Injuries that would have taken weeks for even him to heal were being healed by Usagi and Hotaru. Keeping up as much as he could with the others' abilities was a constant strain and challenge. Sparring with his girls was something that required him to put everything he had into the effort.
So while Genma was whining and complaining about his son losing sight of the path of martial arts righteousness, Ranma's skills in that regard were improving.
Some noted these developments. Some planned. Some plotted.
"What have we gotten on these gals?" asked one of the men.
"Compiling reports and commentary from them indicates their stories coincide on several points," said one of the others. "Observations made by various news agencies have all pointed towards certain conclusions that have been bandied about in those news agencies."
"Such as?" asked a shadowed man.
"Yes, Doctor Tatsunoko. Can you give us some details?"
The one who had spoken of compiling earlier nodded. "Their abilities are basically some form of ESP or psionics if you will, with the exception of the purely physical differences like the ears and tails and wings."
An image was brought up onto an overhead projector before Tatsunoko continued. "This is the one known as Rei. She is a 'Firebrand' which is the immature form of something called a 'Vixxen'. Her talents are pyrokinetic in nature. She can generate, shape, quench, and otherwise manipulate fire in its various shapes. She is also resistant to fire and heat. Yes, Mister Bandai? You have a question?"
"More a point of information," said the businessman, steepling his hands in front of him. "The news reports are public information, broadcast at large and picked up by international stations. If we can just summarize those, we can move on to what we've found out at Keidanren."
"That is so," said Toho, adjusting his eyepatch. "Go ahead."
"Analysis of their DNA and medical examinations provided by the police reveals that they are mainly human, fur and ears and tails being besides the point," said Doctor Tatsunoko. "The press is going with these facts and the obvious additions, and backing up their idea of these girls being genetically engineered soldiers. They're also going with the idea of psionic abilities as I stated. Summarized, as Mister Bandai from the illustrious Keidanren suggests, their demonstrated abilities are:
"Ami, Nerdette, Telemechanics.
Minako, Kitten, enhanced speed and agility.
Usagi, Megami, Healing and Teleportation.
Rei, Firebrand, Pyrokinesis.
Makoto, Dryad, Emfol and Folkinesis. (sensing and controlling plants)
Hotaru, Angel, Telekinesis and Healing.
Michiru, Siren, Empath and Hydrokinesis.
Haruka, Cheetaun, greatly enhanced speed and spatial awareness.
Setsuna, Princess, Telekinesis and Telepathy.
"Mind you, our own analysis indicates that Setsuna may have some Precognitive abilities and that Usagi may have some talent with Broadcast Empathy." The Doctor adjusted his glasses. "This may all end tragically though."
"How so?" asked Bandai, who had been intrigued by the marketability of these superheroes from the first report.
"Some groups - particularly religious extremists of Christian and Islamic branches - have declared genetic engineering to be inherently wrong and are petitioning our government to come clean about its involvement. The more extreme versions want the girls killed as monsters." Tatsunoko frowned slightly, the only betrayal about his own feelings about such groups.
"Interesting. What of the Vatican?" asked Toho.
"Their initial response was 'good special effects' and their current stance is 'undecided'," said Tatsunoko. "However, they wish to speak to Genma Saotome about his desire to go around summoning demons."
"THAT we might be able to arrange," said one of those sitting in shadow.
Tatsunoko nodded to that, pencilling in that by throwing the father to the wolves they might deflect some of the negative publicity.
"Speaking of Genma Saotome," said Toho, leaning back in his chair and looking thoughtful, "perhaps we should look at him more closely. Much attention has been focussed on the boy and these 'pokegirls' - what of the father?"
"Being observed, however he appears to simply be an idiot," said Tatsunoko.
Genma blinked sake-blurred eyes at the stranger. "You'll give me how much?"
"Two hundred thousand," said Stranger A.
"It's a good deal, you should take it now before he changes his mind," councilled Stranger B.
"Hah, you think I born yesterday?" slurred Genma. "Two hundred thousand yen?"
"Two hundred thousand," repeated Stranger A, not stating whether this was in yen, dollars, or rupee.
"Hah," repeated Genma. If he sold these girls off, he could get back to training Ranma properly. It wasn't like he had any particular attachment to them. "Throw in a watermelon, and its a deal!"
"A... watermelon?" asked Stranger A, who honestly hadn't expected this sort of negotiation.
"It's summer, watermelon good," said Genma with as much dignity as he could after four bottles of fairly strong sake gulped down in rapid order.
"Done then," said Stranger A.
"You're a shrewd bargainer," said Stranger B to Genma.
"Thash right," said Genma.
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(Posted Mon, 05 Sep 2005 04:03)
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