Ekusu-Hito: AIMing for the heart... [Episode 18086]

Akane woke with a scream, memories of her fathers head, it's dead eye's staring out at her filling her mind. Harsh breaths came as she looked around her. She was in a blank, sterile room, nothing more than a box with a bed and a small table. Akane noted that she was wearing a hospital gown, and that a set of coverall's sat on the table. There were no windows, apart from the door, the only break in the white surfaces around her was a button next to what appeared to be a speaker.

A quick pounding established that the door was solid, very solid. Pausing for a second Akane examined the coveralls. There was some underwear beneaath them, and everything was close to her size. Akane ran through her available options, then put on the coveralls and tried pressing the button. The speaker pinged, for a moment indistinct sounds of talking and movement could be heard, then a voice spoke:
"Ah. You are finally awake Tendo-San. An orderly will be with you in a few moments, please change into the clothes on the table if you have not already done so."

Akane blinked and reached out as the speaker cut off. For a moment she considered pressing the button again, but uncertainty warred with fear in her thoughts and she elected to wait, to see if someone would come. It seemed like hours, but was probablly less than five minutes before the door opened and a young girl, no more than a year or two older than Akane and wearing a nurses uniform, opened the door:
"Tendo-san, if you would follow me, I will take you to the doctor. He will answer any questions you may have."

Akane's eyes narrowed at the brisk, impersonal, statement but followed without comment. She may not like her treatment, but that she appeared to be at a hospital was reassuring her somewhat. The walk was not long, but the featureless corridors and metal doors raised Akane's hackles... this did not look like a hospital, not any hospital Akane had heard of.

The girl in the nurses uniform ushered Akane into a small carpeted room with a table in the center and 3 couches set around it,, it had two doors, the one they had entered and one opposite that. Akane could not repress a grimace as she noted the teaset and biscuts on the table... it was a cutting reminder of what Kasumi would do. The nurse blinked at Akane's grimace, but hid her reaction and waved towards the table and couches:
"Please make yourself comfortable, the doctor will see you as soon as he can."

Akane paced around for some minutes, making short excursions out into the corridor to look around. The other door was locked, and Akane was reluctant to start breaking things, she was after all, being treated civilly, if somewhat impersonally. Eventually Akane took a seat and began to nibble on a biscut, which lead to trying the tea. She was on to her 3rd biscut when the inner door slid open and a man wearing a business suit came in and bowed to her, flustered Akane rose to return the bow. As she finished the man began to speak:
"I am Hakase Ni Tendo-san. Before I answer your questions, let me fill in a little background for you. You were found a short distance from where the car you were travelling in was attacked, shock and fever had made you a little delerious and you were sedated and brought here for examination. That was 3 days ago. So far as we can find, physically you are suffering no ill effects from your ordeal, however only you can speak for the mental effects."

Hakase Ni paused and picked up a cup of tea, seating himself and taking a sip beofre continuing:
"As to what happened, as near as we can tell, your family and your guests, the Saotomes joined a set of cars manned and belonging to the Yakuza clan run by the mutant Sunfire. Can you tell me why Tendo-san? We have kept a discreet eye on Sunfire and his people for some time now, and we were unaware of any connection between them and your family."

Akane looked at Hakase Ni, then sighed and shook her head:
"Not really. Something to do with Ranma disappearing I think. Nabiki had gone as well, around a week ago, but Kasumi said it was OK - this was just when she said she had found a job, Daddy really cried when he heard that. Nabiki leaving was bad enough, but Kasumi as well. Then after a few days, Aunty Nodoka told us we were in danger and that we had to move to somewhere safe. The men came in those cars, I said I didn't like them and Daddy said they looked unsavoury... but Aunty said it was alright..."

Hakase Ni allowed a polite silence to fall as Akane fought to control her emotions. When Akane had control of herself again,he began:
"Very well Tendo-san. The basic outline is clear, although I remain curious as to how Saotome-san knew these Yakuza and could call them in. We have no record of her being involved with them before that day."

Hakase Ni cleared his throat and looked a little uncomfortable:
"And now Tendo-san, I am afraid I must ask you to make a choice. In treating your injuries we have incurred some expense and inconvienience. Nothing major, but it does need to be balanced out. Now, we have gathered some information on you and have noted that you are a skilled hand-to-hand combatant, especially for your age and it happens that we have a role in organisation that we think would fit your skills. And as a member of our group, there would be no debt as all such treatment is part of the job benefits."

Noting Akane's open suspicion, Hakase Ni took a stern stance:
"However if you are reluctant to join us, we are prepared to convey you to Tokyo and give you the address of one of Sunfire's... ah... businesses. After that what you do is up to you, although I admit we would hope that you would find another way to repay us."

Akane stared at Hakase Ni. For a long moment Akane just looked at him, then she spoke:
"Can you answer these questions? Just what is your organisation? What exactly is the role you think I'd fit? And what would you consider to be... reasonable... if I decided to repay you another way?"

Hakase Ni smiled:
"Interesting questions. Our organisation is a Research and Development group with international reach, we specialise in the highest of the high tech. And the role we have in mind for you, it is a combination of test pilot, test subject and advisor on aspects of hand-to-hand combat. Should you refuse this offer, then likely we will contact you at a future date and ask for... a favour. I trust you understand."

A harsh smile crept onto Akane's lips:
"You'd like... well... understand my sister Nabiki. Your offer is similar to the sort of deal she'd often strike. And it means - I think - that I should join you. If your favours are like Nabiki's, I'd be better off working for you than having that hanging over my head."

Hakase raised his eyebrows:
"That is a yes then?"

Akane hesitated, then nodded:
"It is... but do understand, I'm the heir of my families school of martial arts. I'm honor bound to avenge my father above all else."

Hakase Ni nodded thoughtfully:
"We here at A.I.M. Japan understand the needs of our employees, and it so happens that you may well find your role of test pilot will enhance your quest for vengeance. After all, we will need live fire tests for much of what we intend to put you into."

The door to the corridor slid open and a new girl, wearing a strange set of coveralls came in. Hakase Ni waved at the girl:
"Please follow the attendant Tendo-san, she will show you to your quarters and familiarize you with our regulations and procedures."

Akane opened her mouth, then caught herself and bowed before following the new girl out into the corridor. When the door slid shut behind her, the other door opened again and 2 others joined Hakase Ni.
"The subliminal suggestions worked without a hitch then."
"Yes, her reactions were as predicted."
"Has the lab found anything from the genetic tests yet? Given Sunfire's new interest in schooling I would have expected her to be an active mutant."
"No. From what she said, it may be that she got caught in a crossfire meant for her sisters. We know at least one of them is with Sunfire."
"Any further news on her attackers? Have we worked out who it was yet?"
"Again no. Given what we heard about the breeding program, it was probably the mutant called Sinister, but we can't be sure, the profile also fits Apocalypse."
"I don't want those idiots ruining our Japan, it'd disrupt so many operations. What can we do keep them busy?"
"Ah... perhaps we should move onto discussing the enhancements and tests for Tendo-san then. She is our first weapon against the dis-orderly elements, and we would have to search long and hard to find one with better motivations. So careful thought is indicated. Personally I find the bio-enhancement procedure our New-York branch sent over, the one they claim created the Green Goblin, is much more attractive than the cyborg procedure proposed by Doctor Ishida. If reports are to be believed you get much better physical performance without the weaknesses of in-built Cyborg parts and the trauma of surgery, add to that - hmm... perhaps light power-armour..."