The Sleeping Sailor
Chapter Two
The entire Earth based squad of Autobots had regrouped at the main base upon the news that Vector Prime and Optimus had retrieved the Omega Lock…and something unexpected. While Vector Prime and Scattershot had worked to figure the blue cylinder out, the remaining Autobots examined, and later guarded, the Omega Lock. None of them doubted that the Decepticons would try and steal it. They were confident that the opposing side had no idea where their base was located, fortunately, and though an attack anytime soon was doubtful; all agreed it was far better to be safe than sorry.
A couple of days after both artifacts had been retrieved, Vector Prime announced that he and Scattershot had successfully figured out how to open the container. "Unfortunately, other than a lifeforce, we have no idea what lies inside."
"Let's open it already!" Landmine exclaimed impatiently. "Either you're ready or not!"
"Calm down, Landmine! They wanted to be sure they had it right, I'm sure!" Rad excitedly reminded him.
"Alright, alright." The impatient Autobot replied, trying to keep his own excitement and any further impatience in check.
Vector Prime, choosing to ignore the excitement in the air, looked at Optimus. "Perhaps it is best we move outdoors. Whoever is within this container has been inside for thousands of years; they might decide to attack first, and ask questions later."
Optimus looked over the cylinder thoughtfully. It had not been with Atlantis originally, of that they were certain, so who had made it? Who was inside it? He knew he was not the only one who wanted the answer to those questions. "I agree. Kids, with Hotshot."
It had been during battle that the strange signal caught my attention. I had been scanning the enemy for a weakness – any weakness – when the signal disrupted my scan. Fortunately, one of the others got in a lucky hit and weakened the enemy just enough for Sailor Moon to get in a final blow. The lack of enemy freed me up immediately to determine the cause and reason for both signal and interference.
In the days since our greatest foe, Galaxia, most of us have gone our separate ways. Not losing touch, never losing touch, but the general lack of evil of late has let us go about our lives. Once we could afford it, however, we built ourselves a secret base to monitor the solar system. Makoto-chan let us build it under her flower shop; once the construction was complete, I took care of the rest of the modifications needed.
I made a passing remark to Sailor Moon about the signal, and where I was going, before heading to the base, still working on my minicomputer to try and isolate the signal. It was familiar and yet something I'd never heard of before.
When Makoto-chan came downstairs the next day to check the readings, I was naturally still there. I had almost located the signal when suddenly it had disappeared! It had taken me time, but I discovered that it had been moving around the last several days.
"Makoto-san," I said absently, "have there been any reports of UFO sightings?"
"Not that I've heard of…the computer doesn't indicate any, does it?" She questioned, pausing by the staircase. That's Makoto for you – why use the elevator when you can take the stairs?
"No, but that odd signal from yesterday…it's been moving around."
"Don't let Ten'ou-san and Kaioh-san hear about it, you know how they'll react."
I grimaced. "I have every intention of locating it before they have the chance. We don't have all of our memories from before back, it could be an ally."
"Right. I'll be upstairs, you need anything let me know? I'll leave you to it." I didn't answer, knowing full well her question hadn't really been a question.
Later that day, I finally headed upstairs to get some fresh air and stretch. I was not surprised to find Usagi-chan at the shop as well. Even with the wedding more than a year away yet, she was already picking out flowers…and then changing her mind every other day. It's something we've grown used to happening ever since Mamoru-san proposed to our princess. "I tracked down the signal," I say once we've sat down for tea. "It's moved around a lot the last couple days. It started at the bottom of the ocean, went to hide behind the moon, and now it's back on Earth."
"Where, Ami-chan?" Usagi questioned, her curiosity peaked as much as I could tell Makoto's was.
"America." Their eyes widen in surprise, and I nod. "Usagi-chan, I'm off from school for the next couple weeks.."
"If you're thinking to go check it out.." Usagi pauses, and smiles brightly. "Then be safe, and bring me back a souvenir!" I had been expecting protests as much as this reaction, but I will admit I facepalmed all the same.
"Hai, Usagi, if I have time to stop at a shop, I will." I say with my best serious expression. "Thank you for the tea, Makoto-chan. I had better go home and pack before the flight leaves." I left the shop with their protests about my having already booked a flight, a smile on my face.
And now here I am, overlooking a sight most unusual. We senshi had known for a while now that there were giant alien robots on the planet – Uranus and Neptune said they had heard of them millennia ago, and that they were not considered a significant threat – but to see them in person was a shocking thing indeed. What was more: there were children with the robots! I suppose to call them children would be unfair, as they seemed to be the same age the others and I were when we had awakened to our past and future, but even we were children back then.
Two of the robots seemed to be bringing something carefully outside, so I faded back against the face of the cliff I was on, turned on my minicomputer, and began scanning. This would also enable me to hear what was being said by them all, despite them being quite a distance away.
Time to find out just what this odd signal was from…
Though they had been told to wait with Hotshot, that didn't necessarily mean that Hotshot had to be in vehicle mode, or that they had to wait inside him, so the children had run on ahead outside with their Autobot friend. At least, until Optimus and the other Autobots emerged from their hideout – and then Lori, Bud and Coby begrudgingly climbed on inside the transformed Hotshot. They knew the Autobots wanted to keep them safe, just in case, but even so the four of them were all too anxious to find out what was inside that blue container!
After several minutes, Scattershot had things set up to open the container.
"Normally I would let the children do this, as they were the ones who helped find the container, but I'd rather they stay where they are." Optimus said, glancing at Hotshot. "Scattershot, go ahead and open it."
"Sir," the blue Autobot acknowledged, turning back to the release mechanisms. A few moments later, the container lit up, and began hissing. "Scans confirm it's opening, we just have to wait now."
The kids and Hotshot sighed in impatience. They had hoped it would be a more instantaneous event!
"In the meantime," Vector Prime interjected, "what should we do about our observer?"
She smiled when the Autobots started in her direction, and stood up. Time to meet the aliens. Hopefully they wouldn't decide they needed to have a fight; that would be a poor thing for the being in the cylinder to awaken to.
"Greetings, Autobots," The blue-haired woman said, "I wasn't sure we'd actually meet, but I have heard much about you from Sailors Uranus and Neptune."
The names gave the red and blue one pause, and she couldn't help but to smile again. "Who are you, stranger?" He asked finally, watching her. "Why have you been scanning us?"
"My name is Sailor Mercury."
Sorry this took me so long, guys. Real life's been getting in the way a lot, in the form of a new full time job, and the very sudden news of a move. I'm going to try to get the next couple chapters out before the move is complete, but I can't make any promises.