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No Need for Destiny
Chapter 9
No Need for Conferences
Disclaimer: I don’t own this series or any other series. I am just floating an idea. I am making no money, nor plan to, off this venture. If you think of suing me over this, then grow up.
I would like to first personally thank all of those reviewing my stories. I enjoy reading your comments, and try to correct the grammatical errors I miss with my final read-through as well as my spell checkers. The suggestions you all make will help make this story better for everyone to enjoy, as well as allow my to fix some plot holes I may unintentionally leave. If you find any, let me know, and I will correct them and repost the chapters.
She recognized each and every one of them, from Sailor Mercury to Sailor Jupiter. After all, she had been shown the pictures of them, as every child of the Kuramitsu clan after the events. It was easy not to say it was a simple resemblance and accept it for what it was: the rebirth of souls. From what she knew, souls tended to keep to a defined set of genes for appearance. No matter what you were reborn as, certain constants would always follow you, markers of who you were, that could never be erased.
“So,” said Usagi, “you might be Mako-chan’s new roommate?” she asked.
Ranko tried to ignore the easily observable sight of Ami’s hands dipping below the table top, or the feel as the Mercury Computer tried to scan her. But it did speak volumes of what had happened to the girls between their rebirth and when they had just met. “Yep; my old man wants me to live with people. He said living alone will not be best for me at this time.”
“Why aren’t you living with them?” asked Rei.
Ranko sighed. “Well, they are living in an area they feel is unsafe for me. You see, there is this one girl who lives there who looks a lot like me,” she replied, not wanting to tell them that that person was the younger version of her father just a few days ago. “And this one guy in the area is obsessed with her. So much so in fact, that he thinks her brother is keeping them apart.”
The girls’ anger was showing. After all, any girl who could relate to such a circumstance could sympathize with said girl.
“Anyway, my folks wanted me to try and have a normal last year in high school before I started college.”
“But why Mako-chan?” asked Ami. “I don’t want to be rude, but it seems kind of odd.”
Ranko sighed. “To be honest, she reminded him of someone he knew a long time ago.”
“Really?’ asked Makoto.
Ranko nodded. “But she died. When he saw you, Makoto, he looked into your eyes and felt he could trust you. After all, no one wants a creepy roommate you have to fear.”
“How’d she die?” asked Usagi, her face sad that someone had lost someone close to them.
Ranko shook her head. “It was long before I was born. She died during an attack on the families he knew. He wasn’t involved specifically, but he tried to help when he found out. He just ... he couldn’t save as many as he wanted.”
The girls slowly nodded, giving Ranko the impression they knew such things. “And given the local legends for monsters appearing at times, he wanted me to have a roommate he could trust.”
“But the Senshi take care of them,” said Minako.
Ranko shrugged. “So can I,” she said. “After all, from what the family has been able to learn, some suck out life force, and others tend to need lots of damage before they can be killed.”
“And you can do that?” asked Rei in disbelief.
Ranko nodded. “Infinity School covers a lot of ground, which includes magical monsters. We know lots of stuff to defeat things like them. We even know how to deal with tentacle demons, Class demons, rogue gods and goddesses; you name it and we have ways to defeat it.”
“Class demons?” asked Rei.
Ranko nodded. “Some demons fall into a system where they have classifications. A Class 1 is way stronger than a Class 2. And then you get into Categories, but that’s beside the point,” Ranko replied, before sipping at her drink. “Anyway, the point is they feel I’ve passed enough tests where I am able to defend myself here. But they still want me to have a roommate to live with.”
“O...kay,” said Usagi.
“And besides, my Dad gave me my certificate, so I can teach Makoto the Infinity Style,” smiled Ranko.
“Really?” said the tall brunette, excitement evident in her voice.
The lone redhead nodded. “Dad said you seemed like you were ready for it. And for him to say it, means he must have a lot of faith in you.”
“What does that mean?” asked Rei with curiosity.
“Well, the Infinity School is mainly a family school,” explained Ranko. “It requires a strict emotional and moral center, which few people have. Even those who seem to have a moral center can be found to have a crack or two that will allow enemies to exploit.”
“And Mako-chan doesn’t?” asked Minako.
“No, that isn’t it,” said Ranko. “Almost everyone has a crack that can be exploited. He said that she knows what must be done at times, and can do it; no matter how much she doesn’t want to.”
The Senshi stayed quiet, knowing exactly what Ranko’s father had been referring to.
Ranko also stayed quiet. After all, it wasn’t everyday you came into contact with dead and reborn family members.
There are always certain constants in the universe. Things, items, customs, structures, that will always be the same no matter where or when you come from.
The value of pi...
The speed of light ... which is always slower than the speed of stupidity.
And that certain meetings, no matter what is done to try and improve them ... will always, always, be boring as Hell.
“And Motion 2345B: dealing with proposed trade routes between Mercury and Jupiter has been settled,” said Queen Serenity, her voice showing how dull such actions truly were.
In truth, there was an excitement that permeated this meeting. After all, aliens from outside the Sol system had arrived and made their presence known. They had come bearing tidings of peace, and the offers of trade. Every single delegate wanted to discuss that.
Sadly, they had arrived late, and thus their motions had been put on the tail end of the schedule.
“And now we begin deliberations on Motion 2345C, the trade routes determined for all trade between Saturn and Mercury.”
This was going to take a while.
“Best nap I’ve had in a while,” muttered Ranma, earning him a glare from Nabiki.
“Don’t worry about it,” said Queen Venus, escorting the two towards the cafeteria to grab a quick bite to eat before the meeting resumed. “Like I said, the parties afterwards more than make up for the dullness of the meeting itself.”
She paused as she turned towards them. “Don’t you have similar meetings to contend with?”
“The great benefits of being boss,” said Ranma, “is the ability to usually send some poor underling to deal with that.”
“Hence the reason for Diplomatic Corps,” smiled Nabiki.
“Then why come yourself?”
Ranma shrugged. “I wanted to see home once more.”
“Don’t misread our statements,” started Nabiki. “It isn’t so much that we are out of practice with such conferences and meetings. When Seniwa makes first contact with any world, either we or a family member go and establish contact and contracts. So it isn’t either a lack of experience or a lack of knowledge.”
“I figured as much,” said Queen Venus. “One does enjoy the ability to send underlings to do the boring work. Though we must not forget when it was us doing that very same work.”
The two others nodded.
“Wise words indeed,” came a deep male voice.
The trio turned around, spotting the Earth delegation walking towards them.
“King Endymion,” stated Ranma, bowing slightly to show respect. “Queen Nova.”
Nabiki joined him. After all, they were merely rulers of a company empire, not kings and queens themselves, or even emperors and empresses.
The two returned the bows, much to the surprise of the visitors. “I must admit though,” said King Endymion, “that I would almost agree to anything at times if it would just make such conferences end quicker.”
“I’ll have to remember that the next time we have a border dispute,” said Queen Nova.
The group shared a bit of a chuckle.
“So,” said Queen Nova, breaking the small silence, “I have heard you wish to tour Earth after the conference wraps up?”
“After the after-party, of course,” smiled Endymion. He did so enjoy watching drunken female rulers.
Ranma nodded. “Yes, we find it ... a very interesting place.”
“Well, it is the only world in this system with a fully natural biosphere,” smiled Queen Nova. “Though I wouldn’t trade away the beauty of looking up and seeing the blue-green sphere of the moon hanging there, for nothing.”
Nabiki nodded. Their first night on Selene, the name now termed for the lone natural satellite orbiting Earth, they had spotted Earth in the sky, in a half-moon phase.
It had been quite a shock to be so close to their home ... and witness it as such, in a way none had dreamed about in her time aside from some science fiction writers.
“Very true,” agreed King Endymion. But even with things as such, Earth is a true home for me. I prefer the safety of having a biosphere that will last without magic preserving it.”
Ranma was still a bit uneasy about the fact that the other worlds and moons were all made habitable with atmosphere and strong gravity due to magical constructs. Magic could be unpredictable and fragile at times. One of the initial offerings from the Seniwa/Jurai contract were for environmental equipment to back up the magical umbrae used on each world.
Failsafes were always a good thing to have when the viability of an atmosphere was at risk, were good things in his opinion.
“So,” started Nabiki, “about how much longer do you believe it’ll be before we get to the offerings of the Seniwa/Jurai proposals?”
“Probably a day and a half,” said King Endymion, as they arrived at the provided buffet.
“Such a waste of time,” muttered Queen Nova. “We would save much more time if the proposals didn’t need to be read aloud.”
Nabiki nodded. “Have people list what grievances they have with the proposals instead of reading them out loud.”
Queen Venus nodded. “It is a style adopted by many of the Parliaments lately. It saves time and allows debates to start sooner.”
“You just want the party to happen sooner?” accused King Endymion with a smile. Strangely enough, it wasn’t the Queen of Love who got the wildest at the parties, though the current Queen Venus did give a considerable run for the title.
“Perhaps,” said Queen Venus. “But then, you would think we would be able to lessen such boredom at these conferences.”
“It seems to be a universal thing in my opinion,” said Ranma.
But what she was seeing now ... what she had seen before didn’t hold a candle to it.
Waves of ... reality ... seemed to wrap around Tokimi’s Temple. Within the waves of reality, one could easily see vegetation, rivers, lakes, all signs of an M-class planet. And yet, this river never seemed to be wider than a few hundred kilometers, not enough for gravitational control. Hell, she couldn’t even sense a magical construct holding life to those ribbons.
Within the region, with the ribbons of reality flowing around them, were planets, small rocks to gas giants. Some held life that she could easily spot, others had life she had never seen, including large beasts that seemed to glide among the upper atmosphere of a particular gas giant whose size seemed to indicate more of a star than a planet.
And she felt no gravity coming from these bodies. They were there and ... not there at the same time.
And in the center, from which all of it seemed to be spawned form, was a nexus of sorts. “Where are we?” she asked in awe.
Chibi-Ranma smiled. “We are at the Temple of the Elder Goddesses. More recently, it is called The Temple of Tokimi, as my aunts have all left to continue their research.”
“Research?”
He nodded, as they started to fly above the rivers of reality, holding her hand in his own. “It was said they created our universe and the infinite dimensions that abound in it. But even they aren’t sure if they did. But they began to wonder if it was possible in all of their infinite power ... to create something more powerful than themselves.”
“Did they?”
He shrugged. “Not yet.”
“But why would they want to?” she asked in confusion.
“The challenge, to understand themselves, to find out if anything more powerful than them can exist. They are constantly trying to understand themselves and the nature of existence and expand what is possible to be known while expanding what is known.
“I guess ... I guess it is like everyone else in the universe in a way, trying to find what might be bigger than yourself, a high power.”
She nodded at that. Even on Saturn, there was still those who considered the old religions a part of life, even today. And such things were not limited to a single world, or even a single star system. There was a group called the Infinite Unification, which dedicated their lives to trying to tie all knowledge into one thread, believing that no matter what was worshipped, it was either one god with different masks, many gods with one mask, or many gods with many masks. Either way, they considered it their sacred duty to discover the truth.
“Are we going to see your mother?” she asked, seeing that they seemed to be nearing the nexus.
He shook his head. “Nah; Mom won’t be able to enter our plane of reality in a form like we have for about another three weeks.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t get me wrong, my parents do love each other. And Mother-Nabiki does love my Mom as well. But she can only spend one day every thirty days within our reality, to be like you or me. The rest of the time she’s ... almost like a ghost. When she’s like that, her form is hundreds of meters tall. Even I barely measure the size of a tooth to that form.”
“Does that happen to you?”
“Nope,” he said. “Well, there is always the chance I could develop into a God like her, more so than the rest of the universe.”
“People can evolve into Gods?” she exclaimed.
“Yep,” he said, as they landed on a floating rock surface, which slowly began to glide deeper into the Temple. “Every being, no matter how mundane or unevolved, has a potential for greatness. Most show this in evolution, which is in itself a never ending process.”
“So we evolve closer to Godhood as a species?”
“Something like that,” he replied. “Very rare is it that a single being can achieve anything close to it in one lifetime. My Mother has a theory that this spark of evolution might also lead to the very thing they are looking for, and she’s content to stay here and wait for evolution to show its potential.”
“And how will she know this potential?”
“Well, one possible stage that seems to be the most likely is the generation of the Light Hawk Wings,” he replied.
“And they are?”
Smiling ... he showed her.
“You think he’s in trouble?” asked Nabiki.
“Nah,” smiled Ranma, “I think he’s just showing off for his new interest.”
“Excuse me,” said Queen Venus, “but can you explain that to the rest of us?”
“Oh, we just sensed Chibi-Ranma powering up a great deal,” she replied. “He usually only does that when he’s sparring with his father here.”
“You can sense him?” asked King Endymion in awe.
The couple nodded. “With enough training and knowing what your doing, you can sense just about anyone, no matter the distance. But most of the time, it helps if its close family,” answered Ranma.
Queen Nova nodded. “I have heard of such, but only rare cases; where a loved one was in danger and the other just ... seemed to know.”
“But why would he need such power now?” asked Queen Venus.
“I do believe my son has found a girl that has peaked his interest,” smiled Ranma.
It took a moment for Queen Venus to gather the truth. “He’s with Sailor Saturn,” she stated.
The other two could only gape in shock. Someone was interested in Sailor Saturn?
“I hope it works out,” smiled Nabiki. “He’s had such bad luck with the blind dates his older sister tries to set him up on. But Miyuki isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to setting people up.”
“How so?” asked Queen Venus, anxious to hear tales of a failed attempt at setting people up. Is was an art form on Venus. And like any art form, it also had a comedic side.
“Well there was this one girl she insisted was ‘absolutely perfect’ for Chibi-Ranma,” started Nabiki.
Ranma sighed, knowing his son was going to hate Nabiki for telling these tales—the fact Miyuki would was a given—and that Chibi-Ranma would hate him for not stopping it.
Oh well.
“Light Hawk Wings,” he replied. “They are said to be the power of the Elder Goddesses made manifest in our reality.”
“So when you manifest this power ... you get nine wings of energy?” she asked.
“Something like that,” he chuckled. “I still have a long way to go.”
“Can your father do that?” she inquired.
He nodded. “Dad’s a bit further along than I am. Most of what we learned on how the wings can be accessed comes from what he’s done to find out.”
“Just how many wings can a person call out?”
“Well,” he paused, trying to recall if a limit was ever defined, “it mostly deals with what power you have in you. The theory is the more power you have, the more wings you can generate.”
“So could I generate them?” she asked, stepping closer to peer at his wings.
“It’s possible,” he said. “The only thing it requires is tremendous power or the potential for it within you. I doubt a planetary mana tap would do it though,” he mused.
“The line of Saturn has other abilities,” she said, running her gloved hand over one wings, nearly shivering as she felt the power within it. “Even without Senshi abilities, we can heal others; even sometimes get glimpses of the future. Granted, the precognition factor is never as strong as the Senshi of Pluto, but it is still useful at times.”
He nodded, smiling as her eyes gleamed from the light of the wings and her child-like intrigue. “I can talk to Dad and see if he’ll be willing to teach you. He’s a better teacher than I am at these things. But don’t expect too much too quickly. It took him well over a hundred years before he could even summon one wing, and that was completely by accident.”
“So what now?” she asked, hiding her disappointment that she couldn’t play with his wings a little while longer.
“Well, I was going to offer you a better meal than what you’ll ever find in a cafeteria,” he said, offering his arm.
“Oh?” she asked, taking his arm.
“Yes,” he said smiling. “Trust me, you’ve never heard of it, but you’ll love ghople.”
“Very true, Ranma-kun,” sighed Nabiki, as she lowered herself into a spa-like bath, enjoying as the hot water covered her. “But it just means we are one step closer to our part in it.”
“Maybe,” he sighed, as he stood up, undressing so he could join her in the hot water. “But is it really a good or a bad sign that they have meetings like this?”
She could only smirk, her head leaning against a pillowed edge of the tub. “Maybe you’d like to give them the Kuramitsu Meeting Booster: threaten to vaporize anyone not working for the best of the meeting?”
“Nah,” he said, hissing slightly as he felt the hot water come into contact with his skin. “For royal types, they’re not that stuck up,” he mused, sliding next to her, and entwining his hand with her own.
Nabiki nodded, as she switched from her pillow to his shoulder. One thing they had to often deal with were self-made royals or inherited titles that seemed to inflate the ego more than the desire to work for the betterment of the area they governed.
This of course, could also be applied to a few of the royals of Jurai, and a few that Seniwa did business with.
“They actually have a chance,” he smiled. “They have a good chance to make Sol a crown jewel in the stars.”
“The stars are beautiful tonight,” she smiled, as the ceiling shifted. Instead of a tiled roof, there was now a natural skyline.
He could only laugh lightly. “Now that is a nice addition.”
“I already asked about it when the attendant was showing me the room,” she said. “It uses a magical geas to cover the ceiling, making it look like a clear night, even rotates depending on our position relative to the night sky. It can even generate a starscape during the day; it just removes Sol from the image.”
“Can it zoom in?” he asked.
“Yeah, offers great views of nebulas,” she stated. “Why?”
“I was hoping to get reacquainted with a few old friends,” he said smiling.
“Oh?”
“Yeah,” he said. “It was a while before Pops ever dragged me off to China for that training trip. There was this one sensei I visited who had a telescope, and he showed me some of the stars, even helped me with their names. I put them into the database so I could visit them one day, like I had hoped.”
“Have you?” she asked.
“Took the kids on some training trips past a few of them,” he said. “Some weren’t close enough to have any place we could train, still developing or nowhere to breathe,” he said. “But quite a few fell under the sphere of influence for the protection zone that included Sol.”
“And what one do you want to find first?” she asked.
“Crab Nebula,” he said.
“Why that one?” she asked. “And why not see it now?”
“Well, I ain’t really sure what they call those stars in the here and now,” he said. “I mean, they even call the North Star something else here besides Polaris,” he said. “I can have PI download their star charts and make the name changes for this system.”
“Can’t we see it now?”
He shook his head. “If I know these stars for what they really are, we won’t be able to see it for several more hours. We’ll be asleep by then for the ... meeting ... tomorrow.”
“It wasn’t that bad,” she said, slapping his chest slightly. “But I do have to wonder one thing.”
“Which is?”
“Well, they all seemed geared up towards this party after the conference. You have to wonder if it’ll live up to the hype they’ve given it.”
“We’ll see,” he said. “If not, we have those that have requested tours of PI. I imagine the Jupiter delegation would love that.”
“The ones with the plant attacks,” said Nabiki uncertainly.
“Seems to be one of the minor domains if I understand things,” said Ranma. “The main one seems to be lightning.”
“The Emperor was right, their powers do seem a little like Tsunami’s,” said Nabiki. “I wonder if their magic is just another expression of the power of the Goddesses.”
“Maybe,” said Ranma. “There’s no telling one way or the other. Besides, it might be the work of a lower deity, or the proof of a higher one. If Chibi-Ranma took Sailor Saturn where I think he did, Tokimi would have a better idea now than me.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she said. “We’re allowed here now. We’re ... so close to being home.”
He nodded, as the view showed the Earth entering the scene. “No matter what, we’re visiting it before we leave, if nothing else than to lay a wreath to those long past.”
“Well then,” she said, moving to sit in his lap while facing him, “shall we make love under the light of the Earth?”
“You’re insatiable.”
“Damn right,” she purred, as they moved on to more intimate things.
“Yes, Mother,” said Sailor Saturn. “It does have quite a unique and enjoyable taste to it.”
Queen Saturn looked unsure as to try it, but eventually relented, trusting her daughter’s judgment in the end. After taking a small bite, she chewed it carefully in her mouth, dissecting the taste and flavors, trying to understand anything and everything about the unique food she was consuming.
And she discovered that it tasted... “Hey, this is pretty good,” she smiled, taking a larger bite.
“I knew you’d like it.”
Queen Saturn nodded, a little shocked at what she was seeing. Her daughter ... was happy, perhaps the happiest she had seen her in years. “You are happy.”
“Yes.”
“Does it involve a boy?” she asked, causing her daughter to blush. “Is he ... special?”
“He could be,” said the embarrassed Senshi.
“Then I will give my permission for you to pursue him,” said Queen Saturn. “But do remember, you cannot become attached to him by our laws for another twenty years.”
Sailor Saturn sighed. Age of majority, or the age one could be allowed to make such decisions, was high for those of Saturn, when they turned forty. But that law was mainly due to slower growth, longer life, and the decided date that a Senshi of Saturn was truly capable of understanding the rigors that would be needed for them when they were to become Queen. Sure, the early death of the current Queen or a betrothal to another of the royal lines of Sol would negate that rule.
But she would still have to wait until she could be wed to Chibi-Ranma ... that is, if he wanted to at that time.
But they had spent almost a whole day together. She had shown him some of the beauty of Sol, and he had shown her beauties few in the universe could ever see. He didn’t fear her, and according to his stories, that date had gone better than many of his others.
After all, she didn’t try to kill him. Well, she did once, but that was before the date.
That couldn’t count ... did it?
She’d have to ask him on their second date.
“Dear, tell me how I might go about acquiring more of these ghoples,” said Queen Saturn, wiping her lips with a napkin. “I’d like to add them to the menu for some of the royal banquets we were planning to throw this cycle.”
She paused a bit, looking at the napkin. “And what does this ‘Sergeant Floaty’ have to do with it?”
“My Queen?”
“Yes, General Sik.”
“I thought the conference would begin soon?” asked the purple haired man.
“The start was delayed a few hours. All that is really left is their treaties.”
“Is it wise to put so much faith in the outsiders, my Queen?”
Queen Nova smiled. “They are an honest group, at least these two. Of course, the real test will be who gets what from the treaty.”
“You believe they may favor the other kingdoms above us?” he asked with a bit of suspicion and anger. It was no secret that many on Earth despised the other kingdoms, if for nothing else than that they seemed to see themselves as superior to them. If not for the Senshi, than for the secrets to longer lives and higher magical applications that they did not share with the Earth.
The fact that it was also public knowledge that such information was only shared with worlds and moons with one government was conveniently forgotten. For many, they wanted what others had, even if they didn’t want to go through the same methods of obtaining it.
“I do hope that was from a military standpoint,” growled out Queen Nova, “and not that self-serving dogma those ‘Earth First’ delinquents use.”
“Of course not, my Queen,” said the now quiet General.
“Good,” she said. “Besides, I believe that this may be the best time of for progress for Earth that we have seen in the last few centuries. There are only two royal families left. All we need is to join House Endymion and House Nova, and we will have one government. When we do, the secrets the other kingdoms have held back on will be open to us, even that of the power of a Senshi.
“And the ambassadors have already stated that technology and information that is for negotiation can and will be distributed between all worlds. Even if the ‘Earth First’ dogma rings true in some of the other rulers, even they will not be able to dampen such trade. In this matter, every world will benefit the same. If those ‘Earth First’ fools are so greedy as to be blinded to that, then they can take it up with House Kuramitsu. From what I’ve heard, their ship could reduce a world to ash in mere moments. I wonder what it would do if they were attacked? I severely doubt it would attack in a blind rage, don’t you agree?”
“Yes, my Queen.”
She nodded. If the General was sympathetic to the Earth First movement, then what she had said would be reported and hopefully discourage any member from deciding to either kill the ambassadors, or try to steal the ship. Though she suspected that the alien ship would do more than simply stop at the attackers, it was best not to ere too far on the side of caution. The last thing she needed were self-important fools starting a war.
But she did have to wonder what the ambassadors were doing on Earth right now. It almost seemed like they were ... reminiscing.
Ranma nodded. But when you had taken as many tours of the Nerima Skyline as he had, you began to recognize certain landscapes and positions. “You were hoping for some ruins, or memorials that would have survived the ravages of time.”
She nodded. “Hell, even the Great Wall is gone. I mean, I know it was a little foolish to hope. Nothing would have remained the same after ten thousand years, plus whatever time passed from where we disappeared till Earth expanded out as it did; finding and using magic. Or is this a weird form of technology?”
“Is there a difference in the end?” asked Ranma. “Magic is just technology and powers we don’t understand. Hell, I can barely understand half the stuff Tokimi and D3 have explained to me.”
Nabiki nodded, herself only understanding slightly more than her husband. But what they did understand helped them understand many things, including the potential not only inside their Tree Ships, but within themselves as well. “To come home ... but we can’t go home,” she muttered.
Ranma sighed. “It is a little disheartening,” he murmured. “Then again, maybe when we eventually do return home, its what we change that allows humanity to expand like it did.”
“Never know,” she smiled, wrapping her arms around him. “But then, we have our own memories to keep.”
Nodding, he bent down to kiss her.
Sadly, nature took the return of a whipping boy in stride.
“Where did this rain come from?” asked Queen Nova. “It was a clear sky a moment ago?”
“Did the male ambassador just shrink?” asked the General.
“Wanna stop by Jusenkyo before we go to the meeting?” asked Nabiki with a smirk.
Ranma sighed, not even tensing as her clothes shifted to fit her new female form. “Considering the mixed bag of information we have on it, from Taro to what the Amazons and Guide said; I’d rather wait. I’ve had this curse for ten thousand years; a few more days won’t kill me.”
“And that’s assuming Jusenkyo still exists,” mused Nabiki.
“Now you just had to go and ruin my day,” smirked Ranma.
A large cheer went up with the crowd, not only for the one proposal they had eagerly wanted to debate, but for the one proposal that stood between them and the party they all wished for. Several pages could be seen leaving, no doubt under orders from the royals they represented to prepare the appropriate attire and drink.
“Now,” said Queen Serenity, “it is my understanding that all of you were given copies of the proposal two days before the start of this conference. Did anyone not get a copy?”
The only sound was the representatives each holding up their copy.
Ranma could only whistle. “And you all read that? You all read the entire thing?”
They nodded.
“And understood it?”
They nodded again.
“Dear, please be quiet before you cause an interplanetary incident,” she asked, hoping none had taken Ranma’s comments as an offense.
“Are there any objections, questions, or issues to address?”
“Nope.” “No.” “Not a one.” “BOOZE!”
Through it all, Queen Serenity kept to decorum. “Very well, as the offer stands; yes or no to accepting and ratification.”
“YES!” came the resounding reply from the group.
She seemed to be pushed back a bit by that, before she shook her head. “Then the motion is passed; the trade agreement between Seniwa, Jurai, and the Kingdoms of Sol has been approved. Any new business?”
The silence was once again broken only by the groups putting their stuff into their packs, ready to run at a moment’s notice out of the meeting chamber, to their rooms to change, and out to the Ballroom to enjoy the party.
“Then this conference is dismissed,” she said, as she banged the gavel.
And thus all hell broke loose as royal leaders and attendants each made a beeline to run out of the room, each wanting to be the first to make it to the Ballroom.
“Well,” smirked Ranma, as the group appeared to get stuck in the doorway, “I guess it must be a good party.”
“Unless it is so bad, they’re running for their ships.”
“Do think positively, dear,” smirked Ranma as they got up.
“Cheers!” smiled Ranma and Nabiki, as they both downed their drinks, before they returned to relaxing in the hot bath.
“Ah,” smirked Queen Venus, as she sat her glass down to refill it, “that is good Neptunian Brandy!”
Ranma chuckled a bit, the alcohol even affecting him. “Be careful,” he slurred. “Ya don’t want some unscrut ... imprut ... pervert taking advantage of you while your drunk.”
“You mean like a stud and his wife having their naughty way with me?” she mused.
“Exactly.”
“But that did happen,” she replied with a sultry smile.
“It did,” said Ranma, blinking. “When?”
“Just now,” pointed out Queen Venus. “What did you think we were doing before we got into the bath?”
“And it was fun!” smiled Nabiki.
Ranma just blinked, before putting his hands under the water. “Is that where my clothes went?”
Nabiki just leaned back. “Man, this is some good shit. Remind me to set up some trade for liquor.” Her eyes opened wide as she turned to the Queen. “Oh, you should try some Jurai Fire Wine. It ... it’s a little sweet, but it packs one hell of a kick.”
Ranma continued to try and focus. “Wait-wait-wait, there was something I wanted to do at four in the morning,” he mused.
“Another go?” asked Queen Venus. “My, I’ll have to arrange to have you as my official consort.”
“I offer very reasonable rates,” smirked Nabiki.
“Nah-nah-nah, that wasn’t it,” he said. “Where are my pants?”
“I think they’re on the balcony,” said Queen Venus. “You wanted to know where your pants were at four in the morning?”
“Oh-oh-oh!” smiled Nabiki. “I know!”
“But she just told me where my pants are,” stated Ranma.
“Not that, baka,” smirked Nabiki. “You wanted to see the nebula!” She then grabbed her refilled glass. “To the Crab Nebula!”
“To the Crab Nebula!” shouted Ranma and Queen Venus, before they finished off their drinks!
As Ranma refilled his drink, he turned on the ceiling projector. “Um ... zoom in on the constellation Taurus, at location Alpha-7.”
The skyscape shifted quickly, zooming in on a particular grouping of stars, before narrowing some more to show ... a star.
“I thought nebulas and red giants were different?” mused Queen Venus.
Ranma and Nabiki could only stare, the effects of the alcohol temporarily forgotten. “That’s impossible,” muttered Ranma. “That nebula was only a thousand years old when we left. How could it be a star again?”
“It can’t, Ranma-kun,” whispered Nabiki. “The only way it could still be a star ... is if it hadn’t exploded yet.”
The two slowly paled as the realization hit them. The only way that the Crab Nebula wouldn’t be there instead of a red giant ... was if they were not in the future ... but the past.
One was a wavy line of black energy, slowly growing. Another was a growing snake-like beast, the skin the color of jade.
Soon, we shall waken; my dark bride Metallia.
Yes, my jade mate Orichalcum. Soon, we shall rain down death upon those of Order in this system.
And thus they returned to sleep, waiting for their time to strike.
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