Yojimbo was an honorable, in-demand, and exacting specialty. Anyone rated over C-Class was also a showpiece or status symbol to some extent. An A-Class usually had contracts lined up for decades with among the most lucrative of clients. Major CEOs, multi-billionaires, the very high ranked amongst the intelligensia or the politically powerful were their clients.
Even if injured in such a way that the yojimbo had to change status to inactive thereafter, they would still be sought after as a head of security or trainer or specialist. The more infamous or famous could wait for their contract to run out, then simply enjoy a free life in some area such as sportcaster or Arena fighter or retire to some villa.
The downside was that they WERE slaves and that their lives might be cut short at any moment. Unlike most slaves, there were no days off except those mandated off days for physical and psychological healing. They were often in harm's way and expected to lay down their life for their employer on less than a moment's notice. They were completely at their Master's beck and call, however as they were not usually "full use" and they DID own at least some equipment of their own - there were some limits as to what one could expect to do with one's yojimbo.
That was not to say that a mamluk-yojimbo and their Master didn't often get along quite well, or that some Masters enjoyed the yojimbo's other skills. That DID happen, it was simply that the Master couldn't require it of the yojimbo.
Which was truly strange as it had been Genma's idea to sell his son as a mamluk-yojimbo candidate, and it had been Doctor Kumori Mizuno who had first sponsored Ranma.
Many of the well-to-do did such things, sponsoring one of the more elite slave professionals through their training. It brought honor, prestige, and business opportunities to the sponsor. If the slave turned out to be equal to the promise, one not only had first dibs on the servant but one could expect further fame and honor accruing to one's name as the sponsor.
Mercury knew all this, and that the young boy she had played with one day long ago was now kneeling at her feet - offering his service to her.
Jupiter was suddenly leaning close to her, whispering words in her ear.
Mercury nodded. "Rise my faithful servant. The contract is written. For the next five years, my life is your duty. Your blood my shield. I, insert name here... I mean oh sorry..."
Ranma let out a deep breath. This was NOT going as planned. It was supposed to be one of those great moments of drama, oaths of loyalty exchanged. "Never mind. The important thing is the contract. Ceremony would have been nice but it isn't required."
"I don't think I can order him to go on a date with you," said Mercury as Jupiter continued to whisper in her ear.
"Shall we get off the street?" asked Ranma. "It would be easier to guard you from other than an open street."
A yoma appeared out of the shadows, looking fairly human if one got past her harlequin makeup and odd movements.
Beryl put forth her hand, closing it again after the yoma placed a magazine there.
She quickly flipped to the "Up & Coming" section of "Professional Jannissaries".
"Hmmm. Yes. Yes. Very nice."
"Beryl-sama, why are you doing this?" asked Nephrite from the shadows.
"Look at this world around us to which we have awakened," said Beryl. "See how different things are. We can enslave this world and the legal framework is already there."
"I see," said Nephrite, having noticed something similar.
"What of your plans to harvest energy?" asked Beryl of her underling.
"Well, it's better than Jedite and those tentacle demons of his. What was he thinking of?" Nephrite asked.
"If his La Blue Demon IV works out, it will increase the flow of energy to the Dark Kingdom dramatically," said Beryl. "Results are what matters, even if it seems he is pursuing a path of silliness."
"Ah," agreed Nephrite, fading back into the darkness. Hopefully she'd forget about the question she'd just asked.
Satisfied that her underling was gone, Beryl flipped open the centerfold. "Hellooooo sailor. I was so right to use that television program as inspiration. Spy-yoma. Sentai forces. Slave soldiers. Hmmmm."
"You want to buy the contract regarding Ranma Saotome?" the doctor adjusted her glasses as she regarded the blacksuited individuals. "No. I'm afraid that contract is not for sale."
"Perhaps we have not made our position clear, Doctor," said one of the figures. "We will have that contract. If you do not cooperate with us, we will be forced to take less pleasant measures."
"You come into this hospital and begin making threats," said Doctor Mizuno. "Are you Yakuza? Triad?"
"Those are minor nuisances compared to our Mistress," said the woman in the dark suit, her odd facial makeup giving her a menacing appearance.
"Whatever the case," said Doctor Mizuno, "you four can leave now. I've already called Security."
"Oh yes, call Security," said the lead woman. "What can your vaunted Security do to us?"
"Shoot you full of nice big holes," said another voice.
"Hmmmm?" said the woman, not having realized that the physician had pressed a hidden button, but more alarmed by the fact that someone had gotten into the room with them without anyone noticing. Well, it wasn't a problem. "Girls? Make an example of this cretin."
The man frowned, stretching to his full considerable size. "My name is Umibozu, I am a Mamluk-Yojimbo, B-Class, hired by Juuban Community Hospital as Senior Security Operative. You have received your warning. Leave now."
"I don't think so, get him!" said the lead woman, reshaping her hand to a knife blade.
crunch snap twist BLAM BLAM BLAM!
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(Posted Fri, 27 Aug 2004 10:20)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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