"I heard you were looking for me, Kumiko the Ranger. Looks like I managed to snag your hunter friend. I thought you were supposed to be good..." The harsh grating of the mechanisms inside Mechana's body couldn't drown out the music of her voice. She was a deep black and green with burning yellow eyes and she carried as sabre as well as a hand gun. Kumiko tried to speak but Matt's face stopped her. Sarah continued to lend support...

Matt was planning something...

"Ragol is unfit for foolish humans and newmans like yourselves. My advice is to give up while you still can." Mechana continued. Kumiko swallowed and watched Matt.

He smiled slightly and reached up quickly, grabbing the android's arm adn flinging her quickly over his head. She squeaked, caught by surprise suddenly. Matt backed away from her, helping Sarah support Kumiko.

"Lets go." Sarah stooped to pick up the fallen handgun.

"My buster is worth more and stronger than your sabre, Mechana. If I weren't so tired and beat up, I'd kill you. Guess you'll have to be killed another day." Kumiko spat on her and the three of them headed back to Pioneer Two on a telepipe Matt created. Mechana hissed in their direction and got up, aware that someone was in the clearing behind them.

"You could have helped, you worthless sack of shit." She snarled at the tall and beautiful male Force who approached her. He silenced her and smiled.

"They are all so beautiful...we must not kill them when there is still a chance to turn them to our side and add them to my collection. Come Mechana, we must return to the others." He said softly, his eyes on the sky. Mechana didn't speak.

The hospital bustled with activity, so no one but one nurse, Stasya, payed much mind to the odd trio. Sarah sat quietly beside Kumiko's bed as the woman slept, regarding her with a hidden interest she couldn't explain.

/She's so intriguing...I'm curious, that's all./ Matt came in, stopping in the doorway and staring as well. Kumi actually looked like a woman, sleeping soundly in flannel pyjamas.

/Too bad she's such a monster when she's awake./

"Hey, Sarah, it's rude to stare." He said quietly, looking away himself. "Lets go eat." Sarah looked over, then back down at Kumiko, standing and nodding.

"While you're out, pick me up some real food. I can't stand this hospital crap." Matt had no idea why he had thought of Kumiko as a woman only seconds before.

"Well, if you're up to it, come with us...woman." He said. Kumiko was looking at him with one slightly open green eye. Matt blinked.

"Weren't your eyes..."

"Purple? Hai. They're always green when I wake up." She sat up, stretching slightly with a dainty yawn only a woman could pull off.

"Two hunters and a ranger, how convenient." A dry, amused voice said. "I wish to ask you for your cooperation." The three looked over to see a tall young ranger standing in the doorway, a tight braid keeping her hair from her face, all but a few stray strands. She wore glasses and robes other than the traditional rangers choice of clothing. She carried no weapons. "Hello, my name is Rebecca..."

"No offense, lady, but if you want us to help you right now, you're royally screwed. WE have enough on our plates..." Rebecca blinked down at the incredibly short woman in pyjamas in front of her, wearing a scowl.

"Who, are you?" She asked.

"Kumiko." Rebecca's eyes widened and she swallowed.

"Oh..." Was all she said. Sarah watched in fascination. Kumiko smiled, reaching for her clothing while unbuttoning the pyjamas. Matt didn't notice her undressing at first, too focused on Rebecca and her intentions...

Until she dropped the pyjamas on the floor, standing there in her underwear and turning her shirt right side in at her won leisure. Sarah was staring at him heatedly as he blinked, looking over.

"Matt!" She hissed, pushing him. "Get out..." Matt, stunned and fuming, caught the smug and nasty grin on Kumiko's face as Sarah shoved him out of the room.

/Damn her! I'll get her for this!!/