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The characters depicted in this story are not mine. Sue me and you get nada, cuz that's how much I own. Blah.
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Unlikely Companions
A fiction novella by Dave Zhang (dzhang@its.caltech.edu). Comments and criticisms welcomed. Copyright 2003.
[This text is in English.] "This text is spoken." 'This text is thought.' =This text is telepathic.=
Chapter 11: The Test of Mettle, Part I
"Hello again Haruka, we hope you slept well last night with the knowledge that you are one seventh done, having passed the Test of Identity. Today, we begin the Second Test, the Test of Will. Before we begin, we wanted you to know that only 14% of our Contestants make it this far. You should be proud of yourself already. Also, now that you have passed one Test, you can choose to leave by yourself any time you want."
"Indeed," said Pansom. "This comes none too soon, as the next test will include many situation where you may wish to use that option. Note though that once you take it, you are forbidden from ever petitioning like this again."
Haruka nodded. "Let's get this over with."
"Good luck," said Mara as she waved her hands, teleporting Haruka away.
***
Haruka awoke, as the Immeda, the princess of Uranus, in her palace. "Wha? Is this a dream?"
She wiggled her fingers and shook her head. She seemed to be controlling her body, and usually when she had Silver Milleneum dreams it was from the point of view of an invisible onlooker.
Upon seeing her princess awake, a handmaid approached and curtsied, before speaking. "The Queen calls for an emergency council regarding the news Quiem has gathered, and would appreciate your highness's attendance on the Moon in three hours."
Haruka nodded, and was about to dismiss the servant, when she thought of something. "What day is today?"
"It is the thirty-sixth, Your Highness."
"No, give me the full date."
With a look of concern, the servant obliged. "It is the thirty-sixth of Olind, year 998 of the Silver Reign."
'Olind... that's spans modern calendar months of July through October. Wait... 998 of the Silver Reign? That means it's three years before the fall of the Silver Milleneum, because the Silver Reign started counting one year before the Court of Serenity was actually in full power. That also means Beryl starts attacking in a few months.'
'Is this real? Have I really been sent back in time? It wouldn't be beyond a diety's power, but it might be just a simulation for my second Test.'
Haruka nodded and dismissed the servant. 'I'm expected on at the Court in three hours, so I should have a good two hours to think about this, and wake up if this is actually a dream.'
'First things first--why am I here? Maybe I've been sent back in time to see if I can make a difference in the outcome with my knowledge. Or maybe they'll make Yuu into one of the Negaverse generals and see if I have the guts to kill him.'
'Hm... would I? If this was reality, I'd kill Yuu and his whole family if I had to, in order to save the Silver Milleneum. But this all could be a mirage, to test to see if I value Yuu's life enough to throw away Silver Milleneum for it. In that case, I probably should.' Haruka sighed, and hoped it wouldn't come down to that decision, because she realized that if she would kill Yuu if she even slightly believed this all to be real.
***
"But this could be another one of Quiem's practical jokes, for all we know!" spoke the Princess of Venus. "Beryl and her family have never liked us, but they've never attacked either. Do we really want to put a fleet on the border? That might very well cause a war!"
"Quiem, while prone to making practical jokes," said the Princess of Jupiter, "would never lie about something this serious. You know that as well as I do, Venus. Put your personal animosity of him behind you for now, and think of the bigger troubles he describes."
"I trust him," said Queen Serenity regally. "But Venus does have a point about the possibility of causing a war if we're not careful. We should mobilize discreetly. I propose that we place a small fleet in orbit of Pluto, station a few scouts permanently positioned in space available to warn of attack at earliest notice, and upgrade every vessel we have to state-of-the-art military models. What say you, my advisors?"
"Aye," said Jupiter
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Aye."
"Aye."
Venus hesitated, but finally decided that she by herself cannot sway her Queen. "Aye."
"Nay." The Senshi and the Queen looked to Haruka with some wonder. "Uranus, how so? Please explain your reasoning."
"I do not presume that our realm is so secure from spies and such. We have Quiem on our side, and found out about Beryl's planned attack, who is to say that Beryl doesn't have men of similar talents running about in our realm, that would contact her at first notice of our fleet upgrades?" All of these reasons Haruka was making up on the spot, but being from the future, she was certain that Beryl would attack, and maybe with a bit of forewarning the disaster that was the Fall of the Silver Milleneum could be averted. "Pluto, you have access to the time gates, and can see into the future, albeit your ability is somewhat limited. Do you see any possible futures, two years from now, where war does not occur?"
Setsuna paused, before finally answering, "No."
"See?" continued Haruka. "If war is to occur no matter what, we should prepare to the best of our ability. Certainly, some of the futures Setsuna can see include ones where we decide to do nothing today, and it still results in war. I say we mobilize entirely, completely, right now, and face them head on!"
"But..." The protest died in Venus's lips. Venus sighed. Uranus was right, of course. "Uranus is right."
Queen Serenity nodded. "Very well then. We will be tomorrow again at this time, in for a Council of War, with my generals and admirals. Give out orders for scouts to be dispatched immediately."
***
Haruka carefully followed Quiem. It might have been a difficult task normally, but Quiem seemed troubled. Through the meeting, he was continually fidgeting, and Haruka easily recognized that this was very abnormal for the normally carefree Quiem.
Quiem walked to his favorite bar and met up with his two usual drinking buddies.
"Hey, you're late!" said Artemis cheerfully as he slapped Quiem on the back.
Quiem ignored this, picked up Thyst's half-full mug of beer, and immediately downed it in one gulp. "Another!"
"Is something wrong?" asked Thyst with some concern.
"Hah, knowing him, he probably just got kicked out of Princess Jupiter's bed or something."
Quiem unceremoniously shoved Artemis to the ground. "Stop joking around. I'm in a bad mood."
"What's wrong?" whispered Artemis, seriously, as he got back up. "You're never like this, man. The sky could be burning and that wouldn't ruin your mood."
Quiem sighed. "That might happen soon."
"What?"
"The skies burning," said Quiem, as he downed another mug of beer. "I think I just started a war."
"What!?"
"You'll find out soon enough, Thyst. The Queen will be holding a Council of War tomorrow, as Commander of the Dragoons you'll certainly be summoned."
Signalling the bartender for another beer, Quiem sighed again. "Looks like our carefree days are about over, friends. Let's drink again without reservation tonight, for it might be our last chance."
***
The three friends parted after they were smashingly drunk. Haruka waited until Quiem turned into an isolated street before she shot him with a stun gun and knocked him out.
About an hour later, Quiem found himself chained up in a dungeon. He looked up and saw Haruka staring back at him.
"You know who I am. You are in my dungeon in my palace in Ariel. I snuck you here personally, and even my handmaids don't know that you're here. Answer my questions truthfully, because even the Queen's favoritism won't save you here."
"You're planning on killing me, I know it. If not, you know I'll eventually get back at you tenfold of what you do to me. And since you're planning on killing me, I don't see why I should oblige you with answers. You should well know that in my line of work, I am very immune to standard torture procedures."
Haruka ignored what he said. "You were either lying or withholding information at the meeting today. I know it--I sense it. Tell me what that is."
"I have strict orders from the Queen. You should know that my loyalty to her supersedes all."
Haruka frowned. She didn't detect a lie from him. He's still drunk enough that he couldn't lie well even if he wanted too. But what then?
"I am one of the Senshi, the Queen's most trusted advisors. Even if the Queen wishes something secret, it must be safe to share with us, at least."
"Why don't you ask the Queen yourself then?"
"You're not being cooperative."
"Lay on the tortures then! Let's see if the Queen's conditioning program works!"
Haruka sighed, and decided to leave her prisoner be. She would get no answer out of him tonight, and it would not do to alienate one of the Queen's trusted servants for no gain.
***
"Why are we here again?" yawned the Venus. "We have a meeting in three hours, why another one now?"
At this moment Queen Serenity walked into the throne room, and Venus and the others immediately straightened their back and assumed respectful postures.
"In case you are wondering why I have called you here on moment's notice," said Serenity, "It is because I have just received some important information that I feel the generals have no need to know about, yet it is vitally important in determining our plans."
Venus nodded, grateful that she and the other Senshi were so trusted by the Queen.
"Quiem did not appear at court this morning. When I assumed that it was his usual lack of punctuality, I sent some of my handmaids to fetch him, but they returned telling me that he had not been seen since last night. That he would disappear the day after bringing us such important information does not bode well. It is very likely that he may have been tailed leaving Beryl's realms, and have been kidnapped."
"My Queen," spoke Jupiter. "I volunteer to investigate this matter and rescue him if necessary."
Serenity shook her head. "Quiem knows too much about our kingdom and military, from serving me in previous missions. I fear that whoever captured him did not know Quiem's true status until just yesterday. As much as I trust Quiem, I fear that perhaps Beryl may have developed powerful interrogation methods. He may have already revealed much."
Serenity continued. "However, it is essential that we limit the damage. I need one of you to personally seek out Quiem and his kidnapper... and terminate both of them."
Jupiter gasped. "Terminate... both of them?"
"Unfortunately, yes. Quiem relies mainly on his anonymity to protect him, since he does not have the level of power you do. If we rescue him, it will only paint him as a bigger target for Beryl. I cannot afford to have one of you protect him full time, and anything less would be useless against Beryl's best agents. I'm sorry, Jupiter. Venus, can I count on you to complete this task without fail?"
"I..." began Venus. She hesitated, before shaking her head. "I'm sorry, my Queen. I cannot. As much as Quiem and I verbally banter, Quiem has helped me in the past, and I would prefer not to undertake this task."
Venus stole a glance at Jupiter, who caught her eye and returned the slightest of nods, in thanks to her friend.
"I see... Please forgive me, my advisors, but this has to be done. Mercury, as the most detached of the Senshi, can I count on you..."
Haruka stepped in and interrupted Serenity, something only a Senshi would take the liberty of doing, and even then not very often. "I'll do it. The Inners form a tight circle of friendships, just as we Outers do amongst ourselves. Even should Mercury succeed, her morale will be shaken from having to kill Jupiter's consort. I will go."
Serenity considered this, but acknowledged the Senshi of Uranus. "Proposal accepted, but make haste. You are the Senshi most skilled at war, we will need you as soon as the real fighting begins." She then turned to the rest of the Senshi, "I do not need to mention that what we have discussed today remains within this room. I understand that Quiem was good friends with Thyst, the Dragoon Commander. It would not do to disrupt morale."
***
Haruka set her craft on auto-pilot, before walking into the rear compartment of her ship, and opening one of her pieces of luggage. She then removed the mouth-gag from a very thoroughly tied Quiem.
"Hmph! Where are you taking me, Princess?"
"Out into the middle of nowhere to kill you, of course."
"I guessed as much. Let's get it over with then."
"Don't you wish to know why I'm going to kill you?"
"I care not for what excuses you make; you'll not get any information out of me."
Haruka held out a small disc, and inserted it into her personal viewer. After scrolling through the authenticity codes and such, the screen displayed: By order of Serenity, Queen of the Moon Kingdom, issued on the 37th of Olind, year 998 of the Silver Reign, it is hereby proclaimed that Immeda, Princess of Uranus and its satellites, Senshi Advisor to the Queen, is fully empowered to take any measures necessary to ensure the death of Quiem of Lun-5, civilian ID 14934-K, formerly agent of the Queen. The Princess of Uranus is hereby pardoned from any violations of kingdom or local laws incurred during the fulfilling of this mission. In addition, any who seek to avenge Quiem, or otherwise harbor malevolent intent to Immeda on account of this mission, is hereby remonstrated that pursuing such action will effect their appearance on the Moon Kingdom's Most Wanted list. End message.
Quiem shrugged after he read the message. "Very well done."
"Do you not wish to know the reason for this?"
"That matters little to a man about to be dead. I harbor no delusions of my own ability in this situation."
"As your executioner, I can arrange for you to live."
"Or, more likely, you'll kill me after you get the information you want." Quiem laughed. "You didn't really expect an elite agent to be so naive, did you?"
Haruka frowned. "It does not matter much any more, don't you see? We are already preparing war against Beryl. Military organization is being reorganized as we speak. With you in my hands, there is little chance for you to divulge to Beryl what little useful information you have remaining."
Quiem sneered. "You'll not get anything out of me no matter what methods you use, verbal trickery included."
Haruka gagged Quiem's mouth again, and walked back to the pilot seat where she could think in silence. 'I'm betting Quiem is a double agent; that's the most plausible, and only valid answer. Serenity must have had some doubts about him as well. For Jupiter's sake, Serenity didn't outright declare her suspicion that Quiem is a turncoat at the meeting, but that would be the best explanation for her surprise at his sudden disappearance. Then there's the fact that Quiem is obviously hiding something.'
'So now, assuming that Quiem is a double-agent, what should I do? I could kill him as the Queen asked, but that seems somehow inefficient. He knows much, and I should try to find out as much as I can. Openly declaring to Beryl that I have him also is bad, because that would give away our initiative of expecting their surprise attack. Hm... perhaps the best would see where he would go if released.'
'Arranging that will be tricky though--I will have to make his chance for escape look natural, for he is far too experienced to be fooled easily. Yet, if I give him too good an opportunity, he may elude me permanently. A fine balance must be struck.'
***
Haruka frowned. "You did not take the opporunity to commandeer my ship while it was being refueled?"
Quiem sat in the pilot's chair, having freed himself from his manacles in the brief time Haruka left to ship to restock supplies. He grinned at her, and held up three small electronic devices. "Did you really think that I would miss these?"
"How did you!?" gasped Haruka. In his hands lay the tracking device, the remote-control pilotting override, and the self-destruction device that Haruka planted in the ship's core. "Why are you still here then?"
"Because," replied Quiem with a sad smile, "I've lost my will to live. Please kill me."
Haruka narrowed her eyes at the man. "You could have easily reworked the self-destruction device to detonate when I stepped aboard the ship again, thus taking me out with you. Why not?"
"Because the Moon Kingdom will need you in the upcoming war."
"You really don't sound like you're one of Beryl's double-agents."
"Hah! That's what you thought the matter was?" Quiem shook his head. "No, the secret I know is much more than you can ever fathom. I give you my word of honor that I will never betray the Queen or the Moon Kingdom. Trust me, Immeda, it is better for you not to know. Look at me--I know, and now I want to die. So please, fulfill my wish and complete your duty."
"Jupiter would be saddened."
Quiem sighed. "I know. But... I cannot face her again after what I have done. It is very possible that my actions would lead to her eventual death, and I cannot bear to be alive to witness that dreadful event."
"Tell me now! And perhaps it is not yet to late! There may yet to be way to undo what you have done, and you may yet find happiness with Lania."
"I cannot betray my Queen."
Haruka sat and considered this in stunned silence. 'What he says seems to almost imply... that Serenity is hiding something?' "Quiem, I give you my honor that you can trust me, and that I will help you to the best of my ability. Please, tell me what you know."
Getting to response from Quiem, Haruka approached him, and gently nudged his shoulder. Quiem fell over, limp. Haruka gasped and quickly checked the man for breath and pulse, but found none. Quiem had made an agent's last decision and terminated his own life.
***
Haruka went over what little precious information she had gathered from her brief conversation with Quiem yet again. 'From what he said at the bar... skies burning and him starting a war... combined with his actions... I think I understand now. Beryl isn't attacking. At least, not in the immediate future, but Serenity realizes that Beryl will be a threat sooner or later, and wants to seize initiative and attack first. So, she sent Quiem on a phony mission to the Outer Sectors, and ordered him to spread misinformation to us, so that we prepare for war.'
'Yes, that seems to make sense. Quiem, for his part, was a rather conscientious fellow, and could not live with the stress that his lie, even though it was at Serenity's behest, would doom millions of our soldiers to death, and very possibly several of the Senshi. Yet, his loyalty to Serenity prevented him from retracting his statement.'
Haruka then suddenly thought of something else. 'So that's why Serenity was so eager to see Quiem dead. Not only did she have to worry about Quiem possibly revealing *our* surprise attack against Beryl, she also had to make sure Quiem didn't accidentally let loose that she masterminded this whole chain of events.'
Haruka bitterly added that Serenity severely underestimated the loyalty of Quiem.
Then, Haruka suddenly thought of something that she had not for several days. 'This all isn't real. This is just an illusion for my second test!'
With that realization, Haruka laughed, very much relieved. 'The real Queen Serenity would never start a war with a unprovoked pre-emptive attack. This is just a dream! Of course! Here, Serenity might be evil, and Beryl good, for all I know. Let's see... what did they call this test? The Test of Mettle, if I remember correctly. I get it! They're testing me to see if I have the courage to stand up against someone who looks like Serenity.'
Haruka continued thinking with a small smile. 'A person is defined by his or her own actions. I served my Serenity in the real Silver Reign ten thousand years ago because she was a kind ruler and deserved my trust and loyalty. I serve Usagi, the Neo Queen Serenity, because she is kind and cares for her friends and subjects, not hesitating to risk her own life for other's... like she did with Hotaru.'
'But this Queen Serenity... she may be totally different all together.'
'Wait... I'm getting ahead of myself. The pre-emptive strike is only my theory; it may not be correct. Perhaps I am mis-understanding the hints that I have gleamed, or perhaps Quiem is a spy for Beryl after all, and gave me that information to sow dissension.'
'Neither possibility can be ruled out. However, I do know now, that I have to start viewing everything with an open mind--I cannot afford to make wrong decisions based on incorrect biases. After all, this is a test, and my passing depends on it.'
--End Chapter 11--