Life's Lessons
A Sailor Moon fanfic by Kristin Renee Taylor



Chapter 19 -

Time flies when you're preparing to die, Terri thought, and grunted painfully as Hotaru cinched the straps too tightly. The short woman muttered an apology and loosened the straps, allowing Terri to shift her backpack to a more comfortable position.

Hotaru tested the straps. "Better?"

"Much," Terri answered as Hotaru circled around in front of Terri.

Hotaru nodded. "Then let's check the headset."

The cavern swarmed with activity. Most of it was the general mass of people attempting to carve a routine out what could quite possibly be their new permanent home if the Descendants lost. The center of the activity, however, happened to be in the area termed "Ami's Camp," where Terri and the Descendants were preparing for departure.

The decision to go with the Descendants hadn't been as difficult as Terri feared it would be. After all, she couldn't sit around and ignore the needs of five hundred people whose lives depended on her. And Shouji and Kiyomi wouldn't be safe until the Senshi had been dealt with.

And, of course, there was Yoko.

Hotaru gave Ami a thumbs up. The scientist pushed a button on her computer's console. "Testing, one, two, thr-" A high-pitched whine shot through the air and Terri ripped her headset off. Nearby, Rei and Makoto did the same.

Smoke erupted from a bank of computers to Terri's right. One of Ami's assistants shouted, "Holy- Doctor Mizuno, we just lost the whole system!"

Rei rounded on Makoto. "Dammit, Mako-chan, can't you keep it under control for five minutes?!"

Makoto retorted, "Me? You're the one that keeps frying the regulator!"

"Quiet, both of you!" Ami's voice cut through the sudden tension. Slamming both hands on her table, she stood and glared at Rei. "Rei-chan, you're attitude isn't helping me work right now, so either get rid of it or go take it out on a wall." She swiveled her glare to include Makoto. "And I can't finish setting up the communication system if you keep blowing up my headsets with all of that infernal electricity. If you don't relax in five minutes, I'll make you relax."

Without waiting for a response, she turned to her assistants. "Mae, Colin, fix the headsets. Pierre, you and Hernandez fix the regulator. The rest of you get that OS back up and running in ten minutes, and this time make it work! I don't want to have to do this a fifth time. Got it?" When no one objected, Ami's small army scattered. Ami rubbed her temples and stalked away, muttering, "What does it take to get a cup of coffee in this place?"

Terri, Hotaru, Makoto, and Rei watched them go. Finally, Terri whispered, "Woah..."

Hotaru's laughter seemed incredibly loud in the stillness. "That's nothing. You should see her when she's mad."

Makoto and Rei glared at Hotaru, then simultaneously turned and walked in opposite directions. Rei stalked over to where Mae and Colin were working and, from her new position, glowered at everyone in general. Growling to herself, Makoto paced restlessly, eyes focused on the floor.

Leaning against the table where she had witnessed the whole thing, Minako met Terri's eyes and, with a wan smile, shrugged slightly.

As people once again resumed tasks interrupted by the Descendants' outbursts, Hotaru sighed. "Well, I guess we've got some time..." she eyed Terri. "Let's go over the plan again." Terri nodded.

It was absurdly simple. Minako, Makoto and Terri, dressed in the drab clothing of Crystal Tokyo technicians, would sneak into the generator building. While Minako and Makoto dealt with the guards, Terri would attach the module Ami needed to access the magic grid.

While all of that had been going on, Rei and the Ku'dath would have infiltrated the Palace and engaged the Senshi. Terri, Minako, and Makoto would teleport to where Rei was. The Senshi would die. And there would be much celebrating.

When Terri had pointed out that the plan wasn't very detailed, Ami had developed a strange facial twitch and said, "Yes, well, detailed plans don't exactly work well with Minako-chan's... unique... way of doing things." And she had walked away with a fixed smile on her face.

Makoto's fierce insistence that Minako not be allowed to even look at anything mechanical did nothing to boost Terri's morale.

After exactly ten minutes, Ami came back with Hernandez in tow; the aide carrying a metal armband. While he attached it to Rei's left arm, Ami spoke to them all, "Remember, while the magic grid is up you're going to have a very limited communication range. Basically, you'll all be able to talk to each other, but only Mako-chan will be in contact with me, since she'll be the only person outside. Rei-chan, you'll be incommunicado with everyone until the magic grid's down, then your headset should work."

Rei grimaced. "Great. You know, I'm starting to hate cats." She lifted her arm. "And why am I wearing this thing again?"

"Because you can't do a tandem jump while you're stronger than everyone else; the others would burn themselves out trying to match your level of magic. But don't worry, once you're in Crystal Tokyo, you can take it off." She turned. "Colin! Mae!"

Headsets were re-issued and tested. When nothing blew up or blew out, Ami laughed her relief and told Minako they could leave anytime.

Minako straightened, stretched, and grinned dangerously. "Then, let's get to work."

Kneeling before Serenity's throne, Her staff conspicuously absent, Sailor Pluto fought to maintain an air of humility and fear.

Neo-Queen Serenity exhaled gustily. "FOR WHAT PURPOSE HAVE YOU SUMMONED ME HERE, PLUTO? YOU KNOW I DO NOT LIKE TO BE DISTURBED."

Pluto kept Her eyes locked on the ground. "I beg forgiveness, My Queen, but I thought it best to inform You that the Descendants are coming." She blinked twice, and amended, "Are already here. It might be wise if You were to relocate to the Outers' stronghold in Australia and-"

"DO YOU SEEK TO COUNSEL ME ON WHAT I SHOULD BE DOING? ARE YOU THAT MUCH OF A FOOL?"

"Of course not, Highness," Pluto said quickly. "I just thought it would be wise for You to not be present when the Inners were destroyed. You know how distraught You get when one of Us dies."

Silence.

Then, "IS... SHE... WITH THEM?"

"Yes, Highness. Terri Ganabile is with them."

"AND THE CRYSTAL?"

The eagerness in Serenity's voice almost made Pluto smirk. Almost. "Yes, Highness. Terri Ganabile has it with her. I am ready to implement a plan that will bring them both to You, and I would like-"

"DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY, PLUTO."

Pluto smiled inwardly. Rising, She kept Her eyes on the floor as She bowed and exited the throne room.

Outside, ten of Her followers snapped to attention as soon as She appeared. She raked Her gaze among them, then She smiled. "The Queen has given Her permission. You may begin."

With a final heave, two of the Ku'dath succeeded in forcing open the rusted door, and immediately every living creature in the area regretted it. The smell that poured out from the abandoned tunnel hit Rei like a wet fish to the face. A wet, stinky, moldy fish. "What the hell is that?"

Stormcatcher's tail lashed furiously. Most of the Ku'dath were agitated, tufted ears laid flat back on their skulls. "Big animal inside. It rots."

Breathing shallowly through her mouth, Rei blinked tears from her eyes. "What kind of animal stinks that badly when it dies?"

Stormcatcher shrugged, an oddly human gesture for someone that looked like he'd start grooming himself at any moment. "We know soon." He looked at her. "Better question. What kill it?"

Several of the Ku'dath, led by Trackless, were already venturing inside. Rei mimicked Stormcatcher's shrug as she went to join them. "I was trying not to think about that."

Terri's stomach was trying to tie itself into tiny knots. Following closely behind Minako, she cast furtive glances at pedestrians as she and the Descendant pushed through the small double doors and entered the building that housed Generator Number 4. I can't believe I'm doing this...

Once inside, Terri and Minako stood in a short hallway, devoid of anything save for another, larger metal door. An Enforcer stood on either side of it, black visors hiding their faces. Security.

"How do we get past them?" Terri whispered as they approached.

Minako gestured for silence. Tugging her hat down lower, Minako started to walk past the guards.

The one on the left grabbed her arm, "Senior staff only," he growled.

Minako pulled herself free and gave him a withering glare. "What the hells do you think I am?" She asked, accent gone. Thankfully, nobody noticed Terri's surprised twitch.

The two guards exchanged looks. The first guard said, "You're not in the computer."

"Oh, for Pluto's sake..." Minako said, irritated. She folded her arms. "Look, pal, I've got too much work to do for some over-fed jock in tight pants to bother me about my rank. I'm senior staff, I'm going in, and, unless the two of you want to keep your manhoods intact, I suggest you both let us in." Her eyes narrowed. "Now."

Again, the two guards exchanged looks. The second Enforcer looked at Minako. "I'm sorry, but we have our or-"

"They can go in," the first guard interrupted. Turning, he touched the door and it slid open. He said to Minako, "You've both been cleared. We're sorry for the misunderstanding."

"You better be," Minako said. She strode past the two guards. "Come on, Terri."

Terri gave the two Enforcers a final look, then hurried after her. The door slid shut behind them.

Whistling to herself, Makoto propped the unconscious technician against the wall next to lift. Standing, she walked to the center of the roof and surveyed the skyline of Crystal Tokyo.

"Somebody's in a good mood," her headset remarked.

Makoto grinned and unslung her backpack. "I just made a new friend, Ami-chan."

"How long till your new friend regains consciousness?"

"If he's smart, an hour." Makoto knelt and opened her pack. She started removing pieces of machinery and assembling them. "How's my signal?"

"Loud, but not clear. But I expect the static to clear once you've set up the signal booster."

Makoto paused. "Huh... well that shouldn't take me too long. No telling how long Terri-chan and Minako-chan'll take. Maybe I should've brought a book."

"Why, Mako-chan, that's the first time I've ever heard you say that. And here I thought you didn't know how to read."

"Mental note to self: Hurt Ami-chan when I get back."

The Number Four generator was big, nearly four stories tall. To Terri, it looked like someone had lopped off half of an egg and had carved a series of graduated arches out of what was left. The entire thing was steel-gray, and, towering over Terri and Minako, it thrummed so loudly that Terri swore she could feel her bones vibrating.

Minako's expression indicated she felt it, too.

Terri leaned closer. "How can they stand that humming all the time?"

"They don't hear it. Only we do." Minako's jaw was clenched; Terri could see a vein in Minako's head pulsing.

Parts of the generator were accessed by a series of catwalks and ladders. Illumination came from several rows of pale lights high up in the ceiling. Gazing up, Terri counted the number of people buzzing about the catwalks. "There aren't a lot of people here."

"Fifteen, overall," Minako said. "And no Enforcers." She frowned slightly. "Even with just the senior staff, there should be more people here."

"Maybe they're in a meeting?"

"Maybe..." But Minako didn't look convinced.

Makoto had just finished adjusting the last leg of the tripod when she felt a tingle along her back. Brushing hair out of her eyes, she straightened and surveyed the skyline again, a slight frown on her face.

"Mako-chan?"

Facing west. "Yeah, Minako-chan?"

"You see anything strange up there?"

"Not a thing. Just sky, some clouds, and a bird." She squinted. "Scratch that. I think the bird's a robot. How's things down there?" She glanced eastward.

"A little empty, but, other than that everything's peachy. Terri-chan and I are about to get started."

"Minako-chan..."

"Right... right. Terri-chan's about to get started, and I'm going to stand here like a goof and pretend to be doing stuff."

"Good girl." As she turned towards the Palace, the tingling faded. She ran a hand through her hair. "Hey, Minako-chan..."

"Yeah?"

"Hurry up. I'm getting kinda jittery up here."

Arms, shoulders, and legs burning, Terri crawled the rest of the way onto the catwalk and tried not to think about how high up she was. A nearby technician gave her amused smile before turning back to her work. Terri wasn't the least bit amused.

"You okay, Terri-chan?"

Terri crawled to the edge of the walkway and looked down. Even though she was still on the floor, Terri could still see Minako's grin. She wondered if Minako could see her glaring. "Minako..."

Minako waved. "Keep going. You're halfway there!"

Muttering oaths about over-enthusiastic bubble-headed blondes, Terri forced herself to her feet and lurched towards another ladder.

<Stormcatcher, I smell fresh air. I think I found the exit.>

<Good, because I don't think I can handle the stench anymore.>

< How 'bout the human? Has she passed out yet?>

Rei gave Stormcatcher a fierce glare. He smiled toothily. <No, Trackless, she hasn't. And I think she can hear us.>

"Damn straight, I can," Rei growled, flashing the Ku'dath an irritated look, which provoked another smile from Stormcatcher.

A system of sewers had carried them through the bowels of Crystal Tokyo. Twice, they had been attacked: first by a thing that might've been a snake crossed with an elephant, and second by the mate of the creature that had died way back at the tunnel entrance. It hadn't been too hard to kill, but Rei had been baffled by the fact that, even after death, the body refused to become anything other than a grayish haze to her vision. Stormcatcher had been equally puzzled, but, due to time, they had given up.

Dark shapes ahead resolved themselves into Trackless, another Ku'dath named Frostmane, and two others whose names Rei had forgotten, but she recognized because they were identical twins. The quartet were gathered around an old ladder that led up to a closed hatch. At a mental command from Stormcatcher, one of the twins scurried up the ladder to examine the hatch.

Stormcatcher turned to her. "This exit?"

Craning her neck upwards, Rei nodded. "It should be, it's in the right place. Only one way to tell for sure, though."

After a bit of fiddling and tugging, the hatch swung open, startling the twin and covering those beneath him in a shower of rusted metal and dust. Before the last of it had fallen, the Ku'dath was through the hatch, the remaining three swarming after him.

From above came the distinct double thud of two bodies hitting the ground.

Trackless' head poked through the hatchway and regarded Stormcatcher upside-down. <Tell the human she can come up now. We've... secured the exit.> The panther-man's mental voice was grim.

Rei looked at Stormcatcher. The demi-human frowned as he sniffed the air. "I smell death."

Rei scrambled up the ladder.

Trackless helped her out. Blinking in the brighter light of the hallway, she immediately noticed the two Priests lying on the ground nearby. Both were dead. Both wore black.

Pluto.

Rei frowned. She turned to the other Ku'dath, saw they were gazing further down the hall, and turned to see what they were looking at.

Kami-sama...

"Aren't you guys done yet?"

"Don't know, Mako-chan. I'm not up there." Minako broke off as two techs walked past her. She grinned and waved at them until they were out of hearing distance, then sub-vocalized. "Terri-chan?"

"Done..." Came the tired reply.

"Groovy. Then let's go."

"Ugh... don't tell me I have to climb down all those frickin' ladders... If I jumped, would you catch me?"

Smothering laughter, Minako said, "Of course not, Terri-chan. I'd let you-" The entire building rumbled. Minako's humor vanished. "Mako-chan, what was that?"

"I'm not sure... I didn't see anything."

The technicians had all stopped what they were doing and were looking upwards, at the ceiling. None of them seemed worried, but dread tightened Minako's stomach. Not caring who saw her, Minako ran her gaze along the lowest set of catwalks, chose one, and leaped several meters into the air. One somersault later and she landed neatly in the middle of the catwalk, eyes already scanning the catwalks higher up.

Beneath her, the building rumbled again. "Mako-chan!"

"I'm telling you I don't see... What the Hell... Holy shi-" A loud whump and a deafening roar. Something big had exploded.

"Mako-chan? Mako-chan!" A high-pitched shriek tore through Minako's headset. Swearing fluently in seven languages, Minako ripped it off and vaulted up the catwalks towards Terri.

The lights cut off, plunging Minako into total darkness.