"So, explain this to me one more time."  Kei raised an eyebrow at
the technician whose know-it-all attitude was beginning to get on
her nerves.  That, and his technobabble.

Yuri laid a hand on her partner's arm.  "Chill out, Kei.  Don't
upset the nice man who's supposed to send us on our very
dangerous mission."

Kei rolled her eyes.  "I can't believe we're actually doing this.
A *time machine*?  The CC has *got* to be kidding."

Yuri sighed.  "You heard the briefing as well as I.  And if we
don't catch this fanatic before he manages to do something big
enough to change history, we -- and the rest of United Galactica
-- will never have existed."

"I *won't* even begin to pick apart the logical problems with
that statement."  With obvious irritation, Kei brushed non-
existent lint particles from her well-tailored, blue pinstriped
wool jacket and skirt.  "I feel so... *restricted* in this get-
up," she groused a few moments later, and her partner rolled her
eyes.

"For the twentieth time, we can't wear our duty uniforms because
they would be horribly out of place in the late twentieth
century," Yuri snapped.  She might love Kei like a sister, but
she'd just about had it with her partner's complaints about this
mission.  "This is the proper uniform for INTERPOL agents of the
period -- which I might remind you, we are supposed to be during
this mission."

"Yeah, yeah, I know, I know.  And when we get there, we plant a
couple computer worms to cover our asses, then contact local law
enforcement, give them our cover story, and get their help.  When
we finally catch the creep, we cut the local cops out of the loop
and drag him back to our time.  I got it already, Yuri!"

The raven-haired 3WA agent smiled sweetly.  "Good."  Then a
thoughtful look grew in her eyes.  "And think of this -- it's a
very primitive period, and we'll mostly be limited to working
with the available technology.  How much trouble can we possibly
get into?"

Kei thought about this for a moment, then broke into a wide grin.
"A mission that doesn't end up in mass destruction for once!  You
know, maybe I *will* like this!"

A nervous harrumph caught their attention, and they swiveled
their heads to look at the technician.  "Um, ladies?  Any time
you're ready?"

Kei looked at Yuri.  "*You* go first."

                           *   *   *

"We want to thank you for your cooperation, Captain Murphy," Kei
offered as politely as she could.

Yuri nodded.  "Doctor Irigawa has some passing familiarity with
Los Angeles, while we are strangers here.  It is very kind -- and
very helpful -- of you to assign some of your men to help in our
investigation."

The older man behind the desk nodded with false joviality.  His
smile was the typical bureaucrat's fake, pasted on to hide his
irritation at their intrusion on his turf, but their paperwork
and the impressive clearances inserted into several computer
systems by their worms gave him little apparent choice but
cooperation.  "Oh, it was no problem at all.  In fact, I'm giving
you two of my best officers."  There was a knock at the door, and
Murphy rose from his desk.  "In fact, that's them now."

Before he could reach the door, it opened, and two men stepped
into the office.  The younger of the two was white and still
possessed craggy but boyish good looks, even though he was
apparently in his 40s.  The other was a black man who must have
been close to retirement age.  They were laughing together as
they came in, but quickly became serious.

"Gentlemen," Captain Murphy announced as the Lovely Angels stood,
"I'd like you to meet agents Kei and Yuri of INTERPOL.  They're
here in L.A. pursuing a dangerous fugitive.  And you're going to
help them."  The captain turned his attention back to the Angels.
"Ladies, allow me to introduce Sergeants Martin Riggs and Roger
Murtaugh, two of the finest officers in the department.  With
their aid, I'm sure you can wrap up your investigation quickly
and quietly."

                           *   *   *

NOT IN YOUR LIFETIME PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

A LOON 'N' TOON PICTURE:

A DIRTY PAIR OF LETHAL WEAPONS 5:
THE DEATH OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PROPERTY/CASUALTY INSURANCE
INDUSTRY

Not likely to be coming ever to a FFML near you.

                           *   *   *

As the office building down the block exploded in flame, Riggs
bellowed, "Where the *hell* did you get that gun?'

Kei smirked.  "Why?  Looking to arrest me for violating some
firearm control regulation?" she shouted back over the sound of
collapsing steel and concrete.

"Fuck, no!  I want one for myself!"

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