"LUNAR: Tales From Crystal Tokyo"
LUNAR:
The Lost Episodes
By
Jeffrey C. Branch
Volume
Seventeen: Episode 2-14.11 "Pragmatism"
Rating:
PG-13
Crystal
Palace in Crystal Tokyo, Planet Luna, Sol system, 6 February 2738
Department
of Homeland Security
Lieutenant Michael Burton, Operations Officer for the top-secret special
operations team of combat Senshi called Omega Force, was going over progress
reports on an important upgrade to Omega's starship, SLS Draco II.
As chief of staff of HOMESEC's newly formed Omega Division, it was
Burton's responsibility to coordinate all administrative, logistical,
intelligence, and operations functions, leaving Sailor Magneta and her team free
to concentrate on its covert missions against the Dark Kingdom. The job was
demanding, but the young officer enjoyed the challenge. He believed
wholeheartedly in the importance of Omega Force to the Golden Millennium, and
wanted to help the team in any way possible.
At that moment, the double doors of the office opened wide and Sailor
Magneta, Omega's field commander, strode inside. Burton stood and crisply
saluted his leader. "Good afternoon, Deputy Director Magneta."
Sailor Magneta nodded and smiled. She was grateful to have such a devoted
and trustworthy officer as Burton running things for her. "Good afternoon,
Michael. Lady Jupiter asked to see me. Is
she available?"
"I'll check, ma'am." Burton pressed a button on his desk panel.
"Director? Sailor Magneta is
here."
"Good. Send her in, Michael," came back Sailor Jupiter's voice
over the speaker.
The Senshi of Magnetism entered Sailor Jupiter's office, where the auburn
haired Planetary, seated at her desk, nodded to her second in command.
"Thank you for coming, Ronni. How's the team?" Sailor Jupiter
asked.
"Fine. They've been on R & R since we returned from the border
three days ago," Sailor Magneta replied as she sat in a plush leather chair
in front of Sailor Jupiter's desk. "All except for Beth, who's busy
overseeing the latest upgrades to Draco II. She's enjoying herself like
you wouldn't believe. So, what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Old business. A landing party from the SLS Piranha
encountered the Slashers while exploring a planet on the southern edge of GM
space," said Sailor Jupiter. She reached for a nearby pitcher of Lunar
spring water, which she poured into two tall glasses, and handed one to Sailor
Magneta. "Even though Piranha lost a crewman, her captain, Sailor
Persephone, used her Soul Slumber power to capture four of the monsters."
Sailor Magneta paused in mid-sip and cocked an eyebrow from surprise.
"Alive?"
Sailor Jupiter nodded. "Yup. They're enroute now aboard the SLS Isis,
locked in stasis. Isis will arrive at Starbase One at noon
tomorrow."
"Incredible. I never would've believed it possible to capture those
beasts."
"I know. We got lucky. I want Omega to provide security for the
offload of the creatures, and their transit to Skunk Works," said Sailor
Jupiter. "Sailor Mercury will be on hand to monitor the creatures, but
you'll be in charge of the operation. After everything we've heard about these
monsters, including the report of the LP-7 incident, I don't want to take any
chances."
"I understand, Director. I'll call the team together at once and
brief them," said Sailor Magneta. She tried hard not to think about the
nightmarish incident on LP-7, but it was difficult. "What's this I hear
about the Droylian ambassador having been here yesterday?"
"It seems that Torym may have found his way into Droylian space.
Ambassador Wolit Hehgrah asked Serenity for help. She dispatched the Princess,
Sailor Eos, Sailor Astraea, and Sorcerer Merlin to investigate."
The white haired Senshi frowned. "Was that wise? I've seen the raw
footage of the Avalon battle. Even with the might of four Senshi, King Endymion
and Merlin, the outcome was nearly disastrous."
"Tell me about it. I suggested to Serenity that she send Omega, but
she insisted on a diplomatic tack instead," said Sailor Jupiter. "She
was concerned that a combat unit barging into Droylian space might've been
misinterpreted as an incursion. Admittedly,
I can understand her worry."
Sailor Magneta snorted. "Considering what Torym's capable of doing
after having been possessed by the Necronomicon, for all we know, the incursion
Serenity feared may have already taken place."
"You'll get no argument from me on that," growled Sailor
Jupiter, an openly sour look on her face.
"I take it you disagreed with the Queen's decision."
"Strenuously. But Serenity made up her mind that her course of
action was the right one to take."
Sailor Magneta eyed her superior intently. "Do you believe
that?"
There was a pause before Sailor Jupiter shook her head. "No.
Torym's
been off the radar for over a month. There's no telling what he's been up to
since he vanished from Avalon. I only hope nothing goes wrong out there.
However, I'll want Omega on standby to provide assistance should the Princess
call for it."
"We'll be ready. Before I leave, I have a request to make."
"What is it?"
"I discussed this subject with the team on the way back from our
last assignment. We need to add a seventh member, specifically, a
telepath."
Sailor Jupiter cocked an eyebrow from curiosity. "Why?"
"Because of what happened on LP-7. If we had a telepath in our
ranks, Korgun would have been discovered immediately, preventing the situation
there from getting out of control like it did." Sailor Magneta's face
darkened from sorrow. "It's even possible that we could have saved Sailor
Europa. Her loss hurts me. I don't want to be caught unaware like that ever
again."
The Planetary of Thunder mulled over what she had been told.
"Hmm. Serenity's never been keen on telepaths. She's always
considered using mindreaders as being too sneaky, something the GM should be
above."
"Perhaps. But then, the very existence of a hunter-killer unit like
Omega Force isn't playing by the rules either. Yet, the Queen fully sanctions
our activities," Sailor Magneta pointed out. "You put this team
together to fight fire with fire and defeat the Dark Kingdom by any means
necessary. From a purely pragmatic viewpoint, to worry about our methods now
would be counter-productive. Perhaps even hypocritical."
Sailor Jupiter frowned. She couldn't deny the logic in what her friend
had said. But that didn't mean she had to like it. "Point taken.
Very well. I'll speak to Sailor Neptune and see what I can turn up."
Starbase
One, Planet Luna, Sol system, 7 February 2738
The
SLS Isis
There was an air of quiet anxiety aboard the RSN battleship as Sailor
Canada, the vessel's captain, led Sailors Mercury and Magneta, along with six
technicians from Skunk Works, bearing anti-gravity equipment down the hall of
the ship's security department to where the special cargo lay in stasis.
Sailor Canada was a wispy brunette sporting red maple leaf earrings as
part of her uniform, and she stopped in front of a large holding cell. The hum
of a force field in the doorway was the only sound heard as the women stared
inside at four, eight-foot tall metal containers standing up against the far
wall. Inside each container, held in place by a force field, was the horrific,
unmoving form of a Slasher.
The brown haired Senshi keyed several buttons on the panel and the force
field shut down, allowing her and the Senshi to enter while the technicians
remained in the hall. The women stared silently at the containers before them.
"Remarkable," said Sailor Mercury, her eyes wide from
undisguised awe. As a scientist, viewing the creatures was a thrilling
experience for her, despite how dangerous they were. "Absolutely
remarkable."
Sailor Magneta scowled at the monsters, then at Sailor Mercury,
reluctantly reliving memories of the battle between them, and Omega a month ago.
"That's not the word I would use to describe them, Milady," she
snarled at the Planetary.
Sailor Mercury's enthusiasm died at hearing the harshness in Sailor
Magneta's voice. She had momentarily forgotten the horror Sailor Magneta and her
team endured on LP-7, a horror that ended with the death of a Senshi. Sailor
Mercury lowered her head from shame. "I'm sorry, Veronika. That was an
inappropriate thing to say."
"The crew's been apprehensive as hell from the moment these monsters
were brought onboard," Sailor Canada grumbled. "Even though they've
been in stasis, and the entire deck sealed off by force fields and guarded, it
hadn't eased the tension from their being here. Pardon my bluntness, ladies, but
the sooner you get these damned things off my ship, the better I'll feel."
"I understand your anxiety, Sailor Canada," said Sailor
Mercury, all business. The blue haired Planetary pressed the blue stud in her
right earlobe to activate her VR visor and she scanned the creatures. "The
lifesign readings are steady. The stasis fields are holding firm, Sailor
Magneta. We can move them."
"Lieutenant Janeway, bring in the equipment," said the German
Senshi.
Led by a tall, slender brunette, Janeway brought her technicians and
their equipment into the holding area. As the Senshi looked on, the technicians
quietly and expertly secured the containers into anti-gravity sleds used for
moving heavy equipment. Once the work was completed, and the containers in the
sleds, which hovered two feet off the deck, Janeway turned to Sailor Magneta.
"All done, ma'am. We're ready to move the cargo."
"Very good, Ensign." Sailor Magneta keyed her communicator.
"Omega leader speaking. Report status."
"Sailor Britannica at checkpoint alpha, security deck liftshaft.
In
position," Sailor Britannica replied.
"Sailors Ebony and Ivory at checkpoint bravo, main deck liftshaft.
In position," said Sailor Ebony.
"Sailors Russia and Sirius at checkpoint charlie, starboard
chamberway. In position," answered Sailor Sirius.
"Stay sharp, people. We're on our way out," said the Senshi of
Magnetism. She then turned to Sailor Canada. "We're ready to take the cargo
off your hands, captain. Pass the word to clear the decks."
Sailor Canada nodded, then pressed a button on a nearby panel that
activated the shipwide intercom. "Sailor Canada to all hands. Clear the
decks along the assigned route for cargo transfer. I say again, clear the decks
immediately."
"Sailor Mercury, what safeguards are in place to prevent the
creatures from escaping should the stasis systems fail?" Sailor Magneta
asked the Planetary.
"The bio-scanners are continually monitoring the creatures' heart
and pulse rate, or at least what passes for same with them. If they regain
consciousness, an alarm will be tripped, and the containers flooded with
tetraphosphorine gas," Sailor Mercury explained. "Given the creatures'
innate resistance to blaster fire, attacking them from the inside with a
chemical agent is the best bet, and TP gas incinerates vital organs upon
inhalation. Death, for any lifeform possessing a respiratory system, is
virtually instantaneous."
"Provided, of course, these things breathe," Sailor Canada
groused.
"That's why Omega is here," said Sailor Magneta. She then
turned to Janeway. "Let's go, people."
With a nod, Janeway turned to her team, and they activated the controls
to the anti-grav sleds. With a slight hum, the technicians piloted the sleds out
of the cell and into the hallway, with Sailor Magneta leading the way and Sailor
Mercury and Sailor Canada bringing up the rear. No one spoke as the group
continued on its way. Upon reaching
the liftshaft to the upper decks of the vessel, Sailor Britannica, stationed at
the door, waved the party into the car, and fell in behind Sailor Mercury and
Sailor Canada as they headed upwards towards the main deck.
When the car reached the main deck and the doors opened, Sailor Ebony and
Sailor Ivory were standing nearby, and the group, increased by two, continued
its trek through the vessel. Sailor Mercury, her visor still in place, scanned
the containers and was pleased to see that the stasis fields were fully
functioning. At the starboard docking chamberway, Sailor Sirius and Sailor
Russia waved the party through and off the ship. Once the sleds were clear,
Sailor Canada breathed a sigh of relief. Sailor Magneta, standing nearby,
sympathized with the woman.
The anti-grav sleds were loaded upon a waiting cargo shuttle for the
short flight to Skunk Works' laboratories, as it was decided to avoid exposing
the containers to the public in case something went wrong. As Janeway piloted
the shuttle to the labs, Sailor Mercury, Omega, and the technicians carefully
eyed the containers and the dangerous cargo they contained.
"Sailor Mercury, I have a question," Sailor Sirius piped up.
"How do you plan on examining those horrors?"
"Well, Tanya, I've gone over this with my specialists and decided
that the best way to go about that would be in a sub-zero environment which
would keep the creatures in a state of suspended animation," the Planetary
of Ice explained. "We'll take blood, tissue and exo-skeletal samples, tap
for spinal fluid, if they possess it, and take a thorough and extensive series
of biological and brainwave scans. These tests will be invaluable in learning
what makes these horrors tick, and then developing a defense against them.
I
greatly appreciate your help with security, everyone."
"The pleasure was all ours, ma'am," said a smiling Sailor
Ebony.
Sailor Magneta nodded, her face grim. "Indeed. This will help
balance the scales from the loss of Sailor Europa."
No one said a word. Nobody needed to. The meaning of Sailor Magneta’s
words was plain enough.
Deputy
Commander In Chief of the Royal Star Navy's Office
"I must admit I'm surprised you went along with Ronni's suggestion,
given Serenity's reticence towards mindreaders," said Sailor Neptune, as
she sat at her desk and poured through the personnel database on her
workstation.
"So am I. Maybe I'm wrong, but I get the feeling Ronni's blaming
herself for Sailor Europa's death," Sailor Jupiter replied. "Ronni was
caught off-guard on LP-7, and it's eating at her. Especially since that incident
nearly cost us six valuable members of the Senshi, and forced a seventh to
sacrifice herself."
"Sad, but true. Still, for what it's worth, I think it's a
great idea," said Sailor Venus. "Having a telepath to anticipate an
enemy's moves before he makes them is one hell of a tactical advantage."
Sailor Jupiter smirked at her best friend. "Spoken like a true
ex-spymaster." She then turned to Sailor Neptune. "Find a worthy
candidate yet, Michelle?"
"I believe I have," said Sailor Neptune with a slight shake of
her head. She swiveled the monitor of her workstation around so Sailor Venus and
Sailor Jupiter could see the screen. What the two Senshi saw was the head shot
of a lovely Oriental woman with shoulder length glossy black hair and bright,
hazel eyes, which matched the gem in her tiara. "Li Mei Cheng, a.k.a.
Sailor Cerebra. Born in Beijing, China in 2664, went through Sorcerer training
like her father, Sorcerer Dragon, but became a Senshi when she reached the top
rank in 2687."
"2687? Serenity's crown! She's practically a child!" cried
Sailor Jupiter.
"Don't be so judgmental, Lita. In terms of longevity, Sorcerer
Derrelli was
fresh out of the womb, and he did well for himself. What Li Mei lacks in
practical experience, she more than makes up for in sheer drive, brains and raw
ability," Sailor Neptune pointed out. "She graduated at the top of her
class and reached the rank of Sorcerer faster than anyone else until
Derrelli came along two years ago. In
addition to her extensive telepathic powers, which includes being able to
mentally interface with and control computers and AI's, Sailor Cerebra's highly
skilled in both the martial and medicinal arts and is an expert
programmer."
"Sounds good so far. What about her personality?" Sailor Venus
asked.
"She's very quiet, speaks only when necessary, and even then, she
doesn't say much. Li Mei's extremely polite, but keeps everyone at arms length
and shuns the company of others, even fellow Senshi. No one knows why.
Still,
her duty record's outstanding. In terms of being a team player however, Li Mei's
reclusive behavior could be problematical."
"Well, that can easily be addressed. After all, it's not exactly a
requirement that Senshi get along," Sailor Venus countered. "As I
recall, you and Amara weren't too chummy with us in the beginning."
Sailor Neptune's face darkened from deep remorse. "You're being
kind, Mina. Sailor Uranus and I were all too willing to sacrifice you, Serenity,
and the others to find the Holy Grail and stop Pharaoh 90. Our arrogance and
ruthlessness nearly brought about the very catastrophe we were trying to
prevent."
"Hey, nobody's perfect," said Sailor Jupiter, reaching across
the desk to give
"On Earth. She's the Chief of Computer Security at Tsukino,"
Sailor Neptune replied, her spirits picked up from Sailor Jupiter's simple, yet
profound gesture.
"Good. Put the paperwork through for Sailor Cerebra's transfer to
Omega, and forward a copy of her service jacket to Ronni," said Sailor
Jupiter. "I'll contact Li Mei. I want to speak to her before she's thrown
to the wolves."
Tsukino
State College, Northern Japan, Planet Earth, Sol system, 6 February 2738
Office
of Computer Security
Seated at her desk, Sailor Cerebra was busy going over reports of illegal
invasions of the complex mainframe. It was a common practice for enterprising
students to attempt to hack into the school's computer to cheat on exams by searching for
answers to the Senshi/Sorcerer Aptitude Battery.
Since only the best and brightest minds gained entry into the College, it
was inevitable that some students would opt to cheat. Sailor Cerebra, a highly
skilled former programmer, was tasked with maintaining security over the
facility's AI, which ran the complex; keeping it safe from hackers,
and finding cheaters from among the student body. In the five years the Chinese
Senshi had been at her post, violations dropped significantly, and cheaters
expelled upon being uncovered by Sailor Cerebra.
And when the more clever and sophisticated hackers escaped the electronic
safeguards put in place to find them, Sailor Cerebra had her own methods of
rooting out cheaters, namely her telepathic powers. While the Chinese Senshi
resisted scanning minds, she considered that a necessary evil in order to get the
job done. Overall, Sailor Cerebra was proud of the work she was doing.
The Senshi of the Mind paused from studying reports to sip strong green
tea from an ornate porcelain cup when her comlink beeped. She saw on her
terminal screen that it was an incoming message from Luna, from the Palace
itself. Sailor Cerebra cocked an eyebrow.
"Tsukino Complex, Computer Security. Sailor Cerebra speaking,"
she said, her voice light and melodic.
The screen winked on and the visage of Sailor Jupiter filled it. Sailor
Cerebra's eyes widened and a little gasp escaped her lips.
"Good afternoon, Sailor Cerebra. Did I disturb you?" Sailor
Jupiter asked.
"No, Lady Jupiter. What can I do for you?"
"I want you to report to Luna immediately," Sailor Jupiter
replied in a sharp, direct tone. "You've been reassigned to HOMESEC as per
the orders of Neo-Queen Serenity."
Hearing that, Sailor Cerebra was puzzled. "HOMESEC, madam?"
"That's right. Your unique talents are needed for my department.
You'll be given a full brief upon your arrival. I'll expect you in my office in
thirty minutes. No later. Sailor Jupiter out." And the screen went dark.
"What is going on?" Sailor Cerebra wondered aloud. Knowing she
had no time to waste as the clock was ticking; she pressed a button on her desk.
"Commander Gates. Please report to my office right away."
Department
of Homeland Security, Crystal Palace in Crystal Tokyo
Sailor Cerebra did her level best to remain calm and collected as she sat
rigidly in a chair in Sailor Jupiter's office. She had never been in the
presence of the intimidating Planetary of Thunder and was more than a little
worried.
The petite Chinese woman was also puzzled as to why she had been so
suddenly transferred from her post. For a second, Sailor Cerebra considered
touching Sailor Jupiter's mind to learn why, but knew it would be useless, since
the Planetaries' minds were shielded from telepathic intrusion. And Sailor
Cerebra feared what might happen if Sailor Jupiter sensed her invasion. Standing
behind Sailor Jupiter was a tall, slender Senshi with wavy, waist long,
snow-white hair and deep, penetrating, bright blue eyes. Her arms folded, her
face impassive, the woman stared right at Sailor Cerebra.
Sailor Jupiter, having finished reading Sailor Cerebra's service file on
a microcomp looked up at the Asian Senshi. She then gave Sailor Cerebra a kindly
smile. "Relax, Mi Lei. You've been stiff as a board ever since you
arrived."
The friendly tone of the Planetary's voice helped Sailor Cerebra to
relax. She was mildly surprised that Sailor Jupiter called her by name.
The
woman standing behind didn't smile. "Thank you."
"I'm sure you're curious as to why you've been suddenly transferred
from your post," said Sailor Jupiter, intently eyeing Sailor Cerebra.
"I am."
"Have you heard of Omega Force?"
"No."
"Good. You weren't supposed to. Omega is my handpicked special
operations team of Senshi, which investigates covert and overt threats against
the GM from the likes of the Dark Kingdom and eliminates them," Sailor
Jupiter explained. "The team's missions are of the highest security
classification, because Omega fights a dirty war against our enemy. Naturally,
this isn't the sort of thing the public needs to know about because the Sailor
Senshi aren't supposed to sink to the level of its opponents. Do you
understand?"
Sailor Cerebra nodded. "Yes."
"I'm glad to hear that, because, effective immediately, you're the
newest member of Omega Force," said Sailor Jupiter. "The woman
standing behind me is Sailor Magneta, HOMESEC's Deputy Director, field commander
of the team, and your boss. Any questions?"
Sailor Cerebra was silent for a few moments before she responded. "Why?"
Sailor Jupiter craned her head around to face Sailor Magneta.
"Because of your telepathic and cybernetic powers. I need your
abilities in the field to keep my team one step ahead of the enemy," the
Senshi of Magnetism replied. "I've studied your file and you're just the
right woman for the job. Because of Omega's mission parameters, I wanted only
the best, and you came highly recommended. Any other questions?"
Again, a pause from Sailor Cerebra. "No."
"Very well. It's settled. Welcome to Omega, Sailor Cerebra."
"Thank you." Sailor Cerebra's face was unreadable.
Sailor Jupiter frowned slightly. "You have until eleven a.m.
tomorrow to finish any business from your old command. Then you're to report
back here at noon sharp to meet the rest of the team."
"I understand," Sailor Cerebra replied with a nod. "I will
comply."
"We'll see you then," said Sailor Magneta.
Sailor Cerebra nodded. "By your leave, Milady."
Sailor Jupiter gave a nod in response. The Chinese Senshi stood, bowed to
the Planetary, then turned and left the office. After the door closed behind
her, Sailor Jupiter sighed. "A real chatterbox, isn't she?"
"Coming from someone who's worked with the notoriously taciturn
Sailor Vulcan, you should be used to that by now," said Sailor Magneta as
she walked around the desk, sat in the chair Sailor Cerebra had been in and
crossed her long legs. "Hell, I wasn't exactly the life of the party when
you recruited me, and I managed to adapt. You might say I've even developed a
personality. Change does, and can happen. With anyone."
"Can't argue that. Still, Sailor Cerebra hasn't had much in the way
of combat experience, especially in the sort of unconventional warfare Omega
dirties its hands on. She hasn't even been in space yet."
"True. But you wouldn't have chosen Li Mei if you didn't think she
could handle it," Sailor Magneta countered. "Bottom line, I don't care
if Sailor Cerebra's a blabbermouth, or silent as a mime, just so long as she can
do the job."
Sailor Jupiter nodded. "There is something else I want to talk to
you about: LP-7. You've been needlessly beating yourself up over that."
Sailor Magneta scowled. "And deservedly too. For decades, I've
prided myself as being a top-flight strategist. You don't rise to the rank of
starship captain if you're not. And you wouldn't have put me in charge of Omega
if I didn't measure up to what you demanded of me. Yet, the enemy had outfoxed
me. And a Senshi died because I'd been tricked."
"Nonsense. It wasn't your fault, Ronni. There was no way you
could've been prepared for what happened," said Sailor Jupiter in a soft
tone. "That 'Trojan Horse' madness was as diabolical a plot as we've ever
seen. Korgun would’ve hoodwinked any of us: Sailor Mercury, Sailor Uranus, me,
even Serenity. The important thing was that his scheme was stopped cold."
Rising from her chair, Sailor Jupiter walked over to Sailor Magneta and
put a hand on the shoulder of the German woman. "Don't blame yourself for
Sailor Europa. She chose to lay down her life so her fellow Senshi could live.
That was a very noble act, an act of purest love. Please, don't let her
sacrifice go to waste."
Sailor Magneta sighed, and then looked up at Sailor Jupiter. "Yes,
you're right. Thank you for saying that to me, Lita. Those words helped a
lot."
"My pleasure. I can't afford to have my second-in-command moping
around like a lost soul. Remember, I chose you for HOMESEC because you're the
second biggest badass in all the Golden Millennium."
"Second only to you I take it?" said Sailor Magneta with a
grin, her spirits lifted. "Clearly, bringing me onboard was the best
decision you've ever made."
Sailor Jupiter shook her head and laughed. "Oh, really! You've
definitely been hanging around me too long! That's where your personality came
from!"
"Like I said, I've adapted."