A SHADOW OVER CRYSTAL TOKYO,
Chapter 4: "Sacrificing for Your Friends"
By Bill K.
Four-thirty was not the usual time Ami woke up. Yet, there she
sat, in her reclining workstation, dressed in her nightgown and a
robe. Her hair was unkempt and she sipped from a cup of hot tea as
she rubbed her red eyes. She knew the prescription for them and the
general grogginess she felt was sleep, but when you wake up at four
a.m. and realize after a half hour of tossing and turning that you're
not going to go back to sleep, that remedy is out of the question.
"Something about this is bothering me," she murmured to
herself, safe in vocalizing her thoughts to herself because no one
else was around. "I gave Hotaru a general medical scan when she
first arrived here. There were no measurable abnormalities." Her
eyes searched through the data from the medical scan, displayed on a
virtual screen before her.
Touching the screen, a highlighted section of the outline of
Hotaru's body enlarged so Ami could look more closely at the brain
scan. Telemetry data displayed beneath the highlighted section. Ami
absently pushed the glasses up her nose as she concentrated on the
display. The woman stared at the display as it patiently waited for
her next command. Her eyes seemed to bore holes through it as she
made mental calculations and turned differing theories over in her
mind.
An electronic chime sounded, bringing her back to this reality.
"Rei Hino wishes entry," the computer said. Ami gave the approval.
Rei walked in, wearing her priest's robes. Her face was flushed and
sweaty.
"You're up early," Rei said. To her unspoken question, Rei
replied, "I sensed you were up."
"And from the looks of you, I doubt you've even been to bed,"
Ami replied. "Find anything?"
"More confusion," Rei scowled. "It's strange. I don't get a
sense of Mistress 9 at all. And I know what she feels like. That
period was one of the most traumatic periods I've ever been through
as a psychic. You don't forget things like that. If Mistress 9 got
within this solar system, I think I'd be able to tell."
"But you did sense something," judged Ami.
"From what I can read off of Hotaru and what I can tell from
the flames, something's going on with her. She's scared to death.
That was no act last night. That was naked terror. I still have a
headache from it. I think Palla-Palla sensed it, too. Did you
notice her crying?"
"Yes, I did." Ami scrutinized the display again. "Do you
think it's possible Mistress 9 has taken a new form? Could some
essence of her have been reborn with Hotaru and taken on her - -
well, whatever psychic signature you read - - instead of reflecting
Pharaoh 90 and The Silence?"
Rei looked at her askance. "Ami, I'm just a simple priest.
You're asking things of me that I'm not sure I even understand."
"Sorry," Ami said, dropping her eyes in chagrin for a moment.
Rei noticed the display.
"That's Hotaru's medfile, isn't it?" Rei asked. "You find
anything?"
"Just that," Ami answered, pointing to a section of Hotaru's
frontal lobe. It was colored in gradient shades of red, orange and
yellow while the rest of the brain was yellows, greens and blues.
"What's that?"
"This is an encephalograph of Hotaru's brain. The colors
represent brainwave activity in percentage grades. The hotter the
color, the more brainwave activity present. This one section colored
in reds and oranges is the part of the brain where extra-sensory
brain functions come from. You've got a spot on your EEG right
there, too, and it's even bigger and redder than Hotaru's."
"Are you saying she's psychic?" Rei asked.
"Not necessarily. She has the potential for psycho-sensory
abilities. They may be precognitive like yours, or telepathic like
Palla-Palla. They may be something else. Roughly twenty-five
percent of the population has a spot this developed. And when it
reaches this stage, usually with the onset of puberty, psycho-kinetic
abilities can develop. However, it's not a given. Hotaru's previous
incarnation had some rudimentary telekinesis and psycho-restorative
healing ability, but to my knowledge she's never demonstrated any
abilities in this life."
"Could it be her powers starting to bloom?"
"It could be," frowned Ami. "But with recent events, I'm
beginning to wonder now. Are we looking at the formation of 'Esper
Waves' or is this where Mistress 9's been hiding?"
"Do you have some way to test for it?"
"For Esper Waves? Yes. I was planning to give it to Hotaru
after her trip to Elysian. But I don't have a test for Mistress 9."
"Well," shrugged Rei, "if you give her the test and it's not
this 'Esper' stuff - - what else could it be?"
Ami glanced at Rei. It was a possibility she didn't want to
admit.
* * * *
Hotaru's eyes opened easily, but it was a few moments before
she realized where she was. Groggy, she sat up in bed.
"Good morning, Hotaru Tomoe," said the computer when its'
wake-up program was triggered by motion detectors. "Today is
Thursday, August 17, 2995 AD. May I be . . ."
"Computer off!" growled Ves-Ves. "Man, I hate those things.
Computers have no right being perky."
Ves-Ves grew silent with the realization that Hotaru was
staring at her and her sisters. The girl grew self-conscious and
offered her a weak smile. Before Hotaru could say anything, though,
they all turned when Usa snorted loudly in her sleep.
"Princess," called Cere-Cere gently. "Hotaru's awake." There
was no response from the sleeping girl. "Princess?"
Ves-Ves scooted a few feet across the floor until her foot was
in reach of the pedestal chair. She nudged the chair with light
forcefulness. It teetered to one side for an agonizing moment, Usa
oblivious to it all, then toppled to the floor, spilling the princess
rudely onto her side.
"Ahhh!" cried the startled princess. She got to a sitting
position, looking around in confusion, until she heard Palla-Palla
giggling. Her eyes narrowed and her gaze immediately locked onto
Ves-Ves. "This is your doing."
"Is it my fault you're a sound sleeper?" Ves-Ves said,
unapologetic and slightly smug.
"You - - are on my list," Usa scowled.
"Are you all right, Usa?" Hotaru asked, barely restraining her
own laughter.
"I'm OK. Just my pride got hurt." She started to get up, then
grimaced. "And my butt!" Pushing past the pain, the pink-tressed
teen sat on the side of Hotaru's bed. "The important thing is how
are you?"
"I'm all right now," Hotaru said, her expression clouding over
as she recalled the events of the previous night. "But you stayed
with me all night! I'm sorry I put . . ."
"Ah!" Usa said sharply, holding up her hand to stop Hotaru.
"You're my friend, Hotaru. There's nothing in the world I wouldn't
do for you - - nothing!"
Hotaru looked to her lap, embarrassed. But the small signs of
a grateful smile crept along the edges of her tiny mouth.
"And the rest of you?" Hotaru asked, glancing up at the
Amazons.
"Well," Jun-Jun offered weakly, "we're senshi in training. And
senshi are supposed to help people. And you looked like you needed
help."
"Yeah, especially after we read about this Mistress 9
character," Ves-Ves added. "We figured you could use some back up."
Hotaru's gaze fell to her lap again. "Thank you. I-I'll try
to be worthy of this."
"Miss Hotaru Ma'am," Palla-Palla said. "Please don't worry.
That mean old lady won't hurt you. Palla-Palla will do everything
she can to help the Princess protect you."
Her finger slipping under her eyelid to wipe a tear away,
Hotaru grinned. "I guess I don't have anything to worry about then,
huh?"
"That's right," Usa reassured her. "You don't."
"OK," Hotaru nodded. It was at that point when she noticed her
friend's very flimsy nightie. "Usa, that nightie is so adult!"
"Yeah, I know!" grinned Usa. "You like it?"
"It looks very nice on you." Hotaru flushed. "I could never
wear anything like that."
"Sure you could."
"Usa," Hotaru smiled patiently, "not all of us are blessed with
the - - gifts you have."
"I could wear it," Ves-Ves claimed.
"And not look like a boy?" needled Cere-Cere.
"Hey! I've got just as much as she does!"
"Yeah, but you don't know how to use it," Cere-Cere shot back.
"Could we have this discussion LATER," hissed Jun-Jun. Usa and
Hotaru traded amused glances.
"Um, I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but, um . . ." Hotaru
began.
"What is it?" Usa asked.
"Well," Hotaru hesitated, slightly embarrassed, "I think I'd
like to get dressed now."
Usa seemed to stare at her, uncomprehending, for a moment.
"Oh!" she said finally, her hands flying to her mouth. "Oh, right!
Come on, everybody, let's go!" and she shot up off the bed. The
Amazons got up and followed her to the door.
"Usa?" Hotaru called after them. "Everybody - - thank you
again."
"Comes with the territory, Hotaru," Usa smiled warmly.
"That really does look nice on you," Cere-Cere offered as they
left the room.
"You think so?" Usa asked. "Daddy nearly stroked out when he
saw it."
When she was alone, Hotaru climbed out of bed and headed for
the bathroom. After washing up, she looked at herself in the mirror.
Sure, she wasn't as beautiful and vivacious as her friend was, but
she was comfortable with the way she looked. Her hand ran a brush
through her shoulder-length black hair. But did she really just want
to be "comfortable"? She was smaller than Usa and the others, but
that didn't mean she couldn't try to look more attractive. After
all, she was thinking about boys more and more now and some day she
wanted to do more than think about them. She looked again in the
mirror. Maybe she could do something with her hair. It looked so
- - so child-like. Maybe she could look a little more sophisticated
with a different style - - even, dare she think it, alluring?
Her shoulders slumped. It'd take a lot more than a new hair
style to compete with Usa - - or the Amazons for that matter. They
were almost as glamorous as Usa was - - except for Palla-Palla, and
her attitude was so child-like she didn't even try. Even though they
were only a year older than Hotaru was, it seemed like they were
all a million times older and more adult.
Sighing in frustration, her brow knit, Hotaru put the brush
down. Then, like a bolt of lightning, she jumped back, startled, at
a quick sound. She looked up and saw the mirror cracked into ten or
fifteen pieces, still in its frame. Multiple images of her staring
back in wide-eyed horror greeted her. Her hands came up to her mouth
and the images imitated her, as if they mocked her confusion and
anxiety.
Then she felt it. Something strange in the room - - no, in
her, pulsing and pounding, trying to get out, trying to break free.
Her breathing quickened and she shook her head, the act a symbolic
denial of what she dreaded most.
And all at once an eerie calm swept over her body. It was
coupled with a dreadful sadness, for Hotaru knew what she had to do. Walking out of the bathroom, she crossed over to her closet and got dressed.
* * * *
"Aren't you coming to breakfast?" Jun-Jun asked.
"I want to see if Hotaru wants to join us," Usa said, walking
down the hall to Hotaru's quarters.
"She never has before. Then come to think of it, you've never
before, either."
"That's because you four eat too early."
"No, that's because you sleep too late," Jun-Jun observed.
"Same difference," Usa shrugged. She arrived at the door and
pressed the chime. There was no answer. She pressed again and again
no answer. "Hotaru? It's Usa!"
"These quarters are currently unoccupied," reported the
computerized door. Usa turned to Jun-Jun.
"Maybe she's already in the cafeteria," Jun-Jun shrugged.
The girls headed for the cafeteria. Inside, they spotted the
other Amazons. Cere-Cere waved to them. The pair hurried over.
"Hi, Princess!" smiled Palla-Palla. "Palla-Palla's having
Frosty Rings today! See?"
"Hotaru's not here?" Usa asked.
"We thought she was with you," Ves-Ves said.
"No," Jun-Jun shook her head.
"Did you try her room?" asked Cere-Cere.
"She wasn't there."
"Maybe she went on ahead to class."
"Why? Anymore that's her least favorite place in the whole
universe."
"Palla-Palla, can you try to home in on her thoughts?" Usa
asked.
Palla-Palla shook her head sadly. "People's thoughts just come
to Palla-Palla. When she listens for them, nothing happens."
"Maybe you should ask the king where she is," Cere-Cere
ventured.
"And get her into trouble? No way," Usa replied firmly. Then
she got an idea. "But I might have a way to go around him." Usa
turned and sprinted out of the cafeteria.
Jun-Jun followed. She found Usa outside engaging one of the
access terminals to the computer system that oversaw basic functions
of the palace. Usa had finished her commands by the time she got
close enough, but Jun-Jun heard her say "Tomoe".
"What are you doing?" Jun-Jun asked.
"Well, being princess actually does have a few perks," Usa said
as she watched a computerized search of a schematic of the palace
commence. "I can access certain portions of Daddy's computer network
that are off-limits to everybody else. This is his 'people-finder'
program. If Hotaru's in the palace or on the grounds, it'll pinpoint
her."
"Results negative," the computer replied neutrally. Usa and
Jun-Jun exchanged worried looks.
"Where could she be?" Jun-Jun asked.
"I don't know, but I've got to find her!" Usa said, looking
around as if for a direction to start searching.
"Can we help?" Jun-Jun asked.
"Why?" Usa asked suspiciously.
"Because we're your senshi and that's our mission," Jun-Jun
answered. Then she shifted uncomfortably. "And - - well, we kind of
like Hotaru, too. We haven't known her as long as you have, but - -
she's nice. And we want to help her."
Usa stared at her for a few uncomfortable moments. Then she
softened.
"OK," the girl nodded quickly. "I guess five can cover more
ground than one. But we can't let Mom and Dad find out about this."
"Usa, they're not going to do anything to her," Jun-Jun said.
"The King and Queen are way nicer than you think."
"Well I'm not taking the chance." They returned to where the
other three were eating. "Hotaru's gone. We've got to go find her
- - like now."
"Palla-Palla hopes the bad lady didn't do anything to her,"
Palla-Palla whimpered.
"So do I," Usa replied with a worried look.
Continued in part 5
Chapter 4: "Sacrificing for Your Friends"
By Bill K.
Four-thirty was not the usual time Ami woke up. Yet, there she
sat, in her reclining workstation, dressed in her nightgown and a
robe. Her hair was unkempt and she sipped from a cup of hot tea as
she rubbed her red eyes. She knew the prescription for them and the
general grogginess she felt was sleep, but when you wake up at four
a.m. and realize after a half hour of tossing and turning that you're
not going to go back to sleep, that remedy is out of the question.
"Something about this is bothering me," she murmured to
herself, safe in vocalizing her thoughts to herself because no one
else was around. "I gave Hotaru a general medical scan when she
first arrived here. There were no measurable abnormalities." Her
eyes searched through the data from the medical scan, displayed on a
virtual screen before her.
Touching the screen, a highlighted section of the outline of
Hotaru's body enlarged so Ami could look more closely at the brain
scan. Telemetry data displayed beneath the highlighted section. Ami
absently pushed the glasses up her nose as she concentrated on the
display. The woman stared at the display as it patiently waited for
her next command. Her eyes seemed to bore holes through it as she
made mental calculations and turned differing theories over in her
mind.
An electronic chime sounded, bringing her back to this reality.
"Rei Hino wishes entry," the computer said. Ami gave the approval.
Rei walked in, wearing her priest's robes. Her face was flushed and
sweaty.
"You're up early," Rei said. To her unspoken question, Rei
replied, "I sensed you were up."
"And from the looks of you, I doubt you've even been to bed,"
Ami replied. "Find anything?"
"More confusion," Rei scowled. "It's strange. I don't get a
sense of Mistress 9 at all. And I know what she feels like. That
period was one of the most traumatic periods I've ever been through
as a psychic. You don't forget things like that. If Mistress 9 got
within this solar system, I think I'd be able to tell."
"But you did sense something," judged Ami.
"From what I can read off of Hotaru and what I can tell from
the flames, something's going on with her. She's scared to death.
That was no act last night. That was naked terror. I still have a
headache from it. I think Palla-Palla sensed it, too. Did you
notice her crying?"
"Yes, I did." Ami scrutinized the display again. "Do you
think it's possible Mistress 9 has taken a new form? Could some
essence of her have been reborn with Hotaru and taken on her - -
well, whatever psychic signature you read - - instead of reflecting
Pharaoh 90 and The Silence?"
Rei looked at her askance. "Ami, I'm just a simple priest.
You're asking things of me that I'm not sure I even understand."
"Sorry," Ami said, dropping her eyes in chagrin for a moment.
Rei noticed the display.
"That's Hotaru's medfile, isn't it?" Rei asked. "You find
anything?"
"Just that," Ami answered, pointing to a section of Hotaru's
frontal lobe. It was colored in gradient shades of red, orange and
yellow while the rest of the brain was yellows, greens and blues.
"What's that?"
"This is an encephalograph of Hotaru's brain. The colors
represent brainwave activity in percentage grades. The hotter the
color, the more brainwave activity present. This one section colored
in reds and oranges is the part of the brain where extra-sensory
brain functions come from. You've got a spot on your EEG right
there, too, and it's even bigger and redder than Hotaru's."
"Are you saying she's psychic?" Rei asked.
"Not necessarily. She has the potential for psycho-sensory
abilities. They may be precognitive like yours, or telepathic like
Palla-Palla. They may be something else. Roughly twenty-five
percent of the population has a spot this developed. And when it
reaches this stage, usually with the onset of puberty, psycho-kinetic
abilities can develop. However, it's not a given. Hotaru's previous
incarnation had some rudimentary telekinesis and psycho-restorative
healing ability, but to my knowledge she's never demonstrated any
abilities in this life."
"Could it be her powers starting to bloom?"
"It could be," frowned Ami. "But with recent events, I'm
beginning to wonder now. Are we looking at the formation of 'Esper
Waves' or is this where Mistress 9's been hiding?"
"Do you have some way to test for it?"
"For Esper Waves? Yes. I was planning to give it to Hotaru
after her trip to Elysian. But I don't have a test for Mistress 9."
"Well," shrugged Rei, "if you give her the test and it's not
this 'Esper' stuff - - what else could it be?"
Ami glanced at Rei. It was a possibility she didn't want to
admit.
* * * *
Hotaru's eyes opened easily, but it was a few moments before
she realized where she was. Groggy, she sat up in bed.
"Good morning, Hotaru Tomoe," said the computer when its'
wake-up program was triggered by motion detectors. "Today is
Thursday, August 17, 2995 AD. May I be . . ."
"Computer off!" growled Ves-Ves. "Man, I hate those things.
Computers have no right being perky."
Ves-Ves grew silent with the realization that Hotaru was
staring at her and her sisters. The girl grew self-conscious and
offered her a weak smile. Before Hotaru could say anything, though,
they all turned when Usa snorted loudly in her sleep.
"Princess," called Cere-Cere gently. "Hotaru's awake." There
was no response from the sleeping girl. "Princess?"
Ves-Ves scooted a few feet across the floor until her foot was
in reach of the pedestal chair. She nudged the chair with light
forcefulness. It teetered to one side for an agonizing moment, Usa
oblivious to it all, then toppled to the floor, spilling the princess
rudely onto her side.
"Ahhh!" cried the startled princess. She got to a sitting
position, looking around in confusion, until she heard Palla-Palla
giggling. Her eyes narrowed and her gaze immediately locked onto
Ves-Ves. "This is your doing."
"Is it my fault you're a sound sleeper?" Ves-Ves said,
unapologetic and slightly smug.
"You - - are on my list," Usa scowled.
"Are you all right, Usa?" Hotaru asked, barely restraining her
own laughter.
"I'm OK. Just my pride got hurt." She started to get up, then
grimaced. "And my butt!" Pushing past the pain, the pink-tressed
teen sat on the side of Hotaru's bed. "The important thing is how
are you?"
"I'm all right now," Hotaru said, her expression clouding over
as she recalled the events of the previous night. "But you stayed
with me all night! I'm sorry I put . . ."
"Ah!" Usa said sharply, holding up her hand to stop Hotaru.
"You're my friend, Hotaru. There's nothing in the world I wouldn't
do for you - - nothing!"
Hotaru looked to her lap, embarrassed. But the small signs of
a grateful smile crept along the edges of her tiny mouth.
"And the rest of you?" Hotaru asked, glancing up at the
Amazons.
"Well," Jun-Jun offered weakly, "we're senshi in training. And
senshi are supposed to help people. And you looked like you needed
help."
"Yeah, especially after we read about this Mistress 9
character," Ves-Ves added. "We figured you could use some back up."
Hotaru's gaze fell to her lap again. "Thank you. I-I'll try
to be worthy of this."
"Miss Hotaru Ma'am," Palla-Palla said. "Please don't worry.
That mean old lady won't hurt you. Palla-Palla will do everything
she can to help the Princess protect you."
Her finger slipping under her eyelid to wipe a tear away,
Hotaru grinned. "I guess I don't have anything to worry about then,
huh?"
"That's right," Usa reassured her. "You don't."
"OK," Hotaru nodded. It was at that point when she noticed her
friend's very flimsy nightie. "Usa, that nightie is so adult!"
"Yeah, I know!" grinned Usa. "You like it?"
"It looks very nice on you." Hotaru flushed. "I could never
wear anything like that."
"Sure you could."
"Usa," Hotaru smiled patiently, "not all of us are blessed with
the - - gifts you have."
"I could wear it," Ves-Ves claimed.
"And not look like a boy?" needled Cere-Cere.
"Hey! I've got just as much as she does!"
"Yeah, but you don't know how to use it," Cere-Cere shot back.
"Could we have this discussion LATER," hissed Jun-Jun. Usa and
Hotaru traded amused glances.
"Um, I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but, um . . ." Hotaru
began.
"What is it?" Usa asked.
"Well," Hotaru hesitated, slightly embarrassed, "I think I'd
like to get dressed now."
Usa seemed to stare at her, uncomprehending, for a moment.
"Oh!" she said finally, her hands flying to her mouth. "Oh, right!
Come on, everybody, let's go!" and she shot up off the bed. The
Amazons got up and followed her to the door.
"Usa?" Hotaru called after them. "Everybody - - thank you
again."
"Comes with the territory, Hotaru," Usa smiled warmly.
"That really does look nice on you," Cere-Cere offered as they
left the room.
"You think so?" Usa asked. "Daddy nearly stroked out when he
saw it."
When she was alone, Hotaru climbed out of bed and headed for
the bathroom. After washing up, she looked at herself in the mirror.
Sure, she wasn't as beautiful and vivacious as her friend was, but
she was comfortable with the way she looked. Her hand ran a brush
through her shoulder-length black hair. But did she really just want
to be "comfortable"? She was smaller than Usa and the others, but
that didn't mean she couldn't try to look more attractive. After
all, she was thinking about boys more and more now and some day she
wanted to do more than think about them. She looked again in the
mirror. Maybe she could do something with her hair. It looked so
- - so child-like. Maybe she could look a little more sophisticated
with a different style - - even, dare she think it, alluring?
Her shoulders slumped. It'd take a lot more than a new hair
style to compete with Usa - - or the Amazons for that matter. They
were almost as glamorous as Usa was - - except for Palla-Palla, and
her attitude was so child-like she didn't even try. Even though they
were only a year older than Hotaru was, it seemed like they were
all a million times older and more adult.
Sighing in frustration, her brow knit, Hotaru put the brush
down. Then, like a bolt of lightning, she jumped back, startled, at
a quick sound. She looked up and saw the mirror cracked into ten or
fifteen pieces, still in its frame. Multiple images of her staring
back in wide-eyed horror greeted her. Her hands came up to her mouth
and the images imitated her, as if they mocked her confusion and
anxiety.
Then she felt it. Something strange in the room - - no, in
her, pulsing and pounding, trying to get out, trying to break free.
Her breathing quickened and she shook her head, the act a symbolic
denial of what she dreaded most.
And all at once an eerie calm swept over her body. It was
coupled with a dreadful sadness, for Hotaru knew what she had to do. Walking out of the bathroom, she crossed over to her closet and got dressed.
* * * *
"Aren't you coming to breakfast?" Jun-Jun asked.
"I want to see if Hotaru wants to join us," Usa said, walking
down the hall to Hotaru's quarters.
"She never has before. Then come to think of it, you've never
before, either."
"That's because you four eat too early."
"No, that's because you sleep too late," Jun-Jun observed.
"Same difference," Usa shrugged. She arrived at the door and
pressed the chime. There was no answer. She pressed again and again
no answer. "Hotaru? It's Usa!"
"These quarters are currently unoccupied," reported the
computerized door. Usa turned to Jun-Jun.
"Maybe she's already in the cafeteria," Jun-Jun shrugged.
The girls headed for the cafeteria. Inside, they spotted the
other Amazons. Cere-Cere waved to them. The pair hurried over.
"Hi, Princess!" smiled Palla-Palla. "Palla-Palla's having
Frosty Rings today! See?"
"Hotaru's not here?" Usa asked.
"We thought she was with you," Ves-Ves said.
"No," Jun-Jun shook her head.
"Did you try her room?" asked Cere-Cere.
"She wasn't there."
"Maybe she went on ahead to class."
"Why? Anymore that's her least favorite place in the whole
universe."
"Palla-Palla, can you try to home in on her thoughts?" Usa
asked.
Palla-Palla shook her head sadly. "People's thoughts just come
to Palla-Palla. When she listens for them, nothing happens."
"Maybe you should ask the king where she is," Cere-Cere
ventured.
"And get her into trouble? No way," Usa replied firmly. Then
she got an idea. "But I might have a way to go around him." Usa
turned and sprinted out of the cafeteria.
Jun-Jun followed. She found Usa outside engaging one of the
access terminals to the computer system that oversaw basic functions
of the palace. Usa had finished her commands by the time she got
close enough, but Jun-Jun heard her say "Tomoe".
"What are you doing?" Jun-Jun asked.
"Well, being princess actually does have a few perks," Usa said
as she watched a computerized search of a schematic of the palace
commence. "I can access certain portions of Daddy's computer network
that are off-limits to everybody else. This is his 'people-finder'
program. If Hotaru's in the palace or on the grounds, it'll pinpoint
her."
"Results negative," the computer replied neutrally. Usa and
Jun-Jun exchanged worried looks.
"Where could she be?" Jun-Jun asked.
"I don't know, but I've got to find her!" Usa said, looking
around as if for a direction to start searching.
"Can we help?" Jun-Jun asked.
"Why?" Usa asked suspiciously.
"Because we're your senshi and that's our mission," Jun-Jun
answered. Then she shifted uncomfortably. "And - - well, we kind of
like Hotaru, too. We haven't known her as long as you have, but - -
she's nice. And we want to help her."
Usa stared at her for a few uncomfortable moments. Then she
softened.
"OK," the girl nodded quickly. "I guess five can cover more
ground than one. But we can't let Mom and Dad find out about this."
"Usa, they're not going to do anything to her," Jun-Jun said.
"The King and Queen are way nicer than you think."
"Well I'm not taking the chance." They returned to where the
other three were eating. "Hotaru's gone. We've got to go find her
- - like now."
"Palla-Palla hopes the bad lady didn't do anything to her,"
Palla-Palla whimpered.
"So do I," Usa replied with a worried look.
Continued in part 5