The deserts of the world were numerous and varied.
The Sahara was the largest desert. The Atacama was the driest. Antarctica was the coldest desert.
But Death Valley had the reputation as the deadliest desert. An opinion, granted, that was difficult to prove all deserts were inherently deadly. But the bizarre terrain, ranging from 282 feet below sea level, to around 11,000 feet above it and the glaring heat certainly supported the opinion.
And, despite the valiant efforts of the American government to make the well known valley a safe place for tourists to visit, it remained deadly. Rather more deadly now, in fact, than it had before man had come to the valley.
Abandoned mines and lost caches of explosives littered the region.
And, merely the increasing number of visitors to the area made the chance of losing a life to its hungry, scorching heat ever more likely.
Cologne still considered it very apropos that their target should be in this place.
"Shampoo is in that Valley," Cologne ascertained. "I can feel her presence at the edge of my senses, and Ranma's as well." She turned to where Genma sat in the little restaurant outside the park entrance. She wondered if his chi senses were so finally tuned. He did have many characteristics that surprised her.
"There's something else in that Valley," Genma said, and Cologne nodded. He felt it as well, some rising darkness within the valley.
"Why are we stopping?" a familiar voice spoke in English. Genma and Cologne turned about to see who had walked into the restaurant.
They recognized Nabiki and a group of Americans.
"What is the child doing here?" Cologne muttered regretfully.
"I'd say that was obvious," Genma muttered.
"This is the last piece of civilization we're going to see once we go in," one of the Americans said. "The last chance to eat and stock up on supplies before he head in. Take the chance Miss Tendo."
"Fine," Nabiki said irritably turning and stopping as she caught sight of two people. She watched them in semi-shock for several seconds and then snorted angrily. "T'"
"Something wrong, Miss Tendo?" one of her companions asked as Nabiki strode towards Genma and Cologne's table.
"You two!" Nabiki snapped angrily in Japanese. "You two were going to leave me out of this weren't you? Weren't you?!"
"This isn't a task for those with lives and futures girl," Cologne responded in Japanese as well. "I've lived a full life, as has Saotome-san. You have your life ahead of you."
"Is that your answer?" she asked. "'Go home, you could get hurt?'"
"Yes," Genma said. "This is our task."
"Damn it!" Nabiki shouted. "The Tendo honor WILL be satisfied here! You think revenge is merely my desire? This is duty!" She slammed the table hard. "I am SAMURAI! I WILL avenge my family!"
"Miss Tendo," one of her American compatriots, a woman, came to her side, whispering. "There are people here that speak Japanese other than you."
"Excuse us, folks," of the others said. "She's just had a little too much drink is all. Nothing to be alarmed about."
"Do you and your friends feel a need for Miss Tendo?" Cologne asked the American pointedly, still speaking Japanese.
"She found some information for us," the woman said with chagrin, noting the accusation of involving Nabiki. "As for her coming...we're under the belief that she would mount her own expedition, alone, if we didn't take her."
"Exactly the reason we did not involve her," Genma said harshly.
"It doesn't matter now," Nabiki said firmly. "I'm here, and I'm not leaving."
See other episodes by Thrythlind
(Posted Wed, 13 Nov 2002 21:39)
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