Sailor Moon Expanded : News From the Front A tale from the Black Moon War By Mark Latus 2985 AD " ... is Tourmalyn reporting from you from the Occupied Territories. I'm standing on the landmass known to the Terrestrials as Africa talking to Commander Amefyst of Total Eclipse. Commander, how are operations against the Terran Insurgents proceeding?" "They're going splendidly. While the number of potential rebels was underestimated that was merely because we erred in assessing the stubborness of the Terrans. But we have no real concerns despite this minor miscalculation. The terrestrials pose no threat to us. Their weaponary is pitiful, their supply lines meager and their organization nonexistant. Mopping them up is more like a massacre than a battle. So much so that we're considering declaring an amnesty for any rebels who turn in their weapons and relocate to one of the monitored terran settlements." "Why make such a generous offer to our enemies?" "I admire their spirit, if not their judgement. Besides I'm a soldier not a butcher and it's such a senseless waste of life to wipe them all out when they're a nuisance rather than a danger to us ..." The image froze as Spinale paused the recording. "Why are we honouring that fool Amefyst? He's already been relocated to Casablanca after that fiasco in Kenya." Citroin glared at Commander of the European Occupation Zone. She answered, "Because he looks good on camera and he's sending the right message. Last thing we want to admit how things are really going down here. We could hardly have him saying 'Well Ferrite's group just blew up Kenya base before we could get the shields online. But that's not such a big disaster as it's SNAFU time everywhere." Spianle got defensive, "Things aren't that bad. Admittedly there have been a few problems but I'm on top of it ..." Citroin shook her head, "Hellgate! We all know how things really stand down here. We took over easily enough but holding Earth is bleeding us dry! Casualties are running four times higher than our worst case estimates! Morale is in the sewage recyclers! It doesn't help that we have Crystal Tokyo sitting there untouched, shrugging off everything we throw at it ..." "Enough." Demand's voice was mild but Citroin shut up immediately. "Our casualties are higher than anticipated because we expected droids to do most of the fighting. It appears you were correct uncle, that assumption was an error." Garnet acknowledged the admission with a nod. What he felt was unknown, he had the best vokka face among the military staff. Demand looked back to his propaganda minister and told Citroin, "While our losses are heavy they are not unacceptable. All our projections show we are winning by attrition. It is unfortunate that we will lose so many in the process but the prize is worth it." Cautiously Citroin ventured, "With respect majesty this will cause trouble on the Homeworlds. We convinced the united clans that this would be a walkover. Earth couldn't match us, the war would be over in a few weeks and mopping up a couple of months after that. We've been stretching out the illusion of a widely scattered but ineffectual guerilla movement as best we can but it's getting a bit thin. People back home are wondering why they don't hear from their relatives apart from generic, vague notes. They aren't stupid, they'll work it out. The only reason they haven't yet is losses are fairly evenly distributed through the clans and allies or not the civilians don't like to fraternise. But eventually they'll start comparing notes and when they do ..." "We'll glide that tunnel when we come to it." Citroin nodded, Demand had dismissed the matter and his word was law. Quietly she prayed their victory was truly inevitable. If they didn't win after losing so many clansman then, nobles or not, they'd all get lynched for returning to Nemesis in defeat. Meanwhile Demand had turned to a related matter. "As has been stated the resistance's ability to neutralize our droids has limited their effectiveness as combat troops. With the result they are mainly being used for security duty in the occupied zones. However I understand there's a new problem. Ambir?" The head of Military Mana Research looked nervous. He cleared his throat and began, "Uh yes well ... you're all familiar with the scramble guns Crystal Tokyo has been supplying to the terrestrial resistance forces worldwide ..." Garnet cut in, "From the number they've distributed they must have been manufacturing and stockpiling them for years." His smile was thin and very cold. "I'm getting forgetful in my old age. Whose bright idea was it to let droid technology fall into their hands in the first place?" Ambir sputtered, "It was a necessary part of the deception! Besides all the crystals they got were flawed and virus ridden! Not to mention the data was filled with errors. After they executed their expert in crystal magic for treason there was no chance they could deduce anything useful from it!" "We don't actually know he was executed, do we? We merely assumed that after he was caught red handed but instead of a trial very convieniantly dropped out of sight due to an alleged research accident." Safir sighed quietly. He'd told them all along that they were overestimating the reaction of the CT leaders to betrayal but they couldn't conceive of rulers not disposing of traitors. Demand frowned. "We've been over this before. Let's stick to the point!" Garnet nodded and settled back, giving Ambir a cold smile. Demand gave Ambir an unfriendly look himself, he was beginning to think Garnet was right and Crystal Tokyo's anti droid weaponary predated his conquest. If Ambir was responsible for that he'd pay. But right now he needed him. "What's happening to the droids in the occupied territories?" "Uhm well majesty we've been finding these scattered throughout them." He held up a small rough, colourless crystal. It looked like nothing more than a piece of quartz you might find anywhere. "What is it?" Ambir paused then said, "It's probably easiest if I demonstrate. Does anyone have an expendable droid?" Peradoit nodded and produced a generator crystal. A moment's concentration and the droid manifested. As always Citroin wondered why they always had to look like busty women. It was a pet peeve of hers along with quite a few other Nemesian women. So she was rather surprised when she got her wish as a male figure materialized standing over the quartz. The second droid was a tall, handsome fellow wearing tight black pants, a red shirt and a shoulder holster. His gaze locked on the other droid and his expression changed to a lecherous grin. He immediately screamed "Mokkori" and launched himself at the astounded female droid. As soon as he wrapped his arms around her there was a flash and both droids were gone. Peradoit cursed and rubbed his eyes as though that would clear the dazzle from the flare. The smouldering droid crystal bounced off the tabletop, shattering into splinters as it dropped to the floor. By contrast the quartz looked unchanged. "We call them anti-droids. The crystal produces some sort of passive sensor field we can't detect as yet. So somebody scatters these crystals around then leaves the area. Next time a droid passes though there it contacts the field and the crystal manifests an anti-droid. It unerringly seeks out the droid and grabs it. As soon as they contact both are disrupted destroying the generator crystal and we're out a droid. But that's not the worst part." Agait, the Eastern North America Overseer took the bait. "What's the worst part?" [Internal - The Red Suns got the East of North America the Blood Stars got the West as seen in "Zodiac"] "Would you mind manifesting a droid?" Guessing what was coming but seeing Demand look intrigued Agait quickly sifted through his pockets for his least useful droid. Again as soon as she manifested a male anti-droid appeared. Except this time the anti-droid took the form of an old man about half a metre tall in red martial arts garb. He leapt forward and latched onto the droid's chest calling her "Ranma-chan." Once again both figures vanished leaving only a burned out droid crystal. Ambir created a third droid which was glomped by a scrawny brown haired teenager in a dark blue winter school uniform shouting someting about Lum being away. Again neither figure survived the embrace. "I think you get the idea. These anti-droids are something like heat seeking missiles. Nonsentient and they lock onto specific targets. Each crystal can manifest three anti-droids in a day and seems capable of recharging itself from background mana indefinitely. At present we can't detect them while they're in their passive sensor mode so the only way to find them is to locate where our droid was destroyed then retrace the anti-droid's flightpath before it fades. At present we have no idea how many of these have been dispersed worldwide or how many are awaiting distribution. The bottom line is ..." "We had better not count on droids for maintaining security!" Demand scowled then turned to Garnet. "This is just the sort of thing that will inspire more terran resistance. These are high level magical artifacts and there is only one remaining terran enclave with the resources to manufacture them." He turned to his uncle. "It seems we must step up the timetable for taking Crystal Tokyo. How soon do you anticipate breaking through their shield?" Carefully Garnet informed him, "Our intelligence data indicates that the forceshield over the city cannot be cracked by anything less than dropping a dinosaur killer class asteroid on it. Of course this would render the planet uninhabitable without life support equipment for decades but I think we should consider ..." "Don't be ridiculous! While Serenity created the shield she is incapacitated! She can neither renew nor strengthen it. The shield can't be that strong!" Garnet didn't even twitch at this show of royal disagreement. "Our most recent information confirms that the shield is being maintained by the four true senshi which means theoretically it is backed by planetary mana levels. In fact the shield is stronger than when Serenity alone maintained it." Demand obviously didn't like hearing that but Garnet gave a cold smile. "Fortunately channeling so much energy means they are incapable of serving as anything other than power conduits so they are no longer opposing our forces in the field. So while Crystal Tokyo currently possesses a nearly unbreachable defensive shield their strike team leaders consist of their second string warriors." The suggestion of a frown crossed his brow. "Unfortunately in comparison with senshi power levels weaker is a somewhat relative term. Leaving that for a moment and returning to the shield it will need a massive amount of energy to breach it ..." "Garnet, I want Crystal Tokyo conquered, not destroyed. Serenity must be taken alive!" No one dared contradict him even though he was the one who had struck down Serenity in the first place. It had been one of the few times Demand had entered the field despite being the single strongest warrior on Nemesis. But Princes of Nemesis do not fight their own battles unless absolutely necessary. That was what underlings were for. Especially when fighting terrans would be as challenging as grinding ants under his heel. In most cases at any rate. But no one else had possessed enough power to challenge Serenity. Once again Demand cursed silently, why had she been so stubborn? Her husband had been reduced to an ineffectual wraith (not that he had ever been much more than that) and that brat was gone freeing her of all ties to home and hearth. Even if not content with merely being liberated from those cloying ties she had so much more to be grateful for. He had offered to make her his Queen. No longer would she have to content herself with ruling a mere citystate. Once she took her place at his side she would have ruled both Earth and Nemesis with him. Her refusal had enraged him. How could she chose a ghost king over him? Forgetting the flag of truce they stood under he had struck her down and departed Crystal Tokyo. The fact he had barely escaped from the vengeful senshi after fatally wounding her slipped from his mind as irrelevant. It was beneath his dignity to recall his flight nor that had they not been forced to combine their powers to keep Serenity alive and shield the city they might have beaten him. But in a way he was grateful to them. Thanks to them Serenity lived even if they couldn't heal her. He could still have her once Crystal Tokyo was his though now she would be his concubine instead of his queen. As always the image delighted him but this was no time to daydream. "Serenity is helpless and no threat to us. I want her captured alive and kneeling before me. This is not debateable!" After a moment Garnet asked, "My Prince, you have hinted at the existence of a precision weapon capable of penetrating Crystal Tokyo's shield. If we have such a thing then it is time to deploy it! That is if you truly want the city taken without leveling everything." "No! At least not yet. Wiseman tells me the Dark Crystal needs several months more gestation." "Gestation?" "So he said, I confess I don't understand if he means it is literally alive." Garnet scowled again, "My Prince, we depend far too much on that sorceror! We know far too little about him or his loyalty to us. In my day and for longer than history records Rudra more than sufficed as royal adviser! To toss him aside in favor of that spellweaver is ... overly hasty." Garnet wondered if he had gone too far but Demand seemed amused rather than angry. "Your opinion is noted and rejected. I know far more about Wiseman than you suspect. He is bound to me in a way that will remain my secret." Demand seemed confident yet beside him his brother wondered if they had summoned something they couldn't control. The rituals had worked but they had been very vague about banishing him after he had served his purpose. Not having a choice Garnet accepted Demand's word. "Very good, Sire. On the subject of Crystal Tokyo their forces somehow continue to sortie and harass our own. Unfortunately we can't put teleport interdiction fields over the entire planet. I also suspect they have tunnels out of the city to stealthed aircraft hangers but we've been unable to detect these. Pity as that would give us the access we seek. Regardless the recent incident in the Yukon ..." Agait looked edgy, "There's no need to burden Prince Demand with a minor skirmish." "Haven't reported you lost the mana well, eh?" "IT'S NOT LOST! Excuse me, Sire. The well is the same place it always was, it's just ... temporarily untappable." "That was the newly located well we planning to use for backup power to the interdiction network?" Demand's voice was deceptively mild, Agait started sweating. "Uhm yes ... the facility has suffered some damage." "That is an understatement!" All eyes turned to Citroin. "I've got some footage of the attack if anyone's interested. I was reviewing it to see if there was anything we could show the folks at home that would look good with a little editing but there's nothing usable." With that she slotted the cartridge into the monitor. The screen showed a circular barren plain of rock several hundred metres in diameter surrounded by gantries holding massive glowing crystal pillars. Suddenly one of the gantries toppled, overbalancing its pillar to crash onto the rock. A small group tore through the gap, all but one wearing the powerarmour that marked Crystal Tokyo's Special Forces. A group not suspected to exist before the invasion. The image froze and Citroin began narrating. "The complex had the standard interdiction field to prevent unauthorized teleporters entering so they obviously entered on foot. How they arrived is unknown and will remain so unless we can capture one of the raiders. Mana interference and the blastwave have made divination and forensic study of the area impossible. They may teleported to a staging area outside the field or arrived there by more mundane means then made their way to the complex. We don't know, just as we don't know how they got through the perimiter forceshields. The complex's security recorders were destroyed but from the timing of when the alarm was sounded once inside they eluded detection for far too long." Demand gazed at her thoughtfully and Agait quickly broke in to say, "Naturally this information was immediately given to Military Intelligence and they're already working with Mana Research on upgrading security protocals." He didn't add , "Again", but everyone in the room thought it. Citroin once again congratulated herself on having the best position on the war council. She could gather information for her own clan and since neither she nor the Third Eyes had any significant military forces they wouldn't be suffering defeats of this magnitude. So she could demean the rival clans for their blunders without worrying the tables would turn. All of which made her clan look better in Prince Demand's eyes and after the war was over and the resistance squashed Demand would remember the clan that had never failed him when he divided the spoils of Earth. [Internal - Yes, the Nemesians are already grabbing everything the value for shipping back to the homeworlds but it's still more like looting than the systemic colonization and exploitation of Earth which they'll set up in the wake of the conquest.] So long as the Third Eye maintained their position as masters of Intelligence and Propoganda she reminded herself. Her part in the Clan Mistress's schemes was vital and while she couldn't spin much good out of recent events at least she could undercut the other Clans. With that thought she resumed demolishing Agait and the Red Suns reputation in Demand's Eyes. "As Clanmaster Agait said he shared the information about the tapping complex's destruction with my clanmates in Intelligence almost immediately." In a mild voice Demand asked, "almost immediately?" Trying not to sweat Agait quickly interjected, "We had to gather as much evidence as we could while it was still fresh, that was the only cause of delay." "You didn't think to call in Military Intelligence to do the job? I trust that wasn't because it's primarily composed of Third Eyes?" "Of course not, my Prince. We are well aware of the wisdom and eloquence with which you have spoken of putting aside the old grudges and working as one. We would never jeopordise Nemesian security for the sake of ancient clan rivalries. It was merely that we had people who knew the site so we were best suited to conduct the initial investigation." "Well said." Agait couldn't tell if Demand was being sincere or sarcastic and uneasily wondered about the long term fallout from this failure. He managed not to scowls as Demand told the Third Eye witch, "Continue. I am curious both about the attack and why you thought a defeat might have had value to your field." In short, Citroin thought, you'll be unhappy if I'm just showing you this to put down Agait. Fortunately I was serious when said it had potential from a prooganda viewpoint. She unfroze the video and the armoured figures resumed moving. Now it could be seen that one of them didn't wear powerarmour. The exception wore gray bodyarmour but hadn't bothered with the glamour he had once used to disguise his hair and features. As the action continued Citroin commented, "This confirms our theory that Gray and Lord Calcite are the same man. Unfortunately Calcite hasn't done anything as his alterego that we could use to destroy his heroic image with the Terrans. Nothing we've been able to find out about anyway as the use of a secret identity suggests he was doing things he didn't want associated with Crystal Tokyo. We're still pursuing leads" Demand nodded his approval and returned his attention to the recording. Onscreen Calcite vaulted the massive shards of razor sharp crystalline rubble and landed in the center of the ring of gantries. He gave a handsignal to one of the powerarmoured men. The apparent squadleader (who could be distinguished from the others solely by the incongruous long sheathed knife strapped to one armoured thigh) deployed his men in a wide circle around Lord Calcite. Citroin froze the scene. "This next bit is interesting. Far as we can tell those troops were not there to destroy the complex but primarily to defend him while he works." She restarted the image and zoomed in on Calcite. His eyes glowed purple and an aura sprang to life around him. The picture became fuzzy and Demand demanded, "What's wrong with the recording? Crystal recorders are supposed to be flawless." "Almost flawless, extreme magical conditions can cause interference and these conditions were most extreme." Citroin paused to slide dataplaque displaying the Third Eye report on the incident across the table. Demand scowled at the array of figures and passed it to his brother as Citroin summarised the incident for her Prince. "We think he was somehow focusing the well's entire mana flow through himself." "Impossible! He'd burn out! Our estimates of his powerlevels ..." Demand trailed off and shook his head so Citroin decided it was safe to interject "Long term yes but short term it's evidentally prossible." Safir glanced up from scrutinising the report to comment, "The evidence does seem to support that conclusion." Demand kept scowling but didn't contradict his savant brother. Onscreen a a two handed broadsword materialized in Calcite's grasp. He raised it and slammed halt its leg into the ground as he gripped the hilt with\ white knuckles. The blade began to glow. "We think the sword serves as some sort of focusing element. So what he's really doing is channeling the power of the well back in on itself. Creating a feedback loop." The blade's glow seemed to almost match the sun. Calcite released the blade and moved clear calling something unheard over static of the now crackling picture. The armoured troops dashed to encircle him with their bodies exchanging fire with the complex's defenders enroute. As soon as the group was complete Calcite's face showed a moment of intense concentration then all the Crystal Tokyo forces vanished. "Evidentally the interdiction field was disrupted by the interference from the energy waves you see flaring off the overloading well. While transport spells would also have been disrupted it seems innate teleporters of his experience and power level can punch through the mana distortion even when carrying passengers. If they shifted directly back to Crystal Tokyo or to a hidden staging area is unknown. In a sense it's irrelevant. What matters is they escaped and can do this again." As she had expected everyone's attention was riveted to the screen. The image pulled back as panic spread among the Nemesian troops. Some fired at the sword, visible only as an outline of light. The rest were running. Neither tactic worked. A few seconds later the screen flared white. Citroin shrugged and spread her hands. "Boom." Garnet nodded and gave Agait another of his cold smiles. "So instead of a mana tapping facility we have a crater a kilometre across and a well snarling up all magics in the vicinity for the next few decades. All because you didn't listen to my recommendations about security." In a flawless imitation of Agait he added, "Garnet, if they could detect mana wells they would have marked it. They wouldn't leave it pouring out power unregulated. You are merely paranoid because of your failure to crush Crystal Tokyo despite them losing both the senshi and Serenity. If you can't accomplish that then what have I to learn from you?' Is that still your opinion, Agait?" "I ... I underestimated them once but I will not make that mistake again. Security has been stepped up at all existing tapping facilities." "I'm glad to hear it. We don't want to make this a habit, do we?" "No, sir!" The deference seemed to satisfy Garnet and he settled back in his chair. Demand nodded at the screen which had frozen on the image of the flare. "I believe I see why you thought this had potential. Couldn't you edit that so it just shows the part he teleports away with his troops? Seeing a terrestrial champion fleeing under fire would please our people." "We considered that Sire but there's the problem of context. The retreat looks too planned and the question of where we could claim they're been driven from arose. That sight is far too recognisable as a tapping facility and there's enough survivors among the Mana Engineering Corp who were rotated out before the explosion that can identify it. Currently we've managed to contain the news of what happened by blaming it on a natural disaster. Messing around with an unfamiliar world's mana wells is a risky business after all. But once this got released the background would be recognised and word would be bound to leak out. The opinion of the propaganda division was that showing it would damage morale more than it boosted it." Demand scowled. "So we have no useable footage of Crystal Tokyo's current military leader fleeing like a coward before us?" "Not as such." Citroin brightened up, "However we have some great footage of Crystal Tokyo's last senshi doing that!" Garnet interrupted, "I find that hard to believe. Much as I despise the witch she is lacking in neither strength nor courage. This is not an idle assessment. During my stint as ambassador to Crystal Tokyo I met her and the other senshi on many occasions which I always used to study them. Nor would she have been permitted to join the true senshi had she been a coward." "I have to agree with that." All eyes turned to Safir and the image floating before him. "Sailor Polaris aka Lady Titanite. The only member of the Senshi of Crystal Tokyo who is neither a reincarnation of the last Senshi of the Silver Millenium nor linked to her namesake. The younger ... or possibly twin sister of Lord Calcite (there is some confusion in the records) she operates on a similiar powerlevel. The first of the so called Lesser Senshi she was believed to be both the most powerful of them and the sole immortal among that class until recently ..." Both Spinale and Peridos winced at unpleasant memories. "... but while that may no longer be true she is not to be taken lightly. The long time sister-in-law of Sailor Venus their public images have lead to the two of them being unofficially dubbed 'The Ditz Sisters'. This is misleading in both cases and has made opponents underestimate them before now. It must be admitted that Commander Garnet's assessment of her was ... given less attention than it deserved." Safir glanced at the hologram and a second figure appeared beside Sailor Polaris. "We erred in believing her involvement with Topass to be the act of an immortal airhead seeking diversion after decades of boredom. It seemed reasonable, after all why else would she pick a lover centuries younger than herself if not for the novelty of his origins? Subsequently it became apparent that her appearance masked a very Machiavellian mind. She successfully seduced Topass and used her wiles to brainwash him into betraying our clan and remaining in Crystal Tokyo following the declaration of hostilities. Fortunately he lacked any serious information but his defection was damaging to morale among our group. Enraged by his treason several of our best warriors made overly hasty assaults on the city and perished. An almost Nemesian tactic on the part of our adversaries." Citroin kept a straight face through this but her thoughts were nowhere as impassive. "Give me a break! If Crystal Tokyo was so out and out devious they'd have had Polaris seducing someone higher than the Embassy gopher! It's just the age old story of two people who happened to fall for each other. But we can't believe in anything that hasn't got at least three levels of deception so we had to concoct this whole conspiracy theory. Years of dishing out propoganda have given me the ability to see through the all the layers of crap to the unvarnished truth which is how I know we're reading too much into this! I talked to Opal before she got dumped in that dead end Casablanca post and according to her not only were her brother and Polaris were inseperable but her brother was a malcontent getting increasingly unsatisfied with the glorious Nemesian way of life. Add in a child and a lover who won't abandon her city and is it really so surprising he jumped ship?" Being far too smart to contradict Prince Demand's brother (who was the leading exponent of the 'Earth cast out our ancestors, we must have vengeance!' line and far too ready to see terran conspiracy everywhere) she kept this too herself. Instead she simply switched recordings again and all eyes turned to the new image on the screen. "This was taken during the fall of the last enclave of Japanese resistance outside of Crystal Tokyo itself. While the CT forces were slowing our advance Sailor Polaris held the airport open for the evacuation planes. On the screen an image of Polaris seen from above through a gunsight was suddenly blotted out by a rapidly approaching energy sphere. The picture went blank abruptly. "Her "Polaris Missile" attack was very effective at targeting the fighter craft that got through the air defenses. Our heavier crusiers were being held off by both the anti aircraft fire and the giant robot that had appeared to the west. The latter turned out to be an illusion." She considered mentioning Topass's illusion generating ability but one look at Garnet changed her mind. "Uh ... Commander Garnet succeeded in having ground forces infiltrate into the city. They were sent to close the airport ..." "Incorrect!" Garnet's interruption was mild enough but there was an undercurrent of menace that shut Citroin up. "That was their secondary objective. Terminating Polaris was their prime mission goal." Peridos glanced up from the list scrolling before him. "Awful lot of troopers to kill one lesser senshi." Garnet showed no anger, merely raised an eybrow. "How many have Styx and Myrmidon cost you?" The Blood Star Admiral scowled. "Too many. But they are nothing in and of themselves. We would have destroyed them weeks ago were they not protected by the Twilight entity. Most of our people aren't equipped to fight demons!" Ambir broke in. "All the available evidence suggests that Twilight is not a demon. Psychic impressions of its passing indicate deep hostility to us rather than the all consuming malice demons radiate. Even when bound to serve demons despise their masters as much as their prey. Perhaps more so for they hate to be controlled by mortals." Safir felt his palms get sweaty even as the room seemed to grow colder. "Now if the entity is rumoured an Incarnation or Personification of Terran Resistance ..." Demand interrupted having noticed his brother's expression, best to change the subject before anyone wondered why Safir was disturbed by talk of demons. "I believe Citroin was trying to tell us something about Sailor Polaris." "Uh, yes sire. Garnet's troops headed for Polaris's position meeting minimal resistance. At least until they were close to the airfields. She had ... made use of her shaping abilities and sown the area with apparently inoccous but highly hazardous artifacts. Several of the troopers who survived the raid go into shock at the sight of pink rabbits banging drums." That got her some odd looks and Garnet winced minutely. "At any rate the able bodied kept going and attempted to fufill their mission objectives. This was compiled from the airport security cameras." The image on the monitor began to move. The wall of the main depature lounge exploded outward and Polaris turned to face the blast. Behind her an overloaded cargolifter hovered into the air and turned its nose to the west. The familiar figures of Nemesian troopers bearing a variety of clan marks poured through the opening firing. Polaris moved towards them despite the beam weapons burning through the air. She didn't counterattack, with hindsight it was obvious she was drawing their fire so this last pleneload of civilians could escape. Streamers of energy sprayed from her as disrupter bolts and gravity rams impacted her forceshield. Gathering speed the plane surged skyward and Polaris raised her hands. She wasn't surrendering. An energy sphere formed between her outstretched hands and she slammed it into the ground. The ferroconcrete rocked as the shockwave sent troopers tumbling in all directions. Few kept their feet and those who did were firing wildly. Polaris blew them a kiss and vanished in a swirl of cherry blossom. The Nemesian captain rose to his feet and glared at the place she had stood. "Run coward! Flee all the way back to your precious Crystal Tokyo and congratulate yourself on having saved a few humans from us. You have accomplished nothing! All you have done is cram more people into the city to heighten the slaughter when we break through your barrier. And we will, rest assured we are coming for you! Rats in a trap, there's nowhere left for you to run! Treasure the days you have left for there are very few of them remaining!" Citroin froze the image as Periodot snorted. "Very dramatic. Makes you wonder if he knew this was being recorded." Demand shrugged. "Perhaps he was playing for the cameras but does it matter? This is the sort of thing they'll like to see back home. He looks perfect doesn't he? Firm jaw, blazing eyes and looks sincere. Ideal recruiting poster material." Garnet steepled his hands and said, "Captain Corundam showed definite promise." Demand nodded not noticing the tense. "Perhaps I should award him a medal. That would make a good followup to this scene." Citroin looked apologetic. "There's a small problem with that, Sire. This is where we'll cut it. We won't show this next bit." With that she unpaused the recording and the scene shifted to an ariel view looking down on the troops and the defiant Corundum. Above their heads the cherry blossoms continued to swirl. Then soundless they morphed into larger forms. For an instant the megamallets, anvils and giant spiked balls hung in the air. Then gravity took over and they plummeted onto the hapless Nemesians. Most of those watching winced and Citroin cut the sound. "As you can see Sire, our gallant captain is in no shape to receive an award." "Indeed. The earlier footage will have to suffice. Have you anything else?" Citroin hesitated wondering what the safest answer was when the only decent propaganda recordings concerned operations against several disorganised and underpowered resistance groups rather than the terrestrial champions. There was some nice footage of the last remnants of the Celestial Kingdom and the People's Republic's armies being routed. An ironic alliance given that for centuries the armed forces of both Chinas had been primarily there to keep on one another (and to a lesser extent the Southeast Asian Trade Confederation). But war and politics made strange bedfellows and the feuding Celeries and the Mao-gic Kingdomers had united against a common enemy. For all the good it had done them. It looked good on video, so much so that it concealed the fact that both countries were hotbeds of resistance. The professionals might be gone so the rebels spawned by the occupation were untrained, unorganised and poorly equipped. Unfortunately the teeming millions of both nations meant there was no shortage of them and through sheer numbers and volume of attacks they were taking a heavy toll. So much so that Garnet (the commander ultimately responsible for the Asian theatre) was seriously talking about decimating the populace. If that didn't work he wanted to halve it. So far Demand was refusing to sanction mass murder on the grounds that it cheapened his conquest. To his mind genocide would be an admission of defeat, it would show the people of Nemesis that he couldn't control the terrestrials. Very bad for his image. So he had said in council but Citroin suspected that he was beginning to lean towards his uncle's viewpoint. She was sure that as the Terrans were to stubborn to accept they were beaten the resistance would continue until Demand gave Garnet carte blanche. In a few more months there would be a bloodbath beyond anything she could imagine and chances were it wouldn't be confined to China. She dismissed the thought, they weren't of the clan, they weren't even Nemesian so why should she care if the fools got themselves slaughtered? At any rate the China bloodbath was one triumph over terran forces for the viewers back home and she could spice it up with the falls of an assortment of Lesser Senshi. Most people on Nemesis had only a vague idea of the difference between True and Lesser Senshi and no idea which Lessers were the ones causing them so much trouble. So with a bit of exaggeration they would easily accept they were witnessing the defeat of a significant number of Terran champions. That would have to do. She was about to begin by calling up the capture of Sailors Oort Cloud and Albion along with deaths of Sailors Tau Ceti, Ontario and Krupp-Mishima (Heavy Industries Inc.) when a new voice answered Demand's query. "I have something that could be most useful to us despite being a defeat." Demand raised an eyebrow. "In what way, brother?" "In that it will make the terrans as scared of their champions as they are of us." "That sounds intriguing. Continue." Safir took control of the screen and Citroin sat down. She was miffed at Safir hijacking her presentation but she wasn't about to get in the way of Prince Demand's beloved brother. On screen a composite picture of nine Lesser Senshi appeared. Spinale made a hissing sound, they were far too well known to the Overseer of European Operations. Safir looked faintly amused by Spinale's discomfort as he began to speak. "While this group usually works together they have no designated name though they are frequently referred to as the Senshi Legion. That name is deceptive as they don't always strike as a group but also solos and in duos and trios. It's composed primarily of Lesser Senshi from across Europe who have been operating off and on for the past few years. Sailors Foxfire and Caledonia in Britain, Sailor [Myuki ID] in the Balkan Federation, Sailor [Jeanne ID] in France [Internal - Operating on the logic that her Moroccan birth made gutter French one of her native languages so she can pass as a Parisian slum kid] while Sailor Thunderbolt and Sailor Wondergirl ... "I believe that last one is just Wonder Girl, two words and no Sailor which is unusual among terran champions but ..." Spinale shut up as he saw both Safir and Demand were glaring at him. Safir resumed speaking "Regardless of their names those two have no fixed home and have shown up across Europe. Sometimes in each others company and demonstrating a definite rivalry. No matter. The remaining three are the most significant. They look older that the others, in one case this is a matter of centuries rather than years and share a similarity in dressing styles and conduct. Sailors Sirus and Mira, or as they are better known Sailors S&M, are unmentioned in public records from before the war though from their skill level it would be foolish to suspect they are not both well trained and experienced. They often operate as partners and are most likely proteges of the group's leader, Sailor Arcturus. Which means all three are covert operatives of Crystal Tokyo and since the Senshi Legion became active against us prior to our declaration of war against Crystal Tokyo this reveals even more deception on their part." There was a buzz of conversation that cut off as Demand spoke. "If you are right it would seem we grossly underestimated our adversaries resourcefullness." He smiled at Critoin as he said this and she fought to keep the dismay off her face. As Third Eye was primarily responible for military intelligence this was one of the last things she wanted Demand to think. Ambir was looking pale too. She had to undermine Safir's claim immediately. "With all respect Prince Safir we have found no connection between this Sailor Arcturus and Crystal Tokyo. If this is the original Sailor Arcturus rather than a contemporary who revived the name then the terran records indicate she operated outside of Japan as a vigilante and without any evidence of sanction or approval by Crystal Tokyo. But given the timespan since the last prewar sightings of the original Sailor Arcturus the chances that this is the same woman are ..." "Negligible?" "Well, yes. No disrespect Prince Safir but if this the same woman why would she drop out of sight for over 800 years?" Safir smiled, "What makes you think she did?" "But the records ..." "Have you never heard of hiding in plain sight?" Amused by Citroin's perplexed expression he continued, "You should have searched the records prior to the founding of Crystal Tokyo. I am after all a Savant [Check title in Jillian's fic] and not one to make claims I cannot substantiate. But before I explain her connection to our enemies I will show you why the Terrans have as much reason to fear her as we do. I am convinced this is the same woman who was active centuries ago." "All the known immortals ..." Citroin's voice trailed off as she realised she had said exactly the wrong thing. "Are associated with Crystal Tokyo?" Safir sounded amused. "True but that is not the connection I spoke of. Though perhaps it escaped your notice but the old records of Sailor Arcturus cover a span of over a century during which she showed no signs of aging." Demand frowned. "According to Wiseman the Silver Crystal is the source of the Senshi longevity yet you imply this is not how she survived so long?" "Correct, brother. While the fact is often overlooked the Crystal is not the only source of longevity within the city. Sailor Polaris and Lord Calcite have an innate longevity that the allegedly late Doctor Pyrite and his wife shared." Ambir winced again at the name of his supposed dupe in Crystal Tokyo. Safir didn't notice as he continued, "If the stories about Ferrite are to be believed he is cursed to reincarnate anew every time he dies and there are rumours of a wizard who helped found their University and found his own method of immortality. But there is one other who is unique in several ways. She has never been part of the ruling heirarcy and is both famous and infamous within the city and outside. I refer to the courtesan Margrave, or perhaps I should call her Sailor Arcturus!" Citroin just stared at him for a moment before blurting, "Is this some sort of joke?" She blanched and thanked her ancestors she hadn't said what she first thought. Namely, "Are you out of your mind?" Safir didn't look offended, merely amused again. Unfortunately Demand was frowning, hopefully in agreement rather than at her question. "The name is vaguely familiar to me. Perhaps I heard it during my state visit to Crystal Tokyo ... no, wait it was in an intelliegence report. A potential subversion target to give us a mole within the Palace if I recall." Cirtoin jumped in, "Quite right, your majesty. The lady in question is a member of the same race as Calcite and Titanite but lacks their innate longevity. She avoids aging by being a courtesan and taking her payment in [geshi?] life energy. a friend of several high rankers having " "We originally [Safir & Margrave? Who did you ask her to be?] [Arcturus & "lesser senshi" Vampire chic] Spianle [Hunters - sneaky bastards. By the time you spot them it's generally too late,] >---------------------------------------------------------- >[Hunters - sneaky bastards. By the time you spot them it's generally > too late,] Ben wrote: Just a little something to add Citroin spoke up, giving Garnet and Agait a chance to compose themselves. "Calcate and the Special Forces group is not the only ones giving us special problems. There is also this charming little group." With that she activated the projector again. It showed a pair of people in sectional armor, which reminded the assembled nobles of some of the Nightfighter stories of their own culture. "These people officially come under the Re-United Nations control, but the Secretary General apparently gave some sort of resistance order to them just before we captured him. That or told them to follow their own hearts. The results were this," at that she sent the images into motion. [following is just supposition but conquering have been to do similar things] Citroin provided a narrative as the two literally cut through a Nemisite "pleasure club" This incident was one of the reasons why I suggested that all earther employees of these be volunteers. The girls (and boys) in this club were not. We still do not know how they got in undetected but they did. And not the way you would suspect, by destroying the security droids and sentries. Those individuals did not know about the attack until this happened. While she had been talking the two people had ripped through the patrons, many who were armed, like a whirlwind. The views were astonished at the coordination that was displayed, to the point of one person ducking just in time to allow their partner to fire a weapon through the spot he had occupied, killing a patron with a sword. Just as she had spoken one of the two men set a small block against an outside wall. With a loud cry of "Fire-in-the-hole!!" he punched a device. Part of the wall no longer existed. As the former employees were escorted through the hole in the wall, the other man faced the assemble patrons, who had started a rush. "Uranus Grip!!" he shouted, and a large earthen hand appeared and grabbed several of the patrons. As they struggled he and the last of the straggles left the view. "We couldn't find them or the workers after they escaped, although several have since been ID'd serving in some of the restance groups." Citron made a few more adjustments. "Their leader appears to be this man." StarHunter's image appeared. "We have recently gotten data about him from our data recovery teams in Hong Kong, although it is very slender without much hope of gaining more." The others nodded, many groups had proven to be very adept at wiping their computer systems of any information, useful or not. "It appears that he has a connection with CT and in fact is married to a citizen of that city." "Perhaps we can use that against him," said Spidel. "We can't reach his wife at his time." was the reply "Why?" asked Demand. "If he is such a thorn perhaps we could gain some leverage against him." "The records indicate that his wife is Sailor Mercury. In fact this would explain why, since the time the Senshi started powering the shield, many of these "Hunters" have shouted 'For Ami-san!!' as a battle cry." Demand rubbed the bridge of his nose. "So we got power-armored commandos, someone who can channel mana wells, and a group of Nightfighters with a possible personal grudge against us. What other good news do you have for me Citron?" [other stuff that you mentioned] ==================================================================== Ben L. Harrison - HM1(FMF)/USN/RET Harriso3@ix.netcom.com [Ferrite & Nemesis - He shot down a shielded cruiser with a handgun?] [Warwolf & Twilight - Legends come to life?] [Time travel ref - Demand, "We'll win. It's just a matter of time."] [Credits] [So what really happened to the Nemesians Arcuturus carried off? snippet] [End]