DOUBLE

Miriya examined the bit of octopus as it dangled from her chopsticks. "Are you sure this is edible?"

Ryouga had hardly said a word since he had sat down. Akane elbowed him lightly, and he blurted out, "Sure! I love tako. It's good."

"I don't doubt your word, Ryouga, but I can't help thinking that it might still be alive." She peered at the mollusk. "What portion of the animal was this?"

Akane giggled. "You've never seen an octopus before?"

"No."

"It's a tentacle."

Miriya's eyes widened, and she quickly dropped the offensive bit of...whatever...back into the bowl.

Ranma had been eating quite slowly (for him). He glanced over at the Amazon. "You must have come from deep inland. Where exactly did you say you were from?"

She slid the bowl some distance away from her. "I'm from the other side of the mountains from Jushenkyou, near Mount Phoenix." This was the lie that the Elder had prepared for her, and she had even given her some personal data to go with the area for verisimilitude.

"Ah, that explains it." Ranma grinned. "Ever been to Jushenkyou itself?"

"No. I was always told to avoid it, as it was cursed."

"You got that right," muttered both Ranma and Ryouga.

She frowned. "You mean it really is cursed?"

"Yep." Ranma scowled down at his bowl. "I've been there, and been cursed by it."

"How did the curse affect you?"

Akane opened her mouth to reply, but Ranma raised a hand, and she fell silent.

"I'd rather not say." Ranma scowled. "It's personal, and really embarassing."

"Ah." Miriya nodded. "I can understand that. I never really believed in the curse; I don't even know what exactly it is."

Ryouga butted in. "It's not a fit subject for over dinner."

"Perhaps for later, then." She turned to Ryouga. "Ranma and Akane have told me that you are a great warrior."

"Really?" Ryouga scratched the back of his head and laughed. "I don't know if I'm great, but I have been in training for the last fifteen years. Ranma's really better than me; he's been training since he was two, and has a natural ability in the Art."

"Don't let Mister Modest there fool you." Ranma was speaking around a mouthful of tako; Akane backhanded him, and he swallowed before continuing. "He's strong as an ox, and his style is designed to take advantage of that."

"Indeed?" She tilted her head. "Tell me, Ryouga. What sort of mecha do you operate?"

"Operate?" He scratched his head. "I'm not a mecha pilot at all."

"No?"

"No. I'm a mecha technician." Seeing her blank expression, he elaborated. "A grease monkey. A gearhead. A mechanic."

"Ah!" Her eyes widened. "You repair them!"

"Exactly!" He grinned, obviously pleased that he had impressed her.

And she was impressed. For among the Meltraedi, a mechanic of any sort was accorded an awful lot of respect, for they went through more training than even the most capable warrior. And there was nobody at all within their entire race who could repair the complex Queadlunn-Rau Battlesuit. Oftentimes, even the primitive Zentraedi mecha would overwhelm their mechanics' abilities. Saotome had referred to this individual as his "plane captain". Therefore, Ryouga was a Valkyrie mechanic, and any Valkyrie was three times as complex as her own Battlesuit.

It was a pity that she'd not found the object of her mission, but in a way, she was almost sorry she wasn't actually looking for a mate. She suddenly found it very easy to respect Hibiki Ryouga.

"Ah! Fortune cookies." Ranma grabbed at the plate the waitress had set on the table. "China's most important contribution to world culture!"

"Ranma!" Akane slapped his hand. "Wait until Miriya's done."

"Thank you, but I think I am finished." She gestured towards the bowl. "All but the...octopus."

Ranma tossed her one of the confections. "You must have had these before, right? I mean, you're from China."

"I have, in fact." A primitive Micronian prophecy device, purposefully made vague so that it might apply to almost any situation. She cracked hers open and extracted the slip of paper...and almost dropped it.

~True love may be closer than you think.~

She glanced over in surprise at Ryouga, then back at the slip.

Ranma leaned over. "What does it say, Miriya? C'mon, ya gotta read it out loud."

But she shook her head, and stuffed it hastily into her pocket.

* * * * *

Shampoo returned to consciousness suddenly, as if a switch had been thrown. She snapped to her feet in a practised kippup, ignoring the jackhammer of pain that the maneuver set off in her head. She glanced around her, fists raised for battle.

She was standing on a massive, greenish plastic surface, stretching off many feet in all directions. Overtop of her was a plastic bowl, nine or ten feet high. A bank of lights floated somewhere far overhead, and she could see walls in the distance.

"Well, I see we are awake."

She spun to face the source of the voice, and her breath caught in her throat. The speaker was a woman, dressed in some kind of green uniform, and was obviously not human. The greenish cast to the skin was a clue, as was the pale blue hair, and the fact that she was about ten times Shampoo's size.

She was seated outside the plastic bubble, with her hands resting on what was obviously the surface of a huge table...the table that Shampoo was now standing on.

"We've had some difficulties with you, you know." She folded her hands and leaned forward. "At first, we were certain that you were Meltraedi. But when we started the resizing procedure, we quickly found that you were not."

"Resizing...?" It took her a second to put it together, and then her eyes widened. "You alien! You ones that fight us!" She frowned. "How you change size? Miriya is alien? And men with gun?"

"Yes, Miriya is one of our best warriors, on a mission to assassinate your best pilot."

Shampoo sniffed. "Not my pilots. They no take me. They no let me fight."

"Really?" The giant alien leaned forward. "Please, tell me why they did not."

* * * * *

"Well, we've got three choices." Ranma's cellphone doubled as a simple public information terminal, and he was plugged into the civilian network. "We can see White Dragon, with Minmay and Kyle."

The foursome had left the restaurant, and were walking down Macross City's main boulevard. Ranma and Akane were in the lead, with Ryouga and Miriya behind them.

"I have seen this film."

"Really?" Ranma turned around, so that he could talk to Miriya while walking bacwards. "Was it any good?"

She shrugged. "I was led to believe that the film was a combat record, but I quickly saw through the disguise. The combat scenes were obviously faked. I found that it made me laugh."

Ranma grinned. "Since it's meant to be a serious film, I guess that means we should give it a miss." He turned around again, and touched a button on the phone. "We can see Shanghai Knights. At least it knows it's supposed to be a comedy."

"I'm not really in the mood for comedy, or action," said Akane. "And I don't think you want to sit through a romance, Ranma."

"Cuts it down, then." He thumbed the phone's control again. "The only other show playing is Thirteenth Guest, which is supposed to be a murder mystery." He rolled his eyes. "Brain stuff."

"Yeah, we know you don't like that sort of thing, Ranma," jeered Ryouga.

Akane sighed. "There just isn't the sort of selection we'd have back on Earth."

"The selection was greater on Earth?"

She giggled. "Yes, Miriya, when you have an entire planet's film production to choose from, there is a bigger selection at any one time. Maybe you didn't have movie theatres where you're from?"

"No." She shook her head. "My people's idea of entertainment is combat trials."

"Why am I not surprised?" Ranma shook his head.

"Be nice!" Akane swatted him again.

Miriya spoke up again. "But I have discovered one thing that I like very much since I came here."

"Which is?"

"Music."

* * * * *

The beat from the massive speakers pounded the entire club with a wall of sound. The band, whoever they were, seemed to believe that basser was better, and had selected most of their instruments with this philosophy in mind. The percussion was primitive but captivating, and the bass guitar player's virtuosity made Ranma wonder if there was a form of martial arts guitar playing.

Ranma was not normally a fan of really loud music, or really any music, but he had to admit that he was enjoying this. He glanced over at his companions, and grinned at the sight of Akane jumping up and down, trying to dance with the music. She was somewhat intoxicated. Miriya was leaning back against the bar, her eyes almost completely closed, and a content smile on her face. Ryouga, on the other hand, was alternating between staring at the band's electronics, and staring at Miriya.

He grinned. If nothing else good came of this, it seemed that Ryouga had found someone he really liked. Oh, and they'd so far managed to spend most of an evening in each other's company without causing major property damage.

The music came to a stop, and the lead singer said, "We're having a blast, but we gotta take a break. We'll be back in fifteen minutes."

And just like that, he could hear again.

Akane was bubbling, "I had no idea that this could be so much fun. Thanks, Miriya, this was a great idea!"

"Akane."

"What, Ranma?"

"You don't have to shout."

"Sorry." She made an audible attempt to control her voice. "It's just--"

"I know."

Miriya picked up her drink - it seemed that the bartender didn't mind serving rye and Coke to someone as good-looking as Miriya, even if she didn't have ID. "I must admit that the music here is often more..." She seemed to be stretching for the word.

Akane prompted, "Melodious?"

Ryouga offered, "Civilized?"

"Better?"

"Yes. Thank you, Ranma. I didn't want to say it myself." She rattled the ice at the bottom of the glass. "It isn't bad, but there has been better."

"Well, I like just about anything." Akane grabbed her beer and took a swig.

Ranma jerked a thumb at the beer. "And that crap you drink just proves it."

"Hey, I don't make fun of your beer." She waved the half-empty mug. "Don't make fun of mine."

"Mine isn't ten percent alcohol. Well, anyway." He sipped his beer. "At least, Miriya, you've gotten a look at the dating scene here on Macross."

"Indeed. I have to say that the mad brawl of genetic guessing might explain a lot. Though if you favour choice, at least you have that." She set her glass down on the bar. "Excuse me, but I may have had too much to drink."

"Aah, it's okay." He waved a hand dismissively. "You ain't drunk nearly as much as Akane."

"Ranma!" Akane glared at him. "Are you implying that I am drunk?"

"No, no!" He raised his hands defensively. "Not at all! I'm just sayin' that since you've drunk four of those, and Miriya's had one shot of rye, she's probably fine. After all, she's a lot lighter than you."

Ryouga winced.

"Oh." Akane considered this, then casually tossed the rest of her beer in Ranma's face.

This, of course, promptly triggered the change. Miriya's eyes became as large as saucers. Akane carefully set her now empty beer mug on the bar and walked out of the club.

Ranma ran her hands through her hair. "Cripes! Crazy women, all around me." She reached to her hip, and cursed silently; she had left the Reflex battery in her quarters.

"You..." Miriya swallowed. "You changed into a female."

"Yeah." She sighed. "Jushenkyou curse, remember?"

"It turns you into a female?"

"Long story."

Ryouga spoke up. "It's triggered by water. Hot water changes the victim back to normal; cold water triggers the cursed form." He shuddered. "Do you have any idea how scary it is being in a room with this much cold liquid all around?"

"You are also cursed?"

"Yeah." Ryouga had been drinking coffee; he raised his mug. "Why do you think I'm drinking this? If it's spilled on me, nothing happens."

Miriya turned and picked up her own drink. Ryouga raised his hands. "No way, Miriya!"

"What do you turn into?" She tilted her head and smiled; Ranma noted that yes, when she smiled, she did indeed look like a panther.

"I ain't sayin'!"

Ranma grinned. "Actually, Ryouga, I'm kinda curious myself. I've never seen what you turn into."

"There ain't that much free cold water on a space ship."

Miriya raised her glass. "I have some right here."

"All right! All right!" He sighed. "I turn into a pig."

Ranma laughed. "A pig!"

Ryouga scowled at her. "It's not funny!"

Miriya set down her drink, and turned to Ranma. "Indeed, I don't think it is. You don't seem to appreciate becoming a female."

Ranma winced. "Let's just say that it's caused me some problems. My commanding officer, when she found out about it, assigned me to command a full squadron of girls."

Miriya's eyes narrowed.

Ranma, not noticing this, continued on. "They were pretty good, all things considered, but the outfit was broken up after we got our butts kicked by some alien Amazons. Hey, did you know that there are Amazons in space, too?" She broke off, as she noticed that Miriya's expression had gone from panther to something far fiercer.

"You were defeated, you say?"

"Yeah." Her voice stammered somewhat. "They kicked our butts. Then the leader made hash outta me. I'm lucky to be alive."

Miriya stepped up, and leaned forward slightly to put herself face to face with the diminutive redhead. "Very lucky, indeed. Luckiest of all that you admit defeat."

"...Huh?"

She straightened. "Do you not think that I, as an Amazon warrior, would permit you to boast of your victory over one of ours?"

"Kiss of death...right." She shuddered. "Or worse."

She smiled evilly. "Oh, yes. There is far worse."

* * * * *

"Well, it has been an interesting evening. Educational. Even enjoyable."

The Macross' life support system was programmed with small variations, to allow for the illusion of weather. The night was cool, with a bit of a breeze. The three had walked back to the Nekohanten, where Miriya was staying.

Ryouga bowed to her. "I hope you had fun."

"I think I did."

"Perhaps we could do it again sometime?" His voice squeaked a bit as he said this; Ranma noted it, but for once had the brains not to immediately tease the poor boy.

Miriya considered, then said, "Yes. I think that would be good. I can contact you through Ranma?"

"I could give you my phone number. Or you could give me yours."

"I do not currently have a phone number. Good night."

She stepped back, turned, and entered the restaurant.

Ryouga sighed, in obvious bliss.

Ranma chuckled as tehy walked away from the restaurant. "You seem to have made a good impression, Ryouga."

"I've never met anyone so incredible. So...fierce!"

Ranma shrugged. "Fierce isn't what you normally go for, is it?"

He turned sharply. "What do you mean?"

She started ticking names off his fingers. "Sora. Bookworm, and too scared of you to even talk around you. Miko. Quiet, retiring type. Noriko. Athletic, and seemed to be a good match for you, but definitely a follower type." She jerked a thumb back towards the restaurant. "The only thing they seem to have in common with Miriya is that they were all very good looking. In fact, Miriya's probably the plainest of the bunch."

Ryouga balled his fists. "Don't you insult her like that!"

"I'm not. Just statin' a fact. Heck, don't tell Akane, but I think Miriya's better lookin', overall, than even her. Of course, Akane's got her beat six ways from Sunday on pure cute." She sighed. "Point is, Ryouga, you've barely met her, and you've got the same stupid glazed look on your face as you did for the other three."

He frowned at this. "So you're saying...?"

"Cripes, Ryouga!" She threw her hands in the air. "I'm sayin', don't get all strung out of shape, okay? Maybe you two will work out all right, maybe not. Now, if you'll excuse me, I gotta go find Akane and apologize for whatever it was she thought I said."

* * * * *

Miriya dropped backward onto the tiny mattress in the bedroom the Elder had provided for her. Her mind was replaying the events of the night, over and over in rapid succession.

That Saotome, the man she had marked as a coward before, should turn out to be the Micronian Demon, was remarkable. But as good as that one was, she had beaten her twice, and Saotome admitted as much.

Ryouga...

Sje dug into her pocket, and extracted the small slip of paper from the fortune cookie. Once again, she read the words, then crumpled it up and threw it away.

~Sorry, Shampoo, but I think you are wrong. No mere Male could be worthy to stand beside a Meltraedi. No matter who it is.~