Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction ❯ Chained World: The Fall of the House of Kuno ❯ Reporting Up the Chain of Command ( Chapter 11 )

This was originally published by me under the name Anduril at Anime Addventures, with the only changes being a few corrections in spelling, punctuation and the occasional word choice. If you like the beginning of my story but think I've gone off the rails, or have your own ideas for a great branch-off, or think I'm taking too long to update and want to continue the story yourself, come to Anime Addventures and join in the fun!

I claim no ownership rights to any of the works of Rumiko Takahashi, Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, Ikuko Shimizu, or Tman or owned by Headgear.

This episode was first posted by Tman, and is reposted here without change.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

by Tman

“You wanted to see me, sir?”

“Yes, Agent Honda...please sit down...An interesting report you've brought to my attention.”

“Yes sir, and the situation is still developing. We've seen an explosion of activity within the last twenty-four hours, and it seems to be spreading....It all started with what appears to be a questionable use of the debtors' laws to leverage an enslavement, but the situation has ballooned from there, especially when one factors in the main flagged file.”

“Ah, yes, the both troublesome and promising young Ranma Saotome. His file makes for most entertaining reading.”

“Yes sir, given the interest expressed on the part of many agencies in him I thought you might to be informed of the imminent sale and the interest generated by it, in case you wanted to get involved.”

“Hmmm....nothing we can do about it...Besides, if we weren't careful, some twit might pick up on those rumors that the Saotome lad was involved in slave smuggling....So, you said you had more files for me?”

“Yes, sir, the rumor mills have gone in unprecedented overdrive on this one....we're seeing interested parties popping out of the woodwork on an almost minute-by-minute basis...We've never seen such interest generated by a mere slave auction before. You've seen the files on the most prominent parties...all known and affluent enemies of the Kunos, either the senior or the junior, but several more have appeared that are worthy of notice. I wanted your input on some of these.”

“I see....Ikari....that's interesting...I wouldn't have expected to see that name here...”

“Ikari? Aren't they...?”

“...The NERV Ikaris.......Gendo's a right vindicative bastard, but he loves his wife...She's a genetic engineering genuis, but not much has come of their work since the incident with their children...Heh, I would have put Gendo on the top of the list of suspects in Kuno Senior's death after that, but he's laid low for the past ten years...wonder why he's showing activity now?”

“Ah....here's another....Captain Kiichi Goto...A police officer? I wonder how he figures on outbidding rich blood like Kuno, if that's the reason for his interest...Unless he's robbed a bank we don't about...”

“Goto? No...I know the man....honorable as hell, but he thinks in ways more crooked than a screw. I'd LOVE to set him and Gendo against each other in the same room, just to see what would happen!....I also doubt he'd want a full-service slave, so he must have his reasons for interest in this...Ah! The Silver Chrysanthemum Bank and Trust holdup six months ago, must be!...The good police captain must be feeling grateful for the undocumented `assist'that finished up that incident quite neatly.”

“If Saotome was involved in that, why didn't he bank on that in the current situation?”

“Because there might be truth to the rumors of his involvement in slave smuggling? Because he knows Kuno better than we do on the street level? Because he's stupid? Can't protect him from that, and it's not our responsibility. Still, I too am intrigued by a police officer's interest in this and what he might hope to accomplish...Pass the hat among his officers? And how would be figure on selling them on that idea, even if they ARE Special Section? Okay...next. `The Children of Bastet'?”

“Middle Eastern cat-worshippers, sir. Ran out of Egypt by the Christians and later Dar al-Islam...Ran to India, and got run out of there as well. Finally settled in the Empire, where they hooked up with some of the older animistic splinter-faiths. There's a surprisingly large enclave of them in the Home Islands...We watch them as with any other minority sect, but they've been loyal to their daimyo, pay their taxes on time, and behave themselves.”

“And they are of special interest in this situation because....?”

“They own over fifty percent of the `Hello Kitty' franchise...”

“.....Honda?”

“Yes sir?”

“...did you just try to interject a note of LEVITY into what could be a serious domestic peace situation? Because that sounds absurd.”

“No sir. Their profits alone are part of their daimyo's enthusiastic tolerance, and they have enough money easily on hand to make a go at the auction...unless Kuno drives the prices insanely and prohibitively high, even for him to afford. And they HAVE expressed an interest in learning more and possibly attending.”

“Hmmm...that alone makes this situation worth watching...What does a cult of cat-worshippers want with an allurophobe?”

“Sir? Shall I continue?”

“Not presently. Honda, continue to monitor the situation and let me know of any...extraordinary...developments. Otherwise, keep an eye on the situation, and when the auction comes, I want us to have a DISCRETE presence there in the bidding. Let's see what shakes out. Dismissed.”

“Hai!”

********

RINNNGGGGGGGG

“Yes, Excellency? Director Shimon here.....I thought you should know...That special project we discussed in Hiroshima? We may have an opening window of opportunity, if we move fast....Yes, I understand. I'll begin assemblying the resources at once.....”