Career Opportunities Chapter 2 GXP cross, formerly untitled

[LawOhki]

Kamiki Seto Jurai smiled, a viewscreen displaying the two Earthlings as they were brought on board the Mikagami. Obviously both were examining their surroundings with a certain amount of awe, the expected reaction. Resting casually on her wide command chair.

“The bringing of a pureblooded Earthling aboard maybe forbidden, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened before. Regardless of the clerical mistakes that were made, their enrollment application has been officially accepted. The rest, is up to them.” Fanning herself briefly, she split her attention between the two, the male attempting to call his home. “Though I can't imagine a teenager ever passing up a chance like this.”

“But Seto-sama.” Kiriko protested, her face displayed on a large viewscreen. Seto's grand daughter having attempted to persuade her to turn Seina back to Earth.

“Bye.” She waved, the connection being cut, and switching back to a description of Seina. “Yamada Seina-kun, to think Kiriko-chan was seeing a boy like you.” Her two attendants in front of her slumped forward in defeat. 'Weaklings.'

“I've heard about Seina-kun from my father.” Minaho drew her attention. “He's a friend of Kai-kun and a bit on the unlucky side.”

“A bit?” She asked. “Judging from how those pirate ships were gathered by this pair, I would say they are more than a bit unlucky.” Smiling, she started to form a plan in her mind. “No, I believe that this was an act of good luck. The odds of a single pureblooded Earthling making it into space are virtually nil. For two? Astronomical.”

Hirata, her male aid was whispering something to Minaho, and Seto frowned at this talk behind her back. “What are you two whispering about now?” She asked loudly, the pair straightened up, and trying to look like they were innocent.

“Wow, what a day today has been!” Hirata laughed nervously. “Who would have thought that Mitoto-sama was aboard that ship as well?”

“I thought I had heard she was in charge of cleaning at the GP headquarters.” Minaho added to complete the subterfuge.

“Seto-sama.” Suiren, one of the four girls she had working to run the more complicated systems of her ship, drew her attention. “I've identified the first person who made first contact.” The information displaying on Seina was replaced by different data. “Amane Kaunaq, 2nd class detective.”

“Kaunaq?” She mused. “Oh her! That reminds me, I promised to find her a suitable husband, didn't I?”

“I heard that her family is against her being in the GP.” Minaho told her.

“Yes, she's a real handful.” Laughing to herself, she would have to think on the next suiter to throw Amane's way. “Say, Kanemitsu-dono.”

“What is it?” Hirata asked.

“Regarding our previous discussion, do you think that either of them will pass up a chance like this?”

“Ah, er, I get the feeling that their feelings really don't matter.” The man replied with a resigned look on his face.

“Oh?” She asked, Hirata instantly straightening up.

“I mean, if I were in their shoes, especially his, I would never pass up such an opportunity!”

“In that case, let us go and meet our guests!” She exclaimed happily.

X x x x x x

“I can't believe this is actually a space ship.” Ranma's head was on a constant swivel as she followed a female guide through a vast forest. If the trees weren't shaped different, and if she forgot about the strange animals, then she would have swore they had never left Earth.

“Technically this isn't a space ship, it's a residential area, posited within subspace. So we are not really inside of the Mikagami.” The woman answered without turning around, her head obscured by a hood, and even her face was hidden by a veil.

“I see.” Seina nodded blindly.

“Eh? How's that work?” She asked, intensely curious about what was going on, and not wanting to miss a thing.

“Oh right, you're from a developing planet. Subspace works as another layer placed over top our own, but unlike our own, it can be compressed or expanded without effecting the objects within. This area exists both within and out of the core unit of the Mikagami. Does that make sense?” This time the tall woman did slow down from he position in front of the group, to walk beside Ranma.

“Kind of.” Pouting, she worked over the explanation. “So you basically squeezed all this stuff into that red and blue thing, but all of it remains this size? You know, instead of getting all scrunched up?”

“Yes, that is a simple way to put it, and that red and blue object is the core unit.”

“Neat.” Ranma smiled proudly at figuring it out.

[Nekomata-sensei]

Ooh! Another chapter has begun! You write really fast! Thank you!

[LawOhki]

“Neat.” Ranma smiled proudly at figuring it out.

Their path seemed to be ending underneath the roots of a large tree, where a tall cylinder sat directly underneath the center of the massive plant. Switching from soft grass, to a highly reflective wood, the shoes Ranma had been given leaving the transport ship made soft clicking noises, as she entered into the cylinder with the rest of the group. On the floor was a dimly glowing disc, and Ranma made sure to stand directly on it.

“You seem to be adjusting well Ranma-chan.” Mitoto praised her.

“Ah, well it looks just like the one we got on before. Just seemed pretty simple to me.” She laughed nervously and scratched at the base of her pigtail.

“You're really smart Ranma-san.” Seina also complimented her, and Ranma returned his words with a withering glare.

'If he keeps calling me “Ranma-san” I'm going to throw up.' She glowered, the entire cylinder being bathed in white light. An instant of vertigo later, they appeared in the center of another wooden floor, facing three people on a raised platform. Behind the three was a grouping of trees, while all around them was a window out into the endless blackness of space.

To the left was a black haired girl with purple eyes, wearing similar clothing to the woman who had contacted the transport earlier. Though her clothing was differently colored, the overcoat being shades of pink and purple, and the hanging tag on the opposite side, primarily with orange, but with the bottom having a green and red triangle.

To the right was a stern looking man with short brown hair pulled back in a ponytail at the base of his skull. His clothing was a navy blue solid hakama pant, bound just below his knees. Overtop what looked like a kimono, was a brown jacket with poofy navy sleeves that ended in white bracers. Like the girl, he had a hanging piece of fabric, this time just a solid red.

Behind and to the center of the other two, stood a taller woman in her late twenties, early thirties, with mint green hair tied up in a high ponytail, reaching down to the floor behind her. As with the other two females, she had on a white dress, though her overcoat was different, having long white sleeves, the purple body ending at her hip, the hem going straight across. Her hair was curved in front of her face, framing her red eyes, the two crimson orbs boring down into first Ranma and then Seina. All three had narrow obi's binding their clothes at the waist, and large prominent gold buttons positioned at various points on their clothing.

“Welcome to the Mikagami, Saotome Ranma-dono and Yamada Seina-dono.” The woman with mint colored hair greeted formally. “It is nice to meet you, I am Kamiki Seto Jurai.”

“You're the Devil Princess?” Ranma asked, blinking repeatedly. 'How could someone who looks like that earn that name? And be the behind the scenes supreme authority for an empire like that loser Captain said?' Glancing around, she saw several more females in the large open room, all of which looked like they could send Akane into a jealous rage just by being in the room.

Her question caused the two standing next to Seto to look very nervous, glancing back at the woman as if she would explode. Laughing lightly to herself, Seto, gave Ranma an amused smile. “That I am.”

Next to Ranma, Seina started to bow repeatedly, going low enough to touch the floor, the other Earthling panicking. “Hello! I'm Yamada Seina! It's a pleasure to meet you!” Ranma put her face in a hand over the embarassing groveling coming from the othe human who had been roped into joining the GP.

“I am Kanemitsu Hirata, commander of the 7th Armada.” The man introduced himself.

“And I am intelligence officer Minaho Masaki.” The girl greeted.

“Nice to meet you.” Ranma bowed her head. “I'm Saotome Ranma.”

“Huh? Masaki? The same last name as Tenchi-senpai?” Seina asked, seemingly recognizing the girl from somewhere.

“It's been such a long time Mitoto-sama.” Seto addressed the blonde woman standing between Ranma and the woman who had met them upon arriving. “I never would have expected to run into you here of all places.”

“You look as well as ever, Seto-sama.” Mitoto replied happily.

“Oh! That reminds me. I believe your family has contacted us.” Seto started.

“I wonder if it was my father?” Mitoto looked nervous for the first time since Ranma had met the woman.

“You can speak with him over here.” The Guide motioned for Mitoto to follow her, the blonde hurrying off.

“I'll be back in a minute.” Mitoto called back to them, leaving Ranma and Seina alone.

“Please come this way.” Seto didn't wait for a response, the world around them shifting from another of the strange teleports. This time they appeared back in the residential area, directly in front of a floating wooden table and two bench style seats, the small clearing positioned next to the edge of a cliff. “Have a seat.” Seto motioned, taking a seat herself.

“Right.” Seina bowed his head again, and took a seat before Ranma opposite of Seto.

Ranma had other things on her mind, shooting over to the railing made out of bushes and tree limbs, to look over the edge. “Wow, we're in a big tree.” Leaning over the edge, she looked down the hundreds of meters to the ground. “This is way better than that Galaxy Police ship.” Turning her head, she asked Seto.“Are all Jurai ships like this?”

“Of course not, only Jurai tree ships are like this.”

“So then why are these so special?” Spinning herself around to lean her back against the railing, she cocked her head to the side.

“Sorry but such things are secret, you'll just have to accept the answer of, just because.” Seto waved her hand, and an attendant appeared with a tray containing three cups of tea. “Tea?” She asked, taking a cup in her hands, and slowly blowing on the hot liquid.

[Dumbledork]

This is highly enjoyable. Is Seina an asskisser in canon or just in this fic? I prefer Ranma's attitude. I guess Ranma's brash character will lead to a lot of problems with a lot of people.

[LiliandraNadiar]

Asskisser? No, just very meek. After all, he knows more then most that his just being around people tends to cause them problems/property damage/pain/all of the above. And when has Ranma's attitude not caused problems? :p

[Lumly]

“Neat.” Ranma smiled proudly at figuring it out.

ya know I half expected Ranma to say some thing like

“You mean like the Hidden Weapons technique” Ranma smiled proudly at figuring it out while pulling a huge bō from behind her back for moment then making it disappear.


or you could use "stuff space"

“You mean like how Mu Tsu stores stuff” Ranma smiled proudly at figuring it out while pulling a huge tea service from behind her back for moment then making it disappear.
"Have to remember to send that to Kasumi for her birthday"

guess it depends on if you want to give Lady Seto's bodyguards a heart attack or not

[Gaming Ikari]

Interesting as always. I'm curious about how the introduction to the GP Academy is going to go, though Ranma's reaction to Seto is dead on. As always, your output and your quality continue to impress.

I'm really looking forward to Ranma's interactions with Seiryo. The pink-haired swordsman might be as big a pompous jackass as Kuno, but as his fight with Tarant shows, he's a very competent pompous jackass. Hitting someone with the blunt side of a laser sword takes a lot of talent.

I'm also curious to see how Ranma fares against the academy's physical education and how you handle the body enhancement.

[LawOhki]

“Thanks.” Ranma took the offered drink along with Seina.

“I hope this whole situation hasn't had a negative effect on either of you. Allow me to express my gratitude, Seina-dono, Ranma-dono. Captain Kenichi's report indicated that it was you two who programmed the jump coordinates.”

“I didn't do it! That was all him. Don't think I'm getting the blame for those pirates for breaking that ship.” Ranma pointed an accusitory finger at Seina, the short haired boy laughing nervously.

“Oh? So then what did you do?” Seto asked calmly, giving Ranma an expectant look. “You did enter in coordinates, did you not?”

“Uh-- well once or twice.” Playing with her pigtail, she really didn't want to know what the cost of repairing the transport ship would be.

“Don't be so shy, gathering all those pirates, who usually are spread over vast distances, enabled us to arrest a large horde of them in one fell swoop!” Seto's voice started to rise at the end in excitement. “The damage to a transport ship is nothing when measured against that. Though I suppose credit should be given to Seina-dono for his actions, as he was the one who gathered the most pirates.”

“Ever since I was little, I've been really unlucky, it feels strange to have my bad luck be called good luck.” Seina spoke in a tiny voice.

“I have been using the 7th Armada as the core of an anti-pirate force, in order to uncover large scale piracy. I'm sure that the large amount that you helped us capture today, will no doubt boost our efforts beyond what it would take us years to do. I'm sure you'll both be a welcome addition to the GP. Though-- Hirata?” Appearing behind Seto was the man from earlier.

“Unfortunately, there is the problem that you are both pure blooded Earthlings, and as such, it is prohibited for you to be brought into space. Since your civilization presently lacks the technology required to do so your own.”

“And.” Seto added when Hirata trailed off, having lost what he was going to say.

“And we cannot allow you to be placed in harms way. We shall take it upon ourselves to return you back to Earth.” Hirata trailed off again.

“And?”

“Ah, yes, in accordance with regulation.” The man's voice suddenly became deadly serious. “Your memories of this must be erased.”

“What?! No way you shampoo'ing me!” Ranma hopped up and prepared to hurt the first person who tried to get near her with some of that stuff Shampoo had used on Akane. The pair on the opposite side of the table stared confusedly at her, trying to understand the, admittedly strange thing she had just said.

“Exceptions have been made, I suppose.” Seto considered, seemingly choosing to disregard what Ranma had just said. “A few special cases have been approved in the past.” The mint haired woman reiterated.

“Then, no memory erasing?” Seina asked hopefully.

“Seina-dono, Ranma-dono.” Seto said harshly. “The ability to attract pirates is a dangerous ability indeed, should you remain in space, your lives will always been in peril. But if you return to Earth, then you will no longer be at risk.”

“You must not know about my life then.” Ranma said to herself.

“Despite this, do you still wish to enter the GP?” Seto finished, glancing between them.

“Of course, I want to go into space, and see all kinds of weird things, I'd never get to see if I stayed on Earth! So yes, yes I want to stay here in space, I want to join the GP!” Seina answered immediately and confidently.

“That's all well and good, but just what is the GP?” Ranma asked. “I uh, didn't really pay attention when I filled that thing out.”

[Gaming Ikari]

"You must not know about my life then,"

Brilliant. Just like the line about fairness in the first chapter, that one had me laughing. Congrats.

Ranma's reactions are, as always, over the top and very much in character with the sort of narrow mind he has. He's not stupid or especially naive, but you're making an excellent showing of his ability to take a running leap to conclusions.

[PCHeintz72]

"Exceptions have been made, I suppose."

This feels incomplete at the 'made' point. I think it should be something along the lines of 'made in the past'.

“That's all well and good, but just what is the GP?” Ranma asked. “I uh, didn't really pay attention when I filled that thing out.”

cue massive facefault on all parties.

In any case, good snippet.

[LawOhki]

“That's all well and good, but just what is the GP?” Ranma asked. “I uh, didn't really pay attention when I filled that thing out.” Next ot her, Seina's face met the wooden floor hard. “It's a police thing right?”

“Well that does bring up a question I wanted to ask you Ranma-dono, if you don't feel strongly about joining the GP, why not join Jurai's forces?”

“What do you mean?” Ranma asked, focusing in on what Seto would have to say, so she didn't miss it again.

“The application for the GP isn't a binding contract until you are enrolled in the Academy. For simplicity, you would still attend the Academy until you were acclimated to living off of Earth. From there, your job would be largely the same, the difference being what group you would be affiliated with.”

“I don't know, I'm still not sure on this GP thing. I mean, I don't want someone to try and erase my memory, but I've already missed a week of school, training for a duel with my old man.”

“You have already been removed from the system at Furinkan High School.” Hirata answered helpfully.

“Wha? But I had homework I was supposed to hand in, I even took the time to do the stupid stuff!” She groaned dramatically. “But I mean I got obligations, I can't just run off into space.”

“So then you want to return to Earth?” Seto asked, taking a sip of tea.

“I can't just run off into space.” She answered, it wasn't that she was adverse to the idea of seeing new places, but this was far too sudden.

“Ranma-dono, do you know why the caged bird sings?” Seto's red eyes bore down into Ranma's own.

“Er, what does that have to do with anything?”

“It's always interesting to see the reaction of an individual who has grown up on a developing planet such as yours. Tell me, what are your dreams? Your aspirations? Seina-dono has just expressed a desire to see the galaxy, what is yours?”

“Dreams? I don't know, I guess take over the dojo. It wouldn't be much but, but I'd get to practice the art and-- well what does it matter anyways?” She questioned in a huff, crossing her arms.

“Oh yes, the dojo.” Seto smiled, and to Ranma's left, a viewscreen popped up displaying an overview of the Tendo estate. “A very nice home for Tokyo, if I remember correctly, land there is an expensive commodity. Of course you could go back there, you might even be stationed there like Mihoshi-dono.”

“Mihoshi!? Where? Where is she?” Ranma demanded, looking around rapidly.

“I see that your introduction to space, really didn't go well.” Seto's pleasant exterior grew slightly strained.

Calming down, Ranma berated herself mentally for getting worked up over the mention of Mihoshi's name. 'That woman is worse than a cat.' Taking one last look around, her nerves were finally at ease. “So you want me to join your military?”

“Yes.” Seto answered.

“And if I don't, you're going to try and erase my memory.” She pursed her lips, narrowing her eyes at the tall woman. “So you're threatening me.”

“Unfortunately, it is the way things are. While exceptions can be made to bring both of you into space, the reverse cannot.”

“What choice do I have then?” No way was she going to let someone mess around with her head.

“You shouldn't be so pessimistic, you have a great opportunity in front of you.” The mint haired woman gave Ranma a pleasant smile.

“Will I be able to go back?” She asked.

“Of course, I have several relatives currently living close to your home, and I make a point to visit often. You would be more than welcome to come with.” Seto's smile grew to a slightly disturbing level, but Ranma missed it, more engrossed in her own thoughts.

[Dumbledork]

Hehehe. So Ranma will join Jurai's forces or hasn't he decided yet?

[Ptn]

Oh, the Oni-hime will be so pleased, finally someone she can find a husband AND a wife for. Matchmaking is a favorite pastime for her after all and Ranma is such a challenge ...

Ranma would wish he had taken the memory erasure, he'd be rather set against being a wife (or a husband for that matter) on her wishes.

[Nekomata-sensei]

The Devil Princess offering Ranma a position in Jurai's military is a surprise, but makes a weird sort of sense, since unlike Seina, Ranma has been identified as a sort of warrior. It would also offer her the ability to punish Ranma directly for speaking rudely and whip some manners into him, and probably give her more excuses to do matchmaking. ... This: emocon, if it had green hair...

Anyway, this is so fun! I like the idea of Ranma joining something else after the academy than Seina, particularly because he'd think it would get him further away from Mihoshi and Mitoto, as well as Seina's bad luck. Unfortunately, Ranma isn't that lucky, and is bound to run into them far more than he'd like, possibly even be stationed on the Kamidake as a bodyguard to protect Seina at the end fo the series when he gets the 1st generation seed and becomes 3rd in line for the throne. Plus if he is working directly under the Devil Princess and serving aboard her ship or something, he is bound to run into Seina and whomever else she likes meddling with all the time. There is just no escape for Ranma. I almost feel sorry for him.

[LawOhki]

Tiny snippet

--------------------

Some time later, Hirata stood to Seto's left on the command deck of the Mikagami, watching as the GP transport ship entered into a hyperspace jump. It didn't take a genius to see that Seto was playing the two Earthlings like a fiddle. The female turning out to be a shapeshifter was, admittedly, an oddity, but it wasn't a deal breaker. Hirata could already see those well oiled gears turning in Seto's head, he honestly felt sorry for both of them.

'Better them than me.' He thought, allowing the left corner of his mouth to quirk upwards in a smile.

“Something on your mind?” Seto asked, and he jerked as if shot.

“Ah-- no, Seto-sama.” He laughed nervously. “Though, why did you ask the shape changing one to join with us? She, he, wasn't the one who attracted all the pirates.”

“Simple, Hirata-kun, Mikagami-chan liked him.”

“Mikagami-- liked-- him?” He asked slowly, Minaho having the same reaction from the other side of Seto.

“I would have asked Seina-dono as well, but I wouldn't dream of taking her fun away.” Seto laughed to herself.

Minaho put a hand to her face and groaned. “Boy is he going to be surprised when he sees Kiriko.”