Chapter 11
'connecting the dots'
Darien blinked. He eyed the guns a bit more warily. "Come again?"
"You heard the lady, Hino," replied Kunzite. "Ami will fetch your things for you, if you have anything, and you can stay right here."
Darien crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm a paying customer. May I ask why I'm being dumped in the middle of nowhere after a large upfront payment?"
At that moment they were interrupted by Ami and Shingo dragging one of the bodies out of the cargo hold and down the ramp. When they had dumped him off the side of the ramp they straightened and stared in shock at the sight in front of them. Darien was keeping count in his head. One body out, still three more inside. That gave him time to stall. There was no way he was going to let them leave him here on this godforsaken piece of rock.
"What in the 'verse is going on here?" cried out Shingo.
Kunzite turned his head to look at them. "There are three more bodies in the hold," he barked. "Deal with them."
Ami put her head down and hurried back up the ramp but Shingo held his ground. "I want to know what the hell you think you're doing first, turning your guns on our passenger."
"That wasn't a request Shingo." When Shingo still didn't budge Kunzite frowned. "I'm still captain of this ship Tsukino and you will do as I say. So when I tell you to get rid of the dead bodies in our cargo bay, you damn well get rid of them."
Darien tilted his head to the side and smirked. This was even more interesting than when he overheard Shingo standing up to Mina the other night after dinner. Shingo glared at both Kunzite and Mina for a moment longer before shrugging and following Ami back into the cargo hold. "Something amusing Hino?" Mina asked. She hadn't moved her eyes once from Darien as the exchange between her cousin and Kunzite took place.
"No, nothing at all." Darien shifted on his feet and placed his hands in his pocket. "You didn't answer my question, you know."
"You want to know why I want you off the Ice Chamber? It's because you're a Wielder. I should hand you over to the coppers right now for Sedition."
"You're bloody kidding right? You won't hand me over to the police. Because you know that I'd turn you in within a heartbeat as well. You're not going to risk that."
Mina smiled innocently. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Please," scoffed Darien. "Don't try to deny it. You think I couldn't feel it when you sent those electric shocks through those men? The proof of your magic is right in front of our eyes." He gestured towards the dead body in the dirt. Kunzite had again trained his gun at Darien and was scowling. Darien decided to pull out his trump card. "Besides you don't want the cops or the government anywhere near you because of Serena and what she's capable of."
He saw Mina's hands shake slightly at that but her face remained unchanged. "Again, I will say it - I don't know what you are talking about."
"I think you do." Darien took a few steps forward but stopped when Kunzite pulled back the trigger on his gun. "I think you know exactly what I'm talking about." At that point Darien saw Shingo and Ami bring out the second body and again they paused to listen to what was going on. He continued speaking, "About the things Serena can do and about the visions she has and about the people looking for her."
He could see Shingo shaking his head in the background trying to get him to stop. Shingo needn't have worried. Darien could see his words were having the effect he had aimed for and so he had no need to say anything else or break the trust that Shingo and Ami had in him. Mina's eyes had widened dramatically and her pistol had dropped back to her side. Kunzite was gripping his gun tighter. Darien could see the captain's knuckles turn white he was clutching the gun so hard.
"How do you know that?" Mina whispered fearfully.
"She talks to me remember?" Darien glanced over at Kunzite again. "Maybe you should lower the gun Kunz."
"Don't freakin' call me Kunz!" he replied through gritted teeth.
Mina placed a hand on Kunzite's arm. "Put it down Mal," she murmured. To Darien she said, "What do you want from me?"
Darien shrugged. "All I want is to get back to Alintarouge with no more problems. No cops, no pirates, nothing." He sighed. "Look Mina, we're both in the same boat here, excuse the pun. You're trying to hide from the government and I'd rather they had no idea where I was either. I suggest that we simply try to co-exist for the next few days and then you won't have to deal with me again. Do you agree?" Darien held out his hand for her to shake.
Mina just looked at his hand, unsure of what to do. She could feel everyone's eyes watching her, waiting for her decision. Darien didn't move his eyes from hers as he murmured, "Believe me, I don't want to see Serena get hurt anymore than you do."
Mina could see the sincerity in his eyes and so she sighed in resignation. She placed her hand in Darien's and gripped it tightly. "I agree."
"Okay, then," said Kunzite to break the tension. He placed his gun back in its holder and levelled his stare at Darien. "We might be agreed and all, but I'd feel a lot more comfortable if you went in first. I'm sure you can understand."
Darien raised an eyebrow but didn't comment. When Kunzite stepped to the side Darien walked up the ramp and slung an arm over Shingo's shoulders. "Come on Shingo," he said blithely, as if nothing at all had just occurred. "I'll help you get rid of those corpses so we can get off this damn planet."
Mina and Kunzite watched as Darien stepped back inside the ship with Shingo and Ami. Kunzite glowered and crossed his arms. "I don't trust him," he muttered.
"I know," replied Mina. "Neither do I. But he'll be gone in a few days and then we can forget that he ever existed. We just need to get through these next couple of days." Mina closed her eyes again and sighed again before straightening her shoulders. "Let's go. I don't like this place. Who knows who else might be around here somewhere."
Together they walked back up the ramp and into their ship as Darien and Shingo threw another body to the dusty ground.
***
Lita yawned and stretched her arms above her head as she walked toward the cockpit. She had just woken up and, thinking that Artemis was probably still sleeping, decided to check on the autopilot. She was surprised to find Artemis still in his pilot's chair and looking as if he hadn't slept at all. "Artie what are you doing here?" Lita asked, sitting down in the chair next to him. "Why didn't you put the old girl on auto and go to bed?"
Artemis stifled a yawn and pointed to the radar screen. Lita noticed that there were two dots on it rather than the single one (representing the Makoto) that was usually there. "We're being followed," he stated bluntly. "It appeared about an hour after dinner last night."
"What?" Lita screeched. "Why didn't you tell me this earlier?"
Artemis glanced over at her and sighed. "You needed sleep Lita. I can see that you're exhausted. And everything that's been happening is just draining you. I wanted to see if I could find out anything before I told you about the other ship."
Lita sighed, but knew it would useless trying to deny what Artemis had said. He had watched her grow up and knew her too well. "So did you find any info?"
"Nothing. It won't come close enough for me to get any sort of read on it."
"You've got suspicions though." Lita could hear it in his voice that there was more that Artemis wasn't saying. Artemis just looked at her with his serious eyes. Lita's own eyes widened as she realised what he wasn't saying. "You think its more agents like the ones that attacked Reika and Chad," she stated flatly.
"I do," Artemis nodded.
Lita frowned and stared out the windshield at the vast, empty universe. "Why haven't they attacked yet?" she muttered. "Why are they keeping their distance?"
"I think they're waiting for us to land," replied Artemis. "They probably think it will be easier to get Reika and Greg alive when we're world-side, rather than risking the possibility of killing them by shooting us down."
Lita glanced at him, worried. "You think they know Greg is onboard as well? That we have more than just the one Rainbow Crystal they went after before?"
"It wouldn't surprise me if they know about all three Rainbow Crystals that are on the ship. From what Greg has said, they seem to know everything that's going on. They must have some way of tracking who the Crystals reside in."
Lita sighed and bit her lip. She needed to think. Artemis glanced over at her as she started tapping her fingers against the console. With a decisive nod, Lita turned to meet the blond man's eyes. They were almost at Lulacrest but the cargo wasn't due to arrive there for almost two weeks. They could finish another job first that would keep them flying and off-world for longer. "Change the co-ordinates Artemis. We're going to Alintarouge first. At least that will give us another three days before we have to land. We can figure out a plan of action in that time and maybe even find out something about who it is that's following us."
Artemis hesitated but then, seeing the steel in Lita's eyes, typed in the new co-ordinates and set the Makoto onto autopilot. He wasn't sure this was the right thing to do but at the same time they had no other options at this point. He had to trust Lita. She had never steered them wrong before and he was sure that she would get them all through this as well. With a tired groan Artemis pushed himself out of his seat and dropped a kiss on the top of Lita's head. "I'm going to get some sleep," he said.
"Good," Lita replied. "Because no offense A-man, but you look terrible."
As Artemis rolled his eyes at her teasing and left the cockpit, Lita glanced down at the radar screen. The second dot was still there, taunting her with the threat it represented. She frowned and stared out into the black of space. They had three days to decide what they would do.
***
Reika pulled out her mobile and dialled a familiar number. She just hoped Andrew would pick up. She had been speaking to Greg that morning and he had explained everything that was happening. And now she desperately needed to talk to her fiancé. Reika had always teased him mercilessly about being a conspiracy nut but now she had a feeling that he was the only one that might have some idea of what was going on. He was possibly the only one that could help her and the rest of the Makoto crew at this point.
Reika smiled in relief as Andrew picked up and she saw his face appear on the screen. "Hey darling," he said, with his trademark grin. "How are you?"
Reika's smile dropped as she stared at him seriously. "Are you alone?" she asked. "There's something important that I need to tell you about."
Andrew frowned. "I'm actually at work. Can it wait until later?" She shook her head. She saw Andrew glance around him and then say, "Just hang on, okay? I'll go on break and call you back in five minutes."
"Okay." Reika hung up and immediately began pacing in her cabin. She nervously played with her mobile, turning it over and over in her hands, as she counted the seconds before Andrew would call back. Reika immediately pressed the accept button as soon as the mobile began to ring. "Andrew?" she asked anxiously.
"It's me Reika," he replied. "What's wrong?"
She bit her lip. "Are you certain you're alone, that no one can overhear?"
"Honey, I'm positive." Andrew was really worried now. What was Reika so scared about?
"Andrew, have you heard of some things called the Rainbow Crystals?"
Andrew's expression immediately clouded over and then went completely blank. "Where did you hear about those?" he asked, keeping all emotion out of his voice.
"So you have heard about them." Andrew didn't reply, so Reika continued. "We were attacked, Chad and me, by people that are looking for Rainbow Crystals. Apparently, I have one-"
Andrew's eyes widened and he immediately cut her off. "Don't say anything else." He glanced around furtively before continuing in a hurried whisper, "It's not safe to discuss this on mobiles." His forehead creased as Andrew's concern for Reika steadily increased. "Are you okay? Were you hurt?"
"I'm fine. I was a little injured but Greg and Artemis fixed me up." So maybe it was a bit more than just a little injured, but what Andrew didn't know wouldn't hurt him.
He frowned. "Please tell me you're coming home."
Reika nodded. "I spoke to Lita not long ago and she said that we're changing course and heading to Alintarouge. We'll be there in three days." She kept the other fact, that the Makoto was being followed, to herself. Andrew didn't need to worry about her anymore than he obviously already was.
"Good." Andrew released a sigh. "I'll explain everything when you get here. Until then, please stay safe."
"I will, I promise." She pasted on a bright smile in an attempt to reassure her fiancé.
"Okay." Andrew didn't look happy but he was resigned to the fact that there was little he could do for now. "I have to get back to work before anyone gets suspicious, but call me if anything else happens. I love you."
"Love you too." Reika waved and then ended the connection. She frowned at the mobile as the screen went blank.
***
Mina wiped a hand across her sweaty forehead as she walked towards the bunk she shared with Kunzite. She had been working down in the engines again. There were a few pieces that would definitely need to be replaced once they got to Alintarouge. Once they dumped the cargo and got paid she was headed straight for a junkyard to find a better radiator. The engines were really starting to overheat far too often recently.
Mina paused as she came across Serena writing on the walls again. A sad smile pulled at her lips as Mina watched her cousin. She wished there was some way that she could help Serena, to turn her back into the innocent carefree girl she had once been. Back before Uncle Kenji and Aunty Ikuko had been burned and before Serena was kidnapped and before Shingo was left to starve on the streets.
She sighed and stepped behind Serena. There was a very intricate drawing of a shrine situated within a city on the wall. The sketch was encircled by three dots connected by lines. "Hey Serena," Mina began softly. "What are you drawing?"
Serena's answer was succinct and her eyes never wavered from the picture on the metal. "Alintarouge."
Mina blinked in surprise. "Alintarouge? Why are you drawing that?" Her brows drew together in thought. "Is something going to happen there?"
Serena dropped her pen and used her finger to trace the circle one last time. She glanced over her shoulder and smiled enigmatically at her cousin. "It's all coming together."
