Things had not been going well for them at all, and only their father remembering those skills he'd learned at the hands of the Master had kept them alive at all. It was this tale of a Resistance that Soun reacted to with a fresh flood of tears.
"What of your boy, Saotome?"
Genma blinked at his old friend. "Are you sure this is the right time, Tendo? We're scrambling to survive. The Machine is trying to alter the weather so that humanity will die off. We're constantly in danger of getting our butts shot off."
"Is there a guarantee of a better time?" asked Soun.
"What are you two talking about?" Nabiki asked.
"The engagement between our families," said Genma. "One of you was supposed to marry my son Ranma and continue on the Anything Goes School."
"If it's so bloody damn important, why didn't we know about it ahead of time?" asked Akane, a little perturbed that in a battle for survival they had something like this hanging over their heads.
"Ranma still doesn't know about it," pointed out Genma. "He's currently a sergeant and field specialist, facing many responsibilities. Tendo, I don't want to see people die because of an unnecessary distraction."
"You've changed Saotome," growled Soun, "and I can't say as I like the change."
"We've had to adapt to a very different set of conditions in the world, Tendo. Some change is necessary." Genma shook his head. "Look, when we've finally beaten the Machine and humanity has reclaimed its future - everyone will be happy and upbeat. Why not spring the surprise on him then?"
"Put it off when we could all die at any time? Unthinkable, Saotome!" Soun countered.
"Is he cute?" Nabiki asked.
"NABIKI?!" exclaimed Akane.
"Well, is he?" asked Kasumi.
"KASUMI?!" sputtered Akane.
"We might die at any moment, Akane," said Kasumi. "Excuse me if I want to live a little before that happens."
Akane stared at Kasumi as if not recognizing her sister. Nabiki merely nodded.
"They have hot water? Bathing?" asked Kasumi.
"Yes," said Genma.
"Fine, let's go," said Kasumi. "Just so it is clear - I'm not interested in marriage."
"WHAT?!" said the thoroughly scandalized Akane.
"A better prospect might come along later," said Kasumi. "After the first week, living in a cave and eating out of cans lost its appeal."
Soun's arguments had died stillborn, and as Akane, merely stared at his eldest daughter.
"Appearance enhancement complete," said Venus. "Saturn. Request nature of research."
"Found this book while cleaning," responded Saturn in a distracted manner. "Social interaction skills need development."
"Agreement," indicated Neptune, working on Pluto's appearance enhancement. "Useful data? Accuracy?"
"Experimentation required to determine accuracy and therefore usefulness," replied Saturn.
"Commander is in rest mode," said Neptune. "Mercury unit is monitoring."
"Health of commander is alpha-level concern," agreed Saturn. "Will relieve Mercury in 180 minutes to switch off rest cycles."
"Nature of book?" asked Neptune.
Saturn looked up at her comrade. "It is:
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(Posted Thu, 12 Aug 2004 09:42)
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