He wondered what his other fiancees could do if they had ever cooperated like this. Kinda scary.
In a way so was the gal in the formal kimono ensuring the girls could have a private talk. Ranma was fairly sure she hadn't blinked since the plane took off.
"Okay, he's in the next cabin while we 'girl talk'. What's your angle anyway?" Asuka asked.
"I get a life as a top secret agent, away from a personal curse in my life, and possibly a mentor to Ranma," said Kiyone. "Don't get me wrong, he's cute and all, but a little young for me. Just don't be in too much of a hurry to marry him, okay?"
"Not going to force him to marry you?" Asuka asked. "Aren't you worried about being bungee dropped back to your home universe?"
"Nah," admitted Kiyone. "I'm not anxious to go back there, but I figure I can just be his mentor or something when it's all said and done. There's so many possibilities in this setup that sticking to Nerima isn't really a good idea."
Asuka smiled at that. "Good. We have a bit more than inconvenience if we don't maintain a tie to Saotome."
"Did anyone sweep for mikes or anything?" asked Misato suddenly. "I don't want something coming up that forces us back there."
"Well, I don't know, they threw out most of Bacchus' picks except there's still supposed to be one more already in," pointed out Kiyone. "We don't know her motivations or even identity at this point. As for eavedropping equipment - nothing active. I scanned before we took off. Most devices would have shown up even if they weren't active."
"Having a secret agent around can come in handy," admitted Asuka. "Otherwise we'd have been relying on Misato's contacts."
"I'm still settling in over at the air base," complained Misato. "Give me awhile before I even have contacts."
"Maya's in college over at Todai University, Misato - you're spending most of your time on base, Kiyone - you said you're spending most of your time out on missions outside Nerima?" Asuka frowned. "That leaves Ritsuko unaccounted for too. Otherwise it's me and wondergirl who're gonna have the most contact with Ranma."
"Not to mention all those fun fun other fiancees," reminded Misato.
"In whose case, I may have to use my contacts," said Asuka with a hint of menace.
"Is there a pattern here?" Misato asked. "Maybe it's just all the conspiracies there at the end, but I'm -"
"Not that I can figure, there's more similarities with his old fiancees than us," said Asuka. "That mercenary sister gave a few details. Shoot first and ask questions later types, except they're all expert martial artists."
"Well, I'm no slouch in that department myself," said Kiyone. "Though I'm more apt to shoot repeatedly and then arrest what's left if it comes to that."
"Amen, sister," said Asuka, holding up an imaginary toast.
When Ranma was getting really nervous, he heard laughter from back in the compartment with the women. Girls, who could figure them?
"Uhm, this is a nice plane," tried Ranma.
"Private cargo hauler," said Rei. "I'm not familiar with the type other than it is rigged as a seaplane and apparently has radar and fuel tanks that seem more elaborate than is usually found in commercial vehicles in Japan."
"Uh, right," said Ranma, feeling lost.
Rei nodded, satisfied. "I am uncertain how to proceed with this engagement. What is expected of me as a fiancee?"
Ranma blinked, thought about it, frowned, thought about it some more. "Ya know, I've been engaged twice and pursued for marriage once, and had a whacko chasing me all in the past few months and - I don't know what normal fiancees are supposed to do."
"Ah," said Rei in her usual soft voice. "Then it appears we shall have to explore this in our respective fashions."
(Posted Tue, 18 Nov 2003 11:28)
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