Enemies of the Crystal State
by KPJAM

Creators of   
Scryed Yousuke Kuroda(scenario), Yasunari Toda(manga)
Trigun - Yasuhiro Naitoh
Sailor Moon - Naoko Takeuchi 
Ranma1/2 -  Rumiko Takahashi

Thanks and great appreciation for their patience go to Fallacy, Corwin, Brian Randall,
Dracos, and MADS.

Http://kpjam.anifics.com   Is where you can find this and other stories.


Chapter 4:


Mars flew across the landscape, crossing still decaying trees and the sickly colored
yellow splotches of flora that they covered.  She had gambled, taking a shortcut over
the land in hopes of cutting off Vash and his abductors.  Scant thought was given to
the fact that she would now be saving the same man she had been hunting, but she
owed it to her Queen to subdue and capture the ruthless outlaw.  The fact that he
didn't appear to be ruthless,  nor like any outlaw she had ever heard of was a source
of speculation that she would save for another time.  Neither did she wonder about
what had come of her companions, trusting that they would be there when needed; 
Hotaru could teleport them to her location when needed.

Tracing the crest of a small hill, she stopped when the road came into view before
her.  She took a moment to consider her position.  Her chase relied on the question
of whether or not she had managed to pass them.  The wrong answer could mean that
they were lost to her, making this endeavor fruitless.  She stood rigid and still,
staring into the distant wasteland, and straining to hear any sound that might justify
her waiting, or spur her to continue running.  The setting sun hovered over the distant
horizon, making its final descent into obscurity for the evening; her vision was
shielded from its fierce rays by transient wisps of clouds.

As she waited atop the hill, she contemplated her adventure so far.  Vash had been
nothing like she had imagined.  The reports they had received at the palace spoke of a
monster who destroyed everything in his path.  This chase was born from good will
and politics, two commodities they desperately needed if they were to continue to
pursue their dreams of establishing a kingdom of peace, love, and justice.  They need
more manpower and raw materials, two things that reclaiming the splintered parts of
Japan would provide.  Proving that they could capture such a notorious criminal,
would go a long way in winning the people's trust.  The people currently ruled by
Serenity, the people that she hoped to rule, and most importantly the trust and the
respect of the other people who had established rule in various city-states throughout
Japan.

She was growing impatient and extremely worried as time stretched by.  This chase
had taken way to long as it stood.  Having twice failed to apprehend Vash was
something that she couldn't tolerate.  Partly because of her own sense of pride, but
mostly -- and she would never admit this openly -- she would rather die then let down
Usagi.  Firming her mind and her resolve to believe she was correct, she banished the
thoughts of being wrong, and thought of what she would do _when_ the jeep came
rolling over the hill.  She took a deep breathe to try and slow her beating heart and
allow the adrenalin that was pulsing through her veins and dilute.

A whiff of smoke heralded something coming a few moments after she had noticed
it, a car seemed to burst over the rise in the distance.  A fireball formed instantly in
her hands, as she confirmed it was her target, gauged the vehicle's speed, and readied
to let fly.  Maybe it was the nervousness that she had failed to properly suppress,
maybe it was the adrenaline still keeping her in a hyper-state, or maybe it was the
clouds that had parted and allowed the sun to distract her, whatever the cause, her aim
was off.

She blinked while she released her attack, and watched in horrid fascination as it
streaked through the air, skimming over the ground.  The corona of flames disturbed
the dirt and debris that laid across its path, leaving a scorched streak in its wake.  It
traveled parallel to the ground, not dipping as it was intended.  She caught her breath
as she watched it sail straight and true towards the oncoming jeep, not the road in
front of it.   The last thing she saw before impact was the horrified face of the little
girl riding in the front seat.

She pressed the distress beacon on her communicator before breaking into a run
towards the wreckage; her eyes scanned the area as she looked for signs of life.  Her
heart eased as she saw Vash laying on the ground with the little girl atop him, both
obviously alive as they spoke to each other.

"That's far enough, bitch!"  The shout called her attention to the youth who had
abducted Vash earlier.  He was standing a short distance away, illuminated by the
setting sun and his abnormal right arm was dragging below him, lending the
impression of a primate.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he yelled again, red eyes blazing and she
wondered if it was an affectation of the setting sun or some other abnormality that
marred this young man.

"I'm here to collect Vash," she said imperiously, hoping her tone and manner would
prevent yet another altercation.

"No, you're not.  He's ours!"

Sighing deeply she regarded the man evenly.  Remembering his flashy escape from
earlier, she tried to formulate a plan of actions.  She had no misconceptions about
his abilities, but having no doubt about hers, she was confident in the outcome. 
Taking a few even breaths and getting into a defensive crouch, she decided to give
diplomacy one last try before they got into the fighting.

"What do you want with him?"  She made a herculean effort to soften her tone, trying
to elicit the preferred conversation.

"The reward, what else?"  He planted his feet and raised his metallic fist.

"Well, what if I can match it?"

"Nice try," he scoffed, as he lowered his arm quickly and pointed it at her, before
balling his fingers up to form a fist, aimed at her heart.  Rupturing the momentary
silence he shouted, "Shock of the First Bullet!"   The first movement was slow as he
began to spin, detritus being sent airborne from the mini-jet pack on the back of his
arm.  When he had made half a revolution his speed was taxing her eyes and her
apprehension became palpable. A blur is all she saw when he had finished his single
revolution and shot himself, metallic claw first, at her.

She called forth her power, hastily forming another fireball in her hands and
releasing the destructive ball at him as he sped like a bullet at her..  Moments later a
huge explosion rocked the area where man met the elements, forcing her to
momentarily shield her eyes.  The loss of focus cost her.  Looking up and expecting
to see her attacker felled, she was stunned to see him almost upon her; his fist taking
up her entire field of vision.  Having no time to think, her instant reaction was to
protectively raise her fist.  The impact was huge, her arms were shoved into her chest
as she was lifted off the ground and thrown through the air.  She landed roughly on
her rear, before tumbling across the ground.

Rising quickly, she regarded the boy a little more warily. The encounter she thought
she'd win easily had taken a decidedly unwelcome turn.  She hoped the others would
arrive quickly.  She really didn't want to have to hurt anyone; but she was beginning to
wonder that if help didn't arrive soon, she would be the one hurting.


-----------------


Kimishima staggered over to where Vash and Kanami had landed, leaving the fighting
to Kazuma, as usual.  He had seen the first exploratory blows, and was surprised that
the woman was still standing.  Having been close enough to more than one of
Kazuma's fights he knew he should keep his distance; the ground around them
already shows signs of the abuse he tended to reap upon the landscape.  He was just
going to collect Kanami and Vash and move them to a safe spot.   His ruined jeep
would have to wait, as he concentrated on his and Kanami's safety, and waiting for
Kazuma to finish up his fight.

Just as he was about to reach the pair, Vash scrambled to his feet and took off. 
"Stop!" he yelled as he watched his bounty flee.  He pulled the gun from his pocket,
preparing to give chase, when he realized that Vash was running straight at the
combatants.

"Are you okay?" he asked Kanami while keeping an eye on the action.

"I'm fine."  He could hear the worry in her voice and noticed that she was staring
unerringly at the fight, face reflecting her the worry that had been carried in her
words, and hands held tightly together below her chin.

"He'll be fine.  He always is."  He didn't wait for her response before he turned and
resumed watching the scene unfold.

The woman was on the defensive, that much was clear.  Her tactics so far seem to be
shoot and dodge, as Kazuma was casually shrugging off her projectiles and pressing
her hard.  Her hair was disheveled, and her uniform, which she had apparently
replaced from the tattered one he had seen her wearing earlier, was again soiled and
ripped.

The combatants had split up for a second, taking a moment to digest the situation
when Vash, a meter or two away from Kazuma jumped high into the air, aiming
straight from his friend.

"Kaza-kun!  Watch out!"  Surprisingly, Kanami had cried out a warning.

The warning wasn't delivered soon enough, as Kazuma turned in response, only to
have Vash land on his shoulders, legs wrapping quickly around Kazuma's neck.  The
two formed a unusual looking rubbery, human totem pole; Kazuma stumbled around
and Vash leaned about haphazardly.

"Damn, get off!"  Kazuma's voice could be clearly heard over the landscape as the
man started banging away at Vash's leg with his unaltered left fist.

"Wee ha!" Vash shouted in reply, a maniacal grin on his face while he rode the
enraged Kazuma, staying seated by the power of his legs alone.

Kazuma regained a semblance of balance and delivered a blow to the unwanted
passenger's back with his right fist.  The sound of the blow traveled all the way to
Kimishima's ear, and the man winced in sympathy as the laughter from Vash stopped
for a moment.

"You can't hang on for long," Kazuma yelled hoarsely.  He looked closer and noticed
his friend's face was draining of color as he watched.  What had started as a healthy
flesh tone had quickly become pasty white, and now was tinged with blue on the
corners.

Vash then began to dodge the blows while staying saddled on the other man.  Failing
to suppress a grin and a small chuckle, Kimishima received a blow to the shin.  He
looked down to see the angry frown on the small girl.

"Don't worry.  Kazuma will be fine.  He's fought with worse odds and come out on
top."  The words were said as much to reassure himself as they were the girl.

The circus-like agility could only avail Vash for so long as he overextended to one
side, easily avoiding the blow, but not gravity.  His arms windmilled wildly as he
seemed to hover sideways, before going down.  Kimishima had assumed that would
be the end of things, but he was wrong.

Mouth agape, Kimishima watched in stunned awe as Vash continued to grip Kazuma
with his legs, while hanging backwards and upside down, back to back with his friend. 
He wondered then if the man had any hip bones.  It was the only explanation for
Vash's ability to maintain that weird position.

Kazuma stopped, apparently trying to catch his breath, when a fireball slammed into
his side and sent both men sprawling across the scorched and shredded Earth.

The woman who had been forgotten entered the fray again, chasing down the two men
who laid stunned on the ground.  She quickly raced across the broken ground,
reaching Kazuma before he had had a chance to stand, and brandishing another
fireball in front of him.  "Game's over!"

Kazuma growled as he looked up at the red flowing globe in front of him, rasing his
left hand in front of his eyes, before he let out an impressive yell and lurched to his
feet.  The girl's response was instantaneous as she jumped back, releasing the
conflagration.

Kimishima, who had started to move toward the fight, covered his eyes and planted
his feet in reaction to the size of the explosion and the rumble in the ground that it
caused.  He felt the air pressure sweep over him, and winced as tiny particles pelted
his face, and he could feel the heat from the blast.

When the wave had passed, he looked up to see his friend and Vash both on the
ground unmoving, and the woman rising to survey the area.  He continued forward as
quickly as he could move, training his gun on the woman as he ran and hoping that she
didn't notice him.

Luck was shining down on him.  The woman moved quickly after she had steadied
herself to check on Kazuma first.  He worried slightly when neither man rose, but
placed that aside as he prepared to take action -- something he detested doing.

He came up behind the woman, placing the barrel of the gun at the base of her neck
and quickly grasping her shoulder while she was still kneeling.  "Game's over," he
mocked her.

She lurched and he quickly aiming the gun above her shoulder, firing into the ground
in front of her, a safe distance away.  He felt satisfaction when she flinched and
stopped dead still.

"Okay," she said.  He was surprised and impressed that her voice didn't waver when
she spoke.

"How's Kazuma?" he asked, since she had just been examining him.

"He should be fine." 

"Good.  Raise your hands and get up slowly."

He watched as she complied.  Raising her slender arms high into the air with the rest
of her body following.  He turned her slightly, towards the remains of his prized
possession.  The brilliant plan he had of subduing her rested on the hope that he
could find his pack, and the wires that were contained within.

"This way," he mumbled, as he was mulling over his options if the wire was lost to
him.  He followed her, paying attention to her arms as he kept pace with her
shambling.

As they walked, she started talking to him.  "You know, you won't get away with this. 
My friends will be here soon, and you will be arrested, along with Vash."

"For what?"  He couldn't help the amused hint that laced his words.

"Obstruction of Justice.  Attacking a servant of Neo-Queen Serenity.  If you let me
go and give up Vash... I'm sure we can overlook this little transgression."

He just chuckled as he pressed the gun into her back, indicating that he wanted the
pace quickened.

"I suggest you let the lady go," a deep haughty voice intoned.

He spun her around quickly, keeping the gun in her back and placing her between him
and Vash.  He didn't know when the other man had awakened, only thankful that he
spoke instead of attacking his unguarded flank.

"Listen.  There's been enough violence already.  You let the woman go and I'll come
with you.  No questions asked."

"What do you think I am, a fool?  Of course I'm not going to let the girl go." 
Kimishima then turned Mars again, so she was facing sideways from Vash, and
pushed her slightly away from his body.  "Now be a good boy and I get rich and
nobody gets hurt."

"Put the gun down," Vash said softly, like he was explaining the simplest details to an
unruly child.  "Guns are dangerous and accidents happen.  I promise.  I'll go
willingly."

"That and a yen will buy me nothing.  Now move around towards the jeep and no one
will get hurt."  He waved his gun at the other man, indicating the direction he wanted
Vash to take.

Vash sighed and slumped his shoulders, turning slightly and complying with his
orders.  Kimishima let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding as his gun
followed the man around.

"Is there anything I can say to convince you of my sincerity?" he asked in a whiney,
high-pitched voice.

"Just be quiet and keep walking."

He watched as the other man sighed again, before moving.  Kimishima reflexively
fired.  Vash moved again, seemingly contorting his stomach to the side with minimal
movement to his feet or head, appearing almost as if his torso were separate from
the rest of his body.

Then, all of a sudden, Vash was upon him, moving almost too fast for Kimishima to
see.  Parts of Vash appeared to blur as the other man was quickly upon Kimishima. 
Frightened, Kimishima fired at Vash, only to have the man dodge, and a  blur
impacted upon his arm, causing his limb to erupt in instantaneous pain.   The gun hit
the ground with a dull thud before Kimishima realized he had lost it.

Fighting back the still tremendous pain, he turned in place, frantically searching the
ground for the gun when a flash of red and white streaked by the periphery of his
vision.  He turned to watch the gun sliding along the ground towards Vash, and the
woman face down in the ground.  Apprehension transfixed him as he watched the gun
skid along the ground, until it reached Vash. The largest bounty in Japan calmly bent
down and picked up his gun.  He examined it quickly, before doing the most
miraculous thing.  He unloaded it, removing the bullets and letting them scatter at his
feet.  Kimishima watched slack-jawed as Vash happily grinned during this quick
exercise and looked at the two of them -- Kimishima and the sailor woman -- and
innocently asked, "Who's coming with me to Kyoto?"


--------


Bean Bandit trotted slowly across the broken land, roughly bouncing his two
passengers, neither of which had ridden any type of live animal for years, and their
thighs were explaining to them why, in painful detail.

"Mars, come in!" Minako yelled at her static filled screen.

"Does she have it off?" Hotaru inquired.  She was riding behind her friend, leaning
against the other girl's back, with her arms around Minako's waist and resting her
chin on the other girl's shoulder.

"She's never this irresponsible!"

"Maybe..." the words died on her lips.

"Maybe what?"  Minako voice sounded strained, high and shrill.

"I don't know?"

"I hope she calls soon," Minako sighed.

"I should have gone with her.  At least then I could have teleported," Hotaru said as
she mentally berated herself for not following right away.

"Maybe."  Minako took a deep breath before continuing.  "Actually, I should have
gone with her.  You could've teleported with our stuff after you had retrieved it. 
Well, no cleaning up after spilt cream."

Hotaru suppressed a giggle from her friend's mistake and didn't move to correct it,
having long ago giving up on trying to correct Minako-isms.  "Yeah, but it's dusk
already.  How much longer are we going to look?"

"Maybe we should look for a place to camp?"

Just then, the jostling of branches was heard off to the side of the road, a small
calico cat scampering across the road right in front of them.  Suddenly Bean Bandit
reared his head up and let out a screeching whiney while shaking his head up and
down.  Both girls were startled as Hotaru instinctually grasped Minako's waist
harder.  Minako leaned back in response, smacking her head into Hotaru's forehead,
eliciting a sudden yelp of pain, and dazing the taller girl.  

The cat jumped high into the air, turning to face the animal that dwarfed it in size, and
seemed to look at it with wide astonished eyes. Bean froze then, scrutinizing the
other animal as everything went still in that moment while beast stared down beast.  

And then, as soon as it had happened, the moment was over and the cat had landed,
bolting over the landscape.  Bean Bandit lowered his head and gave chase, again
startling the girls.  The sudden movement, along with the ringing on her head,
unseated Hotaru.  She tumbled backwards, doing a tight flip as she landed on her rear
and watched as the animal took off with her friend.  She quickly scrambled to her
feet and began running.


----------


Minako was holding on for all she was worth and desperately tried to stay attached to
the fleeting animal.  The world was a blur as they passed over the hilltops and through
scattered brush with amazing speed.

She heard a low whirling sound, that signified the alarm on her communicator. 
Bravely, she removed her arm from tightly hugging the runaway donkey and glanced
at it, swearing as she saw Rei's distress signal.

Turning around, she saw Hotaru losing ground on them and grimaced.   She wondered
what to do.  Was Rei in serious trouble or could she handle it for a little while? 
Could she get this animal to stop?  Should she just let go, ditching her abductor and
their gear in order to go to Rei?  She hated decisions like these.  Tears began to well
up in her eyes, as she gripped Bean's neck tightly.  She wanted a bad guy in front of
her that she could attack.  She continued to hold on, her body pressed low on the
animal's back as he continued the unwanted chase of the scampering cat.  Could Rei
hold out?  Could she?

She glanced back and noticed Hotaru was almost out of sight.  "Fuck!" she swore
aloud, "Stupid Beast!" she screeched at.  She had to decide now, their things or her
friend.  She froze as that last thought passed through her mind and berated herself for
ever posing a question like that.  Closing her eyes, she released her hold upon Bean
Bandit.  There was a moment of weightlessness, and she felt like she was suspended
in the air.  The moment ended all too suddenly as she began her fall.  Attempting to
turn in the air, she wasn't used to the in air-acrobatics need to land safely after a fall
of this kind.  The hard ground didn't give way, or cushion her fall in any way, as she
tumbled upon it, and felt the dirt and debris dig into her arms and legs.

When she finally stopped, she got up as quickly as she could, and turned to return to
Hotaru, glancing at her communicator as she ran.  She stopped suddenly when she
noticed the alarm was silent and stared aghast at the analogue display that masked the
device.

"Rei, come in!" she said loudly and firmly.  Her shoulders and hands were tense as
waited a moment for an explanation, a response.

The soft patter of Hotaru's steps approached, but she ignored them as she called into
her communicator again.  And again, was met with nothing.

"Did you see the alarm?"  Minako posed the question, even though she knew it no
longer mattered.

"Yes," was the sullen reply.


-----------------


"Do you have any idea where we're going?"  Michiru asked.

Haruka dropped her duffel bag onto the bed and shook her head slightly.  She had no
idea where they were being sent, only that she assumed it was east.  West would
mean that they were headed back towards Tokyo, and she couldn't imagine being sent
there.  There were no reports of any alters in that direction, one of the peculiarities
of the phenomenon they had been sent out to study.  But how far east were they
headed, she wondered.

She began placing her uniforms in the bag, stopping a second as she examined the
impeccable blue slacks and blazer.  They were identical to the apparel she wore, had
been wearing for the last few weeks as she and Michiru trained, and vastly different
from the sailor girl outfit she had grown accustomed to.

Placing her socks on top of the underwear she had quickly packed, she turned to her
lover and asked, "You ready?"

"All set."  Michiru patted the top of her bag and hefted it onto her shoulder.  "Let's
go.  They said to be at the front of the compound in five minutes."

A moment later they were both outside, looking into the setting sun as they crossed
the small compound.  It _looked_ much smaller than it was.  Built on top of an old
fallout shelter, the usable space was many times what appeared possible from
outside.

A minute was all it took to find themselves boarding the bus in front of the
administrator's building.  The bus was actually quite spacious, it was one of three that
would set out together.  One, the one they had boarded, was for sleeping purposes
and they found pull-down cots near the rear that had their names placed above them,
tacked up in masking tape and hastily scrawled with a black marker.

The area was designed for efficiency.  A small alcove for storing their belongings
was under each cot and  next to a small cushion that was used for sitting.   The cots
were retractable and all of them were currently retracted, giving them more space to
move around in.  Michiru took a seat on her cushion and Haruka quickly checked her
cot, frowning at the obviously ill-padded bed.  She missed the nice comfortable
mattress she had back in Tokyo almost as much as she missed her bed partner.  Both
of which were lost to her during this mission.

She took a seat on her cushion, looking towards Michiru, who had been scrutinizing
her.  She felt a momentary longing for the girl sitting across from her, showing no
outward emotions and quickly suppressed it.  They had denied being anything but
friends up to this point and would continue the illusion in a hope to not draw
anymore addition attention to themselves.

They were waiting for their teammates on their first assignment.  They had been
assigned to a squad of alter hunters.  They were part of a group of people with this
special ability who were tracking down and hunting others who had the same ability,
being the only ones capable of subduing the meta-humans.  It was supposed to be
done as a public service, protect the people from the alters who had been abusing
their powers.  Capture them and return them here to be trained and reformed so they
wouldn't become a public threat.  

Their reason for being here was to infiltrate this place and find out as much as
possible about this group and their motives.  They were also supposed to find out as
much as they could about these alters, people with the ability to manipulate metal. 
They had arrived at the compound a month ago, professing to have the ability, and
planning on passing of their magical attacks as such.  Shocking was the only term she
could use to describe the feelings after their initial interview.   They were both still a
little unprepared for their current mission; chasing down alters, as alters.


--------------------------



They had wondered, they had discussed, now they trailed.  Trailed after a runaway
donkey, without a map, or any real knowledge of where they were heading.  And to
make matters worse, they had no idea on how to trail anything that wasn't in sight.  
After careful consideration of all these things, Minako had come to the conclusion
that they were....

"Fuck!"  Hotaru shouted out the same word Minako had been searching for to
describe their situation.

Minako looked over at her companion, who blushed, and looked slightly abashed at
her own outburst.  A few seconds past as they looked at each other before Hotaru
started chuckling, a soft, high-pitched giggle that seemed to instantly lighten the
mood and force a short burst from Minako.  The abortive laugh, a small snort really,
seemed to set off a full-fledged chuckle from the purple-haired girl.  Minako looked
at the other girl, whose face was flushed and eyes sparkled with mirth, and laughed.  
A heartwarming chuckle that brightened her spirits as the day was quickly coming to
its conclusion.

"Dammit!  You stupid donkey!"  The sudden shout from the distance cut through the
laughter with the precision of a parent ruining a child's fun.

Both girls looked at each other, silently mouthing the same thing: "Donkey?"  A
string of curses followed, and both girls took off to find the source of the shouts.

They ran forward, toward a pronounced grouping of hills.  When the expletives
stopped, they both unconsciously picked up their pace, racing to the crest of the
hills, and over.  Down below was Ranma, hunched over, and picking up something. 
Strewn around the area was what appeared to be the clothing, cooking utensils, food,
and other various items they imagined had been in his backpack. In the apparent
epicenter of the destructive force that had hit his belongings was Bean Bandit, laying
on his side, unconscious in front of a can of beans that looked to have been opened
by an anvil.

"Ranma!" Minako called out without thought.

Ranma looked up, obviously upset and annoyed, before his features softened slightly
and he waved in response.

"So.  What did you do to Bean?" Hotaru called out as they pair started descending the
hill, curiosity and concern were evident in her voice.

Looking up sharply, Ranma eyed the two girls intently for a moment before shaking
his head and snorting under his breath, "Should have figured."

"What happened?"  Minako was genuinely curious about the destruction she saw.  She
also wondered what had become of the cat; Bean Bandit had seemed particularly
intent on catching it for some reason, causing her to fret over its well-being.

"A c..c... feline came running up to me, chased by this large animal while I was
cooking," he indicated the small fire-pit that was evident there before he continued,
"I went... to check it.  And when I came back, your dumb ass had done this."

"Donkey," Hotaru corrected him.  "So you knocked him out?"  The question was
delivered mockingly.

Having the good grace to look a little ashamed, Ranma ducked his head slightly under
the scrutinizing gaze of the lovely young woman.  "You saw what he did to my things,
he wouldn't stop," he said sheepishly, after a few moments of contemplation. 
Suddenly he looked up, glancing at them both of them and furrowing his brow.  
"Where's the other one of you... Rei?" 

Freezing, both women instantly frowned.  "She's lost," Minako said lightly.

Obviously startled, Ranma looked sharply at Minako.  "Lost?  Where?  How?"

"She chased after Vash and the guy that took him.  We went back to get our stuff and
the Donkey.  But we lost contact with her," she said the last softly, morosely.

"Is she an idiot?  He's an alter and Vash is no wimp himself.  She could be seriously
hurt, or--" he abruptly stopped himself, looking into Minako's face.  "Sorry.  I guess
that doesn't help."

"I'm sure she can take care of herself.  We just need to find her."  Her voice was
cheerful, but she could detect the note of worry that it covered up.

"Sure," he replied quickly, loudly.  "I need to collect this stuff then make dinner.  We
can go after her first thing in the morning."

"Morning!"  Ranma cringed slightly when the shriek reached his ears.

His left hand raised and pointed towards the horizon and the sun that had dipped
below it.  "Listen.  We need to track that jeep they were in.  And to do that, we need
good light, which we won't have in another five minutes.  Don't ya think I wanna
catch them as quickly as possible?"  His voice was strained but level; his attempt not
to shout was obvious.  Silence followed in the wake of his mini-outburst, both parties
staring at each other, looking more and more uncomfortable as the moments passed
by.

"We'll help you collect your things and then strike out in the morning, 'kay?"  Hotaru
had broken the stalemate, as they both mumbled their assent, and all three began
picking up the scattered belongings.

They had made good progress cleaning-up and were almost finished when Minako
picked up a pair of pants and a couple small objects fell out, twirling quickly to the
ground.  Her hand froze in mid-reach as she recognized the items, and felt a sharp
pang in her heart.  The realizations and implications of the small, square foil objects,
with little circle protrusions on either side, led her mind to a series of images of the
potential uses for said objects.  A part of her, a huge part of her, realized she was
being irrational and that she should be indifferent to the contents of his belongings;
but, a huge part of her still wished for a prince on a white horse.

She had hopes, and she felt ashamed of herself for placing Ranma before she had any
idea if he fit it or not.  Hope and desire were a powerful and strange combination and
she wondered if she was overreacting to the fact that he was more normal than she
had hoped.

"It's only natural for a guy to have these."  She comforted herself with that thought
momentarily, before she began to wonder if he had occasion in the past to use the
small objects so carefully wrapped in the packaging before, and if he had used them,
how often.  Was he some playboy with a girl in every town?  Or did he have a steady
girlfriend he was faithful to?  Neither answer was appealing, and she wondered if her
recent fantasies were all for naught.  She also wondered if she had any basis for those
fantasies, other than she had them and he was here?

"What do you have these for?" she asked after taking a minute to bolster her courage
and stave off the feeling of embarrassment.

At the same moment, he stood up straight and swore, holding up a water skin.  "Stupid
Donkey.  This was my last one, too."  He glared at the fallen animal before turning to
Minako.  "Did you say something?"

"Ahh... no," she answered while fighting of the blush that threatened to return.  She
noticed him peering at her hand, and looked down to see the condoms.

"Cool.  You have them!" he said brightly.  A look of confusion sprang to her face
while her eyes widened in surprise.

He walked briskly over, stopping in front of her and taking a couple of the small
packets.  "Great.  I can use these now," he said cheerily.  Her body tensed and she
froze as she tried to comprehend what he meant. Did he think she was so easy that
she would sleep with him?  Here?  Now?  In front of Hotaru, no less?  Had she
misjudged him so badly?

"Ah..." she started to say, but the words came out as a slow whine that was apparently
inaudible to him.

"I'll be back in a few.  I need to fill these up."   He turned and started walking off,
leaving Minako stunned.  "You think you can start dinner?  I'm kind of hungry.  All
this exertion all day and all," he called out to Hotaru as he passed her.  Minako was
left completely bemused, flustered, and staring vacantly into space while she
wondered what was going on.

Hotaru nodded, without talking and went to their packs, still attached to the fallen
donkey.  Hotaru looked over up at Minako when she had finished removing some
things from the pack and asked the still dazed Minako, "You okay?"

"He needs condoms now?" she whispered under her breath.

Hotaru looked at her strangely before walking over and pressing a hand to the other
girl's forehead.  "You don't have a fever.  Sit down and let me get you some water." 
Hotaru gently set the other girl down and moved back towards the donkey.  After a
moment or two searching through their packs she found what she was looking for and
returned to her friend carrying a flask of water.

"Open up," Hotaru laughed as Minako complied without comment and emptied the
contents of the container into her mouth.  Minako swallowed the bland water
automatically and then blinked.

"Thanks."  The reply was a little more lucid than her earlier babbling.

"You okay?" Hotaru asked while reapplying her hand to Minako's forehead.

"Fine."  Minako lightly batted the hand away.  "I'm fine," she reiterated more
forcefully, deciding she didn't want to share her fantasies with her friend.

"Good.  I'm going to start dinner, you sit here."

Not waiting for a reply, Hotaru went over to the small pit Ranma had already
prepared for cooking and started a small fire.  Minako watched reflexively while she
was still wondering what Ranma had been talking about and why he had seemed so
cheerful when he spotted her holding the condoms.  

Ranma's return broke her reverie.  She stared at him wide-eyed as he approached
Hotaru carrying two condoms filled and bloated past their expected carrying
capacity.  She watched as he walked up to Hotaru and spoke to her.  Hotaru's reaction
had been surprised at first, but then she smiled brightly and took one of the condoms
and drank from it!  Minako's head began to spin as she watched her friends gulp away
at the contents like it was the best thing she had ever drank.  When she finally came
up for air, she returned her attention to the fire she had started, grabbed a pan, and
poured the rest of the contents into the pot.

She stood quickly at the bizarre sight, raising a shaking hand at the pot,  and cried out,
"You're cooking his cum!"

They both turned quickly to her, with eyes that appeared as if they believe Minako
had gone mad, not them.  Then, Hotaru said sweetly, "Cum?  It's water."

"Yeah.  Since my flask broke, I had to use these condoms.  They can hold like a liter
of water each."

"Water?" she mumbled softly.

"Yes.  Water.  You thought...." he trailed off and smiled broadly.  The laughing lasted
for twenty minutes.


---------------------


Standing alone atop one of the galleries that overlooked the throne room, Setsuna
watched, away from prying eyes of the gallery.  Usagi... No Neo-Queen Serenity was
presiding over the businessmen and courtiers who came to pay their respects, and ask
for favors twice a week.  Even as young as she was, the Queen looked ever inch the
regal woman she had slowly grown to become.  These sessions had been started as a
means to showcase the Queen and for her to be accessible to questions and requests. 
People were led by a person, a person that they believed in, and that was Usagi's
greatest gift.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Sagimoto, We can't clear out those people in order to build you an
extension on your factory, nor can we grant you the funds for that extension."  Usagi
had become adept at speaking firmly and authoritatively when the situation warranted.

The man she was speaking to now, Akira Sagimoto, was the owner of a fabrics
factory in Tokyo.  A prosperous enterprise, as all clothing ventures had become. 
Setsuna knew that he wanted the expansion to increase the range of his product line
or even start manufacturing other apparel. Already one of the wealthier men in the
city, his request was extravagant and selfish.  The increase would come by moving
out people who were still living in makeshift houses in one of the city centers, or
with the annexation of one of the buildings currently next to his.  Whichever choice
was chosen, he wanted the palace to pay for moving the people, or demolishing one
of the ruined buildings that surrounded him.

"Your majesty, with all due respect, the expansion of my business will provide jobs
and subsequently housing for the citizens."  Setsuna sighed to herself.  The
presumption of the petitioners was getting worse as they had started bickering with
the queen.  When Neo-Queen Serenity had complied with their request, in part or
total, they had dickered with her for more.  All this was done politely, or as politely
as the education of the person addressing the Throne warranted, but it was a far cry
from the unblinking compliance given a few months ago.  Setsuna was worried.

"I am sorry."  Her reply was softer, an affectation she still had when delivering bad
news.  Setsuna and Mamoru had labored to break her of this habit. Compassion was a
wonderful thing, but it was a weakness in a ruler.  

"I would ask then, that her Majesty would allow an increase in our prices.  Say an
increase of ten percent per bolt?"  Setsuna almost gasped.  She caught herself at the
last minute as her temper flared.

It was with no small amount of pride that Setsuna watched Usagi simply but firmly
reply,  "No."  The queen's visage had become harder as she continued to stare at the
man, waiting for his reply.

Free-market economy was the official designation of the economic model that had
been instituted in the city.  It was a fiction.  One established to make the citizens feel
better.  The major principles were free-market, but the prices of all goods were
fixed, and many of the businesses were subsidized by the government through raw
materials and gold and other valuable minerals for trade.

After a long pause, where he appeared a few times to be on the verge of speaking
again, he finally bowed his head and said, "Thank you for hearing me, Your Majesty."

Setsuna eyed him critically, not so much from interested in the man, but from
wondering, desperately almost, what he had held back from saying.  He had already
questioned more than any person to come before Usagi before (or at least as much
as she was aware of).

"You are most welcome.  You came in peace and health, leave with peace and health,"
she intoned the formal words that ended each individual audience, and then rose.

Not waiting for the formal ending, Setsuna quickly turned and exited through the
door she had stationed herself by.  She had an inquiry to make before she met with
her Queen.


--------------


Entering the room after knocking and being told to enter, Setsuna found herself in
the lavish room, devoid of anyone else. 

"I'm glad you're here," a call from the dressing came and Setsuna followed it to the
Queen's dressing room, were Usagi stood in bra and panties, going through an
oversized armoire. "Any word?"  

Rei was missing.  It was the only real thing that would be on Usagi's mind right now,
when unfortunately, it should be one of the last.

"I'm sure she's fine."  Setsuna had no time to worry, and neither did Usagi.  Rei
would turn-up, Hotaru and Minako were in the area, were on her trail, and would find
her.

Unfortunately, Usagi apparently felt the need to worry.  Casting a glance at her, she
leveled a worried, sad smile.  "It's dangerous out there."  She looked as if to say
more, but turned back to her searching.

"Where are your maids?"  The two attendants that were supposed to assist her Royal
Majesty in the simple endeavor of getting dressed for dinner were absent.

"I sent them to find Mamoru and make sure he was on his way for dinner."

Setsuna grimaced, Mamoru was generally very good at being prompt and punctual. 
He had a lot less to learn about the appearances and nuances of ruling than the blonde
girl standing before her, but he still had much to learn.  Tonight's dinner was
important, maybe imperative for their survival, and Mamoru was _late_.

Letting out annoyed tsk, she walked briskly over to the armoire, and placed a hand on
Usagi.  "Let me," she said and examined the clothing.  Fingering through, she
considered the options, before she drew forth a cream-colored dress.  It was elegant,
with long sleeves, a modest bodice, and flowed down to the Queen's heels.  She
handed the garment to the other woman and moved to fetch a pair of shoes, as Usagi
moved to begin dressing.

"What if none of them like him?"  Usagi asked another question out of the blue, as
she stepped into her dress.  Setsuna frowned as she considered, but not before
silently saying a prayer of thanks that the girl was at least thinking about her duties
now, instead of others.

"He is reputed to be a very charming and generous man.  I fell one of them will find
his charms appealing."  She didn't say that she had hoped none of them would like
him, regardless of his charms.

"You didn't answer the question."  She stopped dressing and looked intently at
Setsuna.  A look that had always pulled at Setsuna in a weird way that was
undescribable.  It was a look that demanded answers, and honest ones.  It was the
same look that had first forced Setsuna to acknowledge that Usagi _could_ one day
become a true leader.

"I have no real answer," she answered truthfully.  That simple fact worried her more
than anything right now.

Usagi frowned in response, but remained quiet as she returned to her dressing. The
silence stretched on as Usagi finished putting on her gown.  When finished, she
moved over to her advisor and turned and presented her back.  Setsuna absently
pulled up the zipper, and fastened the small delicate clasp that lay hidden on the
inside.

 "Do you have anything useful to tell me?" Usagi snapped as she turned and faced
Setsuna.

Lowering her head, she thought for a moment. "Haruka and Michiru are going out on
their first assignment today."

"Are we all capable of becoming alters?"  The question had been asked before, ever
since the duo had made their first, startling report.

"It's hard to tell.  Until they come back and train us, we don't know.  Ami still has yet
to determine any relation between our magic and this phenomenon nor has she
determined any reference to it in her logs.  The computers in Castle Cronus are
equally silent on the subject."

"So again, nothing."

Setsuna nodded.

"The time-gate?"

Setsuna didn't even bother to answer that question, having been covered in many
discussions.  No one knew how to access the gates.  They might as well not even
exist.

"Was today an isolated incident, or can I expect more people openly questioning
me?"  There was uncertainty and disappointment in the Queen's voice now.

"I hope that it was an aberration.  The disquiet in the city is growing, though.  It is
foolish to think that it won't be voiced in public this way."  It was foolish, and they
both knew it, but they had also hoped that Neo-Queen Serenities presence would put
a damper on it.  The memories of people were short, and the mutual struggle to
survive, for all intents and purposes, was over.  There were those who were poor, and
mal-fed, but their were also those who weren't.  They had survived, and were now
prospering.  With all things, they still wanted more yet there was little that could be
given.  Construction was still going on, there were still people that needed housing
and other basic supplies.  How could they in good conscious, allow some to get fat,
when so many were so thin?

"Well, if we can finally establish more trade with Japan, we might be allowed to
continue growing."  This was what they were desperately in need of.  If they could
grow their trade, they could allow for more profits for some, without taking out of
the mouths of others, or so Ami had said, and the others had agreed.  It was with
those hopes, that tonight's dinner had been arranged, as they finally had talked Osaka
into negotiated with them.  Osaka and Kyoto to be more precise, both were currently
ruled by the same man, having come to power less than a year ago in Osaka, and
bringing Kyoto quickly under his rule as well.

"The gates?"  Usagi asked quietly, before continuing, "I may as well get everything
out of the way."  A discontent sigh followed the short addendum.

"Nothing.  Even if it did exist, we could not, should not use it."  She believed that.  It
was one of the reasons she had never considered going to the gates. The future
should not be known to any.  Her resolve had failed under the gaze of her Queen, that
breaking had led to her failure to call them forth.  Ami, of course, had a few possible
theories that were benign, but unfortunately, many more that spoke of failure in
regards to all that the held dear, and were trying to accomplish.  

"Do we fail?"  Usagi looked frail and uncertain, scared.  Setsuna was looking at the
little girl, forced to grow up quickly.  She was no longer afforded the opportunity to
be anything less than the Queen she had been elected to as leader of the Senshi, the
savers of humanity.  The good that they had done, the building they had started was
unraveling.  Setsuna could see the first threads on the tapestry fray, begin to loosen. 
How far had the degradation of their dreams advanced?  Was it reversible?



"The future may be better, or worse.  The only thing we know is it is our future," she
finally responded.

They were hollow words that hinted at both hope or despair; although her Queen, her
hope, needed the truth if they were to prevail.  The stood there for a moment, eyes
meeting, lost in their individual thoughts when the door to the sitting room burst
open.

"I'll be ready," Mamoru shouted from the entrance.

"I'll go prepare myself and meet you for dinner," Setsuna said with a small bow
before adding, "Rei will be fine."  She turned and left to prepare herself, all the
unanswered questions from this meeting weighing heavily on her mind.


----------------


Usagi walked along the corridor towards the main dining hall.  Her mind was empty
fo all things serious, tonight was important, but it was also a dinner-party.  She had
people to meet, and subvert to her cause.  She knew her strengths, and diplomacy in
its most common form was not on the list.  She was someone who won hearts, and
through their hearts, their minds.  To do that, she had to quit thinking of Rei!  The
mere thought of her friend, her confidant, her nemesis in fun caused her heart to
wrench.

Mamoru was at her side, the dashing King.  He had helped her finish dressing, going
over a few pointers for the dinner.  Reminding her of personal tidbits about their
guest and going over possible questions that might be posed to them, and
conversations that might arise. 

The approached the double doors that led to the main dining hall.  Usagi paid scant
attention to the proceedings that surrounded her.  Fighting off the anxiety of the day. 
Without thought she stopped at the doors, formality already entrenched in her
subconscious.

She didn't hear the door open, or the herald's announcement.  She moved when
Mamoru took her elbow gently and began to move.  Blinking as realization set in, she
forced a regal smile to her face, one that she had been forced to practice for hours. 
They were the last to arrive as the table was full, the guests all standing.

Her eyes sought out the strangers, the guests she was here to win over and found
them sitting in places of honor, next to her own seat.  He stood tall and lean, much
more handsome than his picture.  If she hadn't had Mamoru at her side, she might
have been tempted.  Even now, she was appreciative of his looks.  She looked at the
other newcomer, surprised that a woman was present.  He was said to have been
brining a male aid, one whose name she had already forgotten.

The approached the guest and he curtsied to her.  "You do me great honor by inviting
me here, Neo-Queen Serenity."  His words were formal, but they had undertones of
sincerely she had almost forgotten among the powerful.

"You are the one who brings honor to me, Knives," she replied softly, as sincerely as
she could.  He rose and smiled in response before turning to his companion.

"I would like to introduce you to my chief advisor.  She wasn't supposed to attend,"
he said with a hint of amusement or annoyance, she wasn't sure. "Kasumi Tendo."


----------------


Ranma looked at the sleeping girls, before slowly creeping away.  He needed privacy,
not wanting his secret out.  A short trip around the hill they had camped beside, found
him alone in the moon light.  He ignored nature and took a breath, mentally preparing
himself.  He hoped she was awake, but awake or asleep, she would be annoyed at the
hour, and at the fact he hadn't checked in for days.

He concentrated, calling forth a shimmering nimbus he had grown to hate.  Gloves
formed on his hands, goggles slipped over his eyes, and two small antennae formed
on his head, all metallic pink in appearance. He concentrated again, and a small
screen formed in front of him, paper thin, and translucent.  He sent out his thoughts,
his call, and waited.

It wasn't long as a face appeared on the screen, a short haired girl, wearing a night-
gown and scowling.

"Well, you aren't dead," she said, easing the creases in her face and smiling.  It was a
far better greeting than he had hoped for.  

"Hiya, Nabiki."


------------------


Fin
Chapt 4


Author's notes: Not much to say, except work sucks so writing is slow.  Comments
are always welcome and the non-obnoxious ones are answered. 
 Noirchloe@nyc.rr.com