Author's comments: This is a crossover-fic between four different series
and a movie called Starship Troopers. The first series is Ranma ½, then
KOF, Gatekeepers and the Final Fantasy series. So, if you don't like stuff
like this, then please leave. Otherwise enjoy the fic. Be gentle dear
readers and read this with an open mind.
Disclaimer: The characters to Final Fantasy, Gatekeepers, KOF and Ranma ½ do not belong to me or else I would be rich now. I'm only borrowing the characters. Please don't sue me.
This fanfiction is dedicated to Ryan, who has written a fanfic that has touched this author here.(places hand over heart). May he find the person just for him. And this is also dedicated to Heather of the Amazoness Duo, who inspired me to write. May she find the 'Sakura' in her life and know happiness.
Side note: If you don't know the characters from the series I'm using. I suggest you read up about them first.now on with the story.please make sure you've read part 1-2 first.
Starship Troopers: Anime Style (Part 3)
Ranma was gritting his teeth.rather hard actually. He wasn't scared.not one bit, but something didn't stop him from having a bad feeling about this.
"Remember your training," Ralf was shouting. "And I promise, you will come back alive!"
Ranma and every other trooper found themselves, strapped in tight as they were prepared for drop.
* * *
Up in front of the Starship Rodger Young, Ruriko slowly guided the ship above the planet, following the rest of the starships ahead of them. Ryouga pressed some buttons, prepping the drop ships. Suddenly streaks of blue plasma come from the surface and Ruriko turns to Xu.
"Plasma from the planet ma'am," said Ruriko.
"Bug Batteries," said Xu, dismissing it lightly. "Intelligence said it would be random and light."
"Then we should be okay," said Ruriko, smiling and turning back to flying.
"Yes," answered Xu. Then to Ryouga, "Status of the drop?"
"35% complete," answered Ryouga.
"Good, steady as she goes Ikusawa," said Xu.
* * *
Ranma could feel the drop ship moving now. He looked across the way to see Tifa smiling at him and she gave him thumbs up. Ranma returned the gesture. Down the line a bit, Kuno called out wildly.he couldn't wait for a piece of the action. He would show these bugs whom to fear. Ranma's ship dropped down and headed for the planet's surface along with dozens of others.
* * *
Now, Ruriko was becoming nervous. The amount of bug plasma had increased dramatically. Even so, she kept a straight head and flew the ship around the plasma, but she could practically feel Xu's piercing eyes watching the screen.
"This isn't random," said Xu, frowning. "Or light. Someone made a mistake here!"
"That's it, ma'am," called Ryouga. "We're empty."
Up ahead, Xu watched as various ships from the battle group take heavy fire from the bug batteries from the surface.
"Someone made a big godd@#n mistake!" yelled Xu. "Get us out of here, number 1!"
Suddenly, up ahead, one of the faltering ships crashed into another ship, completely demolishing both of them.
"Evasive!" called Xu.
Ruriko grabbed the steering and maneuvered around the burning wreck of the other ships before a near miss, collided with the front of the ship, slamming all of them to the floor.
* * *
As drop ships continued to plummet to the surface, Ranma's ship finally touched down and landed with a gentle bump on the ground. Some of the other ships land with Ranma's group and the doors open up. Yelling out, the troopers poured out from the drop ships in waves as the drop ships fired into the sky, indicating different drop points to land. Ranma surged forward with Iori and Tifa close behind him. They follow after the lieutenant. Lt. Ralf called out.
"Over here!" yelled Ralf. "Take up flanking positions here and that ridge there!"
Troopers race to obey his command. Just over the ridge, the group spies two lumbering bug batteries. The platoon bunkered down as Ralf decided what to do. As they waited for the orders, they watched as the bug batteries fired their blue anti-air plasma into the air.
"Saotome! Yagami! Nuke 'em!" yelled Ralf.
Tifa and Kyo quickly pulled out two nukes as Ranma and Iori positioned themselves to fire. Tifa and Kyo jammed the nuke into the barrel of Ranma and Iori's gun and ducked down. Firing almost simultaneously, Ranma and Iori quickly ducked back down behind the ridge. The nukes streaked toward the bug batteries and exploded, sending a shock wave toward the group. After the blasts had cleared, Ralf stood up.
"Follow me!" he called out.
Taking point, Ralf scaled the ridge, followed by his platoon. As they surged forward, the lead group encountered a solitary bug.
"Fire at will!" yelled Ralf.
Following his own order, Ralf began to fire his pulse cannon. Ranma, Tifa, Iori and Kyo opened fire as well. Kuno and Kodachi stood a little a ways from the group but fired as well. The bug warrior advanced on the line of troopers, despite it was getting its limbs blown off. He lunged and drove two of his claws into Ralf, the first person he reached. Ralf gasped out as he was stabbed and fell. Ranma and the rest of the squad managed to beat it off of Ralf's body. Noticing something in the distance, Kyo yelled out.
"Here they come!"
Ranma and his squad readied themselves as dozens of bug warriors appeared from the various rocks and crevices surrounding the platoon.
"Hey, Iori," asked Tifa, nervously. "What are we doing?"
"I really don't know," replied Iori in a low voice.
The warriors rear up, ready for attack.
"Kill them! Kill them all!" yelled Ranma, enraged.
Ranma's opening shots spurred the others into action. Tifa opened fire alongside Ranma. Kyo grabbed Iori, who just watched, stupidly.
"Come on!" yelled Kyo, firing as well.
Kyo's shake and yell seemed to bring Iori back to reality. Iori grinned. He had his rifle modified slightly. Cocking it, he fired. With each shot, he fired a Drunken Grail Gasher down the field. Kuno rushed around, covering the outlying ridges, firing as he went, waving a katana over his head.
"You want some?!" asked Kuno, firing at several warriors. "Here's some! C'mon and face the wrath of the Blue Thunder of Furikan High!"
Kuno wasn't aware of the warrior until it was almost upon him. Screaming a battle call, he turned to face the threat a little too late. Ranma and the others watched as the warrior grabbed Kuno's right leg and tore the lower half off easily.
"Gah! You monsters!" cried Kuno as he continued to fire, bravely.
"Oh, my god." whispered Kodachi.
"You dare fight the maimed warrior of Furikan High?!" screamed Kuno.
The warrior responded by grabbing Kuno by his good leg, despite Ranma and the others efforts to kill him. Then the warrior threw Kuno right into the middle of a group of warriors. Those warriors needed no prompting as they proceeded to tear Kuno apart with their claws.
"Let's get out of here!" screamed Kodachi, turning tail.
As Kodachi ran, the grounds beneath her suddenly collapsed, dropping her down a small hillside to a cave entrance. Out of that cave entrance appeared three warriors that hissed at her. Kodachi was terrified to say the least, but she fought back. Flinging several of her spiked batons at the warriors to distract them, Kodachi fired back.until a warrior pounced on her.
* * *
Ranma and his group ran, retreating as they fired. Just as the platoon scaled a small ridge, Ranma turned to Tifa, who seemed to be listening to something in her helmet.
"Tifa-chan, what is it?" asked Ranma over the fire and screams.
"It's a general retreat," replied Tifa after a moment. "Come on! Back to the boats!"
At Tifa's announcement, the troopers turned and ran. As they ran, the group bypassed another small skirmish with a solitary bug warrior. Behind a huge rock, a reporter was reporting the events.
"We've landed here on what troopers called "Big K"," said the reporter. "It's an ugly planet, it's a bug planet, a planet as hostile.AAAAA!!!"
The report is cut short as the reporter is screaming for help. The camera lens gets splattered with blood as the reporter is bitten in half by something. The cameraman gets a shot of something with huge jaws and claws. Ranma followed by Iori and Kyo battle back, forcing the bug warrior back against a wall. It soon falls, dead. After they killed the bug, the three proceeded to run off, Ranma taking only a moment to yell at the cameraman and into the camera.
"Come on! Let's go! Get out of here!"
The cameraman follows after a moment hesitation as Ranma and his group moves out. There are screams of wounded and the dying from right and left and camera captures it all.
"Go! This way!" yelled Ranma.
As the group splits into two, Kyo catches a bug warrior closing fast behind him from the corner of his eye. Kyo turned back and fired, but the warrior grabbed him and he goes down screaming.
"No! Kusanagi was supposed to be mine!" yelled Iori, looking back, but still running.
"Kyo!" yelled Ranma.
Ranma turned back and wailed away at the bug warrior. The warrior proceeded to bite Kyo in half and the upper half hit Ranma in his arm. Shrugging it off, Ranma continued to fire bravely. The bug warrior turned on the cameraman, stabbing and killing him before turning to Ranma. Ranma pumped round after round into the bug warrior, who didn't seem to want to die. Finally it dropped. Ranma sighed and turned to leave until the bug warrior reared up one final time and stabbed Ranma through his left leg.
"GAH!" cried Ranma as he tore the claw out.
Ranma just sat there for a bit, catching his breath, his dead comrades all around him. Just then two more bug warriors pop up. Ranma, not one to give up, grabbed his pulse cannon, setting it to a different setting. Like Iori's gun, Ranma's could channel his ki into it as well. Switching to shotgun mode, Ranma pulled back the trigger, sending bullets and a burning blue ki shot with round. Ranma gritted his teeth, determined to last and survive.until a bug jumped him and he blacked out.remembering no more.
* * *
The Rodger Young flew back steadily, but showing some signs of damage to it's hull and body. Ryouga steered the ship back to Ticonderoga.
"Gate.Open!" called Ruriko.
Ryouga looked back. Ruriko had opened a gate of twin golden circles.
"Healing light!" she called out.
The gentle sparkles touched wounds, magically sealing them up. Soon those who had injuries bore no sign of it. Ruriko sat back down and took over the steering of the ship.
"Ticonderoga, this is Rodger Young requesting approach vector," said Ryouga.
"Rodger Young, approach at vector one, zero, zero, niner, five, two," responded a voice over the con. "Welcome back."
Ruriko, Xu, and Ryouga looked at the space fort. It had been badly damaged due to the bug batteries itself and to ships that had collided with it, just trying to get back.
"How could this have happened?" asked Ryouga, looking at Ruriko.
"We thought we were smarter than the bugs," answered Ruriko, softly.
As they disembarked, they saw a lot wounded and pretty badly maimed people lying on stretchers. Ruriko tried not to look and made her way to a list of people killed, missing or wounded in action against the bugs. She stared for a moment as Ryouga wandered up beside her.
"Funny, there's almost no wounded," said Ruriko, noting the list.
"Bugs don't take prisoners," answered Ryouga quietly.
Finally, after a moment's hesitation, Ruriko gulped and went to the terminal and entered a name in. She had to see for herself. Soon, the name showed up.
Ranma Saotome.KIA
"No.no." whispered Ruriko, backing away.
Ryouga tried to comfort her, but she ran off into the station. Ryouga sighed and looked at Ranma's name as it slid back into the list of dead, wounded and missing.
* * *
Tifa and Iori ran into a medical bay with a huge green stasis tank. In the middle floated Ranma. He had his eyes closed as a surgical instrument worked on repairing the damage to his leg. The two of them knocked on the glass pane.
"Ranma, Ranma," called Tifa.
"Wake up, man!" yelled Iori.
Ranma's eyes slowly fluttered open. He could see water all around him. For a brief moment, Ranma wondered why and where he was. Ranma could hear yelling on the glass next to him, garbled as it was. He turned to his left side.
"Hey Ranma," called Iori, holding up a piece of paper. "Look.you're dead!"
Iori laughed, showing the list of wounded, missing and dead. Ranma chuckled even though he felt bad. Tifa smiled and held up three fingers.
"Just three more days," said Tifa.
Ranma gave a thumbs up and tried to smile. Tifa turned to leave, but then she turned back, hesitating for a moment. She blushed as she kissed the glass, pretending she was kissing him. Not being able to speak, Ranma smiled. Tifa waved and left, but not before involuntarily flashing her panties at Ranma. Ranma sighed and settled back down, grinning.
* * *
"So, what do you think about our new unit?" asked Iori.
"The Roughnecks," answered Tifa. "Heard killed more bugs than any other unit did on Big K."
"Yup," said Ranma. "I probably could do it too. They only took 15% casualties."
"Well.I heard the lieutenant was a real @$$," said Iori.
The three of them finally reached a group that was gearing up. They approached and Ranma spoke up.
"So, who's top kit?" asked Ranma.
A clang of metal to their right startled them. An emotionless young face stared back at the three. What surprised them was the huge sword he wielded with his pulse cannon and a bug claw chain around his neck.
"You want the job, don't you?" asked Cloud.
"Um.where'd you get the sword?" asked the three.
"What do you mean?" asked Cloud, staring back with his green eyes.
The three sweat-dropped and dismissed the subject. A woman stepped up to them, wearing the same emotionless mask.
"Orders," demanded Leona.
"Here," said Ranma.
"And mine, too," said Tifa. "We were to transfer here."
Leona grabbed all three of their orders and nodded curtly. Iori stepped up to her and spoke.
"So, I hear your lieutenant was a real nut-buster," said Iori, casually.
Leona spun around and glared at him. Iori could sense something about her and stared back. Finally Leona spoke, breaking the silence. She didn't slug him.yet.
"Don't talk about him that way," said Leona. "He saved my life."
"Mine too," said Cloud.
"What?" asked Iori in an unbelieving tone. "Hm, hm, hm, heh, heh, heh, Ha, HA, HA!!"
Leona and Cloud glared daggers at him while other troopers murmured their assent to the lieutenant's doings.
"You.the Hakkeshu of Water," laughed Iori. "Were saved by that guy? Ha, ha, ha!"
"That's it!" yelled Cloud and Leona.
Those were the last words Iori heard before he started to get a beat- down courtesy of Leona and Cloud. Finally they stopped and stood up.
"No one talks about the lieutenant that way," said Leona.
"All right already," grumbled Iori, picking himself up.
"Um.we were to transfer here," said Tifa, meekly.
"Big K, Outer Rings, Zegema Beach," answered Leona. "That's where we've been."
"Hmm.heard Zegema Beach was a good training place," said Ranma, taking off his coat. "Always wanted train there."
"Have fun," replied Cloud. "It's not there any more."
Just then a hardened soldier walked in through the doors. This was Biggs, the lieutenant's second in command.
"Attention on deck!" he called.
Troopers snapped to attention as burly huge man with a prosthetic hand suddenly walked into the room. The man caught a glimpse of Ranma and Tifa and then stopped. Ranma and Tifa glanced at him, but if any surprise registered, they didn't show it.
"This is for all you new people," said Barret in a gruff voice, pointing at Ranma.
Ranma quickly glanced at his former teacher. He hadn't changed much.
"I've only got one rule," spoke Barret. "Everyone fights and no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll shoot you. Do you get me?"
"We get you, sir!" barked out Ranma, Tifa and Iori at the same time.
"Welcome to the Roughnecks," said Barret.
"Barret's Roughnecks!" called Leona.
The other troopers barked their standard call. Barret then proceeded to explain things to his regiment.
"Listen up," said Barret. "We've got a new Sky Marshall with a new plan. We clear the outlining planets one by one."
The troopers nodded, still listening.
"Before we hit Big K; tomorrow we hit Tango Urilla," said Barret. "Glass the planet on my orders. Carry on."
* * *
The next day, on Tango Urilla, bug warriors rush out in huge numbers with some instinct for battle. Somehow they knew battle was coming and they were preparing for it. Suddenly, out of the clouds, swoop MI TAC fighter- bombers. The bugs, realizing danger, tried to get away, but couldn't as the fighters commenced saturation bombing, wiping out bug battalions and leaving burning bug corpses and scorched ground in their wake. Out of the dust, emerges Barret with his gun and followed by the rest of his platoon.
"Spread out," ordered Barret. "You find a bug hole.nuke it!"
The troopers do as they're ordered. Cloud takes a team of four with himself, Ranma, Tifa and Iori. As they searched, they crested a hill and suddenly a bug warrior that survived the bombardment, leapt out, roaring and bearing its claws. The four of them were taken by surprise for only an instant, before they opened fire. Bug blood and guts splattered and the bug screamed in pain before it finally dropped. Cloud went up to it and the bug's eye swiveled around to look at him. Cloud finally got in close and started hacking away at it.
"How do you like that? Huh?!" yelled Cloud, blood splattering his clothes. "How do you like that you mangy hunk of puke.!"
"Stop Cloud!" called Tifa, grabbing his arm. "It's dead already."
"Fine," said Cloud, sheathing his sword.
"There," said Ranma, pointing. "Bug hole. Let's go."
The four of them proceed with caution when four bugs suddenly come out and rear their claws up. The two groups stare at each other for a beat.
"Nuke 'em Ranma!" ordered Cloud.
As the other three took cover, Ranma cupped his hands together, an all too familiar smile forming on his face. His battle aura flared up and he brought his cupped hands forward.
"Mouko Takabisha!" yelled Ranma.
The fiery ki blast streaked down the hole. Ranma scrambled to cover.and then the explosion blew the entire cavern below up and outward, annihilating the four outside bugs as well. Dust and small debris pounded the small group, but Cloud wasn't paying attention. Receiving orders through their helmets, Cloud ordered his group out.
"Move out!" called Cloud. "The others need back-up!"
The four of them scramble up and rush to help the others. Leona and her group were taking down a lot of bugs, but they were being pushed back. Ranma jumped and landed next a girl with brown hair wearing a headband.
"Look like you have a bug problem," joked Ranma.
"Yeah," replied girl, still firing. "You're Ranma right?"
"Yup." answered Ranma, shortly.
"I'm Jessie," said the girl.
With the help of Ranma's team, they pushed them back. Barret's team was just cresting a hill to help out when Ranma's danger sense went off. He glanced behind him to see the ground explode upwards.
"Digger!" yelled Ranma.
The warning came soon enough that many of the troopers scrambled away as the giant bug exploded into the light, roaring. Jessie took one look and started to run away for the safety of the cliffs. Ranma jumped high and landed on a cliff behind the digger while looking for an opening to attack. Cloud, realizing the digger bug was about to spit its chemical fire, went for Jessie. Jessie was just looking back as the digger reared up to spit.
"No, Jessie, duck!" yelled Ranma.
Jessie turned to run again, but Cloud grabbed her and forced her down, just before the chemical fire reached her. Instead, it melted a trooper in front of her.
"Let's go!" yelled Cloud, grabbing Jessie and pulling her to safety.
Ranma, seeing no opening to attack, finally jumped in front of the bug.
"Hey! Over here!" yelled Ranma.
"Is he nuts?" asked Barret.
"Um.I'm not sure," answered Tifa.
The digger chased after Ranma, spitting its chemical flame, but to no avail since Ranma just kept dodging. Leading the digger into a spiral, Ranma smiled. The instant Ranma hit the center of the spiral circle, Ranma cut loose with a single punch.
"Hiryu Shoten Ha!"
The huge bug exploded upwards as a huge tornado formed, blasting its corpse to pieces and flinging it far away. It was dead even before it fell back to the ground and Ranma's group cheered out loud.
"Call for retrieval," ordered Barret.
"Hey, it's an orange Ranma," joked Jessie.
"It's the blood from the bug," answered Ranma, grinning.
"That's a nice move," said Barret, walking up to Ranma, watching the tornado fade.
"Thanks."
"Where'd you learn how to do that?" asked Barret.
"Learned it from Cologne," said Ranma.
"An aftershave?" asked Barret, not understanding.
"Never mind," said Ranma. "Long story."
"Anyway, I need a corporal," said Barret. "You're it until you're dead or until I find someone better."
"Thank you sir," said Ranma, saluting.
As Barret walked away with Jessie, Tifa and Iori stepped up, smiling.
"You made corporal," said Tifa, happily. "That's great!"
"Thanks," said Ranma. Patting Iori on the arm, he said, "I need a squad leader."
"Naw, I'm in this just for the killing," said Iori. Turning to Tifa, he smacked her lightly on her bottom. "Give it to Tifa here."
"Kyah!" Tifa cried out as she was smacked.there.
"How about it Tifa?" asked Ranma, smiling.
"I'm your girl, sir," said Tifa, smiling and saluting.
Ranma and Iori grinned and they all laughed before heading back to the main group.
* * *
By now, night has fallen on Tango Urilla, and the troopers have set up camp for the night. There are many troopers waiting for Barret to speak.
"Well, I expect the best," said Barret, looking around. "And so I shall give the best."
Making his way over to a huge crate, Barret kicked it open and pulled out a keg that read "Seventh Heaven Bar" written on it.
"Here's the beer!" yelled Barret as a cheer came up from the troopers.
"Hey, is that from my bar?" asked Tifa, looking.
"Here's the entertainment!" yelled Barret, kicking open another crate and tossing a football out. "Have fun. That's an order."
Iori walked over to the 'entertainment' crate. He dug around for a bit and finally he found what he wanted. A bass guitar was lying on the side. Iori immediately picked it up and started to play. Ranma intercepted the football that Barret had thrown and tossed it back toward the other side of the camp. Cloud suddenly came up to Ranma, holding out a drink for him. Ranma accepted, gratefully.
"Thanks," said Ranma, taking a sip.
"Sure," replied Cloud. "You kill bugs good."
"I need to protect others and myself right?" asked Ranma, grinning.
"Yup.so, you knew the lieutenant before the war," said Cloud, walking.
"Yeah, so?" asked Ranma, sitting down among some crates.
"Well, what was he like?" asked Cloud, curiously.
"He was a teacher," said Ranma, thinking back. "Thought he knew it all. Actually not much different than he is now."
"I see," said Cloud.
Just then Tifa waltzed up to Ranma, happy as all get out.
"Hey, Ranma, lets dance," said Tifa as Iori continued to play.
"Nah," said Ranma. "Don't do it anymore."
"Oh, come on," said Tifa, tugging his arm. "You used to, remember?"
"Don't make me pull rank," said Ranma.
Tifa was startled and took a step back. For a minute, they were silent and then Tifa spoke up.
"Well, I'm sorry, sir," said Tifa. Turning to Cloud, she smiled, "Care to dance?"
Cloud stood up and handed Ranma his drink as he and Tifa danced back into the group of already dancing troopers. Ranma sighed and stood up, setting the drinks down on the crate. As he walked, Barret, who had witnessed the whole scene, walked up to Ranma and spoke.
"Hey Ranma," said Barret.
Ranma turned around to face him.
"You once asked me for advice," said Barret, looking oddly at him. "You want some now?"
"Sure," said Ranma. "Could use some."
Barret nodded before lunging out and grabbing a startled Ranma by the lapels of his uniform.
"Never, ever pass up a good thing!" Barret barked. Then he picked Ranma up, "Now get back in there!"
Then Barret proceeded to toss Ranma back toward the dance group. Ranma landed right between Tifa and Cloud, ironically enough.
"Ranma," said Tifa, curiously. "You okay?"
"Better than okay," said Ranma, flipping to his feet.
Ranma dusted himself off before turning to Tifa. Tifa blushed at his closeness.
"May I have the honor of this dance?" asked Ranma, smiling.
"Uh.sure," stammered Tifa.
"Here, have a drink, Cloud," said Ranma, shoving a drink at him.
"Thanks," said Cloud, sarcastically.
As they started to dance, Iori walked by and saw the two together. Grinning, he changed the tune of his playing and started a slow dance song. Tifa and Ranma didn't notice him as he slipped back into the crowd, still playing. The night wore on and Ranma and Tifa retired to a tent. The two lay down together, snuggling up and very soon, Tifa was topless and Ranma was shirtless. All of a sudden, Tifa got serious and sat up.
"Hey Ranma-kun," said Tifa.
"What is it?"
"You know I've never been any good at expressing my feelings," said Tifa, sighing. "To anyone for that matter."
Ranma just waited, listening to what Tifa had to say.
"But now, ever since I met you," spoke Tifa, emotion building up in her voice. "I.I can't really deny my feelings any longer."
"What are you saying, Tifa-chan?" Ranma asked as he sat up.
"I.I love you Ranma," said Tifa, hugging him. "I loved you since way back in high school."
'Never pass up a good thing,' rang Barret's voice through Ranma's head.
Ranma was about to respond when Barret's voice interrupted them. Tifa scrambled under the covers, as the tent flap opened.
"Hey Ranma, we got a distress call from Planet P," said Barret, poking his head. "So get wired and report in 20 minutes."
"Yes, sir," said Ranma.
"Who's that with you?" asked Barret, noting the moving covers beside Ranma.
Ranma seemed embarrassed, but Tifa poked her head up from under the covers and smiled wanly.
"Reporting, sir," said Tifa.
"Make it half an hour," said Barret before he left.
Ranma and Tifa nodded before they looked at each other.
"Please, be gentle," said Tifa, lying back.
Ranma smiled and then the two of them expressed their love for each other in the ultimate way.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, Ranma and Tifa still lay among the covers as other troopers rushed to get ready.
"Ranma-kun?" asked Tifa.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Let's make a promise, okay?" asked Tifa in total seriousness.
"Um.sure," said Ranma, readily. "What about?"
"If I'm ever in trouble, you'll come and save me right?" asked Tifa. "Just once I want my hero to come and rescue me."
"Sure, whatever," said Ranma, agreeably.
Tifa smiled.
"I love you," whispered Tifa.
"Same to you," said Ranma.
Ranma checked his watch and then stood up and Tifa followed suit. In about 10 minutes, they were ready for action.
* * *
On Planet P, the Roughnecks tromped through some cliffs and narrow walkways making it a great place for a surprise attack from bugs. Biggs was trying the communications with no luck. He stepped up to Barret.
"I'm not receiving the 4th brigades com signal, sir," reported Biggs. "I don't get it.I'm not even picking up their transponder."
"It's the cliffs," noted Barret. Shoving Biggs on the arm, he said. "Take to higher ground and keep trying."
Ranma glanced around. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Biggs went to higher cliff ground, tried the communications again.until a screech was heard and he looked up. A hopper, an ariel type of bug, swooped down on him and it impaled him with its claws. Screaming, Ranma and the others ducked down, seeing if there were any more hoppers about. Seeing none, Barret turned to Cloud.
"Cloud, your weapon," said Barret.
"Which one?"
"The rifle," ordered Barret.
Cloud tossed the heavy artillery sniper rifle to Barret. The hopper by now had perched on a high cliff and was repeatedly stabbing Biggs. Synching up with Biggs' form on the cliff through the scope of the rifle, Barret fired, killing Biggs. The hopper took off and fled. Tossing the rifle back to Cloud, he addressed his troops.
"I'd expect anyone to do the same for me," said Barret.
Ranma was thoughtful about it. It was one thing to kill someone that was in pain, but it was another when he wasn't willing to be. Shrugging it off, Ranma marched forward.
"Ranma," called Barret. "You're acting sergeant.move them out."
"Yes sir," said Ranma. "Move.that way."
Ranma pointed the troopers to a break in the cliffs. The passage opened up to a wide clearing and a compound could be seen in the distance, its tower's heavy artillery guns unmanned. The troopers streamed toward it, but cautiously. Barret held up three fingers and motioned silently. Three troopers quickly surged forward and headed inside before the others. As the group headed inside, Ranma could see dead troopers and a bug parts strewn around. Tifa and Iori followed after him. Cloud surveyed the raw carnage and looked around warily.
"Jeez, someone sure humped the bunk," muttered Cloud under his breath.
"Cloud," barked Barret.
"Sir," called Cloud.
"Put together a detail, clean this place up, fortify this area," said Barret. "Saotome, command crew with me."
"Give me two on the towers," barked Cloud. "Set up watch there and there."
"Call in for retrieval," ordered Barret. "This place crawls."
Ranma nods and follows Barret into the compound. Tifa and Iori quickly follow after him. They enter the mess hall and step over dead troopers. Tifa, catching something out of the corner of her eye, separated from them.
"Dirty bugs came in when they were eating," remarked Iori.
"Sir," called Tifa, reappearing from where she went. "I think you might want to see this."
Barret and Iori walked out. Ranma was about to follow them, when he saw something that seemed out of place. He knelt down and flung a panel aside revealing a dead platform bug. He looked at it for a minute, wondering what a bug like that was doing here. Finally, he shrugged and joined the rest of the crew. Tifa and others were in the communications center. Barret hefted a dead major and propped him up against his chair. There was a hole in his head, with no other injuries.
"Saotome, what does that look like to you?" asked Barret, gruffly.
Ranma leaned over and looked at the dead major. Peering at the hole in his head, Ranma responded.
"Looks like a bug was in his brain, sir," answered Ranma.
Barret raised an eyebrow and using his prosthetic hand, he felt around the inside the dead major's head. After a minute, he brought his fingers out. Tifa gulped, fought down the urge the throw up.
"They sucked his brains out," spoke Barret.
Ranma shifted his helmet in his hands and Iori was still staring at the scene. Tifa set to work repairing the dead communications. A sudden sound made the command crew look up. It was coming from nearby. Cautiously moving forward, Ranma, Iori and Barret found the source coming from the freezer. Pointing their guns at the freezer, Iori took hold of the handle. On a three count, Iori pulled it open and a screaming glassed man fell out. Iori recognized his rank immediately and snapped to attention.
"Officer on the deck!" called Iori.
Ranma and Barret stood at attention for a bit before Barret spoke.
"Pick up the general," ordered Barret.
Iori and Ranma grabbed the small gibbering man, propping him up.
"We've got to get out of here," the man was saying.
"General Megane," spoke Barret, stepping up.
Megane seemed to recognize him and Ranma and Iori let go as he brushed himself off.
"Thank goodness for you," said Megane. "All of you."
Megane patted the shoulders of Iori and Ranma.
"You're all going to be heroes," said Megane, walking toward Tifa. "Every last one of you."
Ignoring the general, Barret turned to Iori.
"Close the hole," said Barret.
Iori nodded and turned to do it. As Ranma and Barret walk out, Megane follows them. Tifa continued to work on the communications.
"Drunken Grail Gasher!" called out Iori's voice. "Fire in the hole!"
A small explosion followed. Iori quickly caught up to them and the three followed the general back to Tifa.
"How's the com link?" asked Ranma.
"Working on it," answered Tifa, shortly.
"See.they get into your mind," said Megane, pointing at the dead major. "They did it Farley."
"The distress call was a trap," said Ranma with sudden realization.
"They're just like us," said Megane. "They want to know us, so they can kill us."
Iori and Ranma strapped their helmets on. Barret turned from the general and spoke quickly into his com.
"All roughnecks, prepare for attack," ordered Barret. "I repeat."
"Attack? Where's the boat?" asked Megane.
Troopers were prepping for action as Barret and his command walked back outside. Megane was wailing.
"Oh my god," wailed Megane. "We're going to die!"
To this Barret smacked Megane one, knocking him to the ground.
"Control yourself general," said Barret, calmly.
"I can't," replied Megane, shivering. "I wish you'd just shoot me."
Barret replied to this by taking his prosthetic hand off and replacing it with a gatling gun. Cocking it, he was about to fire, when Ranma grabbed his arm.
"Sir, he's just a little out of his mind, sir," said Ranma quickly.
Barret just looked at Ranma. Before he could reply, Cloud's voice broke through the silence.
"Bugs! Bugs!" Cloud yelled.
And indeed there was. Hundreds of thousands of bug warriors were rushing the compound in the distance. Leaving the general where he was, Barret leapt up to a ramp that leads up to the upper wall to give orders. Tifa frantically radioed any ship that happened to be in the vicinity.
"Breaker, breaker, this is Roughneck group," called Tifa into the com. "Is anyone receiving this transmission?"
Troopers leapt to do battle. Barret rallied his troops together, as they went up the ramps to the upper walls to defend.
"Warm it all up, everything you got! Come on, you apes!" yelled Barret. "You want to live forever?!"
Running up the ramp, Barret was followed by Ranma and Iori. Dozens of troopers cocked their guns. In one smooth motion, they took aim at the bug swarm.
TO BE CONTINUED
Disclaimer: The characters to Final Fantasy, Gatekeepers, KOF and Ranma ½ do not belong to me or else I would be rich now. I'm only borrowing the characters. Please don't sue me.
This fanfiction is dedicated to Ryan, who has written a fanfic that has touched this author here.(places hand over heart). May he find the person just for him. And this is also dedicated to Heather of the Amazoness Duo, who inspired me to write. May she find the 'Sakura' in her life and know happiness.
Side note: If you don't know the characters from the series I'm using. I suggest you read up about them first.now on with the story.please make sure you've read part 1-2 first.
Starship Troopers: Anime Style (Part 3)
Ranma was gritting his teeth.rather hard actually. He wasn't scared.not one bit, but something didn't stop him from having a bad feeling about this.
"Remember your training," Ralf was shouting. "And I promise, you will come back alive!"
Ranma and every other trooper found themselves, strapped in tight as they were prepared for drop.
* * *
Up in front of the Starship Rodger Young, Ruriko slowly guided the ship above the planet, following the rest of the starships ahead of them. Ryouga pressed some buttons, prepping the drop ships. Suddenly streaks of blue plasma come from the surface and Ruriko turns to Xu.
"Plasma from the planet ma'am," said Ruriko.
"Bug Batteries," said Xu, dismissing it lightly. "Intelligence said it would be random and light."
"Then we should be okay," said Ruriko, smiling and turning back to flying.
"Yes," answered Xu. Then to Ryouga, "Status of the drop?"
"35% complete," answered Ryouga.
"Good, steady as she goes Ikusawa," said Xu.
* * *
Ranma could feel the drop ship moving now. He looked across the way to see Tifa smiling at him and she gave him thumbs up. Ranma returned the gesture. Down the line a bit, Kuno called out wildly.he couldn't wait for a piece of the action. He would show these bugs whom to fear. Ranma's ship dropped down and headed for the planet's surface along with dozens of others.
* * *
Now, Ruriko was becoming nervous. The amount of bug plasma had increased dramatically. Even so, she kept a straight head and flew the ship around the plasma, but she could practically feel Xu's piercing eyes watching the screen.
"This isn't random," said Xu, frowning. "Or light. Someone made a mistake here!"
"That's it, ma'am," called Ryouga. "We're empty."
Up ahead, Xu watched as various ships from the battle group take heavy fire from the bug batteries from the surface.
"Someone made a big godd@#n mistake!" yelled Xu. "Get us out of here, number 1!"
Suddenly, up ahead, one of the faltering ships crashed into another ship, completely demolishing both of them.
"Evasive!" called Xu.
Ruriko grabbed the steering and maneuvered around the burning wreck of the other ships before a near miss, collided with the front of the ship, slamming all of them to the floor.
* * *
As drop ships continued to plummet to the surface, Ranma's ship finally touched down and landed with a gentle bump on the ground. Some of the other ships land with Ranma's group and the doors open up. Yelling out, the troopers poured out from the drop ships in waves as the drop ships fired into the sky, indicating different drop points to land. Ranma surged forward with Iori and Tifa close behind him. They follow after the lieutenant. Lt. Ralf called out.
"Over here!" yelled Ralf. "Take up flanking positions here and that ridge there!"
Troopers race to obey his command. Just over the ridge, the group spies two lumbering bug batteries. The platoon bunkered down as Ralf decided what to do. As they waited for the orders, they watched as the bug batteries fired their blue anti-air plasma into the air.
"Saotome! Yagami! Nuke 'em!" yelled Ralf.
Tifa and Kyo quickly pulled out two nukes as Ranma and Iori positioned themselves to fire. Tifa and Kyo jammed the nuke into the barrel of Ranma and Iori's gun and ducked down. Firing almost simultaneously, Ranma and Iori quickly ducked back down behind the ridge. The nukes streaked toward the bug batteries and exploded, sending a shock wave toward the group. After the blasts had cleared, Ralf stood up.
"Follow me!" he called out.
Taking point, Ralf scaled the ridge, followed by his platoon. As they surged forward, the lead group encountered a solitary bug.
"Fire at will!" yelled Ralf.
Following his own order, Ralf began to fire his pulse cannon. Ranma, Tifa, Iori and Kyo opened fire as well. Kuno and Kodachi stood a little a ways from the group but fired as well. The bug warrior advanced on the line of troopers, despite it was getting its limbs blown off. He lunged and drove two of his claws into Ralf, the first person he reached. Ralf gasped out as he was stabbed and fell. Ranma and the rest of the squad managed to beat it off of Ralf's body. Noticing something in the distance, Kyo yelled out.
"Here they come!"
Ranma and his squad readied themselves as dozens of bug warriors appeared from the various rocks and crevices surrounding the platoon.
"Hey, Iori," asked Tifa, nervously. "What are we doing?"
"I really don't know," replied Iori in a low voice.
The warriors rear up, ready for attack.
"Kill them! Kill them all!" yelled Ranma, enraged.
Ranma's opening shots spurred the others into action. Tifa opened fire alongside Ranma. Kyo grabbed Iori, who just watched, stupidly.
"Come on!" yelled Kyo, firing as well.
Kyo's shake and yell seemed to bring Iori back to reality. Iori grinned. He had his rifle modified slightly. Cocking it, he fired. With each shot, he fired a Drunken Grail Gasher down the field. Kuno rushed around, covering the outlying ridges, firing as he went, waving a katana over his head.
"You want some?!" asked Kuno, firing at several warriors. "Here's some! C'mon and face the wrath of the Blue Thunder of Furikan High!"
Kuno wasn't aware of the warrior until it was almost upon him. Screaming a battle call, he turned to face the threat a little too late. Ranma and the others watched as the warrior grabbed Kuno's right leg and tore the lower half off easily.
"Gah! You monsters!" cried Kuno as he continued to fire, bravely.
"Oh, my god." whispered Kodachi.
"You dare fight the maimed warrior of Furikan High?!" screamed Kuno.
The warrior responded by grabbing Kuno by his good leg, despite Ranma and the others efforts to kill him. Then the warrior threw Kuno right into the middle of a group of warriors. Those warriors needed no prompting as they proceeded to tear Kuno apart with their claws.
"Let's get out of here!" screamed Kodachi, turning tail.
As Kodachi ran, the grounds beneath her suddenly collapsed, dropping her down a small hillside to a cave entrance. Out of that cave entrance appeared three warriors that hissed at her. Kodachi was terrified to say the least, but she fought back. Flinging several of her spiked batons at the warriors to distract them, Kodachi fired back.until a warrior pounced on her.
* * *
Ranma and his group ran, retreating as they fired. Just as the platoon scaled a small ridge, Ranma turned to Tifa, who seemed to be listening to something in her helmet.
"Tifa-chan, what is it?" asked Ranma over the fire and screams.
"It's a general retreat," replied Tifa after a moment. "Come on! Back to the boats!"
At Tifa's announcement, the troopers turned and ran. As they ran, the group bypassed another small skirmish with a solitary bug warrior. Behind a huge rock, a reporter was reporting the events.
"We've landed here on what troopers called "Big K"," said the reporter. "It's an ugly planet, it's a bug planet, a planet as hostile.AAAAA!!!"
The report is cut short as the reporter is screaming for help. The camera lens gets splattered with blood as the reporter is bitten in half by something. The cameraman gets a shot of something with huge jaws and claws. Ranma followed by Iori and Kyo battle back, forcing the bug warrior back against a wall. It soon falls, dead. After they killed the bug, the three proceeded to run off, Ranma taking only a moment to yell at the cameraman and into the camera.
"Come on! Let's go! Get out of here!"
The cameraman follows after a moment hesitation as Ranma and his group moves out. There are screams of wounded and the dying from right and left and camera captures it all.
"Go! This way!" yelled Ranma.
As the group splits into two, Kyo catches a bug warrior closing fast behind him from the corner of his eye. Kyo turned back and fired, but the warrior grabbed him and he goes down screaming.
"No! Kusanagi was supposed to be mine!" yelled Iori, looking back, but still running.
"Kyo!" yelled Ranma.
Ranma turned back and wailed away at the bug warrior. The warrior proceeded to bite Kyo in half and the upper half hit Ranma in his arm. Shrugging it off, Ranma continued to fire bravely. The bug warrior turned on the cameraman, stabbing and killing him before turning to Ranma. Ranma pumped round after round into the bug warrior, who didn't seem to want to die. Finally it dropped. Ranma sighed and turned to leave until the bug warrior reared up one final time and stabbed Ranma through his left leg.
"GAH!" cried Ranma as he tore the claw out.
Ranma just sat there for a bit, catching his breath, his dead comrades all around him. Just then two more bug warriors pop up. Ranma, not one to give up, grabbed his pulse cannon, setting it to a different setting. Like Iori's gun, Ranma's could channel his ki into it as well. Switching to shotgun mode, Ranma pulled back the trigger, sending bullets and a burning blue ki shot with round. Ranma gritted his teeth, determined to last and survive.until a bug jumped him and he blacked out.remembering no more.
* * *
The Rodger Young flew back steadily, but showing some signs of damage to it's hull and body. Ryouga steered the ship back to Ticonderoga.
"Gate.Open!" called Ruriko.
Ryouga looked back. Ruriko had opened a gate of twin golden circles.
"Healing light!" she called out.
The gentle sparkles touched wounds, magically sealing them up. Soon those who had injuries bore no sign of it. Ruriko sat back down and took over the steering of the ship.
"Ticonderoga, this is Rodger Young requesting approach vector," said Ryouga.
"Rodger Young, approach at vector one, zero, zero, niner, five, two," responded a voice over the con. "Welcome back."
Ruriko, Xu, and Ryouga looked at the space fort. It had been badly damaged due to the bug batteries itself and to ships that had collided with it, just trying to get back.
"How could this have happened?" asked Ryouga, looking at Ruriko.
"We thought we were smarter than the bugs," answered Ruriko, softly.
As they disembarked, they saw a lot wounded and pretty badly maimed people lying on stretchers. Ruriko tried not to look and made her way to a list of people killed, missing or wounded in action against the bugs. She stared for a moment as Ryouga wandered up beside her.
"Funny, there's almost no wounded," said Ruriko, noting the list.
"Bugs don't take prisoners," answered Ryouga quietly.
Finally, after a moment's hesitation, Ruriko gulped and went to the terminal and entered a name in. She had to see for herself. Soon, the name showed up.
Ranma Saotome.KIA
"No.no." whispered Ruriko, backing away.
Ryouga tried to comfort her, but she ran off into the station. Ryouga sighed and looked at Ranma's name as it slid back into the list of dead, wounded and missing.
* * *
Tifa and Iori ran into a medical bay with a huge green stasis tank. In the middle floated Ranma. He had his eyes closed as a surgical instrument worked on repairing the damage to his leg. The two of them knocked on the glass pane.
"Ranma, Ranma," called Tifa.
"Wake up, man!" yelled Iori.
Ranma's eyes slowly fluttered open. He could see water all around him. For a brief moment, Ranma wondered why and where he was. Ranma could hear yelling on the glass next to him, garbled as it was. He turned to his left side.
"Hey Ranma," called Iori, holding up a piece of paper. "Look.you're dead!"
Iori laughed, showing the list of wounded, missing and dead. Ranma chuckled even though he felt bad. Tifa smiled and held up three fingers.
"Just three more days," said Tifa.
Ranma gave a thumbs up and tried to smile. Tifa turned to leave, but then she turned back, hesitating for a moment. She blushed as she kissed the glass, pretending she was kissing him. Not being able to speak, Ranma smiled. Tifa waved and left, but not before involuntarily flashing her panties at Ranma. Ranma sighed and settled back down, grinning.
* * *
"So, what do you think about our new unit?" asked Iori.
"The Roughnecks," answered Tifa. "Heard killed more bugs than any other unit did on Big K."
"Yup," said Ranma. "I probably could do it too. They only took 15% casualties."
"Well.I heard the lieutenant was a real @$$," said Iori.
The three of them finally reached a group that was gearing up. They approached and Ranma spoke up.
"So, who's top kit?" asked Ranma.
A clang of metal to their right startled them. An emotionless young face stared back at the three. What surprised them was the huge sword he wielded with his pulse cannon and a bug claw chain around his neck.
"You want the job, don't you?" asked Cloud.
"Um.where'd you get the sword?" asked the three.
"What do you mean?" asked Cloud, staring back with his green eyes.
The three sweat-dropped and dismissed the subject. A woman stepped up to them, wearing the same emotionless mask.
"Orders," demanded Leona.
"Here," said Ranma.
"And mine, too," said Tifa. "We were to transfer here."
Leona grabbed all three of their orders and nodded curtly. Iori stepped up to her and spoke.
"So, I hear your lieutenant was a real nut-buster," said Iori, casually.
Leona spun around and glared at him. Iori could sense something about her and stared back. Finally Leona spoke, breaking the silence. She didn't slug him.yet.
"Don't talk about him that way," said Leona. "He saved my life."
"Mine too," said Cloud.
"What?" asked Iori in an unbelieving tone. "Hm, hm, hm, heh, heh, heh, Ha, HA, HA!!"
Leona and Cloud glared daggers at him while other troopers murmured their assent to the lieutenant's doings.
"You.the Hakkeshu of Water," laughed Iori. "Were saved by that guy? Ha, ha, ha!"
"That's it!" yelled Cloud and Leona.
Those were the last words Iori heard before he started to get a beat- down courtesy of Leona and Cloud. Finally they stopped and stood up.
"No one talks about the lieutenant that way," said Leona.
"All right already," grumbled Iori, picking himself up.
"Um.we were to transfer here," said Tifa, meekly.
"Big K, Outer Rings, Zegema Beach," answered Leona. "That's where we've been."
"Hmm.heard Zegema Beach was a good training place," said Ranma, taking off his coat. "Always wanted train there."
"Have fun," replied Cloud. "It's not there any more."
Just then a hardened soldier walked in through the doors. This was Biggs, the lieutenant's second in command.
"Attention on deck!" he called.
Troopers snapped to attention as burly huge man with a prosthetic hand suddenly walked into the room. The man caught a glimpse of Ranma and Tifa and then stopped. Ranma and Tifa glanced at him, but if any surprise registered, they didn't show it.
"This is for all you new people," said Barret in a gruff voice, pointing at Ranma.
Ranma quickly glanced at his former teacher. He hadn't changed much.
"I've only got one rule," spoke Barret. "Everyone fights and no one quits. If you don't do your job, I'll shoot you. Do you get me?"
"We get you, sir!" barked out Ranma, Tifa and Iori at the same time.
"Welcome to the Roughnecks," said Barret.
"Barret's Roughnecks!" called Leona.
The other troopers barked their standard call. Barret then proceeded to explain things to his regiment.
"Listen up," said Barret. "We've got a new Sky Marshall with a new plan. We clear the outlining planets one by one."
The troopers nodded, still listening.
"Before we hit Big K; tomorrow we hit Tango Urilla," said Barret. "Glass the planet on my orders. Carry on."
* * *
The next day, on Tango Urilla, bug warriors rush out in huge numbers with some instinct for battle. Somehow they knew battle was coming and they were preparing for it. Suddenly, out of the clouds, swoop MI TAC fighter- bombers. The bugs, realizing danger, tried to get away, but couldn't as the fighters commenced saturation bombing, wiping out bug battalions and leaving burning bug corpses and scorched ground in their wake. Out of the dust, emerges Barret with his gun and followed by the rest of his platoon.
"Spread out," ordered Barret. "You find a bug hole.nuke it!"
The troopers do as they're ordered. Cloud takes a team of four with himself, Ranma, Tifa and Iori. As they searched, they crested a hill and suddenly a bug warrior that survived the bombardment, leapt out, roaring and bearing its claws. The four of them were taken by surprise for only an instant, before they opened fire. Bug blood and guts splattered and the bug screamed in pain before it finally dropped. Cloud went up to it and the bug's eye swiveled around to look at him. Cloud finally got in close and started hacking away at it.
"How do you like that? Huh?!" yelled Cloud, blood splattering his clothes. "How do you like that you mangy hunk of puke.!"
"Stop Cloud!" called Tifa, grabbing his arm. "It's dead already."
"Fine," said Cloud, sheathing his sword.
"There," said Ranma, pointing. "Bug hole. Let's go."
The four of them proceed with caution when four bugs suddenly come out and rear their claws up. The two groups stare at each other for a beat.
"Nuke 'em Ranma!" ordered Cloud.
As the other three took cover, Ranma cupped his hands together, an all too familiar smile forming on his face. His battle aura flared up and he brought his cupped hands forward.
"Mouko Takabisha!" yelled Ranma.
The fiery ki blast streaked down the hole. Ranma scrambled to cover.and then the explosion blew the entire cavern below up and outward, annihilating the four outside bugs as well. Dust and small debris pounded the small group, but Cloud wasn't paying attention. Receiving orders through their helmets, Cloud ordered his group out.
"Move out!" called Cloud. "The others need back-up!"
The four of them scramble up and rush to help the others. Leona and her group were taking down a lot of bugs, but they were being pushed back. Ranma jumped and landed next a girl with brown hair wearing a headband.
"Look like you have a bug problem," joked Ranma.
"Yeah," replied girl, still firing. "You're Ranma right?"
"Yup." answered Ranma, shortly.
"I'm Jessie," said the girl.
With the help of Ranma's team, they pushed them back. Barret's team was just cresting a hill to help out when Ranma's danger sense went off. He glanced behind him to see the ground explode upwards.
"Digger!" yelled Ranma.
The warning came soon enough that many of the troopers scrambled away as the giant bug exploded into the light, roaring. Jessie took one look and started to run away for the safety of the cliffs. Ranma jumped high and landed on a cliff behind the digger while looking for an opening to attack. Cloud, realizing the digger bug was about to spit its chemical fire, went for Jessie. Jessie was just looking back as the digger reared up to spit.
"No, Jessie, duck!" yelled Ranma.
Jessie turned to run again, but Cloud grabbed her and forced her down, just before the chemical fire reached her. Instead, it melted a trooper in front of her.
"Let's go!" yelled Cloud, grabbing Jessie and pulling her to safety.
Ranma, seeing no opening to attack, finally jumped in front of the bug.
"Hey! Over here!" yelled Ranma.
"Is he nuts?" asked Barret.
"Um.I'm not sure," answered Tifa.
The digger chased after Ranma, spitting its chemical flame, but to no avail since Ranma just kept dodging. Leading the digger into a spiral, Ranma smiled. The instant Ranma hit the center of the spiral circle, Ranma cut loose with a single punch.
"Hiryu Shoten Ha!"
The huge bug exploded upwards as a huge tornado formed, blasting its corpse to pieces and flinging it far away. It was dead even before it fell back to the ground and Ranma's group cheered out loud.
"Call for retrieval," ordered Barret.
"Hey, it's an orange Ranma," joked Jessie.
"It's the blood from the bug," answered Ranma, grinning.
"That's a nice move," said Barret, walking up to Ranma, watching the tornado fade.
"Thanks."
"Where'd you learn how to do that?" asked Barret.
"Learned it from Cologne," said Ranma.
"An aftershave?" asked Barret, not understanding.
"Never mind," said Ranma. "Long story."
"Anyway, I need a corporal," said Barret. "You're it until you're dead or until I find someone better."
"Thank you sir," said Ranma, saluting.
As Barret walked away with Jessie, Tifa and Iori stepped up, smiling.
"You made corporal," said Tifa, happily. "That's great!"
"Thanks," said Ranma. Patting Iori on the arm, he said, "I need a squad leader."
"Naw, I'm in this just for the killing," said Iori. Turning to Tifa, he smacked her lightly on her bottom. "Give it to Tifa here."
"Kyah!" Tifa cried out as she was smacked.there.
"How about it Tifa?" asked Ranma, smiling.
"I'm your girl, sir," said Tifa, smiling and saluting.
Ranma and Iori grinned and they all laughed before heading back to the main group.
* * *
By now, night has fallen on Tango Urilla, and the troopers have set up camp for the night. There are many troopers waiting for Barret to speak.
"Well, I expect the best," said Barret, looking around. "And so I shall give the best."
Making his way over to a huge crate, Barret kicked it open and pulled out a keg that read "Seventh Heaven Bar" written on it.
"Here's the beer!" yelled Barret as a cheer came up from the troopers.
"Hey, is that from my bar?" asked Tifa, looking.
"Here's the entertainment!" yelled Barret, kicking open another crate and tossing a football out. "Have fun. That's an order."
Iori walked over to the 'entertainment' crate. He dug around for a bit and finally he found what he wanted. A bass guitar was lying on the side. Iori immediately picked it up and started to play. Ranma intercepted the football that Barret had thrown and tossed it back toward the other side of the camp. Cloud suddenly came up to Ranma, holding out a drink for him. Ranma accepted, gratefully.
"Thanks," said Ranma, taking a sip.
"Sure," replied Cloud. "You kill bugs good."
"I need to protect others and myself right?" asked Ranma, grinning.
"Yup.so, you knew the lieutenant before the war," said Cloud, walking.
"Yeah, so?" asked Ranma, sitting down among some crates.
"Well, what was he like?" asked Cloud, curiously.
"He was a teacher," said Ranma, thinking back. "Thought he knew it all. Actually not much different than he is now."
"I see," said Cloud.
Just then Tifa waltzed up to Ranma, happy as all get out.
"Hey, Ranma, lets dance," said Tifa as Iori continued to play.
"Nah," said Ranma. "Don't do it anymore."
"Oh, come on," said Tifa, tugging his arm. "You used to, remember?"
"Don't make me pull rank," said Ranma.
Tifa was startled and took a step back. For a minute, they were silent and then Tifa spoke up.
"Well, I'm sorry, sir," said Tifa. Turning to Cloud, she smiled, "Care to dance?"
Cloud stood up and handed Ranma his drink as he and Tifa danced back into the group of already dancing troopers. Ranma sighed and stood up, setting the drinks down on the crate. As he walked, Barret, who had witnessed the whole scene, walked up to Ranma and spoke.
"Hey Ranma," said Barret.
Ranma turned around to face him.
"You once asked me for advice," said Barret, looking oddly at him. "You want some now?"
"Sure," said Ranma. "Could use some."
Barret nodded before lunging out and grabbing a startled Ranma by the lapels of his uniform.
"Never, ever pass up a good thing!" Barret barked. Then he picked Ranma up, "Now get back in there!"
Then Barret proceeded to toss Ranma back toward the dance group. Ranma landed right between Tifa and Cloud, ironically enough.
"Ranma," said Tifa, curiously. "You okay?"
"Better than okay," said Ranma, flipping to his feet.
Ranma dusted himself off before turning to Tifa. Tifa blushed at his closeness.
"May I have the honor of this dance?" asked Ranma, smiling.
"Uh.sure," stammered Tifa.
"Here, have a drink, Cloud," said Ranma, shoving a drink at him.
"Thanks," said Cloud, sarcastically.
As they started to dance, Iori walked by and saw the two together. Grinning, he changed the tune of his playing and started a slow dance song. Tifa and Ranma didn't notice him as he slipped back into the crowd, still playing. The night wore on and Ranma and Tifa retired to a tent. The two lay down together, snuggling up and very soon, Tifa was topless and Ranma was shirtless. All of a sudden, Tifa got serious and sat up.
"Hey Ranma-kun," said Tifa.
"What is it?"
"You know I've never been any good at expressing my feelings," said Tifa, sighing. "To anyone for that matter."
Ranma just waited, listening to what Tifa had to say.
"But now, ever since I met you," spoke Tifa, emotion building up in her voice. "I.I can't really deny my feelings any longer."
"What are you saying, Tifa-chan?" Ranma asked as he sat up.
"I.I love you Ranma," said Tifa, hugging him. "I loved you since way back in high school."
'Never pass up a good thing,' rang Barret's voice through Ranma's head.
Ranma was about to respond when Barret's voice interrupted them. Tifa scrambled under the covers, as the tent flap opened.
"Hey Ranma, we got a distress call from Planet P," said Barret, poking his head. "So get wired and report in 20 minutes."
"Yes, sir," said Ranma.
"Who's that with you?" asked Barret, noting the moving covers beside Ranma.
Ranma seemed embarrassed, but Tifa poked her head up from under the covers and smiled wanly.
"Reporting, sir," said Tifa.
"Make it half an hour," said Barret before he left.
Ranma and Tifa nodded before they looked at each other.
"Please, be gentle," said Tifa, lying back.
Ranma smiled and then the two of them expressed their love for each other in the ultimate way.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, Ranma and Tifa still lay among the covers as other troopers rushed to get ready.
"Ranma-kun?" asked Tifa.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Let's make a promise, okay?" asked Tifa in total seriousness.
"Um.sure," said Ranma, readily. "What about?"
"If I'm ever in trouble, you'll come and save me right?" asked Tifa. "Just once I want my hero to come and rescue me."
"Sure, whatever," said Ranma, agreeably.
Tifa smiled.
"I love you," whispered Tifa.
"Same to you," said Ranma.
Ranma checked his watch and then stood up and Tifa followed suit. In about 10 minutes, they were ready for action.
* * *
On Planet P, the Roughnecks tromped through some cliffs and narrow walkways making it a great place for a surprise attack from bugs. Biggs was trying the communications with no luck. He stepped up to Barret.
"I'm not receiving the 4th brigades com signal, sir," reported Biggs. "I don't get it.I'm not even picking up their transponder."
"It's the cliffs," noted Barret. Shoving Biggs on the arm, he said. "Take to higher ground and keep trying."
Ranma glanced around. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Biggs went to higher cliff ground, tried the communications again.until a screech was heard and he looked up. A hopper, an ariel type of bug, swooped down on him and it impaled him with its claws. Screaming, Ranma and the others ducked down, seeing if there were any more hoppers about. Seeing none, Barret turned to Cloud.
"Cloud, your weapon," said Barret.
"Which one?"
"The rifle," ordered Barret.
Cloud tossed the heavy artillery sniper rifle to Barret. The hopper by now had perched on a high cliff and was repeatedly stabbing Biggs. Synching up with Biggs' form on the cliff through the scope of the rifle, Barret fired, killing Biggs. The hopper took off and fled. Tossing the rifle back to Cloud, he addressed his troops.
"I'd expect anyone to do the same for me," said Barret.
Ranma was thoughtful about it. It was one thing to kill someone that was in pain, but it was another when he wasn't willing to be. Shrugging it off, Ranma marched forward.
"Ranma," called Barret. "You're acting sergeant.move them out."
"Yes sir," said Ranma. "Move.that way."
Ranma pointed the troopers to a break in the cliffs. The passage opened up to a wide clearing and a compound could be seen in the distance, its tower's heavy artillery guns unmanned. The troopers streamed toward it, but cautiously. Barret held up three fingers and motioned silently. Three troopers quickly surged forward and headed inside before the others. As the group headed inside, Ranma could see dead troopers and a bug parts strewn around. Tifa and Iori followed after him. Cloud surveyed the raw carnage and looked around warily.
"Jeez, someone sure humped the bunk," muttered Cloud under his breath.
"Cloud," barked Barret.
"Sir," called Cloud.
"Put together a detail, clean this place up, fortify this area," said Barret. "Saotome, command crew with me."
"Give me two on the towers," barked Cloud. "Set up watch there and there."
"Call in for retrieval," ordered Barret. "This place crawls."
Ranma nods and follows Barret into the compound. Tifa and Iori quickly follow after him. They enter the mess hall and step over dead troopers. Tifa, catching something out of the corner of her eye, separated from them.
"Dirty bugs came in when they were eating," remarked Iori.
"Sir," called Tifa, reappearing from where she went. "I think you might want to see this."
Barret and Iori walked out. Ranma was about to follow them, when he saw something that seemed out of place. He knelt down and flung a panel aside revealing a dead platform bug. He looked at it for a minute, wondering what a bug like that was doing here. Finally, he shrugged and joined the rest of the crew. Tifa and others were in the communications center. Barret hefted a dead major and propped him up against his chair. There was a hole in his head, with no other injuries.
"Saotome, what does that look like to you?" asked Barret, gruffly.
Ranma leaned over and looked at the dead major. Peering at the hole in his head, Ranma responded.
"Looks like a bug was in his brain, sir," answered Ranma.
Barret raised an eyebrow and using his prosthetic hand, he felt around the inside the dead major's head. After a minute, he brought his fingers out. Tifa gulped, fought down the urge the throw up.
"They sucked his brains out," spoke Barret.
Ranma shifted his helmet in his hands and Iori was still staring at the scene. Tifa set to work repairing the dead communications. A sudden sound made the command crew look up. It was coming from nearby. Cautiously moving forward, Ranma, Iori and Barret found the source coming from the freezer. Pointing their guns at the freezer, Iori took hold of the handle. On a three count, Iori pulled it open and a screaming glassed man fell out. Iori recognized his rank immediately and snapped to attention.
"Officer on the deck!" called Iori.
Ranma and Barret stood at attention for a bit before Barret spoke.
"Pick up the general," ordered Barret.
Iori and Ranma grabbed the small gibbering man, propping him up.
"We've got to get out of here," the man was saying.
"General Megane," spoke Barret, stepping up.
Megane seemed to recognize him and Ranma and Iori let go as he brushed himself off.
"Thank goodness for you," said Megane. "All of you."
Megane patted the shoulders of Iori and Ranma.
"You're all going to be heroes," said Megane, walking toward Tifa. "Every last one of you."
Ignoring the general, Barret turned to Iori.
"Close the hole," said Barret.
Iori nodded and turned to do it. As Ranma and Barret walk out, Megane follows them. Tifa continued to work on the communications.
"Drunken Grail Gasher!" called out Iori's voice. "Fire in the hole!"
A small explosion followed. Iori quickly caught up to them and the three followed the general back to Tifa.
"How's the com link?" asked Ranma.
"Working on it," answered Tifa, shortly.
"See.they get into your mind," said Megane, pointing at the dead major. "They did it Farley."
"The distress call was a trap," said Ranma with sudden realization.
"They're just like us," said Megane. "They want to know us, so they can kill us."
Iori and Ranma strapped their helmets on. Barret turned from the general and spoke quickly into his com.
"All roughnecks, prepare for attack," ordered Barret. "I repeat."
"Attack? Where's the boat?" asked Megane.
Troopers were prepping for action as Barret and his command walked back outside. Megane was wailing.
"Oh my god," wailed Megane. "We're going to die!"
To this Barret smacked Megane one, knocking him to the ground.
"Control yourself general," said Barret, calmly.
"I can't," replied Megane, shivering. "I wish you'd just shoot me."
Barret replied to this by taking his prosthetic hand off and replacing it with a gatling gun. Cocking it, he was about to fire, when Ranma grabbed his arm.
"Sir, he's just a little out of his mind, sir," said Ranma quickly.
Barret just looked at Ranma. Before he could reply, Cloud's voice broke through the silence.
"Bugs! Bugs!" Cloud yelled.
And indeed there was. Hundreds of thousands of bug warriors were rushing the compound in the distance. Leaving the general where he was, Barret leapt up to a ramp that leads up to the upper wall to give orders. Tifa frantically radioed any ship that happened to be in the vicinity.
"Breaker, breaker, this is Roughneck group," called Tifa into the com. "Is anyone receiving this transmission?"
Troopers leapt to do battle. Barret rallied his troops together, as they went up the ramps to the upper walls to defend.
"Warm it all up, everything you got! Come on, you apes!" yelled Barret. "You want to live forever?!"
Running up the ramp, Barret was followed by Ranma and Iori. Dozens of troopers cocked their guns. In one smooth motion, they took aim at the bug swarm.
TO BE CONTINUED