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                           Bubblegum Crisis
                                 ****
                      The Tempest Chronicles II
                                 ****
                        (c) Robin Smith 1995/6

                 Bubblegum Crisis is copyright Armtic,
                     Youmex and Toshimichi Suzuki.
          Other copyrights belong to their respective holders.
                              =========

Chapter 2.4
-----------

Suddenly my vision began to swim and I felt very light headed.
"Ahh not agai..."
<whump> I dropped into a heap on the floor and blacked out.

Nene took one step towards Tempest then paused as a beep sounded in her 
ear. She closed her visor to check something, "Sylia I'm detecting a 
power surge and it's rapidly building up."

"See what you can do to stop it."

Nene raced over to the access port and linked up. Again her fingers 
danced rapidly over the keyboard then she let out a cry and pulled all 
the connections free, rapidly stuffing the cables back into their 
compartments.
"We've got about FOUR minutes to get out of here before this place goes 
up in smoke and there's NO WAY I can stop it in time."
She yelled.

"Mackie your suit has the best carrying capacity, you take Tempest.
Everyone get out of here, as fast possible."

Priss was first into the lift and noticed the lights on the control 
panel were out.

"Sylia looks like the lift's out of action, doesn't seem to be any 
power on line."

"Okay, Linna give Priss a hand and take out the lift roof so we can fly 
up the shaft. Don't forget to make it large enough for Mackie who'll be 
carrying Tempest."

Nene saw Linna race into the lift and heard several muffled explosions 
as Priss and Linna blew away the roof of the lift.
She'd gone to the closet Tempest had hidden in after he took the 
pictures of their rough and tumble with Sylia. Frantically looking 
around for anything that could be useful she pulled open the drawers 
and emptied their contents into an open blue bag that she found on the 
floor.

"NENE GET OUT OF THERE NOW"
Sylia shouted over the comms link.

"I'm coming, I'm coming"
Seeing nothing else she ran out and was about to grab the case when she 
remembered what Tempest had said about its explosive power.
Leaving it behind she swept the remains of the data unit into the bag 
along with the letter Tempest had left on the table. Nene used her 
flight system to boost her over to the lift shaft.

Flying up the shaft she just glimpsed Mackie's feet go through the 
upper doorway when her suit's monitors warned her that there was just 
over a minute and a half to go.

"NINETY SECONDS LEFT."
She yelled.

Priss, Linna and Mackie were already on top of the building where 
KnightWing was parked when she and Sylia who'd held back to make sure 
Nene got out all right, began their flight.

Pushing their thrusters to the limit they zoomed up to KnightWing and 
tumbled inside. Priss and Linna had got Tempest who was still 
unconscious strapped down and Mackie had KnightWing airborne about 
fifteen seconds after Sylia closed the door.

"This is going to be close."
Muttered Linna.

"Fifteen seconds left."
Nene sounded worried.

"Hang on this could get a bit rough."
Mackie called from the cockpit.

There was a bright flare of light from behind KnightWing and then it 
bucked, swayed and jumped around like a leaf caught in a gust of wind 
before Mackie managed to get everything on an even keel again.
"Everyone okay back there ?"

"Shaken not stirred, but otherwise all right."
Priss called back.

Nene who had been watching the scanners, turned round,
"No damage registered I've green lights across the board."

Unregistered by the Knightwing's sensors a dark shape extracted itself 
from the burning pyre below and melted away into the shadows.

For a fleeting instant Nene thought she heard a voice over her comms 
link,
"The world shall hear from me again ....".
She shuddered involuntarily as a feeling of dread fleetingly swept over 
her.

"What about Tempest's place ?"

Sylia's question snapped Nene back to reality.
"... Err, well there's not a lot left; just some very hot rubble.
You certainly won't get anything useful from there now."

Looking at Linna, Sylia asked.
"How's he doing ?"

"He's still out cold; blood pressure is on the low side so he may be 
bleeding internally; feels like he's got some major damage to his upper 
rib cage."

"Nooooo"
Priss let out an anguished cry. The thought raced across her mind as 
why she seemed to have this innate ability to screw up badly around 
people she cared for in one way or another. She reflected on past 
events; her boyfriend, Sho's mother, Sylvie, Anri and now Tempest, 
though she didn't know why she felt this way about him.

"Mackie do have we enough fuel to call at Raven's and still make the 
hanger ?"

"I'll check. Yeah, no problem sis.
You want to drop Tempest off there first ?"

"Maybe; it will depend on a phone call, but for the time being set a 
course for Raven's anyway."

"Okay, you got it."

"Nene see if you can get Dr Raven on the phone."

Nene rapidly hacked into the phone system and patched her call through 
a telephone kiosk line; baring the lines use by the kiosk as she did 
so.

After four rings a gruff sounding voice answered,
"Moshi, moshi, Raven's."

"He's on line Sylia."

Nene sent a short coded signal down the line. Now to anyone who had 
tapped the line it sounded like random noise, what happened was a small 
green light next to the phone flashed twice.

Dr Raven pulled a small device from his pocket and pressed a button.

"Go ahead, I'm set."

"Sylia here Doctor."

"What's up ?"

"I've got a man here who's got what looks like a crushed ribcage, but I 
don't want him in a hospital or clinic.
Call our doctor and ...."

Sylia quickly outlined her plan with Dr Raven.

"Yes, that should be convincing enough so he doesn't get overly 
curious.
You owe me one for this Sylia.
What's your ETA ?"

"Three minutes.
Mackie will remain and help you set-up.
I'll take the rest of us back to base."

"All right, see you in a bit."

Mackie set KnightWing down behind the garage and Linna carried Tempest 
into the workshop that now had all shutters closed.

She supported him carefully whilst Mackie slipped a set of grease 
stained overalls over Tempest's clothes and then she laid Tempest down 
on a crawler board and retreated back to KnightWing.

Mackie changed into his overalls and then carefully smeared a few 
strategic oil stains over his and Tempest's faces. Then he wiped an oil 
soaked rag over Tempest's hands before doing the same to himself.

Whilst all this was going on, Sylia had taken off with KnightWing and 
the rest of the Sabers, heading towards the hangar.

Meanwhile Dr Raven was speaking to their 'tame' Doctor on the phone.

"Yes, that's right, the hoist slipped and the engine fell on him."
<pause>
"No, it wasn't a big impact, just some bruising I think but he's out 
cold. I want to keep this quiet so don't call an ambulance."
<pause>
"Yes I'm sure we can work something out."
<pause>
"You're coming over ?"
<pause>
"All right knock on the shutter when you get here, thanks."

"I've checked Tanaka over with the hand scanner Professor and his 
ribcage seems to be okay there's heavy bruising still apparent though."

"Good, that should be all the more convincing for the Doctor."

"I've put the bug on the bottom of the crawler board."

"When the doctor gets here let me do the talking and you can monitor 
from the office."

About ten minutes later there was a knock on the shutter.

Dr Raven checked the security camera.
"Okay that's him, stay here in the office.
Camera three should supplement the view you've got.
When he's inside activate the security system I don't want him able to 
leave in a hurry without first 'discussing' it."

"All right, you can count on me."
Mackie had already thought it all out for himself but he wasn't going 
to let Dr Raven know that just yet.
He'd have to talk to Sylia about it later; right now he had to watch 
over the Doctor.

Dr Raven had made a very convincing accident scene for the Doctor to 
see; Tanaka in grease stained overalls had apparently been under the 
Genom microbus when the hoist holding the engine had failed, letting 
the engine drop onto his chest.
However, he was saved from being crushed when the chain had snagged on 
the exposed front suspension strut, halting the engine's downward 
plunge.
The result was; it gave him a very badly bruised ribcage and knocked 
him out.

The Doctor spent some time carefully checking Tanaka over, before 
confirming what Dr Raven had said and whilst they were talking Tanaka 
had begun to come round.

Dr Raven noted that Tanaka seemed to grasp the situation quickly and 
the answers he gave convinced the Doctor he was just feeling a little 
winded. What Dr Raven couldn't know was that Mackie had of course 
communicated the plan to Tanaka as soon he'd come round sufficiently.

The Doctor was satisfied with the story and Tanaka's condition,
"He'll get a bit of pain from the bruising for a couple of days but 
that's all there is to it, the padding on the crawler board's head rest 
saved him from concussion. I didn't really need to come over;, I've 
seen worse cases after a bar fight."

"Thank you for coming though Doctor; I'd rather be safe than sorry.
What do you want to do about a 'fee' ?"

"Well my car is overdue for an overhaul and I think one tyre needs 
replacing ..."

"I think we can manage that without too much trouble.
When do you want to bring it in ?"

"How about next Tuesday; I could give Tanaka-San a quick look over as 
well when I drop it off ?"

"Yes, that'll be fine but Tanaka-San is going home on Thursday.
You see he was only doing this part time."

"All right I don't foresee any problems but give me a call if he has a 
relapse."

"No problem, thank for coming over at short notice.
Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

The doctor made for the exit and Dr Raven waved to Mackie held his 
right hand up in the shape of an 'O'.

Once the Doctor had driven off, Mackie secured the workshop again and 
went over to Tanaka and Dr Raven.

"How are you feeling Tanaka-San ?"

"Just a bit sore."
Tempest answered indicating his chest.
"I could use a drink if that's all right, err sorry didn't get your 
name"

"Dr Raven.
What would you like to drink ? I haven't got much here just coffee, tea 
or sake."

"If you've got a cola then that would be nice, otherwise a tea will be 
fine thank you Dr Raven."

"Mackie could you give me hand please; I feel downright silly lying 
here on this board."

"Sure. Ready ?"

I nodded. Mackie pulled me to my feet.
"Ungh, be a bit more gentle please."

"Sorry Tanaka-San."

Dr Raven had gone through to a back room and rejoined us shortly with 
three steaming mugs.
"Sorry the machine's out of cola, so I made some tea."

"Thank you very much Dr Raven."

I took a sip, ugh no sugar.

"Hand me the sugar please."

Mackie pushed the sugarbowl over and I dumped seven large spoonfuls 
into the tea; Dr. Raven looked at me with surprise.

"No it's not your tea making at fault Dr Raven I need the energy and 
not having any glucose this is the next best thing."

"If you say so.
Now I don't know what this all about but a very good friend of mine has 
gone some considerable trouble to ensure your safety."

"That's all right Dr Raven. Now let me see how to put this ..."
I paused for a second as though considering my next words.
"Let's just say Sylia and I are working acquaintances and I'm aware of 
her business activities and hobbies."

Dr Raven looked to Mackie, who responded.
"It's all right Professor; Tanaka-San is in the know."

"You know the others then ?"

"Yes, we've been having a very cosy little chat over at my place for 
the last couple of days. Incidentally my name's not Tanaka; that was 
purely a cover for the doctor; my real name is Tempest."

"You're Tempest ?"
Dr Raven looked shocked.

"Yes."
I took another mouthful of tea.

"*The* Tempest ?"

Now I almost gave one of my smart-ass replies at that point but thought 
better of it, after all I didn't want to upset him after the trouble 
he'd gone to.
"From that, I take it you've heard of me ?"

"Your reputation precedes you and if you are Tempest, then you'll be 
able to answer the following question with ease.
What's the link between a bear, daybreak and genesis ?"

Swallowing my tea, I answered without pausing.
"Oh that's very easy.
The bear is the USSR, an oblique reference to Boris Stengovich.
Daybreak is the rising sun, for this read Japan.
Genesis was the name of Yasha Stingray's project."

"And what's the link ?"
Dr Raven queried.

"I'm the link."

"Then you have to be Tempest only two other people in the world would 
have been able to answer that and they are both dead."

"I don't think we've met before have we Dr Raven ?"
Swilling the tea round the mug to make sure all the sugar was dissolved 
I quickly upended it and drained the last of the tea in one gulp.

"No, and much as I would like to discuss things with you, from what 
Yasha once said you are not a person to tangle with. Looking at your 
condition I'd prefer to leave it that way for the present."

"Now what do you mean by that ?
Ahh, wait a minute ....
Yes if Yasha told you about that incident then I can see you'd be 
concerned.
Very well I'll trespass on your time no further and head on home.
Thank you for your help; Sylia has a very good taste in friends."

"Err well, I don't think you'll be going home."
Mackie sounded a little nervous.

"Okay calm down, what's up ?"
I asked.

"Well your pad got toasted; we only just got you out of there before it 
went ka-boom."

"What !"
That caught me by surprise for a second.
"Oh of course, without Marvin the power plant had no limiter on it.
Anything left ?"

"I think Nene had a small bag with her when she left, but the place is 
a complete wreck."

"When the power plant blew then it may have been sufficient to detonate 
the booby trap in the case, so there would explain that.
Ah well, looks like it's back to the apartment.
Only question is, how to get there."

Dr Raven looked at me and asked.
"Can you ride a motorcycle ?"

"I haven't ridden one for a while, but I don't think I'll have any 
problems.
Why ?"

Dr Raven turned round pulled open a drawer; he searched around for a 
moment, lifted some papers aside and slid a set of keys across the 
table to me.
"There's a red Genom Ninja in the far corner that I loan to Priss when 
she's broken her bike.
There're some old helmets in the back room that may fit as well."

"Thank you doctor; you've been most generous with your help."

On top of the lockers in the back room were three helmets one of which 
fitted me, just. It was an old open face with no visor but there were a 
pair of old goggles in a box that were useable.
With the greasy overalls, the old goggles and helmet I looked like a 
throwback to the 1960's, hmm, there's an element of truth in that 
thought I mused.

I returned to the office to talk with Dr Raven,
"Let's see it's now early Sunday so I won't be able to return this 
stuff or the bike until Monday evening.
Is that going to cause a problem ?"

"Well unless Priss breaks hers again, that will be all right."

"Anything I can do for you in return Dr Raven ?"

"Not just now, but I'm sure I'll think of something.
Now I just want to get some sleep."

"Thank you very much. I'm sorry to have put you to so much trouble."

"Need a lift Mackie ?"

"Yeah sure just let me call sis to let her know what's happening."

"But you don't need to call ..."
I stopped; Dr Raven wouldn't know about Mackie's "abilities".
"Oh yeah you better let her know we're safe."

Mackie called Sylia, it was more of a show for Dr Raven since we could 
fill her in on the details as we rode. He went to the back room and 
came back in a tatty set of leathers and carrying a black helmet. He 
ran over to the bike, waving to Dr Raven who was closing the shutters, 
jammed the helmet on his head and leapt on the back.

'Okay, are you ready ?'

'Yeah, hey this sure beats those bike intercoms.
Hmm pity we can't market it; we'd make a fortune.'

'Hi Ho Silver and Away !'
I revved the bike and let the clutch out. The back-end twitched 
momentarily fish tailing a bit, then the tyre gripped and we shot off 
down the road.

'Hey where did you learn that trick even Priss doesn't get that good 
start from this bike.'

'Dunno it just seemed right.'

'Tempest to Sylia.
Tempest to Sylia, are you receiving ?
Over.'
It was a corny line, but effective I suppose.

'Yes I hear you and what's that noise ?'

'Motorbike, it's not bad for a loaner but it's a bit slow.'

'Motorbike ? You mean you're up and on a bike ?'
Sylia sounded concerned.

'Yes, we're heading over to my apartment to pick up a few things, then 
I'll swing by your place to drop Mackie off.'

'Mackie don't say you're taking Tempest to his apartment ?'
Hmm she'll be even more concerned in a moment.

'No I'm not sis; Tempest is driving'

'WHAT ! Oh my god I don't believe it.
One hour after he's fallen unconscious and he's riding round on bike 
with my brother on the back.'
The words "shit" and "fan" sprang to mind at this point.

'Come over to my place right now Tempest.'

'Hey, now that's a great pickup line Sylia.'

'Damn it Tempest quit the clowning around; I'm serious.'

'Well it's bit late we're just turning in to the street where my 
apartment is now.'

'Get out of there; I think there's a trap been laid.'

'Ahh now you tell me; it looks quiet enough.'
How wrong could I get ? Try totally.
Two thugs came out the bushes pointing guns in our direction.
One of them loosed off a shot that whizzed past my head like an angry 
wasp.

'HOLEEEY SHIIIT.
Hang on tight Mackie.'

I snicked the bike into first, revved it towards the red line, dropped 
the clutch and wheelied it into the first goon whilst lashing out with 
my left leg at the second. Fortunately they both went down on the first 
attempt. Letting the bike down onto two wheels again I paused as Mackie 
snatched up one of the guns.

I had a sudden sense of trouble.
'Mackie leave the other and hang on tight. I think this is about to get 
interesting. Make sure the safety is ON and put the gun inside my 
overalls please.'

'TEMPEST what's going on ?'
Sylia's voice screamed in my head.

'Sylia can you chat to Mackie please; I'm rather busy trying to save 
both our lives at the moment.'

'Mackie what's going on ?'

'Well you were right; Tempest's place was an ambush.
There are two goons with guns here; both are down.'

'Thank goodness for that.
Now tell Tempest to get over here quick.'

'I think that's what he's got in mind. Uh oh.'

'What do you mean "uh oh" ?'

'There's a third one blocking our exit.'

The third goon was big ....
Then he got bigger, oh shit buma !

I backed the bike up with my legs towards the two unconscious goons.
'Grab the other gun Mackie we're going to need it.'

'You can't take out a buma with these !'

'Not with one, but with both it's just possible.
Now change places and drive; get as low as you can as well please.
When I say go, ride straight at it and don't flip us over.'

'Sylia keep quiet please, we both need to concentrate very carefully if 
we're going to get out of this alive.'
An image of Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny suddenly flashed up.
"Be vewy quiet, I'm hunting wabbit."

'All right Tempest, though this could be a short ride.'

Loosing off one shot towards the buma's head, the bullet crashed home 
obliterating the left eye.

Then it opened its mouth, bellowed loudly and stood there mouth agape.

'Now Mackie go for it.'

"I hope you know what you're doing Tempest", Mackie thought to himself, 
"Or sis is going to be the only Stingray left in a minute."

Mackie gunned the bike at the buma and as the distance closed, I took 
careful aim and emptied both magazines into its throat.

Mackie glanced at the buma; it was still standing !
'Uhh Tempest that didn't work.'

'Give it chance. Oh, and I'd suggest we go round the corner please.'

Mackie cranked the bike over and swung round the corner just about 
keeping control. Once he'd negotiated the corner he slowed as he 
glanced in the mirrors and saw a flare of light behind.

'Bye-bye sis, see you in heaven.'

'MACKIE NOOOO.
TEMPEST WHAT HAVE YOU DONE ?'

<End of Part 2.4>

TO BE CONTINUED ....
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(c) Robin Smith 1995/96                    Tempest@ktsabers.demon.co.uk
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-- Mink/Tempest   aka Robin Smith        Author: "BGC : The Tempest Chronicles"
http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/2302    Lichfield, Staffordshire, United Kingdom
"I was committed once, but the fools let me out for good behaviour !"
IRC :  Mink  or  Tempest-    [ but "Mink" most of the time ^_^ ]