Chapter 190
Ligar Masamuto, a known felon, raced down a dark alley way occasionally looking back and sweating profusely as he hoped he had eluded his pursuer. He rounded a corner and skidded to a stop.There veiled in shadows stood a figure.
"Did you really think running would help you?" the figure said walking under a small light revealing the grey uniform he wore that was trimmed with blue.
"Now...tell me what I want to know," Maverick said.
"I don't know nothing.." Masamuto said.
"Double negatives are not the way to handle me," Maverick replied drawing one of his swords. Masamuto backed up and ended up against a wall. Maverick fired hitting inches away from Masamuto's right shoulder.
"Hah..you missed," Masamuto said.
"I hit right where I aimed," Maverick said.
"That's your excuse? Hah.." Masamuto managed to say despite his fear. Maverick scowled and seconds later his second sword was drawn. He fired off a barrage hitting all around Ligar. The crook froze.
"Ahem..." Maverick said.
A figure dropped down beside Maverick. Sailor Mercury.
"Maverick..be careful you killed the last one," she said.
"So..who cares? Just criminal scum isn't it?" Maverick said and took a few steps forward and faced Masamuto. "I am vengeance personified, I am the blade of a large and swift sword. Are you ready to take me on?"
"Uh..no...uh..listen.." Ligar said.
"Stand!" came a voice. Mercury and Maverick turned to see a group of lowlifes emerging form the alley. About fifteen in all.
"Hey, it's the guys, help me out.." Ligar said.
"Of course," the leader of the group said.
"You really think you can take me?" Maverick said. "Delusions are an unfortunate component of the human psyche."
"Well said," Mercury said. The two nodded at each other.
"Mercury Bubbles Blast!" Mercury shouted. The alley filled with mist. Maverick swung into action and within thirty seconds the entire mob was lying unconcious. Maverick turned back to Ligar.
"Now...last chance," Maverick said.
"Just what it is you'd like to know?" Ligar asked hesitantly.
"These negaverse attacks...what do you know about them?" Maverick said.
"Oh them...well to be honest..I have no idea, see you two probably don't realize this, but practically every criminal gang in this city has had a victim," Ligar said.
":I did know that, what's your point?" Maverick asked.
"Well..who'd be stupid enough to attack every group in the city..." Ligar said.
"No one," Mercury said.
"Exactly, but you see there's something else you don't know,"Ligar said.
"I'll be the judge of that," Maverick said.
"Well everyone attacked at one time or another had dealings with one man," Ligar said.
"Is that so?" Mercury asked curiously.
"Sure toots," Ligar said with a grin.
Maverick fired a blast above Ligar's head.
"Watch the mouth," Maverick said. "You were saying."
"Anyway..the man you want to see is Rudgrin Seven," Ligar said.
"That's his name?" Mercury asked.
"I've heard of him, he changed it to be intimidating. Not that that's an intimidating name," Maverick said. "But he's in prison."
"That's where you'll find him," Ligar said. "Can I go now?"
"Sure.."Maverick said and blasted Ligar with his sword.
"Maverick..was that necessary?" Mercury asked.
"I guess it wasn't," Maverick said.
"Prison...." Mercury said losing herself in thought. Maverick could guess why.
"Uh..if you want..me..to..uh..you know...handle this.I can.." Maverick began.
"No..it's fine," Mercury said. "Let's find this Rudgrin Seven."
"So...you two are split up now.." Rick said sipping a drink.
"Yeah.." Steve said leaning back in his chair and sighing.
"So why are you so glum..she still wants to be friends," Rick said.
"You ever been dumped?"
"Well aside from now.."
"Raye didn't dump you, she's just angry."
"Maybe...I don't know sometimes...she can be weird."
"Well..I've got other problems..I did my best," Steve said.
"Sure you did," Rick said.
"And it didn't work..."
"Sometimes it doesn't," Rick said.
"But..Rick..Lita's one of the few girls I've ever met with the same interests as me, the fact that we stayed toghether this long was merely a result of that and not my skills with girls."
"Uh..hate to say this buddy, but that's a lot of what goes into a relationship, my previous relationships excepted of course..now that was all skill..but they didn't last."
"You didn't want them to last."
"Right because the girls didn't share my interests," Rick said with a grin.
Steve frowned.
"Face it. I'll never get another girlfriend," Steve said.
"This is what it's about huh? I can understand you feeling down, but let's be realistic," Rick said.
"How the heck am I supposed to be in a relationship if I can't stand sitting through a romantic movie, or a romantic dinner for that matter?"
"Well..just find a girl who doesn't want to do that and you're all set," Rick said. "But Steve..can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"Well..when did you all the sudden become interested in girls...I mean..romantically, you seemed to care more about sports and stuff?"
"I like sports, and rockets, but I can't explain it all..maybe it's because I see the search for love as a competition and I'm competing against others for success, so naturally I want to win....there could be other reasons, I doubt a girl would appreciate that if that was my reason...but maybe it is, and maybe that's the problem," Steve said. "I'm just no good at this."
"Steve...keep something in mind, you may be bad at this, but there are worse people."
"Yeah...and what do we have in common, no dates," Steve said.
"I think you're going overboard, you'll feel better in a few days," Rick said. "Besides do what you like, instead of worrying about romantic success, wait for future opportunities."
"Sure.." Steve said. "So just how are you going to handle your own problem."
"I'll just wait for Raye to call me up and say let's make up," Rick said.
"That's your plan? I thought you'd be more agressive."
"No..I think this is the way to go," Rick said.
"You sure?"
"Hey...you just said you stink at romance, what right do you have to tell me how to do things?" Rick asked curiously.
"Uh..well..I was just trying to learn what you're thinking was."
"You think I'm doing this wrong? You really do...we'll see," Rick said.
"No never mind.." Steve said.
"No..you've issued a challenge and I will answer it, Mister no romance," Rick said.
'Was that an insult?"
"I think so."
"I think I'll just hit you then."
"Give it your best shot," Rick said.
Rudgrin Seven was lead into a room at the prison where he was sat down at a table. Maverick and Mercury stood across from it.
"And just who are two supposed to be?" Seven asked.
"Haven't you heard of the scouts?" Mercury asked bluntly.
"Oh...yeah..you jokers," Seven said. "Something I can do for ya?"
"You heard anything about the rash of crimes targetting criminals," Maverick asked.
"Well that depends," Seven said. "What's in it for me?"
"Good question..." Maverick said holding up a small packet. Seven stared at it.
"Gummy worms...you've got gummy worms?" He asked. "I haven't had those in eight years."
"That's what happens when you get twenty years Seven.." Maverick said.
"You mean you'll give me those if I tell you what I know?" Seven asked.
"Yeah...you do have quite a liking of them," Mercury said.
"How do you know that," Seven asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know," Maverick said.
"Fine, no use keeping this information hidden, these guys are all former members of my own criminal organization," Seven said.
"You mean the one from eight years ago?" Maverick asked.
"Yeah, but I bet you know nothing about it since I bribed several officials into destroying all the records when they brought me in, that way by networks could stay intact and they have," Seven said.
"So you're saying that someone's targeting your old group members?" Mercury asked.
"Sure...see after I left the scene the group split into several factions, but it seems someone doesn't care about that," Seven said.
"Did you have any enemies back then?" Mercury asked.
"You kidding?" Seven said and started laughing. "But none of them did it."
Mercury's eyes widened.
"I don't care how you know that, but do you have any idea who is doing this?" Maverick asked.
"Nope, which means, that you two have your work cut out for ya, because if I don't know..."
"I get the idea," Maverick said. "We'll check out your story, if it works out, we won't need to come back..." he muttered and tossed Seven the gummi worms.
"Have fun," Seven said as the two scouts headed out.
"So where does this get us?" Mercury asked.
"Not far."
"Maybe we should have asked if there were any more of his contacts on the list?"
"He wouldn't have said."
"Even if we bribed him?"
"No," Maverick said.
"Maverick what about the randomness of the attacks how does that fit in?"
"They only appeared random, because I didn't know what to look for, I forgot that Seven must have been managing a coalition of groups. My computer can't trace such wide variances, so it's possible that they are all members of one group."
"Still...that's convenient isn't it, one pattern that can be followed, yet appear completely random," Mercury said.
"Yes, but the pattern is obvious after visiting Seven...so..."
"So...we've still got some questions to answer.."
"Plenty of them.." Maverick said.
"Uh..Maverick..maybe while we're here we should.." Mercury said.
"Oh..maybe.." Maverick said. "But we shouldn't come back as humans without some time delay."
"You're right that's a good precaution."
Two hours later Amy Anderson and D.V. Patterson waited in a visiting room as their parents were lead in from the cell block.
"We were wondering when you two would show up.." Dr. John Anderson said.
"I can only guess how you feel.." Doctor Andrea Anderson said.
"You shouldn't have hidden the truth from us," Amy said with a greater edge then Patterson expected her to use.
She's still bitter over them doing that procedure isn't she?" he asked himself.
"Amy...we had to..how could we explain it," Andrea Anderson said.
"You have to understand the pressure we were under back then, twins...we just couldn't do it..." John Anderson said.
"We're sorry to have given you away D.V. we didn't want to have the two of you have a bad life because we couldn't raise you properly," Andrea Anderson said.
"As far as I'm concerned you aren't my parents, so you're off the hook," D.V. said. "My parents would and did die for me."
Amy's eyes widened as she saw that comment slice through her parents. She could see the hurt.
"You're right of course," John Anderson said.
"I don't think there's anything more for us to say," Amy said. "I'll visit you again, when I have time.."
"Wait.." Andrea Anderson said. "We have to be truthful with you two."
"What do you mean?" Amy asked.
"There is one secret we haven't told you yet," Andrea Anderson continued.
Mina meanwhile was lying back on her bed relaxing and talking into a cordless phone.
"No Mike, I don't think I'd appreciate that sort of art...I uh..appreciate you making the effort though.." Mina said. "Yes..I'm sure I don't want to see a garbage sculpture of Charles de Gaulle, uh..Mike...listen I gotta go..I'll call you back tomorrow okay...sure...what? No...I don't want to see a painting of an artist creating the garbage sculpture of Charles de Gaulle either. I mean it...I don't care if it's abstract...good bye Mike.." Mina said and hung up the phone. She sighed.
"What am I going to do about him?" she asked herself.
"Who might that be?" Came a voice. Mina turned. Sitting on her window sill was a medium sized boy with well organized blonde hair.
"My cat Artemas, he has some problems" Mina said. "So are you ready for our date Johnny?"
"Uh.sure..but why'd I have to come in the window?" Johnny asked.
"To prove your love for me?" Mina said with starry eyes.
"Oh.." Johnny said.
"Come on.." Mina said and moved to the window.
"Out the window again?" Johnny asked.
"You ask too many questions," Mina said.
"Oh..okay.." Johnny said.
Greg meanwhile was surprised to have his communicator go off.
It must be them. He thought and pulled it out.
"Hello?" he said.
"Hey Greg," Amy replied.
"Long time no see.."
"Yeah, I was afraid to call, but I was worried," Amy said.
"Yeah..well it doesn't look like I'll be coming back any time soon."
"I know," Amy said.
"Oh."
"Greg, listen there's something I need to tell you, and I'm sorry I have to."
"What?"
"I went to visit my parents today, and it turns..uh..Greg..we're related."
"What?" Greg said in shock.
"I uh..your mother..and uh..my father...uh..." Amy said.
"Amy..you can't..mean it.."
"I'm sorry Greg, I do."
"Oh..gee...well this changes things..." Greg found himself saying.
"That's an understatement," Amy said.
"So..you doing anything this weekend?" Furi asked.
"Uh..Furi..I can't go out with you," Darrien stammered.
"Not a date silly, I want you to look over some equations with me."
"Furi, the last time you said that you tried to get me to go out for dinner with you."
"And you did, and we talked about equations," Furi said.
'We talked about other things too."
"You didn't seem disinterested," Furi said.
"I wasn't...but..I'm involved."
"Funny you should say that considering that you've been spending all your time with me.." Furi said.
"Furi, we're working together."
"Exactly and that means your not involved with anyone," Furi said.
"Huh?"
"Darrien, haven't you figured it out, you're involved with your work, I'm just your colleague, and I've been keeping you from completely burning yourself out if you hadn't noticed. We're not dating. But since you seem unable to tear yourself away from your work for some reason, I've had to do it."
"I've been taking breaks."
"Not without my prodding you to do it. Geez..how long has it been since you went out with your girlfriend."
"Uh..I don't know...three weeks?"
"Three weeks?" Furi asked with shock. "Have you even talked to her?"
"Well..uh..no.."
"Darrien..what are you thinking?"
'Well..I just haven't wanted to."
"Huh?" Furi asked. "Why?"
"Because I've been with you," Darrien said.
Furi's eyes widened.
"You what?"
"Furi...I've forgotten why I loved Serena..I can't figure it out even now..but the only thing I
do know..is that right now..I do understand why I love you."
Furi stared at him.
"You....love me?" She asked in complete shock.
"Yes..." Darrien said. "I do."
"But..your girlfriend?"
"I don't know Furi...I don't know what it means..but Serena is a very good friend and I like her a lot, but I feel love for you."
"Darrien...I..uh..don't know what to say..this is so strange.." Furi said. "Are you feeling all right?"
"Yeah..I think so.." Darrien said.
"Well..uh...Darrien I guess I've always been interested in you..but..you've got a girlfriend.."
"I think I should talk to her then."
"I think you had better."
"I'll go right now."
"Do that Darrien."
Darrien stood up and hurried out not sure what he was doing.
What is going on in his head? Furi wondered.
Meanwhile at Serena's house, the meatball headed girl was moving quickly back and forth across her room straightening things up.
"Serena? What are you doing?" Luna asked.
"Cleaning Luna of course..because neatness is good," Serena said.
"Serena? Are you all right?"
"Of course I am...see?" Serena said and smiled broadly. "I'm out of school, I've got great friends, what is there to worry about?"
"Serena...this is odd. Have you heard from Darrien lately, it doesn't seem like you've seen much of him."
"Of course I HAVEN'T!" Serena shouted. "Why do you think I'm trying to enjoy cleaning!"
"Wha.." Luna said.
"Why isn't he calling?" Serena said dropping to her knees. "I've gone by his place....he's not there..he won't call ..I can't find him..what is he doing?"
"Well..uh..he does have his school work."
"But..normally he'd try to see me?"
"Serena...you have a point...I'm not disagreeing, this is more than just your fickle imagination running away from you."
"There's no fickleness here!" Serena shouted.
"Do you know what fickle means?" Luna muttered.
"Of course," Serena said.
"Well?" Luna asked.
"We don't have time to discus linguistic grammatics Luna!"
"What?"
"Luna..listen..what do I do?" Serena asked.
"I'm sure he has a good reason," Luna said.
"Yeah probably, but so he does, what if he's going to dump me again?"
"Why would he do that?"
"Because he's Darrien..he's been known to do that.."
"It only happened once, you dumped him the second time."
"I had a good reason."
"Well..you know you're right..but...Serena you're destiny is to be with him."
"Uh uh..." Serena said.
"What?"
"My destiny was to be with him..." Serena said.
"Serena..you had a child with him in the future."
"But that future's in a different dimension now."
"Oh...I guess you're right," Luna said. "Still it's your destiny, you have to be together."
"But maybe he doesn't realize that."
"Serena, it doesn't matter if he realizes it you'll end up together anyway."
"But destiny can mess with you, we might end up together Romeo and Juliet style."
"Romeo and Juliet style?"
"Don't you see what I'm saying?" Serena said hysterically.
"Kind of.." Luna said.
Serena began to cry.
"Stop crying it's probably nothing," Luna said.
"You think so?" Serena asked and abruptly stopped.
"I uh..didn't expect you to stop crying so quickly."
"Well..if you're right then I'm off the hook, and if you're wrong, I'll hold you personally responsible," Serena said and headed to the door.
"Where are you going?" Luna asked.
"To find Darrien.." Serena said and ran out.
"This is disturbing..." Luna said.
'What is?" came another voice. Luna turned to see Artemas sitting nearby.
"Where have you been?" Luna asked.
"Out?"
"Where?"
"Around.." Artemas said with a grin.
"Let me fill you in," Luna said.
Darrien meanwhile was picking up his phone in his apartment.
Gotta call Serena settle this.
There was a knock. He moved to the door. Serena stood there huffing and puffing.
"Serena...are you all right?" Darrien asked.
"Where have you been?" Serena screeched.
"Uh...Serena..we need to talk."
"What? Why?"
"Uh...well there has been some things happening in my life and I'm finding it hard to uh..explain.."
"You're dumping me aren't you?" Serena asked.
"No..uh.." Darrien stammered. How does she know anything's up? He thought. "I'm just really confused and I was hoping we could..uh...take a break."
"Take a break? You? Me? There's no such thing!" Serena shouted and headed for the door.
"Wait..let me explain.." Darrien said.."I'm confused!"
"You're more than that! Haven't you heard of destiny!" Serena shouted and stormed out the door. She raced down the hall and immediately began crying.
"What is happening?" Darrien asked himself. "What do I do?"
Meanwhile Serena raced out of the apartment building out into the night. Her worst fears had been confirmed, and she had no idea why."
CHAPTER 181 CHAPTER 182 CHAPTER 183 CHAPTER 184
CHAPTER 185 CHAPTER 186 CHAPTER 187 CHAPTER 188
CHAPTER 189 CHAPTER 190 CHAPTER 191 CHAPTER 192
CHAPTER 193 CHAPTER 194 CHAPTER 195 CHAPTER 196