Summary:
Prepare to experience a world never before seen. A world ruled by darkness,
lies, and deciet. A world whose technology has progressed far faster than our
own. A world dominated by the corporate superpowers. A world where a Covert War
is being waged, and only the best of the best will survive......
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma in any way shape or form. It is the sole property
of its respective owners and creators.
Mini-Note:
*** designates a change in POV or a change in setting.
//...// designates a transmission or other form of radio communication
Also, be sure read to Author's Notes at the end of each chapter for important
information.
WARNING: There is a small amount of coarse language for any underage readers out
there. Its minute, and it won't cause any long-term physcological damage.
File 00: Realm of Shadows.
The music pumped loud and hard into the ears and minds of the multitude of
people that packed the massive two-story club. People of all cultures,
religions, and sexual preferences came here to forget about the boredom and
monotony of day. They all came to experience the rapid beating pulse of the
night.
The place was a techno/rave club known as The Edge, a massive two-story complex
that was well known throughout the area. This bastion in the night has been well
known as a fortress of alternity and difference amongst the throng of a culture
who was known for its monotony. It's occupants were are as diverse as the build
itself, and its those same people who were about to get a first-hand experience
of a war that was being fought right under there nose.
"Are you ready to make the exchange? My employers are quite anxious to hear the
results of this transaction" the man in the black business suit inquired. He
wore gloves and sunglasses to compliment the look, though why he wore the
glasses at night and indoors was anyone's guess. "Though I do question your
choice of meeting places." Two large men, mirroring his fashion sense, flanked
him protectively.
.
"Of course. We want this matter resolved just as much as you do." A woman in
black leather pants and a light blue turtleneck was speaking to him from across
the table, at a relatively secluded corner of the club. "And as for my choice
of meeting places I can only say this, what better place to hide than in plain
sight?" She had dark brown hair that went down to the small of her back, but it
was kept together in a loose braid. She looked to be in her early twenties but
it was difficult to tell her exact age.
She nodded to her associate standing directly behind her. She was also female,
and she also had dark-brown hair but it was short and came to about the bottom
of her neck. She seemed to have as much a preoccupation with black as the
apparent business man. Black jeans, boots, and even the leather jacket; but
considering where they were no one seemed to care or notice.
Her apparent assistance produced the silver suitcase she had been holding, she
released the latches and placed on the table. Its contents were revealed to the
man whose look of surprise was quite obvious even through his shades.
"Well, well. You've kept your end of the bargain obviously. And we shall keep
ours." He reached into his coat pocket slowly and carefully. He produced a very
small compact disk.
"The original, just as you requested. You'll find everything is perfectly
intact."
The woman with whom he was dealing with took the disk between her fingers and
examined it carefully before wordlessly handing the disk her assistant. The
short haired woman took out what could best be described as a mini-disk player
with a large screen. This CD was inserted, there were the feint sounds of a
computer thinking, and then the glow of a green light.
"Its authentic."
"Now if you will excuse us, we will be on our way. It has been a pleasure doing
business with you." She calmly stated as she rose from her chair.
"And I with you. However, I cannot allow you to depart just yet." She had
already turned her back to him when she heard those words. They did not come as
any surprise to her; any fool could ascertain what was going to happen next. In
fact, she was expecting it.
"You see, my organization went to a lot of trouble to claim possession of that
disk. And to think that we would just give it back so easily, well, I do not
wish to insult your intelligence." He gave a short laugh.
He snapped his fingers and a tidal wave of events occured at once. The two men
at his side immediately pulled out Glock-19s, there were several screams within
the herd of people as three more men stormed through the crowd without warning.
On the second floor, additional subordinates rose from three tables overlooking
the dance floor. People instantly began to clear out, not wanting any part of
what was about to happen.
"I told them that such a number was not necessary to accomplish such a menial
task. But they insisted that I be prepared for anything." He informed them as he
retrieved the suitcase.
The two women's demeanor did not change in the least. The older one who was
originally hosting the negotiations was only staring back at the traitorous rat
with eyes that could freeze an inferno. The other seemed to be taking stock of
the situation, seemingly taking count of how many of the opposition there was,
as well as the environment of the now abandoned club.
"You do realize, this will result in your immediate death." The ease and calm
with which she said that did not go unnoticed by the man.
"HAHAHA! My death? I suppose the shock hasn't worn off yet, but in case you had
not noticed you are severely outnumbered and unarmed. Unless your friend there
has something hidden under her jacket."
"She does not, weapons mean less to her as they do to me."
"And that, my little wench, will be your downfall. Kill them, now."
The men behind him, as well as the three who appeared from the crowd moved to
aim their pistols, such precious few seconds were usually not accounted for in a
skirmish such as this, but then they had never faced an enemy as they were about
to face now.
***
The thug's finger was just beginning to exert pressure on the trigger before he
felt a hand take firm grasp of his wrist. His arm was wrenched from its aim and
he found it pointing in a totally different direction, by this time the trigger
had already been pulled and the weapon discharged. The bullet shot forward and
impacted a target, the partner standing to his right to be exact.
"What the h..." He didn't have time to finish the sentence as all the air was
robbed from his lungs as a knee slammed into his solar plexus. He pitched
forward violently, he heard his remaining partner curse and then there was a odd
snapping sound followed by a blood-curdling scream of pain, which was abruptly
cut off. The sound of a body hitting the floor was quite distinct; he could only
stay there, hunched over and frozen in fear, then everything began to dim was he
felt a sharp pain at the base of his skull. The last thing he saw was the woman
in black run over his collapsed body.
***
Four more additional henchmen came down from the second floor, two went over to
deal with the woman, the remaining two joined the others in protecting their
apparent leader.
The two others sent to 'take out' the woman were met with the same lightning
swift aggression as the first three. Before they knew what was happening one of
them was already in a crumpled heap on the floor, his shades broken in half and
his eyes rolled back into his head.
"She just took out four armed men like nothing." One of the bodyguards uttered.
"Tell that bitch to back off now! And I may spare your life at least!!" The
leader ordered out of desperation.
Up to this point the taller of the duo had been content to stand by and let them
watch how utterly futile they actually were. But now it seemed, she would
actually have to get her hands dirty...
"ARE YOU LISTENING YOU FOOL!!! If you don't do as I say now..."
He was stopped short by the action of her walking toward the group. The cold
state of her eyes hadn't changed in the least since this entire event started.
"What are you doing?! SHOOT HER!! SHOOT HER!!!"
They all fired immediately at this single target. This was the strange part, she
didn't seem to have any kind of body armor, and she wasn't making any move to
avoid them, she just kept coming like nothing was happening.
"What the hell is she?" One of them was beginning to panic.
There was no indication that she was even struck by the bullets, its like they
passed right through her...
"Damnit!! The guns are useless! TAKE HER!!!"
All four charged like madmen, she was one while they were many. Usually that
philosophy held water in most normal altercations, however these were most
obviously not normal people they were fighting.
"Oooo this is gonna be bad." The other woman muttered. She had since finished
off her portion of the opposition, and the remaining victims were going to wish
they had fought her instead.
If there were ever an example of controlled, precision, brutality this would be
it. The sounds of a hand or a foot impacting human flesh, the snapping sound of
bone being broken in multiple areas, the gurgled screams of mercy, and the wet
crunching noise of a nose being rammed into someone's delicate brain. These were
all synonymous with anyone unfortunate to attempt to raise a hand against her.
In seconds, the "fight" was over before anyone realized it started.
"That's all of them." The woman in black informed her as the last man fell at
her feet in an unordered mess.
Her eyes slowly scanned the area. Searching for any other possibly hostile
adversaries.
"He's gone." Her assistant answered the unspoken question.
She made a mental note that she would have to make her...displeasure...known to
the sniveling coward at a later date. That's when a strange beeping noise blared
in her ear. She reached up to a small device akin to a hearing aid lodged behind
her ear lobe.
"We have the disk father, but there is no guarantee that they did not make
duplicates. There was opposition, but it was...dealt with."
//We now have the original back in our possession, that's all matters...for
now.//
"As per your orders the suitcase has been rigged to explode in..." She glanced
briefly at a clock on one of the nearby walls. "30 seconds."
//Excellent, now return home, we are having visitors.//
"And who would they be?"
//An old friend of mine, he is bringing his son.//
"Understood." Her hand lowered slowly. Her eyes came down on one of her many
unfortunate victims, as he lay there a pool of blood was slowly form around the
back of his head. Her hands began to shake slightly and she had to ball them to
get them to stop. This was all becoming far too easy for her, and it was scaring
her to death. She closed her eyes, took a breath and regained her composure.
"We're leaving." She announced finally. Her partner had finished rummaging
through the bodies trying to find something of any relevance.
As they departed the building a column of smoke could be seen in the background.
The sirens of law enforcement and fire department vehicles could be heard far
into the black of the night.
***
The sea of Earth-bound stars glowed brightly within the darkness of the
seemingly eternal night. This was the glowing metropolis known as Tokyo. Home to
millions of people, all moving, all connected, all at the same time. Constantly
in motion with an activity that never ceased, never slowing down, only moving
forward and never looking back. Skyscrapers rose as far as the eye could see,
reaching ever higher in the heavens as if to challenge God himself, each one its
own Tower of Babylon, each one holding within it the greatest corporate
superpowers the world would ever bare witness to.
"Hehehe. Tokyo, it has been too long."
From high atop the grand needle known as Tokyo Tower, two dwellers of the
midnight hours stared down upon the glory of the country of Japan. These two
individuals have lived within the shadows for most of their lives, walking
amongst the common man knowing what most don't. Watching, as they remained
oblivious to the unspoken atrocities that occurred right in front of them, but
refused to be acknowledged.
"...Yes I know...that's right...all to the same address." The second of the duo
spoke into a cell phone, the dim glow of the neon green illuminating his face
ever so slightly.
"We should be moving out, have the arrangements been made?"
"...Alright...thank you...okay...thank you." With that last word he closed the
cellular device and replaced it back into his pocket. "Everything's set, we can
expect them the day after tomorrow."
"Good good, this move has put us behind schedule and I know certain clients
won't tolerate long-term delays."
The aimed there gaze at one building in particular, the home of a multi-national
more powerful than any other in existence. Its reach was unlimited, its power
undeniable, and its dealings well known throughout the covert community.
"Heaven's Star Incoporated, the most powerful conglomerate in the world. Who
would've thought..."
"I guess your old man had better friends than he was letting on."
"Yes he did apparently. The last thing he ever said to me was find my way back
here, and after ten long years...here I am."
"I've heard a lot about Tokyo, a lot of the major stuff goes down here. You
think were ready to dive into a hot spot this explosive?"
"We're the best of the best in case you forgot, there's nothin is too hot for
us."
Within this brilliant glow of city lights, buildings, and people; there was a
war erupting, a war that had been sparked and had no intention of slowing down
or showing mercy. There have been countless casualties and negotiations were out
of the question, hostages had been taken, war crimes had been committed by all
sides, and soldiers from all around the world were in the midst of it all. This
is the unseen war, a war fought from the darkness underneath the eyes of the
common man.
Welcome to the Shadowlands. I hope you survive.
To Be Continued...
Author's Notes:
1). This is an idea that I've had floating in my head for quite a while now and
its finally becoming a reality unto itself. Even though this is quite a
divergence from the normal universe I'm going to try to keep everyone as in-
character as I possibly can and I would appreciate if any readers who happen
upon this can help me with that.
2). On the subject of any reviews or comments anyone feels compelled to send.
I'm one of those people who favor constructive criticism over anything. Simply
saying "this sucks" does not help. It is infinitely more beneficial to say "this
sucks, this is why, and here's what you can do to fix it."
The same goes for any praise. Tell me why you think its good and what I can do
to keep it that way. This will definitely help me to keep my writing
entertaining, and the universes I use as close to the original as possible.
3). Tendo - Laws of Heaven and Nature...
Prepare to experience a world never before seen. A world ruled by darkness,
lies, and deciet. A world whose technology has progressed far faster than our
own. A world dominated by the corporate superpowers. A world where a Covert War
is being waged, and only the best of the best will survive......
Disclaimer: I do not own Ranma in any way shape or form. It is the sole property
of its respective owners and creators.
Mini-Note:
*** designates a change in POV or a change in setting.
//...// designates a transmission or other form of radio communication
Also, be sure read to Author's Notes at the end of each chapter for important
information.
WARNING: There is a small amount of coarse language for any underage readers out
there. Its minute, and it won't cause any long-term physcological damage.
File 00: Realm of Shadows.
The music pumped loud and hard into the ears and minds of the multitude of
people that packed the massive two-story club. People of all cultures,
religions, and sexual preferences came here to forget about the boredom and
monotony of day. They all came to experience the rapid beating pulse of the
night.
The place was a techno/rave club known as The Edge, a massive two-story complex
that was well known throughout the area. This bastion in the night has been well
known as a fortress of alternity and difference amongst the throng of a culture
who was known for its monotony. It's occupants were are as diverse as the build
itself, and its those same people who were about to get a first-hand experience
of a war that was being fought right under there nose.
"Are you ready to make the exchange? My employers are quite anxious to hear the
results of this transaction" the man in the black business suit inquired. He
wore gloves and sunglasses to compliment the look, though why he wore the
glasses at night and indoors was anyone's guess. "Though I do question your
choice of meeting places." Two large men, mirroring his fashion sense, flanked
him protectively.
.
"Of course. We want this matter resolved just as much as you do." A woman in
black leather pants and a light blue turtleneck was speaking to him from across
the table, at a relatively secluded corner of the club. "And as for my choice
of meeting places I can only say this, what better place to hide than in plain
sight?" She had dark brown hair that went down to the small of her back, but it
was kept together in a loose braid. She looked to be in her early twenties but
it was difficult to tell her exact age.
She nodded to her associate standing directly behind her. She was also female,
and she also had dark-brown hair but it was short and came to about the bottom
of her neck. She seemed to have as much a preoccupation with black as the
apparent business man. Black jeans, boots, and even the leather jacket; but
considering where they were no one seemed to care or notice.
Her apparent assistance produced the silver suitcase she had been holding, she
released the latches and placed on the table. Its contents were revealed to the
man whose look of surprise was quite obvious even through his shades.
"Well, well. You've kept your end of the bargain obviously. And we shall keep
ours." He reached into his coat pocket slowly and carefully. He produced a very
small compact disk.
"The original, just as you requested. You'll find everything is perfectly
intact."
The woman with whom he was dealing with took the disk between her fingers and
examined it carefully before wordlessly handing the disk her assistant. The
short haired woman took out what could best be described as a mini-disk player
with a large screen. This CD was inserted, there were the feint sounds of a
computer thinking, and then the glow of a green light.
"Its authentic."
"Now if you will excuse us, we will be on our way. It has been a pleasure doing
business with you." She calmly stated as she rose from her chair.
"And I with you. However, I cannot allow you to depart just yet." She had
already turned her back to him when she heard those words. They did not come as
any surprise to her; any fool could ascertain what was going to happen next. In
fact, she was expecting it.
"You see, my organization went to a lot of trouble to claim possession of that
disk. And to think that we would just give it back so easily, well, I do not
wish to insult your intelligence." He gave a short laugh.
He snapped his fingers and a tidal wave of events occured at once. The two men
at his side immediately pulled out Glock-19s, there were several screams within
the herd of people as three more men stormed through the crowd without warning.
On the second floor, additional subordinates rose from three tables overlooking
the dance floor. People instantly began to clear out, not wanting any part of
what was about to happen.
"I told them that such a number was not necessary to accomplish such a menial
task. But they insisted that I be prepared for anything." He informed them as he
retrieved the suitcase.
The two women's demeanor did not change in the least. The older one who was
originally hosting the negotiations was only staring back at the traitorous rat
with eyes that could freeze an inferno. The other seemed to be taking stock of
the situation, seemingly taking count of how many of the opposition there was,
as well as the environment of the now abandoned club.
"You do realize, this will result in your immediate death." The ease and calm
with which she said that did not go unnoticed by the man.
"HAHAHA! My death? I suppose the shock hasn't worn off yet, but in case you had
not noticed you are severely outnumbered and unarmed. Unless your friend there
has something hidden under her jacket."
"She does not, weapons mean less to her as they do to me."
"And that, my little wench, will be your downfall. Kill them, now."
The men behind him, as well as the three who appeared from the crowd moved to
aim their pistols, such precious few seconds were usually not accounted for in a
skirmish such as this, but then they had never faced an enemy as they were about
to face now.
***
The thug's finger was just beginning to exert pressure on the trigger before he
felt a hand take firm grasp of his wrist. His arm was wrenched from its aim and
he found it pointing in a totally different direction, by this time the trigger
had already been pulled and the weapon discharged. The bullet shot forward and
impacted a target, the partner standing to his right to be exact.
"What the h..." He didn't have time to finish the sentence as all the air was
robbed from his lungs as a knee slammed into his solar plexus. He pitched
forward violently, he heard his remaining partner curse and then there was a odd
snapping sound followed by a blood-curdling scream of pain, which was abruptly
cut off. The sound of a body hitting the floor was quite distinct; he could only
stay there, hunched over and frozen in fear, then everything began to dim was he
felt a sharp pain at the base of his skull. The last thing he saw was the woman
in black run over his collapsed body.
***
Four more additional henchmen came down from the second floor, two went over to
deal with the woman, the remaining two joined the others in protecting their
apparent leader.
The two others sent to 'take out' the woman were met with the same lightning
swift aggression as the first three. Before they knew what was happening one of
them was already in a crumpled heap on the floor, his shades broken in half and
his eyes rolled back into his head.
"She just took out four armed men like nothing." One of the bodyguards uttered.
"Tell that bitch to back off now! And I may spare your life at least!!" The
leader ordered out of desperation.
Up to this point the taller of the duo had been content to stand by and let them
watch how utterly futile they actually were. But now it seemed, she would
actually have to get her hands dirty...
"ARE YOU LISTENING YOU FOOL!!! If you don't do as I say now..."
He was stopped short by the action of her walking toward the group. The cold
state of her eyes hadn't changed in the least since this entire event started.
"What are you doing?! SHOOT HER!! SHOOT HER!!!"
They all fired immediately at this single target. This was the strange part, she
didn't seem to have any kind of body armor, and she wasn't making any move to
avoid them, she just kept coming like nothing was happening.
"What the hell is she?" One of them was beginning to panic.
There was no indication that she was even struck by the bullets, its like they
passed right through her...
"Damnit!! The guns are useless! TAKE HER!!!"
All four charged like madmen, she was one while they were many. Usually that
philosophy held water in most normal altercations, however these were most
obviously not normal people they were fighting.
"Oooo this is gonna be bad." The other woman muttered. She had since finished
off her portion of the opposition, and the remaining victims were going to wish
they had fought her instead.
If there were ever an example of controlled, precision, brutality this would be
it. The sounds of a hand or a foot impacting human flesh, the snapping sound of
bone being broken in multiple areas, the gurgled screams of mercy, and the wet
crunching noise of a nose being rammed into someone's delicate brain. These were
all synonymous with anyone unfortunate to attempt to raise a hand against her.
In seconds, the "fight" was over before anyone realized it started.
"That's all of them." The woman in black informed her as the last man fell at
her feet in an unordered mess.
Her eyes slowly scanned the area. Searching for any other possibly hostile
adversaries.
"He's gone." Her assistant answered the unspoken question.
She made a mental note that she would have to make her...displeasure...known to
the sniveling coward at a later date. That's when a strange beeping noise blared
in her ear. She reached up to a small device akin to a hearing aid lodged behind
her ear lobe.
"We have the disk father, but there is no guarantee that they did not make
duplicates. There was opposition, but it was...dealt with."
//We now have the original back in our possession, that's all matters...for
now.//
"As per your orders the suitcase has been rigged to explode in..." She glanced
briefly at a clock on one of the nearby walls. "30 seconds."
//Excellent, now return home, we are having visitors.//
"And who would they be?"
//An old friend of mine, he is bringing his son.//
"Understood." Her hand lowered slowly. Her eyes came down on one of her many
unfortunate victims, as he lay there a pool of blood was slowly form around the
back of his head. Her hands began to shake slightly and she had to ball them to
get them to stop. This was all becoming far too easy for her, and it was scaring
her to death. She closed her eyes, took a breath and regained her composure.
"We're leaving." She announced finally. Her partner had finished rummaging
through the bodies trying to find something of any relevance.
As they departed the building a column of smoke could be seen in the background.
The sirens of law enforcement and fire department vehicles could be heard far
into the black of the night.
***
The sea of Earth-bound stars glowed brightly within the darkness of the
seemingly eternal night. This was the glowing metropolis known as Tokyo. Home to
millions of people, all moving, all connected, all at the same time. Constantly
in motion with an activity that never ceased, never slowing down, only moving
forward and never looking back. Skyscrapers rose as far as the eye could see,
reaching ever higher in the heavens as if to challenge God himself, each one its
own Tower of Babylon, each one holding within it the greatest corporate
superpowers the world would ever bare witness to.
"Hehehe. Tokyo, it has been too long."
From high atop the grand needle known as Tokyo Tower, two dwellers of the
midnight hours stared down upon the glory of the country of Japan. These two
individuals have lived within the shadows for most of their lives, walking
amongst the common man knowing what most don't. Watching, as they remained
oblivious to the unspoken atrocities that occurred right in front of them, but
refused to be acknowledged.
"...Yes I know...that's right...all to the same address." The second of the duo
spoke into a cell phone, the dim glow of the neon green illuminating his face
ever so slightly.
"We should be moving out, have the arrangements been made?"
"...Alright...thank you...okay...thank you." With that last word he closed the
cellular device and replaced it back into his pocket. "Everything's set, we can
expect them the day after tomorrow."
"Good good, this move has put us behind schedule and I know certain clients
won't tolerate long-term delays."
The aimed there gaze at one building in particular, the home of a multi-national
more powerful than any other in existence. Its reach was unlimited, its power
undeniable, and its dealings well known throughout the covert community.
"Heaven's Star Incoporated, the most powerful conglomerate in the world. Who
would've thought..."
"I guess your old man had better friends than he was letting on."
"Yes he did apparently. The last thing he ever said to me was find my way back
here, and after ten long years...here I am."
"I've heard a lot about Tokyo, a lot of the major stuff goes down here. You
think were ready to dive into a hot spot this explosive?"
"We're the best of the best in case you forgot, there's nothin is too hot for
us."
Within this brilliant glow of city lights, buildings, and people; there was a
war erupting, a war that had been sparked and had no intention of slowing down
or showing mercy. There have been countless casualties and negotiations were out
of the question, hostages had been taken, war crimes had been committed by all
sides, and soldiers from all around the world were in the midst of it all. This
is the unseen war, a war fought from the darkness underneath the eyes of the
common man.
Welcome to the Shadowlands. I hope you survive.
To Be Continued...
Author's Notes:
1). This is an idea that I've had floating in my head for quite a while now and
its finally becoming a reality unto itself. Even though this is quite a
divergence from the normal universe I'm going to try to keep everyone as in-
character as I possibly can and I would appreciate if any readers who happen
upon this can help me with that.
2). On the subject of any reviews or comments anyone feels compelled to send.
I'm one of those people who favor constructive criticism over anything. Simply
saying "this sucks" does not help. It is infinitely more beneficial to say "this
sucks, this is why, and here's what you can do to fix it."
The same goes for any praise. Tell me why you think its good and what I can do
to keep it that way. This will definitely help me to keep my writing
entertaining, and the universes I use as close to the original as possible.
3). Tendo - Laws of Heaven and Nature...
