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----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher J Olsen" <GAMERS@prodigy.net>
To: <ffml@fanfic.com>
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 10:36 PM
Subject: [FFML] [Ranma/Saber Marionette J]Strangers in a Strange Land:
Chapter 10
All the characters in this story are the creation of Akahori Satoru,
Kotobuki Tsukasa, and Rumiko Takahashi... or practically all of them,
anyway. The title is stolen from Heinlein... with one letter s added.
Strangers in a Strange Land
Chapter 10
Silence reigned around Castle Japoness' main hall after Nabiki's
question. "Well?" The middle Tendo sister broke the silence that she
]] broke the quiet, perhaps? (silence is used in the first sentence.)
had created. "What is going to happen to us now? The man who built
]] What's sounds more like speech.
Ranma, Akane and myself is dead, but does someone still own us? As far
as I've seen, marionettes don't have any rights here."
...
Lorelei blinked. "Well... it is possible, I suppose, that there might
be more, but there are no others that I am aware of. The Maiden Circuit
is an incredibly sophisticated piece of machinery. To tell the truth,
it was quite surprising to find out that the Kuno's had managed to
reproduce them... although the Kuno family was involved in the
manufacture of the Maiden Circuits put into Lime, Cherry and
Bloodberry. They were one of the primary manufacturers of many of the
components involved in their creation. I suppose that would explain how
Godai Kuno was able to build you three."
Nabiki blinked. "I suppose that would explain it. I'm going to have to
]] Drug out the ol' thesaurus on blinked. Darn, no hits.
brush up on world history a bit more since I'm living here now.... The
Kuno's didn't bother giving us much information about this place. All I
know I've figured out from newspapers and from talking to people."
...
]] SM/J backstory expertly woven into the flow deleted.
Nabiki frowned slightly. "So... we're unique. I'd just about figured
as much. Which is pretty much why I'm wondering what happens next? Do
Lime, Cherry and the others have any rights, or are they treated like
the other Marionettes I've seen."
]] GOOD question.
Otaru shook his head. "No one treats them badly, not in this town!
They deserve to be treated like everyone else is... only better.
They've saved the world. They're heroes! Everybody likes them."
Lime nodded cheerfully. "I have lots of friends! Hana-chan...
Yumi-chan, Gennai-san, Gemini-chan...."
Bloodberry and Cherry exchanged a meaningful look that Nabiki caught.
"What about you two? How does everyone treat you?"
Cherry hesitated before answering.
]] Hesitated? One suspects she might understand some of Nabiki's
]] concerns.
"Everyone is quite pleasant here in
Japoness. Our neighbors treat us with a great deal of respect, and the
local merchants adapted quite quickly to us as well."
Bloodberry shrugged, grinning. "Of course it doesn't hurt that we
helped defeat Garlant almost single handedly during the war. Otaru was
the man of the year here in Japoness you know!"
]] Perhaps their role in ending the coup de flop might give the
]] new trio some status in society?
Nabiki took all of that in quietly. "So... you all live with
Otaru-san?"
Otaru nodded. "All five.
]] If two's company and three's a crowd, what's five er... six?
]]
]] Nabiki [rolls eyes]: What about NINE??
Lorelei spoke up. "You, Ranma and Akane could stay here at the palace
with me. It gets lonely here sometimes, all by myself."
]] Lorelei made the offer I knew she would.
Ranma blinked. "You want us to stay in the castle? Really?"
Lorelei nodded. "If you'd like. You probably will find it... difficult
if you remain at the Kuno estate, and I couldn't let you go homeless. I
feel I owe you all at least that much."
Akane bowed low to her. "Thank you very much, Lorelei-san. I can't say
how much I appreciate this."
...
Baiko responded immediately. "The previous emperor trusted Otaru-dono
after a long series of subtle tests. He would not have been allowed to
be in charge of Lime and the others if he had not proven to be of
impeccable character. He has had repeated opportunities to use Lime and
the others for his own benefit, but has not done so.
]] Uh oh... Would Nabiki pass THAT kind of test?
Lorelei sighed. "So you're saying that Ranma, Akane and Nabiki cannot
stay here in the palace?"
]] Might she ask for, after some probationary period, the three
]] eventually to stay with her?
Tamasaburo nodded. "That is correct. We will also be increasing our
security measures to prevent further break-ins, now that we know that it
is still possible."
Lorelei sighed. "We should do something for them. They don't deserve
to be put out on the street."
Baiko shook her head. "Nor would leaving them on their own be
advisable, as they would be unmonitored.
]] Same result, different motivation.
It would be our recommendation
that you request for Otaru Mamiya to take them into his charge, at least
until a more permanent solution can be found."
Lorelei sagged a bit. "Poor Otaru... I hate to ask this of him. He's
done so much for this country and this world, already."
Baiko stared at her expressionlessly. "If it would be possible to shut
them down for the time being, so that their systems and programming
might be fully tested, then...."
Lorelei hesitated, then shook her head. "I don't think they would agree
to that, and I certainly wouldn't blame them if they refused."
]] Especially after what happened to Nabiki. Though, if Lorelei
]] guaranteed that they would be unharmed, I actually think
]] they might go for it. After all, she DID fix Nabiki.
She
sighed. "I will ask Otaru-san, since there seems to be no other
choice."
Lorelei slid open the door and forced herself to smile politely.
]] Good. At least she shows that she doesn't like it.
"I'm
sorry we took so long. Now, what were we discussing?"
Nabiki spoke up. "Before you left we were talking about where we might
stay. If you are worried about security here at the palace, perhaps we
could find our own place. We've been talking with Otaru and the others,
and I think it's possible for us to find jobs here in the city, and pay
for a place to stay."
Lime chimed in. "Cherry is our washboard girl!"
Otaru shook his head. "That's signboard girl." He glanced at Ranma and
Akane to explain. "Cherry cooks for our little restaurant. She's a
great cook."
Ranma spoke up. "I used to work for a restaurant. I could work as a
waitress again I guess." She shrugged. "If you needed any help that
is...." Ranma leaned over nearer to Otaru to whisper. "Just don't let
Akane anywhere near the stove. Her cooking could bring down a horse."
]] In canon Akane waitressed a bit too. Maybe Nabiki could as well.
Lime spoke up quietly off to the side, "What's a horse?"
Akane punched her ex-fiancee in the back of the head lightly, mindful of
where they were sitting. "I heard that, idiot."
]] Lime: Just because I don't know what a horse is doesn't make me
]] an idiot. So, what IS a horse?
]]
]] Nabiki: You're right, Line-chan it takes a lot more than that....
Lorelei spoke up. "That's a good idea. Otaru-san, if it wouldn't be
too much trouble, do you think you could let Ranma, Akane and Nabiki
stay with you for awhile? Just until they become used to life here on
Terra Two. You are the best person to help them with adjusting, Otaru."
Otaru blinked. "Er... um... sure." He glanced at Nabiki, who looked
back coolly, then over at Ranma and Akane who both looked back with
concern. "Sure!" He repeated with more vigor, smiling broadly. "I'm a
man of Japoness after all. I'll be glad for you to stay. I'll take
care of you all, don't worry!"
Akane continued to look concerned. "It's not necessary, Otaru-san. We
don't want to impose."
]] You don't understand, Akane. It's the government that's being
]] imposed on YOU!
Otaru shook his head. "No way! You'll stay with me. What are three
more? Don't worry about a thing."
Ranma was frowning, but forced herself to smile. <Damn it, I don't like
this. Freeloading at the Tendo's was bad enough, and I was going to
inherit the place.> Ranma looked Otaru sharply in the eye. "We'll pay
our own way, alright? I'm not going to freeload."
]] Wow, Kunou must have put an altruism circuit in Ranma too!
Akane raised an eyebrow. "Oh no? You sure didn't seem to mind
freeloading at our place."
Ranma glared at her. "That was different, I was supposed to be
marrying...." She stopped suddenly, then continued awkwardly. "Into
the family... and I was going to inherit the dojo anyway. I wasn't just
freeloading."
]] Nice catch, Ranma!
Nabiki had been watching how the others had all reacted to the
announcement that they would be moving into Otaru's place. Lorelei had
seemed slightly nervous, and Tamasaburo and Baiko had remained watchful,
not that that told her much. Lime hadn't really reacted to the news,
although Cherry and Bloodberry had shown signs of concern. Lynx and
Panther had taken the news unemotionally, although they had exchanged a
meaningful looking glance at the announcement.
Nabiki concealed her own mixed reactions. <Why does Lorelei want us to
go with Otaru, unless it's because she's not really sure if she can
trust us?> She considered that possibility for a moment. <Otaru's
marionettes are the only ones strong enough to deal with us.> Nabiki
did her best not to sigh. "Well then, I suppose it's settled. We'll
stay with Otaru until we're ready to get our own place." She smiled
winningly at Otaru, trying to appear grateful. "Thank you, Otaru-san."
Otaru put one hand behind his head. "Don't worry about it. No problem,
no problem at all!"
]] THAT scene looks familiar!
Nabiki turned to Lorelei. "Lorelei, you removed the control program...
or whatever... that Godai put into me, right?"
Lorelei nodded. "Yes. There was a small computer hooked up to your
central control matrix..., which is something like your nervous system.
I removed that, and reconnected the wiring in-between. I'm planning on
going over its programming later, after we get all the Orange Blossoms
back on line, anyway."
Nabiki nodded. "I understand. Do Akane and Ranma have similar
computers in them?"
Lorelei blinked. "I don't think so, at least from what you've told me.
The module I found seemed to be a more recent edition than the rest of
your systems. Its programming seems to be hardwired into its circuitry,
so that it could be replicated and put into any other marionette in the
same way. I removed similar devices from several of the surviving
Orange Blossoms, and our technicians reported that they were the devices
that General Kuno had them installing to increase the combat efficiency
of the palace security force. Those were what was controlling them, as
well as giving them access to the techniques of Ranma-san's school of
martial arts."
Nabiki looked slightly disappointed. "Oh, I guess that means I can't do
any of Ranma's moves anymore."
]] But Nabiki wasn't in control when the moves were performed.
]] I'm not sure she would miss them that much.
Lorelei shook her head. "No, not unless you could do them before." She
glanced at Ranma. "If you or Akane would like, I could do some
diagnostics on your systems and see if there is anything else Godai-san
left behind."
Ranma hesitated. "Well...." He shrugged.
]] He again!
]] Ranma: It's just 'cause I was such a GREAT guy. I had girls
]] hangin' all over me.
]] Nabiki [rolls eyes]: But, Saotome, you didn't; have NINE
]] of 'em.
]] Akane: Though I DO know of at least three that won't be hanging
]] all over him!
]] Nabiki: Well... he DOES have a lot more going for him than
]] Kunou. [shudders at the memory of the control circuit.]
]] Akane: So does a pile of rocks.
]] Nabiki: Point, Akane.
"I feel fine, actually. I
could use a good bath, and something to eat, but I didn't get hurt."
...
Lorelei nodded. "It is very late, and I'm sure we can all use a rest.
I'll see you all soon. Thank you all again for your assistance."
Ranma nodded easily. "No problem." Akane smiled and nodded as well.
Nabiki looked at Lorelei thoughtfully then shrugged.
]] Making the best of things, I guess.
...
As they left the palace, Ranma glanced at her ex-fiancee. "Hey, Akane.
You sure you don't want Lorelei-san taking a look at you? She
practically invented marionettes after all, right?"
Akane shook her head. "No, Gennai-san did a great job repairing my
arm. I'm sure we'll be fine with him."
]] Good point.
She turned to the white haired
old man. "I have to thank you for that again, Gennai. You did do a
wonderful job."
...
Akane looked shocked. "Oh my.
]] Kasumi lives on... sorta. Kinda. Not really. [Sigh.]
I had no idea it was that expensive....
I'll pay you back, I promise!"
...
Akane was about to protest, but a glance at Ranma's borrowed, much too
large and badly burned, orange and green kimono changed her mind. "Well
then... thank you, Gennai-san. I don't think we have much choice.
Ranma's kimono won't last much longer, and I'd prefer it if she didn't
start running around half naked."
Ranma growled. "Hey! It's not like I do it on purpose. Stuff just...
happens, alright?"
]] Has our gender-challenged heroine developed a sense of modesty?
]] Perhaps Kunou added a modesty circuit.
Nabiki chuckled. "Stuff just 'happens' around you all the time,
Saotome. I never had any problem getting shots to sell to Kuno."
Gennai looked confused. "General Kuno? I don't understand."
Nabiki blinked. "Oh yeah, same last name. No, I'm talking about
Tatewaki Kuno, from when we lived on Earth... five hundred years ago or
so. He's the one that had our memories... copied, as I understand it.
He had a huge crush on Ranma and my little sister. The poor guy just
couldn't make up his mind between them."
Gennai looked interested. "That's fascinating! I wasn't aware that
they had the technology to do that sort of thing all those years ago."
]] Checks chapter 6. I guess he never really got told. If he did,
]] he might say something along the lines of "It still amazes me
]] what that ancient technology could do."
Nabiki nodded. "According to Lorelei, the scientist who Kuno paid to do
it, Iago Ikari or something, was some sort of genius, way ahead of his
time. Godai seemed to be pretty bright too, at least for a psychopath.
He did manage to put our memories into these bodies. Aside from a few
tiny physical details, I really can't tell that I'm any different. It
was like waking up from a nap. One minute I'm over at Kuno-chan's
place, and the next I'm on Dr. Frankenstein's table."
Gennai blinked. "Frankenstein?"
Nabiki looked surprised. "Don't tell me you haven't heard the story of
Dr. Frankenstein and his monster."
]] Cute.
Gennai shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Much of earth's culture and
history have been lost here on Terra Two. The shuttle that escaped from
the Mesopotamia held some records, and Lorelei managed to transmit a bit
more from the Mesopotamia's storage banks before she went into suspended
animation, but a great deal was lost in the original explosion."
]] Uh oh.
...
Nabiki nodded thoughtfully. "The guys who crash landed here three
hundred years ago... they must have been very resourceful to have
managed all that. I'll really have to learn more about this planet's
history. It sounds fascinating."
]] So would I.
Gennai smiled. "I would be happy to tell you more later. Perhaps you
can tell me something about Earth, and what it was like in your time."
Nabiki held out her hand. "It's a deal."
]] Actually, I could see the three of them writing a history of the
]] world from their perspective. (And what a story it would be.)
]] They could also give their unique perspective on the world
]] at that time. (Just think of it)
Several minutes later, the group reached the small apartment complex
where Otaru and Gennai lived, Kashahari apartments. An effeminate
looking blond haired young man was waiting out in front, and he ran over
to meet Otaru as they approached.
"Otaru-kun!!!" Hanagata wailed. "I was so worried about you! I heard
about everything that happened. Are you alright? Let me look at your
injuries so I can make them all better!"
]] Uh oh, the unwanted admirer.
...
Cherry stepped in and hit him with a backhand, sending him on a
parabolic arc directly to his own door, next to Otaru's place. "Otaru
is not yours!" She rebutted firmly as he flew through his front door
into his living room. "And you are not meant to be together!"
Bloodberry blinked at Cherry. "You didn't hit him very far this time
Cherry. Why is that?"
]] Must be a commonplace occurrence.
...
Otaru walked up to his front door and opened it. "This is our place.
Ranma, Akane, Nabiki, please think of this as your home for now." Otaru
showed everyone inside. There was a set of stairs going up to the
second floor near the front door, and to the left was a medium sized
room with a short round table in the center of it, around six feet
wide.
]] I won't start the SI unit lecture here BUT that could also be
]] called 2 meters.
There were two other doors wood and paper door leading out of
that room, one to the left, and a second across from the entrance.
Otaru walked inside, and gestured to the door on the left. "Our
restaurant is through there." He pointed at the stairs. "And the
sleeping quarters are upstairs."
]] Ranma: Kinda like Ucchans!
]] Akane: [expression darkening a touch] Or the Nekohanten.
]] Nabiki: Jealous of ghosts, Akane?
]] Akane: I am not jealous!
Otaru nodded to the back door. "The
back yard is through there. We don't have enough futons to spare right
now, but we'll see what we can come up with."
Cherry walked through to the restaurant door and opened it. "I'll fix
us all something to eat while you set things up for our guests,
Otaru-sama."
...
Akane nodded quickly. "I'll come with you, Gennai-san. You're very
generous."
]] Nabki: C'mon Ranma. Be jealous.
]] Ranma: Of him? Gimme a break.
Gennai put a hand behind his head and laughed. "Nonsense! It's nothing
at all. I get visitors so rarely, I never use it. Come now, I'll show
you where it is. My apartment is just across the way."
...
Gennai and Akane started across the apartment complex, and Akane waved
at Ranma to follow them. "Come on, Ranma. Make yourself useful for
once!"
]] Ranma: for ONCE!?!?
Ranma shrugged and followed them over to Gennai's place. The
old man opened his door and showed them in.
An attractive marionette in a kimono and with long black hair nodded to
them in greeting. "Welcome... welcome." While her expression was
pleasant, she had the same lack of recognition in her eyes that most
non-saber marionette's shared.
...
Gemini nodded slowly and handed the futon to Ranma, who took it with a
smile. "Thank you, Gemini."
The domestic marionette bowed automatically. "You are welcome...
Ranma."
Ranma shouldered the burden easily and started for the door. "Thanks a
lot, grandpa."
Akane slapped Ranma in the back of the head as they walked across the
courtyard. "Can't you try to be even a little bit polite, Ranma?"
]] Ranma: But I was polite to the marionette.
]] Gotta crush on him or somethin' Akane?
Back in Otaru's apartment, Lime was helpfully showing Nabiki around the
main room. "And this is the cup Otaru made for me!" She explained,
holding up a misshapen bowl with an elongated hand drawn picture of what
was probably Limes face.
Nabiki regarded it dubiously. "That's nice, Lime."
Lime giggled, holding the bowl next to her face for an example. "I look
so funny, don't I?"
]] On the cup or in person?
Nabiki laughed quietly and nodded. "Yes, it does look funny." She
shook her head. "Must have been too long in the kiln or something."
She glanced over at a chest of drawers which had a hand painted teacup
resting on top of it. "Oh, that's Cherry on this cup here, right?"
Lime nodded. "Otaru made one for Cherry and Bloodberry too! Only
mine's special!"
Nabiki glanced toward the kitchen, where Otaru had gone to help Cherry
set up for a late dinner. "Otaru really cares about you three, doesn't
he?"
Lime nodded firmly. "Otaru takes good care of us, and I love Otaru!"
"I can see that." Nabiki smiled to herself knowingly. <This guy is
worse off than Ranma was! He's got three girls after him right at home,
and a fourth who's the most important person on the planet. I wonder
how Lynx and Panther feel about the guy?>
]] Yep Nabiki, you've got competition.
Ranma and Akane came back in carrying their bundles, and Bloodberry came
down the stairs to greet them. "Bring that stuff upstairs." The tall
red head instructed. "I've been setting up the futons for tonight.
I'll show you where you can put yours."
Panther and Lynx were already upstairs, setting out their own futons as
Bloodberry escorted Ranma and Akane into a spartan room that stretched a
]] I think Spartan is capitalized.
...
Akane hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, you're right." She smiled at the
taller marionette faintly. "This will be fine. Thank you Bloodberry."
Bloodberry shrugged. "No problem, Akane."
]] Wall to wall marionettes.
Nabiki wandered in, overhearing. "The three of us in here?" She
glanced at Ranma and Akane slyly. "You two sure you're OK with that?
Wouldn't you like some privacy?" She winked. "You know... in case you
want to... have some... quality time together?"
Bloodberry blinked, then glanced from Akane to Ranma, who were both
blushing at the suggestion. "What...? You don't mean... you two...?"
Ranma and Akane shook their heads and protested at the same time. "No
way! We wouldn't!" They glanced at each other in surprise, then
continued.
"With that tomboy?" Ranma exclaimed. "Why would I...?"
"With that pervert?" Akane protested simultaneously. "You've got to be
kidding!" They glanced at each other and blushed again, then pointedly
turned away from each other and faced opposite sides of the room.
]] Still the same.
Bloodberry scratched her head. "What's going on here?"
Lynx walked up, attracted by the commotion. "If my interpretation of
human responses is accurate, they are both prevaricating in their
assertions." She scratched her chin. "Although I don't quite
understand what they are protesting about."
Bloodberry blinked. "What?"
Nabiki translated. "She means they're both lying through their teeth."
She winked at Lynx. "And if you'd like to know exactly what they're
protesting about, I can explain in detail... for a small fee."
]] What could she collect here?
Akane turned on her older sister angrily. "Nabiki, quit it! And stop
trying to make a profit off of people we're living with!"
Nabiki shrugged. "Hey, that never stopped me before."
Lynx hesitated. "I am curious. Exactly what would you require to
fulfill this 'small' fee."
Nabiki smiled. "Let's talk about that in private, eh?" She led Lynx
away toward the stairs.
]] Shudder.
Panther hadn't paid any attention to the
commotion and was finishing putting out her bedding, while Bloodberry
looked confused.
"I don't get it." Bloodberry admitted finally. "There's been something
weird going on between you two since we first met. What's up? You're
both girls... its not sex...." Ranma and Akane both turned bright red
at that and Bloodberry blinked. "No way! That can't be it!" She
looked at one then the other carefully. "Wait, are you two like
Hana-chan? You know, do you like girls instead of boys?"
Akane shook her head violently while protesting. "No! I'm not like
that!"
]] But the guy you DID love ended up as something different.
Ranma didn't answer at first, too shocked to speak. "Like... girls?"
Bloodberry nodded to Ranma in encouragement. "You know... do you like
girls, or guys?"
Ranma shook her head. "There's no way I like guys like that, OK?"
Bloodberry's eyes widened. "So you do like girls!" She paused for a
second thoughtfully. "Well... I don't care, as long as you're not after
Otaru it doesn't matter to me."
]] Strike one from the list of competitors.
Akane kept protesting. "No. No way! I am not a pervert like he...
like she is!" Ranma twitched, but pretended to ignore her.
...
Ranma shrugged, pretending it wasn't important. "It's no big deal,
Akane. I mean, it's not like you have to marry me anymore. Our
families are on earth, and there isn't any dojo for us to inherit. You
can find anyone you like." She turned around and started setting up the
futon she had carried from Gennai's place. "We should get this place
ready, OK?"
Akane hesitated. "Ranma...." She sighed, then picked up another futon
and started laying it out as well. "I suppose so."
]] It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
...
Cherry smiled and nodded. "Certainly. That should work fine." They
worked companionably together for a minute before she spoke again. "I
was curious... what were Nabiki-san and Lynx talking about earlier?"
Akane rolled her eyes. "I couldn't say. You should probably ask
Nabiki."
Cherry blinked. "Oh. Well, it was probably nothing important."
Akane nodded, forcing a cheerful smile on her face. "Yes, probably
nothing important."
...
Nabiki wrinkled her nose once, then shrugged. "I guess it won't kill me
to wear a kimono to bed for once." So saying she pulled back the covers
to her own futon to lay down. Ranma glanced at her own burnt kimono,
then at Akane, then got into her futon as well, turning her back on the
rest of the room. Akane glanced out at the others again, and realized
that the bra and panties she had on under the kimono showed quite a bit
more of herself than she was willing to show at that point. She
shrugged and got into her own futon.
"Goodnight, everyone." Akane called softly toward the other room.
"Goodnight Akane." Cherry replied quietly. "Goodnight Otaru."
"Goodnight, Cherry." Otaru replied sleepily. "Goodnight Lime,
goodnight Bloodberry."
"Goodnight Otaru." Bloodberry answered. "Night all."
"Goodnight Otaru!" Lime said cheerfully. "Goodnight Cherry! Goodnight
Bloodberry! Goodnight Lynx! Goodnight Panther! Goodnight Akane!
Goodnight Nabiki! Goodnight Ranma!"
Everyone else sighed. "Goodnight Lime."
]] All we need is that harmonica and it's "The Waltons"
For several long moments the house was quiet, but Lime finally spoke up
again. "Ranma... what's a horse anyway?"
]] Good one!
End Chapter 10
Please C&C, it's why I write!
]] Thanks for writing!
Kevin D. Hammel
========================================
khammel@mail.anime.sobhrach.com
kevinsff@pacbell.net
http://www.fanfic.net/~khammel/
========================================