Okay. This chapter is a little longer than the last one.
First, to answer Kristanite's review of chapter 6: Usually I think the question of Rei vs Raye and so forth is a matter of author comfort. However... using Amara when I had already consciously chosen Setsuna vs Trista and was using Michiru instead of Michelle was a mistake in my opinion and Amara has been changed to Haruka in all applicable spots to improve consistancy.
mae-E: Indeed, your review reminded me that I had only completed an episode, not a series. So it made more sense to find a series title (Hopefully one that would stand out.) and combine stories.
Once again, thanks to mae-E, Kristanite, Bobboky, Firey Pheonix, Emma Iveli and all my readers. Thank You.
Reviews, applause, and constructive comments are always welcome!
Disclaimer: Once more I still don't own Tenchi or Sailor Moon... Darn it!
Senshi Muyo
No Need For Dueling Geniuses pt 2
Kaorinite scowled at the departing Viluy. That arrogant little...!
Just wait little girl. You won't be riding high forever. One of these days you're going to get what's coming to you... And I intend to be there to see it!
"Ah! I see our guest of honor has arrived!" Doctor Tomoe noted as he watched his office monitor, breaking her train of thought as Kaorinite returned to his side to observe.
"Who, Doctor Tomoe?" She asked, frowning at the monitor.
"Dr. Hakubi, Kaorinite." He gestured to the screen. "She's a consultant for the test administrations board."
"She hardly looks old enough to be taking the exams."
Doctor Tomoe nodded. "Nevertheless, she helped create this year's test. Although her past appears to be a complete mystery..." His voice trailed off in puzzlement.
"Didn't you help design these exams the last three years?" Kaorinite asked.
"Actually yes Kaorinite." Tomoe smiled. "I designed a series of tests so I could identify potential talent for our organization.
"I stepped down from the board this year so I could concentrate on our operations here.
" Apparently Dr. Hakubi was selected to suceed me..."
"I find it hard to believe that they could find anyone qualified to suceed you doctor." Kaorinite said.
"Yes... Well, Doctor Hakubi requested permission to observe the testing conditions and to conduct interviews with a few of the students. I'll be meeting with her personally in a few minutes.
"I get the feeling her later interviews may prove to be a little dull."
Kaorinite continued to watch the monitor. This Doctor Hakubi was something of an enigma, but Kaorinite's attention turned to the two individuals accompanying her. The purple haired young lady seemed harmless enough. Possibly Doctor Hakubi's aide. The other one; though, seemed about as ill at ease as a tiger in a cage. She didn't seem the academic type and Kaorinite wondered just why she was there.
"Kaorinite." Doctor Tomoe said after another minute. "Please go and greet Doctor Hakubi and her associates and escort them inside. Would you?"
"Of course, Doctor Tomoe."
"It's freezing out here!" Ryoko griped as she echoed the sentiments of one of the students in the crowd.
All these kids standing out here in the cold just so they could take some big test... It's nuts! Ryoko thought, but then she remembered how thrilled Tenchi had been a couple of years earlier when he had gotten an invite to the nationals. There had even been some professor named Tomoe who had requested an interview with Tenchi and had offered him an appointment to the prestigious Muugen Academy, citing "unique aptitude and potential" Whatever that was supposed to mean. Ryoko thought. Katsuhito had declined the invitation for his grandson; however, citing the need for Tenchi to maintain his training in "The Traditional Family Arts." Katsuhito had called it.
Ryoko smiled fondly as she thought of Tenchi as he must have felt when he had taken the exams. She took another look at all the waiting students. Good luck kids.
"Dr. Hakubi?" A voice questioned, breaking Ryoko's reverie.
"Yes?" Washu said looking up from her notes.
"I'm Kaorinite, Doctor Tomoe's personal assistant. Doctor Tomoe has asked me to escort you and your associates inside and to his office."
Washu, Ryoko, and Ayeka each mentally took assessment of Kaorinite.
'Personal Assistant', eh? Washu mused. Assisting him in what? I wonder.
She's mannered well enough. Ayeka thought. But something about her makes me think of some of those petty nobles back on Jurai... The ones father always warned me always seemed to have 'their eyes on your plate', he described it.
I can take any human on this planet. Ryoko thought. So why do I feel like the temperature just dropped another twenty degrees?
"...If you'll follow me?" Kaorinite suggested.
"By all means." Washu answered.
Kaorinite escorted them into the building and they followed her up several floors to Doctor Tomoe's "official" office, where Tomoe was waiting for them.
Nice front. Washu thought. She could tell that this office was hardly ever used. I wonder what his real office looks like.
"Doctor Tomoe..." Kaorinite introduced. "May I present Professor Washu Hakubi and her associates: Ayeka Jurai and Ryoko Hakubi. Ladies: This is Doctor Souichi Tomoe, Founder and Director of The Muugen Academy."
"Ah! Professor Hakubi! What a pleasure it is to finally meet you in person!" Tomoe greeted offering his hand.
Washu shook it, smiling. "Thank you... But please call me 'Little Washu', all right?"
Ryoko, Ayeka, and Doctor Tomoe all sweatdropped.
"Of course if you insist on titles then I ask you use my full title: Professor Washu, Number One Genius Scientist in the Universe." She added.
"We needn't stand on formality here, 'Little Washu' Doctor Tomoe said recovering quickly." Titles can be so pretentious, can't they?"
"Of course the universe is a pretty big place, wouldn't you agree, 'Little Washu'? Kaorinite said with mild amusement.
"So they tell me." Washu answered, returning the comment.
"I was most impressed with your work on this year's exams." Doctor Tomoe commented.
Washu leaned back with her hands behind her head and smiled. "Well, the old tests were somewhat awkward and obtuse in places. So there was plenty of room for improvement."
Tomoe bit back a response at Washu's jab. "Of course..." He said after an awkward moment. "...There is nothing that can't be improved, is there?"
"Quite right." Washu answered.
"Perhaps after your work on this year's exams is complete, you would care to conduct a review of Muugen Academy, 'Little Washu'? You could help us refine and improve our course structure and implementation."
"I'm afraid not." Washu replied. "I've already put too much of my own research on hold to work on this project.
"Besides, Muugen Academy seems adequate enough." She then paused, as if in consideration:
"But I think I would like to take a tour of the school sometime. At your convienence of course."
"Of course, 'Little Washu'." Tomoe answered, inside seething at Washu's faint praise.
"Now as to the interviews you wanted to conduct...
"See you later softy! Don't emote too much on the test!" Julie laughed at Amy as she prepared to leave the lab.
"Ah! Just the two young ladies I was looking for!"
Julie scowled at the interuption as Amy looked up in surprise at the pink haired woman who stepped into the room and the two women with her.
"Ayeka, Ryoko, I'm going to be just a bit so why don't you two find a cafeteria or something around here?" Washu said as she instructed them to start snooping.
Amy Mizuno instantly recognized Washu from an article in the Journal of Theoretical Science. (Washu had long since made it a policy not to interfer with Earth's technology or developement, but she often prowled the internet and science journals, often offering encouragement and occasional support to young or obscure scientists who had good ideas that might otherwise be overlooked.) Amy had been impressed not only by Professor Washu's brilliance, but by her willingness to help others in pursuit of their goals.
"Professor Washu!" Amy exclaimed. (The same article noted that the Professor preferred to be refered to by her given name instead of her last name.)
Washu smiled brightly at Amy's recognition. "Ah! One of my adoring fans I see!"
"Well ladies... The two of you are the best students in Japan. I have a proposal for one of you..."
To be continued...
