-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROLOGUE- A seedy tavern somewhere in the Jurai Empire --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A figure in a dark cloak settled next to another, smaller figure at the bar. The bartender walked up to the new person, only to get waved off by him. The newcomer then turns to the smaller figure to his right and says in a low voice, "You're not an easy person to look for, Nagi." The smaller person responds in a deep, yet female voice, "It depends. What have you got to offer?" The newcomer then says, "Let's go someplace where there are less prying ears. I have something that might intrest you." Nagi turns to the figure and says, "Okay. But if this is some sort of trick." "Don't worry your pretty head, my dear," the newcomer says, "I have no intention of violating you. I have some information on a certain someone you've been looking seven hundred years for." "Ryoko?" Nagi's attention peaked. "Where is she?" "Not here, Nagi. Outside, in the back alley, where we won't be seen." The newcomer then motioned his hand to follow him. With a suspicious look in her red eyes, Nagi set down some coins on the bar, looked down at her feet and said, "Come, Ken-Ohki. Let's see what he's got." Upon her command, a white cabbit with red eyes and a yellow gem on it's forehead got up and accompanied her outside. Reaching the alley, Nagi places one hand on the pommel of her sword and says, "Okay, spill it. What do you know about Ryoko?" Reaching over to remove his hood, the newcomer is revealed to be a middle-aged man with long white hair, clear blue eyes, and a long white beard and says, "A lot. I have the location of the planet she's on," he presents Nagi with a memory crystal, "and who she is in the company of." He hands her a picture of a teenaged boy with black hair and brown eyes. Nagi was amazed at the look of the newcomer, for she recognized him. "Baron Kazamone? You're a member of Jurai's Holy Council! Then this is a file from the council." She looked at the noble in amazement. "I could get into big trouble if I get caught with this." Kazamone holds up his hands. "Don't worry! There is nothing on that crystal that will get you in trouble, other that than Ryoko's exact location." "But why are you giving me this?" Nagi asks "My son was killed by Ryoko when she attacked Jurai seven hundred years ago," the baron answered, "and I know that you want her dead as much as I. I'm the one that's taking the risk here. If it was known that it was me that stole that information, I would certainly be put to death as a traitor." "Well then," Nagi replies, "if you risked so much for this, I'll gladly won't disappoint you. But," she continues, "what about the boy?" "I don't care what you do to him." the baron snorts. "You can kill him too, for all I care. As I see it, he's a willing confeterate to that bitch." Kazamone then turns around and dissappears into the darkness. Nagi watches as the noble walks away. She then looks down towards the cabbit and says, "Well, Ken-Ohki? It looks like we're going to do a little traveling." She then clenches her fists and says in a low rage-filled voice, "Soon Ryoko, I'm going to pay you back for all the pain you caused me. And if anyone ever gets in between you and me --" she slammed her fist hard against an exposed girder, bending it down the middle. ----------------------------------------- 9/11/01 FDNY-NYPD-THE REAL HEROES