Disclaimer: I still do not own Ranma ½ or Robotech, they are the property of Rumiko Takahashi and Harmony Gold, respectively.
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Recovering Hearts
A Ranma½ / Robotech crossover.
By Queberjeque
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Author's Note: There are some ideas and names that I am going to use from the Macross series, rather than from the Robotech series. Since Robotech has some glaring continuity holes, I am going to try and fix them over the course of this story, by taking elements from Macross. Protoculture is still going to play a vital role as an energy source, but it won't be the be-all-end-all energy it is in Robotech.
~phone conversation~
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Chapter 5
'Into the Frying Pan'
October, 2002
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"Let me see if I have this straight, Saotome. You were out practicing when a crazy lady leading a bunch of soldiers kidnapped you. They then held you prisoner for the past couple of days, asking you questions you didn't understand and accusing you of various offenses. Then tonight, you escaped using your father's techniques, which if I remember correctly you supposedly sealed, though we can talk about that later, and you proceeded to return here, with them following you. Does that about sum up your weekend?" Nabiki drawled.
Wincing a few times during her recitation, Ranma sheepishly nodded. "But I swear it wasn't my fault, I didn't do anything this time!"
"Of course not. Well, you may have really stuck your foot in it this time, but I'll see what I can do." She reassured him. "I don't want them kicking me off the island because of you. Oh yeah, I wouldn't want to see you go to prison, either. Don't worry about it, I'll just put it on your tab."
***
Dr. Wiget looked at the apartment building the sergeant was pointing out to her. "Is that where he lives?"
"Yes ma'am, at least according to the city records. One Ranma Saotome is a resident in apartment 304, along with a female by the name of Nabiki Tendo.
"Well, since we don't know what they have in there, you better secure the area and evacuate the building. We don't want this turning into a hostage situation. I'm sure you probably know what else to do in this kind of situation, so don't let me get in your way. But see if you can find me a phone number to his apartment, we'll need to open a line of communication to try and resolve this peacefully." With that the doctor nodded to the Marine sergeant, then wandered over to a nearby bench with a good view of the area. Opening up her laptop, she got to work.
"Let's see what else I can find out about you, Mr. Saotome." She muttered to herself while perusing the city records.
***
"Ma'am?"
"Doctor?"
Dr. Wiget looked up as the voice of the officer in charge of the Marines finally got her attention.
"Ma'am, the area is evacuated and the rest of the building is secure." The lieutenant waved at the soldiers in defensive positions up and down the street. "We have a phone number for you as well, registered to one Nabiki Tendo. Also an officer from the Army is insisting on taking control of the situation. We told him this falls under the purview of the UN scientific team rather than city security, but he insists on talking to you."
"Very well, show him over, and then give me that number."
***
After a short interview that sent the young Army officer scurrying out of the area, Dr. Wiget pulled out her cell phone and dialed the number the lieutenant had given her.
They were apparently awaiting the call because it was picked up before the first ring was finished.
~Hello?~
"Hello, this is Dr. Gina Wiget of the UN scientific team, with whom am I speaking?"
~My name is Nabiki Tendo. I understand there was some sort of misunderstanding between yourselves and my … client, Ranma Saotome this afternoon.~
"A misunderstanding? Not as far as we are concerned. Your client is wanted for illegal possession of alien technology as well as espionage. I suggest you tell him to give himself up and turn over the alien device."
~I see, and just what device of alien technology is he supposed to have in his possession?~
"A highly classified piece of equipment. I cannot say anymore on that subject over the telephone." Dr. Wiget replied, before making another attempt at a peaceful solution. "Tell your boyfriend to turn himself in, please. We don't want anybody to get hurt."
~Boyfriend? No he's not that, but I definitely agree that nobody needs to get hurt over a mix-up like this. How about this, I get Ranma to agree to return with you, and I come with to handle his defense. Ranma is not the most diplomatic of speakers, with me doing the talking for him, I am sure we can resolve this misunderstanding.~
Thinking about it for a couple of seconds, the doctor decided it was a good plan. "Agreed, both of you come out with your hands in the air and let the soldiers take you into custody. Then we can deal with this situation in a more secure location."
~We will be right down.~
Click
Turning to the officer standing next to her, Dr. Wiget put a smile on her face. "The target and one Nabiki Tendo will be coming down to turn themselves in, please take them into custody and back to the ship."
***
Looking around at the seemingly endless corridors, Nabiki was impressed with the alien spaceship. Though most doors were closed, they had passed a couple of open ones, allowing her glimpses of strange machinery as well as the occasional group of technicians.
When Ranma and she had exited the building, they were immediately taken into custody. Though the military personnel were fairly courteous with her, they made sure that Ranma was well restrained. After reaching the ship, both of them were escorted to separate cells and left to wait. It irritated Nabiki, but she figured that it was the price she had to pay in order to see the insides of the ship that was the sole reason that the global civil war had ended a few years ago.
Turning down yet another hallway, her escorts stopped at the first doorway and gestured for her to enter. Inside Nabiki found a trio of scientists and a pair of military officers seated at a conference table. With her guides taking positions near the doorway, she nodded to the people at the table and took a seat across from them.
"My name is Nabiki Tendo, I am here to represent Ranma Saotome."
They acknowledged her greeting and one of the scientists pointed to the various seated figures. "Down on the far end we have Lieutenant Colonel Lionel Mandrake and Major Tom Dietrich of the UN Marines. This is Dr. Gina Wiget, I understand you have already spoken with her over the phone, and of course our lead scientist Dr. Emil Lang, my name is Dr. Robert Jordache."
"Thank you for allowing me the honor of this meeting. I am hoping we can come to some sort of understanding about what must be a mistake. Ranma can be brash, overconfident and somewhat insulting, but he is also naïve, honest and technically lacking in most areas. What makes you think that Ranma has some forbidden technology or what is even more ridiculous, is involved in espionage?" Nabiki smoothly delivered her opening statement.
Sliding a piece of paper across the table, Dr. Lang responded. "Our sensors picked up traces of a protoculture-cell energizer being tested on the island, outside of the SDF-1. Upon searching for the source of the readings, they disappeared. As you can see on that report, the readings reappeared multiple times over the past week. Each occurrence only lasted for a short period of time. During our investigation, your friend Ranma was discovered in the area several times. Yesterday he was found directly on top of where the sensors were detecting the output of the rogue 'cell-energizer. When we apprehended him, he knocked over several of our men while trying to escape before he gave up. When questioned, he claimed to have no knowledge and refused to tell us where he hid the device. Earlier tonight he escaped from confinement and fled to you."
Examining the paper, Nabiki noted that it contained a list of dates and times that the UN team had picked up their anomalous sensor readings. "There must have been a misinterpretation of the sensor data, for I can assure you that Ranma couldn't tell a protoculture-cell energizer from a personal computer."
"I assure you that the results we reached were sound. The three of us each looked at the data and independently came up with the same conclusion." Dr. Wiget declared passionately.
"Of course you did. Maybe it would help me understand what we are referring to if you were to tell me just what a protoculture-cell energizer is?"
Dr. Lang cleared his throat, "I will give you a very brief overview. A protoculture-cell energizer takes raw protoculture and converts it into a bio-energy-releasing power source, used to power advanced weaponry."
"Protoculture?" Nabiki asked.
"A fuel source we discovered in this alien spacecraft."
"I see, thank you for the explanation."
Dr. Jordache spoke up, "There have been several attempts to infiltrate the UN scientific mission here by nations seeking alien technology to use for themselves. Just three months ago there was a major assault by anti-unification forces, perhaps you remember that? That is why we are taking this so seriously, espionage is one of our biggest threats."
Feeling slightly nervous, but maintaining her calm appearance, Nabiki decided it was time to get more information from Ranma. 'I fully understand your position, Doctor. The security of this island and the secrets of this spaceship should be a top priority. Perhaps I could speak privately with Ranma, I think I need more information from him about what he was doing and what he might have seen."
For the first time, one of the military officers at the table responded. "Miss Tendo, if you will accompany me, I will take you to a room where you can talk with the prisoner."
Nabiki stood up and nodded to the officer, "Thank you, Major Dietrich was it?"
After respectfully bowing to the persons still seated at the table, Nabiki followed the UN Marine officer.
***
"You stirred up a hornet's nest this time, Saotome."
Seated at a tiny table, Nabiki shook her head at Ranma's crestfallen expression. "Oh don't worry, I doubt you'll have to spend too much time in prison."
"But I didn't do anything, you have to believe me!" The martial artist started banging his head on the table.
"Of course I believe you Ranma, you are like a brother to me. Unfortunately, the UN doesn't believe you. They have sensor records showing some kind of readout near where you were at. Did you see anything unusual while you were training?"
Ranma scrunched up his face in concentration. "Not that I remember, I was focusing on my new ki techniques. They blew up on me a couple of times, so I had to pay attention to what I was doing."
"Rats, I was hoping you had seen some… wait just a second. What exactly are you new ki techniques? Are they really that much different from your old ones? For that matter, have you practiced any of your other ki abilities since we arrived on the island?" Nabiki eagerly asked.
Looking up at the Tendo sister, Ranma shook his head no. "After we got on the boat ride here, I was so full of hatred towards the Joketsuzoku that I was worried about becoming another Ryoga. I didn't do any ki techniques until after I made sure I wasn't going to go down the same path as him."
"That's a surprisingly wise and mature decision Ranma." Nabiki approved. "Now tell me about these new techniques that you have been working on."
Shifting in his seat, Ranma sat for a moment, and then finally responded. "Well, I wasn't planning on telling anybody about them until I figured everything out, but I guess I can tell you now. I've been attempting to use my ki to control the energy flowing through nature. After all, ki is a life force that every living thing gives off and that energy flows through the world, unseen by most people."
Ranma proudly puffed up then, "I learned how to see and touch it lately, but I am still working on influencing or controlling it in a useful manner."
Shrugging he grinned, "So far it usually blows up in my face, or else the energy escapes and surges away."
Nabiki sat quietly as her mind finished making the connections. She knew there had to be a way to turn this into something profitable.
She didn't even notice when Ranma called her name, then waved his hand in front of her face. Finally he settled down in his chair and tried to stay awake.
***
When the idea came to her, it seemed almost too outrageous. The risks were fairly large, possible prison sentences and nearly definite removal from the safety of South Ataria Island if she failed. However, the possible benefits were commensurately good. She could have the two of them set for life with this deal.
No, she would have the two of them set for life with this deal.
She smelled profit. Not monetary profit, but the kind of treasure that she had been bemoaning having to do without, ever since they came to the island.
Contacts, Influence, Power
In Tokyo she had hundreds of people she who worked for her, owed her favors, or had done something that she had proof of. Blackmail may be an ugly song, but she knew how to hum a few bars of it. If she handled this situation correctly, it was the perfect opportunity to get a bunch of favors from some very influential people. Plus Ranma would owe her again. It was a win-win scenario in her book.
Nodding to herself, Nabiki looked up to see Ranma sleeping in the other chair. Grinning, she tried to kick him in the shin. "Time to get up, Saotome."
As his body automatically avoided the attack, Ranma's chair tipped over and sent him tumbling onto the floor of the cramped room. "Hey, what was that for?"
"Sorry about that, but I was just trying to wake you up. You fell over on your own." She smiled; it was good to get one over on the martial arts genius.
"Well Saotome, like I said before, you are in a lot of trouble this time. You might even be facing life imprisonment." Nabiki knew she had to get Ranma into the right state of mind for him to agree to her plan.
"Great, I finally get away from my father, and now is when I end up in jail." Ranma grumbled.
Hiding her smirk, Nabiki baited the hook. "There is a slight chance that you won't have to go to prison."
"Really?" Ranma's eyes shown with sudden hope as he took the bait.
Setting the hook, Nabiki continued. "Yes, but you won't get off free. I'm sure there will be some duties you will have to perform, it could be long, hard work."
"I don't care, hard work is good training."
"You have to swear on your honor that you will agree with whatever sentence I am able to get for you." Letting a little line play out Nabiki was almost ready to reel him in.
"Sure thing, I know you won't cheat me too badly, you may be sneaky, but you are still like family to me. I don't want to go to prison, but I also don't want to be on the run from the government for the rest of my life." Ranma was nearly breathless with relief.
Digging into her purse, Nabiki pulled out a pen and a document that she had prepared years ago, just waiting for the right opportunity. It was time to reel in the wild horse. "Then all you have to do is sign this piece of paper and I'll handle everything."
"What is it?" Ranma asked as he reached for the items.
Nonchalantly Nabiki replied. "It just proves that I am authorized to negotiate for you, that's all."
After Ranma signed the contract naming Nabiki as his official agent, she snapped it up and put it back into her purse.
"Just keep behaving yourself and I'll take care of everything." With that, Nabiki stood and walked over to the door. The next step would be difficult, but she was very good at what she did.
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I'll probably post chapter six in a couple of days, once chapter seven is finished.
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If you have any questions comments or concerns, please post a review.
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Thanks to my beta Demonlord87.
If anyone with strong knowledge of the Robotech or even the Macross universe would like to be a beta reader, I would appreciate it. I have some ideas that I want to use, but I would like someone to bounce them off of first.
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Till next time,
Queberjeque