"Oh, my...!"
"Impressive, eh?"
"And this came from the D-hopper?"
"It was part of it," Megan replied with a chuckle as she and Nodoka gazed on the unmoving female form in the gestation tube, located with dozens other such units in a basement level of the castle. The replacement body for the crimson-haired 33-S, Ranma's mother was quick to note, had some differences. Lighter, more natural Caucasian skin tone for example; Megan wouldn't look like she had spent too much time under a UV lamp anymore. Her hair would take on a darker, browner shade. The eyes would remain the same, as would the general body build.
"Anxious?" Nodoka asked.
"Very," Megan admitted, returning the older woman's look. "You know, there're times I really wondered what Genom's technicians were actually thinking of when they created us." A hand drifted over her heart. "They gave us hearts. They gave us the capacity to love, to create. Emotionally, any one of us isn't really no different than an organic woman. Yet..."
"You were not given the right of childbirth," Nodoka finished for her.
Megan nodded. "Hai." Her eyes turned back to gaze on her new body. "And now we'll have it. It's..."
"Overwheming?"
The Sexaroid considered that for a moment, then nodded. "Hai. Overwhelming. Scary, too. I mean..." Her hands clasped together in front of her, her thumbs twirling around the other as she considers what to say next. "I guess Ataru-sama was right all along. I am human, ma'am. But am I really ready to embrace my humanity?" She gazed once more on Ranma's mother. "Are any of us?"
"Humans aren't given a 'tell-all' guidebook when it comes to understanding what being human is about, Megan-chan," Nodoka advised her.
Megan blinked, then nodded. "Yeah, that's true, I guess."
"Megan?"
Megan turned as a lovely purple-haired 33-S walked up to her. "What is it, Veronica?"
"We have a space open for conversion in an hour or so," Veronica, another first generation Sexaroid who had spent time on Genaros, reported. As a former laboratory assistant, she had been placed in charge of the project that would give all the 33-S's new, more organic bodies, bodies that would give them attibutes that, while allowing the Sexaroids to retain many of their considerable stengths -- the pheromones, the eye hypnosis abilities and for the second-generation girls, their incredible speed -- would also give them many more human qualities. A fully-fuctional reproductive system being atop that list. "If you want, I can slip you in there."
Megan considered that, then gazed on Ranma's mother. Nodoka gave her a supportive nod. "Sure thing," she agreed with her own nod...
"So, Sensei, what's the verdict?"
"Other than recommending that you get some surgery to remove those scars all over your body, all I can recommend is a good night's sleep, Mister Moroboshi," Beverly Crusher announced as she pulled her tricorder away from Ataru.
"Concerning sleep, Sensei, I'll be more than happy to take your prescription," Ataru agreed with a rueful nod and a hand pass through his hair, then he stared on Chikage. "What about him?" he asked, nodding towards his counterpart.
"I'm going to shift him to my quarters so I can examine him in a more private setting, Ani-kun," the young sorceress announced before turning to glance at Anri. "I trust I can obtain your help in moving him there, Anri-san?"
"Hai," the green-haired 33-S replied.
"Anigimi-sama?"
Ataru turned to gazed on Haruka, she now standing at the doorway to the Windrider's nursing station. "What is it, Haruka-chan?"
"Could you come to Rinrin-chan's laboratory, please?" Haruka asked. "Hakubi-hakase is looking over the D-hopper device now and we might need help with translating some of the text files stored in the device."
"Is it necessary to do it now?" Crusher asked. "Your brother needs the chance to get some sleep."
"I think I can spare some minutes for Washuu-chan, Sensei," Ataru asserted, then held up his hand to cut off the expected protest from the Enterprise's chief medical officer. "Ma'am, I promise you I'll head right to bed afterward. There're translation databanks that cover all elements of Noukiios' history, all the way back to Muchach's time. It takes a couple minutes to set up."
Beverly stared at the younger man for a moment, then wagged her finger. "As soon as you can, Mister Moroboshi."
"Hai, hai."
With that, Ataru and Haruka stepped out of the nursing station as Crusher moved over to help Chikage and Anri with the other Ataru. Heading aft, they soon found themselves inside Rinrin's private laboratory, a near-replica of what she had in Welcome House back on Promised Island. Awaiting them are Saotome Ranma and Hakubi Washuu. Also there is a blue-eyed version of Rinrin dressed in a plain yet still flattering green jumpsuit, a white letter "R" with the exponent number "2" over her left breast. "Hi, Aniki, Auntie Haruka," Mecha-Rinrin greeted her creator's brother and sister with a wide smile. "Washuu-chan brought something for you."
She waved to the D-hopper. Ataru stared at the device for a moment, then walked up to give it a closer examination. "Definitely Noukiite," he whispered, his finger trailing over the line-and-circle glyphs, similar in many ways to Korea's han'geul script, which formed the consonant blocks in Noukiios' native language. "I'd say from just before the Occupation began..."
"Hakubi-hakase stated the device dates from that time," Haruka noted.
Ataru spared the crimson-haired child-like scientist a glance, then breathed out. "You need access to language databanks?"
"Definitely," Washuu replied, then leaned up to him, a pleading look crossing her face. "Ne, ne, Ataru-kun..."
He glanced once more at her, then sensing what was bothering her, chuckled. "Washuu-chan, much that I understand why you like people calling you that, I cannot and will not force Haruka-chan to change her ways. I happen to like her the way she is."
"Anigimi-sama!!" Haruka moaned as she quickly drew out her gunsen to fan herself -- and hide her reddening cheeks. "P-poh!"
Ranma and Mecha-Rinrin laughed. Ataru shrugged, giving Washuu another apologetic look, then he walked over to a wall computer. Tapping controls, he then called out a command in the slightly-harsh tones of the Noukiite common tongue. A second later, the computer spoke out in Japanese, "Place the device in the scanner unit for proper interpretation of commands."
Ataru pointed to a small unit scanner on another bulkhead. Washuu took the D-hopper and slipped it into place. "Begin scan."
"Scan commencing."
"What's your initial opinion of this thing?" Ataru asked.
The alien scientist stared at him, then breathed out. "Whoever made this little beast, Ataru-kun, was a scientific genius on many levels. Or it could've been a group effort for all I know. The level of knowledge crammed into this thing..." She paused, then shrugged. "Well, it's still some years behind what's normal in among the Jurai and a larger span of time from what I normally operate on, but I will admit, whoever made this stepped down several investigative paths that even I never considered before."
"Can this thing be replicated?" Ranma asked.
"I believe so," Washuu replied after a quick inspection of Rinrin's laboratory.
"Before we worry about that, ma'am, let's get Rinrin-chan's permission to use her lab for that matter," Ataru advised. As Washuu gave him a curious look, he added, "Washuu-chan, I'm sure you would prefer to keep a close watch on all activity in your own lab, right?" Seeing her nod, he shrugged. "As much as I don't monkey around Shirayuki-chan's kitchen, I certainly do not monkey around Rinrin-chan's lab."
"Did someone say Hime's name?"
"Ah, Shirayuki-chan!" Haruka called out as the mauve-haired chef stepped in, a small tray in hand.
"Nii-sama! Crusher-sensei told Hime that she wants Nii-sama to go to bed right away," Shirayuki announced as she lifted the cup of steaming liquid from the tray, then handed it to Ataru. "Hime made her special cocoa to help Nii-sama get some sleep."
Ataru shuddered as the lovely scent flooded his nostrils, then he gazed on Ranma. "I've been outranked and outvoted," he announced as he took the cup from Shirayuki, then took a sip. "If you'll all kindly excuse me, I'm going to find a pillow with my name on it."
"Do you need some moxibustion, Anigimi-sama?" Haruka asked as he moved to walk out.
"Maybe tomorrow, Haruka-chan. 'Night, everyone."
"Oyasumi nasai desu no, Nii-sama," Shirayuki called back as Ataru headed aft to his cabin.
The others watched him go, then Ranma stared at Haruka. "Would you be willing to give me some moxibustion, Haruka-san?" he wondered. "I haven't really had a good treatment since Toofuu-sensei left Nerima."
Haruka jolted as his request sank in, then she clapped her cheeks, they now the shade of ripe cherries. "P-poh...!"
Shirayuki hums. "Hime thinks she might have to go look at her wedding cake recipes."
Hearing that, both Ranma and Haruka jolted. Washuu nearly fell over laughing. Mecha-Rinrin only smiled...
"A virus created by a human scientist, Professor?"
"That's what we were able to deduce from what we were able to pull out of that Cylon's mind, Commander," Reed Richards replied. After hearing what the leader of the Fantastic Four and Data had discovered, Jean-Luc Picard had them beamed over to the Galactica right away. "The code, in comparison to what else composes Miroku's central matrix, is very old. I'd say about fifty years old, which would correspond roughly to the time of the Cylon War, correct?" Seeing William Adama and Brendan Cain nod, Mister Fantastic continued. "Now, the programming is structured in such a way that would allow a Cylon's mind to advance itself to a human level of sentience and self-will. It does not interfere with that process whatsoever. What it does do is subtly influence other areas of a Cylon's thought process so that he or she would, in time, view all organic humans as nothing more than vermin meant for extermination. Now, in Miroku's specific case, it coaches that viewpoint in a religious cloak, convincing the Cylon that indeed, the Creative Spirit -- 'God' -- wants them to do that."
"How were you convinced that a human was responsible for this virus, Professor?" Cain asked.
"Quite simple," Reed answered. "The most recent programmin code in Miroku's mind is very efficient, simplified in a way that would allow her to carry out her functions without any sort of hesitation. The basic Cylon programming code, I believe, is designed to promote maximum operational efficiency." He pointed to the highlighted code on the main display in the Galactica's meeting room. "This code, on the other hand, is grossly redundant in many places. And it has a masking code that allows it to avoid even the most detailed self-diagnostic Miroku can run on her own internal systems. Now, I think that, within time, the Cylon self-diagnostic program would evolve to the point where this virus would be detected and eliminated. But given how close the Cylons were to launching their attack on the Colonies..."
"For humans, it wouldn't be close enough," Adama finished.
"Exactly."
"Data, can you construct a diagnostic program that would allow the Cylons to detect this virus and eliminate it?" Picard wondered.
"I believe such can be prepared in a short period of time," the Enterprise's second officer replied. "I should note, Captain, that there might be Prime Directive conflicts should our actions against the Cylons come under review by Starfleet Command."
"Data, your people are already involved in a war against the Dominion," Reed countered. "And the Borg threat has to be considered as well. I don't think the Federation can afford a three-way war, especially with one of the enemies coming from another dimension."
"Professor Richards has a point," Picard conceeded. "And I believe Starfleet will agree with us in the long term."
"Speaking on behalf of the government of the Twelve Colonies, Captain Picard, neither Commander Cain or I would want to burden your government with more problems," Adama noted. "If your war against this Dominion is as bad as the professor has just hinted..."
"It's worse," Benjamin Sisko confirmed with a grunt.
"We have another humanoid Cylon aboard the Windrider right now," Rinrin spoke up for the first time after Data and Mister Fantastic came over from the Enterprise. "And there're all those Cylon Centurions and the wrecked raiders to look at, too."
The Starfleet and Colonial commanders exchange a look, then Picard nodded. "Very well, then. Miss Moroboshi, would you be willing to assist Commander Data and Professor Richards in preparing a counter-virus to what they discovered in Miroku?"
"You bet!!" Rinrin gushed.
"There's one other thing," Sakuya spoke up.
"What's that, Siress?" Adama asked.
The elder sister of the Moroboshi Clan sighed. "From what I understand might soon happen to your people, Adama-taisa, there's one other important part to the Cylons' master plan. It involves a man named Gaius Baltar. He's from Caprica, I believe. Do either you or Cain-taisa know of him?"
"Professor Baltar?!" Cain spoke up. "Three-time winner of the Magnate Prize?"
"That's the one," Sakuya confirmed with a nod.
Data and Reed exchanged looks, then the former faced the assembled commanders. "Sirs, Miss Moroboshi has a very relevant point."
"What do you know, Data?" Picard asked...
"Permission to come aboard?"
"Permission granted," the android manning the Windrider's main transporter replied.
Hearing that, Louise stepped off the pad, then beckoned Nodoka with her. "Oh, my!" Ranma's mother gasped as she took the blonde 33-S's hand in her own, then followed her out of the room. "That was quite exhilarating!!"
"It's my first time with a transportation unit like that, too," Louise admitted. "Where exactly is Ranma-sama, sir?"
"The Venerable Haruka is coming now to take you there..."
"Mom!!"
Nodoka turned as Ranma walked into the room, then opened her arms for her son to embrace her. "How are you, my son?" she asked.
They held each other close for a moment, then Ranma pulled back, his normal self-assured grin crossing his face. "A lot better than I have been for a long time, admittedly," he replied, then he stared at Louise. "Where's Meg, Lou?"
"Waiting for the chance to get her new body," the blonde Sexaroid replied. "She asked me to keep your mother company while she was undergoing the process. It'll take a few hours, then she'll need to get some rest to adjust."
"How about you?" Ranma wondered as they streamed out of the transporter room.
"Mine won't be ready for some time yet. I can wait," Louise admitted.
"Hopefull, all the girls will undergo the process before we'd be forced to take leave this place," Nodoka added, then after taking a deep breath, she turned to gaze on Ranma. "My son, there are some things we have to talk about. Concerning your future."
Ranma returned her look, then sensing that Nodoka was willing to be open about the matter, nodded. "Agreed."
Now what?
(Posted Tue, 09 Mar 2004 06:42)
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