THE MOON KING
Chapter 11: "Double Mystery"
A Sailor Moon/Neo-Sailor Moon crossover fanfic
By Bill K.
Nerve toxin began spewing from the dropped canister even as the man who held it pitched forward, an arrow sticking out of his chest. Sailor Moon was about to turn the Moon Tier on it, but the canister began to roll forward, propelled by the pressure of the escaping gas. Sailor Moon backed up quickly, trying to regain space between her and the canister.
"Aqua Initiation!" Juno shouted. She drew water from a nearby decorative fountain and surrounded the canister in a globe of water. The globe both contained the gas and caused it to cool. As it cooled, the gas changed into solid particulate matter, coloring the globe a green-yellow hue.
"Thanks for the save, Juno," Sailor Moon nodded.
Her attention immediately turned to the general area the arrow had come from. From the angle in the dead assailant's chest that the arrow protruded from, she estimated where the shot had come from. Sailor Moon could see Vesta was already investigating, changed to a red-tailed hawk. A CDP hovercar was pulling up behind her.
"That's weird," Sailor Moon muttered as she stared up.
"What's weird?" Juno asked. She had joined Sailor Moon while continuing to contain the gas canister.
"The angle of that shot." Sailor Moon said. "The only place it could have come was from the top of that office building over there."
"The one Vesta is circling?" Juno asked. "That's almost seven hundred kilometers away! There's no way anyone could fire an arrow that far or that accurately!"
"I know," Sailor Moon replied. "That's what's bugging me. That's the only place the arrow could have come from at that trajectory. I can double check it on my computer at home, but I think I'm right about it."
"Sailor Moon," a CDP officer ventured as he approached. "What exactly happened here? There were reports of shooting."
"It was another terrorist attack by Nine Into Four," Sailor Moon told the officer. The officer immediately turned to his partner.
"I'll call it in," the partner nodded.
"We've got multiple casualties in that club," Sailor Moon pointed to the bombed open dance club they had been in. "Some have laser wounds and others were poisoned by a nerve toxin."
The officer directed other CDP into the club. "And him?" he asked, pointing to the dead assailant on the street.
"He seemed to be the leader. He was the one tossing gas canisters. He kept yelling 'nine into four'."
"Which one of you took him out?" the CDP officer asked, nodding to the body of the terror suspect. Just then Vesta flew up, morphing as she landed into human form.
"Outside of the building's clear," Vesta reported. "The shooter had to have ran inside before I could spot him. People just don't disappear."
"Unless he had a light refraction suit," suggested Juno.
"Then he was holding still," Vesta argued. "With my hawk vision, I would have seen the distortion a light refraction suit gives off."
Sailor Moon turned to the officer. "Apparently nobody did."
"Security drone recordings confirm the angle of the arrow," Chief Nakamura reported.
Nakamura appeared as a holographic image in the Palace conference room. King Endymion was there debriefing Sailor Moon and her two Senshi. Also present were Ami, Minako, Rei, Luna, Artemis, Diana, Cere and Palla-Palla. While the others present listened to the report, Palla-Palla silently played with a doll.
"That's not possible, is it?" Jun spoke up. "An arrow can't travel that far, can it?"
"If the archer has sufficient pull on the bowstring," Rei said authoritatively, "and remarkable eyesight - - or some sort of telescopic vision enhancement - - it could be done. There have been recorded shots of over five hundred kilometers."
"I concur on the necessity of vision enhancement," Ami nodded. "And from a technical standpoint, Rei is correct about draw on the bowstring. However, the necessary torque on the bowstring is beyond anything imaginable for a normal human, and the thickness and rigidity of the bowstring to withstand such torque without breaking would also preclude a normal human from drawing it."
"Nobody is strong enough to pull such a shot off," Minako added.
"I believe I said that," Ami replied with mild surprise.
"Just providing subtitles," Minako answered. Artemis rolled his eyes.
"So we're looking at something superhuman?" Endymion summarized.
"Or cybernetically enhanced," Ami added.
"Got to be, Pop," Usa nodded. "And he can probably phase or teleport or turn invisible, too. Because there was no trace of him that either Vesta or I could find."
"Him or her," Diana added. Usa nodded and gave her a stroke on the head.
"Chief, I'd like a copy of the surveillance drone recordings for the area to study, please," Endymion said. "Now, about these three who attacked the club . . .?"
"They're linked with Nine Into Four, no doubt about it. Once the other two found out their leader was dead, they started talking pretty quickly," Nakamura reported. "The suspects were using illegal laser rifles with the ID chip removed. We're in the process of tracing them now. The gas in the canisters was a barium chloride isotope combined with a phosphorus casing that ignited and turned the isotope into a poisonous gas. As for the suspects, they both come from respectable middle class homes, but they have no work or school record for the past three years. Your basic dropouts."
"And the one who was killed?"
"Ataru Genshinko, twenty-two, dropped out of school at seventeen. His arrest record shows four convictions for vagrancy, vandalism, and petty theft. Sentenced to rehabilitation three times," and Nakamura looked up with an acid expression, "skipped all three times. He had an arrest warrant for skipping rehab at the time."
"Was he the leader of this movement or just the leader of that particular squad?"
"We're still investigating," Nakamura replied. "Given his jacket, I wouldn't put much credence in him being behind the movement."
"Usa, did he say anything that might give a reason why these attacks are being made?" Ami asked Usa.
"No. I even asked him. They didn't have any agenda that I could see, although he seemed pretty contemptuous of people in general. He just kept shouting slogans and trying to kill people," the teen replied. Her expression grew serious. "Almost like he was high or something."
"Chemical stimulation?"
"Doubt it," Ves grunted. Everybody looked at her. "I've seen folks on psycho rampages after they took too much. Didn't look anything like this. More like he was high on the violence."
"Coroner tox screens didn't show anything in his system," Nakamura added.
"So this whole terrorist thing is just so they can get off on the violence and mayhem?" Jun asked incredulously.
"It's a thought," Ami answered. "One I believe should be explored further."
"Oh, fine," sighed Cere. "So much for paradise."
"Even paradise had its serpents," Artemis said.
"I'll leave the club attack to you, Chief," Endymion spoke up. "Please keep me posted." The hologram of Nakamura nodded and disappeared. "We'll investigate this mysterious archer. Ami, I know your schedule is packed, but anything you can offer would be appreciated. Rei, Minako and Makoto will handle the bulk of the investigation while I study the surveillance records. Usa," and his daughter perked up, "I need you and your team on standby in case the archer reappears or there's another terrorist attack. You all need to stay in the palace until this is resolved."
"Got it, Pop," Usa nodded. "We'll get this solved."
"Hopefully before anyone else dies," Rei murmured.
"And before my love life withers on the vine," Cere groaned. "Hiroki is going to freak when he hears this."
"Sure I can't get you anything?" Haruka asked.
The woman was edgy and seemed frightened about doing or saying the wrong thing. It was becoming familiar behavior for Hotaru. Ever since the incident that landed her in the infirmary, her Haruka-Papa had been walking on eggshells around her.
"I'm sure, Papa," Hotaru sighed. "Papa, don't worry. I'm going to be all right. Mizuno-Sensei said so and she's usually right about these things."
"Yeah," Haruka nodded unconvincingly. "But it'd be just my luck if this was the one time she was wrong." Her eyes widened. "N-Not that I've heard anything! I mean, yeah, yeah, you're going to be up and around in no time!"
"Oh, Papa," Hotaru exhaled.
"Sorry, Firefly," Haruka said, avoiding the teen's gaze. "It's just - - damn it, it shouldn't be you in that bed! It should be me! You got your whole life ahead of you! Something like this shouldn't happen!"
"Well, it was my fault. I pushed myself too far," Hotaru said with some guilt. "But Papa, it wouldn't be any better if it was you here and not me. Then I'd be the one feeling scared and helpless." Haruka seemed to flush a little. "And Michiru-Mama would still be upset."
"Just one more reminder that life kicks you in the ass when you least expect it," Haruka huffed.
"Excuse me," a man said, poking his head into the room. Hotaru could see it was Dr. Gong, one of the other physicians working in the infirmary. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I need to take your medical scans for the evening." The doctor turned to Haruka. "You can stay if you like. This will only take a few minutes."
"Sure," Haruka nodded. "How is she, Doc? Really?"
"Let's find out," Dr. Gong replied. He swung a virtual reality panel around and began pressing light images. Dr. Gong was thirty-six, originally from China. He had married a Japanese woman whom he had met in medical school and emigrated to Japan at twenty-seven. He'd been with the Crystal Palace medical staff for three years.
"Where's Dr. Mizuno?" Hotaru asked.
"She's meeting with the King at the moment," Dr. Gong answered as he studied the charts. "I imagine it's due to the incident at the club tonight."
"Incident?"
"Another terrorist attack. Apparently they weren't counting on running into The Princess when they attacked."
"Is she all right?" gasped Hotaru.
"She's fine, Firefly," Haruka assured her.
"Papa, why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't want you getting worked up. Not in the shape you're in." Hotaru scowled impatiently at her.
"You're making very good progress, Tomoe-San," Dr. Gong informed her. "The physical therapy is contributing nicely to your recovery. You should be up and around in two weeks."
"And being a Senshi?"
"Let's see how you are in two weeks," he cautioned. Hotaru blew at her bangs.
"Slow and steady, Firefly," Haruka told her, patting her arm.
"Easy for you to say," Hotaru muttered.
After the meeting broke up, Usa said her farewells to her friends and headed for her quarters. The concert was in progress, so it was too late to attend - - not that she was in the mood to party anyway. As she walked, the Princess replayed the sequence of events in her mind. Blankly concentrating on that, she didn't see what was waiting for her at the door until she was enveloped by it.
"Oh, Honey," Serenity whimpered, engulfing her first born in her arms. Usa was startled at first, but stopped resisting when she saw who it was. She even took some comfort in it. "Are you all right?"
"I'm OK, Mom," Usa mumbled. "Just wondering if I could have done more."
"I heard about those poor people who died," Serenity said meekly. "It's just terrible when something like that happens. But I'm sure you did your best."
"Wish I could be sure."
"Are you hungry?" Serenity asked. "I promise I'll send out."
That drew a smile from her daughter. "Maybe later."
"Oh, and you've got someone waiting for you in the inner chamber," Serenity said. The impish grin that was growing on the Queen's lips was a giveaway as to who it was, but Usa held back her anticipation. She was rewarded when she entered the room.
"Helios," Usa sighed and fell into his arms. "Seems like an eternity since I've seen you."
"It was just this morning, Maiden," Helios replied softly, his arms around her. "But I share your impression." The Queen looked on, beaming.
"If you'd like, you two can go out on the balcony for a little privacy," Serenity suggested.
"Mom, stop matchmaking," Usa sighed. Then her mouth screwed up with chagrin. "Let's, um, sit out on the balcony." As they headed for the door, Usa could feel her mother's Cheshire grin.
Out on the balcony, overlooking the sprawling city of Crystal Tokyo illuminated at night, Usa sat on the bench and snuggled against Helios.
"Does the incident still disturb you?" he asked.
"Yeah," she admitted. "All those people in the club were just there to have a good time. They weren't hurting anybody. And then these three guys show up and start killing people. Makes me mad." She burrowed in closed to Helios. "If it is just for kicks or boredom or what, that's just evil. But even if it is for a cause, even a worthy cause, it's not right to do that."
She waited for Helios to respond. When he didn't, she grew curious and looked up at him. Helios was staring out into the night sky with a serious look on his face.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I sense," Helios began, then hesitated, "a presence; an aura. Something not of this world, not of this environment."
"An alien?"
"Not exactly," Helios frowned. "More otherworldly than extra-terrestrial. And yet that does not adequately describe what I sense either." He turned his head and looked at his love. "The closest comparison I can make is what I sense when I am in the presence of your mother, the Queen."
"Mom?" Usa asked, utterly confused and unwilling to hide it.
"Yes," Helios nodded, then returned to looking at the night sky. "Furthermore, I believe this presence is watching us."
"Maybe we better find out for sure," Usa said grimly.
After transforming, Sailor Moon lifted up into the sky astride Pegasus. She gave Pegasus his head, since he was sensing the presence and she wasn't. As they flew, Sailor Moon flipped open her Senshi Communicator.
"Ves here. What's up, Princess?" came the reply.
"I'm flying over the city on Pegasus just north of the palace," Sailor Moon said. "We're investigating a possible - - well, I'm not sure what we're looking for. Guess I won't know until we find it."
"Need backup?"
"Not yet," Sailor Moon told her. "We haven't found anything and if we do, there's no reason yet to assume it's hostile. I just wanted to let someone know where we were, just in case."
"Gotcha. Me and the others will stay sharp," Ves replied. Then there was a chuckle. "Well, we'll have to wake Palla-Palla. Call us if you need us. We'll be ready."
The white winged horse banked and swooped over the rooftops of the residential north side, a pink mane trailing behind him. As they flew, they neared a recreational area nestled in the midst of the neighborhood. The area was deserted, the children who played there all asleep.
"I don't see anything, Helios," Sailor Moon leaned in and said to her steed. "Do you still sense the presence?"
"More than ever, Maiden," Pegasus thought to her. "It seems to be strongest from that playground to the right."
Cautiously Sailor Moon had Pegasus circle twice over the playground. When she saw no obvious traps or hazards, she signaled the equine and he landed elegantly in a grassy patch. Sailor Moon dismounted and looked around.
"Helios?" she asked.
"The presence is here, Maiden," Pegasus thought back. "Perhaps concealed?"
"Hello?" Sailor Moon spoke up. "We can sense your presence. We can sense that you've been watching us. If you're afraid, you don't have to be. I won't hurt you."
A nearby tree began to shake, then a man dropped out of it. Sailor Moon and Pegasus looked him over. He was as tall as she was, with a round head adorned by an ancient chonmage, and a thick, muscular body. A very plain, ancient style kimono covered his body and wood sandals were on his feet. His chubby face made him seem like he was squinting and a short beard and mustache framed its lower half. Sailor Moon took in every detail, including the long and short swords he had tucked in his sash, and the bow and quiver of arrows he had slung over his shoulder. But the man smiled as he approached, so Sailor Moon wasn't certain whether he meant friendship or to catch her off-guard.
"I fear no one," he replied off-hand. "And you need not fear me. My, but you've grown up to be a fine woman, and the image of your mother and grandmother besides."
"Do I know you?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Only in your heart," the stranger said, stopping eight feet from her. "I am your grandfather."
Continued in Chapter 12