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 have gone haywire. First, Serena reveals that she's known Chibi-Usa's real identity since her return: that the little girl is her future daughter. Second, the little girl, in a bout of depression, ended up outside the Crystal Palace, which led to her capture among with Serena, who had tried to help her, at the hands of Wiseman. Third, while gathering resources in the Jovian system, the Lucky Star was ambushed by nine of Demando's dark crystal ships.
So far, everything looks gloomy.
* = Change of Scene
( ) = Thoughts
+ + = Computer Responses or Electronic Communications
SILVER TEARSBY
COMMANDER GALOS
CHAPTER 15: BATTLES WITHIN BATTLES. PART 1.
She didn't know how long she had been unconscious. The last thing she remembered was trying to help Chibi-Usa and sent her to safety before both were captured by a robed figure. Then, the shock of being enveloped by dark energy caused her to black out. That last thought awoke her completely, however she regretted trying to stand up a moment later. Keeping her eyes closed while lying down to regain her bearings, Serena ran the experience through her mind's eye to see what had gone wrong. The first thing she realized was that, if she hadn't run out on her own and waited for the rest to assist her, then she and Chibi-Usa wouldn't have been caught. Second, if she hadn't used all her remaining energy in that blast against the intruder, instead using it in small doses to keep it busy, they could have made it back inside the palace's shield.
Serena berated herself for a few more moments before attempting to open her eyes. Releasing the control she had on her senses [a measure she instilled on her subconscious, since her senses picked everything even in her sleep, making resting difficult], she was immediately assaulted by a wave of nausea. Once more using all her remaining strength to recover, Serena closed her senses, reinforcing her control.
(Dear Lord… the amount of negative energy… is off the scale… not even Metallia irradiated so much back at D-Point.) Once she was sure she wasn't going to pour the little content in her stomach on top of her, Serena began to stand up. The first thing she noticed was the soft bed she was lying on; the second were her clothes. Instead of her regulation uniform, she was now wearing a dress similar to the one she wore each time she transformed into her Princess Serenity persona. The third thing was that she was inside a chamber made of black crystal, with no windows or doors apparent. Without needing more confirmation, she knew that she was inside the enemy fortress that she had seen from orbit.
(Ok Serena, looks like SEER school time)
[[A.N: - SEER: acronym for Search, Escape, Evade, Rescue.]]
Standing up on slightly shaking legs, Serena began to walk slowly around her cell. For her, there were three objectives at the moment:
One. Find a way out of this cell without alerting anyone.
Two. Find Chibi-Usa and get out of the place and rendezvous with her friends.
Three. Looking at her attire, she decided to find more adequate clothes for fighting!
She had finished her first circuit around the chamber without finding a thing when her muted senses picked up the surge of a massive dark energy concentration on the other side of the chamber. Turning around, she witnessed as a portion of the darkness separated from the walls, from where a moment later a tall man dressed in white with white silverish hair emerged.
Looking at her, the new arrival smiled what Serena thought was a smirk full of lust and dark emotions, sending a cold shiver down her spine. However, she stood her place, not letting her emotions show on her face. Keeping her voice as casual as she could, she asked. "I take you are my… host."
The man didn't say a thing. Instead he walked closer to her, all the while his eyes roaming over her body; forcing herself to keep steady, Serena stood in her place, willing her body not to shiver at the feelings of dirtiness that assaulted her. Once the man stood at arms' length from her, he answered.
"Yes, I am. I welcome you to my humble abode."
Serena nodded, acknowledging his answer. With a very casual stride, she resumed her walk around her cell, the man walking behind her with an amused expression. "And do you have a name?"
"Of course. I'm Prince Demando, ruler of the Dark Moon Family… and your most fervent admirer."
(Oh boy… this doesn't look good.) Thought Serena. Aloud, she said. "I would say it's a… pleasure to meet you, but I don't take being kidnapped too well, you know?" Demando chuckled at her answer.
"I have to apologize for the means used by Wiseman. But we couldn't risk you denying my invitation."
Once more, Serena nodded at the answer, filing it in her mind for future references. If this people used extreme force for an invitation… shaking her head inwardly, she headed towards the bed. Taking a seat on it, she continued. "I see. So, care to tell me why you did what you did?" seeing his raised eyebrow, she expanded her query. "I mean, why destroy the planet and its inhabitants? What are you going to gain by that?"
At that question, Demando's expression hardened, his visage clouding visibly. With a hard, cold voice he answered.
"It was what terrans deserved. When the Crystal Millennium was established, my people refused the Cleansing." Noticing Serena's puzzled expression, he explained the term. "The Cleansing consisted in the removal of Chaos from all people. We refused since that would have turned us all into lambs, slaves with only 'happy thoughts', unable to exercise our free will. When we resisted, Neo-Queen Serenity exiled us from the planet… exiled us directly to Hell… to Nemesis."
Staring straight into Serena's eyes, his voice became more excited, full of rancor and resentment. "Do you know what it's like to live in that hellhole? The sun never shines there, food and water are so scarce that we have to fight every day to get just enough to survive! We have to learn since our births that only the strong survive…
"That was our 'reward' for trying to keep our individuality, our self-respect."
Serena kept silent, digesting the information. Yes, she had toyed with the idea of, once the earth was secured, purging all negativity from the population in hopes of giving them all happiness and prosperity. However, due to all her experiences in the Agency, she understood that such folly wasn't feasible. Inasmuch as she hated to admit it, Demando was right. At the moment, she wasn't sure if this was her future or a parallel world [she had visited enough parallel worlds in the Lucky Star to understand the concept], but there was one certain thing.
The balance on this planet had been disrupted in so many levels, that the backlash to regain equilibrium had wiped-out all life on it.
"I can understand that, and even relate to your statements to some extent." Finally said Serena, shuddering a little at the realization. "But what does that have to do with me?"
Hearing her words, Demando smiled satisfied. Facing her, he said. "I am glad you said that. It only confirms that you are… perfect."
Gulping with a suddenly dried mouth, she had to ask. "Perfect… for what?"
In one fluid movement, Demando grabbed her by her shoulders and forced her to stand up. Serena couldn't help but gasp when, all of a sudden, a third eye opened in Demando's forehead.
"Perfect… to be my wife."
* * * *
In a secluded chamber, Wiseman was watching, satisfied, at his handiwork. Floating in front of him was a cocoon of pure darkness, and inside, the nude body of Chibi-Usa could be seen. Tendrils of dark energy kept trying to enter her through her forehead, but the pink-haired girl's moon sigil flared and dispelled them. However, the treatment had continued relentlessly since the moment the two of them arrived, and it was obvious that with each attempt, the girl was slowly losing the battle. It was only a matter of time, and Wiseman was patient.
Chibi-Usa had her eyes closed, her face contorted in pain and effort. And it was a sight that pleased Wiseman immensely.
On a far corner of the chamber, a door opened soundlessly, allowing access to a blue-dressed figure. The new arrival was a man, with dark eyes and hair, good proportioned body and walked with a grace and firmness that spoke of good breeding and education. His face was set in a scowl, and in his forehead was clearly seen the down turned sigil of the Black Moon Family.
(I knew he was hiding something!) Thought Prince Saffir. (The black crystal chamber is producing too much energy… more than we need. What is he planning?) He had planned to confront Wiseman with the information. Since the beginning of the campaign he didn't trust the mysterious figure and had tried to warn his brother Demando about Wiseman. However, the silver-haired leader of the Dark Moon refused to acknowledge his warnings and, to Saffir's despair, followed each and every 'suggestion' made by Wiseman. Even more distressing for Saffir was the growing lust and desire his brother had developed for the Neo-Queen; how many hours he had lost trying to convince Demando that it wasn't wise to wish for her, but he didn't listen. Even worse, Wiseman had applauded Demando's decision and supported it.
But the final straw had come a few minutes earlier. During a routine check of the Black Crystal, Saffir had noticed that the Crystal was generating a humongous amount of energy. The current controls were hardly coping with the process, and there was the chance that the Black Crystal would explode, destroying the planet and ruining everything they had worked so hard to achieve.
That's what carried him to Wiseman's quarters, the desire to know what was going on. Shortly after he entered, he noticed the energy cocoon; and to his immense surprise, he quickly identified the person inside of it.
(That's Small Lady, Neo-Queen Serenity's daughter! When did he caught her, and why didn't he notified my brother or any of us) clenching his fists in barely contained fury, he was about to have a long 'talk' with Wiseman when, all of a sudden, a bright flash of light appeared to Wiseman's right. Blinking away the spots in front of his eyes, Saffir finally got a good look at the intruder.
It was a tall figure, taller than him, dressed in an orange robe in a design similar to Wiseman's, even the hood cast enough darkness to prevent seeing the figure's face. Saffir was about to sound the alarm when he heard a deep, grave voice resonating inside his head.
(So, this is where you have been hiding. I must commend you for erasing your tracks so well. It was hard finding you.)
Wiseman didn't show a sign of noticing the strange robed figure, continuing his hand movements over his sphere. However, he answered.
"Yes. It took me long enough to find a place where I could implement my plans away from you."
Upon hearing those words, Saffir hurried to hide behind a column. Apparently, Wiseman knew this intruder, and he wanted to learn as much as he could before showing his brother the true colors of the Wiseman.
(I see you inhabit a body not yours. How? It can't be done without the consent of the original owner.)
"It wasn't hard, really. An old fool filled with resentment, anger and envy against the world of his birth. Once I offered him power to carry out his vengeance, I had full access to his body. Too bad his soul didn't survive the transition, but the shell is adequate."
The strange figure turned slightly in Chibi-Usa's direction, apparently looking at it.
(I never imagined you could stoop so low as to torture a defenseless girl. I expected better from you.)
"It is necessary. This girl has the potential to serve my plans. I'm only bringing it to the surface, that's all. If she didn't resist so much, it would be painless… even enjoyable to her."
(I can't say I can approve of this.)
"But you can't interfere. You, like the others and even myself, can't act directly, only by proxy using tools. That is what this girl will be… the perfect tool."
(You manipulated events in this system to suit your purposes, I surmise.)
"Oh yes. It would have taken eons for this girl to be born otherwise, if ever. The old Moon Kingdom never showed its full potential, so it had to go. It was so easy to lure that Alien Intelligence, Metallia, to destroy it. You know how those Intelligences crave bio-energy, not to mention their xenophobic mentality towards other races."
(A small change that cascaded through millennia, all towards this point.)
"Exactly."
The orange robed figure turned slowly in Saffir's direction, making him fear that he had been discovered. However, his fears were squelched by the stranger's next 'words'.
(So, you found an entropy crystal.)
"Yes. And a very powerful one at that. What surprised me was finding it in this backwater solar system. Who would have thought that an entropy crystal could be so close to a Creator one? It's the only one in existence in this universe, but it's more than enough.)
(But why remove it from the planetary core? Just the act of disturbing one should have destroyed the host planet.)
"It was necessary. Fortunately, I found a good replacement to prevent the original planet's destruction. It won't last long, but just enough."
Hearing that, Saffir's blood ran cold. The Black Crystal, or entropy crystal as the stranger and Wiseman referred to, had been in Nemesis' core originally. Nobody found out how Wiseman had removed it from its original placement, just accepted the fact. If what he had learned was true, then Nemesis and all its population would be destroyed!
(You know that you will be stopped.)
"If you mean that blonde that arrived with you, it's already taken care of. As we speak, Demando is converting her. Yes, before you ask, I was already aware that you have trained her. How couldn't I notice it? And as for her companions both in space and here, they are of no consequence."
(You have planned for every contingency, then.)
"Of course. Nothing will stop me from achieving total Entropy in the Multiverse. The perfect regression to the perfect state… my whole existence's goal."
(The end of all life and existence, you mean.)
By this point, Saffir was trembling. He couldn't believe what he had learned in so little time… Wiseman wasn't helping them. He was planning to destroy all life, theirs included! His brother, his family, his people, earth's people… all had been nothing but peons on Wiseman's deranged plans!
And the people that had arrived… they hadn't come to stop the Dark Moon, he realized all of a sudden… they had come to specifically stop Wiseman! They had come to save them all!! And Wiseman had manipulated them to stop those people!
Not wanting to hear another word, Saffir hurried outside Wiseman's chamber. He had to prevent the apocalypse! He had to save his people on Nemesis! Without a sound, he directed his steps towards the teleportation chamber, intent on saving his people. He knew his brother wouldn't like that, since he wanted to wait until Crystal Tokyo had fallen under their assault before bringing Nemesis' population back to Earth. But if what Wiseman and that stranger said was true, time was of the essence.
Once they were alone, the stranger broke the silence.
(You know that young man will try to stop you as well, now that he knows the truth.)
"It is of no consequence. As you said before, I had already planned for all contingencies. Whatever he does will only aid in my purposes."
(It's still not too late. Desist on this madness and return with us.)
"To face punishment by the Council? Surely you jest. No, I'm too close to achieving my goals to stop now. Now, if you excuse me, I have work to do."
(The path you are following will only lead to your destruction. I still hoped you could see reason, but it saddens me to see it's the contrary.)
The Wiseman didn't answer, instead shifting all his concentration to finish Chibi-Usa's conversion. Equally silent, the stranger began to walk out of the chamber. But when he was about to cross the door, he thought to himself.
(I pity you. You had such potential… and to see it wasted like this. The Ethereal Council would have been lenient if you had stopped your machinations.
(Farewell, Wiseman.
(Farewell… brother.)
With that thought, Sensei left the Wiseman to continue, and hoping that all wasn't lost.
* * * *
After calling back the second B.A.T. group and leaving the first one to self-repair, the Senshi, along with Syl and Luna-F, hurried towards the black fortress in an attempt to rescue Serena and Chibi-Usa. Following Mercury's directions, they headed in the direction of Demando's fortress, each one deep in thought.
"Syl, you know we're heading to a death trap, don't you?" inquired Luna-F.
"Of course."
"And you know that it's very probable none of us would make it back home alive?"
"That's a definite possibility."
"And still, we're going."
"Oh yes."
"And you're not worried?"
Syl stopped for a moment, pondering the question. After a couple of moments, he resumed his walk. Without turning, he answered. "Luna, to be sincere, I'm worried out of my mind. Heck, I'm so scared I want nothing but run back to the shuttle and blast off this cursed planet and never look back."
"Heh… same here. I'm wishing this is nothing more than a nightmare, and am going to wake up in my bunk back at the ship at any moment."
"But then why are you here? Why are you risking your lives?" asked Venus. She had been walking behind them, unintentionally [?] eavesdropping on their conversation. At that point, she couldn't help herself and ask that.
"Serena." Said both Syl and Luna-F in unison. One single word, but Venus understood perfectly. She understood why… that's why she and the Senshi were doing the same. Serena had a special… something that caused loyalty on all those who befriended her. It was an innocence, a joy for life that caused all her friends to risk everything to preserve it.
Nobody said a thing after that; there was no need for it. They continued moving in complete silence until Mercury's computer beeped a signal. "Wait everyone." Said the blue-haired Senshi. "I'm detecting a droid."
As soon as the words left her mouth, the B.A.T.s fanned in front of them, at the same time the rest assumed battle positions.
"Only one? Where?" inquired Syl, dropping on a knee and preparing his rifle.
"In front of us. But it's not moving… it's just standing there." Confirmed Mercury.
Fiddling with a button on his helmet, Syl adjusted the visor to get a telescopic view of the droid. Soon enough, the figure of the creature was visible. "You're right… it's just standing there, its arms crossed. It's looking in our direction, but it's not moving." He was puzzling this enigma when, to his discomfort, the droid smiled.
"Why is it smiling?" muttered Syl, aiming to hit the droid right in the jewel. From past briefings and what the Sisters had told them then, the jewels were the surest way to get rid of a droid. In that instant, his instincts began screaming at him, the hair on his neck standing on end. "Oh… s***."
Disengaging the telescopic view, he stood up and looked around frantically. At the same time, Mercury almost screamed.
"We're surrounded!"
All present looked around just in time to see a veritable multitude of droids coming out from their hiding places under the debris littering the area. In a matter of moments, a fence of droids was surrounding them from everywhere, cutting all possible escape routes.
"Oh great…" muttered Luna-F, unsheathing her claws. "Outgunned, outnumbered at least ten to one…"
"Eighteen to one." Corrected Mercury. Luna-F glared at her, but the gesture was wasted.
"Ok, eighteen to one… no battle support from anywhere, no cavalry, no reinforcements of any kind. Now what?"
"We smash them to a pulp, what else?" said Jupiter, cracking her knuckles.
"Good enough." Said Luna-F, smirking.
"All right people… let's party." Added Syl.
A couple of seconds later, the battle was on its way. Surprising himself, Syl thought.
(At least, the crew of the Star is having a better time than us here!)
* * * *
"We lost another two defense drones, captain!" reported the security officer, at the same time gripping his console with all his worth to prevent him to smash against the floor.
The battle had been a desperate one from the moment Demando's crystal ships got in weapons' range. Ignoring the now abandoned shuttles, the enemy ships zeroed on the Lucky Star, a situation captain Vardeen capitalized at the max. Ordering the shuttles get in collision course against the enemy, he watched satisfied as two of them released the safety locks on their power cores and destroyed one crystal ship, damaging another. However, that was the only victory in the beginning; the enemy immediately destroyed the last shuttles.
Due to the little time allowed by the attack, the automated production facilities of the Agency ship only had time to produce twenty automated defense drones. Fitting them with the modified weaponry and shields, the captain ordered their immediate launch. The drones, thanks to their small size and superior mobility, were able to score some damage on the attacking ships, but that was all they could do. At the same time, the Star's weapons systems got online and began its own assault.
The crystal ships, however, didn't remain idle for long. Their main advantage in battle was that, from each crystal spire on their surface, they were able to launch a continuous barrage of black energy lightning bolts. Because of that fact, despite the desperate evasive maneuver patterns of the big ship, the Star's shields were getting a real pounding.
"Status report!" asked the captain, holding with all his strength on his chair's armrests.
"Port and starboard shields down to 65%, we are down to twelve drones, plasma cannons only having minimum effect on the enemy, point defense turrets insufficient to counter the enemy fire. Those ships don't stand still long enough to get a lock with the ion cannons, the engines are overheating and the reactors are overloading. Structural damage reported on decks 14, 15 and 19. And if that wasn't enough, the enemy is trying to herd us towards Jupiter! At this rate, and if they hit our engines, we'll fall in the planet's gravitational well."
"Oh, great…" muttered the captain. "Helm, evasive maneuvers, pattern Delta. Let's get into a more favorable position!"
"Yes sir!"
"Captain, what are we going to do?" asked a very upset Luna-C. She, along with Artemis, was hanging by their nails (literally) to prevent ending up as pinballs.
"Right now, I'm open to suggestions." Answered the captain, ruefully.
"Captain, bandit on collision course!" reported the security officer.
"Aim all available weapons on it! Helm, evade that ship at all costs!" ordered captain Vardeen.
"Captain, there's no use! It's countering all our movements! Impact in twelve seconds!"
"Sound collision alert! Brace yourselves everybody!" as soon as the words left his lips, an alarm began blaring, and an automated message began to chant. "All hands, collision alert. Brace for impact. Collision alert."
From an outside view, it was an incredible and terrifying sight. One of the crystal ships accelerated against the Lucky Star, ignoring the continued barrage it was receiving. In a matter of seconds, it reached the shields. The maneuver cost it a great deal of spires, but that was its general objective. One had survived the impact and with terrible accuracy, it impacted and pierced the ship's hull. The Lucky Star shuddered, like it was writhing in pain at the unwanted intrusion.
On the bridge, all those who had been knocked off their feet regained their positions. As soon as he looked at his screen, the security officer reported. "Captain, severe structural damage on deck 8. Damage control crews are heading there and…" In that moment an alarm sounded on the console.
"Captain, we are being boarded! Enemy forces are using that crystal spike to enter!"
"On screen!" When the captain watched the images, his blood ran cold.
Droids. At least a dozen were already inside and more were pouring out of a door on the crystal spire. Captain Vardeen and all in the bridge had the dubious pleasure to observe the droids in action. Three unfortunate crewmembers were already in the grasp of three droids… and had their energy drained until there was nothing more than dried husks, which were tossed aside as much unwanted garbage. As all droids, they had a somewhat feminine figure, but that's where all similarities with past droids ended. Those were virtual juggernauts, seven feet tall, bulging muscles and covered with a slimy-looking armor. Their strength was amazing, judging by the way they ripped off the doors and walls in their frenzy to reach and kill all on their sights.
"Captain, point defense turrets are finally breaking the remains of that ship." Said the security officer, his voice subdued somewhat by the brutality displayed by the intruders.
Sure enough, the crystal spire on the corridor began to show cracks all over its surface until, all of a sudden, it blew apart leaving an open gash behind it, the atmosphere beginning to pour out through it. The vacuum sucked some droids, but the bulk of them grabbed whatever they could and remained inside. It didn't take long for an emergency bulkhead to seal the gap, the atmosphere in the area returning to normal. With the menace passed, the droids continued their destructive rampage.
"Dispatch security forces there, armed to the teeth. Stop those intruders at all costs!" ordered the captain.
"On their way sir!" reported the officer.
In that instant, the helm talked. "Captain, the remaining six ships are gaining on us!"
"Captain, what are we going to do?" inquired Artemis, holding Luna-C close to his body.
Captain Vardeen considered his words. So far, his ship had suffered severe damage, those invading droids were slaughtering his crew, their weapons were grossly ineffective against the enemy and no word had reached them from the group back on Earth. With a heavy sigh, he finally said.
"We pray Artemis.
"We pray we can get out of here alive."
TO BE CONTINUED.
Author's notes:
Yes, yes, I know. This chapter is way shorter than previous ones, but I noticed this was a good place to end the chapter. If I had continued, I would have ruined the effect I wanted in this part. And sorry for taking so long in writing, but RL has been hitting me extremely hard lately, and obviously that reflects in my inspiration.
Now, here's the question. Should I get rid of everybody? Things look pretty grim so far. Now, keep in mind that, if I kill someone, I'll have to kill all. So, think your answer carefully, ok?
Thank you everybody for reviewing this story. And you all know the drill: REVIEW!! Otherwise, I'm ending this story right here!
And as always, special thanks are in order to my online friend and pre-reader Yohann DeSabrais. His idea for Sensei and Wiseman's chat was pure gold! Thanks man!!
Ok… that's all for now. Later!