Looking at the stories that have been written about Patlabor I thought
let's make a smaller story (which I can actually finish)
My first patlabor fanfic is at a standstill and currently i really can't
think of a way to start it up again.
This one on the other hand is as good as done. Only one more chapter to go
as I write this down.
All characters are totally fictional, the use of names from the Patlabor Manga and Anime series has been kept to a minimal but I used some of the pieces of other stories. I haven't used any of the characters from those stories though, but if any of the writers don't like the use of their creativity, please contact me. So we can have a fight/shoot-out or something. *_*
I hope you all like it. Review it so I can change or think of new story arcs (if it is liked off course ^_^) And now with further adieu: Patlabor: Bargain Hunt.
Chapter 1:
Labor Expo - Tokyo.
Looking at the small map she received at the entrance of the Labor Expo Hall Lt.Colonel Miranda Postma felt completely lost. The building was completely filled with displayed labors, signs with labors put on it and, off course, a large crowd looking at the labors! And that didn't make it easy for her to find the stands she was looking for. She shook her head, this was gonna be one of these days she wished she had stayed home. "Stupid map, next time I'll demand a better one." She grumbled toppling the map realising she held it upside-down. Despite the difficult map she felt glad to be here, many of her colleagues would probably envy her being in Japan. If only she could find the stands of Shaft Enterprises on this damn map!
Looking around her, trying to find some point of reverence, she was again baffled by the sheer numbers off people visiting the Labor Expo.
Her first day in Tokyo was also very similar. So many people on such little terrain to work and live on. It was really a shock compared to her home country, the Netherlands that has only a population of 16 million.
She received another shock when she was at the entrance of the Labor Expo Hall. She initially thought it was a 'military only' show but looking at the large numbers of civilians contractors and visitors that was a wrong assumption. Luckily she was spared the embarrassment of being the only one in a blue military uniform as many other military representatives were also moving around. Now she thought about it wouldn't have mattered much as 'cosplay' was very coming in this country. Getting back to the labor show the other officers seemed to be, just like her, foreigners looking at the various labors and their possible uses in their respective militaries.
Near her a German Bundeswehr Captain was discussing or it could be better explained as arguing, with a young girl clad in a swimsuit. It seemed the point of argument went over an impressive looking four-legged crab like labor manufactured by her employee's company.
Painted in a green white grey colour scheme it seemed to be a prototype military labor. Also the turret with gun/missile launcher along with the obvious smoke dischargers and turret mounted co-axial machine gun would cope with that assumption. A mean and powerful looking machine was the first impression.
Then she came in close enough to overhear the conversation. "This here labor of yours might look impressive but why would my unit be outfitted with it!" The Captain barked. "The Brocken (a German build Military Labor) is first off all cheaper and much better armoured." "This Corsair only seems fast and only capable of a support role as a garbage collector!" He almost spit the last words out. It was a shame she hadn't heard the first parts of this conversation, it must have been really interesting.
The gathered crowds, who were watching the 'fight', now were waiting with anticipation of the girl's reply. But the girl seemed not impressed by the arguments of the large foreigner officer and simply replied, in fluent English:
"But the Corsair is capable of housing much heavier weaponry, like a 105 mm rifled gun, and can be outfitted with additional ceramic armour plating something the Brocken could never hope to support due to its chasis!"
And before the Bundeswehr Captain could respond she continued:
"Also the additional speed makes the Corsair even more threat to its enemies, isn't it important to be the fastest and best armed on the battlefield to win and survive!?" And after taking a breath she also added, with a beautiful and charming smile: "Don't you think so SERGEANT!"
The Bundeswehr captain seemed almost ready to explode, his head turning even redder then it already was. But then looked at the smiling girl and bowed his head downwards swallowing back a reply. And then turned to look at the waiting girl, a smile appearing on his face. "You've got me there Fraulein." The BundesWehr Captain bowed for the girl who smiled before taking his hand and shaking it.
She smiled and silently cheered for the young girl as she moved on, still looking for a reverence point, so she could locate the Shaft stand. After 5 minutes walking she again looked at the small map in the folder she had received at the entrance. It was still full with kanji markings and little English text making her head spin. After again turning it so the English text was readable she finally saw some things could help. "Ah... I understand that!" A few pictograms explained the standard things like toilets and emergency exits. But her hopes were shattered, she didn't see any of these objects nearby. "What about some actual information about stands." She complained to no-one in particular. Why had they selected her in the first place! She groaned. She had been in Asia only for a vacation but that was already 3 years ago and it wasn't even to Japan but to China!
At least the hotel staff understood English and she was happily surprised to found a lot of English Newspapers at the nearby kiosk. Apparently some newspaper editors published their papers in both English and Japanese which was really helpful.
Hey! Wasn't that the JSDF Helldiver Unit at her right? Being with the Airforce herself the first ever paratrooper labor unit was well known. Also the joined exercises between NATO and JSDF forces held only 2 months ago in Scotland had clarified the JSDF Helldiver was a crack unit who deserved respect. She made her way to the stand were three Helldiver Labors along with their command vehicles and operating personnel stood. A young lieutenant noticed her in the crowd and moved to her position. After a salute she asked the lieutenant, a labor pilot looking at his insignia, if this was the JSDF stand. A friendly smile appeared on his face: "Yes ma'am that's us, JSDF's Helldiver unit, lieutenant Sako. How can I be of service?"
She grinned and explained her situation while offering him the small map, which he briefly examined. "Ah Shaft Enterprises was it sir?" She nodded. "That's right at the end of this here walkway, at the left side sir!" Thanking the young soldier who gave her a brisk salute she headed to the direction of the Shaft Enterprises Stand. She had to remember to visit the stand again. Those Helldivers really looked impressive.
All characters are totally fictional, the use of names from the Patlabor Manga and Anime series has been kept to a minimal but I used some of the pieces of other stories. I haven't used any of the characters from those stories though, but if any of the writers don't like the use of their creativity, please contact me. So we can have a fight/shoot-out or something. *_*
I hope you all like it. Review it so I can change or think of new story arcs (if it is liked off course ^_^) And now with further adieu: Patlabor: Bargain Hunt.
Chapter 1:
Labor Expo - Tokyo.
Looking at the small map she received at the entrance of the Labor Expo Hall Lt.Colonel Miranda Postma felt completely lost. The building was completely filled with displayed labors, signs with labors put on it and, off course, a large crowd looking at the labors! And that didn't make it easy for her to find the stands she was looking for. She shook her head, this was gonna be one of these days she wished she had stayed home. "Stupid map, next time I'll demand a better one." She grumbled toppling the map realising she held it upside-down. Despite the difficult map she felt glad to be here, many of her colleagues would probably envy her being in Japan. If only she could find the stands of Shaft Enterprises on this damn map!
Looking around her, trying to find some point of reverence, she was again baffled by the sheer numbers off people visiting the Labor Expo.
Her first day in Tokyo was also very similar. So many people on such little terrain to work and live on. It was really a shock compared to her home country, the Netherlands that has only a population of 16 million.
She received another shock when she was at the entrance of the Labor Expo Hall. She initially thought it was a 'military only' show but looking at the large numbers of civilians contractors and visitors that was a wrong assumption. Luckily she was spared the embarrassment of being the only one in a blue military uniform as many other military representatives were also moving around. Now she thought about it wouldn't have mattered much as 'cosplay' was very coming in this country. Getting back to the labor show the other officers seemed to be, just like her, foreigners looking at the various labors and their possible uses in their respective militaries.
Near her a German Bundeswehr Captain was discussing or it could be better explained as arguing, with a young girl clad in a swimsuit. It seemed the point of argument went over an impressive looking four-legged crab like labor manufactured by her employee's company.
Painted in a green white grey colour scheme it seemed to be a prototype military labor. Also the turret with gun/missile launcher along with the obvious smoke dischargers and turret mounted co-axial machine gun would cope with that assumption. A mean and powerful looking machine was the first impression.
Then she came in close enough to overhear the conversation. "This here labor of yours might look impressive but why would my unit be outfitted with it!" The Captain barked. "The Brocken (a German build Military Labor) is first off all cheaper and much better armoured." "This Corsair only seems fast and only capable of a support role as a garbage collector!" He almost spit the last words out. It was a shame she hadn't heard the first parts of this conversation, it must have been really interesting.
The gathered crowds, who were watching the 'fight', now were waiting with anticipation of the girl's reply. But the girl seemed not impressed by the arguments of the large foreigner officer and simply replied, in fluent English:
"But the Corsair is capable of housing much heavier weaponry, like a 105 mm rifled gun, and can be outfitted with additional ceramic armour plating something the Brocken could never hope to support due to its chasis!"
And before the Bundeswehr Captain could respond she continued:
"Also the additional speed makes the Corsair even more threat to its enemies, isn't it important to be the fastest and best armed on the battlefield to win and survive!?" And after taking a breath she also added, with a beautiful and charming smile: "Don't you think so SERGEANT!"
The Bundeswehr captain seemed almost ready to explode, his head turning even redder then it already was. But then looked at the smiling girl and bowed his head downwards swallowing back a reply. And then turned to look at the waiting girl, a smile appearing on his face. "You've got me there Fraulein." The BundesWehr Captain bowed for the girl who smiled before taking his hand and shaking it.
She smiled and silently cheered for the young girl as she moved on, still looking for a reverence point, so she could locate the Shaft stand. After 5 minutes walking she again looked at the small map in the folder she had received at the entrance. It was still full with kanji markings and little English text making her head spin. After again turning it so the English text was readable she finally saw some things could help. "Ah... I understand that!" A few pictograms explained the standard things like toilets and emergency exits. But her hopes were shattered, she didn't see any of these objects nearby. "What about some actual information about stands." She complained to no-one in particular. Why had they selected her in the first place! She groaned. She had been in Asia only for a vacation but that was already 3 years ago and it wasn't even to Japan but to China!
At least the hotel staff understood English and she was happily surprised to found a lot of English Newspapers at the nearby kiosk. Apparently some newspaper editors published their papers in both English and Japanese which was really helpful.
Hey! Wasn't that the JSDF Helldiver Unit at her right? Being with the Airforce herself the first ever paratrooper labor unit was well known. Also the joined exercises between NATO and JSDF forces held only 2 months ago in Scotland had clarified the JSDF Helldiver was a crack unit who deserved respect. She made her way to the stand were three Helldiver Labors along with their command vehicles and operating personnel stood. A young lieutenant noticed her in the crowd and moved to her position. After a salute she asked the lieutenant, a labor pilot looking at his insignia, if this was the JSDF stand. A friendly smile appeared on his face: "Yes ma'am that's us, JSDF's Helldiver unit, lieutenant Sako. How can I be of service?"
She grinned and explained her situation while offering him the small map, which he briefly examined. "Ah Shaft Enterprises was it sir?" She nodded. "That's right at the end of this here walkway, at the left side sir!" Thanking the young soldier who gave her a brisk salute she headed to the direction of the Shaft Enterprises Stand. She had to remember to visit the stand again. Those Helldivers really looked impressive.