The Marine of Pluto
By Coenraad
Chapter 6
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, nor do I make any money from this.
Sailor Pluto, better known as Setsuna, smirked as she watched from afar. It was surprising that Jonathan had managed to shake Haruka and Michiro. If a soldier could shake a known and skilled racer, then maybe the racing circuit should consider hiring soldiers to be their drivers. She made a mental note to mention this later, if only just to get a rise out of the short haired blonde.
Right at this very moment though, she contently observed Jonathan as he spoke with several ground crews as they stood around what she recognized as some sort of pilotless aircraft while loading a brightly yellow colored missile underneath its right wing. At the same time one of the workers gave him a small radio with a headset that clipped to his right ear. Handshakes where exchanged before he strolled to the craft and placed his hand on one of the wings right above the pylon that mounted the missile.
Seeing how the ground crews were all sporting the American coat of arms, she doubted that Jonathan had evil intensions. But what those intensions where she still couldn't even hint at. The gates have been frustratingly unforthcoming with information. Maybe today would shine a light into that particular darkness.
After having entered the base and parking his car, Hawk walked into a small office building. Out front a man sat waiting whom right away stood and saluted. "Afternoon Captain, we've been waiting for you."
"Hey there Richards" Hawk said as he returned the salute. "It's been a while."
"Indeed, 2 years now after Iraq I believe." Richards said as he lowered his salute and shook hands.
"Yep, so what do you have for me?" Hawk said as he gestured to one of the empty offices.
"Oh some High Caliber fun." Richards said as he lead the way into the office to stand in front of a table loaded with several armory cases. "Firstly, A Barrett M82A3. Hopefully whatever you a fighting won't be able to stand fifty cal. And your bread and butter, the Grizzly Mark V Pistol, in .50 Action Express."
Hawk Whistled at this as the cases were opened to show the guns and a few boxes of spare ammo. "Wait a sec Richards, I'm pretty sure that we didn't have the Grizzly in the armory."
"True, you can thank the Emperor of Japan for that."
"Oh?" he took note of the fact that two pistols were in the case instead of one.
"Yes, apparently the Emperor kept on thecase to get the best of the best equipment for you. Originally we were going to go with only a single pistol, but I recall you taking out a group of Taliban with two pistols, so I might have accidentally ordered two instead of one."
Hawk chuckled "Right…" he had to hand it to Richards, no matter what you wanted, he had a way with shuffling paperwork one way or another. "So is that all?"
"Nope, we got a special order in from our friends at DARPA. And you won't believe it until you've worked with it." Richards said as he gestured for Hawk to follow him.
" This I gotta see." Hawk said as he was lead out of the office building and to a small jeep.
Getting into the driver's seat, Richards started to drive towards the plane parking space. A surface area that hasn't seen much use in the last year but was still well maintained. "Well You know the Predators drones they used in Iraq right?"
"Yeah, I was working in conjunction of one of those things once, damn handy to have watching over you. Bit freaky to be in Iraq while talking to an operator sitting in a box back on home soil though."
"Well DARPA managed to get some very complex software written that basically gave the Predator its own brain." Richards explained as he drove up to a predator drone.
"Say what?"
"Basically, your getting a drone that isn't flown by any one man at all. It flies itself and listens to your command."
Hawk prided himself for his control, but right now he couldn't do much but imitate a fish out of water. It took him a minute to regain enough composure to speak again. "Oh great, I hope this tin can won't go the way of the terminator. Can it fire hellfire missiles?"
"It could, but only with specific authorization by a designated operator. Which is where you come in."
Pulling up to the side, Hawk notes that this 'special' drone looks like one of the standard Predator UAV's. at least until he notices a sensor sphere under the nose of the plane swivel to observe him. Walking up to a crate, Richards reaches out offering him an ear piece and radio transmitter along with a wrist mounted display. "There is your Radio Relay, communication gear and a target confirmation display."
Hawk nods as he puts the radio on his belt, and checks the headset. "Radio check." He says. Almost jumping back when a digital voice answers.
"Check Successful. Signal strength ten of ten."
Richards chuckled at this as he observes his ground crew load up the UAV for its first test flight under command of its designated operator. "Takes some getting used too don't it?"
"I'll say. What's this things designation?"
"Smart Unmanned Arial Vehicle. Or SUAV for short."
"Right, Suav, how long can you stay in the air?"
"42 hours from engine start to engine stall. Possible to refuel while in flight provided a tanker aircraft is available."
"Ok Suav, Can you take off from here, loiter around an area and land in say… Nagasaki airport and request a refuel all on your own?"
" Affirmative, programming allows this platform to contact Air Traffic Control and integrate into the pattern. However, civilian crews are not allowed to interact with this platform."
"Heh, pretty smart." Hawk remarked.
"Yeah it is isn't it Cap? Wait until you get to see the hellfire targ-"
"Caution, unauthorized individual spotted." Hearing the Suav's AI speak Hawk holds up a hand to stop Richards from talking.
"Suav, can you show me the individual on the screen?"
"Displaying." Suav had its camera trained on the individual it had detected standing on a far away building.
"The hell?" Richards says as he looks along.
"Don't look up at them. Act like your showing me the controls on this." hawk advices sternly as he closely monitors the display. "Oh great." He grumbles. 'What the hell is Pluto doing here?'
"Should I be calling security?"
"No Richards, leave them to me." Hawk advices.
"You sure?"
"Yeah they are part of my mission." Being met with a raised eyebrow hawk adds. "Need to know."
"Right... What do you need me to do?"
"Is there a closed off area on this base?"
Richards Points over to a pair of containers in the distance. "Over there, the sea crate's that we were to deploy inside the city as a rearm point for you should do."
"Right, Guess I'll go and get those pistols and at the same time gather up some extra ammo. Suav, keep monitoring individual." Hawk says as he salutes to Richards and moves back to the jeep and takes it back to the office space where his weapons still were.
"Acknowledged, Requesting Identification of Induvidual."
"True name is unknown at this time, assign alias identity as Sailor Pluto, Pluto for short."
"Identification Sailor Pluto assigned. Sailor Pluto Lost, last known heading; north, away from the base."
"she'll be back, keep monitoring the area."
"Acknowledged."
After having picked up his two pistols and sniper rifle, Hawk had made for the sea crates, giant shipping containers that were usually transported on the back of trucks or sea born freighters. An insane amount of Ammunition was stored in there along with the usual favorites of weaponry. Standard assault carbines and belt fed light support machine guns. Enough to arm a small group really. There were even some shotguns at which Hawk couldn't help but frown. Shotguns, while effective in certain cases, where situation specific weapons. He only ever relied on them for the task of breaching doors when a breaching charge wasn't the option.
Right now though, Hawk took the opportunity to load up magazines with ammunition. "Sailor Pluto Reacquired, 2 additional unidentified individuals detected. Information displayed on screen."
"Understood, standby Suav." Hawk answered as he looked to the screen on his wrist. 'Well there is Pluto again with Uranus and Neptune if the information from the government was correct.' Taking both of his pistols in his right hand with the slide stuck back, he used his left to hold two magazines and pushed them into the pistols. As the magazines clicked, he took one pistol in his left hand while holding the other in his right, and spun himself around to face the mouth of the container, on his right hand he thumbed the slide release making the slide move forward, causing it to scoop a round out of the magazine and push it into the firing chamber readying it for action. In the left hand he achieved the same result by use of his index finger.
His pistols lined up to the mouth of the container, locked and loaded, just as Sailor Neptune and Uranus walked into view. In response Uranus raised her sword in a read position as Neptune did the same with her mirror. Hawk didn't specifically look at either of them instead he looked between them, using his peripheral vision to aim and track the both of them. He didn't know why they were here, but the bottom line was; the Sailor Senshi were vigilante's, and current trespassing onto a military base.
Sailor Pluto soon moved into view between Neptune and Uranus. Hawk could see her left eyebrow raise slightly but it quickly lowered into a neutral mask. A brief flash crossed Hawks eyes, replacing the visage of Sailor Pluto with that of Setsuna Meioh, in a black suede knee length skirt, a white blouse and plain black high-heels of the day he met her. This brief flash caused Hawk to blink and shake his head slightly. Pushing this aside to mull over later. 'Well… going to this container wasn't the smartest plan. 3 Sailor Senshi in front of me, and plenty of ordinance behind me… one giant powder keg just waiting for a spark… guess I'll find out now what happened to all those others Japan's Emperor sent.' Hawk considered as he kept close attention on this Mexican standoff.
"And here I was hoping to just have a little chat… but I find a pair of weapons pointed at me." Pluto said smoothly, looking almost smug.
This was perfect. Setsuna knew that she had him cornered, for the frustration of not being able to use the Gates of Time to observe and get information on this man, having him cornered and outgunned was a wonderful empowering feeling. "And here I was hoping to just have a chat… but I find a pair of weapons pointed at me." She said smoothly as a smirk almost graced her lip.
This whole scene would only be more perfect if 'Mister' Johnston would look worried or afraid, but strangely he looked calm and ready. Briefly she entertained the thought of what he would look like with whatever passed as normal combat gear instead of the current suede jacket over a white blouse and suede pants.
Looking over to his clean shaved face and head, her vision flashed and the image of Hayate replaced him. Long hair pulled into a neat pony tail, a clean shave like he had on the nights of their shared passion, long leather trench coat over a black sleeveless T-shirt, blue jeans and army boots. A leather holster on either hip, and a plasma pistol in each hand.
Either her mind was playing tricks on her, or maybe-just maybe, Jonathan might be the reincarnation of Hayate. Setsuna dismissed this notion; All of the Senshi and even Mamoru were reincarnated as Asians, specifically Japanese. Considering that Hayate hadn't been sent forward by Queen Serenity to be reincarnated as he died way after Serenity having done so and that he wasn't a senshi, it made it clear to her that her mind must be playing tricks.
"I won't mind a chat, however I am not the only ones pointing weapons." He said as he fixed his vision on Her two team mates. "Also there is the fact that you are a vigilante element and currently you are trespassing on a military base." Jonathan answered calmly.
'He has me there…' Setsuna loathed to admit it but it was fact. "Well it is a shame to ruin such a wonderful day." Setsuna said as she stepped forward while gestured for Neptune and Uranus to lower their guard. She could feel Uranus' eyes burn into her, the disagreement obvious.
Jonathan lowered his pistols with a sigh of relief. "Good…" he said as he put the pistols on the small table he was using to load magazines. A task which he calmly returned too. "So… what do you want to talk about?"
Taking a small bag from between her breasts, Setsuna threw it onto the table. The bag contained shell casings. Specifically the shell casings he had left behind on the roof after he had supported their battle. "Pretty charming notion, leaving these casings behind." She said knowing full well that a sniper usually cleaned up after oneself.
"I aim to please, and rarely disappoint." Jonathan said with a smirk as he looked up in-between grabbing another hand full of ammo. "I take it you liked the fire support."
"Oh yes, it was a nice distraction. Though I couldn't help but notice that your shots, while accurate, only managed to stun and stagger those youma."
A scowl crossed his face before he looked back down to the box magazine and ammo he was holding. "So that's what you call them… Yes, quite…. annoying. Hence I'm switching to a heavier caliber."
"And you think that will help?" Pluto smirked.
Jonathan shrugged "If not, I'll just distract them again the next time I am in a position with a firing solution."
"Just what is your game here!?" Uranus half exclaimed yet sounding fully demanding not to mention rude.
Pluto mentally scowled. Would it be too much to ask for Haruka to just cool her head for once?
"Oh that's easy." Jonathan started to say before she herself had a chance. "Right now you are an unknown element in this country, not to mention vigilante. We, that is to say the Japanese Government, have long since been aware of your dealings and actions inside Tokyo. We have concluded that you act, for now at least, with the best interest of the Japanese population at large. But at the same time your group moves around like a loose cannon on deck. We have no idea what you intend to do or when there will be another major threat like that blonde guy who threatened doom and destruction over the city."
Haruka was about to react to the 'for now at least' remark but Pluto silenced her with a raised hand and a very stern look. "And what role do you play for the Japanese government? You obviously aren't Japanese."
"Right you are. Well you can consider me a military liaison officer. In detail, I can order the police to set up a containment zone so that civilians won't stumble into the line of fire, I can ask the JSDF to chip in and provide fire support or extra man power, I can also talk to any civilian who managed to uncover you civilian identity and persuade them to keep quiet."
"And what brand of enforcement do you offer to 'keep them quiet' as you say?" Neptune asked smoothly.
Glancing back, Pluto noticed Neptune's look of disapproval. Be it from indignation at the suggestion they might need assistance or the fact that the military wanted to get involved in Senshi business. Regardless she decided to let the question hang as the answer made her curious.
"Nothing drastic I assure you. A NDA, Non-Disclosure Agreement, is just as effective as imprisonment." Jonathan answered.
"And if they refuse to sign the NDA? " Pluto countered, she knew how NDA's worked. A person is only accountable by an NDA if they sign it and not before. "It is rather sensitive information."
"I know." Jonathan said as he put the magazines he had been filling into a duffle bag beside him and grabbed a box of ever larger magazines and rounds. "Though I'd hate to strong arm a Civilian. The Emperor has made it clear that he considers the Senshi a national treasure of sorts. As such any compromise is unacceptable. If they refuse to sign the NDA, they will be held in prison until such a time that they do sign the NDA. Should it go that far, we will provide them with a harmless alibi as to why there were being held in case their boss, family or co-workers ask."
"Pretty accommodating." Uranus scoffed.
"Such is the seriousness of the situation."
"Ok and what about you? What happens if you learn of our identities?" Pluto said as she stepped forward, laid her hands flat on the small reloading table and leaned forward. "Will you tell your superiors?"
He kept watch of her as she walked only to stop and lean toward him. "Will you tell your superiors?" She asked as he looked up to meet her gaze.
"No." he answered shaking his head. "I am subject to an NDA as well. If I learn of it, I'm supposed to keep it to myself. Orders of the Emperor, and it's the deal breaker between the local government and mine. And you know us, America always wants a finger in the pie. So the President is playing nice."
"Right… until the order comes in from your superiors for you to give full disclosure."
"Not going to happen Miss Pluto, I answer only to the president. Besides my loyalty is with the allies whom I fight with, not with the people behind the friendly line sitting on their asses pushing papers."
Pluto seemed to chuckle at that. "Funny, I thought you were just a Marine Captain."
This time it was his turn to chuckle "Originally yes, now it's just the official story. My clearance goes way beyond that of a mere Captain."
"Tell me…"
"You tell me yours and I'll tell you mine." He said, the exact same phrase he used a few days ago when he first encountered the Senshi back in that one park. Seeing Pluto Frown at that he smiled and shook his head. "Sorry bad joke. It's kind of hard and a long story to explain but let's just say that my skills and past actions have made me very useful to be considered a personal operator working directly under the president. I just retain my Marine status because of 'Semper Fi'. Admittedly I'm glad not to be working with the CIA. This time around I got a Smarmy Prime Minister huffing in my ear who is making my skin crawl."
The green haired Senshi seemed to smirk at this while the blond just chuckled. "Occupational Hazard I suppose." Pluto said. "So how do we contact you? The Morse code from the roof worked but it isn't ideal."
"Right you are," Hawk agreed as he grabbed something out of his jacket and laid it on the table. "This is a high gain transmitter and ear piece." He indicated the cigarette pack sized black plastic box and ear piece, a wire connecting the two. "it connects straight to me."
"Mmm… What frequency do you use?" Pluto asked as she took the offered device and inspected it visually.
"894 Megahertz"
"I'll have one of us tune to that." She said while laying it down again.
"In case I put a tracker in there… right." Hawk half guessed. "Your secret Identity must really be important if your that Paranoid."
"We do worry about our families." Uranus admitted.
"sometimes I'm glad that I don't have to worry about that."
"No family of your own?" Neptune asked.
"Nope. No ties to hold me back but at the same time no family or warmth to come back to. I'm just given a target and a goal to accomplish and I just go and do it."
"Nope. No ties to hold me back but at the same time no family or warmth to come back to. I'm just given a target and a goal to accomplish and I just go and do it."
Pluto listened as he said this. "You speak as if you are a tool to be used."
Jonathan nodded. "Yeah… You don't blame a light bulb for burning out, you just throw it away and get a new one. Been like that for as long as I can remember. Special operatives come and go all the time."
Half expecting a reaction from her two team mates, she looked back only to find the two of them sharing a look at each other before turning their eyes to look at herself. While the 'outer' Senshi were considered the soldiers, the big guns with a doomsday weapon as a backup triumph card, Haruka and Michiro both seemed to have difficulty to hear him speak so casually about this. "Just be sure that you have no regrets, and that you at least had some good memories before you 'burn out'." She offered.
Jonathan shrugged. "We'll see." he sounded casually, as if it wasn't important to him at all. While she felt a little confused at his earlier remark, right now she was at her wits end.
For as long as she lived, she had made a vow to serve and die for Serenity and the Moon Kingdom. Heck everyone actually did die in the kingdom's service including the crown Princess and her Consort. She was the only survivor still alive and only the Princess, her consort and the Senshi had reincarnated. And yet to see someone else show that same kind of selfless devotion that bordered on the fanatical was alien to her. Especially given the fact that here stood a regular Human, no magically enhanced longevity or assurance of magical reincarnation, almost as sure as Hay- shaking her head she cut off that line of thought.
She almost felt the need to express herself. But what was she supposed to express; Her Displeasure at his callousness? No, how he lived his life wasn't any of her business. The fact that he could at least try for some happiness with a woman if only for just once in his short life span? No, He had told her Civilian form that he wasn't ever intimate with anyone, to say anything about that would only give away the connection. Tell him to at least try to be careful? A moot point given the fact that he was now charging into the same situation as herself and her teammates. Again no magical protection or enhancements to handle the forces that are instantly fatal to regular people.
In the end, she let the matter drop. Heaving a sigh she turned away. "We'll be in contact." She said as she started to walk out of the container.
"Call me as soon as an attack happens or if you need me for anything at all. I am to be available to you twenty four hours a day, seven days in the week. Courtesy of the Emperor of Japan."
Stopping mid stride she turned on the ball of her feet to look at him. He was still idly loading magazines, Round for round by hand. Not even bothering to looking up or to give any form of a goodbye beyond what he just said. She turned back and continued walking. Placing her hands on the shoulders of both Neptune and Uranus as she went causing them to follow her.
Once he was alone hawk sighed. "Well, that went way better than I expected it would be." He admitted to himself in a whisper.
"Sailor Pluto and party moving away from area." Came the mechanical voice droning in his ear.
"I know Suav, cease tracking of Pluto and company."
"Acknowledged."
"Let me know when you are in the air so we can start calibrating the system for guided missile systems."
"Platform now ready for takeoff, do you wish this platform to take off and head for the test range?"
Shoving the filled magazines and a few spare boxes of ammo into his duffle, he sighed as he stood up. "Yes."
A/N: Ok so here are the results for the poll.
Word count preference per chapter: Above 3000
Lemony interaction: Lemony with a warning when the lemon section starts and ends.
Thank you all who contributed to these results.
Hawk/Jonathan: this might cause confusion for some but this story is written from a point of view.
While Pluto knows him as Jonathan, he thinks of himself as Hawk.