Chapter Six - Presence

After the tour the four friends were headed back to the complex's first subterranean floor to meet Sam Carter.

Though Setsuna was looking forward to seeing her again she too was affected by her friends' increasing worry and unease.

During the tour none of them, not even Hotaru, had picked up the slightest sign indicating the princess's presence anywhere in the complex. But where else could she be? Hotaru's visions had not left much of a doubt.

So Setsuna still hoped that Sam would be able to help them getting some more clearness.

Haruka seemed to guess her thought, "Setsuna-chan, please remember that we can't tell her what's going on", she admonished her.

"I will. But though she could prove as helpful. She's likely the most ingenious astrophysicist alive."

"This doesn't mean she would not understand what it is we're searching for", Michiru stated.

"True", Setsuna gave in, "but I have the feeling that she knows something that could prove as helpful."

"What could she know?" Michiru contested with a frown.

Setsuna merely shook her head not knowing what more to say. A short moment later she caught sight of Sam waving at her.

xxxxx

Carter and Jack waited on the first level for Setsuna and her friends to arrive.

"I hope they won't take too long to get back here", Jack said playing with the bandages on his hand, "I've got the peculiar feeling that I can't our alien visitor unattended for very long. I'm damn sure that she'll soon try something..."

His 2IC tried to soothe him a little, "They'll be here on the minute, sir. That's for sure."

And indeed she was right. It did not take much longer until four young women came around the corner, three with dark hair and a tall, blonde one that Jack found somehow familiar.

"Setsuna", Sam waved at the woman walking some steps ahead of the others.

The two of them exchanged a hug. After it she looked right at Jack. He realized that she was sort of pretty with her sparkling brown eyes and the long, greenish black hair playing around her shoulders.

Now Sam introduced them to one another. "Setsuna Meiou, this is my commanding officer, Colonel Jack O'Neill."

"Hi", he held out his hand and she took it at once, her grip was strong and pleasantly warm.

"Hello", Setsuna greeted back and then she turned to introduce the others, "And these are my friends Michiru Kaiou, Haruka Ten'ou and Hotaru Tomoe."

Sam shook hands with each of them introducing herself and so did Jack. As he greeted Haruka he realized where he knew her from:

"You were driving in the GT series for awhile, right?" he asked, "But that you're actually female..."

She took in his statement without astonishment, simply returning, "Looks can deceive."

Then Jack took the hand of the small, fair girl Setsuna had introduced as Hotaru and remarked her eyes dwelling with wonder on his injured hand.

"What happened to your other hand?" she inquired carefully in a very shy way.

Jack thought for a moment then replied, "Well, I recently got a little fried there."

"Can I...?" she took it carefully and somehow she seemed stricken as she brushed across the bandages.

From behind Michiru shot her a worried glance, saying something in Japanese. Hotaru turned her head a bit not letting go of his hand. She replied something that seemed to make her friends highly excited with worry and confusion.

xxxxx

"What's wrong, Hotaru-chan?" Michiru questioned as she saw her examining O'Neill's hand.

Her friend turned, worry in her dark eyes, "She has done that. The princess has burned his hand, I can feel it."

(AN: So there you have the little glowworm finding out what the senshi needed to know ). )

Haruka and Setsuna turned around at once.

"So she has to be here, we just didn't feel her presence", Haruka stated.

"I'll consider it best to ask them directly if they know something", Setsuna proposed.

Michiru nodded with consent and so did Hotaru. Finally Haruka consented as well telling her to go ahead.

xxxxx

Sam eyed her friend questioningly as she and the other talked among themselves in their language. Something was apparently wrong.

As Setsuna then turned back to her, she realized that she was right.

"Sam, I have to ask you something", Setsuna said severely, "Do you know about a female having come to Earth from another planet recently? She looks about my age and she is responsible for the burns on Colonel O'Neill's hand."

Sam shot Jack an astonished glance, her eyes expressing exactly the same question as did his.

How could they know?

Jack was the first to regain composure again questioning, "How can you possibly know about something like that?"

"We have been sent to return her to her people", Setsuna explained calmly, "so that she can not endanger Earth with her powers."

"And how can you achieve that goal?" Sam asked.

"We have been given certain powers", Haruka stated.

"Can I show them?" Hotaru exquired.

Haruka nodded.

So Hotaru concentrated on Jack's hand again. He merely felt how it warmed up and started to tickle. Then, within seconds, the pain he had had in it was gone.

He stared at her full of surprise realizing that she had just healed it.

"Shall I call the general?" Sam asked him.

Jack nodded slowly stating, "I think we just got a new option."

xxxxx

So far. What do you think, people? Acceptable 6th chapter?

More after next week's math exam, latest.