Avenging Act III, The Animal Farm Chapter 3

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Chapter: The Ouran High School Animal Rights and Host Club tried to hold Furinkan hostage, but a plainclothes Ranma, Nabiki, and Jessie Gurtland stopped the group. Also Soun had a failed talk with his daughters in regard to marrying Ranma, and weird happenings at a pharmaceutical company hover over everything.

Writer's forward: These events take place a couple of weeks after the last chapter

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Megumi Ayukawa listened carefully to her drunken 'boyfriend' Ichiro Nikaido. She felt guilty about lying to the research scientist who worked for the same company she did, and even worse about pretending to be his girlfriend, but it was unavoidable. She had only taken the job at Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals because the ALF wanted insiders to let them know what was really going on in regards to their animal testing, and obtain the layout of the facility if a raid became necessary.

Megumi had gleaned a great deal of information from her co-workers over the course of her employment, but Ichiro was a gold mine. Normally he was close-mouthed, but get a few drinks in him and he rambled like no one's business. Once she had won his confidence nothing was held back. She probably knew more about him than he did. She felt sorry for leading him on and implying she was nearing the next stage of their relationship, but there was no way she was sleeping with him even in her role as a mole. She was a loyal member, but even a cause had to have some sort of limits. She would continue to milk him for every bit of inside information she could, and once he ran out, or pressed her too hard, she'd come up with some reason to break up with him. She'd make it his fault, of course. Like all men, he'd slight her somehow and she'd use that as the convenient excuse. Nerds or studs, men were still men and cut from the same cloth.

Lately, though, she'd had some problems with her job. Not the one with the company, but rather with the ALF. She didn't care one bit for the recent change in tactics her organization had been employing. Now that the Man Beast was calling the shots, they had become positively militant, going far beyond the rescues they had performed in the past. They weren't simply freeing animals from laboratories or the food factories called farms, they were putting the torch to the buildings as well. There were frequent beatings of the people at the facilities, beatings that put them in hospitals. And that was only the tip of the iceberg. There were even rumors circulating that a group of super-powered beings, operating under Man Beast's orders, had tried to hold a school hostage until animal protection laws were passed. While Megumi was all for freeing animals from their bondage, and ending the barbaric tradition of eating their flesh, this new wave of violence left a bad taste in her mouth. A number of her friends in the ALF had already left the organization, and more were seriously considering it. She found herself having a crisis of faith with the group she had joined so eagerly back in college.

But now something Ichiro had said made her blood boil, eradicating the doubt she had for her organization. Apparently not only was the company secretly experimenting with bio-weapons (something nearly as deplorable as slaughtering animals), but they were in the middle of conducting animal experiments with the weapons and having 'amazing results' in the trials. She shuddered to think of how many animals were being slaughtered by the hour in the blood-drenched labs of the company.

No matter what reservations she might have with the path the ALF had taken, that was unforgivable. She was contacting her superiors now and alerting them to this danger so they could take action against these evil people and show them what it meant to butcher the innocent.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Man Beast strode through the halls of the ALF's latest temporary secret headquarters. The old building was a bit run down with numerous problems, but it didn't matter. Man Beast was never one for gaudy trappings. Mansion or slum, it meant nothing to him. What he cared about was achieving his goals. Everything else was useless window dressing.

And that was the reason he had become frustrated. Few of his goals had been achieved thus far. While chaos was being seeded through society, it was not producing the effect he desired. Having his minions going around burning down buildings was fine, but it lacked the scale he needed. Oh, they were gathering a good bit of media attention now, publicizing their cause. No doubt the chaos he was fermenting would grow over the ensuing months, but it felt too much like he was trying to bring down an elephant by giving it paper cuts.

What Man Beast really wanted to further his agenda were super-powered beings to rally to his cause. They would cause destruction mere normal humans could never hope to match. But his few SPB resources were pitiful, and the capture of the Ouran group, incompetent though they were, dwindled their ranks to almost nothing. While Man Beast had located a number of appropriate incarcerated individuals who would bolster the ranks of his Ani-Men, securing them would be a bit of an undertaking as well, and there was always a chance they would refuse him even after he freed them. He had discovered that insect man from South America who was on his way to Japan right now. That one had potential to cause mass chaos about the country. But Man Beast wanted more. Perhaps engineering a breakout was the best plan, even if he had to divert more resources than he cared to. Short term pain for long term gain was a good motto, but it was better if someone else was enjoying the pain while he focused on the gain.

Man Beast was considering the best way to go about it when Shinjiro approached him. With animal senses far more acute than any human's, Man Beast could see the worry in his step, the concern in his scent. It wasn't panic, but something had upset him.

That would be easy enough to deal with. Once Shinjiro arrived at his side, Man Beast spoke in a soft, yet powerful voice that hinted at nothing but control. "Yes, Shinjiro, my friend?"

Shinjiro bowed deeply. "I have troublesome news, Sir."

While a part of Man Beast was eager to kill the messenger, the higher functions of his evolved brain enlightened him of the foolishness of the action. Never in history had killing the messenger ever brought anything other than disaster on those who used it. Now, if Shinjiro proved to be the cause of the problem, he'd be lying in a pool of his own blood within seconds. "Do go on."

"I'm afraid our new militant stance has met with a great deal of criticism." While Shinjiro's voice was firm, indicating he had no problems with their actions, he was concerned about what he was reporting.

"Whenever there is change, there are those who would criticize it, even if it is change for the better," Man Beast said wistfully.

"Er, yes. Well, it's not just criticism. While I wholeheartedly approve of our new methods, many among our ranks have rejected it."

This was becoming tiresome. "I have been to the meetings where those concerns were voiced," Man Beast said. And he had refrained from killing those that dared speak against him. Barely at times, but he had. Small term pain for long term gain.

Shinjiro shifted nervously from foot to foot. "Yes, well, I think we underestimated just how unpopular the policy is. I added up the numbers, and nearly forty percent of the membership has quit outright, while another twenty to twenty-five percent seem like they might quit as well."

"Bah," Man Beast snarled. "Those are the lowest form of human. Though they espouse our ideals as their one true faith, ask of them the smallest sacrifice, the tiniest of risks, and they run off with their tails between their legs, if they had the decency to have tails. At least our enemies are open in their resolution for killing my kind, I have a certain degree of respect for their honesty, but to have these weak-willed fools claim they believe in our cause, but are unwilling to risk anything to achieve it, makes me want to… retch." What he had wanted to say was personally rip out their throats with his teeth, but some restraint had to be maintained. And maybe he could indulge himself from time to time by killing one that was particularly bothersome.

Man Beast continued. "Perhaps it is for the best. This way we can winnow out the pathetic from the strong. We do not need these weak-willed fools amongst our ranks. It is far better this cancer is removed from the movement altogether, lest they bring it down with their simpering and unwillingness to put their lives on the line like true believers, such as yourself." And moderate elements would only weaken them. Ideally he would prefer to use them as sacrificial pieces, but if they took themselves off the board, so be it.

"Yes, sir," Shinjiro preened with fanatical devotion, indicating which side of the fence he was solidly on. "There's one other thing you might be interested in. It's from one of our moles and just came in." He handed a manila folder.

Man Beast opened the folder up. A smile crossed his snout, a toothy thing that disrupted even Shinjiro's delight. Man Beast took no note as he read the words and the implications they presented.

He looked over at Shinjiro. "Round up our elite troops. I will be leading this operation personally. This travesty must not come to pass. Those animals must be rescued before disaster strikes."

"Yes, sir!" Shinjiro turned on his heel and ran off at top speed.

Xxxxxxxxx

"Damned bitch, always one-upping me. Well, not this time. I'll show her what a real anchorman can do by getting the scoop," Toji Yamamoto grumbled to himself as the news van he was in drove at a reckless speed toward the coastline.

The cameraman in the back with him said, "Um, sir, isn't it dangerous to approach an area with an unknown situation like this?"

Toji turned on him in fury. "That bitch Akemi is always getting the scoop with her 'super hero exclusives.' Well, I'm getting one up on her. Just you watch, not only will I prove that I'm the number one newsman in all of Japan, but that she's so inferior to me the boss will have no choice but to bust her back down to cub reporter." That would teach the frigid bitch to mind her place. And to refuse to sleep with him.

"But the owner himself assigned you to cover the conference that Mr. Comrade guy's holding. They say he's going to announce his plans to launch a satellite system that will revolutionize communication."

"It'll put everyone to sleep! This is a sexy story. 'Insect Invasion Sweeps Japan! Newsman Toji Yamamoto First on the Scene to Break the Story. Then Wins Pulitzer Prize!' Now that's a headline!" He thanked his foresight in having a source in the JSDF that had tipped him off to the bizarre phenomenon and where it was projected to make landfall.

The cameraman gave up and accepted his superior's decision. He checked over his equipment as they continued racing at top speed.

It only took them another five minutes to arrive at the seashore. Even from the beach it was clearly visible-- a vast cloud of some type of insect that was massed only a few miles off shore. And getting closer. The van pulled up on the beach, and Toji and the cameraman got out of the vehicle. The cameraman raced to get his equipment in place while Toji combed his hair. They were supposed to meet the make-up people at the conference, but sometimes one had to improvise.

Within minutes everything was set up. As they went to a live feed, Toji gave his most winning smile for the camera and began.

"Ladies and gentlemen. I, Toji Yamamoto, bring you live, firsthand coverage of a mysterious swarm of insects that are heading for Japan. What is their purpose? What could be driving them to our fair island nation? Is it punishment from the gods, sending a horde of locusts to consume our foods? Have we overindulged in picnics, as some have theorized? Or is it a natural phenomenon that happens only once in a century? Is it… bees?"

Toji looked curiously as several bees began buzzing around his head. He swung his hand at them, trying to swat them from the sky. Their aim proved truer than his as he found himself the recipient of a sting.

He recoiled in pain and shouted, "Ah! Killer bees! It's killer bees! We're all going to die!" He shrill shout was like that of a little girl as he ran into the van and shut the door behind him, locking it.

The cameraman, camera still rolling, began pounding on the door. "Hey, Man, let me in! There's bees all over the place."

"No!" Toji cried hysterically, his terrified face clearly seen behind the glass.

The cameraman froze, hoping that if he went motionless, the bees wouldn't attack him. On the upside, his luck held as they didn't sting him, content to treat him like a rock. On the downside, it quickly became obvious that the number of bees was steadily increasing. The air became thick with the flying insects as the swarm drew closer to shore, revealing a miles-long cloud of the insects.

Emerging from the front of the cloud was what appeared to be a man. Training came to the fore as the cameraman focused on the figure. The telescopic lens revealed a being dressed in a billowing purple cape, white gloves, and boots. That was all it wore, save for the fact every other inch of him was covered in bees.

In a voice that was more of a buzz, the figure shouted in English, "Zzzwarm has come to your nation, as the One invited him. But the One doezz not control Zzwarm. Zzwarm will kill all of you mammalz and rule over the landzz."

It was at that moment the sky suddenly filled with dark, ominous clouds. Lightning began dancing among them as a torrential downpour erupted. The drops were so plentiful and thick, and the winds so fierce, that the bees found themselves hammered to the ground.

The cameraman breathed a sigh of relief, then heard the sounds of a jet engine directly overhead. He turned his camera upward and caught the twin sights of Thor and Iron Rose flying past him and directly at the figure that called himself Swarm.

"Varlet, thou shalt feel the righteous anger of the Goddess of Thunder!" Thor promised as she headed directly at him, hammer leading the way.

"Let's see what a wide-angle repulsor blast does to his insectile epidermis." Iron Rose raised her hands, two cones of repulsors shooting out, engulfing Swarm's entire body. He cried out in pain as bees were literally blown away from his frame. His body grew smaller until bones could clearly be seen underneath. Bones and nothing else.

"This being is not even truly alive!" Thor declared, aiming right at him.

She impacted with the nearly naked skeleton, shattering it into hundreds of pieces. As the shattered bones fell into the ocean, the miles-long body of insects Swarm had led seemed to lose cohesion, flying mindlessly everywhere. Soon all of the insects were hammered from the sky and drowned in the ocean, save for a scant few who made it to shore and survived.

Thor and Iron Rose landed on the shore. The goddess tapped her hammer on the ground, and the clouds disappeared as quickly as they had come.

Iron Rose picked up one of the fallen bees from among the dunes. While it was extremely large, it didn't try to sting her. Instead it wandered around her palm, as though drunk. She idly noted others on the sand doing the same thing.

"Hmm. While I'm no entomologist, I would surmise that no matter how dangerous these things might be, without that Swarm thing controlling them they lack purpose and direction. Hopefully they'll simply die off, or be made extinct by the indigenous insect population."

Thor nodded. "In any case, there is nothing within our power to go beyond what we have already accomplished. The villain is destroyed and our country safe."

It was at that moment both of the Avengers' communicators went off. Thor pulled her communi-card out of her belt, while a portion of the armor around Iron Rose's gauntlet pulled back to reveal an inbuilt device that served the same function.

A picture of Captain Japan's face appeared on the tiny screen. "Hey, guys, I'm calling a meeting to talk about some things."

"I shall be there momentarily, Captain," Thor said.

Iron Rose responded with, "Is it an urgent matter? There is an important meeting my employer needs to attend, and she desires my bodyguard services. If you truly need me, of course I shall come flying to your side. But if not…?"

"Nah," Captain Japan assured her. "We're just going to put our heads together and try to figure out what to do about this guy. It ain't nothin' urgent. You go ahead and do whatever your boss wants. If anything comes up we'll let you know."

Iron Rose nodded in satisfaction. "Very well. I trust your judgment. As it is, I must go now." She shut down her communication device and took off while Thor flew away in nearly the opposite direction.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Kodachi Kunou had arrived at Kobayashi Pharmaceuticals early, giving her plenty of time to remove her armor and collapse it into the attaché case that was nearly as much a part of her as her arm. The final papers had been signed earlier that morning and the buyout completed. She was now the majority stockholder, and officially in charge. While she had allowed her attorneys to deal with the transaction, she wanted to personally talk things over with the heads of the departments. The company had done well for itself, but she wanted the inside scoop on its experimental research. She had always possessed a fascination with chemicals, even if her degrees were all in mechanical engineering and its related fields. But she had always a dream she had told no one. Before she died, she wanted to be known for curing some sort of disease. Not at the cost of ruining her company, though. She'd do it responsibly. She owed it to the people whom she employed, as well as her shareholders.

Which was why she was having these meetings with the men. She was not about to start running around changing the way the company was run, at least not without understanding how they were run first, as well as knowing the full assets of the company.

Kodachi had already met with the president and most of the board of directors. Now it was time to meet personally with the heads of the divisions. She was most eager to look into the research division. That was why she was in the middle of a conversation with the head, Onimaru, and a handful of his department aides. She noted the aides seemed to act not just subservient, but almost slavishly toward their head. She didn't care for that sort of attitude. One's subordinates tended to tell them what they wanted to hear rather than the truth. More than one business had been ruined by such a mentality, and Kodachi had no desire to fail for such mindless reasons. Or fail at all for that matter.

They were nearly finished with the tour when one of the subordinates cleared his throat in a meaningful way. It was obviously a prearranged reminder of some sort. Kodachi allowed them to play their little game without comment. There was no need to show them up. She was above such petty power games, unless they got on her bad side, of course. Then all bets were off. They could ask Asuka Saginomiya if they wanted proof.

Onimaru cleared his throat nervously. "Now that I think about it, there is something I should mention. It's something that wasn't listed in our documentation due to its… recent nature. Quite by accident we made a remarkable discovery."

"Oh?" Kodachi said, sincerely interested in why he had felt the need to sit on this information until now.

"Yes, one of our researchers was interested in a novel approach to cure cancer. He wanted to use a genetically tailored virus that would attack any form of cancer. Ideally, children could be inoculated against cancer the way they are against polio or tetanus."

"Fascinating," Kodachi said. That sounded promising. A cure for cancer was exactly what she was looking for. Had they made a breakthrough just as she had bought the company? It would be a dream come true. Too good to be true, given the track record of her life, she thought as she scratched idly at her newly forged micro-thin chestplate that now covered her body, including the delicate circuitry that kept the piece of shrapnel in her chest away from her heart.

"Yes," Onimaru said. "However, the research took an unexpected turn." He looked nervously at one of his aides before continuing. "A strain of it had an unanticipated side-effect. While the virus does indeed consume cancer cells, destroying them as it reproduces, it doesn't stop there. It keeps going, destroying all organic matter, except the bones, while using the matter to reproduce itself."

"That's some side-effect," Kodachi said. "Is there any sign that you might reign it in to only destroy the cancer, or does it appear unsalvageable?"

"At the moment, it appears as though it won't be useful as a cure for cancer. We've altered it in many ways, but the results are always the same. Though interestingly enough, it only affects humans and simians. No other animals. However, that might be a benefit."

"In what sense?" Kodachi asked.

"We thought, given your interest in the weapons industry, that you might be interested in using it as a potential bio-weapon. We'd have to make it less communicable, of course, and it's much too virulent in its current form, which is why we buried it in our most secure labs, but we're certain that given enough time we can produce a viable weapon strain."

Oh, that was what this was all about. How disappointing. "No, I have no interest in biological weapons. You can halt research on it now. If you can't tailor it to only destroy cancer, abandon it." She intensely disliked bio-weapon technology of any kind. She preferred precision weapon systems that went only where you wanted, killed only as many as you wanted, and stopped then and there. Biological weapons were too indiscriminate, and too difficult to control. One mutant strain of that virus and humanity could be wiped out.

Just as Kodachi had finished giving her instruction there was an explosion several floors below them. All but Kodachi were nearly knocked off their feet, and even she nearly fell over. "What was that?"

Onimaru looked panicked. "I'm not sure. There aren't any labs below us. I can't figure out what it is." He looked like he wanted to bolt.

That was a bad sign. Kodachi turned to the men and said, "You should seek safety. I have to alert my bodyguard." Kodachi ran off, attaché case with her armor in hand. It appeared it was time for Iron Rose to earn her pay.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Man Beast allowed himself to be surrounded by his Ani Men and Overrrider as a sort of honor guard as he walked through the headquarters of Kobayashi pharmaceuticals, ruler of all he surveyed. So far the securing of the building had gone on without a hitch. The operation had been fairly simple. Three dozen of his elite, and most reliable, ALF troopers, armed with AIM weaponry, had pulled up in a trio of vans and stormed the building, stunning the handful of security guards that had been too startled to put up any resistance. Man Beast and his small group of SPBs followed leisurely behind, as a reserve if necessary. But it hadn't been. His men had secured the first floor and were already storming the other floors. Soon the building would be completely under his control.

Making sure none of the rank and file were within earshot, Man Beast turned to Overrider. "Once we get to their main computer banks, I want you to locate the primary objective and all the material on it."

Overrider nodded her acceptance.

"Why don't I tag along and make sure the babe isn't interrupted?" Tabur, the Cat Man, offered, a lascivious gleam in his feline eyes.

"You'll stay with us, or I'll make it so you don't every worry about women again," Man Beast warned.

"Of course," Tabur said smoothly.

Just as the cat man moved back into position with his group of fellow Wundagorians, the floor erupted underneath them, scattering them in all directions.

As the group recovered, they saw a figure in black and grey armor in their midst, having shot up through the floor.

Iron Rose said, "Gentle… animals, I feel I must warn you that my employer is most vexed. She completed the purchase of this company just today and now you've gone and attacked it. While the damage is covered by insurance, the premiums are simply going to go through the roof. So be a good barnyard menagerie and give up before I am forced to become violent with you."

Man Beast said to Overrider. "Go to the computers and complete your mission." To the rest of his Ani Men, he bellowed, "Kill her!"

Frog Man attacked first, literally leaping into action. He aimed his feet so they were pointed right at Iron Rose's head.

Behind her faceplate, Iron Rose rolled her eyes. A Leap Frog wannabe? What was it about that particular villain that compelled others to emulate him? He was a complete loser, managing the bottom tier of Daredevil's pathetic rogues' gallery of villains.

The iron-clad Avenger was content to allow him to bounce off her, probably hurting himself in the process. Then she would launch her counterattack.

Then Iron Rose discovered that the best laid of plans did not always work out the way one counted, especially when one thought her foes were simply costumed individuals rather than genuine animal men.

Frog Man's legs were far more powerful than any human's. When he impacted with Iron Rose's head, he hit with incredible force, making her head ring and sending her pinwheeling backward. She was so off-balance that she fell prey to the surprisingly nimble Ape Man, who punched her hard in the chestplate. The powerhouse of the team didn't simply knock her backward, he sent her flying like a missile through the air.

Her flight was abruptly stopped as Cat Man snagged her out of mid-air with his feline reflexes and used his super strength to add to her momentum as he swung her into the floor, shattering it.

Slowly Iron Rose staggered to her feet arms held out to fire her repuslors. She wasn't aiming at anything as much as she wanted to get a second wind. She hoped by firing randomly she could buy herself a few moments to reorient herself.

She wasn't given a chance as she found herself grabbed under the arms and lifted up into the air before she could fire. She looked and saw two people with wings, one similar to a bird while the other resembled an insect woman, were carrying her in mid-air. Before she had a chance to shrug them off, they made sudden twists in flight that could only be accomplished by someone who was born to soar. Iron Rose was once again sent flying, hitting a wall hard. It was thick metal, denting but not breaking as she bounced off it and to the ground.

The quartet of blows had knocked Iron Rose silly for a moment, but she had been in difficult combat before, though perhaps not against such a diversity of foes. Still her armor was state of the art, and built to take even the inhuman punishment that had been administered to her. Her foes also made the mistake of backing off for a moment to enjoy their handiwork, relaxing as they obviously felt they had the upper hand.

Now that she had gained a precious moment to recover her wits, Iron Rose rose up from her fallen position, ready to retaliate.

"She's a tough one," Bird Man said.

"I'll take care of her," Dragonfly's pale, pupil-less eyes widened, taking on a yellow gleam. "Look into my ey—"

Her request ended as a repulsor blast knocked her out of the air, along with Bird Man.

The remainder of the group took on a more serious air. "Crap, she's still kicking," Cat Man swore.

"I'll show her what kicking is all about." Once again Frog Man launched himself feet first at Iron Rose.

She was prepared this time, sidestepping the midair flight and snagging him by the front of his yellow uniform.

Frog Man looked into the facemask of Iron Rose. He saw her narrowed eyes behind the slits. "Aw, crap."

Iron Rose threw Frog Man like a fastball at Cat Man. Tabur tried diving out of the way, and managed to avoid the worst of the blow, but enough of Croaker bounced off him to send him to the ground.

Ape Man started to move forward. "Gort will kill-"

Man Beast placed a restraining hand on Ape Man's shoulder. "I shall take care of this personally."

For a moment a war waged across Ape Man's features, but seeing the look on his leader's face made even him cringe and back off. The remainder of the stunned Ani Men also backed away, allowing their leader to spearhead the second wave of attacks.

Iron Rose sensed the seriousness of the situation, but was confident in her ability to handle the newcomer, who appeared to be some type of wolf man. By now she had come to the realization that these were real humanoid animals, not merely people in costumes. Still, how powerful could a wolf man be compared to power armor loaded to the brim with the most advanced technological weapons?

He stopped several feet in front of her.

"And your name is Wolf Guy? Flea Bag? Doggie Bomb?" Iron Rose asked.

He stared at her emotionlessly. "Man Beast."

"Well, Man Beast. What is it you can do? Piddle on my leg to make me rust?"

"Oh, I think I can come up with something."

And Man Beast smiled.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

A ring of police cars had just started to form outside when Iron Rose's limp form shot through a wall and outside the building. Her trajectory continued unimpeded as she struck a building across the street and shattered a number of walls there before ending up in the middle of it. She didn't emerge from the wreckage.

The policemen stared at the holes in the two buildings.

One officer looked at another. "I think we'd better wait for backup."

His partner nodded his head.

Xxxxxxxxxxxx

End Chapter

Swarm was the 'Insect Man' Man Beast had recruited to come to Japan. The individual Swarm mentioned was Man Beast, in case that wasn't clear.

Sorry for the short nature of this chapter, but this felt like a good place to end it, and something bad happened which brought me down, which is currently killing my mood to write more until the matter can be taken care of. Depending on how large the next one is, I might just merge it with this one. Anyway, thanks for reading.