"LUNAR: Tales From Crystal Tokyo"
LUNAR:
The Lost Episodes
By
Jeffrey C. Branch
Volume
Thirty: Episode 2-14.24 "Interlude"
Rating:
PG-13
Tsukino
City, Planet Luna, Sol system, 12 February 2738
"How do I look, Cathy?" Beth Freeman asked her twin sister.
Standing in the living room of the Freeman's spacious private condominium, Beth,
wearing a shimmering, strapless, baby blue silk cocktail dress and spike heeled
silver sandals did a semi-twirl to show off her outfit while rhinestones
sparkled around her neck and dangled from her ears.
Cathy, seated on the sofa, let out a wolf whistle. "Whoa!
You look
good enough to eat, sis! Who's the
lucky girl taking you out tonight?"
"Whatever do you mean?" Beth asked in a coy voice.
"C'mon, Liz. First rule of the streets: don't con a con man.
Even
though it's been two centuries since your last fling, I haven't forgotten that
you're gay." Cathy rose from the sofa, walked up to Beth and clasped her
hands. "Look, you're not just my sister, you're my best friend, and I want
you to be happy. I remember how your last relationship ended horribly, and how
much it hurt you, so I'm thrilled that you're dating again."
Beth chuckled nervously. "That makes two of us. I haven't felt this
nervous since my graduation day as a Senshi! I hope I don't screw up!"
"Relax, sweetie. You'll do fine. Just remember, no tongue when you
kiss good night."
"Ewww! You're disgusting!"
Now it was Cathy who chuckled. "That's all part of my charm.
Well,
fess up! Is this mystery woman someone I know?"
Before Beth could respond, the doorbell rang. A broad smile of
anticipation spread across her face. "You can find out for yourself, Cat.
That'll be my date."
"Cool!" Cathy bounded for the front door and pressed a button
on the panel to open it. Cathy's eyes widened when she saw Li Mei Cheng, her
teammate with Omega Force. Garbed in a bright red silk mandarin dress with a
gold brocade dragon design on the front and matching, high heeled satin pumps,
the Oriental woman, her face exotically made up, bowed gracefully.
"Good evening, Catherine. Is Elizabeth available?" Li Mei
asked.
"Sure! Come in!" said a grinning Cathy. Initially stunned, she
was now pleasantly surprised. Wow! Omega's resident sphinx is Beth's date!
Who woulda guessed Li Mei swung that way!
"Li Mei! Hi! You're right on time!" said a smiling Beth,
walking up to Li Mei and giving her a peck on the cheek. She then stood back, to
take in the Oriental woman, very pleased with what she saw. "You look
beautiful."
"So do you, Elizabeth," Li Mei replied. Her cheeks warmed from
having been kissed.
"What did I tell you about formality, Miss Cheng?" said Beth in
a faux growl, wagging an index finger at the Chinese woman. "For the
millionth time, my name is Beth! I suggest you get used to calling me
that!"
Try as she might, Li Mei couldn't help but smile. The more she was with
Beth the more she entranced her. "My apologies, Beth. Shall we go?
You told
me our dinner reservation is for eight."
"Right!" said Beth, picking up an evening bag from the coffee
table, which matched her shoes. She then turned to Cathy. "Don't wait up
for me, Cat. I'll probably be late."
"No prob. Have a good time. Don't do anything I would do!"
Beth chuckled. "Count on that! I don't want to wind up in
jail!"
Li Mei was puzzled. "Jail?"
The twins looked at each other, laughed out loud. "Remind me to tell
you about Cathy's misadventure in Las Vegas after we graduated from Tsukino.
It'll curl your hair!" said Beth as she linked her arm with Li Mei's.
"If you say so."
Once the couple left, Cathy grinned as an idea came to mind. "Hmm!
Why not? The team’s off for a week. Let's have some fun!"
She then went
over to a nearby terminal and booked a shuttlecraft flight to Las Vegas.
Crystal
Palace, Planet Luna, Sol System, 12 February 2738
Office
of Homeland Security (HOMESEC)
Sailor Jupiter looked on as Sailor Mars carefully inspected the gestalt
signature of a detection ward, which had been engraved into the wall on each
side of the main entrance to the facility. Standing behind Sailor Mars were two
of her technicians from the Department of Occult and Paranormal Sciences who had
done the engraving.
Standing back, Sailor Mars nodded appreciatively at the handiwork. Sailor
Jupiter's face, on the other hand, was drawn from a scowl. A lifelong cynic, she
had her doubts as to if Sailor Mars' idea to use wards to detect DK spies and
saboteurs by their psychic auras would work. However, since the GM's most
advanced technology failed to prevent Skunk Works from having been infiltrated,
Sailor Jupiter was forced to go along with what she thought was a preposterous
plan. It had taken two full days for Sailor Mars' corps of artisans, working
around the clock to do the engraving at over four dozen sites on Earth and Luna
that were identified as targets for the enemy.
"Very good. That should do the trick," said Sailor Mars.
She
then activated her communicator. "Lieutenant Kinomoto, have the engravings
been completed at all the locations?"
"Yes, Lady Mars. I just received the last confirmation," came
back a female voice over the speaker. "You may inform Neo-Queen Serenity
that we are ready for the final phase."
"Good." Sailor Mars paused to switch frequencies. "Serenity?
We're ready."
"All right."
Crystal
Palace, Planet Luna, Sol System, 12 February 2738
Throne
Room
In the center of the throne room, as King Endymion held a ward in his
outstretched right hand, Neo-Queen Serenity I summoned the Imperium SIlver
Crystal. Sailor Mercury, recovered from the Skunk Works incident to
resume her duties, stood off to the side, a microcomp in hand to monitor the
impending operation.
"A question, Serenity. Have you ever done anything like this
before?" a curious Sailor Mercury asked.
Serenity shook her head as she cleared her mind in preparation of
unleashing the power of the Imperium Silver Crystal for this part of the plan.
"No. But, as the old saying goes, there's always a first time for
everything."
Hearing that, Sailor Mercury frowned. "Forgive me for saying this,
but I find that just a tad disquieting."
"O ye of little faith," said Serenity with a grin.
"I wouldn't worry, Amy. Raye instructed Bunny on what to do,"
said Endymion. "There shouldn't be any problems."
"I certainly hope not," said Serenity. Pointing the
Crystal at
the ward Endymion held, she closed her eyes and concentrated. A silver beam of
energy shot out from the Crystal and enveloped the ward while Serenity softly
muttered an ancient Japanese chant Sailor Mars taught her to activate the
detection spell. While Serenity chanted, Sailor Mercury monitored her Queen's
vital signs on the microcomp since using the Crystal drained the user's
lifeforce. As Serenity, her brow
beaded from sweat repeated the chant over and over, her voice growing steadily
louder, the glow from the Crystal slowly expanded, eventually filling the entire
room. Then, to the amazement of Sailor Mercury and Endymion, the inscription
written on the ward, the same one engraved in facilities on Earth and Luna
materialized in huge, glowing, transparent kanji letters between Serenity and
her husband.
"Moon Crystal... DETECTION POWER!" Serenity then shouted.
With that shout, the inscription seemed to explode in a silent, blinding
blast of light. At the same time, the ward Endymion held disintegrated and the
glow faded from the room. Serenity's knees buckled from weakness, but Endymion
rushed forward to envelop her in his arms.
"Astonishing," said a wide-eyed Sailor Mercury.
"Are you alright, darling?" a concerned Endymion asked his
wife.
Serenity nodded, a weak little smile on her lips. "I'm fine, Endymion. Activating a detection
spell that covered two whole worlds at the same time took more effort than I
thought."
"I would agree," said Sailor Mercury, checking the readings on
her microcomp. "Your lifesigns are steady, no worse than someone who just
completed a major marathon. However, I strongly recommend that you rest for at
least a day to recover your strength."
"Recommendation noted, Dr. Anderson. I feel like I could sleep for a
week. But first, let's find out if the spell worked."
Office
of Homeland Security (HOMESEC)
At the moment the detection spell was activated, the engraving etched at
every location glowed from a bright silver light that made everyone shield his
or her eyes from the powerful glare. Once the light faded, no one spoke for
several protracted moments.
"Was that supposed to happen?" a puzzled Lieutenant Burton,
HOMESEC's Admin Officer asked.
"Yes. All part of the procedure," Sailor Mars replied
confidently. She then turned to Sailor Jupiter. "Time for the acid test,
Lita."
"Right." Sailor Jupiter then spoke into her communicator.
"Commander Ruyven, bring him in."
The doors opened and Ruyven, a tall, redheaded Cygnian, recently named
the new head of the RSN's Tactical Response Squad entered the room, followed by
two enlisted men who wheeled in the Infiltrator called Trojan One on a gurney.
Bound tightly by restrictive force fields, the creature glared hatefully at
everyone in sight. Once it crossed the doorway, the etchings lit up with a
bright silver light while a shrill beeping filled the room. Sailor Jupiter pointed at
the gurney and Ruyven's men wheeled it back into the hall. Once the creature was
out, the flashing and the beeping stopped.
"It worked," Sailor Jupiter said to Sailor Mars, her ears
ringing slightly from the noise. "I must admit I'm impressed."
"You should be," the Fire Planetary retorted. Sailor Mars had
no doubt in her mind from the start that her idea would work, and she took a
fair amount of enjoyment out of rubbing her success in Sailor Jupiter's face.
Sailor Jupiter, seeing the blatant smugness on Sailor Mars' face shook
her head. "Once a bitch, always a bitch. Grow up, Hino," she muttered
to her.
"Only after you do." Sailor Mars keyed her communicator.
"Serenity, it worked, like a charm."
"Excellent. Great job both of you. We'll go over additional security
procedures tomorrow afternoon. Good night."
"Good night, Your Highness," said Sailor Mars.
"What are your orders, Director?" Ruyven asked Sailor Jupiter.
"Take ugly back to the brig. Thanks for your help," said Sailor
Jupiter.
Ruyven bowed his head. "My pleasure, madam."
"So, now we wait to find out if any sleeper agents are uncovered by
the detectors," said Sailor Mars after Ruyven and her technicians had left.
"For sure, once the DK learns about this, they'll try to defeat them."
Sailor Jupiter grunted in agreeance. "It's like a damn chess game.
We make a move, and then bad guys counter it. And on it goes, ad fucking-nauseum.
After seven centuries, you can't help but get tired of this shit."
"Amen to that, sister," said Sailor Mars with a nod. "Now
that we're off duty, want to have a drink with me?"
"A drink? Even though I called you a bitch?"
Sailor Mars laughed out loud. While Sailor Jupiter wasn't necessarily a
close friend, she still enjoyed her company, especially since the burly
Planetary was a good drinking partner. "Honey, after all these years,
that's practically a compliment. C'mon, the first bottle of sake's on me."
Tsukino
City, Planet Luna, Sol system, 12 February 2738
The Crystal Dragon was Armstrong City's most popular restaurant, serving
what food and travel critics said was the best Chinese cuisine on Luna. From
royalty like Neo-Queen Serenity I herself to the ordinary wage earner with a
taste for exotic fare, the restaurant was always packed.
Li Mei, seated at a table with Beth in the restaurant's first floor VIP
dining area looked around her. She knew of the Crystal Dragon's reputation, but
never thought she'd get to dine in such a place. "I am impressed you were
able to obtain a reservation on such short notice, Beth. How did you manage
that?"
Beth chuckled. Her heart pounded in her chest from being with the
Oriental woman as Li Mei's exotic beauty made her head spin. "Ten years
ago, Cathy and I saved the owner's wife when DK agents hijacked the shuttlecraft
she rode on. Out of gratitude, he said we could dine here anytime we want.
On
the house. It helps to know people in high places."
"I would agree with that."
Beth smiled fondly at the Oriental woman. "Li Mei, I... I'm glad you
wanted to go out with me. That means a great deal."
"The pleasure was all mine, Beth. I want to be with you.
You are a
very special woman."
"I was about to say the same thing about you, Li Mei. You're so
wonderful." Beth paused to muster her courage for what she would say next.
Taking a deep breath, she reached across the table to hold Li Mei's hand. "Forgive me if this sounds so terribly sudden, after all, I've only known
you for less than a week, but, I... I think I've fallen in love with you."
Li Mei's eyes widened from surprise at the revelation Beth made. "You're right.
This is sudden."
"I'm sorry. It's just that when I fall for someone, I fall hard, and
fast. More
often than not, that's led to my heart getting broken, more times than I care to
think about. But I can't help myself." Beth squeezed Li Mei's hand tighter.
"And it's been so long, so very long since I've been in love. I'd almost
forgotten what that feeling was like. But you've rekindled those emotions in me,
Li Mei. I can't thank you enough for that."
"I am glad to have helped you."
Beth looked deep into Li Mei's eyes. "Do you... do you love
me?"
Li Mei was silent for several moments before she spoke the words that
were in her heart. Words she never envisioned saying a week ago. "Yes.
I
love you, Beth. The feelings I have for you are very strong. Admittedly, I've
never felt this way before, but I like it."
"Well, I guess this proves that even in the 28th century, love at
first sight still exists," said Beth with a bright smile.
Li Mei returned the blonde's smile. "Yes. I suppose it does.
So,
where do we go from here?"
Beth shrugged. "I guess we'll have to tell Ronni and the others
about our relationship. Preferably before Cathy blurts it out. But that's for
another day. Tonight belongs to us, my love."
"I couldn't agree more."
Crystal
Palace, Planet Luna, Sol System, 12 February 2738
Executive
Quarters Wing
"I had a delightful time tonight, Beth," said Li Mei to Beth at
the front door to her apartment. The women held hands and stared into each
other's eyes. "This was the
very first date I've been on, and I enjoyed it immensely."
Beth smiled at her soulmate. "I'm glad. I had fun too."
Li Mei, looking nervous, shifted her weight from one foot to another.
"Would you like to come in and have some tea?"
"Yes, I would."
The interior of Li Mei's quarters were spartanly decorated but neat with
spicy incense burning in a far corner and Oriental paintings on the walls of the
spacious living room. Beth, looking around her, nodded from appreciation at the
art.
"The paintings are nice. Did you do them?" she asked.
Li Mei nodded. "Yes. It's a hobby of mine. Have a seat, the tea will
be ready shortly."
Five minutes later, Li Mei emerged from the kitchen bearing a platter
with a pot of hot tea and two porcelain cups. She sat next to Beth on the sofa,
poured the tea into the cups and offered one to her guest. The two women then
sipped from their cups, enjoying the beverage. After having drank, Beth and Li
"Li Mei, I... I want to... but I don't know how to say this..."
"Hush. I don't have to be a telepath to know what you're thinking.
Because it is on my mind as well," said Li Mei, drawing close to Beth.
The
blond woman took the hint she couldn't put into words and gently pressed her
lips on Li Mei's. Their first kiss was short, but filled with tenderness, when
they parted, the two women smiled before melting into a steamy embrace for a
second, much longer kiss that was filled with sudden but unbridled passion while
their tongues probed and explored inside each other, heightening the sensual
experience.
"Mmm. I can't remember the last time since I was kissed like
that," said Beth after the women finally parted. She gently caressed Li
Mei's cheek. "It was wonderful. You are wonderful. Oh, I love you so
much, Li Mei."
"And I love you, my sweet Beth. May I ask a favor?"
"Anything, dearest. What is it?"
"Would you... would you stay with me tonight?"
Beth's eyes widened, and then sparkled from mischievousness. "My,
my. You certainly don't waste any time. We just broke one social taboo by French
kissing on the first date. Sleeping together this early in the relationship
would really be bad."
Li Mei stared intently at Beth, and the blonde could see the desire
burning in the Asian's hazel eyes. "At the risk of sounding profane like
your sister... I don't give a shit. Besides, I never said anything about
sleeping. I want you, Beth. I need you. Right now. Please."
Beth, feeling the urgent, fiery demands of her own body which ached from
the almost forgotten anticipation of physical intimacy, nodded eagerly, then she
hungrily kissed Li Mei, thrilling to the warm, sweet softness of her lover's
lips. "Of course I'll stay, my darling. Lead me to your bedroom."
Crystal
Palace, Planet Luna, Sol System, 20 February 2738
Lunar
Intelligence and Security Agency (LISA), Director's Office
"Well, judging from the early returns, Director Uranus, it looks
like the detection sigils are working," Jonathan Grant said to Sailor
Uranus.
The mannish looking Planetary, seated at her desk nodded. Grant and five
other key members of LISA's Delta Branch were in attendance. "Can't argue
that, Jon. The results so far have definitely been positive."
"If you don't mind my saying so, but you sound rather ambivalent
about it," Karmella observed.
Sailor Uranus smirked at the Isbanni woman. "Nothing wrong with your
senses, Mel. I won't deny that I did have doubts about the plan. Still, I don't
mind admitting I was wrong, in this case. Okay, let's have your reports.
Europe?"
Theresa Ciccone, a gorgeous, black haired Italian woman from LISA's
European office consulted her microcomp. "We've caught eight agents, mainly
in London and Paris. Nothing so far from the east."
Sailor Uranus nodded. "Asia?"
Noboyuki Mizutani, a stone-faced Japanese man spoke up. "Ten,
Director. We smashed a large terrorist cell operating in Thailand."
"Very good. Deke? What about Africa?"
"Eight, madam. They were leading a rebel army faction, one hundred
men strong in Kenya that was planning a military coup," said Dikembe Obutu,
a tall, wiry African man with a shaven head and garbed in native dress.
Sailor Uranus cocked an eyebrow at what she heard. "And the
army?"
"It was... dealt with."
"I see. South America?"
"Seven, Director," replied Carlos Valdez, a smallish, yet muscular Latino.
"Jon, what about activity in the States?"
"Another seven. Mel and I caught two in Los Angeles right after our
little adventure in Compton," Grant replied. "Now that the bad guys
can't sneak into our facilities, they'll lay low for awhile and burn brain cells
trying to figure out ways to get around the sigils."
"And it's a sure bet that they will," said Karmella. "Despite our new toys, we're definitely going to have to stay on our
toes."
"Can't argue that. The balance of power in this interminable war
depends just as much on what we, as spies do in the background as enemy fleets
blasting away at each other in outer space," said Sailor Uranus.
"Which do you prefer, boss?" Grant asked with a smirk.
Sailor Uranus, remembering how much she enjoyed a good scrap in her
youth, not to mention the present, grinned savagely. "Heh! What do you
think?"
Crystal
Palace, Planet Luna, Sol System, 21 February 2738
Deputy
Fleet Commander's Office
Sailor Neptune rubbed her eyes as she poured her second cup of coffee in
the last hour before she resumed going over Senshi personnel records on her
monitor.
The last two days had been spent chairing a board to select a new captain
for the SLS Panther to replace her former Commanding Officer, Sailor
Magneta. Sailor Neptune, and Sailor
Magneta who was on the board interviewed over a dozen worthy Senshi who had been
selected for the post. Once the interviews were completed, it was left to Sailor
Neptune to pick the best candidate.
Sailor Magneta, seated before Sailor Neptune's desk, a cup of coffee in
her hand, looked at her friend. "I must say I don't envy you, Michelle.
Picking just the right Senshi to captain a starship is not an easy task."
Sailor Neptune took a sip of coffee and nodded. "I know.
And with
ships in short supply after the war, we need only the best and brightest for the
big chair. How are you feeling
about all this, Ronni?"
"Well, I had been through a lot in the ten years I commanded Panther.
I was there when her keel was laid, handpicked all her senior officers and
together assembled a top notch crew," Sailor Magneta explained. "That
crew helped Panther survive both the war, and the terrible attack
afterward by the Zerm. Like I told Lita when I asked to be put on the command
board, I owe it to my old crew to help choose a worthy replacement."
"Well, I think I have the right woman for the job." Sailor
Neptune swiveled her monitor around so Sailor Magneta could see the face that
filled the screen. The woman had long, wavy strawberry blond hair with large
purple eyes set into a lovely, bronzed face. "Melissa De La Rocha, Sailor
Centauri. Her father was a Spainard, her mother a Vegan, Melissa's been a Senshi
for just under seventy-five years. She previously commanded scout ships SLS Gemini
and SLS Pisces, followed by tours on destroyers SLS Nelson Mandela,
SLS Margaret Thatcher, and SLS George Washington."
"Well, she has plenty of experience as a ship driver."
"Most definitely. Melissa's had an excellent record, commanding
combatants. She eventually wants to command an Oberon-class battlewagon,
and she doesn't rule out the Destiny. Her credentials are the best of the
candidates we interviewed. In my opinion, she's ready for your old chair."
"I would agree. In that case, we should go with her."
Sailor
Magneta paused as a wistful sigh escaped her lips. "Still, it will be...
hard to officially relinquish command of Panther. She's been like my baby
whom I raised and nurtured. Like any parent, letting go will be...
painful."
With a smile, Sailor Neptune rose from her chair, walked over to Sailor
Magneta and placed a hand on the German Senshi's shoulder. "Believe me,
Veronika, I know the feeling. But, every parent has to let go eventually.
I'm
sure Panther will be in good hands with her... adoptive mother."
"Thank you, Michelle," said Sailor Magneta, putting her hand on
Sailor Neptune's. She gave the Planetary a warm smile. "I appreciate those
kind words."
"Anything for a friend. So, let's call in Melissa and give her the
good news."
And the battle for love and justice continues...