O.k., I know I said I wouldn't have another part out for a while but I had
some free time (well, actually I had some work I didn't want to do :)) so
here's the next part, but I seriously won't have anything for ages after
this.

Disclaimer: Not my playground, I just sneak in to play on the slide.

When Star's Fall Chapter 3

The King and his ministers were already assembled when Darien strode through
the double doors of the meeting place.

"Son"

The King nodded towards one of the remaining empty seats, his calm manner a
sharp contrast to that of his disheveled offspring. Darien sat, retaining
the murderous gleam around him. He wanted to pace and rant but there was
something about King Galen, a quiet power that only a blind person could
miss and only a fool would challenge.

"I am assuming from your rather…abrupt entrance, that you have heard about
Serenity"

It was a statement, not a question.

::Gee… what gave it away:: he thought sarcastically. "Yes" he replied, and
then quickly "Father what's going on? Do we have any idea's as to Serenity's
whereabouts?" He knew he shouldn't openly question his father in front of
the council but he was feeling rather uncharitable at that particular
moment.

"We have no information on Serenity yet, BUT-" the king stressed, seeing
that Darien was about to interrupt again "-BUT, the Sailor Soldiers have not
yet arrived, they may know more then us"

::The Sailor Soldiers?:: Darien thought, noticing for the first time the
empty places around him. ::Eight places:: he silently counted.

"Eight places" he said aloud. "There are only four inners, does that mean-"

"Neptune, Uranus, Saturn and Pluto will also be joining us" he king finished
for him.

That was a surprise; the outers were very rarely seen, even on their own
planets.

Darien opened his mouth to ask another question, but was waved away by the
king.

"Questions later when they arrive boy" he elaborated the gesture. Looking
him in the eyes he softened just a little "I know you're worried but we have
other things to consider in this situation"

Darien blushed mentally, though thankfully had the control to keep it from
showing on his face, at the gentle reprimand. A king – or in his case future
king – must consider the good of his people before his own personal
feelings. Hew resolved himself to listen to the council, he mustn't forget
his duty, even, or maybe especially, in this situation.

"Of course" he conceded, calmer by far then when he had walked in.

An almost inaudible sigh of relief arose from the people surrounding the two
royals, Prince Darien was well know for his… strong feelings relating to any
situation involving the moon princess.

The king turned to his council and uttered a single word.

"Report"

An older gentleman seated near the far end of the room stood and stepped
forward,

"A panic has arisen in the general population, information about Princess
Serenity's abduction has been leaked out somehow. Finding out about the Moon
civilization and the other planets when the Prince and Princess were engaged
was a difficult enough transition to make, but with the exception of a small
number of splinter opposition groups, the people accepted it because of the
stability within the alliance that it would bring. It allowed for a feeling
of safety. Now with Princess Serenity missing, all is in uproar"

Another council member stood up, a woman this time.

"These splinter groups are gaining support rapidly, with times so uncertain
the pickings are ripe to prey on the unsure. Most of these groups are small
and fractious, they can't stop arguing with themselves long enough to begin
arguing with us. However one group, the Blackmoon cult, have been steadily
increasing in size, not even the death of their leader Cuprite, more
commonly known as Diamond, has stopped them. The people need something solid
to believe in, something we can't provide. Princess Serenity was a
figurehead that represented a growing friendship with the other planets,
with her gone, Blackmoon has replaced her with another symbol, this one of
hatred, and it is just as powerful.

The king took this in, a frown marring his forhead.

"This must be handled delicately" his deep voice rumbled "Has the situation
gotten so bad so fast?"

One of the members checked their notes while the speakers sat.

"So far, miraculously, no one has been hurt, but a false move at this
juncture could spell disaster, if they start rioting, short of bringing the
military to the streets, it will be uncontrollable. A proclamation has been
sent out to try and allay some of the fears but to little effect"

They all fell into discussion over the best course of action, the deep
murmur of voices filling the air, when a knock sounded and the doors were
opened. Eight young women in multi-colored fuku's entered.

The Sailor Soldiers had arrived.