A/N: Yes, I am still alive. Though barely.
Anyway, let's just hope 2023 doesn't suck and I am able to update much more regularly this year. But enough about me, o. to the story...
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U.N.S.C Siege Merciless...
To say Chibiusa and the Quartet were a bit miffed about being left behind, would have been correct. As the group of young women found themselves still onboard the Heavy Cruiser, while Logan and Serenity had gone down to Nemesis to rescue the other Senshi.
It also did not help that despite their attempts to go unnoticed, the group's arrival on board the Cruiser had indeed been detected by Hannah. But at least she didn't rat them out to the Spartan or Serenity when she confronted them and after a while, the A.I. had allowed the girls access to other areas of the ship. Specifically the recreational facilities and cafeteria. But despite the generous gesture by Hannah, the young Senshi were still concerned about the others. Specifically, Haruka/Sailor Uranus.
They last time any of then had seen the tall blond, she was being loaded onto Logan's ship in bad condition. To see the normally strong Sailor Uranus look so weak and helpless, really shook Chibiusa and the Quartet to their very core. They were not even sure if she would be alright.
But as if Hannah had been reading their minds, the A.I. allowed them to see the recovering Uranus. The Senshi of the Wind was still emersed in the BACTA tanks and was still unconscious. Her mouth and nose was still covered by a respirator mask, as she floated within the healing solution.
A rhythmic beeping could be heard, as her vitals were displayed on the cylinder itself. All the while the girls looked on in awe at the site before them.
"She's going to be alright." Hannah commented, her holographic image soon appeared along side them via a emitter. "Though she might be a bit groggy for a little while afterwards, a side affect of being in the BACTA tanks for a extended period of time."
"So... she's alive?" Vesta asked curiously, still not able to understand what she was seeing.
"Very much so." Hannah replied. "Though I have to admit, I am surprised she was still alive when she arrived. Most people would not have survived injuries like her's."
"Hannah... can I ask you something?" Chibiusa suddenly spoke up, as the pink haired teen had been a silent up to this point. The A.I., looked at her curiously and said "What is it?"
Chibiusa took in a deep breath before she finally asked, "Just who or what is Logan?"
This question caught the Quartet's attention, as they looked on at the princess with curious expressions. Though they too were curious about the individual Palla Palla called "Space Man".
"I mean, he agreed to help my mom, but we know absolutely nothing about him or about you. I mean, where did you guys even come from and why you willing to help us?"
There was a bit of an awkward silence as the other girls looked on at the pink hair princess. Who herself just stared down the Hologram standing before them.
Hannah, for her part, also remained silent as she processed the young woman's demand. Though she didn't think it was her place to share information with just anyone, especially with persons outside the U.N.S.C.. But the A.I. also knew that their new allies were going to have to know the truth eventually.
"If you want answers, then I suggest you follow me to the bridge." Hannah stated. "Cause there is alot to talk about."
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"What's with the wings?" a now very perplexed Logan asked, as Serenity (Now as Eternal Sailor Moon) walked towards him.
"I just thought it would have been more appropriate, considering the situation." the Queen replied, "It's a long story.":
"Understood." the Spartan replied, even though he really didn't. "We should get moving, climb aboard."
Sure enough, Serenity awkwardly climb into the Mongoose and wrapped her arms around Logan's waist for support. Just as the Spartan revved the engine and before she knew what was happening, the ATV shot off like a rocket over the rocky surface. Yet somehow, Serenity was able to keep her composure and more importantly, her grip on the Super Soldier controlling the small vehicle.
Eventually, the monarch soon felt comfortable as the Mongoose shot across the rocky landscape. The sky was still dark with the occasional rumble of thunder managing to drown out the sound of the ATV, all the while Logan continued to focus on the path head. As his armor's built in scanners continued to feed him information on the desolate landscape.
With the powerful LED light cutting through the darkness, the Mongoose and it's two passengers soon came upon a sign that was both remarkable and is was disturbing. Ships, dozens of them, sat out in the open in various states of disrepair. They were all lined up in two rows on either side of the ATV and looked as if they had not been used in a very long time. But while the scene was somewhat alien to Logan, Serenity knew just what these vessels were and who they belonged to.
These were the ships which had been used by the Black Moon's followers, when they were initially exiled from Earth all those centuries ago. When the clan first failed to over throw the Royal Family in the 2500s, the clan and it's followers/sympathizers left Earth in these vessels to build their own nation somewhere else. Though at the time, no one could have known that these exiles would eventually settle on Nemesis or that their descendents would try again 500 years later.
For Serenity, these ships were a reminder of one of the darkest chapters of her long reign. One both herself and her friends and family were still feeling a affects of even now. If she had only tried harder to allow them to stay on Earth...
"Are you alright?" The Spartan asked, as he had noticed Serenity had gone silent all of a sudden.
"I'm fine." the Queen lied, a slight sense of guilt now firming within her. "How long before we arrive?"
The Spartan didn't have to answer, as he soon brought the ATV to a stop near the edge of a cliff. Below it, was what would have been the grand capitol of the Black Moon's new kingdom. But from their vantage point, all Serenity and Logan saw was a city that never reached it's prime and in a state to decay. But at the very center of this dystopian picture, was the castle that would have been the center of this now forsaken city.
An uncharacteristic chill soon ran up Serenity's spine when she saw the black Castle. It was here the Black Moon planned and plotted to destroy her and everything else she held dear to her. It was here Prince Diamond, his lieutenants and quite possibly .. Death Phantom himself, once called home. Now it was where Esmeraude was keeping her Senshi as prisoners and worse, was quite possibly housing a terrible weapon within it's dark walls.
A possibility Logan knew as fact, as the Nova Bomb's signature was coming from within. Once again using his Armor's scanners, Logan was able to map out a possible route through the desolate city. Normally this would have been a very bad idea, as an urban environment was always the perfect setup for a potential ambush. But from the readings he was getting, Logan could tell that this truly was a dead city. There were not that many life signs coming from the the urban sprawl and the ones that did show up, scattered across the landscape.
Despite his training, the Spartan could not help but to feel a little unnerved by what he was seeing. This was a "city" that should have had a population well into the tens of thousands, yet he could only detect only a few hundred. It was pretty obvious that this would be city had failed and many of its residents were unable to survive such a hostile environment.
"So this is what became of them..." Serenity suddenly spoke up, gaining Logan's attention.
"What do you mean?"
"When the Black Moon Clan was exiled from Earth, they took their followers with them." Serenity began to explain. "When they left, their leader at the time proclaimed that they would build a new civilization that would rival our own. But I guess it did not work out fir them in the end."
"We need to keep moving." Logan declared. "The sooner we are able to arrive at our objective, the better."
"Um... yes, we should." the Monarch replied, just as Logan revved up the engine again and began to drive the ATV into the city itself.
Just as they both thought, the city was dead. just like the ships they had passed earlier, many of the buildings were in a state of disrepair and dilapidation. Some looked as if they had been in the process of being constructed, but we're never completed. While the few structures that seemed to be in good condition, looked as if they had not been used in a very long time.
The sound of the Mongoose's electric motors echoed off the stone structures, as it and it's passengers continued on through the deserted streets. At one point, Serenity thought she saw someone scurrying away into one of the many alleyways as they passed. But she could not be sure, they moved too fast. But who or what ever they were, did not seem to look human at all. Were they what was left of the Black Moon's followers?
Eventually, the duo came upon the rocky formation where the Castle stood upon. But rather than head towards it directly, Logan guided the ATV towards a large cave on the rocky hillside.
Upon entering, Logan switched off the headlamp and his suits built in flash lights, switching to thermals so as to navigate in the dark. All the while, Serenity sat quietly and hoped that her friends were alright.
Eventually, Logan brought the Mongoose to a stop, killing the engine before dismounting.
"We're gonna have to continue on foot." Logan stated, "There is some kind of an energy source coming from up ahead. If you want, you can stay here and I can go an investigate on my own."
Serenity, though still shaken up by the rough ride of the Mongoose, felt a bit insulted by Logan's words. But she kept her composure as she replied. "No, I'll come with you. You are not the only one who has a mission to complete."
"Understood, Just stay close." the Spartan told her, just as he secured his "Backpack" to his armor.
With Rifle in hand and the Royal in tow, Logan slowly began to advance forward as his helmet continued to display the thermal images. So far, he had not been able to detect any life signs. Which was either a good or bad thing depending how you looked at it, though he was well aware that locating the missing Nova Bomb was not his only objective. All the while, Serenity remained silent as she followed the Super Soldier.
Eventually the duo arrived at the opening where the energy signature was coming from. Using his rifle's scope to peak through the opening, Logan could see what looked like a massive factory space. Numerous robotic arms moved about along conveyer belts that carried constructs that were very much similar to the ones Logan had faced hours before.
But what really made the Spartan uneasy, was the thought that this Esmaraude individual just might attempt to mass produced the stolen Nova Bomb. What if she was able to produce 10... 15... such weapons? One was enough to destroy a planet but multiple bombs?
In that moment, a new objective had been added to the mission. Not only would have to locate the captured Senshi and neutralize the Nova Bomb, but he would have to make sure that none could ever be manufactured on this planet... and there was only one way to do that...
"The plan has changed." Logan suddenly announce. "We have to find your friends first and get them off this planet."
"What do you mean?" Serenity asked, taken aback by Logan's words. Though a part of her was glad that he had not forgotten about them.
"If we can get them to safety before we are discovered, then this Esmarude person won't have any leverage over us." Logan explained, though he had another reason for getting them off Nemesis.
Serenity nodded before she closed her eyes and began to concentrate. She was silent for a few moments before she open her eyes and said... "This way." while pointing down another dark Tunnel.
"Good, let's get moving." Logan replied, as both he and the Royal began to make their way into the darkness with Serenity leading the way.
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U.N.S.C. Siege Merciless
Silence filled the CC, save for the sound of soft sobbing coming from Sailor Pallas, who now had her head buried into Ceres' chest as she continued to cry. Both Vesta and Juno just stood their in a stunned silence with Chibiusa, as the images of what what they had just seen continued to play over and over in their minds. Images that would not go away for a very long time, if ever.
Chibiusa was also in a state of shock, though her trauma came with a side of regret. She was the one who wanted answers as to just who or what Logan was, as well as the circumstances as to the reason for the Siege Merciless' creation. But now she wished she hadn't been so persistent.
"Things have been getting better since the war ended." Hannah explained. "Reconstruction efforts were still ongoing and it is believed that it could take years for it to be completed. But there hasn't been another major conflict since the end of the war."
Chibiusa, for her part, just remain silent as she continued to play the images she had seen over and over again in her head. While the Black Moon Attack had indeed devastated the Earth all those years ago, it paled in comparison to what Hannah had shown/told them.
But eventually, the Pink Haired princess found her voice once again and asked... "But how did you get here...?"
Hannah shrugged as she replied, "I don't know, I'm still trying to figure that out myself. But I can guarantee you that is was not be design."
"And now this... Spartan is down there with her Majesty." Ceres spoke up, as she continue to hold Pallas.
"I promise you, She is in good hands." The A.I. replied, as the images she had on display soon changed back to the many sensor readings and scans. "Which is why I said it would be better if you remained on board."
Normally, Chibiusa would have challenged such a decision and demanded she and the Quartet be allowed to help. But after learning the History of this U.N.S.C. and just what Logan was, the Senshi had no choice but to listen to the A.I. and remain where they were.
Knowing just what Logan was capable of, the girls could not help but to feel a bit relieved, though none of them wanted to admit it.
After what they have been told, the last thing these women wanted to do is get him his way...
