Chapter 14

Ami was putting some overtime in at the hospital, working on different formulas, trying some guesswork and using some good knowledge of chemistry to lead her. The reason for this was that there was no way to test it without actually engaging the enemy. There was no real way to try to sneak on an island without being detected and record the song. She considered asking Haruka to try, but she then realized that they would peg her long before she could get close, and they would capture her, being alone. She would have to chew on that one. In the meantime, she had narrowed it down to two compounds, but that was as far as she could go with it. The thing was, she knew both would work, but which one had worse side effects, if any? Worse, would it be temporary, or permanent? If it was permanent, then would there be severe ill effects that would wreck the chemical balance in the head and turn the patient into a drooling vegetable or raving maniac? She had to test it, but how could this be done?

For about two days, the news reported no new attacks, yet the islands were slowly expanding in size. It was amazing that this growth was not accompanied by seismic activity. Meanwhile, the first island that appeared was now about the size of the state of Connecticut in the United states, and there were fears that something drastic was going to happen in the earth's crust if this kept up. Meanwhile, not just Japan, but the world was now asking where the Sailor Scouts were, considering that their reputation had spread around the world about the superheroes from Japan that had saved the Earth from several threats. What they didn't know was that they were indeed making a plan that moment.

Ami was presenting the two formulas at the temple, and she was telling them, "So, that's it. I have no idea what they will do, what the side effects might be, if any, and that we need to test them."

"We can't get near that island," said Rei, "They would spot us a long way out."

Setsuna thought for a moment, and then said, "What if I were to deposit Haruka by a time tunnel on the island, record about a minute of the music, and then draw her back?"

"Perhaps we can test it that way as well," said Ami, "I...I will inject myself with one, and then a volunteer with another. We can record and use that to see who is immune and who is not, and then use the better vaccine."

"And...if it doesn't work..." asked Hotaru, letting the question dangle, knowing they would pick up on things. Ami sighed and answered, "Then...it's back the drawing board."

"Wait, if it is bad, we can't risk you!" chirped Minako with all kinds of worry. Setsuna added, "I have to take that risk. I won't let Haruka go alone, and, besides, because I invented these, I have to be the one. Yet, both have to be tested. I need a volunteer."

Michiru, Makoto, and Rei were all about to volunteer, but Usagi cut them off and said, "I'll do it."

Everyone looked in shock for different reasons. Normally, she did not get this brave unless the pressure was on, and then she always seemed to act before anyone could say anything, and then, exercised much in wisdom that never seemed to be there otherwise. This was new. This shocked the others that the future queen of the Earth was going to put it all on the line. Setsuna protested, but Usagi said, "Look, ever since we've been back from the U.S., I have been on the sidelines, and I am supposed to be the leader. I'm sick of standing on the side and not taking the risks. Like Sgt. Stoner said, if I am to lead, I have to lead from the front. I'll take the other one."

There was a good 15 seconds of silence, and there was going to be some protest, but she produced her wand and said, "CRYSTAL MOON POWER...MAKE UP!"

She transformed right there before everyone, and she then said, "Give me the shot."

Not only was there no arguing with her, but her display of bravery made everyone not want to try. Ami and Haruka also transformed, and then Mercury gave her the shot, and then injected herself with the other one. Amie said, "It will take about five minutes to work through the system, and then you and I shall feel a touch woozy for about another five while the balance in our heads shifts."

Indeed, as she had said, after five minutes it started to take effect, and then came the dizziness. However, after that, there seemed to be no ill effects, and so Setsuna then transformed and became Sailor Pluto. She opened the portal, and she asked, "Where to?"

Mercury was about to suggest a nearby island, but Moon then said, "The main island. The enemy would never expect it."

Again, there was surprise, and Stoner then said, "I see you did pay attention in class. You must have been sleep taught."

She chuckled and said, "How could that happen when I was in the front leaning rest most of class time?"

Everyone laughed, and Rei said, "If that stuff is making you smarter, Ami needs to give you a second dose."

With that, Pluto had them on their way.

One would think that, due to the size of the island now, it would take them forever to get there, but considering patterns in other spots, they knew the foe would be to the center. Setsuna deposited them right on the border of where the central crowd would be. When they looked around, those that had not been selected were on the ground, near skeletons, all comatose, and Mercury feared that they were dead. What she did not know was that the alien's power was not letting death come, but allowing them to gain just enough to keep them from dying, along with moisture and minimal nourishment from the animals she controlled. Once they landed, Uranus wasted no time and started to record the song. The other two took defensive positions. However, after that minute, the song stopped and a beautiful female voice spoke, saying, "Clever...it took me a minute to detect you here! I would love to know how you got here, but no matter. You have meddled long enough, and sad that you did not come with enough to stop me. Minions, get them!"

This was about the moment they were heading for the hole, but it shrunk to almost nothing as Pluto could be heard saying, "They approach. You have to get a distance from them because I cannot risk them getting through."

They all grumbled, but they started to run away after Mercury let loose with a Bubble Spray. Uranus was about to let loose with World Shaking, but Mercury reminded her that they were not in their right mind, and killing them would be wrong. After the spray, they ran, and Uranus said, "My way they would have not followed!"

"Your way was naughty, naughty," said Moon, "We're not on a rock and bowling night!"

That did drive home the point, but the problem was how she said it. It was an odd choice of words. They spotted a clearing, and Moon then let loose with Full Moon Flash, but said, "FULL MOON HAPPY FLASHY, FLASHY!"

It worked, but it also added a bunch of colors, and now Moon was staring in fascination to the colors, saying all soft and like a little girl, "Pretty!"

"No time for games, Princess!" snapped Uranus, who took her arm and started to drag her from the now blinded minions.

"Oh don't be a party poop, Miss Man-Girl," she said, giggling as if she was tripping out. Uranus glared at her, but Mercury said, "It's the drug! She's not in her right mind!"

"As opposed to what?" asked Uranus as the portal opened and let them through. Mercury was now worried that Moon was taking a trip from where she would never come back.

Back at the temple, Moon looked as if she was going through an acid trip. Ami took a blood sample, (that Moon went, "Ooh, pretty crimson!") and analyzed it. She then said, "Well, it seems that her chemistry is such that it causes hallucinations. Other people would have an ill effect, but I don't think it would be this bad."

Mamoru then asked, "Uh...will she be okay?"

"It seems to be less in her than what should be there," said Ami, sweating a touch, "But, she should be okay in a short time."

Ami then took a sample of her own blood, and she said, "No ill effects, and I think what I had was the right stuff."

Setsuna said, "Okay, well, let's test this. Haruka, if we all fall into a trance, turn the thing off."

She nodded and hit "play". It did not take long, but they were all in that trance, and even Ami a touch, considering the drug was wearing off on her. Immediately, Haruka turned it off, and everyone shook their heads as if awaking from sleep, and Rei said, "Amazing: only a second or two and we went under that spell."

"I would think that stuff Ami made is our only hope," added Tom.

Ami was doing some calculations as she spoke, and she said, "The rate at which this diminishes, and to where it would have little effect, is three hours, more or less, depending on the metabolism of the person."

"That's not much of a window," said Tom, to which Stoner said, "We would need to inject the force the same way you three went in. Setsuna, could you open a portal that large?"

"I would be able to for the team, and maybe a small force with it," she answered, "But I would be out of commission for a short space while I gathered my energy. I would be able to join you then."

"Wait," interjected Makoto, "Are you calling for a direct attack?"

"That's how us Devil Dogs do it!" said Stoner proudly, "Get up in the enemy's face and let them have it!"

Hotaru looked at him with a face of curiosity and said, "Is that why Marines always take the heaviest casualties? Is that wise with such a small team?"

Tom and Stoner looked as if they were about to say something, but now looked sheepish, knowing she was right, and had no way to answer back. However, Minako said, "Still, a frontal attack or a sneak attack, it does not matter. She can sense us through anything she can control."

They all nodded. Mamoru, (who was now holding a woozy Usagi,) then said, "Yet, we're making a strategy for attacking the main island. Is that smart?"

"Why not?" retorted Stoner, "Cut off the head of the snake, and the body is useless."

"Ugh...I hate snakes!" said Usagi, now vocal, "Are you sure we have to do so much right away?"

Ami then said, "Well, recall the myth of the hydra: if we only go for one island that is an outlet, whatever is controlling that...a she, if we go by the voice on the tape...would just take a couple of her minions and send out two more, and on land this time. We see she can do that. The more we knock down, the more above that will return. The only way to kill the hydra was to attack the central body."

Tom nodded and then asked, "Okay, so, when do we strike?"

"Give it a couple of days," said Setsuna, "Let us take the time to come up with a good strategy."

They all agreed to this, and Rei said, "So, is our little get together still on for tonight?"

"Yea!" yelled a suddenly recovered Usagi, "Let's have some fun first!"

Everyone laughed as Rei said, "I'll get the fire pit going. Makoto is going to try some American Barbecue tonight!"

Sirena was steamed beyond belief. These strange attackers had the audacity to just seem, mess around, and disappear as if they owned the island. What was worse was that there seemed to be an ability to time and dimension jump. This was greater than anything she had yet seen. She and her kind had taken down mighty planets with star fleets and armies, and yet this petty little group was causing more trouble than the biggest force they had ever faced. She looked around at her minions and those that she was using to keep the island going and found one comatose girl from Japan and she started to pick her mind about these attackers. Because of how they looked, she had to guess they were from there, and so probed this girl's mind. After watching for a time, she knew they were very powerful, but she also knew that she had really been messing around up to this point. She had thought a slow and subtle approach was needed here, because she figured there was nothing that this primitive world could offer for resistance. Yet, if she unleashed everything she had, there was no way such a small group could fight her, and the island was too big for them to take. Sure, they could jump right in to where she was, but, in reality, that would be suicide. The animals she had altered were the strongest around where she was, and there were also her minions. She would keep a handful as human shields, considering their reluctance to attack these people. There was no more time for delay. She would have wanted to gain more minions first, but since the humans had caught on and stayed away, she had to use what she had. If she did enough, she could then create more worthy ones, and spread the process around the planet like an epidemic. They would knock themselves out trying to stop it. It would have to happen, and right away. With that, she began to change her song, and start to slowly spread the command to all islands for full-scale attack around the world simultaneously. She sneered and thought, "Okay, Sailor Scouts...try to stop this!"

That night was filled with food, songs and laughter. They were doing what any good military squad or team would do: fellowship in order to cohere as a tight team. The ARK Juban Trio was doing most of the singing, but they were getting everyone to sing with them as much as possible. Tom then took his guitar, (having learned to play by this point, not having been able to when the group first formed,) and started to play Annie's Song. Michiru stated to add her violin to the mix, and the couples started to nuzzle: Makoto settling for sitting behind Tom and putting her arms around his waist, as Haruka did with Michiru, while the Chibas were cuddling, as was Minako and Stoner. Minako and Stoner were even quietly singing the song to one another as if they were truly demanding this of one another, wanting to be there for one another, even dying in one another's arms if it went there. However, as the song finished, they looked up to see what looked like a meteor shower. Usagi just said, "Pretty," very quietly, but Ami became alarmed. The large fire in front of them would have dimmed such a stellar display. It was rather bright. She slipped away to where it was completely dark, and swallowed hard when she noticed how bright it all was. Rei started to swoon a touch, and and both Hotaru and Michiru locked up in a trance. By this point, they noticed Ami had walked away and followed up, now seeing how odd it all looked. Yet, before Setsuna joined them, Hotaru muttered, "It has started. The invasion has started."

Setsuna put two and two together, and ran to the others, saying, "Ami, you have to get to your hospital now and start whipping up the drug now. It's on!"

It didn't take long for them to realize what she meant, and Ami was now at a dead sprint to her car as the others pulled out their wands. Whatever they did earlier must have sparked a response. They had no idea what it was yet, but all they knew was that, one way or another, it was going to end within the next 24 hours if they could manage it.