Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon, and I'm not making money off this, and trust me I could use some cash!

Moon Cats: Fearful Symmetry

Chapter Nine

"Okay Reika, start at the beginning." Hibuki, along with Shimaka and a very agitated Luna looked at the young woman. Reika was visibly distraught and a little dirty, both of which were out of character for her.

"Artemis came into my workroom this morning and asked if I would help him with a project." Reika began. "He said he wanted to check out a rumor that this tech company, Biogentec, had gotten a hold of a 'Daemon egg'. You know one of those things the Senshi fought a few years ago?" Hibuki nodded, urging her to continue.

"We went out, I thought to look the place over. Actually that's what we did do at first, him looking physically while I watched mystically." She sighted. "There IS something strange in there, Lieutenant, and I told him as much. That's when he decided he needed a closer look."

"He shifted into his cat form and told me to toss him over the electrical fence so he could nose around. When I went to the gate to ask if they'd seen my cat, like he told me to, he wasn't there! I looked around for an hour before calling you. I'm worried."

"That idiot. He didn't even mention this to me!" Luna hissed, anger and fear conspiring to make her voice rough.

"Me either, which means when we find him he's getting an explanation on proper procedure." Hibuki was frowning. "The tricks going to be getting in to look for him. Biogentec has pretty good security from what I've heard."

Detective Shimaka nodded. "When I was in the OCTF we were investigating them for taking 'Mob money'. They have 'watchdogs' over everything they own but they turned out to be as clean as they could be and still be in business."

Hibuki nodded, and looked at his chief detective. "Why were you suspicious of them?" Plenty of Yakuza and other crooks, sorry Reika, invest legitimately."

"This was about four years ago when I first joined. Akira Hagisaki had bought enough stock to get onto the Board of Directors, and we didn't know he was going legit at that time." The detective chuckled. "Your father had the OCTF pretty confused for a couple of years, Reika."

"He's confused me my entire life."

Hibuki had been thinking through the entire explanation. "Reika, could you get your father to get us in? That facility won't want to piss off a board member and if they do have an unregistered Daemon thing in there they are looking at a hefty fine if the Business Administration gets a hold of them."

Reika sighed. "I'll ask him." She didn't look real happy about it though.

"Then do it, tonight. They do animal testing in there."

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Artemis woke with a groan. "What hit me?" He slowly opened his eyes... And whished that he hadn't when he found himself in a small rage, and a cat. "How the heck did I change?" He wondered.

Since discovering his innate ability to shape change he had fallen asleep and even passed out drunk once. That didn't change him so what's different now?

Shifting his head, he groaned in pain. A concussion would help to explain it.

"We don't HAVE any cats!" A mans voice said, even as a door opened across the room. Two men, one short and fat, another younger and taller. The younger man was the one that had spoken.

"Then he's the perfect candidate. We won't have to fill out paper work to request the lab animal." The older man said, picking up a spray bottle. "I've grown tired of Director Masuki's over cautious nature." The fat scientist had crossed the room to the front of Artemis's cage and pointed the bottle at the white cat. Triggering the sprayer a strange chemical filled Artemis's nose causing him to collapse weakly.

The man then reached in and grabbed the now limp cat and carried him to a worktable, a locked refrigerator resting beside it. Unlocking the cooler door the scientist opened it giving the Moon Cat a good look at its contents... Including a PAIR of daemon eggs floating in large jars! A small vial and syringe were removed, one used to fill the other.

"What's that for?" The younger lab coated man asked.

"This will temporarily weaken its immune system over the next twelve hours, and should make it more susceptible to the mutagenic 'Daemonite' we've refined. We'll give him the Daemonite tomorrow morning.

Artemis hissed as the needle was pushed through his skin. 'At least I found the egg.' he thought through the icy pain.

It didn't bring him any comfort.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Akira Hagisaki smiled and rose to greet his daughter. She smiled weakly in return. "Reika! I was beginning to wonder if you forgot where your family lived!"

"No father, I've been busy."

"So I've heard." He chuckled and glanced at his youngest child. "You get an MBA Taro, and you're sister tops that by becoming a policewoman."
"Let's hope she isn't here to arrest you." The younger Hagisaki chuckled, standing and kissing his sister on the cheek. "How's my favorite sister doing?"

"Well, I'm not a policewoman, I'm a technical advisor, but it's going well for the most part."

"They aren't giving you any trouble for my sake are they?" The father asked. "I know some of the other Oyabun tease me!" He winked.

"No, though the CAPPA chief of detectives is from the OCTF. He comes visit over lunch and asks 'What's it like being Akira Hagisaki's daughter?'" She shrugged. "Shimaka seems fascinated that you went honest."

"Yes, well, the police are getting to clever! Besides, the organizations making more now then ever and the Americans welcomed our new San Francisco branch with open arms." He didn't mention the Yakuza family over the ocean that tried to demand protection money for the construction crews. It, at least, gave a few of his more aggressive 'children' something to do.

It wouldn't be proper to fire his 'heavies' after years of service after all.

"I'm glad. Unfortunately I'm here to ask for your help on a professional matter."

"How so?"

"You're on the board for a Biogentec Corporation right?"

"Yes. I have been for some years."

Reika sighed. "The facility just outside of town, we suspect, has a 'Daemon egg' inside of it. This is dangerous due to it's unregistered status since all remains left by Senshi battles are considered hazardous, and we must confirm that nothing dangerous is happening. If they are, you should urge them to inform the proper agencies before the company earns a hefty fine."

"I assume you need me to get you in." Reika nodded, and Akira frowned in thought. "I've been thinking about going and looking around there a bit myself. All their other facilities have fairly detailed reports given to us every month, but the Chairman of the Board is the only one THEY send reports to."

"You're people will come as my staff, undercover I think they call it, and if anything untoward is happening we'll deal with it quietly. That is my requirement for helping."

"I'll talk to my boss. May I give him a call?"

"Of course. I understand the chain of command."

Reika made the call, and absently wondered why he used that turn of phrase.

____________________________________________________________________________

The next morning, bright and early, Akira Hagisaki, accompanied by an undercover Ichiro Hibuki and Luna, stepped up to the gate. Reika and Usagi, who had been brought along just in case there was a problem with the Daemon egg, remained in the car.

"Yes, can I help you?" The guard asked.

"Yes. You can open this gate." Akira replied. "I am Akira Hagisaki and I am on this company's Board of Directors. I wish to see where my money is going since the management of this facility can't file proper reports!"

"Um. I. Uh... Have to call this in sir."

"Fine. When Chairman Hoiki is on the phone, give him to me."

Hibuki, playing Yakuza Bodyguard for all he was worth, watched as the guard made the call. Minutes later he waved over the three men and offered the phone to Mr. Hagisaki."

"Hello Soun. Yes I will." The conversation started. "Soun, are you really aware of WHO you are speaking to?"

Hibuki had to respect that veiled threat. If Soun Hoiki didn't know what Hagisaki was he'd eat his badge. "I THOUGHT that would calm you down. Now tell the young man to let us in, or should I call the missus?" Akira smiled, listening. "Good. Here's your phone son."

The guard listened, nodding and hung up after a respectful goodbye "You can park in the reserve lot near the door." He said while lifting the gate.

"Thank you." Akira Hagisaki said absently returning to his Limo. They drove through the gate and to the doors.

"Okay people, keep you're eyes open. Usagi you're just here to play Reika's handmaid, so don't do anything silly or nose around. That's OUR job." The hand maid cover was as much for Akira as the scientists inside.

"Yes Lieutenant Hibuki."

They stepped out of the Limo, Mako sitting behind the wheel waiting in case they needed to leave in a hurry, and followed Akira through the door and past the greeting party waiting inside. "I'm not going to be distracted. Show me the labs!"

Luna was reaching out with barely remembered senses looking for Artemis and gasped when the vague feeling snapped into a clear focus. "Mr. Hagisaki. I suggest this direction."

"Very well, Luna. I trust your judgment. Lead the way." The Oyabun said, curious and surprised, but covering it quickly.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

"Hurry! A big wig's headed this way!" Artemis, still bleary from what ever they used on him before, groaned as he was pulled out of his cage. He tried to struggle when he saw them fill another vial but they pinned him down easily.

"No! Stop!" The voice, Luna's came from so far away it seemed. Then the plunger was pushed and the so-called Daemonite was injected. His world burst into pain.

The scientists, screaming in fear and surprise, backed away when Luna and Hibuki pointed guns at them. "You fools! What have you done?" An enraged woman yelled at them, crossing the room and checking her male. "Artemis? Are you o....WHAT!"

She watched in Horror as his body began to shift and grow larger as they watched. One scientist yelled "It worked!" Even as her horror grew. The golden moon on his head was turning black as she watched. "Usagi he needs..."

A paw slamming into her head silenced her as the Daemon-cat rose, growling.

"Damn it! Run!" Hibuki yelled as it stepped from the table, over Luna, and growled.

AN: And the number one reason you don't experiment on animals? They might mutate and EAT YOU!