"LUNAR:  Tales From Crystal Tokyo"

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LUNAR: Tales From Crystal Tokyo

By Daryll Pung

Episode 1-17: Countdown

Rated: R

Edge of Sabaat system, 18 October 2736

The SLS Destiny

            A feeling of sheer hopelessness was foremost in Archmage Derrelli's mind, even as he tried to concentrate.  He was running out of men, and was in terrible danger.  The assault had been ruthless, rapid, and deadly.  He had never thought that he could have been smashed and routed so easily.

            Then again, he wasn't exactly in his element.

            He let his breath out, heart heavy; he saw no way out.

            He had lost.

            It was over.

            "Checkmate in two," he sighed, tipping his king over.  "I suck at this; maybe I should stick to my computers."

            Sailor Vulcan raised her eyebrow.  "On the contrary, you have played exceptionally well for an amateur, Derrelli.  You should be proud you were able to hold me off as long as you did."

            He sat back with a grin.  "Perhaps, Sailor Vulcan.  Perhaps not.  It would take years of practice to even come close to your level."  The doors hissed open then, and the blue-haired Planetary Senshi of Ice approached.

            "Well?" asked Sailor Mercury.

            "She's all yours, Sailor Mercury," said Derrelli resolutely.  "Hope you have better luck than I did."

            "Luck is not a factor in chess, Derrelli," commented Sailor Vulcan.  "Merely good strategic planning and proper timing and execution of moves."

            "Besides," chuckled Sailor Mercury.  "This is a tie-breaker game.  We're dead even right now."

            Derrelli relinquished his chair.  "And how many times have the two of you played?"

            Sailor Vulcan glanced at him as Sailor Mercury began resetting the pieces.  "Of the seventeen thousand, three hundred and twenty-nine times we have played, I have won seven thousand, three hundred and seventy-one times; lost the same amount, and there have been two thousand, eighty-seven stalemates."

            Derrelli blinked.  "Geez, the two of you need to get a hobby."

            Sailor Vulcan stopped for a second.  "This is our hobby, Derrelli."

            Derrelli grinned.  "I know."  He noted Sailor Mercury's smile as the doors hissed open again; this time, Mage Torym, Mercury Knight, Sailor Eos, Diana, and Princess Serena walked in.

            "Done already, Derrelli?" asked Sailor Eos.

            Derrelli sighed.  "Have you played her?" he asked.

            Sailor Eos grinned playfully.  "Nope; I'm not that stupid."  Torym burst into laughter.

            "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," Derrelli grumbled.  "Any time any one of you wants to challenge me on Virtuaworld, let me know.  We'll see who's the best then."

            "Now, now," smiled Diana.  "A little hurt pride can be good for you."

            Derrelli rolled his eyes.  "Uh huh.  Good for you like being thrown out of an airlock sans spacesuit.  I'll leave the chess to the professionals.  A few more years and those two will hit twenty thousand matches."  He thumbed in the direction of Sailor Mercury and Sailor Vulcan, already engrossed in their game.  "Sheesh.  I'm going down to the firing range; I'm researching a new spell and want to try it out."

            "Which one?" asked Torym.

            "Mine," grinned Derrelli proudly.  "Created by me."

            Torym's eyes widened.  "No kidding?  All of a sudden, I wish you were test-firing it on another ship.  I'm too young to die!"  Grins greeted that statement, which slowly faded as all realized Derrelli was not smiling.

            Derrelli frowned, all humor out of his voice.  "I may completely suck at playing chess, Tor, but when it comes to magic I am dead serious.  You should know this.  You should also know by now that my control is excellent; and the spell is a fire-based version of Magic Bolt.  I'm calling it Derrelli's Ember Bolt."

            "Easy, pyro," said Torym quietly.  "Just kidding, all right?  It appears I've finally found something I should not tease you about."

            Derrelli glanced about for a second.  "Think about it this way: would you like it if I insulted your summoning abilities, joke or not?"

            "No," said Torym.  "But-"

            "Relax, Tor.  I forgive ya.  I just want everyone to know that is one of two things I don't want poked fun at," Derrelli said, "despite my past incidences of power tripping and blowing up a few, well, labs."

            "A few?" asked Torym, a sly grin again spreading across his features.  "Don't you mean a few dozen?"

            Derrelli tried to keep a straight face, but was betrayed by the smile that he couldn't hold back.  He shook his head.  "If you'll excuse me; I'll be going now."

            As the door hissed shut behind Derrelli, Reeni spoke up.  "What's the other?"

            Torym blinked.  "Your Highness?"

            "The other thing he doesn't want poked fun at," Reeni said.

            Torym thought for a second.  "Well, to be honest, you, your Highness.  You, your mother, your father, and every other Senshi, Knight, and Sorcerer.  He regards us all as the family he never had, and is fiercely loyal and protective of that."

            Reeni looked thoughtful, considering his words, as Sailor Mercury leaned back, a smile on her face.  Sailor Vulcan actually looked perplexed.

            "Betcha that's something you don't see every day," grinned Sailor Eos, indicating Sailor Vulcan.  "A confused Sailor Vulcan."

            "I am not confused, Sailor Eos," said Sailor Vulcan as she reached for her rook.  "I was merely not expecting such a move."

            "And that's her story, and she's sticking to it," chuckled Mercury Knight.

            Reeni glanced out of the window.  The fleet was in formation, awaiting the final command to jump en masse to Atlantis.  Five days remained.

            "Five days," she muttered.  Sailor Eos rested her hand on Reeni's shoulder.

            "Everything will come out right, Reeni," she said quietly.  "I know it will."

            Reeni smiled at her.  "I hope you're right.  I don't want Mother to do it; but..."

            Sailor Eos simply squeezed her shoulder.

Near the Atlantis Nebula, Atlantis system, 18 October 2736

The Demon

            "Lord?" First asked, standing in the doorway of his chamber.  The room was dark; the only light came from the view outside of the window.  A high-backed chair near the desk was turned around, facing out.

            "What?" she heard.

            "I have concluded my investigation," she said.

            The chair slowly turned around, and he glanced at her.  His expression was thoughtful.  "Well?" Heran asked.

            First approached the desk, standing at attention.  "My investigation concludes that eighty-eight percent of the crew is unhappy with the way the High Command is treating this ship.  Fifty-three percent are unhappy with the Dark Kingdom in general, and are starting to genuinely like you, this ship, and each other."

            "Like me?" he said, faintly amused.  "Hmm.  My evil overlord image is slipping, I see."

            "This is a serious situation, Lord.  Such dissatisfaction isn't allowed," reported First stiffly.

            "Really," said Heran deadpan.  "Did you include yourself?"

            "Myself, Lord?" she asked, momentarily taken aback.

            "How do you feel, Neris?" Heran said slowly, leaning back in his chair.  His eyes glowed faintly.  "What is your opinion?"

            "Well, Lord, I..." First trailed off.  She was frightened, because she was now in the position she had never wanted to be in.  She trembled as she answered, slowly, carefully.  "I believe it is wrong that you get blamed for the fuck-ups of another, Lord.  I don't think they should take it out on you; the gate was never your responsibility.  I also know that this is the way of our people, and we must accept that."

            "Are you proud of yourself?  Are you proud of this ship and crew?  This is a collection of some of the most capable, talented people we have in the Dark Kingdom.  How do you feel about that?" Heran asked.  He showed no emotion.

            "I..." she swallowed, and hung her head.  "Yes, Lord.  I am ashamed to admit it, but I am proud of this ship and crew.  I am proud to be here, and ashamed of how we are treated and beaten.  But nothing can be done about that, Lord."

            "Wrong," Heran said flatly.

            "Lord?" First blinked.

            "We have a tremendous opportunity in front of us, Neris.  The Dark Kingdom has always been harsh, using fear and pain to keep its citizens in line.  Somehow, for the most part, we've managed to slip through the cracks.  You said it yourself; we have crew that actually like each other and their position.  Another thing that has always bugged me is how we are technologically inferior to our enemies."  Heran paused, standing.  He began to pace.  "Well, we now have a captured GM cruiser.  Its TPA system is almost fully repaired.  We don't have their torpedoes, so I'm having their torpedo tubes modified into Negatorpedo launchers.  Their engine core is heavily damaged; but by combining elements of both of our cores, it is almost fixed.  Yes, I'm depleting the supply of spare parts we have to get it up and running.  All of the blaster arrays are now fully functional; its hull is now fully repaired; and its shielding- better than ours, I might add- is now operational.  The remains of the destroyer hulks have been destroyed; we took all we could.  And now I see that we have sufficient crew, loyal to me, to fully staff the smaller, more capable, hybrid ship."

            "You're going to leave the Dark Kingdom," First said, gasping.  "You're going to join the Golden Millennium?"

            Heran glared at her.  "Join our enemies?  No.  For one thing, we'd get blown away.  They hate us like we do them; there is no room for anything else.  I've already killed far too many of their citizens.  No, I am considering something else.  The question is, will you want the same thing?  You see, I've already placed my lockout on everything on this ship; my plans cannot be known to the enemy, or the High Command.  I am taking every precaution, but I will need your help.  I cannot do this alone.  Think about this: we've seen the effectiveness of the TPA.  Well, how effective will it be channeling my powers?  That's just an example.  I see no reason why we cannot live a comfortable existence.  We are smart, and very capable; with a hybrid ship of combined technologies, we would have to fear nothing from the DK, or the GM.  We could become... mercenaries.  Pirates.  We could become rich and live quite comfortably, still doing what we do best."

            First stood, mouth gaping open.  Finally, she closed it, her mind playing with the ramifications of what Heran had just said.  A small smile crept across her face.  "Lord, I find I like that idea."

            "You will help me, then?" Heran asked, standing right in front of her.  His eyes blazed with black fire, and she felt as if she was being searched.  She suddenly realized Heran could now tell her heart's desires.  Her mouth was suddenly very dry.

            "I will, Lord," she replied.  The feeling dissipated, and she was unsure of what had just happened.

            "Good.  Begin by quietly making contact with those you know are unhappy:  the fifty-three percent you mentioned.  Ensure their loyalty, and make sure they keep it quiet.  I know you know how.  Next, instruct the engineers to rename the cruiser.  Have them call it... Dread.  Make sure they eliminate all racial affiliation," Heran instructed.  "Have them get everything up and running, while leaving most of the comforts of the GM intact.  They have four days."

            "Yes, Lord," she said.

            "No, Neris... starting now, at least in private, I am Heran.  I am in command, and you will remain my second in command.  However, whatever we earn, all will get a percentage.  We will make our own path, now."

            "Yes... Heran," she smiled.  "I will get right on it."

            As she departed, Heran turned back to the window, a genuine smile on his face.  Although he was not used to it, he found he enjoyed being able to be... satisfied.

            He grinned at the thought of being able to hunt whatever, wherever, for profit or pleasure.

            "Screw the Dark Kingdom and the Golden Millennium," he snickered.

Portal 26, within the Atlantis Nebula, Atlantis system, 18 October 2736

            Ereunak frowned.  "So you're telling me that the mighty Demon has dropped out of sight?"

            The new station commander turned.  "Yes.  Since we heard the message from the GM, there has been no further communication from Lord Heran.  Our ships obeyed their last orders; they are arranged as he had instructed.  But there is no sign of him, and no precaution whatsoever as far as the planet."

            "How do you lose a battleship?" Ereunak said, incredulously.

            "The nebula," replied the commander.  "We know he's there; we just don't know where."

            "So you believe that the GM is going to blow through them without Heran's leadership?" Ereunak asked, crossing his arms.

            "Yes.  They'll be coming here.  And you can re-infiltrate them," said the commander.  "And that's about the only good news out of this situation."

            "Heran left... he's either gone lone wolf or betrayed us all," said Ereunak.  "I'd pass that on to High Command and have them designate a new commander for the fleet.  The tables really have turned."

            "I don't need the likes of you telling me what to do!" snapped the commander.  "This briefing is over!  Prepare yourself and get out of my sight!"

            "No problem," grinned Ereunak.  It was hardly a pleasant grin, as he turned on his heel and sauntered out.

Edge of the Atlantis system, 23 October 2736

The SLS Ursa Major

            "All stop," the captain said.  "Establish the linkup."

            "Working, sir," replied his comm officer.

            "Begin long-range scans of the system," he said, pacing slowly.

            "Beginning scans, sir."

            The next few moments passed in silence.  Then, a steady beeping sounded. 

            "Captain!  Enemy patrol coming in!  Two destroyers!  From the nebula, bearing 349 mark 10!"

            "Evasive Action!" he called.

            The Ursa Major flipped sideways, streaking about as the two angular DK ships raced in.  Green beams shot past as the nimble scout ship's engines glowed fiercely white.  The Ursa Major leapt into faster-than-light transit.

            As the two destroyers slowed, and began to turn around, a white counterspiral burst near them, and a white streak resolved into the destroyer SLS Para-Para.  Even before the two destroyers could react, white and red torpedoes streaked out, and seconds later twin explosions marked their graves.  As the debris tumbled by, the space behind the destroyer became white.

            The Royal Star Navy had arrived.

The Demon

            Heran stood, noting the arrival of the Royal Star Navy.  He examined the screen, even as the first ships opened fire on nearby automated defense platforms.  As small explosions rippled up and down the length of the station, he turned.  On the screen behind him, the first defensive array exploded.

            "First," Heran said calmly, ignoring his pounding heart.  Adrenaline surged in anticipation as she approached.

            "Lord?" she asked carefully.

            "Everything is ready?" he asked.

            "Yes, Lord," First replied.

            He turned to face her, noting the looks on the bridge crew's faces and knowing they were all part of it.  "Good.  Begin."

            "Yes, Heran," Neris grinned.  "Let's move; comm, alert all loyal crew to begin capturing the rest.  Bridge to engineering; warm up the Dread.  Let's have her ready in fifteen minutes.  Crypto, lockout the automated defense platforms, execute self-detonation, set for sixteen minutes.  Program the Demon's course to enter the planet's atmosphere, and self-destruct twenty seconds after entry.  Once that is set up, transfer control of the Demon to the Dread."

            "Capture and containment proceeding well, Neris," reported Aaryx, the ops officer.  "87% complete.  Estimate two minutes for remainder."

            "Have all those who have finished their parts proceed directly to the Dread," said Neris.  "Heran, sir, you really should go and get her ready."

            "I'm going.  See you shortly," grinned Heran as he stepped down from his command level.  He exited the bridge, the bio-doors slicking shut behind him.

            His journey was rapid, considering the flow of grinning personnel he was rapidly caught up in.  There were a few moments when he paused to assist in the capture of a stubborn crewmember who was still fighting; those standoffs ended rather quickly as he blasted the non-loyal crew to smithereens.

            He rounded the last corner, stepping onto the ramp way down to the Dread.  All around, lights were blinking red, on and off.  Sirens could be heard, warning of the impending destruction.  Heran grinned, and walked down the ramp.

            He didn't look back.

            Back on the bridge of the Demon, Neris was pacing rapidly, awaiting the final reports.

            "Capture and containment complete," reported Aaryx.  "Everything's set, transferring control to the Dread."

            "Let's go!" called Neris.  "Sound final evacuation to all loyal troops.  And clear the bridge!  Head for the Dread!"

            Even as the speakers began blaring the agreed-upon evac code, Neris leapt a railing and scrambled for the door.  As it slicked open, she stood, ushering the others out.  She looked around the bridge of the Demon one final time, and then turned to follow.

            From outside, amidst the shimmering, multicolored nebular gasses, the Dread looked exactly like a GM cruiser; with the notable exceptions being the black constructions around the torpedo tubes.  These areas already glowed deep violet.  The normally white engine elements glowed a sinister green, casting an eerie, threatening color across the crystalline-duranium hull.  A brief flash of yellow showed the initial charge routing through the blaster arrays, and the front emitter for the death ray glowed angry red, as did the sublight engines.  The deep blue spotlights had been transferred from the Demon, and now cast their threatening glow over the name of the new ship.  Puffs of escaping air marked the separation of the umbilical ramp, and the Dread slowly pulled away from the Demon.

The Dread

            Heran grinned as he swung around in the big chair.  "I like this chair better," he said.  He glanced up, as Neris took her seat nearby.

            "All ready," she said.  "And yes, these chairs are more comfortable."

            "Okay," said Heran.  He stood.  "There is no going back; from here on out, we're on our own.  Prepare to execute."

            "Standing by," stated Aaryx.

            Heran took a long, last look at the battleship Demon, as they slowly backed away.  "Time for our first shot against the DK; and then we'll be able to hunt the GM ships afterwards!"

            "Excellent," grinned Neris.

            "Execute," ordered Heran, a feral expression on his face.

            A beep was heard as all was set in motion by a single push on a panel.

The SLS Destiny

            "Your Majesty!  Something is emerging from the Nebula, to the right of the star; bearing 31 mark 331!" Sailor Sirius called out.

            Even as Neo-Queen Serenity I stood, eyes on the main screen, one of the secondary screens popped on to reveal Reeni.  "Mother, that's the Demon!  It's the ship responsible for this mess!"

            "Where is it heading?" asked Serenity calmly.

            "Well, initial heading appears to be... it's heading right for the planet!" replied Sailor Orion.

            "This is most illogical," frowned Sailor Vulcan.

            "No kidding," said Sailor America.  "It's alone; no sign of any companions."

            "It is also missing half of the normal crew complement," reported Sailor Vulcan.  "The ship appears to be locked down, with many components removed.  It also appears to be being steered from elsewhere.  The bridge is vacant."

            "What is going on?" wondered King Endymion.

            "Majesty!" called Sailor Sirius.  Even as she spoke, every defense platform in the area exploded at once.  The massive quantity of explosives, and close proximity of the platforms, guaranteed a powerful, overlapping shockwave.  Several lead GM destroyers exploded almost simultaneously, adding to the mix.

            "Shockwave evaluated at Force 7!" called Sailor Sirius.  "Ten seconds until impact!  The Demon is still on a collision course with the planet!"

            "Brace for impact!" called Serenity, her hands grasping the armrests of the captain's chair as she sat down.  "Sound collision!  Turn us into the wave!"

            The loud honking of the collision alarm filled the air.  From the outside, the sleek formation of the Royal Star Navy broke up slightly, as each ship moved away from its fellows, turning into the oncoming wall of energy.  Shields flared as the first particles shot by, and then everyone was thrown about as the first wave hit.

            The Destiny bucked viciously, heaving up and to the side as it was slammed.  Despite the preparations, she was knocked sideways slightly before the engines were able to compensate.  The lights flickered on and off, as did all control panels and indicators, as intense vibration rocked the ship.  Almost as suddenly and viciously as it started, it was quiet.

            "It's past," reported Sailor Sirius, raising her head from her console.

            "Is everyone all right?" asked Serenity.  "Damage?"

            "Minimal," reported Sailor Sirius.  "Minor injuries only, as least on the Destiny.  Several other ships report heavy injuries, and we lost two more ships, cruisers both, to the shockwave."

The Demon

            The bridge of the Demon was quite empty, a few chairs revolving slightly as the huge ship plunged further into the gravity well of the Atlantis-1 planet.  The main viewscreen was still on, and the picture began to break up as the ship dove in, fire licking the edges.

The SLS Destiny

            "The Demon is entering the planet's atmosphere now," reported Sailor Sirius.

            On the screen, the Demon's shielding glowed red as the huge ship pierced the outer atmospheric layer.  Fire began to enshroud the front of the ship as it continued its fatal plunge.

            "What are they doing?" asked Serenity.

            Sailor Vulcan looked up.  "The ship has just engaged its self destruct sequence."

            Serenity glanced back at her, eyes wide.  "What?" she said quietly.

            Sailor Vulcan's hands moved rapidly over the panel, computing, mind racing.

            She wasn't quick enough.

            A bright flash blossomed on the screen, as the Demon exploded with tremendous force...

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