Shikamaru sat in the co-pilot's seat of the puddle jumper, staring out the window at the scenery below.
John noticed how the young ninja was gripping his chair with his hands. "First time flying?" Noting Shikamaru's wordless nod Major Sheppard continued. "Well it's a bit different in a puddle jumper than in say an F15." He abruptly rolled to one side and briefly dipped downward before pulling back and climbing into the sky.
"Inertial dampeners," John commented with a grin.
"Eh, it's weird to see that movement and not feel it." Shikamaru responded quietly.
"Well, I've felt that myself at times, though considering some of the passengers I've had it's been a relief not to have to worry too much about G's. Or airsickness."
"What's this?"
Lieutenant Ford followed the Jonin's gaze. Grinning he stepped toward where the technicians were working on the balcony. "That's a Railgun. From what I understand they'll hit at mach 5 from 250 miles."
Genma Shiranui shifted the straw in his teeth. "And, what precisely does that mean?"
Ford blinked. "I suddenly feel like McKay. Anyway it's a gun that uses magnets to accelerate it's ammo to outrageous speeds, in this case five times the speed of sound."
Genma whistled appreciatively. "Sounds pretty impressive."
Magnan looked around the small conference room. He looked to his aids, and the two representatives from Hidden Leaf. "Let us begin." He said quietly. Looking toward the two ninja he asked, "What did you take from that briefing on The Wraith?"
Genma thought to himself. "Well, first off, if they find a way through the gate to our world, they could be trouble. On the ground most Ninja's could take them out easily enough, but there's only limited options for dealing with those Darts of theirs. Fortunately, nothing bigger would fit through the gate."
Shikamaru felt Genma's eyes shift to him. With a sigh he leaned forward in his seat. "Their greatest concern is power. The records say that the Ancients were originally able to hold off attack for years thanks to the city's shields. Hence their primary other universe investigations will be centered around 25 addresses that seemed to have something to do with power."
Magnan looked toward Shikamaru. "And what if they don't find a suitable power source they plan to destroy the city, correct?" As Shikamaru nodded he took a deep breath. "You should expect that the order of the Daimyo will be to do anything we can to aid them in preventing that. If they maintain a base in this galaxy it will increase their need of our friendship to keep in contact."
"I take it their offering some interesting tokens of friendship?" Genma commented casually. 'You did say this would be a meeting of disclosure, so you can't get upset by my bringing it up,'
Magnan stared coldly at Genma a moment, then looked to one of his aids and nodded slightly.
The aide raised a hand. "Their initially being really cautions with alien technology, but one big thing their pushing to offer us is the fuel and data for Fire Country to initiate a satellite program." He pointed a finger skyward. "By properly positioning them high above the atmosphere they can circle the world indefinitely without any adjustment. The basic satellites they are talking about could revolutionize communications, weather prediction, spying on other countries and more.
"And, their also looking to the main initial bit of alien technology their offering. Ring transportation. Like those special rooms in this city.
"In their estimation, once any irregularities in the functioning of satellites are discovered, they can then launch a small satellite containing a set of rings, and then use it and a matching set on the ground to transport up the materials to build a space station."
Genma glanced around him. "Space station, not space ship?"
The aide shook his head. "The plans for that are in the works, but apparently several significant components are gifts from an alien kingdom called the Asgard who have the right to allow or deny our use. Still, while that negotiation process is underway, a space station will be the perfect way to test and develop many other necessary technologies, as well as acting as a hub for connecting rings in many different locations."
Shikamaru shifted his hands as he contemplated everything. Part of his mind flicked back to the game of Go he had played with Ambasador Retief. 'No, the game he threw,' he corrected himself.
"Lord Magnan, was Ambasador the one who proposed this?" he asked.
Magnan nodded his head. "Indeed. He also proposed a credit system so that we could both ask for help when needed and then total things up at the end of each year."
Shikamaru nodded thoughtfully. "In the short term we have the advantage of them needing us to provide a base for communicating with Atlantis. But thanks to the satellite proposition, we'd be undertaking a major long term project that was dependant on a resource their world has to provide."
Magnan shifted his head. "Do you think their objectives are a danger to the Fire Country."
Shikamaru shook his head. "What I think is that Ambasador Retief is planning far ahead, and he's trying to make our alliance with earth too valuable for us to terminate it easily, while restraining the pace of technological importation to make sure our alliance stays mutually dependant for a long time."
Magnan looked at Shikamaru considering. "And your thoughts on the strategy?"
Shikamaru shrugged. "Honestly, it looks like he's pushing for a tie rather than a victory. I guess that's one of the differences between Ninja and Diplomat games."
Weir stood on the city's balcony looking out into the ocean. "You know, you were considered for this position Jame."
Beside her, Jame Retief shrugged his shoulders and continued watching the waves. "Perhaps, but in the end your selection was the better one. That idealism of yours certainly helps you form connections here."
Weir smiled slightly. "Always the calculator Retief?" She turned toward the ambassador. "What are you aiming for with your Fire Country mission?"
Retief shrugged. "The usual, establishing long term friendships that are as idiot proof as I can make them, and looking for ways to prepare for when the idiots take over."
Read the comments on this episode
See other episodes by Black & White
(Posted Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:25)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.