"You'll need engineers to run the equipment," said a Rei, holding out an artbook. "These would be ideal."
"They look kinda silly," said Ranma.
"Nonetheless, they are quite skilled as engineers and mages," stated the Rei.
"Okay," said Ranma, focussing. "There we go."
"What ARE they?" asked Asuka.
"Moogles," answered Rei.
"Well, what about THESE?" asked Misato.
POOF! went something else as a startled Ranma looked over the picture. "WHAT THE HECK?!"
Misato smiled and put away the 'Hanaukyo Maid Team' dojinshi. Not all the Prinnies were equally skilled at cleaning and maintenance.
"Yeesh," complained Ranma. "I keep getting the feeling the situation's kinda outta control."
"You're in charge of a tower that's over a kilometer across, and almost as high as Everest, equipped with staff and equipment you are unfamiliar with, trying to conquer the world in order to keep a demon Overlord from blowing it up in a childish fit of pique," pointed out Ritsuko. "I'd think that your feeling has a basis in reality."
"(Confirming,)" said the pilot. "(Unidentified building is taller than the surrounding mountains by a considerable margin. Unknown material.)"
The jet circled the building at a cautious distance, the sheer scale of the thing making it possible to do so with a jet of this type.
"(We're looking over the pictures you're sending. Stand by,)" came the reply.
The pilot knew what that meant. Someone was on the spot and asking the higher-ups what THEY wanted done. Normally, if it were any sort of known commercial or military craft incursion, it would be obvious. Blow it up and identify the wreckage. As this was NOT a known quality, this was a little less obvious.
"(Observer One, you are ordered to do a flyby at close range. Get as close as you can, keep your cameras running,)" came a reply eventually.
The pilot grimaced. "(Roger that. Beginning run.)"
Choosing a floor that looked like it had windows, the pilot aimed his craft and nervously began his flyby. When he passed the tower, all he really saw himself was a blur. Just how long he continued to pass that blur was adequate indication of the size of this thing.
"(Observer One, return to patrolling area.)"
"(Roger that.)" The pilot knew what that meant. The transmitted footage would be gone over frame-by-frame.
Five minutes later, the pilot got a more ominous message.
"(Observer One, retreat to distance of ten kilometers from intruder. Engage glare filter and prepare for possible EMP.)"
"(Roger that.)" The pilot did, and made sure he was at peace with his ancestors. He knew what that meant too. Sure enough, his radar pinged missiles incoming a few minutes later.
"He hasn't done anything hostile, so of course we haven't shot him," said Hyuga.
"Incoming missiles," said Maya Ibuki, rattling off course and direction. "Not from the jet. These are big ones. Three missiles."
"Shields up," ordered Misato. "Can you identify type?"
Maya apparently could. "They're trying to NUKE us?!"
"Our shields can take that, right?" asked Misato.
Rei checked the figures while Ranma watched. Ranma was a little concerned himself, he hadn't expected nuclear weapons as a method of saying 'hello and welcome to the neighborhood' but apparently someone was feeling threatened.
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(Posted Tue, 06 Feb 2007 00:24)
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