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 1-3 first.
Starship Troopers: Anime Style (Part 4)
Ranma stared out into the open expanse that surrounded the compound. Bugs swarmed all over. Just moments ago, they had figured out that this was a trap and now they were going to battle back, while Tifa tried feverishly to establish contact.
"Fire at will!" yelled Barret.
Barret's opening shots was the signal for every other trooper to start firing his or her own guns. Bugs screamed, tripped over their comrades' bodies, but still they made their way to the compound. Pulse guns rattled. The tower guns thundered above the screams of the bugs as they advanced. Reaching the compound, the bugs tried to scale the steep walls with no success. They just made easy pickings for the troopers as they just piled on each other. A little bit into the battle, hopper bugs swooped in. Barret, seeing the danger, called out.
"Incoming!" he yelled.
On his command, one of the tower guns swiveled around and fired at the flying bugs, bringing a couple of them down. Three hoppers made it through the hurly burly of the gun rounds. A trooper looked up as a hopper bore down on him. He tried to block, but the hoppers wings just cut right through him, slicing off his head and arms. To his right another trooper also lost his head as he turned to return fire. Ranma and Iori were not caught unawares. They fired round after round. Seeing the hopper bear down on them, they ducked down and Ranma fired a Mouko Takabisha pulse round at it. The hopper went down, screeching. As it fell, it slammed into the gibbering Megane, killing both of them. Iori grinned and turned back to do battle. Ranma followed suit. Inside the compound, Tifa still worked on getting a signal.
"Any ship, anyone who is receiving, please respond," called Tifa, repeatedly into the com.
The battle was getting more and more fierce. Dead bugs piled up against the walls, making a hill up to the top of the compound. Troopers fought back valiantly to repeal the invasion. Barret grabbed Ranma by his collar.
"Saotome! Where's my communications?"
"Tifa-chan! What's going on?" asked Ranma, turning from the battle.
"Give me a minute," said Tifa through the com.
"We don't have a minute!" yelled Ranma.
Ranma jumped off the ramp and headed for Tifa. He burst in, just as Tifa succeeded in making a connection with a Fleet ship in orbit.
"This is Roughneck 002," said Ranma into the com. "We need retrieval!"
"Sir, we have planet P as clear," said the voice.
"This place crawls, sir," shot back Ranma. "We need retrieval now!"
"What's your location?" asked the voice.
"Come down on this transmission," ordered Ranma as Tifa grabbed her gear.
"Sir, the compound?" asked the voice, incredulous. "That's crazy!"
"Well, I hope you have a crazy pilot. Out!" said Ranma, flinging the com down.
Ranma and Tifa hurried out to help. Barret leaned back over, aiming both of his weapons. He stopped and pulled up, surveying the surroundings as everything crawled with bugs.
"Boat's coming down, sir," said Ranma to Barret.
Barret, realizing the futility of their actions, finally barked out.
"Everyone! Fall back! Fall back into the compound!" Barret yelled.
Troopers rushed to obey his command, except the towers. They remained where they were to be more effective. Troopers leapt, dropped from the ramps. A couple of troopers weren't so lucky as the bugs started to climb inside. One trooper was slashed right through his spinal column. He dropped off the ramp, dead. Troopers continued to jump off of the ramps. One bug warrior, who had already scaled the sides, used his claws and impaled another trooper. The warrior then proceeded to fling the unfortunate trooper outside. The troopers formed a half circle inside the compound, stymieing the bugs.
"All right everyone," shouted Barret. "Show them what you got!"
Troopers continued to fire, keeping the bugs at bay.
"Running low!" yelled out Cloud.
"I'm out!" called Tifa.
"Here," said Ranma, tossing Tifa a clip. "Make them count!"
Tifa grabbed the clip, jammed it in her gun and laid down cover fire. Barret looked up as a small ship swooped into view, and made a landing behind the group, taking the protection they were offering.
"Pull back, secure the boat," ordered Barret.
Several troopers rushed around and made sure that the boat was ready for escape before they climbed inside. Suddenly out of nowhere jumped Ryouga. His eyes blazed with a fiery fierceness as he laid waste on bugs that were scaling over the wall with his rapid fire, heavy pulse cannon.
"Come on," yelled Ryouga. "We don't have all day!"
"Retreat!" called Barret. "Maintain cover fire until we can get everyone in!"
Just as Barret gave the order, the ground underneath him began to shake and then it collapsed in on itself. Barret fell straight into the center. He immediately grabbed both his guns and fired into the sand pit. He lurched in pain as something chewed on him from underneath. Ranma finally noticed and headed for Barret. Tifa, noticing what Ranma did, went to help as well. The two grabbed a hold on Barret's armor and pulled mightily. Barret came free, missing both of his legs. Barret gasped in pain, but he grabbed Ranma by his collar with a firm grip.
"Saotome, you know what to do!" he barked out.
"Yes sir," called Ranma, though he was really wishing there was another way.
Ranma cocked his gun, but then he caught the despairing look on Tifa's face and he hesitated for a minute. But then Barret's voice brought him back.
"Do it Saotome!" he yelled.
Ranma took aim, closed his eyes and squeezed the trigger. Barret fell back dead from a direct shot to his heart. Ranma and Tifa quickly grabbed their dead lieutenant and hustled it over to Ryouga, who used his inhuman strength to put Barret's dead body inside the ship. Just then a digger bug popped out of the hole, roaring. Troopers quickly battled back, but the pulse ammo did nothing to harm the giant bug. Tifa, being closest to the bug, saw that it was rearing back to spit its chemical fire. She knew what she had to do. Concentrating all her power into a single attack, Tifa charged.
"My Final Heaven!"
There was an explosion and the digger bug was no more. Tifa whooped a cheer and ran back toward Ranma and the waiting ship. But Ranma's face wore an expression of pure horror.
"Tifa-chan!" he called out.
Tifa, suddenly noting the look on his face, turned around. All of sudden, everything happened in slow motion. Tifa had just turned around to see a single warrior bug bear down upon her. In a fluid motion, the bug warrior slammed its two powerful claws into Tifa's lithe body. Tifa cried out as the bug punctured her upper left shoulder area and her lower right stomach area. Then the bug began to swing her around and around, lurching backward. Ranma couldn't stand it and charged out to save her. Iori, Cloud and Ryouga were right behind him. They quickly fired rounds and finally blew off the bug's limb that held Tifa aloft. Tifa collapsed to the ground and Ranma rushed up to her.
"Hold it down," came Ryouga's voice as he and Cloud slaughtered the bug.
"Give me a hand Iori," called Ranma.
Iori obliged and held Tifa up. Ranma then proceeded to tear the claw that was still in Tifa out. Tifa screamed in pain. Ranma tossed the claw aside and Iori helped him get Tifa to the ship. Tifa was gasping for breath, for it hurt her to breath deeply.
"No Tifa-chan! Don't die on me!" cried Ranma.
Ryouga and Cloud pressed near the ship. Ryouga called out.
"Let's go tower!" he yelled.
The two troopers stationed on the tower, slid down the ladder and made for the ship as fast as they could, just as another digger bug broke the wall down from outside.
"Let's move it!" called Ryouga to the running troopers.
Just then the digger lurched up and spat its chemical fire, melting the two running troopers. The troopers cried out as they were melted into nothing. Ryouga sighed and gave the order to take off. They made it to safe altitudes as the digger bug spat again, missing it. From the view in the air, the bugs have completely overrun the compound and bugs could be seen for miles on end. Ryouga looked back at the pilot and gave the okay sign. In the back, Ranma held Tifa gently.
"Ranma.Ranma, you kept your promise," spoke Tifa.
"Shh.don't talk," said Ranma.
"Ranma-kun, I'm dying," gasped out Tifa.
"No, you're going to be okay," promised Ranma.
"At least.I got to have.you," said Tifa.
Tifa shuddered and gasped out before she fell unconscious. Ryouga moved back up to the front of the ship. He glanced back once before turning to the pilot.
"I thought you might want to know," said Ryouga. "Your friend Ranma's back there."
The pilot was startled and glanced back. Ranma was fighting different emotions within him. He was convinced that Tifa had died and Ranma sighed and left Tifa with Iori. He then marched up to the cockpit.
"Get on the com and tell Fleet to glass that rock," he demanded.
Ryouga turned around in his seat, angry.
"On whose authority, corporal?" asked Ryouga, stressing rank slightly.
"Mine," shot back Ranma. "I officially assumed command of the mission."
Ryouga snorted, but instead he took over piloting the ship for a bit. The pilot pulled off her helmet and long black tresses fell back, held by her yellow ribbon headband. Ruriko looked back at Ranma, sorrow written in her eyes.
"I.I thought you were dead," said Ruriko, softly.
"I'm not," replied Ranma. "But a lot of my troopers are."
Ruriko turned and talked to Fleet about Ranma's request. Soon Xu's face appeared on the screen with a response.
"Negative on that request," answered Xu. "Fleet has other plans for Planet P. Welcome back."
"My troops are dying, and fleet is just flying," snorted Ranma.
Ranma turned to go back, but Ruriko's voice held him back.
"Ranma-kun, wait," said Ruriko, pointing outside.
Ranma looked.
"Fleet's planning something big," said Ruriko.
Ranma sighed and turned to go back. Ruriko turned back to front and took over the flying again. She and Ryouga exchanged a glance with each other before they headed back to the Rodger Young.
* * *
Ranma was moping about on Fort Ticonderoga, but soon he'd have to give a eulogy on behalf of his dead lieutenant, Barret. He hoped he didn't have to give one for Tifa, but he knew he probably had to. She was dead. Ranma sighed and didn't even hear Ruriko open the door and enter until she spoke.
"Ranma-kun?" asked Ruriko. "You okay?"
"I would feel a lot better if I didn't have to watch Tifa die," answered Ranma.
At this Ruriko blinked. What was Ranma talking about?
"Um.Ranma-kun, what are you talking about?" asked Ruriko.
"Tifa's dead," Ranma all but shouted.
"No, she's not," answered Ruriko, plainly. "Didn't you know?"
Ranma froze. Was Ruriko trying to cheer him up or something? Or did she know something he didn't? He had know.
"Ruriko-chan.she's not dead?" asked Ranma. "Where is she?"
"You really didn't know," said Ruriko.
Finally Ruriko pointed down to the infirmary down the hall.
"She's in stasis," answered Ruriko. "She's getting her wounds repaired."
'Just like me,' thought Ranma. "Thanks Ruri-chan. I owe you one."
Ranma bowed and took off down the corridor. Ruriko sighed and slowly followed after him. Tifa was an old friend after all. Ranma screeched to a halt next to the huge green stasis tank. Ruriko stepped up, but remained half hidden behind the corridor bulkhead, silently watching. Ranma knelt down and touched a hand to the glass as if he were trying to touch Tifa. Surgical instruments hummed quietly as they repaired the damage. Tifa looked lifeless as she floated inside. She was topless, except that Ranma didn't even notice that.
"We'll pay them back for this Tifa," said Ranma, solemnly. "We'll pay those stinking bugs back for you."
With that Ranma, stood up, turned on his heel and walked out. He had a funeral to attend. Ruriko watched as he marched past her. Slowly, she walked up to Tifa's floating body and touched the glass, looking at her. Ruriko's gate of healing involuntarily opened and Ruriko recalled the time she had felt bad and Tifa had helped her.
* Flashback. *
Ruriko had just run out of the biology classroom, feeling nauseous. Tifa, after a moment's hesitation, ran after her. Tifa soon found Ruriko sitting on the steps leading downstairs. Ruriko was breathing rather heavily, trying to calm down. Tifa slowly approached and sat down.
"You okay?" asked Tifa.
"I will be," answered Ruriko.
"What happened in there?" asked Tifa, gently. "Don't tell me a smart girl like you weren't prepared?"
"No, it's not that," replied Ruriko, softly. "I have an irrational fear of bugs in general."
"You are scared of centipedes and such?" asked Tifa.
"Hai," replied Ruriko.
"If that's so," said Tifa, not understanding. "Why are you signing up for Fleet? You're bound to run into a bug sooner or later."
"I want to fly," answered Ruriko, smiling. "It's my dream."
"I understand now," said Tifa. "Now.what do you think of Ranma-kun?"
"What? I think." Ruriko was startled by the question. "I like him, he's a good friend. What about you Tifa? Do you like him?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," answered Tifa, nonchalantly.
Ruriko smiled inwardly. Tifa's answer had clinched it for her on how Tifa felt about Ranma. Tifa suddenly stood up.
"Feel better now?" asked Tifa, smiling.
"Much, thank you," said Ruriko.
"When you feel up to it, come back to class," said Tifa, running back.
Ruriko smiled and watched Tifa's retreating form.
* End of Flashback. *
Ruriko shook her head, clearing her thoughts. While she had been remembering, her gate had healed a majority of Tifa's wounds. She smiled softly and closed her gate again. Leaning up close to the glass, Ruriko whispered.
"Get well soon Tifa," whispered Ruriko. "Ranma-kun is lucky to have a girl like you."
Ruriko then turned and left the infirmary. What Ruriko didn't see was that Tifa opened an eye and weakly smiled.
'Thanks Ruriko-chan,' thought Tifa before she slid back into sleep.
* * *
Ranma stood near a casket, and a launch bay firing port. Barret lay inside and the rest of the Roughnecks stood nearby, waiting for Ranma to speak. Leona and Cloud stood together. Iori and Jessie stood off to one side and Ruriko stood in front. Finally, after collecting his thoughts, Ranma spoke.
"We are here to pay our respects to our honored dead," said Ranma. "To some of us he was more than our commanding officer, he was a teacher and a good one at that."
Ruriko smiled faintly at that. Ranma noticed it, but continued.
"But most importantly, he was our friend," said Ranma. "May he be remembered."
Ranma turned to the left view port.
"Left.face!"
At his command, the Roughnecks turned and faced the same direction and looked out the view port. The casket slid closed and made its way out.
"Present arms!"
Everyone saluted as the casket was fired out into space. After a minute, the door slid open and Ranma noticed.
"Officer on the deck," he called out.
"Proceed," answered one of the officers.
Ranma turned back and after a minute, he called out.
"Burial party.dismissed!"
On his command, everyone turned and left, except Tifa, who remained behind with Ranma. Several intelligence officers dressed in black stepped aside and one of them stepped up to Ranma. It was Reiji. He had become a colonel. Tifa and Ranma waited as he approached.
"Hey you guys," said Reiji, greeting them. He sounded tired.
"How are you, Reiji?" asked Ranma.
"Listen Ranma," said Reiji, not smiling. "I'm sorry it was your unit on P. That mission had a low survival probability."
"You knew and you sent them anyway?" asked Ruriko, astonished.
"Elegant proof of intelligence, isn't it?" asked Reiji.
There was a stony silence.
"You don't approve," said Reiji. Then he took a firm tone, "Well, too bad."
Ruriko and Ranma waited.
"We're in this for the species," said Reiji. "It's simple numbers and they have more. I have to make decisions like that send thousands of people like you to their deaths every day."
Reiji turned away, but Ranma spoke up.
"Didn't they tell you colonel?" asked Ranma. "That's what the MI is good for."
"Well, I hope you're ready for more," said Reiji, smiling faintly. "Because we're going back to P and capturing that brain."
"The Roughnecks are always ready, sir," replied Ranma, immediately.
"I hear they need a new lieutenant," said Reiji, smiling. "Want the job?"
"I'll take it, sir," answered Ranma. "Until I die, or you find someone better."
Reiji nodded and turned away and walked out with the other intelligence officers leaving Tifa and Ranma alone.
* * *
It was day on Planet P and camps were hastily being taken down, drop ships delivered supplies and troopers rushed around. Ranma, currently, was surveying his new team. Leona, Jessie and Cloud stood behind him as Ranma and Iori went around looking over the new troops.
"They look a little young," said Ranma as he finished looking the troops over.
"We got reinforced," said Iori. "Most of them are fresh out of boot."
Iori stood back and let Ranma take over. Ranma stood before them and finally spoke out to his new troops.
"This is for all you new people," called out Ranma. "I've only got one rule: Everyone fights, no one quits."
Iori smirked and he looked at Cloud, who was smiling as well. They recognized this saying well.
"If you don't do your job, I'll shoot you myself," said Ranma. "Do you get me?!"
"We get you, sir!" barked the lines of troopers.
"Welcome to the Roughnecks," said Ranma.
"Ranma's Roughnecks," said Cloud, speaking up.
As the troopers barked out, Ranma smiled. Finally he spoke again.
"Listen up, we're looking for a bug no one's ever seen before," said Ranma. "Some type of smart brain bug."
The instant he said that, streaks of blue bug plasma started to be launched from the ground into space. Ranma turned back to his team.
"And they probably know we're here," said Ranma. Strapping on his helmet, Ranma barked out orders, "Prepare yourselves.we're going in!"
* * *
Up in space, Ruriko and Ryouga sat in the flight seats while Xu looked on. The heavens were filled with blue bug plasma.
"Steady as she goes, number 2," Xu instructed Ruriko.
"Yes, ma'am," responded Ruriko, her eyes never leaving the screen.
"Prepare to jump to warp," informed Xu to her crew.
"We're clear in 5.4.3," counted Ruriko.
"Warp drive in 5.4.3," started Ryouga.
They never finished their count as a single plasma bolt ran straight through the middle of the ship. The ship lurched, throwing Ruriko and others to the floor. The once mighty ship was split in half. Crew and objects were sucked into space and red alert was sounded. Ruriko grabbed a panel and frantically called into it.
"This is the Rodger Young, we're going down!" yelled Ruriko. "Repeat: Rodger Young is going down."
"Lets go, Ikusawa!" yelled Xu, grabbing Ruriko by her arm.
"Wait, Ryouga-kun!" called Ruriko.
"I'm here!" yelled Ryouga making his way to the two.
Together the three of them slipped and slid as the ship tilted every which way, throwing them and other personal around. The star drive of the Rodger Young finally took a hit and exploded. The resulting shock wave collided with the forward section of the ship. Ruriko and Ryouga made it out the door, but Xu was unlucky. As she slid forward, she accidentally hit the close panel, before she was through the door. The heavy plated door dropped heavily on her, cutting her half. Ruriko turned to help her captain.
"Abandon ship," gasped Xu, coughing up blood. "That.that's an.or."
Xu fell still. Ruriko was stunned, but Ryouga grabbed her and hefted her up.
"Leave her, Ruriko-chan," shouted Ryouga. "She's dead, she's dead!"
Ruriko's only thought now was to get out. Ryouga let her lead, as his sense of direction was still shaky. They and others made for a door, but it slammed shut. They quickly went for another, but it too shut on them. Ryouga grabbed Ruriko and shoved her toward a still open third door. At the last second, he slid under the door. They had made it safely to the escape pods. Sliding down the ladder, Ruriko hopped into the nearest pod. Ryouga jumped in the rear seat with her.
"Launch, Ruriko!" shouted Ryouga.
Next to them, an escape pod that was about to launch was thrown off track and was destroyed, killing the occupants. Ruriko launched the pod and they made it out just in time. A few seconds later, a plasma bolt sheared the forward section and demolished the Rodger Young. Ruriko, piloting through a ton of debris, bodies and objects, she called repeatedly through her com.
"Mayday, mayday! This is Lieutenant Ikusawa in life pod RY-63," said Ruriko into her com. "Is anyone receiving? Please respond."
* * *
On the surface, Iori listened to a handset radio. Looking up with a grim face, Iori made a beeline for Ranma.
"What is it, Iori?" asked Ranma.
"The Rodger Young just burned up," said Iori, quietly.
At this Ranma's face fell, but he straightened up quickly.
"Any survivors?" asked Ranma.
"Well." said Iori.
Iori looked up and Ranma watched with him. They saw a life pod plummet toward the planet at high speeds.
* * *
"Please, anyone respond," called Ruriko, repeatedly as she headed for the surface.
"There," said Ryouga, pointing at the surface. "3.2.1.now!"
Ruriko pulled sharply on the controls, leveling them off with the surface, but they skimmed the rocks and slammed sharply, driving them into the crust of the planet as if the crust was glass. The pod came to a rest in the center of a large cavern. Ryouga popped out and grabbed rifles and helped Ruriko out. Ruriko grabbed a com device and called into it.
"This is Lieutenant Ikusawa," said Ruriko. "Is anyone receiving?"
Ryouga surveyed their surroundings. Tunnels opened out everywhere. He decided to stick with Ruriko for a bit to see if she was successful.
* * *
"This is Roughneck 002," answered Ranma, picking up Ruriko's signal.
In that instant, Ranma recognized the voice.
"Ruriko?" asked Ranma. "What's your position?"
* * *
"Location at 42 degrees South by 176 East," answered Ruriko, before she looked up.
Ryouga pressed against the other side of the pod, slowly handing her a pulse rifle, before cocking his own. Ruriko grabbed the rifle.
"Situation, extremely hostile," called Ruriko into the com.
Ruriko tossed the com to one side and opened up with her pulse rifle, as did Ryouga. Bugs came at them from left and right, but they fought back bravely. But it was no use as the bug warriors quickly got into them, piercing Ruriko through her left shoulder. Ruriko cried out in pain. Ryouga grunted as another warrior held him down through his right leg.
* * *
Meanwhile, Ruriko's cry of pain sent a chill down Ranma's spine. He turned to Iori, who looked back at him.
"We've got to go after her," said Ranma.
"You know as well as I do," answered Iori. "She's dead."
"I'm not giving up on her," said Ranma.
Turning to his group, he spoke.
"I need four volunteers," said Ranma.
Instantly Cloud, Leona and Jessie were by his side. Iori sighed and stepped up to Ranma.
"Let's go," said Ranma.
Ranma and his group head for the tunnels and drive deep underground.
* * *
Just below ground, warriors chatter as they hold Ruriko and Ryouga down. Soon a huge bug, unlike any other bug, comes through one of the far tunnel entrances. It is fat and pulpy. Many platform bugs supported it. Ruriko struggled, but it hurt her to move very much. The brain bug is carried forward. It stops right before Ryouga. Ryouga stares at it, fire in his eyes. Ruriko watched as a thorn like palp unfolds from the brain bug and readies itself. Just then, the brain bug froze; its eyes darted to the farthest tunnel entrance, just behind Ruriko and Ryouga. Prepped for battle, Ranma and his group walked inside slowly. Iori, Jessie and Cloud held their rifles at the ready. Ranma had his hands cupped together, a glowing blue ki ball forming between his hands. He smirked as he spoke.
"You know what this is?" asked Ranma to the brain bug. "Yeah, sure you do. You're some big fat smart brain bug, aren't you?"
Ranma motioned to Iori who held up his own hand, covered in purple fire. Iori nodded to Ranma as Ranma unleashed the Mouko Takabisha, blowing the warrior off of Ruriko. Leona quickly followed up, unclipping one of her earrings and hurling the explosive at the warrior that held Ryouga down. Ruriko helped Ryouga walk over to Ranma's group, who were waiting by the tunnel exit.
"Come on, come on," said Ranma.
Iori dissipated his flame and aimed his rifle instead. Ruriko set Ryouga down and opened her gate of healing.
"Gate.open!" called Ruriko. "Healing light."
The gentle sparkles touched their wounds and in a minute, it seemed as if Ruriko and Ryouga were never injured in the first place. Quickly they grabbed their weapons from the ground and backed up with Ranma. The brain bug was just turning around to escape through the tunnel it came from. Then the warriors attacked. Ranma and his group opened up with their pulse rifles. A bug bore down on Jessie, but she didn't notice until it was almost too late. A claw swung down, but it never hit. Jessie was astonished as Cloud took a blow to his gut for her.
"No, Cloud!" cried Jessie.
Ranma and the others blew the warrior away as Jessie helped Cloud stand up and walk. Ryouga looked at the mass of bugs that were swarming them. He knew nothing short of a nuke could save them. There was one technique he could use.
"Ranma-kun," said Ryouga in a stony voice. "Get out of here now. I'll take care of this one."
"You trying to be a hero, Ryouga-kun?" asked Ranma, still firing.
"Please Ryouga," pleaded Ruriko. "Don't do anything desperate."
Ryouga patted his leg, now healed, and smiled.
"Something to remember you by," said Ryouga. "Now go!"
Ranma grabbed Ruriko and they ran. Ryouga leapt high and landed in the middle of the chamber again. Bug warriors swarmed all over. He knew it was a destructive technique and that it would destroy him someday, but now he wasn't afraid to use it. Concentrating all his fear, anger, pain and depression for one big final outburst, Ryouga's battle aura flared a brilliant green.
"Ultimate Perfect Shi Shi Hokodan!"
Behind Ranma, the chamber suddenly exploded as the deep depression green ki blast carved its way into the rock. Iori was yelling instructions over the com about the brain bug sighting when the explosion occurred. Quickly they made for the surface and barely made it as the cave and tunnels collapsed in on itself. Ranma and his group stood up and walked with a solemn silence out of the tunnel exit. All of a sudden troopers rushed by them, excited and yelling. Not knowing what was going on, Ranma surveyed the scene while Ruriko healed Cloud up. All six of them approached what appeared to be a gathering in front of a tunnel entrance. Troopers were hauling the brain bug out in a huge net. Ranma and Ruriko pressed up front to see it. Just then high-ranking officers stepped up and one of them was Reiji. Reiji stepped up and put a hand on the mind of the brain bug. Reiji was quiet as if probing the bug's mind.
"What's it thinking, colonel?" asked an officer.
After a minute Reiji responded.
"It's afraid," whispered Reiji. Then louder and more excitedly, "It's afraid!"
Troopers whooped and fire their pulse rifles in the air. Reiji stepped back and found Ranma and Ruriko smiling at him.
"It was you," said Ranma as they walked. "You told me how to find Ruriko- chan."
"Well." Reiji said offhandedly. "That's confidential."
"What are you going to do with the brain bug now?" asked Ruriko.
"We've got one of their brains now," answered Reiji. "Pretty soon we'll know what they think and beat them."
Ruriko and Ranma walked along, waiting for Reiji to continue.
"Everyone will forget when it's over, but this was the turning point," said Reiji. "It wasn't the mighty Fleet, it wasn't a new weapon, but a trooper named Seifer who captured a brain."
"Wait.Seifer?" asked Ranma.
Ranma turned from Ruriko and Reiji and approached a man that was held on the shoulders of his companions. He stepped down and smiled at Ranma.
"Good job, sergeant," said Ranma, smiling.
"Thank you, sir," said Seifer before showing his rank. "It's private now."
"Carry on private," said Ranma, turning away.
"Yes, sir," saluted Seifer, before cheering with the rest of the troopers.
* * *
A TV clicks on, bringing in a live coverage report.
"The war continues," announced a reporter. "Armed with more soldiers, more ships, the Federation marches on."
The view changed to show a trooper using a type of launcher that demolished a mountaintop when he fired.
"New weapons, new technology," said the reporter. "Soon we will have the ability to blow a planet in half with a single attack."
The view changed again to show columns upon columns of troopers lined up and ready for action.
"Enlistment guarantees citizenship," said the reporter. "Fight for the Federation and the people. People like Captain Ruriko Ikusawa."
The view changes to show Ruriko now in a new ship as Captain.
"All hands this is the Captain speaking, prepare for drop," said Ruriko, clearly. "Steady as she goes number 2."
"Aye ma'am," said Selphie as she steered.
The view changed once more to show Iori and Ranma strapping their helmets on among tons of troopers.
"People like Private Iori, Corporal Tifa." said the reporter.
Tifa just then ran up, all healed and gave a kiss to Ranma, who smiled and hugged her once.
"And Lieutenant Ranma Saotome," said the reporter.
Ranma then barked out as he marched toward an open door of a drop ship.
"Come on, you apes!" Ranma yelled. "You want to live forever?!"
Yelling, the troopers swarmed on to drop ships and an outside view showed the ships being dropped down toward a planet.
"They'll keep fighting.and they will win!"
OWARI
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 1-3 first.
Starship Troopers: Anime Style (Part 4)
Ranma stared out into the open expanse that surrounded the compound. Bugs swarmed all over. Just moments ago, they had figured out that this was a trap and now they were going to battle back, while Tifa tried feverishly to establish contact.
"Fire at will!" yelled Barret.
Barret's opening shots was the signal for every other trooper to start firing his or her own guns. Bugs screamed, tripped over their comrades' bodies, but still they made their way to the compound. Pulse guns rattled. The tower guns thundered above the screams of the bugs as they advanced. Reaching the compound, the bugs tried to scale the steep walls with no success. They just made easy pickings for the troopers as they just piled on each other. A little bit into the battle, hopper bugs swooped in. Barret, seeing the danger, called out.
"Incoming!" he yelled.
On his command, one of the tower guns swiveled around and fired at the flying bugs, bringing a couple of them down. Three hoppers made it through the hurly burly of the gun rounds. A trooper looked up as a hopper bore down on him. He tried to block, but the hoppers wings just cut right through him, slicing off his head and arms. To his right another trooper also lost his head as he turned to return fire. Ranma and Iori were not caught unawares. They fired round after round. Seeing the hopper bear down on them, they ducked down and Ranma fired a Mouko Takabisha pulse round at it. The hopper went down, screeching. As it fell, it slammed into the gibbering Megane, killing both of them. Iori grinned and turned back to do battle. Ranma followed suit. Inside the compound, Tifa still worked on getting a signal.
"Any ship, anyone who is receiving, please respond," called Tifa, repeatedly into the com.
The battle was getting more and more fierce. Dead bugs piled up against the walls, making a hill up to the top of the compound. Troopers fought back valiantly to repeal the invasion. Barret grabbed Ranma by his collar.
"Saotome! Where's my communications?"
"Tifa-chan! What's going on?" asked Ranma, turning from the battle.
"Give me a minute," said Tifa through the com.
"We don't have a minute!" yelled Ranma.
Ranma jumped off the ramp and headed for Tifa. He burst in, just as Tifa succeeded in making a connection with a Fleet ship in orbit.
"This is Roughneck 002," said Ranma into the com. "We need retrieval!"
"Sir, we have planet P as clear," said the voice.
"This place crawls, sir," shot back Ranma. "We need retrieval now!"
"What's your location?" asked the voice.
"Come down on this transmission," ordered Ranma as Tifa grabbed her gear.
"Sir, the compound?" asked the voice, incredulous. "That's crazy!"
"Well, I hope you have a crazy pilot. Out!" said Ranma, flinging the com down.
Ranma and Tifa hurried out to help. Barret leaned back over, aiming both of his weapons. He stopped and pulled up, surveying the surroundings as everything crawled with bugs.
"Boat's coming down, sir," said Ranma to Barret.
Barret, realizing the futility of their actions, finally barked out.
"Everyone! Fall back! Fall back into the compound!" Barret yelled.
Troopers rushed to obey his command, except the towers. They remained where they were to be more effective. Troopers leapt, dropped from the ramps. A couple of troopers weren't so lucky as the bugs started to climb inside. One trooper was slashed right through his spinal column. He dropped off the ramp, dead. Troopers continued to jump off of the ramps. One bug warrior, who had already scaled the sides, used his claws and impaled another trooper. The warrior then proceeded to fling the unfortunate trooper outside. The troopers formed a half circle inside the compound, stymieing the bugs.
"All right everyone," shouted Barret. "Show them what you got!"
Troopers continued to fire, keeping the bugs at bay.
"Running low!" yelled out Cloud.
"I'm out!" called Tifa.
"Here," said Ranma, tossing Tifa a clip. "Make them count!"
Tifa grabbed the clip, jammed it in her gun and laid down cover fire. Barret looked up as a small ship swooped into view, and made a landing behind the group, taking the protection they were offering.
"Pull back, secure the boat," ordered Barret.
Several troopers rushed around and made sure that the boat was ready for escape before they climbed inside. Suddenly out of nowhere jumped Ryouga. His eyes blazed with a fiery fierceness as he laid waste on bugs that were scaling over the wall with his rapid fire, heavy pulse cannon.
"Come on," yelled Ryouga. "We don't have all day!"
"Retreat!" called Barret. "Maintain cover fire until we can get everyone in!"
Just as Barret gave the order, the ground underneath him began to shake and then it collapsed in on itself. Barret fell straight into the center. He immediately grabbed both his guns and fired into the sand pit. He lurched in pain as something chewed on him from underneath. Ranma finally noticed and headed for Barret. Tifa, noticing what Ranma did, went to help as well. The two grabbed a hold on Barret's armor and pulled mightily. Barret came free, missing both of his legs. Barret gasped in pain, but he grabbed Ranma by his collar with a firm grip.
"Saotome, you know what to do!" he barked out.
"Yes sir," called Ranma, though he was really wishing there was another way.
Ranma cocked his gun, but then he caught the despairing look on Tifa's face and he hesitated for a minute. But then Barret's voice brought him back.
"Do it Saotome!" he yelled.
Ranma took aim, closed his eyes and squeezed the trigger. Barret fell back dead from a direct shot to his heart. Ranma and Tifa quickly grabbed their dead lieutenant and hustled it over to Ryouga, who used his inhuman strength to put Barret's dead body inside the ship. Just then a digger bug popped out of the hole, roaring. Troopers quickly battled back, but the pulse ammo did nothing to harm the giant bug. Tifa, being closest to the bug, saw that it was rearing back to spit its chemical fire. She knew what she had to do. Concentrating all her power into a single attack, Tifa charged.
"My Final Heaven!"
There was an explosion and the digger bug was no more. Tifa whooped a cheer and ran back toward Ranma and the waiting ship. But Ranma's face wore an expression of pure horror.
"Tifa-chan!" he called out.
Tifa, suddenly noting the look on his face, turned around. All of sudden, everything happened in slow motion. Tifa had just turned around to see a single warrior bug bear down upon her. In a fluid motion, the bug warrior slammed its two powerful claws into Tifa's lithe body. Tifa cried out as the bug punctured her upper left shoulder area and her lower right stomach area. Then the bug began to swing her around and around, lurching backward. Ranma couldn't stand it and charged out to save her. Iori, Cloud and Ryouga were right behind him. They quickly fired rounds and finally blew off the bug's limb that held Tifa aloft. Tifa collapsed to the ground and Ranma rushed up to her.
"Hold it down," came Ryouga's voice as he and Cloud slaughtered the bug.
"Give me a hand Iori," called Ranma.
Iori obliged and held Tifa up. Ranma then proceeded to tear the claw that was still in Tifa out. Tifa screamed in pain. Ranma tossed the claw aside and Iori helped him get Tifa to the ship. Tifa was gasping for breath, for it hurt her to breath deeply.
"No Tifa-chan! Don't die on me!" cried Ranma.
Ryouga and Cloud pressed near the ship. Ryouga called out.
"Let's go tower!" he yelled.
The two troopers stationed on the tower, slid down the ladder and made for the ship as fast as they could, just as another digger bug broke the wall down from outside.
"Let's move it!" called Ryouga to the running troopers.
Just then the digger lurched up and spat its chemical fire, melting the two running troopers. The troopers cried out as they were melted into nothing. Ryouga sighed and gave the order to take off. They made it to safe altitudes as the digger bug spat again, missing it. From the view in the air, the bugs have completely overrun the compound and bugs could be seen for miles on end. Ryouga looked back at the pilot and gave the okay sign. In the back, Ranma held Tifa gently.
"Ranma.Ranma, you kept your promise," spoke Tifa.
"Shh.don't talk," said Ranma.
"Ranma-kun, I'm dying," gasped out Tifa.
"No, you're going to be okay," promised Ranma.
"At least.I got to have.you," said Tifa.
Tifa shuddered and gasped out before she fell unconscious. Ryouga moved back up to the front of the ship. He glanced back once before turning to the pilot.
"I thought you might want to know," said Ryouga. "Your friend Ranma's back there."
The pilot was startled and glanced back. Ranma was fighting different emotions within him. He was convinced that Tifa had died and Ranma sighed and left Tifa with Iori. He then marched up to the cockpit.
"Get on the com and tell Fleet to glass that rock," he demanded.
Ryouga turned around in his seat, angry.
"On whose authority, corporal?" asked Ryouga, stressing rank slightly.
"Mine," shot back Ranma. "I officially assumed command of the mission."
Ryouga snorted, but instead he took over piloting the ship for a bit. The pilot pulled off her helmet and long black tresses fell back, held by her yellow ribbon headband. Ruriko looked back at Ranma, sorrow written in her eyes.
"I.I thought you were dead," said Ruriko, softly.
"I'm not," replied Ranma. "But a lot of my troopers are."
Ruriko turned and talked to Fleet about Ranma's request. Soon Xu's face appeared on the screen with a response.
"Negative on that request," answered Xu. "Fleet has other plans for Planet P. Welcome back."
"My troops are dying, and fleet is just flying," snorted Ranma.
Ranma turned to go back, but Ruriko's voice held him back.
"Ranma-kun, wait," said Ruriko, pointing outside.
Ranma looked.
"Fleet's planning something big," said Ruriko.
Ranma sighed and turned to go back. Ruriko turned back to front and took over the flying again. She and Ryouga exchanged a glance with each other before they headed back to the Rodger Young.
* * *
Ranma was moping about on Fort Ticonderoga, but soon he'd have to give a eulogy on behalf of his dead lieutenant, Barret. He hoped he didn't have to give one for Tifa, but he knew he probably had to. She was dead. Ranma sighed and didn't even hear Ruriko open the door and enter until she spoke.
"Ranma-kun?" asked Ruriko. "You okay?"
"I would feel a lot better if I didn't have to watch Tifa die," answered Ranma.
At this Ruriko blinked. What was Ranma talking about?
"Um.Ranma-kun, what are you talking about?" asked Ruriko.
"Tifa's dead," Ranma all but shouted.
"No, she's not," answered Ruriko, plainly. "Didn't you know?"
Ranma froze. Was Ruriko trying to cheer him up or something? Or did she know something he didn't? He had know.
"Ruriko-chan.she's not dead?" asked Ranma. "Where is she?"
"You really didn't know," said Ruriko.
Finally Ruriko pointed down to the infirmary down the hall.
"She's in stasis," answered Ruriko. "She's getting her wounds repaired."
'Just like me,' thought Ranma. "Thanks Ruri-chan. I owe you one."
Ranma bowed and took off down the corridor. Ruriko sighed and slowly followed after him. Tifa was an old friend after all. Ranma screeched to a halt next to the huge green stasis tank. Ruriko stepped up, but remained half hidden behind the corridor bulkhead, silently watching. Ranma knelt down and touched a hand to the glass as if he were trying to touch Tifa. Surgical instruments hummed quietly as they repaired the damage. Tifa looked lifeless as she floated inside. She was topless, except that Ranma didn't even notice that.
"We'll pay them back for this Tifa," said Ranma, solemnly. "We'll pay those stinking bugs back for you."
With that Ranma, stood up, turned on his heel and walked out. He had a funeral to attend. Ruriko watched as he marched past her. Slowly, she walked up to Tifa's floating body and touched the glass, looking at her. Ruriko's gate of healing involuntarily opened and Ruriko recalled the time she had felt bad and Tifa had helped her.
* Flashback. *
Ruriko had just run out of the biology classroom, feeling nauseous. Tifa, after a moment's hesitation, ran after her. Tifa soon found Ruriko sitting on the steps leading downstairs. Ruriko was breathing rather heavily, trying to calm down. Tifa slowly approached and sat down.
"You okay?" asked Tifa.
"I will be," answered Ruriko.
"What happened in there?" asked Tifa, gently. "Don't tell me a smart girl like you weren't prepared?"
"No, it's not that," replied Ruriko, softly. "I have an irrational fear of bugs in general."
"You are scared of centipedes and such?" asked Tifa.
"Hai," replied Ruriko.
"If that's so," said Tifa, not understanding. "Why are you signing up for Fleet? You're bound to run into a bug sooner or later."
"I want to fly," answered Ruriko, smiling. "It's my dream."
"I understand now," said Tifa. "Now.what do you think of Ranma-kun?"
"What? I think." Ruriko was startled by the question. "I like him, he's a good friend. What about you Tifa? Do you like him?"
"I don't know what you're talking about," answered Tifa, nonchalantly.
Ruriko smiled inwardly. Tifa's answer had clinched it for her on how Tifa felt about Ranma. Tifa suddenly stood up.
"Feel better now?" asked Tifa, smiling.
"Much, thank you," said Ruriko.
"When you feel up to it, come back to class," said Tifa, running back.
Ruriko smiled and watched Tifa's retreating form.
* End of Flashback. *
Ruriko shook her head, clearing her thoughts. While she had been remembering, her gate had healed a majority of Tifa's wounds. She smiled softly and closed her gate again. Leaning up close to the glass, Ruriko whispered.
"Get well soon Tifa," whispered Ruriko. "Ranma-kun is lucky to have a girl like you."
Ruriko then turned and left the infirmary. What Ruriko didn't see was that Tifa opened an eye and weakly smiled.
'Thanks Ruriko-chan,' thought Tifa before she slid back into sleep.
* * *
Ranma stood near a casket, and a launch bay firing port. Barret lay inside and the rest of the Roughnecks stood nearby, waiting for Ranma to speak. Leona and Cloud stood together. Iori and Jessie stood off to one side and Ruriko stood in front. Finally, after collecting his thoughts, Ranma spoke.
"We are here to pay our respects to our honored dead," said Ranma. "To some of us he was more than our commanding officer, he was a teacher and a good one at that."
Ruriko smiled faintly at that. Ranma noticed it, but continued.
"But most importantly, he was our friend," said Ranma. "May he be remembered."
Ranma turned to the left view port.
"Left.face!"
At his command, the Roughnecks turned and faced the same direction and looked out the view port. The casket slid closed and made its way out.
"Present arms!"
Everyone saluted as the casket was fired out into space. After a minute, the door slid open and Ranma noticed.
"Officer on the deck," he called out.
"Proceed," answered one of the officers.
Ranma turned back and after a minute, he called out.
"Burial party.dismissed!"
On his command, everyone turned and left, except Tifa, who remained behind with Ranma. Several intelligence officers dressed in black stepped aside and one of them stepped up to Ranma. It was Reiji. He had become a colonel. Tifa and Ranma waited as he approached.
"Hey you guys," said Reiji, greeting them. He sounded tired.
"How are you, Reiji?" asked Ranma.
"Listen Ranma," said Reiji, not smiling. "I'm sorry it was your unit on P. That mission had a low survival probability."
"You knew and you sent them anyway?" asked Ruriko, astonished.
"Elegant proof of intelligence, isn't it?" asked Reiji.
There was a stony silence.
"You don't approve," said Reiji. Then he took a firm tone, "Well, too bad."
Ruriko and Ranma waited.
"We're in this for the species," said Reiji. "It's simple numbers and they have more. I have to make decisions like that send thousands of people like you to their deaths every day."
Reiji turned away, but Ranma spoke up.
"Didn't they tell you colonel?" asked Ranma. "That's what the MI is good for."
"Well, I hope you're ready for more," said Reiji, smiling faintly. "Because we're going back to P and capturing that brain."
"The Roughnecks are always ready, sir," replied Ranma, immediately.
"I hear they need a new lieutenant," said Reiji, smiling. "Want the job?"
"I'll take it, sir," answered Ranma. "Until I die, or you find someone better."
Reiji nodded and turned away and walked out with the other intelligence officers leaving Tifa and Ranma alone.
* * *
It was day on Planet P and camps were hastily being taken down, drop ships delivered supplies and troopers rushed around. Ranma, currently, was surveying his new team. Leona, Jessie and Cloud stood behind him as Ranma and Iori went around looking over the new troops.
"They look a little young," said Ranma as he finished looking the troops over.
"We got reinforced," said Iori. "Most of them are fresh out of boot."
Iori stood back and let Ranma take over. Ranma stood before them and finally spoke out to his new troops.
"This is for all you new people," called out Ranma. "I've only got one rule: Everyone fights, no one quits."
Iori smirked and he looked at Cloud, who was smiling as well. They recognized this saying well.
"If you don't do your job, I'll shoot you myself," said Ranma. "Do you get me?!"
"We get you, sir!" barked the lines of troopers.
"Welcome to the Roughnecks," said Ranma.
"Ranma's Roughnecks," said Cloud, speaking up.
As the troopers barked out, Ranma smiled. Finally he spoke again.
"Listen up, we're looking for a bug no one's ever seen before," said Ranma. "Some type of smart brain bug."
The instant he said that, streaks of blue bug plasma started to be launched from the ground into space. Ranma turned back to his team.
"And they probably know we're here," said Ranma. Strapping on his helmet, Ranma barked out orders, "Prepare yourselves.we're going in!"
* * *
Up in space, Ruriko and Ryouga sat in the flight seats while Xu looked on. The heavens were filled with blue bug plasma.
"Steady as she goes, number 2," Xu instructed Ruriko.
"Yes, ma'am," responded Ruriko, her eyes never leaving the screen.
"Prepare to jump to warp," informed Xu to her crew.
"We're clear in 5.4.3," counted Ruriko.
"Warp drive in 5.4.3," started Ryouga.
They never finished their count as a single plasma bolt ran straight through the middle of the ship. The ship lurched, throwing Ruriko and others to the floor. The once mighty ship was split in half. Crew and objects were sucked into space and red alert was sounded. Ruriko grabbed a panel and frantically called into it.
"This is the Rodger Young, we're going down!" yelled Ruriko. "Repeat: Rodger Young is going down."
"Lets go, Ikusawa!" yelled Xu, grabbing Ruriko by her arm.
"Wait, Ryouga-kun!" called Ruriko.
"I'm here!" yelled Ryouga making his way to the two.
Together the three of them slipped and slid as the ship tilted every which way, throwing them and other personal around. The star drive of the Rodger Young finally took a hit and exploded. The resulting shock wave collided with the forward section of the ship. Ruriko and Ryouga made it out the door, but Xu was unlucky. As she slid forward, she accidentally hit the close panel, before she was through the door. The heavy plated door dropped heavily on her, cutting her half. Ruriko turned to help her captain.
"Abandon ship," gasped Xu, coughing up blood. "That.that's an.or."
Xu fell still. Ruriko was stunned, but Ryouga grabbed her and hefted her up.
"Leave her, Ruriko-chan," shouted Ryouga. "She's dead, she's dead!"
Ruriko's only thought now was to get out. Ryouga let her lead, as his sense of direction was still shaky. They and others made for a door, but it slammed shut. They quickly went for another, but it too shut on them. Ryouga grabbed Ruriko and shoved her toward a still open third door. At the last second, he slid under the door. They had made it safely to the escape pods. Sliding down the ladder, Ruriko hopped into the nearest pod. Ryouga jumped in the rear seat with her.
"Launch, Ruriko!" shouted Ryouga.
Next to them, an escape pod that was about to launch was thrown off track and was destroyed, killing the occupants. Ruriko launched the pod and they made it out just in time. A few seconds later, a plasma bolt sheared the forward section and demolished the Rodger Young. Ruriko, piloting through a ton of debris, bodies and objects, she called repeatedly through her com.
"Mayday, mayday! This is Lieutenant Ikusawa in life pod RY-63," said Ruriko into her com. "Is anyone receiving? Please respond."
* * *
On the surface, Iori listened to a handset radio. Looking up with a grim face, Iori made a beeline for Ranma.
"What is it, Iori?" asked Ranma.
"The Rodger Young just burned up," said Iori, quietly.
At this Ranma's face fell, but he straightened up quickly.
"Any survivors?" asked Ranma.
"Well." said Iori.
Iori looked up and Ranma watched with him. They saw a life pod plummet toward the planet at high speeds.
* * *
"Please, anyone respond," called Ruriko, repeatedly as she headed for the surface.
"There," said Ryouga, pointing at the surface. "3.2.1.now!"
Ruriko pulled sharply on the controls, leveling them off with the surface, but they skimmed the rocks and slammed sharply, driving them into the crust of the planet as if the crust was glass. The pod came to a rest in the center of a large cavern. Ryouga popped out and grabbed rifles and helped Ruriko out. Ruriko grabbed a com device and called into it.
"This is Lieutenant Ikusawa," said Ruriko. "Is anyone receiving?"
Ryouga surveyed their surroundings. Tunnels opened out everywhere. He decided to stick with Ruriko for a bit to see if she was successful.
* * *
"This is Roughneck 002," answered Ranma, picking up Ruriko's signal.
In that instant, Ranma recognized the voice.
"Ruriko?" asked Ranma. "What's your position?"
* * *
"Location at 42 degrees South by 176 East," answered Ruriko, before she looked up.
Ryouga pressed against the other side of the pod, slowly handing her a pulse rifle, before cocking his own. Ruriko grabbed the rifle.
"Situation, extremely hostile," called Ruriko into the com.
Ruriko tossed the com to one side and opened up with her pulse rifle, as did Ryouga. Bugs came at them from left and right, but they fought back bravely. But it was no use as the bug warriors quickly got into them, piercing Ruriko through her left shoulder. Ruriko cried out in pain. Ryouga grunted as another warrior held him down through his right leg.
* * *
Meanwhile, Ruriko's cry of pain sent a chill down Ranma's spine. He turned to Iori, who looked back at him.
"We've got to go after her," said Ranma.
"You know as well as I do," answered Iori. "She's dead."
"I'm not giving up on her," said Ranma.
Turning to his group, he spoke.
"I need four volunteers," said Ranma.
Instantly Cloud, Leona and Jessie were by his side. Iori sighed and stepped up to Ranma.
"Let's go," said Ranma.
Ranma and his group head for the tunnels and drive deep underground.
* * *
Just below ground, warriors chatter as they hold Ruriko and Ryouga down. Soon a huge bug, unlike any other bug, comes through one of the far tunnel entrances. It is fat and pulpy. Many platform bugs supported it. Ruriko struggled, but it hurt her to move very much. The brain bug is carried forward. It stops right before Ryouga. Ryouga stares at it, fire in his eyes. Ruriko watched as a thorn like palp unfolds from the brain bug and readies itself. Just then, the brain bug froze; its eyes darted to the farthest tunnel entrance, just behind Ruriko and Ryouga. Prepped for battle, Ranma and his group walked inside slowly. Iori, Jessie and Cloud held their rifles at the ready. Ranma had his hands cupped together, a glowing blue ki ball forming between his hands. He smirked as he spoke.
"You know what this is?" asked Ranma to the brain bug. "Yeah, sure you do. You're some big fat smart brain bug, aren't you?"
Ranma motioned to Iori who held up his own hand, covered in purple fire. Iori nodded to Ranma as Ranma unleashed the Mouko Takabisha, blowing the warrior off of Ruriko. Leona quickly followed up, unclipping one of her earrings and hurling the explosive at the warrior that held Ryouga down. Ruriko helped Ryouga walk over to Ranma's group, who were waiting by the tunnel exit.
"Come on, come on," said Ranma.
Iori dissipated his flame and aimed his rifle instead. Ruriko set Ryouga down and opened her gate of healing.
"Gate.open!" called Ruriko. "Healing light."
The gentle sparkles touched their wounds and in a minute, it seemed as if Ruriko and Ryouga were never injured in the first place. Quickly they grabbed their weapons from the ground and backed up with Ranma. The brain bug was just turning around to escape through the tunnel it came from. Then the warriors attacked. Ranma and his group opened up with their pulse rifles. A bug bore down on Jessie, but she didn't notice until it was almost too late. A claw swung down, but it never hit. Jessie was astonished as Cloud took a blow to his gut for her.
"No, Cloud!" cried Jessie.
Ranma and the others blew the warrior away as Jessie helped Cloud stand up and walk. Ryouga looked at the mass of bugs that were swarming them. He knew nothing short of a nuke could save them. There was one technique he could use.
"Ranma-kun," said Ryouga in a stony voice. "Get out of here now. I'll take care of this one."
"You trying to be a hero, Ryouga-kun?" asked Ranma, still firing.
"Please Ryouga," pleaded Ruriko. "Don't do anything desperate."
Ryouga patted his leg, now healed, and smiled.
"Something to remember you by," said Ryouga. "Now go!"
Ranma grabbed Ruriko and they ran. Ryouga leapt high and landed in the middle of the chamber again. Bug warriors swarmed all over. He knew it was a destructive technique and that it would destroy him someday, but now he wasn't afraid to use it. Concentrating all his fear, anger, pain and depression for one big final outburst, Ryouga's battle aura flared a brilliant green.
"Ultimate Perfect Shi Shi Hokodan!"
Behind Ranma, the chamber suddenly exploded as the deep depression green ki blast carved its way into the rock. Iori was yelling instructions over the com about the brain bug sighting when the explosion occurred. Quickly they made for the surface and barely made it as the cave and tunnels collapsed in on itself. Ranma and his group stood up and walked with a solemn silence out of the tunnel exit. All of a sudden troopers rushed by them, excited and yelling. Not knowing what was going on, Ranma surveyed the scene while Ruriko healed Cloud up. All six of them approached what appeared to be a gathering in front of a tunnel entrance. Troopers were hauling the brain bug out in a huge net. Ranma and Ruriko pressed up front to see it. Just then high-ranking officers stepped up and one of them was Reiji. Reiji stepped up and put a hand on the mind of the brain bug. Reiji was quiet as if probing the bug's mind.
"What's it thinking, colonel?" asked an officer.
After a minute Reiji responded.
"It's afraid," whispered Reiji. Then louder and more excitedly, "It's afraid!"
Troopers whooped and fire their pulse rifles in the air. Reiji stepped back and found Ranma and Ruriko smiling at him.
"It was you," said Ranma as they walked. "You told me how to find Ruriko- chan."
"Well." Reiji said offhandedly. "That's confidential."
"What are you going to do with the brain bug now?" asked Ruriko.
"We've got one of their brains now," answered Reiji. "Pretty soon we'll know what they think and beat them."
Ruriko and Ranma walked along, waiting for Reiji to continue.
"Everyone will forget when it's over, but this was the turning point," said Reiji. "It wasn't the mighty Fleet, it wasn't a new weapon, but a trooper named Seifer who captured a brain."
"Wait.Seifer?" asked Ranma.
Ranma turned from Ruriko and Reiji and approached a man that was held on the shoulders of his companions. He stepped down and smiled at Ranma.
"Good job, sergeant," said Ranma, smiling.
"Thank you, sir," said Seifer before showing his rank. "It's private now."
"Carry on private," said Ranma, turning away.
"Yes, sir," saluted Seifer, before cheering with the rest of the troopers.
* * *
A TV clicks on, bringing in a live coverage report.
"The war continues," announced a reporter. "Armed with more soldiers, more ships, the Federation marches on."
The view changed to show a trooper using a type of launcher that demolished a mountaintop when he fired.
"New weapons, new technology," said the reporter. "Soon we will have the ability to blow a planet in half with a single attack."
The view changed again to show columns upon columns of troopers lined up and ready for action.
"Enlistment guarantees citizenship," said the reporter. "Fight for the Federation and the people. People like Captain Ruriko Ikusawa."
The view changes to show Ruriko now in a new ship as Captain.
"All hands this is the Captain speaking, prepare for drop," said Ruriko, clearly. "Steady as she goes number 2."
"Aye ma'am," said Selphie as she steered.
The view changed once more to show Iori and Ranma strapping their helmets on among tons of troopers.
"People like Private Iori, Corporal Tifa." said the reporter.
Tifa just then ran up, all healed and gave a kiss to Ranma, who smiled and hugged her once.
"And Lieutenant Ranma Saotome," said the reporter.
Ranma then barked out as he marched toward an open door of a drop ship.
"Come on, you apes!" Ranma yelled. "You want to live forever?!"
Yelling, the troopers swarmed on to drop ships and an outside view showed the ships being dropped down toward a planet.
"They'll keep fighting.and they will win!"
OWARI