SAILOR ECLIPSE,
Chapter 8: "The Shadow of Sailor Eclipse"
By Bill K.
Artemis trailed behind her as Sailor Venus walked down the
street. Though it was late, some of the shops in the small business
cluster that skirted the hospital were still open and customers were
still milling about. They turned and pointed as she passed,
whispering excitedly amongst themselves. The Sailor Senshi were well
enough known among the residents of Tokyo to elicit the same response
they'd give a television or other entertainment celebrity.
Normally Venus would be basking in this. However, these were
not normal times.
"Venus," Artemis said, careful not to be seen or heard
speaking, "don't be so hard on them. They have to protect Sailor
Moon. They don't want to suspect you, but they can't ignore evidence
of a threat, even if that evidence points to you."
"Sure. Take their side," Venus scowled.
"Venus, stop being childish."
"I'm not being childish!" she huffed, her lower lip sticking
out.
"You're also not paying attention to your search," Artemis
countered. "That is why we're out here, isn't it? To find the fake
Sailor V?"
Venus folded her arms across her chest and walked on, glaring
ahead. Artemis sighed. She'd come around - - eventually. Venus was
too smart not to realize he was right.
But she was also too petulant to let him off without exacting
payment in suffering for being right.
"Is this what it's like being married?" he wondered. The
thought of Luna putting him through such vengeful histrionics didn't
thrill him.
"SAILOR VENUS!"
The pair turned toward the high-pitched shriek. They saw Usagi
scampering across the street, dodging traffic as she went. Her long
blond ribbons trailed behind her as she quickly cut the distance
between them.
"Oh, Sailor Venus, I am your ABSOLUTE BIGGEST FAN! OH MY GOD,
I can't believe I'm meeting you!" As Usagi carried on, people on the
street would glance curiously at her, then smile or shake their head
and move on.
"Usagi, what are you doing?" Venus hissed quietly.
"It's a cover story," Usagi hissed back. "I'm not supposed to
know you, remember!" As she whispered, she continued to shake her
'idol's' hand and touch her on the arm. "OH, YOU ARE MY FAVORITE OF
ALL THE SENSHI! WELL, YOU AND SAILOR MOON!" Artemis struggled to
keep from breaking up.
"Usagi, did something happen?" Venus murmured.
"No. I'm just worried about you."
Venus felt herself misting up. "I'm OK, Usagi. But thanks for
caring."
"No need to thank me. We have to stick together, you know.
We're a team. More than that, we're a family. And it hurts when I
see you so blue."
Venus gave her a warm smile. "Well, the last thing I want to
do is hurt 'my biggest fan'." Usagi grinned sheepishly. "I'll try
not to take it so personally in the future. Just don't stop
believing in me, huh? I'd really never hurt you, honest."
"I know that, silly," Usagi smiled. She knelt down and stroked
Artemis along his back. "Take care of her, Artemis." The cat nodded
to her, smiling himself.
Venus watched Usagi walk off, grinning unconsciously. Artemis
looked up and noticed her mood.
"She has an amazing effect on people, doesn't she?" Artemis
commented.
"Yeah," chuckled Venus, slightly embarrassed. "I don't know
how she does it. She's almost better than chocolate."
Hidden from their view as she walked off, Usagi also had a wide
smile on her face.
But the look in her eyes was much colder and more malicious
than the one Venus wore.
Suddenly Artemis heard the communicator stud on his
micro-earpiece (not visible to the naked eye) signal him. Motioning
to Venus, he ducked into the alley. The microphone extended down
cybernetically to the cat's mouth.
"Artemis," he heard Luna say, "I just had an encounter with our
impostor!"
"Are you all right?" Artemis gasped.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Well, at least we know the impostor's not Minako now," Artemis
grinned. "I've been with her the whole time and Usagi just left
her."
"Usagi?" Luna choked. "Usagi's standing right next to me!"
"What? Where are you?"
"The district Library."
"That's half a mile from where we are! She couldn't have
covered that distance! She's been gone less than a minute!"
"What's wrong?" Venus asked.
"Artemis, the impostor was disguised as Usagi when she
confronted me!" Luna related.
"Luna says the impostor is masquerading as Usagi!"
"DAMMIT!" Venus spat and raced out into the street, trying to
spot where she went.
"Artemis, didn't you get her scent?" Luna demanded.
"Yes! It smelled like Usagi!" Artemis gasped.
"Hmm. She must have disguised it. But how? If it were Usagi,
I'd say she was using the crystal. But that's absurd! And how did
she cover so much ground so quickly?" The channel was dead for a few
moments. "Did she attack you?"
"No. She gave Venus a pep talk. She was Usagi, Luna, right
down to her effect on us."
"Curious. Artemis, what is this woman's plan? Do you have any
inkling? I can't make head nor tails of this."
"It's got me stumped, too. But if we've got an enemy who can
impersonate Usagi that well, we need to set up some sort of code
system to identify each other."
"Excellent thinking," Luna told him. "You tell Venus. Use
stealth code, um, three. Let her know the signs and countersigns.
I'll tell the others." He heard her sigh. "And I'll try to impress
it on Usagi."
"Get a bag of candy," Artemis suggested facetiously. "Positive
reinforcement."
"I'll most likely need a barrel," Luna muttered. "Take care,
Artemis. Luna out."
"OK," Artemis replied. "Venus, we're going to have to go to a
security code system to identify each other. If you're not sure it's
me, ask me for the countersign. If I don't respond with 'pale
moonlight', it's not me. Understand?"
"Got it," Venus nodded.
"If you're asked, you'll identify yourself with the phrase
'C-16 Star'."
"Star," Venus smiled. "I like that."
"Yeah," scowled Artemis. "I had a feeling you would."
Luna turned and addressed the group with her. Makoto and Rei
had just returned, empty-handed. She glanced at Ami, who still
seemed depressed, but was at least paying attention.
"Artemis just told me he and Sailor Venus ran across our
impostor, still masquerading as Usagi," Luna announced.
"Are they all right?" Usagi quickly asked.
"Yes, they're fine. He said she didn't attack - - that she
gave Venus a pep talk and that they both thought it was you."
"That's certainly strange behavior, given her past actions,"
Ami said, the mystery helping to pull her out of her funk.
"Yeah, but at least it clears Minako," Makoto said sheepishly,
"and makes me look like Queen Rat Number One."
"Oh, Mako-chan," Usagi said, smiling and trying to comfort her
friend. "Don't be mad at yourself. You just did what you thought
was right."
"Doesn't stop me from feeling like a king-size heel," the tall
girl scowled glumly. "I guess I just don't have your faith." Makoto
glanced over to Rei. "I guess you're feeling kind of dumb too, huh?"
"Not at all," Rei answered, her expression hard.
"Rei-chan?" Usagi said, mildly reproachful.
"But Artemis was with her the entire time," countered Luna.
"Unless he's lying," Rei responded, "maybe covering for her."
"No!" Luna said adamantly. "I will not accept that. Artemis
is many things and not all of them praiseworthy, but one thing he is
not is disloyal!"
Rei looked at the cat, unfazed. "But loyal to who - - us or
Minako?"
Luna's firmness of belief seemed to waver some.
"Rei, perhaps you are jumping to conclusions," Ami offered.
"I hope I am. I pray I am. But you people are all forgetting
about my premonition that sensed this 'Sailor V' is someone I know
- - someone close to me. I don't want to believe it, but I have to.
My second sight has been right too many times for me not to trust in
it totally. So if it's not Minako doing this," and she paused to
gather the strength to say it, "then it has to be one of you."
"Rei," Usagi began.
"I know what you're going to say, Usagi. But I have to believe
in the sight. I know better than to doubt it."
"I'm not asking you not to believe," Usagi said, sick with
heartache over the discussion. "I trust your vision, but I also
trust my beliefs - - and I have faith in Minako's innocence. So that
can only mean there has to be another explanation for all of this."
"But what?" Rei asked.
Usagi looked down, tears welling. "I don't know."
* * * *
It was not a pleasant walk home. Luna seemed gruff and
introspective. Makoto was consumed with guilt, while Rei and Usagi
kept looking at each other, trying to maintain their opposite
positions without angering or offending the other. Ami tried to
concentrate on the problem, but other thoughts kept intruding. Her
conversation with Komatsu-sensei and the heartbreaking revelations
he'd made would replay in her mind like a tape loop she couldn't
stop. No matter how much she tried to think of something else, some
traitorous portion of her brain kept thrusting it to the forefront.
Ami waved good-bye to her friends, pausing at the door to watch
them walk off. Rei insisted on escorting Usagi home, which given the
threat wasn't a bad idea. Makoto came as well. Even Luna grunted a
surly assent. Taking in a cleansing breath, Ami turned and buzzed
the security door. After being recognized by the doorman, she passed
through and headed for the elevator.
"It's late," Ami thought, grimacing. "I wonder what Mother's
going to have to say about all of this."
The prospect of her mother finding out about her very torrid
but very one-sided affair with her teacher didn't thrill the young
girl. Her mother had very high standards of conduct and Ami wasn't
sure this fell within those boundaries. At the same time, she could
just as likely blame Komatsu-sensei for all of this and come after
him with the wrath of a righteous, protective parent. She didn't
want that. He'd hurt her deeply, but she knew it was mostly her
fault.
"If only he wasn't married," she mumbled as the elevator
ascended. "If only I were prettier."
Forcing herself to the penthouse door, Ami dug out her key and
opened the front door. She had just enough time to close and lock
the door and slip out of her shoes when a roughly one hundred pound
weight slammed into her at mach speed. Staggered, Ami fell back a
few steps, but she couldn't escape what was attacking her, as it
wrapped arms around her neck and held on tight. Lurching into action
from the shock, her mind at last registered what had her in her grip
was human.
"OH AMI!" wailed Usagi's high-pitched squeal. "DON'T EVER DO
THAT TO US AGAIN! WE WERE SO WORRIED!"
Peering over the girl's shoulder, Ami picked up her mother
standing at the end of the front hall. The woman was trying to
suppress her amusement and remain concerned.
"Usagi came here hoping to find you, dear," her mother said.
"You did have us worried. Where have you been?"
A cold chill ran through Ami's body. Her mouth went dry for a
moment and she struggled to gather her shaken wits.
"First of the second," Ami whispered to 'Usagi'. She said a
quick, silent prayer that Usagi would give her the countersign.
"What?" Usagi gaped, confused, as she pulled back to look at
her friend, her hands still holding onto Ami's upper arms.
Ami responded by jamming her hands into Usagi's face and trying
to rake her eyes. However, Usagi managed to hold her friend's arms
just enough at bay to prevent it. Undaunted, Ami wedged her knee
between them and was able to shove Usagi away.
"AMI!" gasped Mrs. Mizuno.
"Mother, get back!" shouted Ami, her henshin stick out and
ready to use. "It's not Usagi! She's an impostor! We've been
chasing her for days!"
"I never could fool you, Ami," the phony Usagi grinned
gleefully.
"Mercury Crystal Power Make Up!" shouted Ami.
But as the transformation took hold, her quarry lunged past
her. Rolling in an acrobatic somersault to the front door, the girl
ripped open the lock, whipped open the door and dived through it into
the hall. Sailor Mercury bounded into the hall just in time to see
twin ribbons of golden hair disappear through the door to the
stairwell. Mercury raced to the door and flung it open.
The steps were empty. There wasn't even the echo of footsteps
on the metal stairwell. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.
Mercury whipped out her computer and set it into action, gathering
any sensory data she could find.
"Did she get away?" her mother asked, cautiously coming up
behind Mercury.
"Yes," Mercury scowled. She looked at the sensory readings on
her computer screen. Her brow furrowed.
"What is it?" her mother asked.
"These readings are familiar," Mercury said, barely audibly.
"I've seen them before."
"Have you taken any other readings of this - - 'person' - -
before?"
"No, but Artemis has. They're nearly identical energy
readings."
"Artemis?" her mother asked skeptically. "You don't mean your
friend's cat, do you?"
Mercury grimaced. "It's a long story, Mother. The point is
I've seen these somewhere else!"
"Could it be someone you and your group has previously fought?"
Mrs. Mizuno asked.
"No, it was more recent than that. But now that you mention
it, that could be a possible line of inquiry! Thank you, Mother!"
"Does this make me an auxiliary senshi?" her mother kidded.
Mercury smiled sheepishly. They began walking back to the penthouse.
"Is this why you disappeared this evening?"
Mercury got a pained expression. "No. I, well, I needed some
time to myself. I, um, got some bad news today."
"Would you like to talk about it?"
"Well, I really should get on this," alibied Mercury.
"It's harder to concentrate if you're burdened with other
things."
"I'm sorry, Mother. It's just too soon and too painful to talk
about. I promise I'll tell you. Just give me a little time to get
past some of the hurt."
Mercury felt her mother scrutinizing her. It always felt like
she was being examined under a microscope.
"All right. I trust your judgment in this matter. I'm not as
judgmental as you seem to think I am, but I'll let you handle it your
way. When you're ready to unburden, I'll be here."
"Yes, Mother," Mercury whispered.
"I assume you haven't eaten," her Mother said. "Since you're
involved in a 'project', I'll make you some sandwiches."
As her mother went into the kitchen, Mercury reverted to Ami
and plugged her senshi computer into her PC. That way she could
access the data files she kept stored on zip-disks and run down this
stray recognition she had.
The pieces of this puzzle were beginning to fall into place.
With any kind of luck, she could crack it before this enemy could
have a chance to threaten Usagi.
Continued in part 9
Chapter 8: "The Shadow of Sailor Eclipse"
By Bill K.
Artemis trailed behind her as Sailor Venus walked down the
street. Though it was late, some of the shops in the small business
cluster that skirted the hospital were still open and customers were
still milling about. They turned and pointed as she passed,
whispering excitedly amongst themselves. The Sailor Senshi were well
enough known among the residents of Tokyo to elicit the same response
they'd give a television or other entertainment celebrity.
Normally Venus would be basking in this. However, these were
not normal times.
"Venus," Artemis said, careful not to be seen or heard
speaking, "don't be so hard on them. They have to protect Sailor
Moon. They don't want to suspect you, but they can't ignore evidence
of a threat, even if that evidence points to you."
"Sure. Take their side," Venus scowled.
"Venus, stop being childish."
"I'm not being childish!" she huffed, her lower lip sticking
out.
"You're also not paying attention to your search," Artemis
countered. "That is why we're out here, isn't it? To find the fake
Sailor V?"
Venus folded her arms across her chest and walked on, glaring
ahead. Artemis sighed. She'd come around - - eventually. Venus was
too smart not to realize he was right.
But she was also too petulant to let him off without exacting
payment in suffering for being right.
"Is this what it's like being married?" he wondered. The
thought of Luna putting him through such vengeful histrionics didn't
thrill him.
"SAILOR VENUS!"
The pair turned toward the high-pitched shriek. They saw Usagi
scampering across the street, dodging traffic as she went. Her long
blond ribbons trailed behind her as she quickly cut the distance
between them.
"Oh, Sailor Venus, I am your ABSOLUTE BIGGEST FAN! OH MY GOD,
I can't believe I'm meeting you!" As Usagi carried on, people on the
street would glance curiously at her, then smile or shake their head
and move on.
"Usagi, what are you doing?" Venus hissed quietly.
"It's a cover story," Usagi hissed back. "I'm not supposed to
know you, remember!" As she whispered, she continued to shake her
'idol's' hand and touch her on the arm. "OH, YOU ARE MY FAVORITE OF
ALL THE SENSHI! WELL, YOU AND SAILOR MOON!" Artemis struggled to
keep from breaking up.
"Usagi, did something happen?" Venus murmured.
"No. I'm just worried about you."
Venus felt herself misting up. "I'm OK, Usagi. But thanks for
caring."
"No need to thank me. We have to stick together, you know.
We're a team. More than that, we're a family. And it hurts when I
see you so blue."
Venus gave her a warm smile. "Well, the last thing I want to
do is hurt 'my biggest fan'." Usagi grinned sheepishly. "I'll try
not to take it so personally in the future. Just don't stop
believing in me, huh? I'd really never hurt you, honest."
"I know that, silly," Usagi smiled. She knelt down and stroked
Artemis along his back. "Take care of her, Artemis." The cat nodded
to her, smiling himself.
Venus watched Usagi walk off, grinning unconsciously. Artemis
looked up and noticed her mood.
"She has an amazing effect on people, doesn't she?" Artemis
commented.
"Yeah," chuckled Venus, slightly embarrassed. "I don't know
how she does it. She's almost better than chocolate."
Hidden from their view as she walked off, Usagi also had a wide
smile on her face.
But the look in her eyes was much colder and more malicious
than the one Venus wore.
Suddenly Artemis heard the communicator stud on his
micro-earpiece (not visible to the naked eye) signal him. Motioning
to Venus, he ducked into the alley. The microphone extended down
cybernetically to the cat's mouth.
"Artemis," he heard Luna say, "I just had an encounter with our
impostor!"
"Are you all right?" Artemis gasped.
"Yes, I'm fine."
"Well, at least we know the impostor's not Minako now," Artemis
grinned. "I've been with her the whole time and Usagi just left
her."
"Usagi?" Luna choked. "Usagi's standing right next to me!"
"What? Where are you?"
"The district Library."
"That's half a mile from where we are! She couldn't have
covered that distance! She's been gone less than a minute!"
"What's wrong?" Venus asked.
"Artemis, the impostor was disguised as Usagi when she
confronted me!" Luna related.
"Luna says the impostor is masquerading as Usagi!"
"DAMMIT!" Venus spat and raced out into the street, trying to
spot where she went.
"Artemis, didn't you get her scent?" Luna demanded.
"Yes! It smelled like Usagi!" Artemis gasped.
"Hmm. She must have disguised it. But how? If it were Usagi,
I'd say she was using the crystal. But that's absurd! And how did
she cover so much ground so quickly?" The channel was dead for a few
moments. "Did she attack you?"
"No. She gave Venus a pep talk. She was Usagi, Luna, right
down to her effect on us."
"Curious. Artemis, what is this woman's plan? Do you have any
inkling? I can't make head nor tails of this."
"It's got me stumped, too. But if we've got an enemy who can
impersonate Usagi that well, we need to set up some sort of code
system to identify each other."
"Excellent thinking," Luna told him. "You tell Venus. Use
stealth code, um, three. Let her know the signs and countersigns.
I'll tell the others." He heard her sigh. "And I'll try to impress
it on Usagi."
"Get a bag of candy," Artemis suggested facetiously. "Positive
reinforcement."
"I'll most likely need a barrel," Luna muttered. "Take care,
Artemis. Luna out."
"OK," Artemis replied. "Venus, we're going to have to go to a
security code system to identify each other. If you're not sure it's
me, ask me for the countersign. If I don't respond with 'pale
moonlight', it's not me. Understand?"
"Got it," Venus nodded.
"If you're asked, you'll identify yourself with the phrase
'C-16 Star'."
"Star," Venus smiled. "I like that."
"Yeah," scowled Artemis. "I had a feeling you would."
Luna turned and addressed the group with her. Makoto and Rei
had just returned, empty-handed. She glanced at Ami, who still
seemed depressed, but was at least paying attention.
"Artemis just told me he and Sailor Venus ran across our
impostor, still masquerading as Usagi," Luna announced.
"Are they all right?" Usagi quickly asked.
"Yes, they're fine. He said she didn't attack - - that she
gave Venus a pep talk and that they both thought it was you."
"That's certainly strange behavior, given her past actions,"
Ami said, the mystery helping to pull her out of her funk.
"Yeah, but at least it clears Minako," Makoto said sheepishly,
"and makes me look like Queen Rat Number One."
"Oh, Mako-chan," Usagi said, smiling and trying to comfort her
friend. "Don't be mad at yourself. You just did what you thought
was right."
"Doesn't stop me from feeling like a king-size heel," the tall
girl scowled glumly. "I guess I just don't have your faith." Makoto
glanced over to Rei. "I guess you're feeling kind of dumb too, huh?"
"Not at all," Rei answered, her expression hard.
"Rei-chan?" Usagi said, mildly reproachful.
"But Artemis was with her the entire time," countered Luna.
"Unless he's lying," Rei responded, "maybe covering for her."
"No!" Luna said adamantly. "I will not accept that. Artemis
is many things and not all of them praiseworthy, but one thing he is
not is disloyal!"
Rei looked at the cat, unfazed. "But loyal to who - - us or
Minako?"
Luna's firmness of belief seemed to waver some.
"Rei, perhaps you are jumping to conclusions," Ami offered.
"I hope I am. I pray I am. But you people are all forgetting
about my premonition that sensed this 'Sailor V' is someone I know
- - someone close to me. I don't want to believe it, but I have to.
My second sight has been right too many times for me not to trust in
it totally. So if it's not Minako doing this," and she paused to
gather the strength to say it, "then it has to be one of you."
"Rei," Usagi began.
"I know what you're going to say, Usagi. But I have to believe
in the sight. I know better than to doubt it."
"I'm not asking you not to believe," Usagi said, sick with
heartache over the discussion. "I trust your vision, but I also
trust my beliefs - - and I have faith in Minako's innocence. So that
can only mean there has to be another explanation for all of this."
"But what?" Rei asked.
Usagi looked down, tears welling. "I don't know."
* * * *
It was not a pleasant walk home. Luna seemed gruff and
introspective. Makoto was consumed with guilt, while Rei and Usagi
kept looking at each other, trying to maintain their opposite
positions without angering or offending the other. Ami tried to
concentrate on the problem, but other thoughts kept intruding. Her
conversation with Komatsu-sensei and the heartbreaking revelations
he'd made would replay in her mind like a tape loop she couldn't
stop. No matter how much she tried to think of something else, some
traitorous portion of her brain kept thrusting it to the forefront.
Ami waved good-bye to her friends, pausing at the door to watch
them walk off. Rei insisted on escorting Usagi home, which given the
threat wasn't a bad idea. Makoto came as well. Even Luna grunted a
surly assent. Taking in a cleansing breath, Ami turned and buzzed
the security door. After being recognized by the doorman, she passed
through and headed for the elevator.
"It's late," Ami thought, grimacing. "I wonder what Mother's
going to have to say about all of this."
The prospect of her mother finding out about her very torrid
but very one-sided affair with her teacher didn't thrill the young
girl. Her mother had very high standards of conduct and Ami wasn't
sure this fell within those boundaries. At the same time, she could
just as likely blame Komatsu-sensei for all of this and come after
him with the wrath of a righteous, protective parent. She didn't
want that. He'd hurt her deeply, but she knew it was mostly her
fault.
"If only he wasn't married," she mumbled as the elevator
ascended. "If only I were prettier."
Forcing herself to the penthouse door, Ami dug out her key and
opened the front door. She had just enough time to close and lock
the door and slip out of her shoes when a roughly one hundred pound
weight slammed into her at mach speed. Staggered, Ami fell back a
few steps, but she couldn't escape what was attacking her, as it
wrapped arms around her neck and held on tight. Lurching into action
from the shock, her mind at last registered what had her in her grip
was human.
"OH AMI!" wailed Usagi's high-pitched squeal. "DON'T EVER DO
THAT TO US AGAIN! WE WERE SO WORRIED!"
Peering over the girl's shoulder, Ami picked up her mother
standing at the end of the front hall. The woman was trying to
suppress her amusement and remain concerned.
"Usagi came here hoping to find you, dear," her mother said.
"You did have us worried. Where have you been?"
A cold chill ran through Ami's body. Her mouth went dry for a
moment and she struggled to gather her shaken wits.
"First of the second," Ami whispered to 'Usagi'. She said a
quick, silent prayer that Usagi would give her the countersign.
"What?" Usagi gaped, confused, as she pulled back to look at
her friend, her hands still holding onto Ami's upper arms.
Ami responded by jamming her hands into Usagi's face and trying
to rake her eyes. However, Usagi managed to hold her friend's arms
just enough at bay to prevent it. Undaunted, Ami wedged her knee
between them and was able to shove Usagi away.
"AMI!" gasped Mrs. Mizuno.
"Mother, get back!" shouted Ami, her henshin stick out and
ready to use. "It's not Usagi! She's an impostor! We've been
chasing her for days!"
"I never could fool you, Ami," the phony Usagi grinned
gleefully.
"Mercury Crystal Power Make Up!" shouted Ami.
But as the transformation took hold, her quarry lunged past
her. Rolling in an acrobatic somersault to the front door, the girl
ripped open the lock, whipped open the door and dived through it into
the hall. Sailor Mercury bounded into the hall just in time to see
twin ribbons of golden hair disappear through the door to the
stairwell. Mercury raced to the door and flung it open.
The steps were empty. There wasn't even the echo of footsteps
on the metal stairwell. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.
Mercury whipped out her computer and set it into action, gathering
any sensory data she could find.
"Did she get away?" her mother asked, cautiously coming up
behind Mercury.
"Yes," Mercury scowled. She looked at the sensory readings on
her computer screen. Her brow furrowed.
"What is it?" her mother asked.
"These readings are familiar," Mercury said, barely audibly.
"I've seen them before."
"Have you taken any other readings of this - - 'person' - -
before?"
"No, but Artemis has. They're nearly identical energy
readings."
"Artemis?" her mother asked skeptically. "You don't mean your
friend's cat, do you?"
Mercury grimaced. "It's a long story, Mother. The point is
I've seen these somewhere else!"
"Could it be someone you and your group has previously fought?"
Mrs. Mizuno asked.
"No, it was more recent than that. But now that you mention
it, that could be a possible line of inquiry! Thank you, Mother!"
"Does this make me an auxiliary senshi?" her mother kidded.
Mercury smiled sheepishly. They began walking back to the penthouse.
"Is this why you disappeared this evening?"
Mercury got a pained expression. "No. I, well, I needed some
time to myself. I, um, got some bad news today."
"Would you like to talk about it?"
"Well, I really should get on this," alibied Mercury.
"It's harder to concentrate if you're burdened with other
things."
"I'm sorry, Mother. It's just too soon and too painful to talk
about. I promise I'll tell you. Just give me a little time to get
past some of the hurt."
Mercury felt her mother scrutinizing her. It always felt like
she was being examined under a microscope.
"All right. I trust your judgment in this matter. I'm not as
judgmental as you seem to think I am, but I'll let you handle it your
way. When you're ready to unburden, I'll be here."
"Yes, Mother," Mercury whispered.
"I assume you haven't eaten," her Mother said. "Since you're
involved in a 'project', I'll make you some sandwiches."
As her mother went into the kitchen, Mercury reverted to Ami
and plugged her senshi computer into her PC. That way she could
access the data files she kept stored on zip-disks and run down this
stray recognition she had.
The pieces of this puzzle were beginning to fall into place.
With any kind of luck, she could crack it before this enemy could
have a chance to threaten Usagi.
Continued in part 9