THE SECRET COLONY OF YAKUSHIMA
Chapter 2: "Anything But Pacific"
A Sailor Moon fanfic

By Bill K.


After a refueling stop at Naha, the Nareon continued on over the strait between Japan and Yakushima for Yakushima Airport. The flight itself had been uneventful. The professional in Haruka was grateful for that, though the bored thrill-seeker wished she'd gotten a chance to take the controls of the Nareon at least once.

As the Nareon approached the island of Yakushima, Haruka looked it over while glancing back at the instruments periodically. She knew from basic information that Yakushima was settled around the coast and had some nature parks for tourists in the interior. The interior of the northwest central part of the island was still thick jungle and mountains, despite deforestation. What she didn't know was where exactly this research facility was. It was something she would find out at Yakushima Airport when they picked up the helicopter. If she had to guess, though, it would be in the unsettled interior. If you were going to study macaques, you went where the macaques lived.

"Hard to believe such thick jungle still survives in this time," Dr. Kuroi observed. The jungle terrain they were flying over certainly had impressed her.

"Good," thought Haruka. The last thing they needed on this trip was someone thinking it was an afternoon at a theme park.

"It's nice to see that most of the trees survived the ice disaster," Hiroyama added. "Losing this would have been terrible."

"If you don't mind my asking," Haruka ventured, "what exactly is this Dr. Hashimoto and his crew working on down there? Ami mentioned something about genetics, but she didn't have a lot of details."

"Oh, Dr. Hashimoto was able to gather DNA samples from some of the native macaques," Hiroyama explained, wiping his puffy face with a handkerchief. Already the climate was getting to him. "In addition to studying their behavior patterns in the wild, he and his team hope to link behavioral patterns to specific DNA codes"

"Why?"

"Why?" sputtered Hiroyama. "Well, to try to link specific behavior patterns to specific gene strands."

"Find out if there's good genes and evil genes?" Haruka summarized.

"That's," Hiroyama muttered, "an over-simplification. It's more along the lines of determining whether certain behaviors are genetically instinctual or environmentally induced. The maternal instinct, for example. Territorial behavior, or the factors in choosing a mate."

"So if you find out that there's a genetic code that makes a macaque act a certain way," Haruka continued, "what do you do with that knowledge? Use it to turn macaques into puppets? Or do you try to apply it to humans?"

"Well that's certainly not the aim of this research," Hiroyama assured her. "We merely have questions we're trying to answer."

"And once you get the answer?"

"We move on to the next question," Hiroyama smiled.

"Why are you so concerned?" Dr. Kuroi demanded.

"Given Tenoh-San's background, I imagine her concerns about potential genetic engineering are affecting her interest," Hiroyama proposed.

"My background?" Haruka questioned.

"Wait!" Dr. Kuroi exclaimed. "You said 'her'!" Kuroi gaped at Haruka. Haruka turned in her seat and glanced over her shoulder at the stunned physician. "You're a woman?"

"Disappointed?" Haruka grinned and winked at her. At once Kuroi's eyes flared with anger and she quickly glanced out the window in a huff. "Now, what about 'my background'?"

"The ongoing debate over whether homosexuality is genetic or learned behavior," Hiroyama explained. "Personally, I don't even see the need to debate it. We are what we are. But it seems to matter to some people. Perhaps one day an off-shoot of this research could solve the debate for good."

"I suppose," Haruka replied in a non-committal manner. She glanced again at the fuming Dr. Kuroi.

Maybe she didn't like people who flirted.

"Yakushima Tower, this is Nareon zero two niner," the pilot said over his radio. "I am on a westerly heading. Over."

"Nareon zero two niner, we have you on screen at seventy-two degrees," came the reply from the tower. "You are cleared for landing. Over."

"Roger that, Yakushima Tower. Making initial approach. Out." He turned to Haruka. "Milk run."

Haruka smiled back.


Inside Sound Stage #8 on the famous Toho Studios lot in Chiyoda-ku, the streets of nearby Minato-ku frozen over in deep ice had been recreated. On a barren, ice-covered street, Sailor Moon stood, her Moon Tier pointed up at seemingly nothing. Only if you looked closely, you might notice that this Sailor Moon was not Usagi Chiba, but in reality Minako Aino. And as she acted, her every movement was recorded by a movie camera on a crane above her.

"Please stop this!" Sailor Moon wailed, the Moon Tier pointed up at the camera. "Please! There's no need for this! Please don't make me destroy you! We can live together in harmony!" Agony colored her features and made her face scrunch up. "Please don't make me destroy you!"

"Cut!" the director, Noburo Ayamu, called out from his perch on the crane behind the cinematographer. "Excellent, Aino-San! Light the next set up!"

Instantly Minako broke character. She headed for the refreshment table for a drink of water. But she stopped when she noticed Luna, who was on the set as liaison and technical advisor from the Palace, heading over to where the crane was about to set down. Sensing trouble, Minako eased over to the area. Luna and Ayamu had locked horns on several occasions during the production and Minako hoped to head off another lengthy, disruptive spat.

"Ayamu-San," Luna spoke up as the crane set down. "I don't think I made myself quite clear before. The dialogue in that scene is nothing like what actually happened. I thought we had agreed to be more accurate in the portrayal of Her Majesty."

"Nyanko-San," Ayamu began, trying to keep hold of his patience, "there is no record of what was actually said when Sailor Moon confronted the Ice Giant." "Nyanko-San" was the agreed upon formal title Luna would be addressed as, once the crew had gotten used to seeing a talking cat, since "Luna" was much too informal. "You weren't there. I wasn't there. The writers weren't there. Serenity-Hime said she doesn't remember what she said and the Ice Giant was destroyed. Therefore, we made the best guess we could."

"Frankly, the words seem a trifle," Luna stood her ground, "melodramatic. Her Majesty would never tell someone she was about to destroy them. The thought of destroying a living thing would never enter her mind, much less her speech."

"And yet, she did," Ayamu countered.

"Must I remind you again, Ayamu-San, that this film is made at the indulgence of the crown," Luna said icily, "and that my role here is to see events and the crown fairly and accurately depicted."

"And MY role," Ayamu fired back, "is to make an entertaining picture. I don't see your problem here. If anything, Serenity-Hime comes across as the greatest hero since Amaterasu!"

"And you're doing a great job, Ayamu-Sama," Minako said, swooping in and scooping Luna up in her arms. "Luna's just being extra cautious about the King and Queen. I'm sure she'll think differently when she sees the dailies."

Not waiting for comment from either party, Minako hurried Luna over to the refreshment table and sat her down on it. Tail twitching, the cat looked up at her.

"I am just trying to keep the reputation of His and Her Majesty from being," fumed the cat, "exploited for cheap short-term gain!"

"I get that, Luna, and you're great at your job," Minako told her. Even close up, her resemblance to Serenity's Sailor Moon period was uncanny. "But they're not trying to do that. Yeah, the money men at the studio are seeing million yen notes dancing in their heads, but Ayamu-Sama is trying to do a quality film. He did as much as you did to get the anime flavor cleaned out of the script. And he does value your input. He wants to be as accurate as he can. But this isn't a documentary. He's got to sell tickets, too."

"At the expense of the crown's reputation?" Luna huffed. "It's all tawdry rubbish! And the scene where Her Majesty discovers His Majesty frozen - - no one in her right mind would believe such drivel."

"Give me some credit as an actress, Luna," Minako told her. "Yeah, some of those lines still make a person cringe when they're read off of a page. But I can put Serenity's heart behind those same lines and have everyone believing they're watching what actually happened." She smirked. "Because I'm that good."

"Very well," the black cat relented. "I must admit that you have captured Her Majesty. I caught myself several times wanting to run out there and advise her, just like the old days."

"Thanks," Minako smiled. "It'll be even more impressive when they add the CGI."

"And that's another issue. I've yet to see any indication of how Artemis and I are to be represented in this CGI beyond the initial artist renderings. Mind you, I don't want us being made to look like some plush toy with large eyes and big heads, like they did in that ridiculous anime." Luna grew thoughtful for a moment. "How do you manage it? Looking at a mark in the air and making everyone believe that there's an Ice Giant standing before you?"

"Well," Minako replied, her smile dimming a little, "in this case, it helps that I actually faced the real thing. At least something good came out of being turned into a popsicle."


At an airport in Darwin, Australia, three women disembarked from a plane. Though they weren't expecting it, they were greeted by a reception committee of national, provincial and local officials, important citizens and anyone else who could wangle their way in, as well as the local and national press. This surprised Queen Serenity, though Ami was expecting it. And it made their joint efforts to hold Makoto up on unsteady feet all the more embarrassing.

["Queen Serenity,"] the head official began. He was a burly, rough looking man tamed by his tailored suit and combed back white hair. ["Australia and its people are honored by your visit. We welcome you warmly."]

Puzzled, Serenity looked to Ami.

"They're honored by your visit and warmly welcome you," Ami translated.

"Oh! How nice!" Serenity exclaimed. Then her brow knit with effort. "Now how do you say that? High school was SO long ago!" She turned back to the official. ["Me gladly meeting you!"]

Puzzled, the official looked to Ami.

["She's honored and thanks you for your hospitality,"] Ami translated.

"Well this is too much work," Serenity proclaimed and snapped her fingers. "Can you understand me now?"

"Why yes!" marveled the official. "How did you . . .?" Then he noticed Makoto. She was wobbling, her eyes drooping, and barely able to stand without assistance. "Is she ill?"

"Afraid of flying," Serenity leaned in and whispered dramatically.

"Heard you," Makoto slurred. The Queen flushed.

"If we can have a place to sit down until the sedative wears off?" Ami ventured.

"Of course!" the official gasped.

Everybody fell over themselves ushering the Queen and her party into the airport waiting area and partitioning off a section for their use. The official sat down across from them, while everyone else jockeyed for a place to observe.

"This assistance your government is offering is very generous and greatly appreciated," he told Serenity while Ami tended to Makoto.

"It's nothing remarkable," Serenity told him, smiling gently. "I'm sure anyone else would do the same if they were in my position. And this way there won't be so many desperate people migrating from other countries in the face of terrible, dangerous travel conditions. Given those circumstances, I really don't have a choice, now do I?"

"Yes, a delicate situation to be sure," he nodded. Then he paused for a moment. "Forgive me. I heard about your visit to New Guinea and Indonesia two weeks ago, but I have to confess I'm having a difficult time believing it. You just - - wished it back to normal?"

"Yes," Serenity nodded happily. "Fortunately the islands weren't too big. I only got a little dizzy spell from it."

"Are you going to be able to handle restoring a continent like Australia? We're a much bigger land mass that Indonesia or New Guinea."

"That's why we're staying several days," Ami spoke up. "Rather than do the entire continent at once, Serenity will restore it one province at a time. It will be less strain on her, particularly with roughly half of the land mass being desert that will require little restoration."

"I see," the official smiled. "So when were you planning to start?"

Before they could answer, Makoto snorted loudly. Serenity and Ami looked and found her slumped on the sofa, asleep.

"Ami-Chan!" gasped Serenity.

"Makoto is a large person with a large phobia," Ami replied. "I had to use a large dose."

Serenity grimaced, then glanced timidly at the official. "I guess we're going to have to wait until Mako-Chan wakes up," she said, "if that's OK?"


Twenty-two minutes out of Yakushima Airport, Haruka surveyed the terrain ahead of her and found only dense jungle. She was piloting a Kawasaki/Eurocopter EC 145 medium utility transport helicopter while Hiroyama peered out the side port and Dr. Kuroi obsessively rechecked her medical supplies in the backpack she had brought along. Instruments indicated they were on the proper heading, the one Haruka received at the airport. Her pilot's instincts agreed with the assessment. Her information said there was a small clearing by the facility that a helicopter could land in. But she wasn't seeing it.

"Any of this looking familiar, Hiroyama-San?" she asked, glancing quickly at the passenger.

"I have to admit that it's been a few years since I've been here," Hiroyama confessed. "But that mountainous range over on the left does look familiar. That's about the only landmark I can recall beyond the clearing." He glanced back at Haruka. "After all, jungles tend to look pretty similar."

"Probably not to the macaques," Haruka replied. "If we don't spot the clearing soon, I'm going to have to start a circular search . . ." She stopped and focused on the distance. "That looks like it. Hope they maintained that landing area. It's going to be a tight fit regardless."

"Are you always this optimistic?" Dr. Kuroi commented, her sight never leaving her medical pack.

"Better to expect the worse and be wrong than expect the best and be wrong," Haruka said. She engaged the helicopter's radio. "Hashimoto Research Facility, this is EC-7287. Do you read?"

There was no response.

"Hashimoto Research Facility, this is EC-7287. Do you read? Over," Haruka repeated. "Hashimoto Research Facility, this is EC-7287. Come in Hashimoto Research Facility."

"Maybe they're all out doing research in the field," Dr. Kuroi suggested, though it didn't sound like she believed it.

"I didn't expect them to have someone staffing the radio 24/7," Haruka said. "But they should at least have a remote link in case someone tries to contact them."

"Unless they have it turned off," Hiroyama offered. Haruka glanced at him. "So the noise doesn't frighten the macaques."

"Right. Wouldn't want to do that," muttered Haruka. "Hashimoto Research Facility, this is EC-7287. Do you read?" The helicopter was closing in on the facility. The landing area was visible now.

Suddenly a shot rang out.

"Was that gun fire?" gasped Hiroyama.

"Damn right it was," Haruka said grimly, her focus completely on the situation. Two more shots rang out, one piercing the front windshield in the upper right corner. Haruka steered with one hand while she held the radio microphone in the other. "Yakushima Tower, this is EC-7287! We are currently under fire from the ground!"

"What are you doing? You're veering off!" Hiroyama exclaimed.

"I'm getting us out of the line of fire!" roared Haruka.

"But the research . . .!"

"Can wait! I'm not going to risk . . .!"

The thought was interrupted by several more shots, followed by the squeal of metal. Suddenly the helicopter shook violently.

"What's wrong!" Kuroi demanded fearfully.

"Lucky shot must have clipped the tail rotor!" Haruka hissed as she struggled to control the quivering craft. "Going to have to head for the research facility now! There's no other place to set her down!"

"Are we going to crash?" Kuroi gasped.

"Not if I can . . .!"

The shriek of rending metal cut Haruka off. Instantly the helicopter began to spin counterclockwise.

"STRAP IN!" Haruka bellowed. "WE'RE GOING DOWN!"

The helicopter lurched to the left. The mountainous region west-northwest of the facility rose up to greet it as the overhead rotor blades impacted with the tops of thick trees.

Continued in Chapter 3