ************************************************************************ Sunset approached over the mountains as the Knightwing cruised slowly over the Chinese countryside, its light providing a beautiful sight for Mackie to enjoy. As he looked over the area surrounding the Jusenkyo laboratory, he'd had scant few sights to enjoy. All he'd seen was scorched village after scorched village...better living through Genom. He sat back and sighed, quietly wishing for Linna's return...dead or alive. At least a body would provide some assurances... *..beep......beep......beep..* He reached for a button on the communications panel. "Hello, Mackie..." Nene appeared on the comm screen, her smiling face beaming through the cockpit. "Hello, Nene." Mackie's voice sounded anything but cheerful. "What's up?" "Sylia wanted me to check up on you." She tilted her head to the side and widened her eyes, hope spreading on her face for.... "Any luck?" Mackie shook his head slowly. "No signs of life anywhere. I still have a few places to check out, but I don't have much hope in them. It's all mountains. Nene shrugged. "Well...think about this: If you were hiding from Genom...where would you choose? An open plain...or rugged mountains?" "Good point." "Anyway, hurry back home. Priss is performing tonight." Mackie's eyes lit up. "Really? Cool! I'll see you there." He suddenly turned a bright shade of red. "Uh...do you know if Nodoka's coming?" "I don't know, but I'll be sure to ask her." Nene's smile turned mischievous. "By the way...I left a little surprise for you beneath the console. See ya!" She signed off before Mackie had a chance to respond. "A surprise?" Mackie reached under the console, a perplexed look on his face as he stared at the search's results: A thick paper envelope... pink...scented with Nene's perfume? "Oh my...this couldn't be..." He opened the envelope, staring at the contents inside: A letter, and...something...wrapped in opaque white plastic. He read the letter softly to himself: Mackie - I heard that you lost your little "collection" when the Silky Doll went up, so I thought you might need some help in starting a new collection. Enjoy! Nene. He cautiously ripped open the package. His eyes widened as he flipped from picture to picture... "Her" self, unconscious, being undressed by Sylia shortly after the Jusenkyo raid. Herself, undressing in the bathroom shortly before a certain hot shower... Herself, undressed and gingerly drying herself off after running out into the rain. Herself, carefully (some might say provocatively) putting on lace undergarments shortly before going out to meet Nodoka. "Nene..." Mackie groaned, tossing the pictures in question in a trash bin. He sat back, his mind filling with images of revenge. A cold shower and a visit to the veterinarian...or perhaps a delivery of milk-bones to ADP headquarters... Mackie was so absorbed by his thoughts of revenge that he didn't notice the slightly damaged castle...or the warrior practicing, her agile moves a graceful ballet against the mountains and sunset. ************************************************************************** "One minute, Priss." Priscilla S. Asagiri looked at the stranger in the mirror as the stage manager made his call. It had been "only" two weeks...two weeks of losing a friend...and losing herself. She clenched a fist as she shifted her gaze to her attire, a standard come-out-and-rock outfit: black leather bustier, miniskirt, gloves, and thigh-high boots. She absently fingered the black lace cuff on her left arm...There was one other noticeable difference about her concert attire: her blond wig was gone. If she wanted a disguise, she'd take a cold shower. She opened the door to the room and walked out onto the stage, making sure to notice the presence of her friends before...A tear formed in her eye as the crowd roared her return. God, she never thought she'd live to feel this again...the adrenaline soared through her, the rush more powerful, more addictive than any drug, firing her to near oblivion, though it felt different...tempered. No longer was it a mere explosion within her. It had an edge...a focus. Loss. Pain. Death. Rebirth. She had run the circle and come back, the blade forged anew...stronger and sharper than before. Then the music started. A familiar chord came from the guitarist, pricking something in the base of her skull...she let the music flow through her, letting it become a part of her. The music started meshing, melding with her until the two were one and inseperable, each molding and shaping the other into something more powerful than the two. She took a deep breath, opened her mouth, and let magic happen. "Arashi no Highway...hasiritsuzuketa...Togireta yume no yukue sagashite..." The crowd marveled at the change wrought in the dark angel on stage. Priss' heart, always shrouded, always hidden, shone through now, its fire and brilliance tempered by sorrow. No longer was she a simple retrothrash singer, but a true performer...her words drifted out into the crowd, its spell-weavings enrapturing all those within the sound of her voice. She finished the session, thanked everyone, and walked back to her dressing room. Thirty minutes later, Leon knocked on her door. "Priss? Priss, are you in there?" The voice that answered was far from angelic. "Go away, Leon!" This was not quite the response that he'd been expecting. She'd given the performance of a lifetime...and she was crying? "I...I liked the show. It...It was unbelievable." "Th-Thanks, Leon." "Do...Do you want to talk about it?" "Take it easy on her, Leon." A hand rested gently on his shoulder. He turned around to face Nene, her sober face indicating her sincerity. "We lost a good friend...and we're still coping." Leon raised an eyebrow. "Nene? You've known Priss all this time...and you never told me?" "Yes." Priss exited from her dressing room, her eyes red and puffy. A small, brave smile was fixed on her face. "Priss...are you okay?" A wave of sadness went through Leon as he saw the pain in her... "Yes. It's just..." She rested her head on his chest, her head turning to face Nene. "I'm so tired. The past two weeks...Linna's death...our problems..." "Still, you have to admit what happened to Mackie was funny..." Nene was desperate to cheer her up. It worked a little. "Poetic justice..." She raised her head, locking eyes with Nene. "Nene, I've decided...we're a family...it's time we admitted that. Even more so, after Jusenkyo. We need to talk to Sylia about it. She refuses to admit things have changed so much." "Are you sure? You saw the look on her face when she thought..." "Uh...excuse me, but what are you two talking about? Don't tell me little Nene's a..." Leon didn't finish. He didn't have to. "Oh my god...you know?" Nene couldn't contain her surprise. "About Priss? Sure..." Nene just rolled her eyes. "Oh man...Sylia's gonna kill us when she finds out..." "Let her. Things have changed. It's time we changed with them. Come on, Leon. We need to talk." Priss grabbed Leon's hand and dragged him out the back door...into the pouring rain. "Priss?" Leon stared, dumbfounded, at the black cat digging her way out of Priss' clothes as he absently rubbed the scratch on his hand. Nene stood at the doorway, afraid to approach, looking at the rain as though it were battery acid. He picked up the cat, then looked back at Nene, disbelief written all over his face. His mouth twitched in the attempt to form words. "How...why..." Nene cast her eyes to the floor, unable to meet anyone's gaze. "We...ran into a Genom bioexperiment." She raised her head, comforted by his compassion for her friend. She smiled weakly. "Bring her inside. I'll bring her back to herself." "Priss...ohmygod..." Leon numbly stood, still cradling Priss in his arms, and walked back inside. **************************************************************************** Mackie sat in a corner booth of the restaurant, making an intense study of his soda as he wondered at the changes in his...her...being. Three months ago, he'd been your average computer geek, lost in his virtual world of data units, mecha, and Gpegs. Then...then _it_ happened. Life forced change. She changed with it. It had had some...unexpected side effects. His body was now muscular...developed... because of her. He had developed a healthy respect for women...their ideas and feelings...knowing those feelings all too well. He was now far more of a man than he'd ever been...and far less. "Yen for your thoughts, kiddo." He looked up at the source of the voice. An older woman, about 60 physically, though still fit, with gray hair tied back in a bun, laughing dark eyes, and a warm, friendly smile. A blue okonomiyaki cook's outfit fit over her slender frame. "Mind if I sit?" "Go ahead, Ucchan. I can use the company." He then went back to his intense study of carbonation release. Ukyou grabbed his hand, trying to get his attention. "So...you want to tell me what's bugging you?" Mackie bit his lip for a moment, trying to figure out how to get his worries across..."What did you think when you found out about Ranma's curse?" "Huh?" He sighed. "I mean...were you repulsed by it, fascinated by it, indifferent...what?" "Hmmm...I never really thought of it like that..." Ukyou sighed, then stared at the scared young man before her. "When I first found out about Ranma's...other half, I thought it was cool at first. Then...then, after awhile, I saw how much it was hurting him." She chewed on her thumbnail for a moment, lost in thought, then continued. "You've heard about all of Ranma's fiancees, right? Personally, I think the reason why it continued like it did was because the great Ranma Saotome was afraid...afraid that Akane wouldn't accept him with his curse. He loved Akane...but couldn't admit it...even to himself...until that Mount Phoenix mess, when everyone thought she'd died. That...put things into perspective for him." "So...you weren't turned off by it?" She laughed for a moment. "Turned off? Heck, no...geez, Mackie, you're as bad as he was. And..." a secretive smile crept up on her face, "...if you don't watch it, you'll make the same mistake he did." "Huh?" "Oh dear...more customers. Konatsu's gonna need help...I'll see you later, Mackie." She winked once at him. "Oh, and Mackie...good luck." She then leapt out of the booth and joined her husband behind the grill, kissing Konatsu on the cheek as she returned. "What's with her today?" Mackie thought, bewildered at Ukyou's exit. Then he saw... Nodoka stood at the doorway of the restaurant, looking very different from the martial arts instructor he knew. Her pigtail was undone, allowing the jet-black hair to flow freely around her. She had put on some makeup, accentuating her already exquisite features. A stunning black evening dress flowed over her small frame. The overall effect was (literally, for Mackie) breathtaking. His jaw dropped to the floor, the only sound in his ears the thundering of his own heartbeat. She walked over to him, flashed a warm smile, and said one word: "Hello..." "Uh...hello." Somehow, Mackie had found the ability to speak. "So...mind if I join you?" Those blue eyes seemed to swallow him whole... "Um...sure. Take a seat." he stammered, unable to take his eyes off of her. "So...what are you dressed up for?" "Do you like it? I...I normally don't dress up like this." She blushed slightly. "YES! I mean...you look stunning." "Thank you, Mackie." She reached across the table and kissed him seductively on the cheek. Mackie didn't remember anything after that. *************************************************************************** The ruins of the Lady's 633 store had been cold for months now, its fires long since dead, its charcoal gray exterior adding to the skeletal gloom of MegaTokyo. It stood, untouched from its final position, as nobody had bothered to claim the property or to repair the damages... Like a small ghost-town it stood, a reminder that life is fleeting and short...and often has its surprises. The rain added to the gloom permeating the atmosphere, giving a solitary message to all who gazed upon her: Death resided here. Two figures stood in silence outside the building, their forms hidden by cloaks blowing in the wind, taking in the the ruins of the building without a whisper passed. The larger of the two turned to the other and removed the hood from his cloak, revealing a long, rough face contorted by sorrow. Tears formed in his sky-blue eyes, only to be washed away by the rain. His soft baritone voice cracked as he spoke to his companion, still shielded from the rain: "Come on. Let's go." *************************************************************************** End part 3 *************************************************************************** Nightelf (nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu) presents... The Circe Project Part 4 Bubblegum Crisis characters created by Kenichi Sonoda Ranma 1/2 characters created by Rumiko Takahashi Nodoka Hibiki created by me, with serious Ranma 1/2 influences. Don't do anything stupid with this fanfic without the author's permission. If you want to, ask. I'm not unreasonable...usually. Well, let's have some fun here... *************************************************************************** Nene sipped her beer at the Hot Legs bar as Priss performed her act, her mind absorbed by thoughts of her life since donning the pink and purple armor of a Saber. In her travels, she had met the best of humanity and its worst, gone through hell and back several times over, lost everything, and gained it back. She had watched a boy change magically into a woman, then just as magically into a _man_. She had watched the last moments of a friend, cried as the tape showed her dance through fire one final time, then fall to earth, broken. She had seen a friend lose her humanity, be reduced to the level of an animal, only to gain her humanity back, with interest. Another, who had lost her humanity years ago with the death of her father, gained it back...with the temporary loss of her family. The family had expanded over the past few months, from four up to seven. Sylia, as always, was the matriarch of the clan, the dark guardian in blue and white. Ranma, Nodoka's grandfather, had slipped into the patriarchal role, guiding and training the others for the return into the night. Nodoka...Nodoka was the new fire dancer, her moves a blur against the clumsy mass of MegaTokyo. Priss was the hammer, the punisher in blue. Mackie...Mackie was duality, man and woman, fighter and technician...Then there was her. Nene, the baby of the group, the wicked witch of the computers and radio waves. Tonight...tonight would be the return. Sylia would be revealing the new suits tonight...waterproof, this time. She looked down at her hands, a shudder coursing through her as she imagined paws...God, how could she live like this? Watching for rain, being extremely careful with every drink in her hand...Who could ever care for her like this? Priss had Leon. Mackie and Nodoka were an item now. Who was there for her? She started crying, sobbing at the wreckage of her life. "What's wrong?" She turned around to face the source of the voice. A young man, clothed in black Mandarin-style clothing like Ranma tended to prefer, stood before her, his sky-blue eyes showing a world of compassion. He had a rough, weatherbeaten face framed by long, flowing black hair. He was muscular, in a wiry sort of way. Nene dried her eyes and tried her best to smile. "It's...it's nothing." He shook his head slowly. "Don't lie to me. People don't cry over nothing." He sat down next to her, taking one of her shaking hands into his. "Do...do you want to talk about it?" "N-Not right now." She looked him over, then glanced at the dance floor. "Do you want to dance?" "I dunno....I can't dance very well..." "Please?" She flashed the most pleading look she could think of at him. The stranger looked at the floor for a moment, then reluctantly agreed. He stood, offered her his hand in a genteel manner, and led her onto the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around her neck, then quickly shifted them down to her waist. "Thank God Priss is singing a ballad", Nene thought, trying to absorb herself into him. She rested her head on his chest, taking comfort in the feel of his warm skin...his soft heartbeat...The young man looked extremely uncomfortable for a moment, then moved a shaking arm to the top of Nene's head. The two melted into each other... *beep..beep..beep..beep..beep* "Damn. Not now...please not now..." Nene raised her head and looked into his eyes. He was so beautiful...his soft, baby-blue eyes would haunt her dreams for weeks... "I'm sorry. I have to go." His voice was shaking. "I...I know. Be careful out there." "Huh? Uh...what's your name?" The young man smiled gently, then turned to walk away. "Don't worry, Nene. I know where to find you." He then disappeared in the crowd. Nene stared for a few seconds at the empty space where he had been, then turned to walk away. The night was calling her, and it was time for her to answer. ************************************************************************** A few minutes later, the subject of Nene's dreams sat at a table, numb, watching the dancers as they moved, overcome with shock from the events that had just transpired. He mumbled to himself, his thoughts too powerful to be contained in his head. "She...she tried to hit on me...and...and...Ohgod, I can't deal with this...I can't return like this..." "What wrong?" He looked over to find an old woman, in her mid-fifties, with purple-streaked gray hair, predator's eyes, and a muscular build. She stared at him curiously. "I...I saw an old friend...Nene...and she...wanted me. I...I didn't know what to do. Now she's gone...to do her duty..." "Follow her." "Huh?" "You hear me. Follow her. I come." "I dunno...They may not want me anymore." She smiled at her pupil's lack of faith. "Trust me. You good fighter now. They want." ************************************************************************* Everyone had a little bit of anxiety inside of Raven's Garage. Months of training, of research, of soul-searching...finally some results were coming in. No more waiting, no more doubting, just fire and metal... The Knight Sabers were returning, to take back the night. The family was there, all seven of them, their eyes occasionally glancing over the modules like children eyeing the presents under a Christmas tree. Sylia, clad in a slightly modified bodysuit (as the other Sabers were), was looking over the suits, making last-minute checks. Mackie and Nodoka were together, holding hands, comfortable despite his being in girl-form. Priss and Leon were making small talk in the corner, while Ranma just watched in contemplative silence. Nene...Nene stood by herself, trying to hold the feeling of a warm heartbeat... A loud warning bell went off, snapping the group to attention. They all crowded around Sylia, who stationed herself at one of the monitors. ***** SECURITY ALERT 073 ***** The monitor then showed a strange sight: A young man was banging at the doors while an older woman stood, watching. A commotion came from the group as they looked at the unlikely pair. "What's with them?" "Gee, he's pissed..." "Hey, it's him..." "They know about us..." "Shampoo?!?" "One at a time, one at a time..." Sylia raised her hand for silence. "Does anyone recognize any of them?" Nene and Ranma raised their hands. Nene sighed. "He's this guy I met at Hot Legs earlier tonight. He was so..." "Ranma?" Ranma frowned thoughtfully. "Well...It has been over thirty years...and I could be mistaken...but the woman looks like an old friend of mine." "Okay. You two go down there and talk to them. We'll wait." ************************************************************************** "Open up! I know you're in there! Open up, dammit!" The young man was getting hoarse as he banged his fists against the doors. "You sure this is right place?" He looked up at her, the fire in his eyes unmistakeable. "Of course it-" *CRASH* He stared, wide-eyed, at what...had been...the door. It was just gone, with small pieces of rubble lying here and there. "Been long time I no do that," she said contentedly. They walked through the hole and out of the cloud of debris. "Shampoo?" The old woman stiffened at the sound of her name. She stared, disbelieving, at the man before her. "Ranma? That you, Ranma?" "Waitasec..._this_ is the Ranma you've been telling me about?" "I see you still know how to make an entrance. What are you doing here?" "I bring her home." She gestured to the man next to her. Nene begged to differ. "Her?!? Trust me, this is a guy." The young man smiled as he turned to Nene. "Pardon me, Nene, but could you bring me some hot water?" "Sure...what do..." Realization hit her. "...ohmygod...linna?" "Mm-hmm." "So...Ranma...why you here?" Nene reached a shaking hand toward the comm panel. "Uh...Sylia... you'd better get down here. Now." *************************************************************************** The group sat around in an uncomfortable silence in the main room above Raven's Garage, snatching glances at each other or looking down at the floor in embarassment. Nobody knew what to say...Shampoo glanced around, and noticed the obvious: "So...where Akane?" Ranma shook his head. "She's...she's gone." Shampoo looked ready to ask further, but thought better of it when she saw the look in his eyes..."Mousse?" This time it was her turn to mourn. "Genom..." Ranma held up a hand, indicating he didn't need to hear any more. Nene shot a wary glance at a now-female Linna. "What happened to you?" Linna sighed. "It's rather difficult to explain...I got dunked in Nannichuan...my suit got messed up...I fell. Shampoo found me, then started to train me. I am now her heir, whatever that means." Ranma just rolled his eyes. "Oboy...Have you learned the Kashuu Tenshin Amaguriken yet?" Linna's face darkened. "Yes...that purple-haired witch kept me in guy-form for three weeks...By the way, what happened while I was gone? And who are these two?" she asked, gesturing to Mackie and Nodoka. Sylia tried to repress her laughter. "Well...the one with the pigtail's Nodoka Hibiki, Ranma's granddaughter. The other one...(giggle) well...you remember how Mackie always liked to look at girls?" Linna looked at Mackie, realizing. "Yes...ohmygod...(giggle) Mackie?" "Hey, I wouldn't laugh too loud, Linna. Until you showed up, Nene was having fantasies about you." "Was not!" "Okay, enough...Shall we open the hardsuits?" Linna's eyes went wide at this. They had gone on without her... "The...hardsuits?" Sylia smiled. "Don't worry, Linna. I built one for you, just in case." Sylia went to a console, where she typed a few commands. The modules opened with a hiss, revealing the suits inside. The first four were easily recognizeable: Sylia's blue-and-white, Priss' blue with pink pinstripes, Linna's lime-green suit, and Nene's red and pink outfit. The last two were new designs. One was red, with black pinstripes. The overall design was for agility, with slightly less armor thickness than usual, but with far more flexibility and maneuverability. This was designed for a fast, agile warrior...like Nodoka. The other was matblack, with nonreflective paint. The overall body design was similar to Sylia's, with the small wings in back, though it had additional radio and computer equipment in it. This was for a good fighter who happened to be a good computer and radio operator...like Mackie. The six women quickly put the hardsuits on, eager to test them out and take them into battle. Sylia turned to look at the group, a tear forming in her eye. She'd waited a long time to say this... "Knight Sabers...Sanjo!" ************************************************************************ For those who've read this before, I've fixed a few of the glaring mistakes, and that's about it. Leon is staying right where he is. However, Nodoka is no longer Ranma's grandfather. (The ML will understand.) Also, Nene's suit has been changed to the more modern red and pink, rather than the pink and purple of the early parts of the series. As for Nodoka...I know she seems rather two-dimensional right now. In the previous stories, I've been primarily concentrating on the old Sabers, and how the curse has affected them. Nodoka will be developed more in future chapters, as the new Sabers take on some new enemies...and some old ones. Thanks to Kenichi Sonoda and Rumiko Takahashi...for their amazing imaginations. Thanks to the folks on the ML and all those who have sent their comments. Thanks to my roommate, Doug, for the use of his computer. Take care, all. Nicholas W. Leifker "Nightelf" nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu May 8, 1996 *************************************************************************** End part 4 *************************************************************************** Nightelf (nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu) presents... The Circe Project Part 5 A work of anime fanfiction by Nicholas Leifker, aka "Nightelf" Ranma 1/2 characters created by Rumiko Takahashi Bubblegum Crisis characters created by Kenichi Sonoda Nodoka Hibiki created by me, with serious Ranma 1/2 influences. All rights reserved. Please do not do anything with this work without the author's permission. Oh my... ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mackie Stingray looked out at the city streets through the dojo's broad panoramic window, sweat dripping off of her smaller frame, a slender hand resting on the glass that separated her from the afternoon shoppers, the working stiffs, the playing children - all the _normal_ people of the city. Normal people never had to worry about Genom shock-trooper boomers, or three-dimensional melee tactics, or the warping effects of a rainstorm. All they had to do was sell their souls to one master or another to put food on the table. Not her...she still had her own soul, even if her original body had a way of coming and going. In a strange way, she had everything: muscular, well-shaped body (in either form, thank you very much), well-trained mind, and a soulmate in Nodoka Hibiki. Now all she had to do was ensure their survival - not the easiest of tasks for a relatively inexperienced Knight Saber. Toni- "Mackie!" "Huh?" Nodoka's sharp command snapped her back to the practice session. "Come here. There's one last thing I want to demonstrate to you before we're done." Walking over to a punching bag in the corner, the young martial artist grasped a stopwatch around her neck, testing it a few times as she did so. Mackie, weary from the intensity of the session, shuffled over, a slightly glazed expression in her eyes. Nodoka gestured to the bag with a graceful hand. "Punch the bag one hundred times as fast as you can, using only one fist." "hai..." Mackie wiped the sweat from her brow, moving into a fighting stance as she fixed her gaze on her target. Then, with a hearty battle cry, she started firing away, as fast as her fist could move. "Kiyaaaa!!!" Her fist seemed almost to disappear as the arm blurred from the speed, beads of sweat reappearing on her forehead as she approached her goal. Nodoka just stood there, dispassionately moving her eyes from Mackie to her stopwatch and back. After a few seconds, Mackie stopped, her goal satisfied. She smiled broadly, then turned to her love, a smug look on her face. "How long was it? Ten seconds? Eight?" Nodoka stared down at the stopwatch. "Eight-point-seven-four seconds. Not bad, for a beginner." Mackie's eyes bulged out of their sockets, indignant at the classification. "For a beginner? Excuse me, Nodoka-chan, but that was good enough for anyone." Nodoka just shook her head and groaned, exasperated at Mackie's sudden arrogance. She let go of the stopwatch, pulled out a marker, and assumed a fighting stance. "En garde, Mackie-chan..." "What did you call me? Nodoka-chan, you know -" "Kashuu Tenshin Amaguriken!!" Something strange - a short, intense, almost tickling breeze - passed over Mackie's sweat-covered forehead, cooling her off. All the time, Nodoka held her ground, seeming to stand perfectly still. Still refusing to move, a small, harsh whisper escaped from Nodoka's clenched teeth. "Look in the mirror." "Huh?" A tinge of disappointment entered Nodoka's mind as she relaxed from her position. Frustrated by the cluelessness of her boyfriend, she huffed, placing her hands on her hips. "I said, look in the mirror, baka!" The part-time mechanic walked over to the far wall, where a small mirror was hung. "What the..." Her attention focused on the small black dots on her forehead, never openly felt, yet there nonetheless, spelling out perhaps the most accurate description of herself. Ba-ka. A small chuckle came from behind. She turned to face Nodoka's grin, as smug as her own had been. "Zero-point-two-two seconds. Not bad, huh?" Mackie was dumbstruck. "You mean to tell me that you got in a hundred hits - in that time? How?" The heir to the Anything-Goes School shook her head happily, her sable pigtail bouncing all the while. "Practice. Lots and lots of practice. I could teach it to you quickly, but I have a feeling you wouldn't like it." "What wouldn't I like about it?" Her smile turned mischievous. "What, do you like your girl-body that much? I hope not. I'm not that kind of girl..." Mackie stammered, not fully understanding. "Girl-body?" "Grandfather was stuck as a girl for over a month while he learned it. Linna spent three weeks as a guy when Shampoo taught her. How long would it take you? Not long, I hope...a girl could get lonely waiting." Mackie just rolled her eyes. "Okay, enough of the wisecracks. What was it you wanted to show me earlier?" The young teacher softened, then grabbed one of Mackie's hands. "Come with me. There's...someone...I want you to meet." ************************************************************************ Nodoka Hibiki took a long moment to steal a glance at Mackie as she led her to a back room of the dojo. Thoughts of her family - past, present, and future - floated through her mind as she watched history repeating itself in this half-man's eyes. Spirited Grandmother Akane, hiding her love for a "hentai" behind her stubborn anger. Gentle, patient Grandmother Akari, waiting for her man to come and stop wandering. Mother, passionate, strong, refusing to give up on her beloved even after a year's absence. Finally, herself. She knew instinctively, as she lost herself in those cool eyes, that she _loved_ him - and was ready to admit him into the family. A tear wiped down her face, only to be wiped away by a gentle hand. "Please don't cry." Mackie stared back at her, trying to read the cause of the young lady's tears, the concern and worry fully expressed on her face. The tears worsened, pushed on by the joy within her. She managed a small smile. "It's okay, Mackie. It's just...come. You'll understand." Taking in a long, deep breath to compose herself, Nodoka wiped the tears from her eyes, and led her love into a dark back room, largely devoid of furnishing. She opened a closet door, to reveal... A small shrine. Two pictures stood on top of a small cabinet, surrounded by candles and other objects. One was of a woman, about thirty years of age. She seemed more inferno than human, with fiery red hair flowing around intense, passionate eyes and Nodoka-like facial features. The second was of a strong, handsome gentleman, of similar age, with long, slightly disheveled black hair and haunted dark eyes. A yellow-and-black bandanna adorned the man's head, and presently rested unworn on the shrine. The young pigtailed girl knelt in front of the shrine, invited Mackie to join her, then rang the chime, clasping her hands together. "Mother, Father, I want to introduce you to someone." She grasped Mackie's hands into her own, in an intimate way reserved only for one. "This...this is Mackie. He is...Mother...I...I love him." Mackie gulped, her senses tingling from the confession. "Nodoka-chan..." Nodoka nodded solemnly, then turned back to the shrine. "Mother, he - yes, he's a he, like Grandfather - he's kind, and sweet, and intelligent. He cares for me, and I care for him. I wanted...I wanted you to meet him." The tears started to flow again, the storm of worry over the coming night's events making its way to the surface. "Mom, tonight we're going...into battle. Watch over us - both of us - tonight." Pursing her lips, hardening her features in an effort to hold back the tide, she picked up the bandanna, wrapping it neatly around her head. Mackie grabbed her shoulders, bringing her close, whispering soft assurances to comfort her. "Don't worry, love. Nothing will happen to either of us. I swear it." ************************************************************************ Priss slept the afternoon away on the couch of her apartment, her snores echoing loudly throughout the small place, her mind drifting away in fantasies as much peace as passion. The concert last night had taken more out of her than she dared admit. Not that she didn't enjoy it, of course - she blew the roof off the place, as usual, and left the crowd aching for more. Still, she should be used to it by now... *BRRRINNGGG...BRRRINNGGG* "Mmmh..." Not fully stirring, the young musician reached a clumsy hand out to her alarm, fingertips searching valiantly for the snooze button. That proving unproductive, she sat up, tried to rub the sleep from her eyes, and picked up the still-ringing telephone. "Hullo?" The voice that resounded from the other end clearly belonged to someone far more conscious than she was: A baritone, professional, somewhat dark, with just the slightest touch of nasal tone. "Good afternoon. Is Priss there?" "Speaking." The voice brightened a bit. "Yes. This is Sean Hannah, tour manager for Vision and the Revengers." "Yes, I remember you. We met at Vision's last stop at the Tokyo Dome." "Of course," the voice said politely. "Anyway, having heard a few things here and there, I decided to see your show. Needless to say, I was suitably impressed - as was Vision when I showed her the tape." "I see..." Priss said evenly, her anger at being taped balanced by hope that this was... "Priss, we were wondering if you and your band would be interested in opening for Vision and the Revengers when they perform at the Tokyo Dome this December 21st." Oh my... "Well..." Priss purred, trying to dampen the excitement within her, "I'll have to ask the rest of the band, but I think we would probably be willing to do it." "Excellent. I will be at your performance tonight at Hot Legs, where we can discuss it in more detail." "Very well. I'll see you tonight, then, after the first session." "Goodbye." "Goodbye." *CLICK.* After hanging up the phone, Priss sat there numbly, blinking her eyes, bewildered at the recent turn of events. The broad, silly grin crept slowly onto her face, swiftly followed by an unnaturally ecstatic glow to the eyes. *********************************************************************** "That's all for today, everyone." Ranma sighed quietly as the last class of the day slowly filed out into the night, his body slowly absorbing the annoying warm aches of age. Once the small commotion was done, the task of cleaning up the dojo was begun in silence - first, by neatly putting away the tatami mats, then patiently sweeping the dust and other particles from the floor. An old tune, its title lost to time, found its way to his lips, his soft humming bringing a small, contented comfort. *..Ring....Ring..* "Must be Shampoo. She's early." The master of the Anything-Goes School looked up at the opening door, expecting an old friend. Rather, it was a much younger one that came to visit. Nene walked in sheepishly, as though she were unsure of her welcome. She looked down at the floor, unable to meet his calm, steady gaze. "Nene? Are you okay?" The voice that responded was a far cry from the boisterous one Ranma had grown accustomed to. "Sir...may I ask a favor?" "Sure, anything." "After tonight, would you train me? To fight, I mean. I'm willing to pay..." "Of course, Nene. Pardon me for asking, but do you mind if I ask you a question?" "Go ahead." Ranma's wizened brow furrowed, wondering at the youth's agitation. "Why me? Doesn't Sylia train you?" She nodded. "Sure, a little bit. I've had a habit of...discouraging her efforts." Ranma's eyes widened as Nene raised her head, ferocity beginning to creep up into her features. "Ever since I joined the Knight Sabers, I've always been the field technical expert, needed more for my radio and computer help than my fighting ability. 'My good looks and amazing brain', I always told them..." She locked eyes with the old master, her frustrations reaching a crescendo. "Now Mackie's a Saber. He can do everything I can, and fight well, too. Sir...I don't want to be a fifth wheel." Ranma nodded thoughtfully. "I see. Would Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 be fine? Nodoka-chan's usually out with Mackie then." "Sure." Cheered up somewhat, Nene walked over to the old man, giving him a playful kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, sir." *..Ring....Ring..* "Hey! I Ranma's date for night!" Shampoo wailed jokingly, walking into the dojo. Passing Shampoo, Nene skipped to the door, a little more confident than she had been. She bowed deeply to her new sensei, then gave a knowing wink before leaving. "Have fun, sir." Oblivious to the innuendo of Nene's words, Ranma smiled. "I will." He then turned his attentions to Shampoo, her form in mock indignation from Nene's kiss. "So...are you ready?" The glow that appeared on Shampoo's face left little doubt. ************************************************************************** "Thanks for letting me come early, Sylia." Linna smiled warmly as she sipped her tea, then cleared her throat. "Nonsense. You're always welcome here, you know that." The leader of the Knight Sabers sat across from Linna, quietly eyeing the young dancer. "Besides, I should be the one thanking you. This tea is delicious! Where did you get it?" "Well, Shampoo gets it from someplace. She calls it 'Darling' for some reason." Sylia had to fight to keep from spewing the tea in surprise. "Darjeeling tea? This is Darjeeling? Oh my...do you know how rare - or how expensive - this is?" Seeing Linna's negative, Sylia continued. "A kilogram of Darjeeling tea costs about as much as a small car." Linna's eyes widened. "Hmmm. I may have to talk with her..." She took another, far more cautious sip of her tea. "So, why aren't you out having fun? Priss is performing tonight." Linna put down her cup of tea with a small clash. Her face turned wistful as she thought of her younger days, then sank as the present came back to her. A small sigh escaped her lips. "I...I can't." "Why not?" "Well, let's see. I can't go guy-chasing anymore because I _am_ a guy - sometimes. I can't hang out with Priss, Leon, Mackie, or Nodoka, because they're hanging all over each other. And Nene..." She started chewing away on a thumbnail. Sylia took another sip of her tea. "What about Nene?" "When I first showed up, in my guy-body, Nene was...attracted to me. When she found out who I really was, it spooked her. She's been trying to avoid me ever since." "Well, you two need to settle it - soon. The two of you have to depend on each other for your very lives." "I know, I know...but how?" A small glimmer appeared in Sylia's eye as a bit of humor formed behind them. Laughter came out in small bursts as she desperately tried to rein in her hilarity. Pulling herself together, she turned back to her Jusenkyo-cursed drinking partner. "Take her for a walk - in the rain. Tell her how you feel. If that doesn't work, threaten to take her to the vet." "Sylia!" Linna's eyes popped out of their sockets. "I want to make up with her, not make an enemy of her!" "I'm only kidding! Loosen up!" She glanced at her watch, then savored the last of her tea. "The others will be here soon. Come on. It's time to get ready." ************************************************************************ "Thank you for taking me on date, Ranma." Shampoo's eyes held a long-vanished enthusiasm as she stared at her ex-fiance. Ranma sighed patiently, tired of explaining. "It's not a date, Shampoo. It's just two old friends getting together for dinner and conversation." A quizzical, yet somehow mischievous, look appeared on Shampoo's face. "If that true, then why we not at Ucchan's? She old friend, right, Ranma?" "grrr..." Ranma hated being outwitted. It didn't happen as often as it used to, but when it did... "Aiyaah, it is date! I so happy!" "Okay, okay, it's a date! Are you satisfied?" Grumbling, wondering how he'd ever explain this to Ucchan or the Sabers, Ranma looked around at the decor. The place was nicer than he was used to, with dim, intimate lighting, tastefully subdued wall hangings, and soft classical music in the background. A nice place for good conversation, he thought as he looked back at his "date". The years had been kind to her: her face was still relatively smooth, with only a few wrinkles here and there. The fire of youth still glowed in her dark eyes, if not quite as brightly as he remembered. Also, this woman had something the girl didn't: patience. "So. How Nodoka?" Shampoo's question snapped him out of his reverie. "Uh...she's fine. She and Mackie are dating now." "Oh. It arranged?" A small chuckle echoed deep from Ranma's chest. "No, not this time. They got together on their own. Before you ask, no, I don't know if the curse has anything to do with it. By the way, what's going on between you and Linna?" "Linna?" Shampoo's voice lowered, haunted. "Linna I love like daughter. When Genom...kill...I was only one left. No other survivor. I get so lonely, but I stay. I not know why, until she come." "When I find Linna, she hurt, and changed. I saw fight, saw her skill, and heal her. I have no heir anymore, so I ask her. She have nobody but me, so she accept." "I...I worry for Linna. She like me, after Genom. Lonely. She fear no man love her, because of curse." Ranma nodded. "I know how she feels. A few years after Akane's death, Ukyou arranged a date for me. It was nice and all, but I felt I couldn't get close, even after all this time." "Well, Ranma, I here..." Shampoo spoke softly, seriously, without any trace of mischief. "I...thanks, Shampoo." He blushed slightly. "I really appreciate it, but I dunno..." An angry blue corona formed around the Niichieju warrior. "Wake up, Ranma! Look at us. We not getting any younger. Also, we alone." Shampoo's eyes darkened, seeing some invisible enemy. "I not want to grow old alone, Ranma." He grabbed her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I know. Nodoka-chan will be grown up and married soon. Let me think about it, okay?" A small part of him winced, expecting the flying-tackle style embrace of old. The small kiss on the lips came as a pleasant surprise. "Okay, Ranma. I wait. Come on. We running late." Ranma opened his eyes, finding Shampoo inches away, watching, hopeful. He coughed nervously. "Huh? Is it ten already?" "Hai. Sylia waiting, yes?" Ranma left enough money for the bill and tip, then walked out into the night with Shampoo, her hand in his. It was a short distance to the garage, so they walked, foregoing any other form of transportation. Shampoo leaned against his shoulder as they traveled, finding warmth in his body heat. "Ranma..." "Yes?" His voice was unnaturally calm, subdued by the moment. "I...I have confession." They stopped. Ranma turned to face her, noticing for the first time the tears rolling down her cheeks. As he moved to wipe them away, she turned from him, her eyes viewing another time, another place. "When Boomers attack village, all village go out to fight. Young, old, woman, man, all go out, including family." "Great-grandmother lead fight. She destroy many boomers, but not all. One boomer see her skill, open fire on her. Her body land at feet." "When I look into Great-grandmother's eye...lifeless...dark...I... I..." Her tears were running in torrents, threatening to overwhelm her. Ranma wrapped his arms around her, resting her head onto his chest, silently listening as she concluded her story. "I get so scared, Ranma...I run...I run..." Sobs took away any more words she had to say. Ranma looked up at the moon, his mind digesting the warrior's confession that Shampoo had given. She had run from battle - a disgrace for any Amazon - and had received a most agonizing punishment: survival. Not knowing what else to do, he simply kept her wrapped in his arms, shielding her from the night's demons until she mustered enough strength to face them herself. ************************************************************************* Hello. I did some thinking and writing over the summer, producing four more chapters of Circe, as well as the plotline for the rest of the story. To summarize, while trying to avoid any spoilers: Part 5: See above. Part 6: The Sabers return to the Jusenkyo labs, where Sylia encounters an old friend - and the results of a frightening experiment. Ranma contemplates the possibility of a relationship with Shampoo. Disturbing events occur at Genom. Part 7: Christmastime, a couple of months after the Jusenkyo raid. Linna goes on a date. The Knight Sabers hold a Christmas party. Priss performs at the Tokyo Dome. And, strange disappearances occur. Part 8: The Knight Sabers start to make preparations for an assault of Genom. Tragedy strikes. I apologize to anyone out there who didn't want this dark, because after this episode, it's going to get very dark. Part 9: The Sabers try to deal with the loss, each in their own way. Also, the plans to assault Genom Tower begin in earnest, now that the stakes are spelled out to them. Parts 10-11: The final battle. I owe an apology to all those out there who sent comments on the earlier chapters from the RAAC post, only to recieve an "Undeliverable Mail" message. I left college on the same day I posted the chapters, and did not return until recently. Thanks: To Rumiko Takahashi and Kenichi Sonoda To all those on the ML, primarily John Biles, Chris Willmore, Skywise, and Stormwalker, for their help and support. To all those who have sent in their comments. For anyone interested, I am starting an early mailing list, which should hopefully be up in time for my next 'fic. Look for a couple of 'fics within the next few weeks, including a "darkfic" parody and a story starring Kodachi. Ja ne! Nicholas Leifker "Nightelf" September 6, 1996 *************************************************************************** End part 5 *************************************************************************** Nightelf (nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu) presents... The Circe Project part 6 A work of anime fanfiction by Nicholas Leifker, aka "Nightelf" All Ranma 1/2 characters property of Rumiko Takahashi. All Bubblegum Crisis characters property of Kenichi Sonoda. All others property of me. All rights reserved. Is that all? Anyway, I must ask that you not do anything with any part of this work without the author's permission. Well, sit back and enjoy the ride. _____________________________________________________________________________ The Knightwing cruised slowly over the shadowy Chinese countryside in order to avoid detection, as though the craft were some avian predator quietly searching for prey. A similar silent foreboding permeated the atmosphere inside, if for somewhat different reasons. This trip would be a sort of homecoming for the sextet of women armored and waiting inside: ancient battleground, ancestral home, graveyard of dreams...Sylia's businesslike voice pierced through the oppressive silence, bringing to focus the objective, the battle, and the risks. "Thirty seconds to release, everyone. You know the plan. Hit hard, hit fast, get out. Mackie, Nodoka, you're with me. The rest of you stay outside and keep the boomers busy." A subtle technomechanical symphony played itself out as the Knight Sabers began to make last-second checks to their equipment, the soft clicks and whistles akin to musicians stoically tuning their instruments before a concert. They were quite aware of what was at stake, and knew from frightening experience the possible results of failure. Remembering her own transformation, Mackie took a long look at the red-suited warrior next to her, then shook her head, pulling herself back to the task at hand. "Ready...Now!" The half-dozen warriors flew from the Knightwing, dancing in starlight as they made their way to the ground, expecting a phalanx of Boomers to come rushing for them at any moment. The tinmen came to greet them almost immediately, their metal fangs and inhuman eyes gleaming beneath the half-moon's cold glare. The first wave of artificial soldiers fell almost immediately, their electronic vocal cords emitting almost human screams as their virtual lives ended. Sylia and her group ran past the second wave as the others kept the Boomers busy. "See you in a few minutes," Mackie chimed over the radio, the adrenaline rush soaring through her sending her already-high voice up a few notches. "Be careful, rookie. Your arrogance could kill us all." Priss kept her tone derisive, to temper the youngster's fire, while trying to subdue her own dangerous enthusiasm. She watched for a last second as the trio blasted the now-closing doors, then rushed inside. "Good luck...and hurry back." The retrothrash singer then turned back to her attackers and started cutting her way through the Boomer horde, praying that they would make it out of the lion's den...and that her own group would be there to greet them. ***************************************************************************** "A martial artist must be prepared to give up his or her life for the sake of the art." This was one of the fundamental rules of a warrior of the Anything-Goes School, a rule dictated by life and death from its earliest days. Circumstances required that it would be taught from sensei to child and drilled into them like a mantra, to give them courage in their darkest hour. After all, a time of testing could occur anywhere...the cursed pools of Jusenkyo, the dark forests of Ryugenzawa, the trecherous caverns of Mount Phoenix...or facing down a rampaging boomer in MegaTokyo's streets, cradling your beloved's lifeless form in your arms. The words came automatically to Ranma Saotome at each of these locales, providing a focus for his passions, helping him to drive away the fear and despair clawing at his heart, and giving him the strength to fight the storm to its bitter end. Now that he was on the sidelines, _waiting_, the words came again to the martial-arts master...and served to agitate him, rather than comfort. He fidgeted in front of the console, listening to the radio transmissions, becoming increasingly frustrated at Nodoka's necessary silence...until a woman's hand, so familiar yet somewhat different, touched his shoulder, giving him an anchor to latch on to. "Relax. They be all right." Shampoo. Like him, she held a bit of her heart at risk, as the last bastion of her knowledge danced away in lime-green armor. A small smile crept across her face, strong without the innocence of youth. "They come back, you see." He stood up and faced her, looked deep into her eyes, and saw his own fear mirrored in hers. "I...I know." The two stared at each other for what seemed an eternity, feeling the years and angers between them melt away. He brought her in close to himself, then broke the contact. "Why you afraid?" "Shampoo, I..." "Aiyaah, you always like this! Make up mind, Ranma! Akane dead!" Her face reflected sadness, but she could cry no more. "Let go, Ranma...let Akane rest." Ranma just stood there, paralyzed by indecision, caught between existences. Shampoo did what any self-respecting Amazon would do: She decided for him. She walked slowly to him, moved his numb arms around her body, and wrapped hers around his. This time, he didn't fight it. The two whispered to each other, pain and hope melded into a private conversation. Ranma didn't know how long they were like this; he didn't care. His eyes shifted to the once-empty computer monitor, now showing reams of data flying across, at which point a world of relief spread throughout his body. He turned his ears back to the headphone in his ear, and the screaming voice coming from it. "Ranma? Are you there? Answer, please..." the tinny voice called from the void, curious at the lack of a response. "Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm here." Leon sighed, letting his exasperation show. "Do you have the data yet?" He looked at the final line of the screen, indicating the data's final resting place: Sylia's mainframe. "Yeah. It all checks out." The martial-arts master removed himself from Shampoo and sat down, confirming the data's existence and stability. "Are you okay, Ranma? You sound...flustered. Are you and Shampoo doing something you shouldn't be? You two still haven't turned on the video yet." The ADPolice officer's voice laughed from the Knightwing's pilot seat. Ranma turned a nice shade of crimson as he nervously adjusted the collar on his shirt. He stole a last, mischievous glance at the Amazon, then switched the video on. ***************************************************************************** "Get ready. We're coming out." Priss let out a sigh of relief as the inner radio silence was broken, though something still nagged at her. It had been Nodoka, and not Mackie or Sylia, who had signaled their exit, triggering a long-worn bundle of nerves in the back of her mind. Her fears proved unfounded , though, as all three of them exited the laboratory at full speed. Sylia's voice, unusually subdued for the occasion, whispered over the radio. "Let's get out of here." The Sabers quickly fired their emergency thrusters and headed away from the accursed place, closely followed by the few Boomers who remained. The Knightwing's guns lit up to take care of any threats as they boarded, securing their safe return. Leon hit the thrusters once they were all in safely, rocketing the merceneries safely away. Daylight briefly came back to the area a moment later as a bright flash of light expanded behind them, vaporizing the laboratory and springs in a flower of light. The group looked back at the explosion, spellbound, hopeful that they had set their personal ghosts to rest. All except Sylia. She sat motionless in her chair, helmet off, unwiped tears streaming down her face. "Sylia...are you okay?" Priss turned to their leader and mentor, concern in her eyes. A metal hand grasped Priss' shoulder, holding back any further questions. Mackie stood behind her, a sober look in her eyes, waving off any comments with a shake of her head. "Sylia...saw the experiment room. She's not exactly in a conversational mood at the moment." Sylia turned her head out to face the darkness, mourning a man who had adored her, then betrayed her... *** Mission accomplished. All the data had been transferred to the Saber database, and the explosive charges were off and ticking. Only one thing remained: getting the heck out of there before the place was a smouldering crater. So far, they had been lucky: no hitches, no casualties. She motioned for Mackie and Nodoka to follow, then ran out of the room, not wishing to stay any longer than they had to. They had nearly reached the outside when Mackie stopped, her eyes locked on one of the doors. Sylia ran back, then noticed the two words that had captured Mackie's attention. Experiment Room. "Sylia..." The elder sister loked at the younger curiously. "Mackie?" "We have to go in there. There may be people inside." Sylia shook her head, placing an arm across Mackie's chest. "No. There's no time." Mackie's voice was supernally calm. "Sylia...please. We have to see." The silver-clad warrior sighed. Mackie would go in there, even if she ordered her not to. "_I'll_ go in. Okay?" She opened the door...and walked straight into hell. It was a large room, roughly the size of a high-school gymnasium, with surgical beds and other scientific and medical equipment on the near end. At the far end were cages, of ever concievable shape and size, with a small menagerie making makeshift homes behind prison bars. A few custodians trudged along here and there, slowly occupying themselves with their tasks, hiding their pain behind expressionless masks. A child, no more than seven physically, looked up at Sylia, and gasped. His eyes, like the others, showed a world of hurt, though there was something else mingled in...guilt? Tears welled in those eyes as two words escaped his lips: "Knight Sabers..." The warrior walked over to the boy and knelt down, bringing herself face-to-shielded-face. "May I help you?" The boy looked down, unable to meet her gaze. His voice was strangely quiet as he shook his head. "No...I'm beyond help. All of us are. If you could, tell Sylia...tell her I'm sorry." She gasped. Somehow, the child knew... "You see, I worked for Sylia for a long time...and...when...I...I betrayed her trust. Genom gave me a 'just reward' for my service." Sylia was reeling. "Fargo?" she asked, her voice shaking. The boy looked up, a deer caught in headlights. "Sylia...is that you?" He ran to hug the armored warrior as the emotional shells broke down. "I'm sorry...they...I..." Maternal instincts kicked in as she clumsily returned the embrace. "Come on, old friend. We're getting you out of here." Fargo broke the hug, wiped his eyes, then managed a slow smile. "I wish...I wish we could, Sylia." He pointed to a small scar at his temple. "Behavior inhibitors. We can't even make an attempt." Panic started to rise within her. "But this place..." "I know." The voice held a strange wisdom, the tone of one accepted to his fate. "Sylia...let us be. It's for the best." She looked at the timer in her suit, and knew she couldn't stay. She looked at the man-turned-boy for a hard moment, and burned his face in her mind, along with that of the adult he had once been. As the tears flowed down her face, she vowed with her soul that she would never forget - or forgive. Her voice cracked as she said her farewells. "Goodbye...old friend." "Goodbye, Sylia. Take care." The Knight Saber turned around for one last look, then turned to leave. Nodoka and Mackie waited for her anxiously. "Sis?" Sylia looked at her cursed sibling, unable to explain, yet unable to forget. She simply ran toward the exit, her voice incapable of coherent speech. *** Questions and prayers raced through Sylia's mind as she watched the darkness of night transform to the strange indigo of predawn. Genom potentially possessed a weapon of cold, modern ferocity, capable of striking its victims at the very soul, by horribly warping the body which housed it. The storm warnings were there, right in front of her, and she could no longer pretend it wasn't coming. The hour was almost upon them, and she needed to be ready. ***************************************************************************** Ranma walked slowly down the streets of MegaTokyo as the first rays of morning appeared between the skyscrapers. The night had been a hard one, with revelations and questions that he hadn't been ready to deal with. Everything he had been, everything he was and is...was now on the line, ready to be risked, and possibly lost. Akane...he had loved the woman with everything that a man could, and still mourned the hole in his heart from her death. Nodoka, the child he had raised, now stood on the front lines, fighting the good fight as he had done so long ago. Shampoo, a friend from the old days, had come back and offered her own bruised heart to him. And Sylia...the offer she made both frightened and elated him. He stopped, rubbed his eyes, and glanced at the nearby store window. A loving couple was sitting down and enjoying breakfast before starting the day. They talked, smiled, laughed...the movements were like an old movie to him, comforting and enjoyable. Then the woman noticed him. She walked over, smiled, and opened the door. "Hey, Ucchan..." "Ranchan! Come on in! You want some breakfast? It's just miso and rice..." He smiled, then nodded. "Good morning, Konatsu. How are you doing?" He bowed to the former transvestite. The man had a strange look on his face, as though he held some humorous secret inside. "Good morning, Ranma. Late night?" He stopped. "Er...yeah." Ukyou set out bowls of rice and miso for her guest. Her eyes twinkled with delight. "So...how was the date with Shampoo last night?" "Oh, you heard about that, huh?" Somewhat sheepish, Ranma took a sip of the soup, letting the timeless flavor spread through his mouth and throat. She gestured over to her husband. "You forget Konatsu is a trained Ninja. He told me all about your dinner, her crying, how you held her... Just out of curiosity, why in the world did you two go to some auto garage?" "Well, that bit's a long story, concerning the dojo. Anyway, Ucchan..." "Lemme guess." Ukyou picked up a bit of rice from her bowl. "The way I see it, you're either wondering if you should start a relationship with her...or if you can have my blessing." "Uh...yes, to both, actually." Ranma was mildly surprised at Ukyou's accuracy. A sage's smile crept on Ukyou's face as she recalled the bitter past. "Ranchan, I remember seeing you after Akane...You were so lonely, it was as if you had died, instead of her. To be honest, if it weren't for the rugrat, you probably would've." Memories of certain tomboys filled the old man's mind. "Yeah...now that rugrat's got a guy of her own." "Shampoo, from what I've seen, has changed a lot. She isn't quite as..." "Forceful?" "You said it, not me. Also, she's older, wiser...she's a widow too, now. This time, there won't be any battles or weird schemes...I'm married, and the others are gone. Without that competition, she's probably a great woman to be with, and...she makes you happy, I can tell. That's what's important." Ranma continued his meal thoughtfully, taking his time with the breakfast. "There was one other thing..." The couple smiled. "Am I...am I too old to fight?" Konatsu just shook his head. "Ranma...we're the same age you are, and we can still beat the stuffing out of almost anyone around." He winked at him, a small remnant of his early life. "Besides...you'd look good in a form-fitting battle suit." "What?" Ranma looked visibly nervous. "Like my wife said, I am a trained Ninja..." "Please don't tell anyone, okay? I mean, if word got out..." Ukyou waved a hand nonchalantly. "Don't worry about it, Ranma! Besides, we've got more important stuff to talk about." She pulled out an envelope filled with photos. "Midori-chan had her baby last week. Isn't little Hikaru adorable...?" ***************************************************************************** An old man shuffled his feet through the inner corridors of Genom Tower, his gaunt, haggard frame sagging from the weight of the world on his shoulders. Factories all over Japan were threatening to strike, citing unsafe working conditions. The Diet was considering a limit on Boomer exportation, resulting in a sizeable drop on the Nikkei. And, to top it all off, a certain top-secret lab was destroyed...apparantly by the mercenery Knight Sabers, a threat thought destroyed long ago. Needless to say, this was not Quincy's brightest hour. The mastermind behind Genom's rise to power moved slowly, feeling the decay of age a little more intensely than usual. He absently rubbed at a sore arm muscle as he approached a highly secure door. The door responded to his presence and began to speak, its quiet feminine voice soothing the old man's nerves. "Greetings, weary traveler. Please place your right hand on the touchpad for the first identification." He managed a weak smile as he raised a hand to the pad. The voice continued. "Speak, friend, and enter in peace." "Friend." The CEO of Genom made a mental note to fire whoever installed the bad pun for the voiceprint. "Handprint, voiceprint, and password verification confirmed. Welcome to the Elysium, Chairman Quincy." The executive's eyes sparkled as he looked around the room, easily the most secure in MegaTokyo, if not the world. King-size bed, universal entertainment computer, bar, lounge, all surrounded by ceramic and alloy strong enough to withstand an orbital laser blast. Fully automated, self-contained, self-cleaning and repairing...only Madigan could even contact him, and even then only in an emergency. Here he could escape, and shut out the ghosts. The old man went to the bar and fumbled over a bottle of scotch. After pouring himself a generous glass, he staggered back to the bed, nearly spilling his drink in the process. A tired voice called out to the room in general. "Computer, music: Classical, Schubert's Eighth Symphony in B Minor, MegaTokyo Philharmonic, Hikaru Kousuke conducting. Both movements, please. Volume level 2.3, light level 1.0. The music seemed to flow from the walls at his command, its haunting melodies drifting through him, easing his aging muscles and soothing his tired mind. Within minutes, he was fast asleep, scotch spilled on the bed, his mind dreaming of a time long before Genom. In an dark, shadowed corner, red eyes glowed, then narrowed. ***************************************************************************** Hello. The results of the early release reminded me of something a venerable fanfic writer once told me concerning fanfic revisions. He told me that, upon completion of the first draft of a 'fic, he always thought (insert mad scientist laugh here) "This is perfect!!"...until his prereaders got a hold of it. I encountered a most interesting problem earlier: I accidently deleted the revised copy that I had posted to the ML. There were a couple of semi-major revisions that I wished to make with it, and never got around to them due to a whirlwind couple of weeks. Fortunately, Stormwalker and Zen found copies that I'd sent, and mailed them to me. Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu! Look for Circe pts. 7 and 8 to be coming very soon. Thanks to... Rumiko Takahashi and Kenichi Sonoda, for the obvious. All those on the ML and the early list for their comments and help, in particular skywise, Stormwalker, Cynewulf, and Chris Willmore (BTW, Chris, looking at your critique, I found it to be quite entertaining ;) ). As always, C&C is appreciated. If you would like to be a part of my early list, let me know. Trust me, you never know what I'll send over that. Nicholas Leifker "Nightelf" nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu http://http.tamu.edu:8000/~nwl9354 November 9, 1996 ****************************************************************************** End Part 6 ****************************************************************************** Nightelf (nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu) presents... The Circe Project part 7 A work of anime fanfiction by Nicholas Leifker, aka "Nightelf" Ranma 1/2 Characters created by Rumiko Takahashi. Bubblegum Crisis characters created by Kenichi Sonoda. All other characters created by me. I must ask that you not do anything with this work or any part without the author's permission. "Anybody Listening" lyrics and music by Chris DeGarmo and Geoff Tate of Queensryche. Well, here we go... ***************************************************************************** Sobs could be heard from the inner sanctum. Sylia Stingray stared at the computer monitors from red, puffy eyes, dark thoughts flying through her head. Ever since the last Jusenkyo raid - indeed, ever since the first Jusenkyo raid - she had feared this perhaps more than anything else. The list on the screen seemed innocuous enough, just a few people of medium importance here and there...with two things in common with all of them. All were antagonists of Genom at some point, and all were now... The young woman's thoughts turned back to Fargo, her 'fixer' and friend. What Genom had done to him was obscene, sadism on a level that made the curses themselves, the basis of Genom's new toy, seem innocent and childish. And now...now Fargo wasn't the only one. She had sworn an oath to herself on his death - a personal oath, powerful and unbreakable, that there would be no more victims of this madness. There was nobody else capable of stopping them, nobody who could recognize the signs, nobody who had the will and the desire to stand up to the Tower. The Knight Sabers were the only ones who could fight them, and even then it would be an uphill battle. The scientist dried her eyes, closed the list, and opened up another, more familiar file. The Circe Project. **************************************************************************** MegaTokyo always seemed to come alive at Christmastime. Ol' Scrooge Genom got into the spirit of things by lighting huge multicolored lights along its outside, creating the impression of a kilometer-high steel Christmas tree. The shops and stores erected beautifully detailed decorations in their windows, hoping to attract well-paying and generous customers into their establishments. Even the destitute sections of town seemed to get into the act, calling a partial truce to the violence and setting out a few lights here and there...pathetic-looking, but appreciated nonetheless. It was, as always, a time of renewal, a time to reflect on the past and hope for the future. Linna walked through the city streets, taking a familiar comfort in the sights, her thoughts lost in the past and future. As a child, she had stared at the lights and took joy in the beauty...they seemed a little colder now. She had changed so much, mentally and physically, since those innocent days, and now mourned the loss. A small squeeze on her hand shook her back to herself - and her date. "Linna...Earth to Linna..." Hiroshi. Linna stopped, then stared at his dark eyes, his soft, expressive face...this was their fifth date. She had been lucky so far - no rain, no spilled drinks - but, one day, he would find out. What then? "Sorry, Hiroshi. I was...thinking." He smiled...she loved that innocent smile. "About what?" She turned away for a moment. "I..." Linna broke the handhold and held herself, chilled more by her thoughts than the weather. Naturally, he wrapped his arms around her. "It's okay. I'm here..." His words, spoken with such sincerity, cut deep at the lies of her life. Linna turned around, fueled by the pain within her. "Hiroshi, I...I love you." The young man gasped at the surprise confession. "That's why...why you have to know." Worry flashed in his eyes. "Know what?" She grabbed his hand tightly, leading him on. "We'll talk about it in private." Linna's apartment was an excellent reflection of its main resident: Several styles coexisting alongside each other in a quiet, yet somehow beautiful conflict. Linna sat her boyfriend down, offered a drink, and placed her hands over his. "Hiroshi...there are many things about my life that I haven't told you yet. I don't just work at the aerobics club. I've also done...what could be called 'mercenery work'". Hiroshi's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean...you're a prostitute?" "No...(giggle)...nothing like that. I mean 'mercenery work' as in bodyguard duty or high-risk security." "Oh." Linna smiled as her man turned a nice shade of crimson. She let out a long sigh. This wasn't going to be easy...then again, it never is. "Earlier this year, on one of these...jobs, I fell victim to a Genom experiment." Hiroshi sat there, numb, thinking the worst. "H...how long, linna?" "It's not fatal. Part of me wishes it was." She stood up and led him to the bathroom, where she started to take off her clothes. "Be patient, Hiroshi. Please. What you are about to see no man or woman should ever have to see, let alone experience." She took off the last bit, and stepped into the shower. She placed one hand on the cold water handle. "In China, there are these...cursed springs. Falling in one curses the victim with the body of whatever - or whoever - drowned there. From now on, cold water...changes me. Hot water returns me to my true and original self." "Huh?" "I guess what I'm trying to say is...can you love me, even if I occasionally look..." She turned the handle, triggering the change, "...like this?" Hiroshi stood in total shock for a moment as his mind tried to digest Linna's change to male form (and her subsesquent return to womanhood). She walked toward him, and grasped his hands fiercely. "Please, Hiroshi...I love you..." "Linna." Hiroshi found enough of his voice to respond. "I...I dunno, I...can I think about it for a few days?" "Su-sure." Linna nodded, her heart shattering. She stood there, unmoving, as Hiroshi made his exit. She waited until she heard the door slam, then broke down uncontrollably, her tears not letting up until her beau was long since gone. ***************************************************************************** Raven's Garage was the site of a most unusual sight that December 20th: the first annual Knight Saber Christmas Party, complete with karaoke, spiked punch, and white elephant gifts. The rooms normally used for combat training and technical work were festively decorated with ribbons, holly, and mistletoe, and a colorful tree sat by its lonesome in a corner. Before, there really weren't enough people to hold a party, nor were the bonds between the people strong enough to warrant it. First up: karaoke contest. The first two entries weren't that bad, as Sylia had a surprisingly beautiful singing voice and Nene's song was...well...painless. Then things started to deteriorate. The first indication of trouble was Priss' exquisite, if horribly appropriate, rendition of "Memory". First prize was eventually awarded to Mackie and Ranma for their impromptu, slightly inebriated, and cold-water version of "Natural Woman". After their performance, Sylia awarded the prize, smashed the microphones, and erased the program from the entertainment computer. Somehow, the party continued despite the horror. The time came for the distribution of gifts. Sylia raised her hand for silence, and called out to the now-boisterous bunch. "Everyone, before we open the humorous gifts, I acquired a few presents for all of you." She hefted a large package, for Shampoo. "First...for you." "For me?" Shampoo opened the box, and pulled out a pair of ornate bonbori. "Aiyaah...how you know?" "Linna told me what happened to your old pair." "Thank you..." She wielded the weapons for a moment, testing their weight with a few practice swings. Sylia moved back to the tree, and picked up a couple more boxes. "Priss, Leon...these are for you." She handed the small boxes to the couple. They opened them in unison, to reveal a set of keys for each of them. They held them up, then noticed the Mercedes-Benz symbol on the keychain. "Priss, I figured that you might want a waterproof form of transportation, so I bought a car for you. As for you, Leon..." she smiled wryly, "You are going to be taking her on dates, aren't you? I know it won't replace the thrill of a motorcycle, but they should be useful." "Thanks." The young couple held each other close. "Next...Linna." She picked up a large box from the corner. Linna took the box, sat down on the floor, and opened the lid. Inside were...more boxes. Some were no more than a few inches on each side, while others were much larger. Linna took the box on top, opened it - and gasped. Her eyes dazzled as she pulled out a full-length black velvet evening dress. She ran a hand over the soft fabric, as though confirming its existence in her mind. "Occasionally a woman likes to feel beautiful, ne?" "Ne," Linna whispered as she wiped an errant tear away. "And...for Nene." She picked up a small package from underneath the tree. "Mmmph?" The redhead in question looked up from her ice cream just in time to grab the gift. She opened the box, revealing...well... some sort of electronic device, roughly the size of an old-style graphing calculator. The top third of the face glittered with the crystals of a holographic projector, while various buttons and switches covered the rest of the face. Disbelieving, Nene reverently touched the buttons. "Sylia...this is...how did..." "Some questions are better left unasked." Nene just shook her head. "Man...I wonder how much Genom would be willing to pay for this?" "Nene..." She smiled innocently. "Just kidding..." "Ranma, Nodoka, this is for you." Sylia produced a thick envelope from her coat pocket, and handed it to the younger of the clan. "Kore wa..." Nodoka-chan whispered as she looked at the papers inside. "This has gotta be some joke." Sylia laughed. "No joke. Also, no rent payment. I take it you appreciate the gift?" They both nodded, still looking in amazement at the ownership papers. "And, finally...Mackie." She handed him a long wooden case. He opened it... Inside, a katana, beauty and grace embodied in polished steel and rosewood. "Father...this is his..." "Father asked me to hold onto it until you had reached adulthood. I could never convince myself you were ready, until now." Sylia smiled proudly. "Also, it can help compensate for certain 'shortcomings', right, Mackie?" Priss blurted, unable to resist the comment. "Hey! Mackie doesn't need any compensation," Nodoka interjected, holding her love close. She added, almost as an afterthought, "...usually." The party roared with laughter. ***************************************************************************** The clock on the monitor flashed the lateness of the hour: 3:34. Most of the guests had already left, citing one sort of business or another. All of the presents had been unwrapped, and all that was left was to clean up and call it a night. "Sis?" Mackie walked over to join his sister, his mind trying to cut through the alcohol and weariness. "Yes, Mackie?" "I was wondering..." "About the gag gift? Well, if you don't like it, Nodoka might..." Sylia smiled ,too tired to laugh. "Sylia..." Mackie was not in the mood for jokes. "Sorry...(yawn)...what's on your mind?" Mackie chewed his lip thoughtfully. "Tonight, when you gave all those gifts...why did you do that?" She shrugged. "It's Christmas." "That's not what I mean, and you know it." The leader of the Knight Sabers sat back in her chair, and let out a long, tired sigh. "Over the past couple of weeks, I've received... reports...of a disturbing nature. I think - correction, I know - that a confrontation is coming soon, and we'll be in the middle of it. Either we succeed, survive, and probably disband the group due to our lack of use...or we don't. I guess what I'm trying to say is...this will probably be the last Christmas we'll have as the Knight Sabers." Mackie frowned in concern. "What's going to happen?" Only a small, despairing shake of the head came in reply. Mackie rose from his seat, and raised his glass. "Merry Christmas, sis." She clumsily raised her own in response. "You too, Mackie." ***************************************************************************** Andy Warhol once said that every person has fifteen minutes of fame. Priss looked out at the moderately jovial crowd in front of her...so far, she'd had twenty-five. Some in the crowd were bored, simply biding their time before the main attraction made her entrance. Others were naturally impressed by her music, and wanted more. One more song to go before her night was up - the one she had been waiting for. The noise from the crowd reached a crescendo, then fell silent, as all of the lights went out. All save one. Priss walked out into the spotlight, her head bowed in silent contemplation, memories from her past as real as sight inside her head. She had chosen this song for a reason: though written years before her birth, the song was, in many ways, her life - and memorial. The beginning chords from the guitarist echoed in her head, a funereal dirge slowly intoxicating her into the song. Her voice started out soft...melodious...sad, knowing in some corner of her mind that the moment to ignite would come. The song was a strange one, new to an audience dulled by decades of corporation music: an old tune of lies and truth, war and peace...and love. Her eyes flared as the first chorus came, the anger in her coming alive: Is there anybody listening? Is there anyone who sees what's going on? Read between the lines, criticize the words they're selling. Think for yourself and feel the walls become sand beneath your feet. She calmed again, her eyes lost in the dreaming...sailing away, far from the lies of society. As she continued, it took an effort to keep from breaking down, nearly doing so at one point before a powerful chord brought her back, darker and angrier than ever. She was a demoness on stage by the end, every indignity handed her exorcised in focused screams for the crowd's benefit. Then it came, the end of the emotional roller coaster, a sad, quiet whisper. "...close your eyes." She bowed, wiped the tears from her eyes, then looked out into the crowd...roaring. She smiled, bowed again, thanked everyone, then headed backstage. ***************************************************************************** If anyone asked, Priss would chalk it up to professional curiosity. Of course, they'd then notice the slight tapping of her feet, and think otherwise. Truth to tell, she was enjoying the show. Vision was, in many ways, Priss' antithesis on stage, the light to counter her darkness. The retrothrash singer watched the familiarity, the friendliness she showed with the crowd, along with the intense love and hope shining in her eyes with each phrase...equally passionate, yet worlds apart. She found herself getting lost in admiration while pining with jealousy at the same time, her professional and personal selves in conflict. Then, about an hour into the show...Priss noticed something, normally invisible to those outside of performance. Vision was starting to withdraw...she didn't move around as much as before, and the vocals were just a tad strained. A veteran of countless performances, Priss recognized the symptoms instantly: Vision was either exhausted or sick, likely the latter from a veteran. Vision only lasted a couple more songs before she couldn't go on. After finishing "Say Yes!", she bowed one last time, waved to the crowd, and staggered out to the wings. She collapsed into the arms of the nearest person there - in this case, the opening act. Priss gently laid her down on to the floor, every sensation of wrong pricking at her mind. Then she got a good, close look at the singer - and backed away slowly, frightened. It was the hands which got her attention first - the delicate instruments were smaller, with the fingernails lengthened slightly and slender. The face was also slightly different, with the nose a slightly less prominent feature than it had been. Other small clues from her body were noticed, as the changes in question were not unfamiliar to her. After all, she had seen them many times before, in high-speed photos... of herself. ***************************************************************************** Hello, everyone. Thanks... To Rumiko Takahashi and Kenichi Sonoda, for creating these characters. To all those on the early list and the ML who have sent in their comments, especially Stormwalker, skywise, Mike Loader, and Jeanne Hedge, for their help. If you wish to be on my early list, let me know. As always, C&C is appreciated. Nicholas Leifker "Nightelf" nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu http://http.tamu.edu:8000/~nwl9354 November 10, 1996 ***************************************************************************** End part 7 ***************************************************************************** Nightelf (nwl9354@tam2000.tamu.edu) presents... The Circe Project Part 8 A work of anime fanfiction by Nicholas Leifker, aka "Nightelf" Ranma 1/2 characters created by Rumiko Takahashi. Bubblegum Crisis characters created by Kenichi Sonoda. All other characters created by me. I must ask that you not do anything with any part of this work without permission. Enjoy the show... ***************************************************************************** The air was thick with tension inside the garage's living room. With last night's events still fresh in everyone's mind, there was little left to the imagination as to the topic of discussion. Couples held each other close, as though their close proximity would protect them from the darkness. The rest looked outward, at the walls, their feet, each other...somewhat pessimistic about the future, but looking to it anyway. Sylia entered the room, looking much the grim reaper in her black suit and somber face. Her gaze shifted from one person to another, her family gathered around her at this supposedly joyous, but now darkened time. She thought of the times and tragedies they had shared, as well as those they would share. The warrior and scientist took in a long, deep breath, then began, her voice solemn and quiet. "Thank you for coming so promptly. I..." She nearly broke down as the crumbling shell of her professionalism fought the swelling fear inside her. "I will never be able to tell you how much I appreciate your friendship." She breathed deeply, then sighed, in an effort to contain her thoughts. "On 8 December, a red flag went up on the Saber mainframe. I had programmed it to look for certain cases - ones in which a person would turn up missing with a strange animal on the scene, or cases like the one last night, a freak malady with no logical explanati