~~A/N: Wahaha! Chapter Three! Sorry this is short, but I wanted to start the trip in it's own chapter. It'll come soon, OK? Don't hurt me!~~

The ship landed perfectly in the Mercurian spaceport. Mamoru was first off the ship, and immediately saw to the unloading of the equipment. The other four dragged their assorted luggage onto hovertrolleys. Jadeite soon commandeered one of the waiting taxicabs, and within fifteen minutes the group was speeding towards their hotel, on the outskirts of the North Pole area.

Arriving at the Losa Kard Hotel, they were met by the manager, Ryo Urawa. "Nice to meet you, young sirs," he greeted them. "What plans do you have for your stay, if I may ask?"

"We're planning an expedition into the north pole," Mamoru answered, acting like a bored youth. The old man nodded.

"Not the first, either. Planning to find the legendary Sailor Mercury, are we?" The five looked startled. The manager nodded to himself. "Though so. You're not the first to try that either. I've seen dozens of expeditions set off to try and find her, and in 40 years, I've seen only 8 come back."

"In a few days, you shall have seen nine," Mamoru announced. "And this one shall be successful."

"Heard that one before, too." The old man shook his head. "Well, all I can do is wish you luck." He handed them their room keys and shuffled away. Mamoru shook his head as they lugged their equipment up to their rooms. Assembling in Mamoru's room, Jadeite was curious.

"Hey Mamoru, do you think this manager guy actually knows something?" They considered this for a minute, until Kunzite spoke.

"No, I just think he's as tired of the Dark Kingdom as we are, but has seen too many people wander off in search of the Senshi to have any real hope of them returning." Nephrite nodded.

"Still, he said eight expeditions had returned. We should talk to him at dinner, see what he knows of the terrain, and any wildlife."

"Or monsters," Zoisite added. Nods all round.

"Speaking of dinner, we'd better head down," Jadeite grinned, standing and heading for the door. The other four just laughed and followed.

**********************************

Much to their annoyance, Urawa did not appear at dinner, but he did come up to their rooms later that night. "So. When do you leave?" he asked.

"Tomorrow at dawn," Mamoru answered. Urawa nodded.

"Do you really think you'll make it back?"

"We'll be back," Jadeite said with a confident grin. Urawa shook his head.

"I've heard plenty of stories about the monsters out there, you know. Seven-foot-tall creatures made entirely of snow, impervious to laser blasts, creatures than can cast spells, create illusions, even make men turn on each other."

"These monsters… can anything kill them?" Kunzite asked.

"Modern weapons can't," the manager replied, "But I've heard they fall before old-fashioned weapons, like swords." Mamoru nodded.

"Shouldn't be a problem then." Off Urawa's sceptical look, he commented, "All of us are expert swordsmen, and we've kept up training in old weapons. I, for example, am pretty good with throwing daggers, Kunzite and Nephrite," he indicated them with a flick of his hand, "Are deadly with a handful of shuriken, Zoisite's an expert shot with a longbow, and you should never annoy Jadeite when he's got his crossbow!"

Urawa raised an eyebrow. "You are well-prepared then. I can only hope you will return safely."

Mamoru had a sudden thought. "When we bring her back, would you be willing to conceal her for us?"

"If you bring her back," Urawa said. "And what do you mean, conceal her?"  

"When we get back," Mamoru repeated, "We'll need somewhere for her to stay until the rest of the Senshi are woken."

"That could be centuries," Urawa commented cynically.

"Hardly. We're going after the others too." The old man stared.

"If the Dark Kingdom found out about this…"

'We'd get killed. But they aren't going to find out." Mamoru's eyes hardened. "Unless someone tells them."

"You've no fear of that from me," Urawa said sadly. "Most of my family has been killed by the Dark Kingdom for one reason or another. I lost my respect for them and their ideals a long time ago. So, should you bring Mercury back, I will conceal her until the time comes for her to fight again."

The men nodded. "We leave tomorrow at dawn," Kunzite said gravely. "We should return in under two weeks."

"May all the gods watch over you and keep you safe," Urawa rose and headed for the door. Turning, he said, "For the whole kingdom, I pray you succeed. For all our sakes." He left, closing the door softly behind him. The five sat in silence for a minute before Nephrite rose.

"We should get our sleep. Remember, tomorrow at dawn. Do not be late." The others also rose and slipped away to their rooms.

~~A/N: Muaha! Next chapter: The Journey Begins!!!!

Here be thanks:

Nova33: Thanks for your second review!!!!!!!!!!!!

Astgal: And here's anther one, my friend!

Shadinah: Here we go!

Lilian: Sorry, another shortie. But the adventure's only just beginning…

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Nabooru: Thanks for reviewing me agaaaaaain!!

Happy Noodle Girl: Firstly: Looooooooove the name!!! Send thanks for the review!!!!!! More will come soon!!!