Ranma turned to Ben Flunky. "Uhm, why don'cha show them around?"
"As you wish, young master," said the hunchback, looking quite disappointed. "Your mother's going to be disappointed though."
"You report to my mother?" Ranma asked, getting a definite chill.
"Oh no, no not at all, well maybe," said Ben, seeming to consider it. "Actually, yes. Most definitely. She wants a running report you understand."
"Gak!" said Ranma, clearly and distinctly.
"What's going on?" Frau Bluker demanded.
"We had a slight fluctuation in their lifesigns," said Doc Flunky. "Looks like some feedback from the clones."
"You are keeping them under?" asked Frau Bluker.
"Automatic systems went to work," pointed out Doc. "That's what they were designed to do, and there was a 17% chance of some mystical feedback from the Dark Senshi to their originals through that Senshi connection."
"Hmmm, well, make sure the systems are ready again," said Frau Bluker, holding up a hand to forestall complaint. "I know you haff checked them four times today already. You know what zer Overlord is like when one of his plans goes kaput."
"Of course, Frau Bluker," agreed Doc.
Neiighhhhhhhhhhhhh! went the horses in their stalls at the riding stables next door.
Doc Flunky blinked and adjusted his glasses. "This means something."
"We must conquer this world!"
"Why?"
"Huh?"
"The world is at peace, there's an evil overlord ruling over it. If we try to conquer the world away from this guy, that'd put us in place of being the good guys. It just doesn't feel right."
"Oh."
The world was a complicated place. Everyone, to some degree or another, ended up using representitive expertise - i.e. choose someone to listen to when they were speaking of something outside one's own specialty.
In order to actually run his empire, the Invincible Overlord used a number of experts who were accountable to him - who themselves had experts that they consulted. There was a clear chain of command, but as it was well known that the difference between a cushy job and assignment to a biohazardous waste disposal unit or worse depended not on giving the most pleasant answer but the correct one - information was something readily available.
If the Invincible Overlord were to show up, the best thing was to give him what he wanted in the hopes that he would go away.
"I've seen these before," said Ranma. "They were in that 'Akira' movie, weren't they?"
"Yes milord, it is exactly as you say," said Ben Flunky. "Each of the motorcycles is colorcoded to indicate who the driver is."
The Olive Ranger plopped down on her motorcycle and seemed inordinately pleased by something. "This is - nice."
"The motorcycles contain flare launchers, smoke grenade launchers, and a fairly sophisticated transceiver," said Ben Flunky. "They've also got a pretty nifty sound system."
"Uh huh," said Ranma, not particularly interested.
Aqua Ranger had gotten interested with the sound system and was now experimenting with that section of her vehicle.
They ended up leaving the two behind while going elsewhere within the complex.
The next large room was a gymnasium (where the Yellow Ranger decided to loiter - finding an odd fascination with the volleyball court), followed by a kitchen (where Green Ranger left the group), the medi-lab (Blue Ranger drifted off), the chapel (Red Ranger), the bathroom (White Ranger), and the helicopter pad.
Now accompanied by the Black Ranger and Purple Ranger, Ranma saw their own quarters consisted of a set of bunkbeds. Almost a military barracks, except for the addition of (again color coded) dressers and makeup tables and outfit racks.
"Next we have the servant quarters," said Ben with an obvious leer. Not that he could entirely help it since one of his eyes was larger than the other.
"We got 'servants'?" asked Ranma.
"Your mum is still interviewing and screening applicants, a very involved process I think. Maybe I should help her out?" said Ben, a grin indicating that such a task would be something he wouldn't be terribly unhappy with at all.
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(Posted Tue, 24 Aug 2004 09:45)
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