New World, New Age, New War Chapter 3: Living In the Past, a ranma fanfic

New World, New Age, New War.....

Chapter 2 : Living in the Past.

Presented to you by Max Knight.

Disclaimer : Every Character, Scene, lines are not mine if you find them familiar. The rest are all the shared ideas of Daniel de los Santos and Wolfen Man Unleashed.

Author's Note : Be warned that this will be a crossover with Ranma 1/2, Alien Vs Predator Starcraft and SI. Much foul language will be seen and there will be blood and gore here. Heh, I never read a Starcraft fic without any blood....yet.

"Speech"

#Thoughts#

'Telepathy'

-------------------

Back in the Drop ship 'The Hurl'....

Max checked his gear all over again and make sure he packed ALL his belongings since the mission said that he would be on the planet for a VERY long time. As the ship made an announcement that it was safe to move freely he made an attempt to take out a novel he hasn't had a chance to finish since he arrived at Base 93. He smiled as he remembered his old friends he was going to meet up again at the new base. Heck, if he was lucky they might make a space colony there. He took out an old picture of his old marine squad and a small trickle or tear went down his cheek. Those marines were his family after his died on Earth.

--------------------

# Flash Back #

( From now on, it will be in Max's POV. )

Day 1 of boot camp.

I was taken to the Marine Corps since Dad died and Mom needed the money to feed my little brothers and sisters. At first I was supposed to be in the Junior Cadets but the Marines paid more so with a little help from a relative, I was able to get in as a 16 year old but I was actually 15.

We were given some basic studs like tooth brush, tooth paste, some clothes and pants then two sets of UED Uniforms with a cap. Then we were shaven by the barber until we were as bald as we can be. I noticed a man looking longingly at his blonde hair and he actually took a handful of them and kept it in his pocket. Weird. Me? I was lucky that I had a free hair cut.

Then we were lined up in front of what I assume was going to be my bed for the next eight weeks. We introduced ourselves until we heard a call that an Officer was here. I didn't know what it was but I did what everyone did, shut up and look mean.

After that we heard some footsteps and someone shouted a command.... then all hell broke loose as our Commander step in our once quiet hall...

A gruff and tough looking man in his early forties walked in and introduced himself. I remembered what he said the whole time since I paid absolute attention to his words as those was my only choice. All eyes were on him as he walked along the rows of men with a blank look on their faces. Suddenly his voice echoed through our ears....

" I am Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, your Senior Drill Instructor. From now on, you will speak only when spoken to, and the first and last words out of your filthy sewers will be 'Sir!' Do you maggots understand that? "

Everyone had no choice but to yell in unison a rather lousy " Sir , yes Sir. "

"Bullshit! I can't hear you. Sound off like you got a pair." the Drill Instructor yelled.

" Sir, yes Sir !"

I tried to yell as hard as I can until I can't even hear my own thoughts.

The Sergeant didn't even bat an eyelid at the loud sound by over 40 men and kept talking like we weren't there.

" If you ladies leave my island, if you survive recruit training ... you will be a weapon, you will be a minister of death, praying for war. But until that day you are pukes! You're the lowest form of life on Earth. You are not even human fucking beings! "

Boy was that harsh.

The man continued, " You are nothing but unorganized grabasstic pieces of amphibian shit! Because I am hard, you will not like me. But the more you hate me, the more you will learn. I am hard, but I am fair! There is no racial bigotry here! I do not look down on niggers, kikes, wops or greasers. Here you are all equally worthless! And my orders are to weed out all non-hackers who do not pack the gear to serve in my beloved Corps! Do you maggots understand that? "

I was starting to wonder where did he get all these words. I didn't understand some of them but all I could do was answer a loud " Sir, yes Sir."

" Bullshit I can't hear you! "

What ?? That was once of my loudest !! Oh well... " SIR YES SIR !!"

Suddenly he stopped in front of a black recruit and yelled at his face " What's your name, scumbag ? "

The guy answered loudly in his face " Sir Private Brown, Sir ! "

" Bullshit! From now on you're Private Snowball! Do you like that name? " asked Hartman.

" Sir, Yes Sir !!" answered Private Snowball....boy I was trying hard to hold in my laughter....until when I heard something even more funnier. The guy beside me made a very weird voice and whispered to his friend " Is that you John Wayne ?" then his friend replied "Is this me ?" at that I almost busted out my lungs but seeing the Sergeant charging at us asking who the hell did it forced me to shut up.

" Who said that ? Who the fuck said that? Who's the slimy little communist shit twinkle-toed cocksucker down here, who just signed his own death warrant? Nobody, huh?! The fairy fucking godmother said it! Out-fucking-standing! I will P.T. you all until you fucking die! I'll P.T. you until your assholes are sucking buttermilk. "

He grabbed a guy's shirt and yelled in his face. The guy was the one that made the reply...poor dude.

" Was it you, you scroungy little fuck, huh?! "

" Sir, no, sir!"

" You little piece of shit! You look like a fucking Zerg! I'll bet it was you ! "

Then the original guy that said it replied bravely " Sir, I said it, Sir." Well I gotta admire his guts though.

The Sergeant dropped the first guy and went up to the victim in a blink of an eye.

" Well ...no shit. What have we got here, a fucking comedian? Private Joker? I admire your honesty. Hell, I like you. You can come over to my house and fuck my sister. " Then he punched Joker in his guts until he sagged over on is knees but he stood right up even though I know it hurts like hell. I started to realize something, if that's how the Sarge shows he likes someone...I really hate to see what he'll do if he hates someone.

" You little scumbag! I've got your name! I've got your ass! You will not laugh! You will not cry! You will learn by the numbers. I will teach you. Now get up! Get on your feet! You had best unfuck yourself or I will unscrew your head and shit down your neck! "

Joker replied even though pain was written all over his face " Sir, yes Sir !"

" Private Joker, why did you join my beloved Corps? " asked Hartman.

" Sir to kill Zerg, Sir. "

" So you're a killer huh ? "

" Sir, Yes Sir. "

" Well let me see your War Face. "

Joker was really confused and the only thing that made out from his mouth was a small " Sir ? "

" You've got a war face?" Hartman made a terrifying face and yelled " Aaaaaaaagh! That's a war face. Now let me see your war face! "

" Arrrgghh !! "

" Bullshit! You didn't convince me! Let me see your real war face! "

" ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH !! "

" You didn't scare me! Work on it! " Then Hartman walked away.

" Sir, Yes Sir. " Joker really had the wind knocked out of him from the way he was gasping for air.

Hartman went to the guy beside Joker and yelled again.

" What's your excuse? "

The guy was scared shitless from the way his eyes moved around his sockets " Sir, excuse for what sir ? "

" I'm asking the fucking questions here, Private. Do you understand?! "

" Sir, yes Sir. "

" Well thank you very much! Can I be in charge for a while? "

" Sir, yes sir ! "

" Are you shook up? Are you nervous? " Geez must he ask that ?

" Sir, I am, Sir. "

" Do I make you nervous? "

The guy was shaking from the loud voice and the glare from Hartman that all he could say was " Sir..."

" Sir, what? Were you about to call me an asshole?! "

The guy immediately looks up " Sir, no Sir ! " Yup...he's scared as hell.

" How tall are you, Private? "

" Sir, five foot nine, sir! "

" Five foot nine? I didn't know they stacked shit that high! You trying to squeeze an inch in on me somewhere, huh? "

" Sir, no, Sir."

" Bullshit! It looks to me like the best part of you ran down the crack of your mama's ass and ended up as a brown stain on the mattress! I think you've been cheated! "

I was again amazed by the vocabulary the Sergeant used. Where the hell did he get all those insults ? More surprisingly, why and how in the world did I even remember this stuff ?

The Sergeant continued his questions at the poor shaking guy.

" Where in hell are you from anyway, Private? "

" Sir, Texas, sir! "

" Holy dogshit! Texas! Only steers and queers come from Texas, Private Cowboy! And you don't look much like a steer to me, so that kind of narrows it down! Do you suck dicks!? "

That was something I don't want to know.

" Sir, no Sir. " phew...for a moment there I was thanking the Sergeant for asking that.

" Are you a peter-puffer? " Now that was new.

" Sir, no Sir. "

" I'll bet you're the kind of guy that would fuck a person in the ass and not even have the goddamn common courtesy to give him a reach-around! I'll be watching you!"

Then the Sergeant walked away much to the pleasure and relief of Cowboy. Sergeant HARTMAN walks down the line to another

recruit, a tall, overweight boy.

" Did your parents have any children that lived? " asked the rude and loud man.

" Sir, yes, sir! " replied the overweight recruit.

" I'll bet they regret that! You're so ugly you could be a modern art masterpiece! What's your name, fat boy? "

" Sir, Leonard Lawrence, sir! "

" Lawrence? Lawrence, what, of Arabia? "

" Sir, no, sir! "

" That name sounds like royalty! Are you royalty? "

" Sir, no, sir! "

" Do you suck dicks? " at that moment I was really starting to re-think of joining this platoon. Why is he always asking these things ?

" Sir, no, sir! "

" Bullshit! I'll bet you could suck a golf ball through a garden hose! "

" Sir, no, sir! "

" I don't like the name Lawrence! Only faggots and sailors are called Lawrence! From now on you're Gomer Pyle! "

" Sir, yes, sir! "

Now here's what makes me wonder for a whole day. Pyle had this very strange smile on his face...that goes un-noticed by the Sarge. Which earned him another greeting from the man.

" Do you think I'm cute, Private Pyle? Do you think I'm funny? "

" Sir, no, sir!"

" Then wipe that disgusting grin off your face!"

" Sir, yes, sir! "

Pyle still had his grin on.

" Well, any fucking time, sweetheart! "

" Sir, I'm trying, sir. "

" Private Pyle, I'm gonna give you three seconds--exactly three fucking seconds--to wipe that stupid-looking grin off your face, or I will gouge out your eyeballs and skull-fuck you! One! Two! Three!"

Thought fat boy pursed his lips, he continues to smile involuntarily.

" Sir, I can't help it, sir! " Great answer man...

" Bullshit! Get on your knees, scumbag! "

Pyle did the only thing reasonable, he gets down on his knees.

" Now choke yourself! "

Pyle placed his hands around his throat as if to choke himself.

" Goddamn it, with my hand, numb nuts!! "

Pyle reaches for Hartman's hand but the Sarge jerks it away.

" Don't pull my fucking hand over there! I said choke yourself! Now lean forward and choke yourself! "

Pyle leans forward so that his neck rests in Hartman's open hand and the guy started to choke the life out of the poor recruit. Pyle gags and starts to turn red in the face until the Sarge asked him again "Are you through grinning? "

Pyle was barely able to speak under the circumstances but he managed to...his life depends on it.

" Sir, yes, sir! "

" Bullshit! I can't hear you! "

Pyle used all his strength that God gave him that day to answer the three words that saved him from dying under Hartman's hands " Sir, yes, sir! "

" Bullshit! I still can't hear you! Sound off like you got a pair! "

That at time I swear I could see the whites of Pyle's eyes but miraculously he replied the man who was about to take his life " Sir, yes, sir! "

" That's enough! Get on your feet! " Then the Sarge releases Pyle's throat and the man got on his feet while breathing heavily.

" Private Pyle, you had Best Square your ass away and start shitting me Tiffany cuff links... or I will definitely fuck you up! "

" Sir, yes, sir! "

------------------

Day two...

The U.E.D Marine Training camp. An eight-week college for the phony tough, and the crazy brave. We woke up at four in the morning and started our morning jogs after a fast bathroom break of two minutes and ate a very small portion for breakfast of a slice of bread with butter and some very bitter coffee.

As we jog along the track, Sergeant Hartman started to make those commands like ' Left, Right, Left, Right ' and as the nice and obeying troop, we did all the stuff he said. Then he started to shout these strange rhymes that still puzzled me until.....well just listen on.

" Mama and Papa laying in bed. "

On instinct, we repeated " Mama and Papa Laying in Bed. "

" Mama rolled over, this is what she said..."

" Ah, gimme some... " At that my eyes widened.

" Ah, gimme some... "

And Hartman said it again. " Ah, gimme some..."

And we repeated " Ah, gimme some..."

" P.T...." then I nearly fell over.

" P.T...." but the glare of Hartman stopped me from doing so.

" Good for you! "

" And good for me! "

" Mmm, good."

" Up in the morning to the rising sun."

" Gotta run all day till the runnin done! "

And we did just that. Then it's the obstacle course....

" Arcturus Mengsk is a son-of-a-bitch! "

" Got blueballs, crabs and the seven-year-itch! "

"I don't want a teenage queen."

" I just want my C-14. "

--------------------

That night Hartman gave us our own C-14 'Impaler' rifle. It was heavy but I was able to carry it. We placed it beside us and stood still waiting for the speech the Sarge gave.

" Tonight ... you pukes will sleep with your rifles! You will give your rifle a girl's name! Because this is the only pussy you people are going to get! Your days of finger-banging old Mary Jane Rottencrotch through her pretty pink panties are over! You're married to this piece, this weapon of iron and wood! And you will be faithful! Port ... hut! Prepare to mount! Mount! "

We mounted, luckily I was placed under the lower bunk. We lied on our backs with our rifles held two feet on our chest

Then the Sarge continued " PRAY !! "

We prayed. It was the weirdest prayer we were taught by the Sarge. It kind of goes like this :

" This is my rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My rifle is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it, as I must master my life. Without me my rifle is useless. Without my rifle, I am useless. I must fire my rifle true. I must shoot straighter than my enemy who is trying to kill me. I must shoot him before he shoots me. I will. Before God I swear this creed. My rifle and myself are defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life. So be it .. . until there is no enemy...but peace. Amen. "

" Order ....Hut! "

We snapped our guns beside us and the lights were off.

" Good night ladies. "

" Good night Sir. "

The rest of the days were those exercises like knife throwing and doing laps around the whole barrack. Then there's the obstacle course of hell. We only had a half hour break and we used it to clean our stuff. Then there was the stick fight in front of the field where everyone was called to fight each other with Pugil Sticks.

At Day 20 I was starting to see the effects of these training on a certain recruit. Private Pyle. The guy was a klutz unlike anything I've ever seen.

There was the time when we have to climb the tar pit course and Pyle ...well Pyle was kind of hopeless as he fell in the pit of unknown substance. I was told it was mud but the smell of it told me otherwise.

" Quickly! Get your fat ass over there, Private Pyle! Oh, that's right, Private Pyle ... don't make any fucking effort to get to the top of the fucking obstacle! If God wanted you up there He would have miracled your ass up there by now, wouldn't He? " Yelled Hartman.

" Sir, yes Sir. " and Pyle tried again but failed as he slips down.

" Get your fat ass up there, Pyle!

" Sir, yes, sir!" I watched him as he climbed the pole... and fell again.

" What the hell is the matter with you anyway? I'll bet you if there was some pussy up there on top of that obstacle you could get up there! Couldn't you?! " I winced at the tone and the facial expression on Hartman's face, it was an insane look that spreads fear into everyone.

" Sir, yes Sir. " Pyle fell heavily on the ground again.

" Your ass looks like about a hundred and fifty pounds of chewed bubble gum, Pyle. Do you know that? "

" Sir, yes, sir. "

Then there was the time when he had to do pull-ups on the steel poles....

It was my turn and I did my best I could muster that day and my arms were sore as I did my tenth pull.

" One for the Corps! Get up there! Pull! " Yelled the Sarge, his voice shook me off and I fell and I started to run ahead.

" I guess the Corps don't get theirs. Get up there, Pyle! "

Pyle leaps up and started to make a pull....but as usual he fell.

" Pull! Pull, Pyle, pull! One pull-up, Pyle! Come on, pull! You gotta be shitting me, Pyle! Get your ass up there! Do you mean to tell me that you cannot do one single pull-up? " Pyle fell again.

" You are a worthless piece of shit, Pyle!! Get out of my face! Get up there, Snowball! "

Then there was the 'Confidence Climb Day' where we had to climb over these high ladders and Hartman was sitting at the top yelling his insults at us. I went over it just in time to look at poor Pyle...

" Get up here, fat boy! Quickly! Move it up! Move it up, Pyle! Move it up! You climb obstacles like old people fuck. Do you know that, Private Pyle? Get up here! You're too slow! Move it, move it! Private Pyle, whatever you do, don't fall down! That would break my fucking heart! Quickly! "

Already two recruits finished their turn and Pyle was stuck at the top. He was terrified...well I can't blame him since I was just as scared as him but the look on the Sergeant's face changed my mind.....God I love my mind. I noticed that I could tune out feelings and sometimes even sounds. I never told anyone though; I didn't want others to think I was a freak or something. People might think I was mad.

" Up and over! Up and over! Well, what in the fuck are you waiting for, Private Pyle? Get up and over! Move it, move it, move it! Are you quitting on me? Well, are you! Then quit you slimy fucking walrus-looking piece of shit! Get the fuck off my obstacle! Get the fuck down off of my obstacle course! Now! "

And Pyle did what he was told as the Sarge yelled at him from the top.

" Move it! I'm gonna rip your balls off so you cannot contaminate the rest of the world! I will motivate you, Private Pyle, if it short-dicks every cannibal on the Congo!"

Oh....no one could forget Road Day...

We were forced to take this long long looong jog around the trail for five hours straight and Pyle was lagging behind. Lucky for him Joker was there and helped him. Unfortunately the Sarge was there to give him one of those speeches. I was able to hear every single one of them since I was very close to dropping myself...

" Pick'em up and set'em down, Pyle! Quickly! Move it up! Were you born a fat slimy scumbag, you piece of shit, Private Pyle? Or did you have to work on it? Move it up! Quickly! Hustle up! The fucking war will be over by the time we get out there, won't it, Private Pyle? "

Pyle gasped for breath again as he ran with the help of Joker.

" Move it ! " the Sarge gave Pyle a shove hat nearly knocked Joker and him down.

" Are you going to fucking die, Pyle? Are you going to die on me!! Do it now! Move it up! Hustle it up! Quickly, quickly, quickly! Do you feel dizzy? Do you feel faint? Jesus H. Christ, I think you've got a hard-on! "

All right enough of that. Well seems like After all those incidents Joker was made Squad leader and was in charge of making Pyle a better marine. How ? Don't ask me since I was trying not to get myself in trouble.

I was given the nickname 'Max' because the Sarge knew about my real age. I didn't know how but he allowed me to join his corps if I did my best and made my faults at a minimum. So I was given the nickname 'Max' since Victor made him sick and Knight seems to piss him off. I was also pressured to work hard and do the maximum amount of task given. That means that despite my small size I was given the same job as everyone else. Hartman was right, he was hard but fair....Fair my ass.

One day when the Sarge was inspecting our fingernails, yeah I know, primary school ? Nope. He spotted a small tiny detail on Private Pyle's trunk. His trunk wasn't locked. Here's what happened. Hartman stops and took out the lock and stood in front of Pyle.

" Jesus H. Christ! Private Pyle, why is your footlocker unlocked? "

" Sir, I don't know sir. "

" Private Pyle, if there is one thing in this world that I hate, it is an unlocked footlocker! You know that, don't you? "

" Sir, yes, sir. "

" If it wasn't for dickheads like you, there wouldn't be any thievery in this world, would there? "

" Sir, no, sir "

" Get down."

Pyle steps down from the locker and Hartman threw the content of Pyle's locker on the floor making a rather loud bang.

" Well, now .. . let's just see if there's anything missing!"

Suddenly the Sarge freezes and pick up a doughnut from the locker and held it in disgust with his fingertips at arm's length in front of Pyle.

" Holy Jesus! What is that? What is that, Private Pyle?!"

" Sir, a jelly Doughnut sir."

" A Jelly Doughnut ? "

" Sir, yes, sir!"

" How did it get here?"

" Sir, I took it from the mess hall, sir!"

" Is chow allowed in the barracks, Private Pyle?"

" Sir, no, sir!"

" Are you allowed to eat jelly doughnuts, Private Pyle?"

" Sir, no, sir! "

" And why not, Private Pyle? "

" Sir, because I'm too heavy, sir!"

" Because you are a disgusting fat boy, Private Pyle!"

" Sir, yes, sir!"

" Then why did you hide a jelly doughnut in your footlocker, Private Pyle?"

" Sir, because I was hungry, sir!"

" Because you were hungry?"

Hartman held the jelly doughnut and walks down the row of recruits still standing with their arms outstretched and said in a sarcastic but disappointed tone " Private Pyle has dishonored himself and dishonored the platoon! I have tried to help him, but I have failed! I have failed because you have not helped me! You people have not given Private Pyle the proper motivation! So, from now on, whenever Private Pyle fucks up, I will not punish him, I will punish all of you! And the way I see it, ladies, you owe me for one jelly doughnut! Now, get on your faces!"

Hartman turns back to Pyle and shoves the jelly doughnut into PYLE'S mouth " They're paying for it, you eat it!" the turns to us and gave out the order to do push ups. The platoon does push-ups and Pyle just ate the doughnut. It was then that every single thing Pyle did wrong, we were the ones that get punished. Many of the recruits hated him. I used to hate him until one night....

I remembered it as the guys took out a bar of soap and wrapped it with a towel. Then Cowboy gagged poor Pyle and everyone took turns hitting the guy. I pretended to sleep but the loud beatings and the cries of Pyle kept me up all night. I knew Pyle very well and he was a nice guy. But that night I couldn't lift a finger to stop them from beating the hell out of him. I felt disgusted at myself.

The next day Pyle was a changed man. He kept to himself and didn't greet anyone that he meets. He was like a freaking zombie that even I was scared to talk to him. His gaze was so ghostly that I would rather face Hartman's insults than take another look at Pyle's face.

Pyle started to talk to his Gun. That was when we knew he was losing it. Some of us wanted to apologize but the look on his face told us otherwise. He made Hartman proud but it also motivated us since he was one of the best shooters around the campsite.

Soon it was time to graduate and everyone was excited. I was placed on Base 12, not far from the Marine Corps with some of the other guys. It was rumored that some Zerg sightings were discovered there and we were back up for the main fleet. Joker was assigned to be on Basic Military Journalism and Hartman was pissed. Then it was Pyle's turn, he kind of zoned out until he got scolded again.

That night while Joker was on guard duty, he spotted Pyle in the toilet loading his Gun with live rounds of the standard 7.62 spiked Full Metal Jacket in his C-14. Joker stared wide-eyed when Pyle suddenly executes the Manual of Arms. Everyone woke up from the loud noise and started to check the toilet. Hartman woke up and ordered us to get back in bed while he checks the source of the noise.

What I heard next was a loud gun shot and then another one followed a few seconds later. That was the last I heard of Private Pyle and Gunnery Sergeant Hartman. I met up with the rest of the guys and paid our last respects to Hartman and Pyle. Then we were given full CMC suits with NBC shielding and shipped off to Base 12.

-------------

At base 12...

Everyone was excited as we got off the cramped Drop ship. We talked about what the girls would be like, and even how many Zergs we will kill. I just stared at the huge buildings around me and the Vulture Hover Bikes that were parked neatly near the hanger. I couldn't stop but admire the fighters on these fast and deadly bikes. Cowboy made a yodel as he saw something that caught his attention. It was a Siege Tank. He was like a kid in a store full of toys and he grinned at the magnificent artwork and the massive form of the Tanks. One shot and it would kill anything in range.

We made it to our bunkers and started to unpack. We report in the barracks and took orders from a man called Lieutenant Jonathan. He said that as long as we do what he says we were as good as alive from his 'Zerg Buster' pistol. We never gotten in any trouble for a whole week and it was time for our break. I was delighted to get away from guard duty in the Bunker way upfront and strolled in the canteen.

An aromatic smell caught my sensitive nose and leads me to a crowded stall. It said 'Ucchan's Okonomiyaki' and the whole place was full of Marines and Firebats alike. I even saw Wraith pilots and some Vulture riders taking large bites of round pancakes.

I never had anything besides the stuff they had in the Marine bunks and I was already considered lucky to get my belly filled. I waited for a full hour for the crowd to dissolve and went to check out this new Pancake stall. I wonder why didn't I notice this before ?

As soon as I walked to the counter I was greeted by a cheerful voice " Welcome Sugah, what can I get you ? " at that I stared wide-eyed at the source of the angelic voice. It was a young girl about my age and she was smiling at me. She chuckled as my tummy rumbled and the red hue on my face.

" Well, I think I know what you'll like. Since it's my fault that you're THAT hungry, I'll give you this one free of charge. " said the girl and she poured some stuff on the grill and the familiar aroma filled my nose. After a few minutes, a steaming plate of the strange looking Pancake was in front of me. I simply took a bite and tears started filling my eyes. The girl looked horrified at me and started to ask about my health because I was choking.

" It....it's the BEST THING THAT I EVER TASTED !! " I shouted and gulfed the whole thing in an instant. She smiled and made another one for me. I ate it up in a few seconds and stopped eating. She asked what's wrong and I said that I haven't got paid yet. She laughed and said that it was on the house but I will have to help clean the plates though. I agreed and spent the whole time washing a mountain of dirty plates.

I asked about her and she said that she was a new addition for the UED. She said that she's a Firebat but made this stall up for some extra cash to send home for her father. I was ashamed when I heard that.

" Sorry miss Kuonji...."

" Nah, it's okay. You just finish up and we're even."

So started our new friendship. I would help her as much as I can I get all the Okonomiyaki I can. Once we where called for backup since the boys at Base 14 were under attack from the Zerg and were away. When I came back she grabbed my shirt and tossed me over the table for not informing her. That day onwards I would tell her all my missions as soon as I get the details and vice versa.

In battle, Ukyo showed her strength as a fierce Firebat and burned the Zerg away to hell. We were a great team as Marines and Firebats should be and any Zerg before never overwhelms us. That is until one day that Base 12 itself was under attack. The attack was so sudden that no one was ready and the Mutalisks destroyed all the Vulture Bikes before the pilots could get in. I ran out and nearly fainted as the Canteen blew up in flames in front of me. I felt the anger in side of me as my blood boiled and the image of Ukyo still in there made my mind up to kill every single Zerg present. I Stimpacked myself and rushed in the battlefield killing Zerg after Zerg as I cried. I didn't know what happened next but when I woke up I noticed a lone figure beside me. It was Ukyo covered in bandages and she was slumped on a chair beside me.

Then I heard what happened. The Mutalisks attacked but the people in the canteen already got the warning and escaped just in time for a Guardian to blow it sky high. They also said that as I charged in a green glow as around my Armor and then as I fired my rounds the Zerg around me ran as if Satan himself was there. I was puzzled but filled with relief. The medics said I was in a coma for three days and Ukyo came to check up on me every day. I was so filled with emotion that I cried and swore to protect her with all my life from any harm. God have mercy on any living being that dared to hurt Ukyo.

When I was released from the Medic bay, I told her about my feelings but Ukyo just said that it was too soon and we could just be good friends. I asked her why and she said that she was actually on a mission from her father to find a man. You see, Ukyo's father engaged her to another man when she was six years old and now it was time to find the man. It was also rumored that the man was a Ghost. At that I started to hate every Ghost I met at Base 12 and swore to find the man that abandoned Ukyo. She never told me the name of that bastard but I dreamed every night to kick the man's ass, if I ever see him.

One time at break, the boys and I were playing some poker. I won most of the time and was grinning at the pile of money in front of me. I was about to collect my winnings until a hand slaps me from behind and shoved me down the floor.

I glared up at the unfamiliar face but Cowboy and Adam held me back. Snowball was about to punch the guy but suddenly he started to choke on his own. The stranger took out a steel tube and tried to stab me but Joker and Cowboy came to my rescue. They were swung away like flies and everyone stared wide-eyed at the display. I wanted to fight back but then a choking sensation started at my throat and I resisted the urge to vomit. The stranger's eyes narrowed and he took out some cards.

" What is behind this card ? " he asked in a rough voice.

" What the hell ? " I asked in a rusty voice. I was trying hard not to barf my last meal. The stranger appeared in front of me and stared me in my eyes. At that point I noticed that this guy had an Ocular Implant on his left eye. That meant only one thing....a Ghost.

My mind went blank as I stared at the card.

" What Is Behind This Card !! " he yelled.

The whole place was quiet besides the choking sound of Joker, Cowboy and Snowball.

I gulped and answered the first thing that came in my mind " A C-14 'Impaler' Gauss Rifle..."

The he switched to another one.

" A Hydralisk..."

And another...

" A Zealot..."

Finally the last card.

" A...a..." I was getting dizzy and finally I threw up from the pressure. The man took out a needle and stabbed my neck and I stared blankly at my friends and black out.

-----------------

The next thing I noticed was that my head hurts like hell....then it was my eyes...ok, make that my LEFT eye. Then I pass out again as a guy walked over me and poked a needle in my arm.

-----------------

The following day I was notified that I was a valid Psychic user and my family was arrested for not checking me in for ESP test. I punched the stranger in the face but he predicted my movements and slammed his knee up my stomach and then took me to a room. He threw me there and I stared at the bodies of my now dead family. I cried for the last that day....for the death of my family and for the fact that I had become the one thing I hated...a Ghost.

After that I was taken away and was introduced to a man named Genma Saotome. I heard that he was a Sergeant but that's all I cared to think since the sight of my Mom's corpse still lingered in my mind. I was moved away and now stayed with Genma and his son Ranma Saotome.

The two was in charge of training me as a Ghost in under six months because it was too late for me to take Ghost training and the Saotome's are known to train Elite ghosts...if they survived that is.

Genma didn't do anything but left me there to brood over my family's death. Ranma was only two years older than me but his eyes told a different story. One time he told me about his trainings and I gasped at the Zergling training. I asked about it and he said that he was inserted with some Zerg DNA before that and his cells were able to regenerate as fast as a Hydralisk. The only thing that kept Ranma from going 'Zerg' was the trainings and the absence of the Psychic Limiter Implants. He said he could control his other instinct with his powers and swore to teach me the way to use mine as well. He also said that I was the only person his dad gave full permission to teach.

" Does that mean I have to call you Sensei ? " I asked.

Ranma snorted " Nah, just call me Sempai when we train but just plain Ranma will do when we're alone."

" Okay...Ranma."

The Saotome's training was making Boot Camp seem like Disney Land. He made me wear weights around my ankles and on my wrists, then make me run laps around the whole compound that is almost half the size of the Marine Boot Camp. Oh...and don't forget his first time of teaching me how to toughen my body, by throwing me off the roof and wanting me to land not only safely but as quiet as possible. Then there was the hot water exercise, hot boiling water dripped from a pipe and I was told to use my Psychic powers to force my receptors to make lightning fast reflexes to prevent the hot water from burning my hands. Ranma was grinning all the way every time I failed until I dared him to do it himself and prove to me that it was actually possible to move at that speed. As far as I know, the human body only does that when we're in an emergency situation and won't operate by sheer will. To my eye's amazement, Ranma performed the task with ease and not a single drop of water was on his hands.

Then he taught me to make a high jump...without using my Psychic powers. He said that we must also train our bodies because we can't always rely on our powers in battle. The Overlords could detect us when we're cloaked and we need to escape the range of the Overlords.

I began to respect Ranma as times goes by and paid full attention to his words and advises until the day I was granted permission to officially 'Graduate' from Ranma's care and go through the Ghost Weaponry training by another trainer. I visited the official Ghost training Barracks and smiled at the young cadets there.

One time I saw a man testing his three students in a training field and he was actually reading a book while deflecting the attacks from the students.

" Fight Back Kakashi no Baka !! " yelled a blonde trainee and then he made a wide arch with his fist towards the Ghost. Suddenly Kakashi disappeared and appeared again behind the young trainee to give a hard kick to his backside. I laughed and the Ghost waved at me when he saw my Hostile Environmental Suit.

I was also under the same team with a man named Daniel de los Santos. He was given the nickname 'Black Saint' because of his powerful Psychic abilities and could go one on one with Ranma-sempai...until Ranma pulled off his kid gloves and slammed Daniel into the wall. We found out that all Ghosts must be given Psychic limiters and when I asked about myself Ranma said that whoever trained with him will be pardoned. What I didn't know was that he actually fooled Genma in saying that my powers were only beginning to form and I was under his control.

Daniel was a quiet guy at first glance but he could be talkative when he's in the mood. He was a great listener when it comes to it and would help me out as much as he could. He even saved my life a few times from the Zerg. He almost never passed out a fight with Ranma though. We were moved to another base again, I met a pilot by the name of Peter Courtney and we never parted except when he was on flight duty or when I was on scouting missions. The four of us would hang out in the canteen and we even made tattoos on the back of our hands. Mine was a shield, Ranma's was a fiery stallion while Peter's was a Wolf head and Daniel wanted a Reaper with black flames around it. We met up with the Ghost Instructor Hatake Kakashi one day and he said that we'd be introduced to the Lockdown System and how to plant a Nuke in a safe distance.

Then one day, reinforcements came and I was glad when I saw Ukyo. We hugged and told each other about what happened and I even introduced our new friends. Ukyo met two new friends in her last base and they were with her. It was a Valkyrie pilot named Tendo Ranko and her cousin Tendo Akane. Peter's eyes was wide open when he saw Ranko, I could tell he was in love straight away since it was the same look I gave Ukyo the first time I saw her. Her cousin was another thing, she said that her father was the Commander of the Company and she was here to inspect our well being. She was a Ghost too and expects us to take her seriously. At that all Daniel and Ranma saw was red and I could swear that lightning was emerging from the eyes of the three Ghosts.

It was not until Genma's voice echoed through Ranma's comlink and we all heard the infamous sound of Ranma cursing his dad. It seems that their fathers engaged Akane and Ranma. When Ukyo heard Ranma's name she slapped him and ran away with tears in her eyes. I ran after her followed closely by Ranko and Peter while I heard the voices of Akane yelling to Ranma for being a pervert.

When I caught up to her, she told me that Ranma was the one she was engaged to and now that Akane was engaged to Ranma she didn't know what would happen to her. She was worried if news gets to her father back on Earth. Her honor was gone, she was like a worn rag. When I asked Ranko what it meant, she said it was her custom to be faithful to her husband but since Ranma was engaged to Akane, and Akane was a daughter of a High Officer, Ukyo will be sent back to Earth as a used item.

" What kind of Custom is that ? " I almost yelled and took out my pistol. I intended to kill Akane and put an end to all this but then Ukyo slapped me. I stared at the hateful glare she sent me and Ranko kneed me in my gut for my actions. I knew I made a mistake back then but I was so filled with rage that the pain was numb and I walked away from the two girls. Peter saw that and shot a glare at Ranko.

" Some people don't appreciate good friends. " said the ace pilot and we walked away leaving the crying Ukyo on Ranko's shoulder. I felt like shit that day. When we caught up on Ranma he told me about his father's way of making the next generation strong. He said that he always despised his father since the day he was put down in the Zerg pit. I forgave Ranma and we were friends again but we gave each other some space...

After a few incidents on the battlefield, I was sneaking up on a Zerg base when an Overlord spotted me, and a dozen Zerglings started to surround me. I grinned and took out my C-10 canister rifle and fired at them knowing that backup will be behind me when I need them.....four miles behind me that is....

I didn't know what came over me. The face of Ukyo, and the slap was still in my head and I slaughtered every Zergling that the Overlord sent in my way. The humming of a Vulture Hover Bike reminded me about Daniel and then grenades blasted the remaining Zerglings away. He came down from his bike and yelled at me.

" Max !! What the fuck was that ? Didn't I tell you to look around for Overlords first before going in for a Nuke ? " Daniel was disappointed and worried at the same time, but when he saw the blank look and the tears on my face, I broke down and cried all my rage out. The dreaded memories of my family's corpse and the painful moans of Pyle started to overwhelm my mind. Then the face of Ukyo the first time I saw her made me cry even harder. Daniel didn't know what happened but knew I was in pain. He was able to read minds as well and picked my limp body up and placed me on the back seat of his Vulture bike.

" C'mon kid, you need some time off."

--------------

Days passed and Ukyo apologized to me for the slap. She told me that her father died a month ago and the information arrived at Base 12 but by that time she was moved to base 21 and so they had to relocate her. She was now free of the engagement and said that she was sorry for the slap. Needless to say we were back once again only this time I was allowed to date her. Peter started to get Ranko to notice him by getting the Airman First Class rank and was given his own team of three Wraiths. Ranko was pissed of course, she didn't have the same idea of boys like Akane but she really hates it when people try to get a higher rank than her. The last I heard after Peter and Ranko moved to another Company was that they were placed in the same squad and the two hit off quite well. Ranma and Akane still bickered like kids but I heard that the two could be seen taking a walk down the bay at night.

Few months later, Ranma was called back to Base 33 and Akane went to her father's side at the front line. Daniel went to take on Solo missions for the UED and I was left with Ukyo on base 93 with some of my old pals. That was when I started to get solo missions as well. We met with the Firebat Squad Leader Saffron and he was all business when it comes to combat, Ukyo said that he was a tough one to crack a joke but he would comment on her Okonomiyaki like it was the food for the Gods.

---------------

# End Flash Back #

Max went out of the Drop ship and breathed in the cool fresh air of the new planet called Chauser IV. The place was filled with people and there was a Nuclear Silo in the middle of construction with SCV's running around. Then he saw the many rows of supply depots and the barracks for the Marines to train in their skills. The Bunkers and Heavy Factories were there as well as the Academy and Star Port.

Max took his gear and went to report in the Command Center. He was admiring the place when he knocked someone by the shoulder. He look up and saw a man with gray hair in a military cut and a rather large behind him.

" Watch it punk. You think you Ghosts are all high and mighty but you can't even walk straight without knocking a guy over." then he walked away cursing. Max narrowed his eyes and tried to read the guy's mind.

# So...his name is Bret 'Bazooka' eh ? We'll see pal. # then he went on his way.

---------------

Daniel arrived a few minutes later and grinned as he felt the Psychic presence of Max. He went to the Command Center and report in like everyone else and checked in his Vulture Bike when he saw a familiar scene played not far from the hanger.

" C'mon Ranko, I really didn't mean to and you know it. " Peter was following Ranko as she made an annoyed expression on her face but Daniel knew that she was actually laughing inside.

# Heh, being Psychic does have its advantages. Guess I won't bother them for a while. #

Then Daniel went on looking for Max.

--------------

Ranma arrived an hour later with Akane by his side " Well, this is it Akane, what will the guys think if they found out about our relationship? "

The girl laughed " You're the only Ghost dense enough to realize that they already knew this from the start." Ranma opened his jaws and stared at her. Akane smirked " Well are you just going to stare at me like that all day ? " Then she blushed and slapped his head " You PIG !! I'm a Ghost too you know. "

Ranma rubbed his head " Strangely I always forget that."

--------------

Soon the place was filled with people and the old gang met up in the canteen. Ukyo made Okonomiyaki and they celebrated their reunion until something burst through the wall and a red blur slammed the water tanks which made everyone wet except the two Ghost who sensed the water and dodged it. Unfortunately Ranko, Ukyo and Peter were drenched and they all got a mighty good view....

" Hentai !! "

" PERVERT !! "

The sounds of slaps echoed the whole place followed by " I didn't see anything !! "

Bad answer....

#Slap ! Punch ! Kapowie ! #

Daniel tried to sneak away when they heard a loud voice " RAAAANNNMMMAA PREPARE TO DIE !! " then they saw Ranma carrying Akane across the tables followed by an angry boy clad in a bandana. They landed in front of the grill and stopped as all eyes were on them.

" Um...I'm Ranma Saotome...Sorry about this. "

--------------

( A/N : There, hope you guys like this chap. It's sort of a more in-depth story for the readers to understand about the current relations between the Ultimate Wrecking Crew.)