author's notes: The last chapter ended up a victim of circumstance with that little problem the site had with not posting stories for half a day. I'm hoping that this one does not meet the same fate.
Thanks to James Axelrad for checking this chapter and giving ideas and suggestions on how to continue. His in-depth knowledge about guns has been useful in development of future.
Disclamer: I own neither Noir nor Ranma ½
The Fourth Sapling
By: brindani
Chapter 7: The Mission
The sky was a vivid azure blue with a blazing sun hovering far above the people milling listlessly about on the streets below. Not one had purpose in their step, walking to and fro from one driven destination to another, the life drained from their eyes. Even the bustling military SUV hurdling down the street drew few people's attention. It was a common sight these days; one among many less savory sights.
Of the crowd, there was one person who took careful notice. Sharp blue eyes darted from side to side, actions well hidden behind a thick dull grey veil. These eyes tracked the truck as it swerved around a corner, nearly hitting two children along the way. A carefully hidden scowl crossed the petite set of lips before returning to a neutral expression, emulating those around her.
As the woman shifted from one street to the next, she was surrounded by fewer and fewer people. Some of the listlessness left the peoples' eyes replaced by a harder edge. The girl took careful note of this before ducking into a deserted alley. She stopped half way as a voice echoed behind her.
"What have we here, a pretty little thing I think."
"What do you want?" drifted a calm even tone from beneath the veil.
"There aren't too many chances to have a little fun, when you can find it you have to take a firm grip. I think I found such a thing this day." The girl turned around features obscured by the veil. Six men stood at the entrance to the alley each wearing turbans. Five of them where undistinguished, seeming to blend in with the dull walls around them. Each carried a short knife drawn and wore a leer directed towards the girl. The person talking dressed ostentatiously with a dark purple velvet outfit, rings adorning each meaty finger and half a jewelers stock around his thick neck. Where his left eye once was remained only a jagged scar broken by a worn brown eye patch. His grin stood out in sharp relief, right hand twitching in anticipation. His other held an old pistol aimed at the girl's heart.
The figure took in each of their continence without a flicker of worry in her eyes. "I see, but are you sure I truly exist? Or perhaps I'm a figment of your imagination."
"Ha, ha ha. Then you're the best damn dream I've had in ages. My little friend, however, seems to think you're more then real enough for me." A nasty grin crossed the man's face as he gestured to his obvious interest below. "This will be the first time in months a girl stupid enough has entered our territory. I believe I'll take my time.
If you're really good I might even give you something extra nice to remember me and my men by." The man leisurely strolled up to the girl, raising his free hand towards her. "Why don't we unwrap our present a little early, yes?" With that he yanked the cloak away only to gawk. There was nothing beneath; frantically he searched the narrow alley to find his elusive prey. "Where did she go?" He demanded of the others still staring at the cloth as it fluttered to the ground.
"I don't know. She was there just a moment ago." A particularly small ratty man with a short roughly sheared beard answered in a high squeaky voice.
"Well find her. We won't have another chance for a long time; especially with all the military running around chasing rumors of an upcoming assassination attempt on the leader."
Hastily, the group disbanded, rapidly spreading in all directions to find what most were beginning to believe truly was a phantom.
If they had bothered to look up they may have caught a flash of red disappearing onto the rooftop.
"Pathetic," said the revealed Ranma as she briefly watched the thugs vacate. 'Would have loved to take them out, but it would draw too much attention. I can't afford to make a commotion just yet.
Now what was that about an assassination attempt? Is someone else after my target?' Ranma pondered that briefly before leaving it. 'There are too many other things to worry about right now.' Turning away from the street, Ranma examined the barren rooftop shared only by the backup power and entrance. 'Now this should be the building.' Ranma thought to herself.
Walking behind the backup power, she reached out a hand and concentrated her energy, reaching deep within herself to fix it just right. It took nearly ten minutes of deep effort before the ball formed the specific tint of blue, a small purple band along its surface. If examined closely, someone might notice that the purple band was not a straight line nor was it stationary. It circled around the globe only wavered slightly, slowly becoming larger and more erratic. In exactly three hours the thread would destabilize the perfectly neutral orb, setting it off. It had taken more then one explosion in the face to come up with the idea of a destabilization thread to set off the orb. Chloe spent countless hours sitting and shaking her head after each explosion, but Ranma showed her that there was nothing Ranma Soatome couldn't master.
Ranma smiled, quite happy she insisted on using her own methods. Altena wanted her to use bombs because they were faster to setup, but what she developed was, in her humble opinion, far superior. Bombs could be deactivated, but this thread was ki sensitive. If another ki signature other then her own came into contact with it, it would instantly destabilize. Lightly placing her newest pride and joy behind the generator, she stood up.
'That was the last one, now I just have to take care of the bad guy and I'll be all set.' Ranma thought as she took a glance at the streets below to make sure no hoodlums were still meandering around. Seeing that they had broadened their search five or six streets away, Ranma casually hopped off the roof, pulling a spare cloak and veil from her pocket before covering herself. She would have to be more cautious not to attract another group of thugs or she would lose her last reserve.
Carefully the girl merged with the other inhabitants making her way along the main streets. As she walked, she remained vigilant of the area around her and its occupants. There was too much at risk to allow inattention to destroy all the intense training she underwent for this day.
It was because of her heightened attention that she spotted them; a pair of girls, one older then the other. One's long golden locks were well hidden behind a dingy gray veil while the other wore a brown veil that hid her hair from view. As if a magnet, Ranma's eyes were drawn to the two. They looked nearly identical to any of the other people on the street yet… not. Something powerful resided in these two, even if she could not tell what. The blond seemed oblivious while silently speaking with her compatriot; still she kept a very subtle eye on everything around her. Trying to find what made them stand out, Ranma realized the defeated gate of the others simply was not present nor the drained expression.
The young one in particular drew her attention. The eyes were mournful even as she nodded in time with the conversation. Something was familiar; something she recognized yet could not quite place.
As she walked past the two, Ranma stopped. A tingle ran up her back; very similar to what she felt from Chloe and Altena. Turning her head slightly, Ranma found that the other two had stopped as well. The young one curiously looking back towards her.
"Is there something the matter, Kirika?"
"What?" Said girl asked as she turned back to her friend.
"Are you alright? We can't stand around all day now can we?" She asked looking over Kirika's shoulder to find what drew the younger girl's attention.
Flicking her eyes back, Kirika blinked as the girl that had given her the odd feeling had disappeared.
"It's nothing."
"Good, then let's go, we don't have much time to prepare."
"Yes."
Ranma watched carefully from a side street. Those two were tripping ever alarm in her mind like no tomorrow. They seemed innocent enough, but they had an aura that screamed danger. What were they doing here? Ranma realized that knowing her luck she would meet them again.
As the two disappeared into the crowd, Ranma resumed her own journey along the street. Staying to the main road, Ranma managed to avoid any other gangs and stayed low key to avoid attention from the periodic soldiers on patrol.
Nearly an hour later led Ranma to a large instillation. She spared only a brief glance at it so as not to attract interest.
None of the recon or satellite photos did the complex justice. It was a mammoth fortress spanning many thousands of square feet and three stories high. Recently abandoned houses framed it on each side. There was only one entrance. Five guards blocked the gate, suspiciously watching all of the people passing on the street, letting an occasional troop through, calling them by name.
'Guess the main gate is a no go, just like I thought.' Continuing along her way, Ranma didn't receive a second glance from the guard. Quietly she slipped down the next corner. Luckily no one seemed to be hanging around this alley.
Giving one last glance to the people walking along the road, their eyes turned to the sidewalk, hardly seeing anything to prevent the death sentence known as suspicion. Ranma calmed herself, allowing newly honed ki senses to stretch out. She was surprised to find very few soldiers in the compound. Only those at the gate appeared attentive at all. The others had tell-tale signs of an almost jovial spirit. They must be joking with each other.
Concentrating harder, Ranma determined where each was paying the most attention. Walking half a dozen steps further down the alley, Ranma jumped over the high wall and landed soundlessly next to the main building. Just as she had surmised, there were a few soldiers milling around in the inner court laughing at brazen jokes; totally oblivious they had just been infiltrated.
It worked to Ranma's advantage as she scurried into an open window. 'All too easy.'
Jamal stretched his arms out as he stood from his desk. Running a dictatorship was not all he had imagined. Simply dealing with the paperwork was time consuming and onerous. Even though many of his soldiers where loyal to the point of fanatical he still could not allow the sensitive information into their hands. You could never tell when a filthy spy would infiltrate with good acting skills. That was only one of thousands of duties he now had to manage.
Glancing at the remaining stack of papers, Jamal allowed his eyes to narrow. All of this blasted work left him little time to enjoy what he had won. Won despite all of the intimidation from factions like the United Nations. He had nearly lost it all as his hand was forced prematurely by some mysterious organization calling themselves the Soldats. They had attempted to head him off before the coup could take place. They were miserably unsuccessful as he triumphed despite their interference. It had led to much more bloodshed then he had intended, but it couldn't be helped.
Shaking his head, Jamal walked away from the desk to stretch his legs. A reprieve from the tedious paperwork sounded like a good idea. It was not like the papers would go anywhere. Besides, he had been neglecting his recently formed harem. He grinned with a wicked leer as he thought of the choice desert flowers he had discretely rounded up during the upheaval.
Still you can't leave women alone for too long. Though weak, they took delight in gossip and betrayal, especially when in groups. He was proud of the measures taken to establish a pecking order. The nearly daily changed favorite was treated virtually as a sultan's bride, giving her luxury mere common girls had never dreamt. Those unfavored suffered ridicule and scorn. The women were so set on scratching and clawing their way into his good graces to ever threaten him.
Jamal smirked; his women knew their place unlike so many of these other countries that tried to put their noses into his business. The smirk was replaced with a frown as he heard the door open.
"I said I do not wish to be disturbed, solder." He warned with a deadly edge to his voice. When he didn't hear an apology followed by a hasty exit, he turned around. "It appears you need a lesson in manors… Who are you? How did you get in here!" Jamal asked as he found himself face to face with a very shapely smirking redheaded girl.
"Neither question really matters. What does matter is what I want."
Jamals eyes danced across the figure, eyeing the exotic red hair. "If its a little fun you desire, I think I can make an exception for your intrusion." The speculative look dropped when the redhead scoffed.
"Like I would be interested in a bastard like you. I'm here to make sure you are stopped." The girl said while casually leaning against the wall.
Pulling himself up straight, Jamal straightened his suit before glaring at the infidel. "Stopped? Ha! You were lucky to avoid my guards, but with a single call they will come running to give you a nice slow torture session that will make you beg for death."
"If you are referring to the guards outside, they won't be coming to your beck and call for a long time so just shut-up." Ranma replied. Jamal found himself cascading back into his chair. Looking up with wide eyes, he found the redhead towering over him. He had not even seen her move!
Regaining his composure, the dictator straightened himself as if he had chosen to sit under his own power. "Impossible. You are a mere weak willed woman. You are incapable of harming my elite soldiers." He was answered by a wicked smirk. Eyes narrowing, Jamal continued. "Even if true, I'll take care of you myself." Opening his drawer he pulled out a gun pointing it at the girl before him. "Now if you would be so kind as to tell me who would send a filthy little girl to attack me, I'll allow you a fast death."
"You would be amazed what a girl can do. I've found myself constantly surprised recently."
"Answer my question!"
"No"
"Fine then I'll just have to watch you bleed to death ACHHH!"
Jamal found his gun tumble across the room, the bullets dislodged scattered everywhere, with a good view of it from under his desk as he clutched his throbbing stomach.
"You are way too slow. Now I believe we have things to discuss." Ranma said as she lifted the self-proclaimed president off the floor.
Wheezing hard, the man managed to glare at the impudent girl.
"I have nothing to say to you."
"Oh, I think you do," Ranma said roughly throwing the man across the room, smashing him into the far wall. Landing with a thud, the man spluttered as he attempted to recover his bearings.
Lifting his head, he found the girl glaring at him directly beside him. His eyes widened as he once again had not seen her move.
"I've seen what you've been up to and I'm not pleased." Ranma said, crossing her hands beneath her breasts.
Slowly, Jamal made his way up against the wall as he regained his breath and balance. Once again turning to the infidel, he narrowed his eyes. "You insolent woman!" He screamed before lurching for her neck.
Stepping easily to the side, Ranma backhanded her supposed assailant, sending him crashing into the floor.
"Things are going to change around here. I'm sure that such a smart and strong man as yourself can come to an agreement with poor helpless little me. Perhaps a permanent vacation, hmmm?"
Ranma asked as she grabbed the man by his collar, lifting him off the ground and hanging him on a convenient coat hanger on the far wall.
The man was now shaking his feet helplessly in midair.
"There is no way that you will be able to escape. Someone will come and you will be shot where you stand." He managed to whisper through the pressure against his throat
"You think so?" Ranma replied as if the first time she had thought of it. Raising her right wrist she carefully examined her watch. "Let's see, right about…now."
BOOOM
Jamal struggled to turn his head; out the window in the distance, smoke billowed out from one of his weapon warehouses. He found all the soldiers in the courtyard scramble out of the compound towards the smoke.
"NO Yerrk…" The man slammed onto the floor clutching his neck where a bright bruise appeared along with the remains of the coat-rack.
"Oh, let them be. I've arranged for some quality time for us. You wouldn't want to ruin that now would you?" Ranma asked as she casually sat down in the president's cushy chair, leaning her head on one hand.
"Why are you doing this?" Jamal managed to stutter out through his abused throat.
"Why? Let me see, could it be the way you have been treating your people, the horrific deaths that have plagued innocent citizens. The torture you subjected them through, even children where not exempt from your tainted touch. Or maybe it's because of her." Ranma answered carefully, unfolding a photo that had kept her going through the increasingly intense training.
Jamal only glanced at the photo with the girl hanging onto the prison bars crying before going back to Ranma's cold glare. "So you are part of the resistance."
"Now don't go changing the subject."
Frantically Jamal jumped to the door, opening it, and gawked. The patrols he expected were littered across the hallway, he could only assume alive by the lack of blood.
"aaCK!" Jamal found himself tumbling through the air, before staring at the wall above.
"Tute tute, you're being a very naughty boy. You have to learn to listen. Perhaps you can take lessons during your nice long retirement? Maybe an isolated island where no one will be harmed by you again. Or could you possibly like playing with me? If you do, I'm just crazy about this new game I found called darts. Would you care to try?" Ranma asked, whipping out five knives before twirling them in her hands showing dexterity nearly unheard of as they formed an intricate pattern. Jamal's eyes warily watched the knives, keeping silent. Ranma's frown was the only warning before Jamal found two knives thud on either side of his face. His mouth fell open as he hesitantly reached up to find a trail of blood on each cheek.
"Yes, yes I agree. I'll leave. Just don't kill me," Jamal sobbed, kneeling before Ranma shaking in fear of the demoness that stood before him.
"Good boy, now if I don't hear of your retirement soon, I may have to come back to make good on that game. I'll leave you to imagine how my aim is with a blindfold," Ranma said smirking before leaving the man groveling on the ground. Walking down the corridor, Ranma was feeling very good about herself, she had completed her mission with no loss of life. All the patrols were taken care of, now she just had to sneak out of this place. Altena would be pleased.
BANG
Ranma crumbled to her knees, breath becoming sharp and raged. Time slowed to a crawl as all outside noise melt.
Thump thump
Looking down, Ranma found a small pool of blood on the ground.
Thump thump
Eyes traced the drops as they seemed to hover in mid-air where she found the source, a large gash in her arm.
THUMP, thump
Pain lanced from the wound, radiating in time with her heart.
THUMP, thump
Eyes turning, she found Jamal's fumbling fingers frantically reloading his reacquired firearm.
THUMP, THUMP
A primal geyser of hatred exploded in Ranma's mind as every image of this man's crimes flashed before her minds eye.
THUMP, THUMP
Standing, a flaming black aura enveloped Ranma as she reentered the room.
Ranma sat rocking in the corner, staring at her hands, hands the color of red. 'I…I killed. I killed and I enjoyed it. No! I protect, I don't kill people.' She had been sitting there for a long time staring at those tainted hands and what was left of the body laying in the opposite corner, at least the main portion.
BOOOM!
Ranma's eyes ticked towards the explosion before shakily looking at her wristwatch. 'I can't be here any longer. Someone will report the explosions soon.' So thinking, Ranma hesitantly stood, opening the window to leap out of the third story and hop over the wall with no one noticing the odd blurred form in the low light from the setting sun.
Beside herself, Ranma navigated the streets with the practiced ease of long hours of demographic memorization. 'What have I done? I've killed that's what. I swore an oath never to kill and on my first mission to save hundreds of thousands I bungle it…'
Booom
An explosion in the far distance distracted Ranma. 'That was the twentieth. There is only one more before they start to divert resources to finding the culprit. They will be out for blood once they discover their leader… I had better get to the rendezvous point before then.'
So thinking Ranma dashed along the back roads of the city. For the moment they were deserted, but she knew they would soon be overflowing with soldiers out for the culprit's head. If she wasn't gone by then, she would stick out like a sore thumb.
Extending her honed senses, Ranma tried to find anything that would prevent her from reaching her destination.
'What?' She stopped short, blinking.
Shaking her head, Ranma ducked into a side alley and another before leaping onto the roof of a nearby building. Her eyes darted around before hiding behind a stack of boxes, waiting patently. Her patience was soon rewarded when another shadow hoped from the far roof. It slowly moved along the edge, watching the streets closely as if trying to find something. As it reached the edge there was a small grunt of frustration.
"Now don't get too flustered, Chloe." Spinning around the figure was indeed revealed to be Chloe in her green cloak with a knife halfway thrown.
"Ranma, how did you…?" Chloe was rather upset, Ranma was the only one that could find her when on high alert and she still hadn't figured out how the redhead managed it.
Ranma walked out into the moonlight, carefully watching Chloe. "You know that's a secret. Now why are you here?"
Chloe blinked, Ranma wasn't supposed to know Chloe was following her much less why.
"I was just making sure you did what you were supposed to do." Chloe answered before looking out into the night.
"So Altena put you up to this?" Ranma's eyes narrowed, she would have hoped that Altena had more faith in her then that by now."No, she didn't."
"Then why?"
"I just wanted to make sure that you were alright." Ranma let the silence draw out, trying to use her extra sense to find the truth behind the statement. The very shadow that made her stick out to Ranma made it difficult to divine Chloe's motives.
Her eyes widened when she found several small flashes of white penetrate the shifting darkness.
"I see, then we had better get out of here before they start to organize."
"Yes, Altena should have arranged for a quite rout of their remaining forces."
Ranma nodded before leaping to the next building followed by Chloe, each quickly disappearing into the night.
Author's end notes: Ranma has made his first kill yet has a long way to accepting his birthright of Noir.
Mereille and Kirika didn't make much of an appearance here, but will have more screen time in the next chapter.
The section regarding Jamal in no way reflects the author's views about women, politics, religion, or life in general. He's just a very bad person.
Someone brought up a good point about Ranma leaving with his guard down. The story was actually deliberately written this way. Ranma is by no means a professional and very naïve, he became over confident that Jamal agreed to his terms and all the soldiers were knocked out. From his perspective, all he had to do was walk out with a mission well completed.
The reason behind Jamal reloading the gun has been updated as all the bullets fell from the gun as he was disarmed. I've also updated to add more detail as to how Ranma went off the deep end. I'd like to thankHeeHaw for his suggestions for improvement regarding the story.
Any comments, questions, concerns, suggestions, corrections, or encouragements can be submitted either through review or emailed to me directly.
brindani