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:
Things were said that had a hard impact on the Senshi;
things that they couldn't deny. Even more, it was during a very intense
sparring match when things came home for them: their beloved moon princess had
grown up to become a formidable warrior. The crowning point of the day's events
were a small encounter between Serena and Tuxedo Kamen, which ended with her
giving him back the Moon Locket.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTES BY THE END.
* = Change of Scene
( ) = Thoughts
+ + = Computer Responses or Electronic Communications
COMMANDER
GALOS
CHAPTER 12: PRELUDE TO WAR.
It was early morning, according to the ship's clock, when
the Senshi woke up. Chibi-Usa looked around, still slightly sleepy. When she
finished rubbing her eyes to remove the last traces of sleep, she finally
noticed that Mamoru was sitting on one of the chairs of their living quarters.
What called her attention more was the fact that he was wearing his tuxedo,
sans the mask and top hat. A closer examination showed that he looked terrible,
as if he hadn't slept the whole night.
Even more, he was staring at the mirror located in their
room, his eyes glazed, as if in a trance. Chibi-Usa remained motionless, just
looking at him. Then, very slowly, he lifted his right hand and began to touch
a spot on his shirt. Looking in the mirror, the little girl noticed, surprised,
that the small stain he had received from witnessing Serena's match with the
felinoid still remained.
Curious, she gently shook Luna-C, who had slept with them
and specifically, on her bed. "Luna, Luna, wake up!" soon enough, the black
moon cat stirred and opened her eyes.
"Wha… what? What's the matter?"
"Luna, something's wrong with Mamoru!" those words had the
effect to fully wake up the cat. Jumping out of the bed, the black cat padded
towards the man, who didn't acknowledge her presence. With a small jump, Luna-C
stood on his lap. Once more, he didn't react.
"Mamoru, what's wrong?" asked the worried moon cat. When
Mamoru, very slowly, turned his head to look at her, she gasped. His eyes… were
completely void of life. They were two pools filled with despair, agony and
pain. When he finally talked, his voice was hollow, cold, as if coming from a
machine.
"It's over." He murmured. "It's my fault. I lost her."
"What are you talking about?" inquired Luna-C, alarmed.
"What is your fault?"
Mamoru didn't react immediately. After a couple of minutes,
with jerking movements he reached to his vest's pocket and retrieved a small
object, which he placed on the small table in front of him. Luna-C gasped when
she identified it as the Moon Locket. "What… why? What are you doing with the
locket?"
"I told her." Muttered the broken man. "I told her the
truth. About my dreams, about why I broke up with her. Instead… of helping her,
I ruined it all. I lost her."
Luna-C remained speechless, unable to think of anything.
What happened simply defied her imagination… according to what Luna-F had told
her and Artemis, Serena wasn't like that! But then again, she had changed in
the last three subjective years she had spent with these people. Luna-C was
completely at a loss of what to do.
None of them noticed when Chibi-Usa left the room.
* * * *
Serena was adjusting her uniform's jacket when the chime
from the door caught her attention. Frowning a little, she wondered for a
second who could it be since she wasn't expecting a visit due to the impending
meeting.
"Yes, who is it?"
+ It's me… can I come in? +
Serena raised an eyebrow. Of all the possibilities,
Chibi-Usa was the very last on her list. Standing up, she went to open the
door. Worry then replaced her curiosity when she saw the anxious little girl standing
there.
"What's the matter dear?" said Serena, guiding her inside.
Once they were seated, Serena continued. "Something wrong, I can see. Care to
tell me what is it?"
Chibi-Usa fidgeted in her place, not knowing where to start.
Serena, however, waited patiently. A minute later [a very long minute for the
pink-haired girl], Chibi-Usa finally began to talk.
"It… it's Mamoru… he… he doesn't look good."
"What do you mean by that?" inquired Serena. As far as she
remembered, he was fine when she left him on the observation deck the previous
night.
Chibi-Usa didn't answer immediately, taking the time to
order her jumbled thoughts. After taking a deep breath she raised her head and
looked directly at Serena's eyes. "You broke up with him, right?"
Serena was taken aback by the blunt question, which sounded
more like an accusation than anything else. Composing herself almost
immediately, she answered. "Not precisely." Seeing the puzzled expression on
the little girl's face, Serena explained. "He broke up first with me. It wasn't
until last night that I learned why."
"Why?" asked Chibi-Usa, curious.
"A relationship can't exist without trust. And he didn't
trust me… You see, he had these… dreams. On them, he was told that if he
married me, I would die." Chibi-Usa gasped upon hearing that. "The point here
is that, instead of confiding on me about those dreams, he decided to take the
matters in his own hands.
"He never thought about what I would feel when he broke up.
He figured that, once the danger was over, we could be together as if nothing
had happened. He took me for granted, as if I was an object… not a human
being." Serena had to take a deep breath to calm down, the memories starting to
take a toll on her own inner calm.
Chibi-Usa remained there, transfixed by what Serena had told
her. She couldn't picture the Mamoru the blonde was describing. For her, Mamoru
was a kind, reliable and strong man that wasn't able to do the horrible things
she had learned. But… she had seen how bad he had taken Serena's departure.
In a very meek voice, she asked. "So… you don't love him
anymore?"
Serena took her time before answering that question. Did she
still love Mamoru? Could she forgive him? Could they regain what they had lost
because of his actions?
"I… I don't know." Answered Serena honestly. She still felt…
something for him, but she wasn't sure what was it anymore.
Nobody said a word for some time. They remained silent until
a digital clock on a wall chimed. Looking at it, Serena sighed and stood up.
"It's almost time for the meeting. Come, we have much to do if we are going to
help your parents." Smiling tenderly, she offered her hand to Chibi-Usa.
Taking the offered hand, Chibi-Usa stood up. Looking at
Serena once more, she asked. "At least, could you talk with him?"
"We'll see. There is too much to do, and little time to do
it. But I'll try to talk with him before we depart. Is that good enough for
you?"
Chibi-Usa smiled upon hearing that, feeling better. Somehow,
she knew that things would work out in the end.
* * * *
The war room was full to capacity for the meeting. All
officials were in there, as well as the Senshi, the Four Sisters, the Ethereal
Ambassador, Luna-F, Syl and Hathaway. Once Serena arrived with Chibi-Usa, she
took a seat between Syl and Luna-F. She didn't notice the longing looks Tuxedo
Kamen sent her way, or if she did, she ignored them.
"All right, let's begin." Said Captain Vardeen. He then
addressed his chief scientist. "What have you found out?"
"We have made great advances in relation of the enemy's
energy manipulation." Commenced the scientist. "Thanks to the data Sailor
Mercury so graciously shared with us," the Senshi in question blushed at the
acknowledgement, "we have been able to find out the correct frequencies and
energy signatures needed to modify our weapons, sensors and shielding systems
in order to give us a fighting chance. We only need your authorization to commence
the modifications, sir."
"Make it so. How long will it take?" this time, the captain
addressed his chief engineer.
"Barring any delays, I estimate between 9 to 16 hours, sir.
Some of those modifications suggested are… well, completely different from what
I've ever seen. If I didn't know better, I'd say that nothing would work." His
comment earned him a glare from the scientist.
"Start the modifications immediately." Said captain Vardeen.
He then addressed Serena. "Ambassador, what did you find out about our little
princess' method of time traveling?"
Serena cleared her throat before answering. After glancing
at Chibi-Usa, who looked at the floor, she said. "Well captain, I don't know
for sure. You see, Chibi-Usa seems to be under an oath to not reveal a thing of
how or why she came here. However, I have a theory."
"And what is it?" inquired the captain.
"Her toy." Seeing the expression on the captain's face, she
added. "She always carries with her a floating ball. She calls it Luna Ball.
That little device has the ability to morph into anything she imagines, as well
as having anti-gravity capabilities. I suspect that the answer we seek is in
there."
"And where is that… Luna Ball?" asked the chief scientist,
curious.
"She wasn't carrying it with her during the battle, so my
suspicion is that it's in her room, in my parents' house." Answered Serena.
"Well, if you think that the answer is in that device, we
have to retrieve it." Pondered the Captain. "If that's the case, then we'll
dismantle and analyze it. I'm sure we…"
"NO, YOU CAN'T DO THAT!!" screamed Chibi-Usa, running to the
captain's side. "You won't destroy Luna Ball!! I won't allow it!"
The captain looked straight into her teary eyes, wondering
what to do. Finally, he said. "Please, you have to understand. If we are going
to help you and your world, we need to understand how it works. If you used it
to travel through time, we need to…"
"No, Luna Ball doesn't do that, it's the key!" exclaimed
Chibi-Usa. As soon as the words left her mouth, she gasped, covering her mouth
with trembling hands. Seeing that, Serena immediately stood up and hurried to
the little girl's side. Kneeling next to her, she placed her hands on
Chibi-Usa's shoulders and very gently turned her around until she was facing
her. Her heart contracted painfully upon seeing the distress on those red eyes.
"Please Chibi-Usa, tell me. What key? What are you talking
about?" in an impulse, Serena embraced the agitated girl, who returned the
gesture. "Chibi-Usa," continued Serena, keeping her voice calm and soothing, "I
understand how you feel. You don't want to lose the only thing that reminds you
of your family, right?" sensing the little girl nod, she continued. "But you
also have to understand, we need it if we are going to help your mommy and
daddy. You already said it, your Luna Ball is the key."
Chibi-Usa hiccupped the last of her tears before releasing
Serena from her own embrace. "No, it isn't." she said. "I mean, it is the time
key the one that brought me here."
"Time key?" inquired Serena. Nobody said a word, leaving her
to conduct the questioning.
"Yes. It's a key that Puu gave me. It grants access to the
Time Gates."
"What is she talking about? Time gates? What is that?"
inquired the chief scientist.
"The Time Gates." Said Catsy, drawing all the attention
towards her. "It's an ancient artifact that pre-dates human history. Nobody
knows where they came from or who made them. That's what we also used to follow
the Rabbit to this time. We had to use an enormous amount of black energy to
force them open; we never knew that there was a key to operate them."
"And where is that key?" asked Serena to Chibi-Usa.
"Inside Luna Ball. I put it
there to keep it safe." Answered the little girl.
"Still, the fact remains that we have to retrieve the Luna
Ball in order to get that key." Said captain Vardeen.
Serena nodded in agreement. "That's right. For that reason,
I request permission to go back down planet to retrieve the Luna Ball."
"Wait!" said Chibi-Usa. "Luna Ball won't allow you to touch
it! I'm the only one that can do it."
"Take the princess with you, then." Said the captain.
"Retrieve the ball, then return immediately."
"Yes sir. Let's go Chibi-Usa." Said Serena, smiling at the
little girl, who returned the smile. They were about to leave the war room when
Mars' voice stopped them.
"Wait! We'll go with you!"
"No Mars, you all stay here." Said Serena. She then added
quickly before any of the Senshi could reply. "You are needed here to plan the
attack strategy. I won't take long, so please, don't argue."
Very reluctantly, the Senshi agreed to her. "I'll be back as
soon as possible." She added. She then left the war room, Chibi-Usa following
closely.
* * * *
In the Tsukino residence's backyard, a couple of blue light
columns suddenly appear. When the light faded away, Serena and Chibi-Usa opened
their eyes.
"Let's get your Luna Ball then." Said Serena; Chibi-Usa
nodded and hurried to the backdoor Serena following close behind.
"We're back!" almost screamed Chibi-Usa. Almost immediately,
Ikuko hurried from the living room to greet them. The new arrivals didn't have
time to even blink before finding themselves in a bear hug.
"Oh, you're back, thank goodness! I was so worried! Don't
you ever, ever do that again! I was sick worried for you! Are you all right?
Are you hurt? Do you need anything?" Ikuko's tirade was interrupted by Serena's
whizzing voice.
"Mom… air… can't… breathe…" her face, as well as
Chibi-Usa's, was gaining a very interesting blue tone.
Immediately Ikuko released them, blushing. Still, she kept
her hands on the girls' arms, not letting go. "Sorry… got carried away." In
that moment Kenji and Shingo joined them.
"Usagi, Chibi-Usa… you're fine!" said Kenji, a warm smile on
his lips.
"Yes dad, we're fine." Said Serena, smiling.
"Hey, where have you been all this time?" asked Shingo,
curious. His parents looked at Serena, equally curious.
"It's been cool!" said Chibi-Usa before Serena could say a
word. "We were captured, but Serena destroyed Rubeus, then we all spent the
whole day in her spaceship! We watched the earth from up there!"
"You have a spaceship!?!?" Shingo's expression was laced
with a heavy dose of almost-adoration. His opinion of his big sister had jumped
a few more notches at the news. "Can I visit it? Can we go for a ride??"
"Shingo, you are not going anywhere! Not until you are out
of school!" said Kenji, perturbed at the mental image of his son going into
outer space. He then addressed Serena. "And you young lady, aren't going
anywhere! You are going to remain here and that's final!"
Upon hearing those words, Serena sighed. "Chibi-Usa, why
don't you go and get your ball? I need to talk with dad." Chibi-Usa nodded and
hurried to her room to retrieve the Luna Ball. As soon as she was out of earshot,
Serena addressed her family.
"Dad, mom, Shingo… I wouldn't like anything more than stay
with you. I missed you terribly while I was away, but unfortunately… I can't."
she raised her hand to forestall the impending flood. "No, listen to me first.
"There is a big menace to this planet. And my shipmates and
the Sailor Senshi are the only ones that can prevent the destruction." Her
expression changed to a pleading one. "Can't you see? I'm needed there. My
friends needs me… please, I have to be with them."
"You heard me Usagi." Said Kenji, crossing his arms, his
expression serious. "Now go to your room and change clothes. And I order you to
forget about these… strangers!" At that moment, he even considered to enroll
his daughter in an all-girls school, where she could be closely observed… he
was so concentrated in that thought that he missed the change in Serena's
expression.
"Dad… I love you dearly." She said, her voice calm and
controlled; however, on the inside she was seething. "I respect you and
wouldn't even dream in disobeying you… but things have changed. For starters, I
am no longer a five year old. Second, I'm not even fifteen, I'm eighteen years
old!" Kenji's eyes took a good percentage of his face upon hearing that.
"Legally, I am an adult now."
"No, you're not!" said Kenji, confused. "All your legal
documentation says you're fifteen, and still under our charge!"
"That can be easily arranged. It's not the first time the
Agency has to do some… creative tampering in that respect. But I don't want
things to go that far." Said Serena sighing. "Dad… what I'm trying to say is
this.
"You always say that I have to grow up and be more
responsible. Well, I've grown up, and this is a responsibility that I can't
shirk away. This is something that has to be done, and I'm part of the group of
people that can make a difference."
"But… but… I was referring to school and stuff!" Kenji was
completely shocked by now. Never, even in his wildest dreams, imagined that his
little girl, his bunny, his pride and joy would go against his wishes. And the
worst part was… that she was right! But he was stubborn; he wasn't going to
surrender without a fight. "Serena, obviously the others can do this without
you! You can't go and risk your life just like that!"
"That's the whole point dad. I'm not going to 'risk my life
just like that', as you put it. I'm going to risk everything, so that the rest
of the world has a chance." She then looked at her brother, who watched the
whole proceeding in mute admiration and awe. "I'm doing this so that Shingo has
a chance to live… for you, for my friends, for the world."
All of a sudden, Kenji grabbed Serena's shoulders,
surprising her. "Forget it. You are not leaving my side and that's final!" he
would have said something else, but in that moment a hand touched his shoulder.
Turning around, he saw Ikuko's stern expression. With a soft but stern voice
she said only three worlds.
"Let her go."
"But…" however, Kenji's reply died on his lips when he saw
the steel on his wife's eyes. So, very reluctantly, he released Serena from his
grip.
Once Serena was free, Ikuko addressed her daughter. "I… I
don't like it, but I understand." Her eyes were brimming with tears, but she
refused to release them. "I only want you to know… that I'm very proud of you,
dear." She then embraced Serena, who returned the gesture. Both remained in
that position for a few moments, engraving the moment in their memories. Very
reluctantly, Ikuko finally released Serena, but her hands still held her
daughter's.
"I only want you to promise me one thing." Said Ikuko,
staring at Serena's eyes. "That you'll be careful… and that you'll return."
"I promise mom. I'll return." Said Serena, her eyes equally
holding tears. "I'll do my best."
"And don't worry about your father. I'll make sure he
behaves." Added Ikuko, a mischievous smirk on her lips.
"Thanks mom." In that moment, Chibi-Usa joined them, Luna
Ball in her hands. "Is everything ready dear?" inquired Serena; Chibi-Usa
nodded.
"Wait, why are you taking her with you?" asked Shingo. His
father looked at Serena, an eyebrow raised. That was a good question.
"Because I have to keep her safe. The enemy seems to be
after her, so me and my friends will do our best to stop them." Answered
Serena. "Also, it will divert their attention from you, so you all will be
safe."
"I don't like it." Muttered Kenji, miffed.
"Dear, behave." Said Ikuko, effectively silencing her
recalcitrant husband. She then addressed Serena. "So… this is it, then?"
"I'm afraid so mom. But don't worry, we'll be back."
Answered Serena. Taking out her communicator, she opened it and pressed the
beacon activator. She then said. "This is ambassador Moon. Two to beam up."
Closing it, she added. "Take care everybody." As soon as the words left her
lips, two columns of blue light enveloped them; a moment later, they were gone.
Once alone, Ikuko broke down. Embracing Kenji, she began to
cry. Kenji returned the gesture, a couple of tears rolling down his face.
Seeing that, Shingo joined his parents in the embrace, doing his best to
comfort his parents.
(You better come back sis…) thought Shingo. (Remember, you
promised.)
* * * *
As soon as they were back in the ship, Serena and Chibi-Usa
hurried back to the war room. As soon as they entered, all eyes turned in their
direction. "Any problems in the retrieval?" inquired captain Vardeen.
"None, sir." Answered Serena. She then addressed Chibi-Usa.
"Well, how about showing us that key?" nodding, Chibi-Usa touched Luna Ball's
nose; with a poof and a smoke cloud, it dropped on her waiting hands a small key,
which she handed to Serena.
Serena examined the little key with a critical eye. It was
no bigger than a regular house key, but it was made of a material similar to
crystal. It was red and gold in color, its shape similar to those of old locks
found in old mansions. "This is it?"
"Yes."
Shrugging, she then proceeded to give it to the ship's main
scientist, who examined it closely. After a couple of minutes, he said. "I
don't understand. This thing is just a crystal key!" He then looked at Chibi-Usa.
"Is this some kind of joke?"
(There is no humor involved.) Answered the Ethereal, drawing
attention towards him. (You are no sensitive so you can't sense it, but that
little key is a conduit. Its purpose is to harness the energies of the time
stream and open a rift in what you know as the Space-Time Continuum. However,
because of its size, it's only capable of transporting a small group of people
at most.)
"If that's the case, then how are we going to take the whole
ship? I am not going to risk my people without full battle support." Said the
captain. "It seems that that key is useless as it is. We'll have to think of
another way."
"Perhaps not, sir." Said Hathaway; he then addressed his
superior. "May I examine the artifact?" a few moments later, the key was in his
hand. Playing it through his fingers, he began to think, the rest of the
gathered people not saying a word. Finally, his eyes seemed to gleam, while his
face sported a mischievous grin. "I think I have a solution.
"Ambassador, how resistant is this key? I ask since you seem
to know more of it than any of us." He asked the Ethereal.
(It's more resistant that your own materials, if that's what
you're asking) answered the Ethereal.
"Mmmm… then I think I got it…" mused Hathaway. He then
addressed the captain. "Sir, there is a solution for our problem." He then hurried
up to explain his idea.
"It's a shot in the dark, I admit it, but I don't see
another way. Captain, if we replace the main focusing crystal on our
Dimensional Jump Drive with this key, it may be possible to use the extra
energy to force this key and open a rift big enough for the ship to enter…
whatever."
"Are you crazy??" said the main scientist, a look of
incredulity in his face. "The Drive generates power in the order of terawatts
just to start a jump! And you expect this little key to stand such pressure??"
(The energies this 'little key' can stand are orders of
magnitude beyond anything you can generate.) Stated the Ethereal. (The idea of
your aide is solid. I personally think it will work just fine.)
"But… it won't work without the activation phrase." Added
Chibi-Usa. "If someone isn't holding it while saying it, it won't work."
"You mean, someone has to hold it while inside the Drive?"
asked the main engineer, shocked. "That's insane! Whoever tries that will be
reduced to its basic components in a microsecond!"
"Not precisely…" mused Hathaway, his eyes fixed on the key.
"A couple of touch pads connected to the key outside the Drive, and saying the
activation phrase through the P.A. system will suffice, if I'm not wrong."
(You show great promise Young one. I can see a bright future
ahead of you.) Said the Ethereal.
"If the ambassador thinks it is going to work, then I don't
have any more complaints" said Captain Vardeen. "Make it so. Time is of the
essence here. Now, that only leaves us with the last problem we were
discussing."
"And what is it?" inquired Serena. This time, it was Mercury
who answered her.
"We all decided that the most effective plan is to strike at
two places simultaneously. One part will go to earth and confront the invaders,
while the other will go to their home planet and stop them there. However, the
problem is that we don't have enough soldiers."
"That's right." Added the security officer. "We don't have
that big a detachment. There are enough forces onboard for one battalion, but
not for two. To divide those forces is to stretch them beyond optimal
operational levels."
"Sir, what about the B.A.T.s?" said Luna-F. "If I'm not
mistaken, they were about to be recycled, so it won't be wrong to use them on
this operation."
"Forget it." Said the security officer. "They are going to
be recycled because of a design flaw on their main neural processors. As they
are, they are nothing more than very sophisticated paperweights."
"Bats?" asked Mercury, curious.
"B.A.T. is an acronym for Battle Android Trooper." Answered
the engineer. "They are mechanized troops, used when conditions are too harsh
for normal foot soldiers. But this batch is defective; they won't work."
While they were talking, Serena had been thinking. Yes, the
troops problem wasn't unsolvable, and Luna-F's idea had merit. While thinking,
she had been discussing the idea with her Sensei, who added a few insights.
Finally, she nodded to herself and addressed the group.
"Excuse me, but I think I have an idea of how to solve
that."
"This last few days have been full of surprises." Muttered
the captain. He then added. "All right ambassador Moon, let's hear it."
Serena smiled in the captain's direction in a show of
gratitude, then she addressed the presents. "I discussed a little something
with my Sensei here. If I'm not mistaken, those neural processors have a
protoplasmic base, right?"
"That's correct." Answered the main engineer and both
scientists at the same time. The action drew a couple of smirks. Controlling
her humor, Serena continued.
"Well, if that's the case, I think I can solve this.
"By focusing the Ginzuishou into them, I'm able to re-order
the engrams on those chips, turning them into the soldiers we need. Of course,
since this will be the first time I'll do this, I'm not sure it might work."
"You mean you're going to use the Ginzuishou to reprogram
some robots??" asked Mercury, flabbergasted. Once more, her pre-conceptions
about the blonde had received another devastating blow.
"Yes. I'll apply the same principle as in curing the people
afflicted by the Dark Shadows during the Beryl campaign. Of course, this will
be trickier than changing a mutated human back, but I'll give it a try."
(I have confidence in you, young one.) Said the Ethereal,
standing next to her. (I will assist you in this endeavor.)
Captain Vardeen watched the whole exchange, a feeling of awe
and pride swelling in his chest. Awe, at witnessing the impossible taking place
on his ship; and pride because it's a member of his crew who was making it
possible. Finally, he cleared his throat and addressed the present. "All right,
it seems that our main obstacles have been surpassed. Now, let's plan the rest
of the strategy, shall we?"
Without more delays, the meeting continued for a few more
hours, detailing the battle strategy against the Dark Moon Family.
* * * *
Some time later, while the maintenance crew kept itself busy
doing the modifications needed all over the ship, the Senshi along with Tuxedo
Kamen, Syl, Luna-F, both moon cats, the Ethereal and Serena had gathered in one
of the cargo holds. Specifically, the one that contained the hundred containers
that housed the B.A.T units.
Sighing, Serena approached the container closest to her. Pressing
a button, the metallic box opened. From it, a small bundle of… something
emerged; reaching inside the empty box, Serena retrieved a small bracer, which
sported a small screen and a few buttons. Pressing one, she stepped back.
The bundle began to unfold, stretching and reshaping itself.
In a matter of seconds, the B.A.T. was ready. Its appearance was that of a
skeletal jaguar, and about the same size. However, the difference laid in the
head: it was a simple cylinder with a small glowing lens in the middle. Once
the unit was totally unfold it remained there, waiting for instructions.
Serena then pressed a few more buttons, but the robot
remains immobile. "Well, now I know it's defective. It's not accepting the
maintenance commands, much less the rest."
"Well, what now?" inquired Syl. "And let me add; if you pull
this off, I'm going to buy you chocolate fudges for a month!"
"I'll take your kind incentive." Said Serena, smiling in a
way that made Syl nervous. Regaining her composure, she summoned the Ginzuishou.
The small gem appeared in front of her, hovering easily in the air.
"How can you do that?" asked Venus, her mouth agape. "Where
did you keep it?"
Grabbing the Ginzuishou, Serena closed her eyes. However,
she answered the questions. "It was one of the first things my Sensei taught
me. It's impractical to have it in plain sight, where the enemy could grab it.
So, I just keep it in a sub-space pocket. Easier to transport with me, and more
secure than having it in a brooch, don't you think?"
Luna-C sighed upon hearing that. Granted, all the Senshi had
sub-space pockets where they could store their transformation pens, and in
Mercury's case, her computer. But she had never thought of teaching Usa… no,
Serena now, to use it in such way. Once more, she felt inadequate for her
supposed position as councilor and guardian.
Unaware of the black cat's inner turmoil, Serena
concentrated on the task at hand. Standing next to the defective robot, she
began to summon the energy needed for what she had to do. In a matter of
seconds, the Ginzuishou began to glow a soft silver. Once she was satisfied of
having the necessary energy, she focused it into the robot.
A small shaft of silver light stroke the unit, immediately
enveloping it with its light. The glow began to grow in intensity, forcing the
present to close their eyes or look away. The whole process continued for at
least a minute, in which Serena pictured in her mind's eye the modifications
she needed to do. However, right in the middle of the process, she felt that
the neural processor could be modified in a way she hadn't thought previously.
Acting on instinct, she decided to test her idea.
Once the whole process was over, the light seemed to be
sucked into the lens of the unit, a phenomena that nobody witnessed… with the
exception of the Ethereal. Unnoticed by the rest, the lens began to emit a soft
silver light.
Turning around while rubbing her eyes to get rid of the
specs dancing in her vision, Luna-F asked. "Well, did it work?"
"Only one way to find out." Said Serena. Looking at the
B.A.T. she just said. "Military mode. Blast your container."
As soon as the words left her lips, the robot stood up on
its hind 'legs', assuming a fighting stance. Turning around quickly in the
direction of the box it came out, the robot extended its right 'hand'… and from
it emerged a concentrated beam of silver light. As soon as it hit, the
container melted in a matter of seconds. Once done, the unit dropped back on
its four legs, awaiting further commands.
Nobody said a word, amazed at what had happened. It was Syl the
one that broke the silence.
"All right. You do the impossible in a daily basis, but this
takes the cake! The B.A.T.s aren't designed to do that without external
weaponry, so what did you do?"
"It was simple, really." Serena then began her explanation.
"I wasn't sure it might work, but it did, that's the important thing. You see,
while I was readjusting the processor, I noticed that it had the capability to
hold silver millennium energy and shunt it through its main power core. The end
result, as you saw, is that it can shoot energy blasts just like I do with the
Ginzuishou, in addition of its own battle strategies."
"Well, that's an unexpected and welcome bonus!" said Luna-F,
walking closer to the B.A.T. and examining it with a critical eye. "So, are you
going to do the same with all the rest?"
Serena sighed heavily, and then answered. "I'll try, but I
won't be able to do them all in one session. This one took a lot out of me, and
even that now I know how to do it, it'd still take a lot of energy. I imagine I
can do five more, tops. After that, I'll have to rest for the rest of the day."
(I think there is an alternative to that.) Said the Ethereal
in that moment. (You do those five, while I'll handle the rest.) He then
addressed the Senshi. (If you are willing, you can help her in this enterprise.
Will you do it?)
"You don't even have to ask. Of course!" said Venus, walking
until she was standing next to the Ethereal. Almost immediately, the rest of the
Senshi joined her. "So, what do we have to do?"
(Stand to my sides, two on each one. Then grab my robes.)
Following the Ethereal's instructions, the Senshi divided
into couples and stood on his sides. Mars and Jupiter to his left, Venus and
Mercury to his right. Once done, they each grabbed a portion of the Ethereal's
robes.
(Good. Now, open your minds to me. Summon your powers and
channel them through me. I'll handle the rest.)
Upon hearing those words, the Senshi began to fidget. It was
until they saw in Serena's direction that they calmed down. When they all saw
her, Serena just nodded, calming their fears. With that reassurance, they
called their guardian planets' power.
"JUPITER PLANET POWER!!!"
"MARS PLANET POWER!!!"
"MERCURY PLANET POWER!!!"
"VENUS PLANET POWER!!!"
Their planetary sigils began to glow furiously on their
foreheads, at the same time a multicolored aura exploded from their bodies. In
a second, those auras began to be absorbed into the Ethereal's body. That
process continued for at least fifteen seconds, until finally, the Ethereal
raised its hands. From each one of them, a beam of multi-colored light emerged
and hit the containers, enveloping them. A minute later, the Ethereal cut the
beams and lowered his arms. As soon as he did it, the Senshi released their
hold on his robe, dropping to their knees, groaning in exhaustion.
"I… I don't feel good…" muttered Venus. "I feel… like I ran
around Japan non-stop."
"Same here…" murmured Jupiter. "I want to sleep."
"What… did you do… to us?" Mars managed to ask.
(I apologize. The whole process took more energy than I
expected. Don't worry; you will be fine once you have some rest.) Said the
Ethereal. Raising a hand, he pointed in the direction of the containers.
Immediately, four of them opened, their contents following the same unfolding
process as the robot Serena had readjusted. (Behold, the fruit of your
efforts.)
The four summoned units approached the one Serena adjusted.
This time, all noticed the difference in their glowing lenses. The glows were
red, green, blue and orange.
(Just like the one your friend modified, these ones can now
use your own powers. Fire, lightning, ice and plasma.) The Ethereal then
addressed Serena. (Once you finish the other five, the rest will follow them.
Think of the silver ones as… battle commanders.) He then pointed in the
direction of the containers, five more releasing their cargos. (Those are yours
to modify, young one.)
"Oh, the captain is going to love this!" Syl said, a smirk
on his lips.
"We'll worry about that later." Said Luna-C. "Right now,
help us to take the girls back to their rooms. They need to rest if they are
going to fight."
"Good point." Said Luna-F. "Come on Syl, help me take these
sleepy heads back to their beds. After all, a lady needs her beauty rest, don't
you agree?" She then approached Jupiter and Mars.
"Don't… I can walk." Muttered Jupiter. Mars just groaned.
"Sure you can, but you won't be able to take more than then
steps before collapsing. Here, let me help." Batting away Jupiter's feeble
attempts to stop her, Luna-F then proceeded to take them in a fireman carry, a
girl on each shoulder.
Syl was trying to figure out if he would be able to do the
same when Tuxedo Kamen approached him. "Here, let me help."
Nodding his thanks, Syl then carried Venus on his arms,
while Tuxedo Kamen carried Mercury. What almost made Syl drop his passenger was
when Venus got more comfortable in his arms, sighing happily. He just muttered
under his breath and began to walk out of the cargo hold, closely followed by
Tuxedo Kamen and Luna-F; Artemis followed them, while Luna-C remained with
Serena.
"Are you sure you can do this?" inquired the moon cat, once
they were alone. "If you faint, there won't be anybody to carry you back to
your quarters!"
"Don't worry Luna." Said Serena, once more preparing the
Ginzuishou. "If I have enough energy in me, I'll just teleport right to my
bed."
(And if not, I'll take her back to her quarters.) Added the
Ethereal.
"All right, let's start…" with that, Serena repeated the
same process she did before.
TO BE CONTINUED.
Author's notes:
Phew!! Another chapter done! I apologize for the time I took
to post this new chapter, but certain things popped up that draw my attention
elsewhere. Not to mention another bout with that horrible beast called Writer's
Block!
Once again, thanks go to all who voted in the past poll. And
to those who asked for me to get rid of Chibi-Usa (You know who I'm talking
about!), sorry to disappoint you, but it won't happen.
Once more, a grateful thanks and a big hug goes to my good
friend Yohann DeSabrais. Thanks for your input in the modification of the
B.A.T.s! I was going to use a standard humanoid form, but this works better.
Thanks pal!!!
Next chapter is the beginning of the time travel. And this
is also a petition of help! Does anybody know the activation phrase used by the
Spore to activate the Time Key? I really, and I mean REALLY need it! E-mail it
to me, please?? Otherwise, I won't be able to finish the next chapter!
Ok… that's all for now. Later!