Ranma held the item he found and inspected it more closely. At first glance, it was a rather simple leather and metal bracer.
But, of course, it wasn't.
What set it apart from average bracers was the strange array of small holes connected by engraved lines in a circular pattern. In fact, a few shining marbles were embedded in some of of them, four in total. There was also a single red gem beneath the engraving.
Ranma squinted his eyes to get a better look at the marbles. There was some kind of symbol visible inside each of them, floating in colored smoke: A handgun, a treasure chest, an european-style sword and a musical note. His instincts told him it probably meant something...
Ranma scratched his head absent-mindedly. Try as he might, he couldn't fathom what this thing was or if it was of any practical use. He was ready to dump it in the nearest thrashcan when it happened.
A slight pressure on the red gem was enough. It receded a little like when you push a button and 'clicked'. Ranma yelped and jumped back in surprise as a beam of light shot out of the gem. A few seconds later, an image of a small man in a full bodysuit and wearing a breathing mask appeared within it.
Then, the small holographic figure spoke in a young but raspy voice "Greetings... And welcome to the tutorial of the First Steps garment grid. I am Shinra, creator of this amazing device. Now I will explain how to use the dress spheres system..."
Ranma stared "What the heck...!?"
Shinra continued his explanation undettered. It was obviously some kind of pre-set recording "Each dress sphere contains the skills and powers of a certain profession or 'class' as I like to call it. When you activate one, you are suited up in the corresponding costume and can access its basic abilities. You will unlock even more of them with prolonged use..."
Shinra kept talking for another minute or so, explaining in great details how the garment grid worked "...This concludes the tutorial. Don't forget to be on the look out for new dress spheres beyond the basic ones" Shinra bowed and his image wavered before disappearing. The red gem's light died out.
The only thing left to do was for Ranma to try the garment grid out. He put the bracer on his right forearm, took a deep breath and activated a random dress sphere.
"WHOA!!!" exclaimed Ranma as intense flares of light surrounded him. He started to panic as he was pulled off the ground and his clothes disintegrated "No, wait...! I changed my mind! YAAAAH!!!"
Fortunately for his modesty, the garment grid worked as advertised. His chinese clothes were replaced with a costume more befitting of his new status as a gunner.
Once all the fireworks ended and Ranma gathered his wits back, he realized something...
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See other episodes by Jamil Nate
(Posted Tue, 18 May 2004 17:12)
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