Chapter 96

"So..how's it going Patterson," Mike said, as he, Rick, and Steve walked into the hospital room.

"Aw..I told them not to let you in," Patterson muttered.

"Well..we just thought we'd come by and see how the you were doing," Steve said.

"I'm perfectly fine, they just say I have broken ribs to keep me in here so they can charge me a nice bill," Patterson muttered.

"They are not," came William Patterson's voice as he walked in. "Oh..hello boys, I thought they weren't supposed to let you in."

The three just grinned.

"Anyway..D.V. here has a couple of broken ribs, a bruised back, and a concussion. And he's already tried to sneak out twice," William Patterson said.

"I got out the second time.." D.V. said.

"Yeah..it was just the company of marines I had stationed outside the building that got him to come back in," William said. The three guys started laughing.

"I'm going home tomorrow," Patterson muttered.

"Sure you are," William said. "Oh..the Prime Minister had this delivered," he said handing D.V. a box of chocolates shaped like a heart.

"She says she was sorry, but it was the only one she could find on short notice," William said.

"Heh heh...D.V.'s got a big heart," Mike said and the three started laughing.

"Uncle, can you have those marines come up here and..." Patterson began.

"Give these three a good old fashioned working over?" William asked finishing the sentence.

"Yep," Patterson said.

"Sorry...but they have to go...and.so do I..but I'm leaving you three in charge..who I can only guess have nothing better to do today then sit around here," William said.

"Well..normally we play Parcheesi, but.." Mike said.

"Yeah..we'll keep an eye on him," Rick said.

"It'll give us plenty of time to talk," Steve said.

"Where's my sword?" Patterson snapped.

"Hey.guys.." William said and pulled the three over.

"Keep an eye out for those two jerks who did this in the first place..don't let in anyone who you don't know personally.You can let in the five girls, Darrien, and no one else..got it," William said.

"Yes sir," the three said.

"Knew I could trust you," William said.

"We couldn't subdue them," Haruka said.

"Yes, and now our surprise is gone, they'll be expecting us," Michiru said.

"We need to develop a new plan. If those scouts show up at the wrong time, it could spell disaster."

"Right..until then we have to watch out for the hearts," Michiru said. "And now we'll have to watch out for them too."

"If only we had succeeded, but those Guardian Scouts, they're sheer numbers distracted us, and that Maverick...he has constantly been a thorn in our sides."

"Should we take him out for good?" Michiru asked.

"Not in cold blood..not unless in absolutely necessary. I'm not convinced that is the case. Right now he is injured and not a threat," Haruka said.

"But if he knows who we are," Michiru said.

"A risk we'll have to take. We have other concerns. The Sailor Scouts are the true power, we need to get them out of the way...and then go after the Guardians."

"We're fighting a war on two fronts now. Can we possibly succeed?"

"I don't have an answer for you Michiru. But we have to try."

At Raye's temple.

"I swear, when I get my hands on those treacherous scouts..." Raye said.

"Raye...now is not the time to be rash," Amy said.

"When it is time Amy. I'm rapidly losing my patience. I say we go in and strike Tomoe. If those outer jerks show up. I will personally wipe the floor with them," Raye said.

"Me too," Lita said.

"Forget rationalizing it. Those two need a good beat down," Mina said.

"I just wish there was some other way," Amy said. "It may take all our strength to beat Tomoe...and to have to fight those two on the side."

"What if we took them out first," Lita said.

"Like they tried to do to us?" Mina asked.

"Turnabout is fair play," Raye said.

"But we don't know who they are," Mina said.

"We can find out quite quickly," Raye said. "He must know."

"Then let's go," Lita said.

"I'm not sure this is the way Sailor Scouts should operate," Amy said.

"Well I do," Raye said.

"Serena's the leader," Mina said.

"Serena?" Lita asked.

"I don't know anymore," Serena said solemnly.

"What?" The other four said.

"Allies that become so desperate to succeed they do what they did...but..if we do the same...how are we any better?" Serena asked.

"It's not a matter of being better," Raye said.

"What are you suggesting Raye..kidnaping those two..or worse...no..we can't do that," Serena said.

"But they're gunning for us," Lita said.

"And right now..they're only doing that...they only threatened us to get the transformation pens," Amy said.

"They held a knife to my throat," Raye said.

"I doubt Uranus would have used it," Mina said.

"We don't know that," Raye said.

"But if we play hardball, they'll take it to a higher level too..and then what..we kill each other?" Serena asked. "I know it isn't easy to take the high moral ground...but...I think we have to..whether I like it or not."

"We still should know who they are," Raye said.

"I don't trust you with that information Raye," Serena said.

"What?" Raye said.

"If you know who they are, I don't think you'll listen to us," Serena said.

"She's right Raye," Amy said.

"You are so worried about my temper...so worried that I'll do something stupid that you can't even see how important it is to know who those two are...come on!" Raye said.

"Amy, Lita go to the hospital and find out," Serena said. "Once you know we'll decide what to do next."

"Glad you all trust me so much," Raye snapped.

"We're just being careful," Mina said.

"Sure.." Raye said.

"Transform into Sailor Scouts before you go...I don't want to take any chances," Serena said.

"Right Serena," Amy said.

"Will do," Lita said.

"You're pretty smart today aren't you?" Raye snapped at Serena.

"The scouts need a strong leader," Serena said. "And unfortunately I'm it."

"I'd be glad to take over for you," Raye said.

"Not necessary," Serena said.

"Mina, keep an eye on them," Amy and Lita said.

"Sure..." Mina said. Like that'll help. She thought as an argument began.

"Eudial," Professor Tomoe said.

"Yes Professor," Eudial replied.

"We're still no closer to our goal."

"No professor, we're not."

"Just what do you intend to do about it?"

"Keep trying."

"Well..I suppose we could..."

"Professor, you're not considering giving up are you?"

"Well...I have to admit retirement had occurred to me."

"But Professor if you stop, you'll die."

"I also know that...and anyway...what's your favorite suit in cards?" Tomoe asked.

"What?"

"Well..are you a hearts fan, or maybe clubs or something.."

"I don't have a favorite."

"My favorite is spades..just because it sounds cool. Spaaaades.."

"Uh..Professor, the mission," Eudial said.

"Ehh..the mission," Tomoe said.

"No sign of Neptune or Uranus Patterson," Greg said into the communicator.

"Good, just keep on it okay," Patterson replied.

"Sure thing," Greg said.

"You think they'll strike again?" Mike asked.

"It's possible. I've got Greg using my watch to monitor for them or any negaverse activity," Patterson said.

"Hmm..you know what..Patterson," Steve said.

"What?" Patterson muttered.

"You don't smile enough," Steve said.

"Let's try to get Patterson to smile guys," Mike said.

"Don't..you'll regret it," Patterson said.

Meanwhile down the hall, Jupiter, and Mercury had arrived and changed back into human form. At this moment they were heading for Patterson's room.

"Amy..is it just me..or is everything going down the toilet?" Lita asked.

"We're at a crossroads that is certain," Amy said.

"But Raye..she's a firebrand..no pun intended..if she gets our hands on Tomoe or the outer scouts..."

"I know...and she knows that too.."

"We should just let her have all of them."

"I think she'll take it to far even knowing the risks," Amy said.

"Yeah.well.I'm tempted to go a little far too," Lita said.

"We all are."

"Even you?"

"Ever since my parents were arrested, I've had more trouble controlling my anger than usual...I hope it's only temporary, but right now..."

"I had no idea."

"Do I hear singing?" Amy said.

The two walked to Patterson's room.

"And then they called it a bowl of rice!" Mike said.

"Bowl of rice!" Rick said.

"Bowl of......riiiiiiiiceeeeeeee!" Steve said.

"Will you three sit down before I have to kill you?" Patterson muttered.

"Hey Patterson," Lita said.

"Hey girls!" Mike said.

"Riicceeeee" Rick and Steve said.

"Shut up," Lita and Patterson said unintentionally in unison.

"Woah..." Mike said.

"What's the diagnosis?" Amy asked.

"Broken ribs, concussion," Patterson said.

"You forgot the bruised back," Mike said.

"So I did," Patterson muttered. "So you want to know who the Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus are?"

"How did you know?" Lita and Amy asked.

"Just a guess," Patterson said.

"You owe me five bucks," Mike said to Rick.

"I know," Rick muttered.

"So..Patterson..who are they?" Lita asked.

"Don't you two suspect anyone?" Patterson asked.

"Well.." Lita said. "Amy?"

"I don't know...I haven't given it much thought."

"How come you're talking so much Patterson?" Mike asked.

"It's those stupid pain killers they gave me..takes away some of my inner defenses," Patterson said. "However, not enough that I'm about to give away any other secrets so don't even try," he added with a scowl.

"Patterson about the outer sailors," Lita said.

"Haruka and Michiru," Patterson said.

"What?" the entire room, except Amy said.

"Well..isn't it obvious?" Patterson said. "I could give you numerous evidence as well as the fact that I saw them transforming as a basis, for my ideas, but is that necessary."

"But they seemed so nice," Lita said.

"Yes they were very kind to Serena," Amy said.

"They also are incredibly dangerous," Patterson said.

"Are you sure?" Lita asked.

"Have I ever been wrong?" Patterson asked.

"He's right," the five others said.

"You know Raye..I'm beginning to get annoyed at your constant attempts to take leadership away from me!" Serena shouted.

"It's only because you're not a leader just a girl with a lot of power," Raye said.

"Really?"

"Yeah!"

"I think we have a little power struggle here then!"

"Let's resolve it."

"Uh..guys...you aren't going to fight are you?" Mina said.

"What ever gave you that idea!" The two shouted.

"I can't let that happen," Mina said. "You two are my friends..and..."

"Mina..you know that you really have nothing to say in this discussion," Raye said.

"Yes Mina, this is between us," Serena said.

"I'm not about to let you two fight it out," Mina said putting herself between the two them.

"Serena."

"Yes Raye."

"We have a small problem Serena."

"I know Raye."

"What should we do about it Serena."

"Well...how about we....jump her!"

And the two pounced on Mina.

"Hey!" Mina shouted.

"You guys we never got a chance to talk to you about strategy..how are we going to get into the island base?" Lita asked.

"We could disguise ourselves as fish," Mike said.

"It could work, it this was a cartoon!" Rick shouted.

"Isn't it?" Mike said.

"No!" the rest of the room said. "Get your facts straight."

"Oh.." Mike said.

"Why don't we try tunneling underground?" Steve said.

"How would that work?" Lita asked.

"Well..we could use our powers and come up under them," Steve said.

"That's very risky, the tunnel may not stand up to the weight of the water," Amy said.

"But if it did," Lita said.

"Hey, Patterson, couldn't you get your army buddies to build a tunnel?" Rick asked.

"Possibly, but it would arouse suspicion," Patterson said.

"So would a boat full of scouts," Lita said.

"Yes, but building a tunnel would take a long time...Tomoe would be ready for us by then...if you came by boat he'd have much less time. As for getting a boat, that's not a problem," Patterson said.

"The navy right?" Mike asked.

"I am highly connected," Patterson said.

"Except in school," Steve said.

"You bottom feeders really have nothing to say about connections," Lita said.

"Maybe," Mike muttered.

Patterson's communicator beeped.

"Patterson, Sailor Mars and Sailor Moon just appeared on the scanner," Greg said.

"Where?" Patterson asked.

"Raye's temple," Greg said.

"What about Venus, she should be there too," Lita said.

"Nothing."

"Any sign of Neptune and Uranus?" Patterson said.

"No," Greg said.

"That's strange..they've always been on the screen when a hearts been stolen," Patterson said.

Lita pulled out her communicator.

"Lita to Sailor Moon."

"What is it Lita, I'm busy," Sailor Moon said.

"Doing what?" Lita asked.

"Raye is challenging my leadership and I'm taking care of it," Sailor Moon said.

"You're what!" Lita said. "Come on Amy!"

"We should go," Rick said.

"No..this is a purely Sailor Scout matter," Lita said.

"But..." Rick said.

"Rick..you'll only get Raye angrier," Amy said.

"How?" Rick asked.

"I'll explain later," Amy said and the two girls rushed down the hall.

"What did that mean?" Rick asked.

"She means that Raye's been pretty angry since the negaverse has been attacking you. And...seeing you..would probably remind her of the negaverse and her anger over it...so...if you stay away it may be easier to calm her down," Patterson said.

"Oh..maybe," Rick said.

"I'll tear you apart!" Sailor Moon said and lunged at Mars. She sidestepped and kneed Sailor Moon in the gut.

"You're out of your league," Mars said.

"If I was using my energy I'd flatten you against the wall."

"You wouldn't have time to activate it."

"Don't be too sure," Sailor Moon said and grabbed Mars leg and with Jupiter's aura threw her over her head. Mars grabbed one of Sailor Moon's hair strands and pulled her down to the ground.

"Ouch!" Sailor Moon shouted.

"Hah!" Sailor Mars said.

Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mercury dropped to the ground quickly.

"What are you two doing!" Jupiter said.

"Stay out of this," Mars and Sailor Moon said.

"You're fighting each other when we have other problems," Jupiter said.

"Well..yeah.." Sailor Moon said.

"Where's Mina?" Mercury asked.

"Right there," Mars said and pointed to Mina, bound and gagged wiggling around on the floor of Raye's room. They all sensed their communicators go off.

"What is it!" Mars shouted pulling it out.

"Temper temper Mars," Patterson said.

"What the heck is up with you anyway!" Mars shouted.

"Neptune and Uranus have just been spotted," Patterson said. "I thought you might want to know that."

"You bet," Mars said and jumped off.

"Hey!" Sailor Moon said and jumped off.

"Mercury, untie Mina and follow us," Sailor Jupiter said and jumped off after them.

Mercury pulled the ropes off Mina.

"Thanks for leaving me to the nutcases, I can't tell you how much I enjoy being bound and gagged on the a different floor every month or so. " Mina said.

"Sorry," Mercury said. "Patterson..do you still have that location."

"Guardian Saturn's in route, he can give you the data..." Patterson said.

"I'm on line," Saturn said. "I'll lead the way."

"Where are the others?" Mina said.

"Trying to keep Patterson from charging into battle," The three replied over Patterson's com line.

"And if I wasn't tired, I would give them all a hard time of it too," Patterson muttered.

"Yeah right!" the other three said.

"You're just afraid of us," Mike said.

"We got skills," Steve said.

"And I am nigh invincible," Rick said.

"And I still have my energy sword," Patterson said.

"So you do..." the three muttered.

Mercury looked at Mina and the two managed a small grin before hurrying off.

A ten foot tall daimon drew the heart out of an innocent bystander and smashed a telephone pole while he was at it.

"Neptune Deep Submerge!"

"Uranus World Shaking!"

The two attacks smashed into the daimon and knocked it tumbling to the ground.

"Neptune Deep Submerge!"

"Uranus World Shaking!"

The two attacks slammed into the daimon on the ground, but did apparently little damage.

"What's going on?" Neptune said.

"Don't know,:" Uranus said.

Suddenly five energy blasts smashed into the creature's head and it exploded.

"The head was the weak point," Neptune said in realization.

"The heart!" Uranus shouted and raced forwards towards where the heart now floated. Neptune followed. They were intercepted. Mars kicked Uranus straight out of the air and Sailor Moon picked off Sailor Neptune with her tiara as she leapt down to the ground.

"How dare you!" Neptune shouted and slapped Mars in the face. Mars slapped her back.

Sailor Moon grabbed the heart.

"We'd better get down there," Jupiter said and the three other Sailor Scouts leapt to the ground.

"Here, hold this," Sailor Moon said and gave it to Jupiter.

"Give it to us!" Neptune said and charged forward. She leapt right at Sailor Jupiter before the others could stop her. She barreled into Jupiter and grabbed the heart out of her hand. Mars and Neptune were meanwhile fighting it out hand to hand.

Guardian Saturn reached a roof top.

"This isn't good," he said.

Neptune leapt away from the other scouts, the heart in her hand.

"Stand back," she said. The other scouts stopped. Mars and Neptune continued to fight.

"Moon..." Sailor Moon whispered.

"Spiral..hearts," she added slowly pulling her scepter in position.

"It's not a talisman," Neptune said.

"Then give it back!" Jupiter shouted.

"Fine," Neptune snapped and threw it through the air. Jupiter caught it.

"ATTACK!" Sailor Moon screeched.

"Neptune!" Uranus shouted. The attack slammed right into Uranus and knocked her straight into a wall.

"Neptune!" Uranus shouted again and kicked free of Mars and raced towards her fallen comrade. She bent down by Neptune as she began to open her eyes.

"You all right."

"Surround!" Mars shouted finishing her own attack. The power swung around Uranus and caused her great pain. She screamed.

CHAPTER 66 CHAPTER 67 CHAPTER 68 CHAPTER 69 CHAPTER 70  CHAPTER 71 

CHAPTER 72 CHAPTER 73 CHAPTER 74 CHAPTER 75  CHAPTER 76 CHAPTER 77

 CHAPTER 78 CHAPTER 79 CHAPTER 80  CHAPTER 81  CHAPTER 82 CHAPTER 83

CHAPTER 84 CHAPTER 85  CHAPTER 86 CHAPTER 87 CHAPTER 88 CHAPTER 89

 CHAPTER 90 CHAPTER 91 CHAPTER 92 CHAPTER 93 CHAPTER 94 CHAPTER 95

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