Author's Note: Yay! More translations! Senshi-soldier, henshin-transform.
Chapter Nine
Selena jerked awake hours later from where she had dozed off on the marble bench. Why she awoke became apparent a moment later.
"Selena!"
"Selena, where are you?!"
She recognized the voices of Michiru and Haruka. Rising up, she headed toward the direction their voices were coming from. "I'm here... Small Lady could have told you where to find me."
"No one's allowed out of the castle for the time being," Neptune explained as they began leading her inside.
"What?! Why?"
"A new enemy's making their way here. All soldiers, save the royal family, are in the war room right now. Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus are preparing to set up the barrier as soon as possible." Uranus's expression was grim as she explained what was going on.
"Which is why we need you, Selena... with Mercury at the barrier, we'll be at a loss for her medical know-how..."
"Right. No problem. I would be honored to serve my sister in such a way. Perhaps it will begin to help in the pain she must feel at my treachery."
By then, they had reached the war room inside the castle. Noting their entrance, Mercury began her debriefing, since in war matters, she was next in command under the royal family. She tapped a button on her miniature computer, and an image was projected onto a large, blank wall.
"There is much that we still have to learn about the enemy. So far, we do know that they are a force to be reckoned with. They are from the constellation you see here, Scorpio." Pausing, she pushed another button. A fluctuating list of schematics took the place of t he projected constellation. "The enemy, if they continue to travel at their current rate, will arrive within the week." She turned the computer off and gestured to a group of about twenty men to rise. These were the soldiers of Endymion, presented with limited power, but gifted in swordplay. "Captain. Your men are to attend training the next two days, and after that, you are to be left to the watch."
A man standing in the foreground of the others nodded.
"Guardians of Small Lady."
The Amazoness Quartet rose as the men sat down.
"When the alarm is sounded, you are to remain at the side of the royal family. Two of you should be with Small Lady at all times. Should other defenses fail, you will be the last line before the family themselves."
"Of course, Mercury," Ceres answered. The quartet sat back down as Juno comforted Pallas, promising to stay beside her.
"Outer planetary senshi."
Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Pluto rose.
"You four will be the second line of defense, along with the soldiers of Endymion." Then Mercury addressed on soldier in particular. "Pluto. You, of course, should take all necessary measures to assure that the Gates are not accessible to the enemy. You need only come and fight when your fellow outer soldiers require your help."
"Selena."
Selena glanced up, and rose as the other four sat.
"Your job will be one mainly of healing, should the need arise. You are also welcome to assist in the battle should the second line begin to fall, and it is something that you cannot cure. Until then, the training of Endymion's soldiers is in your hands."
Selena sat back down and continued to think as Mercury finished carefully delegating tasks.
"Inner senshi, guardians of Serenity."
Mars, Jupiter, and Venus rose.
"It is our job to set up the first line of defense in the form of the barrier. Hopefully, this will be enough to make all these other preparations unnecessary."
Those three sat back down.
"Now, should defense prove not to be enough, the second line will need to leave the barrier, and become the first line of attack. Should they need help, the Quartet will join them. After that, the kind will be the next to join. The queen is the last to leave the safety of the barrier. The princess will not be permitted to leave. Should the time come and the barrier must fall so that the inner senshi may fight, Small Lady will be taken to Elysion and protected there by defenses the priest Elios is already preparing. Any official training will begin at two this afternoon. Until then, you are all released to enjoy the few hours until then as you see fit."
All the soldiers of Endymion immediately rose and left to spend time with their families.
Mercury looked to those who remained. "Quartet, the princess has been granted permission to spend time outside the castle, if you four are with her."
They nodded, rose, and left to allow their princess the last few hours of sunlight she would be permitted to enjoy for quite possibly a long while.
Looking to those who remained, Mercury spoke again. "Pluto, you should begin whatever preparations you find necessary. Saturn, you are free to join the princess and her protectors."
Pluto immediately left to the Gates. Saturn de-henshined and rushed off to join her friend.
"The remained planetary senshi have a rather large task. While it may prove unnecessary in the end, we need to move the people of Earth to areas we have found to be safe points. All those of the appropriate faiths are urged to move as quickly as possible to their chosen Holy cities. Anyone who has no such place may move to the nearest historic battlefield. Those in Asia are, of course, welcome inside the boundaries of Crystal Tokyo, if they do not have any other place to go. European countries are to be urged to make their way to Britain to one of these sites: Canterbury - for its religious connections, Craig y Ddinas - for it is said that the legendary Arthur rests there, or Cadbury - where Camelot is said to have been. Those that cannot make it to one of those places should go to Mont St. Michael in Normandy. Those in Africa should move to Egypt, or as close as possible. Any on the North American continent are to move to sites of historical battles closest to them. Those on islands, in South America, or Australia should move to a Holy City or battlefield, if they cannot make it to one of the other places." Mercury sat down to rest as Selena disappeared for a few moments, returning with a glass of water for her. Mercury smiled her thanks before drinking.
"Now... it is up to you guys to inform leaders of great influence, political and religious, of the instructions pertinent to them. From there, it is up to them to decide how to defend their followers. You may inform them that someone will come by tomorrow to an area you choose to transport those who cannot find transportation otherwise to where they need to go. Serenity has promised to lend just enough additional strength from the Silver Crystal for this task."
Uranus, Neptune, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus quickly chose which places to visit over the next few hours, deciding to go separately to cover as much area as possible.
Before leaving, Mercury told Selena the king and queen wished to see her before the six of them disappeared.
Shaking her head at the events of the last few hours, Selena left toe war room. Luna was waiting outside the room to take her to Serenity and Endymion.
"I feel awful, Selena. You have not been here long, and already you must take part in a war."
"It's the least that I can do... there's so many battles those I care for have suffered through that I could not help with. I only wish I could do more than be a healer, which may prove unnecessary in the end."
Luna left her at the door of a room, walking off with a small farewell.
She knocked on the door, and when she entered, she found herself in a comfortable, den-like room. Serenity and Endymion were seated next to a fireplace as she walked in.
Serenity rose and went over to hug her sister. Selena returned the embrace before looking at the two for an answer to her unasked question. What was this all about?
"Don't look so solemn, Selena." Endymion smiled, chuckling a bit.
Serenity sat back down in her chair, urging Selena to take a third seat. As she did, Endymion continued. "I was just hoping that you would honor me by allowing me to join your sword-fight training."
Bewildered once again, Selena gazed at him. "You wish to help me teach your men?"
Endymion chuckled, shaking his head. "I wish I could say I deserved to teach anybody anything about swordplay besides the basics... No, Selena... I want to be a student. Because should the time come, only the best will do. But since you're already the best... I decided to settle for learning from the best."
Selena blushed prettily at the compliment."I'm hardly the best. Besides, Endymion, it was you who taught me."
"True. But that was two thousand years ago. And you long ago moved beyond anything I ever taught you."
Serenity laughed faintly. "Alright. I'm going to stop pretending I actually know something about sword fighting. I'm going to join Small Lady outside." With that, she rose and exited the room gracefully.
Selena finally nodded her head in agreement. "Alright. It's not like I could stop the king from doing something he wants." She rose, suddenly looking more tired than it seemed possible to be and to still be standing. But the fatigue disappeared as she straightened up and gave a small smile. "I'm going to head to the Moon for a while. I should be back in time for the lessons... if not, have the men begin warming up. I'll definitely be back by the time they finish." With that, she faded away in a flare of pale purple energy.
Endymion let out a sigh, sinking more deeply into the over-stuffed chair. He wondered if Selena was avoiding having to talk to him on purpose. He had gone to her room last night to talk, but found she wasn't there. Time, he felt, was quickly running out, though he couldn't explain why he felt that way. But he knew he had to talk to Selena before it was too late.
Chapter Nine
Selena jerked awake hours later from where she had dozed off on the marble bench. Why she awoke became apparent a moment later.
"Selena!"
"Selena, where are you?!"
She recognized the voices of Michiru and Haruka. Rising up, she headed toward the direction their voices were coming from. "I'm here... Small Lady could have told you where to find me."
"No one's allowed out of the castle for the time being," Neptune explained as they began leading her inside.
"What?! Why?"
"A new enemy's making their way here. All soldiers, save the royal family, are in the war room right now. Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus are preparing to set up the barrier as soon as possible." Uranus's expression was grim as she explained what was going on.
"Which is why we need you, Selena... with Mercury at the barrier, we'll be at a loss for her medical know-how..."
"Right. No problem. I would be honored to serve my sister in such a way. Perhaps it will begin to help in the pain she must feel at my treachery."
By then, they had reached the war room inside the castle. Noting their entrance, Mercury began her debriefing, since in war matters, she was next in command under the royal family. She tapped a button on her miniature computer, and an image was projected onto a large, blank wall.
"There is much that we still have to learn about the enemy. So far, we do know that they are a force to be reckoned with. They are from the constellation you see here, Scorpio." Pausing, she pushed another button. A fluctuating list of schematics took the place of t he projected constellation. "The enemy, if they continue to travel at their current rate, will arrive within the week." She turned the computer off and gestured to a group of about twenty men to rise. These were the soldiers of Endymion, presented with limited power, but gifted in swordplay. "Captain. Your men are to attend training the next two days, and after that, you are to be left to the watch."
A man standing in the foreground of the others nodded.
"Guardians of Small Lady."
The Amazoness Quartet rose as the men sat down.
"When the alarm is sounded, you are to remain at the side of the royal family. Two of you should be with Small Lady at all times. Should other defenses fail, you will be the last line before the family themselves."
"Of course, Mercury," Ceres answered. The quartet sat back down as Juno comforted Pallas, promising to stay beside her.
"Outer planetary senshi."
Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Pluto rose.
"You four will be the second line of defense, along with the soldiers of Endymion." Then Mercury addressed on soldier in particular. "Pluto. You, of course, should take all necessary measures to assure that the Gates are not accessible to the enemy. You need only come and fight when your fellow outer soldiers require your help."
"Selena."
Selena glanced up, and rose as the other four sat.
"Your job will be one mainly of healing, should the need arise. You are also welcome to assist in the battle should the second line begin to fall, and it is something that you cannot cure. Until then, the training of Endymion's soldiers is in your hands."
Selena sat back down and continued to think as Mercury finished carefully delegating tasks.
"Inner senshi, guardians of Serenity."
Mars, Jupiter, and Venus rose.
"It is our job to set up the first line of defense in the form of the barrier. Hopefully, this will be enough to make all these other preparations unnecessary."
Those three sat back down.
"Now, should defense prove not to be enough, the second line will need to leave the barrier, and become the first line of attack. Should they need help, the Quartet will join them. After that, the kind will be the next to join. The queen is the last to leave the safety of the barrier. The princess will not be permitted to leave. Should the time come and the barrier must fall so that the inner senshi may fight, Small Lady will be taken to Elysion and protected there by defenses the priest Elios is already preparing. Any official training will begin at two this afternoon. Until then, you are all released to enjoy the few hours until then as you see fit."
All the soldiers of Endymion immediately rose and left to spend time with their families.
Mercury looked to those who remained. "Quartet, the princess has been granted permission to spend time outside the castle, if you four are with her."
They nodded, rose, and left to allow their princess the last few hours of sunlight she would be permitted to enjoy for quite possibly a long while.
Looking to those who remained, Mercury spoke again. "Pluto, you should begin whatever preparations you find necessary. Saturn, you are free to join the princess and her protectors."
Pluto immediately left to the Gates. Saturn de-henshined and rushed off to join her friend.
"The remained planetary senshi have a rather large task. While it may prove unnecessary in the end, we need to move the people of Earth to areas we have found to be safe points. All those of the appropriate faiths are urged to move as quickly as possible to their chosen Holy cities. Anyone who has no such place may move to the nearest historic battlefield. Those in Asia are, of course, welcome inside the boundaries of Crystal Tokyo, if they do not have any other place to go. European countries are to be urged to make their way to Britain to one of these sites: Canterbury - for its religious connections, Craig y Ddinas - for it is said that the legendary Arthur rests there, or Cadbury - where Camelot is said to have been. Those that cannot make it to one of those places should go to Mont St. Michael in Normandy. Those in Africa should move to Egypt, or as close as possible. Any on the North American continent are to move to sites of historical battles closest to them. Those on islands, in South America, or Australia should move to a Holy City or battlefield, if they cannot make it to one of the other places." Mercury sat down to rest as Selena disappeared for a few moments, returning with a glass of water for her. Mercury smiled her thanks before drinking.
"Now... it is up to you guys to inform leaders of great influence, political and religious, of the instructions pertinent to them. From there, it is up to them to decide how to defend their followers. You may inform them that someone will come by tomorrow to an area you choose to transport those who cannot find transportation otherwise to where they need to go. Serenity has promised to lend just enough additional strength from the Silver Crystal for this task."
Uranus, Neptune, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus quickly chose which places to visit over the next few hours, deciding to go separately to cover as much area as possible.
Before leaving, Mercury told Selena the king and queen wished to see her before the six of them disappeared.
Shaking her head at the events of the last few hours, Selena left toe war room. Luna was waiting outside the room to take her to Serenity and Endymion.
"I feel awful, Selena. You have not been here long, and already you must take part in a war."
"It's the least that I can do... there's so many battles those I care for have suffered through that I could not help with. I only wish I could do more than be a healer, which may prove unnecessary in the end."
Luna left her at the door of a room, walking off with a small farewell.
She knocked on the door, and when she entered, she found herself in a comfortable, den-like room. Serenity and Endymion were seated next to a fireplace as she walked in.
Serenity rose and went over to hug her sister. Selena returned the embrace before looking at the two for an answer to her unasked question. What was this all about?
"Don't look so solemn, Selena." Endymion smiled, chuckling a bit.
Serenity sat back down in her chair, urging Selena to take a third seat. As she did, Endymion continued. "I was just hoping that you would honor me by allowing me to join your sword-fight training."
Bewildered once again, Selena gazed at him. "You wish to help me teach your men?"
Endymion chuckled, shaking his head. "I wish I could say I deserved to teach anybody anything about swordplay besides the basics... No, Selena... I want to be a student. Because should the time come, only the best will do. But since you're already the best... I decided to settle for learning from the best."
Selena blushed prettily at the compliment."I'm hardly the best. Besides, Endymion, it was you who taught me."
"True. But that was two thousand years ago. And you long ago moved beyond anything I ever taught you."
Serenity laughed faintly. "Alright. I'm going to stop pretending I actually know something about sword fighting. I'm going to join Small Lady outside." With that, she rose and exited the room gracefully.
Selena finally nodded her head in agreement. "Alright. It's not like I could stop the king from doing something he wants." She rose, suddenly looking more tired than it seemed possible to be and to still be standing. But the fatigue disappeared as she straightened up and gave a small smile. "I'm going to head to the Moon for a while. I should be back in time for the lessons... if not, have the men begin warming up. I'll definitely be back by the time they finish." With that, she faded away in a flare of pale purple energy.
Endymion let out a sigh, sinking more deeply into the over-stuffed chair. He wondered if Selena was avoiding having to talk to him on purpose. He had gone to her room last night to talk, but found she wasn't there. Time, he felt, was quickly running out, though he couldn't explain why he felt that way. But he knew he had to talk to Selena before it was too late.