Bubblegum Crisis Post 2040 Fanfic Series
"Stripes in the Jungle"
Chapter 3: Visionaries
by P. Kristen Enos
http://members.aol.com/bgcpost2040
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A
Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 English Dub Version Fanfic. All rights belong to AIC,
ADV Films and the other creative powers that be. I just want credit for writing
the story.
Contains
spoilers! Rated PG13. Nothing in here should be a shock if you've watched the
episodes and paid attention. All I'm doing is filling in the gaps with my own
interpretation of events! Most of these stories take place AFTER the TV
Series!!! So DON'T blame me if I ruin the ending for you because you read these
stories first!
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The
spacious lab was empty save for four figures. The three humans were focused on the other, a boomer with the realistic
yet metallic curves of a physically mature female, which stared blankly forward
as if it had no awareness of the world around it.
Quincy
Rosenkreuz III, a man of thirty-nine with a lean build and clothed in the
finest gray Italian suit with tasteful punctuations of jewelry, walked carefully around the stationary
boomer, eyeing her critically and appreciatively. In and of themselves, his lean features were short of being
considered handsome, but a friendly smile added well to his charisma. It also helped that he looked young for his
age, with barely any trace of gray in his trimmed black hair and beard.
The other
figure was Madigan, his right hand assistant. A petite and trim woman of forty-two, her small size easily led people
to overlook the steel in her personality, which showed clearly in her dark gray
eyes behind her glasses. Despite having
a very efficient and professional demeanor, she was extremely style-conscious
herself, dressed in a stylish dark blue business jacket and skirt. She kept her extremely long gray and
dark-brown hair in a braid, which went half-way down her back and then hooking
upwards to finally drape over the front of her right shoulder.
The final
human figure was Dr. Sho Yamada, a heavy but pleasant man of thirty-two with
receding black hair. Dressed in the
standard suit and lab coat, he cut a competent picture of a scientist even
though he was understandably nervous as he waited for his superiors to make a
comment about his team's latest effort.
Quincy
finally paused and flashed the scientist a warm smile. "I am extremely impressed with the
modifications your team has made to this prototype, Dr. Yamada. The proportions appear to be extremely
accurate even without the skin and hair supplements."
The
scientist broke out into a pleased smile as he felt himself finally begin to
relax. "Thank you, Sir. As you can see, she's still somewhat tall
for a standard human, but this is the most compact frame the team can build
while maintaining the capacity to house the original requirements. She weighs about three times the mass of a
woman her size, so we realize we may have to factor some environment checks
when she starts to be tested outdoors, like avoiding elevator and stairs where
weight capacities might be an issue."
"Yes, she does seem somewhat Amazonian,"
Quincy admitted, his eyes still raking up and down the form. "I think if we offer Caucasian model
options, that should make the size somewhat more acceptable even if we can't
make them blend in to a crowd completely. What do you think, Madigan?"
"I would think our clientele would be open to
models which can be shown off under the right circumstances," she answered
before turning her attention to the data pad in front of her. "If these are accurate, her performance
marks have also increased substantially from the last check."
"Yes,
Ma'am," Dr. Yamada agreed hastily, clearly more unnerved by the woman's
critical assessment than that of the other man. "We have focused on the required skills such as marksmanship and
hand to hand combat. She maintains 95%
accuracy with pistols and rifles, the other 5% is still within acceptable
parameters. At this point she is also
the equivalent of a second level black belt in judo and karate."
Quincy had
been scanning through his own data pad and asked, "So are we still on target
for the demonstration?"
"Um, well,
Sir," Dr. Yamada admitted with clear discomfort, "We've been having problems
with the synthetic skin and body temperature simulations. I mean, they're still above par from older
recreational boomer models, but not enough to be passable for human, yet."
"I'm
certain part of the struggle is because of your team's excellent standards for
acceptability," Quincy commented with a reassuring smile. He turned to the data which continued to
scroll before him. "So if we were to
still hold to the demonstration deadline, which requirements have the highest
level of jeopardy?"
"The
status and projected completion date for all requirements are on the progress
matrix labeled 'Sylvie.6'," the scientist answered as he looked at his own data
pad. "I've pointed out all of the
outstanding development items which would directly impact what I've understood
to be your intention for the demonstration. The others are obviously not as target critical."
"I
see... Madigan, what is your
recommendation from this list?"
"Sir, I
believe the priority should be related to anything cosmetic and tactile. After all, our biggest selling point of this
model will be the ability to pass for human at even the most casual of
interactions."
"I concur, however, let's refine that a
little. I want top priority given to
skin and facial expression simulation. The speech simulations can be prioritized last for the time being. However, I do want oral tactile and
functional refinement to continue. After all, replacing rubber dolls will have a higher priority than
providing conversation."
The
comment immediately drew a blush from the scientist, though Madigan didn't bat
an eye as they followed along on their own pads.
"Y-Yes,
Sir. Anything else that should be of
priority, Sir?"
"If it
helps, you can lower the capacity requirement for the person recognition file
from twenty down to three, in addition to myself and Madigan. I will also authorize a 5% bonus per
additional requirement met beyond these basics by demonstration day. I expect final confirmation Tuesday that we
will meet that date since the invitations are set to be sent out then. However, I want to make certain you do not
over commit yourself personally, Dr. Yamada. I am very well aware that I can't have you show up at your wedding an
already spent man. Just do what is
reasonable."
Dr. Yamada
bowed gratefully, "Yes, Sir. And thank
you, Sir, for your generosity. I am
certain my team will be suitably inspired to bring greater honor to Genom
Corporation at this demonstration."
"I trust
that you will." Quincy then turned his attention back to the boomer and smiled
appreciatively. "So her name is Sylvie,
hmm?"
"Yes,
Sir. It helps to give names to
projects, especially when you've work with them for such a long time. It's for the benefit of the team only,
though. We will of course call her
whatever you wish once she is formally christened."
"No, keep
it. I like that name." Quincy then
bowed and said, "Good work once again, Dr. Yamada. If you'll excuse us."
Bows were
exchanged and the two executives left the lab, each perusing their data pads as
they walked down one of the empty corridors of New Genom Tower.
"Sir, I
wanted to wait until after our meeting with Dr. Yamada to point out that we've
received the file on the Perry Electronics buyout."
"Oh?" he said, as he opened and skimmed the file
in question.
Madigan
tucked her own pad under her arm as she reported the information from
memory. "Yes, it's been confirmed that
Chang Enterprises is the buyer and will take over as of July. A public announcement is expected to come
out at the end of the week."
"Chang
Enterprises? They ring a bell for some
reason. They've never been a competitor
of ours before, have they?"
"No,
they've never had a direct part of any of the technical developments or
manufacturing affecting us before. Apparently, they're a family corporation, extremely old money based on
the premise of making certain promises were kept and people were
protected. Because of that reputation,
they are considered quite a formidable presence in the international circles,
Hong Kong especially. Their current
leadership is under Richard Chang, a man who has made quite a name for himself
and his family business, with much more reputable and lucrative business
practices in the area of shipping. It
is speculated that he pursued Perry Electronics to devote proprietary research
and development towards security products."
"And this
is noteworthy to us how?" he prompted.
"Perry
Electronics is also a parts manufacturer for many types of technologies, over
half devoted to boomer parts. Traditionally, their research and development department has been solely
devoted to enhancing the performance and longevity of said parts."
"Ah, I
see. And so there's a chance Chang
Enterprises may creep into our territory either as a competitor if they go into
boomer development, or as an ally if they just stick with parts manufacturing. Or they may lose their importance if they
decide to drop that aspect of the business completely."
"There's
one other piece which may influence that decision," Madigan added as they came
to the elevator and waited. "Richard
Chang's personal facts."
"Let's see... Age fifty-two, born in Hong Kong and raised in Tokyo. Married for thirty-one years to Mitsune,
also age fifty-two, socialite. Has two
daughters. The oldest Reika is twenty
eight, single and lives in America as an actress.... Still single?"
"Suspiciously
so."
"Ah. Second daughter Irene is twenty four,
engaged, lives in Tokyo as a physical trainer. Set to marry Dr. Sho Yamada on June 30th.... I see..." The man mused as he trailed off
into a noticeably unhappy silence.
The
elevator finally opened and the two walked into the empty car. Upon the closing of the doors, Quincy hit
the "stop" button and looked at Madigan seriously. "Give me the theorized worst case scenario at this point."
As if
prepared for such a request, Madigan immediately replied, "Due to their
acquisition of such prime technical research and development resources, Chang
Enterprises may consider entering the world of boomer development. With both powerful leadership and financial
backing, they could quickly position themselves as a serious competitor. Should that happen, or because he is an
acknowledged resource connected to the family that may actually instigate that
situation, Dr. Yamada may feel honor bound to quit Genom Corporation and work
for his in-laws. His personality profile
would fit such a type. It is also
possible that he would feel committed to completing his current project, but
his level of quality could be compromised as well as the fact we would be
losing an even more knowledgeable resource upon the project's end.
"There is
also the fact that Chang Enterprises has no immediate successor given that
neither daughter seems to show an interest or aptitude for any of the family
businesses. Therefore, as the only
son-in-law, our Dr. Yamada would be the most logical and viable choice. And given that he's clearly proud of his
involvement with our project even though the general public would not approve
speaks of a man who is capable of making his own priorities."
Quincy
scanned the pad darkly for a moment and then said, "I want all possible
contingency plans against any kind of risk by tomorrow morning. Make it the top priority of your team. I want to know all of my options before
deciding on a course of action."
"Yes,
Sir," she said as she started to make entries into her pad.
He hit the
"stop" button to allow the elevator to continue moving upwards. Then a small smile quirked his lips as he
added, "Just in case, make certain an invite to our demonstration is sent to
Mr. Chang. I think such a man would be
worth meeting in person. Providing
nothing happens to him before then."
"Yes,
Sir. That would be unfortunate."
-- End
Chapter 3 --
