…Beep…beep...beep…
…tup, tup…
(Infirmary, Palace of Jupiter)
In a single-bedded chamber, Rei, Ami and Minako were all gathered around the bed with grim expressions. Doctors and nurses were frantically rushing in and out of the room as shouts of status reports were exchanged. The palace had been thrown into a state of chaos ever since their arrival. The soldiers were undeniably furious, and the palace attendants had watched pale-faced and aghast at the sight of their bloodied, unconscious leader. They had passed several sobbing elderly women in the corridors on their way to the infirmary. The only people who were left in the dark of these recent turn in events was Jupiter’s citizens. However, if the information had been made public, inevitably the people would have broken out into the streets in riot and curse the sinner of this outrageous act.
Tup! Tup! Tup!
The fifth nurse in the last five minutes had entered the room. Ami nervously glanced up at the young woman who was now recording Makoto’s blood pressure. The mixture of relief and anxiety on her face exactly mirrored how she felt, but unlike the others her hands were stained.
I caused this... Tears began to well up in Ami’s eyes. This is my fault! Even now, her memory was still a blur. The last thing she recalled was the ground shaking, and then, the next thing she knew, Makoto had slumped into her arms--mysteriously injured. She couldn’t avert her eyes from it. The blood, the chaotic atmosphere and, especially, Rei and Minako’s questioning gazes. There was one thing that she remembered quite vividly though. At some point, she had snapped and demanded that Rei tell her what had happened. She needed to hear the truth, but her friend had turned away; the fear and hysterical madness that she felt inside threatened to break her—so she persisted until the Martian finally relented to her pleas.
“Why won’t you tell me anything?! Please Rei, I have to know! Who did this...?”
“Ami… You did this…”
Ami nearly jumped out of her seat when a hand softly touched her shoulder. She was surprised to see a pair of sympathetic, blue eyes staring back at her.
“Hey, she’ll be all right.” Minako smiled reassuringly. “Makoto’s strong. I know she’ll pull through! Right, Rei?”
But the other woman remained silent. There were too many issues rushing through her mind at that moment.
That place...Why did it just suddenly react like that? How could it just appear from out of nowhere? The shock of returning to see her friends being engulfed by dirt and fire still lingered. Even now, the faint odour of smoke from their singed garments still hung in the air. It was exactly that type of helplessness that made Rei’s stomach churn painfully.
When I disabled the field, was that when everything went wrong? It is my fault?
It took everything she had to beat down the urge to kick the nearby bed-table. She had told Ami countless of times that it wasn’t her fault that this happened, but who did that leave? Who else was there to blame?
Rei’s thoughts fell back to Makoto’s people when she had carried the injured ruler in.
“What--”
“This is no time for questions! Get her some treatment!”
“Call the head doctor! Tell him it’s an emergency, top priority!”
Would they blame her?
“Yeah...” Rei mumbled when she noticed that Minako and Ami were watching her. “It’s just like Minako said. Makoto is a strong person. You should know that better than anyone else, Ami. Besides… her regenerative powers have likely kicked in by now. That’s one of the advantages of being a Goddess.”
“But, even still…” Ami weakly protested. This made Rei lose her patience.
“But nothing! Would you just stop worrying like that already? I told you, it’s not your fault! Makoto will be fine before you know it.”
“Are you sure about that?” Both Rei and Minako felt their hearts’ skip a beat. “Not all of her injuries will heal...”
“W-What are you talking about?” Rei nervously asked. “You aren’t actually serious are you?”
Mercury’s hands fumbled nervously in her lap under the intense stares of two her friends. She strongly disliked being the messenger of bad news.
“Rei...you know I would never joke about something like this.” She momentarily closed her eyes before re-opening them again— only to reveal all of her visible shakiness gone and replaced with a degree of seriousness that commanded the attention of her audience.
“Even if you choose not to believe it, there are wounds that even a Goddess cannot heal from. Ones such as these--” Ami carefully moved the clothing that hid the marks on Makoto’s arms, prompting Minako to gasp.
It is just me or did the marks bigger? The blonde asked herself. That looks so painful!
“Nothing can heal them? Are you sure about that?”
“As far as I know of, no.”
“The force field.” Rei said bluntly. Her amethyst eyes were almost glowering at an unseen opponent as she said this. Minako had never seen Rei this upset before. “Makoto mentioned something about it when we entered the area. Those are the same marks… She got them from that power didn’t she?”
“Yes, I believe so.” Ami averted her gaze to gently trace her fingers along a particularly long, jagged, purple marking. It broke her heart to see her friend like this.
Watching the ruler quietly struggle with her pain tugged at Minako’s heart. Although they were different people, she believed that, on some level, she could feel Ami’s pain. It was like her emotions were overflowing into the room, a tide that swelled dangerously upward, ready to drown everyone in the vicinity, and yet it also radiated an unspoken gentleness. The erratic sensations were quickly soothed as soon as they began to slip out of control.
Rei, on the other hand, was preoccupied as she felt the earlier guilt seize her once more. She never had someone that important to her, someone that she cared more than anything, like Ami, but she strangely felt like she could sympathize. They were friends after all. Why wouldn’t she feel upset too?
“Ami…” Rei reached within herself to say something to comfort the woman, but instead she bit her bottom lip when she drew up a blank. What could she say that would make the situation better?
I’m not good at this… She inwardly cursed. All she could do was watch Minako walk up to the shorter woman and gave her a comforting hug. Ami received the gesture well, and thanked her gratefully for the human kindness.
Again Rei opened her mouth, but again nothing came out. Her patience was slipping fast.
Why is this so hard? All I have to do is say something! I--
Bleep! Bleep! Bleep!
“Tch, what is it now?” Rei dug into her clothing pockets for the annoying sound. When her hand reappeared, a small wristwatch-like communicator dangled loosely from her grasp. Its screen continued to bleep with impatient urgency, demanding attention from its owner (much to Rei’s annoyance). The Martian only had to glance down at the flashing screen to see the address.
It’s from Zen? What in the name of Mars could it be now?
“I’m sorry, but it looks like something just came up. I’ll be right back.” Rei excused herself and left before Ami or Minako could say anything (it wasn’t like she was much help anyway).
The woman didn’t have to walk far to find a vacant room. The staff had their hands full as it was, so they weren’t likely going to drop by for a coffee break soon. But for precaution sake, Rei quickly did a detection scan. Only once she was confident that she wouldn’t be disturbed, she flipped open the communicator’s top and allowed access for the communication channel.
Bleep… bleep…
Bleep… private two-way transmission secured… -Conversation start-
Rei had been waiting ready to berate the man for interrupting her during this time of urgency, but as soon as his image appeared over the projector she knew this was more than a mere check-up call. Zen’s dark eyes were anxious and he was clearly agitated about something.
“Sir! Oh, there you are! Thank Goddess I found you. Where are you?!” He demanded.
“Where am I?” Rei repeated his question. “On Jupiter, where else did I say I was going? Don’t you ever listen to me anymore?”
“On Jupiter?! Then have you heard about it? You MUST have, you’re so close by!”
“Hm?” Hear about what?
“You haven’t?” Zen cried incredulously. He appeared to be reeling over this news.
“Enough of these games already, heard about what?” She snapped.
“It’s Uranus. It’s Uranus and Neptune! The leaders of Uranus and Neptune have gone missing! No one knows where they are!”
Rei’s blood ran
cold.
“Periods at a time, Gods would go missing. Two planet rulers at a
time, yet only one would return to the circle.”
No…
“No one knows where they have gone! Even as we speak, Uranus is now on the brink of civil war! They could break out into fighting any day now!”
“...”
“Commander!”
“...”
“Sir, what are your orders?!” Zen demanded anxiously. In the background several more hurried noises could be heard—people were scrambling about trying to scrounge updated news on their rival, Uranus. He obviously had his hands full at headquarters.
“They’re on the brink of a civil war huh…?” Rei whispered under her breath. She never imagined for the situation to become this serious.
Those fools…
Zen fell silent and allowed his superior to think the situation through. There was so much riding on this decision. Out of all the opportunities they had in the past, this was the one, greatest, chance Mars had to finally topple their rival over for good. He knew it, and so did the entire Martian Military. The Outer Alliance would undoubtedly collapse with the fall of Uranus especially now that both of their leaders were missing.
However, there was just one thing that made this plan imperfect. It was a slim chance, but if Uranus’s ruler were to return and rally the forces during the invasion Mars would be placed at a disadvantage. They needed a leader, a powerful leader. And as he watched Rei deliberate her decision, he wasn’t sure if she was up to the task. It was true that the woman had been chosen by Ares to become his heir. It was also true, that she had climbed the ranks through her own determination and power. However, there were certain advantages to being a God that a human simply did not have. Time, great power and regenerative abilities...
That was when a thought came to mind, but the man hesitated to voice his opinion. How would the Commander take to his suggestion? Would she become angry? For what he was about to suggest was in actuality, treason-- a charge that was punishable by death. There was little doubt in his mind that his idol, Ares, the God of War, would have put him to death right then and there if he knew. But Ares wasn’t here.
“Sir, if I may have a moment of your time.” He requested. “There is something that I would like to discuss with you.”
“What is it, Zen? Can’t you see that I’m thinking?” Rei seriously hoped this wasn’t going to be another ‘what Ares would do’ ramble.
“Umm... Well, there’s been something on my mind ever since you departed for Mercury. Being a leader is pretty hard work, isn’t it...?”
Rei slowly turned around at this.
“There’s so many things that you have to keep track of. Not only do you need to worry about troop morale, but you have to make sure that everyone follows the schedule, make sure that the new recruits get their equipment and dorm assignments, start the training lessons, and find the time to hone your own skills as well. It’s almost insane!” The man nervously laughed. “Honestly, I... never really gave it much thought until I had to step into the role myself.”
Rei heard the noise in the background fade away as the man moved into an isolated part of the palace.
“Zen...? Is everything all right?”
“It’s... I really don’t know,” he finally admitted. “The moment you left Mars, and left me in charge, everyone followed my orders without fail. But I could tell... Even though they listened to me, they didn’t have the same respect for me as they do for you. It’s like I’m struggling with what little responsibility I have, but it’s nothing compared to what you have to deal with! Since Ares left, you took over for both the military and the planet relations control. But you didn’t just stop there. You continued to build on the old system, and brought about a better way of life for the normal folk, those people who aren’t involved in the military. Considering all of that, I...I was wondering if you would consider taking over as leader... permanently.”
What?! His Commander’s eyes widened in shock.
“Zen... do you realize what you’re saying? That sort of talk...”
“Can be considered as treason? Yes, I understand that. But please, hear me out! I know I’ve always praised Ares. I’ve admired him ever since I was a small boy, and in a way, I still do. He was strong and amazingly powerful.” The man paused. “But... what good does that do when he’s never around? He disappeared on us without a word! If he still hasn’t returned to us in our time of need, then he never will!”
“Zen.”
“We need a leader.” He pushed on. “You can be that for us. You can become a Goddess just like the current ruler of Uranus! If you attempt the rite of-”
“No.”
Zen felt like he had been winded. “No?”
“That is correct. I refuse.” Rei repeated more firmly.
You aren’t going to abandon us as well, are you? Zen fearfully thought. At this rate, it would be inevitable.
“But--But why not?! You’re more than qualified! Most of us, if not all of us already see you as our true leader now! But the way you are now, you’re going to keep on... aging. You’re going to grow old someday. But if you became a Goddess, you’ll be granted eternal youth. You’ll also be able to live forever!”
“I am quite aware of that.” In truth, she understood the predicament better than her subordinate did. “I’m sure the entire solar system is aware that a human can become a God if they inherit a planet’s throne, that they would gain God-like powers and immortality. Many would indeed seize the chance if the opportunity was made available.”
Rei’s amethyst eyes now held a strange light to them as she said this; suddenly even her own voice sounded foreign to her. Hidden behind her commanding tone underlay another that was kept hidden from her subordinate. What was it? Rei knew, and she was disgusted by it.
Want.
Thinking back to her childhood days and their lives, how different hers and Haruka’s were, how different Haruka used to be, and how she had changed…
A quiet voice in her head asked: If I had such a title, such powers, would the others...?
No, I can’t. She resolved. She steeled herself against the temptations that lay so close within her grasp, so close that she could almost reach out and taste it. Because in truth, it was just a flimsy illusion and she knew it.
“This isn’t about the power. What you are concerned about is the aspect of eternal life.” Rei directly looked him in the eye. She wouldn’t deny her feelings, but there was something much more important than that.
These battles against Gods and Goddesses… I won’t become one and be forced to fight against my friends! Just like poor Ami and Makoto…
“In response, I would have to ask you this: since when did a Martian need such a thing?” She saw the man’s resolve waver. “Death has long been built into the Martian Military code. We are a planet of war! We risk our lives almost daily. Death is not uncommon to us, but rather it walks alongside us. If we die, then we die with honour. Immortality is merely something that existed long before our birth, and because every planet has it, it is not the deciding factor in war. It is the people.”
Despite the envy she felt for her friends, she still possessed a strong sense of pride.
“That’s why...I will continue to fight with the power that I have. If it turns out it isn’t enough, then I’ll train harder. I’ll make it be enough. As for growing old... well, there’s just no helping for it. It’ll happen someday, but I have no intention of dying before then.”
Commander...
“So, that’s your final decision...?”
“Yes.”
“I see.”
“As for your earlier outburst, officer, you understand that you may be tried for treason, correct?”
“Yes. But if I may say so, I don’t regret it.” Rei arched an eyebrow. “I know it may sound strange to hear one of Mars’ elite soldiers say this, but... I did, what I felt was right on behalf of the people. And although I’ve failed my final test, I would still like to thank you for the opportunity and the guidance you have provided me over these last few years. I will immediately turn myself in and have the appropriate officer take my place as acting leader until your return.”
“There’s no need.”
The man blinked up, looking very confused. “I...Umm...what? I-I apologize. I’m afraid I must have heard wrong. Could you please repeat what you just said?”
“I said there’s no need,” she repeated slowly. “Please continue your duties as if nothing has happened until I return.”
“But why...? Under Martian Military code, the act of treason may be punishable by death!”
His superior looked at him with mild annoyance. “‘May’ be, doesn’t necessarily mean ‘will’ be.” She corrected him. Yes, she knew the code by heart. “It seems to me that it would be a greater waste to lose a soldier of your calibre for simply voicing his opinion. But I assure you that you will be punished. You can expect a doubling up in cleaning duty once I relieve you from your post.”
Sir Rei...
Though he was once a great supporter of Ares, Zen felt all shreds of lingering loyalty to the past warrior being overcome by a greater admiration for his current superior. If he thought he was loyal to Rei before, what he felt now put his past devotion to shame. Unquestionably, beyond all doubt, this was the leader that he would always follow.
“Zen!” Rei commanded the man.
“Yes, your orders Sir?!” He stood at full attention.
“Gather every available soldier! Have them board all available military shuttles immediately with enough supplies to last them for awhile.”
“Sir?”
“We’re invading Uranus!” She ordered.
“I understand! I will carry out your wishes to the best of my ability!”
With that, the communication line was disconnected and Zen’s projection image disappeared. On Mars the man was about to redirect his attention to carrying out his superior’s orders when Nozomi ‘happened to walk by’.
“Sounds like a plan to me.” She grinned knowingly.
“You think so?” Zen humoured the girl. “Too bad you aren’t going.”
“What? Of course I’m going!” Nozomi protested. “You don’t think I’m going to hang around here and sit on my butt all day, do you?”
“Oh?” The man feigned interest over his back. He feverishly began typing in his code-number for system access.
Bleep, tak-tak-tak-tak, taka, bleep.
–Confirmed- Transport phase A initiated.
“Are you trying to say… that you want to prove yourself?” He finished.
“Let me put it this way. I won’t need the entire five years,” Nozomi smirked back.
Back on Jupiter, Rei waited until her communications port had closed entirely. After a few seconds following Zen’s dismissal, her communicator finally gave the clear signal and promptly returned to its dormant state.
“You really… have a bad habit of eavesdropping,” Rei remarked as she stuffed her communicator back into her clothing.
Taking the hint, Minako revealed herself from behind the hallway corner.
“Haha, sorry about that Rei... I really didn’t mean to but let’s just say my timing sucks.” The blonde made a goofy facial expression as she touched the back of her head. “I actually came to tell you that Makoto’s regained consciousness. She was looking for you.”
“She was? All right, then we should be heading back. There’s no time to lose-- I have something very important to tell her and Ami.”
“Yes, Oh Great leader.” Minako giggled and saluted as Rei walked by her.
“Cut that out.”
“Yes ma’am.”
“That’s SIR to you.”
“And that’s Mina to you!”
In front of the giggling Venusian, Rei rolled her eyes and wondered how she’ll ever be able to conquer a planet and handle Minako all at once.
(Infirmary)
When Rei walked into the depressing room again, she found an alert Makoto carefully studying her. It looked like whatever she was going to say wouldn’t surprise the ruler that much after all.
“You’re awake.” Rei stated calmly, though her eyes momentarily softened at the sight of her friend being alive and well.
“Yup. I heal fast.”
There was an awkward silence.
“So, let’s hear it Rei. What’s the news?” Jupiter got right to the point. That was Makoto for you.
When the woman’s body movements betrayed a small hint of confusion, Makoto gave a weak chuckle.
“You really think you can hide something from your friends? From what I’ve heard from Ami, that was a pretty long call... and I could feel your aura blaze up even while I was asleep. Something’s wrong, right? And it’s not about me.” Her eyes stared back in confidence.
Minako glanced quickly between the three friends’ faces. Ami had resumed her calm, composed pose, while Makoto and Rei were now staring each other down.
“You could say that.” Rei finally broke the silence. “To be more exact, WE have a problem.”
“Let’s hear it.”
It didn’t take more than ten minutes to brief Ami and Makoto about Uranus and Neptune: About the missing leaders, how Uranus was in a state of disarray, and her plans to conquer the planet of wind. The entire time the two other leaders listened patiently in silence, waiting and analyzing the situation within their own minds. It wasn’t a matter of getting into an argument now- it was the last thing they all needed. Now that long forgotten events have been set into motion once more, it was imperative that they try to understand each other and work together or ‘accidents’ like the one shortly before may reoccur.
No one spoke until Rei had said her bit. But even before the Martian leader finished expressing her intentions, Ami and Makoto already knew what their responses would be.
“It sounds like a plan to me.” Makoto nodded approvingly. “We’re in.”
“Are you sure?” Rei questioned. “But Makoto, your planet is still has its neutral planet status. If you choose to go in with Mars, you’ll be seen as siding with us ‘barbarians’. Do you think your people would accept something like that?”
“I have faith that my people will follow me, regardless of what I choose.” The green eyed woman voiced. “Besides, I think it’s about time that these false alliances are put aside—The Inner Alliance, Mercury and Mars, the Outer Alliance, Uranus and Neptune, and these so-called neutral planets, Venus, and Jupiter included—what we’re up against is putting a lot at stake. Unless we’re all in this together I don’t think we stand much of a chance. We have to find Haruka and Michiru!”
Twitch
“I’m sure they’re fine wherever they are.” Rei immediately scoffed. Although she really did feel worry for the two women, she couldn’t help but feel resentment whenever Neptune was mentioned.
“Reeeeeei!” Minako warned in a low voice.
WHACK!
“Ow!” She automatically felt for where she had been hit on her head. “What was that for? Stop hitting me already!” She growled.
“Sure, when you stop talking like that! Admit it, you’re worried about them.”
“Why should I be worried? I’m only trying to conquer a planet right now.”
“Was that…sarcasm?” Minako stared back at the woman.
“No. Not. At. All.”
The two women glowered in each others’ faces until someone’s patience slipped, and triggered yet another heated argument.
“Oh man…When they fight, they really go at it, huh?” Makoto whispered to Ami. She cringed when Rei challenged Minako on the basis of the woman’s fashion sense.
“It appears so. Yet, can’t you see it Makoto?”
“Hm?” The chestnut haired woman blinked. It didn’t take her long to realize what Ami was getting at. “Yeah, I know what you mean. She’s finally... opening up.”
“Oh forget it! I’m going to go start the preparations. Makoto, I’m leaving! And you better not overdo it!” Rei shouted over her shoulder as she left the room.
“All right...” Jupiter chuckled and politely waved back. She winced slightly when her arm began to throb again, gaining Ami’s attention. Her partner began to change the bandages around the wounds.
“I don’t know about this. Maybe you should just stay here…” Ami voiced her concern.
“No! I-I’m all right. Really!” Makoto shook her head and assured the woman. “They might look painful, but I can deal with it.” Hopefully…
Minako was about to follow after Rei when Ami stopped her.
“Minako?”
“Oh. Umm...I was just going to go to my room! Did you need something?”
“You were also hit by the force field. Since you’re already here, perhaps it would be best if I tended to your wounds as well.”
“Huh?” Wounds...? “A-Actually, I already took care of them! I umm... I knew some first aid from back at home. I’m fine! Like Makoto said! They only erm… look painful.” Minako wildly gestured. “Umm… I’ll see you guys later!” She took off.
Once the blonde had run a ways down the corridor and was out of sight, she breathed a sigh of relief. When she lifted the sleeves of her shirt and checked her arms where she had made contact with the shield there was nothing there.
There were no wounds.
(Later on a shuttle, on route to Uranus)
Everyone was gathered around a small strategist table within the ship’s ‘navigation’ room. On the table, a large map depicting the island surface of Uranus’s capital city, Caelus, had been spread out. It had contours lines marking the elevations of the buildings and the rough distances between them. Thick, red arrows had also been drawn where the initial plan of pursuit would begin. Overall, it would be the very same pincer strike that Rei had thrown up against the Uranian army during their last encounter.
At the head of the table, Rei gathered herself up for the briefing summary amongst the familiar faces. Ami, Minako, Makoto, Zen and Nozomi (who had caught up to them since their departure) were all seated around the table.
“All right, so this is the run-down. I will not repeat myself again, so everyone better listen up.” Rei began. Seeing the understanding in everyone’s eyes, she continued.
“Mars will be supported by Jupiter’s troops once we’ve landed. We have concluded from Ami’s data that Mercury is simply too far away to provide soldiers for this operation, so instead, they will take over communications and Ami will act as our main tactician. If anything should change in the situation, we’ll be relying on them to inform us of it.”
Rei gestured to the overhead monitor and pictures of Uranus from Mercury’s database flipped up.
“Currently, as the situation on Uranus stands, there are two major groups struggling for power. Because of this struggle, Uranus is on the brink of a civil war. Now, what is our objective? To act as the buffer and take control! Jupiter and Mars’ troops are to position themselves between the two factions marked at these points, and prevent any violent breakout until the dispute is ‘settled’. This means until we have ‘drawn’ Uranus into the Inner Alliance. As for the others, Zen and Nozomi will be leading Mars’ Medic unit and hide along these main streets—they will not engage with the people unless it is absolutely necessary.” She looked to her first officer and Nozomi. “We need you to be our trump card is something goes wrong. Is that clear?”
“Yes.”
“You got it!”
“Also, don’t forget that your unit will work alongside with Jupiter’s Shadow unit. Try not to clump up in one area-- make sure that you’re all spread out for any type of situation, anywhere. As for the rest of the divisions, we’ve paired up the strongest levelled classes from Mars with the weakest levelled in Jupiter. This is to balance out any potential weaknesses between the parties. I assume that this won’t be a problem, Makoto?”
“Not that I know of,” The ruler shook her head. “I think they can handle it.”
“My calculations also agree with this,” Ami added.
The genius tapped on a few buttons from her miniature computer and brought up the divisions onto several, smaller, overhead screens. Each group had a general evaluation of skills and the occupations of each of its members. From what everyone in the room could see, the groups were fairly balanced out with a few exceptions that made a group more specialized for certain missions than others.
“Wow, that’s so cool!” Nozomi exclaimed. “Which one am I in? Oh, wait, I think I see it now!”
“Nozomi, please try to keep it down.” Zen advised.
“Mm… Oh, all right.” The girl crossed her arms and sunk into her seat, silently sulking.
Minako on the other hand was too busy being impressed to be annoying at that point. Everything was so well thought out.
Oh wow, they have everything! The soldiers, their evaluations, skills, and occupations… I’m still amazed that they drew up a strategy on such a short notice! But that’s beside the point. I still can’t believe that they really intend to conquer a planet! Nozomi is right! This is so cool!
“And last but not least,” Rei reminded them, “If there is a disruption, do whatever it takes to quell the threat, but try to keep the casualties to a minimum.”
“Right!” Everyone nodded.
Bleep! Bleep! Bleep!
There was an awkward pause when the ship’s overhead lights began to flash red. Shortly later, a voice over the intercom boomed,
“Attention! Attention! We are approaching the planet Uranus’s outer limits! We have also detected an incoming transmission from Uranus. Shall we open the channel?”
Rei leaned forward onto her elbows and pressed the call button to the bridge. “Who is it?”
It can only be one of the two factions. If they’ve spotted our forces, then they know they’re about to be invaded. The question for them is not how to fend us off, but “Who will be the first to curry favour with the dominating force?”
Again the voice came over the intercom.
“Word identifies the sender as ‘Baroach’, leader of the ‘true wind clan’.”
Leader of the true wind clan...? What an arrogant title.
“What shall you have us do?”
“Allow the transmission.” Ami gave the go ahead. Her blue, computer visor across her eyes lit up as the connection was secured.
…Recording… She read.
…Channel secured… Opening transmission…
Bleep!
The projection of a man in his early thirties appeared across the room from where the group sat. His physical appearance was bulky, very muscular for a man his age. He had black hair and dark blue eyes eyes-- a rare thing for an inhabitant of Uranus. Many of the people were like Haruka, with blonde haired and light coloured eyes.
His hair is getting long… Rei noted. It indicates laziness to keeping things well kept, perhaps including equipment. His reputation seems dead on for his appearance based on what Ami collected.
“This is the leader of Mars speaking. State your business.” Rei initiated the conversation.
“Now, now, please! There’s no need to be on guard for someone like myself!” The man on the other end waved to the screen in a friendly manner. “My business you ask? I will gladly tell you. I wish to request an audience with the leaders of the Inner Alliance to hopefully resolve this matter of disorder and put it to rest.”
“You wish to meet with us?” Does he mean to let us walk in without a fight?
“That is correct. The people who support us do not wish for violence. All we want to do is talk, and perhaps… negotiate.”
Now that was more like it.
“Who will we be negotiating with? Yourself, perhaps? Our transmission was sent under the impression that you were the leader of the faction ‘The True Wind Clan’. Is that correct?”
“Goddess, no! I’m not the leader. In fact, I’m not even part of that clan...anymore, that is. What was sent in the transmission must have been a mistake.” The man calmly corrected.
Both Makoto and Ami raised an eyebrow at this.
I’m not getting a good feeling about this guy… Makoto silently thought. Her green eyes were swirling with intense concentration. She committed everything about him to memory.
Beside her, Ami was still secretly recording the conversation. She had her own suspicions forming within her mind as well.
“Yeah, then who is?!” It was not Rei, but Nozomi who spoke up this time.
“Oh my... I wasn’t aware that you allowed children into your meetings.”
“Just answer the question.” Rei calmly ordered.
“Yes, yes, of course. I am speaking on behalf of our leader, none other than Uranus himself!”
Uranus?! The group simultaneously questioned.
No, he’s not talking about Haruka! Rei realized. But after Haruka took over, I didn’t think he would still be alive! But if it’s true... Actually, this meeting could be beneficial after all. Maybe HE would know where Haruka’s gone!
“We accept your offer.” Rei finally answered. Heads whipped in her direction, but she ignored it.
“Excellent! Then shall I greet your group in the central plaza of Caelus?”
“Please do.”
…Bleep…. Connection disconnected…
“He’s creepy!” Nozomi declared out once the connection had been cut.
“Yeah, this time I have to agree with her. That guy just got on my nerves.” Zen said thoughtfully beside the younger girl.
“But he seemed nice enough right?” Minako pointed out as she tried to brighten the conversation.
Makoto and Rei’s jaws dropped.
“How can you say that?!” They both exclaimed.
“Eh? Eh? What did I say? I thought he was nice.”
“I doubt you would be saying that if you knew more about his... background history.” Mercury carefully phrased it.
“Oh?”
“Never mind,” Rei sighed in exasperation. “Our shuttle is already nearing our destination. We should get ready. Minako, you better come with me. I’ll fill you in along the way.”
“Huh? Uhh… well, okay… I guess?” The blonde blinked back.
After the group was dismissed, Zen quickly whispered something into the Martian leader’s ear. Rei simply nodded and then shooed him away before she dragged Minako into the hall. It was a relatively dark, dimly lit corridor as the pair marched towards the exit. Minako certainly felt that way inside as well-- left in the dark. She considered asking Rei what that was all about, between her and Zen, but she decided to take the indirect route instead. Surely Rei would tell her if it was something important, right?
“So… what exactly am I missing out on?” She asked innocently. Though, the rest of her thoughts, however, weren’t quite on the same wavelength. The both of them were close enough that Minako could touch Rei if she’d only reach out her hand.
“To put it simply, the threat of a civil war existed amongst Uranus’s people even long before this incident occurred. Ever since Haruka officially took over as ruler, the people were split into two factions. A smaller group still supported the former ruler of Uranus, while the majority chose Haruka. In the end, it was decided that these two groups couldn’t live together, so the group that chose the former Uranus voluntarily moved to the land below Caelus.”
“The land below...?”
“That’s right.” By now Rei had given up on expecting Minako to know anything about other planets. It was odd for a diplomat but she shrugged it off. “Most of Uranus’s population live on floating islands in the sky. But there’s also a land mass below it like that of Earth—and don’t ask me how islands can float. Right now all you need to keep in mind that there are two layers of ground on Uranus. Got it?” Minako nodded rapidly. “Good. Okay, let’s see… as for living on the bottom ground, many of the people believe that only those who have lost their wings would move to such a place. The people who chose to move there obviously had a problem with that theory, thus the two groups occasionally clashed—Haruka handled it pretty well though. As for Baroach, the man you saw on screen, he’s obviously a supporter of the former Uranus. He boasts to be one as you’ve noticed. He’s the one we are going to meet.”
“Umm… okay, I think I got all of that. But... why is he a bad guy again? Is it because he lives on the lower ground of Uranus?”
“ I didn’t say he was the bad guy!” Rei huffed. “We just don’t like him-- his political sources say has a reputation of being a perverted, ladies man.”
“…OH.”
Suddenly the phrase ‘lustful barbarian’ starts ringing in my head, Minako giggled. If only Rei was as such…
Before Minako could ask any more questions about this character, the pair had reached the exit hatch. As the shuttle doors opened, the area shield was just dissipating to reveal Uranus’s capital city below.
“Huh… I guess they were serious after all!” Rei shouted out in the face of the wind. To the side of their door, there were other hatches where Makoto and Ami stood out front. The Martian could see Jupiter and Mercury nodding back in agreement.
“What do you mean?” Minako squeaked.
The wind began to die down as the shuttle descended amongst a cloud of shuttles.
“Let me put it this way. A single individual can’t break a planet’s defence system alone. That’s why Makoto and Ami were standing out there as well. It would take at least a few of us to break the shield if they were serious on keeping us out. But it looks like ‘someone’ else lowered it for us…”
SssssssssssssssssssSSSSSSHssssssss….
The metallic structure vibrated around the women and clanked noisily as the shuttle touched the ground. They were landing on the ground itself. There were no space sports whatsoever on Uranus. In essence, the entire floating mass was a spaceport.
“This is it.” Rei whispered to Minako as the cloud dusts began to settle. What Minako was about to see wasn’t anything like she’s seen before.
“Oh wow…” She quietly whispered back in awed. I’ve heard of it but I never actually SEEN it…
Beyond the dust clouds were towers that seemed to reach up into the sky. They were tall, golden structures that varied in their brownish-gold shadings. Other smaller buildings were constructed of engraved stone, their shapes almost resembling a set of ruins that had been reconstructed from the rages of time. It was a breathtaking mixture; strange markings lay engraved in some, while other had their own peculiarity of reflecting the sunlight’s beams. Other smaller contraptions also littered the city; wind powered devices that must have created energy for the people. And lastly, one could not miss the dome-like barrier that surrounded the outer edges of the islands, acting as guards against those who may accidentally wander off.
It was a desert, it was old, yet at the same time it was like an oasis that was brimming with the potential to support life. It was no wonder that Uranus’s people took so much pride in their lifestyle of living in the sky. Here the air was fresh and clean. Just standing there was enough to make a ‘grounded’ person truly feel as if they were soaring.
“Hey! There you are!” A voice cried out to the group. Instantly they recognized the figure—Baroach. “I see you’ve all made it safe and sound! That’s wonderful! Erm… hello?”
But Rei wasn’t paying much attention to the figure as much as she was to the surroundings. Perhaps she was lost in memory or perhaps there were other thoughts clouding her mind. Whatever it was, the man in front of her was clearly being ignored and he knew it.
“You ARE the leader of Mars, correct?” Baroach questioned.
Rei slowly turned her attention back to the man. “That is correct.” Minako noticed the deliberately cold, formal tone that Rei was using. It reminded her of her own when she was serious about diplomatic relations.
“Ah, then you two must be…?” He turned to face Makoto, and then to Ami.
“I am a representative of Jupiter.” Makoto said as she tried to remain slightly distant.
Rei should be the one doing the talking for now…
Her green eyes glanced overhead, behind their group, to one of
the tall towers. For one split moment she caught a glimpse of their Medic/Shadow unit. It
was reassuring to know that their forces were already on the move.
“Of
Mercury…” Ami followed her friend’s lead.
“And this beautiful young lady?” He inquired of Minako. “Perhaps I can escort you--”
“Oh, I am…”
“My maid.”
There was an awkward pause.
Before Rei had realized it, the words had already left her mouth. And now, everyone was staring at her in either shock or well shock. Even Minako seemed to be at a loss for words. But in the Venusian’s case Rei couldn’t tell whether it was simply shock or a reaction of pure horror at the title.
“Y-Your maid?” Baroach repeated uncertainly. The sight of the armor-clad leader of Mars, claiming that this beauty beside her was her maid, was—well, he supposed it could be possible, but for a ‘barbarian’ soldier to covet such a-- Instead of shooting his mouth he patiently waited for Mar’s reply.
Well, no turning back now… “Yes, that’s right.”
Rei’s arm came up and gentle touched Minako’s opposite shoulder. Her hand almost recoiled from the simple gesture, but she swallowed against the foreign sensation and forced herself to continue on. Her hand eventually slid down and wrapped itself around Minako’s shoulders, drawing the other woman up against herself (once again inspiring a wordless speech of shock). Baroach was so surprised that he stepped back, especially when he saw the possessive flicker in the Commander’s eyes. Minako herself was blushing too profusely to see what Baroach saw, but she could feel her heartbeat race all the same.
When has she ever wanted to hug me?
“So Mr. Baroach, I strongly suggest that you do not touch any of my property. Do I make myself clear?” She finished calmly—but it was anything but calming to the party being addressed; to the man, he heard the venomous tone laced underneath that diplomatic calm.
“A-A-Ah, yes! Of course!” He stuttered. “A-And now, we really should be going. Can’t keep the meeting waiting aha..ha…” As soon as he turned away from the group his face immediately twisted into an expression of indignation and humiliation.
Damn it…
The group soon moved to follow the man, but Minako and Rei held back until the others were out of hearing distance. Occasionally Makoto or Ami would look back in curiosity, but they continued onwards nevertheless. Once they were in the clear Rei finally let Minako go (almost in the relieved way). The release in contact was enough to snap Minako back into her ‘I am indignant’ mode.
“What did you do that for? I am NOT your maid you know!”
“You should be grateful.”
“What?”
“Visitors from Venus are very rare these days, especially out here among the Outer Alliance Planets. If people knew what you are, you’d likely be swarmed by anyone who happens to be nearby.”
“Because…?” Minako sweat-dropped. “Ami and Makoto are Goddesses, and I don’t see them being swarmed,” She argued back.
“No, that’s because they said they were only representatives, not THE rulers. And secondly, they don’t have a myth about their people hovering over their heads.”
This piqued Minakos’ curiosity. “A myth? Ooooooh, what kind? Is it a good one?”
You’re not supposed to be happy about this… Rei inwardly sighed.
“How should I know? I guess that would depend on the person. Some people around here think that a Venusian can grant a person their true love-- all because your people pride themselves in calling themselves the ‘people of love’.”
Rei then began to walk past Minako to follow the others. “Anyway, forget about that. It’s just a myth. Don’t let it go to your head. We’ve got to catch up to the others…”
“Okay!”
“And Minako?”
“Yes?”
“While we’re here, you better stay close to me…”
Minako felt her heartbeat skip again. This encouragement brought her the courage to ask,
“Can I… hold your hand then?” She shyly requested.
“Mm.” Rei outstretched her hand and Minako slowly took it. The warmth they felt was different than a one-sided hug or a forced hand clasp-- this time, they had both reached out to each other.
“Let’s go.”
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