Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, nor do I own the works of H.P. Lovecraft of August Derleth.
Chapter 5: The True Face of Cydonia
"So the monster from Rei's nightmares really is involved in all this," Jun observed.
"We have no way of proving that for sure, but…it does seem much more likely," Grete admitted.
"I started having those nightmares right after Ami showed me one of the original pictures of the face," Rei realized. "I must've recognized it somehow despite the low quality of the picture, and in doing so triggered the memory my nightmares are based on."
"I'm not really sure what you people are talking about, but my guess is that you're here for the same reason as me," Virginia interrupted. "You want to take the Cydonia Foundation down."
"Officer Sampson, why are you trying to eliminate the Foundation?" Grete asked.
"You know the stories about how the Foundation is responsible for unethical experiments and even for human disappearances? Well there's some truth to those rumors. The people who have disappeared are people who willingly signed up to take part in one of the Foundation's experiments. Every now and then the Foundation will send out researchers to college campuses in the hopes of getting young volunteers to take part in some project that's supposed to help us get to Mars one day. One of those people was my younger brother, Nathan.
"Ever since he was a kid, Nathan had always dreamed of being an astronaut. But then one day he developed a heart condition. It was nothing too serious, just the kind of condition that can be managed with the right meds, but it killed Nathan's dream of one day joining NASA and going up in a space shuttle. Then about a year ago the Foundation visited Nathan's college. The chief scientist they sent, a Dr. Higgins gave Nathan some story about how he was working on something which might correct his heart problem and allow him to go into space, maybe even be the first astronaut to step foot on Mars.
"It sort of goes without saying my brother immediately jumped at the chance to make his childhood dream come true. Nathan sounded so excited when he called to give me the good news about the Foundation's experiment, but I thought is all sounded pretty sketchy. The first chance I got I went to Nathan's college to visit him, and found out he had disappeared the day the Foundation had pulled up shop. I asked one of Nathan's friends who had also signed up for this experiment. His friend apparently failed, but he had heard that Nathan passed, and I'm sure the Foundation took him because he was just the type of person they were looking for."
"So you're here to try and find out what happened to your brother?" Rei asked.
Virginia nodded. "And to take out this whole operation. It took me a while to get this post as a guard for the headquarters. Fortunately my army background made me just the type of person these people like to hire for their security. So far though I haven't been able to find out much. I do know that Dr. Higgins has a lab down in the basement, but I don't have the clearance to get down to it."
"So you want our help getting into this lab," Grete assumed.
"Actually I might not need it. I already have a plan on how to get down there on my own." Virginia then focused her attention on Rei. "But you could probably help me by getting me a little more info. You seem pretty cozy with the Chairman Kaidou, right? Maybe you can try and get him to spill what he knows about my brother and all of the other 'test subjects' the Foundation has taken."
"I've known Kaidou for quite a while," Rei told her. "Or at least I thought I did, but I doubt he really knows anything about what's going on. Still, I'll see if I can find out anything. And I'll do anything I can to help you find your brother."
Virginia nodded. "That'll have to do I guess."
"Since we now seem to be helping you, perhaps you could assist us by telling us all you have managed to find out about the Foundation," Grete requested.
Virginia pulled a flash drive from her pocket. "This has a copy of everything I was able to dig up while I was here. It's not much, certainly not enough to build a criminal case against the Foundation, not that I'm a legal expert or anything. But it should help a little."
Grete took the drive. "We're very grateful for this. Thank you."
"Not a problem. Well, I better be getting to my post. For now I have to appear as a model employee."
Virginia then walked off and headed for the door out of the garden.
"Guess this means we have an ally," Jun observed.
"Ms. Hino, Officer Sampson's suggestion that you use your relationship with the chairman to get information is by no means a bad idea," Grete told Rei.
"I still don't think Kaidou could be involved in anything like this," Rei told them.
"Are you kidding me?" Jun protested. "The guy literally runs this place! How could he not be involved?"
"How do we know that this Dr. Higgins isn't acting behind Kaidou's back? After all, Kaidou hasn't been the chairman for very long! Maybe Higgins is the one who's really running things, and he's the one working for…for that thing who's face is carved into the surface of Mars."
Grete held her chin in thought. "You do make a valid point. Besides, I'm sure if Chairman Kaidou were involved with this enemy, he wouldn't openly admit it to you. Still, he is a person of interest in all this and is worth investigating."
"Maybe we could check out what's on his computers or something," Jun suggested.
"I do have a device which could allow Ms. Hino to copy all of the information stored on Kaidou's devices."
"Who do you think I am? Some kind of spy?" Rei protested.
"You wouldn't actually need to plug this device in, just get within a certain proximity to the chairman's computer, or near his smart phone. The device will scan them and download the information stored on them automatically."
Rei sighed. "Okay, I'll use this gadget of yours to get the info on Kaidou's computer and phone. But I honestly don't think anything will come of it."
The next morning, Rei ended up having lunch with Takashi in the facility's cafeteria, which was really more akin to a five-star restaurant. The staff even had someone playing piano in the background. At the moment Jun was the only bodyguard Rei had, as Grete had gone to prepare the device she wanted Rei to use to get the information from Kaidou's computers. Rei had hardly said a word since the breakfast had begun. Takashi had mostly been going on and on about some of his more recent political victories, which was typical for him; all the man seemed to know was politics, he didn't have the slightest clue about being a father.
"…But enough about how things have been going for me," Takashi spoke as he finished another war story. "I'd like to know how you've been doing, Rei."
"I've been doing pretty well in general," Rei answered. She decided not to say a word to Takashi about her nightmares. "College is going well, as are things at the shrine."
Takashi nodded and took a sip from his teacup. "So, you're still determined to take over that little shrine from your grandfather."
"And what's wrong with that?"
"Rei…while I do admire your devotion to your grandfather, I simply don't think running a little village shrine is the best path for you. You have the potential to be so much more."
"Like the wife of one of your political friends? That's all I really am to you, isn't it? Just some commodity you can use to further your agenda!"
"That is simply not true!" Takashi practically shouted. He noticed one of the waiters looking in his direction and quickly composed himself. "Your best interest is all that concerns me. I'm merely trying to provide you with someone who can give you a secure future, with the kind of life your mother had."
Rei let out a sarcastic laugh. "You want me to have the life that mother had? Mother was miserable! You were never there for her or for me! And you want me to go through the exact same torment?"
Takashi sighed. "Rei, I know I made some mistakes with your mother, which is why I'm trying to make things up with you now. If it makes any difference, the man I have in mind for you this time is not politically motivated in any way."
A look of fury flashed across Rei's face. "You brought me here to try and set me up with Kaidou, didn't you?"
"You know he's recently divorced, and I happen to know he's quite interested in you. As I recall, you were quite fond of Kaidou once yourself."
"That was a long time ago. Back then I thought he was a different man."
"Well he's certainly different from the young man I knew back then. Back then I saw Kaidou only as a potential successor, but he's managed to find a destiny all his own." Takashi said this with a look of great pride on his face. "I'd say he's become the type of man who would suit you perfectly."
"And how would you know what sort of man suits me? I'm practically a stranger to you."
Takashi reached across the table and put his hand on Rei's. "We may not have the closest relationship, but you are still my daughter. I feel that gives me a certain insight into the type of person you are. And I can tell that you are at least fond of Kaidou, aren't you?"
Rei pulled her hand away and looked coldly at Takashi. "I am, but I have no intention of marrying him or anyone."
Takashi sighed and rose from his chair. "I have an important call I need to make in a few minutes, so I'll be going now. We'll discuss this more later Rei."
With those words, Takashi left the table and headed for the door. Rei let out a heavy sigh as soon as he was gone.
Jun came up to stand next to Rei's chair. "You okay?"
"I will be," Rei answered. "I'm just tired of having the same old debate with my father."
"Was he right though? About you having feelings for Kaidou?"
Rei was about to tell him that it wasn't any of his business but thought again. "I…I do have some feelings for Kaidou still, but…it doesn't matter."
Jun nodded. "Well…I'm only saying this because I'm stuck as your bodyguard, but you shouldn't get too involved with Kaidou even if you are attracted to him. Remember, he may be involved with the enemy."
"I haven't forgotten about that. Though I'm still not convinced that Kaidou is actually working with this enemy."
"You are biased though. You said so yourself."
"Are you jealous of my relationship with Kaidou?"
Jun was taken aback by this sudden question. "I…I suppose I am. It seems to me if it came down to a choice between me and him, you'd pick him."
Rei rose from her chair and looked Jun right in the eye. "Jun, even if my feelings for Kaidou were as strong as the feelings I think I have for you, the fact is I couldn't choose either of you."
"And why not? Are neither of us good enough for you?"
"The problem doesn't lie with you or Kaidou, but with me. I don't have the luxury to be in love with anyone."
By this time, Grete showed up. "Sorry to keep you all waiting. Ms. Hino, the device I want you to use is ready."
Grete then handed Rei a small white disk that looked almost like a compact small enough to fit into the palm of her hand. On the top were symbols that looked like ancient runes of some kind. Rei felt like she was holding a magic stone rather than a sophisticated piece of technology.
"Just where exactly are you from, Grete?" Rei asked.
"I'm not at liberty to say at the moment," Grete answered as she adjusted her sunglasses. "What I can tell you is the device you hold has been configured to interface with human computer technology. All you need to do now is get near Chairman Kaidou's devices. When you're ready, I can escort you to his office."
Rei put the device into her jacket pocket. "First I'd like to swing by my quarters to pick up some friends and then go to the indoor garden for a bit. I want some time to gather my thoughts about some things."
"Of course. It would not be well to go on a mission like this if you are feeling uncertain or agitated."
"Do you mind if you took Rei alone?" Jun asked. "I'd like some time to myself too."
Grete looked at Jun thoughtfully for a few moments. "I suppose that is acceptable. Ms. Hino and I will come meet with you once the mission is complete."
Takashi had not gone to make a phone call as he had told Rei, but instead had gone to meet with Kaidou. Or rather he was going to meet with the thing that had been using Kaidou's body. The real reason why Takashi had suddenly thrown his support behind the Cydonia Foundation was because the entity had programmed him to do so, just as it had done with many other politicians. To Takashi, the thing using Kaidou like a puppet had become his master. The whole reason Takashi had brought Rei to the Foundation's headquarters was because the entity had found out about Rei though Kaidou and had taken a great interest in her.
As Takashi neared the office, he thought he heard the sound of moaning coming from within the room. He hesitated for a moment but then opened the doors. Inside Takashi found a naked dark-haired woman bent over Kaidou's desk as Kaidou pounded her from behind. Takashi recognized the young woman as one of Kaidou's secretaries, a Ms. Yagami if he recalled correctly. Takashi turned around and waited for his master to finish with his business, which only took two or three more minutes.
"What do you want, Minister Hino?" a woman's voice spoke from within the office.
Takashi turned around and saw Ms. Yagami standing behind the desk with her arms crossed. Kaidou meanwhile had since pulled his pants back up and was standing behind her. It was then with Takashi finally noticed the totally blank expression on Kaidou's face, the lack of any consciousness in his eyes. He immediately recognized what he saw in Ms. Yagami's eyes when he looked again at her though.
"Master! I…I didn't expect anything like this," Takashi exclaimed. "Why have you suddenly chosen to speak through that woman instead of young Kaidou?"
"I am only using Ms. Yagami as a conduit temporarily," the secretary answered. "If you really must know, I wanted to satisfy my curiosity about human sexuality. I also wanted to make sure I wouldn't have any trouble operating a woman's body. Now what did you come here for?"
Takashi quickly composed himself. "I…I merely wished to report on my efforts with pairing my daughter up with young Kaidou to further your plans. So far she's yet to warm up to the idea, but I'm confident I can convince her."
"You old fool! I don't need that daughter of yours to marry my primary conduit. All I needed you to do was bring her here to my stronghold, nothing more. Your assistance to me has ended. Now leave me and go about your business."
Takashi bowed and was about to turn and leave but stopped. "Your plans for my daughter…they aren't going to harm her, are they?"
Ms. Yagami smiled. "Of course not. In order to achieve my goals, I need that girl to be in perfect health."
Takashi nodded and then left the room. Once he left the entity switched back over to controlling Kaidou. Ms. Yagami mechanically went to the task of putting her clothes back on.
Kaidou meanwhile sat down in his chair and tented his fingers. "I suppose I should've said I don't intend to harm the girl right away. But once I return to my proper form, she'll burn along with the rest of this decaying universe in the fires of Cthugha."
Author's Note: I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter, and the little twist at the end with Rei's father.
I'll be back next week with yet another installment. Until then, please review and let me know what you think.