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B I S H O U J O S E N S H I S A I L O R M O O N
A C R O S S T H E B O R D E R
by DDFA (Mark A Page)
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Disclaimer - This is a story containing characters who were created
by anyone but me. That anyone would happen to be Takeuchi Naoko.
Handle it.
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W H A T H A S G O N E B E F O R E
Having been chased into the sewers by the Reality Militia, the Death
Sailors have been captured by soldiers of the Republic of Darkness -
a city within a cavern, deep underneath the Capital of the Republic
of Surrealism.
There, they are imprisoned, but quixotically, Usagi is allowed to
meet with Dimando, one-time hero of the Civil War that brought the
Republic of Surrealism into being, and now President of the
Darkness.
Whilst awaiting news of Usagi's progress, Luna reveals that Usagi is
the daughter of President Serenity, and that her father might be, in
fact, Dimando.... A fact kept secret from both Usagi and
Dimando....
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The Chief Commander of the advance team brought his soldiers
to a halt. "What did you say, sergeant?" He turned to the burly
man, who crouched to his left in some vague attempt to hide, even
though he wasn't sure, in the depths of the sewer system, how they
were going to hide, and even if someone as large as himself was
capable of hiding regardless.
"I said it is getting awfully light in here, sir." The
sergeant swallowed. "The infrared goggles were blinding me, so I
had to take them off, and I can still see." He gestured around to
the half dozen other soldiers, most of whom were leaning against the
walls of the old tunnel, looking bored, one or two picking their
noses as if it were the only important thing in their lives. The
Chief Commander snapped at them all, bringing them to attention
fairly quickly.
"Hmmm...." The Chief Commander put a hand up to the wall next
to him, feeling the rough surface. "This seems to be one of the
older parts of the sewer system. Look, the walls are bricked,
rather than cemented." He paused. "And covered with a kind of
moss, or fungus, or whatever it is.... And look." He pulled some
of the covering from the wall, rubbing it between the fingers of his
gloved hand. "It glows. Especially when you aggravate it. Rub it
together and break open the cells or spores that contain the
substance."
"Natural phosphorescence." The sergeant nodded. "I've seen
this before."
"Where?" The Chief Commander quizzed.
"In some of the training grounds, caverns within the
mountains. Although it was combined with a large proportion of
animal life. Bats, cockroaches, rodents and other things I couldn't
identify. I thought they ate and spread the stuff, since it seemed
to be everywhere they were. But in here, there really isn't
anything...." He gestured around. "Maybe it's spread by something
else."
"Well, it's not likely that things living down here would jump
out at us and say hello, sergeant." The Chief Commander chuckled to
himself. "And this stuff is getting stronger and more prevalent the
further we go. We might be entering one of those caverns now."
"Right below the Capital?" The sergeant smiled. "It might
make a good base for our army.... A secret launching point for the
coup."
"Unless, of course, the Republic already knows about them."
The Chief Commander took a deep breath and gestured to his men to
move on. "Whatever the case...." He muttered. "We're going to
have to check it out. It might be where our targets were heading to
elude us."
They made their way further along the tunnel, which proceeded
to get thinner and brighter, and there was an increasing noise....
A rushing-like sound, but they thought they could hear what
appeared to be voices within the overall din. Eventually, there was
only enough room for them to walk single-file, before it opened out
again in a kind of landing. What greeted them there made half of
them drop their weapons.
"Sir.... It's...." The Sergeant began, before the Chief
Commander stepped forward to the railing that lined the opening to
the huge cavern.
"I'd say we've found something reportable, wouldn't you,
sergeant?" The Chief Commander said in a soft voice as he
overlooked the city below.
----o
Part Eight
Alarming Regularity
----o
"Wouldn't you say the security here is awfully low?" Rei
gritted her teeth as she forced the sliding window open, whilst
doing her best to avoid hurting herself on the bars that blocked
inside access to it. She noticed that there were bars on the
outside, as well, slightly cambered to the inner ones. "Metal bars,
no matter what kind, make a good physical defence against break-in
or break-out, but they're nothing when compared to a half-decent
alarm system, combined with the kinds of nasty little security
devices that leave you half the person you once were, literally."
"I don't suppose they've ever expected this room to actually
be used." Ami speculated. "In fact, I believe they feel that their
city is most unlikely to be discovered. Which makes our presence
here rather tentative at best."
"You mean our health." Rei managed to slide the window as far
as it would go, which was a great deal further than she expected.
"Unless Usagi does something to insure it."
"Which makes this whole plan of yours, Lady Luna, rather
dangerous, I must say." Ami verbalised this away from Luna, who was
shedding her bodysuit and thus becoming far more naked than Ami
usually dared to spy on.
"It's not MY plan, remember?" Luna hopped about on the spot
as she pulled the clinging suit from her right foot. "You're the
one who suggested it."
"Well, I guess I'll be to blame if you do anything stupid that
is likely to get us killed by our hosts." Ami huffed petulantly,
crossing her arms as Rei turned to her.
"She IS the only one capable of fitting between these bars.
Unless you want to give it a try." Rei gestured to the window.
"No thanks. I'm not THAT desperate to lose weight that I'd
try experimental fat reducing methods." Ami smiled cutely at Rei.
"I'd go for the 'knock the guard over the head' method, myself, but
personal preference has nothing to do with subtlety, so...."
There was a flash behind them, and Luna's human form
disappeared behind the settee. Within seconds, a small dark-blue cat
emerged, striding across the carpet with more snobbish arrogance
than even a cat should be capable of. "One thing I'm somewhat sure
of...." The sudden raise in the pitch of her voice, due to the
change in her body size and shape, brought a smirk to the pair's
faces. "....Is that the appearance of a cat in their city may be
regarded with some suspicion, since it's possible there are no cats
down here."
"What? Down here?" Rei giggled. "Come ON. A hidden place
such as this? Cats would be FLOCKING down here in DROVES."
"Well, I hope not. It's one thing to walk around as a cat
within the relative safety of the city above...." Luna sighed.
"It's another thing to be leapt upon by a dozen over-territorial or
amorous strays. And no, before you ask, I do not find other cats
attractive, alright?" Luna shivered, remembering the occasion a
noble suitor tried to woo her in the form of a tomcat. A white
tomcat, at that.... What WAS that guy thinking? Worse, what WAS
that guy drinking? Shaking off the thought, Luna allowed herself
to be picked up by Ami and carried to the window sill. From there,
she checked the gap between the bars and the ledge beyond. "It
seems to be alright. Getting out won't be a problem, but I'd like
to know how far that ledge goes, and where, before I end up hurtling
to my death."
Ami helped her up onto the sill, where Luna curved her way
through the bars, placing her front feet on the ledge, and stared
around. "How is it?" Ami inquired.
"It goes a pretty long way, in both directions. Not nearly
enough to be a foothold for a human. Just enough for me, in fact."
She paused. "We seem to be on the top level of a large villa made
of stone, or something white, whatever it is. There is a small
alley at the base, nobody down there. The alley leads to a much
larger esplanade, which is just FULL of people, all civilians by the
looks of things." She peered along the wall. "The esplanade turns
when it reaches the villa, which continues for some way. Right up
to what appears to be a major structure, even higher than this one.
It might be the Presidential Palace. It certainly has the appearance
of one."
There was a noise from outside the room. Ami turned and
looked at Rei, who stared back, swallowing, then made her way to the
door, holding her ear against it.
"What? What is it?" Luna stepped out onto the ledge, then
turned back to look at Ami, who shook her head.
"It's nothing. We thought we heard a noise." Ami whispered.
"It's probably the guard falling to the floor from his seat after
nodding off." She looked back at Rei, who shook her head, relaxing.
"You're going to be deep within the fecal matter if anyone
DOES enter the room, for whatever reason, and I'm not there."
Luna's tone betrayed her amusement. Ami wagged a finger at her.
"We can deal with the problem ourselves, thankyou very much.
And after all, as you said, this is MY idea."
Luna shrugged as well as a cat could shrug. "Very well, then.
I'll make my way to the building I'm presuming is the Palace. If I
find out anything of importance, I'll get back to you as quickly as
possible, okay?"
Ami nodded as Rei joined her. "Good luck." Rei said, simply.
Luna allowed a tight smile before she disappeared from view. Rei
then carefully reached up and pulled the window down. "Well, that's
that." She crossed her arms, looking at her partner.
"Indeed." Ami crossed her legs. "Now, about that toilet
break...." Rei sighed to herself.
----o
The Guardolier frowned. Having peered up from the watch
tower, he had been sure he'd seen something descending from one of
the portal parapets. Not that it was all that likely, since that
particular portal tunnel had several patrol groups posted to it.
Then again, it was possibly one of the patrol groups having a lark
at his expense. It wouldn't be the first time.
The parapet had no adjoining crossbridge. It was too high and
in too awkward a position, relative to the more important one he was
guarding, to construct one. So the parapet was not regarded as
being all that important.... Read: nobody bothered to use it. And
anyway, one of the roof towers kept an eye on it at all times, so if
anything nasty DID descend from it, he'd be getting the message very
soon.
He turned away from the open bridge slide, reaching up to hit
the security beams that he'd shut off when making his visual recce',
and was promptly snagged from behind by an arm. Within seconds, the
burly sergeant had snapped his neck and landed upon the bridge slide
with an audible thump that made him wince.
Pausing to lie the guardoliers body against the wall of the
openway, with an almost tender concern, he turned back to the
opening and gestured, then moved into the watch tower to see if
anyone had heard him. One after the other, the soldiers of the
militia group descended into the tower, followed by the Chief
Commander, who had opted to take up the rearguard. All seven waited
for the sergeant's return, silently. And when he did, it was with a
disdainful shrug.
"I can't believe the total lack of security within this
place." The sergeant huffed. "I'm disappointed. I'd been
expecting much, much more."
The Chief Commander gestured to the security beam switch.
"This would seem to be the extent of their efforts." He chuckled
to himself. "They really don't expect anyone to come waltzing in
here, do they?"
"Nobody probably has." The sergeant sighed and lifted the Uzi
9mm he had slung by his side. "May I ask you a question,
Commander?"
"That's Chief Commander, sergeant. Remember that."
The sergeant sighed. "CHIEF Commander.... What, exactly, are
we doing down here, anyway?"
"Hmm?" The Chief Commander raised an eyebrow.
"Well, we WERE hunting the assassins, sir. Even if they're
down here, wouldn't it have been wiser to simply backtrack and
report our findings?"
The Chief Commander nodded thoughtfully, then smiled. "Well,
let us say that.... I am intrigued about this place." He paused.
"That central tower.... One would describe it as a commanding
center. What do you think, sergeant?"
"Yes, but...." Before the sergeant could say anymore, the
Chief Commander wrestled his backpack from his shoulders and started
to open it up.
"I'm in the thinking that we should give these people, whoever
they are, a bit of a surprise." He pulled back the top flap and
showed his soldiers the explosives held within. Some of them
chuckled drily, with thoughts of rampant and completely pointless
destruction on their minds. The sergeant wasn't quite so sure.
"But sir...." He cleared his throat. "We aren't even sure
who these people are."
The Chief Commander looked down at the body of the guardolier.
"It really doesn't matter now, does it. They aren't going to be
happy when they find him." The sergeant winced again and turned
away. The Chief Commander crossed his arms. "Anyway, they aren't
US, which means they must be an enemy. Anybody who isn't US just
HAS to be the enemy. And the more damage we can inflict on the
enemy, the better, don't you think?"
"Ooh ahh...." One of the soldiers grinned. "I wonder if they
have any pretty girls down here.... I'm feeling awfully like
celebrating the Festival with them." He grabbed his crotch and
started dancing around, to the cheers of the other soldiers.
"Sergeant...." the Chief Commander said simply as he closed
his backpack. The sergeant turned around and brought his fist into
the dancing soldier's midriff, winding the bejeezus out of him. The
soldier fell to the floor, coughing and spluttering, and his
compatriots fell silent.
"Would you please mind keeping you thoughts on the task at
hand, and not the task at...."
"That's alright, sergeant, I think they get the idea." He
hefted his backpack over his shoulder. "Please dispose of the body,
sergeant. We'll be moving out in a couple of minutes." He looked
down at the coughing soldier. "Oh, and you really need to get that
seen to, when we get back."
"Yes sir." The soldier croaked.
----o
"Aren't you afraid I might escape from here?" Usagi leaned
over the balcony, staring at the villa below. "I could jump...."
"....To your death, yes." Dimando smiled as he gestured
around the cavern that housed his city. All around, on the face of
every wall, there were holes that could, quite possibly, work as an
escape from the city, a bubble which Dimando quickly burst. "All
those possible escape routes, and only a very few actually go back
to the surface."
Usagi sighed. "So even if I do escape, without knowing the
tunnel system as well as you, I would simply hit a dead end at every
turn...." She turned to look at him. "One of the reasons you and
your people are so arrogant in their belief that, firstly, nobody
would discover the location of this place but, even if they did,
secondly they wouldn't be able to get away with that knowledge."
"A soldier in every tunnel, and tunnels that lead nowhere.
Yes, you can believe we are arrogant in our beliefs.... With
reason. Nobody has ever done anything to shake them." Dimando
smiled and placed his hands on Usagi's shoulders. She turned away
from him, trying to avoid his gaze. Dimando's smile faded away,
feeling a little uncomfortable with her standoffish behaviour.
"Please don't be this way." He said, softly.
"What way?" Her question seemed directed as much to the city
as it was to him.
"Please understand why we cannot let you go. Please. It is
not without reason that we are this way." His fingers dug into her
shoulders, making her turn back to him. His expression.... his
eyes.... were so pleading that she felt momentarily ashamed of her
behaviour.
"I will.... try to escape at some stage.... You realise
this?" She swallowed, feeling slightly dizzy. Indeed, she was
feeling somewhat ill, but for different reasons. "Unless, of
course, there is something I can do for you that will give you
reason to release us."
Dimando let her go and turned back towards the open window
doors, striding into his private chambers. Usagi cursed herself,
knowing that she had said the wrong thing.
"Something you could do...." Dimando sighed as he reached
the centre of the chamber's main room, staring up at the ceiling
with his hands on his hips. "Yes, I suppose she would, too, given
the right situation." His words didn't seem to be addressed to her.
"Thinking more of what she believed in, not of herself." He turned
back to Usagi, who had padded through the doorway into the relative
darkness of the chamber to get away from the nauseating affects of
the fungal glow. Strangely, the nausea did not dissipate. "You
haven't even given this place an opportunity, TSUKINO Usagi. I'm
so sorry that you feel you must do ANYTHING to escape from here.
I'm sure your mother would feel quite saddened to realise how
damaged a person you really are...."
"What has my late mother got to do with this?" Usagi spat
at him with surprising venom, making him do a double take.
"Oh Usagi...." He shook his head. "I wish I could tell you,
I really do.... But there are things kept from you for good
reasons. What you don't know cannot be used to hurt others. But
I fear for you, all the same."
"There is nothing in this world I need to know that I do not
know." Usagi said between clenched teeth. "I do not want to be
here. There are things I must do, and I won't allow you or your
people to stop me."
"That would be a good way of ending up dead or injured."
"At least, either way, I would have tried."
"Don't flatter yourself because of my hospitality. Even if
you DO get so far, the soldiers out there are still dedicated to
keeping our homeland a secret. Believe me, you WILL die if you try
to escape."
"Maybe death isn't such a bad option." Usagi said softly, her
eyes glazing over. "You're right that I am a damaged person. In
ways more than simply here." She tapped the side of her head.
"With that in mind, there is no reason to hold back. If dying
achieves something...."
"Dying achieves nothing." Dimando cut in. "You may believe
that your suicidal attitude can be of some benefit to the ROS, but
they WILL feel differently. Have you ever heard of the Asylum?"
Usagi frowned. "The correctional facility for operatives who
have turned against the Republic, yes. What of it?"
"I helped to set it up." He paused. "Before I escaped. I
realised, perhaps too late, the truth behind that facility. It is
why I abandoned my place in the light."
"So?"
"The Asylum isn't just for operatives who have turned against
the ROS.... It is to crack those whose attitudes are counter
productive to the Republic's ideals. And more than that...." He
paused, swallowing. "If your attitude was to affect the performance
of your duty, then, knowing WHO you are, you are likely to end up
within the Asylum."
Usagi shook her head. "Bullshit. Only traitors end up in the
Asylum. Adam Jade was in there for a short while, before he
escaped. You remember him, the man who threatens the existence of
the ROS...?"
"If he is that much of a threat, then I am sure I will have no
trouble in convincing my people to do something about it." He shook
his head. "No, I am ever more convinced that you need to remain
here, Usagi. If only to protect you from yourself...."
----o
Beruche swallowed when she received the report from one of her
subordinates, and chose to leave her meal to inspect the find
herself. And it was a damn good meal, too.... None of this
rubbishy fungus meat substitute.... Real steak with vegetable and
gravy, with spicy plum sauce and other accompaniments, followed by
pudding and peaches with custard. And they had the nerve to tell
her that things could just, possibly, be going to hell during this
once in a lifetime experience. Before she left, she stared
forlornly at the meal, and threatened the closest waiting staff to
personally turn them into the next menu if they didn't, at the very
least, keep the bloody thing WARM! All of it!
She was carted away from the scene along one of the emergency
carrier lines to the watch tower in question, along with her
personal guard, and inspected the body of the guardolier that had
been found in one of the weapons rooms. The RAIDED weapons room,
she had to keep reminding herself. Well, at least the bastards who
did this had the mind to switch the security beams back on after
they did their worst. Nothing like thoughtful enemy.
STUPID thoughtful enemy. After all, what was the point of
trying to hide a body in a room that had been so OBVIOUSLY
ransacked to the first guard detail that had passed this way. It
just SMACKED of militia.... No imagination, whatsoever. And
knowing them, they'd probably head for the biggest thing in the
city, without clueing to the fact that everyone KNOWS that would
be where they would head. She punched a fist into her hand and
cursed that they should have even bothered to annoy her meal this
way.
She turned to her second. "Would you mind telling the good
Captain who is currently running the detail on the Presidential
Palace to expect some nasty visitors within the next hour or so. And
then give the general insurgence alert."
"The general insurgence alert?" Her second stared at her.
Beruche put her face in one of her hands.
"Oh, for buggers sake! I know we have NEVER had a general
insurgence alert before, but one would think that we've had enough
dry runs for you to work it out all for yourself."
"But ma'am...." Her second swallowed. "We've never really
had it for real. I mean...."
Beruche put her hands on her second's shoulders, addressing
her silkily. "I know, I know. It's never happened before. I mean,
I have already said it once, haven't I. But we all know what to do,
don't we?" She gritted her teeth. "NOW, JUST GO AND DO IT!" The
second looked about a foot smaller as she scampered away. Beruche
had to rid herself of the thought of cockroaches scuttling away as
all her detail gave her a wide berth.
Maybe there was something to this concept of evolutionary
change after all, with everyone living underground for so long....
----o
It had been quite difficult to get from the ledge to the roof
of the villa, but apart from that it had been easy sailing for Luna.
Dashing along the length of the villa she was able to map out what
she could see of the city in her mind. She ignored the structures
that hung from the roof of the cavern, as they seemed to perform a
principally military task, and were unlikely to be somewhere where
she or the others were likely to, willingly, visit.
She came to a rise in the roof of the villa, and had to step
back and take a run up to make the jump. Even then, she only just
managed to hang on by her front paws, and spent a good minute or so
ineffectually kicking with her back legs before she decided to use
her claws to pull herself up, like grappling hooks. When she
finally clambered over, she sat down and puffed, exhausted, and
stared with disillusioned eyes at the climbs yet to come.
Before she could continue, however, there was an explosion of
noise. At first, it had seemed like some distant wailing, from the
direction she and the others had entered the cavern. But eventually
it creeped across the city like a disease, a growth, of sound.
Alarms. And very poorly used alarms, by the sound they were making.
It seemed to her as if it had been a long time since they had been
given this kind of workout, and half of those operating them
probably had no idea how to. In fact, considering how many were
still starting up, most of the operators were just clueing in to
their use by reading the operating manuals.
She let out a long breath. This could either be good or bad
for her.... Good that, in all the confusion that was, now, likely
to occur, absolutely nobody was going to take notice of a small cat,
flitting across the rooftops. Bad that, in all likelihood, anyone
she did meet was going to be a soldier and, ipso facto,
triggerhappy, shooting the first thing that moved.
And so she put out of her mind, however possible, that this
alarm had been caused by the discovery of her escape, and continued
on her way....
----o
Usagi had run out onto the balcony as soon as the alarms had
started sounding. It had been an almost spontaneous action, no
thought given to what the alarms might represent. There had been an
instant need to know the situation.... To KNOW. To throw herself
into the thick of it, whatever it was. Dimando followed her out,
slowly, as if in a trance.
"I take it, by your demeanor, that this is an unusual event,
hmmm?" Usagi leaned up to him, smiling. Dimando nodded, blankly.
"Normally it is just one or two of the sirens going off.
Alert training for the populace. Never anything like this...." He
seemed genuinely surprised. Usagi swallowed, concerned that he
should have been so shocked by it all. She took him by the arm and
dragged him back into the main room of his chambers.
"Then I think it would be better if you were to obey your own
alarm system and make yourself scarce." She muttered as he
staggered back from the balcony under her force. Eventually, he
seemed to come to and stopped her.
"I have to go and see to this." He swallowed. "The speaker
of the senate will be making his way here, so I should meet him
halfway. At least look as if I'm in charge." He forced a smile
onto his face as he looked down at her, touching her face. "You,
in the meantime, will remain here."
"What?" Usagi looked at him, disbelievingly.
"You heard what I said. This is the safest place in the
entire city. Believe me, it really is."
"Here? The only part of the entire city that stands out like
a sore carbuncle?" Usagi shook her head. "What was that you were
telling me, not so long ago, about this cavern being impregnable?"
"I never said it was. I just said it has never been found
before. Now it, obviously, has. So...." He shook his head.
"There are things about the Presidential Palace even the lower-grade
soldiers don't know about. If whatever enemy it is that has invaded
our territory tries to launch an attack here, they'll be in for a
nasty surprise." He pushed her back into a large armchair. "And
that means, if you try to escape in the meantime, you could get
yourself hurt. So please, just this once, do what I say, alright?"
Usagi nodded mutely, and he turned from her, marching towards
the main doors. As he opened them, he turned back and gave her a
smile, then left her alone, briskly shutting the doors behind him.
----o
The guard opened the door to the guest room and glared in. He
could see Rei, sitting on the settee', trying to look relaxed. She
turned to him. "What the hell is that racket out there?" She
crossed her arms, angrily. "I was just getting into this show when
it all went off." She nodded at the monitor tablet.
The guard took a breath and stepped into the room. "It's a
general alarm. Nothing to be scared of. I'm just making sure you
aren't all climbing the walls.... Wait a minute.... Where are the
other two...."
CLANG!
The guard slipped to the floor as Ami clouted him over the
head with the metal tub that the guard had slipped to her only
minutes before after she had asked for something to use to relieve
herself. Rei jumped to her feet and ran over to the door before the
automatic shutting mechanism could seal them in, again. "Quickly!"
She shouted to Ami. The other girl ran across the floor to where
Luna's bodysuit was sitting and rolled it up underneath her arm,
then made her way through the gap between Rei and the doorframe.
Rei eventually gave in to the fight between herself and the motors
that were trying to shut the door as she sprawled over the floor in
the corridor beyond. She looked up as everything went dark, the
light from the guest room instantly shut off.
Ami smiled as she heaved her to her feet. "That was a good
idea of mine, ne?" She giggled.
"Well, yeah." Rei shrugged. "It could have been a little
more subtle."
"Subtle? SUBTLE?" Ami put a hand to her chest with false
indignity. "You insult me, madame."
"Enough." Rei waved her away. "I suggest we find where they
have stored our gear and go forth from this place. hopefully with
Usagi and Luna in tow."
"Just a moment." Ami swallowed. "Haven't you forgotten
something?"
"What?"
Ami crossed her legs again. Rei sighed and turned away.
"Just be quick about it, will you? I would hate to think what would
happen if they caught you in mid stream."
----o
Luna clambered up the second to last of the rises, then
stopped, feeling utterly exhausted. She looked up at the now-close
tower, and could see figures flitting past the windows, back and
forth. Everyone certainly seemed to be in a panic.
She was about to get back onto her feet, when she could hear
a whirring noise, and caught the image of something rising from the
roof almost next to her. She leapt from where she was standing as
a laser beam sliced through the air.
Flinging herself around, she saw the patch of roof explode in
a small cloud of incinerated cement. She then turned to the small,
mobile laser port, which was already assuming a new target, and she
bolted for the next rise, beams whizzing all around her.
She was running so fast that she didn't even think about the
jump up onto the next section of roof. She just automatically
leapt, front paws reaching out for a foothold as she flew through
the air. Even she was surprised when she landed, belly first, a
full meter onto the next rise. She picked herself up and wiped her
forehead with a paw, the beams from the laser port striking the edge
of the rise, well clear of her.
Her relief was short lived, however, as a second laser port
snapped up from its moorings in the roof and took aim at her....
END OF PART 8
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ACROSS THE BORDER
In the heat of the day
Many miles away when the
Sun is beating down the main street.
I'll be waiting at the station,
I gotta move down the line.
They'll be dancing and singin'
And doin' their thing
And they'll be rockin' and rollin'
Until the day is done.
You know I've got to
Make the deadline-
I gotta get that southbound train tonight-
If I don't get to the border then I'll write.
The Mardis Gras
Will be blowing strong
And the people dancing
All across the city
I'm leavin' here tonight
I gotta move down the line.
I'm gonna catch a ride
On the 9.05
I'm gonna ride the rails
Until we reach the morning,
Maybe three or four
Hundred miles.
I gotta get that southbound train tonight-
If I don't get to the border then I'll write.
When the wind is blowing
Softly through the streets
of a little town
And the music's playin',
You're waitin' somewhere
Over the horizon.
-Jeff Lynne-
"Across the Border" is the 4th track from the Electric Light
Orchestra's 1977 double album, "Out of the Blue".
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_________
/ @ \ DDFA (The Right Dishonourable Mark A Page)
/ / ^ ^ \ \ ayanami@internode.on.net
/\
\/ \/
\___________/ Now in the handy Economy Size, in a choice
/_/ \_\ PU of red, blue, green, yellow and purple!!!!
Version 1.0 - 4.24am, Saturday, 17th June 2000
B I S H O U J O S E N S H I S A I L O R M O O N
A C R O S S T H E B O R D E R
by DDFA (Mark A Page)
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Disclaimer - This is a story containing characters who were created
by anyone but me. That anyone would happen to be Takeuchi Naoko.
Handle it.
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W H A T H A S G O N E B E F O R E
Having been chased into the sewers by the Reality Militia, the Death
Sailors have been captured by soldiers of the Republic of Darkness -
a city within a cavern, deep underneath the Capital of the Republic
of Surrealism.
There, they are imprisoned, but quixotically, Usagi is allowed to
meet with Dimando, one-time hero of the Civil War that brought the
Republic of Surrealism into being, and now President of the
Darkness.
Whilst awaiting news of Usagi's progress, Luna reveals that Usagi is
the daughter of President Serenity, and that her father might be, in
fact, Dimando.... A fact kept secret from both Usagi and
Dimando....
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The Chief Commander of the advance team brought his soldiers
to a halt. "What did you say, sergeant?" He turned to the burly
man, who crouched to his left in some vague attempt to hide, even
though he wasn't sure, in the depths of the sewer system, how they
were going to hide, and even if someone as large as himself was
capable of hiding regardless.
"I said it is getting awfully light in here, sir." The
sergeant swallowed. "The infrared goggles were blinding me, so I
had to take them off, and I can still see." He gestured around to
the half dozen other soldiers, most of whom were leaning against the
walls of the old tunnel, looking bored, one or two picking their
noses as if it were the only important thing in their lives. The
Chief Commander snapped at them all, bringing them to attention
fairly quickly.
"Hmmm...." The Chief Commander put a hand up to the wall next
to him, feeling the rough surface. "This seems to be one of the
older parts of the sewer system. Look, the walls are bricked,
rather than cemented." He paused. "And covered with a kind of
moss, or fungus, or whatever it is.... And look." He pulled some
of the covering from the wall, rubbing it between the fingers of his
gloved hand. "It glows. Especially when you aggravate it. Rub it
together and break open the cells or spores that contain the
substance."
"Natural phosphorescence." The sergeant nodded. "I've seen
this before."
"Where?" The Chief Commander quizzed.
"In some of the training grounds, caverns within the
mountains. Although it was combined with a large proportion of
animal life. Bats, cockroaches, rodents and other things I couldn't
identify. I thought they ate and spread the stuff, since it seemed
to be everywhere they were. But in here, there really isn't
anything...." He gestured around. "Maybe it's spread by something
else."
"Well, it's not likely that things living down here would jump
out at us and say hello, sergeant." The Chief Commander chuckled to
himself. "And this stuff is getting stronger and more prevalent the
further we go. We might be entering one of those caverns now."
"Right below the Capital?" The sergeant smiled. "It might
make a good base for our army.... A secret launching point for the
coup."
"Unless, of course, the Republic already knows about them."
The Chief Commander took a deep breath and gestured to his men to
move on. "Whatever the case...." He muttered. "We're going to
have to check it out. It might be where our targets were heading to
elude us."
They made their way further along the tunnel, which proceeded
to get thinner and brighter, and there was an increasing noise....
A rushing-like sound, but they thought they could hear what
appeared to be voices within the overall din. Eventually, there was
only enough room for them to walk single-file, before it opened out
again in a kind of landing. What greeted them there made half of
them drop their weapons.
"Sir.... It's...." The Sergeant began, before the Chief
Commander stepped forward to the railing that lined the opening to
the huge cavern.
"I'd say we've found something reportable, wouldn't you,
sergeant?" The Chief Commander said in a soft voice as he
overlooked the city below.
----o
Part Eight
Alarming Regularity
----o
"Wouldn't you say the security here is awfully low?" Rei
gritted her teeth as she forced the sliding window open, whilst
doing her best to avoid hurting herself on the bars that blocked
inside access to it. She noticed that there were bars on the
outside, as well, slightly cambered to the inner ones. "Metal bars,
no matter what kind, make a good physical defence against break-in
or break-out, but they're nothing when compared to a half-decent
alarm system, combined with the kinds of nasty little security
devices that leave you half the person you once were, literally."
"I don't suppose they've ever expected this room to actually
be used." Ami speculated. "In fact, I believe they feel that their
city is most unlikely to be discovered. Which makes our presence
here rather tentative at best."
"You mean our health." Rei managed to slide the window as far
as it would go, which was a great deal further than she expected.
"Unless Usagi does something to insure it."
"Which makes this whole plan of yours, Lady Luna, rather
dangerous, I must say." Ami verbalised this away from Luna, who was
shedding her bodysuit and thus becoming far more naked than Ami
usually dared to spy on.
"It's not MY plan, remember?" Luna hopped about on the spot
as she pulled the clinging suit from her right foot. "You're the
one who suggested it."
"Well, I guess I'll be to blame if you do anything stupid that
is likely to get us killed by our hosts." Ami huffed petulantly,
crossing her arms as Rei turned to her.
"She IS the only one capable of fitting between these bars.
Unless you want to give it a try." Rei gestured to the window.
"No thanks. I'm not THAT desperate to lose weight that I'd
try experimental fat reducing methods." Ami smiled cutely at Rei.
"I'd go for the 'knock the guard over the head' method, myself, but
personal preference has nothing to do with subtlety, so...."
There was a flash behind them, and Luna's human form
disappeared behind the settee. Within seconds, a small dark-blue cat
emerged, striding across the carpet with more snobbish arrogance
than even a cat should be capable of. "One thing I'm somewhat sure
of...." The sudden raise in the pitch of her voice, due to the
change in her body size and shape, brought a smirk to the pair's
faces. "....Is that the appearance of a cat in their city may be
regarded with some suspicion, since it's possible there are no cats
down here."
"What? Down here?" Rei giggled. "Come ON. A hidden place
such as this? Cats would be FLOCKING down here in DROVES."
"Well, I hope not. It's one thing to walk around as a cat
within the relative safety of the city above...." Luna sighed.
"It's another thing to be leapt upon by a dozen over-territorial or
amorous strays. And no, before you ask, I do not find other cats
attractive, alright?" Luna shivered, remembering the occasion a
noble suitor tried to woo her in the form of a tomcat. A white
tomcat, at that.... What WAS that guy thinking? Worse, what WAS
that guy drinking? Shaking off the thought, Luna allowed herself
to be picked up by Ami and carried to the window sill. From there,
she checked the gap between the bars and the ledge beyond. "It
seems to be alright. Getting out won't be a problem, but I'd like
to know how far that ledge goes, and where, before I end up hurtling
to my death."
Ami helped her up onto the sill, where Luna curved her way
through the bars, placing her front feet on the ledge, and stared
around. "How is it?" Ami inquired.
"It goes a pretty long way, in both directions. Not nearly
enough to be a foothold for a human. Just enough for me, in fact."
She paused. "We seem to be on the top level of a large villa made
of stone, or something white, whatever it is. There is a small
alley at the base, nobody down there. The alley leads to a much
larger esplanade, which is just FULL of people, all civilians by the
looks of things." She peered along the wall. "The esplanade turns
when it reaches the villa, which continues for some way. Right up
to what appears to be a major structure, even higher than this one.
It might be the Presidential Palace. It certainly has the appearance
of one."
There was a noise from outside the room. Ami turned and
looked at Rei, who stared back, swallowing, then made her way to the
door, holding her ear against it.
"What? What is it?" Luna stepped out onto the ledge, then
turned back to look at Ami, who shook her head.
"It's nothing. We thought we heard a noise." Ami whispered.
"It's probably the guard falling to the floor from his seat after
nodding off." She looked back at Rei, who shook her head, relaxing.
"You're going to be deep within the fecal matter if anyone
DOES enter the room, for whatever reason, and I'm not there."
Luna's tone betrayed her amusement. Ami wagged a finger at her.
"We can deal with the problem ourselves, thankyou very much.
And after all, as you said, this is MY idea."
Luna shrugged as well as a cat could shrug. "Very well, then.
I'll make my way to the building I'm presuming is the Palace. If I
find out anything of importance, I'll get back to you as quickly as
possible, okay?"
Ami nodded as Rei joined her. "Good luck." Rei said, simply.
Luna allowed a tight smile before she disappeared from view. Rei
then carefully reached up and pulled the window down. "Well, that's
that." She crossed her arms, looking at her partner.
"Indeed." Ami crossed her legs. "Now, about that toilet
break...." Rei sighed to herself.
----o
The Guardolier frowned. Having peered up from the watch
tower, he had been sure he'd seen something descending from one of
the portal parapets. Not that it was all that likely, since that
particular portal tunnel had several patrol groups posted to it.
Then again, it was possibly one of the patrol groups having a lark
at his expense. It wouldn't be the first time.
The parapet had no adjoining crossbridge. It was too high and
in too awkward a position, relative to the more important one he was
guarding, to construct one. So the parapet was not regarded as
being all that important.... Read: nobody bothered to use it. And
anyway, one of the roof towers kept an eye on it at all times, so if
anything nasty DID descend from it, he'd be getting the message very
soon.
He turned away from the open bridge slide, reaching up to hit
the security beams that he'd shut off when making his visual recce',
and was promptly snagged from behind by an arm. Within seconds, the
burly sergeant had snapped his neck and landed upon the bridge slide
with an audible thump that made him wince.
Pausing to lie the guardoliers body against the wall of the
openway, with an almost tender concern, he turned back to the
opening and gestured, then moved into the watch tower to see if
anyone had heard him. One after the other, the soldiers of the
militia group descended into the tower, followed by the Chief
Commander, who had opted to take up the rearguard. All seven waited
for the sergeant's return, silently. And when he did, it was with a
disdainful shrug.
"I can't believe the total lack of security within this
place." The sergeant huffed. "I'm disappointed. I'd been
expecting much, much more."
The Chief Commander gestured to the security beam switch.
"This would seem to be the extent of their efforts." He chuckled
to himself. "They really don't expect anyone to come waltzing in
here, do they?"
"Nobody probably has." The sergeant sighed and lifted the Uzi
9mm he had slung by his side. "May I ask you a question,
Commander?"
"That's Chief Commander, sergeant. Remember that."
The sergeant sighed. "CHIEF Commander.... What, exactly, are
we doing down here, anyway?"
"Hmm?" The Chief Commander raised an eyebrow.
"Well, we WERE hunting the assassins, sir. Even if they're
down here, wouldn't it have been wiser to simply backtrack and
report our findings?"
The Chief Commander nodded thoughtfully, then smiled. "Well,
let us say that.... I am intrigued about this place." He paused.
"That central tower.... One would describe it as a commanding
center. What do you think, sergeant?"
"Yes, but...." Before the sergeant could say anymore, the
Chief Commander wrestled his backpack from his shoulders and started
to open it up.
"I'm in the thinking that we should give these people, whoever
they are, a bit of a surprise." He pulled back the top flap and
showed his soldiers the explosives held within. Some of them
chuckled drily, with thoughts of rampant and completely pointless
destruction on their minds. The sergeant wasn't quite so sure.
"But sir...." He cleared his throat. "We aren't even sure
who these people are."
The Chief Commander looked down at the body of the guardolier.
"It really doesn't matter now, does it. They aren't going to be
happy when they find him." The sergeant winced again and turned
away. The Chief Commander crossed his arms. "Anyway, they aren't
US, which means they must be an enemy. Anybody who isn't US just
HAS to be the enemy. And the more damage we can inflict on the
enemy, the better, don't you think?"
"Ooh ahh...." One of the soldiers grinned. "I wonder if they
have any pretty girls down here.... I'm feeling awfully like
celebrating the Festival with them." He grabbed his crotch and
started dancing around, to the cheers of the other soldiers.
"Sergeant...." the Chief Commander said simply as he closed
his backpack. The sergeant turned around and brought his fist into
the dancing soldier's midriff, winding the bejeezus out of him. The
soldier fell to the floor, coughing and spluttering, and his
compatriots fell silent.
"Would you please mind keeping you thoughts on the task at
hand, and not the task at...."
"That's alright, sergeant, I think they get the idea." He
hefted his backpack over his shoulder. "Please dispose of the body,
sergeant. We'll be moving out in a couple of minutes." He looked
down at the coughing soldier. "Oh, and you really need to get that
seen to, when we get back."
"Yes sir." The soldier croaked.
----o
"Aren't you afraid I might escape from here?" Usagi leaned
over the balcony, staring at the villa below. "I could jump...."
"....To your death, yes." Dimando smiled as he gestured
around the cavern that housed his city. All around, on the face of
every wall, there were holes that could, quite possibly, work as an
escape from the city, a bubble which Dimando quickly burst. "All
those possible escape routes, and only a very few actually go back
to the surface."
Usagi sighed. "So even if I do escape, without knowing the
tunnel system as well as you, I would simply hit a dead end at every
turn...." She turned to look at him. "One of the reasons you and
your people are so arrogant in their belief that, firstly, nobody
would discover the location of this place but, even if they did,
secondly they wouldn't be able to get away with that knowledge."
"A soldier in every tunnel, and tunnels that lead nowhere.
Yes, you can believe we are arrogant in our beliefs.... With
reason. Nobody has ever done anything to shake them." Dimando
smiled and placed his hands on Usagi's shoulders. She turned away
from him, trying to avoid his gaze. Dimando's smile faded away,
feeling a little uncomfortable with her standoffish behaviour.
"Please don't be this way." He said, softly.
"What way?" Her question seemed directed as much to the city
as it was to him.
"Please understand why we cannot let you go. Please. It is
not without reason that we are this way." His fingers dug into her
shoulders, making her turn back to him. His expression.... his
eyes.... were so pleading that she felt momentarily ashamed of her
behaviour.
"I will.... try to escape at some stage.... You realise
this?" She swallowed, feeling slightly dizzy. Indeed, she was
feeling somewhat ill, but for different reasons. "Unless, of
course, there is something I can do for you that will give you
reason to release us."
Dimando let her go and turned back towards the open window
doors, striding into his private chambers. Usagi cursed herself,
knowing that she had said the wrong thing.
"Something you could do...." Dimando sighed as he reached
the centre of the chamber's main room, staring up at the ceiling
with his hands on his hips. "Yes, I suppose she would, too, given
the right situation." His words didn't seem to be addressed to her.
"Thinking more of what she believed in, not of herself." He turned
back to Usagi, who had padded through the doorway into the relative
darkness of the chamber to get away from the nauseating affects of
the fungal glow. Strangely, the nausea did not dissipate. "You
haven't even given this place an opportunity, TSUKINO Usagi. I'm
so sorry that you feel you must do ANYTHING to escape from here.
I'm sure your mother would feel quite saddened to realise how
damaged a person you really are...."
"What has my late mother got to do with this?" Usagi spat
at him with surprising venom, making him do a double take.
"Oh Usagi...." He shook his head. "I wish I could tell you,
I really do.... But there are things kept from you for good
reasons. What you don't know cannot be used to hurt others. But
I fear for you, all the same."
"There is nothing in this world I need to know that I do not
know." Usagi said between clenched teeth. "I do not want to be
here. There are things I must do, and I won't allow you or your
people to stop me."
"That would be a good way of ending up dead or injured."
"At least, either way, I would have tried."
"Don't flatter yourself because of my hospitality. Even if
you DO get so far, the soldiers out there are still dedicated to
keeping our homeland a secret. Believe me, you WILL die if you try
to escape."
"Maybe death isn't such a bad option." Usagi said softly, her
eyes glazing over. "You're right that I am a damaged person. In
ways more than simply here." She tapped the side of her head.
"With that in mind, there is no reason to hold back. If dying
achieves something...."
"Dying achieves nothing." Dimando cut in. "You may believe
that your suicidal attitude can be of some benefit to the ROS, but
they WILL feel differently. Have you ever heard of the Asylum?"
Usagi frowned. "The correctional facility for operatives who
have turned against the Republic, yes. What of it?"
"I helped to set it up." He paused. "Before I escaped. I
realised, perhaps too late, the truth behind that facility. It is
why I abandoned my place in the light."
"So?"
"The Asylum isn't just for operatives who have turned against
the ROS.... It is to crack those whose attitudes are counter
productive to the Republic's ideals. And more than that...." He
paused, swallowing. "If your attitude was to affect the performance
of your duty, then, knowing WHO you are, you are likely to end up
within the Asylum."
Usagi shook her head. "Bullshit. Only traitors end up in the
Asylum. Adam Jade was in there for a short while, before he
escaped. You remember him, the man who threatens the existence of
the ROS...?"
"If he is that much of a threat, then I am sure I will have no
trouble in convincing my people to do something about it." He shook
his head. "No, I am ever more convinced that you need to remain
here, Usagi. If only to protect you from yourself...."
----o
Beruche swallowed when she received the report from one of her
subordinates, and chose to leave her meal to inspect the find
herself. And it was a damn good meal, too.... None of this
rubbishy fungus meat substitute.... Real steak with vegetable and
gravy, with spicy plum sauce and other accompaniments, followed by
pudding and peaches with custard. And they had the nerve to tell
her that things could just, possibly, be going to hell during this
once in a lifetime experience. Before she left, she stared
forlornly at the meal, and threatened the closest waiting staff to
personally turn them into the next menu if they didn't, at the very
least, keep the bloody thing WARM! All of it!
She was carted away from the scene along one of the emergency
carrier lines to the watch tower in question, along with her
personal guard, and inspected the body of the guardolier that had
been found in one of the weapons rooms. The RAIDED weapons room,
she had to keep reminding herself. Well, at least the bastards who
did this had the mind to switch the security beams back on after
they did their worst. Nothing like thoughtful enemy.
STUPID thoughtful enemy. After all, what was the point of
trying to hide a body in a room that had been so OBVIOUSLY
ransacked to the first guard detail that had passed this way. It
just SMACKED of militia.... No imagination, whatsoever. And
knowing them, they'd probably head for the biggest thing in the
city, without clueing to the fact that everyone KNOWS that would
be where they would head. She punched a fist into her hand and
cursed that they should have even bothered to annoy her meal this
way.
She turned to her second. "Would you mind telling the good
Captain who is currently running the detail on the Presidential
Palace to expect some nasty visitors within the next hour or so. And
then give the general insurgence alert."
"The general insurgence alert?" Her second stared at her.
Beruche put her face in one of her hands.
"Oh, for buggers sake! I know we have NEVER had a general
insurgence alert before, but one would think that we've had enough
dry runs for you to work it out all for yourself."
"But ma'am...." Her second swallowed. "We've never really
had it for real. I mean...."
Beruche put her hands on her second's shoulders, addressing
her silkily. "I know, I know. It's never happened before. I mean,
I have already said it once, haven't I. But we all know what to do,
don't we?" She gritted her teeth. "NOW, JUST GO AND DO IT!" The
second looked about a foot smaller as she scampered away. Beruche
had to rid herself of the thought of cockroaches scuttling away as
all her detail gave her a wide berth.
Maybe there was something to this concept of evolutionary
change after all, with everyone living underground for so long....
----o
It had been quite difficult to get from the ledge to the roof
of the villa, but apart from that it had been easy sailing for Luna.
Dashing along the length of the villa she was able to map out what
she could see of the city in her mind. She ignored the structures
that hung from the roof of the cavern, as they seemed to perform a
principally military task, and were unlikely to be somewhere where
she or the others were likely to, willingly, visit.
She came to a rise in the roof of the villa, and had to step
back and take a run up to make the jump. Even then, she only just
managed to hang on by her front paws, and spent a good minute or so
ineffectually kicking with her back legs before she decided to use
her claws to pull herself up, like grappling hooks. When she
finally clambered over, she sat down and puffed, exhausted, and
stared with disillusioned eyes at the climbs yet to come.
Before she could continue, however, there was an explosion of
noise. At first, it had seemed like some distant wailing, from the
direction she and the others had entered the cavern. But eventually
it creeped across the city like a disease, a growth, of sound.
Alarms. And very poorly used alarms, by the sound they were making.
It seemed to her as if it had been a long time since they had been
given this kind of workout, and half of those operating them
probably had no idea how to. In fact, considering how many were
still starting up, most of the operators were just clueing in to
their use by reading the operating manuals.
She let out a long breath. This could either be good or bad
for her.... Good that, in all the confusion that was, now, likely
to occur, absolutely nobody was going to take notice of a small cat,
flitting across the rooftops. Bad that, in all likelihood, anyone
she did meet was going to be a soldier and, ipso facto,
triggerhappy, shooting the first thing that moved.
And so she put out of her mind, however possible, that this
alarm had been caused by the discovery of her escape, and continued
on her way....
----o
Usagi had run out onto the balcony as soon as the alarms had
started sounding. It had been an almost spontaneous action, no
thought given to what the alarms might represent. There had been an
instant need to know the situation.... To KNOW. To throw herself
into the thick of it, whatever it was. Dimando followed her out,
slowly, as if in a trance.
"I take it, by your demeanor, that this is an unusual event,
hmmm?" Usagi leaned up to him, smiling. Dimando nodded, blankly.
"Normally it is just one or two of the sirens going off.
Alert training for the populace. Never anything like this...." He
seemed genuinely surprised. Usagi swallowed, concerned that he
should have been so shocked by it all. She took him by the arm and
dragged him back into the main room of his chambers.
"Then I think it would be better if you were to obey your own
alarm system and make yourself scarce." She muttered as he
staggered back from the balcony under her force. Eventually, he
seemed to come to and stopped her.
"I have to go and see to this." He swallowed. "The speaker
of the senate will be making his way here, so I should meet him
halfway. At least look as if I'm in charge." He forced a smile
onto his face as he looked down at her, touching her face. "You,
in the meantime, will remain here."
"What?" Usagi looked at him, disbelievingly.
"You heard what I said. This is the safest place in the
entire city. Believe me, it really is."
"Here? The only part of the entire city that stands out like
a sore carbuncle?" Usagi shook her head. "What was that you were
telling me, not so long ago, about this cavern being impregnable?"
"I never said it was. I just said it has never been found
before. Now it, obviously, has. So...." He shook his head.
"There are things about the Presidential Palace even the lower-grade
soldiers don't know about. If whatever enemy it is that has invaded
our territory tries to launch an attack here, they'll be in for a
nasty surprise." He pushed her back into a large armchair. "And
that means, if you try to escape in the meantime, you could get
yourself hurt. So please, just this once, do what I say, alright?"
Usagi nodded mutely, and he turned from her, marching towards
the main doors. As he opened them, he turned back and gave her a
smile, then left her alone, briskly shutting the doors behind him.
----o
The guard opened the door to the guest room and glared in. He
could see Rei, sitting on the settee', trying to look relaxed. She
turned to him. "What the hell is that racket out there?" She
crossed her arms, angrily. "I was just getting into this show when
it all went off." She nodded at the monitor tablet.
The guard took a breath and stepped into the room. "It's a
general alarm. Nothing to be scared of. I'm just making sure you
aren't all climbing the walls.... Wait a minute.... Where are the
other two...."
CLANG!
The guard slipped to the floor as Ami clouted him over the
head with the metal tub that the guard had slipped to her only
minutes before after she had asked for something to use to relieve
herself. Rei jumped to her feet and ran over to the door before the
automatic shutting mechanism could seal them in, again. "Quickly!"
She shouted to Ami. The other girl ran across the floor to where
Luna's bodysuit was sitting and rolled it up underneath her arm,
then made her way through the gap between Rei and the doorframe.
Rei eventually gave in to the fight between herself and the motors
that were trying to shut the door as she sprawled over the floor in
the corridor beyond. She looked up as everything went dark, the
light from the guest room instantly shut off.
Ami smiled as she heaved her to her feet. "That was a good
idea of mine, ne?" She giggled.
"Well, yeah." Rei shrugged. "It could have been a little
more subtle."
"Subtle? SUBTLE?" Ami put a hand to her chest with false
indignity. "You insult me, madame."
"Enough." Rei waved her away. "I suggest we find where they
have stored our gear and go forth from this place. hopefully with
Usagi and Luna in tow."
"Just a moment." Ami swallowed. "Haven't you forgotten
something?"
"What?"
Ami crossed her legs again. Rei sighed and turned away.
"Just be quick about it, will you? I would hate to think what would
happen if they caught you in mid stream."
----o
Luna clambered up the second to last of the rises, then
stopped, feeling utterly exhausted. She looked up at the now-close
tower, and could see figures flitting past the windows, back and
forth. Everyone certainly seemed to be in a panic.
She was about to get back onto her feet, when she could hear
a whirring noise, and caught the image of something rising from the
roof almost next to her. She leapt from where she was standing as
a laser beam sliced through the air.
Flinging herself around, she saw the patch of roof explode in
a small cloud of incinerated cement. She then turned to the small,
mobile laser port, which was already assuming a new target, and she
bolted for the next rise, beams whizzing all around her.
She was running so fast that she didn't even think about the
jump up onto the next section of roof. She just automatically
leapt, front paws reaching out for a foothold as she flew through
the air. Even she was surprised when she landed, belly first, a
full meter onto the next rise. She picked herself up and wiped her
forehead with a paw, the beams from the laser port striking the edge
of the rise, well clear of her.
Her relief was short lived, however, as a second laser port
snapped up from its moorings in the roof and took aim at her....
END OF PART 8
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ACROSS THE BORDER
In the heat of the day
Many miles away when the
Sun is beating down the main street.
I'll be waiting at the station,
I gotta move down the line.
They'll be dancing and singin'
And doin' their thing
And they'll be rockin' and rollin'
Until the day is done.
You know I've got to
Make the deadline-
I gotta get that southbound train tonight-
If I don't get to the border then I'll write.
The Mardis Gras
Will be blowing strong
And the people dancing
All across the city
I'm leavin' here tonight
I gotta move down the line.
I'm gonna catch a ride
On the 9.05
I'm gonna ride the rails
Until we reach the morning,
Maybe three or four
Hundred miles.
I gotta get that southbound train tonight-
If I don't get to the border then I'll write.
When the wind is blowing
Softly through the streets
of a little town
And the music's playin',
You're waitin' somewhere
Over the horizon.
-Jeff Lynne-
"Across the Border" is the 4th track from the Electric Light
Orchestra's 1977 double album, "Out of the Blue".
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Version 1.0 - 4.24am, Saturday, 17th June 2000