Chapter 14 the trip to Alpha Senshi.
The party was not prepared for a week and was not going to happen until the week of preparation was over. But Galaxia wanted to arrive the day the preparations were to take place. in order to give us a chance to rest and view much of the scenery on Alpha Senshi before the celebration. so we planned to leave on Saturday which meant we all had to be a board Galaxia's star ship by Friday night. So we became a bustle of preparation. We left the Gundam pilots in charge during the time we were gone. But our cousin Kakyuu also arranged for three scouts to come and help guard the planet.
we prepared for the trip and then boarded the starship. Then we took off towards Alpha Senshi Galaxia's ship entered hyperspace through the wormhole. It was sort of like travelling through a tunnel with a thousand blinking lights and rainbow auras. It was fascinating for the Sailor Scouts, who had never seen such a display before. However, it was also repetitive, and even though it was beautiful, the scouts soon tired of looking at it and began to find things to do.
They were given free reign in the ship, and since it was a giant ship, they all split up to do their own exploring. They had about forty eight hours before they reached Alpha Senshi. ...
For some mysterious reason, Galaxia summoned amber and I up to the bridge. We entered the command room and looked at all the computers and instrumentation all around her. We saw Sailor Scouts we had never seen before working on them with professional skill, completely ignoring her presence but for some cursory glances of curiosity.
In the center of the bridge area was an elevated chair. Galaxia sat in that chair, talking with Sailor Nova Proxima in hushed tones. She seemed to finally spot us out of the corner of her eye, and she dismissed the Nova Sailor with a gesture. Proxima smiled at us as she walked by, and left the bridge. We watched her leave. The Nova Senshi may have been warriors, but they seemed friendly enough. " Sailor Cruelty and Sailor Wildfire, a word with you, please," Galaxia's voice projected to our ears. We turned and saw Galaxia sitting expectantly in her command chair. "I beg you." ...we calmed a sudden bout of nerves. As Sailor Pluto had pointed out a short while ago, we were the leaders of our teams. Maybe we could score some points by acting more like it than usual. We straightened up a little, not knowing just how much formality was required to speak with the mightiest Senshi.
Fortunately, not much was necessary. "I am to understand your Earth names are Amber and Jenny," Galaxia stated. "I know you must feel uncomfortable a little, so would it help if we were to dispense with formal titles?"
"Um, sure," we felt ourselves relax. "What's your real name?"
There was a flicker in her expression. "You may call me Galaxia," she said with a small amount of amusement. "Alpha Senshians use their Sailor titles as names. My formal title would be Sailor Galaxia." … Please, sit down, Jenny and Amber ."
We were just about to point out there was nowhere for us to sit, but then two chairs rose up out of the floor next to us. "Oh, wow!" we said.
Galaxia smiled. "That's nothing. In about two days, you will forget about being impressed by something that mundane. Alpha Senshi will open your eyes."
"we can't wait," we replied, trying to make ourselves comfortable. "we heard a few stories about it from Sailor venom. I take it she's been there before?" ... Yes, many times," Galaxia nodded. "Often has she served as ambassador of sorts. She commands great respect on my world. Did you know she is the oldest living Senshi?"
we were surprised. "No. She never made a big issue about her age. Of course, we also never asked her."
"That is the reason everyone treats her with so much respect and authority," Galaxia turned her vision out to the swirling chaos of hyperspace on the view screen. Her eyes flattened a little with contemplation. "I myself am quite old, but even I don't approach the level of experience she has. She has an insight into things that I envy sometimes. You Earth scouts are lucky to have her as a guide."
Amber and I cast our gazes on the floor. "Yeah, she's great alright. Sometimes she has a better grasp of things than any of us. we've often thought..." we trailed off. ... Galaxia looked at us. "Do tell."
"we've often thought she could be a better leader than we ever could be."
"Ah, the insecurities of leadership," Galaxia smiled. "You both are young, and haven't reached your full potential. I realize I did not treat you well when we first met.(this first meeting will be mentioned in a side story if I find time) I myself underestimated you and your teammates. For that I apologize. I should have remembered the Star Seed."
"The Star Seed?" our eyes met Galaxia's eyes.
"The light of the Universe," Galaxia said, "the only light that could bathe the universe in its eternal glow. The light of your Star Seed, the only power capable of doing that. You both may be inexperienced,, but your hearts are pure, and your powers is limited only by your imagination. In that respect, I can't think of anyone more cut out to be a leader. You don't give yourself enough credit." ... we don't deserve it though," we protested. "we couldn't have done that, any of that, without our friends!"
"And they couldn't possibly have done it without you," Galaxia reassured her. "Being a leader means relying on others to accomplish a mission. Sailor venom could never be a leader. Not because she lacks the maturity or the courage, or even the power, but because she has spent nearly her entire life isolated from people. She can't depend on others as freely and as willingly as you can, because she doesn't have the strength of heart to give in to trust as easily."
Galaxia rose from her seat and looked down at us. "While you are here with us. I want to try and help you fulfill that last bit of training that you need to become the woman you are destined to be. I will help you get over your inexperience and your immaturity. And you will see what so many others, your friends included, see of you. Only then will you achieve greatness." ... we might have been offended by the word immaturity, but Galaxia obviously did not mean it in a malicious manner. "Thanks."
Galaxia looked at us and said. Jenny do you and amber have any questions? What's Alpha Senshi like?" we asked "If it's not too much trouble to explain it all, that is," we added quickly.
"It is a world of natural wonder," Galaxia began. "The system it's in consists of a single sun that rotates around it."
"The planet itself is at the center of the system?" our eyes widened. ... Yes, it is extremely rare. The cities one of which goes by the same name as the planet is located on one continent. Both cities are enormous, probably bigger than most of your Earthly nations and states. Their tallest buildings dwarf your highest mountains, and are sheathed in a copper alloy that reflects the light of our sun and makes it look like it burns with holy light during the day. You'll meet Scouts and Ronins there that you've never dreamed were possible, and even some you did. The celebration will be most magnificent, with games and contests and parades. For seven days the pageantry will dazzle you. I guarantee it. Of course, this sort of spectacle cannot be easily explained. You have to see it for yourself. Like I said before, it will open your eyes."
"Thanks, Galaxia," we stood up. "we guess we'll see it for myself when we get there, but we're sure we won't be disappointed."
"I'm sure you won't. Goodbye for now."
"Bye." ... we felt so much better as she left the bridge. If there was one thing Sekhmet and Sailor venom had pounded into her it's that the denizens of Alpha Senshi were radically different than the Scouts and Ronins we'd met. Some of them might even consider us beneath their consideration. But it was good to know that at least one, Galaxia no less, was willing to be kind and courteous. ...
They were nearing the end of their hyperspace journey. The anticipation was growing amidst the Sailor Scouts about what they would find when they came out of the wormhole. we had reported what Galaxia had told us, and the rest of the scouts and ronins were now gathered around Sailor Venom like little kids, wanting to hear more about their destination.
"Before we arrive, I want you all to be prepared for a few things," Sailor Venom began. "This is another world, and another culture. There will be none of the human background we are so used to. Everything is alien, and you will be treated as such. Be prepared for massive culture shock. Things move pretty fast on Alpha Senshi under normal conditions. With this whole celebration coming up, things might be far more accelerated. Stay together as a group as much as possible. ... "Another thing I want you to be constantly aware of is formality. The Scouts and ronins are an ancient race. You are a part of that race, and that fact will be emphasized more than it ever has been before. However, the Scouts and ronins are a very proud and relatively cutthroat warrior race. Some of their rituals, and maybe their political ideas may shock you, but whatever you do, don't alienate yourselves by speaking out of turn, especially if your ideas run contrary to their own. We have been granted special consideration, but that will not buy you any respect in their eyes. You gain respect by conforming to their rules, at least as long as you are there, and by being very open-minded."
"I have a question," said Sailor Torrent who was clutching Cye very tightly. "While we're discussing this, I wanted to bring this up. I remember hearing once that we may experience some hostility there. I was told this went back to the days of the Silver Millennium. Am I wrong?" ... "It is a good question, Michelle, and goes right along with my next point," Sailor Venom replied. "Alpha Senshi and the Moon Kingdom that is our heritage had a history of being at odds with each other. My historical sense is a little fuzzy on that subject, but as far as I know, if the histories are to be trusted, the Moon Kingdom broke away from the mainstream Senshi and went off on a separate path. Some violence may have possibly been a part of it. Needless to say, they will see us as surviving members of the Moon Kingdom. There may be a sizeable faction of scouts there who will be hostile because of that. If you encounter anyone like that, for God's sake, don't get into a conflict with her. By gracefully accepting her argument, then walking away, you will prove more to everyone on this world than by winning a grudge match." Sailor Pluto looked at Sailor Halo and Sailor Corruption "That goes DOUBLE for you two!"

Halo and Corruption looked surprised, then they muttered agreement. There was no sense in arguing the point. Everyone on the team knew that they were the resident hot-heads anyway. ...

"Sailor wildfire and sailor cruelty," Venom said, turning away from Corruption and Halo
"Yes, Trista?" we responded.

"You are the heirs of Queen Serenity, as well as the leaders of the Sailor Scouts. Everyone on this planet is aware of that fact. Don't be surprised if you get a few 'Your Highness's' or get called 'Princesses."

"Okay."

looks at Queen Serenity and King Talpa. as for you both you are the king and queen of the silver millenium so don't be surprised if you get a few your majesty's or something like that.

okay they replied

"I believe that covers everything I wanted to warn you about," Venom let her body relax. "Above all, have fun. The Senshi and Ronin have a raucous way of celebrating that would make Americans look tame by comparison. If any of you are feeling any tension now, don't be afraid to relieve them, as long as it conforms to Alpha Senshi codes of acceptable behavior. There are a million things to do there, a few of which may be new to you. Don't be afraid to participate in them, and if you are requested to take part in them, it's good form to accept the invitation. There's nothing that will be life threatening at any rate." ...
The scouts were talking about what Sailor venom had told them, when they felt the ship decelerate. The engine noise went from a high pitched whine to a low rumble as they exited the wormhole. Outside the view port, the rainbow mottling of hyperspace faded into starry sky.
They had arrived in the Alpha Senshi System. ...

To be continued...