Chapter 299
It was a rare occurrence, but the scouts left in Tokyo were all sitting around a table in the war room.
"It's good that we're all here," Haruka said. "It is vitally important that we go into battle with as much information as possible. Gala holds the cards. She decides where the next battle is fought. She attacks when she wants. So we must be able to strike back and strike back hard."
The group nodded.
"I hate to bring this up. But maybe we should call the other scouts," Greg said.
"We can't. How can we ask them to give up what they've gained for this," Serena said. "I'll fight twice as hard if I have to, to keep them out of this."
"Unfortunately their hopes and dreams is not a good enough reason to not get them involved," Haruka said. "However, Gala doesn't seem interested in fighting them right now. Which means we have a reserve."
"Gala is smart, she is also following a logical plan. There are eight of us, and eight of them. She realizes by keeping an apparent balance it encourages both of our sides to meet in combat," Michiru said.
"I would hardly call this a fair fight though," Lita said.
"It's a not a fair fight," Haruka said. "However, Gala seems more interested in fighting battles within limits. Patterson suspects she doesn't have the firepower to take on all the scouts at once."
"At the moment," Patterson added.
"So instead she tries to defeat half of us and then deal with the other half," Haruka said.
"So if we did call the other scouts we could win this battle for sure," Serena said.
"No," Haruka said. "We don't know that. We're guessing. It is best to try and feel her out more."
"Like she is doing with us," Hotaru said. "Gala has limits to her power,but she also has ways of gaining more. A star seed for example would amplify her power."
"But she doesn't have any does she?" Lita asked.
"She could, but we mean if she were to get the ones that are here on this planet," Michiru said.
"And just who has them?" Serena asked.
"Good question," Greg said. "Galaxia couldn't find them,"
"Of course she couldn't find them. She wasn't looking in the right place," Haruka said.
"What exactly does that mean?" Serena asked.
"Galaxia's troops interpreted the star seeds to be in those people that were popular and well known, or good at what they did," Michiru said. "But does that make sense. When pure hearts were the target, the criteria for having one was more solid."
"If such a thing is possible," Hotaru said.
"You know what I mean," Michiru said. She received curious glances. "I don't want to explain it."
"What Michiru means is that Galaxia looked for the wrong types of stars. We don't know why the star seeds are named what they are," Haruka said. "But what if they meant something more. People who had the power to influence life, and were the guiding light of it."
"This is getting unnecessarily spiritual," Serena said. "But go on."
"Uh..all right..." Haruka said. "I expected you to be the last person to question my thought process."
"Sorry," Serena said. "I guess I can feel weird sometimes."
"Well okay. Regardless of it," Haruka said. "We suspect star seeds may be more similar to pure hearts."
"Special people have them. Not because of money or fame..but because of who they are," Michiru said.
"Makes you wonder just who these higher powers are that created this magical stuff in the first place," Patterson muttered.
"Regardless of how strange it sounds, it seems the most logical to look at the problem that way," Haruka said.
"Anyone disagree," Michiru said.
No one did.
"So now that we're looking at the problem this way. Just exactly who do we think has the star seeds?" Serena asked.
"We do," Hotaru said.
That brought some shocked glances.
"Or maybe some of us do," the dark haired girl said. "You all had pure hearts didn't you?"
The group nodded.
"Michiru and Haruka had the talismans," Hotaru said.
The two nodded.
"These wars we fight, they revolve around us. It is our destiny. The star seeds, they are here in Tokyo. They are nearby us. One of us of must have one," Hotaru said.
"So if we don't stop her, Gala's going to come after us," Lita said.
"Eventually yes," Haruka said. "If she figures it out."
"She will," Patterson said.
"What makes you so sure?" Lita asked.
"She is not like her mother. Gala is much more cautious, much more intelligent. She knows what didn't work. It won't take her long to put the pieces together," Patterson said.
"D.V. what evidence do you have of that?" Greg asked. "I mean I think you have a point, but what do we base it on."
"It's the feeling I'm getting. That's all," Patterson said.
"She will figure it out," Hotaru said. "If we let her. And killing her at this point may be difficult to do."
"So do we have a plan?" Serena asked.
"Maybe we will soon, what we do have is information to run through," Haruka said.
"I hate lectures," Serena muttered.
"Serena, at least try to make an effort," Haruka said.
"Ehh...all right," Serena said.
"Let's get started," Haruka said. Patterson pressed a button and data appeared on the view screen.
"Now we'll start with Coardite," Haruka said and
began to give a detailed description of the enemy, which was just
the start.
"Hmm...it's an interesting proposition," Doctor Richter said.
"Is it possible?" Darrien asked.
"Oh indeed it is," Richter said. "I did some research over these past few days. We developed weaponry based on the negaenergy. We could in theory use it to power a rocket and quite well at that."
"There are some complex physics involved," Doctor Tomoe said.
"Indeed you're right. For that we'd need another expert. Perhaps one of your scientific advisors," Richter said.
"I talked with them, they seem hesitant, but interested in the possibilities," Darrien said.
"Yes well you see for one thing, we only have so much energy," Richter said. "We have developed ways of reproducing it slowly, but it takes a long to produce so little."
"Still it throws that law of physics out the window. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, ah..but it can..." Tomoe said.
"We think.." The two added.
"Uh okay," Darrien said.
"Come my boy, there is research to be done, to the university!" Richter said.
"Why are we going there?" Darrien asked.
"Well what better place to do research?" Richter asked.
"But you have a laboratory," Darrien said.
"Ahh..but a laboratory is only as good as the stuff we put into it," Richter said.
"Yes, and the personnel we have working for us," Tomoe said.
"We need some fresh insights," Richter said.
"So..off we go."
"Uh I just have to say it makes me nervous when you two think this much alike," Darrien said.
"We get that a lot," Richter said.
"You'll get to us," Tomoe said.
"Or not," Richter said.
The two laughed.
Darrien sighed.
"There you are Artemas," Luna muttered.
"Sorry..I'm late, I just got off the line with Mina," Artemas said.
"How is she?" Luna asked.
"Fine, the tour's going well, she and Raye are having some fun, they've managed to keep from hurting each other too much," Artemas said.
"Well that's good to hear," Luna said. "I'm worried."
"Worried?" Artemas asked. "About this war."
"Yes..." Luna said. "Galaxia ruled the rest of the galaxy, she was an evil tyrant, however, she kept a lot of other evil forces in check. With her death.."
"I know.." Artemas said. "We may have to worry about forces from other galaxies, or even within our own that we're not prepared for."
"And the scouts are so sick of fighting," Luna said. "I don't blame them. They really are doing their best. But just how much can you ask of them?"
"I know, some things gotta give sometime," Artemas said.
"You know that even though crystal Tokyo may not be in our future for sure, it could still happen. Something overcomes this planet," Luna said. "Or will try to."
"Unless destiny has been altered too much," Artemas said.
"Maybe so. But just what was it that was capable of putting the world to sleep like it did?"
"I'm concerned too Luna, but nothing helps by worrying about it. It's too much of a hypothetical situation."
" I know," Luna said. "Still..I can't help it."
"I guess we'll have to see what happens," Artemas said.
"I hate waiting to see that," Luna said.
"Me too," Artemas said.
Elsewhere.
"How's the travel business?" Nephlite asked.
"Hmm...somewhat annoying," Prince Diamond said. "I think I will attempt to find a new source of employment."
"Worth a try."
"So you wished to speak with me."
"Can you sense what is happening?"
"Destabilization? Chaos...war..yes."
"We may be called upon to fight again," Nephlite said.
"Agreed," Diamond said.
"You willing?"
"Yes, I am," Diamond said. "We will do our best."
"Yes. So will we...but only when the time comes."
"Now is not the time."
"Not yet, but maybe soon," Nephlite said.
"How soon do you think?"
"Any day now..maybe..or maybe not," Nephlite said.
"We'll be ready," Diamond said.
Darrien had since arrived at the university. Along with Doctors Tomoe and Richter he headed towards his modest office.
"This place is kind of a dump," Darrien said.
"Ah..scientists work best in this kind of environment though," Tomoe said.
"Yes, if it looked too nice, we might forget we actually needed to work," Richter said.
"Uh huh.." Darrien said. "Well..anyway..sorry about the mess anyway."
A wall exploded.
"Ah..explosions, I miss the university," Tomoe said.
Darrien's eyes narrowed.
"Darrien Shields...I assume," came a voice. Out of the smoke Gala emerged flanked by the Sailor Animates. Darrien turned to see Coardite, Argosante, Materic, and Metalite behind him.
"HAH!" Richter shouted drawing a strange looking gun.
He began to open fire, sending bolts of negaenergy flying at the four enemies in front of him. Tomoe drew a similar weapon and fired at the other four. The group all ducked.
"Annoying fools!" Lead Crow shouted and hit the three with blasts of energy they fell to the ground.
"Thank you Lead Crow," Gala said raising her arms
and aiming her bracelets at Darrien.
"Oh no..." Patterson said making no effort to restrain his emotion as he received a read out from his watch.
"What it is?" Haruka said.
"Darrien! He's under attack!" Patterson said opening the doors of the war room.
"Oh no..he's all alone," Serena said.
"We'd better hurry," Haruka said.
"Ah..." Gala said watching as a golden object floated above Darrien's head.
"It's not a dud is it?" Lead Crow asked.
"Amazing," Iron Mouse said. "I never thought I'd see one of these."
Darrien lay unconscious.
"Won't he turn into a farce?" Aluminum Siren asked.
"No," Gala said. "The holder of a star seed does not become one."
"So now what?" Metalite said.
"Now.." Gala said. "We all get what we want."
She held up the star seed. It flashed as energy began to flow through her.
"What's happening?" Coardite asked.
"I wonder.." Metalite said.
Gala grinned as she felt herself growing more and more powerful.
"Now she's even more powerful," Lead Crow said.
"Do you think she'll make us more powerful too?" Siren asked.
"Only if it suits her," Lead Crow said.
Elsewhere. Haruka and Michiru's convertible shot through the streets. All eight of the scouts had crowded into it.
"We really should have been more concerned with transportation requirements," Sailor Neptune said.
"That's something to worry about for the future," Sailor Uranus said.
"I've got us a police escort. It'll meet us several blocks ahead," Maverick said.
"How is he?" Sailor Moon asked.
"They've got his star seed," Maverick said.
"Oh no..can he live without it?" Sailor Moon asked.
"We'll get it back Sailor Moon," Sailor Mercury said.
"I can't lose him now," Sailor Moon said. "I just won't."
"We won't let him go," the other girls all said.
"Thanks," Sailor Moon said. "Can't you go any faster?"
Several police cars swerved out in front of them.
"We can now!" Uranus said and put her foot down. The
cars shot down the road.
Gala stopped absorbing the energy. She tossed the darkened husk of the star seed at Darrien's limp form and grinned.
"How interesting that my mother kept him as a close servant to her, and didn't even realize. But now...I have that power.."
She glowed and split into two identical parts.
"Gala. What have you done?" Metalite asked.
"Simple, created the part of me that shall lead," the first Gala said.
"And the part of me that will fight," the second Gala said swinging her energy sword. "Now as for all of you..accept an energy upgrade!"
The seven warriors glowed as energy flew through them.
"When this is complete you will be at your original level
of power," The first Gala said. "We will destroy the
scouts today."
"This isn't good," Maverick said.
"What?" Sailor Moon said hysterically.
"Gala's used the star seed's energy. She's cloned herself and given more power to the other warriors," Maverick said.
"Oh no.." Sailor Moon said.
"Come and get us Sailor Scouts!" Gala shouted into the camera.
"What?" Maverick said in surprise as the screen went blank.
"She's disrupted the transmission," he said.
"She can do that?" Guardian Saturn said in surprise.
"That is the least of our problems," Sailor Saturn said.
"You're right it is. We've gotta save Darrien," Sailor Moon said.
"We're almost there," Sailor Uranus said.
"Now..is everyone happy?" the first Gala said.
Her soldiers grinned.
"Good...now I'm going to let you end this..." the first Gala said and vanished in a flash of energy. The second Gala stood there at the ready.
"It's time to set a trap," She said.
"With all this power why even bother?" Argosante said.
"At last I have achieved what I wished. Power above that of my skill," Materic said. "Let me get my revenge!"
"You all will get what you want, but we must be sure we do it right," Gala said. "You want to end this don't you."
The group nodded.
"Then we will make sure we do just that," Gala said.
"Listen carefully, and don't get cocky. These are the
scouts, they've beaten everyone who has faced them before. Even
with our powers they are still dangerous. Now here is what we're
going to do."
The convertible carrying the eight scouts raced into the university surrounded by their police escort.
"This is definitely a trap," Sailor Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, Mercury, Guardian Saturn, and Maverick all said in unison and were all surprised by the strangeness of it.
"Jinx?" Jupiter muttered.
"A trap what kind of trap?" Sailor Moon said.
"A dangerous one," Sailor Saturn said. "We must be very careful, because even taking precautions our survival is not assured."
"Thanks for the pep talk," Jupiter said. The car skidded to a stop. The group all got out.
"What's going on?" Chief Ozaki said.
"Move your officers back Chief. It's too dangerous for you," Sailor Uranus said.
"I'll be the judge of that," Ozaki said.
"Trust me," Uranus said.
Ozaki looked at her and then nodded.
"Good luck," the Chief said.
The group all nodded and moved towards the science building.
"Sailor Moon, you've been in that building before. What's it layout?" Uranus said.
"We don't have time to stand out here," Sailor Moon said. "I know it's a trap, but we have to go.."
"Sailor Moon, listen to me..we can get in there faster if you just tell me what it looks like," Sailor Uranus said.
"Narrow hallways..cluttered stuff everywhere, a lot of offices," Sailor Moon said.
"I've been here once before, it's practically a maze," Sailor Mercury said.
"They've planned this well," Sailor Neptune observed.
"Sailor Saturn? You sensing anything?" Uranus asked.
"The general sense of them being there, yes, but they are..." she winced as the she felt the pain of her sensation. "They're blocking me.."
"There are probably innocent people in there too," Sailor Mercury said.
"I can't wait any longer," Sailor Moon said. Uranus and Neptune grabbed her.
"Sailor Moon we can't rush into this," Uranus said.
Mercury and Jupiter looked on remembering a scene such as this years ago on the frozen wasteland leading to the Queen Beryl's palace.
"I've got a really bad feeling about this," Jupiter said.
"Me too," Mercury said.
"Uranus," Maverick said. "Let's go."
"What?" Uranus asked.
"The two of us. Let's draw them out," Maverick said.
"Maverick there are eight of them in there," Mercury said.
"We have to break up their trap whatever it is," Maverick said. "Wait for our signal."
"Let's go," Sailor Uranus said.
"I have to come with you, I have to get to Darrien!" Sailor Moon shouted.
"Keep her here!" Uranus said and hurried off, followed by Maverick.
"Let me go!" Sailor Moon shouted. Sailor Jupiter and Neptune held her. She screeched.
"Let's try our own distraction," Mercury said.
"Innocent injuries will be unfortunate but maybe necessary," Uranus said.
"Let's just keep them from being killed," Maverick said. The two raced into the building firing their swords down hallways and blasting doors open. A wave of energy flew down the narrow hallway. The two spun and dived into doorways. The energy blasted by and exploded.
The two stood up. More energy flew at them. They dived back into the hallway. The energy flew at them.
"Uranus..take it!" Maverick shouted and leapt into the energy attack. It slammed against him flattening.
"Uranus World Shaking!"
The attack blasted down the hallway. A large shout erupted from it. Sailor Lead Crow and Aluminum Siren emerged from the adjoining rooms. Uranus spun swinging her sword. The two dodged. Maverick staggered up and opened fire.
The battle began.
Mercury and Guardian Saturn took aim and began to fire at the side of the building shattering windows.
"I hate to do this, but..maybe we'll get lucky," Mercury said.
"YAH!" came a shout. Coardite, Argosante, and Prince Metalite leapt from the building and unleashed a massive attack at the group. They all leapt out of the way. Sailor Moon took advantage and hurried into the building.
"I'll get her!" Jupiter shouted racing after her.
"Neptune go with her!" Mercury shouted.
"Good idea!" Neptune said.
Coardite, Argosante, and Metalite lined up against the two Saturn's and Mercury.
"Foolish enemies," Sailor Saturn said.
"We don't care about some simple trap," Metalite said.
"We'll destroy you anyway," Coardite said. "There was no point in keeping our forces divided anyway."
The six squared off.
Sailor Moon was since running down another hallway. Jupiter and Neptune raced after her.
"Be careful Sailor Moon!" Neptune said.
"His office is nearby!" Sailor Moon shouted.
"Watch out!" Jupiter shouted. Materic jumped down the hallway, energy flew from his sword and clipped the three.
"Excellent work," Gala said. The three scouts stood ready. Materic and Gala stood in front of Darrien's unconscious body.
"I'll kill you!" Sailor Moon shouted rushing forward.
Uranus and Jupiter both fired at the enemies. They rushed forward. Jupiter, Neptune, Materic and Gala were soon locked in combat. Sailor Moon limped towards Darrien.
"Darrien? Darrien!" She shouted.