Eventually one would be able to rewrite existence, or so the theories went. There were a number of problems with this, the limitations of computer science and energy required being two of the major ones. There was also a certain lack of control over the results. The Heisenberg Uncertainty Cascade was the official name for it, but they called it the Paradigm Matrix or the P-Shift otherwise. Alter something and other changes likewise occurred, less controllable and sometimes including factors that were not at all desired. Worse was another effect, where reality seemed to shift.
AT Resonation. Changing the individual's mind and identity and having physical changes occur to accompany those.
Gendo Ikari inspected the woman in the tube, then glanced at a computer monitor.
AT Resonance Positive. Shift At 98%.
Old Identity: Doctor Ritsuko Akagi, 29
New Identity: Doctor Ritsuko Bismark, 21.
Gendo returned his gaze to the woman in the tank, walking around it to view the changed woman. She looked younger, and the mole on her face had vanished. There were also the signs that her hair color was now a natural blonde instead of bleached and that she had mixed ancestry. She sported a slightly lusher figure, which she would probably appreciate once she returned to being Ritsuko Akagi - after her mission was complete and the dormant persona awakened. Ritsuko Bismark would then fade away to become a vague memory. In theory. Physical changes would remain. Mostly.
A slave tattoo had appeared on her bottom, the Egyptian-style cartouche bearing the slave's name and the name of her Master. There was also an old-looking scar now decorating her left forearm.
There were a number of roles she could have filled, being legal guardian and slavegirl. Mamluk was one of the more common ones, head maid another. Neither was particularly suitable for Ritsuko, either Akagi OR Bismark.
Gendo looked at the blonde in the tube, her face largely obscured by the breathing mask as she floated there. As things progressed, he could tell more of Ritsuko Bismark, the 'public persona' that would dominate her time under the Saotome boy. He did this by a computer monitor linked to a computer that was well outside the protected ring that included the machines remaking the younger woman.
Ritsuko Bismark was of German-Japanese descent, not unlike Asuka in that regard. A student of medicine, of mathematics, and of bio-engineering. The first and last talents had gotten her interviews with GEHERN and a promise of a bright future. It was the middle skill that proved a problem. In her past, she tended to work out mathematical models and then work out a method by which she could gain considerable sums gambling. Except that they never worked.
GEHERN in turn paid off the debts, but as a result Ritsuko had ended up as a contract slave for Ranma Saotome. She was to be legal counsel and authority, tutor and medic. The job title was Administrator, which covered a lot.
Gendo looked at the next tube and frowned ever so slightly. This had been unexpected, that Ritsuko had chosen to enslave someone else in a like manner and had managed to get this ball rolling as far as she had before she herself had been 'recruited' for the boy.
He was of two minds about it, not literally as he had no intention of being a test subject for the Janus Technique. He could stop the process now, make a surface persona that was only slightly different from the original. Get rid of some bad habit or tendency, perhaps. He could allow the process to continue and add a backup to Ritsuko's presence.
Gendo considered carefully, made his decision, and then went on. He was able to do so dispassionately, because it was not the means but the goal that was important to him. And one must keep focussed on the goal in order to achieve it.
"I see," said Genma, listening to the reasoning of the GEHERN officials. It certainly sounded all above-board. They were impressed with his training abilities and skills, in the performance of that boy's maid, and wanted to see that the boy's talents were encouraged. As it was a reflection on his OWN abilities, this was quite acceptable.
Ranma scratched his head. "This is 'cause of that war going on?"
"Yes," said Kaede. "We're aware of the Triads, the Yakuza, and Interpol involved in that shadow war down there, and that you've been involved in it."
"It's good training, and those Interpol fellows tend to eat well," responded Genma.
Ranma nodded. Some of the Yaks were pushovers, but they had a few decent ninja and stuff - and them Triads had some SERIOUS fighters.
"Well, with Ritsuko you'll be able to concentrate more fully on those matters, with her taking care of things like contracts and legal details, as well as being able to use her medical skills in your favor," pointed out Kaede.
"Huh?" asked Ranma, looking over the contract again and noticing a second sheet. "What's this?"
"Oh, that," said Kaede. She had been rather surprised to find out that Ritsuko had volunteered for this job, but on seeing the new-and-improved Ritsuko she thought she detected another motive. "That's just-"
(Posted Sat, 17 Mar 2007 20:07)
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