Hello again. After quite a bit of time returning home from college, I
am back with a revision of a fic I posted a couple weeks ago. If you
notice any errors in spelling, that is due to Hotmail's stupid letter
composer and it's rather... idiotic screwing with my formating. Not to
mention I had to break size, too.
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For Duty, Honor, and Loyalty
Version 2
Written by Razorclaw X (spiceoflife@hotmail.com)
http://www.crosswinds.net/anaheim/~slythe/ranma/ranff.html
Disclaimer: Ranma 1/2 and characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi. And
all that other good stuff. Proper licenses belong to respective
properties and characters.
This file can be freely distributed so long as it appears in its
complete form and proper credit. No part may be reproduced for monetary
gain without permission from the author. (to which the answer is
probably "no")
Author's note: This takes place in an unusual setting, namely, the
future. You really SHOULD pay attention to the short history lesson.
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Opening theme: Don't Make Me a Shrew
To know what lies in the future, one must know of the past.
In the year 2232 of our modern reckoning, mankind spread throughout
an entire sector of the galaxy under one government, called the Earth
Alliance. Science and technology advanced with leaps and bounds under
this single government, and mankind was on the road to success. But it
was not to be.
For in the year 2232 the Earth Alliance erupted into civil war.
Corrupt officials in the government spent taxpayer money for their own
agendas. Grievences in several sectors went unheard or were ignored. It
was then the outer colonies of the Alliance, who wished to govern
themselves, sparked the rebellion. This, combined with the presence of
numerous corrupted officials in the government, drew others in the
Alliance into the war as well. Seven years of bitter war, mankind
destroying itself from the interior until the year 2239, when the most
powerful rebel faction overthrew the Alliance government. In the end the
former Earth Alliance was split into five governments, each with a
different idea on how to live their lives.
The first of the five governments declared rule under the influential
House Saotome, the very ones who sparked the rebellion in the first
place. This particular House valued the strength of the one above the
strength of the many, and wished above all other desires to become the
most powerful force in the galaxy. The Earth Alliance weakened them,
they argued.
The second of the five governments was under the rule of House Tendo.
This House, while more domestically-oriented than the Saotomes, favored
the rebellion and provided the rebels with much-needed supplies. The
Houses of Saotome and Tendo have long been in collaboration, but remain
together only under paper agreements.
The third government prospered under the rule of House Kuno. A
powerful and influential trading House, during the civil war the
patriarch wisely decided to remain neutral. In the end the House was
left relatively intact, and gained valuable space in the process. The
wise head of House Kuno enjoyed the popular support of the people
throughout the worlds of the old Earth Alliance, and no one dared to
challenge the Kuno authority.
The fourth House came under the tyrannical rule of the Joketsuzoku
House. While they were not part of the initial rebellion, the matriarch
decided to make use of the opportunity to grab power. Joketsuzoku also
valued strength of the one, similar to the Saotome philosophy, but
believed the weak must be weeded out for the good of humanity.
No single House ruled the fifth and final partition of the sector.
Those who formed the Terra Combine were the remnants of the Earth
Alliance that still held some kind of power. The philosophy of the
Combine, the largest of the five governments in terms of territory and
population, was that the government was based on the people it governed.
The Combine often absorbed the minor Houses and governments swept away
from the rebellion, and thus became reviled by the other four
governments. Yet the resources of the Combine remain vast, and those who
oppose them usually end with their deaths.
Time passed with few major incidents. But, in the year 2296, with
memory of the unified Earth Alliance still fresh in the peoples' minds,
that was about to change. It began with the ascension of the third head
of House Kuno.
In the territory under the grip of House Kuno, open rebellion exploded
after the people decided to rid themselves of the current patriarch, who
was dangerously insane. Tatewaki Kuno, the next in line for succession,
fought back, but found the support and money House Kuno once possessed
dwindling as contacts and suppliers deserted to the rebellion. No doubt
the rebels sought to eliminate every last trace of House Kuno,
considering what Tatewaki's father had done during his rule-- actions
best left unsaid. At the moment, Tatewaki assumes command of House Kuno
in his father's place.
Why was House Kuno under fire, after enduring popular support for the
last thirty years? Tatewaki asked himself. Only one man, his own father,
managed to turn the popularity into revulsion. Grandfather would roll
over in his grave if he'd heard about this.
On the grand agricultural-industrial world of Halydis, the base of
House Kuno, Tatewaki and his remaining loyal forces made their last
stand. Kuno's father, the patriarch, was kept locked up in a cell under
the compound under tight security. Ironic that Kuno, his father, and his
sister were the only surviving members of House Kuno now, the others
having been killed in the earlier stages of the rebellion. Kuno
shuddered at the thought of Grandmother's death; she'd been
publicly-disconnected from the life-support machine that kept her vital
fluids going.
The planetary shield over House Kuno headquarters prevented orbital
bombardment, so it would have to be ground combat with the rebels.
At least, until the generator ran out of power.
In the large hangar beneath the Kuno headquarters Kuno made his way to
his personal battlemech, helmet under his arms. Resting on two legs was
what resembled the curved beak of a vulture, the cockpit in the center.
Two arms jutted out of the vulture's 'ears,' ending in large cannons.
Missile launchers rested beside the cockpit. Painted figures of the
bronze phoenix decorated Kuno's personal 'mech.
"Brother, wait!" called a feminine voice from across the hangar. Kuno
looked over his shoulder, watching his sister, Kodachi, run toward him.
The younger Kuno dressed in a plain suit with a white lab coat over it,
fitting for her biological work.
"Sister, you should be with the transports," Kuno said.
"How can I leave you behind to die here alone?" Kodachi pleaded. "If I
have to go you must come with me! You're the head of House Kuno."
"I can't," Kuno replied. "It is not for your eyes to behold what will
happen today." A sight which might make Kodachi go over the edge if she
saw his own death. "As head of House, I order you to reach the Terra
Combine safely, or there will be no one left to carry on the Kuno name.
Once there you, as the last living Kuno, can rally the Combine to return
and crush the rebels. As for me, it is my duty as a warrior, and as head
of House Kuno, to join our ancestors in the afterlife this day. I've
been preparing for this day all my life; let it be my finest hour!"
Kodachi slapped Kuno across the face. "Well, if you're not coming with
me, then why shouldn't I stay? I'm not such a bad fighter myself! Stop
spouting this warrior-martyr crap and let me fight! Vengeance be damned,
we can die together in the field of battle!"
Kuno rubbed his cheeks, slightly annoyed. "Don't you get it?" He
grabbed Kodachi's shoulders, hard, and shook her. "If we both die,
nobody would be left to avenge our deaths!" Calming himself down, Kuno
added, "The Combine won't act unless you survive. It's nt your time to
die. You have to live, Sister. If not for our family honor, then for me.
Promise me that you'll go!"
"I can't live knowing that you died in order for me to live," Kodachi
protested. Tense moments of silence followed. Finally, she said, "I'm
not a little girl anymore. If it means so much to you, I'll go. But not
for the family, or honor, or because you're the head of House Kuno. Just
for you. I promise."
"I'll be fine," Kuno assured his sister. "But you have to go, now! If
you don't, the escorts won't be able to punch a hole in the blockade."
Kodachi let Tatewaki go. As Tatewaki turned and walked away, she
called, "The House of Kuno will survive!" Almost to herself, Kodachi
vowed, "Your sacrifice won't be in vain, I promise."
Watching the scanners on board his 'mech, Tatewaki watched as the
transport his sister was on broke through the rebels' blockade around
the planet. With luck House Kuno may one day return to power.
Tatewaki wondered for a moment why he was defending his insane father,
so unfit for rulership, until the scanners picked up planetary landers
breaking pass the perimeter defenses. The landers housed a single enemy
mech each, he knew. More and more were making their way through.
Kuno patched into the House commlink. "This is it, men. Today we die
heroes for House Kuno! Let this be our finest hour!"
The reply to Kuno's bold statement was a unified battle cry of the
warriors of House Kuno. The twenty-odd 'mechs of House Kuno charged in
a battle line to meet their opponents, weapons blazing.
In the meantime, arrangements were being made between House Saotome
and House Tendo for a diplomatic alliance, thus forming one House. The
matriarch of Joketsuzoku, Cologne, was less than pleased. For many years
she badgered House Saotome to wed their only son with Cologne's
great-granddaughter, recognizing the strength of both Houses. Now they
add insult to the rejection.
It was time to mobilize.
"Warning: heat level critical."
"Oh shut up!" Kuno screamed at the 'mech computer. The last enemy
'mech was in his sights, and in critical condition. It was now or never.
With seething anger Kuno fired both of his particle projection beams,
and watched as both bolts slammed into the enemy 'mech.
Well over six hours passed since the beginning of the battle on
Halydis. The forces of Kuno were dwindled to a mere four 'mechs,
including Kuno's own mech. And they were out of missiles.
Kuno let himself relax for a moment as the last of the fourth wave of
rebel 'mechs was destroyed. He watched the heat levels overflow the heat
sinks, and the 'mech powered down for a moment. It usually took only
thirty seconds before the heat sinks compensated for the overheating of
mechs.
A transmission from headquarters beeped in. Communication systems were
still on-line. "Go ahead," Kuno said, opening transmission.
"Sir," started the communications officer, "we've identified the ships
of the attacking force. They belong to House Saotome."
"Saotome," Kuno spat. "No wonder why the rebels were so
well-organized, a rival House plotted against our own."
"We're detecting more landers dropping in your area, about seven of
them," continued the comm. officer. "Sir, you'd better fall back."
"Never!" Kuno shouted. "My structural integrity readings may report
critical in several areas, but I will go down fighting!" The heat sinks
finished compensation, and the 'mech began to power-up again.
"But sir, we've got...." then the transmission went blank. In the
distance raged a large explosion, where the Kuno headquarters once
stood. Damn them, that means the planetary shield over headquarters was
down! Which also meant orbital bombardment would rain on the four
remaining 'mechs at any moment, Kuno thought, hiding his glee in the
knowledge of the demise of his father.
"Enemy 'mechs in visual range!" shouted another 'mech warrior. Sure
enough, there were seven of them, all bearing the marks of House
Saotome.
So, Kuno thought, the Saotomes themselves decide to join the fight.
"This is it, men!" Kuno thumbed the long-range laser cannons, firing on
the lead 'mech.
The lead mech, resembling a man with a missile launcher on his
shoulder, returned fire with a volley of twenty missiles, straight at
Kuno's 'mech. Without thinking, Kuno reached for the ejection lever, and
threw it.
Realizing too late that this was no way for a warrior to die, Kuno
watched from his ejection pod as his personal 'mech exploded into a
million pieces.
Suddenly, the ejection pod's upward velocity halted. Kuno expected the
downward velocity to increase, but it never came. He looked up, and saw
that the ejection pod was attached to a sleek space fighter. The body of
the fighter was shaped like a needle, except for the broad wings, shaped
like a quarter circle, that curved forward from the rear of the craft.
Kuno's eyes moved to spy the markings on the underside of the wings, and
saw the mark of the black rose.
"Today's not a good day to die, Brother," Kodachi told Kuno over the
commlink. Her image appeared on the communications monitor in Kuno's
pod. She was dressed not in a flight suit, but still in a lab coat,
which meant big trouble for her if the ship ruptured in space.
"Kodachi!" Kuno exclaimed. "I thought you were long gone!"
"Well, I was, until I gathered a few volunteers to come back for you,"
Kodachi replied. "I never promised not to come back."
"Damn you," Kuno muttered under his breath.
"I'm not going to let you die like this, not now," continued Kodachi.
"Now hang on, because we still have to get out."
The next thing Kuno heard was Kodachi's maniacal laughter. Damn those
adrenaline rushes....
Almost lost in Kodachi's laughter, Kuno muttered, "Damn you for
disobeying my command!"
Surprisingly, Kodachi replied, "I'm doing this for you, Brother, not
for anything else. Appreciate it while you can."
Kodachi maneuvered her personal fighter into space, with several other
fighters close behind. The small contingent headed straight for the
Saotome space fleet's blockade.
Kodachi opened her channel to the other fighters. "We're going in
fast!"The Kuno girl punched all available energies into the fighter's
engines, and cruised on afterburners, outdistancing the trailing
fighters. She weaved back and forth between incoming fire and
spacecraft, dodging with ease. And soon Kodachi's fighter punched
through, with only three other fighters making it through as well.
"Kocchi, that was the dumbest thing you've ever done," Kuno voiced
over the commlink. "You could've been killed, and the House of Kuno with
you."
"You're welcome," Kodachi replied, curving her lips in a smile. Tacchi
sure did have a way with 'thank-yous.' "I promise you brother, we'll
live and die together. Punching in hyperspace coordinates. Next stop,
Terra Combine."
The head of the Saotome government, under one Genma Saotome, played
their hand in the so-called 'Halydis Massacre.' Records and information
were falsified to place blame on the Terra Combine, so only Genma and
his top advisors knew of the operation. After that news was made public,
the Saotome government 'moved-in' to Kuno territory and 'quelled' the
rebellion. How 'unfortunate,' that there were no surviving members of
the Kuno family any more. Saotome claimed the land for itself.
The Terra Combine, while publically-denying involvement in the
Massacre, failed to act on the accusations. The issue got lost in the
sea of debate that plagued the Council of the Combine.
The resources of the former House Kuno would support Saotome nicely,
Genma thought. Kuno was only the first.
Soon thereafter the Joketsuzoku launched their dual-pronged attack
against the Tendos and Saotomes. With the relatively-nonmilitaristic
nature of Tendo and the spreading of Saotome forces, the Joketsuzoku
scored early victories during the conflict, but that was not to be.
It came to pass that the Joketsuzoku's attack against the Tendos and
Saotomes ended in failure. The Saotome heir, Ranma, was wed to the
youngest of the Tendo daughters, thus sealing the alliance between the
two Houses. Their first order of business was to consolidate their
newfound power where House Kuno once stood. Once that was completed, the
new, single House, under the name Saotome, attacked the Joketsuzoku
House. The tide of battle turned quickly against the Joketsuzoku forces.
Cologne held a meeting in the secret headquarters of the Joketsuzoku,
hidden deep within an asteroid. Among those present were Shampoo, the
great-granddaughter, Mousse, the war captain, and Ling-ling and
Lung-lung, the devilish pair of warriors. The rest of the Joketsuzoku
leadership was also present.
"My warriors, we are at the brink of disaster," Cologne began.
"Something must be done, and done soon, or our proud House will fall to
our enemies."
"House Kuno fell before the Terra Combine," argued Mousse, "and they
went down fighting to the last man. I say we should do the same."
"Nonsense!" Shampoo protested. "We know that two of the House Kuno
heirs survive in Terra Combine. The two were granted amnesty, and aren't
political prisoners. In fact, it was Saotome, not the Combine, behind
the rebels and the Massacre. The tiger must lick its wounds before
returning to the fight."
"Who gave you that report?!" cried Mousse. "I've heard no such news!"
Shampoo's lips curved into a malicious grin. "Some information
Intelligence discovered. My personal agents." Then, feigning surprise,
she added, "Oh, I forgot! You aren't cleared for Intelligence."
"I agree with Shampoo," Cologne said. "We will appeal to the Terra
Combine for aid, surely they cannot refuse us! Both the Saotome and
Tendo Houses are their enemies, as the Combine is made up of the
remnants of the old Earth Alliance."
Mousse slammed his fist on the table. "That's the coward's answer! We
should go down fighting!"
Cologne bopped Mousse on the head. "Is it cowardly to consolidate
one's forces and allies, Mousse? Or is it your pride getting in the way
again?"
Mousse backed down, defeated. Of course the matriarch was right, and
he hated it when that happened.
And so it came to pass that the remnants of the once-proud House of
Joketsuzoku fled across the borders to the Terra Combine, the Saotome
fleet hot on their heels, lead under the banner of Ranma Saotome's own
mothership, the Wild Stallion.
Ranma leaned forward in his command chair, watching the viewscreen
before him, depicting the last of the Joketsuzoku convoy cross the
borders. To the helm he shouted, "Faster, they're getting away!"
"Sir," the sensors officer called, "we're detecting another fleet
heading this direction."
Ranma had the viewscreen changed to watch the new arriving fleet. They
bore the marks of the Terra Combine, but the lead ship also bore the
marking of the jade dragon. A symbol of good luck.
"We're receiving transmission," the communications officer said.
"Audio and video," ordered Ranma. The viewscreen's starry field was
replaced with the view of the interior of the lead Combine craft.
Standing there was the captain of the lead ship. This captain dressed in
the traditional Earth Alliance fleet uniform, and appeared as a
clean-cut soldier, except for the long hair flowing behind the uniform
in a pony tail. Ranma dropped his jaw in surprise.
"Ucchan...?" Ranma said in recognition and disbelief. Ukyo was a
friend from childhood; the two met during one of Genma's tours on the
border worlds. Even after so many years Ranma could distinguish Ukyo's
features.
"Greetings, Heir-apparent Ranma Saotome," returned Ukyo. "But, you
should refer to me as Captain Ukyo Kuonji of the Terra Combine Ship
Jade Dragon. And you're violating our territory."
Ranma regained some composure. "We are in pursuit of enemy vessels.
Stand aside and let us pass, or risk the enmity of House Saotome."
"Ohohohohoho... that was good, Saotome," Ukyo laughed. "The Terra
Combine deals not with rebels like you. Leave now, or we will return
fire."
"Look, Ucchan," Ranma started, visibly sweating, "for old times sake,
let me pass."
"Sorry, Saotome," returned Ukyo, keeping a professional tone, "but
you're still in our territory. I advise you to leave now, or pay the
consequences. Think twice before defying the Jade Dragon fleet." The
viewscreen shut off.
Damn! cursed Ranma to himself. After all these years apart, just a
hostilereunion. So hostile... and beautiful. He strided to the scanning
station. "How many Combine ships are there?"
"There's only three of them, sir," returned the officer.
"Three? Against our twelve?" Ranma laughed as he returned to his
command chair. "We go through." The Heir-apparent pushed thoughts of
Ukyo behind him. What Ukyo was doing with the damned Combine would have
to come later.
I can't believe he's taking the bait, Ukyo thought. Well, that's Ranma
for you. Saotomes weren't particularly bright, after all.
She turned to her aide, Konatsu. "Signal the Joketsuzoku convoy. It's
time to play possum."
The Saotome fleet pressed further and further into Combine space in
pursuit of the Joketsuzoku convoy, little realizing the present danger
they were in. Ranma was so full of himself that he failed to realize the
danger, and even removed a bridge officer for pointing out that fact.
After that, no one dared defy the wishes of the Heir-apparent.
After seven tense hours into Combine space, the Jade Dragon reappeared
from behind. This time there were over thirty Combine ships. The
Joketsuzoku convoy turned around as well.
Ranma couldn't help but wonder why Ukyo was serving the enemy.
Ukyo appeared on Ranma's viewscreen to gloat. "Oh, poor you, Ranma. As
I predicted, you fell for my trap." She spread her arms wide. "I
introduce you to the Jade Dragon battle fleet! It's a wonder how you
Saotomes got as far as you did since the collapse of the Alliance."
Ranma replied, "Ucchan, please! You're serving the wrong side! Join
me, and we can go back to Saotome space together."
"Wrong, Saotome," countered Ukyo hotly, "I serve the side of the
people." She disconnected the transmission, then sat back in her command
chair. To her weapons officer and the rest of the Combine fleet, she
ordered, "Turn them into hot molten slag."
Pausing for a moment, she added, "Make sure that the flagship remains
intact. Inform Major Hibiki to prepare his marines for boarding. I want
the Heir-apparent prisoner!"
Much to Ranma's disappointment, he was taken down in hand-to-hand
combat by overwhelming numbers of the Combine's marines, lead by one
Major Ryoga Hibiki. He sat alone in the middle of a dark room, strapped
to a chair that was bolted to the floor. A single, annoying light glared
from the ceiling into Ranma's face.
A door appeared in the darkness, letting light within. Three figures
stepped inside, two remaining at either side of the doorway. The middle
figure approached Ranma, and in the light he could tell who it was.
"Ucchan...." Ranma said weakly.
Ukyo slapped Ranma across the face. "Never call me that while I'm on
duty, Saotome!"
Ranma shook his head to gather his senses. He peered at his old
friend, age never touching her perfectly-shaped face. "Ucch-- Ukyo...
why are you serving the other side? The Combine's the bad guys!"
Ukyo began to pace around Ranma's restraining chair. "When we last
separated twenty years ago," Ukyo started, referring to the time when
both she and Ranma were children, "you promised to help the poor people
that were my friends and family. You lied, and left me behind to rot,
worse than I was before. The hope I once held was shattered forever."
"But join the Terra Combine?" Ranma said. "How could you?! The Terra
Combine is the bastard child of the corrupt Earth Alliance! Us Saotomes
stand for rightiousness, justice, and honor! Why did you betray your own
government?"
"Justice? Rightiousness? Honor? That's not what your father, the head
of your government, said," Ukyo countered. "I remember the two weeks you
and your father spent touring the border territories, making promises to
end poverty, famine, and suffering among my people, my family, my
friends. All of them, those words, were lies, lies! Did he act upon his
words? No! Did the poverty and famine end? No! All he wants is to fill
his stomach and live comfortably! He cares not for the people, those who
need help. He cares only for his own health and prosperity, at the
expense of others."
"After you left for good," continued Ukyo, "I couldn't stand to live
under Saotome rule. I grew up with the spark of hatred for your family.
Your government cares nothing about the people it governs over, not even
the poor! One day I met a visiting naval officer from the Terra Combine,
one Lieutenant Taro. In fact, I saved his life from the pro-Saotome mob.
He saw my potential, so I was offered honor and glory if I joined the
Terra Combine Navy, and so I did." She stopped in front of Ranma
proudly. "I excelled in every course, surpassing those ten years my
senior! I studied the ancient arts of warfare, from the Art of War to
the thirty-six strategems and beyond, and applied them to present day. I
rose in the ranks to become the youngest captain in the Navy!"
"I always knew you were brilliant," Ranma commented. So, this was all
about revenge. "But it's a shame that you must serve an evil government.
You sunk so low in your quest for vengeance that you'd serve
money-grubbing, indecisive politicians and baby-slaughtering generals.
We know what you did in the Halydis Massacre-- the last surviving
members of House Kuno were destroyed by your hands."
"What?!" Ukyo glared. She slapped Ranma across the face. "Granted, the
political system needs work, but the Halydis Massacre? You fool, the
destruction of House Kuno was YOUR fault!"
Ranma was taken aback. "Liar! You'll say anything to make my family
look bad!"
"Konatsu, bring me the Halydis record!" Ukyo snapped at one of the two
men. Konatsu saluted, then exited the cell.
Minutes later, Konatsu returned and handed a datapad to Ukyo. Ukyo
punched in a few keys, then showed the display to Ranma. "These are the
reports filed by the sole heirs of House Kuno."
"Sole heirs of Kuno?" Ranma said, staring in disbelief at the datapad.
"I thought you killed them all!"
"No, two of them escaped, and the Combine granted them refuge," Ukyo
said. "Right here, plain and simple, are the accounts of those who were
at the Halydis Massacre. The Heir-apparent of Kuno, Tatewaki, personally
verified the reports of Saotome craft in the area. The black box under
his ejection chair proves it further."
Ranma stared at the report, then at Ukyo. "Lies! They're all lies!"
"The evidence is irrefutable," Ukyo replied. "Would you like me to
introduce you to Tatewaki and Kodachi Kuno, too?"
"It... can't... be!" Ranma cried.
"Yes, it is!" Ukyo boomed. "YOUR government is evil! It was YOUR
government that massacred House Kuno!"
The Saotome Heir-apparent seemed to hang his head in shame. "Why...?"
Ukyo continued, "If it wasn't for your family the Earth Alliance would
still exist today. The Terra Combine seeks to rebuild those days of
unity, and you seek to undermine it in your quest for dominance! The
Combine serves the people, not the other way around, like your
government. The most important part of government is to serve the
people; your government seems to have forgotten that."
"Ucchan, please, let me go," Ranma said, hope in his eyes. "You can
come with me, back to the Saotome government, where you'll be safe. We
can change things for the better! We can be together again."
"Together? After you married the Tendo girl? Don't make me laugh!"
Ukyo spat on the floor after mentioning 'Tendo.' "Both your Houses
should be condemned for what they've done! Service in the Terra Combine
is based on three principles, Saotome: duty, honor, loyalty. These are
what I hold most dear, and if I join you I have to violate one of them!
You can't convince me to betray the people!"
Ukyo straightened her shirt, then assumed her official-air again.
"Under orders from Fleet Command and the Council, I'm to bring you
back to Earth." Ukyo slapped Ranma across the face twice more. "I don't
know what I'm going to do with you, Saotome. But be warned, try to
compromise my principles once more, and I guarantee you won't see
another day."
(continued in part 2)
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"That's my story and I'm sticking to it."--JMS, creator of Babylon 5.
"If you go to Z'ha'dum, you will die."--Kosh, Babylon 5.
"Jump. Jump now!"--Kosh, Babylon 5, making some sense.
--Razorclaw X
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