"Not yet, but we are close," said the scientist.
"Why do we not have enough now? We are monitoring those affected, we have engineered several situations where there were victims and survivors, we have obtained samples of these creatures and the mist?" said one of the darkened shapes on the ring of televisions.
"It is like a jigsaw puzzle," said the scientist. "We have a corner completed, and a few pieces we know are edges, yet that is as far as we've gotten. Without better computers and programs, without even knowing what the assembled picture looks like, it is slow going."
"Yet you say that you have enough to begin a major project," said the darkened monitor marked "05".
"Mako or spirit-energy CAN be infused to a subject, possibly duplicating some of the effects of those affected by the Mist," said the professor. "At the very least, we can begin testing."
"So be it, Professor Kefka," said "05". "Begin selecting experimental subjects. We will advise you on when to continue."
Doctor Mizuno looked out her window, holding a nice hot cup of tea to warm her hands, and considered the report from SERA Research.
That White Ranma and Black Ranma had different listings was hardly surprising. While White Ranma was beginning to respond to normal human interaction, he remained 'edgy' and with a touch of something not quite human. Black Ranma, on the other hand, was clearly something else in a human guise. Neither were a threat to her or any others in their little household. With Black Ranma they were definitely a "pack" sort of thing, and they were to be tolerated and protected.
She saw a movement out there in the mists, and watched as a kappa perched itself on a fence. It looked like Shirodori, a pale-green mottled one that was easily bribed with pickles. Particularly Vlasic Kosher Dill, and if you brought a little rice-wine, the monster was particularly ecstatic. Not that it was a tame monster by any means, but as far as menaces went it was hardly worth consideration. Bribe it with a little snack and Shirodori would call out a warning when something truly nasty was in the neighborhood, as well as keep the lesser nasties from approaching.
Doctor Mizuno wondered how many like Shirodori were out there - monsters who had adapted to the situation much as the neighborhood itself had.
Seeing Ami, followed discretely by Ranma though he didn't get close because Ranma would scare the kappa off, going out with a jar of pickles - Doctor Mizuno returned to the report.
Ami Mizuno (water?), Ranma Saotome (white-speed, black-beast), Makoto Kino (electricity), Hotaru Tomoe (healing), herself - Doctor Kumori Mizuno (ghost eye), Mamoru Chiba (roses), Natsuki Kuga (kappa class gunwolf Durhan) - all stayed at the house.
Ryoga Hibiki (wanderer), Usagi Tsukino (light), Mai Tokiha (kappa class firebird - ???), Rei Hino (fire/clairvoyance) - frequent visitors.
They were to be split up and moved. A means of defense that would, in theory, contain the worst of the mist for at least a time. Defenses could then be gathered.
Her own ability was the 'ghost eye' and it didn't work very often, nor was it under her control. When it did happen, she'd end up with a blinding headache an hour later. Yet these children and their Gifts would be sent to different places, to learn and develop and be monitored, and for further theories to develop.
What was known, from some of those like Shirodori, was that there was something out there. Something beyond the mist. Something old and powerful and far more monstrous than was typical of the creatures currently 'leaking' through. Something that would be here in just under ten years.
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(Posted Wed, 02 May 2007 09:29)
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