DISCLAIMER:
Sailor Moon is the property of Naoko Takeuchi and other
companies. I don't own her (Grrr), and this story is written with the sole
purpose of entertainment without any intention of commercial gain. No
copyrights infringement is intended. ((Translation: I don't have any money, so
please don't sue me, I'm poor!))
What has happened before:
After a tense moment with captain Vardeen, Serena and her
friends got the unexpected help from the Ethereals, convincing the captain to
help them. With a coordinated effort, Serena, Syl and Luna-F rescued the
Senshi, as well as getting the Four Sisters switch to their side. After a very
grueling battle, they made their escape, only have their shuttle disabled by
Rubeus' constant attacks. However, they were saved in the nick of time by the
Lucky Star, which firing with all its weapons destroyed the dark crystal ship,
as well as Rubeus.
* = Change of Scene
( ) = Thoughts
+ + = Computer Responses or Electronic Communications
COMMANDER
GALOS
CHAPTER 10: CONFESSIONS. PART 1.
Captain Vardeen entered the infirmary, being greeted by a scene he had only seen in battlefronts. All the beds of the place were occupied, while the doctor and his nurses were working overtime to help his new patients. Giving a cursory glance, the captain quickly located the beds where Serena, Syl and Luna-F were being tended. He noticed, alleviated, that they didn't seem to be seriously hurt. Approaching to the bed where Syl was being tended, he addressed the ensign.
"Looks like your mission was a success, ensign Sylpheed."
"Barely, sir." Said Syl, allowing the nurse to use a
dermaflex patch on his burnt forearm. "If it hadn't been for the efforts of
ambassador Moon, we would be nothing more than a memory." He shuddered
involuntarily at the memory of his role in the battle. "Sir… the guy simply
shrugged off a combined volley of sonic discharges and plasma shots! Heck, he
trashed my power suit without even a token effort!
"Sir, if you don't mind me telling you… if these people ever
try to attack the Agency, I seriously doubt we'd stand a chance."
Captain Vardeen remained silent, his face not betraying the
shock received at Syl's words. The Agency had faced a lot of races that opposed
their way of life, and they had had their close calls. Now, having one of his
people saying those words with such confidence… shrugging off the depressing
thoughts, he said. "Thank you ensign. I'll keep that in mind during our next
reunion. And prepare a report with all that happened for the rest of the
officers."
"Will do sir."
Nodding at the ensign, the captain then headed directly to
Serena's bed, where a nurse was examining her. By the looks of the nurse, it
was obvious that she didn't believe what the blonde ambassador was telling her.
"But I tell you, I'm fine!" said Serena, sighing for the
third time. "It's the result of my training!" she would have added something
more, but in that instant she noticed the captain's arrival; addressing him,
she then said. "Sir, please tell her that I have to go now! She doesn't want to
believe me!"
"What seems to be the problem?" asked the captain.
"Sir… this young lady doesn't want me to treat her!" said
the nurse after saluting the captain. "I can't believe that she's perfectly
fine, not after everybody else is so hurt!"
"Then why don't you use the bio-sensors to confirm her…
statement?" inquired captain Vardeen, raising an eyebrow.
"I already did sir!" exclaimed the nurse, frustrated. "The
sensors indicate that she's healthy! There has to be some malfunction on the
unit, it is simply impossible!"
"Look, now for the fourth time…" began Serena anew, "if your
instruments say I'm fine, if your first examination showed I'm fine, and if I
tell you I'm feeling fine, then that means that I'm FINE!!! Now you get it??"
"I agree with the ambassador." Said the captain, looking
directly at the nurse. "You should better let her go. I'm sure she has better
things to do than staying here."
"Yes sir." Said the nurse, grudgingly.
He then addressed Serena. "Now, don't go too far, we'll have
a debriefing with the rest of the command staff as soon as ensigns Sylpheed and
Luna are ready."
"I'm aware of that sir, don't worry." Said Serena, standing
up. "Now, if you excuse me, I have to talk with my sensei. You can reach me in
his quarters."
The captain just nodded in agreement, seeing her leaving the
infirmary. He then gave another look around; with a heavy sigh, he left the
area, one thought in his mind.
(What a mess.)
* * * *
Two hours later, the command staff, plus Syl, Luna-F,
Serena, both moon cats, Sailor Mercury representing the rest of the Senshi, and
Catsy representing her sisters [albeit having four heavily armed security
officers watching her constantly] were gathered in the war room.
"Before we start this briefing," commenced captain Vardeen,
addressing all presents, "I have to apologize to ambassador Moon for not having
paid attention to her first warning. It was thanks to her petition that we now
know about a potential hazard against the Agency."
"There is no need for apologies, captain." Said Serena,
smiling in his direction. "After all, you were just following regulations. The
important thing is that you finally offered your help, and got us all out of a
tight situation."
"On behalf of my companions," added Mercury to the
conversation, "I want to thank you too. I don't know what we could have done
against Rubeus without your assistance."
"It was our duty." Said the captain, nodding in
acknowledgement. "Now, let's begin with the briefing.
"Engineering, what are the results of your analysis of the
shuttle's damage?"
"Well sir, I don't know what to think." Said the chief
engineer, shaking his head in disbelief. "Normally, a lightning strike
shouldn't have even fazed the hull. Remember, the hull of all Agency ships is
made of a triple layer of pre-stressed, reinforced tritanium, with power lines
in a honeycomb configuration to add an energy reinforcing quality to the metal.
"The engine section was just melted slag! And according to
the battle recordings, that was with just a grazing shot. A direct hit would
have turned the shuttle into an expanding cloud of vaporized metal."
Captain Vardeen nodded in agreement with his chief engineer;
he had seen the damages himself. "And your estimation in a confrontation with
another of those crystal ships? What are our chances?"
"Not good at this stage, sir. That crippled ship wasn't
operating at full capacity, since ensign Luna had blown its main power core,
according to her briefing. And two single shots reduced our electro-plasmatic
shields a good 9%, and that's with what I figure only emergency power, while it
took our ion cannons two full-powered shots to breach its hull. A fully
operational enemy ship would give us a good run for our money, according to
simulations. Two would seriously cripple us. Three… well, to put it bluntly, we
wouldn't stand a chance."
"Thank you." The captain then addressed his chief scientist.
"What's the progress on the modification of our shielding and weapons systems
to function with that positive energy we discussed earlier?"
"Slow, I'm afraid." Said the scientist. "Each time we try to
run a test, the systems simply shut themselves down. We're still trying to find
an adequate energy wave that's compatible with our units, but it will take
time."
"Excuse me for interrupting." Said Sailor Mercury, looking
sheepish. "But what are you trying to achieve?"
It was the captain who answered her. "During your battle
down planet, one of our exploration groups made a sensor scan. From it, we
obtained the readings of the energy attacks you were releasing; we are trying
to modify our systems to use a similar wavelength, but as you heard it's going
to take time. Time, I'm afraid, we don't have."
"I think I can help." Said Mercury, taking out her computer.
The chief scientist eyed it curiously. "I have registered in my computer all
our attacks, including detailed analysis of each one. Perhaps the answer you
need is there."
"That would be of great help, sir." Said the scientist. "The
data we have is sketchy at best. A more complete set of data would help us to
advance the modifications greatly." He then eyed the Mercury computer once
more. "That is, if her computer and ours are compatible."
"See to it doctor." Said the captain, nodding. "Assign one
of your members to work with her." he then looked directly at Catsy, who
returned his look with equal intensity; however, there was a trace of sadness
in her eyes.
"Normally, I don't like people who switches bands, but since
ambassador Moon told me beforehand that you and your sisters had been operating
under lies and possible coercion, I'll make an exception."
"You are very kind." Said Catsy, sarcasm dripping from her
words. The captain ignored that.
"What we need from you is information about your forces.
Amount of ships, ground forces, bases, everything."
"And why should I tell you anything? I don't owe you a
thing." Said Catsy, crossing her arms in front of her chest. The action caused
the security detachment to go for their weapons, but she didn't pay any
attention to them. "You want to hurt my Prince. I won't say a thing."
"Your prince? What prince?" asked the captain, however Catsy
didn't say a thing.
It was at that moment that the door opened and a figure
entered. Most of the presents turned around to look at the new arrival, with
the exception of Catsy. However, when all of them looked uncomfortable she also
turned around… and paled visibly. She immediately turned around and stared
intently at the table's surface, however her senses kept screaming at her the
power emanating from the new arrival.
(I apologize for the interruption, but I sensed you might
need my help here.) Said the Ethereal, standing in front of the now closed
door. The being then began to move towards Catsy, who began to tremble. When he
was standing right behind her, the Ethereal then 'talked'.
(Now child, you better tell us what you know. It will be
better for all involved.)
Catsy didn't dare to even look up from the meeting table,
her hands now grasping the border almost to the point of breaking it, her body
trembling noticeably. She gulped heavily before gathering what courage she had
left and looked at the strange being. With a trembling voice, she just said one
word.
"W-W-W-Wiseman…?"
The Ethereal kept 'staring' at her, his facial features
obscured by shadows no light was able to penetrate. He kept that position for a
minute, silence reigning supreme. Out of reflex, Mercury tried to run an
analysis of the Ethereal; then again, all she could get was static, and the
brief reading she could get indicated power levels that went beyond anything
she had ever seen in her young life.
The impasse remained for a minute [a minute too long for
Catsy], until the Ethereal finally 'talked' again. (This child is corrupted by
a heavy dose of entropy. She needs to be cleansed, as well as her sisters. Only
then you will be able to get your answers.)
"Pardon me if I look skeptical, ambassador," said captain
Vardeen, "but that doesn't sound logical."
(Logic as you know it doesn't apply to this mission,
captain.) 'Answered' the Ethereal. (That is why methods that go beyond what you
know and understand are needed in this case.) He then addressed Serena. (You
will be of great help on this situation. You already know what to do.)
Serena nodded in agreement to what her Sensei had said. She
then addressed the captain. "Sir, it would be better if the other three sisters
are gathered here. That will help me enormously with what I have to do."
Captain Vardeen nodded, then talked with one of the guards.
"See to it. Bring them from both the galley and the infirmary. I don't care if
the doctor chews you up, just bring those women here." The guard saluted him
and left to comply.
Captain Vardeen then added. "I want to see this personally,
if you don't mind."
Until the rest of the Four Sisters were brought to the war
room, they kept discussing what to do, while Mercury explained what she could
to the chief scientist about how their powers operated, at the same time showed
him some of the functions of the Mercury computer. Needless to say, the
scientist was fairly fascinated by the array of functions contained in the tiny
device.
It was when Mercury was explaining the sensor suites of her
visor that the remaining Sisters arrived. Petz reacted just like Catsy,
starting to tremble. Catsy stood up and headed towards her sisters, not saying
a word. Avery and Prisma didn't say a thing, however they looked uncomfortable.
As soon as she stood up, the chief engineer noticed the
finger marks she had left on the table. He couldn't believe what he was seeing…
the table was made of plasteel!! Just the strength needed to mold the table was
enormous, and to do it barehanded… He re-evaluated his assumptions. These
people didn't need their weapons; they could rip the Agency's ships open with
their bare hands!
The Ethereal didn't pay attention to them, instead he
addressed Serena. (You can proceed now.)
The ship's doctor had arrived with the injured sisters, and
was looking around with confusion etched on his face. Addressing the captain,
he said. "Sir… I don't know what's going on here, but I want to say just for
the record, that moving these patients without consulting me first is a serious
risk for their health."
"Your observation has been noted, doctor." Said Captain
Vardeen. "However, I have the strong impression that our ambassadors know what
they're doing. Don't worry, I don't think your patients are in any risk."
While they were talking, Serena had taken a position to one
side of the Sisters, who hadn't moved an inch due to the Ethereal's presence.
Cupping her hands in front of her chest, she concentrated. Soon enough, a small
ball of brilliant pearly white energy gathered between her hands. That had
called the attention of all presents, having the secondary effect of shutting
up the doctor's complains.
Having her computer and visor already activated, Mercury ran
a scan of her blonde friend, gasping in surprise at the readings. What her
sensors were showing her as simply unbelievable! Usagi was gathering Silver
Millennium energy at an incredible rate… and without the help of her scepter!
Even more, the Ginzuishou was reacting to her mental commands in ways she
hadn't seen her former leader use before. The way she was manipulating the
energy was so… elegant, so efficient that it was hard for Mercury to believe
that the person in front of her was the same Usagi she had known for little
over a year.
Once she was satisfied with the amount of energy required,
Serena prepared to heal the Sisters. From the corner of her eye, she noticed
Mercury's dumbfounded expression. Smirking, she gave up to a whim; she then
softly said the words she hadn't used in a long time.
"Moon Healing Activation."
The energy sphere contained between her hands suddenly burst
in a blinding flash, immediately enveloping the four Sisters. From her point of
view, she saw the four of them smiling at the feelings of her pure energy she
was infusing them with. But the most shocking thing was that, from the four of
them, what appeared to be clouds of black smoke emerged from their bodies. Once
the last wisps of the smoke left them, they gathered into one single cloud,
which after emitting a piercing shriek, dissolved amidst the while glare.
Once the 'light show' was over, the ship's doctor
immediately went to the sides of Prisma and Avery. After a short examination,
he turned to Serena and asked. "What did you do? They are completely healed!
Not even a single scar is present!"
"Just cleansed them, that's all." Said Serena, shrugging and
giving him a look of total innocence.
(Well done, young one. You did a good job.) Transmitted the
Ethereal; he then addressed the Captain. (You may find now that they will
answer your questions. Now, if you are kind enough to remove your armed guards…
you will find out that they are no longer needed.) Then, without saying
anything else, the strange being turned around and exited the war room.
Besides some excited chatter among the Four Sisters, nobody
present said a word, still trying to assimilate what had happened in there. It
was the captain who made the first move, indicating with a wave of his hand to
the guards to leave the room. Finally clearing his throat, captain Vardeen
finally asked. "Ambassador, would you be kind enough to explain what happened
just now?"
"As my sensei said," began Serena, "They were infused with a
heavy dose of negative energy, or as he called it, entropy. Me and the Senshi,"
she nodded in Mercury's direction, "have encountered people equally infused by
it. It was my job to cleanse them of it. That is exactly what I did now."
"But for what purpose?" inquired the doctor, who was trying
in vain to keep either Prisma or Avery on their gurneys.
"Dark energy tends to destroy the person's soul from the
inside out. If left unchecked the person stops being human in the long run. In
the case of the girls here, the cleansing was made just in the nick of time;
another month like that and they would have become monsters with human
appearance." Finished Serena.
"You never thought like that…" muttered Mercury, dumbfounded
by the explanation. "What happened to you Usagi?"
"I grew up, Mercury. Just like you all wanted." Said Serena,
her expression becoming serious. "And please, while we are here, just call me
Serena. That's my name now. Relay the message to the others when you see them."
Mercury couldn't do nothing more than nod at the petition, too shocked after
hearing that.
"This is all well and fine, but we have a meeting to
continue here." Said captain Vardeen, interrupting. "Leave your personal
affairs to when we're over, please. Now, young lady…"
"Just call me Catsy, captain." Said Catsy, smiling. The
reaction took the captain aback, but he recovered almost immediately.
"Very well… Catsy, then. Now, if you please answer our
questions, we'll let you and your sisters continue your reunion." He was
satisfied when Catsy nodded in agreement.
Without further interruptions, the briefing resumed.
((A.N.: Now, as much as I want to explain what was
discussed, most of what was said has been explained and seen in the series, so
I'll jump forward to the part regarding this story. Thank you for your
attention.))
An hour and a half later, only the command staff and Serena
remained at the war room. Mercury and the Four Sisters had retired, the former
with the ship's main scientist to meet his aide and coordinate efforts after a
short stop to relay Serena's message to the rest of the Senshi. The latter had
been assigned some quarters and being kept under heavy vigilance, despite
Serena's assurances that they were harmless now.
"If I hadn't seen some of the things they can do, I wouldn't
believe one word." Commented the captain's second in command. "Time travel?
Exiles from a utopia-like society? A being that rivals the Ethereals but
manipulates dark energy through a dark crystal? And that little girl they were
after, the princess of that perfect world? It's simply too much."
"I agree with you," said the captain, "however, we have our
orders. TacCom wants us to stop these invaders if possible. Any news on the
Epsilon-Theta battlegroup's arrival?"
"We received a message during the meeting. They won't arrive
for another two days, local time."
"As I said before the rescue mission, time is of the
essence." Said Serena, sighing while rubbing her temples to ward off a
headache. "If what Catsy said is true, Rubeus was the weakest of their
generals. The next one, if allowed to arrive to this time, would be
unstoppable. We have to strike them right at the core, in my opinion."
"I agree with you Ambassador." Said the security head of the
chief. "In this case, a good defense is a good offense. But how? I mean, they
are from the future."
"And let's remember that our own dimensional shift
technology doesn't allow us for time travel. We haven't advanced that much in
temporal mechanics, I'm afraid. " Added the captain.
"I know this sounds preposterous," said the second in
command, "but with their crystal ship gone, the only means we have to obtain
time travel capabilities seems to be the little girl, what's her name…?"
"You mean Chibi-Usa?" inquired Serena.
"Yes, that's her."
"I don't understand, explain." Asked the captain.
"Sir… what I understood, this kid came to this time as a
means to escape the situation in her home. She couldn't have done that by herself;
she must have used some… device of sorts to jump from her time to this one.
It's logical to assume that she still has it on easy access for her to return
to her own time once trouble is over. I mean, it's illogical to assume that she
was sent on a one-way trip to her past."
"That's a sound reasoning." Said Captain Vardeen, nodding.
"We have to ask her where is that device, if it still exists and wasn't
destroyed. If it wasn't, then our scientific team can retro-engineer it and we
can try to adapt it to our ship."
"If I may, captain." Said Serena, interrupting him. "I think
it will be best if I talk with her. She doesn't know anybody on board the ship,
and I doubt she has said a thing to the rest of the Senshi. I may have a better
chance of convincing her."
"You do so, ambassador." Said the captain. He then looked
around. "If there is nothing more to be discussed, then this meeting is
adjourned. We'll meet again once we have more information. Dismissed."
With that, everybody left the war room to continue their
chores.
* * * *
"No way. She said that?"
Venus' question reflected what the rest had been thinking.
The Senshi, along with Tuxedo Mask, the moon cats and Chibi-Usa were gathered
in one of the three rooms assigned to them, the one assigned to Venus and
Jupiter, to be more precise. None had de-transformed yet, not wanting to reveal
their civilian identities yet. Mercury had arrived a few minutes earlier after
leaving the meeting and had relayed Serena's message to the others.
"Yes, exactly that." Said Mercury, who was seated on one of
the bunks, her hands clenched on her lap. "But that's not all."
"What else did you find? Is she really Usagi? Is she really
our friend?" asked Mars, trying her best not to jump out of the room and meet
her friend. She didn't believe that Serena had become so callous. However, the
memory of her expression while they were on Rubeus' ship kept popping on her
mind.
Mercury fidgeted with her hands, not sure how to explain
what her computer had found out. Taking a deep breath, she finally talked. "For
starters, while we were together, I set my computer to make a scan of her. What
I got… I still don't know what to think of it."
"What did you find? Is something wrong with her? Is she even
our Usagi?" asked Luna-C, who was being petted by Chibi-Usa.
"Yes, she is. And please, let's refer to her as Serena for
now. She seemed upset when I referred to her as Usagi. Where was I? Oh yes. The
computer confirms that she is our Serena," Mercury couldn't help but grimace
when she said that name, "but at the same time, she isn't the one we knew."
"What do you mean by that?" inquired Tuxedo Kamen, worry
evident in his voice. He had been feeling quite guilty after they escaped, but
didn't know how to talk to his Usako… at least, he planned to call her that
once he could talk to her in private… soon, he hoped.
"She… she said it, and the computer confirms it. She… she's
grown up. Three years, according to the readings." Everybody stood in shocked
silence at that bit of news. Even Chibi-Usa stopped petting Luna-C.
"You mean… she's eighteen now?" finally asked Jupiter, who
was now leaning against a wall to prevent her from collapsing. "But… how? She's
been gone for only a month! How could she have grown up three full years??"
"She has to be an impostor, that's it!" exclaimed Mars,
grinding her teeth. "She's either that, or these people brainwashed her!"
"Now, let's not jump to conclusions here." Said Artemis from
his spot on one of the bunks. "I agree that… Serena has changed, and quite a
lot! But for what I've seen so far, she seems to be acting on her own free
will. And that's not mentioning that she keeps some very interesting company."
"Humph! What you mean is that overgrown cat!" said Luna-C,
sniffing disdainfully. "I don't know what you see in her!"
"You set your eye on another cat already Artemis? You
rogue!" exclaimed Venus, smirking.
"Hey, it's nothing like that!" said Artemis in his defense.
It's hard for a cat to blush, but Artemis was doing quite a good job at that point.
Things would have degenerated from there, but in that
instant a chime was heard coming from the door. Makoto was the one who
answered. Walking next to the panel next to the door, she said. "Yes, who is
it?"
+ I'm here for a girl named Chibi-Usa. + Said a male voice.
+ Ambassador Moon wants to see her. +
"Ambassador Moon? Who's that?" wondered Venus, frowning.
"That's how Usag… I mean, Serena calls herself now."
Explained Mercury. "Apparently, she's an ambassador now."
"Ambassador?? But that's ridiculous! She's the Moon
Princess, not an ambassador!" exclaimed Mars, standing up from her seat. "I
don't care who she says she is, I'm going to talk some sense on that Odango
head!"
"Then come with me." Said Chibi-Usa, placing Luna-C next to
Artemis and standing up. "I… I'm not sure what to say to her, besides to
apologize. It's my fault that she left us…" the little girl had to fight the
tears that threatened to spill from her eyes at the return of her guilt
feelings.
"I'll go with you for a short while." Said Mercury, standing
up as well. "I have to meet with the scientific staff and help them with those
modifications they talked about."
"If you're going, then we all go." Exclaimed Jupiter. Venus
nodded in agreement.
"Good idea." Said Artemis, jumping from the bunk, closely
followed by Luna-C. "I want to talk with that she-cat Serena's been hanging
around with. She seems to know her pretty well." From the corner of his eye, he
noticed the black moon cat seething at his words, so he promptly added. "Of
course, Luna should come with me to keep everything in check!" he had an
impressive sweatdrop when he said the last.
"I believe that we're all thinking of going talk to her, am
I right?" Said Tuxedo Kamen, walking next to Chibi-Usa and placing a comforting
hand on her head.
"Then it's agreed; we all go." Said Venus. She then nodded
in Jupiter's direction.
Jupiter nodded as well and opened the door. She smiled when
she saw that the guy that had been with Us… Serena and that she-cat during the
rescue mission were there. "Yes?"
"I'm here for a girl called Chibi-Usa." Said Syl, his face
neutral and composed. "Ambassador Moon wishes to talk with her."
"I need to meet with your scientists." Said Mercury,
standing next to Jupiter. "Could you please show me the way?"
"Of course. Now, if you follow me." Syl then turned around
and began to walk away, not saying anything else. He looked over his shoulder
only to see the rest of the group following him as well. "Excuse me, but only
Chibi-Usa is allowed to meet her."
"Oh, I won't talk with her yet." Said Artemis, who was
perched on Venus' shoulder. "I want to talk with that she-cat that helped the
girls."
"You mean Luna?" inquired Syl, raising an eyebrow. "Then you
must be Artemis. You must have made quite an impression with her. The only
other person who's impressed her so much is Ambassador Moon." Artemis looked pleased upon hearing that,
ignoring Luna-C's glares.
"Luna? That's her name?" asked Chibi-Usa, who was walking
next to Tuxedo Kamen, holding his hand.
"That's not her real name, that's how we all call her.
Ambassador Moon named her that from her days in the Academy; in memory of her
previous mentor, if my memory serves me right…"
"She… she named her after me?" exclaimed Luna-C, who was
perched on Mercury's shoulder. She looked confused at that revelation, her
feline expression conveying her mixed feelings of pride, love and sadness for
her former charge. "I… I never knew…"
"You're the original Luna? Pleased to meet you." Said Syl,
smiling faintly in the cat's direction. "Yes, Serena missed you a lot during
that first year in the Academy. She also mentioned you were a very hard
taskmaster." He felt strangely satisfied at seeing Luna-C's contrite expression
at his words.
The rest of the walk was made in silence after Syl said that
if they wanted to know more about Serena it would be better if they asked her
themselves. After going two decks down and walking some more, he signaled a
door.
"That's the scientific wing, Miss Mercury. Just go in,
they're waiting for you."
"Thank you very much for your help." Said Mercury, bowing
after handing Luna-C to Chibi-Usa. After Syl returned the gesture she entered
the room. Once the door was closed, he signaled the others to follow him again.
After another walk and riding another elevator, they finally
arrived to a corridor with doors on both sides of it set at regular intervals.
Stopping in front of one, he tapped the panel next to it.
+ Yes, who is it? + Asked a female voice.
"Sorry for interrupting, but there's someone who wants to
talk with you. I think his name is Artemis."
It was mere moments after he said those words that the door
whooshed open, showing a smiling Luna-F framed in the entrance. "So, where is
that tomcat?"
Everybody was taken aback by her reaction, more so Artemis.
He stuttered his answer. "I… I… here. I… wanted to … talk with you…"
"Oh, just talk?" pouted Luna-F. Without warning she stepped
out and took Artemis from Venus' shoulder, cradling him in her arms and
starting to pet him. "Perhaps we can think of something else to do…?"
"AHEM!" all eyes turned around to the origin of the
not-so-subtle expression. Chibi-Usa was having a hard time trying to keep
Luna-C calm, which was glaring daggers towards the felinoid. "What he means is
that WE want to –talk- with you."
"Oh?" Luna-F looked calmly at the moon cat, staring at her
with an amused expression. "Well, I guess we can just… talk." She then
addressed Syl. "I hope to see you at the gym later."
"Of course. I wouldn't miss your match for anything!" said
Syl, smirking at the scene. "Now, don't do anything I wouldn't."
"Spoilsport." Said Luna-F, sticking out her tongue at him.
"Ok, later!" she was about to enter her cabin when she said over her shoulder,
as if remembering something all of a sudden. "Oh, and you can come in, I
guess."
Luna-C hissed, but jumped from Chibi-Usa's arms and walked
into the felinoid's cabin with all the dignity and calm she could muster. As
soon as the moon cat was inside, Luna-F entered as well and closed the door.
"Well… that was interesting." Said Syl after a few moments'
silence. He then addressed Chibi-Usa. "I'll take you with Serena now." He then
started to walk again, closely followed by the rest.
"Excuse me, but what was all that about?" asked Tuxedo Kamen,
giving one last look at the closed door.
"Beats me. She seems to have taken a like for that white
cat. Why, I don't know; for me he's nothing more than a simple cat."
"Hey, he's not a 'simple cat', you know?" said Venus,
slightly offended at the observation.
"Sorry, but that's just my personal opinion." Answered Syl.
After entering another section, they finally stopped in front of another door.
"Well, here we are." He was about to call for the occupant of the cabin when
the door opened. A voice they all recognized was heard then.
"Come in Chibi-Usa. And yes Rei, you can come in as well."
Mars looked flabbergasted at the open door, not knowing how
to react to such a simple statement. Syl just muttered to himself how much it
unnerved him when she did that. Tuxedo Kamen, as well as Venus and Jupiter were
about to enter as well when Serena's voice was heard again.
"Only Chibi-Usa and Rei. I'll talk with the rest later." He
and the other two Senshi stopped on their tracks upon hearing that.
"Don't worry, I'll talk with her." Said Mars after noticing
the hurt looks on her friends' faces. She then took Chibi-Usa's hand in hers.
"All right dear, let's not keep her waiting." The little girl nodded; with
that, they entered the cabin, the door closing behind them.
Syl looked at his wristwatch, then said in a casual tone.
"Well, we still have some time before meeting Luna at the gym. So, who wants to
join me for a drink and a snack?"
His three companions accepted his invitation, if nothing
else than to have something to do before they could talk with Serena. The four
of them then headed to a nearby lounge.
Upon entering, the people in there looked at the new
arrivals, more than one guy staring intently at the Senshi's outfit. Syl didn't
pay attention to that and walked to an empty table next to a window, his
companions following him. Once they were comfortably seated and the waiter took
their orders he said.
"Well… what do you want to talk about?
TO BE CONTINUED.
Author's notes:
Well, another chapter done. At the time I'm posting this, I
don't know how much time passed before Fanfiction.net is back online. I mean,
it's been aggravating that such a good site is suffering so many access
problems. But let's be patient and hope nothing of the sorts happens again, ok?
And let's support the administrators, they work so hard to keep that place up
and running, so they deserve our respect.
Once more, thank you all for your reviews. It's thanks to
them that I find the energy to keep writing this saga. So, you all know the
drill: KEEP REVIEWING IF YOU WANT ME TO CONTINUE WRITING!
And again, a very special thanks to Yohann DeSabrais, my
best online friend, pre-reader and editor. Your ideas and suggestions are
always invaluable for me. Thanks pal!
Ok… that's all for now. Later!