Shattered Ice: Super Sailor Mercury

Chapter 59

"Sailor Soldiers: saviours or destroyers?" the voice over declared.

The Galaxy Broadcasting news desk came on, where an attractive man and woman sat. Monitor screens behind them played images of various encounters between the Sailor Soldiers and transformed monsters and such.

"I'm Hikari Littner," the brown haired woman smiled.

"And Jiro Tendo," the man smiled charmingly, black hair slicked back.

"Our top story is an investigation into the property damage and harm the Sailor Soldiers have done," Hikari said. Damage done in and around the recent high school contest came on the screens, as well as images of the Soldiers using their powers.

"Property damage caused by the recent attack has run into the millions, and will likely have to be paid by the taxpayers," Jiro continued. He added, "Of course, some of the damage was just caused by rampaging monsters."

"But!" Hikari jumped in, "How much damage was caused by indiscriminate use of their abilities? Water mains burst due to extreme cold. Buildings gouged by energy bolts, road damage..."

"AND there was the clean up," Jiro said as images of monster corpses littered the street. "The city and district are on the hook for all of it. And the question of how to dispose of some of the creatures is an ongoing issue."

They switched to footage of the mayor. "The city of Tokyo is committed to public safety, and is exploring solutions to these problems," he said nervously.

"Exploring solutions," Jiro quoted dryly.

Briskly Hikari continued, "The question of how to hold these dangerous superhumans responsible for their actions is an urgent one. And the police are useless."

A very sweaty representative of the police department came on. "The Tokyo Police have no comment on the Sailor Soldiers," he said.

Jiro looked serious, "Who will protect us from our protectors?"

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"You have GOT to be kidding," Haruka Tenoh yelped.

"That last line is right from Watchmen," Michiru Kaoru noted mildly.

"Are the Sailor Animates trying to turn the public against us?" Hotaru Tomoe asked.

"Good question," Haruka admitted.

"WHY though?" Michiru asked. "It's not like we have to work with the police or city government," she mused.

"It's weird," Haruka agreed.

(Ironically, they would eventually discover that the news article had nothing to do with the Sailor Animates or Galaxia. A reporter had suggested the story, it was approved, and that was it.

Galaxia WAS amused, however.)

"Wonder how annoyed Ami is?" Hotaru wondered.

In another part of the city...

Seiya Kou waved angrily, "WHAT THE..."

"I occasionally wonder if these humans are really worth saving," Taiki noted dryly.

"Ungrateful bastards," Yaten Kou muttered.

All three had, obviously, just seen the news on TV.

Taiki looked over at Seiya, "Don't do on a rampage for Sailor Mercury's sake."

"Would I do that?" Seiya protested.

"Yes," Yaten noted. He then added, "I'm a bit annoyed they used footage of me fighting the monsters too."

"You did look pretty awesome though," Taiki offered mildly.

Yaten just scowled at him.

"Afternoon, all," Ritsuko Takahata breezed in cheerfully. "Ready to go?"

They had an event to attend, with top fans and paying guests. None of them were really looking forward to it.

"Do we have to?" Yaten asked plaintively.

"Yes, you do," Ritsuko told them, "this pays your bills. Besides, Galaxy Broadcasting is sending a rep there."

"I thought we weren't doing business with them again?" Seiya asked as the three suit clad boys followed her to the car.

"We're not," Ritsuko said, "but they're big players in town."

"Basically, we don't want to offend them," Taiki noted.

"Pretty much," Ritsuko agreed.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Amusingly, Ami Mizuno didn't watch Galaxy's newscasts. She didn't trust them, bluntly.

However, her MOTHER did.

"Mother, calm down," Ami said over the phone.

"They're blaming you for all the damage!" Nicole Mizuno growled.

Kakyuu was watching her lover rant with a certain degree of amusement.

"It's just muck raking," Ami replied, "someone decided to stir trouble for ratings."

"Still!" Nicole yelped.

Ami continued, "It's not like the city or country can target us, either. It'll be in the news a few days, then go."

"Hopefully," Nicole said dubiously.

"Ask her about...," Kakyuu reminded her.

"Ah," Nicole changed the subject, "how did seeing your old classmates go?"

"Awkward," Ami admitted, "they were more Usagi's friends than mine, too. But it was sort of... nice to reconnect with them."

"I'm glad it went okay, then," Nicole said warmly. "Are you and Setrsuna coming over for dinner soon?" she asked.

"Soon," Ami agreed, "I don't feel good saddling Haruka and Michiru with Usagi all the time..."

"Do you know how much of a Mom you sound right now?" Nicole noted wryly.

"Moooooom," Ami groaned.

To be honest that felt a little bittersweet. Nicole had been a ok mom, in her opinion, but she had been more career focused. She hadn't neglected Ami, but she hadn't necessarily been there for her that much. It was a bit galling she had never realized her daughter was Sailor Mercury...

"Anyway, let me know when we want to meet," Nicole said. "You can bring Usagi, too. She can watch Chibi."

"We'll see," Ami said.

"Are you all right?" Kakyuu asked once the call finished.

Nicole smiled wryly, "Oh, certainly. It just... feels like there's still a distance there."

"Chibi," the little girl noted, smiling up at her.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Aluminum Siren smiled, her long silvery hair flowing down her back as she addressed the teens. "Hello!" she smiled, "How would you like to come with me?"

"What?" Kuri blinked at the strange woman

Yumiko, her friend, looked at the woman warily, "What do you want?"

"To find out if you have Star Seeds," and with that Siren zapped them both.

"ACK!" Yumiko cried out, even as a shining gem formed above her.

"Yes!" Siren fist pumped.

The gem went dark.

"NO," Siren pouted as both girls turned out to be duds. They collapsed, and she just left them out cold. She didn't need phages right now.

Lead Crow frowned as she returned. "No luck?" the redhead asked.

"Duds," Siren nodded. "I STILL think highschoolers are the best targets," she said.

"Well, we know the local Sailors are that age," Crow noted. "Probably."

The disguise magic they had made it hard to determine ages, but it felt right. Plus teens had the needed energy to make Star Seeds.

"Lead Crow, could we get something nice for lunch?" Siren batted her eyes. "There's a popular crepes stand nearby!"

"Siren...," Lead Crow sighed.

"We have to eat! Plus, if we eat out here in the field, it's more efficient," Siren pointed out.

That... was a point, actually. Lead Crow sighed, "Okay, but just one each," she tried to be stern.

"Yay!" Aluminum Siren beamed.

The two women were unaware that Sailor Tin Nyanko was watching disapprovingly...

To be continued...