Chapter 188

In a field seventy two miles from Tokyo, Setsuna Meio and Hotaru Tomoe stood side by side looking around.

"It is not here either," Tomoe said.

"No, I didn't think it would be.." Setsuna said. "Still..it was here," she said looking at the ground and freshly stamped grass.

"Why was it here?" Hotaru asked.

"Can't you tell from the..."

"No..I mean it's reason for existing at this geographic location."

"Oh..that's a good question," Setsuna said. "But it did need further tests."

"Out here in the open?" Hotaru said.

"Maybe it was done at night," Setsuna said. "That would make the most sense."

Hotaru nodded.

"Where do we go from here?" Hotaru asked.

"Let me think about that for a minute.." Setsuna said.

There was a slight rumbling and soon a car could be seeing coming by a nearby dirt road.

"They have returned," Hotaru said. The car stopped Haruka and Michiru got out and walked through the field.

"So. what's going on back in Tokyo?" Setsuna asked.

"He's getting closer," Haruka said.

"It seems that we underestimated the blue team's resources," Michiru said.

"I expected this, but he won't figure it out until we're finished," Setsuna said.

"Perhaps, perhaps not," Haruka said.

"You disagree?" Setsuna asked.

"All three of them are very formidable, Amy is one of the most intelligent people we've ever encountered, Greg has similar intelligence, and her Patterson has access to massive amounts of information as well as smarts," Haruka said.

"But he'll soon give up and search for the answer that isn't there, they all will," Setsuna said.

"It is an inevitability," Hotaru said.

"What do you mean?" Michiru asked.

"I mean that Patterson and his group may have gotten close, but it doesn't matter, his paranoia will give us the time we need," Setsuna said.

"And if it doesn't?" Haruka asked.

"Then we have another problem," Setsuna said.

"And a third as well," Hotaru said.

"What do you mean Saturn?" Setsuna asked.

"The target behind us, watching.." Hotaru said.

"The robot?" Haruka asked.

Hotaru nodded.

"It is planning the attack.." Hotaru said.

"How come we didn't sense it's presence?" Haruka asked.

"It's inorganic," Setsuna said.

"But Hotaru knew it was there," Michiru said.

"I know that for other reasons," Hotaru said.

"Where exactly is it Hotaru?" Haruka asked.

"It is behind me..." Hotaru said.

"The patch of forest two hundred or so yards away," Setsuna said.

"Do you think it knows why we're here?" Michiru asked.

"That is definite," Hotaru said.

"I agree," Setsuna said.

"It just is probably figuring out what to do next," Haruka said.

"We have to move quickly then," Michiru said.

"In our human states we couldn't last two minutes against it," Haruka said.

"I have an..." Setsuna said.

"Too late!" Haruka shouted. The robot shot from the trees and raced towards them. Hotaru whirled and faced the robot.

"Hotaru! Run!" Setsuna said.

"I will distract it," she said.

"No..don't!" Haruka said.

"Do you think it already knows were scouts?" Michiru asked.

"No time to care," Haruka said.

The two pulled out their power sticks.

"Uranus Planet Power!"

"Neptune Planet Power!"

Setsuna meanwhile was racing to push Hotaru out of the way of the robot. Hotaru was standing there as the robot raced the next thirty feet towards her.

"Hotaru!" Setsuna shouted.

"I am fine!" Hotaru shouted.

"Get out of the way," Setsuna shouted.

"Uranus World...Shaking!"

"Neptune Deep Submerge!"

The two attacks flew across the ground and hit the robot stopping it's advance. It slowed and looked for it's new combatants. Setsuna ran up to Hotaru.

"As I expected," Hotaru said and pulled out her power stick.

Setsuna was ready to yell at her, but decided now wasn't the time and she also pulled out her power stick.

"Saturn Planet Power!"

"Pluto Planet Power!"

The two were soon transforming into their Sailor Scout personalities. Neptune and Uranus meanwhile were facing down the robot.

"I am invincible to your attacks, you should cease your interference in my divine mission," the robot said.

"Divine mission?" Uranus asked with surprise.

"I hardly think you count as an angel," Neptune said.

"I am divine in my power. I possess immortality," the robot said.

The scouts continued to hold back knowing that the longer the robot spoke the more energy it consumed.

"Immortality is not a sign of godhood," Saturn said advancing. "You do not have the ability to influence an entire world at your whim. But you are no immortal, you can be destroyed, and you shall be."

"How dare you question my power!" the robot shouted and sent a blast flying at her. Saturn leapt out of he way.

"I don't think you understand who you are facing," Saturn said. "I am the Sailor of Death, I have felt it's power! The blackness then can surge through one's heart, and cause it to cease to function, you will feel it's power as well."

"You are not divine," the robot said.

"I am a match for you," Saturn said.

"Does Saturn know what she's doing?" Neptune asked.

"This is dangerous," Uranus said.

"Are you prepared to face death itself," Saturn said swinging her scythe. "For I am prepared to face you."

"You will all fall to my divine wrath, but not today," The robot said and disappeared.

The four scouts eyes widened.

"When did it get that ability?" Neptune asked.

"I thought we had it," Pluto said. "The amount of energy expended merely talking should have made it easier to run down, but somehow it's obtained the ability to teleport since we last met it."

"Or it always had it, but didn't feel the need to use it until now," Neptune said.

"Now how are we supposed to find it?" Uranus asked.

"It is unnatural, it defies the order of things, it will be destroyed," Saturn said.

"Saturn, I think you should calm down," Neptune said.

"I am perfectly calm, but I have my duties," Saturn said.

"You're not the Sailor of Death anymore," Uranus said. "You don't have to carry that burden."

"She's right, you're Sailor Saturn, you're part of a team who's goal is to preserve life," Pluto said.

"Not its life," Saturn said.

"It's a robot," Pluto said.

"A robot programmed to be evil, and given evil power," Saturn said. "If what you say is true, shouldn't we be trying to save it to?"

"We'll try," Pluto said. "But first we have to stop it."

"We'll do whatever we have to, to stop it though," Uranus said.

"That is true," Neptune said.

"I know, and so will I," Saturn said. "It is a shame though, this creature has no idea of what it is doing."

"It's not alive," Uranus said.

"Well..Uranus..maybe it is," Neptune said.

"Listen Saturn, are you saying that you care for it?" Pluto asked.

"I am more concerned with its belief of immortality, when it is truly mortal," Saturn said. "I am confused."

"About what?" Pluto asked.

"Many..things," Saturn said. "Shouldn't we try to figure out our next plan?"

The other three scouts looked at each other with concern.

"It's a diversion," Patterson said staring at his computer screen.

"Diversion?" Greg asked. "That would make sense. Given the randomness of it. But what is it a diversion for?"

"That's another question entirely," Patterson replied. "But...I should have realized this sooner."

"Why didn't you?" Greg asked. "You're the tactician..I mean hypothetically."

"I don't follow."

"Well..I mean...you should have seen this immediately."

"You're right, maybe I've been distracted."

"By what? I mean the whole you being Amy's brother thing was a shock, but not enough to.."

"No you're right..this is more than a diversion....I have to stick to what I'm doing."

"You sure?"

"I am now. For one thing it's all I've got to go on," Patterson said.

Darrien raced down the hallway, under his right shoulder he was clutching some papers. He narrowly avoided Furuhata Sagara as she turned a corridor and slid to a stop.

"Sorry..." He said.

"Where are you headed so fast?" Sagara asked.

"Oh..I have to get these formulas to Professor Akins, he gave me two minutes, and he doesn't tolerate lateness.."

"Even for that?" Sagara asked.

"Yeah, even for this," Darrien said.

"You wanna catch some lunch later?" Sagara asked.

"Sure..how about One O' Clock okay?"

"You bet," Sagara said.

"Fine...bye," Darrien said and raced down the hall. Why do I keep having lunch with her? Darrien thought as he dashed down the hall. Why because she's a friend and a colleague now. I can eat meals with friends. Stop second guessing my self. I know what I'm doing, don't I? Geez..I'm going to be late. Now I know how Serena feels, Serena....he thought and slid to a stop. This is getting complex.

"You're late!" Akins shouted.

"Uh..I know professor."

"Good...you've displayed the ability to tell time, you're going to go far in this business," Akins said.

"Really?" Darrien asked not really thinking.

"No.." Akins said.

"Oh?" Darrien asked.

"So...you like bass fishing?"

"Uh..no..why?"

"Just asking..now let's see this formula."

It was then that Darrien realized just how insane Professor Akins was.

"So how'd the double date go?" Raye asked.

"Wonderful," Mina said.

"Terrible," Lita said.

"Oh...I see," Raye said.

"I saw a side to Mike that I had never seen before, the Shakespearian Mike," Mina said. "And he was so interesting after that."

"Mike reads Shakespeare?" Raye asked.

"Well..sure..he doesn't understand all of it, but still..he has a knack for uh..sort of filling in the blanks."

"You mean making it up?" Raye asked.

"Well..yeah..but it was interesting how he did it," Mina said.

"Not stupid," Lita said.

"Not this time," Mina said.

"And how long before it becomes stupid?" Lita asked.

"Don't try and take away my thunder just because your boyfriend's as romantic as a uh..well..Steve," Mina said.

"Mina..I will not forgive you..Steve is still learning the finer arts of romance," Lita said.

"Lita...I suggest you keep him back a year, because he'll definitely fail the test," Mina said.

"Uh..there's no need to fight over this," Raye said. "Lita, are you sure you want to date Steve?"

"What do you mean?" Lita asked.

"Well he's a nice guy..fine..but uh...he's not a good date...that's okay too," Raye said.

"That's what I said," Mina said. "In so many words."

"I mean that maybe you and Steve should just be friends," Raye said.

"Can we do that?" Lita asked. "And what if he just does need time? I mean a lot of it, if I let him go now..well..he may never realize his true potential and it might hurt him. And you know that friendship's don't always work after dating."

"Lita I'll leave it up to you, but you look like you need some romance, and Steve doesn't seem to be able to provide it," Raye said.

"Uh huh.." Mina said.

"Mina, you're on thin ice too," Raye said.

"Wha..." Mina said.

"Mike is obviously strange enough to fit your description of the perfect guy, but.." Raye said.

"But..what?" Mina growled. "Strange enough? Mike can be very sweet and charming."

"He's not boyfriend material either," Raye said.

"He's done fine...he has his ups and downs, but so do roller coasters, and the stock market, and both of those things uh..involve lots of money...so...there.." Mina said. "But now..Mina Deveraux is off," she said and raced away.

Lita and Raye sighed.

"Glad we had this little chat," they muttered.

"I am serious though Lita, I like Steve too, he's nice..but you need someone who can give you what you want, not just someone who can be a satisfying opponent in a pickup football game," Raye said.

"I just don't know Raye, I don't want to lose him," Lita said.

"If that's your only reason for staying with him, you've already given up," Raye said. "Why torment yourself and him?"

"Easy for you to say, you've had good boyfriends."

"Well Lita, you've been held back by Steve, you could probably have a really nice boyfriend by now if you just went looking. How about Ken?"

"Ken? He's a good friend, like Steve...I wouldn't date Ken though."

"Why not? You date Steve?"

"I wouldn't want to risk the friendship me and Ken have over dating, the way I have with Steve. I can't lose both of them. In fact Ken has a girlfriend, she's nice...though a bit kooky."

"Kooky?"

"Kooky is the only word I can think of to describe her," Lita said.

"Oh..interesting," Raye said.

"You don't know the half of it," Lita said.

"I guess I don't," Raye replied.

"But I'll go talk to Ken."

"About dating?"

"No...no...about other things...he should be able to help me out."

"Yeah..go talk to him.." Raye said.

:Lita then headed off. There was a large crash, Raye turned. The roof of Chad's room was caved in. She rushed to the door and opened it, Rick and Chad were lying in a heap in the center of the room.

"What happened?" Raye muttered.

"Uh..we were just kinda fighting on the roof.." Chad said.

"Stealth style.." Rick said.

"And here we are," Chad said.

"Get up..both of you," Raye said.

"Why?" the two said hesitantly.

"Because I'm going to kick you both in the head that's why..then you're going to fix the ROOF!" Raye shouted.

"Well if you put it that way," the two said and immediately stood up.

"Uh..why are you two actually standing?" Raye asked. "I said I was going to kick you in the head!"

The two shrugged.

"Just fix the roof!" Raye shouted. The two shrugged and headed out.

"We know how to turn her wheels don't we?" Chad whispered.

"We got skills," Rick said. "No kicks for us."

The two were doused with water.

"There!" Raye shouted.

"Hmm..water isn't a bad thing,:" Chad said.

"No..no..of course not," Rick said.

Raye grimaced.

Those two are conspiring to turn me into the crazed lunatics all my friends are quickly becoming. Why me?

"So anyway...I think we'll be working together even more closely soon," Sagara said.

"Oh?" Darrien asked. "I didn't know our two projects were going to come together."

"Yes well..you see...even though the fusion equation hasn't been finished yet, the plan is to develop a rocket that can utilize it.." Sagara said.

"How are we supposed to do that if we don't know Fusion will entail?" Darrien asked.

"We have the general idea," Sagara said. "And that's all we need, you see...if we start planning in advance we'll be able to integrate the fusion engine into it later."

"This seems to be a very risky project," Darrien said.

"But the rewards would be great, you guys just have to design a rocket that can be adapted, and that's where the two of us come in."

"We're just a couple of seniors working to graduate though," Darrien said.

"No..we're there," Sagara said. "We're on the front lines. Because this project is so risky, they can't get many people for it, but we're available. We'll be part of the triumph. Isn't it exciting?"

"I guess, I was more interested in the conventional designs though."

"While you're working for Professor Akins, this is your project.." Sagara said.

"Oh..."

"And since the government is putting a large amount of money into this project, some of the other programs are being cut back. Darrien, considering your status, it's either you come along for the ride, or sit through grad school taking notes while the scientists launch the rockets."

"Hmm..I'll have to think about it," Darrien said.

"Yeah, I guess you will, listen though, I want you to know something.."

"What?" Darrien said.

"I know that with that lately we've become really good friends.." Sagara said.

"Yeah..." Darrien said.

"And I don't want you to think that I'm coming on to you or anything, because I'm not, I know you have that girlfriend of yours, and I respect that, even if she is so young."

"She's seventeen."

"You're not," Furi said and paused.

"Darrien, I don't want you to get worried, I don't understand your relationship, but I don't want to interfere with it, and if you were open I might consider it, but I'm not okay?"

"I gotcha," Darrien said. "It's not that I haven't appreciated your company, but it's just I have a lot of friends and that suits me fine..the more the merrier," Darrien said.

"There we go now that's settled. Darrien..what's your favorite flower?" Sagara asked.

"Flower?" Darrien asked. "That's abrupt."

"You should know by now I tend to jump around."

"Yeah..I noticed," Darrien said. "Well...I like roses."

"Roses..how beautiful..." Sagara said. "I'm actually more of a daisy fan."

"Daisy huh."

"Yep..."

"Oh.." Darrien said.

"What?"

"Nothing," Darrien said.

"Hmm...now this is interesting," Amy said reading a book.

"What is?" Greg asked.

"The symbiotic relationship between remoras and sharks," Amy said. "Haven't you found that curious."

"Oh..sure...it's an oddity," Greg said. "Say Amy, you seem to be getting into that biology book of yours."

"I decided to try and read it again now that schools over for the summer, and I seem to be able to get more out of it," Amy said. "Still..."

"What?"

"Oh..it's nothing..I'll be fine..."

"Amy..please..be honest with me.." Greg said.

"Greg..I'm nervous about my career choice, ever since..you know..I've had trouble grasping the choices that a physician has to make and I just have worried. As a Sailor Scout I fight to save as many lives as possible, but I do it without reservation. I don't question myself. But being a doctor. Greg I want to do it, so much..but...I..don't know if I can..not anymore."

"Amy...don't get worked up..there is no one who would be a better doctor then you, you have the ability, you're more caring then anyone I know, you can do it."

"Sometimes..I wonder.." Amy said.

"I'm sorry..I didn't meant to upset you.."

"No..it's fine...Greg..it's better to talk about these things."

The doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," Greg said and walked to the door. He opened it. His father stood there.

"Dad?" Greg said.

"Pack up your things," Greg's father said.

"Why?" Greg asked.

"I want you to come home immediately."

"But..why?"

"Greg..it's important," his father said. "Just get it all together..."

"But..I don't understand," Greg said.