ugoku-en

[0x100]
<BR>
IT WAS WHEN I WAS RETURNING
FROM INVESTIGATING THE STATE
BANK, AND FORCED TO TAKE
SHELTER FROM THE HEAVY RAINS,
THAT I WAS REMINDED OF SOME-
THING MY GIRLFRIEND ONCE TOLD
ME.

"ONE NIGHT, WHEN I WAS A
CHILD, IT WAS RAINING HARD.
MY GRANDMA TOLD ME THAT A BAD
DRAGON WAS RUNNING AROUND IN
THE CLOUDS, IN A RAGE,
CAUSING THE STORM.  I SAID
THEN THAT I WOULD BEAT THAT
DRAGON WHEN I GREW UP."

THEN, SHE LOOKED AT ME AND
ADDED, "THAT'S WHY I STOLE A
PLANE, AND GOT ARRESTED...
HEY, YOU'RE NOT LAUGHING AT
ME?"

I DON'T KNOW WHY I DIDN'T
LAUGH AT THE TIME.  PROBABLY
BECAUSE SHE SEEMED SO
SERIOUS.

"ANYWAY, WHEN THEY RELEASE
YOU, COME VISIT ME," SHE
SAID.

THEY LET HER OUT OF PRISON
AFTER THAT, AND A LOT OF
TIME HAD SINCE PASSED.

I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHY I
JOINED UP WITH HER.  IT'S NOT
LIKE I OWED HER, OR THAT SHE
OWED ME.  WE JUST SEEMED TO
KEEP APPEARING AT THE SAME
TIMES AND PLACES, FOR NO
REAL REASON.

I PROBABLY JUST WANTED TO
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HER,
THOUGH.

THINGS STARTED PILING UP, AND
SUDDENLY WE NEEDED MONEY.  WE
DECIDED TO TAKE SOME FROM THE
STATE BANK.  I WAS READY NOW,
BUT ALSO THOUGHT THAT I FIRST
NEEDED TO DO SOME WARM-UP
EXERCISES.



<BR>
FROM THE START, MY GIRLFRIEND
ALWAYS WANTED TO RIDE ON A
PLANE.  SHE WAS CONSTANTLY
NEAR THEM, AND GOT A SUPPLY
STAFF JOB IN THE AIR FORCE.
SHE WAS RABID OVER THEM, AND
LEARNED HOW TO FLY ON HER
OWN.  BUT, WHEN SHE APPLIED
FOR A NEW JOB IN THE AIR
FORCE AS A PILOT, SHE WAS
WAS TURNED DOWN, ON THE
GROUNDS THAT SHE'S A WOMAN.

SO, SHE STOLE A PLANE, AND
WAS CAUGHT.  AFTERWARDS, SHE
TRIED VISITING ALL OF THE
AIRLINE COMPANIES, TO APPLY
AS A PILOT AND BECOME "THE
FIRST WOMAN TO SAFELY FLY
WITH PASSENGERS."  BUT, NO
ONE TOOK HER SERIOUSLY.

I CAN SEE WHY SHE WAS DRIVEN
TO START HER OWN COMPANY.
WHICH HAS LED US INTO
MARCHING INTO THE STATE
BANK.



<BR>
   "WHAM!"
SHE KICKED THE DOOR OPENED,
RIFLE RAISED, AND SPOKE THE
CUSTOMARY PHRASE, "HI.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR HANDS."

THEN, IGNORING THE STUNNED
PEOPLE, SHE APPROACHED THE
TELLER AT THE COUNTER.

   "YOU CAN TELL I'VE COME
HERE TO PICK UP SOME CASH.
PLEASE PUT IT INTO THE BAG."

  NORMALLY, THIS ISN'T
SOMETHING YOU SAY WITH A
SMILE.



<BR>
NOW, THE GETAWAY.
WITH THE MONEY FROM THE BANK
IN OUR HANDS, WE HAD TO LEAVE
THE COUNTRY.

WE NEEDED TO CONVERT THE CASH
INTO SOMETHING EASIER TO
CARRY.  WE WERE HORRIBLY
OVERCHARGED, BUT BY SPENDING
LAVISHLY, WE WERE ABLE TO
BUY A MAGNIFICENT GOLD CROWN.

WE KEPT FEELING THAT THE
POLICE WERE RIGHT BEHIND US,
BUT OF COURSE, IT WAS JUST
OUR IMAGINATIONS.




<BR>
OUR FLIGHT FROM THE COUNTRY
WAS NOT TO BE SO EASY,
NATURALLY.  THE POLICE KNEW
THAT IT WOULD BE HARD TO
CAPTURE SOMEONE WHO HAD LEFT
THE COUNTRY, SO THEY PUT OUT
A FLASH BULLETIN TO CANCEL
OUR TRAVEL PERMITS.

WE WENT TO THE AIRPORT, BUT
THE SECURITY WAS HEAVY, AND
WE HAD TO BOARD A PLANE IN
SECRET.



<BR>
WE MANAGED TO SLIP INTO THE
CARGO HOLD.  IT WAS A REAL
RUSH, AND THERE WERE MANY
TIMES THAT WE'D THOUGHT THAT
WE'D BEEN SPOTTED.

"THIS IS THE ARYOL.  IT CAN
TRAVEL UP TO 1000 KILOMETERS.
INCREDIBLE.  IT'S 6 950-HP
ENGINES CAN CARRY 60 PEOPLE.
ONLY TWO WERE MADE, AND ONE
WAS SOLD TO ANOTHER COUNTRY.
IF WE BOARD THIS PLANE, IT
WILL BE EASY TO ESCAPE THE
COUNTRY," SHE SAID EXCITEDLY.

SHE TRIED TO GLIMPSE OUTSIDE,
AND PRESSED HERSELF AGAINST
THE DOOR.

"VERY MISTY OUTSIDE.  VERY
NERVE-RACKING," SHE MUTTERED
TO HERSELF, AS IF SHE WAS THE
ONE PILOTING THE PLANE.




<BR>
I'M AMAZED THAT SUCH A HUGE
CRAFT CAN REALLY FLY.  MY
GIRLFRIEND TOLD ME THAT TO
MAKE THIS THING STRONG
ENOUGH, THE BODY WAS BUILT 2
STORIES TALL.  ABOVE OUR
CARGO HOLD IS A SECOND HOLD.
THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY OUT, A
DOOR ON THE FLOOR.  TO MAKE
LOADING AND UNLOADING EASIER,
THERE IS AN ELEVATOR BETWEEN
FLOORS.

AS SHE WAS TALKING, WE HEARD
FOOTSTEPS ABOVE US.  HOLDING
OUR BREATH, WE HEARD
WHISPERING COMING FROM THE
ELEVATOR SHAFT.  IT WAS VERY
STRANGE, THAT SOMEONE WOULD
ENTER THE HOLD AREA DURING
THE FLIGHT.  WE STRETCHED
FURTHER INTO THE SHAFT, AND
LISTENED INTENTLY.



<BR>
   "WHERE'S THE BOMB?"
   "STASHED IN MY ROOM, NEXT
TO THE ENGINE SECTION."
   "I'LL GET OUT AT THE
REFUELING STATION AND MAKE
THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE
RADIO.  YOU ESCAPE LATER,
USING A PARACHUTE.  GOT
THAT?"
   "DOWN WITH THE FACISTS!!"

THAT'S WHAT WE HEARD.  I
COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT WAS
HAPPENING.  RADICALS HAD
BOARDED OUR PLANE, AND WERE
GOING TO BLOW IT UP.  MY
GIRLFRIEND SAID, "FIRST, WE
NEED TO ESCAPE, THEN REPORT
THIS TO THE AVIATION
BUREAU!!!  THE PILOT WOULDN'T
BELIEVE US, EVEN IF WE TRIED
TO TELL HIM."
   "BUT, HOW DO WE LEAVE A
FLYING PLANE?"
   "WITH PARACHUTES, THE ONES
OVER THERE BY THE WALL."
   THE PARACHUTES WERE STORED
IN THE HOLD, SO WE PUT THEM
ON AND OPENED THE DOOR.  I
WAS SHOCKED BY HOW TERRIBLY
HIGH UP WE WERE.
   "COME ON.  YOU'LL GET USED
TO IT SOON ENOUGH.  IT'S NO
BIG DEAL.  IT'S MY FIRST
JUMP, TOO," SHE SAID
CASUALLY.




<BR>
I WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE
PARACHUTE NOT OPENING, BUT IT
DID SO WITH NO PROBLEMS.  IT
MADE MY HEAD FEEL LIKE IT WAS
BEING PULLED OFF, THOUGH.  AS
I SLOWLY DESCENDED, I
REGAINED MY COMPOSURE AND
LOOKED AROUND.  THE VIEW FROM
THE SKY WAS MAGNIFICENT, AND
I FELT THAT I COULD ALMOST
UNDERSTAND WHY SHE WANTED TO
FLY SO BADLY THAT SHE WOULD
GO SO FAR AS TO STEAL A
PLANE.

SWAYING IN THE WIND, I BEGAN
TO THINK THAT I MAY BE HAPPY
WITH THE IDEA OF FLEEING THE
COUNTRY, AND THEN HELPING
ESTABLISH AN AIRLINE COMPANY.
I WONDERED IF I'D BE ALLOWED
TO RIDE ALONG ON THE PLANE.




<BR>
I LIKED FLOATING AROUND, BUT
THE LANDING WAS TERRIBLE.
NOT THAT WE HIT LAND THOUGH.
WE SPLASHED DOWN IN THE BAY.
THE PARACHUTE SETTLED ON TOP
OF ME AND I STARTED TO DROWN.
FORTUNATELY, MY GIRLFRIEND IS
A GOOD SWIMMER, AND SHE
DRAGGED ME TO THE SHALLOWS.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE DYNAMITE
IN MY BAG HAD GOTTEN WET.  AT
LEAST, THE CROWN WAS SAFE
ANYWAY.

WE THEN DECIDED TO REACH A
TELEPHONE OFFICE, AND TELL
THE AVIATION BUREAU ABOUT THE
BOMB.



<BR>
THE TELEPHONE OFFICE STAFF
STARED AT US STRANGELY.  WE
WERE BOTH DRIPPING WET.

LUCKILY, WE MANAGED TO
CONVINCE THEM THAT WE WERE
LOST TRAVELLERS, AND WE PAID
THEM TO LET US USE THEIR
TELEPHONE.  BUT, WHY DOESN'T
THE AVIATION BUREAU HAVE A
PHONE OF THEIR OWN?

WE DECIDED TO CONTACT THE
NEARBY POLICE, TO HAVE THEM
BRING SOMEONE FROM THE BUREAU
HERE TO US.  WAITING FOR THE
POLICE TO ARRIVE, SHE SAID,
"WE'RE PLANNING TO ESCAPE THE
COUNTRY.  NOW I FEEL STRANGE,
HAVING TO CALL THE POLICE
MYSELF."

UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE
LONG WAIT FELT ENDLESS.




<BR>
THE POLICE FINALLY CAME.  MY
GIRLFRIEND EXPLODED AT THEM
FOR TAKING SO LONG, THEN
SWITCHED TO SPITTING OUT HER
EXPLANATION LIKE A TELEGRAPH
MACHINE.  THE POLICE LEFT,
AND SHE TURNED TO FACE ME.

"'STOP JOKING,' THEY SAY!
BUT I'M NOT JOKING!"

"SO WHAT DO WE DO," I ASKED.

"THERE'S NO OTHER CHOICE, BUT
TO DEFUSE THE BOMB MYSELF."

THAT'S AN EASY THING TO SAY.
BOARDING A FLYING PLANE IS
A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
MATTER.

"WE COULD SLIP BACK INTO THE
PLANE AT THE REFUELING
STATION," I SUGGESTED.  "SUCH
A HUGE PLANE WOULD NOT TAKE
OFF AGAIN VERY QUICKLY, SINCE
THE REFUELING WOULD TAKE SO
LONG."
"THAT'S THE BEST IDEA.  BUT,
YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME WITH
ME.  TAKE THE CROWN AND
ESCAPE TO SAFETY."

THAT DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT, AS I
HAVE MORE KNOWLEDGE IN BOMBS.
FINALLY, WE DECIDED TO BORROW
THE MOTORCYCLE AND SIDECAR
THAT WAS USED BY THE OFFICE
FOR COMMUNICATIONS.




<BR>
HOWEVER, SHE DIDN'T HEAD TO
THE OMSK REFUELING STATION.
INSTEAD, WE WENT TO A NEARBY
AIR FIELD, WHERE WE PLANNED
ON BORROWING A PLANE TO FLY
TO THE OMSK AIRSTRIP.  I
AGREED THAT IT WOULD BE MUCH
FASTER INSTEAD OF TAKING THE
SIDECAR DIRECTLY.

BUT, AFTER WE GOT AIRBORNE,
WE TOOK THE SHORTEST ROUTE
AND FLEW DEEP INTO A CLOUD
BANK.  OUTSIDE, IT WAS COLD
AND WET.  AND THERE WAS LOTS
OF LIGHTNING, WHICH WE WISHED
WE COULD AVOID.

IF THAT LIGHTNING HIT US, IT
WOULD BE MORE THAN MERELY
PAINFUL.




<BR>
"MY GOD, THERE'S SOMETHING
IN FRONT OF US!  IT'S
ABSOLUTELY HUGE!"

IT SWOOSHED IN FRONT OF US,
AND HELD IT'S POSITION, NOT
COMING CLOSER OR GOING
FARTHER AWAY FROM US.
"IT'S PROBABLY JUST A CRAFT
FROM THE AIR FORCE."  HER
VOICE WAS CARRIED TO ME BY
THE WIND.

THEN, THE OBJECT VEERED BACK
TOWARDS US.  IT WAS IMMENSE!
AND, IT'S SHADOW QUICKLY
ENVELOPED US.  WHAT FLEW
THROUGH THE CLOUDS WAS NOT AN
AIR FORCE PLANE -- IT WAS A
GIANT DRAGON!

IT GLIDED PAST US ON IT'S
COLOSSAL WINGS, THEN SNAKED
BACK AND STARTED CHASING US.
APPARENTLY, IT DISLIKED
SHARING THE SKIES WITH US,
AND WANTED TO CATCH OUR
PLANE.

"THIS IS THE MONSTER!  SHOOT
HIM DOWN," SHE CALLED FROM
THE COCKPIT.  I HAD NO
RECOURSE, AND BEGAN FIRING
RAPIDLY WITH THE REAR-MOUNTED
MACHINE GUN.  BUT, IT LOOKED
LIKE THE BULLETS WERE HAVING
NO EFFECT ON THE DRAGON.




<BR>
NO, THE BULLETS DIDN'T HURT
THE DRAGON AT ALL.  IN FACT,
WE JUST MADE HIM EVEN MORE
FURIOUS.

MY GIRLFRIEND TURNED TOWARDS
ME, SHOUTING, "THIS REMINDS
ME OF THAT STORY, BACK WHEN
I WAS A CHILD.  SILLY THING
TO THINK OF AT A TIME LIKE
THIS, RIGHT?"

I STARTED WONDERING WHAT THE
WEATHER WAS LIKE DOWN ON THE
GROUND.




<BR>
WE EVENTUALLY MANAGED TO
ESCAPE FROM THE DRAGON, WITH
OUR PLANE'S TAIL BITTEN IN
SEVERAL PLACES.

WE WERE ABLE TO FLY ON TO A
GRASS FIELD NEAR OMSK, BUT I
WOULDN'T CALL OUR LANDING A
SUCCESSFUL ONE.

MY GIRLFRIEND DRAGGED ME OUT
FROM THE WRECKAGE, AND I WAS
LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO TELL HER
THAT I WAS NOT HURT.  SHE
LOOKED RELIEVED.  THEN, SHE
USED THE BINOCULARS THAT WERE
INSIDE THE COCKPIT TO INSPECT
THE DISTANT AIR FIELD.

"THAT DRAGON MUST BE
FURIOUS!  AND, IT MUST BE
STORMING HEAVILY BELOW HIM!"
SHE LAUGHED HAPPILY,
APPARENTLY GLAD THAT SHE HAD
BEEN ABLE TO VIEW THE BEAST.




<BR>
"WOW, WHAT A NICE VIEW."
SHE HANDED THE BINOCULARS
OVER TO ME.  I LOOKED THROUGH
THEM, AND A WONDERFUL WORLD
OPENED UP BEFORE MY EYES.

THE HUGE ARYOL WAS PARKED AT
THE FAR END OF THE AIR FIELD,
DWARFING THE SUPPLY CREW AND
MAKING THE GAS TANKERS LOOK
LIKE LITTLE TOYS.  THE PEOPLE
LOOKED LIKE THE FAITHFUL
SERVANTS OF THE METAL DRAGON.

"IT'S TIME TO BOARD."
HER HARD-EDGED VOICE BROUGHT
ME BACK TO ATTENTION.




<BR>
WHILE WE WERE ENJOYING THE
DANCING ILLUMINATION FROM THE
SEARCH LIGHTS, A SIREN CUT
THROUGH THE AIR, SIGNALLING
THAT THE ARYOL WOULD SOON
LEAVE.

"DAMN IT, RUN!"
MY GIRLFRIEND GOT TO THE
PLANE FIRST, AND OPENED THE
LOCK FOR THE CARGO HATCH.
SHE JUMPED INSIDE.  JUST AS
THE PLANE STARTED TO ROLL, I
TRIPPED OVER A LIGHT HOUSING
ALONGSIDE THE RUNWAY, AND I
FELL.  I STOOD UP QUICKLY,
BUT THE PLANE, WITH MY GIRL
FRIEND, WAS ALREADY PULLING
AWAY AT HIGH SPEED.

"HURRY!" SHE SHOUTED,
STRETCHING HER HAND OUT TO
ME.  I GRABBED ON TO THE
HANDLE OF THE CARGO DOOR.
HOLDING ON, I BENT FORWARD,
EVEN THOUGH ONE SLIP WOULD
MEAN I'D FALL AND GET BADLY
HURT.

"YOU CAN DO IT!  HURRY!"
I DON'T LIKE RUNNING, BUT
THIS WAS NOT THE TIME FOR
THINKING ABOUT SUCH THINGS.
I PUSHED MYSELF TO RUN AS
HARD AS I COULD.




<BR>
STRUGGLING HEROICALLY, I
MANAGED TO CONNECT FINGERTIPS
WITH MY GIRLFRIEND, AND SHE
SUCCEEDED IN PULLING ME UP
AND INSIDE.

"I'M  GOING TO FIND THE
RADICALS," SHE SAID, PATTING
MY SHOULDER WHILE I LAID
FLAT-OUT ON MY BACK, GASPING
FOR BREATH.  MY WHOLE BODY
KEPT SHAKING.

"THERE'S A DRESSING ROOM IN
HERE.  I'M GOING TO DISGUISE
MYSELF AS A STEWARDESS.  I'LL
LURE THE RADICALS BACK HERE,
AND THEN YOU CAN DO SOMETHING
TO BEAT THEM UP."

I STILL COULDN'T SPEAK,
GULPING DOWN AIR, SO I JUST
NODDED TO SHOW THAT I
UNDERSTOOD.  SHE PECKED ME ON
THE CHEEK, AND DISAPPEARED
DOWN THE GANGWAY HEADING OFF
FROM THE CARGO HOLD.

I TRUSTED HER COMPLETELY AT
THAT MOMENT, AND BELIEVED
THAT SHE WOULD SOMEHOW PULL
THIS OFF.




<BR>
SEARCHING AROUND ME, I FOUND
A RIFLE IN WITH THE CARGO.
THAT SHOULD BE HELPFUL.  AND,
IT WAS ABOUT TIME FOR HER TO
RETURN.

"HEY, HOLD ON A MINUTE."
I SUDDENLY HEARD THE VOICE OF
ONE OF THE RADICALS.

"WHAT'S THE MATTER?"  SHE
ANSWERED BACK, AS IF NOTHING
WAS WRONG.

"YOU... YOU'RE NOT A
STEWARDESS."

CROUCHING DOWN TO THE SIDE,
I COULD NOW HEAR THEIR
FOOTSTEPS.  THEN, I COULD SEE
MY GIRLFRIEND NEXT TO ME,
DRESSED UP IN A FLIGHT
ATTENDANT'S UNIFORM.

"WHY, IS SOMETHING STRANGE?"
"I DON'T THINK STEWARDESSES
WEAR SAFETY BOOTS."

I ONLY NOTICED THAT NOW.  SHE
HAD CHANGED HER DRESS AND
HAT, BUT NOT HER SHOES.  SHE
STOOD STILL, AND I COULD SEE
SWEAT TRICKLE DOWN THE SIDE
OF HER FACE.

THERE WAS NO POINT IN WAITING
ANY LONGER.  I JUMPED OUT,
AND FIRED MY RIFLE.  THE
RADICALS TOOK COVER, AND THEY
ALSO FILLED THE AIR WITH
BULLETS.  I DEFTLY AVOIDED
THOSE.  AS I WAS RELOADING,
DUCKING DOWN OUT OF THE WAY,
I COULD SEE THAT MY GIRL
FRIEND WAS SAFELY UNDER
COVER AS WELL.

"THANK YOU.  IT WAS STUPID OF
ME, OVERLOOKING THE SHOES.
HEY, GIVE ME THAT THING.  I'M
BETTER WITH IT THAN YOU."

I THREW THE RIFLE AND BAG OF
BULLETS TO HER.




<BR>
BOTH RADICALS HAD EMPTIED
THEIR GUNS, AND WERE TAKING
TIME TO RELOAD.  MY GIRL
FRIEND TOOK THE CHANCE TO
SMASH THEM WITH THE RIFLE.

WE STASHED THE VILLIANS IN
A LOCKER, AND SECURED THEM
INSIDE.  NEXT, WE HAD TO DEAL
WITH THE BOMB.

WE WENT DOWN TO THE ENGINE
AREA, AND ENTERED THE
RADICALS' ROOM.  INSIDE, WE
SAW A BOX THAT WAS FASTENED
DOWN TO THE TABLE.  THIS IS
THE WORK FOR A PROFESSIONAL.
TRYING TO REMOVE THE SCREWS,
OR MOVING THE BOMB, WOULD
OBVIOUSLY CAUSE IT TO
TRIGGER.

THE BOMB WASN'T ALL THAT BIG,
BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
IRON WALL WAS ONE OF THE 950
HP ENGINES.

IF ONLY I HAD SOME TOOLS.
WITHOUT THEM, TRYING TO
DEFUSE SOMETHING THIS
COMPLICATED WOULD BE TOO
DANGEROUS.  ONE MISTAKE, AND
WE'D BE BLOWN TO PIECES.  I
TOLD HER THIS, BUT ALL SHE
SAID WAS "IS THAT SO."

SHE REMOVED HER FLIGHT
ATTENDANT'S CAP.  THEN,
TAKING THE CROWN FROM ME, SHE
PUT IT ON HER HEAD.  "GO ON.
DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME."



<BR>
UNFORTUNATELY, RIGHT AT THE
END, I SLIPPED UP.  THE
TRIGGER SWITCH SPRING STARTED
TO SHOOT UP, AND I QUICKLY
PUSHED DOWN ON IT WITH MY
HAND.  NOW, IF I REMOVED MY
HAND, THE BOMB WOULD BLOW.

"HEY, IT'S GOING TO BE ALL
RIGHT, WON'T IT?"  SHE ASKED
IN A SMALL, STRAINED VOICE.

IF THERE WERE SOME WAY TO
TIE THE SWITCH DOWN WITH A
STRING, I COULD EASILY
DEFUSE IT.

"CAN'T I PUSH THE SPRING
DOWN?"

DIDN'T MATTER IF IT WERE HER
OR ME.  WE'D GET TIRED SOON,
AND DISARMING THE BOMB WOULD
STILL TAKE TIME.

"A LINE, ANY LINE.  HMMM.
IT MUST BE STRONG, OR IT'LL
BREAK.  STRING, THAT YOU
COULD FIND ANYWHERE, BUT NOT
HERE."  SHE STARTED TO THINK.
TIME PASSED.  THEN, SHE
STARTED GRUMBLING AND BEGAN
TAKING OFF HER BOOTS.

I WANTED TO ASK WHAT SHE WAS
DOING, BUT I QUICKLY GOT MY
ANSWER.  "HERE, I'LL TIE IT
DOWN," SHE SAID, TAKING THE
LACE FROM HER SAFETY BOOTS
TO FASTEN THE TRIGGER SWITCH.

....

"WE HAVE CROSSED THE BORDER.
IT'S SAFE NOW."  SHE PULLED
ME CLOSER.  I HADN'T NOTICED
HER PUT THE CROWN ON AFTER
WE'D BOARDED THIS TRAIN.

"WE'RE A MATCHING COUPLE,
DON'T YOU THINK?"  SHE
WHISPERED SO LOW, HER VOICE
WAS ALMOST LOST IN THE NOISE
OF THE TRAIN'S WHEELS
CLICKING OVER THE TRACKS.

"HEY, PUT ON A HAPPY FACE."
SHE POKED ME IN THE CHEEK,
BUT I HAD A STRANGE,
LINGERING FEELING.  WHAT
FACE SHOULD I SHOW HER?




<BR>
UNFORTUNATELY, RIGHT AT THE
END, I SLIPPED UP.  THE
TRIGGER SWITCH SPRING STARTED
TO SHOOT UP, AND I QUICKLY
PUSHED DOWN ON IT WITH MY
HAND.  NOW, IF I REMOVED MY
HAND, THE BOMB WOULD BLOW.

"HEY, IT'S GOING TO BE ALL
RIGHT, WON'T IT?"  SHE ASKED
IN A SMALL, STRAINED VOICE.

IF THERE WERE SOME WAY TO
TIE THE SWITCH DOWN WITH A
STRING, I COULD EASILY
DEFUSE IT.

"CAN'T I PUSH THE SPRING
DOWN?"

DIDN'T MATTER IF IT WERE HER
OR ME.  WE'D GET TIRED SOON,
AND DISARMING THE BOMB WOULD
STILL TAKE TIME.

"WE HAVE NO OPTIONS, WE'RE
ALMOST READY TO LAND..." SHE
TALKED TO HERSELF AS SHE TOOK
OFF THE CROWN AND PUT IT ON
THE EDGE OF THE SWITCH.  WE
SLOWLY LET GO.  NOTHING
HAPPENED, SINCE THE SWITCH
CONTACTS WERE BOTH TOUCHING
THE METAL CROWN.  AT THAT
MOMENT, THE PLANE BEGAN
SWINGING TO THE SIDE.
LUCKILY, THE WEIGHT OF THE
CROWN HELD IT ON TOP OF THE
SWITCH.  FOR THE MOMENT.

BUT, WE WOULD BE LANDING
SOON.

"LET'S LEAVE," SHE SAID.
IF WE DIDN'T ESCAPE NOW, THE
ANTIBOMB SQUAD WOULD CATCH
US, HAVING BEEN ALERTED BY
THE RADICALS' ANNOUNCEMENT
OVER THE RADIO.

"YOU DID A GOOD JOB," SHE
WHISPERED TO ME.

BEFORE THE AIRPLANE LANDED,
WE HAD BAILED OUT WITH THE
PARACHUTES, BORROWED A BOAT
AND STARTED CROSSING THE
WATERS TO REACH THE BORDER
ON THE OTHER SIDE.

"I AM SORRY, ABOUT ALL THE
TROUBLE," SHE SAID AGAIN.
I ROWED IN SILENCE, BUT
SECRETLY, I ENJOYED BEING
ALONE WITH HER.




<BR>
UNFORTUNATELY, RIGHT AT THE
END, I SLIPPED UP.  THE
TRIGGER SWITCH SPRING STARTED
TO SHOOT UP, AND I QUICKLY
PUSHED DOWN ON IT WITH MY
HAND.  NOW, IF I REMOVED MY
HAND, THE BOMB WOULD BLOW.

"HEY, IT'S GOING TO BE ALL
RIGHT, WON'T IT?"  SHE ASKED
IN A SMALL, STRAINED VOICE.

IF THERE WERE SOME WAY TO
TIE THE SWITCH DOWN WITH A
STRING, I COULD EASILY
DEFUSE IT.

"CAN'T I PUSH THE SPRING
DOWN?"

DIDN'T MATTER IF IT WERE HER
OR ME.  WE'D GET TIRED SOON,
AND DISARMING THE BOMB WOULD
STILL TAKE TIME.

"A LINE, ANY LINE.  HMMM.
IT MUST BE STRONG, OR IT'LL
BREAK.  STRING, THAT YOU
COULD FIND ANYWHERE, BUT NOT
HERE."  SHE STARTED TO THINK.
BUT, THE PLANE SHIFTED, AND I
ALMOST LET LOOSE OF THE
SWITCH.

"WE'VE LANDED," SHE TOLD ME.
TIME RAN OUT.  THE ANTIBOMB
SQUAD HAD BEEN ALERTED BY
THE RADICALS' ANNOUNCEMENT
OVER THE RADIO, AND THEY
BOARDED THE PLANE.

"YOU DID A GOOD JOB," SHE
WHISPERED TO ME.

WE COULD HAVE ESCAPED, BUT
BECAUSE WE WANTED TO SAVE THE
PASSENGERS, WE WERE CAPTURED.
WE STILL FELT LIKE HEROES.
AND, THE REPORTERS WERE
WAITING AT THE AIRPORT.

I TOLD MY GIRLFRIEND THAT IF
WE HADN'T TRIED TO DEFUSE
THE BOMB, WE COULD HAVE
ESCAPED, AND MAYBE EVEN HAVE
CROSSED THE BORDER BY NOW.
"DON'T TALK STUPID.  HOW
COULD WE LET 60 PEOPLE DIE
JUST FOR A LITTLE MONEY AND
AN IDLE LIFE?"  SHE LAUGHED
QUIETLY.

THE MAGNESIUM CAMERA FLASHES
LIT UP HER FACE.



<BR>
 AVIATION BUREAU ANNOUNCEMENT

AN EXPLOSION ABOARD THE
"ARYOL" RESULTED IN THE
DEATHS OF ALL 60 PASSENGERS
AND THE CREW.  THE EXPLOSION
WAS CAUSED BY A BOMB,
ACCORDING TO POLICE SOURCES.
A RADICAL GROUP HAS TAKEN
CREDIT FOR PLACING THE
EXPLOSIVE DEVICE ABOARD THE
AIRCRAFT.




<BR>
LONG AGO, BUT NOT IN THE
DISTANT PAST, WAS A TIME
WHEN PEOPLE COULD NOT BUILD
ENGINES GREATER THAN
1000 HP.

EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINES WERE
SO UNDER-POWERED, THERE WERE
PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO MAKE
MASSIVE AIRCRAFT, LIKE THE
LEGENDARY GIANT DRAGON.




<BR>
HOWEVER, OTHER PEOPLE SOON
DEMANDED SPEED, AND THE BIG
AIRPLANES FELL INTO DISUSE.

BUT... THEY NEVER STOPPED
TRYING TO ACHIEVE THE GIANT
AIRCRAFT.



<BR>
IN THAT PERIOD, THE ERA OF
THE GIANTS, WAS THE TIME OF
THE LEGENDARY GIANTS OF THE
GIANTS.  ONLY TWO OF THEM
WERE MADE.

THE SECOND OF THE TWO
BEHEMOTH AIRCRAFT WAS NAMED
"ARYOL."  AND, THIS IS
"ARYOL"'S STORY.




<BR>
WITH THE MONEY THAT MY GIRL
FRIEND GOT BY SELLING THE
CROWN, SHE BOUGHT 1 AIRPLANE.
STARTING WITH THAT PLANE, AND
2 CREWMEMBERS, SHE FORMED HER
OWN COMPANY.  AFTER LOTS OF
TRIAL AND TRIBULATION, SHE IS
NOW KNOWN AS ONE OF THE FEW,
RARE, FEMALE PILOTS.

BY THE WAY, IF THE COMPANY
GROWS BIG ENOUGH, SHE WANTS
TO BUY THE ARYOL.

DON'T LAUGH.  THIS IS A VERY
SERIOUS STORY.



<BR>
WE SUCCEDED IN CROSSING THE
BORDER, BUT WE HAD NO MONEY.
MY GIRLFRIEND DID NOT SEEM
FRUSTRATED OR ANGRY, THOUGH.

"RELAX, I CAN ALWAYS RETURN
ACROSS THE BORDER, AND
PILFER A BIT MORE FROM THE
STATE BANK," SHE SAID
EXCITEDLY.

I ALWAYS FEEL HAPPY WHENEVER
SHE IS WITH ME.




<BR>
AFTER FINALLY BEING RELEASED
FROM JAIL, WE WERE BACK IN
JAIL AGAIN.

THIS TIME I WAS PUT INTO A
DIFFERENT PRISON FROM MY
GIRLFRIEND.  I HAVEN'T SEEN
HER SINCE THEN.  I DON'T
KNOW IF WE'LL EVER MEET
AGAIN.

EACH TIME THERE IS A STORM,
I AM REMINDED OF HER.



<BR>
WELL, FOR THE TIME BEING,
THIS IS THE END.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW?
WILL THE ANTIBOMB SQUAD BE
ABLE TO DEFUSE THE EXPLOSIVE
IN TIME?

IF YOU ARE CURIOUS TO KNOW
HOW THE STORY TURNS OUT, YOU
SHOULD DEFINITELY PLAY THE
NORMAL MODE.



<BR>
           ARYOL STAFF




           EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
              MASAO KUWABARA


           ADVISOR
              IKUKO K.


           GAME DESIGN AND
           STORY
              MARO


           CHIEF PROGRAMMER
              M. HIRAHARA


           PROGRAMMERS
              C. H. HOFFMANN
              DR. MATHS


           ARTWORK
              BABEL NOTO


           BACKGROUNDS
              M. KITANO


           ANIMATION
              M. KITANO


           COMPOSER
              M. INATA


           MUSIC
              K. SADA


           PROOFREADING
              KAISER
              MISS COPY


           ENGLISH VERSION
              C. H. HOFFMANN
              JUNKO K.


           TEST PLAYER
              KIKUCHIYO



             COPYRIGHT
                1994
         ALTRON CORPORATION
         ALL RIGHTS RESERVED





          WE WILL BE BACK










<BR>