Written By Lisa Grey
Developed by Lisa Grey and James R. Axelrad
Edited by James R. Axelrad and Johnny G
Chapter 12
March 2009...
Ranma was on her feet and running the instant General Quarters sounded. She reached the locker room several steps ahead of the rest of her squadron and began to hastily shuck off her uniform down to bra and panties. She quickly pulled on her rose and white Lycra/Kevlar reinforced form fitting flight suit. Not only did it provide protection against shrapnel that might enter her cockpit, it was also capable of acting as an emergency p-suit should her cockpit be breeched. One thing it failed utterly to protect against was the display of how exceptionally well formed her female body was. Securing the closures, she grabbed her helmet and ran for Wild Rose One.
Due to the lack of replacement pilots, they had restructured the squadron slightly. Alpha flight was now three aircraft, consisting of Ranma, Natalia, and Erin. Natalia and Erin would fly wing for each other, letting Ranma use all of their potential without having to wait for a wingman to catch up. Bravo flight was composed of Marissa as flight leader followed by Tia, Vicki, and Cassie. The Roses quickly climbed into their Veritechs and began powering up.
With the canopy sealed and the cockpit pressurized, Alpha flight was brought out to the elevator. They queued up to get on the Prometheus's bow cats just behind the last of Skull. The new pilots with no carrier experience were being launched from the SDF-1 while the experienced naval pilots had been assigned to launch off the Promy.
The last of Skull's planes launched and Ranma followed the Cat Officer, Moira Flynn's directions as she staged on the cat. Beside her, Natalia and Erin were also being staged for launch. Lieutenant Flynn and her team hooked Ranma's Veritech to the cat and made a quick inspection. The blast deflectors came up and Ranma gave a thumbs up to Flynn's signaled inquiry and grabbed the 'oh shit' handle on the glare shield while opening the throttles wide.
Flynn saluted her and went to one knee, giving the signal to launch. Ranma was thrust back onto her seat as she went from a stand still to a couple hundred knots in less than five hundred feet. As she cleared the launch zone, Ranma slowed to allow the rest of her flight to join her. As soon as they were formed up, she turned toward the battle that was just beginning.
As she did she caught sight of the biggest furball she'd ever imagined. She new it was ugly from the panicked transmissions on the Tac-net, but the reality was worse. Chaos reigned supreme as she led her flight into the middle of it.
"Ice, Banshee, cover each other," Ranma commanded. "This is ugly and we're going to have to bump it up a notch."
In truth the enemy seemed better out here in space than they had in the atmosphere. Battle pods seemed to be everywhere as did Veritechs. Missiles and tracers were so thick Ranma thought she could have gotten out and walked across them. Explosions were eerily silent in the depths of space, but the screams of the dying on the Tac-net more than made up for it.
"All right, let's dance," Ranma said as she jinked out of the way of the energy bolt from a battle pod.
The pod quickly blossomed into a ball of burning gas as Ranma struck it with four of her laser cannon. She wasted no time acquiring another target and spearing it with a short-range missile. Wild Rose One swirled through the chaotic dogfight like a pretty grim reaper. Using abrupt 12+ G direction changes she appeared to bounce around the battlefield leaving blossoms of flaming gases and shrapnel in her wake.
Suddenly her danger sense tingled a warning to her.
"Everyone, break off, break off," she yelled into the Tac-net. "We've got heavy incoming fire from the larger ship."
Veritechs scattered but some weren't quick enough. They died as the nearly solid stream of fire came in from the large enemy vessel. The insane thing was a large number of the enemy battle pods disintegrated, cut down by their own fire. The dogfight continued out of the line of fire, but slowly the Earth forces were coming out on top.
Unfortunately, the SDF-1 was taking a pounding. Ranma was contemplating making an attack run on the larger ship when something strange began to happen. The SDF-1 began to move and change shape. When it finished it stood like a massive mile tall battloid. The booms of the main gun stood high above the shoulders and the salvaged naval carriers formed its arms.
Once the transformation was over the twin booms of the main gun leveled themselves at the large enemy ship. Energy began to swirl and arc between them as the gun charged. Finally the gun unleashed a torrent of death that consumed the enemy ship like wet rice paper in a hurricane.
"Whoa," Ranma breathed at the awesome power she'd just seen. She didn't dwell on it though. She quickly turned back to mopping up the remaining enemy battle pods.
The battle didn't last long after that. Ranma was very thankful that Wild Rose didn't lose anyone this time. Indeed, they had once again out performed other squadrons, accounting for more enemy losses than any other unit save for the enemy themselves with the barrage they fired through their own forces on the SDF-1.
(oOO/Oo)
Inside the SDF-1, human (both military and civilian) morale took another grievous blow. The newly reconstructed Macross City had been decimated by the modular transformation. Buildings lay crushed and tumbled as their owners sifted through them for their meager possessions. It was fortunate that civilian casualties were light. Nobody had died but there were injuries.
The same could not be said for the crew. Many had paid the final price in defense of the SDF-1 as the bombardment came in and opened compartments to vacuum, or destroyed their battle stations outright. Brave Damage Control crews succumbed when they became trapped in compartments with fires burning out of control or in areas where the enemy bombardment continued to pour in as they worked to keep the ship in the fight.
The horrors of war had returned to the people of Earth, of this there was no doubt.
Still, the human spirit remained strong as those that had previously been reluctant to join the ranks of the defenders flocked to sign up. One of those had been Rick Hunter. The young man had finally had to face the fact that his opinion of the military, ingrained in him by his father, was, in this case, completely wrong. Peace was a wonderful concept, but when faced with an enemy that cared not for peace, sometimes you have to fight, and kill, to protect those you care about.
(oOO/Oo)
May 2009...
"Lisa," Ranma growled warningly.
"Oh, come on Ranma," Lisa said. "I'm not going to push you to try anything on. We're just looking. That doesn't mean I won't make some suggestions that I'd like to see you in, though." Lisa waggled her eyebrows and grinned suggestively.
"Oh, is that so?" Ranma said, blushing.
"Uh huh," Lisa grinned. "Besides, you deserve something nice to wear tonight when we celebrate you promotion to Lt. Commander." Lisa grabbed Ranma's hand and started for the boutique.
"I don't know what shocks me more," Sammy said to the other members of the terrible trio. "Commander Hayes flirting like a teenager, or who she's flirting with."
"I think they make an adorable couple," Vanessa giggled.
"Yes, and Lisa is so much easier to get along with when Ranma is keeping her, um, satisfied," Kim said suggestively. The three dissolved into giggles as they followed the pair in question into the boutique.
Inside, Lisa and Ranma were looking at the lingerie selection. Lisa picked up a pair of white satin and lace high cut panties.
"These are cute, don't you think, Ranma," Lisa said holding them up.
"Um, yeah," Ranma said, imagining them on Lisa. "Very cute."
Lisa blushed a little and began to look at the table for a matching bra. It was then that she noticed a head pop out from under the table between Ranma's legs. The head slowly turned to look up Ranma's uniform skirt.
"See anything you like PERVERT?" Lisa snarled.
The man's eyes got wide as saucers as he got a good view of Ranma's panties and a small trickle of blood began to seep from his nose. Lisa's angry question caused Ranma to look down.
"Eeep!" Ranma squeaked as she leaped back. As she did, she got a view of the pervert. "Well, if it isn't Ensign Rick 'Head'. You mean I haven't beaten on the thick head of yours enough in basic, Rickhead? You have to go out of your way for more?"
She reached down and snatched Rick from under the table, hoisting him up by the front of his uniform.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Rick chanted. "It's not what it looks like, I swear."
"It looks to me like you were looking up Ranma's skirt and enjoying the view, Pervert," Lisa said.
"Yeah, look at the pervert's nose bleed," Vanessa said, glaring at the hapless flier.
"Sure sign of a pervert," Kim chimed in, also glaring in female indignation.
"Humph, lecher," Sammy added.
Ranma took Rick, still being held off the ground, and walked toward the door.
"Since you have enough time to be out molesting innocent women, I guess you won't mind being on head cleaning duty for the next month to keep you occupied," Ranma informed him. When she got to the door she drop kicked him in the family jewels. Rick landed on his head across the street, his hands in warding gestures. "And stay out, Rickhead no Hentai!"
Ranma when back over to Lisa, who grabbed her hand possessively.
"Are you okay?" she asked. "Who was that?"
"I'm fine," Ranma giggled. "You remember that civilian pilot that Roy brought on board?"
"The one that called me an..." Lisa started.
"That's the one," Ranma interrupted.
"Why that no good slimy bastard," Lisa fumed. "First he insults me and then he looks up my wo...er your skirt. I'll have him on every shit detail that comes down the pike, I can promise you that!" Ranma blushed, catching Lisa's slip. The terrible trio giggled.
"Well, Rick, what do you think?" Minmei called out, coming out of the dressing room in a very pretty dress.
"He had to leave, Sweetie," Lisa said.
"Yeah he had a nose bleed," Kim added.
"And I think he said something about abdominal pain too," Sammy offered.
"Oh," Minmei said, looking concerned. "I hope he's okay." She looked at Ranma and Lisa and brightened. "Well, since Rick's not here, do you like this dress?" She twirled around to show them.
"It's very pretty, Minmei," Lisa said, smiling.
"Yeah, too good for that hentai," Ranma muttered.
(oOO/Oo)
"You wanted to see me, Sir?" Ranma asked, entering Roy's office.
"Yeah, I got some news for you," Roy said. "Your buddies, the Blue Angels are ready for flight status. They're, not surprisingly, solid pilots. Not as good as Wild Rose, but then you girls do have an advantage there. Anyway, since your Squadron is under strength, I'll having them fly with you until they get some combat time in with the Veritechs. When you go on patrol, I want a flight of Wild Roses and a flight of Blues paired up. Get with Commander Kingsley and the two of you work out who is with whom."
"Aye aye, Sir," Ranma replied. "Was that it?"
"No," Roy said. "I got a request from Dr. Lang. He wants you to work with him on some R&D projects to try to improve the Neural Link. He mentioned something about testing new weapons systems as well."
"Okay, sure, anything else?" Ranma inquired.
"Well, as a personal request, I don't suppose you'd consider lightening up on the kid would you?" Roy asked tiredly.
"You mean Rick-head?" Ranma asked. "He brings it on himself."
"He's a good kid, Ranma," Roy argued. "He's a little full of himself, but then aren't we all? You might actually like him if you give him a chance."
"Yeah, that, and if he kept his big trap shut," Ranma laughed.
"Just consider it, Ranma," Roy sighed. "He'll be almost as good as me someday once he has a little seasoning. Between you and Lisa, the only seasoning he's getting is how to clean the heads."
"A nice humble position for him, don't you think, Sir?" Ranma smirked. Roy snorted. "Look, Roy, I know he's your old pal and all and I can't speak for Lisa, but I'll cut him some slack. Not that it will do him any good. I think he's firmly on Lisa's shit list, especially after he looked up my skirt. That really pissed her off for some reason."
"I heard she's been a bit territorial concerning you recently," Roy chuckled.
"I noticed," Ranma laughed. "I just hope she's not causing herself problems. The only way she could be more blatant would be to piss on my leg."
"I told you, didn't I?" Roy grinned. "She's way too smart to let a good thing get away from her." Ranma blushed.
"Roy, I'm not such a good thing," Ranma protested. "I come with some serious issues. I don't see what she sees in me that makes it worth the risks for her."
"You don't have to," Roy smiled. "It's part of your charm."
"Where's the shovel?" Ranma quipped. "It's getting deep in here." Roy laughed.
(oOO/Oo)
Ranma went through her advanced kata smoothly and gracefully. Her kicks, punches, chops and blocks were done with power and precision that made even the most advanced martial artists green with envy. She was used to having an audience when she practiced her art and today was no exception. She held her finishing position, her leg extended straight up, for ten controlled breaths before relaxing. She saw the midnight-blue haired girl, that had been watching her intently, approach.
"Hello, Ma'am," the girl said. "I don't know if you remember me as you were pretty smashed when we met, but I'm Akane Tendo."
"Hi Akane," Ranma smiled. "I remember. Sorry 'bout that. I was pretty out of it I guess."
"It's okay, Ma'am," Akane smiled. "I was glad to be there for you. After all, I do owe you my life."
"And I owe you for a very good quick explanation," Ranma giggled. "I heard all about what happened while I was passed out." Akane blushed guiltily. "Thanks for smoothing things over with Lisa. That could have been a bad thing for everyone if you hadn't said the right things."
"She's very fond of you, Ma'am," Akane said carefully.
"Please, call me Ranma here. I tend to leave rank at the door while practicing the art," Ranma said.
"Okay, Ranma," Akane smiled. "Would you mind if I asked what style you practice?"
"I practice an obscure family style called Anything Goes," Ranma answered, not seeing Akane's eyes widen in surprise. "It's really not a style though. It's basically a blend of a lot of other arts. The individual practitioner develops their own personal style based on the unique blend of techniques that they customize to suit them."
"Y...you're related to Genma Saotome, aren't you?" Akane asked. Now it was Ranma's turn to be startled out of a few years of life.
"I...I...might be," Ranma said carefully. "Not that I would claim him if I was. What did he do to you? Disgraceful buffoon..." Ranma muttered the last part.
"Nothing," Akane said. "He came to stay with us for a while. He was my father's friend. They trained together under the same master in the Anything Goes Style. They were planning on joining our families through marriage to Genma's son, but Genma said his son betrayed him. According to him, while in China, his son framed him for something and ran off while he was in the custody of the locals. I'm just glad they couldn't find him. I would have hated for my sisters or I to get stuck in some arranged marriage with a boy that would sell out his own father."
"It wasn't like that," Ranma growled.
"Oh? You know Genma's son? Is he your brother or something?" Akane asked.
"Or something," Ranma nodded. "Akane, let me tell you some things about Genma. He's a lying manipulative thief who would and did sell out his own flesh and blood if he thought it would be to his benefit. The man had no concept of honor and was a cowardly bastard that tried to dump all his problems off on his son. His son never framed him. He just refused to accept responsibility for the old man's actions and let the bastard deal with his own problems for a change. His son had to get away from the prick before Genma completely destroyed his life...any more so than he had already done."
"How do you know?" Akane asked. "Come to think of it, why do you have the same name as your brother?"
"Make no mistake, Akane, the man is an abusive piece of filth that will do or say anything to further his goals, usually those being to fill his fat stomach or to make himself look good," Ranma said. Ranma closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Look, I don't want to talk about it. I despise that man and if I never see him again for the rest of my life, I'll be thankful. So I take that to mean that you practice Anything Goes as well?"
"Yeah, I was the best martial artist in Nerima," Akane said proudly. "You wanna spar?"
"Sure, why not?" Ranma smirked.
Akane's answering smirk vanished soon after the match started. She couldn't lay a finger on the agile little redhead and Ranma seemed to be able to penetrate her defenses at will. She wasn't used to being outclassed and it annoyed her greatly. In the past, she would have taken a dislike to the girl that was so easily beating her, but respect for the Dragon Lady, age, and combat experience as well as her own family betrayal had taught her some degree of humility. An hour later when they called a halt, Akane was bruised and out of breath, sweating heavily. She bowed to her opponent.
"Ranma, w...would you t...train me?" she asked clearly uncomfortable making the request. Ranma looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Akane, if I train you, I won't go easy on you," Ranma said finally. "It'll seem very harsh. I will have to be blunt about where you need to improve and you will have to accept that. You may not like me very much if I train you. Do you still want to do it?"
"Y...yes," Akane said meekly.
"You got yourself a sensei then," Ranma said. "I have to tell you, while you are better than most people on this ship, you have some very bad habits that will be hard to break. Didn't your dad tell you what you were doing wrong?"
"My father," Akane spat the title like it was something foul on her tongue, "stopped training me ten years ago. I mostly trained myself."
"I see," Ranma said. "That would explain why you're not far enough advanced to have begun to use the true concept of the Anything Goes Style."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Akane said, her eyes narrowing dangerously.
"Simply that you haven't learned enough styles to have developed you own personal style," Ranma said. "Once you learn enough to do that, you'll be much less predictable. You use what, two, maybe three styles? And the main one is Kenpo. Also all of your styles are hard styles. You need to learn some soft styles to balance them out and give yourself some more options. The more weapons in your arsenal, the tougher you'll be to beat."
"Hai, Sensei," Akane said, realizing just how badly her father had betrayed her.
"Good, now we're done for today," Ranma said. "I have flight duty later and I need to go grab some lunch before then."
"Okay," Akane said. "How about I buy you lunch? As a way to say thanks for saving my life and agreeing to train me."
"You're on," Ranma grinned at her new disciple. "Let's hit the showers, Teishi."
(oOO/Oo)
"So what's you're story, Akane?" Ranma asked over lunch. "I sensed a little hostility concerning your father earlier."
"We had a falling out," Akane explained. "It all started in high school. There was this upperclassman that had a thing for me. He was a real nut job, completely insane, but his family was rich so nobody said anything. If he didn't like reality he just rewrote it in his head to suit him. When I wasn't interested in him, he came up with this idea that I would only date someone that could defeat me in battle. So each day I had to fight my way through 30 to 50 boys to get to class. Thankfully, I never lost."
"Man, that's gotta suck," Ranma said. "It does explain some of you habits though. You are probably better fighting a large group than one on one. Please go on."
"It did suck," Akane continued. "I was never interested in boys in the first place and I was terrified of what might happen if one of them beat me. After all, they had already proven I couldn't stop them if they wanted to...take liberties and they had also proven that they weren't above using force to get a girl. I lived in fear everyday because of that one asshole upperclassmen. I hated him with all my being. I was so glad when he graduated and was looking forward to a more relaxed senior year."
"But that wasn't the last of him, huh?" Ranma asked.
"No, it wasn't," Akane said. "My senior year was more relaxed. With out that jerk there to goad them the Hentai Horde, as they were known, became smaller but didn't ever go away but they tended to leave me alone after the morning attack. My father and Genma gave up on finding his son and I thought things were looking pretty good. I couldn't have been more wrong."
"What happened?" Ranma asked sympathetically.
"I had just graduated and there was to be a party at the dojo in honor of my graduation," Akane growled. "My no good betraying father had other plans though. When I got to the party, I found out that my father had turned it into an engagement party. He had accepted a large amount of money and engaged me to that fucking psycho upperclassman.
"I couldn't believe it. I just couldn't believe my own father would betray me like this, engaging me to my worst nightmare. I beat Kuno, the lunatic, to a bloody pulp and nearly started in on my father. He started babbling about honor and how I had to marry the prick for the sake of the family and I just couldn't take it."
"What did you do?" Ranma asked.
"I went up stairs and packed a few things and left," Akane said. "I didn't know where I was going or what I was going to do, but I knew I just had to get out of there. I felt so lost. This was so far outside my plans for the future. Anyway, I ended up staying with my sister for a few weeks at her apartment near the college she was going to. Finally, I joined the UNEDF Marine Corps. The rest, as they say, is history."
"Man, I'm sorry, Akane," Ranma said sympathetically. "I guess you understand a little bit about how Genma's son felt when he left Genma behind."
"Oh and how do you know?" Akane asked.
"Genma's son and I are close, Akane," Ranma said enigmatically. "Closer than you can imagine, and we tell each other everything."
"Oh," Akane said. "So Genma really did things like that to his son?"
"That and worse," Ranma said emphatically. "Akane, I have a question for you."
"Go on," the midnight blue haired girl prompted.
"Well, you're a martial artist, and well, while not quite to my level, you're a pretty good one," Ranma said. "Have you considered joining the Air Wing flying Veritechs?"
"Not really," Akane said. "I'm a Marine destroid pilot. I never really thought about flying. Why?"
"Because I think you would be a good Veritech pilot," Ranma explained. "You might be nearly as good as I am, since I owe my abilities to my martial arts skill. I could tell that you're advanced enough in the art to be augmenting you strength with your ki. Because of this I think you could take G-loading nearly as good as I can and, because you can control you're ki, you would probably score a high neural link percentage. I would like you to be a part of Wild Rose. If you're interested, I can make it happen."
"Wow, I don't know what to say," Akane said. "I'm honored that you think so highly of me. Can I think about it?" Ranma grinned.
"What's to think about?" Ranma said. "You'd be an officer instead of enlisted. You'd draw a lot more pay. You'd get to fly with the best squadron in the RDF. What more could you ask for?" Akane laughed.
"I have to admit you do make it sound tempting," Akane smiled. "You know what? Okay, I'll do it."
"Yatta!" Ranma smiled.
(oOO/Oo)
Wild Rose Alpha and Blue Angel Bravo flights sat in the Wild Rose ready room. The enemy was currently staging one of their harassing attacks that had been coming in since the last major battle where the SDF-1 had transformed. They were keeping their ships out of main gun range but they were still sending in battle pods from time to time. Currently, this was one of those times and Ranma's two flights were currently on standby incase they were needed.
"Wild Rose Alpha, Blue Angel Bravo, you are needed on the cats immediately," the call came over the PA.
Ranma was off with her team in tow. They were already in their flight suits and ready to go so they were headed toward the hanger. At that moment, the ship was struck by an out of control battle pod. The impact and resulting explosion caused the ship to pitch violently. This caused a jeep traveling down the corridor to careen out of control and slam into a high-pressure steam line across the hall from Ranma.
Ranma screamed as the extremely hot water vapor engulfed her, picking her up and slamming her into the bulkhead. The rest of her team had managed to check up before they got seared with the steam as well, so they were standing right there when it happened.
"What the hell?" someone asked as they all witnessed Ranma's body expand, stretching the flight suit to its limits, and her hair turn from flame red to jet black. The female body that bounced off the wall landed in front of them was now clearly male. The Roses and Blues would have thought they hadn't seen what they thought they did except for one rather telling factor. The man in front of them was wearing a pink and white Wild Rose flight suit with the name Saotome displayed on it.
The medical teams were arriving and the stunned pilots realized they still had a job to do so they rushed off, putting what had happened out of their minds for now.
(oOO/Oo)
"Skull Lead to all squadrons," Roy said over the Tac-net, "that's the last of them, let's go home." The various squadrons formed up and they headed back to the SDF-1. "Wild Rose Leader, where's the Dragon Lady?"
"I...um..." Natalia stammered. "I don't know, Skull Leader. We were on the way to the hanger bay when the ship was rocked. The Dragon Lady was hit with high-pressure steam when a pipe ruptured. Um...she was hit with the jet of steam and I don't know what happened after that. When the steam was turned off there were just the driver of the jeep the struck the pipe and another man there." Damned if she was going to say something as insane as she had seen Ranma change into a man across the Tac-net.
"I'm sorry, did you say steam?" Roy demanded with a sinking feeling. "As in really hot water?"
"Roger Skull Lead, that's what I said," Natalia confirmed.
"Did you see anything...well...strange?" Roy asked.
'He knows,' Natalia thought to herself incredulously. "I might have, Skull Lead, but it was pretty steamy in there so it was rather hard to see," Natalia lied.
"Judas Priest," Roy muttered. Time for some damage control. "Okay, Wild Rose and Blue Angles squadrons, report to your ready room as soon as we are back aboard. Stay there until I arrive, understood?"
"Roger, Skull Lead," Natalia said.
(oOO/Oo)
As soon as Roy brought Skull One to a stop he shut it down, ignoring the checklist, and was out of the cockpit running for the sickbay. He burst into the anteroom and grabbed the first med tech he saw.
"Where is Lt. Commander Saotome? I must see her," he demanded.
"I'm sorry, Sir, we don't have a Lt. Commander Saotome here," the man said.
"You don't?" Roy asked in surprise. "Are you sure? She was caught in a steam pipe rupture. She would have been burned."
"They only two burn victims we have are both men," the tech replied.
"Show me," Roy ordered.
The med tech shrugged and led Roy to the two men. Sure enough, one of them was Ranma in male form. He was unconscious and had a bandage on one side of his face but he didn't look bad otherwise.
"Look, I'm going to need to speak with all the medical staff that attended this man," Roy said. "Like immediately."
"Aye aye, Sir," the tech said and scurried off to get the requested personnel.
Roy grabbed a phone and called up to the bridge.
"Lisa, this is Roy," he said urgently. "Look, something's happened to Ranma...no...she's unconscious and burned but it doesn't look too bad...no wait...look, she was hit with steam, as in very hot water...exactly. I'm doing damage control now, but I think it's time you briefed the Captain on the situation if we have any hope of keeping this quiet."
Roy then called up the Wild Rose ready room and had them report to the sickbay.
Twenty minutes later a crowd of people, including the entire Wild Rose Squadron, where standing around Ranma's bed looking at Roy expectantly.
"Alright people, listen up," Roy said in a commanding voice. "You are all here because you probably saw or noticed something...strange about this person here. What I'm about to tell you does not leave this room. It's classified need to know information and if I find out anyone repeats this, I'll have you court marshaled and spaced. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Sir!" the gathered group chorused.
"Good," Roy said. "I'll start by saying that the person in this bed is, in fact, Lt Commander Ranma Saotome..."
"That's impossible, Sir," one of the techs protested. "I've treated Lt. Commander Saotome before and there's no way you will convince me that this man is a petite attractive woman."
"Do any of you believe in magic?" Roy asked and received several looks that appeared to question his sanity. "I didn't think so. Well, you won't be able to say that after today. I know this sounds crazy but I'll prove it in a minute. Lt. Commander Saotome is a victim of an ancient Chinese curse that she received while training in the martial arts."
Their was several snorts of incredulity, but the gathered people weren't prepared as yet to openly question the sanity of the third highest ranking officer on the ship.
"I don't expect you to take my word for it," Roy replied. "They say, however, that seeing is believing."
Roy picked up a cup of cold water and splashed Ranma. There were several gasps and at least two people fainted dead away. Smelling salts were brought out and the unconscious were brought around.
"Look, I know this rocks your world view," Roy said. "It did mine when I was told about it. But the fact is, if this got out, it would destroy a fine officer and pilot's career, and probably her personally. So what you are going to do is forget about this, put it down to a bizarre hallucination or you can accept that there are forces out there that science can't explain and leave it at that. You will not speak of this further. Am I clear?"
"Yes Sir!"